V-Kris

Yeah, seems like we’re sitting in the same boat! I’ve found a good job which I like to keep, this is my main concern especially because I know things can take their time. I would hate to drop out of work just because I’m waiting on my renewal... 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hi there, I filed for my EAD combo card renewal around 14 days ago but haven’t heard anything from them yet, no case number, no nothing. Should I get worried? Usually USICS is quick on sending out those case numbers which is why I’m getting a little bit nervous now...

Had our interview on Nov 2. Interview was smooth no out of the box questions. IO gave us a paper with the first option checked which says they need more time to review our file before a decision can be made. One hour after the interview status changed to Interview was completed and case must be reviewed. On Nov 3 around 4 pm est status changed to "New Card Is Being Produced". 
I would like to thank VJ and VJ members who is been really helpful. 

Had our interview today in San Antonio and after reaffirming the answers on our application, providing proof we live together and have joint finances, we got a letter saying I was approved for conditional permanent residence!!

You can file an EAD renewal or an EAD+AP renewal (two forms in one envelope) as early as 180 days before the combo card expires. Don't wait.
 
Below is the cover letter I used, I adapted some example I found online. It lists the documents I sent. Not all of the attachments I included are strictly necessary, I preferred to err on the safe side. It wasn't rejected, and currently no RFE was sent.
 
Page 1:
 
DATE
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
Attn: FBAS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
 
RE: Renewal Application for Employment Authorization Document and Advance Parole for *NAME* - I-485 Pending (Adjustment of Status)
 
Dear Sir/Madam:
 
Please find my applications for the renewal of my Employment Authorization and Advance Parole Travel document. My adjustment of status (I-485) is pending at USCIS since **/**/20**.
 
Please approve the above-mentioned applications. If you have any questions or need additional information concerning the above, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you in advance for your kind attention and cooperation in this matter.
 
Very truly yours,
 
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
 
 
Page 2 (along with the EAD application)
DATE
 
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
Attn: FBAS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
 
RE: Renewal Application for Employment Authorization Document for *NAME* - I-485 Pending (Adjustment of Status)
 
Dear Sir/Madam:
 
I herewith file the above-captioned matter together with the following:
 
• Form I-765 with two photographs;
• Copy of I-485 filing receipt notice;
• Copy of front/back of last EAD;
• Previous EAD mailer;
• Copy of passport’s biographic page;
• Copy of New York State driver license;
• Copy of electronic I-94 arrival/departure card;
• Copy of current visa
 
Please approve the above-mentioned application.
 
If you have any questions or need additional information concerning the above, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you in advance for your kind attention and cooperation in this matter.
 
Very truly yours,
 
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
 
Page 3 (along with the AP application)
 
DATE
 
USCIS Chicago Lockbox
Attn: FBAS
P.O. Box 805887
Chicago, IL 60680-4120
 
RE: Application for Advance Parole Travel document for *Name* - I-485 Pending (Adjustment of Status)
 
Dear Sir/Madam:
 
I herewith file the above captioned matter together with the following:
 
• Form I-131 with two photographs;
• Copy of I-485 filing receipt notice;
• Copy of passport’s biographic page;
• Copy of front/back of last EAD/AP card;
• Copy of New York State driver license;
• Copy of electronic I-94 arrival/departure card;
• Copy of current visa;
 
Please approve the above-mentioned application.
 
I request an AP in order to visit my family in X.
 
If you have any questions or need additional information concerning the above, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you in advance for your kind attention and cooperation in this matter.
 
 
Very truly yours,
 
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE

My status retrograded FROM 'Ready to be scheduled' in January to "Fingerprints were received", all the while processing times have spiked and we're facing potential furloughs. It's going to be a bumpy and crappy ride.

Interested to hear if anyone else has had any different experiences

Thanks very much - that is really encouraging.  We just filed our renewal for my wife's combo card (which expires March).  

I'm in Texas, Dallas office. 

My wife and I just completed our AOS interview in Jacksonville today. I figured I would share our very positive experience with everyone here. 
 
We were originally scheduled to interview back in March, but that one was cancelled for COVID-19. 
 
