RedPepper

I was just in a call with HR--and they did confirm that it was an I-9 that I filled out 2 weeks ago! And now i just remembered I did sign those papers right after my drug test. Waited this long for the training...

Anyway, if they have asked me to sign the i-9--why are they making excuses that THE green card itself is required by The State Licensing Board?

(Like I said, it turns out it's not the State Licensing Board that needs THE green card per se, but it's my employer that is asking for it) Something is amiss...

I am writing HR an email right now...explaining the i-9 instructions. Fingers crossed.

First of, THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH for the immediate response! Really do appreciate it!

It's technically 4 business days before my training and only now did they inform me they are having "difficulties" employing me. I already provided them with everything they need. Geez! Nerve wracking. I want this job so bad, I don't want to lose the opportunity or have any delays of getting it whatsoever. I was already lucky enough to get in exactly 2 weeks from POE--thought I was lucky. Hope my luck keeps up!

Your employer is wrong. They just need to look at the Instructions for the I-9 form which clearly state that the I-551 in your passport is in List A of acceptable documents that establish both identity and employment authorization. Here is the link to it. http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-9.pdf

Wow! Thank you for the link. I have to be able to resolve this before Friday this week. My training is about to start on March 24 and so worried I might be pushed back in April if I don't. That would mean $$$ lost! Whew! Very helpful, thanks!

Your employer clearly does not follow the law or disregards it. If they are so bent on checking they can just enroll in the e-verify system and I believe they can prove you are authorized to work. Or even better, call USCIS and check.

This is a big company! I wonder why they don't know this fact? Could I be the first alien they are employing in this branch? Hmmmm....

Show your employer the I-9 form. Walk him/her through it.

I will have to check it out. Never knew I-9 ever existed if not for you guys! Whew! You probably just saved a lot of heartache for me. Thank you so much!

This is something your Talent Management Dept should be familiar with.

Yes--i was wondering that, too! The HR team seem not familiar with employing aliens.

One thing more, they are actually taking their sweet time doing my background verification "investigating" ME back home since 2 weeks ago. I hope they have the results out quick! Don't want to miss the training next week. It's a big insurance company--why are they not familiar with the process yet?

Bring the I-9 to your employer's attention.

The I-551 stamp is your work authorization.

Under US laws, the employer can not refuse to accept the I-551 stamp and demand something else.

The employer is violating the law.

Woah! I know, right? I have to be firm and persistent with them. Gotta have that job!

I came to the US as an IR1 Immigrant, this means that upon entry into the US, I am automatically a Permanent Resident--with no conditions.

On my passport and visa, it indicates that with the endorsement of Homeland Security, my visa serves as a temporary I-551 (Green Card) proof of permanent residence for one year.

My employer claims that I need to present that green card for my Virginia Insurance Licensing/State Board exam. I called the the State Insurance Licensing office to verify that and they told me, on the other hand, that my passport, visa and Social Security Card is enough for the licensing .

My employer, however, is looking at pushing back the date of my employment and training until I get my green card. Apparently, they are doubtful that I am authorized to work. I can only present them with the documents I have: Visa with the one-year temporarily valid I-551 note.

How can I prove to my employer that I do not need an employment authorization? Will appreciate your advice. Thank you very much

P.S.

At the back of the card where my Social Security card is attached--there is a note there that says if you are an alien without permission to work in the U.S., your Social Security card will be marked "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT."

My Social Security ID has no notations like that--that should mean I have permission to work in the US. Right?

I am sorry you have to go through that. It was crazy when I was at that point with the whole process. So what I did was, I kept busy and had all my civil documents ready...It really does take a while--weeks!

I understand how you feel...we were on the same boat, but I am soooo all over that now.

So all I can advise you is to be patient, this transition usually is the craziest part in the whole process because no one really knows where the cases are--still at USCIS or NVC...

Just be patient...you will get there.

I am sorry you have to go through that. It was crazy when I was at that point with the whole process. So what I did was, I kept busy and had all my civil documents ready...It really does take a while--weeks!

I understand how you feel...we were on the same boat, but I am soooo all over that now.

So all I can advise you is to be patient, this transition usually is the craziest part in the whole process because no one really knows where the cases are--still at USCIS or NVC...

Just be patient...you will get there.

