Henmoh

GC verbally approved today at the interview! Yay! Celebrations

I had my interview at 12:30pm today at the San Jose Field Office. It was over reasonably quickly and was a very thorough process. The lady officer was courteous and tolerant despite my toddler who had to be held back by my husband repeatedly from walking around her office. Phew... I was worried more about how my child would behave as compared to the interview itself. Haha!

The Officer asked for all the originals - IDs, birth certificates, passports, marriage certificate, child's birth record. She went through my passport in detail, especially checking my previous visits to the US and if I had overstayed or met any specific requirements of the previous visas (e.g. I had come on a J1 visa earlier and she wanted to make sure I had completed the 2 year residence requirement). She asked us when we got married (7 years back) and whether I had disclosed our marriage to the US Consulate at the time of applying for my tourist visa.

I think the questions are very case specific. In our case, I think she was trying to largely determine my immigration intent and her questions were all around that aspect. She also questioned my husband regarding his business and travel (largely since he has re-domiciled in the US after staying abroad for a few years). She also asked us if we were living in an owned or rented home. We had carried marriage photographs but she didn't ask for them. I guess with a toddler walking around she needed no more proof!

Lastly, she began to question me on all those standard questions that have a "No" answer and then said that we are approved. Haaaaa..... sigh of relief. We thanked her and she escorted us out. There was some light hearted small talk on the way out. And it was all done!!

By the time I got home (in an hour), the case status had moved to "Card Production". Feeling blessed Glad to be done with this one.

A big thanks to all VJers for being there. Wish you all the best too.

The baby will actually work great in your favor. It will not be a problem..

I suspect that this is going to come down to the individual USCIS office. I'd call the office and ask if you can bring your baby.

That said, if your baby is likely to be disruptive during the interview, it might be best to make alternative childcare arrangements so that you can focus on passing the interview.

Before you make up your mind, it might be worth using VJ's site search to see if anyone has posted about their experiences interviewing with a baby in tow.

Thank you.

Hi,

This maybe a silly question, but I thought it would be better to confirm with VJers anyway!

My husband & I will go for my GC interview next week. It's a spouse based GC application and my husband is required to be present at the interview. I have a 16 month old baby and I want to know if we can take him along? We don't have family here and my child is not yet going to daycare. So I don't have much option as such.

The interview letter specifically states that "you do not need to bring your children unless othwise instructed". That's the line that got me thinking.

Your thoughts will be helpful.

Im currently on day 90 since my application was received and I have yet to get my case to move to interview.

I went to the USCIS webpage to check on their case goal time frame and I don't know if it me but it seems like it's taking longer now. Telling me that at the Nebraska cervice center my I-130 and my I-485 will take up to 5 months ?

They sent me my EAD already, can't they just hurry up and move my case to testing and interviewing ?

This waiting game is not fun!

Keep the faith Nat2411. My case status moved to interview on Day 34, but the interview date did not come till Day 86. Wait is the only definitive thing with the GC process. So just have fun while you are in that boat. Cheer up!

hi.may i ask you about the interview date?is it both of you and your husband for the interview or only for the benificiary?thanks a lot

My interview is on Nov 5th. My husband will be there with me at the interview - he is the petitioner and I am the beneficiary. In case of family based green cards, the petitioner is required to attend the interview.

Another email/text update (10:15 AM):

I-485: Card/Document Production

On October 15, 2014, 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.

So they ordered it October 14 (last night) then ordered it again today after the WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA letter. Either way - the card has been ordered.

Wow! Congratulations!!

Case status has finally moved ... interview scheduled for Nov 5th. Gotta sit next to the mailbox now ))

Btw, I am pretty much tracking the timeline as per the AOS stats on VJ for my local field office. For those still waiting for the interview date, try to see the AOS Stats for the last 3 months and you'll get a good estimate on what to expect.

Well, remember , we are on the same timeframe bro.... no interview date yet too......

Kooliz & braveheart97xxx, we 3 are on the same boat. Still waiting for an interview date. Have travel plans for end November...hoping that I don't have to change them...

APPROVED ON THE SPOT!

GOT THE LETTER AND EVERYTHING ELSE!

The interview took around 90 minutes (!), but it was very nice, casual talk, mostly about food, cooking, where we would like to spend vacations etc. A lot of jokes and we didn;t even really feel that was "official"!

Our IO was extremely nice and at the end she said "welcome to America!" and gave us some info how to apply for the second GC in 2 years to avoid the interview and just be approved only by sending the documents.

West Palm Beach office rulez!

Woohoo!! Congratulations Tormentis. We're ready for an online party )

Btw what's this second GC you are referring to?

Thank you! The interview is tomorrow! I'm so nervous, you have no idea.I don';t know why to be honest, our marriage is real, we are very much in love, have tons of evidence,... but you hear some horror USCIS stories and it scares me:(

Wish you luck! Give us good news tomorrow

Just checked the mail box and my Combo EAD & Advance Parole card is here. This is so cool.... within 64 days of filing the application.

Now waiting to get the interview date. waiting.... waiting... hmmm... still waiting...

THIS IS RIDICULOUS!

We asked them to resend the mail

They did, I received it today

But I got the appointment for SOMEBODY ELSE!

NOT MY CASE NUMBER, NOT MY NAME, NOT MY state!!

Is there anybody from Mendon IL?

