cococacao

Thanks for all the encouragement and support everyone... Today, (the day after doing the service request) our status on USCIS website has changed to: "My card was mailed to me" - with a Sept 3 mailing date. We know the website can be pretty unreliable but we definitely feel like that is a step in the right direction. Checking our mailbox daily and will keep you all posted!

Rob and Adrian

Excellent!!! So glad to hear it And also glad to know SRs are of some use.

"My card was mailed to me" is a reliable status update. I've never seen someone post that they still haven't received it a while after getting that update.

GCs are sent by 2-day mail so I bet you'll get it on Saturday or Monday. Congratulations!!!!

So it's been a few days since our online status changed to "My New Card Is Being Produced"; We decided to check if there has been any new status update. Well, there has been one, but not for the better... our status has gone back to "My Welcome Notice Has Been Mailed" but the dates are now later. They now say the notice is on Aug 28, 2015 (instead of our previous July 23, 2015) and that we should NOW receive our green card by October 27 (instead of Sept 21). Needless to say we are both in a state of disbelief...

So, no more patiently waiting - we've called 800-375-5283, asked for the "next level up" and put in our service request and got our service request reference number. They said we should expect to hear back within 2 weeks. We will do the infopass if they cannot produce concrete results (i.e. green card mailed status, or GC in hand) during these next two weeks.

We'll keep you all posted, thank you for the guidance.

Rob and Adrian

Thanks for the update!

That's really weird, and I'm so sorry you're having so much trouble There's no harm in doing an infopass earlier, but it's up to you. I really hope you guys get it soon -- hang in there!!! Try to put it out of your mind while you wait for SR response.

Hi, anyone recently had their AOS interview?My AOS interview is Sep 25 so as usual, I would like to confirm what I need to bring. I have looked at the FAQs but they seem to be out of date and different from what the government is asking for. On the I797c for my AOS interview, it lists what to bring but it all seems to be redundant. I will be doing my AOS in California and not sure if the I797C for AOS is different from state to state.

Note: between the quotes is exactly what is on the I797C. Sorry this is long as I couldn't find a way to cut/paste the questions but I have attached the full list (hope it can be seen. First time I am using this function. aos i797 questions re docs to bring.JPG

1) "completed medical examination (form I-693) and vaccination supplement in a sealed envelope (unless already submitted)"...

===> from what I have read, the medical that I did ( in Dec 2014) for my K1 is/should still be valid for 1 yr, correct?? If so, I skip this, correct?

2) "completed affidavit of support ( form i864) with all required evidence, including the following for each of your sponsors ( unless already submitted)

(a) federal income tax returns and W2, or certified IRS printouts for most recent tax yr

(b) letters from each current employer, verifying current rate of pay and average weekly hours, and pay stubs for past 2 mths"

==> Again, I submitted I864 with my AOS/I485 form , so I don't have to bring with me all this information ,correct? But I still have to bring in (a) & (b) stuff,

correct?

3)"all documentation establishing your eligibility for lawful permanent resident status" ... all I can think of is my I94 and K1 visa and any I797/I797C for Aos/ EAD/Advanced travel parole. Travel permit still 'in process'; EAD approved but waiting on actual card.

4) "if eligibility is based on your marriage in addition to your spouse coming to interview, bring

(a) birth certificates for all children of this marriage, and custody papers for your children and for your spouse's children not living with you"

===>We don't have any kids together. He has 2 kids older than 18yrs , 1 of which is living with us. Do we have to bring their birth certificates? I presume since they are over 18yrs, nothing like custody docs is needed here.

5) Since I submitted EAD ( work) / Travel together with my AOS, do I have to bring in those documents as well?

6) From the FAQs as well as a few other posts, do I really need to have sworn statements from others? And if so, what in the world do they say?

Can this statement be from a friend who knows that we are married ( even though they did not come to the wedding) and we went to an event together at least one time? aos i797 questions re docs to bring.JPG

Thanking you all in advance for your help.

1) Right, skip it since it's within 1 year and you already submitted it in AOS packet. That's why it says "unless already submitted"

2) Yup, skip it.

3) I too was unsure what this meant... so we brought applicant passport, USC passport (or birth cirt), I94, NOA1, and marriage cert. The interviewer didn't look at any of it except the applicant passport since it was all submitted in the AOS packet.

4) Nope, no BC needed since you don't have any kids together.

5) I don't think so but doesn't hurt just in case.

