Canada2US

Ugh, still not Vermont approvals for us September filers. Man, this office is so slow. Does anyone know if the August filers are getting approvals from the Vermont service center yet?

Please update the chart. I received my Biometrics notice on 9/19/11 and I have my Biometrics appoitnment for this upcoming Friday (09/30/11).

I received my NOA1 in the mail last night (9/14/11). The notice is dated 9/9/11. Please add my NOA1 date of 9/14/11 to the chart for the September filers. Thanks so much!!!!

Please add me to the tracking list:

Removal Of Conditions sent to VT on Sept. 6

Good luck everyone!

I sent my package out today! Will keep everyone posted with the progress.

hi all! Our AOS process is over for at least two years - 66 days in total! We had our interview this morning and I just thought I'd share our experience as it was quite strange! Here is a review of our interview this morning at 10:30am.......

We arrived with our big binder and photo album in hand half an hour early and were suprised by how nervous everybody looked! Every single couple except one other had an attorney as well which added to our nerves since we did it all ourselves using this site (no RFE's though so we did something right!)

An older male IO called us in and we took an oath in the room before taking our seats. He asked how we met but didn't really appear to be listening to the answer as he was shuffling paperwork and looking under his desk. At one stage he rolled his chair right around and peered out the window! We thought this was a little funny....that is until his mobile phone rang and he put up his hand to stop us talking and answered it. After he got off he explained to us that it was his daughter calling and she wanted to know if he'd managed to get them tickets to Disney on Ice??? We both had no idea what to make of that - I kept thinking that he was going to get serious and ask the proper questions any minute.

He then proceeded to tell ben that he knew someone with the same last name as us and checked his phone to see if the names were spelt the same!

After that said that we would be back here in two years to get the conditional greencard conditions removed and handed me a piece of paper to sign that said Congratulations. I was so confused by this - I kept looking at ben with eyebrows raised.

After that he asked us to help him look around his office for his scissors so that he could give us our half of the document and when we couldn't find them, he ripped it himself doing a pretty bad job and then shook both our hands and let us out.

I couldn't believe it! He didn't even seem to know what day it was - he was absolutely lovely but definitely not what I expected. No questions really other that how we met and the oath. We got so many documents and photos ready and I'm still glad we did but we definitely didn't need to in the end!

Overall a great experience with a lovely man, just not what I expected. Maybe that's what you get for living in Las Vegas? I'm not really sure but I still can't wait to get out of here!

Good luck to you all,

Caity

Like I said, these interviews are pretty easy. My experience was similar. Don't stress it guys and you definitely don't need a lawyer! It is a huge waste of money. Good luck to all!!!!

I posted this in another thread but I thought it would be helpful to all the September filers out there preparing for the interview. Hope it helps. Good luck...

So my Greencard application was approved on Thursday during our interview!!! We had a great interview. The officer was super friendly and didn't try to trick us with any of her questions. She seemed generally curious about our wedding, travels, etc. BUT, while we were waiting for our names to be called for the interview we were talking to other couples as they were coming out of the interview rooms and learned some interesting stuff. One lovely couple was asked a ton of questions in an attempt to catch them with different answers. They asked the husband (the American) to fill out a questionnaire with the following questions:

1. What kind of toothbrush does she use (electronic or regular/manual)?

2. What kind of flooring to do you have in the house (carpet, hardwood, tile, etc.)?

3. What did you eat for dinner last night?

4. What did you do last night? This couple answered that they watched the basketball game. The officer's follow-up question was, "Who won the basketball game?"

The officer then verbally asks the same questions to the wife (non-American) to see if they match up. Both the husband and the wife stays in the room the whole time. They also have a video camera in the room but the officer only uses it if they strongly suspect it is not a bonafide union.

I thought this was all very interesting. By the time we got into the room I was nervous after hearing these stories but was pleasantly surprised with the nice officer and was in and out of the interview in 20 minutes (you do have to wait another hour or so for the letter to be printed after being approved). Overall, It took us less than 60 days from start to finish so I have nothing but positive things to say about the whole process. I guess it all depends if you raise a red flag or not. I just wanted to share my experience and give everyone a heads up if they are preparing for their big interview! Good luck to all!!

Hey guys another update!

i just received my interview letter for December 10th... im so nervous about it >_<

Dont be nervous at all. It will go smoothly. We went overprepared and they ended up only asking for our passports. You will be fine!

So my Greencard application was approved on Thursday during our interview!!! We had a great interview. The officer was super friendly and didn't try to trick us with any of her questions. She seemed generally curious about our wedding, travels, etc. BUT, while we were waiting for our names to be called for the interview we were talking to other couples as they were coming out of the interview rooms and learned some interesting stuff. One lovely couple was asked a ton of questions in an attempt to catch them with different answers. They asked the husband (the American) to fill out a questionnaire with the following questions:

1. What kind of toothbrush does she use (electronic or regular/manual)?

2. What kind of flooring to do you have in the house (carpet, hardwood, tile, etc.)?

3. What did you eat for dinner last night?

4. What did you do last night? This couple answered that they watched the basketball game. The officer's follow-up question was, "Who won the basketball game?"

