Valeriyanest

Received my 24 months extension letter.
I'm from Pennsylvania.

Interview was on 03/13/2019 is Philadelphia, PA. Paid $20 for parking near the USCIS office, because we didn't have time to find something cheaper.
Time-saving side not: Don't bring FOOD nor DRINKS inside the building - you will have to come back to the car or find a trash can OUTSIDE the building. They won't let you throw it out inside.
 
We were scheduled at 11:30. At 11:45 they invited us (I was very surprised, was mentally prepared to wait at least 30 mins).
The officer was one of the nicest people I've ever met. She was cheerful and positive, was joking with us, discussing Army stuff with my husband as they both were in the armed forces.
 
Asked right away for all the supporting evidence we had (we had a lease agreement, a letter from a health insurance company, utility bill, cell phone bill). Asked to confirm my personal details from the form, Yes/No questions, and asked us how we've met. Picked 5 pictures. And that's it. Said that she was going to approve the case today. Indeed, an hour later I got a message that they approved the case.
 
She said I'll get the card in the mail in 3 weeks.

Congrats!
I already got my Green Card in the mail today 😀

Congrats!
I already got my Green Card in the mail today 😀

Congrats!
I already got my Green Card in the mail today 😀

Interview was on 03/13/2019 is Philadelphia, PA. Paid $20 for parking near the USCIS office, because we didn't have time to find something cheaper.
Time-saving side not: Don't bring FOOD nor DRINKS inside the building - you will have to come back to the car or find a trash can OUTSIDE the building. They won't let you throw it out inside.
 
We were scheduled at 11:30. At 11:45 they invited us (I was very surprised, was mentally prepared to wait at least 30 mins).
The officer was one of the nicest people I've ever met. She was cheerful and positive, was joking with us, discussing Army stuff with my husband as they both were in the armed forces.
 
Asked right away for all the supporting evidence we had (we had a lease agreement, a letter from a health insurance company, utility bill, cell phone bill). Asked to confirm my personal details from the form, Yes/No questions, and asked us how we've met. Picked 5 pictures. And that's it. Said that she was going to approve the case today. Indeed, an hour later I got a message that they approved the case.
 
She said I'll get the card in the mail in 3 weeks.

Interview was on 03/13/2019 is Philadelphia, PA. Paid $20 for parking near the USCIS office, because we didn't have time to find something cheaper.
Time-saving side not: Don't bring FOOD nor DRINKS inside the building - you will have to come back to the car or find a trash can OUTSIDE the building. They won't let you throw it out inside.
 
We were scheduled at 11:30. At 11:45 they invited us (I was very surprised, was mentally prepared to wait at least 30 mins).
The officer was one of the nicest people I've ever met. She was cheerful and positive, was joking with us, discussing Army stuff with my husband as they both were in the armed forces.
 
Asked right away for all the supporting evidence we had (we had a lease agreement, a letter from a health insurance company, utility bill, cell phone bill). Asked to confirm my personal details from the form, Yes/No questions, and asked us how we've met. Picked 5 pictures. And that's it. Said that she was going to approve the case today. Indeed, an hour later I got a message that they approved the case.
 
She said I'll get the card in the mail in 3 weeks.

My interview was scheduled for March,13th.

My interview was scheduled for March,13th.

My interview was scheduled for March,13th.

I don't think there's a particular number of days you are allowed to be away. But the AP is for "short trips", so in my personal opinion you are good under 1 month. Longer - they might just ask for the reasons and still parole you. But I really don't have an answer, and I haven't seen any official instructions.
 
You will obviously need your travel passport and an AP (combo) card.
I also brought my marriage certificate (because my Russian passport and AP show different last names), instructions from USCIS for the combo card - these two documents I showed at the airlines check-in desk when traveling back to the US. Also I brought all my NOAs just in case but nobody asked for them.

I just got back to the US with the Advance Parole. Had no problems at the Port of Entry. Nobody asked for the reasons I traveled, only how long I was away (2 weeks). I only spent longer time at the airlines check-in desk, because they weren't that familiar with AP as they were with Green Cards and visas, and they always ask about the documents you travel to the US with. When boarding the plane they scanned my combo card.

Update for anyone who cares.
 
I went to my local USCIS today after my expedite request via phone call was taking far too long to process.
 
Ive been granted an emergency travel permit (Second one this year!!) It was straight forward and easy! I was so worried that I would be denied based on the fact that my uncle isn’t a blood/marital relative and as it is my second emergency permit I didn’t know how they’d view it.
 
But - it was all good!!
 
I advise anyone with a family emergency back home to NOT bother with the phone line! Go straight to your local office, request an emergency appointment and if successful - walk out with travel permit in hand there and then!
 
I still can’t beleive my initial AP and EAD still haven’t been approved!!! This sucks so much. 

Hi guys! My EAD card is in production (hope it's a combo card).
I asked for an expedite on July, 9 based on financial loss due to a pending job offer. Visited Congressman office on July, 12 with all the documents (privacy release, cover letter, job offer and copies of NOAs).
I believe it's the Congressman office that made the differense. According to the USCIS website, a day after my visit to the Congressman office - on July,13 - my request was accepted, assigned to an officer and "completed" (whatever that means). On July, 21 I received a letter in the mail that stated that my case is under review. They never asked me to fax them evidence, since the Congressman office probably did that for me.
Today, on July, 24 I got a message that my card is in production.

