cdn_in_wa

Hi,

Everything has gone pretty smoothly since I sent back my RFE. I got the approval notice on October 10th, its just I am still waiting for my greencard. I was hoping people who have recently got their GC might be able to tell me approximately how long it all took, and if I seem to be in the normal timeframe? I am not too worried as I have EAD and AP, but would like it before we go back home to Europe for Christmas!

Thanks, and Good luck to everybody,

Lily

We had interview on 10/17, welcome letter was dated 10/27 & 10/29, mailed 10/29, rec'd 11/03, GC ordered 10/31, and online CPO status updated 11/03. Card was received 11/08.

What does your online status say? Does it say Card Production ordered? Is the approval notice you mention the Welcome to the US letter?

Is your name on your mailbox, or have you notified the Post Office that mail addressed to your name is to be delivered to your address?

u2rsobad,

Today's going to be your day!

ShadowYu,

I'm glad your trip to Canada went okay. Sometimes the Canadian border guards can be nice and sometimes, not so much.

Is your online status still the same? Didn't you interview on the 17th too? C'mon Seattle!

Ali e Jeff,

Has your online status changed? If not, I can't imagine that they've cancelled your AP. I specifically asked the IO at the interview if I should still use the AP if I needed to go back to Canada and he said yes, everything is just the same as it has been until you get your GC. If your AP is no longer valid, why didn't they didn't take it from you at the interview? Weird.

lol! We bought the Dom for our wedding lol...

When is your anniversary?

Will you still be hanging out on the forum now that you have your green card?

Are you going for citizenship?

Congrats Visionhaze, you will notice that you don't know what to do with yourself now that this part is over. Running to the mailbox isn't as exciting as it used to be lol...

Hi Lili,

Our anniversary was in the summer.

I'll probably hang out here for a bit, but now that I've got my GC, I should try and get on with things around here. I've got to go to Canada visit my family and get all the stuff I left behind.

So far my plan is to apply for Naturalization when I'm eligible. That way if we decided to go back to the original plan, of living in Canada, we could and it would not affect any future we would have in the US.

I'm expecting that the Mail Person will not be as popular with me anymore either - all she's going to do now is deliver bills!

Read the guides, but you are a long way from dual citizenship. You are going to want to apply for a CR-1 visa which will grant you a conditional green card (perminant residency) as well as apply for adjustment of status.

Good luck

Thanks! That at least gives me an idea of where to start.

You have a choice between filing from inside the US by filing I-130/I-485 concurrently or leaving the US and filing from Canada the CR1 or K3.

Decide before you leave the US. Since you already have incurred an overstay, you may be advised to stay and file concurrently. If you file from inside the US, you'll have to wait until you get your GC before you can leave. Even though you will be able to file for Advance Parole, because of your overstay, it is not worth attempting to use it, so don't even bother filing for AP.

You can file for an EAD with your AOS package and you should receive the EAD within about 3 months.

If you decide, as you have suggested, to stay in the US and file concurrently, file as soon as you can. It is better to file before you have an overstay, but generally speaking, an overstay is usually forgiven when adjusting status based on marriage to a USC.

Good Luck!

Green Card received yesterday. :dance:

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

Green Card received in today's mail. :dance:

We be havin' Brut Imperial. MmmmMmm

Congrats to everyone who has theirs and good luck to those waiting for cards and interviews!

Hope the wait is over soon for everyone.

Yeah! You are funny, I have a bottle of Dom Perignon that hubby said we would open when I get my green card lol. Still haven't!

Enjoy it!!! And congrats again! Don't forget to get the restrictions removed on your SS card!

We got a bottle of Mumm's from our realtor when we bought our house, but never got around to having it when we moved in. We bought a bottle of Brut Imperial for our Anniversary, but ended up only having the Mumm's. So we said, once we had the GC, it was time for the Brut Imperial! Yum!

Green Card received yesterday. :dance:

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

Green Card received in today's mail. :dance:

We be havin' Brut Imperial. MmmmMmm

Congrats to everyone who has theirs and good luck to those waiting for cards and interviews!

