March 2018 filers: let's share our experience!!

[flyforever85]

Can we all move to the virgin islands?????

[flyforever85]

Hey guys, I just want to share my timeline to everyone.,


Applied from: Oakland, California
I-130, I-485, I-765
Marriage based adjustment of status.
Been out of Status for about 7years.

March 30, 2018 - Priority Date
April 10, 2018 - USCIS cashed checks
April 17, 2018 - Received 3 plus 1 receipts
April 30, 2018 - Received a letter regarding with my I-693
May 1, 2018 - Got my Biometrics appointment for May 8.
May 4, 2018 - Did walk in for biometrics. It was very easy and only took me less than 15 minutes. Got the stamp on the letter, then guy said I?m finished.

So what?s next after this?

Thank you so much.

Congrats for completing the first steps. Now it's all about waiting. The length of waiting depends of your field office.

[legolasb]

Nice discussion about the pace of the processing times. Let me make my input about this week. Not much action around my case numbers. (And also +/- 250) I guess this wasn?t a busy week for updates. Are there anyone who had updates for their cases ? Best regards.

[legolasb]

Actually, the processing times come from these tables. I have considered staffing levels, of course. I also compared the very last update there was with the old way of reporting processing times with the new processing times - when they were first posted.
The processing times come from these tables https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/...y2018_qtr1.pdf
Otherwise, how else could they give you a median (50%) processing time and the upper end of 93%? The processing times come from raw data and that's the beauty of the new format - as opposed to just telling you "as of may 1st, we are processing cases from December 12th, 2016". Hopeanddream and I were mostly thinking out loud.

- - - Updated - - -



Here you. Straight from the horse's mouth. https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/more-info

JUST A question to make things clear in my side. EAD and AP applications are processed by MSC but the I-485 is processed by the field office wherever you live right? Additionally MSC gives you the interview date for your I-485 by looking at the availability of your field office. Is that right as well? Best regards.

[longee94]

JUST A question to make things clear in my side. EAD and AP applications are processed by MSC but the I-485 is processed by the field office wherever you live right? Additionally MSC gives you the interview date for your I-485 by looking at the availability of your field office. Is that right as well? Best regards.

From waht I gather, the EAD/AP documents are soley processed by the NBC. In terms of the I485, I believe the NBC is responsible for ensuring that you are eligible for Immigration benifits and facilitating the process in terms of interviews, background checks and biometrics. The field office meanwhile is ultimatly responsible for final adjudication.

[legolasb]

From waht I gather, the EAD/AP documents are soley processed by the NBC. In terms of the I485, I believe the NBC is responsible for ensuring that you are eligible for Immigration benifits and facilitating the process in terms of interviews, background checks and biometrics. The field office meanwhile is ultimatly responsible for final adjudication.

Thank you for the feedback. One last clarification. Do you think NBC gives the interview date for I-485 (probably by checking with the field office according to their availability) or the field office by itself?

[kd2008]

Interview notice received

Received my interview notice today in the mail. It is scheduled for June 7th.

It has a long list of things to bring to the interview. We already provided nearly all of it with the packet. It asks us to bring originals and a copy for USCIS.

The notice says "initial interview" That scares me a bit. Is this common terminology used by USCIS? Would there a another interview after it?

My updated timeline is in the signature.

Thank you forum folks who have been invaluable help so far.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Received my interview notice today in the mail. It is scheduled for June 7th.

It is has long list of things to bring to the interview. We already provided nearly all of it with the packet. It asks us to bring originals and a copy for USCIS.

The notice says "initial interview" That scares me a bit. Is this common terminology used by USCIS? Would there a another interview after it?

My updated timeline is in the signature.

Thank you forum folks who have been invaluable help so far.

kd2008,

Congrats! There's no reason to be nervous. They use templates, and they've been using the same or similar templates for a long time. I got the an interview letter with the same wording 22 years ago. I would not be worried about an ambush; especially, since it sounds like you followed the I-130 instructions to the T and front-loaded your evidence. They do want to see originals of civil documents - birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce decree, passports, I-20 (students).
They call it "initial interview" because the process does allow for follow-up interviews if necessary. However, that does not mean there will be a second or third interview.
I would recommend keeping all civil documents in a separate folder that you can access easily, and hand over to the ISO. They should be separate from evidence of bona fide marriage because you do not want to inadvertently turn in originals when you hand in any additional evidence.

