Helpme123

Cool story

thanks for sharing

always use turbotax crew

dang that's frustrating...hope it goes well for you.

I would say it is a waste of money.

lol this ^

you got money to burn? Or is the lawyer a freebie?

Just that only being in the US for a little under 4 years and travelling each year means my "days outside of the USA" will be in the order of 400+

anyone else been in the same situation and questioned on it?

It is because the standard period for citizneship is 5 years form the GC; for married peoploe, it is only 3.

Can't tell if all that is necessary, but I did mine, I had been in 50+ countries just in the 2 years before I had applied.

The oath: I believe this was on teh days when renouncing a prior citizenship was needed. These days, it is more and more common to have more than 1, but at same time, becoming a citizen has a level of commitment, this is that commitment. The renouncing of a past citizenship is not needed now and in fact, in some countries you can't renounce to it!

Never heard it is enforced, and at same time, I'd think one has to go out of the way to formally do that, but if you would typically is when you are renouncing your US citizenship -which people do, mostly for tax purposes these days

The English test takes a whole 5 minutes and it involves reading and writing, which would not be assumed just because you can speak it.

Interesting. Thanks for your input. I guess prior to my residence in the US I will have to put out of the country for more than 6 months. Hopefully the reviewer will catch on.

Spreadsheet and include as an attachment.

If you read the oath closely most people would not find it an issue, seemingly people read into it what they think it should say not what it does.

Not sure what you mean by eleigible for 3 other citizenships, generally speaking you are or you are not. Evidence, ie a passport may be another issue.

The language element seems very basic even for non English speakers. Very low standard required.

Done a spreadsheet beats hand writing it in.

I'm eligible for 3 more citizenships. All I need to do is file the paper work, pay for the application fee and I'll receive a passport. I currently hold 2 passports. I'll bring these to the interview copies have already been sent in the past.

I don't understand how I need to provide 5 year travel history when I haven't been in the US for 5 years? Also when I travel to Europe I go to like 8+ countries. Another example I went on a 7 day cruise and visited 5 different countries/islands.

Is it really necessary to list them all?

I see my self needing "additional sheets"

Also had a question about the oath ceremony. I currently hold two citizenship's and eligible for 3 others, yes international family. When you agree to the statement "Renounce and abjure absolutely and entirely all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which the applicant was before a subject or citizen;" Does this only have meaning in time of war?

And while I think of it do they do the english test for native english speaker? Or is it just 6 questions on the civic test?

I guess not a lot is going to happen now until we start seeing approvals in California in August and September.

Alright see all you fellow VSC filers in October! Enjoy the summer!!

Thanks for the response. We went yesterday morning and did an early walk-in in Phoenix. When we arrived the waiting room was packed, so I expected we would be turned away. But the receptionist didn't seem to care that we were not on the scheduled day. When my wife mentioned that her appointment was in fact for the next afternoon, the response suggested an attitude of "why are you wasting my time with such a trivial detail?"

So it sounds like we were lucky if others were turned away when they tried to go early. I suppose if they are so busy every day, it doesn't really matter if someone comes a day early or late. My wife waited about an hour after she filled out the paperwork for her number to get called. At one point an announcement was made that they were processing 48 people per hour. They asked everyone who did not need to be in the room to leave since it was getting too hot! The AC seemed to be much stronger in other parts of the building.

Wow a 2+ hour drive and a good result. Nice work! It can go either way and does depend on the person at the front check-in. That given, what you did was pretty brave. I'm not sure I'd want to drive 2hrs just to turn around and go back

What happened in my case made no sense but I'm just repeating myself. Lol at the AC not handling the heat load... typical government buildings. Some of them haven't been renovated in 20+ years it's a little ridiculous. Where I'm from, everything is relatively modern and seems like it was built in the last 10 years. So it's an interesting and sometimes comical experience living over here.

Had my Biometrics yesterday (4-20-15) in Tampa.

Now, we play the waiting game!

Hope it was a better drive this time

KASH - I didn't do my bio-metrics on my scheduled date because the weather was too nice. I ended up pouring concrete into the post holes of my 16' x 12' garden shed.

I did a Late walk-in yesterday 4/14/15 (since it was raining and couldn't work on the shed).

