Annara

I knew I could count on you!

I'm just waiting for you to give the good news! Our timelines are identical, I'm thinking today or tomorrow you should receive some updates to your case!

I checked my e-mail first and also got the text message on my phone.

The other cases are still pending..

From what I think, usually people get their I-130 and I-485 approved on the spot after the interview. So as of now, just waiting for my EAD to update.. I hope they update that soon. I also don't know the location until I see the Interview letter.

@Annara - If you are adjusting from K-1, you might get an interview waiver, or if you are like me adjusting from a non-immigrant or dual-intent status (H1B) regulations require you to be interviewed.

It's good to hear that sometimes the alerts system is working as a lot of people said they never got any emails or texts

I'll definitely give you my good news when it happens, although it might not happen as soon as you predict...maybe you could work some magic now

As you said, you might not need the EAD updates if interview is scheduled so soon, but hope those work out for you too. Let us know what the interview letter states, I'm sure all around here are curious. Now you're gonna have to compile the file for it, so you'll keep busy

I'm adjusting from B2, so I'm sure there's an interview in store for us too.

Good way to start the day with good news. Let's keep them coming

Annara!! Do you work for USCIS?? Lol..

I'm so excited!!

Today, my case status changed to

On September 23, 2015, we scheduled you for your interview and mailed you an interview notice for Receipt Number MSC15914869**. Your interview is on October 29, 2015. Please follow the instructions in the notice.

I don't know the location of the CIS yet.. But I will keep y'all updated as soon as I get the notice.. I think I might get my I-485 approved sooner than my I-765!

Yup, it was me lol. Winked my eye and made it happen

I'm very happy for you! And now that you took the lead let me fire some questions at you:

- did you get any email/text updates or you just checked the website?

- did the other cases changed as well or just the status for 485?

Again, really happy for you my friend!

Heyyy you! Haven't seen you in days! How've you been?

And yeah, the wait is killing me.. I haven't considered expediting yet.. I want to get my interview scheduled!

I got NOA1's almost immediately and it's been that way forever.. :sigh:

I've been staying away from anything that reminds me of the wait lol..not that that's possible. You want your interview, I want my EAD...too bad no one is catering to our wants and needs

It's funny we're in the exact same situation...I've been looking at the July filers and finding that around this time in the process they would hear about the EAD. I definitely don't have the patience to wait for 90 days and when people refer to that timeframe with such ease I guess they haven't yet been through an entire month of not seeing anything updated about their case...or maybe they don't want/need the EAD as much...Anyway, still here and still counting

Still no updates! Has been 50 days already! Still says "Case was received"! Ugh..

I hear you! 49 days since they received the documents and nothing...this wait is killing me. Just want the EAD card...Did you consider expediting? I'm starting to...

Wow! Lots of progress being reported!

@ Annara - Makes me wonder about our applications! I haven't heard anything from them..

Don't mention it...I'm already tired of stalking their website lol...

We all know it goes different for everybody...morkie who did the biometrics in the same place I did (Port Chester) has the interview in Connecticut. We have the interview in the Big Apple where there are thousands of cases waiting in line....so I guess that would be the obvious reason we're still lacking in progress...You know, there's only one thing I can think of all the time..."patience", but it's getting hard at some points...

Pls how long does it take for one to get the biometrics appointment letter..I got my NOA in the mail on the 29th of August.

You should be getting it any time now...maybe today

We got the letter 3 days after the NOAs as you can see in my timeline...Some people get it in a couple days, others in a week..different for everyone.

I received 3 text messages and 3 email notifications yesterday that the USCIS had accepted my AOS packet and my EAD and AP packets. Now waiting on biometrics letter with appointment time. For those that have just done a walk-in biometrics, what do you have to have with you when you walk in? I am going to try to find the location nearest me to see if it's even close enough to risk just walking in ahead of time and getting it done.

Also, anyone have any experience with getting a U.S. driver's license or state issued ID card yet? I'm wanting to get that done, but some threads seem to suggest I have to wait for the EAD card first.

When you go and do the biometrics (whether it's as scheduled or an attempted early walk in) you will have to take with you the biometrics appointment letter from USCIS. There is no way of doing the fingerprinting without that paper in hand...

