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

[JessielinD]

Congrats! What?s your PD?

Priority Date? March 29/18.

Anyhow, I called customer service yesterday and she told me I765 was approved same day!. Just never updated on site.
Upon checking the mail yesterday I received both approval notifications!!
Now I sit and wait for EAD.

[waitinglife_ing]

PD 3/14 no EAD/AP

Anyone still waiting for the combo card? It's been 167 days and no updates..

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

Today I checked the USCIS website - my account - and found out that my case has been "ready to be scheduled for an interview" since April 18, 2018. However, the last time I logged in - Aug 14th - it did not say that and it was stuck in "case was received".

Also, it seems that on April 18 I got fingerprint review completed as well.

Does anyone know why is this happening? I also did not receive any alert in my emails or cellphone.

How can I tell how backlogged is Seattle, WA Office?


Thank you!

Same as mine.
I was surprised to see it changed on that site.
Though on my dhs.gov account and on the app, It changed into that ?ready to be sched? noticed
pretty much around May.

[B_Andie]

USCIS website

Today I checked the USCIS website - my account - and found out that my case has been "ready to be scheduled for an interview" since April 18, 2018. However, the last time I logged in - Aug 14th - it did not say that and it was stuck in "case was received".

Also, it seems that on April 18 I got fingerprint review completed as well.

Does anyone know why is this happening? I also did not receive any alert in my emails or cellphone.

How can I tell how backlogged is Seattle, WA Office?


Thank you!

[Krittika Govil]

Weigh the risks of H1B vs. EAD/AP re-entry

Hi All,

I am a March filer (PD: March 10th) from NY. I was on my OPT when I married my husband (US citizen) and applied for my AOS concurrently with the EAD and AP requests. My company also applied for my H1B lottery because my OPT was going to end before my green card would likely come. I got the H1B through the lottery and am currently working on my extended OPT. Just last week my EAD and AP combo card was issued as well.

My question is whether I should now work on my EAD or continue working on the H1B? I am also going to be traveling internationally in November and I don't know if I should get my H1B stamped and enter on that or enter using my AP combo card? Any advice?

My I-485 is ready to be scheduled for an interview (as of July 25) but I am not expecting an interview date to be assigned anytime soon given how backed up the NY office is.

I was in a similar situation earlier this year where I was playing out scenarios about re-entering on H1B vs. EAD/AP. Here's what I learnt from my H1B lawyer and others.

EAD/AP
Pros: Can work wherever you'd like. Less restriction since no LCA
Cons: You would re-enter as 'Paroled' not in an 'Admitted' status. This means your work permit is dependent on a successful I-485 petition. If for whatever reason it is unsuccessful (touch wood it is not), then you would lose your work authority. Being paroled is a less secure position than being admitted into the US.

H1B
Pros: Admitted instead of paroled. It's easy to go H1B >> EAD but not so much the other way around. If you get the stamp, then re-entry on H1B is easy.
Cons: Restricted to current job/LCA with less flexibility when it comes to switching employment. and the biggest risk - Have to get stamped at a consulate abroad. This always raises the risk for RFE. Plus you have to build time into your travel to account for the stamping.

It comes down to weighing the risks of each option. My lawyer had recommended re-entry with H1B over EAD anytime, due to a secure status. But in this political environment, it may be a better option to go with the EAD/AP even if it is a paroled status, granted a few months to the interview isn't long to wait. As you are going for the first time stamping, it would be good to get a lawyers opinion on balancing your risk.

[hopeanddream]

Hi All,

I am a March filer (PD: March 10th) from NY. I was on my OPT when I married my husband (US citizen) and applied for my AOS concurrently with the EAD and AP requests. My company also applied for my H1B lottery because my OPT was going to end before my green card would likely come. I got the H1B through the lottery and am currently working on my extended OPT. Just last week my EAD and AP combo card was issued as well.

My question is whether I should now work on my EAD or continue working on the H1B? I am also going to be traveling internationally in November and I don't know if I should get my H1B stamped and enter on that or enter using my AP combo card? Any advice?

My I-485 is ready to be scheduled for an interview (as of July 25) but I am not expecting an interview date to be assigned anytime soon given how backed up the NY office is.

Well, it all depends on if you want to keep your H1B visa? if you do want to have both you can as H1B is dual intent which is something your employer gives you, so you can have both simultaneously unless you wish to use your new EAD that is when you give up your H1B that means your H1B is not valid anymore as your have started using your EAD.

