marc941

Has anyone on here filed for a REPLACEMENT EAD, and able to share their experience on the processing time?

Just to be clear, this is for a REPLACEMENT EAD, for one that was lost/stolen.  This is NOT for a RENEWAL.  This is NOT for one that USCIS "lost in the mail."  

My husband's card was lost, but expires in January so we were pretty much at the time when it's appropriate to send in the renewal.  So we filed BOTH forms, for RENEWAL (for January), and REPLACEMENT (in hopes that MAYBE they process those faster somehow, otherwise, why bother offering a replacement option!?)

Any thoughts or experiences that should give us hope of a replacement coming quickly?

Also, his was a combo card for AP as well.  The instructions for EAD said you didn't have to pay the fee for a replacement if you were pending AOS, but AP said the fee was required.  So we only files for replacement EAD, in hopes that they'll just replace the card that was lost complete with the AP status on it.  If you've been through this, how did it work for you?  Did the replacement EAD include your already-approved AP?

Thanks!

1 minute ago, Kacie and Ivan said:

The problem is that form requires a receipt number, and I never got the receipt.... so I don't have a receipt number... 

Do you still have a copy of your biometrics appointment notice?  Our biometric notice has our I-485 receipt # on the bottom of it.

11 minutes ago, Kacie and Ivan said:

We only have 2 receipt notices (EAD and AP). The only thing I can think of is if for some reason we took the 485 receipt notice to the biometrics appt and left it there? Is there a way we can inquire about a missing or never received receipt notice? 

You can do an online request about a missing notice:

https://egov.uscis.gov/e-Request/Intro.do

On 7/28/2018 at 10:09 PM, Kacie and Ivan said:

I have a question about the notice of action for the i-485. My husband received his EAD and AP docs in February, but we have not received a notice of receipt for his i-485, nor an invitation for an interview. Should I be worried? Shouldn't they have least sent us a notice of receipt for the i-485?  It seems other people's timelines were quite fast. 

 

We sent the i-485 in November 2017. 

He did biometrics in December 2017.

He received his EAD and AP card in February 2018. 

 

It's now almost August and we are going to renew the EAD, but we don't have an i-485 receipt notice to show that his case is pending. 

 

Thanks in advance for your help! 

 

It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure we received our AOS receipt notice almost immediately, prior to receiving biometric notice.  Did you receive receipts for EAD or AP?  Even though we sent all 3 together, we received 3 separate receipts all in separate mailings.

2 minutes ago, hiepster said:

My wife's I-485 just changed from Received to Ready to schedule on June 7th.  Hopefully, they'll schedule it soon.

One can hope! But for what it's worth, my husband's changed to "ready to schedule" in January, and we're still waiting.  This stage can take a while!

20 hours ago, butterfly789 said:

God I just took a look at the “timeline” on the USCIS for the AOS for my state 😫😱 going to 22 month!!! It have desperate me more than ever. I just hope for all of us that things are going to begin to move a little bit. 

If you're talking about 22 months being the higher end of the range they give, I wouldn't worry too much about it.  It would seem that the majority of cases are completed within the earlier of the two numbers they give, with the more difficult cases taking up to the second number.  Stay optimistic that your case will wrap up on the lower end!

4 hours ago, Tomalley said:

Anyone will have AOS interview , can you share your timelines ? Please 

 

I am a k1 visa holder and married and just sent my package to USCIS. Would like to know the timelines in Fort Myers, Florida.

 

Thanks

Good luck; Can't reach anyone on this site to add Fort Myers as a USCIS Facility for timelines, reviews, etc.;  Fort Myers wasn't even listed on USCIS' own website a year ago, but after reaching out to USCIS a few times, I finally got them to add it to their list like 6 months ago.  Apparently it's easier to get USCIS to fix something than it is to get somebody to fix inaccurate info on VJ.     We're Fort Myers and would also love to know what those timelines are.  Filed for AOS in November, got EAD/AP in January, and waiting for AOS appointment to be scheduled since Jan 31.

1 hour ago, theredcomet said:

Hello guys! Just found this thread. Here is my current Status

 

 - Sent my packet sometime in November 2017 

- Noa Date 11-29-17

- Biometrics Apppointment 12-21-17

- EAD/AP approved 02-14-18

- EAD/AP received 02-21-18

 

My issue is that the last update on my case was in January. It said that as of January 31st it was ready to be scheduled for an interview. After that I havent heard anything and its gone to "At this time USCIS cannot provide you with information for your case." 

My husband’s case was somewhat similar ... Applied in Nov, biometrics DEC, EAD/AP approved late JAN.  Our case has also been stuck on “ready to schedule interview” since Jan 31st.  But ours still says that.  So the fact that yours changed might mean something’s happening on your case!?