When you receive the letter in the mail it will state what you have to take with you and where your appointment is scheduled to take place. Usually it's the appointment letter and the passport, but I took with me a copy of the marriage certificate, as I have changed my name after the marriage and the name in my passport was different. There was no mention of that in the letter from USCIS, but to me was common sense they would need it and indeed they did.

So be patient, you'll surely get the biometrics appointment in the mail pretty soon. Going to a location without it it will only result in loss of time.

I don't have any information about state ID and driver's license...if you figure it out, please share.

Hi everyone just some update!

I just happens to check my case today (I check only 1-2 a week) and it turn out that they already scheduled me an interview! This is super fast since I just sent the forms on August 6 and did my bio last week. Now just waiting for the hard copy for the date of appointment hopefully I can get it on Saturday or Tuesday ( since mon is Labor Day)

I am kind of worried now because the interview is coming sooner than I thought and I haven't get any work permit yet.

How is everyone doing so far?

I'm curious, did you get any text or email related to the progress of your case? That is if you registered on their website for those updates...

Hi everyone just some update!

I just happens to check my case today (I check only 1-2 a week) and it turn out that they already scheduled me an interview! This is super fast since I just sent the forms on August 6 and did my bio last week. Now just waiting for the hard copy for the date of appointment hopefully I can get it on Saturday or Tuesday ( since mon is Labor Day)

I am kind of worried now because the interview is coming sooner than I thought and I haven't get any work permit yet.

How is everyone doing so far?

Congrats! That's really fast You're the first one to come with big news. If you get the Green Card you won't need the EAD card to be able to work.

We are still waiting for news...nothing changed on the website, did biometrics walking on August 19th...Patience.

Probably by now we are but for those who just got the text: just because you get your case number does not mean they put you in their system. I had issues when I went to get my Emergency AP because I went there the day after getting the texts and even though I had the case number I was not in the system. This resulted in me having to yet again pay for AP and the guy had to email someone pretty much saying "we've given her AP and she's leaving the country".

Would you mind putting your dates in the signature area? I assume we are pretty much on the same timeline?

Based on what I read, here is a list of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Adjudicating Form I-485:

• Mailroom- The process by which the service center receives I-485 applications, reviews them for acceptability and assembles them for data entry.

• U.S. CIS Review- The process by which U.S. CIS verifies all reasons for rejection cited by the contractor.

• Central Index System/G-325A Processing- The process by which CIS is searched, multiple A-numbers or A-number with violations are resolved, and G-325As are processed.

• Data Entry- The process by where fees are receipted and case information is keyed into CLAIMS.

• File Room- The process by which files are sorted and staged.

• Workload Distribution- The process of staging, routing and distributing files.

• Adjudications- The process by which an application is examined for determination of whether the application is approvable or deniable.

• Post-Adjudications-The procedure to be followed after an officer makes a determination on an I-485 case.

From what I think, our file should be in the Adjudication stage now, if not it should be staggered in the file room. From what I read, all steps until adjudication could be done by contractors/CIS officers (hence, you see your file moving fast initially till you receive your NOA1) and when they have to process a minimum of 1,000 applications a day, things are bound to get lost in transition.. I Wish they sped up this process!

I really don't have the link, but I have the PDF.. I can't attach it due to size restrictions.. womp!

You sure did your research

I think since we got the text with the fees being accepted we passed the Data entry stage...and I hope you are right and we are in the "Adjudications" and not the "File room"... I've been reading how the process is much slower in the New York field office, but imagine we still haven't have our cases forwarded here.. patience is a virtue for sure!

There's no need to post the pdf, I , as well as others I guess, appreciate you taking the time to share the info.

Well hello there! Nothing much, have been stalking the USCIS site for a while now.. playing with case numbers 10,000 before and after me. Hoping everyday that they process my case soon!

It feels like eternity although, it hasn't really been a month even! *sighhhhh....*

What about you? How are you coping with the wait time?

I did some digging and came up on the SOP for processing I-485 and from that I can understand why USCIS loses some documents and/or requests for additional evidence. It was a good read..

And you asked me how I deal with USCIS wait times? lol..

This wait is just terrible...turns us all into stalkers of the USCIS website...nothing changed there, still last update on August 11, when they cashed the checks...so in my head is "are they looking at my files, are they not?"...endurance test lol

It definitely seems that has been more than a month...

