Alix64

21 hours ago, Felix2021 said:

Very true, but apart from Alix64's 6-month approval being a computer glitch/bizarre anomaly, which there is no evidence to suggest it is, there has to be something behind it. There was also a thread on page 3/4 on this forum where a  November filer had their case approved in 1 month and has proof. So they either trialling something or rolling out something, and I hope it's the latter. If more May filers on here get approval in the next month, we can assume it's the risk-based approach kicking in. Too early to tell. 

Here is the process time according to VisaJourney members:

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/liftlist.php?op5=5,9,10,11,12

 

It seems very random

 

On 1/2/2023 at 12:57 PM, Don0 said:

Hi! I don't think so. Some started as K1 or fiance visa, went to AOS hence they have their biometrics reused unlike us who came in via CR1. But I believe after AOS they switch to CR1? Not really sure. But what I know is most that hace their biometrics reused have had them taken in when they did AOS. 😊

 

Thank you!

Yes, of course. Thanks for the clarification. 

 

When did you send your I-751 file?

On 12/29/2022 at 8:25 PM, Don0 said:

Wow! Congratulations! If I'm not mistaken you are also CR1 right? I hope I also don't have an interview. Glad I checked back!

Thank you

 

Aren't we all CR1 here ? 

 

Hope it goes smoothly for you too. Happy new year!

11 minutes ago, Alix64 said:

The file was sent to the Phoenix (AZ) office.

Sorry, it was the National Benefits Center

32 minutes ago, Rearviewmirror said:

 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-implements-risk-based-approach-for-conditional-permanent-resident-interviews

Yes.

I think what it mostly means is that they are going to spend more time on files that are NOT cristal clear legit, to be better at stopping fraud.

And therefor expedite the ones that are clearly legit. 

Let's hope it is the case.

 

Will follow you all. Take care.😘 

Alix

4 hours ago, mepck said:

OMG OMG OMG!! Congratulations!! Which service center it is???

The file was sent to the Phoenix (AZ) office.

If you still feel alone ;-), come and join May 2022 then! 

 

 

Just now, Caligirl1 said:

That is just amazing!!!!!👍🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🙂

Thank you so much. I guess there are a whole bunch of people who should be approved quite fast.

That is kind of good news for everyone. 🤗

2 minutes ago, Caligirl1 said:

OMG 😃 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Did you even go to an interview??

No, no interview.

Just the biometrics in June! 

I cannot believe it. 

 

Now I am planning to go visit my family in January (bought the tickets etc.) as it was too expensive for the Holidays and of course, the letter says that I should stay in the US until I receive my new card, which should arrive withing 60 days... argggggghhh. But I'm still super mega happy

 

Guys, I have just received the Notice of Action:

 

"Congratulations! USCIS approved your request to remove the conditions on your permanents resident status (...)" !!!

 

Cannot believe how fast it went! What a Christmas present!

🎉

 

Hope you are all well. 

On 11/22/2022 at 12:07 PM, Voilet said:

US embassy doesn’t take biometrics if you are staying overseas for legit reason ? 

 

On 11/22/2022 at 12:20 PM, Voilet said:

Got you. So everything was ok because even you did early walked in before the actual appointment notice ? 

Yes exactly. 

As soon as I got the letter with the appointment date (i received it about a month before the official appointment), I called USCIS to say that I would not be in the US for the appointment. They told me that if I was not showing up, I would have to restart the whole file thing...

that is why I did the walk-in, and i was lucky they took my fingerprints right away

14 minutes ago, Voilet said:

Hi Alix. Did you appear on your fingerprint’s date in US or in your country of origin ? Because I am in overseas and I got my fingerprints on November 28.2022. 

Hi Violet, not sure I understand your question.

 

I was in the US when I received the letter with the appointment for the fingerprints/biometrics to be done. The date was late June (don't remember precisely) but I was booked on a flight back to France for mid-June. 

 

That is why I did not go to the appointment for the biometrics (late June, since I was in France) INSTEAD, I went to a USCIS office in my county, no appointment, as soon as possible. I just walked in. Wait a little and they did the biometrics. 

 

Hope that helps a little. 

Hello Everyone,

hello Voilet, sorry, it is so much stress. 

 

I filed on May 21rst. 

I received my case number on May 27th. 

I received the 2 years extension letter on May 31rst. 

 

But I had to travel back to my country for family matters on June 21rst. And I was afraid to get a date for the biometrics after June 21rst. 

And that is what happened... so I called USCIS, they said that I had to be at the appointment on the date that i was notified. 

But thanks to VisaJourney 😉 I walked in the USCIS office of my County and they took me in to do the biometrics (thanks again guys 🙏).

