kiwibecka

Well I guess you have done all you can do, maybe you'll get an update today, NOA got one after a few hours. I hope you get one too.

I haven't heard anything either..............I will make an infopass as well for next week...that is all we can do.

yeah... i know... thanks, Time.

it's just really disheartening b/c like so many others, we've done everything we're supposed to do!

yes, make an appointment. i don't know where you live, but it took us about a week to get an appointment... you can always cancel if you get an EAD notice before then!

good luck, hope we have some good news soon...

hz

When I called them for Interim EAD, I was told I will get response from them within 5 days. I got an email today stating that they are still working on it and I will get the response within 60 days from today. I am like #######. It has already been 90 days and they want 60 more days. I have never seen such a incompetent agency. It is an immigration office of USA and everybody would imagine that they should be advanced but they are slower than snail.

It sucks

Hi Trawal,

Don't give up just yet, it looks like you're starting on the same process I went through. I got that email too, then 4 days later I got another one saying my AOS had been moved to California and then another week later I got an email saying EAD card production ordered and at that time my AP came through on the website. So hopefully this is the start of some good news for you.

Hi everyone,

A quick update on our case. My wife opened the envelope with an EAD card in it and another with an interview for the I-485 on 02/09/09.

That's great news Dr_Evo, you must be so pleased!

Hi Envy,

My EAD card was in the mail when we got back home last night, the date on the card is the 18th Dec I think. I'm gonna go get me my drivers license back today.

Congratulations to all the approvals etc and good luck to those still waiting.

Hi Envy,

Could you update me for my AP? I got my precious in the mail yesterday. Thanks so much for your great chart and beautiful cheerleaders!

Congratulations Nao, I'm sure it was your appointment that did it too. I'm so happy for you.

Happy holidays everyone.

Kiwibecka

Good luck Nao and everyone else still waiting. I'm sure they will get moving now.

I received the letter the other day about my EAD being transferred to California. It said it was moved so that it could be processed faster and that I would receive either confirmation or other details from them.

And my hubby brought me in my AP from the post today! and now I'm going to be my friend's bridesmaid at her wedding when we go home

I only waited 3 days from the time I got the approval online. So I have to say again, don't give up! Since I filed on Sep 2 I couldn't even access my AP online, emails or anything, right up until late last week. It was either the service request or the email to the ombudsman that did it I'm sure. So hang in there and make sure you get them to do what they should be doing for you!

To you other luck people getting things, well done and don't forget to send those positive vibes VJ way!

Envy is right Rhesa, the only thing you can do is send the application again, and do it as fast as you can. Perhaps you should also put a cover note on the application explaining what happened and include any names, dates, receipt etc in the hope that they might work on it faster.

I'm so sorry for you, I've never heard such a bad story. I really hope you can get it sorted soon.

hello all,

I was wondering, do you guys think USCIS updates the system at or after a certain time, or do you guys think it is random. Have the people that have gotten emails from them, receive them at pretty much the same time or does it vary? just had that thought since this waiting thing is just driving me nuts. 2 service requests and no emails so far........

the wait over the weekend is the worst, cause we know there will not be any emails on the weekend.

my EAD notification came at 8:15pm, yes, it's after 5pm... and I have no idea why...

Hey same with me, 8.15pm! I still have not had an email from them about my AP, I just noticed online when I went to look at my EAD, so don't forget to check there too.

Good luck, I really hope you can still get a Christmas email.

ok, this is sooo weird, after our first call to USCIS, our AP gets approved (along with an update on their website and an e-mail alert), then today after a very frustrating call to USCIS to request for an interim EAD, at 8:15pm I got this e-mail:

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: MSC08352xxxx

Application Type: I765 , APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On December 18, 2008, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under Case Status and Processing Dates.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

seriously, do they react when we call??

but regardless, it will be a perfect xmas gift if it's in the mail next week!

I don't know cutie_fishball, I tried to not think about it today and look what email I got tonight:

Application Type: I765 , APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

Current Status: Card production ordered.

