HappyMama

If you get a EAD/AP do NOT take it to the interview with you, it is not necessary!

And they may take it away!

Hmm well they never asked for the EAD/AP until we volunteered it.

They have to take it, why some ask, some don't but either way the letter says bring it and no one wants to have to go home and return just for the EAD card

I agree. It was really weird. She hasn't asked my wife a single question. I submitted all the evidence with my application even the photos. That maybe helped them make the decision faster.

I think strange interviews are becoming more normal, they aren't asking the same old questions to be found on websites etc, they are getting more precise with what they ask, hubby got grilled and he's the USC, lol

Congrats Anne!!

So, I just received the appointment notice for an interview for March 29, 2012, at NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER.

Our application was received on January 12. My biometric was done on February 14. And now the interview is March 29; which would make the entire process complete in less than 3 months

We did not have any RFEs. We have one change of address on February 20. And I haven't received any notice for AED or AP.

Have anyone had a similar situation? Is it too fast? I'm in SJ, CA by the way.

Woah, I'm so excited and nervous at the same time >.<

P/S: Big thanks to all the VJers for your help

Mine was really fast too, applied in Dec and was all done before the end of Feb, it's not that unusual if you local office isn't backlogged ie NYC

I waited to get a SSN because I had my interview letter before I got my EAD and it made no sense going twice in less than 6 weeks to get 2 cards for me.

GC came today YAY!!!!!!! 3 years to naturalization!!

Annep does he have a hand held game/leap pad etc? I see a fair amount of people saying that they are able to carry in items with cameras so they may let one in?

It didn't take very long even with our slightly evil OI, lol I was in and out in under an hour, I had packed a bag for my 5 yr old but my MIL kept her for us, it had snacks and a new coloring book/crayons

I think this depends on you and your wife's savings, because they will ask for pay stubs and job letter at your interview or proof of enough money (someone else could give you the numbers etc) you can quit when ever but she needs to be able to fulfill their requirements

Had to go in labor for USCIS to send me a notification about EAD card production... though they send me the second one today too)

interview on the 1st of March.. afraid not to get properly ready with my baby girl on my hands

Congrats!!!

And don't worry there was a new born there when I went, no one batted an eye

The four of us got there 45 mins early. We needed ID and NOAs for all of us. Go through a metal detector, don't have any metal on you. No knives either, but cell phones with cameras are okay unless you are in, um, Santa Ana I think. Go to the window, leave your papers, wait. Wait. Wait more. Got called at 11am when appointment was at 9:30am and we got there early.

First they swear you in. Then they wanted passports and then asked questions to make sure you are you. Then they go through the application and ask questions about what you filled out. As long as you know the answers you're fine. Then they ask questions like are you a terrorist or practice polygamy, etc. Then they go through a huge folder and ask for documents. We brought it all and they wanted an original marriage cert, divorce papers for us, and name changes for the kids. Then they wanted to see we have joint stuff like electric bill, credit cards, etc. Then pictures. We only had 2 but that was fine, I wish we had more. That was all. She said we are approved and we were making small talk when the EAD came up and she took the card. Had we said nothing she'd not even know it existed, grrr. Total interview time about 30 mins.

No cells phones are not supposed to be allowed, my ipod made the security officer check my purse to see what it was.

Congrats on the good news!

Thinking about it we weren't asked any of the No questions, lol

Robert&Karen I hope you all also got good news today!!!!!

I was approved this am, my passport was stamped, I didn't request it the IO just did it.

I had the worse interview, my husband said they gave us the resident tough guy, at one point I basically was sure he was going to RFE us or give us a stokes, because he wanted to see years of evidence, apparently there was even a meeting over my case because we had been married but not filed for so long, I guess after looking over everything he decided that it was good enough, he was friendly enough after.

I used 2 sizes of paper clips, small ones for the forms and large ones to compile all the documentation together for each form, to the front was the cover page with the info of what was included and the break down of what was in the package by form and in order.

Congrats!!!

Some K1 ers aren't aware that they can surpass interviews. I've been previously challenged on that point!

I know people who've just gotten the 2 year GC, doesn't happen frequently but it can happen.

They ordered production of my EAD card. I just got the text.

Yay!!

Anyone in NY hear anything yet???

NYC is such a quagmire it's not funny, what's the current wait time in the NYC thread? Last time I looked it was looking like 7-8 months til interview

I'm adjusting from a tourist visa, and yes, I'm in NYC. Does anyone know if adjust from tourist makes it longer than K1?

Yes, K1 has done alot of the paper work already to get into the country, they can get a conditional 2 yr GC without having an interview for example

While those of us doing it from other visa like visitors have to do it all from scratch and WILL have an interview without question.

EAD received today!

Mine came today also.

You will probably get your card within 2 weeks even before.

My interview is in 2 weeks, LOL if I had paid for the EAD I'd be sore over the extra cost but it was free so hey...

My card production has been ordered as or Jan 31st, and I got a 2nd email today telling me that it's been ordered.

If it takes 30 days to get here my interview will be done before I get my card.

Annep people take their kids all the time, don't worry a 2 week old just sleeps all the time anyway.

In total my appointment cost $420, that included $200 for the appointment and $220 for vaccines.

I also paid another $35 for the syphilis test and I had a TB gold standard test that was covered under my insurance but would have been $160 oop, which was about the same as the TB test plus chest xrays, since I do pop positive for TB due to being vaccinated for it.

You can get vaccines at the local health department that will be cheaper, also you no longer have to do the HIV test so that does save you something

I'm taking my little one, I'm a sahm so there's no option to leave her with anyone any way, we took her when I went for biometrics and everyone was very nice to her and I'm going into the same office so I foresee the same treatment.

They understand that you don't always have an option to leave your child, we leave home at 5am to get to the office clearly dropping her off at daycare isn't an option.

I got my interview letter today for Feb 21st, I checked online and it's also updated to show this however it wasn't up to Thursday.

My EAD and 130 haven't been touched since Dec, lol I'm betting I never get an EAD card or it comes after my interview, now if I could just find my wedding pictures cd, to finish our family album

I feel you. My husband ended up just waiting for his green card, because with the EAD they were going to charge him the international rate, but as a permanent resident spouse of a state resident, they gave him the in-state rate with no waiting period once he got his green card. Not to mention the financial aid thing.

I hope it works out for you so you can start soon, though. Which state are you in?

most states have this provision, so wait for your GC.

Oh, I see! That makes sense. I am in NYC.

NYC is well known for it's longer wait period

Update:

4. Received hardcopy NOA1's in the mail on Dec. 19.

5. Received Biometrics appointment letter on Dec. 19.

6. Biometrics appointment date: Jan. 12, 2012.

Interesting because I noticed that another December filer filed 4 days before me, but got a biometrics appointment date 9 days before mine!

I think you mean me

I'm in SC so I think they are not that back logged compared to other areas, hence why I got a earlier biometrics appointment

I'm here

We sent ours the 5th of Dec, and the night of the 8th the text/email came in, and the letters got here yesterday, funny enough USPS email notification that it got there came today, lol

I mailed via Express mail.

Crossing my fingers you get your NOA's soon Pink and Marcelo