jeffenburg

April 2018 filer here. Just got my new Green card.

Biometrics were done last month (after I had to request two reschedules).

Think I'll wait a bit before naturalization.

Just to add to the above, I don't really see much of an issue. If biometrics is delayed another month, so be it. It's already been almost a year. I have the 797 to cover travel until the end of the year, if it goes beyond that, I'll get a stamp or whatever.

I'm pretty sure it will be minimum 6 months still anyway (April filer).

21 hours ago, sharin said:

I hope you seriously have legit reason, re-scheduling can be really PITA. 

Yes, I will be out of the country so unable to attend. My plans cannot change a week before at the drop of a hat. 👍

Biometrics were set for 3/14 but can't make it. Walked in and it was so busy the desk lady said it would be hours.

Don't have enough time to walk in again as it's 40 minutes away, so I have sent letter back requesting reschedule.

2 minutes ago, pearla said:

I don’t think the request for biometrics and chance of RFE are related at all.

Pretty much all applicants from (Mid April-June 2018 I think) did not receive their biometrics letters last year when they should have.

Ok. I'm not worried about evidence, approval etc. I'm just sick of the whole process. It honestly feels like it's been going on for a decade, and I've done biometrics literally 6 times now. 😀

2 minutes ago, sharin said:

I'm waiting to file N-400 until I get GC in-hand. 

I think I will wait maybe 12 months after I get the 10 year GC. I've had enough of this shambolic process for a while. 😒

Does anyone know what the expected time after biometrics to approval is?

Also, is request for biometrics a sign that RFE won't be requested? Is it basically an all good?

15 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

 

There's a thread about experiences at various offices. Snip from that:

 

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia - Drummond Road -Successful. No questions asked. YES

Philadelphia - Oct 2013 successful

Philadelphia (May 12, 2014) - Drummond Road. SUCCESS, but highly stressful and not recommended on a Monday AM unless an emergency.

Great, thanks. I'll try tomorrow.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm in Philly and the ASC is about 30 minutes away. Frankly I don't mind going 2-3 times if it becomes necessary as obviously it's very important to get it done.

I had read old threads that first thing in the morning is good... But you guys recommend the afternoon. I guess I'll try Monday afternoon.

My appointment is set for March 14th and I fly out March 12th.

6 hours ago, Juliana Ximenes said:

People who have received biometrics notices when did you file in April? 

Yes April

Received biometrics letter for March 14th...when I'm away in the UK for a week!!! Typical; any other week within a 3 month window would have been fine.

Is it possible to walk-in and get this done? I'd really rather not reschedule. Thanks for any help.

Hi all. I filed i751 (removal of conditions) in April last year and just received my biometrics appointment.

Naturally, it has been scheduled right when I'm away in the UK for a week, and I can't change these plans. A few questions...

• Is it better to reschedule, or walk-in to try and get biometrics done before?
• How likely is it that I will be able to walk-in?
• Is a reschedule frowned upon by USCIS (will it have any bearing on my application?)

Thanks!

43 minutes ago, sharin said:

Which desk did you go to? I also have GE; I land in JFK - I plan to head straight to Global Entry and act like I'm not aware Global Entry is in limbo status. i'll even take Global Entry card with me which shows still valid.

I went towards with GE kiosks with my wife, who also has GE. From there, I went to the left ,to the desks that had 2-3 people lined up at each - pretty much next to GE.

No idea where the line was for those desks, but I was easily able to just file in without anyone noticing 😁

Not sure this is foolproof method, but if I had been seen and brought aside I would've shown GE card and expired GC. I'm not waiting in line when I shouldn't have to.

Further data point regards travel overseas...

I just spent a lovely two weeks in Italy with my wife, and returned Rome to Newark. No issues at all travelling with expired GC, passport and i-797 original.

Additionally, I just waltzed past everyone in the (fairly long) line for the computers at Newark, and went straight to a desk. Was through in 20 seconds with no questions asked. I have Global Entry (now useless), but that wasn't even brought up.

It seems to me the reason for biometrics taking so long is that they are aware how long the whole process is taking, so there is no point in us doing bio now as the results could be expired by the time the application is approved.

Also, as someone mentioned above, maybe they are just using previous biometrics for i-751. I've certainly had my fingerprints taken more than ever in the last couple of years...