 

My conditional GC expired on August 14th. 

I travelled back on the 11th. The personal at the Airport was well aware of the extension letter. Even though my GC was still good, they had a look at it. 

At the US airport, the officer did not ask for the extension letter, he said : "nop, your GC is still good for 3 more days, I don't need to see your letter". 

 

So, like someone said earlier and I could not agree more :

- file as soon as you can (within the 90 days window)

- it costs money but send your file through Fedex or UPS, something sure enough it gets delivered super quickly (we did 24H delivery, it's pricy but worth it I think at that stage)

- do the walk in at the USCIS of your county, most of them accept people without an appointment. 

- now for your return : if really you cannot comeback before your conditional GC expires (they may ask you why you stayed so long outside the US - if you are a student, that should be an enough excuse), then you have no other choice than to ask your wife to express mail you (through the most secure way) the letter. She can make a scan of it and send it to you (when you print it, print it without any color, so that it doesn't look like you tried to counterfeit it). 

 

I don't know about the stamp other VisaJourney members are talking about, but I trust their experience.

Take care,

Alix

 

1 hour ago, Don0 said:

Well, well, I'm just 4 days earlier! LOL! Are you in France now? 

Yes until mid-August.

 

Hello All, 

I guess you guys receive emails from VJ giving "Your latest I-751 approval estimate!"

Jeeeeeeze, that's in 2 years. 

 

What about you ? 

 

27 minutes ago, Caligirl1 said:

Awesome!👍yes,they're all really nice there i went to Oxnard 2 years ago,too.

Cool! We must be neightbors

I'm near Ventura

Adding my experience at Oxnard, California 

 

 

Added New York - Manhattan - Success.

 

 

ALABAMA

Birmingham - He give us a hard time. Successful.

 

ARIZONA

Phoenix- Gave no reason, no questions asked, Successful.

Tucson - 12/28/15, I-751, gave no reason, no questions asked, successful.

Tucson- 01/03/17, N-400. Successful.

 

CALIFORNIA

Buena Park - No reason, just gave security guard my appt letter. YES

Chula Vista - 2 Walk-ins, Successful.

Chula Vista - 06/27/16 No reason asked. 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.

Fresno - 06/28/2016 - UNSUCCESSFUL.  Guard advised to come back on actual appointment

Gardena - 3/13/20 - SUCCESSFUL

La Brea - 3/13/20 NOT SUCCESSFUL

Los Angeles - (USCIS Fairfax on W. Pico). Successful with no questions asked. 01/11/2015

Los Angeles - (downtown) July 2012. NO   3/13/20 NO

Los Angeles - San Fernando valley (Chatsworth) Successful. 6/11/13.

Modesto - SuccessfulWent in to try our luck and no questions asked. 

Oakland - Oct 2013 successful

Oxnard - July 21st 2016 - Successful. Went first thing in the morning. 

Oxnard - June 14th, 2022 - Successful - Super nice people. We went there at the opening 8am on a Tuesday (we had to wait only 20minutes). 

Pomona - long wait. Successful

Riverside - Nov 10, 2014 - Unsuccessful. Guard was firm and unfriendly.

San Francisco - Feb 2014 - Successful, no questions asked.

San Francisco - 05/19/2014 - No question asked for three weeks early walk-in.

Santa Ana - Walked in 2 times in June 2012. No questions asked. 

Santa Ana - early walk-in successful, the day after I recieved the biometrics letter 

Santa Ana - 7/30/2014 Early walk-in successful (Original appt date is August 14, 2014). 

Santa Ana - 7/28/2014 Early walk-in successful. Really nice staff.

Santa Rosa - Not happy, but didn't send us away. 

San Marcos - Walked in 2pm and we're 2nd in line. Successful

San Marcos - Went 20 min before closing.Successful

San Jose - 4/29/14 - Successful.  

West Sacramento - 4/28/14 - Unsuccessful

Chula Vista, San Diego - Successful. 3 pm. 

 

COLORADO

Aurora - Went 10 days early. Successful. 9:15.

Denver - went in 2 days early. 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 they were understaffed and there were no walk-ins allowed all day

West Palm Beach 6/14/2016 Appointment for 6/24/2016. Successful, wasn't asked why.

 

GEORGIA

Atlanta - No reason Officer had us wait outside until the earliest appts went in (about 15 minutes). Yes.

Atlanta - Successful with no questions. The office just wrote on our form Walk-in.

Atlanta - Did a walk-in at 3PM 04/17/13 successfully. No question of reason.

Atlanta -Did a walk-in at 3PM 10/01/13 as we are on vacation on appointment day. No problems.

 

ILLINOIS

Naperville -Went on 8/30 at 2pm but was unsuccessful - only one technician on duty. 