I just got hired today! Yey! I will start my training very soon!

Hope for the best for everybody here--I am adjusting quite well.

Let me know how it goes with NVC please. I'm still contemplating whether I should expedite with them as well. I'm really in no rush though. My main concern was getting my petition out of USCIS since the wait times there were through the roof.

We got our appeal for expedite a few days ago--APPROVED! YEY! Only now that i am updating you guys.

We got a text message that ALL OUR 4 PETITIONS have been updated--however when I got to their webage, our case is still a questionable "INITIAL REVIEW." Was a little disappointed. It didn't seem and feel like it was being expedited. LOL

Fingers crossed, we receive a NOA1 very soon! Will be back to update you all!

Hi red pepper and all the other Jan interviewees

I wonder what's the update on other 221g cases like Jane21 and Ysiad? I'm k-1 visa and the document needed by embassy was submitted Jan 24, but up to now the status is still admin processing. I'm really wishing we can have an idea when our status will change to issued. My fiancé and I need to be with each other so much.

Oh no! I am sorry you have to go through that painful wait. I know how it feels. Mine was just a wait for 16 days--that included the 7 days I waited for the packet from my husband from the US--so actually it was just 9-10 days with the US Embassy Manila for the whole Admin processing to Issued.

It really just depends on what documents were missing, and the "complication" associated to that...some had to wait longer, there is no real timeline for Admin Processing.

Let's hope it does not take longer for you. I really do feel for you guys, :-( But hang in there! Good luck! xxx

1. They say it could take up to 30-45 days but if you read the timelines for people who have had their petitions expedited it varies by case. (Mine took 3 weeks) The waiting with USCIS is not done yet, you still need your noa2 which is your golden ticket

2. A couple of months. Could be more could be less. There involves a bit of waiting here as well. It's always good to have everything all ready now though

3 & 4. It only skips NVC if you request to expedite it there as well. Your expedite DOES NOT carry over from USCIS

We were told that we will receive a decision within 30 days, and on the 24th day we got our I-130 approval. We then requested for an expedite through NVC and it was approved in a week or 2. I have noticed though that there are two kinds of expedite processing with nvc (i guess it depends on the consulate's decision): 1st is the super expedite (just my own terminology hihi) wherein the case is sent directly to the embassy, and applicant doesnt have to deal with nvc anymore. 2nd one is the semi-expedite (own term again), where nvc asks you to pay AOS And IV fees first through CEAC and submit all documents to them, then once they have everything your case will undergo expedite review again and will be sent asap to the embassy when case has been completed. We went through semi expedite processing and was able to finish the nvc stage in 1 month. But for regular nvc processing, it usually takes 2-4 months.

Dear krispykreme and li_09, Wow! thank you for the feedback! I am now formulating an expedite request for NVC as what your responses are pointing us to do. Hehehe! As soon as we get the approval for our I-130 and as soon as our papers get to NVC we should be ready to take off!!!

We are not much on a rush, but we are hoping to get the kids over here by next school term 2014-2015.

Fingers crossed. Thank you again for your feedback! We now have at least a rough timeline budgetwise.

Our appeal/request to expedite the I-130 petition of all our four children (all under age 21) has just been approved! Yey!

I am a legal permanent resident, and my husband is a USC

A few questions will appreciate an answer for:

1) Can anyone please give us a rough estimate on how long our children's papers will be ready and approved by USCIS? 2) How long it would take for NVC to process everything?

3) Will our papers still pass through NVC? I read from here once that a case skipped NVC for some reason. I could find that particular post anymore.

4) What are the possibilities that we can skip the NVC process and have our papers go directly to the local US Consulate in the Philippines?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE!

This is the notice we received from USCIS for your reference:

The status of this service request is:

Recently, you or your representative contacted USCIS concerning your I-130 to request expedited adjudication of your petition. Below is a summary of what we found and how the issue has been or may be resolved.

Your request for expeditious processing is approved.

Upon receipt of your letter requesting expeditious handling, this matter was reviewed and a determination was made that it met the criteria for special handling.

The petition or application will be reviewed and you should be receiving notification from this office very shortly.

visa on hand! yay! so happy!

thank you everyone!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Yay!!!

Just wanna ask something. Db kapag nagPDOS kailangan ang copy ng visa?

hello there cpacion.

