BenGr

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I can put the whole ordeal behind me now.

My whole process has taken pretty much exactly one year from mailing off the forms to receiving my card (assuming it arrives within 1-2 weeks).

My three main pieces of advice for people beginning the process who just happen to read this note are :

1. DO NOT bother with a lawyer. That money would be far better spent in pretty much any other way you care to think of. I used VisaPro [www.visapro.com] and I basically paid them $3000 to send me some forms and check them after I had filled them in. Then they advised me that I could submit my tax information after I had sent of my package containing my application forms, as time was of the essence for me to get my EAD. That golden nugget of advice cost me a good job offer, an RFE letter and around 1 month extra wait to get my EAD. If only I'd have known about these forums then.

NEWCOMERS - ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED IS HERE!!

2. Apply for a Advance Parole (cant remember the "proper" name). I didnt bother as I never envisaged not being able to travel for a whole year. We wanted to go back and see my family at Christmas, I've had to not go on a couple of business trips, etc... ONLY dont bother getting an AP if you are 110% certain you will not need to travel for 1 whole year.

3. Be patient. Wars may have been fought in shorter times than the whole I-485. I can understand the stress waiting to work and for the EAD to arrive. But once you get that, make a note of the date on your calender that you may have to apply for another EAD and forget about your Green Card. Don't beat yourself up about it - just check it's progress online every month or so and it will come eventually.

Cheers!

Ben

Hey,

Just received my approved emails, telling me my welcome letter has been sent.

What's a typical time I can expect to receive my card within? The mail says 60 days, but what's the usual?

Thanks

Hey All,

I had my interview July 17th (2006) and was told I was approved pending my FBI namecheck...

Over 5 months waiting and not a word...

No USCIS touches since End of August...

Is anyone else around this timeframe still waiting?

I'm just wondering is this about time, and should I start chasing things up?

My work authorization is good through 1st May, so I'm not in any immediate rush, just want to know what the hell is taking so long!

Just a quickie to let you know that i went a couple of weeks ago (Monday 8th May) to get my SSN. I was told that it would take 3 to 4 weeks as they had to verify my EAD with immigration.

It came a couple of days ago, and so still ended up taking only two weeks. It's nice to see that not everything takes the maximum quoted time!

After I had my version of the Email on Monday, I received my card on the Friday.

Hi Everyone!

I have a question regarding getting paid once you have your EAD, but have not yet received your SSN.

I have an ITIN (Tax Payers Identification) number that I obtained when my wife filed for her taxes in order to be eligible to apply as ‘married’.

My card is due to arrive any day now, I already have a job lined up, but I probably wont get my SSN for a couple of weeks. Can I submit this ITIN number on my W4 forms for my employer to allow myself to get paid until my SSN arrives?

Thanks

I think if you get an RFE on your AOS it's not all doom and gloom. Although I believe it will delay your EAD, as long as you respond ASAP I don't think you'll see too much of a delay.

I think the critical point is if you do get an RFE then albeit you may not be delayed for your EAD in the long run, but it will make it much harder, and possibly a much longer wait to get an interim EAD - should the time come when you might need one, oh and a lot more stress!

What *certainly* doesn't happen as I was fearing is they start the whole thing from scratch again meaning it will take an additional three months. Again, this is only from my experience.

If you have any worries with things, just book an infopass appointment. Even if you're within 90 days you can still schedule an appointment online. Don't go in there expecting an iEAD, although I believe it a possibility if over 90 days and an RFE (see my first post on this thread), but you will at least know where you stand!

Hi everyone,

I am in the same kind of situation. I received NOA for both EAD and AOS on january 26th. I had the biometrics done in february, but then i received a RFE concerning my AOS.

It's been more than 3 months now and i still didn't recieve my employment authorization.. I just called the National customer service and the woman who answered said she was going to mail an inquirie on my case to USCIS... and that they will contact me within 30 days.. but it seems so long to me when i see that some people get their EAD so fast..

She never mentionned an "infopass", can anyone explain what it is?

Thank you in advance,

Infopass is a scheduled appointment with an immigration officer at your local USCIS office. Don't bother calling the helpline, you'll get more useful information reading the back of a Cornflakes box.

If it's been more than 3 months then you are entitled to an interim EAD, If you received an RFE, then the 90 day clock is reset it seems. If you have waited 90+ days since receiving your RFE Receipt Response then you are entitled to an interim EAD.

You should make an infopass appt. right away, at least you'll find out what the hell is going on.

Infopass : http://infopass.uscis.gov/

Good Luck

Hi There,

So, incase you haven't read any posts concerning my situation, I'll briefly run through it again as the information I have may be useful for people in a similar position.

• My NOA receipt dates is 30th Jan 06.
  
• I received an RFE on my AOS at the end of Feb (28th I think) - the RFE was due to not all requested spousal tax information sent.
  
• My lawyer hadn't informed me of RFE for 2 weeks after he received it
  
• As soon as I found out, the information for the RFE was sent back and I gave my lawyer a damn good verbal beating!
  