 

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  - Successful

Des Moines - March 2011 - To get it over with - Successful

 

LOUISIANA

Metairie - Unsuccessful. Must arrive on the correct day/exact time of your appointment.Two friends have also been refused.

New Orleans - August 2018 - Successful. They gave me a hard time.

New Orleans - February 2020 - Successful on the correct day but 2 hours early. Somebody else who was there 5 days early got turned away 

 

MAINE

Portland - Sept. 2, 2016 - Successful, early and at a different location. 

 

MARYLAND

Baltimore - April/2013.  Denied walk in. 

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. Successful

Wheaton - Dec 27, 2013 - Guard said he would allow it this time.

 

MASSACHUSETTS

Boston - I took my wife for her scheduled biometrics appointment on 1/14/14. Need reason.

Boston - Tried to do early walk in for my appointment in Lawrence. - Not successful.

Boston - I missed my 01/08/2016. Showed up a 01/12/2016 with letter and ID. No problem. 

Boston - 08/01/2016. Success! Stopped by at 2:30pm - 30 mins before closing, 

Lawrence - did an early walk in 3 weeks before my appointment. 

Lawrence - 05/08/14 - Went one day early. Successful. Should've tried there first instead of Boston.

 

MICHIGAN

Detroit 07/29/14 SUCESSFUL-We arrived about 245pm 

 

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. 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

 

NEVADA

Las Vegas- 9/30/2016- Successful. 1:30 pm. Original appointment Oct 13.

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester - Lady gave me lecture on how to change appt.

 

NEW JERSEY

Hackensack - The guard asked me what I was doing. The walk-in attempt was SUCCESSFUL.

Elizabeth - Early walk-in only in case of emergency and with proof in hand.

 

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

Holtsville (Long Island) - 4/11/16 Successful. Officer asked for a reason. No wait. We were the only ones there at 12:30PM.

Long Island City, Queens 07/26/16 - Successful, though asked for reasons. 

Manhattan - Oct 2010 - Successful. I did a walk-in at Varick Street went at 8am, 

Manhattan - 11/22/2010 - Successful. Went at 7:45am this morning. 

Manhattan - 09/15/2011 - Successful. I arrived at 7:50 with 3 people ahead of me in line.

Manhattan - 02/21/2012 - Successful. I  Arrived at 8, 10 people in line before me.

Manhattan - 08/08/2012 - Successful. I arrived at 7:50 and got into a long line to go through security which opened at 8 am. 

Manhattan - 01/15/2013, Couldn't get to Philadelphia, Walk in Successful

Manhattan - 02/01/2013 - Successful. Walked into Varick ACS 2:00 PM

Manhattan - 05/31/2013 - Successful. I walked into Varick offie at 10:10 am.

Manhattan - 02/08/2016 - Successful. around 8.10. No questions. 

Manhattan - 03/04/2016 - Successful, no questions asked. Went at 08.00,

Manhattan - 04/01/2016 - Successful. Friday afternoon at 3pm. Super fast and excellent service!

Manhattan - 05/11/2016 - Successful.

Manhattan - 06/13/2016 - Successful. No questions asked. Arrived at 9:00am. It was a busy Monday morning, 

Manhattan - 11/17/2020 - Successful. One week early walk-in. Had to explain that I have a job offer and needed to expedite the EAD process.  Arrived 7:50am.

Port Chester - 02/21/2013, No reasons asked, very friendly, successful. .

Port Chester - 03/01/2016 - Successful. No questions asked, friendly guard smiled.

 

NORTH CAROLINA

Morrisville- 09/27/2016 - 3pm. Successful. 

Charlotte - 11/08/2016 - 1.45pm successful. No questions asked.

 

OHIO

Cincinnati - 01/27/2017 - Successful

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.

Pittsburgh - did this twice and no questions asked! YES

York - Successful. Place was basically empty.

Pittsburgh - 7/7/14: No issues, place was empty and they were happy to do it.

 

RHODE ISLAND
Cranston - 02/25/2020 - Successful

 

TENNESSEE

Nashville - 06/13/2016 - Success

Nashville - 06/24/2016 - Success

Nashville - Feb./2016 - Successful.

Nashville - 10/03/2016 - Successful. Accepted only after noon, but ok at 10:45 because they were not busy.

 

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.

Fort Worth (Landmark Lake) - Went in at 2pm (two weeks early), place was nearly empty, didn't ask any questions, I was in and out in 10 min.

Houston (Hwy 290 office) - Jan 2012 - gave no reason, only appt letter. Yes (3 times-AOS, ROC, Citizenship)

Houston (Hwy 290 office) - June 2016 - Went first thing Monday. Told to come back in the afternoon

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. Successful

Alexandria- 05/16/2014- 3 weeks early.Gave no reason. SUCCESSFUL.

