April 2020 Filers

[Caliwale]

Received email that my interview was scheduled on 6/2/21 - three weeks after I changed my address online.
Interview is scheduled for 7/14/21 in Philadelphia. Fingers crossed it'll go well.
Good luck everyone!

How many days it took to get the physical mail for interview scheduled from the day you got online update about interview scheduled .

[Nick.K]

How many days it took to get the physical mail for interview scheduled from the day you got online update about interview scheduled .

I got physical mail on 6/7, so it was only 5 days after status update.

[Amyz]

Hello,
I had my interview today at Newark office so just wanted to share my experience if it helps anyone.
So, reached there 15m earlier along with our lawyer, waited for almost 45m to be called in by IO. The actual interview took almost 45m. IO was really friendly and nice. She greeted us, we took the oath and the questions started. Most of the questions were toward my spouse and the questions were like where did you two meet, when did you start dating, when did you become boyfriend and girlfriend, when did you get engaged, what did you study, was it an arrangement or love marriage, how many guests were there at the wedding, where did the wedding take place, have you two traveled together and where do you currently live. We took almost 80 pictures with us and she went through all of them and took out almost 10 of them. She then started questioning me about my job, where do I work, when did I first come to the US, what visa did I enter for the first time. And then some basic questions about my background and criminal history (like the ones on i485 application) and that's pretty much it. Our i130 is already approved therefore I think she didn't go into much details. She finally asked me when did I enter into the US for the last time and asked for i94, which I didn't have so i gave her my passport. She took a copy of it and followed us to the exit. She didn't tell us right after our interview but after 3 hours, got my notification that new card is being produced.
My piece of advice, don't try to hide anything from them, just give them to-the-point answers, no more no less, extra documentation does not hurt but if you miss some document, it is just gonna prolong the process, and lastly, be on time.

This immigration process can be painful for many but patience is the key to get out of it. This forum has given me hope so I wish you all the very best of luck for your cases.

[Nick.K]

Hello,
I had my interview today at Newark office so just wanted to share my experience if it helps anyone.
So, reached there 15m earlier along with our lawyer, waited for almost 45m to be called in by IO. The actual interview took almost 45m. IO was really friendly and nice. She greeted us, we took the oath and the questions started. Most of the questions were toward my spouse and the questions were like where did you two meet, when did you start dating, when did you become boyfriend and girlfriend, when did you get engaged, what did you study, was it an arrangement or love marriage, how many guests were there at the wedding, where did the wedding take place, have you two traveled together and where do you currently live. We took almost 80 pictures with us and she went through all of them and took out almost 10 of them. She then started questioning me about my job, where do I work, when did I first come to the US, what visa did I enter for the first time. And then some basic questions about my background and criminal history (like the ones on i485 application) and that's pretty much it. Our i130 is already approved therefore I think she didn't go into much details. She finally asked me when did I enter into the US for the last time and asked for i94, which I didn't have so i gave her my passport. She took a copy of it and followed us to the exit. She didn't tell us right after our interview but after 3 hours, got my notification that new card is being produced.
My piece of advice, don't try to hide anything from them, just give them to-the-point answers, no more no less, extra documentation does hurt but if you miss some document, it is just gonna prolong the process, and lastly, be on time.

This immigration process can be painful for many but patience is the key to get out of it. This forum has given me hope so I wish you all the very best of luck for your cases.

Appreciate you sharing your interview experience in such a great detail. This is very helpful in preparation for my own interview in 3 weeks.

[Shlumper]

Hi everyone,

Here's my timeline:
Adjustment of status from F1 through F2B (unmarried daughter over 21 of green card holder), with San Jose, CA being the field office.


April 29th, 2020 Receipt /Priority date
May 19th, 2020, Fees were accepted
Dec 21st, 2020 Biometrics were taken
December 31st, 2020 case is ready to be scheduled for an interview
March 1st-3rd 2021EAD card was approved and mailed, received within the week. Note- I was in/out of processing time a few times, so I had to put in multiple out of processing requests starting in November.

No updates since March.
Is there a range of timeline when interviews are usually scheduled?

[ciculove]

Hi everyone,

Here's my timeline:
Adjustment of status from F1 through F2B (unmarried daughter over 21 of green card holder), with San Jose, CA being the field office.


April 29th, 2020 Receipt /Priority date
May 19th, 2020, Fees were accepted
Dec 21st, 2020 Biometrics were taken
December 31st, 2020 case is ready to be scheduled for an interview
March 1st-3rd 2021EAD card was approved and mailed, received within the week. Note- I was in/out of processing time a few times, so I had to put in multiple out of processing requests starting in November.

No updates since March.
Is there a range of timeline when interviews are usually scheduled?