What's that good reading you done, can you post a link? Kill some time doing that

Keep calm, as the British say

Adding Amuthan's timeline to the list!

AOS: August 2015 Applicants

UserName......|I-485...|I-130...|EAD.....|AP......|I-485 NOA.|I-130 NOA.|Fprints...|Interview.|GC Approval|Field Office

Amuthan.......|08/03/15|08/03/15|08/03/15|--/--/--|08/14/2015|08/14/2015|08/21/2015|MM/DD/YYYY|MM/DD/YYYY.|New York, NY

Judefabulous..|08/18/15|08/18/15|08/18/15|--/--/--|08/29/2015|08/29/2015|MM/DD/YYYY|MM/DD/YYYY|MM/DD/YYYY.|Omaha,NE

Name..........|MM/DD/YY|MM/DD/YY|MM/DD/YY|MM/DD/YY|MM/DD/YYYY|MM/DD/YYYY|MM/DD/YYYY|MM/DD/YYYY|MM/DD/YYYY.|City,State

Legend:

I-485: Date I-485 was mailed to USCIS

I-130: Date I-130 was mailed to USCIS

EAD: Date I-756 was mailed to USCIS

AP: Date I-131 was mailed to USCIS

I-485 NOA: Date you received the official I-797 notification in the mail about I-485 acceptance

I-130 NOA: Date you received the official I-797 notification in the mail about I-130 acceptance

Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting

Interview: Date of your interview

GC Approval: Date your case was approved and your green card was issued

Field Office: Your local USCIS field office that conducted your interview

I don't think there's any reason to do do this for people who have their timelines on their signature...

I really hope we don't get RFE's.. Although, I am a little nervous..

Was wondering what's going on with you my friend

Don't be worried, it's the wait getting to you... Anything updated for you on their website?

we forgot to include w-2 form (my dad is a sponsor, but my mom also worked last year and the income is combined), dad's 1040 form (I included tax transcript, thought that it would be enough) and dad's copy of naturalization

If I'm nervous about anything it's the Affidavit...maybe because I'm not that familiar with all these forms...

I thought transcripts were ok as well...

Besides delaying the process for a while, which I know can feel like a bummer, I'm sure you will be fine once you re-submit what they asked for..

apparently we have to re-file the whole i-864

Sorry to hear that...what was wrong with it?

it says "On August 26, 2015, we mailed a request for initial evidence for your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, Receipt Number MSC*********. The request for evidence explains what we need from you. We will not take action on your case until we receive the evidence or the deadline to submit it expires. Please follow the instructions in the request for evidence. If you do not receive your request for evidence by September 25, 2015, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice."

And we also filed (2 weeks after filing for I-485) for work permit. So, I wonder if that's the case.

I don't think it has anything to do with filing for EAD at a later date...The only thing I can say is I hope it's something easily solved. It's quite annoying you know you got an RFE but have to wait for the letter in the mail to see what's about...

Biometrics are done smoothly.. thank you lord! Hope i hear good news on EAD soon..

Congrats! Now you're going into "waiting" mode.... Since my biometrics walk-in I have been waiting and waiting

I think that they do look at papers.

We got RFE. An email was sent yesterday that they've sent us a paper with it. Now 1. I wonder if we can go and do biometrics on Tuesday (or do a walk-in?) and what is in RFE because we have no clue.

I sure hope they do...

What is your USCIS page saying? And did you only file 485?

The thing with RFE is you never know what they're about until you actually receive the notice in the mail...Hope it's something easy to fix. Reading about other people's experiences with RFE they sound worse than they actually are, so don't worry about it. Just keep us posted.

And yes, I believe you can do your biometrics, regardless of the fact you got an RFE. After my experience with the early walk in, I encourage you to try it if you don't want to wait for the scheduled date...

Hi guys,

Glad to see that the pool of August filers is getting bigger.

I have a question, maybe someone knows... I did the early walk in for biometrics last Wednesday and I'm stalking the Uscis website to look for changes, but there's nothing there... Last update was on August 11, when they cashed the checks... Now, I'm wondering, what's the first update to expect, "initial review" ?

I guess since we're not there yet, that means nobody even looked at our papers...

Maybe some of you know how it's supposed to unfold...