Bio-metrics appointment took 1.5hrs from arrival to departure (Alexandria, VA office). So many people there in comparison to my last biometrics a 2.5 years ago. Back then there was 0 minutes waiting. Tons of Hispanics and Indians.

I wonder how much my figure prints have changed in 2.5 years. (not serious)

I am curious, how were you able to contact the office? My wife has a biometrics appointment at the Phoenix office, but we would like to go early. But since the office is a 2 hour+ drive away, we want to avoid making a wasted trip. I would like to call the office to check in case they are also not allowing early walk-ins, but I can't find a phone number anywhere.

I called the number on the back of the NOA and they said that there's no way to contact the office. They don't even have their number. I thought that was a little bizarre however, we are in 'murica.

Instead I stopped by my service office when I was in the area. I spoke to the lady at the front desk after walking past a line of 100 foreigners standing outside the building (felt like I was at a 7-11). The lady at the front desk said that early walk-ins are no longer possible due to the exponential increase of applicants. They are understaffed and way too busy. Not to dissimilar to a DMV experience. I inquired about the possibility of not being able to "make-it" to my scheduled appointment and she said don't worry about the lengthy process of rescheduling walk-ins are allowed if the said alien arrives after their appointment date. Again makes no sense. 'Tis 'murica.

my thoughts to you though would be to make a thread asking anyone who has been to your local service center and ask them if it has been busy how long their wait was etc. I would say Alexandria, VA had about 300-400 applicants. 1.5 hour wait.

If your service center has like anything less than a 30min wait I'd do an early walk in. Otherwise they might be more incline to tell you to come back after your scheduled date.

My Bio appt was set for 4-2-15. I was on a cruise from 4-2 to 4-5. I sent in my rescheduling letter, but I also decided to try a walk-in.

Took my morning off work on 3-30-2015, drove 2 hours in rush-hour traffic to Tampa... wouldn't even let me in the front door! Told me I had to reschedule through the mail.
Massive waste of time.

Anyways, i'm back from the cruise now and waiting for my new appt letter.
Anyone know how long they take to send out a new appt. letter?
Anyone have experience travelling on an expired green card and using the Extension Letter at immigration? It says we extend everything 1 yr while we decide, right? How about employers- im sure they've seen these letters before, but still it has me kinda nervous!

Woah - my condolences. Should of done what I did. Read the underlined above.

I would have cancelled my cruise. A lot of times, it takes about 1.5 month to reschedule.

No thanks jeff.

Not sure if serious. Read above.

Contacted my local office and they said that they are fully booked. So an early walk in is not an option at the moment (at Alexandria, VA).

At my first biometrics I walked in on a Friday afternoon and it was empty. Apparently there was only 100 people per day. Now they are reporting 600 per day with the same amount of staff.

That's a ridiculous increase from 2 years ago. thanks obama.

Received my Bio app. letter 4/2. Almost a week in the mail. Strange.

My appointment is for 4/13. Any reason why I should go today?

Update:

called USCIS 800# on NOA.

Spoke to a rep. They said everything was ok, my status is pending, my local office will be in touch in the next 30 days if not I am to call back.

It took me 6 or 7 weeks to get my bio letter, i just called the number on the Notice of Action, got through to someone within 5 minutes and they put in a service request with the ASC office ,I got my letter a few days later but i don't know if that helped or they just finally sent it.

I'm not too concerned. It's 7 weeks tomorrow for me. So hopefully it works out the same!

I would call and find out!

Might give them a call tomorrow just out of curiosity.

May I ask what your reasons are for applying for a hardship waiver?

Any reason why a 2/09/15 NOA hasn't got a bio-metrics appointment yet?

Thanks Mate!

When did you file your I-751?