I have the same timeline as you! Same SJ field office and visa type of F2B.
My receipt date is April 20 2020, I just got my interview scheduled last week on July 6. You should get your interview very soon!

[aggaayush]

I have the same timeline as you! Same SJ field office and visa type of F2B.
My receipt date is April 20 2020, I just got my interview scheduled last week on July 6. You should get your interview very soon!

same category. Curious as to what they ask in interview?

[ciculove]

same category. Curious as to what they ask in interview?

My interview is not until August 10th. I'll share with the group once its done!

[aggaayush]

My interview is not until August 10th. I'll share with the group once its done!

Hey. How did your interview go. Possible to share some questions that they asked?

[ciculove]

Sharing my interview experience at San Jose Field Office.
F2B. International Student. Sponsored by my mom (green card holder).

• Interview was at 8:30AM, I got there at 8AM, got inside at 8:17AM. The interview lasted about 10 mins.
• My mom came with me even though on the interview notice it says only the beneficiary needs to come due to COVID.
• Inside, the security front desk asked questions about COVID related (have you been outside of the US in the past 14 days, etc)
• Walked thru security and got a number, moved to the waiting room. There were about 10 other people in front of us.
• The moment we just sat down in the waiting room, our numbers were called first.
• The officer is a Chinese/Hongkong man. He seems a bit strict, has a strict dad vibe, which worried me.
• He asked me and mom to raise right hands up, and take the swear that we would tell the truth during the interview
• He asked for my full name, my mom & my passports, and my Driver's License. Also asked for mom's green card.
• He asked me where I'm going to school, and if I'm still in school or already graduated. He also asked me about my major.
• *He said if he requests a transcript from the school, will they be able to provide it (seemed like he is hinting that there will be an RFE for my sealed transcript); however; luckily i brought an official, sealed, transcript with me.
• He asked to see my original birth certificate
• He asked my mom what she does for a living
• He asked to see the tax returns/ W2/ pay stud of cosigns.
• He asked me to sign a paper stating that I was here and present for the interview. He was constantly checking off my paperwork, which gave us a good gut feeling.
• Then he handed me a paper said that my case is under review. He will submit this to a supervisor and I should hear back soon. But it could take up to 120 days.

I'll update when i hear more.

------
Takeaway:
• Remember to request a transcript from the school, sealed and official, this will help you to avoid RFE.
• Remember to bring paystubs of Co-signs.
• The paper which he hands me said "my case is under review" is re-print beforehand, which means it will be reviewed by a supervisor regardless. He didn't print any documents during our interview, which tells me that he is a regular IO (which cant make official approval), so my case will be sent to an advisor to make final approval, which is quite common.

Ask me anything

[ciculove]

Sharing my interview experience at San Jose Field Office.
F2B. International Student. Sponsored by my mom (green card holder).

• Interview was at 8:30AM, I got there at 8AM, got inside at 8:17AM. The interview lasted about 10 mins.
• My mom came with me even though on the interview notice it says only the beneficiary needs to come due to COVID.
• Inside, the security front desk asked questions about COVID related (have you been outside of the US in the past 14 days, etc)
• Walked thru security and got a number, moved to the waiting room. There were about 10 other people in front of us.
• The moment we just sat down in the waiting room, our numbers were called first.
• The officer is a Chinese/Hongkong man. He seems a bit strict, has a strict dad vibe, which worried me.
• He asked me and mom to raise right hands up, and take the swear that we would tell the truth during the interview
• He asked for my full name, my mom & my passports, and my Driver's License. Also asked for mom's green card.
• He asked me where I'm going to school, and if I'm still in school or already graduated. He also asked me about my major.
• *He said if he requests a transcript from the school, will they be able to provide it (seemed like he is hinting that there will be an RFE for my sealed transcript); however; luckily i brought an official, sealed, transcript with me.
• He asked to see my original birth certificate
• He asked my mom what she does for a living
• He asked to see the tax returns/ W2/ pay stud of cosigns.
• He asked me to sign a paper stating that I was here and present for the interview. He was constantly checking off my paperwork, which gave us a good gut feeling.
• Then he handed me a paper said that my case is under review. He will submit this to a supervisor and I should hear back soon. But it could take up to 120 days.

I'll update when i hear more.

------
Takeaway:
• Remember to request a transcript from the school, sealed and official, this will help you to avoid RFE.
• Remember to bring paystubs of Co-signs.
• The paper which he hands me said "my case is under review" is re-print beforehand, which means it will be reviewed by a supervisor regardless. He didn't print any documents during our interview, which tells me that he is a regular IO (which cant make official approval), so my case will be sent to an advisor to make final approval, which is quite common.

Ask me anything

Same day update!!!! Card is being produced!!!!!

[Samwaiting4gc]

Update!

