congratulations

why did you apply vawa after interview?

congratulations, @A M ! it is wonderful to see someone who had a similar case to mine getting approved. i have c9 EAD under pending i485 from marriage with ex already, it’s valid till May 2024. meanwhile I am going file Vawa soon and applying for c31. both my old 485 and 130 has been pending. my questions are - you mentioned that you kept both c9 and c31, and you had c9 first. did you get your first c31 for free? I know “the first applicant” can get c31 for free but I already have EAD c9. - did you do bio for c31 ? - could you renew both c9 and c31 until 485 approval? was it free? my ideal situation is that I can keep renewing both not to be without valid EAD card at anytime. - did you request expedite i485 (e-request from uscis web or contact a congressman) once you get approval for i360? i see that you get your 485 approved in 5 months after Vawa approval. did they expedite it because your 485 is out of the timeline? - lastly, what did your 485 case status say after you put it on hold and did it changed to “reopen your case” after Vawa approval? sorry for many questions but you are the right person to ask!! thank you so much.

c31 ead was free. I had no clue the lawyer requested it. I guess she wanted to have a backup for me. but remember that vawa cases take about 2 years now. I had my ead c09 since Feb 2020, renewed twice. I got my vawa approval Oct 2022 and got ead c31 in Nov 2022. by that time my ead on c09 has just been renewed in September 2022 for 2 years. soon after in March 2023 I got my i485 approval and GC. due how time-line goes, you should never get to renew your ead c31 because you will get your Green card. all in one, do not worry about the ead c31, just keep renewing under c09, opt for an ead in your application c31, just in case, since it's free. all are free, if you paid your fee for i485. no bio. I never requested any expedite. case was reopened status on i-485 is while vawa was pending, and after vawa was approved there was not update, stayed the same until i-485 was approved

@skylar . follow your lawyer advise. for vawa, make sure you have enough proof of the abuse, good moral for yourself and good faith marriage. all that you filed with your i-485 for good faith, you need similar proof for i-360

@A M thank you so much for all the advice. that’s assuring! I will renew my c9 then. May I ask how long did it take you to get c9 renewal? and where is your field office if you don’t mind to share? I know people have pending 485 before filing vawa are waiting for 485 approval for a long time. I will make sure to have all the proof and evidence!

1st renewal just over 1 month, but the second took 9 months (from Dec 2021 to sep 2022). field office Omaha, but in reallity what took 22 months was the vawa case approval and that is in Vermont. I filed for vawa one year after I submitted i-485. my 1st interview was scheduled in September, 9 months after applying for i485, asked for reschedule, was rescheduled for 1 month later. that is when we requested the field office to hold the case in abeyance while we are applying for vawa, took 2 more months to submitt vawa, that marked the 1 year between when I applied for i-485 until I got i-360 receipt of my application. I never went to the interview. my lawyer sent the vawa receipt to the field office so they can send the case to Vermont. once vawa was approved, the process is for all your file to be sent back to the field office. took 4 months and 10 days from i 360 approval to i485 approval

also, your i-485 will not be approved until your i360 is approved. so it's normal i485 takes long time. through vawa, you will get a permanent green card, which allows you to apply for citizenship in 3 years after you get your Green card

@skylar . see above👆👆👆👆

@skylar . I always applied for both ead and ap and always had ap, what they call a combo card. I traveled abroad on AP without an issue.

@kleo v see above my comments. I requested for the interview to be rescheduled 1st time and one month later they rescheduled. at that time, my lawyer informed the field office we are preparing the vawa case and soon will be filed. my case updated right after to : case was reopened. I never attended the interview with my spouse. Later, after my vawa was approved, my i-485 was approved without interview. very important, since time passed, and the 2 years of my medical was about to expire, I proactively sent new medical to be attached to my case. Assuming this is why I never got an RFE. I send medical end of sep 2021, before the new rule of covid vaccine became mandatory.

@skylar . I submitted i485, i130, i765, I131 same time and by myself. I used lawyer for i360 and I recommend that to everyone. do not do your vawa case alone, you'll need help

That is very interesting that you proactively sent a new medical record. I received a deficiency notice for my medical record for the pending I485 (it is not expired yet, but my lawyer said they want a new one when the interview gets scheduled.), so I decided to send a new one with my Vawa just in case. And I know that all the pending petitions will be "transferred" to Vawa, but I did not know that they were physically transferred, then sent back to the original office. I wonder if other Vawa applicants' pending petitions (485 and 130) were physically transferred as well. If anyone knows it, please let me know.

congratulations 🎊

@skylar . I am not sure if they physically transfer them. it was just my understanding they do... maybe they scan them in their system?! also make sure your medical is going to the correct address, add a cover letter for it to include your full name, your A#, and a good title such i-693 updated medical. also, make sure it is the correct form with covid vaccine. if I were you, I would not send the medical now if they are valid for 2 years. you might have to submit another one, since vawa cases take now very close 2 years, if not more. hope times will go down for everyone. they pretty much need a valid medical when they address your i485, which is after the vawa approval.