Strangely enough, I just received a TXT msg from USCIS indicating case # was updated.  It was for the EAD case, just now giving me the tracking # for the EAD/AP combo card that was received in January.  What a useful update      I wonder if maybe that means someone is updating my husband’s case file (and perhaps some action will happen on the AOS soon?) or maybe they’re all separate files/cases and it’s just someone updating status in the system for old cases.

1 hour ago, ting123he said:

Hi Guys,

Today my husband (USC)  and I went to green card interview. Before that I was nervous because I felt like we didn't have enough documents to prove our relationship. So we only provided our lease agreement, electricity bill, health insurance document, my military ID that my husband got it for me, around 30 photos of us, 4 pages of screenshots of our chat history and 5 pages of screenshots of our face book posts with both of our pictures on it. We didn't have any joint bank accounts or joint credit cards because when we went to the bank, I was told that I need either a green card, a US passport or a driver's license as primary ID to add my name onto his bank account but I have none of those IDs. I was a bit worried about this but during the interview, we explained to the IO and he was fine about this.

 

So the interview process:

 At the beginning, the IO looked quite serious. He asked us questions separately and did not allowed the other one to interrupt while one was answering questions. He first asked me  when and how I met my husband, my husband's date of birth, his middle name, where he was born, where he lived before, his family members, his job before, mother in law's name, have I met his family. Then he asked my husband the date of us getting married, my date of birth, my parents's name, where I was born, what my job was before I came here, do I work now.  Because my parents names are Chinese so when my husband answered my parents names, he was a little confused and didn't say them right. But the IO asked second time of my parents' names and finally he got them right.  

Then I gave him our documents, photos. He looked at our photos and my husband said we can explain our photos.  He took all of our photos.

 

After this part, he gave me a document telling me that I would receive my conditional green card and I need to file for removal of conditional green card for permanent green card within 90 days before it expires.  So I know I got approved!  Then he asked me some questions like if I have ever committed crimes, a list of questions and I all answered no.  

After we left USCIS, my husband and I were so relieved and happy that it went well. Then we went shopping haha 

 

In general, the interview went well and my husband and I smiled sometimes when we answered questions, so did the IO. It made the atmosphere not that stressful  

 

I hope my experience helps you guys and good luck in your interview! 

 

Congrats!  Just curious ... Where did you interview (City/State?). And when did you file for AOS?  I don’t see any timeline or info in your profile

I had the opportunity to talk with our local USCIS field office director recently; I mentioned to her that I had read that many or most people "adjusting" (AOS) from a K1 were approved without an interview, and asked her about the likelihood of my husband getting his AOS (K1) approved without an interview.  She told me that as of April last year (2017), interviews are required for ALL AOS.  I was sure I had read about people being approved without interviews somewhat recently, but when I started searching for those posts they all seemed to be from April or earlier.  I'm wondering (hoping) if perhaps what she meant was that all cases transferred to the local field office are required to have interviews.  In other words, perhaps the local adjudicators previously had the discretion to waive an interview, but now they don't.  Perhaps the national processing center still waives some interviews that never get transferred to the local field office?  Does anyone have any thoughts or observations to support or reject any of my theories?  I'm not worried/concerned about an interview, but it would be nice to continue hoping that a green card may just magically arrive in the mail some day!

On 3/22/2018 at 4:09 AM, Natalia Gómez said:

Dear mandashire

Im right now experiencing the same situation. My wallet was stolen where my EAD  with advance parole was. Could you tell me which was your port of entry and what questions the official ask you. I also have a copy of my lost card and the approval notifications.

thanks

I hope your situation has already been resolved, but in case it hasn't, and for anyone else that runs into this in the future ... my husband just went through this mess. He was stuck in the D.R.    Despite everyone (including USCIS) telling us to contact the embassy for assistance, the embassy cannot issue a "Transportation Letter" or a "Boarding Foil" unless you are an LPR (Greencard holder).  USCIS has proven to be completely useless and clueless.  Our local field office director didn't know what to do, and checked with the regional director, and they concurred that they couldn't help us process a replacement parole document.  They contacted the field office director in D.R. who indicated they also were unable to.  They basically said "maybe" if you send in a request to the national processing center (complete with the $575 fee required for replacement of a lost document) that they might be able to help.  It's been 3 weeks since I overnighted that application package to the Chicago lockbox with "Emergency Advance Parole Request" written in red sharpie on the outside, along with a cover letter inside explaining that my husband is stranded out of the country, and I've yet to receive ANY activity.  They haven't cashed the check.  They haven't send me a receipt notice.  They haven't rejected or returned the application.  They haven't texted, emailed, mailed, smoke signals, nothing. 