Alexandria- 09/15/2015- A week early, work conflict. No questions asked. Successful.

Alexandria- 06/13/2016- no questions asked. Crowded at 10 AM. Successful.

Alexandria- 07/18/2016- Gave no reason. Took 45 minutes. 9:30 a.m. Successful.

Alexandria - 5/30/18 - no questions asked. Successful. Noon

Alexandria - 6/5/18- Walked in 1:45 pm, took 20 min.  Successful.

 

WASHINGTON

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

Tukwila - 06/21/2014 - No reason necesssary. In and out in 10 minutes. Successful.

Tukwila - 10/12/2018 -  In and out in 20 minutes. Successful.

9 hours ago, Don0 said:

Can you still walk in if you said they cancelled it already? And wow! I think a 30 minute wait is good enough for USCIS! Good luck! Keep us posted! 😊

Hello All

That was my concern too... my husband yesterday was like, "why did you call USCIS? Now the appointment is cancelled! We can't walk in" etc. 

 

But we went anyway and it went super well (Benefits Center at Oxnard, in California). We showed up at 8am. The security guard, after listening to my problem, asked us to talk to a lady (who was in fact the boss of the center). Super nice and warm. She said "we will take care of you in 30minutes". 

After 20 minutes she called me and another super nice lady took care of me. We did the finger prints and that was it. They stamped the NOA (Biometrics appointment letter) and gave it back to me. It took 10 minutes, so we were back on the road at 8:35am. 

 

Voilà!  A big relief. 

CF: BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT - rescheduling

 

So I am leaving the US on June 20th for 6 weeks (to visit my family). 

My biometrics appointment is supposed to be on Jun 30th. 😱

 

I just called USCIS (1 800 375 5283). Asked for an operator right away. Waited half an hour. 

A nice lady took my case. Check my identity (alien number, application number, names, dob, address,  phone, email)

She said : walk ins are not allowed (but we know most centers allow them...).

I explained my case. She cancelled my appointment. 

Told me that an agent is going to call me within 72H. She gave me the phone number the agent would be calling me from. 

And gave me a Request case number. 

 

I told her that I was coming back August 10th, and asked if it was possible to put a note on my case about that so that they would not reschedule like say early August (when I am not back yet), but they cannot put a note. 

 

I will try a walk in tomorrow. Or Wednesday since it is supposed to be the best day for it. 

And will keep you posted

 

On 6/12/2022 at 12:56 AM, Don0 said:

Now, I'm worrying about how fast this is all going. I know it's weird but hear me out. 

 

So I just read that if the 10 yr GC is being produced, even if you have not yet received it, the 2 yr gc and extension letter becomes void. With the rate that my case is going (I'm happy it's fast tbh but..) I might be in another country (I'm out of the US, July 28 til Sept 12) when they send my 10 yrs gc. And I can't use my 2 yr gc and letter to come back into the US! I'm so worried now.. 

 

The only thing I was thinking is having someone mail my 10 yr gc to me from here in the US if it ever happens. But do yiu guys think it's such a risk? 

I received my 2years Green Card in the mail box in the US, while I was visiting in France (I travelled with the "green card visa" on my passport). 

What we did is that my husband did a scan (it absolutely has to be a clear different size than the original) of the card, send it to me by mail and I had it printed. This is what I showed at the immigration, and they let me go through. 

So I think you can do a similar thing : if you show your Notification that you got the 10 years GC, and explain that the actual card is being delivered at your home address in the US, you should be just fine. 

The forum is a gold mine!

 

Here I have found an old discussion about walk-ins for the Biometrics Appointments - for those like me who cannot go to their scheduled one. 

 

It gives you an idea of the "spirit" for each Center. 

Take care, have a great week-end. 

 

 

Hello All,

I have just received this morning the Biometrics appointment letter... and it is for June 30th (when I am in France). 

I will try to walk in next week when they open, otherwise try to reschedule it. 

🤔

7 hours ago, r&jn said:

@Alix64 You can sign up for USPS Informed Delivery through the usps website. They send you an email every morning with pictures of the mail you receive that day. If you know you're getting mail from USCIS then you can send someone to grab it for you!

Fantastic, thank you. I think I have already registered... need to check

That's great. Thanks again

 

Have a good week-end everyone! and for those who are working during the week-end, take care. 

Hello again,

About the Biometrics Appointment (again!), I see people going away and having someone check their postmail box. 

Doesn't USCIS send it also through email? 

 

(Yes Don0,  you make total sense - that is what I read to)