L1A married to a USC. Filed for i485, i765, i131, i130 (plus a i129 to extend my L1A), all done through my attorney.

Filed: 4/27
Receipt: 5/1
Notice of Biometrics: 7/28
Biometrics Appointment: 8/13
i485 Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview: 8/14
EAD New Card Is Being Produced: 9/22

Have you gotten your interview yet? I filed mine around the same time as you. But still haven't gotten the interview yet.

[Samwaiting4gc]

New update:
Aug 18: Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview (I-485)

Work permit hasn't updated since the fingerprints.

Got my combo card on 10/23,2020.

I moved in March 2021 to another city in CA.
And the case status updated to 03/30/2021 Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview (I-485)

Yet, I still haven't heard anything about the interview actually being scheduled. My EAD is about to expire very soon.

Does anyone have some good advice about how to write to congressman about this issue or some other resolution?
I know some of my friends who filed much later already got approved after their interviews. Any suggestions what I should do ?

[shiva_82]

Same day update!!!! Card is being produced!!!!!

Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience. I would suggest you also post this in the "Experiences" section. Most people looking for experiences look in that section more often than this.

[Shlumper]

Sharing my interview experience at San Jose Field Office.
F2B. International Student. Sponsored by my mom (green card holder).

• Interview was at 8:30AM, I got there at 8AM, got inside at 8:17AM. The interview lasted about 10 mins.
• My mom came with me even though on the interview notice it says only the beneficiary needs to come due to COVID.
• Inside, the security front desk asked questions about COVID related (have you been outside of the US in the past 14 days, etc)
• Walked thru security and got a number, moved to the waiting room. There were about 10 other people in front of us.
• The moment we just sat down in the waiting room, our numbers were called first.
• The officer is a Chinese/Hongkong man. He seems a bit strict, has a strict dad vibe, which worried me.
• He asked me and mom to raise right hands up, and take the swear that we would tell the truth during the interview
• He asked for my full name, my mom & my passports, and my Driver's License. Also asked for mom's green card.
• He asked me where I'm going to school, and if I'm still in school or already graduated. He also asked me about my major.
• *He said if he requests a transcript from the school, will they be able to provide it (seemed like he is hinting that there will be an RFE for my sealed transcript); however; luckily i brought an official, sealed, transcript with me.
• He asked to see my original birth certificate
• He asked my mom what she does for a living
• He asked to see the tax returns/ W2/ pay stud of cosigns.
• He asked me to sign a paper stating that I was here and present for the interview. He was constantly checking off my paperwork, which gave us a good gut feeling.
• Then he handed me a paper said that my case is under review. He will submit this to a supervisor and I should hear back soon. But it could take up to 120 days.

I'll update when i hear more.

------
Takeaway:
• Remember to request a transcript from the school, sealed and official, this will help you to avoid RFE.
• Remember to bring paystubs of Co-signs.
• The paper which he hands me said "my case is under review" is re-print beforehand, which means it will be reviewed by a supervisor regardless. He didn't print any documents during our interview, which tells me that he is a regular IO (which cant make official approval), so my case will be sent to an advisor to make final approval, which is quite common.

Ask me anything

I ended up having my interview on August 11th also at the San Jose field office

I didn't bring my mom with me but here's my interview experience:

-swore the oath
-asked for my CA driver's license and passport
-the case officer was a white male in his 40s/50s
-he went over the I-485 application - which I recommend looking over prior to the interview, I completely forgot about certain questions - and so he asked if I was the person who filled it out...
-he double checked my name, address (which was apparently a problem since I just moved back to South Carolina for school, and it was unclear if he still had jurisdiction over my case)
-asked for the updated financial sponsorship documents (the ones the prove assets)- which I brought
-asked for my mom's latest taxes- which I brought
-he was happy with the copy of the birth certificate in the application - did not request to see the original (even though I brought it)
-I already had my transcripts part of the application - he asked if I have always taken 12 credits/full time student
-asked about my major, my dissertation, etc.



-THE BIG THING he asked for my MOM's transcripts from the time that she was F1 status and I was her dependent 15 years ago - even though I had all the I-20s/I-94s on file. I asked him if it's necessary since she is the one with the greencard, so clearly she has established her legal presence. Apparently he did not have access to her case, and wanted to be thorough, to make sure that my mom maintained full time status while she was a student.

-At the end, my case officer printed out a document: "Notice of Interview Results" that essentially said that they can't make a decision at this time and they had options to check which is the reason. The officer checked the first option that says "your case is being held for review"


So I got an RFE in the mail 2 weeks later asking me to re-submit all the documents that establish my legal presence from 2005-2020. They now have moved my case to Charleston, SC (and asked that I send my further evidence there). I was able to mail everything a month ago. USCIS says to wait up to 60 days for an RFE response.