USCIS Case Status...sigh

[stevensane 10]

OK, so I checked my USCIS case status and it says my AP Travel Document is in 'Card/Document Production' and 'On July 16, 2014 we mailed the document to the address we have on file. You should receive the new document within 30 days.'

Great, right?! However, when I look up my EAD, it is still in initial review.

Confusing.

Because AP and EAD come on the same card should I take this to mean that the combo-card has been created and is on it's way, or that the AP screen is just wrong and my card is still in initial review?

Or maybe neither and I should just ignore the USCIS Case Status because it is a nightmare.

Also, does it really take 30 days once it has been mailed?!

[Lainie B 465]

Usually it arrives in about a week.

Are you sure you didn't get the EAD and AP numbers mixed up? It's been the norm that the AP status is the one that never moves from initial review.

But the case status is notoriously unreliable anyway, so the only way to know for sure is to wait and see what shows up in the mailbox.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Often they fail to update the status for either the I-131 or I-765, but they have both actually been approved and you get the combo card.

Provided your EAD states "Serves as I-512 Advance Parole" along the bottom then it's a combo EAD / AP card. If it's a plain EAD without the AP component, the message along the bottom will read "Not Valid For Re-entry To US".

[stevensane 10]

Usually it arrives in about a week.

Are you sure you didn't get the EAD and AP numbers mixed up? It's been the norm that the AP status is the one that never moves from initial review.

But the case status is notoriously unreliable anyway, so the only way to know for sure is to wait and see what shows up in the mailbox.

A week isn't too bad.

Yeah I'm definitely looking at the right thing. It says AP at the top of the screen...weird.

Yeah, the service is really unreliable. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope it's a good omen. Pray to the employment deity.

[stevensane 10]

Often they fail to update the status for either the I-131 or I-765, but they have both actually been approved and you get the combo card.

Provided your EAD states "Serves as I-512 Advance Parole" along the bottom then it's a combo EAD / AP card. If it's a plain EAD without the AP component, the message along the bottom will read "Not Valid For Re-entry To US".

Thanks.

If it's not a combo-card I can wait for the AP. I could just really do with that EAD. Hoping to get a job offer soon and if I am forced to turn it down because I don't have my card yet, well, that would be a bummer.

Incidentally, when I have my EAD card can I work immediately? Or do I have to 'activate' it or something? Like if I got my card tomorrow morning could I accept a job and turn up to work on Friday?

[Lainie B 465]

You can work as soon as you get the card. You just need the card in your hand the day you start work. You'll need a SSN too, hopefully you have that already.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Fam-based AOS to Fam-based AOS Progress Forum~

~Inquiry about case status~