AAZ- (guest)    •   11/13/2012 16:02:12 PM

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Thanks a lot to the writers who posted there experiences on this site, these helped me a lot to get prepared for my GC interview.
My spouse is an US citizen and I hired a lawyer(the best thing I did) to file my case.
July 23th - sent the papers
July 27th - got the acceptance notice
July 30th - Biometrics appiointment notice
Aug 27th - Biometrics done
Sep 13th - Interivew letter received
Sep 25th - EAD approval notice received
Oct 24th - Interivew, approved on spot and stamped the passport
Nov 12th - GC arrived

On the day of interview, we were a bit nervous but the IO was nise and just asked a few questions that were filled out in the forms, DOB and social. He went thru our wedding album and took a copy of some photographs of us together and based on the experiences on this site i have prepared all the supporting documents(joint bank statements, medical insurance card and lease) having both of our names, my lifeinsurance declaring my wife as a nominee. The IO took copies all these and added to his file and approved our case on spot.
On and all a very good experince and didnt had any queries or any RFE's. I have to bear the attorney fees but it was worth the peace of mind.

Best of Luck and thanks everyone who had posted there valuable experiences.
Thanks AAZ

Jones- (guest from liberal, Kansas, )    •   11/12/2012 04:46:00 AM

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Does it matter when you go for an interview and you told the IQ that you met your wife online.do you think the IQ is gonna be suspicious of marriage fraudulent?

visagirl- (guest from , MT, )    •   11/11/2012 01:13:01 AM

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Here goes my story!

Jan 2007 -came as a F1 student
May 2011 - Graduated college
After graduation started to work (not related to major) using OPT.

Jan 2012 - Met this guy at work (US citizen)
Feb 2012 (towards the end) - Started dating
April 2012 (first week) - Moved in together
June 12 2012 - Got Married
July 17 2012- OPT ended
August 21 2012 - Submitted paper works (AOS, I 130, I 765)
August 28 2012 - Got mails saying those paper works were accepted and cheque was cashed.
(Even though I had signed up for e-notifications, never got one!)
September 04 2012 - Received appointment letter for bio metrics for September 19th.
September 19 2012 - Bio metrics taken
October 3 2012 - Received appointment letter for interview on Nov. 08, 8:30 am
October 31st 2012 - Got notification saying my I-765 was updated. (it was under card productions category)
November 06 2012 - Got notification again about I-765 and it said EAD card was mailed.

Between October and November, I did lot of research. Thanks to this forum. I read every single person's interview post. I was very nervous.
My biggest fears before interview were :
1. My husband and I got married in short span of time, within 4 months after we started dating.
2. Even though we live together in a house, we don't have lease or utility bills on our name. We pay the rent and bills. Basically, we are guarding some body else house. And we are not obliged to stay here if we find better place.
3. Both of us have not met both side of our parents, not even friends. So, we don't have pictures with any of our friends or family.
4. We had a civil wedding. So, there is no wedding pictures.
5. I did not change my maiden name. I felt this could suspicious in our situation. And I did not have any genuine reason. It was my personal choice.

I was very worried and scared. To give IO people proof that we are living together, I started ordering stuff online on our house address. We have P.O box. and we get all our mails on P.O box. I usually do online shopping. So, I started ordering stuff on my name and my husband's name on our house address. I started murdering the outside box of the package and collected all the addresses with our names on it. It's not easy to get only the address out of the box since it's glued very nicely. So, basically you have to murder them and take whatever you can. Ordering stuff on house address was one of the smartest thing I did. I will recommend people to do it if you guys are in our situation. Obviously lease and bills on your name is the best, but some time you gotta do what you gotta do!

Since we did not have wedding pictures, I started to make a scarp book. I printed all the i-phone and some camera pictures we had and started putting them together. Printing pictures and putting them in album is lot easier than scarpbooking. Scarpbooking takes lot of time but in our case it was worth it. I put those pictures in such a way that they will tell our story from beginning till now.

On november 07 10:00 pm, we started driving for interview. We live in one corner of the state, and the interview place was in another corner. Basically it was little over 8 hrs drive to get there. Yup, it was a long drive. Since we were already there for bio meterics, we were prepared for it. On our way, I started questioning my husband. We practiced little bit. Our relationship and marriage is so fresh that we know and remember everything. I made him memorize my parents name. We knew everything about each other. So, had no clue what to practice. Both of us were not even nervous. I used to get so nervous when I read people's post but now on the actual date, I was not even nervous or excited!. Part of it was probably because of the long drive.

At 8:00 am, we entered the building. The building is small and not crowded at all. So, it was just two of us. After
8:30 am, IO lady called us. She seemed calm and nice. We followed her and she asked us to swear in.

After that she asked me how to say my first name. Most people can't say it, So, I told her to call me by nick name. Then, she asked my husband about how we met, my birth date, place of birth, my parents name (good thing I made him memorize lol), wedding date, and where I work. I was surprised she was asking him question after question. I thought they attack immigrant but they were attacking US citizen lol.
Then the lady asked me about my husband birth date, place of birth, his parents name, and his job.
Then she asked us to give the joint property. I gave her our phone bills, bank statement, health/dental insurance, his pay stub, tax transcript, those mail address collection ( I explained her about utility bill and housing situation), and scarp book.