6) No, you don't need that. It can help if you don't have much other evidence of comingling. But the most important evidence is financial (that's what the interviewer told me), like joint health insurance, tax returns, or bank account. Also photos. So if you have plenty of other evidence, don't bother.

I ended up bringing way more stuff than was necessary, but better to be overprepared than underprepared. Most interviews go very smoothly. Good luck!!

Ooooh, interesting new development... as soon as I sent my last reply a few minutes ago, we just checked the USCIS website and our status has JUST changed! We've gone from "My Welcome Notice Was Mailed" to "My New Card Is Being Produced". Any reason to get excited yet? Should we hang tight a little while now, or go ahead and still do the service request?

Thanks all!

Rob and Adrian

I say still do the SR, still do the infopass! You've been waiting too damn long -- be a squeaky wheel.

Most people have 3 status updates: 1st "My card is being produced" right after approval; 2nd "welcome notice was mailed" a short time after; then 3rd "my new card has been mailed" which means it should arrive within a week (or even a couple days). So the most meaningful update you're waiting for is "my card has been mailed."

For me it was:

7/14/15 - Status update: My card is being produced

7/15/15 - Status update: Welcome notice was mailed

7/29/15 - received welcome notice

8/12/15 - infopass

8/14/15 - Status update: My card was mailed

8/19/15 - received card

I'm not sure what that means, and it might be easier to help if you give some more information about your situation and create a timeline on your profile.

Yup, same thing According to USCIS website:

Within e-Request, you will be able to create a Service Request if you do not receive documents related to Forms I-485, Application to Adjust Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; and I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.

And:

When the customer requests service by calling the​ National Customer Service Center​ ​(​NCSC​)​ toll​-​free telephone number, a SRMT ​S​ervice ​R​equest ​is​ created by ​NCSC ​staff ​if the inquiry​ cannot be resolved during the call​.

Customers m​a​y also directly initiate SRMT inquiries ​online ​when ​certain ​pending application​s​ ​or petitions are​ outside normal processing time​s​.​

Not all service request are related to card productions, so they don't always have to go to a location. So in your case, yes, the service request was of a different nature where physical action was necessary. But not for all requests

Wow you're right, good to know thanks

Hello all,

Just found this thread, and I realize most of you have finally gotten your green cards, but I'm hoping some of you might actually see this and provide some advice as we are really anxiously awaiting our green card.

We received our welcome letter on July 23, 2015 (5 weeks ago today). The letter states we need to wait up to 3 weeks to receive green card. On the USCIS website, our status is "My Welcome Notice Was Mailed" and states the green card should arrive by Sept 21, 2015. We have not seen a status of "Green Card in Production" or "My Green Card was mailed", at least to our knowledge. At the 3 week mark, we called USCIS and they told us (rather generically) that we should just wait and then call them again on Sept 22, 2015. Our Welcome Letter was issued from Lees Summit, MO, like many of you who have had delays.

Our AOS case is almost 15 months old - we filed June 6, 2014. We have a trip planned out of the country in early October, so we really can't afford to wait much longer. It seems that in spite of all the USCIS GC production delays, software problems, not enough employees, etc., it appears that most of you did get your GC's (in the end) at or around the 4 week mark after the Welcome Letter. We really don't know what we should do:

1) Call USCIS again and hope we get a different answer

2) Schedule an info pass

3) Call the 1-800-375-5283 that cococacao (post #28) recommends and ask for a "service request"

4) Do an e-request as bubblebubble (post#36 and #47) recommends. (We're a little wary of this, because it doesn't appear our card has been mailed, and the 3 option specifically says not to do the e-request if you are still in the "waiting" stage.

5) Call our congressman.

6) Keep waiting

We'd greatly appreciate any suggestions!

Rob and Adrian

omg that's a terrible wait! Hang in there; it's almost over.

It took us about 5 weeks after approval to get the GC. We were approved July 14 and received the card August 19 (5 weeks and 1 day). I would really recommend doing the service request since that's what the IO told me to do. I feel confident it'll arrive for you soon, but do the SR just to be sure. They are graded on response times and should have an answer to you by phone or email within 2 weeks. Like Pickle said, it might help to go to an infopass appointment as well.

For me contacting my congressperson was practically not helpful at all, although I've heard other people have success with that.

An e-request and service request is essentially the same thing. An e-request is just a service request you can do yourself online.

Personally I would do options 1 and 2 on your list. Never call customer service only once. If you call them 5 times, you might get 5 different answers. State that your letter says to wait 3 weeks, which you have, so now you need action taken.