Luckily, I found another avenue to get my husband home.  A half dozen different CBP officers told me they'd be able to admit my husband to enter the country, although it wouldn't be quick & easy, and would take a few hours.  The airline turned out to be the biggest obstacle.  That's because of the huge fines ($4,300) they get from CBP for bringing someone to the US without proper travel documents.  It turns out that CBP operates a special hotline/department called RCLG, Regional Carrier Liaison Group.  Their purpose is to field calls from the airlines about customers with problems with travel documents.  It took 2 weeks of fighting with the airline and escalating my way up to management, but finally got the airline to agree to call RCLG.  I think they just didn't know the process or didn't want to be bothered with it.  Ultimately, they called, and RCLG gave the recommendation to allow my husband to board the plane, which absolved them of the liability and potential fines.   When he arrived in Fort Lauderdale, they only asked a few basic questions about where/why he traveled and how he lost the parole document.  He provided them with a copy of the police report.  It took several extra hours on each end of the flight, but he finally made it back.  What a mess.  I'm so disgusted with our government and USCIS right now.  CBP turned out to be the most helpful in all of this.  USCIS and the State department couldn't have been less helpful.

1 minute ago, T_P said:

Sorry you went through that situation but the fact that you were stolen or lost doesnt necessarily means that she CANT travel, these are two completely different situations. Many people travel with their COMBO CARDS and obviously it is impossible to predict whether you will lose or be stolen, you still have the ability to travel. Lose of belongings or being stolen is unpredictable and the only thing we can do is to try to be as carefully as possible, this is life, things happen when we are maybe not prepared or prepared and we need to decide our next steps. He or she couldve gone to the super market and lost it as well.

I don't recall making any comment about what anyone can or can't do. I simply shared my horrific experience, because I encouraged my husband to use his AP and take this trip to see his family who he had been missing for many months, and now regret it.  We were unaware of these consequences and I just want to make sure everyone else is informed of the risk.  This is a risk I was previously unaware of and wish I'd known.  Everyone made it seem like travel on AP is no big deal.  I'm simply pointing out that you have a very big problem if your AP is lost while out of the country. Everyone can do as they wish with that information.

7 minutes ago, Lolo260 said:

Just an update, my husband had recieved his ead/ap combo card.  As his birthday was Feb 24th I decided to surprise him with tickets back to dr to visit his daughter back home with AP. Well after speaking to 5 docent lawyers and doing significant res, I even went as far as to call and speak directly to customs and other agencies at the port of entry,  half of these people we contacted said it was not advised ti travel with AP as reentry is not always gauranteed. I feel so sad for my husband because we were both so excited when he received the combo card but at this point he feels like eveno if he left before the GC interview he would spend the whole trip nervous about whether he would have problems coming back.  I'm just so upset why would they give a document to travel without the gauranteed reentry? A lot of people told us he wouldn't have any problems coming back since he arrived in the country legally and doesn't have any arrest records or anything.  But it's not even a risk we want to take so we cancelled the tickets until after the interview.  Which we still aremember stuck on "fingerprint fee recieved" smh

 

 

Has anyone traveled or plan to travel with their combo card? 

I already posted about this earlier, but my husband is stranded in D.R. now because his wallet was stolen with his AP/EAD.  The embassy can do nothing, and airline says sorry you can't board without original card.  Apparently, only option is for me to apply for replacement AP (and pay full price for it, $575) which will likely take several weeks at minimum, if we request expedited processing.  Wallets are lost and stolen all the time, I can't believe there is no recourse, but I've spent nearly all week on the phone with various agencies trying to find a way to get him home.  Given that it's impossible to come home if your card is lost or stolen, I strongly advise against travel.  Embassy can provide help with lost passports and lost green cards, but they can't do anything with EAD/AP!

Just a word of warning to everyone, and to vent a little ... be really careful when considering traveling with Advance Parole.  

After sooooo many months apart, my husband came here in September, we were married in November, and life has been wonderful.  His EAD/AP was approved and combo card received in January.  We thought it would be really great for him to return to his home country (Dominican Republic) for a visit with family now that he could travel, and to do so before he gets a job that would interfere with potential travel.  So, we bought him a round trip ticket and off he went 2 days ago.  

His wallet was either lost or stolen in the airport during his arrival in Dom Rep.  He no longer has his EAD/AP combo card.  I wasn't too alarmed at first, as this kind of happens all the time and I'm sure there's a protocol for it.  However, it seems there is not.  The letter received with the combo card specifically says "if the card is lost or stolen while you are out of the country, contact the nearest embassy for a travel document".  Of course, when contacting the embassy, they say they can't help with it and to contact USCIS.  USCIS says to contact the embassy.  USCIS also advises that he can apply for a new card, complete with the typical +/- 3 month wait time and paying all the fees again, but it can only be done from within the US.  He can't get to the US without the card.