I would advice to talk to an attorney before your leave the country and thinking of going for stamping in order to keep your H1B, this matter is really confusing and USCIS has not stipulated these things in a clear manner.

[NYfiling]

Hi All,

I am a March filer (PD: March 10th) from NY. I was on my OPT when I married my husband (US citizen) and applied for my AOS concurrently with the EAD and AP requests. My company also applied for my H1B lottery because my OPT was going to end before my green card would likely come. I got the H1B through the lottery and am currently working on my extended OPT. Just last week my EAD and AP combo card was issued as well.

My question is whether I should now work on my EAD or continue working on the H1B? I am also going to be traveling internationally in November and I don't know if I should get my H1B stamped and enter on that or enter using my AP combo card? Any advice?

My I-485 is ready to be scheduled for an interview (as of July 25) but I am not expecting an interview date to be assigned anytime soon given how backed up the NY office is.

[Krittika Govil]

You'll be up soon

Congrats! This gives me hope! I?m reaching Day 150 myself.
Just keeping my head up and being patient.

My PD is 3/21 and I just got 'Card is being produced' last Fri (Aug 24th). Hang in there!

[Afrolinda]

UScitizenFilingforspouse, please check your inbox when you can.
Thanks!

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

The long wait for work permit and travel document is over.
Waiting for the cards to get in the mail.
Much thanks to this community for keeping us encouraged.
For those who still have to get theirs, youre next 🙃
Will be keeping this group posted on the interview.
Cheers!

Congrats! This gives me hope! I?m reaching Day 150 myself.
Just keeping my head up and being patient.

[Afrolinda]

My husband just got approved yesterday at his interview! I just posted a really long post explaining how the interview went and you can read that here ( https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...a-Field-Office) if you like.

Here's our timeline:

Filed I-130, I-485 (+ I-864 and I-693), and I-765 concurrently originally through Manchester NH, but we moved to Tampa FL in the middle of the process.

3/21/18 - sent application through USPS certified mail, Chicago Lockbox
3/23 - Application accepted by USCIS
4/9 - Receive notice that I-765 is outdated, send in updated form and payment (they did not send any of the documents or the passport pics we had sent in back with the notice. We also called the hotline to confirm that no fee was needed since it was filed with the I-485. The agent told us on both parts that USCIS made a mistake.)
4/9 - Receive biometrics appointment for 4/27
4/13 - I-765 accepted by USCIS
4/21 - attempt early walk-in for biometrics - our facility does not accept walk-ins and tells us to come back on 4/27
4/27 - biometrics are taken
4/30 - 5/19 - a whole lot of drama with my husbands EAD which he needed to start his new job in Florida. We are originally from NH and were moving for his job that was set to start at the end of May and got pushed back to beginning of June. To see that whole timeline check out this thread: https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...279#post567279
5/7 - Ready to Schedule Interview
6/1 - Move to Florida, stay in an AirBnb while trying to find housing
6/9 - Address Change request sent via uscis website
6/11 - Interview has been scheduled... In NH
6/14 - Address change request accepted

Call USCIS and see if, even though we moved, we can still attend the interview in NH so we don't have to go to the end of the waiting list for Tampa. Tier 1 Officer said it should be fine. Weeks later we find out from a lawyer we called to possibly come with us to the interview that the IO would most likely not conduct the interview if we came back to NH, because it's no longer in their jurisdiction....

7/2 - Call USCIS hotline and confirmed that we should cancel and reschedule interview. Send a request to cancel and reschedule.
7/6 - Interview is rescheduled for Tampa Bay on 8/23
8/1 - Receive a letter from the Tampa Bay FO saying our interview is on 9/7...
8/20 - Confirmed that the interview is for 8/23 (every time we called we couldn't be transferred to Tier 2 officer)
8/23 - Interview completed, approved on the spot, and 15 minutes after leaving we get the text message saying the card has been ordered and case approved. Oh, and we spoke to someone at the Tampa Office check in desk. The reason we got two interview dates is because USCIS HQ rescheduled our interview from our request, as well as the Tampa office. He told us there was a special note on our case that if we didn't show up for the 8/23 interview then to keep our file open until 9/7.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! is so good to see that kind of news!
wishing you the best!

- - - Updated - - -

The long wait for work permit and travel document is over.
Waiting for the cards to get in the mail.
Much thanks to this community for keeping us encouraged.
For those who still have to get theirs, youre next 🙃
Will be keeping this group posted on the interview.
Cheers!

