mrsashko

Once you know that NVC case was sent to & received at the embassy - you can schedule the interview.

No need to wait for Letter 3.

I don't mind turning it off of course. My question is, as I am going by public transport, will I be allowed to take it into the facility?

put it in your pocket or bag, and do NOT take it out under any circumstances. (Turn it off fully prior to entering the facility!)

Can I take my phone in at Tukwila?

Phone are not allowed at ANY biometrics appointments! (Leave them in a car or turn them off fully!)

Very busy day at USCIS today, my app is going crazy with AP approvals for January (from early to late January... all across the board).

Very busy day at USCIS today, my app is going crazy with AP approvals for January (from early to late January... all across the board). Hopefully they continue that streak into February

New York - Port Chester Application Support Center updated 03/01/2016

ALABAMA

Birmingham, AL - He give us a hard time, but finally agreed to let us through. Successful.

ARIZONA
Phoenix, AZ - Gave no reason, no questions asked, successful. Staff very friendly and courteous. Went on Monday at opening time (8 am), in and out in 20 minutes.

Tucson, AZ - Gave no reason, no questions asked, successful.

CALIFORNIA
Buena Park - No reason, just gave security guard my appt letter. YES
Chula Vista - 2 Walk-ins, first was 10 days early and the second was 23 days before the appointment. Successful.
El Monte - 13 days early. Work conflict. Sup wasn't nice about it, but biometrics got done!
Fresno - 07/14/14 - Successful, no questions asked. After 2 pm walk-ins allowed.
Gardena - 5/24/12
Los Angeles - (USCIS Fairfax on W. Pico). Successful with no questions asked. 01/11/2015-> walked in 9 days before appointment, asked to come around 2pm. Let me take biometrics no problem then!
Los Angeles - (downtown) July 2012. NO
Los Angeles - San Fernando valley (Chatsworth) division: successful walk-in, no questions asked, short wait. 6/11/13.
Modesto - 10 days early. Went in to try our luck for my wife (K-1) and step daughter (K-2) AOS/EAD Biometrics and no questions asked. The process took about 10 minutes. The employees on-site were very friendly.
Oakland - Oct 2013 successful
Pomona - long wait. Successful
Riverside - Nov 10, 2014 - Unsuccessful. Original appt for Nov 17. Told to come back on the scheduled date. Guard was firm and unfriendly. Didn't help that the woman in front of me was arguing with another member of staff about her appt date.
San Francisco - 05/19/2014 - No question asked for three weeks early walk-in. Just showed security guard the letter. Get it done in half hour. Friendly staffs
Santa Ana - Walked in 2 times in June 2012. No questions asked. The friendly security guards even told me I could go inside to fill out the form for my wife but will have to wait outside afterwards.
Santa Ana - early walk-in successful, the day after I recieved the biometrics letter (original appointment date: 03/11)! Really nice staff and security guards.
Santa Ana - 7/30/2014 Early walk-in successful (Original appt date is August 14, 2014). I was in and out in 15 minutes!
Santa Ana - 7/28/2014 Early walk-in successful. Really nice staff... was in and out within minutes. Very short wait since there were others ahead of me. Very friendly.
Santa Rosa - Walked in right after lunch. very few people. They were not happy and pointed out the scheduled date many times, but didn't send us away. I'm glad we were in the area and busy on our actual day.
San Marcos - Walked in at a little after 2pm and we're 2nd in line. Showed Appointment Notice and passport. Entire process only took 15 minutes and didn't have to pay parking fee (inside a small shopping center)
San Marcos - Walked in right after I got apt letter, went 20 min before closing, was the only one there, didn't give any reason, was in and out in 7 min, free ample parking space.
San Jose - 4/29/14 - Successful. Appointment for 5/14/14. Did a walk-in at 11.20am. Staff was pleasant and polite. In and out in 10 minutes.
West Sacramento - 4/28/14 - Unsuccessful

COLORADO
Aurora - Went 10 days early. Reason: I was in the area and had lots of meetings on appointment day. Successful. I arrived at 8 am and saw that lots of people were waiting. Left, did some chores, and came back at 9:15. Finished biometrics in 10 minutes.
Denver - went in 2 days early because I couldn't get the day off of work to take hubby on exact date and we had no issues

FLORIDA
Jacksonville - May 2013- Gave no reason, 2 weeks before appointment, successful in 25 minutes.
Miami - June 2012 - Gave no reason. Showed up 2 weeks before - was in and out in 5 minutes.
Oakland Park - Feb 2013 - Gave no reason, 2 weeks before appointment, succsessful in 10 minutes.
Tampa - May 2014 - Said I would be out of town, 2.5 weeks before appointment, successful in under 30 minutes
Tampa - 8/12/2014 - Appointment for 8/21/14 - Gave no reason, successful
Tampa - 9/18/2015 - Appointment for 9/22/15 - Not successful, was told to come back day of appointment, was told they were understaffed and there were no walk-ins allowed all day