Today's interview went great. Our goal was to be over-prepared with documentation, using the last 11 months constructively to build a strong case for my wife's AOS. Our interviewer came to the waiting room and led us back to her office about 25 minutes after our scheduled interview time. We sat down in her office, separated from her by a plexiglass shield, and took an oath to tell the truth. She conversationally asked us some questions about our story as a couple while she took notes of all our responses. Then she asked the list of yes/no questions from memory, which was actually kind of impressive. In spite of all our preparation, the IO didn't really require anything from us, aside from needing some documentation that showed our current address on it (we had moved twice since we submitted our package last October). 
 
From start to finish, the IO was friendly and professional. She identified herself as Officer Davis, and I believe we were incredibly lucky to have her as our IO. My wife was nervous going in to the interview, but Officer Davis put her mind at ease. At the end of the interview, our IO gave us the opportunity to ask her any questions, and then told us that if we wanted to give her anything else we had brought, we could. We gave her a stack of evidence to put in our file, but by that point, she already had enough evidence to make her decision. 
 
She told us we were approved! We watched her stamp our I-485 "APPROVED". Then she said to expect the green card in the mail, and explained the timeline for filing ROC. By the time we got home, the USCIS case tracker had already updated to "New Card Is Being Produced". 🍾
 

Any October filers still waiting for the interview to be scheduled?
My status is "ready to be scheduled" since January and it's really frustrating ...

But the medical its good for up to 2 years!

Ours was at 1:45 pm! She asked no questions,  all she said was give me what ever documented you brought for me! No questions about relationship or work... nothing! She was friendly and made us laugh a lot! 

Whoops - posted in the wrong topic yesterday for some reason (I put it down to trying to post while getting things sorted). Had interview this afternoon at West Palm Springs field office today. Was bit crestfallen at first as the nice lady interviewing us said that apparently the Doctor who did my stateside medical screwed up dating some of my vaccinations. Thankfully I sent the original pre-Embassy medical docs with my I-693 and let her know, she said she'd check for it after the interview. 

The interview itself was mostly just repeating answers from the AOS form I sent in and confirming I remembered my husbands date of birth. Doing the whole list of potential criminal things I haven't done. Then she thanked us and said she was satisfied enough to approve, just that the medical needed clearing. I was kinda bummed because I thought for sure we'd have to sort that out... 

Then after the hour drive back I checked my case number online - "New Card is being produced". I guess she found the UK medical and it was enough. Yay!

 

We got approved!!!!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Green card in hand!
 

My GC interview Was on Sept 3rd in Nashville, it went very smoothly and we were in and out within 30 minutes, interview itself took about 20 minutes.
We were sat down in a room, she asked for our ID and then she went into a different room and talked to us over FaceTime so we could take our masks off.
she went through my I-485 Form That I sent in October and updated any new info, She asked me every question on the form and that took most of the time.
she asked about our jobs and bank accounts and asked for a few documents to prove our address, and pictures.
Then she asked me if I wanted to leave any more documents with her so I left Everything extra I brought with the proof of our address. 
She didn’t ask us one personal question which really surprised me! And my husband and I were right beside each other in the same room for the whole interview.
She said we would find out in the next week if I was approved or not.
Sept 9th we got notified that my GC was approved! And Sept 10 we got notified that they mailed my card!
It all went very smooth and I am relieved this part is over!

I can confirm I didn't have to pay a renewal AP fee and they accepted my filing based on Pending Adjustment of Status.

Thanks for this info.
 
Wanted to also update you guys on here.  We received the notification today that the interview was scheduled (finally!)... Charlotte, NC office.  That is the first movement on the AOS after almost 9 months!
 
Will keep on updating you all!

Yes there's no REnewal/EXtension filing fee on a pending Adjustment.
But your Advanced Parole is not a Renewal @ this point but seen a new Request.
My nephew had similar challenge & was advised by his lawyer he needed to pay the fee so he didn't file for the AP.
https://www.uscis.gov/i-131

But on the same page you linked, it says:

 
There's no distinction here between a new request and a renewal.
 

AP is free, and will still be free for those who file AOS before October. His lawyer doesn't understand how the fee works. He can apply for AP for free now if he wants to.

Thank you for sharing information!! 
That is my understanding too. I did not apply for AP initially because I did not have plan to go to my home country this year. But with the current situation that makes my greencard frustratingly being delayed, I want to be safe and apply for AP so I can visit my parents next year. I miss them and my husband miss my mom’s cooking too ☺️

Are you sure about the cost? I thought there's no fee if there's a pending AOS and you attach your I-485 receipt letter, even if the AP is filed later on.