You can schedule an infopass and get a stamp in your passport so that you can travel. It's not the best solution, but it is an option and a way to come back after your travels.

And I guess option #6 on your list is unavoidable. Sorry you have been waiting so long. I thought my almost 12 months was bad...

E-request and SR are same thing? That's weird, because I put in an e-request months ago and NEVER heard back at all, but the IO specifically told me to call the number for a quick response time. The IO said the SR is when a person physically goes down to the card production location to figure out what's up.

Thank you so much! I just didn't expect it so soon, I'm really surprised. How long does it take to get GC in the mail, what is the next step?

You should receive your green card in ~7-10 days. The priority mail tracking number will be given in your case status after it actually ships.

Recently many of us had significant delays in receiving our green card, about a month for some people. For more info you can read this post http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/560558-are-you-still-waiting-for-conditional-green-card-to-arrive-after-welcome-notice/

But I hope yours gets there soon, and congratulations!

hey everyone,

I hope this is the right place to post this but please move if not.

How long did it take you to get your actual green card in the mail?? ive been here over 5 mths now and still nothing.

My husband and I are going up to Canada in a few weeks and would like to have it to travel in and out of the US.

I've read if you have the I551 stamp in your passport you use that as your temporary green card but how do you know you have that stamp?

what does the stamp look like??

I would really like some help to work this out I dont want to travel and then not be allowed back in.

thank you

Processing times for GC are different depending on your local office. You can check the times here https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.doIt shows Chicago, IL as having an 8-9 mo. wait time right now unfortunately

AFAIK they don't do the stamp in the passport unless you ask for it (after you're approved, of course), and even then some IOs are reluctant to do it unless it's an emergency. DO NOT!!! leave the country without Advance Parole, green card, or passport stamp.

It'd help if you update your timeline to reflect your current situation.

So I went to Marine corp recruiter today to talk about the documents I need, and to start the paper work, when he saw my Social Security card and my Green card he was confused, because my SSN card is listed as (Valid for work only with DHS autorization). I actually did not notice the problem until I went to talk to my recruiter. He said if I have Green Card I should not have a Social Security card that lists that, and told me go check with SSN office before we can further continue the process.

So I went to SSN officer and told them my SS card has Valid for work only with DHS authorization, and the person asked me if I got my Social Card before Green Card, I said yes. So he had me fill out a form of paper (Same paper as if you first signed up for Social Security card) And after filling out the paper, he logged all my information, and asked me to confirm if all was correct.

I should get a new Social Security card within 10 days that does not list Valid for work only with DHS authorization, and told me to destroy my current card once the new one comes in.

So for those that has their Green Card, and your Social Security card lists that, go check with SSN officer if you have Green Card in hand.

I don't know much about this, but it's ddd that he made you fill out that form. "Only with DHS authorization" essentially means "only if you have an EAD or green card," right? So you would just have to show your green card and you're done.

Oh well, good to know, glad you got that sorted out.

Card finally shipped today. When my husband gets home from work he's going to call about the tracking number. That's 4 weeks yesterday he's been waiting. His AP/EAD expires 13th September and if he doesn't get it before the he loses his job. Here's to hoping it gets here soon.

If it shipped today, you should get it within a week. IO told me they send it through 2-day mail. But if it doesn't come soon, don't worry, you can renew your EAD!

http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/employment-authorization-document

I'm so sorry you're going through that!!

To find your congressperson, go to this website http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/and enter your zipcode. Then go to the website of the person it says is your representative. The representative's website should have a way of contacting them.

The two senators for Texas are John Cornyn http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/

and Ted Cruz http://www.cruz.senate.gov/ who both have contact forms on their websites.

For whomever you contact, briefly explain your case, and (hopefully) soon a staffer will email or call you.

So we have just started the waiting process as we got our Welcome Notice yesterday. So my question is this....we have a cruise scheduled within 3 weeks. We have taken one earlier in the year and just used the EAD card. With this approval for the green card will it cause any issues if we do not receive the green card before we leave ?

You only need the GC if you plan on leaving the country. If your EAD doesn't have Advance Parole included, then that won't allow you to reenter the country. There's a definite possibility your GC won't arrive before your cruise.

As Pickle mentioned, you can get a stamp in your passport if you make an infopass appointment. The IO I spoke to recently advised against it unless it was an emergency since it can cause "hours of wait" at POEs, but to be sure you should make an appointment at your local office and ask about it.