• Got an RFE receipt date of 6th April (received on 10th April)
  
• At around the same time, I also received my biometrics appt letter - appt. for 26th April
  
• 26th April - Went for bio appt. at an ASC. No problems.
  
• Also arranged for an infopass appointment for the 1st May... Just in case.
  
• Didn't have any post biometrics updates so went down for infopass appt. (DETROIT OFFICE - 1st May)
  
• Explained my position to an immigration officer - did not mention my RFE. Asked me if I had been working, haven't so said No. She asked me if I needed an interim card. Said Yes, then when she went to do the paperwork for the card, noticed my EAD had already been sent for printing, so was told she couldn't issue me the card, but I should receive my proper one very soon.
  

I really think that she was prepared to give me the interim EAD, until she noticed that my proper one had already been sent for printing. With all of the timing, I really can't say if my AOS RFE affected my EAD processing. Sure, several people with receipt dates around mine got their cards a few weeks back, however looking at this site, there appear to be a lot of people with similar dates to mine who did not have an RFE on their AOS, and the average time being over 90 days at the moment - and I have seen a lot who are between 90 and 110 days (seems to be I fall in that category). See here for more statisitcs.

However, I do think it's no coincidence that around a day after receiving my RFE response receipt, I also received my biometrics appointment letter. Since that everything seemed to progress as normal, however I have not received any online updates for a while, although the officer told me the card is sent to be printed.

It seems as if a lot of people do not get approval emails, or 'card mailed' emails.

I hope this information is comforting to people in the same position as I have been in. I know I have been stressed and anxious for ages now and hopefully that will end soon! Although I feel much better after my infopass appointment, I will still remain a little anxious until I actually have my card in my hand!

I guess my advice is, if you have an RFE, arrange for an infopass appointment and try and get an iEAD asap. It seemed to me I would be granted one were my card not already sent for processing. I would also arrange for an infopass appointment 4 or 5 days after having your bio appt, even if still within the 90 day period. It can't hurt and you may get some information that isn't available to you online.

Also, a bit of information for everyone: The office commented that after biometrics that unless you have some exceptional circumstances you will receive your card within one month maximum.

I guess my only question is, what is the lead time between your card getting sent for processing, and it arriving in you mailbox?

Cheers!

Ben

They only send you that email saying that they received your RFE response. They won't send anything else confirming that what you sent was sufficient.

If you look at our timeline for AOS/EAD below, you'll see that we're in similar situation. The wyay I understand it, you can't apply for an interim EAD at 90 days past your NOA1. Instead you have to wait until 90 days past the date that they say they received your RFE response.

We might try for the interim anyway at 90 days.

Good luck!

Hi Jenn,

Thanks for your response.

So, I will still have to wait until my RFE is processed before anything else will happen with my EAD?

I thought that as my biometrics appointment letter was received after receving my RFE receipt and my bio was for both EAD and AOS that my EAD had begun processing again. Do you think that is not the case?

Thanks

B

It sounds like your RFE has already been processed and your case is back on track again, since you had biometrics. I bet you'll be getting an approval for your EAD soon! What I meant was that if by chance you *don't* get your EAD soon, things are a little unclear about getting an *interim* EAD following an RFE on your I-485.

Ok thanks Jenn.

As you're in the same postion, I'll let you know how I get on as it looks like you're heading down the same path.

Can anyone else confirm this?

They only send you that email saying that they received your RFE response. They won't send anything else confirming that what you sent was sufficient.

If you look at our timeline for AOS/EAD below, you'll see that we're in similar situation. The wyay I understand it, you can't apply for an interim EAD at 90 days past your NOA1. Instead you have to wait until 90 days past the date that they say they received your RFE response.

We might try for the interim anyway at 90 days.

Good luck!

Hi Jenn,

Thanks for your response.

So, I will still have to wait until my RFE is processed before anything else will happen with my EAD?

I thought that as my biometrics appointment letter was received after receving my RFE receipt and my bio was for both EAD and AOS that my EAD had begun processing again. Do you think that is not the case?

Also my EAD was touched just 4 days before my bio, where as my AOS has not been touched for 3 weeks, it seemed to me that they were again working on my EAD??

Thanks

B

I got an RFE on my AOS seemingly delaying my EAD application. I received receipt of my RFE response around 3 weeks ago. Is that it? Or do I still have to wait for them to tell me the RFE response was complete in another letter?

My EAD case status online was touched 4 days before (22nd Apr) my bio appt (26th Apr).

I received my biometrics letter a couple of days after receiving my RFE receipt.

I got back from my biometrics appt. yesterday and am wondering when I will receive some news and hopefully my approval! Is it likely I will get approved soon for my EAD, or will I have to wait for another RFE letter telling me the response was OK before anything will happen?

I have used references from my employment history in the UK. There has been no problem. Assuming it's for a similar job I dont think you'll have a problem as long as you can get them to speak / write them in english.

