Shezi

I still have a credit card in the UK (I kept a bank account open there) so I guess I'm not overly worried about getting one here yet - at least until I have a personal income! I'm hoping to get AP approved (or green card) so I can visit UK at the end of July for a week or so. July 4th, not sure yet. We just got back from a 5 day vacation for Memorial day weekend which was lovely; spent time in DC, Annapolis, Baltimore and out in Ocean City. It's funny standing on the west side of the Atlantic and looking east - knowing that's where all my family are!

I just called USCIS and they said I'm still within the processing time. When I asked why others who filed in the same office after me and have moved on before me they said they couldn't give me any information. I asked to speak with someone who could answer my question and they said they were having technical difficulties and try back tomorrow. Is there any part of this that can go smoothly... sheeesh.

I called USCIS about a month ago, they told me where my case had been transferred to and looked it up in the system. That would have been around 27th April - he said they are currently working on October 31st (!!!) but they only update their systems on the 15th of the month so try again after 15th of next month. I asked about the length of time and how hard it is not knowing when I could travel since we'd already waited 6 months before I could travel here. The guy was really nice and sympathetic and suggested filing an I-131 (which I now have) and explained the 'past process date' thing - because they are behind, that doesn't count: they work to a projected goal but it takes as long as it takes. When they are working past the date that shows on our page (December 20th 2012 for us) and we haven't heard anything, then they are past process time and we can ask for assistance.

That kinda made sense, it just wasn't what I wanted to hear. I want to make a trip back to the UK at the end of July so I'm tentatively planning to do that with either green card or AP - whichever comes first.

Shezi

Thank you Lord...still to be confirmed in writing but I HAVE A JOB!!! I start on Monday so time to enjoy the last few days of freedom!!! :-D

That's fantastic Sarah!! Details please Nothing here so far...

I think for the Washington office it's looking like around 7 months. The only other thing to go on is the VJ AOS timeline, here's an example of the Washington office and some of the cases that have been updated...

AOS DC Timeline for K1s

Thanks for that Gavin - stupid question but how did you know that your AOS case had been transferred? And, if you haven't been notified that it's been transferred, does that mean it's still in Chicago do you think?

Nice to see everyone progressing.

I finally have a NOA for my EAD having had to resubmit it. Out of curiosity, as I know some people have to do more than one in the past, how many biometric appointments have y'all had to do? I've had one for AOS, so I was just wondering if I'd have to do another for EAD.

Thanks Gav

Well it's about time! We only had to do one biometric though we only submitted one application. I can't imagine they will make you do another biometric!

Congrats! Rob just got his license this weekend too!

Fantastic news, well done!!!

Congrats! Rob just got his license this weekend too!

Nice one Cori!

YAY just passed the driving theory test!!! Driving test on Monday

Oh God, I'd forgotten about that... good luck!

You are describing my situation exactly. Just waiting to hear about an interview. And the AP status is stuck at Post Decision Activity "we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT".

I didn't apply for AP - I was put off by the constant reminder that it is not a guarantee that you can get back into the US. Are you guys planning to use it before green card? I would dearly like to make a visit back home and if it's going to be much longer I am thinking to apply for AP now - tough call

I was told yesterday that Baltimore are working on applications from JULY!!!!! Sooooo thankful to be here, married and actually getting on with life during this wait :-)

I agree - Gavin and Heater were told something similar for Washington! I'm not ringing, I don't want to hear that and living in hope I want to visit my kids! But yes, at least we do this wait together and that's a million times better than where we were all at this time last year

ConGraTuLaTions

Thank you - roll on green card for us all

It was a week for us but that definitely seems to be on the shorter side. Do you have delivery confirmation? (Sorry if you already mentioned that upthread...)

Aaron went for the biometrics appointment on Monday. What happens next: just sit tight and wait for status updates on the website and/or email/text notifications?

Yup - I had my biometrics January 25th, EAD approved on Feb 15th. I didn't get notification of approval btw - just an case status update that my name had been updated, then an update to say card had been produced... now far be it from me to suggest watching the USCIS website after what we have all been through.... but that's what I do

YAY! I was told previously that I would need my GC in order to change my last name on my SS card as I got it in my maiden name before we had the marriage certificate...just went to chance it with the EAD card and bingo! I will have my married SS card next week Next step...driving test!

Good news! You just made me recall a dream I had last night, I was on my test... I failed it :-o

Cori - I hope Rob's card reaches you PDQ!

Wife got EAD in mail yesterday

Nice job - that makes 3 of us here who got a card yesterday - USCIS are on fire

So the good news is Rob officially got a job. He is supposed to start next Monday! The bad news is his EAD still hasn't arrived. The USPS tracking suggested it should have arrived yesterday as it was sitting the holding facility not to far from my house, but it didn't come. My postal carrier has the tendency to be really bad about delivering mail to the right people. I'm really, really hoping it arrives today, otherwise I'll be very concerned.