She looked through the scarp book and pretty much glanced at those pictures. After asking some Yes/No questions from the application, she said she approved the case. But she would want some pictures of us. I had read in this forum that IO people will take some pictures from album to keep in their record. So, keeping that in mind, I had carried DVD with me. I knew they wont be able to take pictures from scarpbook. She said we can submit within 30 days. I told her before we head back we would print some pictures and drop it off. She was happy to hear that. I just wanted to get over everything. She took my I-94 and made me sign the paper. Interview was over. We then went to Walmart, printed those pictures, and hand them to security to pass it to her.

It was a huge relief. Later that day, I got text notification about case being updated. I checked online and it was under (card productions/order).

Next day, November 9, I got text again from USCIS. I checked it and my status was under decision. I was like WTH? But read it carefully and basically said they have sent the mail and have registered me as permanent resident. Got another text and it was for I-130. It said, the application was approved and the mail has been sent :D

Total it took me 78 days and did not hire a lawyer :))
I hope my experience helps you guys! Good luck!

Mas- (guest from Fort worth, Texas, US)    •   11/08/2012 10:31:56 AM

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I came to the states 2 times and got married to my husband the second time I came along with mr daughter.. We got married on valentine day this year and that was my b'day as well. we fine your paper work on march 2012 and got your interview letters in September . I was nervous as everybody else is so I did some research and read stories about others when they when to their.. The truth is its not as nerve racking as I though I was! My interview was on October 30 2012 at 7 in the morning.. Me my daughter and my husband was there minutes before the interview and was called 2 minutes later! The IO was a guy.. He was nice and polite but show no emotion like smiling or joking.. That freak me out! 20 minutes later we were approved and out the door! My daughter green card came yesterday and mine today it was that fast! So for any of you going for the interview be yourself and tell the truth! Good luck.. Hope this help..:)

Jen- (guest from Indianapolis, IN, )    •   11/06/2012 20:53:24 PM

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F-1 status when submitting application. My spouse is a citizen.

Oct 2011 wedding
07/12/2012 mailed application
07/19/2012 received receipt in email
07/25/2012 received biometrics notice
08/17/2012 biometrics appointment
08/30/2012 received notification for interview on 10/04/2012
09/12/2012 called the national benefit center to change interview date
09/15/2012 received NBC letter of recognition for the request to change interview date
09/16/2012 received response letter from the Indianapolis field office saying interview will be rescheduled
09/26/2012 received EAD/AP card
Week of 10/15/2012 received interview notice from the field office
11/06/2012 interview

We were asked how we met, how the wedding was held, how long we were dating before we got married. We presented joint account, joint rental and auto insurance, joint tax return, and 70 of our pictures since 2007 organized in chronological order printed out on letter size paper in groups of 4 (of the two of us, lots of one of us with the other's family, and pictures on trips in and out of the country). We prepared wedding pictures and tickets to movies and concerts (I happened to have habits of saving these) but the officer said there was no need to see it and the The interview lasted less than 20 minutes.

Thank you for all of those who posted their experiences before. Power to information sharing!

stushie- (guest from East Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA)    •   11/04/2012 19:06:41 PM

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Hi everyone i have been reading the post on this forum for a long while, i did my application on my own thanks to this forum for some valid guidelines that i fallowed, i think my interview went well IO was very nice to my husband and i he took i-94 and said he will review my case and i should expect a response in the mail, he wanted to verify my address because my Ex went for an interview one month before me and told the IO that i was living with him along with our daughter, he said he misunderstood the question that was asked he misspoke i am waiting to hear from them, but reading this forum is what give me courage that everything will be ok i wish everyone who are also waiting good luck thank you all.

Lovelove- (guest)    •   10/16/2012 15:58:38 PM

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I am having my interview next week. Can someone please give me advice on what to expect? I am nervous but I then again I am confident because I know my husband very well. Any advice or tips will be great. Thanks!

Ngeh- (guest from Los Angeles, California, United States)    •   09/17/2012 17:58:02 PM

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hey to all her was my journey

Ngeh- (guest from Los Angeles, California, United States)    •   09/17/2012 17:46:07 PM