Hi There,

So I finally received my biometrics appt. letter (NOA2?).

It's for 26th of this Month. It'd be a massive bonus for me if I could get it done earlier. My local ASC office where my appt. has been scheduled is Detroit.

Do you think it would be possible for me to try and arrange to get an earlier appointment if I call the ASC office directly (and not mail the form back)? Has anyone been successful in doing this?

Thanks

Yes, as NigerLA pointed out you will get a tax break.

I still don't have my EAD / Visa yet, but my wife had to submit as married. If you're in the same boat, and your partner has no SSN, you can file a W7 form with your partners and that's pretty much all you have to do.

It meant a difference of my wife having to pay $200 if she filed seperately, to $1400 return as she submitted jointly (even though I did not earn in the US last year).

Which date is your NOA1 date?

The received date or the notice date on the receipt of application?

Thanks

Hi,

I have just checked my online account status trying to find out what, if anything has happened to my EAD application.

I noticed my AOS application has an RFE pending. Will the RFE for the AOS application cause any delays for the EAD? I'm desperate to get this EAD and would like to know if this delay might be possible.

FYI, the RFE is probably requesting my wifes 2005 tax information. As she has only been working for 18 months or so, our lawyer recommended submitting the 2005 tax information as it was the only way we could submit her information for a full tax year, otherwise her 1/2 year earnings would not meet the poverty 125% guidelines.

I don't think the tax information RFE will make a difference for our EAD application, but I'm just looking for some confirmation!

Many Thanks

Hi,

I've looked on the Processing Times for the NBC in Missouri, it's currently at Jan 19th 06 if you have also filed AOS (which I have). My NOA date was 30th Jan.

With that in mind, when should I expect to get my biometrics appt. letter? It has been erm, about 6 to 7 weeks now and I have not received anything since my NOA!

Please help, I'm a bit concerned they've lost my paperwork in the trash!

It has been over 100 days since my 1st NOA. If you are concerned, should I be concerned doubly?

Some people wait a few months for their biometrics appointment, some people wait a week. It's very different with everybody. In any case, if 90 days would pass after the date on your NOA and your EAD still won't get approved by then, you can make an infopass appointment and ask for an interim EAD.

Oh, and I was changing status from an E-1 visa - do I still need to get my biometrics taken or can they carry them over from my last visa?

If your biometrics were taken more than a year ago, most likely you will have to do a whole new set of 10 fingerprints and biometrics. If your biometrics/fingerprints are more recent, I think they will only take your picture and only 2 fingerprints, so anyway you would still need to have an appointment.

Hi Anastasia,

Yesterday I had infopass appointment. They told me that they approved my EAD in February. But I can not see it online and USCIS Customer Service says they can not either. As for interim EAD they told me to wait for an appointment letter to be sent in a few weeks.

I am still waiting for the letter of appointment for biometrics.

After this point I think it is veritable torture for me. Why do not they just let me/us work without 'EAD' ? I know that some people come here under work-travel programs and start working immediately and they can get SSN too without problem.

Yeah - just looking at your situation makes me very pesimistic. If I was in your shoes, I would have probably given up by now!!

Ok, so what's peoples experience in receiving their biometrics letter and the relationship between the current NBC processing dates compared to their NOA1 dates?

Oh, and I was changing status from an E-1 visa - do I still need to get my biometrics taken or can they carry them over from my last visa?

Hi,

I've looked on the Processing Times for the NBC in Missouri, it's currently at Jan 19th 06 if you have also filed AOS (which I have). My NOA date was 30th Jan.

With that in mind, when should I expect to get my biometrics appt. letter? It has been erm, about 6 to 7 weeks now and I have not received anything since my NOA!

Please help, I'm a bit concerned they've lost my paperwork in the trash!

I've just been working it out...

NOA - 24th Jan (3 weeks ago)

Proc. Date Now - Nov 3rd (14 weeks & 5 days ago)

Basically add the two together, and if the dates on the USCIS MSC processing times are accurate (are they supposed to be???), it means I have about as much chance of getting my EAD within the 90 days as I do flapping my arms to try and fly!

My receipt letter dates are Jan 24th and I'm still waiting. Ive heard it can take 3-4 weeks before they are viewable online.

My lawyer also told me he thinks they're having problems with numbers starting MSC (like mine), but I think that's just something he's telling me as he doesn't really know how long it takes.

Best guess though - if it's not working in three to four weeks, start to stress!

Hey,

So I see know that the MSC is processing dates from around Nov 3rd. It seems like ages ago when I got my receipt letters, but it was actually only Jan 24th!! It will seem like forever, constantly checking for the posted date to increase.

So anyway, all my paperwork I thought was sent to the Chicago lockbox. All my receipt numbers (EAD, AOS) begin with MSC. Does this mean that 100% my EAD is being processed there? I only ask to confirm really, as dates for the other sites are about a month shorter! Why can MSC take so long. Is that where Chicago sends all the EAD's to get processed??

Come on MSC, hurry everything up!!

Cheers!

BW