GEORGIA
Atlanta - No reason Officer had us wait outside until the earliest appts went in (about 15 minutes). Yes.
Atlanta - Our appt was for 6/13 went in 5/25 and we were successful with no questions. The office just wrote on our form Walk-in.
Atlanta - Appointment for 04/26/13. Did a walk-in at 3PM 04/17/13 successfully. Reason was husband is working on appointment day. No question of reason though.
Atlanta - Appointment for 10/18/13. Did a walk-in at 3PM 10/01/13 as we are on vacation on appointment day. No problems, the place was deserted. Successful - in and out in 10 minutes.

ILLINOIS
Naperville (abut 30 miles west of Chicago) - My appt was 8/13. Went on 8/30 at 2pm but was unsuccessful - only one technician on duty. I asked if there was any point in trying again and was told 'I can't tell you not to try again but to try earlier in the day'. I went on 8/1 at 11am and was seen after the 11am appts. I was in and out in about 25 minutes. I was told that I shouldn't really be doing this and not to do it again but at least they saw me. I didn't give any reason for wanting an earlier appt. I just said that I had been waiting so long during the whole K1 process, I would like to get a head start on AOS!

INDIANA
Michigan City - January 2012 - No reason needed - Yes to successful walk-in(asked about it, I was there the same day as appointment)

IOWA
Des Moines - April 2010 - Husbands erratic work schedule meant rescheduling wouldn't help because there was still no guarantee the new date would work - Successful
Des Moines - March 2011 - To get it over with - Successful (advised they were being more strict but letting them proceed due to no-one else being there)

LOUISIANA
Metairie - Unsuccessful. You must arrive on the correct day at the exact time of your appointment, or they will not see you. Tried for AOS, ROC and N-400. Two friends have also tried it and been refused.

MARYLAND
Baltimore - April/2013, told guard I will have oral surgery couple days before appointment & will be very swollen/bruised, she asked for supporting documents which I provided. Denied walk in. Was told I could come the day of if I was feeling well enough or after appointment date but not before.
Wheaton - told Security guard I was not going to be in State on the day. Yes
Wheaton - July 2012, asked why could not make appointment, said attending wedding. Successful(out in 10 minutes).
Wheaton - Dec 27, 2013 - Told guard we had an 01/07/14 appointment in Baltimore but had a dr. appointment the same day. He passed us on through. The gentleman who we talked to gave us a lecture about going to the wrong place, that people would be waiting for us on the appointed day, that it wasn't fair to them, etc, etc. - but then said he would allow it this time but to do all other appointments on the scheduled date at the right office.

MASSACHUSETTS
Boston - I took my wife for her scheduled biometrics appointment on 1/14/14. In an effort to get some info for this thread I asked the woman at the front desk if they allow early walk-ins, this was her reply: "It depends on what the reason is. If you legitimately need to come at an earlier date they will allow it, but if you just walk in for no apparent reason, they may not."
Boston - Tried to do early walk in for my appointment in Lawrence, told them I worked in Boston and would have to take time off to go to Lawrence. They asked me if I couldn't make it on the original date, I said I could, just didn't want to take time off from work. They told me I'd have to come back on the day of my appointment, but I could do it in Boston. Still waiting to go back. - Not successful.

Boston - I missed my 01/08/2016 appointment due to the info getting to me too late (got it on 01/11). Called USCIS helpline, was told to either try a late walk-in or send paper in to Virginia to get a new appointment (wait time about a month *ahhh*). Showed up at Center today (01/12/2016) with letter and ID, manager came over to sign off on late slip and let me in no problem. There at 8:45am, back out at 9:30am, not bad at all and ALL DONE.
Lawrence - did an early walk in 3 weeks before my appointment. Just asked politely if it was ok as I was in the area that day anyway. They couldn't have been nicer. Done and on my way home in less than 25mins! Was quite anxious beforehand as I'd heard bad things about Lawrence. But they were all friendly and really nice and accommodating.
Lawrence - 05/08/14 - Went one day early, they commented that it was supposed to be the next day, no questions. Successful. Should've tried there first instead of Boston - MUCH better office.

MICHIGAN
Detroit 07/29/14 SUCESSFUL
-We arrived about 245pm security only asked for identification and where we were going. The clerk in ASC was more difficult initially when she looked at our appointment she said why are you here so early (appt scheduled for 08/14/14) I explained my wife is pregnant and due any day she said well we had a power outage yesterday I don't know if we will be able to get you in ( only 2 people were waiting for someone) so she went to ask her supervisor when she returned handed me the clipboard and stamped our I -797 and said I can't guarantee it but fill out this form so as soon as I finished filling the forms they called my wife and son back about 15 minutes in total.