Well, that's really good news. As for the stress? That's par for the course - not a step in this process has been without stress. You have enough documentation to show that the EAD has been approved and it is on its way... could you pick it up from the post office if it doesn't come today?

On a different note... I've just noticed it's a year ago, today, that I joined VJ.... who'd have thought it would be quite the journey it is....?

Yay my card just arrived! Now if only my green card would follow soon....

Well new update from USCIS. USPS picked up my card today. So my card should be here soon. How very exciting..

Have a great weekend everyone.

Terri

Hey Terri, your post inspired me to go peek at my own update and sure enough, it was picked up on 22nd - just looked at the tracking info and it made it to Lexington, KY by the end of the day. Expected delivery is Monday! Yay... now I can find a job

So has anyone got any plans or thoughts of visits back to their motherland?!

I'm just waiting for the all clear before I make a trip. It feels like it's been ages - looking to go back for a week before starting work but I'm not sure that's going to tie in too neatly. We have 2 weddings in the UK this year and would like to go to both of them! How about you?

Rob's card went into production today too! Congrats to all the EAD/AP approvals! Shezita, that's weird that it went straight to card production, but at least it's a good surprise. I think something strange is happening with their system. I got the email about card production today, but I didn't get an email/text when it was approved. Had I not checked the USCIS site myself, I wouldn't have known.

Gavin, that's a bummer about them losing your EAD/AP. But you're right, at least they have your AOS! I hope you're not having to pay anything to resubmit your EAD/AP application.

Still no touches on Rob's AOS. I see a lot of the December AOS filers are starting to get interview dates. I hope he'll get one soon.

Congrats Cori! Yep - it's certainly strange... I'd waited to see the decision but there is no record of it. I don't like all this 'assume / imply' - I like to see it in black and white so I know exactly where I'm at. Still, better get my resumé finished

Just an update, USCIS managed to lose my I-765. So I have to get some more photos taken and resubmit! Glad they have the AOS, I would like to see that it's been touched though, that'll probably in another 3 months I guess.

That's very frustrating for you Gavin & Heather! It's a bit hit and miss all of this isn't it? But, as Cori says, you know they have your AOS. I really hope they make up for it by processing it quickly!

I know it seems ironic after waiting so long to get here, but I'm waiting for AOS completion so I can make a quick trip back home. I think the problem with EAD being completed so far ahead of AOS means that it's going to be that much harder to take the time to make a trip home. Paid holidays here aren't what they are in the UK but that's something that has to be factored into the mix I guess. We can't have it all ways round

'K I just called the customer service number. After going through 500 options on the menu, I got a really pleasant guy on the line who said 'well ma'am, since it does say that your card is in the production stage it does seem to imply that your application has been approved...'

Maybe it's because I was an English teacher for many years.... maybe I focus on language a little too much - but would it kill them to be clear?!

So I asked about working, he said I can apply for posts now but would not be able to start work until I am in possession of the card. Clear. Roger that...

You should get the card with in the next week or two, if you want to be safe wait for the card. I think it's up to the employer how they handle it, they'd probably want to see some proof if you had an interview before the card arrived (a copy of the NOA and a screen print of the confirmation may work). I think the official wording on USCIS is something like you can only apply once you have the card in hand.

Thanks Gavin, I guess I expected to read the word 'approved' somewhere... (this bureaucratic process is making me very bureaucratic!!) I also thought it would sit at the 'decision' stage awhile. But it's the 2nd paragraph on the email that's unclear to me - it sounds like it's in a holding step

Ok maybe I'm being a bit thick here.... my status on USCIS webpage has moved from Initial Review to Card/Document Production and it says the following:

Anyone know what it means? At what point can we apply for posts?

Awesome. January 20 th was our one year anniversay of proposal.

Isn't it nice to see how different things are for us all, one year on?

Hey all, Julian and I were married on the 8th, things have been great! He went to get his SS# this week and the AOS paperwork is going out in the mail tomorrow. For those who are ahead, I see some have had their Work and Travel approved. How did it take for you all? Just trying to get an idea of when he can get to work, I know he is eager.

A wedding photo for you all (Sorry, can't seem to post here from FB!)

Photo for my Feb Forum Friends

How utterly stunning - beautiful photo x

I thought I'd check the USCIS site one last time tonight, and even though we didn't get an email or text, it says that Rob's EAD and AP are approved! Woot!

Great news! Nice job

Another update! USPS have picked my EA card and I have a tracking number...expected delivery date is 2/19...a year to the day after Jason proposed!!

Fantastic! 15th Feb was a year from proposal for us - so it was nice to see at least some activity for us on that date!

Congrats to all those getting EAD this week. Such a positive move. I checked the USCIS website to see if there was an update and there was... but just to say my name has been updated today. No idea what that means lol. I guess I'm back to checking daily to see if there are any further updates.