@skylar . also, I took the risk of sending the medical without being asked. it was my decision, not the lawyer's. when you proactively send a document without an RFE, you do not get any receipt from USCIS. just normal procedure. I did not get a confirmation, but I now know they got it, otherwise I would have received an RFE for expired medical. I just gained a couple months in my process. that's what my lawyer said too, they will ask it for the interview, but what if there is no interview? :) this is now the case of many, getting approved without interview. if if have your medical up to date, they will just approve the application, if not they will send and RFE. you will have to follow this app for the next couple of yrs, I did it for 3+ years, learned a lot from everyone's experiences. things can change, always read USCIS updates on their web

@A M Ah yes, they actually scan the files when they receive. I read that they are scanning files about how to file petition on uscis. did you send a new medical record by yourself, not by your lawyer. thank you for the other advice!

@skylar . yes, but I informed my lawyer. she was out of town, I verified the correct address with her assistant. I do remember was sent to 38 river road, essex junction,Vermont 05452. medical was sent about 9 months later after I filed fo vawa

@A M I see, you mean you filed only one Ar-11 and receipt notice of 360 for the pending cases (485 and 130)?

@skylar . no ar 11. the lawyer will file a g28.

@A M sorry I got out of the track.

G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative. filled with the lawyer information and mailing address. you will sign that form

@skylar . your lawyer knows the process. they will file G28 with i360. stress less, you will be OK. share your concerns with them. good luck! here is the link of G28, read the form and you will understand. https://www.uscis.gov/g-28

congratulations any rfe do you got in this whole timeline?

@skylar . go on this link and download i-360, go to page 14, part 10, question 12. that is where you tick yes to request the work permit under i-360. but again, will only be granted once the application is approved. you do not file another i765 for ead under vawa. https://www.uscis.gov/i-360

@A M thank you for everything, I really appreciate it!! you are very kind.

I filed 2022 when do you think I will get my final decision so far I have a prima fasciae f

@skylar . you have very valid questions. I hope our talks help you and others! it's really my pleasure to answer what I know based on my own journey.

@A M thank you so much. it’s very kind of you. I’m sure it helps many people here. I’m very thankful. and once again, congratulations!

@fg tre I wish I would have an answer for you, the wait is for at least 1 year for the lucky one, nature of the case, most get approved within 2 years and others later ( missing documents can lead to RFE, which will take longer to get approved)

got an RFe after 2 years of my vawa. good moral character I already submitted that one. can anyone explain me the exact format of the good moral character or also help me to sending additional proofs to uscis is accurate at this moment?

@m shaik I was "lucky" enough not to get any RFE. know that I worked very hard in gathering all the information to sustain my cases, I followed the uscis instructions step by step, I was very organized when submitted paperwork making it easy to read through, I trusted my lawyer, I was truthful and I prayed a lot. I read my applications 3 times before signing, to spot errors.

thank you for the quick response and congratulations. I have additional information can i submit those proofs in rfe?

@m shaik I think a police clearance letter would be the best. that shows that you have no criminal record. I showed my 2 IDs at Hall of Justice and got it in 10min. it was free.

I did I record is clear. already submitted

my record is clear

can i submit additional evidence to thi rfe?

@m shaik I would submit it again just in case they lost it and add affidavits of your family, friends, employer, community or religious leader if you have any. that’s what uscis said on their website.

thank you skylar,

@A M congratulations happy for you…. Applied for VAWA the lawyer I use eaten my money he didn’t submit my application 2020 after I found out, he did not submit my application end up did asylum 2021 and I end up have EAD on asylum 2022 May18… in 2022 May 26 submitted my VAWA case again with another lawyer I got my receipt on my VAWA and RFE July 2022…. since then haven’t received my EAD AP card in my email address I have been waiting for it from long time. I pray for God to answer my prayer.

Can I submit the new evidence to the same rfe?

@m shaik I think it does not hurt to send more evidence for the rfe. can only help. as Skylar said, you might want to resubmit all the evidence you sent plus new one. are you in the time-line allowed to reply for the RFE?

