GreenPaddy

3 minutes ago, heykatydid said:

Thank you so much, Greenpaddy! My sister is actually a translator (she got her MA in Japanese/English translation) so I can shoot it off to her for a much smaller fee, and I believe the translation template is available on the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo's website. But thank you for the clarification - my mother-in-law brought us the koseki tohon, so we will need to go pick up the shohon (but we have time, as that comes after the I-130 is processed).

 

Do you have any idea about the immunization records? I wonder if it's possible to bring the records I have to the doctor's office just to get them re-filed in an official way or something, although this was all done quite far away from our current city.

Wonderful that your sister could help you!

It took me like 30 min to get TOHON translated so you should be fine. Not that difficult.

This info on notarization is what I heard from my law attorney in Tokyo. I prepared all the translation docs in that way and had no problem with the process.

But, if you want to make it absolutely sure, you might want to consult with a immigration lawyer too.

Yes it's good to bring immunization records as much as you can when you visit an Embassy-designated doctor in Japan in the second stage.

It is a lot cheaper to have shots in your local clinic than having it in a designated hospital.

I just asked my mother about my Chicken Pox history, I had it in a toddler year, just told it to a designated doctor and she documented it.

It would be great if you could collect your records from your previous doctors.

There are other immunization like tetanus that you absolutely need updating, according to the Embassy.

If you need, I think it's best you get one shot at a time and make it documented in a local clinic. The shots will interfere with women's pregnancy so good timing might be needed.

I had medical checkup in Tokyo. If you need I can list up which shots you need. I think there were 3 or 4 including tetanus.

3 hours ago, heykatydid said:

Hello, everyone. I'm an American married to a Japanese citizen, and we are working on the I-130 now, about to send the packet in (hit a few snags with finding correct sized passport photos here, as they are all the wrong size in the booths). I'm trying to work ahead to make sure we have everything that we need, and either I'm going crazy, or we need to eventually get my husband's immunization records. His mother gave me a small book with many stamps in it for all the shots he received, and he says that medical clinics don't keep information for more than 5 years, so his information has been long purged. If this is true, will a translation of the book and stamps suffice? They are all official stamps, with inkan next to them and the clinic's name plus the date, but I am unsure because it seems like a strange way to get immunization records for something this big and important. Do the translations really not need to be certified? We got our marriage certificate translation notarized because the DMV and my stateside bank wouldn't change my name without it, so we are including that, but back in Japan it's harder to get those notarized translations done without trekking to the U.S. Embassy (and paying $50).

 

I've also asked my husband several times about a birth certificate, knowing we will need one. He keeps telling me that Japan doesn't have those, and instead got a koseki tohon from the city office. This forum mentions that we need a koseki SHOHON not a TOHON (individual rather than family)? Has anyone filed recently who can confirm that it's the one we need? We'll need to translate everything, so that's why I'm trying to get things early. I've asked him to find something about this process online in Japanese from other Japanese spouses who have gone through this, but he is insisting that he can't find anything (thus, I'm doing all the research). I've scoured through this thread, but have found conflicting information. Any help would be appreciated!  I'm running myself ragged basically trying to do this all myself.

 

(Honestly, I'm so anxious and stressed over this entire thing. I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders to do everything right and get everything that we need. Has anyone else felt this complete drowning sensation? I feel like I'll never get everything!)

Hi heykatydid,

Good job you are doing a lot of work! I feel sorry your husband is not so cooperating with you.

Anyway....

I've heard (I recall it's from a immigration law office ) that you don't need SHOHON translation to be notarized, as long as you have it translated by a third party, and the third party signs for attestation doc that he/she translated.

And you want to go for a SHOHON, because TOHON will be a lot longer as it includes all his family.  TOHON will be much expensive if you hire a translator.

But someone of your friend can translate it for you and sign the translator affidavid.

Many people here, including me, would be able to give you a template for English SHOHON.

My service request that I opened on May 10th was closed on 5/24 saying they have sent a response. Awaiting the response letter now.

There is no official communication or news that I found that there is a delay in card production. I think we are just unlucky. The wait never ends.

I have infopass on June 2nd for 551 stamp.

My service request that I opened on May 10th was closed on 5/24 saying they have sent a response. Awaiting the response letter now.

There is no official communication or news that I found that there is a delay in card production. I think we are just unlucky. The wait never ends.

I have infopass on June 2nd for 551 stamp.

Judebloom, let us know if you were successful in getting the I-551 stamp.

I did INFOPASS last week. The officer said they need to see the I-485 approval notice (welcome letter) to stamp.

I haven't received the notice yet but anyway got the I-551 stamped.

Got my combo card in the mail yesterday! Seriously thanking the congressman for all his help as I think that's the only reason I have it!

Awesome!!!!!!! Your action earned your card.