The letter for your interview appointment lists the things you need to bring. Also on visajourney you can look up reviews of your local office to see what other people's experiences were like. Go to "Reviews: Embassy/USCIS & POE" (at the top), then select your local office in the drop down menu.

Congrats to those who are done with this unnecessary ordeal

Well I am in the same boat - got card production email on 8/2, Got the Welcome mail on 8/6 stating that on 8/3 they have approved the application.

After that - NOTHING - waiting & waiting for the card to arrive. 8/24 I will hit 3 weeks timeframe.

Called up USCIS customer service this week, in vain - got the stereotype response that need to wait for this # of days, blah blah

Then the guy informed that & I quote "We were told my NBC to tell you all that there is some backlog going on with them wrt card production"!! - I was like 'well as if the wait till now was not enough, & you have more excuses to delay things

My approval notice too came from LEE'S SUMMIT, MO - I am not sure if this' the ONLY NBC that handles GC production cases, nevertheless after going through other's posts in this forum it looks like it's the issue with this NBC.

Can you please let me know when you raised the SR - after 3 weeks?

I didn't actually do the service request -- the IO I spoke to told me to do that if we hadn't received it 6 weeks after approval. You could do it earlier, but since we're pretty sure what the cause of the delay is, I'm not sure what good that would do. PDXDD and I got ours about a month after approval.

The IO also said that there's another location that handles GCs, but it might be in the same city, I'm not sure.

Hope you get yours soon!!

Hi, they shortened his middle name.

That is no problem

That is not a problem, his name is still correct, they just shortened it. There would be a problem if his name was spelled incorrectly which it is not. I also have 2 names and in my Drivers license, GC, etc they always only use my middle initial instead of spelling the full name. Best luck!

Thanks for the response! If this changes your answers, it's actually not his middle name that was shortened (he has no legal middle name), it was his second first name. But if shortened names aren't an issue than I won't worry.

My husband just received his GC in the mail today. His legal first name is actually 2 names (e.g. Ricardo Roberto), but his card says "Ricardo R" in the section for first name. We're traveling to Mexico soon, so I'm wondering if this will cause problems in customs or security.

1) Should we get it changed?

2) If we should change it, can we wait until after the trip?

3) If we do change it, will he not have a physical card for the 9 months it takes to process the replacement? (ie will he have to forfeit the current card?)

Thanks for the info!

You don't receive anything after the biometrics (fingerprints) appointment until the card is ready. Processing time for EAD is about 60 days, and it's been almost 60 days since you applied for it, so you should get it soon. There's nothing to do except wait a little longer

Finally received the card. Exactly 1 month waiting.

Me too, woohoo!!!

1 mo & 4 days for me.

On August 19, 2015, we mailed your new card for Receipt Number MSC1590972318, to the address you gave us. If you do not receive your card by September 18, 2015, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request that we send your new card to you. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

Congrats!!!

Hey all, we've been talking about this on this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/560558-are-you-still-waiting-for-conditional-green-card-to-arrive-after-welcome-notice/

Many of us are in the same situation!! I went to an infopass appointment, and long story short, the MO contractor updated their software which caused (apparently lots of) delays. So if your welcome notice was sent from Missouri, that's probably the cause of your card not arriving yet, and you'll get it very soon.

We were approved July 15 and then status changed to Card Was Mailed to Me on August 16, so about a month. In post #28 on that thread I give instructions about what to do if it still hasn't arrived in 6 weeks.

Good luck!

Same here. I am surprised they work on Sunday. I think we should receive it by Tuesday.

Congrats!! Yeah I was surprised it changed on Sunday hehe

Yaaaay status updated!!!

"My Card Was Mailed to Me"

It doesn't display a tracking number so maybe I'll call USCIS to get one. The IO told me that they are sent by 2-day mail, though, so I bet we'll get it by Wednesday.

Based on processing times https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do, your case is overdue even considering Seattle's backlog. Processing times may be outdated though and the backlog may be worse.

At this point I would take it to your US representative. Figure out who your congressperson is http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/, go to their website, and contact them about your case. Be insistent and don't be afraid to be a squeaky wheel.

I just did it last night lol I was about to tell you to do it too. lol Well, I will let you know if it makes a difference or causes any issues. What a mess here...

Sorry for not mentioning that before! >.< I had gotten about 2.5 hrs of sleep before we went to the appointment, so it was hard for me to remember all the details...

But I don't think you should worry too much. I'll be curious to see if it helps!