The officer then verbally asks the same questions to the wife (non-American) to see if they match up. Both the husband and the wife stays in the room the whole time. They also have a video camera in the room but the officer only uses it if they strongly suspect it is not a bonafide union.

I thought this was all very interesting. By the time we got into the room I was nervous after hearing these stories but was pleasantly surprised with the nice officer and was in and out of the interview in 20 minutes (you do have to wait another hour or so for the letter to be printed after being approved). Overall, It took us less than 60 days from start to finish so I have nothing but positive things to say about the whole process. I guess it all depends if you raise a red flag or not. I just wanted to share my experience and give everyone a heads up if they are preparing for their big interview! Good luck to all!!

SENDING OUT MAD LOVE AND BLESSINGS to Canada2US for the interview tomorrow!!!!.. i know everything will be just fine, it will just be great to have it over with!!!

Thanks thisislove! You are too sweet! Your well wishes helped!!!

WOO WOO My Greencard was approved!!! The interview was so easy! The lady was nice and friendly and seemed more curious about or wedding (asked how long it took to plan, where I bought my veil, why we chose Vermont, etc.). She was also curious about all our travels and was asking what place we liked the most! She told us about her upcoming wedding and how I was the same age as her daughter. It was such a pleasant experience!!!! She approved us on the spot and then we went out in the waiting room and waited for them to issue the letter (this took another hour or so). The card was sent out on Friday and should arrive this week! I can't believe the whole process took less than 60 days! I have nothing but positive things to say about the whole experience. Good luck to all!

Hi all!

I hope everything is coming along well with everyone. Good Luck on your upcoming interview Canada2US - let us know how it goes!!! We still haven't got everything ready for that yet but its coming up fast!

I finally recieved an email stating that our card production has been ordered so that is such a relief. Now i've got to get a social security number and a drivers license!!

Best luck to everyone,

Caity and Ben

Caity and Ben, thanks so much!! Good luck with your journey as well!! Will let everyone know how it goes! One more day till our interview!!!

Good Afternoon VJers

I just checked the mail today and found our interview letter for November 16th! It feels like its moving so quickly! I've adjusted from the VWP and now have my interview letter before my EAD - is that normal? I didn't think it would go this smoothly!

Good Luck to everyone,

Caity and Ben

Woah, Interview letter before EAD approval That really surprises me, I don't think it is "normal" but what a welcome surprise

I got my interview letter before my EAD and Advance Parole documents as well. Maybe the EAD and Travel departments are moving slower. In any event, these papers should be arriving soon. I got mine about a week or two after I got my interview letter in the mail. We have one week until the interview!!!! Getting excited!

The Walk-in Biometrics appointment is the way to go. I seriously think it helped move my case along so fast.

I received three ESd emails as well. The card should arrive any day now. Keep in mind Monday was a holiday so it might take an extra day.

I got that letter too. Nothing to worry about, unless you have been arrested in the past by a police officer.

I got the letter too. We ignored it since I dont have a criminal record. Good luck!!

Quick question:

What is secondary processing?

That's where you go through a lengthier entry process. For example, when you cross the land border or go through Customs for a flight, you have the initial processing with the first CBP Officer. They will either let you enter the US/continue on your way without further processing, or you go through secondary processing.

When I travelled back and forth to Canada with my AP, I went through a land border (by car), and all I did was show them the AP document. I did not have to go inside, except for the first time when they stamped it.

Nice! I had to go to secondary at both the land borders in NY (Lewiston and Peace Bridge) and Toronto Pearson. Each and every time. It was a pain in the behind.

Thanks fellow Canadians!

Give both AP documents to the CBP Officer when you return to the US. They will keep one and return the other one to you with the entry stamp. You will just continue to show the same document each time you re-enter the country. You will go to secondary processing each time. Once you receive your greencard you won't have to go through secondary.

Thanks for the reply!! Very helpful!

Give both AP documents to the CBP Officer when you return to the US. They will keep one and return the other one to you with the entry stamp. You will just continue to show the same document each time you re-enter the country. You will go to secondary processing each time. Once you receive your greencard you won't have to go through secondary.

Quick question:

What is secondary processing?

I wonder.... how long will it takes for us to receive our EAD card?

Anybody started to work already since our EAD is approved?

It takes about a week. Expecting mine any day now!

We are preparing our documents to bring to the interview and are wondering...

Do we need to bring a certified copy of our marriage certificate or is the original sufficient?

Many thanks!

We are preparing our documetns to bring to the interview and are wondering...

Do we need to bring a certified copy of our marriage certificate or is the original sufficient?

Many thanks!

i GOT it i got EAD and AP approval email yayyyyyyyyy!! alhamdulillah (thank GOD)

Congrats!!!!

For all of those who have Interview dates set, has your online USCIS case been updated? I received my letter over a week ago and it still says my I-485 is under initial review and has not been updated since 9/11/09.

Hi there,

I just received my Advance Parole Approval in the mail. The thing is I received two notices that were identical in the envelope. Why would I get two? Does this mean I can only leave the country twice while my Green Card application is pending? Is the Advance Parole document act as a entry card where I give it to the Immigration officer when I re-enter the US? I thought it was to be kept in my passport and I just showed it not surrendered it. Please advise.

Thanks!

Congrats!!