MINNESOTA
Duluth - successful
Minneapolis - May 2012- NO because one of the computers was down
St Paul - No reason asked or given. Successful
St Paul - April 14th, 2014. Guard noted we were kind of early but I can let you in, as we're not busy. We mentioned we had a trip planned on the appointment day, after his comment. Successful
St. Paul - No reason asked or given. Successful. They will let you in if it is a slow day at the office.

MISSOURI
St. Louis - No problems, no questions asked, Successful

MONTANA
Helena - family had appts on different days. Did all the same day. Friendly office.

NEBRASKA
Omaha - 3/22/2012- appointment was for Apr 5. No questions. Successful
Omaha - 4/08/2014 - Appointment was for 4/18. No questions asked. Successful

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Manchester - Did routine security check and showed I-797 to guy at the window who said the decision would be the department's whether to take early appointment or not. Lady gave me lecture on how to change appt, if not able to make it and said they need to stop early walk-ins as they schedule staff based on # of persons per appt, Asked why I wanted it done, told the truth...it was anxiety....

NEW JERSEY
Hackensack - The guard asked me what I was doing there on 8/20/12 when my schedule was 8/30/12. I told him my sister will be having her baby and I will fly to Rochester on 8/25/12 to be with her. The guard let me talk with the manager and the manager checked my roundtrip ticket. The walk-in attempt was SUCCESSFUL.

NEW YORK
Brooklyn (60th St) - 5/7/14 (9am Wednesday morning) - no reason asked or given - successful, but an hour or so wait
Holtsville (Long Island) - 5/22/12 No reason asked. YES
Manhattan - 01/15/2013, Couldn't get to Philadelphia, Walk in Successful
Port Chester - 02/21/2013, No reasons asked, very friendly, successful. Note: I am living in Connecticut but close enough to the New York state line - got my appointment scheduled automatically for the Port Chester, NY office and not the CT one.

Port Chester - 03/01/2016 - Successful. No questions asked, friendly guard smiled, checked the appt letter, and gave us a form to fill out. Total time take just over an hour. (original appt was for 3/11)

OHIO
Cincinnati - 07/23/2014 - Successful.
Cleveland - no questions. Successful.

OREGON
Portland- 07/2012 Unsuccessful, no walk-ins allowed.

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.
Pittsburgh - did this twice and no questions asked! YES
York - Successful. Place was basically empty and took less than 10 mins.
Pittsburgh - 7/7/14: No issues, place was empty and they were happy to do it (17 days earlier than scheduled appt). In and out in 10-15 mins.

TENNESSEE
Nashville - unsuccessful

TEXAS
Austin - We were in the area that day (we live an hour away) - Yes
Austin - Feb 2014. Was initially told to come back after 12noon but then success.
Dallas (Whitehurst) - Yes, had to give a reason, come early and they will take you
Fort Worth (Landmark Lake) - Successful, but they were not happy about doing it early.
Houston (Hwy 290 office) - Jan 2012 - gave no reason, only appt letter. Yes (3 times-AOS, ROC, Citizenship)
Houston SW (Sugarland) - No questions. YES
Houston SW (Sugarland) - Successful, but they were not happy about doing it early.

VIRGINIA
Alexandria - Successful
Alexandria- 01/07/2014- A week early. No questions asked about date on letter. Successful.
Alexandria- 02/27/2014- A week early. Gave no reason. Handed them appointment letter and passport, that was it. Successful
Alexandria- 05/16/2014- 3 weeks early.Gave no reason & no questions has been asked. SUCCESSFUL.
Alexandria- 09/15/2015- A week early, work conflict. No questions asked, place was deserted so service immediately. Successful.

WASHINGTON
Tukwila - 06/19/2014 - 2 weeks early. No reason necessary. In and out in 20 minutes. Successful.

Take only US passport and do no take your Ukrainian passport.

I have traveled to Ukraine several times over the last few years (including 3 times last year) -- had zero problems!

USCIS informed me they recieved our AOS petition and forwarded it to the national benefits center.

They gave me a reciept number but when I try entering the # online to check the status of my case, it comes up as an error as if the reciept # doesn't exist. Perhaps it takes a few days for them to enter it in the system. Has this happened to anyone before?

Yes same thing happened to us.

2 days after - it started to work (don't panic yet)

Just know that UIA is a pretty much no-frills airline and you will get the most barebones of service. Oldish planes, no individual TV screens, etc. Still a lot better than the old AeroSvit used to be, at least UIA did not give me the cold portion of my meal frozen solid like AeroSvit did. On the plus side, they will allow 2 suitcases per person as opposed to 1 suitcase that most European airlines will allow.