On December 18, 2008, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

So I looked online at my AP, thinking what's the point cos it's not even in the system, and there it was:

Application Type: I131, APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On December 18, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

Yesterday they told me wait wait wait 180 days bla bla bla, and now today here it is, I honestly don't know what did it, the service request, the phone calls, the email to the ombudsman (which I haven't heard from), all I know is one day there was nothing and the next this.

So, at day 101 I made it. Now I want to see the rest of you get yours. I got to tell my family I'm coming home and it was great, but I want the rest of you to get that happy email too so we can all move forward. Thanks to all of you for your support, you've been so great and I hope I can continue to add comments and congratulations in the coming days. I don't want to get mushy on ya but YOU GUYS ROCK

ok today marks the 90th day from my NOA for my EAD. My husband has to "BEG" to conference me into the call so they can put on a request. They gave me a reference number for the request and the interim EAD is part of that request. The rep also said I am approaching to 90 days (emmm, he doesn't know how to count 90 calendar days maybe?) and nothing can be done.... then i speak up and said it's dec 18th, 90 days since the NOA was issued.... and then he gave me a service request and saying that it will take up to 45 days for a response....

i hope it wont take a full 45 days for that....

and i also read from you girls/guys that the interim EAD will be issued within a week from the day u file for service request, where did u get the info...

Hi cutie_fishball,

It says on the ombudsman website "Ask the customer service representative to request an interim card for you. You should receive an EAD or response within a week." but when I pointed this out to the woman yesterday, she told me that I got a response and that response said "You should receive a decision or notice of other action within 60 days of the date of this letter." and it hasn't been 60 days yet. She also said what you were told, that the service request and interim EAD were tied to each other, so either way the waiting time for the interim and for the actual EAD is about the same (why do they have an interim then???). So for me at least, having gotten a response to my service request has only resulted in me having to continue to wait. At this point there is nothing more I can do, I can only hope that something is being done about it now. I hope you have better luck.

AlHayatZween:

I was told first that all my papers had gone to CSC, but the person was so rude and when I called back I was told only my AOS had been transferred, the others were still at MSC. I'm guessing the second more helpful person was right!

Hi everyone,

I just called USCIS because my husband's EAD and AP are past 90 days now. I got a really nice service rep on the phone who told me that they cannot put in a service request for the EAD because my husband was not here with me, and apparently they need his approval to do so. I just want to make sure that this is true, and if I call back in 10 minutes and speak with someone else will they tell me something different?

Also, he told me that they cannot put in a service request for the AP yet because the "normal" processing time for that is 180 days now, not 60-90 days as it said on the receipt notice that we received 3 months ago.

Has anyone had these experiences? Should I wait to call back with my husband, who I might have to translate for anyway...?

Thanks

Tori

Hi, Tori... yes, they wouldn't let me do a service request without my husband either. They just asked him basic information (name, etc...). It is a pain in the butt to have to call together, but i guess it is an issue of privacy.

As for the AP, i don't know if that is true! Had no idea it changed... last time i checked USCIS website, it was still 90 days...

Hi AlHayatZween,

Thank you so much for that answer. That is a pain! I understand why they do it, but to me it doesn't really make much sense, since we have to file initially on their behalf anyway. Oh, well. I'll just call back later today.

I was really bummed about the AP news. 180 days is a long time to wait just to travel outside the US!

Oh, well... Thanks again!

Hi Tori,

They told me the same thing about it taking 6 months now too when I called yesterday. I was bummed (to put it nicely) too. They should be updating their website very soon as it's around the 18th of the month when they change it. It will be interesting to see what that says.

Good luck to you.

Perhaps we will all end up like cutie_fishball and get surprise emails one day!

Well, my husband still believes that it's no coincidence.... his phone call triggered that sudden surprise e-mail. Tomorrow is my 90 day mark on my EAD and I hope they will issue me an interim EAD.... (for some strange reasons, my husband kept saying it's an EMERGENCY EAD) well, I hope I can get it... and get any job to sustain for the time being (after getting laid off for a week)

Hmm, perhaps I should get my husband on to their case too then

I hope you get it too, what a terrible time to get laid off. Will you ask them for the interim? I'm at 100 days today and nobody at USCIS has ever mentioned the interim to me, or that I might be entitled to it (I admit I should have already asked but I really want that AP).