Of the dozens of people I've talked or emailed with at USCIS HQ, USCIS Dom Rep, State Dept, and Embassy, there's one common theme:  It's not their agency that handles it.

Someone online suggested something called a "boarding foil" or "travel letter" but the embassy tells me those are only for if you lose your green card, and all of the info I can find online says the same.  I read one story of someone in Rome getting it with a situation similar to ours (pending AOS w/ approved EAD/AP), but that seems to have been a fluke or a mistake on the embassy's part.

I just want to cry.  This was supposed to be a happy trip for him to see his family and now we don't even know how many months may go by before he can come home.

Luckily he has photocopies of everything with him.  After spending all day on the phone with government agencies, my only hope is that the airline will allow him to board the airplane with photocopies of the lost EAD/AP card and the approval notice, and that CBP will subsequently admit him.  It seems like a long shot, but it seems logical that these things happen and CBP should be able to look in the computer, see that he has pending AOS and approved AP, and let him in.  I imagine they'll give him a hard time, but hopefully they let him in.  If not, I don't know what to do.

Had I known how unreasonable the government is in such a situation, I never would've encouraged my spouse to take this trip.  I strongly encourage everyone to wait until you have LPR status before leaving the country.

4 hours ago, shell20 said:

I lost my GC when I was in England and I had to apply for a transportation letter to be able to come back. I wont lie to you it was stressful. I had to contact the embassy in London, then report it missing to the police, who gave me a crime reference number and then I emailed my embassy who booked an appointment for the letter. It cost quite a bit with the travel there and such. I would say he needs to contact his embassy and they will guide him through it.

Thank you for sharing; I had read of some similar stories, but all seemed to be specific to green card.  Unfortunately, he doesn't have a green card yet and travelled on AP Advanced Parole document.  Of the other stories I've seen shared online, some people have been successful getting a transportation letter from the embassy while others have been told that's only for LPR's, and have been turned away.  Unfortunately we have to sit tight until Monday when everything opens so we can start asking questions.  

My husband (who came to the US on a K1 visa) has a pending AOS.  He was also approved for EAD and AP, and received the combo card.  He has traveled to his home country today for vacation (Dominican Republic) and lost his wallet in the airport.  Luckily, he still has his passport, but the combo card was in the wallet.  I've canceled credit cards, and am sending him cash via Western Union, but am very worried about how he's supposed to return to the US next Saturday, without his EAD/AP card!  We have photocopies of everything, but I suspect that's not valid for re-entry.  Can anyone point me in the right direction?  Suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks

It looks like we were among the lucky ones!  AOS/EAD/AP applications delivered to USCIS 11/14/17.  EAD/AP Combo card received 01/20/18!  Somehow, our case has moved faster than average through every step of this process, so I'm going to remain optimistic that the same will happen for AOS.  Fingers crossed! ... Or, Dedos cruzados as my husband taught me en Español

I wish I could get some information on processing times for Fort Myers FL field office.  It's a relatively new office, about 2 years old as I understand it, and even though it's listed on USCIS' field offices page, it's not available in the drop down list on the USCIS processing times page.  Equally frustrating is the fact that VJ also doesn't list this office on their website.  It's presumably a catch-22 where VJ maybe doesn't show it because no one has entered any statistics for that office, but until that office is added to VJ, no one CAN add any statistics for it.  

I've tried letting both USCIS and VJ know about this missing office, but neither one responds to my inquiries. :/

We received 2 more case updates online today. First, EAD changed from "card in production" to "card mailed 1/16" and then a couple hours later, AP (travel) changed to approved.  We submitted 11/13 (via overnight, receive date 11/14). (AOS via k1 for those interested).  Now just waiting for the mail, and hopefully some activity on the AOS!

I just received an email and text about an update on my husband's EAD case status ... Our previous "last update" date on the website of 1/5/18 has changed to 1/12 and now says card in production!  (Filed Nov 14th!)

Ours also shows updated 1/5/18 but no additional info ... Just "received" as it's been since 11/14.

I raised the same question regarding the missing FT MYERS, FL field office via a VJ support email I found,  but have not received any response.   So,  if someone sees this and can fix it,  please add the missing FT MYERS office as well! 

I had similar concerns with our interview in the Dominican Republic recently, but we had no problems.  I felt very comfortable in the embassy.  I didn't feel that anyone was judging us or treated us any differently because we are a same sex couple.

10 minutes ago, twoDs said:

Wow, barely more than a month from NOA2 to visa! Jealous! Congratulations!

Yes, we submitted ds160 and paid fees online  as soon as we received NOA2 ... did not wait for NVC.  As soon as NVC Case # was received by phone, we scheduled the interview date on the embassy website.  Medical we completed before we even received the official NVC letter in the mail!