Hi guys! My EAD card is in production (hope it's a combo card).
I asked for an expedite on July, 9 based on financial loss due to a pending job offer. Visited Congressman office on July, 12 with all the documents (privacy release, cover letter, job offer and copies of NOAs).
I believe it's the Congressman office that made the differense. According to the USCIS website, a day after my visit to the Congressman office - on July,13 - my request was accepted, assigned to an officer and "completed" (whatever that means). On July, 21 I received a letter in the mail that stated that my case is under review. They never asked me to fax them evidence, since the Congressman office probably did that for me.
Today, on July, 24 I got a message that my card is in production.

Hi guys! My EAD card is in production (hope it's a combo card).
I asked for an expedite on July, 9 based on financial loss due to a pending job offer. Visited Congressman office on July, 12 with all the documents (privacy release, cover letter, job offer and copies of NOAs).
I believe it's the Congressman office that made the differense. According to the USCIS website, a day after my visit to the Congressman office - on July,13 - my request was accepted, assigned to an officer and "completed" (whatever that means). On July, 21 I received a letter in the mail that stated that my case is under review. They never asked me to fax them evidence, since the Congressman office probably did that for me.
Today, on July, 24 I got a message that my card is in production.

Only removed with GC

Nobody knows unfortunatelly. It basically means "we got everything we need from you, now we put your case into the waiting pile of cases".

Nobody knows unfortunatelly. It basically means "we got everything we need from you, now we put your case into the waiting pile of cases".

Nobody knows unfortunatelly. It basically means "we got everything we need from you, now we put your case into the waiting pile of cases".

No, they didn't ask for my homeland license. One important thing they asked for is two actual letters in my name with my address as a proof of residence. I showed my health insurance welcome letter and my bank statement.

Hi! I'm just curious - I'm from Pennsylvania too, and I paid $35.50 in Allentown PennDOT office. There was no discount for me as an immigrant. What was your discount for? Did they tell you about the discount in the office? Because I haven't seen any info on this on their website. Thank you!
p.s. Funny, they hadn't let me take my test before they cleared me with DHS. Was the road test hard for you?

sorry but I honestly don't know, I don't think either one is "the best", I just check them both. I have the same situation as you (the 'ready to be scheduled' I got since may 22)...
 
sure my fellow PA immigrant (LOL), I'll share my experience!  (and that's great that you can check it less that daily, I maybe should just try doing that... don't know if I'll be able to!)
I think I shared about the knowledge (multiple choice) test at the DMV above in this thread, so about the road test: I found this couple links with info about my specific DMV, Penn Hills:
https://www.reddit.com/r/pittsburgh/comments/6jikvp/roaddriving_test_at_penn_hills/ https://ivan-ruchkin.blogspot.com/2013/02/passing-drivers-test-in-north-hills.html which means, if you google for the name of the couple centers closest to you you might find people telling about their experience there and even the exact route they take you during the exam!
anyway, the test itself is not hard, but they're strict with a few things. in my DMV, they took me for a tiny trip down the road the DMV is in (35 mph) and then a very short "loop" through a side road (residential - 25 mph), exit that and back to the DMV through the same road.
I failed my 1st test (jun 14) bc I did a wide turn (instead of sharp) left when exiting a main road to a side one. there were no cars around and it was absolutely safe to do so, but they want you to stick to every little rule regardless of context so that's something to watch out for! I failed the 2nd because I skipped a stop sign (it was very easy to see but didn't even realize it was there!). the thing is that I had practiced the course a thousand times and this time they just made me enter the side road from last time's exit and leave from last time's entry point. I got super nervous that I hadn't practiced it that way and completely ignored the stop sign. the 3rd time I was already quite nervous from the previous two times so I made no fatal mistakes but was very hesitant all the time, making lots of jerky movements (accelerating and stopping very abruptly) so I lost a lot of points. also I think I hit 40 mph for 2 seconds when the limit was 35 the 4th time was yesterday and I did everything perfectly! yay me I was also super nervous but after a good parallel parking the guy told me "you have 0 points so far so you're doing great, this is where you want to be to pass the test" and I calmed down a lot.  additional notes I wrote down after each try:
no wide turns ever parallel parking: turn signals on again if they turn themselves off after turning the wheel (right from beggining to end of parking maneuvers, left when exiting the spot) look behind shoulder when going back ALWAYS look behind shoulder again when leaving spot remember how to defrost windows (asked at beginning) announce: "I'm going to move up a little" when needed so they don't get scared memorize where the car is parked! LOL ALWAYS wait until there are no cars or it's super obvious other cars are yielding to you. there is no rush. accelerate/deccelerate as smoothly as possible always keep the speed within 4 mph above and 4 mph below the speed limit (except when it's very obvious that you have to slow down because it's very curvy or full of potholes, they will probably forgive you for going even slower in that case. so if the limit is 35 never exceed 39 and never go below 31) hope that helps. I'm just happy I don't need to take my passport everywhere now and can leave it safely at home. also being able to drive on my own is nice haha. good luck!

Hi! I'm from Pennsylvania. Went to Philadelphia for my Biometrics.
AOS
Date Filed :2018-03-27
NOA Date :2018-04-09
Bio. Appt. :2018-05-02
 
As of May 8, 2018 the case is ready to be scheduled for an interview. No updates since just yet.