Now my I-485 (Green Card) was approved on Friday, case status online changed to "approved" on the following Monday, still no sign of card production.

Exactly the same thing happened to my EAD/AP card.

So I probably have to wait 30 days to go to INFOPASS or congressman to request card production.

Sigh......

Hi guys, I just got my green card in the mail not even a week after my interview.

A quick advice in case you didn't know, because I didn't. When you go to have your biometrics done make sure your hair looks good because the photo they take there is going to be on the EAD card and green card. I am stuck with an ugly photo for 2 years

You're so lucky to have the card quickly in your hand.

Just received an update: they approved my Green Card!!?

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

My I-485 case status was just updated to "approved" now.

I'm travelling out of the country to home in a week... nervous because now the AP/EAD combo card is invalid....

Having Infopass on the day I start the trip.

I-485 timeline

NOA1: January 20

Case transferred to San Francisco from National Benefits Center: April 25

Approved : May 27

I've had some positive progress. I think I mentioned in a previous post that I was calling my congressman. Well, on Monday, his office got back in touch with me to tell me that they had managed to get production of my card pushed through again, and I should expect it in 14 days. I checked the online tracker and my case status updated to 'approved' that day too, and my service requests changed to 'completed' the following day.

Being the worrier that I am, I decided today to call USCIS and see if there was any more progress, and to confirm that they WERE re-producing my card. The tier 2 managed to give me a tracking number, saying that my EAD had been posted today!!.So really hoping that there are no more bumps in the road and it comes in the mail when its supposed to now!!

I think the ONLY reason this has happened is because I got my congressman involved. I said to his office that 'I know you can help expedite the 90-day wait, and you might not be able to help now its already approved, but I keep getting given random wait times from officers with no one being able to accurately tell me when my card will be re-produced, and I'm at risk now of losing a job offer so please help etc etc'.

Hopefully you guys can get a similar result if you try your congressman/woman. Plus everyone should be coming up to the 'It should arrive in 30 days from production' window end now, right? so I think we can start really causing chaos and complaining that they legally should be already reprinting them etc and hopefully they'll fix this batch that went wrong

Awesome news! Congratulations!!! So happy for you.

Yes we should try everything to get them produce & mail cards promptly. "Wait for 60 days" is really troublesome.

I read elsewhere the Green Card production is delayed too.

What happens when you're out of the country with AP and Green Card production took 2 months?

EAD/AP becomes invalid when GC is approved or produced. (not sure which)

Don't want to imagine it.....

Yes I'd say keep up your hope and do everything you can!!

Another thing; I came across in VJ an interesting opinion that you don't need actual EAD card to work as long as you have your approval notice.

See the last comment:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/595104-ead-impatience/

I didn't receive my combo card more than a month since EAD/AP approval, which was in the first week of April.

Called USCIS, they told me to wait 60 days.

Went to InfoPass, card was produced in 2 days and received it in mail in a week.

I think the OP can claim hardship because he/she is losing a job offer.

I suggest you look up VJ for expediting EAD (I know yours is already approved, but...) and seek congressman's help.

Did any of you pay attention to the EAD card, is it valid from the date they say it is processing?

It's valid from the day it was approved, and expires in a year.

Eg. approved (valid from) 03/07/16, expires 03/06/17.

Same thing, I was told the card production will take up to 60 days. So 90 days to approval, plus 60 days to card in hand...

I think you can request expediting card production claiming hardships.

See other threads:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/453753-how-to-request-to-expedite-your-ead-based-on-a-job-offer/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/517032-sharing-on-how-to-expedite-ead-based-on-job-offer/

Furthermore, you can visit local USCIS office for InfoPass. I did InfoPass and the staff was able to put in expedite request to National Benefits Center, get response from NBC that the combo card is going to be delivered in 2 weeks. (Still waiting, day 6)

Also you can contact USCIS Ombudsman, or ask for local congressman's help.

We were approved on April 11th but hadn't heard anything since, so my husband called Friday and was told that "card production is delayed". What? The rep told him that even if you are approved it could take another 60 days to see the card because they are behind. They have 90 days to approve the EAD but essentially have all the time in the world to actually get you your card. >.<

I was told the same thing. So EAD takes up to 150 days?

It's ridiculous when most people have their card produced in the same day and received in a week.

My case is probably in NBC too.

Yesterday I was to talk with an officer on uscis local office in Pittsburgh. There was a very nice lady and she told me that most of cases go to local offices but a small number of petition still on NBC. And mine is still on NBC. For this reason they not approve it yet. She say will send my request there. I hope next week to have a surprise. Today I have 4 months....

4 months is too long.

Glad at least the officer was nice to you.