Hope the wait is over soon for everyone.

When I moved, my I-485 was not show up online at all. So, I could not change it online.

I called the 1-800 misinformation line. If your case doesn't show up online, you can get escalated to an actual IO, rather than the CSRs that you initially get through to. In that phone call, I changed my address with USCIS, for all my pending cases.

I also filed the AR-11 by mail. The IO said it should be done even though I changed my address with him for our pending cases.

My husband filed the I-865 (don't forget your financial sponsor - I-864 - also has to change their address if they move) by mail.

A few days after that, my I-485 showed online with a last update of the date they mailed me the confirmation of change of address!

Forgot to add:

Yes, your EAD case should show online.

We filed change of address for both cases online and the AR-11. Thanks for reminding me about the I-865. I just filled that out as well and will post it today or tomorrow. Perhaps I'll call the help line too and see what's up with our EAD and why it won't show status online. Thanks!

Some cases just don't show online. It usually takes a touch for them to show. Many people report theirs not showing until after biometrics. Mine didn't show after biometrics, but finally showed after the address change.

If you call and tell them you want to make sure your address is changed on the EAD case #. After that it might show online.

Good luck!

MSC is sort of a distribution center for the AOS. Some are transferred to CSC, but those are K visas - I think - and even some K applicants have to go to interview at local office. If you filed I-130 and I-485 concurrently, then your case will eventually be transferred to your local office for an interview. This should be the same office that you go for biometrics.

Check your local office timelines for a rough idea of processing times. They are not very accurate, but they help a tiny bit. You can also check timelines on VJ for your local office.

Incorrect: BIOMETRICS are done at ASC (Application Support Centers) they only handle Photo and Fingerprints.

Interview are done at USCS Distric Offices, depending on where you live you should know your nearest office.

You're correct. I should have said 'transferred to your District Office for an interview'. I forgot there are local offices that do not interview, but do biometrics. In my case it was the same office for both, so I wasn't thinking.

Sorry about that and thanks for the reminder!

Hi all,

We just moved and are filing a change of address on USCIS.gov. It asked us to confirm that our cases were still pending. The AOS case popped up in the case search and said that it's still processing. However, the EAD case number isn't found in the case search. Are the EAD cases not traceable online or should we call the service center? We got a receipt for it, so it was accepted and opened. What now? Thank you!

When I moved, my I-485 was not show up online at all. So, I could not change it online.

I called the 1-800 misinformation line. If your case doesn't show up online, you can get escalated to an actual IO, rather than the CSRs that you initially get through to. In that phone call, I changed my address with USCIS, for all my pending cases.

I also filed the AR-11 by mail. The IO said it should be done even though I changed my address with him for our pending cases.

My husband filed the I-865 (don't forget your financial sponsor - I-864 - also has to change their address if they move) by mail.

A few days after that, my I-485 showed online with a last update of the date they mailed me the confirmation of change of address!

Forgot to add:

Yes, your EAD case should show online.

he just decided to stay here...... due to family problems..

none of your business..

I'm not going to waste my time with you..

You haven't helped me whatsoever...... so Ill let you bark all you want..

good luck to you and your bought marriage..

Again, I long for the rolling eye smiley.

This will have to suffice. :rofl:

any overstay is forgiven... no matter how long out of status if you marry a US citizen..

and as far as the ss... well....... i guess all the people that AOS through marriage... they once worked illegally in the US..

so that should be pardoned too..

Huh?

Speak for yourself or your own situation.

I have NEVER worked in the US. Ever. Legally or not.

NOT ALL the people that AOS through marriage worked illegally in the US. Not even close.

Unbe-freakin-lievable!

well if you didn't like the comment please step aside and don't hate

don't try to be a Vj hero of the day with ur stupid comment..

i just gave my point of view on the topic..

Why, oh why is there not an eye-rolling smiley?

It's hating to disagree?

You suggested that everyone who files AOS through marriage worked illegally in the US.

I disagreed. \story

Not everyone who AOS through marriage has worked or will work illegally in the US.

ohh and my husband never worked illegally on the US..

he has money.. so he was never on the need..

