carpe diem

Hello,

Nice to see this Dutch thread, including someone with my sister's name (Marieke!). I have already met Darkhorse in the February filers thread, but otherwise haven't encountered any Dutchies here on the forums.

So... Does anybody know what the Dutch soccer team is up to these days? I'll probably go watch some Eurocup games with hundreds of other orange-clad countrymates here in NYC but have no idea what to expect from "onze jongens." Oh well, it will be fun, no matter what.

Come on Leafgal.. lets stalk our local offices tomorrow in lingerie.. we'll call it **looking for a touch day** how could they refuse if we BOTH do it..it will be a wierd kinda protest

I swear if they don't do something soon with my files..I'm going to go crazy..I have become a complete stalker of the USCIS site..lol...if they ever looked at how many times a day I log in to check..they would surely think me a nut!

S

Ooooh can I join please? I know I already have an interview date but my I-130 or I-485 haven't been touched in ages!

I used to be an obsessive stalker of USCIS as well (until the interview notice came in, then my interest dropped dramatically). Funny, when my company applied for an H-1B they hired an attorney and I didn't even realize anyone was working on it and then one day I would just get the approval notice and copies of everything they had filed. Can't decide which way is better, but it is kind of fun to go through the process with all you fellow Feb filers.

Thanks everyone, but I still managed to find something else to get really worried about.

See this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=124146

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

Haha-- I actually have a similar issue as my passport is expiring "sometime in July" and my interview, like your wife's, is scheduled for June 3rd. I'm also planning to travel in July and/or August. I think I will get the forms ready over the weekend, then rush to the Dutch consulate on Monday (I expect it takes less than a month to get a new passport and if needed I'll pay whatever fee they ask to rush it). They actually have a website, maybe the Portuguese consulate and/or embassy has a website too.

I'm kicking myself for not getting it renewed sooner-- this is a bit of a pattern in my life.

Oh and just keep your head cool, there's almost always a solution. I once had my passport stolen (along with a bag with a lot of other stuff in it) two days before a visa appointment with the American consulate in Amsterdam and somehow managed to get a new passport in a day, it required payment of an extra fee and a lot of fast bicycle-riding between a photoshop and two municipal offices in different parts of Amsterdam that had weird office hours.

Hi AnthonyJulie,

One correction for me-- my AP hasn't been approved yet (I sent it in about two months after AOS).

Again, thanks a million for keeping track. You're the best!

Congrats from me as well to everyone who got approvals, interview notices, etc.!

Thanks all for your guidance... I'll probably follow Kezzie's advice (better safe than sorry, although I might turn out to be safe and sorry after all, hehehe).

Best of luck to everyone!

Hey Carpe,

Did you see any action on your I-130 or I-485, such as status updates or touches on the USCIS website, before you got your interview notice?

I'm especially interested to hear if they did anything with your I-130 first. Also, what status are you adjusting from?

Thanks!

I'm adjusting from H-1B. To this date I have had no touches on I-130 since the day after the NOA date, and no touches on I-485 since biometrics. I just got the letter in the mail (because of the lack of touches it was quite a surprise). I don't know whether that's typical. Interestingly, when I click on the receipt numbers of both I get the text that has been there since the first time I logged in, indicating that they received the application on Feb. 21 and that the case is at the National Benefits Center location.

carpe diem

mine seems to be following your dates and notices very closely, also got a second card production ordered email for the EAD today, and like you no updates on the website for the 485 but the interview notice in the mail. I am in NYC also and from a H1b.

nice to see there is some pattern, even if only at the same offices.

Nice to know I have a USCIS twin! Congrats on the interview notice. I'll give you the scoop after my interview on June 3rd.

Thanks all for your responses and sorry to hear the removal is such a painful process for some of you!

I am a bit hesitant about requesting a different date (I don't want to lie, also it would make it look like I'm playing games and they may just schedule it a few weeks later in which case I wouldn't achieve anything and the new date could actually interfere with vacation plans). I might just go but bring it up and ask if it would be possible for them to delay approval until after the wedding date. If the person is a stereotypical New Yorker he/she may just say something rude but if I have an understanding officer maybe the person will do something, if there is any way. Who knows, I might get stuck in FBI name check for the next two years (my husband's family hails from one of the "axis of evil" countries)-- be careful what you wish for!

Russian-Armenian-- your post makes me wonder if I should schedule an Info-pass and bring it up there, although I'm not sure whether these guys have the authority to actually set a new date or exercise some control over when the interview will take place (everything seems very computerized so far). Also even though I have no basis for this, my sense is that the Infopass folks would be bound by the policies and not be able to reschedule unless I provide a reason the USCIS deems compelling whereas the officer who takes the interview may have a bit more discretion and choose to leave the application at the bottom of a pile for a few weeks.

Oh well. The one good thing is I'd have a reason to return to VJ in two years.

Hey Carpe,

Did you see any action on your I-130 or I-485, such as status updates or touches on the USCIS website, before you got your interview notice?

I'm especially interested to hear if they did anything with your I-130 first. Also, what status are you adjusting from?

Thanks!