Alaska101's NOA updated and Helpme123 added to VSC! Good luck

California Service Center (10 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
A & K 42..............01/31/15......02/02/15......--/--/15......--/--/--
SUEROCKY..............01/31/15......02/03/15......--/--/15......--/--/--
ADESAI................02/02/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

SCOTT & ELENA.........02/02/15......02/03/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

ALASKA101.............02/03/15......02/06/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

RACHEL AND RYAN.......02/04/15......02/05/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

GIVN2FLY..............02/06/15......02/09/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

UK2ATL................02/09/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

MNTJC.................02/16/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--
SHOUNOK...............02/17/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (6 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
ELIZABETHNYC..........02/03/15......02/05/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

CARRY.................02/03/15......02/04/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

AKDUA1................02/04/15......02/06/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

HELPME123.............02/04/15......02/09/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

CRIS&SILVI............02/09/15......02/11/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

LISA AND MARK.........02/18/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application.
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter.
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment.
Approved = The Date your case was approved.

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.
* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.
* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Innnnnnnn on this thread.

02/04/15 - Mailed I-751 application

02/06/15 - Recieved I-751 application

02/09/15 - NOA1 Date

02/11/15 - $590 I-751 application fee cashed

In for long wait for Biometrics scheduling. However, no delay in cashing the check. Go team VT!

Shounok added to CSC and Cris&Silvi's NOA updated!

California Service Center (10 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
A & K 42..............01/31/15......02/02/15......--/--/15......--/--/--
SUEROCKY..............01/31/15......02/03/15......--/--/15......--/--/--
ADESAI................02/02/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

SCOTT & ELENA.........02/02/15......02/03/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

ALASKA101.............02/03/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

RACHEL AND RYAN.......02/04/15......02/05/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

GIVN2FLY..............02/06/15......02/09/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

UK2ATL................02/09/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

MNTJC.................02/16/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--
SHOUNOK...............02/17/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (5 applicants, 0 approved - 0%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
ELIZABETHNYC..........02/03/15......02/05/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

CARRY.................02/03/15......02/04/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

AKDUA1................02/04/15......02/06/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

CRIS&SILVI............02/09/15......02/11/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

LISA AND MARK.........02/18/15......02/--/15......--/--/15......--/--/--

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application.
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter.
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment.
Approved = The Date your case was approved.

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.
* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.
* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

Got my Green Card and EAD card sent in the mail less then a week later. EAD card has AP notice on it. EAD only valid for a year though which is annoying.

I researched "conditional GC" so it seems that is what i have. Not sure what that means exactly whether all AOS through marriage receive that or not?

Thank you for the detailed review. Please repost it in the review section of the website: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/

You're welcome! I hope it helps and good luck with your application!

BTW did you get conditional green card?

Thank you. No we were approved with the standard 2 year green card which allows for us to apply for naturalization 90 days before expiration.

Since my GC was approved in the interview I am still waiting for it in the post.

My Green Card interview was a success: I have been approved.

Here's a detailed post on my interview process and all questioned asked by the lady that interviewed us.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/428571-recently-successful-green-card-interview/

I just finished my interview. My husband and I arrived at the USCIS office at 1410. Appointment is at 1440. She was a very nice lady. It was scary at first. She called us in. Then, we sat in her office. Afterwards, she asked some questions about my legal status since I was in the US since 2004. She wanted to make sure that before she makes her decision that I was in status during the duration of my stay here. So I gave previous approval from USCIS. Then, she asked question like my address, date of birth, how many children. She inquire on why it took us so long to apply for AOS. Then, she realized that my husband was just naturalized last February. She told my husband that she knows that she did not naturalized him since his naturalization was recent. Afterwards, she gave me a letter stating that "your case is being held for review. At this time, USCIS does not require any further information or documents from you. Shoud further information or documents be required, you will receive a notice in the mail. We may also schedule for another interview; you will receive a notice in the mail. Otherwise, a final decision will be mailed once your case is complete."

Afterward, my husband and I went home. In 1 hour, I received a text and an email from USCIS.

[*]Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production

[*]On April 25, 2013, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

[*]This step applies to applications that result in an applicant receiving a card (such as a "green card") or other document (such as a naturalization certificate, employment authorization document, travel document, or advance parole). Applications will be in this step from the time the order to produce the card/document is given until the card/document is produced and mailed to the applicant. You can expect to receive your card/document within 30 days of the approval of your application.

I am so excited. I did not receive my EAD card but this is so much better.

Woah so I guess the interviewers were all out of questions and I hope the same is for me

Any other people have interview experiences to share. I'll post mine up in a week or so.