Rete

Oh you will need to know all the abbreviations for the USCIS centers.

CSC = California Service Center
VSC = Vermont
TSC = Texas
NSC = Nebraska
NVC = National Visa Center
Chicago Lockbox = very very important to know
ASC = Application Support Center (used for biometrics)

DO = district office (for you 26 Federal Plaza - New York City)

columbiagrads

thank you!

wow... all of you are so incredibly helpful! this whole process is going to be much less painful than I originally thought

thanks again all!

English Muffin

As you're adjusting from F1 your application won't go to CSC, it will go to your local office and you will be interviewed. People adjusting from K visas often get approved without interview and it's those petitions that are sent to CSC. Hope this clears things up for you a bit.

columbiagrads

I think so... does that I mean I will have 2 interviews: one to adjust from F1, and one with my soon-to-be husband (the USC) after we file the I-130?

English Muffin

I believe you'll just have the one interview to adjust your status. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Tracym

Actually, the order of events is that a simple-appearing K adjustment gets sent to the CSC for processing. Usually they are then approved without interview. But a few are sent back to the local office for interview.

So just because it's transferred doesn't mean there won't be an interview - but it does mean that an interview is very unlikely.

Noorah101

You'll have just one interview. It will be for your adjustment of status. That interview can happen within just a few months of submitting the AOS package, or up to a year later...depends on the backlog at your local office.

You mentioned an I-130, but make sure you file the whole complete AOS pacakge (more than just the I-130 form). Ask here if you don't know what that all entails.

Once the AOS paperwork is accepted by USCIS, your status goes from F1 to "pending AOS". Your status won't be completely adjusted to Permanent Resident until you get approved at your interview.

Oh, and AOS = Adjustment of Status.

Rene