I'm adjusting from H-1B. To this date I have had no touches on I-130 since the day after the NOA date, and no touches on I-485 since biometrics. I just got the letter in the mail (because of the lack of touches it was quite a surprise). I don't know whether that's typical. Interestingly, when I click on the receipt numbers of both I get the text that has been there since the first time I logged in, indicating that they received the application on Feb. 21 and that the case is at the National Benefits Center location.

I was thinking, for those of us doing AOS without having gone through the K-1/K-3 process, we probably need to get our I-130s approved before they will send us our AOS interview appointment, and this may explain why those with later filing dates are getting interviews already. Can anyone confirm that this is in fact that case? Thanks!

Carpe Diem got an interview date in June and is filing concurrently....another theory vanishes into dust!!! I wondered this too...

That's right-- we're filing for both I-130 and AOS. I noted that my notice had a "date received" and a "priority date." I don't recall what the dates were (either the date I filed or some date in March on which the application was presumably sent on to the field office) but they were identical. My guess is that the interview date partly depends on the field office that handles the interview-- some may move faster than others.

Where is your local CIS office?

NYC (my interview will be at the Federal Plaza office).

Good to see you again in the Feb filers thread. I wish you a smooth ride!

I was thinking, for those of us doing AOS without having gone through the K-1/K-3 process, we probably need to get our I-130s approved before they will send us our AOS interview appointment, and this may explain why those with later filing dates are getting interviews already. Can anyone confirm that this is in fact that case? Thanks!

Carpe Diem got an interview date in June and is filing concurrently....another theory vanishes into dust!!! I wondered this too...

That's right-- we're filing for both I-130 and AOS. I noted that my notice had a "date received" and a "priority date." I don't recall what the dates were (either the date I filed or some date in March on which the application was presumably sent on to the field office) but they were identical. My guess is that the interview date partly depends on the field office that handles the interview-- some may move faster than others.

Hi all,

Don't know if anybody here is an expert on this but it seems the most applicable forum.

We filed our I-130 and AOS concurrently, and just got an interview notice for June 3rd. I'm very excited, but slightly annoyed at the timing, as our second wedding anniversary is less than two months later so my understanding is that if my AOS gets approved on the spot I'd get a 2-year greencard and have to go through another round to remove conditions whereas if it gets approved a few weeks later I'd get a 10-year card right away. I could have filed later but needed to get out of my H-1B by the summer so I can switch jobs.

In your experience, do applicants usually get approved during the interview and is that the operative date for getting the 2-year or 10-year card? Is there any point in asking the interviewer to delay approval until after the wedding date or is that a risky strategy? My EAD has been approved and I should be getting AP around the time of the interview so as far as I'm concerned I can work and travel and it shouldn't be a problem to wait a few more weeks for the actual greencard. I guess I could try to reschedule the interview but without a very good reason that seems problematic.

I don't mean to be whiny-- I'd rather get the approval and have to go through some hassle in two years than run into the obstacles some others have encountered, but it would be nice to avoid the removal step if there is an easy and legitimate way to do it.

I paid $100 in NYC BUT had to pay separately for several shots (tetanus, 2 chicken pox shots, and maybe another one) so I lost track but wouldn't be surprised if it ended up costing about $350-$400 in total.

More love from USCIS... My husband just called me to say that I got a notice in the mail for an "initial interview" on June 3. I wonder if there is going to be only one interview (I'm filing for I-130 as well as AOS). Funny as my I-130 has not been touched at all since my NOA date and my AOS hasn't been touched since biometrics... Anyway, this is going so much faster now than I had expected! I'm very excited. It is only 1.5 month before our second wedding anniversary-- does anyone know if we'll have to file for removal of conditions?

Hi all,

I just received two emails about my EAD application: "approval notice sent" and "card production ordered."

AP will be a while for me as I didn't apply for it until last week. But I'm not so worried now that I have some indication that there is actual movement despite the lack of touches.

This has been a great week for us Feb filers! Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Yay, way to go girl! I'm very excited for you. And something tells me the EAD approval will come along in time (in any case don't panic if a solution must be found for one or two weeks).

Ok I'm not an accountant but here are some thoughts anyway.

I understand this is an incredibly responsible position and that the consequences of failure can be huge. However, clearly people like you and are impressed with your work and from your posts on the forum my impression is that you're very smart and your English is excellent. If you have serious doubts you could suggest that you fill this position on an interim basis, say for six months, so that you could always go back to your current position or move on to a new position. Also if there are any other accountants in senior roles I would talk to them and make sure they are willing to make themselves available anytime you have questions about accounting-- or if that is not a possibility maybe you could establish a line with an accountant outside of the company (not sure whether that would be a feasible option but if it is I would think about it).

Also don't forget that the US is called the land of opportunities for a reason-- don't be too afraid to jump on something great that comes along. Also -- and please don't take this personally -- as you probably know, the type of "modesty" that is the norm in much of Europe may be mistaken for lack of self confidence here so if deep down you do feel that you can do it, don't act like you have doubts just because you think that is expected.

In any case, congrats on the offer. Best of luck!