@Odogwu Indy you said you got EAD on your asylum. did you received the card? it is unclear from your message. your ead will renew on the asylum. your vawa case and asylum case are going now in parallel, whichever is approved 1st, will grant you the benefits. under vawa, you will only get ead once the case is approved

yes 3 months timeline

@ A M I got my EAD card in my asylum case in 2022… after that I apply for VAWA case in 2022 May 26 I got my receipt and RFE 2022

@A M I started my VAWA with a lawyer in Tennessee 2020 and didn’t do it for me he eaten my money….. I end up with another lawyer that apply for my asylum case in 2021 and got approved in 2022 in my asylum case with my EDA card….

@Odogwu Indy as I said, you should continue with both cases. they are 2 separate cases, follow the process with both. your ead can be renewed under C8 asylum applicants while your case stays pending. you will not get an ead via vawa until it is not approved. you can only apply for AP via your asylum case. if approved, you should not travel to your home country. this will deny your case. this is all I can tell based on the information you provided

@m shaik also state criminal background check works too. I think it would be the best if you could provide many evidence of your good moral character unless they specify the exact document they are looking for, e.g. police clearance letter. if that’s not your case, provide as much of the evidence as you can! If you submit affidavit from someone, it needs to include the affaint’s full name, address, phone number, date and place of birth, and relationship with you, plus your good moral chatter. good luck

AM can you tell me how do you exactly interfiled you medical

@crash of God I mailed it with a cover letter to Vermont. I suggest you verify the address, because I mailed it end of 2021. things can change. do you have a lawyer?

@kawa sat the PF after you submit vawa pretty much is an acknowledgement that your case qualifies for vawa. here is an answer from google: "It means that the evidence you have presented appears, at face value, to be sufficient. Your VAWA case will continue to a final determination. In the meantime, however, the prima facie determination letter designates you as a “qualified alien.” This is enough to allow you to apply for public benefits, if you need them."

@A M Are you sure it’s 3 years once you get GC through vawa? because what I heard from attorney it is 5 years

hi skylar, how to get state criminal background checks where and how do I get it. what kind of moral character certificate have been submitted to the uscis please suggestion me.

hi A M , how to get state criminal background checks where and how do I get it. what kind of moral character certificate have been submitted to the uscis please suggestion me.

@pk l https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:c1618f08-3c95-345e-9d02-c56161b6bd31 I hope you can open the link, USCIS document. you may want to ask your lawyer again, to make sure you understood. or change your lawyer, as may not know the USCIS regulations. yes, a self vawa petitioner with approved i-360 can apply for naturalization in 3 yrs from approval. actually you can apply as early as 90 days prior to the 3 years anniversary

was trying to upload the link somehow, it is a pdf. here is what it says: NATURALIZATION FOR VAWA LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS WHY NATURALIZE AND BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN? Obtaining U.S. citizenship through naturalization offers many benefits and important responsibilities. For example, only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections and serve on a jury. As a U.S. citizen, you can get priority for sponsoring certain family members to come to the United States. You can also apply for certain federal jobs and become eligible for certain federal benefits, grants, and scholarships. Finally, if your children are under 18 years of age and are lawful permanent residents when you naturalize, they may automatically acquire citizenship. WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION TO BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN? Eligible survivors of domestic violence who obtained their Green Card as the spouse or child of a U.S. citizen who subjected them to battery or extreme mental cruelty may apply for naturalization after residing in the U.S. for 3 years as a lawful permanent resident. This includes individuals with: • An approved I-360 VAWA self-petition; • An approved I-751 waiver of conditional residence based on battery or extreme cruelty; or • Cancellation of Removal and subsequent adjustment of status for battered spouses and children under INA § 240A(b)(2). NOTE: You do NOT need to demonstrate that you resided together with the citizen spouse during this time. Eligible survivors of domestic violence who obtained their Green Card as the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who subjected them to battery or extreme cruelty may apply for naturalization after residing in the U.S. for 3 years as a lawful permanent resident (as a Green Card holder).

Yes AM I do bit I wanna do myself at my own risk do you think I could do it without my lawyer

@m shaik your state of department of Justice is issuing the state criminal background check. the instruction is on the website. it requires fee around $30.

thank you so much skylar for the info

@m shaik did you move to different city or state past three years and you lived there for 6 months or more? USCIS needs the proof particularly during the previous three years.

nope skylar, same state

@m shaik ok, just checking. good luck!

