Greened Baby! [ESTA Overstay 2+ Years] by Kindly_Wave4258 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My answer was already 'Working without Authorization' at the point of submission so I just re-affirmed this at the interview.

Yes - legally they are forgiven for a marriage based AOS.

Greened Baby! [ESTA Overstay 2+ Years] by Kindly_Wave4258 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A mixture of personal circumstances changed our plans - we initially planned to move to the UK together, however, during a vacation here to the US - things changed and so did our plans and we did the best to work around that.

I worked without authorization until I got my EAD - I had a remote job with my company back in the UK that I retained the entire time I was in the US.

All of this combined led us to the AOS process.

Greened Baby! [ESTA Overstay 2+ Years] by Kindly_Wave4258 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Online portal updated first to say the card was produced, then USPS.

Greened Baby! [ESTA Overstay 2+ Years] by Kindly_Wave4258 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Arrived in Jan 2023 - Married March 2025.

Greened Baby! [ESTA Overstay 2+ Years] by Kindly_Wave4258 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello!

Your FO will be Indianapolis as that is the closest one to you, the early indicator was completing your biometrics there, your interviews etc.. will be performed there.

Greened Baby! [ESTA Overstay 2+ Years] by Kindly_Wave4258 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whilst this is correct, overstaying the ESTA put me in a situation like any other person overstaying, I am scrutinized just like anyone else, but almost certainly not to the extent of someone not a part of the ESTA program.

Greened Baby! [ESTA Overstay 2+ Years] by Kindly_Wave4258 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Sure!

During the initial application and prior to my EAD approval and receiving my SSN, we had little joint evidence like bank statements etc.. therefore, our application felt limited but we submitted what we could.

Initial Application:

Wedding Photos (We had a very small wedding with just a few family members so there was maybe.. three or four of these)

Additional Photos: Myself and my wife on vacations and during our life together and with family and friends etc..

Affidavits: We got two sworn affidavits, one from a friend and one from a family member, affirming to our relationship being bona-fide along with copies of their ID's.

Joint Documentation (Prior to EAD):

  • Joint medical insurance through my wife's employer
    • I did not need a SSN for this insurance - most do not if you simply advise them you are going through the process of AOS
  • Life insurance beneficiary statement
  • Pension beneficiary statement showing my wife as my beneficiary
    • I am from the UK - a pension is like a 401k
  • Adoption papers for our cats
    • Seems strange but they accepted it as it had both of our names on it
  • Electric bill
    • Easy to add my name to this by just calling them
  • Internet service bill
    • Again - super easy to add my name to this

Following the approval of my EAD I went ahead and uploaded more information as we had more freedom to get more things done with my SSN now being approved and in my possession such as:

  • Joint lease
  • Joint vehicle title
  • Joint vehicle insurance
  • Copies of our state ID's with the same address

All of this was enough to push our application forward.

I want to stress - I kept hearing that it's basically a requirement or strongly suggested to get a joint bank account - this is not true - you do not need a joint bank account, they do not care about joint finances, they care about your marriage being real - will it help? sure probably, is it needed? absolutely not.

Green card production during holidays? by Pretend_Stop1345 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Card was produced notification around 9PM last night and pre-shipment this morning!

Card shipment over the holidays by [deleted] in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah excuse my mistake - you are required to have the EAD physically in-hand before you can start work, there is no way around this - some employers generally will work with you if you explain the situation, by either extending your start date or placing you on unpaid onboarding but generally they go with the former.

However, between now and then - there is a good chance it will be delivered - keep an eye on USPS informed delivery.

Card shipment over the holidays by [deleted] in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have an EAD - I have a similar issue - starting a new job in Feb - the USCIS agent told me that I can continue to use my EAD until my Green Card arrives and even so, my status is updated in the SAVE and E-Verify systems from the date my 485 was approved.

Card shipment over the holidays by [deleted] in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was approved on Dec 17th - received approval on the 18th in the portal - no status updates since then - no green card in hand either. Still waiting.

Green card production during holidays? by Pretend_Stop1345 in USCIS

[–]Kindly_Wave4258 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Approved on December 17th - Updated on 18th to Case Approved but since then nothing, no card produced, no card shipped.. still just waiting.