AOS (I-485) Approved!

[MaxxumUSA]

Today - 03/18/2008 - me and Elena went in for her (our) AOS interview.  I was required to attend.

We had a very short wait and then we were called into an office.  The office was one agents and then another DHS agent joined us to witness/approve the interview.  They asked about medical records but we did not have them because her information was still somewhere else.  Luckily my Elena was on the ball and had made her own copy of a DS-3025 and when we were in Moscow for her interview she had that stamped at the med center.  This was the main thing they needed - her vaccination records.

The main agent interviewer asked basic information after swearing us in.  He verified the vital primary information that we had sent with the application.  After seeing my income he asked me a bit about my corporation and what type of work I do.

All in all it was pretty much painless.  The officers/agents spoke openly in front of us and said they see no reason to stop the paperwork.  He stamped the application approved, took her I-94 out of her passport, and said the green card will be delivered within two weeks.  They took her EAD card and said she will not need it after she receives green card.  They also advised us to not travel until it arrives.  (Common sense but I thought I would add that)

So...  there we go.  All done with paperwork for a couple years.

For those of you who are wondering the timeline for the complete process from meeting to green card - here is ours:

12/27/2006 - First email to Elena
01/02/2007 - First skype conversation
02/02/2007 - First visit to Russia
03/09/2007 - I-129F sent
03/13/2007 - NOA1
03/24/2007 - Touched
04/07/2007 - Touched
04/19/2007 - Called VSC again - was told my petition was on someone's desk waiting for an RFE clerical entry
04/20/2007 - RFE via website stating they mailed via snail mail- no clue what they need or want
04/23/2007 - Touched ???  the monday after RFE?  Why?
05/02/2007 - RFE  received (10 days to receive RFE in mail!  UGH!!!!)
05/14/2007 - Evidence delivered fedex signed for by A.Scott
05/15/2007 - Touched - Evidence received.
05/16/2007 - Touched
05/17/2007 - Touched
05/18/2007 - Touched
06/04/2007 - NOA2 via website. 
06/05/2007 - Touched
06/06/2007 - NVC Received from USCIS
06/12/2007 - NVC Left!  6 days at nvc - inluding a weekend!
08/21/2007 - Interview Date - Discovered on 06/25/2007 by looking with MOS number on Embassy website
08/22/2007 - Actual Interview date - PASSED  (Interview delayed one day due to delay in medical exam results.)
08/30/2007 - Entered USA @ JFK
11/10/2007 - MARRIED!
12/28/2007 - Filed AOS, EAD, and AP
01/07/2008 - NOA1 AOS, AP, EAD
01/25/2008 - Biometrics appointment, EAD, AOS
02/20/2008 - Advance Parole approved/received
02/25/2008 - EAD (work card) approved/received
03/18/2008 - AOS interview - Approved!

NOTE:  From Feb to August when she returned with me I visited her a total of 4 times with total face time of two months.

[groovlstk]

Congratulations, Maxxum.

Having the hassle of dealing w/the USCIS off your plate for the next two years is a great relief. When my wife got her green card I felt like we'd turned a big corner, so many things that were formerly a hassle were now easy.

[KenC]

Maxxum,
First of all congrats on jumping one of the last hurdles in this maze.

I have always thought of you as the perfect example of how to do this right.  You made good decisions every step of the way.  Heck, even your paperwork was processed in a timely fashion.  There are many guys that show up here at RWD and I wonder how they could ever be successful at this venture, and then there are guys like you.  The one's I have no doubt that they will be successful.  Congrats again and welcome to the rest of your life!  I hope that the future will only bring you and your Mrs. blue skies and rainbows.  Well done.
 
KenC

[Blues Fairy]

Wow, 3.5 months from filing to interview!  Awesome.

We are now in the AOS process too, filed 02/19; looking at the VJ stats it appears EAD will not arrive until May.  But your case is very encouraging!

[catzenmouse]

Congratulations to you both! One more item on the "Done" list!

Ken

[jj]

Congratulations Maxxum to both of you!  We filed on November 5 and still waiting for I-485 interview.  Not even able to check on line yet. I made an infopass for next week in Charlotte to see what gives.  We did get EAD and AP fairly quickly , but its the green card that counts!   Now you can move on and relax a litte for a couple of years. 

[Vaughn]

Bravo, Maxxum and Elena. Yours is one of the smoothest processes I've heard of.

Nice touch that she had the vaccination record copied - I always recommend to
AOS interviewees "Bring everything".

Ten to one your Removal of Conditions will be approved sans interview.

Vaughn

[Jet]

12/28/2007 - Filed AOS, EAD, and AP
01/07/2008 - NOA1 AOS, AP, EAD
01/25/2008 - Biometrics appointment, EAD, AOS
02/20/2008 - Advance Parole approved/received
02/25/2008 - EAD (work card) approved/received
03/18/2008 - AOS interview - Approved!

We HATE YOU!  j/k lol Seriously, happy to hear that this stuff goes smoothly for most couples here, congratulations. 
You guys received the GC in HALF the time it took for us to get the fingerprint appointment!

[MaxxumUSA]

Thank you all for the kind words.

It is nice to get through it with almost no problems.  I consider ourselves very blessed.

Thanks again.

- Maxxum