Also here's the email I got in response to the service request in case anyone's interested:

Dear :

On 12/08/2008 you, or the designated representative shown below, contacted us about your case. Some of the key information given to us at that time was the following:

Caller indicated they are:

-- Applicant or Petitioner

Attorney Name:

-- Information not available

Case type:

-- I765

Filing date:

-- 09/02/2008

Receipt #:

-- MSCXXXXX

Beneficiary (if you filed for someone else):

-- Information not available

Your USCIS Account Number (A-number):

-- XXXXXXXXX

Type of service requested:

-- Beyond Regulatory Time Frame

The status of this service request is:

Your case is currently under review. You should receive a decision or notice of other action within 60 days of the date of this letter.

If you have any further questions, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Hello all,

still no touches or updates on my EAD or AP. Today is exactly 90 days for me, also no updates since last Monday service request. Again they should give you an interim EAD the same day if 90 day time frame has passed and not to look into it for another 45 days as they state.

That sucks, am I the only one who's had a response about the service request so far? I forgot to ask about the interim EAD when I phoned yesterday.

You could try quoting from the website http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1221837986181.shtm, that "You should receive a response to your service request within a week." and that "Pursuant to 8 CFR § 274a.13, USCIS must adjudicate EAD applications within 90 days from the date of USCIS receipt of the application." but I guess you'll just get the same lame replies as always.

Perhaps we will all end up like cutie_fishball and get surprise emails one day!

Charramal:

I got that same email on Monday, I didn't know what it meant though and got 2 different responses:

1.) Something about FBI check.

2.) "It's between the two centers" (for me MSC & CSC) and that CSC will check something out and then send it back to MSC.

I also asked if all my cases had been sent there and got

1.) Yes

2.) No

I hope that was as confusing for you as it was for me!

They also told me I should get my AP within 2 weeks but when I asked if had been approved then, they said no. Huh???

Hi guys,

I wrote a letter to ombudsman yesterday, wasn't really sure what to say without writing a book but I gave them my phone number, MSC numbers, date I submitted forms, dates and names of people and a little of what they said, and that I've been waiting so long and keep getting different stories every time I call up. I also asked about interim card and said I wanted to travel soon. I still can't make an infopass appointment so I hope this helps instead.

Thanks Nao for that extra bit of info about their response time, I'll let you know if I hear anything more.

Good luck guys!

Good for you, I hope he'll do sth asap!!!!let us know every update on that!!

How do you do to contact an ombudsman? where did you find his email adress?

I feel like I will need it soon

This is the site Nao posted yesterday, it's has steps you can follow if your case is overdue, and it has the email address:

http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1221837986181.shtm

Hello.

As far as I know, they used to issue an interim EAD at the local office. So, basically, we used to be able to get an interim EAD on the same day. But, they no longer issue it at the local office.

What they do now is that officers at the local office determine our eligibility and order it to USCIS for us.

So, I think they still issue an interim EAD.

I will ask them when I go to an infopass appointment next Monday and let you know what they say.

Nao

Hi Nao, my friend-in-waiting,

Yes, i think that is true. They can no longer issue you the EAD on the same day... but hopefully they can help get it moving. Isn't that a bummer, they can't issue you an interim right on the spot?

Interestingly enough, i was looking at the infopass appointment receipt (the one with the bar code)... It actually reads, Appointment Type: Interim EAD. Does yours say that?

Good luck! :star:

hz

Hi AlHayatZween.

Yep. It is a bummer that they do not issue an interim EAD right on the spot.

Mine also says Appointment Type: Interim EAD.

It is so lame that the appointment type is Interim EAD and they cannot issue it on the spot....

I will ask them to expedite my case and also ask to order an interim EAD on my appointment.

I will see what they say....I hope it works.

But, if it doesn't work, I will send an ombudsman an e-mail with all the details.