I posted my table of contents here. It's important to have one in the event you are not present when your case is adjudicated. In your absence, a table of contents that includes brief explanations of what each piece of evidence is proof of, speaks for you. https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...656#post564656

This other thread also discusses what to bring to the interview. I also posted another Table of contents from a gal who basically invented the Table of contents concept. It's very thorough. https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...ocuments/page2

You have a good month to prepare. You'll do great. All the best!

*03/21/18 - 05/05/18 = 46 days
*03/21/18 - 06/07/18 = 79 days
Oklahoma city correct? That's really fast.

[kd2008]

kd2008,

Congrats! There's no reason to be nervous. They use templates, and they've been using the same or similar templates for a long time. I got the an interview letter with the same wording 22 years ago. I would not be worried about an ambush; especially, since it sounds like you followed the I-130 instructions to the T and front-loaded your evidence. They do want to see originals of civil documents - birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce decree, passports, I-20 (students).
They call it "initial interview" because the process does allow for follow-up interviews if necessary. However, that does not mean there will be a second or third interview.
I would recommend keeping all civil documents in a separate folder that you can access easily, and hand over to the ISO. They should be separate from evidence of bona fide marriage because you do not want to inadvertently turn in originals when you hand in any additional evidence.

I posted my table of contents here. It's important to have one in the event you are not present when your case is adjudicated. In your absence, a table of contents that includes brief explanations of what each piece of evidence is proof of, speaks for you. https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...656#post564656

This other thread also discusses what to bring to the interview. I also posted another Table of contents from a gal who basically invented the Table of contents concept. It's very thorough. https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...ocuments/page2

You have a good month to prepare. You'll do great. All the best!

*03/21/18 - 05/05/18 = 46 days
*03/21/18 - 06/07/18 = 79 days
Oklahoma city correct? That's really fast.

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Coming from you it is relief to know that the wording is from a template.

Yes, I have all the documents I would present. I need to organize it well. I will receive a few more documents in the coming days - mostly statements, paystubs etc.

Thank you for the table of contents. It is definitely going to help me.

We both feel very fortunate that the interview is scheduled. Fingers crossed.

I truly appreciate all the help the forum members provide each other. Many thanks!

Yes, Oklahoma City is the field office. Processing time listed is 9 months or so.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Coming from you it is relief to know that the wording is from a template.

Yes, I have all the documents I would present. I need to organize it well. I will receive a few more documents in the coming days - mostly statements, paystubs etc.

Thank you for the table of contents. It is definitely going to help me.

We both feel very fortunate that the interview is scheduled. Fingers crossed.

I truly appreciate all the help the forum members provide each other. Many thanks!

Yes, Oklahoma City is the field office. Processing time listed is 9 months or so.

Humbled. Very kind. I'm just glad to be of assistance. As you may know, I like backing up what I say with a link, data or a source. Otherwise, it's just hearsay. So here it is. This letter is from 2005. Googled it. You have nothing to be worried about. Do prepare. Take a jog with your spouse down memory lane, and make sure dates are fresh in your mind - key dates. Us men, we aren't as great with such details as women. (I am going to get backslash for this - BUT IT'S OK! ) Getting the interview this quickly is a blessing.

All the best!

[Afrolinda]

Received my interview notice today in the mail. It is scheduled for June 7th.

It has a long list of things to bring to the interview. We already provided nearly all of it with the packet. It asks us to bring originals and a copy for USCIS.

The notice says "initial interview" That scares me a bit. Is this common terminology used by USCIS? Would there a another interview after it?

My updated timeline is in the signature.

Thank you forum folks who have been invaluable help so far.

Congratulations!!!!!

[kd2008]

Congratulations!!!!!

Thank you. Wish you all the best with your case.

[Afrolinda]

Biometrics Done

We just come back from the biometrics .
All smooth, it took longer to enter the place then the actual appointment! 5 minutes the process plus 10 or 15 to pass the safety check point.
Now, wait!

[kstew]

Is there anyone here from Houston ? I feel like the process of other cities/states is way faster than Houston a lot TT_TT.
Anyways, finger crossed to all of us and hope everything will go smooth no matter how long the wait is

[flyforever85]

Is there anyone here from Houston ? I feel like the process of other cities/states is way faster than Houston a lot TT_TT.
Anyways, finger crossed to all of us and hope everything will go smooth no matter how long the wait is

Houston is actually the slowest office (or so) in US. You can check by yourself through this website. https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

Some people would suggest you to move (if possible) in another states where the process is way faster (if you need it to be fast).

Best of luck