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i will like to thank this site because it was due to them that i was able to overcome all the diificulties which i went through in oder to get my green card i cant remember the dates but will make it helpfull for otheres but i can remember the
i came to the use got married
--- field for adjustment of status,
--- received a reception notice after two week
--- two week later received and acceptance
---- later onn received letter for biometrics quiet easy takes about 5 mins
--- received letter for physical exams caused varies depending what what type of vaccine u need but range b/w 100-150
----- received letter for interview but before that i hade not receive my work permit so was waiting but only realised it was sent to the wrong adress
--- went for interview nervous like nerver before ---- could not even remember my own date of birth hihih
the woman was very nice ask me feww quetions due to my nervousness could not talk very funny my wife was laughing at me but the woman separate us and ask us this quetions
---- my wifes name
--- where we live
--- how our kids go to school
---who put them to them
*----- where our bathroom if found in the house
   it went all well and we hade as evidence
---leassing agreement
--- bank statement
--- insurance car and life
-- our wedding picture not big
over all what i will say is that u just have to go prepaired and have no doubt cus if u doubt your self what do u expect and make sure you have all your paper work ready most important remember dates and places very important wish every body a good luck in their interview and most especially be honest if u dont know any thing say u dont knopw donr guest and say things u cant back N.B if u are for real u have it over all it took me exactly six months to get my gc thank you America

Vince Man- (guest from Memphis, TN, USA)    •   09/03/2012 19:05:31 PM

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Here is our story: we got married on June 5th 2012 in Athens, GA. It was a small wedding ceremony and only our family members were present. We took plenty of pictures together as we knew this would come in handy when I go in for my interview. We exchanged vows and wedding rings and began our new journey together.

My wife and I are both college students living in two separate states. She lives in GA and I live in TN (6 hour difference while driving).

I filed my application on June 21 (I did hire an attorney because I did not want to take any risk) and received a letter back on June 27 saying that they received my file for I-765 and I-485 and gave me a case status online tracking number.

I checked this site from the first day all the way until my interview. (I was way too hyped up and just wanted to hear back news ASAP) But I knew I had to play the waiting game just like everyone else.

Finally on July 1st 2012, I got a letter for my biometrics appointment which was two and a half weeks later (July 18th). Days dragged by, just waiting to get this process done with.

Biometrics was super easy. Just go in to the office, drop in the notice letter in the slot and wait for your name to be called. Then they do the finger printing and out you go.

The wait after biometrics was the worst. I did get the I-485 notice for interview to be held in Memphis, TN on August 30 at 1:00 PM.

Weeks before the interview day, we started gathering every little piece of information that linked us together. I did not have a license or a SSN and I did not live with her currently so I could not sign up on her lease or have health insurance with her or car insurance. The only documents I had were
1. Joint Bank Account
2. Gym Membership
3. Bus tickets on my end and Plane tickets on her end. If you are in a relationship, save EVERY ticket. It will be worth it in the end.
4. We saved a lot of our letters that we wrote to each other, movie tickets, restaurant receipts, adventure tickets, game tickets that we attended
5. Pictures (We saved up at least a 1000 pictures of us being together, with our family, with friends) to show that we were happy and in a serious relationship


The days leading up to the interview, we practiced like this was life or death. We prepared and asked possible interview questions almost every time we talked on the phone. We were so overprepared.

Finally the day came for the interview, I was so nervous going in. I had an attorney present with me to the interview (BEST DECISION EVER MADE).
If you are planning to hire an attorney, I highly recommend you do so. Don't look at the money part, make sure they have a good reputation (like mine was). Our interview appointment was at 1:00 P.M. and we arrived there at 12:35 and waited until our attorney arrived to drop the letter in the slot.

At 12:45, I dropped the letter in the slot and five minutes later, my attorney arrived. I got called in around 1:05 P.M.

When we entered the IO's office, he told us to stand up and lift your right hand to take an oath. We said yes we will only say the truth and then the interview began.

The IO asked me my name, address, and date of birth.
Asked if I had SSN (I said No).
He asked my wife the same thing. My wife had SSN.
He went on to ask me how I met my wife and where we met and when it was. I answered truthfully.
He then went on to ask me the questions about if I had ever committed a crime in the US or helped someone get into the US illegally....I said No.

He asked if we lived together before marriage and I said no.

The gentlemen was SUPER nice. Very friendly and sociable. He was really shocked to see people our age getting married (I was 22 and my wife was 20).

He asked for our joint assets and I gave him EVERYTHING I prepared with. Bus tickets, joint bank account, gym memberships(with our names on it), my wife's plane tickets, PayPal account money transfers.

He then looked at our original birth certificate and original marriage certificate and turned to his computer.
There was silence for at least a minute. My back was sweating, I was so nervous.
Finally he broke the silence with "Congratulations, I am approving your case. You should get your green card within 30 days."
The IO was so kind to us and understood our situation. He also commented right after saying "Man you look like you are about to explode."
I was jumping with joy inside of me. I could not believe it. I have been waiting for this day since 2001 and finally everything I did paid off. I thanked God in my head first and then shook the IO's hand and said Thank you for everything! He printed us an approval letter and walked us out to the door.

I checked my status online and I got the welcome message and that I will soon become a permanent resident (conditionally) since we were married for only 3 months.
My wife and I are so happy right now. But I feel so deflated and drained out by the immigration process. I feel like a giant monkey has been lifted off my back and I am excited to start my future once my green card arrives.

I had to write this post because I read hundreds of posts on here before my interview and they helped me tremendously! I couldn't sleep for weeks so I ended up reading on other people's cases.

I cannot wait for my green card to arrive in the mail!

SO HAPPY!
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