He's got so much money he entered the US on a tourist visa in 2004 and hasn't needed to work since then? Hasn't left the country since then? Overstayed his tourist visa by what - 3 years?

Must be nice.

any overstay is forgiven... no matter how long out of status if you marry a US citizen..

and as far as the ss... well....... i guess all the people that AOS through marriage... they once worked illegally in the US..

so that should be pardoned too..

Huh?

Speak for yourself or your own situation.

I have NEVER worked in the US. Ever. Legally or not.

NOT ALL the people that AOS through marriage worked illegally in the US. Not even close.

Unbe-freakin-lievable!

What's the hurry? They will get to your case in due time. You already have the EAD and AP, so relax and wait your turn.

Glad to know that I'm not the only one waiting this long! No hurry, I just started wondering if the wait was kinda unusual compare to others'. It looks like I will have the interview in Seattle for I live in WA.

Thx anyone for you information

50/50 chance of an interview.... Do you check your status online?

Yes I do. There has not been a single touch since the biometrics appointment

My I-485 case was not viewable online for 6+ months after filing. My case first came online when I notified USCIS of change of address 3 months ago and showed an update at that time.

The only one I've seen since that time is the Card Production Ordered touch, nearly 3 months later. Believe me, I checked every day from the day I got the Interview letter 'til the day I saw the Card Production Ordered!

Obsessive? Yes! But I can guarantee you that there were no touches in that time!

I have not heard anyone say that they got a touch when the interview letter was sent out - it just arrives in the mail one day. Usually, those whose cases are transferred to CSC show a transfer of case touch.

Hi All,

I just grabbed mails from the mailbox and got the USCIS interview letter. It will be on Dec 8th in Seattle WA.

The problem is that I lost my I-94 (arrival small piece of card) when I applied for Schengen visa in France embassy in California. I only have the copy. Do you think it will be a prob?

Also, do we have to bring another affidavit of support despite we already submitted one along with the application?

Thanks a lot guys for your help

Congrats and good luck on your interview!

Glad you found your I-94. I don't think you'll need it, but you never know.

You don't need a new affidavit of support. You should take any current information pertaining to employment and income or assets (depending on what you used to qualify). Pay stubs and such. If you didn't include the 2007 tax return, take that or a transcript of it.

What's the hurry? They will get to your case in due time. You already have the EAD and AP, so relax and wait your turn.

Glad to know that I'm not the only one waiting this long! No hurry, I just started wondering if the wait was kinda unusual compare to others'. It looks like I will have the interview in Seattle for I live in WA.

Thx anyone for you information

50/50 chance of an interview.... Do you check your status online?

Yes I do. There has not been a single touch since the biometrics appointment

My I-485 case was not viewable online for 6+ months after filing. My case first came online when I notified USCIS of change of address 3 months ago and showed an update at that time.

The only one I've seen since that time is the Card Production Ordered touch, nearly 3 months later. Believe me, I checked every day from the day I got the Interview letter 'til the day I saw the Card Production Ordered!

Obsessive? Yes! But I can guarantee you that there were no touches in that time!

I have not heard anyone say that they got a touch when the interview letter was sent out - it just arrives in the mail one day. Usually, those whose cases are transferred to CSC show a transfer of case touch.

Congratulations to all of those who have heard good news recently. I am still waiting to receive GC or any update on AOS since biometrics, although the lady IO said that I was approved.

I plan on going to Canada tomorrow, and I posted about this as a separate thread (topic). Please, let me know if you have any advice (after reading the separate thread you will see that my issue is not returning to U.S. but actually entering Canada).

Thanks everyone!

I tried. Wish I could be more help. Some days I just wave my Cdn passport at them and they wave me through. I've rarely crossed with a foreign national (even my husband - as we were advised it could lead to problems).

Congrats silverfai!

And good luck at your interview!

Okay, Seattle...it's been two weeks today since the interview, I'd like my approval update please!

Yeah. C'mon Seattle.

