Chessiet

hey all,

Just wanted to share our day with anyone who's thinking of using the Infopass system that's now being tested in (I think) 3 cities around the country.

A little background: My fiance entered the U.S in April of this year on a K1, then we got married in June. After taking some time off to enjoy each other and honeymooning, etc... we went online to apply for the Infopass program, which is supposed to expedite the I-485 process. Our appointment was for today.

First of all, if you have difficulty booking online for Infopass here's a tip: they only book 2 weeks in advance and it fills up very quickly. So what you do is wait until just after 6 pm (or whenever your office closes). They then open up the appointments to fill whatever cancellations, plus the next open day is. You then get a page to print out with exact instructions on what to bring, where to go, etc..

Our appointment was down on Stemmons Freeway (near all the strip clubs, oddly enough ). There were about 30-40 people there waiting, all couples and families (and LOTS of lawyers). We turned in our appointment page (you MUST have this, as well as picture ID such as your passports) to the desk.

Then after about 45 minutes the desk called us and asked for our packet. I handed her our I-485, I-864, I-797, G-325As and all the supporting documents they asked for, as well as a ton of extra papers showing proof of us living together (apartment contract, bank statements, etc..). The lady at the desk told us to sit nearby (in the waiting room) and she would go through our packet and see if anything was missing. If she needed to ask us any questions she'd holler for us. Well she went through our packet and stamped it, then handed it off to someone else behind her, and we sat there another 45 minutes or so.

After a time one of three doors further down the room opened up and someone hollered Shaun's name, then escorted us to her office in the back. (TIP: they don't holler very loudly, after your paperwork passes approval at the front desk it's probably best to move closer to the 3 doors, otherwise you may miss them calling your name.)

She went through our paperwork which the front desk lady had given her, and asked us to reiterate various answers from the forms, like "where were you born?", "your parent's names were James and Eileen, right?", stuff like that. She asked how we'd met, how long before we'd actually seen each other, how many times we'd visited each other's country, had I met Shaun's parents, pretty basic stuff. She was very pleasant and even seemed enthusiastic about looking at our wedding pictures, which I'd brought along "just in case". Shaun and I held hands the whole time, not to prove anything, I think it was for moral support for each other. Whatever the reason, she seemed to accept that we were legitimately in love

After about 15 minutes she checked off some boxes on the forms and said pending approval of the documents we'd receive notification in about 2 months. In the meantime we'd receive a letter telling us when and where to get fingerprints taken.

And she shook our hand, escorted us out and said she was happy to have met us

I hope this helps, assuming we pass the background stuff, this is BY FAR the easiest part of the whole process we've ever had to do.

Chessiet

Oh, I wanted to thank everyone of you who has given advice. So far it's been right on the money

And one other thing, you know that section of the 485 that asks those absurd questions ("were you a member of the Nazi Party between the years of 1933 and 1945?" "Do you intend to enter the US to perform terrorist acts?" "Do you plan to engage in prostitution?")? I asked the interviewing officer, jokingly, if anyone ever answered Yes to any of them, and she looked me dead in the eye and said, "Yes, more than you'd think."

Needless to say, I was shocked

Susie

Quick question... you said your wife was K-1 but I noticed you didn't say you submitted an I-130?

Susie

veryfunny

Thanks for taking the time to share.

Chessiet

Susie,

We didn't have to complete a 130 since my fiance entered the country on a K-1 visa, and we got married within 90 days. I don't quite understand all the ins and outs, all I know is they (the INS) told us on the phone that all we'd need was the I-485, the I-864, a G325a for my (now) husband, and a 797, which is the approval notice you get when the fiance visa application (the I-129F) is approved. And sure enough, when we got to the interview I double-checked with the INS oficer there, and she said that since he came into the US on a fiance visa, (rather than coming here and getting married, or I suppose applying while here visiting or something) then the 130 wasn't required.

I hope this helps

Hypertweeky

Hey Chessiet

I am glad to hear it was that easy

Susie

Interesting.... I thought an I-130 was always required to adjust status - either already submitted or filed concurrently. I learned something new! Thanks!

Susie

sap123

May be I can correct you all..

This is not the InfoPass.. Infopass only allows you to make appointment with immigration office, so, you don't have to wait outside in the lines..

The thing you are talking is Dallas Rapid Pilot program, which allows ppl to adjust status within 90 days, if security checks are OK.. This program is only available at Dallas, TX. And as its name suggest its Pilot program..

Chessiet

You're absolutely right, Sap123. I called it Infopass, b/c that's the big name emblazoned across the top of the appointment page. My apologies for misleading people.

Here's the link for the Dallas Pilot program: http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffic...as/aboutus.htm