Then, if it still does not work, I am ready to go to an infopass appointment every single day. hehehe

Nao

Hi guys,

I wrote a letter to ombudsman yesterday, wasn't really sure what to say without writing a book but I gave them my phone number, MSC numbers, date I submitted forms, dates and names of people and a little of what they said, and that I've been waiting so long and keep getting different stories every time I call up. I also asked about interim card and said I wanted to travel soon. I still can't make an infopass appointment so I hope this helps instead.

Thanks Nao for that extra bit of info about their response time, I'll let you know if I hear anything more.

Good luck guys!

Envy:

I was wondering if maybe it's because you didn't have a reference for anyone in the States? I started to think about this for myself too and thought maybe if it's too hard for them to contact former employers to check you out, that they just don't want to do it. Is there anyway for you to get a reference from somebody here? (volunteer work etc. Maybe you already included it?). Anyway, just a suggestion, but don't let one 'no' put you off ~you can do it!

Just when I am getting annoyed that no actions has been done with my AOS, and after harassing our mail box (and I go a couple of my VS mail orders and Origins order), I got this in my e-mail at the end of the business day!!!! (well even i wanted the EAD badly..... but it's good that they are working on my case!)

Application Type: I131, APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On December 13, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

hippeeee!!!! now get my EAD working!

Yay cutie_fishball, that's great news! I'm sure that EAD won't be far off now.

I'm going a little nuts sitting around too (can you tell??!!!), I hope they keep those approvals and appointments coming.

No luck. He didn't tell me anything special. Just to definatly call them after day 90 if I don't hear anything from them at that time.

It's weird he told me that my day 90 will be Jan 3rd, but when I count my day 90 is Dec. 31st...My received NOA date is Oct. 3rd...

maybe he excluded holidays??

Or maybe is not good in math and forgot there are months with 30 days some other with 31...So Oct.3 plus 3 months don't necessarily equal Jan. 3rd!

Hey but Jan 3 is my b.day, so I hope it's a good day for both of us!

So still no news here... i think we are on Day 85.

we made an infopass, but unfortunately the first date we could get is 29 December... i hope to keep checking b/f then to maybe squeeze in an appointment b/f the holidays. it is a bummer. i hate this process, there is really no rhyme or reason to it.

anyway, congrats to everyone's successes so far...

please say a little prayer for us, would be great to get the EAD b/f Christmas... that would be the best Christmas present ever!

I'm so sorry! I know it's so frustrating to wait and to see everybody approved and not you

We are kind of the last now! very late!!

Me it's my 75day today! I'm going to call this afternoon I think, hoping I'll have someone nice on the phone.

I have a question: in the past, I never succeed to get someone on the phone at USCIS, always automated voicemail...Does someone know what to do to get someone, a code or sth...??

Call the number once you head a voice press 123 right away

Thank you! I will try that then!

Let us know how you get on. Good luck!

Hi friends.

No great news on my AP or EAD so far....

I was surfing the CIS ombudsman's website yesterday.

I asked ombudsman for his/her help when my K1 petition was pending forever.

Since I found bunch of similar cases on VJ and elsewhere, I thought there may be something related to EAD pending over 90 days on their website.

Then, I actually found an article about EAD pending more than 90 days.

If your EAD is pending more than 90 days, please read this.

http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1221837986181.shtm

The post is from Sept. 2008, so it is fairly new.

When I asked for their help for my K1, they could not get back to me fast enough (my petition was already approved when they got back to me.).

But, regarding this matter, they have an e-mail address specifically for EAD pending over 90 days. (For K1, we had to fill our forms which are used for all the other type of Visas.) (Other articles show that they have been warning USCIS regarding their inconsistency on EAD processing.)

So, you may want to follow the direction and try it.

They want the name and number of the operators who are telling you bullshit. They also want the time and date you called and talked to her/him. "The law" requires USCIS to process EAD within 90 days. On the article, it says you are supposed to hear something regarding the service request within a week.

Anyway, I am not sure whether this helps us or not.

But, let's hope it works and give a try. Let's tell them how USCIS has been treating us.

The only way to change this for us and for the others on the way is to tell them what is going on.

Nao

Wow, Nao that's great stuff there, thanks!

And sorry Enhjørningen and anyone else I missed...I feel your pain too!