My update is that there is no update. No touches since after biometrics and no interview letter yet.

Congrats to those who had movement/approvals etc.

I am with you JessiPooh. Same timeline and no touches since biometrics. Also, can't see my Ap online. I am not worried as you and me are together in this and as people who have NOA's few days before ours are just getting their EADs... We should be up in a week or two...

Same here. But great to see a lot of movement!

AnthonyJulie, I'm joining the choir singing your praise. Thanks so much for putting the updates up (color-coded no less). I'd love to send a gift card or something your way. If there is a way for you to contact me about this (I'm not sure if we have message services here at VJ?) please do. If this is complicated I'd be happy to make a donation in the name of "AnthonyJulie" to an organization that helps the least fortunate immigrants, like Sanctuary for Families or the ACLU immigrant project, if this is agreeable to you.

Today we had some pretty bad news. Zakaria's father had passed away this afternoon like I said before he had hepatitus c for the past 4 years and couldn't take it anymore. They said when he was going he was happy so to muslims that means he saw the white light:). He will be missed. Inchallah

So sorry for your loss. I know from experience that even when it is, all things considered, better for someone not to suffer anymore, it is hard to be left behind. I'm wishing you and Zakaria the strength you need.

Is the AP approval notice actually the advance parole document, or is it just a notice telling us that they are going to send us the advance parole document?

Congratulations! I know you guys had been really worried about this. Where in Portugal is your wedding? It's so great that you can just enjoy it without worries now. I am actually flying out to Portugal in late May. Will be thinking of you guys.

IB, congrats on your EAD as well! I don't think your EAD impacts your H1B. EAD allows you to work elsewhere if you decide to quit your job. But to come back into this country, without the H1B, you would need an AP or the GC.

I also have some good news to report. We got our interview notice today (dated April 7), for an interview on May 20. Yay!

Unfortunately it coincides with our planned trips to Europe. Thank goodness I didn't book any flights yet (I was going to fly out to Europe on May 18), and my husband's company will pay for his flight change. We're just soooooo relieved to have this interview date fixed.

All of our well-wishing, hopeful thinking over the weekend apparently worked. So let me wish all of you good luck in getting your cases moved right along!

Yay, our first interview notice! Congratulations Feraina, that's great news. Also congrats to all others who received good news on AP and EAD.

OUTSTANDING NEWS MY FRIENDS!!!!!!

TODAY AT 10:30PM I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING NOTICES FROM USCIS BY EMAIL.

ADVANCED PAROLE APPROVAL NOTICE SENT!

EAD CARD PRODUCTION ORDERED!

Looks like things are starting to move again. I sincerely hope that all of you start receiving similar messages.

Congrats! Now you can look forward to your wedding in Portugal without any concerns. Mmmm Portugal... the thought makes me a bit jealous.

All documents (when you need to file an I-130) stay at National Benefits Center till they are transfered to a local office for interview.

There is no possible transfer to California Service Center for us.

This has begun to dawn onto me as well after I, very arrogantly, assumed that we'd be transferred because why wouldn't the USCIS want to give me the greencard right away? This is why I decided to apply for AP after all (I believe I can travel on my H-1B but it's very much time for a job change and I'd like to take a long travel break in between jobs).

But in the end we'll all get it, so hang in there! And as your signature says, we're all in it for love which is a great thing in and of itself.

I see you're in New Jersey-- contact Sanctuary for Families in NYC. They may be able to help you or else provide you with a referral. Wishing you the strength you need and I hope you'll be alright no matter where you end up.

Congrats on your job Feraina, and great that your husband is going to follow you to the other end of the world!

The good thing about them touching all three is that at least I know they've linked the cases, but why are they STILL not approving my son's????

I'm wondering if the mysterious 'thing' they say was returned to them was a biometrics appointment for him??

JaEnglishGirl, your son will get approved for the EAD when it's his turn so be patient. Judging by the picture, I don't think the time it takes to get an EAD for your son is as crucial as others who are waiting to work to support families. We are all wondering why it takes so long to get approved but there is no magic answer to that. Patience is virtue.

Agreed.....I didn't apply for an EAD for him (no I wish I HAD though!)...Just AP since we were planning to go on holiday the second I got my EAD so that I wouldn't have started working yet....Will see how that pans out!!

Virtues are nice, wish I had some

Let's not judge each other. I know it's hard to be understanding of others' frustrations when your case is moving slower or you feel that you have a more pressing need for the green card, EAD or AP but you don't know the full situation of other posters and it's a process that has its highs and lows for everyone. I for one can imagine that you'd want to make sure your son is not becoming a stranger to your loved ones back home. Actually this is something that I'm struggling with now that my sister has a baby girl.

Peace, people-- at least we're in this boat because of great love and/or great opportunities. And this forum is a great place for information but also to share our experiences (including our emotions about the whole immigration process).

No touches since bios. I am just waiting for them to send my file to my local office and then waiting for them to give me a interview date.

Congrats to everyone whose files are moving along!

Same here, and since I live in NYC which is overflowing with immigrant wannabees my suspicion is it will be sloooooow...

Congrats to everyone who has shared good news recently!