@m shaik also I would check how long it takes to receive it coz it might take several weeks to get it, it could be past the due for RFE. my state takes 2-4 weeks

Anyone here with who applied for their kids after vawa approved?

oh okay

you mean justice department report?

@m shaik yes, state-issued criminal background check

thank you boss you’re awesome. I’ll apply tomorrow. hopefully will end this journey soon you’re the best my friend

when you respond with Rfe (evidence) and get prima fasciea after when should I expect a reply after sending in my Rfe response

@skylar . should I worry about prima fasciae ? I got it after my Rfe .. and I applied 2022 May .. when do you think I will complete this journey

justice department takes the finger prints for reports ?

@fg tre sorry, I don’t know. I’m not the best person to answer the question.

@m shaik I didn’t read the instructions fully but I read that. I haven’t requested for the state issued criminal background check so I cannot answer

hi please suggest me can I change the lawyer 360 pending application?

is there any problem they put my application pending/suspended if I change the lawyer

@for everyone in this chat, please use a lawyer that is experienced with vawa. it is a case that requires more evidence. plus it is a case that may take longer than others. last you want is to submit by yourself and don't get approved because you did not know how to defend your case. find a lawyer you trust. I did i-485, i-130, i-765, i-131 alone. but took a lawyer for vawa

@abel K I cannot really say yes or no. do what you feel. there is a risk that might not attach it to your case. I did it knowing this might happen, but in my case was properly attached to my case

@A. M. Hi AM, just double checking that you submitted copies of receipt notice of pending I485 and 130, not copies of pending i485 and 130 forms. thank you

hello @A. M. -- Congratulations!!! I was wondering if you sent out your medicals to the vermont center (whatever the address was then) by yourself? Did your lawyer had to sing anything for you on those papers? Could you share a list of what you included along with your medicals and what cover letter did you attach? I am in Miami, Florida. My VAWA was approved in november 2022. Next day after approval my pending i-485 changed to fingerpitns applied. The status is still the same. I was thinking if now is a good time to send out my medicals? And do you think I need to send them to the vermont center? i am not sure my i-485 is still there or transffered to NBC or local field office... not sure where i would send them. thanks

@diana_new johnson I would wait. I sent my medical to Vermont before my vawa was approved. I'm not sure what to advise once vawa is approved. a simple cover letter to mention my A# and receipts number for i-485 and vawa

@skylar . I lost some documents and can't retrieve my vawa package right now. I have to look in an old device. sorry

@A. M. congratulations

hi

please give me

485 almost 3 years？ marriage？

I134A

hey AM. do you mind sharing your attorney’s information? I’m looking for a well experienced Attorney

hi A.M. congratulations…. I want shares my vawa experience up to now I filled concurrently I-360 I-765 and the I-485 in 2016… 2017 i got my EAD under co9 in Feb 2018 i got my vawa approved then March 2018 my i-485 was transferred to national benefits center July 2018 i got a courtesy letter to updated medical the letter stated that I don’t have to send the medical records to avoid delay… Since then until now my I-485 I haven’t heard any updates it’s been 7 years of waiting.. that’s make me depressed and upset.😌😌

@A. M. i did everything i could do to inquire my case but they just keep saying my case under reviewing what kind of review they need of my I-485 they already approved my vawa that so confusing…

@A. M. its been 5 years since they transferred to national benefits center my i-485 after i got approved for my vawa. until not i don’t get any updates for my green card

congratulations....welcome to America.....God is good....

привет как дела

минйа забуд. ахмад работа нужна

@A. M. Well done! I appreciate that you want people to do this meticulously. As a grad student, I value organisation as well. Anyways, I just received my first PF. My attoeney is in a different state. i am in Texas and wonder how i can use it to get food benefits? I will be kicked out of my program since i can't work either and have no money. do you know who to talk to for SNAPS or to get Financial assistance? Best?

@Tete Noble google food stamps texas. you will need a valid id. www.hhs.texas.gov

vawa was approved 25 days ago and now I have a rfe for I 485. I know it can't be medical cos is still early 🥲just wondering what dey need from me this time. just so worried still waiting for it in my mail.

hey kole can I ask you a few question please? how much prima facie did you received and how long it took for your vawa to be approved? I received my second prima facie about two weeks ago.

@James James hey James I did not receive any PF. I filled august 2020 , approved March 2023. I only got one PFE for vawa.

@James James I mean one rfe for good conduct .

@A. M. congratulations, I have Just one more question 🙋‍♀️ when you have Combo Card C09 valid, and thay sant new EDA C31 , IS it possible to use combo card traveling abroad?