Ako nag-PDOS a day before my interview, I had to do it because I come from Baguio and it is too costly for me to travel back to CFO.

Wala pa akong visa noon--nakapagseminar na ako.

Yun nga lang ang PDOS certificate of attendance lang ang ibibigay nila at hindi pa nilalagyan ng CFO sticker yung passport mo unless may visa na--so ang ginawa ko, right before my flight, tumawag ako sa kanila at sinabi ko sa kanila kung kailan ang flight ko, flight ko 6:05am ng January 31--dumating sila ng 4:30 sa NAIA Terminal 1 CFO "office" to meet me and give me the CFO sticker.

So if you choose to take the PDOS earlier right before the visa, make sure to call them to tell them your flight details so that CFO staff can go to that particular terminal you are having your departure--and provide you with the CFO sticker with seal.

You'll need to put the bottles of skin lotion (along with any other liquids/gels in a ziplock baggie, and take them out of your bag and put them in a bin at the security checkpoint, most likely. They'll only make you unpack and show them what it is if it's down at the bottom of your bag and they see it in the xray.

I did that--read your post in time as I was leaving and was able to have a few with me. Thanks!

for checked luggage? really? i had no idea.

Uhuh--they are quite strict with us people

Only if the female is attached to them in the suitcase.

Hahahahaha! Too funny!

Doesn't need to be declared, just needs to be in original packaging with valid prescription on the container, or re-packed, but carry original prescription with you. Never been asked to verify this in many years of traveling, but them's the rules...

right! I made a photocopy of the prescription and placed it in the ziplock along with the meds--I even had syringes with me! And I didn't get checked.

Now with my husband in Virginia beach, Allelujah! Hehehe...I sooooo missed a lot here...hmmm let me catch up on everyone.

Sorry I missed out on a lot of excitement here! Wow! All good news!

Just got off the phone with 2GO and my fiancee's passport/visa is also out for delivery today! Thanks Red Pepper for all your info and help. Good luck everyone else!

Congratulations! Happy feeling! So when is your flight?

got a text from 2go this morning. my passport will be delivered this afternoon!

Yeeeey!!!! Finally! Congrats!

Hi RedPepper! Hello to All! i got to talk to the 2Go person at the US Embassy and He said my visa packet is ready for shipment tom. He said i can pick it up tom 3pm.
Thank you all for the support and guidance.
Thank God for the blessings and for guiding us throughout the visa journey.

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Hi! I want to thank all of you for sharing your experiences here. It helped me manage my expectations. Anyway, I had my interview yesterday and I was informed that my visa application has been approved. Yay!

I encountered similar questions that were posted here except that I was also asked how old my husband is and how old I am. Mega compute ako. Hehe. The actual interview was quick although the queue was long. In total, I was at USEM for 6 hours. But the approval was worth the wait!

So now, I am waiting for a text from 2Go to know when my visa will be delivered. How long does it usually take for 2Go to contact applicants? I tried tracking my passport via the 2Go website, but there were no available information.

Thanks again!

Annie recieved her visa in hand yesterday. It was delivered by 2Go to her house in San Antonio Zambales. Her interview was Jan 16 and she was told she was approved then. On Monday the status changed to Issued. Was never able to see a status at 2Go..

Yahoo!!!

Just got issued today THANK GOD!!! We'll be expecting the visa next week cross fingers!!! (Dancing)

Sorry I missed out on that part you were worried and all--but glad it was all sorted out!

Thank you very much! Old folks, in-laws, warned me not to bring them since they are afraid I might be held up at the POE. They prefer that I barely bring with me anything! Hahaha! But there is so much from back home that I cannot live without--it will take a while before I can find somethings in the US that is as "effective."

I do have doctor's prescription with me for the meds.

Shell20, thanks for the link! Very helpful. Now I can fly with no fears!

Will these cause problems at POE?

5 bath soap in original packaging

6 15g skin/allergy ointment,

Feminine napkins!

In the middle of packing now--would truly appreciate your replies! Thank you!

Continued...

Issued--also means that in a few days, your visa should be in transit for delivery.

Thank you RedPepper Goodluck and Bon Voyage

Thanks NoOtherWoman! Don't worry... Your visa will be in your hands in no time just be patient

Just got off the phone with 2GO and my fiancee's passport/visa is also out for delivery today! Thanks Red Pepper for all your info and help. Good luck everyone else!