Thanks and good luck

Annara,

I took your advice! Showed up at around 10:15-ish. Thanks for the info! Three step process..

Step 1: Wait outside till you get called in

Step 2: Come in, Fill in an applicant information sheet, Security Check (switch off your cellphones before you go, even better leave em in your car).

Step 3: Meet and greet with the receptionist, (helps if you are an attractive woman! ) Get a number, wait in a hall inside till you get called.

Once called, a worker would spray (disinfectant) and roll your prints over. Word of advice, relax your fingers and let him/her take your impressions.

They give you a customer service form (once you're done) to fill out, I filled in Excellent for all questions, as no one gave me grief for anything!

Overall, it was a pleasant experience! Glad, I got my biometrics done today!

Great, happy to hear all went well... Now we're just going to have to wait...let me know when you get any news from them. I gave them "excellent" too, as it was indeed very easy to go through the appointment and had no trouble for being there earlier.

For everyone else, good luck with your appointments and good luck with the entire process!

Amuthan,

I got there 10.15- ish. I had read before on the forum that Wednesday would be a good time to go, before or after lunch. I don't know how valid that point is, but it sure seemed to work for me.

Thanks for the encouragement, I do hope we get the card sooner than 2 months.

What i wonder is whether the EAD is processed locally or by NBC...

Anyways, good luck tomorrow! hope all goes well!

Oh yeah! Please keep us (me) updated...

Keeping you posted... I just got back from my walk in in Port Chester. Everything went well, they were super nice. The place wasn't to crowded, wasn't empty either... I think it took with the wait and all like 20-25 minutes.

The woman who did my fingerprints and photo said the EAD card will arrive in about 2 months. I soooo hope it's earlier than that, we want to take a trip and can't really leave US mainland without the card... So fingers crossed. Hope everything continues to go as smooth as it did till now...

My advice is to try to do the "walk in". Be nice and cool about it and chances are you're going to be ok.

Good luck and waiting to hear about your progress.

For me now, it's only waiting...nothing else I can do about it.

Just got my Biometric appointment letter in mail!! OMG!!

My appointment is scheduled for September 1 at Elizabeth, NJ.

What a pleasant surprise!

There you go! Happy to hear you got it!

Now you can do the walk-in... lol

I figured I will try to do that tomorrow...The worst thing that can happen is that they say no, right? I'm not sure yet, but if I do, I'll keep you posted..

Just got the Receipt notices in mail... Can't wait to receive the acceptance mails..

That is great! We got our NOAs in the mail on Friday, August 14. Today, Monday 17th, to my surprise, I found the biometrics letter in the mail.I was just checking the mail for a goof lol. Made my day.

My biometrics are scheduled for September 2nd in Port Chester and I am now contemplating if I should try to do an early walk in...hmmm.

Did you get your biometrics letter yet?

I like the way that our applications follow the same timelines, especially since we're the only ones posting lol.

Good luck and keep us (more like me lol) posted!

Hey Annara,

We are identical on the timelines. Package was signed for on August 5.

Both the I-130 and I-765 say they were received on Aug 5, but the I-485 says was received on Aug 7. Just being paranoid...

Checks cashed on Aug 11. Waiting for NOA1 in mail...

This is not my first rodeo with USCIS, so I'm kind of used to the waiting game.

Hope it's smooth sailing for all of us!

Where did your package get routed to? Mine went to the National Benefits Center. Is that good or bad?

Hi Amuthan,

Take a look at the I485 info and see if maybe the difference in date is because they mention "fee received". I looked and for us it says August 9, but I guess it's only because they refer to payment...It doesn't make sense otherwise, since all forms were filed in the same envelope. Or maybe another person is working on I 485...anyway, I don't think there's anything to worry about.

We were routed to NBC as well, and again, I don't think there's reason to worry. I saw most family based applications go there and then they can be re-routed to New York (as is the case for us). I'm just guessing, so we'll have to be patient and see.

Have you applied before with USCIS? Any insider info that can help with anxieties?

Just checking the time line, when was your pkg received

If you were referring to our timeline, package was received August 5th. Email and text Noas, August 10th, checks cashed August 11. Now we're hoping to get the notification in the mail by the end of the week.

I tried to make my timeline show on posts...but couldn't do it...

Where are you, did you sent in the paperwork yet?