UIA uses some of the same planes that AeroSvit used to. As you said the service is barebones.

The only reason I flew it is because of 2 suitcases and cheapest price (during the Holidays). During other times - you can find much cheaper prices from other European airlines, with much better service.

If you are not leaving the airport - you do NOT need any visa.

(leaving an airport is considered entering the country. Since you are staying in the airport - you are still in international area)

Thank you so much!!!

I've already asked fiance to send me noa2, but it's not a big deal i think. Also want to ask what time did u receive a letter from embassy? I suppose in a week after case in here!? Can i make an appointment for an interview without it? Or need to wait?

Willl be glad for an answer

We received email first (about 2-3 days after the case got to the embassy), and then the same information in a letter (about 2-3 weeks after case was received by embassy).

Hey hey everyone!

Want to ask some questions.

Who knows when and where I need to pay for the medical and interview? Some people are saying in bank, another - to the embassy. I'm confused

and also, do I need to take a NOA2 hardcopy with all those papers to the interview?

thank you so much

Interview -- you pay at the bank! (See embassy website for details), You need to pay before you schedule the interview.

Copy of NOA2 - yes you need a copy (not original)

Medical - you pay at the clinic; NOA2 - not needed, but you do need the 'A-number' that is listed on NOA2, and the case number.

Ukrainian Embassies have no authority to issue an internal passport. Internal passports can only be issued within Ukraine.

International/External passport - can not be issued either.

The embassy can only do the following:

a) issue a temporary passport -- so that you can return to Ukraine (you need to show a ticket)

b) Child Travel Document

As for "what they can do" - no cannot get into trouble. But cannot be revoked.

As for "Why you need it" --- well that's an interesting topic of discussion I would like to see

1) In theory yes. In practice - I would suggest to wait until your cases gets to Ukraine (as they do their on background checks within embassy too)

2) in November - the wait for K1 was exactly 2 weeks. I would assume it is +/- the same now.

3) Yes, you need to schedule medical. Again - in November backlog was also exactly 2 weeks. For medical - you do not have to wait for the case to get to Kyiv, you can schedule it as soon as you want. (need to call the clinic itself, they have no website)

I just checked NVC today, the status changed to "In Transit" and says "Your case is in transit to the Consular Section. Your interview date was provided to you by the National Visa Center."

I am a little confused, so they set our interview date already??

It always says that, It is a default message.

Each country does it differently, you need to check with your embassy on the procedure(check their website)

U guys where right, its saying issued now ! I am waiting for the email with the track and trace code

You're welcome

Last one approved, please turn off the lights.

Congrats to all the August fliers. You made it!

You are too funny!

I am in a total panic attack right now, they put us in administrative process, which is not usual for the Netherlands. I know it's normal for other countries. But here it never happends. I am so scared it's going to take more weeks.

It always goes to AP after interview (for all countries). It is normal procedure.

If you were approved at the interview - they will print visa in couple of days, and status will change to "Issued"

As said above -- Russian copy has no grammar mistakes.

The tone of the email suggests that is most likely connected to current visa (not the upcoming K1... but it may effect the upcoming visa process too).

Unfortunately the email itself doesn't say much useful. I bet that earlier phone conversation had the "meat".

http://russian.alibaba.com/

A popular Amazon-like website.

Christmas is mostly not celebrated, New Year - is your holiday of choice.

In most airports, citizens/green card and visa holders are separated. But you can still go to any of the lines, and they will still process you.

In your case (K1 Visa) - there is additional verifications that are needed. So you should ask the attendant at the beginning of the line. Most likely they will direct you to a separate waiting area. Both of you can go there!

1) Post this in Russian subforum - you might get a better response

2) Answer - most likely No. Be prepared, that they may want her to appear in person to pick it up. But on average the processing times takes about a week, plus mail delivery 1 week there, 1 week. Total 3 weeks or approximately a month. (Painful truth of the system)

Does anyone know if the National Visa Center sends a hard copy of instructions with the case number to my mailing address?

NVC will send you a simple letter, that will say "your case has been forwarded" and will tell you what is case number that they assigned. (not very informative on what to do next)

You are in hand of a government bureaucracy, there is no way to tell exact.

Also considering there is a big holiday coming up - no one will be working Wed-Fri.

So at best - probably next Mon/Tue. Worst - in few weeks.

(Wishing you the best, it is a tricky situation)

Congrats! When will you travel ?

I'm still in AP, I'm praying for an approval before Thanksgivig

Thanks.

We are thinking around mid-late December. She needs to quit her job, gather everything...

We definitely want to welcome-in the New Years together.