EAD and AP card came in the mail last night: 12/15/08- Yippee

Congratulations Awakening_1, you must be so happy!!!

If my calculations are correct, there's only about 14 of us left who have nothing next to our names now. I hope we're not the forgotten ones who get pushed aside to keep everyone else on track

To:

AnneLise+Mark

Kiwibecka

Dr_Evo

B_weeks

Beazalbob69

Charramal

Cutie_fishball

Enno4eva

Mark&Jo

Madhuandnatalia

Nao

Trawal

AlHayatzween

Adriana Watson

Just so you know....I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!

But just think how happy we'll be when our day comes. Hang in their guys

And to all of you getting approvals, appointments, cards etc...CONGRATULATIONS, we hope to join you soon!

I got an email today saying mines been transferred to the CSC now (I put in a service request this time last week). Called those up again but just got the same bad attitude with no answers to my questions. I wanted to know why it had been transferred there, can of you lovely people tell me?

I have no idea why they transfer cases to CSC. But I hope that now your file is there things are going to go faster for you and get approvals soon!!

Thanks lucie&damon. I hope they can get us all sorted out soon, I think we all deserve a break from the computer/phone/mail box!

Ooooh envy, I've gone green!!!

Me 2 guys, no touches since biometrics and no updates since service request last monday. It seems few of us that are around the 17 to 23rd of september, no touches. People that sent in their apps end of september and beginning of october have their EAD.

Please APPROVE all of us. pleassssssssssseeeeeeeeeee

I agree on this. I am from 19th.

Here here! This is getting ridiculous. And not to be picky or anything but here's what it says on their website: "To be fair to all our customers, we process cases that are the same type based on the order of when they were filed." ....guess they didn't share that one with all of their staff...

I got an email today saying mines been transferred to the CSC now (I put in a service request this time last week). Called those up again but just got the same bad attitude with no answers to my questions. I wanted to know why it had been transferred there, can of you lovely people tell me?

are you waiting that the letter will arrive by magic during the party?!

Let us know if you got it!

we dint stay long at the party..

cos there are lotsaaaaaaaaaaaaa people there..

and cos NO EAD in the mail!

I'm sorry for you envy...maybe it will be there on Monday

Hey you guys,

I also got this silly long number as reference for my service request, so today I asked if they needed it to check up and they said no. Seems a bit silly to be given it then, but maybe it's in case they say 'we never got that request' or something (I could totally see that happening). Totally pathetic all round really. But let me also say that this time last week I had been told that I was going to have to wait another 2-3months to get anything, now a week later they tell me I should have everything by the end of this month...it makes no sense, so I say keep calling and try to find that one person who will give you something specific, something positive.

Sorry to hear about your mum Maeve (oops, should be mom here!), I know it's so hard worrying about family on top of everything else =(

I hope USCIS gets the Christmas spirit in them next week and are kind to us all!

It is their own fault for being so disorganized and inconsistent. If they were organized and consistent, they would have less calls to answer and less workload. They are the one who makes themselves busy. It is sooo unproductive and Stupid!!!

Yea! They better work extra hard and get all Sept. filers applications approved by 2009.

Nao

It's so true, I think this every time I call! I was so surprised she gave me some hope...maybe that's their new strategy, tell the people what they want to hear to stop them calling!!

Have you tried calling? Any more news? I really hope we can all be done with this soon, then we can join that elusive 'interviews' club...

Ok, looks like I have to eat my piece of humble pie now....

After my little outburst I decided to call again and ask for an update just for the heck of it, and the woman said I should get both EAD and AP in the post, by the end of the month. I'll believe it when I see it but that's most definitely sounding good to me. I'm sure it's because of the service request (and maybe being over 90 days), so for everyone still waiting ~get those requests in. And for those that have them in, KEEP CALLING! I really believe it depends on who answers the phone as to the kind of help you get, so just keep trying! I still have nothing to show for it on the USCIS website, and even though I don't have an email from them for the AP, like I do for the EAD, it seems that they are working on it. So keep calling, keep calling, keep calling!!!

And I also asked when they take holidays and it's only Christmas Day and New Years Day, so that's good for us.