Hello everybody, Today my AOS application was approved. As per popular demand her is my experience:
May 28, 2004 - Received the congratulation package from KCC; Immediately called lawyer who is also a family friend. Next day went to see him and paid retainer. Week later he requested for $20 copy of my file from USCIS/State Dept. In the file the only thing they had was a copy of my J1 visa w/2-year foreign residency requirement.
June - We started the procedure to get the No Objection Waiver. First we sent paperwork to State Dept, then to Croatian Embassy.
end of August - Got the No Objection letter from Croatian gov't.
September - The letter was sent directly to State Dept from Embassy by regular mail.
October - Lawyer contacted State Dept but they had not receive the letter. We asked the embassy to mail it again. Three weeks later, same story.
November - I asked that the letter be sent by fedex so that we can get confirmation signature. Three weeks later, file is in the hands of some lady. No problem, Waiver approved!
Mid December -Received the waiver.
December 24 - AOS paperwork submitted to San Francisco office.
March 9 2005 - Got FP notice, EAD pick up notice, and receipt.
March 16 - FP
March 24 - EAD
end of May - interview notice for June 23
June 23 - Interview. I had 2 files: one with all originals and one with all the copies to give to the officer. My lawyer told me that I have 50:50 change to get a difficult officer, and if I have everything prepared and copied, there is less room for bugging me. Files looked like this: all of my passports, marriage certificate, driver's licence, SSN card, EAD, my husband's GC, receipts (EAD, interview, DV congrat letter), AOS application, I-134 affidavit of support, my husband's paychecks, my job application with company's background check, all police certificates from every place I lived for more then 6 months since the age 16, my college degree w/sealed transcripts, copy of the receipt from doctor's appointment.
Interview - We arrived 30 minutes before interview. Waited for about 30 to be called in. After going in, signed the paper and fp right index finger. went into the office. Officer sworned me in. then he asked for my passports, EAD, SSN card, driver's licence, tax returns, marriage certificate. Gave him all the copies. Went through application line by line - name, address, everything...Asked for J1 waiver. Gave him the copy. Asked which company my husband works for. And that was it. Said there he reviewed the file and there were no issues. Said Approved! Put the stamp and that's it! I was in and out in 5 minutes.
Thank you everybody for the support and all those answers to all those questions...If anyone wants more info, just ask.
May 28, 2004 - Received the congratulation package from KCC; Immediately called lawyer who is also a family friend. Next day went to see him and paid retainer. Week later he requested for $20 copy of my file from USCIS/State Dept. In the file the only thing they had was a copy of my J1 visa w/2-year foreign residency requirement.
June - We started the procedure to get the No Objection Waiver. First we sent paperwork to State Dept, then to Croatian Embassy.
end of August - Got the No Objection letter from Croatian gov't.
September - The letter was sent directly to State Dept from Embassy by regular mail.
October - Lawyer contacted State Dept but they had not receive the letter. We asked the embassy to mail it again. Three weeks later, same story.
November - I asked that the letter be sent by fedex so that we can get confirmation signature. Three weeks later, file is in the hands of some lady. No problem, Waiver approved!
Mid December -Received the waiver.
December 24 - AOS paperwork submitted to San Francisco office.
March 9 2005 - Got FP notice, EAD pick up notice, and receipt.
March 16 - FP
March 24 - EAD
end of May - interview notice for June 23
June 23 - Interview. I had 2 files: one with all originals and one with all the copies to give to the officer. My lawyer told me that I have 50:50 change to get a difficult officer, and if I have everything prepared and copied, there is less room for bugging me. Files looked like this: all of my passports, marriage certificate, driver's licence, SSN card, EAD, my husband's GC, receipts (EAD, interview, DV congrat letter), AOS application, I-134 affidavit of support, my husband's paychecks, my job application with company's background check, all police certificates from every place I lived for more then 6 months since the age 16, my college degree w/sealed transcripts, copy of the receipt from doctor's appointment.
Interview - We arrived 30 minutes before interview. Waited for about 30 to be called in. After going in, signed the paper and fp right index finger. went into the office. Officer sworned me in. then he asked for my passports, EAD, SSN card, driver's licence, tax returns, marriage certificate. Gave him all the copies. Went through application line by line - name, address, everything...Asked for J1 waiver. Gave him the copy. Asked which company my husband works for. And that was it. Said there he reviewed the file and there were no issues. Said Approved! Put the stamp and that's it! I was in and out in 5 minutes.
Thank you everybody for the support and all those answers to all those questions...If anyone wants more info, just ask.
