Adjustment of Status - I-485

Hello,
I have my interview coming up. Applying based on Wife being a citizen.
Does anybody has list of questions to prepare for Interview or suggestions on possible questions?

Also how much do the lawyer charges for just coming to the interview?

Thanks.

Hello everyone!

Today I received my Green Card in the mailbox and I would like to share a complete timeline with you in case it is of any help to a few people.

My spouse had filed the I-129F form on 7/15/2016 and my K-1 Visa was approved on 12/13/2016 and sent to a pick up location overseas where I previously lived on 12/21/2016. I could’ve had the K-1 Visa received by mid-November 2016 but certain delays could not be avoided on my side.

I entered the United States with a K-1 Fiancée Visa and got married within the 90-day window. Following that, I filed all the necessary paperwork to Register Permanent Residence (Form I-485 based on an Approved Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancée) and be granted Employment Authorization (Form I-765 -? Eligibility Category: C09)

The timeline is as follows:

1/18/2017: Sent all the necessary paperwork to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox
1/20/2017 (Day 0): Paperwork delivered to USCIS
1/27/2017: Check was cashed
1/30/2017: Received two (2) Forms I-797C, Notice of Action (one (1) for each case) in which I was allocated a USCIS Alien Number and indicating that the cases have been received by their office (National Benefits Center, P.O. Box 648003, Lee’s Summit, MO 64002) and are in process.
2/03/2017: Received Form I-797C, Notice of Action scheduling my biometrics appointment
2/14/2017: Biometrics captured/taken at the Application Support Center in Long Island City, Queens, NY as scheduled and Form I-797C (ASC Appointment Notice) was stamped
4/6/2017 (Day 76): Raised a SR for EAD over the phone
4/18/2017 (Day 88): EAD Approved
4/27/2017 (Day 97): Received EAD card in the mailbox (NOT a Combo card)

4/28/2017: Sent all the necessary paperwork for I-131 (AP) to USCIS Chicago Lockbox. I included a letter which showed my timeline and in which I explained that as my I-485 application is still pending, I am applying for an AP (multiple trips) to allow me to visit my parents and relatives in case of an emergency. In the end, I requested that “IN CASE MY I-485 APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCY HAS STILL NOT BE PROCESSED BY USCIS AS OF TODAY, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD PROCESS MY APPLICATION FOR THE ADVANCE PAROLE DOCUMENT (I-131) OR THE PERMANENT RESIDENCY (I-485).” In that same letter, I also explained that “THE DATE OF INTENDED DEPARTURE (filled out on my I-131 application) IS ONLY AN INDICATIVE DATE, AS I DO NOT INTEND TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES BEFORE MY I-485 APPLICATION IS APPROVED, UNLESS AN EMERGENCY SITUTATION OCCURS. THE EXPECTED LENGTH OF MY TRIP WILL NOT BE MORE THAN 25 DAYS.”

5/02/2017: Paperwork for I-131 (AP) delivered to USCIS

5/04/2017 (Day 104): I had scheduled an Info pass appointment at Federal Plaza field office to ask about my I-485 case status. Officer was very kind and willing to check in their internal system. She informed me that my case had been received by the field office that same day (I couldn’t see that online on uscis.gov). I explained to her that I had already been interviewed 5 months earlier in the U.S. Embassy when I applied for the K-1 Visa, my biometrics had been successfully taken 3 months earlier and I had passed all background checks as I had received my EAD card. She seemed to understand and told me that processing could take from a couple of days to a few months.

5/09/2017 (Day 109): Green Card Approved (I-485 application)

5/15/2017 (Day 115): Received Green Card (I-551) in the mailbox

I truly believe that, the fact that I had not initially applied for an AP but only did after I received my EAD (and while my I-485 was still pending) explaining the purpose of my application, gave a huge boost (time wise) to the processing of my I-485 case. The info pass appointment could’ve also been a positive factor in the whole process as the officer or one of her colleagues might’ve looked into my case after my departure from the field office (my case was approved 5 days later). The fact that I initiated the appointment and showed up for a face to face meeting can also be perceived as a “nothing to hide” applicant. Every time I contacted USCIS (SR for my EAD, I-131 application with a letter requesting for my I-485 processing if possible, info pass appointment explaining my case and requesting my I-485 application to be processed if possible), a few days later I had a positive outcome. It seems hard to believe that this is just a coincidence as it happened, not once, not twice, but three times.

