NYCHELSEA

With the hopes that this will help someone out there, here is my timeline. 
 

2 year Green card expired on Feb 15, 2019 

November 20, 2018 USCIS Received my petition 

January 11, 2019 - Biometrics Appointment - ( I had to call to get me receipt mailed - which arrived Jan 28 2019 - extending my green card to another 18 months ) 

january 16, 2020 - Case approved and new 10 year green card mailed to be delivered today ( 1/18/2020)

No interviews, No request for evidence.  All paperwork submitted by my attorney. This case was handled by the Vermont Center - 

As advised by my attorney I did not submit N-400 for naturalization, he says having 2 case pendings  is not a good idea. Will submit N-400 within the next couple weeks which I have already paid for. Don’t want to wait too long for a fee increase. 

This is my timeline so far 

November 2018 -  USCIS received my petition to remove conditions on my green card -  we filed jointly and submitted all evidence - 

january 2019 - received biometrics notice but no receipt or extension of the 2 year green card - 

I’d like to share my journey with the hopes of helping others out there. 

I entered the USA legally over 30 years ago on a F1 Student VISA - but never took the initiative to act on it till 2 years ago. So here is my timeline. AND Abe patient because currently wait times are longer than they were when I filled. 

We are a gay couple and got  married in NYC - never left the USA all those years - if you have lived abroad they will need background checks from the embassies where you have lived.

So got married FEB 2016 in New York cIty - Hired an attorney because I no longer had any original documents and FOIA needed to be filled to prove that I entered the USA legally. 

Waited for receipt of the paperwork, went to an authorized medical examiner - was able to actually bring in blood work from my primary dr instead of having to do more blood work. But they have to perform the tuberculosis tests and some other test themselves. Paid them around $200.00 - Came back to the lawyer with all the money 💰 ( he allowed me to make payments until before the interview) 

Documentation was sent and USCIS received my case in May 2016. They issue both you and your lawyer a receipt letter. About 30 days later you go for your biometrics where they fingerprint and take your picture. You must keep the receipt as proof that you went. And you can’t just go anytime you want. You will receive a letter with location and time of your appointment. You can reschedule the appointment but it’s not advised that you do so as it will delay the process even longer. USCIS made a mistake and requested further evidence stating I didn’t provide financial evidence from my sponsoring US Citizen. Which was not true. My lawyer is very competent and with years of experience. It was a money well spent to hire his services.  In February 2017 we went in for the interview. It was nothing scary like the movies. But we obviously has more than enough substantial evidence. The more you can prove the better off you are. The interview was held in an office with me , my husband and my lawyer before the immigration officer. He asked a few expected simple questions and approved my case right there and then. 

August 12th - Receive notice that my case was approved. And 1 week later ( 2 months after the biometric ) I received my work authorization as well as travel authorization. Ok Fantastic só now I could get a job which I did immediately. 

The work Authorization card (EAD ) was valid for 1 year, while the green card is being processed. About 6 months later - March 2017 I received my green card in the mail. Unfortunately when I filled I was only married for 1 year, they issued a conditional green card that’s only valid for 2 years.  Now it’s 90 days before the expiration date of the green card, so I just filled I-745 - Petition to remove conditions on a green card. A whole new process needs to take place, fees, biometrics and such. But then I will receive a 10 year green card. USCIS a will issue a notice extending your conditional green card while they work on your case. 

This is has been my journey. So I hope it helps those out there. 

My experience with the USCIS website has been very poor. Took me some time for my case to get accepted. Then when it did i got all these different receipts. I don't know why 2 weeks later shows some activity on the website. However they have NOT updated when the biometrics notice was mailed. I suggest that you call to find out. For me it was about 30 days from the time I received my receipts that my case was accepted to receiving the Biometrics notice. The appointment itself was about 2 weeks later. Do not trust the website but call to check. I would call about a week now since if its been already 30 days. Good Luck!

So I have seen some people post their timeline. I hope this helps others.........

Applied for change of status via marriage.........

1- Had lost passport and been in the usa over 20 years......... First had to do FOIA - which proves that you arrived legally in the USA and when - Took 2 months to get results

2- Come in with husband to lawyers office - pay fees - then do the medical exams , photographs and financial records.......

3- Filled paperwork at month #3

4- Received receipt that all forms had been filled and payment was received - Around 1,100 for non-citizen including $85.00 for biometrics fee. Another $420.00 for the US Citizen.

5- Yesterday had Biometrics done at local office. You cannot enter the building without the notice from USCIS. So its all a waiting game. ( By the way, some online website picture the biometrics appointment - Its NOT the truth. Went through security, like what we do at airports...... Signed in and filled form asking your name/ dob/ eye color, etc..... Everyone was very nice and friendly ....... Then once you are called in they ask for your form, your id, collect your signature and take your picture. The form has a few far codes, so they just scan everything. Code 3 on the biometrics means that they will take all 3, signature, picture and fingerprinting.)

6- According to lawyers...... It will take from 1 to 2 months to receive EAD and then you can apply for social security card

7. Another 2 months or so when you get scheduled for Green Card Interview. Timelines might be different in other places. I am sure the demand is high in places like NYC, Chicago, Miami...... etc.

Hope this will help someone out there - I was really panicking and freaked out about this appointment - scared officers were gonna make your life miserable, but it was nothing.

WITH THIS POST I HOPE TO SAVE SOMEONE FROM HAVING THE HEADACHE I WENT THROUGH NOT KNOWING THE WHOLE TRUTH!