Wow that's good news! I'm glad that my suggestions worked as it worked for me! It feels good to be of help--always!

Congrats!

me i cant get through 2go line yet...

Well once your call gets in, please make sure to update us immediately. Can't wait to hear good news! Don't worry I am confident that we are soon going to celebrate because your visa is already on hand! Cool!

got a text from 2go this morning. my passport will be delivered this afternoon!

Wow! Good news upon good news! Woot-woot! Congratulations!!!

My fiancee had her interview on Jan 14, and was given the 221g for some NSO items. I know the embassy received the last item directly from NSO on 1/24, and I keep checking the CEAC website for some other status besides "Administrative Processing" which was last updated 1/28.

From what I've read here, I'm waiting for the status of the CEAC website to show Ready, then Issued? If anyone can shed some light about what those mean, and perhaps the number of days between those items, and how that relates to when 2go finally has it, that would be wonderful.

All of you make this process more bearable. Thanks!

Administrative processing--is when they need additional time, documents or proof to decide whether to give you a Visa or not

Ready--is when the American consul is reviewing your documents and maybe satisfied with the documents They received.

Issued--Visa OK. but visa has yet to be printed on your passport and your packet has yet to be put together.

I called NVC today and they said my case is complete and now just waiting on interview appointment. I'll believe it when I see it, but that's what they told me.

Lol

That was exactly what I felt then. It's never bliss unless visa is on hand. When visa on hand--bliss feels half-cooked--not until you are together again. :-P

You are almost there! Good luck!!! xoxoxo

Thank you so much! I am a little worried because my housband did't work since one year now he did taxes and everything but he was with me for all this proces to end. His residence is in NY All his family is there mom day, sis , bro... I hop that all this time he was here will be a bad thing for my visa. worried

Na-ah-ah-ah! Don't you worry, too much! Chin up, smile, have faith and believe! It'll be over soon--and by that time, you'll have your visa on hand. So breathe! Slowly! And Smile! xoxoxo

Visa in transit--over to me, as of this post! For pick-up 28th January.

After 7 years!!!!!!!! Yippeee!!! Finally--we can be a real family again! Can't wait to be home with my husband!

P.S. Guys, I haven't been in touch with you lately. 2 of my laptop crashed as I backed-up loads of photos and music and movies; and so have to log-in to VJ through my iPhone--very annoying! Lol promise--will try to catch up with everyone the soonest I can get to a decent PC!

In the meantime--for those having your interviews...GOod luck!!!

And those who have recently had case completes and visa approvals, congratulations!!!

xoxoxo

OK- so since no back pack is allowed in a embassy- any suggestions to how to carry 4 folders and a wedding album in snow???

Why don't you call your embassy to ask what you can and can't bring? I think it depends on the security risks in your country if they will allow you or not. I think they will--how can you carry that load with any other bags?! Lol

Based on my experience, i realized they do not literally follow regulations on their website absolutely...maybe you can be an exception to tje rule! :-P

Good luck!

All in fun, ..

:-P Fun it is!

To everyone, thank you for the company you have provided in this thread. You all have kept me sane and positive! Lol

Thank you also for the best wishes and congratulatory remarks! Feels good!!!

Now sharing with you all a lot of good luck! xoxoxo

P.S.

Will just be here on standby...for anyone who may need me! xxx

Woot woot congratttttttttttttts red pepper!!!!!!! Woooooot wooooooot! And thanks for the info :)

What date were u able to give the document they asked of u and what document did they ask for?Coz they asked me for a cenomar again and NSO told me that USEM picked it up Friday Jan 24, and I want to have an idea how many days it takes for 221g cases from the time USEM gets document to the day the visa is in the applicant's hands :)

Based on my experience, the docs were submitted to the American Consul a day after they received it. Then give them

3-5 days for review. If there is no problem, then it gets issued on the CEAC website by noon. After that, give another 2-3 days for the printing and endorsement to 2Go for delivery.

20140107...interview with 221g

20140114...221g sent to USEM

20140115...221g received at USEM

20140116... 221g endorsed to American Consul

20140123...Visa Issued

20140127...Visa sent out to courier for delivery

20140128...visa for pick-up

FyI