4 minutes ago, sharin said:

My Global Entry expires on year 2022; I used it only one time last year in AUH airport and could not scan GC at machine - so I end in front of line until office called me. I'm curious to hear why you were told to go in exception line - did you not take Global Entry card with you? 

Also, when you say exception line - what was that exactly?

My GE also expires in a few years; I didn't get it in the expectation to basically be back to square one for 12-18 months though

Austin arrivals is different to any other airport I've arrived in the US internationally. Everything is electronic, no customs slips. So nothing I scanned worked, meaning I go to an exception line. I didn't bother mentioning GE as I knew there would be no wait anyway.

Might be another story at other PoE. I guess I will mention that I have GE when I'm in Newark. But the kiosk won't give me a slip regardless.

Just now, sharin said:

I was wondering if you've Global Entry; do you still go through Global entry line - even though validity status is unsure. 

I was told to go to the exception line, didn't go to the GE one. This was in Austin, which for international arrivals is generally straight through. My next arrival will be at Newark. Not looking forward to it. I'm really p!ssed to be honest, after paying for GE.

Out of interest I scanned my GC on the GE kiosk and it immediately said expired.

On 06/07/2018 at 2:26 PM, wiss7 said:

Here is an update from my infopass today:

 

GC expired last month... I do have the extension letter. 

 

Went to Inofpass to get a stamp on my passport as I travel a lot outside the US for work and I simply dont feel comfortable with just the NOA... 

 

Agent smoothly gave me the stamp valid for a year and no he did NOT take my GC, however he did do a tiny cut at the top corner. He told me to carry the GC along with the stamp in airports. He also gave me back my NOA.

This would be such a preferable way to do things from the start.

Having to carry around a piece of paper, which if lost creates a whole sh!tshow is frankly ludicrous. It's 2018 

Data point on travel: just went back to the UK for a week, had no issue flying back on extension letter LGW-AUS with Norwegian. In fact, barely anyone batted an eyelid.

- Check in lady took a minute or so to read over the document before saying ok, thanks.

- Border agent processed me as normal without any issues or further questions.

I do have Global Entry, which is now useless for at least 12 months 

2 hours ago, wbeem said:

We've just decided that we will not travel outside the US until we have my citizenship completed. 

I'm tempted to do the same after this upcoming trip. It doesn't seem worth the risk given what I've read.

We only hear about the bad stories though; I'm sure there are thousands of people travelling without issues.

With regards to travel, it seems to be a crapshoot.

I'm going to Italy next month and messaged Norwegian (who I'm flying back with from Rome) on Twitter. They confirmed that the I-797 would be sufficient, and even went as far as to add a note about it to my booking, in case of any issues at check-in/boarding.

Can't quite believe this is how things operate here. We're supposed to carry a piece of paper around 24/7 to justify our legal status...haha. Plus nobody can actually confirm eligibility to travel (even though legally it's completely clear that it's sufficient just to carry the I-797 and expired GC). Absolute madness.

On 04/04/2018 at 2:59 PM, Bombo said:

Thanks a lot, Ksenia!

Hi @Bombo, how did it go, were you able to board the plane in Egypt without issues?

Just now, Foreign Fantasy said:

Yes, you need the original though, I think it specifically states a copy will not do.

 

You must have your Green Card and form together which shows you have the 1 year extension

Just spoke to my attorney who clarified that they received the original and have forwarded it to me.

Ok, after more reading, it seems the I-797C that I received is a courtesy copy, with the "official" I-797 going to my attorney.

Question is, does anyone here know if I am ok to re-enter the country using passport, expired GC and I797C ? I've emailed my attorney and I'm sure he'll be along soon to clarify, but just wondering if anyone knows.

Cheers

Just now, ArchieD said:

Try to get an original on from your attorney, or obtain an I559 stamp at your local office would resolve your concern. I would like to have all needed documents before I travel out of the country. You would never know if you need it or not. 

Yes, I definitely will.

Once time when coming back into the country I was curtly told "you should not have been allowed to board the plane" before the immigration officer tapped away and stamped my passport.

It's quite unbelievable how petty and power tripping they can be at times. It's also sometimes quite the fuss to check in internationally.

Definitely best to travel with every document possible!