falafel

Do you think they'll still send you a EAD card if your interview comes first?

And how does it work again? EAD is good for a year. And would they send you a renewal card before the one year expires?

Looks like my IO was right on the money - they ordered my EAD yesterday even though my GC was approved Monday. Oh, USCIS...

Do you think they'll still send you a EAD card if your interview comes first?

And how does it work again? EAD is good for a year. And would they send you a renewal card before the one year expires?

My IO said that even though my EAD wasn't in production at approval, they are different offices. So if it happens that they proceed to approve/produce the EAD without checking to see if they i-485 was approved they might end up mailing it anyway. (You're instructed to "destroy" it at that point...)

Awesome!!! I will go to Mt Laurel in three weeks. I have been in the building before for an infopass. I guess you proceed to right side of the building after you past the security and give your interview letter to one of the windows also on the right. How long did they make you wait before the actual interivew? Woooowww, I hope I too get an easy going IO. Anything you can tell me I should be aware about? Anything to watch? Thanks

Yup, I had never been to the office before and even my IO was confused as to why I wasn't sent to Newark. My appointment was at 1:15, we got there at 12:40-ish, went through security, handed in the letter and sat down. Don't know how long we waited (I was amused by the flat screen watching CNN) but we were out by 2PM.

There was one IO that came out to called a couple, who had their own translator with them, and she hastily told them to sit back down and that she would get her own translator. My IO wasn't particulary "nice", per se, but really straightforward, no-nonsense kind of a guy. Laughed at me for bringing my chest xray, but what can I say, I wanted to be prepared.

Interview was way shorter than we could have expected. He asked almost no questions, didn't ask for anything other than obvious (passports, I-94, etc.) and just like that we were approved. *whew* He even stamped my passport because he said there was currently somewhat of a backlog in the system because of the new cards.

Good luck to everyone waiting

I HATED Chase, too many fees and ways to get you to fork up some money every month

Mine's entirely free because that's what I had with WaMu! I can't wait to open our joint account with Schwab. They pretty much treat their customers like rock stars.

Monday can't come soon enough.

We have a joint checking account and savings account. With Key Bank. I don't have any SSN either. I am also a secondary card holder on his two credit card accounts. We have bills in both our names, Gas, Electric, Direct TV, Time Warner. I am the beneficiary on his Life Insurance. We don't have health insurance because we can't afford it until I get a job. Is this gonna be enough stuff?

Oh, and we have a joint lease on our apartment.

holy moly. I guess I should mention we're both college age (both recently graduated) and we still live in his parents' house.

Even his health insurance just lapsed late last year. Ugh, I can't wait for all of this to be sorted out! I think I am an authorized used on his CC! Maybe he can print something out that says that... We do have about 7 years worth of pictures

Loving the exchange of advice and tips... Try BOA and/or chase (as mentioned)... BOA is nicer and even let me get a credit card without SSN

I used to have BOA way back when - hated them. Want to know why? Because someone was able to open up a credit card in my name! With no SSN! :bonk:

No joke. I was with Washington Mutual when they went down, and am Chase now. I added my husband as an authorized user on my account, but my local branch wouldn't let me open up a new joint account. At this point...I've done as much as I can! I will have so much more for removal of conditions

to all the other April Filers, PLEASE do not be nervous for the interview, there is absolutely nothing to be worried about, I would say make sure you have your documents together, the most important thing seemed to be co-mingling of financial assets so MAKE SURe you have a joint bank account. Good luck to everybody else, I hope all the rest interviews go smoothly and everyone who doesn't have the interview letter yet I hope you get it soon!!!

My husband's bank wouldn't let him add me to his account let alone open a joint account with him. I've never had a SSN and was desperately waiting for the EAD to finally get one! Well, my interview is Monday, still no EAD, no SSN, no real financial co-mingling to speak of other than paying for cable. *sigh* I am a nervous wreck about the interview!

He isn't actually "this group". He's an I-130 filer not a "family based" filer so nope. The award for "first" is still up for grabs

Falafel you're welcome to continue reading and posting of course but this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/249837-april-2010-filers/ is the thread for non-family based AOS'ing. Not because I don't want you here, but you'll find people in the AOS from Student etc forum will have people going through the same things as you and it'll offer more reliable time and statistics for your particular "journey".

Congrats on the interview though!

Did not realize I didn't count as family based as this was through marriage to my USC husband.

Sorry all.

Did you received any email or they just sent your appointment by the mail?

Absolutely NO email! Or text! I'd been checking my status like an idiot since 4/28 and there has been *no* change.

OMG!!!

Just got my appointment notice!!!!!!! :dance:

June 21st in Mt. Laurel for me, I totally thought it'd be in Newark seeing as they sent me to Elizabeth for bm.

I haven't even gotten my EAD yet! This came as a total surprise!

I'll be in the corner dancing

I cannot submit an info pass request until 30 days AFTER the receipt of the NOAs.

Oh no, I would definitely be losing my mind in your shoes!

My ASC didn't want to let me do early biometrics, I nearly started crying right then and there!

It'll be ok... I havent had my I-485 touched since the 29th and still no biometrics letter.

At which point do you plan to do an infopass? It really seems like you should have gotten the ASC notice by now...

I haven't had any touches since the 28th! I feel like I'm losing my mind waiting

Hi everyone... little late to the party but I'm an April filer too

I did early biometrics (walk-in) hoping it would speed things along, but my case hasn't been touched since!

I'm glad I have somewhere to compare my progress now... I'm incredibly anxious and nervous about *everything*, so this may calm me down a bit

My fiancee's birth certificate and police background check is in spanish. Does she need to have them translated into english so the folks at USCIS can read them? Or can they read spanish?

I needed to have everything translated and notarized, and would suggest the same lest it be requested later on.