My advice from my personal experience is as follows: Always be 100% honest and kind in your communication with USCIS whether it is by phone, mail or face to face. If possible, try to pursue the K-1 Visa path. It seems to be a much faster way for people to register permanent residency as they are being interviewed in the U.S. Embassy abroad before entering the United States and applying for I-485. Therefore, after applying for I-485, the interview in a United States field office will probably get waived by USCIS (https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume7-PartA-Chapter5.html) and your I-485 case will be processed much faster, unless there are red flags in your case (marriage fraud, background check issues, etc). Try to include as much information and proof as possible when you send your K-1 file to USCIS and the U.S. Embassy overseas.

Also, regardless of which path better suits your situation, devote as much time as needed to build yourself a strong case. I respect immigration lawyers and any other legitimate profession, but I believe that no one has more interest in your case that yourselves. Read the USCIS instructions carefully, gather all required documents, gather all other documents that strongly support your case (joint medical insurance coverage, sufficient sponsor income, sponsor’s last year’s tax returns, joint bank account, etc.) prepare your package, review the package carefully before mailing it out, have a loved and trusted family member/friend review it as well and then send it to USCIS for processing.

Good Luck to everyone!!!

So I thought my story would be helpful for those worried about RFIE evidence and how it might delay the EAD.
PD 2/6
RFIE 2/23
Response received 3/23
New card being produced 5/15

So around 99 days even with a RFIE.

Applied-february 10
Biometics done in portland-March 7th
On may 1st Status change from recieved case to ready for an interview.
Recieved my EAD card on may 5th

Im just waiting on my interview do you guys know how long would it take to get an interview ,after status changed from "recieved case" to "ready to schedule an interview"?

Hi y'all,

I've been visiting this forum for many months and have found it very helpful. In that spirit, I just want to share my experience should it be useful to others. Application being processed by the MSC, PD 03/06/2017

03/04/2017: Application Mailed
03/13/2017: Notice of receipt
04/24/2017: Biometrics appointment
05/08/2017: Case ready to be scheduled for interview
05/12/2017: New card is being produced

No notification as of yet that card has been mailed. In case others are having issues checking their case status online, I was also unable to do so (kept getting a validation error) until 05/08/2017.

Best wishes to everyone out there in this long and trying waiting game!

Is there anybody here who is waiting to get interview in Seattle office? Could you please share your timeline?
I am waiting since Dec.
I heard last week they started processing October filers.

Hello friends,

I thank you every one in this forum for sharing their experiences and willing to help each other. I married to my USC wife in March 2016 and applied for my AOS i-485 in July/August 2016 (I came to US on student visa in 2015).our interview has done at Fresno field office in Dec 2016. During that time i was still working in other city and my wife is in Fresno. our initial interview not went well. We can sense that officer was not satisfied. We were separated on our first interview itself.(He stressed more about why i am working in other city). He was clearly mentioned that he was not satisfied with our relationship but want to to give us an other opportunity and give us paper telling case is in held for further verification. After few weeks i got to know he transferred my case to the city where i was working. I stopped working and relocated to fresno area and transferred our case back in Late Jan 2017. in early feb we got notice that we will be having 2nd round of interview on our next scheduled appointment (that next scheduled appointment letter never came back till now).our case still shows pending and no update on 2nd interview either. we went to infopass many times but of no avail.Last week we went to our other infopass, this time the officer has actually spoken to the officer who actually working on my case and said it still under pending and they will let us know in next few months. its been already past 6 months since our interview and already past 4 months for second interview notice (it was never scheduled but was sent to let us know it will be on our next scheduled appointment ) but till know information. the infopass officer said to ignore that letter now. can anybody please let us know why it taking them soo long to give us decision or at least 2nd interview appointment.We are worried and cant' afford to apply for one more application if some thing went wrong.

Thank you

I'm feeling great right now! Just got my update tht New card bing produced (EAD)
God is good.
PD: 02/17
RFE: 03/07
RFE received on: 04/05
New card produce: 05/15

People be ye encouraged, God is in control.

Good afternoon, I just got my EAD and I'm so happy. Can someone tell me how long it takes for them to schedule the interview after receiving the EAD?

I wish a week full of good news for all

One more week and still no decision made on greencard approval. If they didnt believe me at my interview I wish they would do a home visit or call me for a second interview and just get this over with. This is soooo fustrating!!!!