Because I have your appointment letter guys!

Don't bother to wait for it!

This is bizarre. They ought to have better systems in place.

So now what? Do you at have an appointment this week at all as you were told? Or does the wait start again?

Both you guys filed 5 days ahead of me... hopefully mine isn't far behind!

It will be there soon Excitedtimes

YES YES YES !!!!!

Got my Advance Parole and EAD card today ......

Btw, had your I131 status changed to card production before the card came. I see in your signature timeline that you had received an i765 update.

Congrats! I just go the same!

EAD: Card Production

AP: Post Decision

Congrats to you too! I see that our petition was submitted on the same day. Hoping that my interview gets scheduled soon too.

Would you know if the EAD and AP are issued as a combo card? I've read some posts that suggest that. But my AP application does not show any movement so far..... Just wondering.....

Yay! My employment authorisation is in mail. Time to get the resume going!!!

Application Type: I765 , APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production

On September 5, 2014, 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.

"On September 4, 2014, the post office returned the notice we last sent you on this case I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS as undeliverable. This may have serious effects on processing this case. Please call 1-800-375-5283 to update your mailing address for this notice to be re-sent."

AWESOME!

And we are back to the initial review!

Really! This is crazy. Is there an issue with the address? You should check with the post office too.

Tormentis, I can feel your trouble. This is simply annoying I can imagine!

My two cents is that

(a) keep the faith and believe that the letter will reach you soon

(b) if you don't have the letter by the Thursday before, may be you can go to the nearest field office on Friday and ask them for help

© just go first thing in the morning on Sep 15th to the nearest field office and try to see if they take the interview. After all you do have an email notification.

Wish you expedited mail.

Ok it's not fun!

My interview is in next 10 days and I still didn't get the letter.

I called USCIS several times, and they said, they can send it a DAY before the interview.

A day before? It's Sunday. I really don;t know what to do.

I don't know the exact time or the place.. Calling them doesn't help, because they are "sorry, but can't do anything, please wait for the letter".

Fun. For how long? How can we go to the interview without it?

We ask to expedite EAD today, I don;t know it will work, but it was very nice talk, and they say they will do whatever they can to speed up the process.

We still didn't get the NOA2, with the interview details. I'm kinda nervous, especially that's only 3 weeks left!

Wish you luck with the EAD. How are you preparing for the interview, in terms of documents et al? Strange that you still haven't got the written notice. Why don't you call and check on that too?

Yes yes yes!

We got the interview date!

September 15th It goes fast

Super! Congratulations Tormentis This is such great news.

My online case status moved to Testing & Interview last night ) I am just behind you in the queue.

Luck to all.

Checking after a few days and see good news... Looks like we are moving to the next stage. Congrats ppl.

Waiting gets real!

Congrats! That;'s great news

Now the REAL waiting begins lol

DI everybody applied for EAD? I can;t wait to see mine. I really really reaaaaally want to start working.

:)

I applied for EAD & Advance Parole too. Wait begins....

Henmoh, I doubt you have to show them anything. I just walked in and said I got my letter while I was away - and was hoping to have this done sooner rather than later so I don't have to deal with planning it in. They didn't ask anything just wanted to see an ID, gave me a number and a form to fill out and I was seated. 2 minutes later a lady called me up, checked my form and my ID that I barely finished. She hi-lited my country of citizenship and birth and sent me back. On my way back to the seat, my number was called again and they took a photo + fingerprints. I was literally in-n-out in 10 minutes.

I guess it depends on how busy they are tho. I came in at 9:30..

I had only passport and the appointment letter. We wanted to explain why we were early and stuff, but they were super nice and said "oh, don;t explain anything, it's absolutely no problem." I was seriously shocked. Everything took maybe 10 minutes?

We got there around 9:30 and there was some people already waiting, so the office wasn't empty or anything.

I guess it depends where you go. I think everybody should try.. because.. why not?

Thanks for the motivation folks!

Went for the biometrics appointment this morning. Waited for 2 hours and then got done in 10 minutes. The wait was long but worth the effort. Thanks much.

Henmoh, I doubt you have to show them anything. I just walked in and said I got my letter while I was away - and was hoping to have this done sooner rather than later so I don't have to deal with planning it in. They didn't ask anything just wanted to see an ID, gave me a number and a form to fill out and I was seated. 2 minutes later a lady called me up, checked my form and my ID that I barely finished. She hi-lited my country of citizenship and birth and sent me back. On my way back to the seat, my number was called again and they took a photo + fingerprints. I was literally in-n-out in 10 minutes.

I guess it depends on how busy they are tho. I came in at 9:30..

Thanks rerto. I am going to give it a shot on Monday morning. Lets hope for the best.

I just did the early walk-in for biometrics in West Palm!

They were super nice and there was absolutely no problem

Biometrics done!

Wow! That's awesome.

You got me thinking on this one I do have a prior commitment on aug 1st (that's when they have scheduled my biometrics) and would greatly benefit from getting done earlier.

Did they ask you why you wanted a walk-in instead of the assigned date and time? I am attending a week long seminar that starts July 28th and was wondering if showing them my registration print out would be enough to get a walk-in?

Did you get there first thing in the morning?

Update: Got the Biometrics appointment notice by mail this morning. It's scheduled for 1st August.

Have a prior commitment for that day but I guess I will reschedule that now. This one is undoubtedly more important!