My case is also likely to be sitting in NBC. They still haven't produced my EAD/AP card after approval a month ago and the I-485 doesn't budge from "Fingerprint Fee Was Received".

Going to InfoPass on Monday.

120 days today from when I sent my papers. Because I have no answer from my service request I made an infopass. Tomorrow I will go talk with an officer. I hope this will help.

Good luck with the InfoPass!!

Let us know how it was.

Keep repeating the same thing.

Forget waiting the 30 days. Forget putting in a Service Request. Forget about all of that. Those don't really do much.

Make an Infopass appointment now to speak to an Officer in person about your case. These make a difference.

Infopass appointments are typically booked at least 2-3 weeks in advance. So make an appointment asap.

My EAD/AP was approved early this month but haven't received the card. Put in Service Request a week before, still no sign of "Card in Production".

USCIS tells me to wait for response until May.

I'll have Infopass next week. Let's see how it goes.

If the card is not in hand, it's virtually same as yet to be approved.

It normally shouldn't take that long. Like you say, most times the AP-EAD card should be in the mail within a week or so of approval. Something has probably screwed up somewhere, as I'm sure you've guessed.

Thanks. I'm curious if they say "Oh it takes 60 days" on the phone and whether to take any action if applicants didn't require a service request.

My wife's card came in 5 days after receiving the I-797 notice of approval.

Yes I think that's the case for most people here.

Yeah, my I-485 online status didn't change from "biometrics received" until the actual green card was approved.

Thanks, I noticed some AOS cases are stuck in "biometrics fee received" or "ready for interview" for months.

If it takes up to 150 days to get EAD card on hand, how are we supposed to live, probably without a driver's license in this country?

I see.

I had to ask nicely to make him put in a service request.

1. Should we prepare the clear file for taking in documents?

>I bought a transparent A4 case in 100 yen shop to bring to the interview.

2. Did you guys provide photos, of your spouse with your family, etc?

> Yes. The interviewer didn't even take financial support docs saying our file is already thick, but did take the photos on our trips.

3. Were there any surprise fees you had to pay at the time of the interview?

> Nope

4. What is this biometrics thing?

> Fingerprinting I guess?

5. If say, there was a small error on your G-325(?) thing, like 宮 being written as Miya, instead of Kyu etc... would you bring it to their attention, or let it go?

> I think you can mention it if you have time. Interview is very short though.

6. Also, may or may not have listed father in law's DOB as 7月 instead of 4月, but he is deceased, and it is only documented that one time, so does it matter?

> You might be able to mention it too.

Good luck !! You'll be just fine

My EAD/AP was approved this month, after almost 90 days. I received NOA2 hardcopy in mail after about a week from approval. But my status never turned to "card in production". Still haven't got the combo card.

Called USCIS, they tell me "card production will take up to 60 days after approval". Is that true??

So EAD will take up to 90 days to approval, and then up to 60 days to production???

Told the tier 2 most applicants see "card in production" in a few days, and get the card in hard in about a week from approval. The agent says " I can't compare cases." I managed to put in service request for card production because the first agent I talked to said she can do it normally, but her system is broken today and suggested to talk to another officer.

I asked about my I-485 too. It's still at "fingerprint fee was received" phase. The officer says currently October 25 cases are being processed and to wait for 80 days to put in a service request. If it's going to take long, I rather hope it will linger for 2 years to save for ROC.

Just newly surprised by USCIS, that's why I'm posting...

Thank you for all the responses. I will use my married name, then.

When you say you used both names on the I-864, you mean you entered both in the same box, (i.e. Rachael Maiden name Married name), or was there a place to list both names separately?

You can also include signed document explaining name change in your packet, though not necessary.

Yesterday we write an email to our congressmen. I hope he can help us.

Yes Mickey your case is too long. Wishing you a quick turnaround!

In the meantime, you might want to do everything including Infopass etc.

Hello everyone! I just received my AED card yesterday on the mail... And an RFE for my AP lol

I was wondering if anyone can help me. This RFE said that USCIS records indicate I have departed prior to the approval. Apparently I was not aware that when you put an Intended Departure Date, USCIS understand you will do it even without an AP.

Anyhow, I thought of writing a letter explaining that I did not leave the US and use my I-94 as proof. Is there any other ways of proving it? Any suggestions?

Did you fly here with a round-trip ticket?

I am still waiting. I filed service request for my EAD on March 31 but no answer. Today I called uscis and I talked with a lady.. she say me to wait 30 days and call again. This is annoying

How about writing to ombudsman?

EAD/AP approved as I plan the Infopass.

NOA1 19 Jan

NOA2 8 April

81 days.

And they tell me that today. (No text message, just Case Status online)

Still waiting for Green Card.

This is USCIS page for EAD pending more than 75 days.

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/tip-sheet-employment-authorization-applications-pending-more-75-days