To be fair to them, they ordered my card 2 weeks from my interview, but the online update was not posted until the Monday following. And the letters? They were dated the 29th I think, 2 days before the card ordered date.

If it doesn't update today, I'd think Monday will be your day!

I remember you said the update wasn't posted until Monday..I'm just a bit impatient I guess. Too many things to think about lately and this process is something I'd like to be done with for a while. Thanks for your support/encouragement..it's greatly appreciated

I'm just as impatient. I wait for the mail every day. Hoping the GC will be there. And every day I say 'maybe tomorrow?'

More than likely the AP doc has been invalidated by USCIS due to approved AOS, the POE officer MAY prevent you from re-entering the USA without GREEN-CARD or I-551 stamp.

Without green-card in hand you WILL need a visitors visa to enter Canada.

Canada:

Countries and territories whose citizens require visas in order to enter Canada as visitors:

S

Sao Tomé e Principe

Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of

Senegal

Serbia

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Africa

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Surinam

Syria

Visitor Visa Exemptions

Many people do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include:

persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other evidence of permanent residence;

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

If you were approved, but do not have the I-551 stamp and do not have the card by the time you plan on visiting Canada, you may want to schedule an info pass appointment and see if you can get your passport stamped.

I'm not sure that your AP is cancelled when your GC is ordered. There is a poster on the Canada forum who said they used their AP to reenter the US after the AOS approval, when they did not know they had the approval.

This is the situation that ShadowYU is in. They have had the interview, and were told approved, but Seattle appears to be reviewing each case. The online status has not been updated with GC ordered, but likely will any day now.

I was told I was approved at the interview, but pending review (typical for recent Seattle interviewees). I asked about using AP to reenter (in case I took a trip back to Canada) while waiting for the GC. I was told that my AP would still be valid, but it was up to the border IOs to allow me back in, as it always is when using AP.

Okay, Seattle...it's been two weeks today since the interview, I'd like my approval update please!

Yeah. C'mon Seattle.

To be fair to them, they ordered my card 2 weeks from my interview, but the online update was not posted until the Monday following. And the letters? They were dated the 29th I think, 2 days before the card ordered date.

If it doesn't update today, I'd think Monday will be your day!

Hello,

I know that we are here discussing mostly immigration issues to USA, but I have a quick question about traveling to Canada.

I am a citizen of Serbia, former Yugoslavia and have filed in USA (Seattle office) for Green Card. My wife (US citizen) and I had an interview on 10/17/2008 and were told that we were approved. The lady IO did not put a stamp in my passport. I don't have green card in hand yet, and USCIS website has no updates since my biometrics appointment.

Now, I want to go to Canada tomorrow and come back on Sunday to participate in a Team Handball tournament. Because I don't have my green card yet, I need visa to enter Canada. I went to Canadian consulate this morning and was told that it would take 2 weeks for me to get the visa (because I am from former Yugoslavia, majority of others get it the same day). So, here is my question:

To the best of your knowledge, how are things at ground border towards Canada?

I have an I-131 approved (Advance Parole) so I would not have a problem coming back to USA. But, I don't know if they will let me into Canada. Do you know if they sometimes won't even check passports? If they do, can I explain my situation and hope that the Canadian IO at the border could approve my entry? Also, if they don't approve my entry, am I going to be in trouble?

Of course, I am not going to hold you accountable for any suggestions you may make, but please let me know what you think... Thanks a lot!

I'm a Canadian, so I can't guess what your chances of getting in the country are - they have to let me in.

I do think they check passports for non-Canadians, though. So, I would think you could have trouble getting into Canada, but you might be okay.

Anyway, if they do refuse you entry, they just turn you around and you go back through the US border entry point. With your AP, the US should let you back in - it just takes a bit of time entering your information and asking you questions about your intentions.

Good luck!

What's the hurry? They will get to your case in due time. You already have the EAD and AP, so relax and wait your turn.

Glad to know that I'm not the only one waiting this long! No hurry, I just started wondering if the wait was kinda unusual compare to others'. It looks like I will have the interview in Seattle for I live in WA.