That give me hope! My PD is April 02, so it must be close! hehehehehe congratulations!

[gaps0214]

Update EAD/AP Approved as of August 22, 2018 - 150 days after Receipt Date

The long wait for work permit and travel document is over.
Waiting for the cards to get in the mail.
Much thanks to this community for keeping us encouraged.
For those who still have to get theirs, youre next 🙃
Will be keeping this group posted on the interview.
Cheers!

Thank you for the encouragement. Persistence.

AOS c(9) concurrent filing from Seattle, WA
PD: March 22, 2018
Chicago Lockbox
RD: April 6, 2018
National Benefits Center
Biometrics: 4/27/18
RFE: 6/11/18
RFE RD: 6/21/18
Last status update: 7/05/18 by email - "we are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time" "we will notify you when your case status changes, we last took action on your case on June 21, 2018". :-(

- - - Updated - - -



Congratulations!

[kkannan]

My husband just got approved yesterday at his interview! I just posted a really long post explaining how the interview went and you can read that here ( https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...a-Field-Office) if you like.

Here's our timeline:

Filed I-130, I-485 (+ I-864 and I-693), and I-765 concurrently originally through Manchester NH, but we moved to Tampa FL in the middle of the process.

3/21/18 - sent application through USPS certified mail, Chicago Lockbox
3/23 - Application accepted by USCIS
4/9 - Receive notice that I-765 is outdated, send in updated form and payment (they did not send any of the documents or the passport pics we had sent in back with the notice. We also called the hotline to confirm that no fee was needed since it was filed with the I-485. The agent told us on both parts that USCIS made a mistake.)
4/9 - Receive biometrics appointment for 4/27
4/13 - I-765 accepted by USCIS
4/21 - attempt early walk-in for biometrics - our facility does not accept walk-ins and tells us to come back on 4/27
4/27 - biometrics are taken
4/30 - 5/19 - a whole lot of drama with my husbands EAD which he needed to start his new job in Florida. We are originally from NH and were moving for his job that was set to start at the end of May and got pushed back to beginning of June. To see that whole timeline check out this thread: https://www.immihelp.com/forum/showt...279#post567279
5/7 - Ready to Schedule Interview
6/1 - Move to Florida, stay in an AirBnb while trying to find housing
6/9 - Address Change request sent via uscis website
6/11 - Interview has been scheduled... In NH
6/14 - Address change request accepted

Call USCIS and see if, even though we moved, we can still attend the interview in NH so we don't have to go to the end of the waiting list for Tampa. Tier 1 Officer said it should be fine. Weeks later we find out from a lawyer we called to possibly come with us to the interview that the IO would most likely not conduct the interview if we came back to NH, because it's no longer in their jurisdiction....

7/2 - Call USCIS hotline and confirmed that we should cancel and reschedule interview. Send a request to cancel and reschedule.
7/6 - Interview is rescheduled for Tampa Bay on 8/23
8/1 - Receive a letter from the Tampa Bay FO saying our interview is on 9/7...
8/20 - Confirmed that the interview is for 8/23 (every time we called we couldn't be transferred to Tier 2 officer)
8/23 - Interview completed, approved on the spot, and 15 minutes after leaving we get the text message saying the card has been ordered and case approved. Oh, and we spoke to someone at the Tampa Office check in desk. The reason we got two interview dates is because USCIS HQ rescheduled our interview from our request, as well as the Tampa office. He told us there was a special note on our case that if we didn't show up for the 8/23 interview then to keep our file open until 9/7.

[BayAreaCaliAOS]

Update!
I 131 was approved!! Aug24
Still no change on I 765.. don?t they usually come hand in hand?

Congrats! What?s your PD?

[JessielinD]

I 131 approved Aug24!!!

Hi all!

I'm a March filer as well. March 29/18. Went for bio May 9/18. Case ready to be scheduled for interview July 27/18. I can't see any updates on my EAD or travel doc, it's been stuck on "rejected G28, improperly filled" since day one! Which is just a form to have attorney file for you. It's been fixed but not updated on site. I've called and was told everything is still within processing time.

Last week I decided to take a shot and file for expedite. As my husband works out of state and I'm stranded in rural area. Received letter today requesting additional evidence for expedite. I honestly don't know what to send! If anyone has suggestions I'd appreciate them Otherwise I"ll just have to be patient. Hoping Im near the end with or without expedite.

Thanks for reading!
Good luck to all

Update!
I 131 was approved!! Aug24
Still no change on I 765.. don?t they usually come hand in hand?