administrator

Admiration and AOS experience

To all regulars and constant contributors,


Your determination to assist other winners and potential candidates of the DV program inspires me to write a few lines and share my experiences. Obviously, all of you are a wealth of information. I should have found this website earlier while googling for an AOS. Fortunately, I found the AOS post from an H1B1 holder on an unidentified website and was able to use that post as a reference in addition to numerous phone calls to 1-800-375-5283. I went to college in the U.S. on a student visa. Upon graduation, I was employed and converted my status to H1B1.

I don't have all files and folders handy as to specify the timeline. Be understandable my vague about dates.

I have to correct my previous posting that I received my NL in May 2005 with case number below AS xxxx2000.

In August or so, I sent $375 visa fees with a return envelop (the winner should be able to provide the paid receipt of the visa fees upon the request of the interviewer-an immigration officer)
In the second week of October, I had all mandatory vaccinations and completed my physical exam at a civil surgeon clinic. (The physical exam is good for a year per the USCIS website.

You can time your physical exam anytime after vaccinations. Your physician wil fill out I-693 and insert in a sealed envelop and provide you a copy).

I called the KCC during the last week of October to find out when my case would be current ( The cutoff number posted at the visa bulletin was below AS xxxx1000.

When I called, the lady who answered the phone informed me that I could send my application to the Chicago Lockbox now by then because my case would be current in November.

From her explanation, I came to understand that it was O.K. to send the application early as long as the number became current by the time the interview came. Some of you have already known that fact.)

In the first week of November, I sent copies of the following documents along with I-485, sealed medical records, G-325A, a $395 check for I-485 and biometric fees to the Chicago Lockbox via express mail: the notification letters from the KCC, the paid receipt for visa fees, all I-94s to establish my legal status, college diplomas, the notarized birth certificate, and the passport (I did not submit any bank statement, tax returns and employment verification letter per the phone conversation I had with an immigration officer.

I was risking myself, which I shouldn't now that I thought)
During the second week of January 2006, the FT notice and the interview appointment arrived at the same time from the Atlanta office in Georgia. My FT was scheduled on January 24, 2006, and my interview on the Valentine's day.

On the interview day, I brought copies of the tax returns from previous three years and all original documents because the interview letter asked those. I also brought some other documents deemed necessary.

I was called around 8:30 a.m. During the interview, the officer verified all the information on my application and asked me a few questions in regard to my employment and my marital status and checked my H1B1 approval notice.

Upon satisfaction, the officer checked on his computer to confirm the current cut-off number (my case had way passed the current number at that time).

The interview as done by 9. (Each interview is set to last for a half an hour per the officer). Due to an Internet traffic, the officer was not able to request the visa immediately. I was asked to come back at 10:30. By 11, the immigrant vias was stamped. The officer took away all my I-94s and congradulated me.

The wait would be very stressful. No one can tell when the interview is going to be. Be extremely patient and try to stay calm. Ones don't want to make a mistake especially when filling out their personal information. Always time yourself and double check with the KCC when start sending AOS applications. Also check the updated fees and forms as those change frequently.

Regarding contacting a local politician, one might consider about corresponding the representative of his or her district, the Congressman for example, in about two to three months from the application date if no appointment letters are received.

A friend contacted his district Congressman after a five-month wait and his AOS was done at lightning speed.
Hope this will help.