Thx anyone for you information

Thx anyone for your information

You may have your interview in Portland. Like I said, the poster could not understand why they had to go to Seattle, but rather than miss the interview and suffer possible negative consequences, they opted to attend in Seattle.

Just keep in mind that some offices are slower than others. If you post on or read the threads related to your month of filing, you will see some people getting approved months before others. This is usually because of differing district office workloads.

Also, you may not have to be interviewed at all, some K filers get approved without interview, some don't.

When I had given up all hope of getting an interview in time to have a GC by the end of the year, and had filed for EAD, suddenly I had my interview letter in hand!

Try not to think about this process too much - it happens when it happens.

6 mos is not that unusual for a GC

And the Portland office is one that is taking longer than some.

There was a VJ poster from Portland, who filed AOS in March, and ended up interviewing in Seattle (they had no clue why they were not scheduled for Portland) about 2 weeks ago.

Just be patient. It's a long process. If you haven't heard anything in 2-3 months from now, then it's time to look into your status.

For me it was 7 months after biometrics were taken until I got the interview LETTER, and another month to the interview.

Congrats Lili on receiving the card.

Cdn congrats, and sorry about your brother.

Congrats Ali!

Witty lots of luck - your interview is on my daughter's 11th birthday!

Welcome letter arrived today!

Congrats JessiPooh! And Thanks!

It feels good to get that letter, doesn't it?

Good luck at your interview Witty Marmalade!

Funny, I was looking all over this forum for this Feb thread - was reading it earlier and was interrupted - couldn't find it all the way back to page 4 and now here it is!

Oh, just as an FYI: I did not have to take a written OR a practical test in Colorado to get my DL, just a straight swap (but they punched my Canadian license). Now I am in CA, I will just have to do a short written test to change my CO license into a CA one, rather than the whole thing that they make Canadians do in this state. Yay!

Yeah, I was totally choked that they punched my BCDL.

Here in WA, they made me take a written and practical test, so I might as well have had no DL at all. #######? If I didn't tell them I had the BCDL, it would still be intact. I have wondered whether they actually contact Canada about the DL or just punch it?

Hi all,

I'm a bit worried... My husband just received his AP and we're very happy that he can finally go see his family.

Just to give you a quick background, we're both from Iran and he lived in Germany for 9 years... It took us 3 and half years to get his K1 visa because of multiple background checks. He has an Iranian passport with the K1 visa in it.

I've read that people who traveled with advance parole didn't have any problem getting back in the US. I am worried since he has an Iranian passport he might have a problem getting back to US. They might give him hard time to re-enter even with the AP.

The AP states that it has been approved and it's good 'till 10/09. It states he can use it multiple times. What concerns me the most, at the bottom of the letter it states "Parole is not admission into the United States....Parole is not an "admission, so even after your parole you will remain an "applicant for admission." & “Parole into the United States is not guaranteed.”

It even states if you have concerns about admissibility you should contact an immigration attorney...

What do you think? Am I being worried for nothing?

Help please... I haven't said anything to my husband yet... and I hate to tell him he can't go...

I understand your concern. The first time I used my AP, the IOs gave me a particularly difficult time - and I'm from Canada.

Some people come and go with AP, no problem.

After my last entry with AP (after numerous in between) - with interview on the horizon - I decided not to risk it anymore. The first entry was the hardest for me, it was difficult - many questions - I was not even sure I would be allowed back in.

You'll have to make your own decisions about whether it is worth the risk or not.

We had our interview today at Seattle. The interview was 10-15 min. The officer just verified some of the info we sent them, how we met and looked at our wedding pictures. She said we'll just get a mail from them.

Congrats on your interview! Looks like it takes approx 2 to 2 1/2 weeks to get any updates online or by mail if the interview was in Seattle. I'm hoping for an update this week. I had to create a new password again for the USCIS website...that's when you know you've been at this too long. I've lost track of how many passwords I've created!

*sigh*

I had to create 2 new passwords for USCIS since I signed up. But then I didn't sign up right away because my I-485 was not viewable online until August, so until then it didn't seem worthwhile.

It's coming u2rsobad!