July 2020 Fillers join here

[BipBop]

What you can do too is take a look at the list of immunizations you need and start gathering proof of the vaccines you've already gotten from when you were a kid. If you're missing any you can get them at a pharmacy like cvs or through your insurance if you're covered. This will make the process for the civil surgeon a lot faster when you get your interview schedule notice so the papers will be ready and can bring them with you to the interview.

[iris@@]

What you can do too is take a look at the list of immunizations you need and start gathering proof of the vaccines you've already gotten from when you were a kid. If you're missing any you can get them at a pharmacy like cvs or through your insurance if you're covered. This will make the process for the civil surgeon a lot faster when you get your interview schedule notice so the papers will be ready and can bring them with you to the interview.

This is really helpful, thank you! I'm planning to bring my exam results to the interview with me. So I guess I can't do it too early? I might just check my vaccine record and make sure I have all of them. Then once the interview is scheduled, I will do the exam...hope my plan work...

[kippenpox]

Any July filers with biometrics done that got their EAD already without expediting?

[tokich]

Any July filers with biometrics done that got their EAD already without expediting?

Most I've seen are expedited...

My congressman inquired about the status of my applications last week and the NBC response was that I-765 is within normal processing times, I-131 is outside normal processing times but these are not a guarantee that an application would be processed within a specific timeframe (delays due to COVID and will be processed as soon as possible) and my I-485 is currently under the jurisdiction of my local field office (which is probably the only useful info from that response).

So if an application is outside normal processing times is no different than within normal processing times, not really sure why they even bother posting those if that is case.

[kippenpox]

Right. I submitted a service request for the I-131 outside of processing time but haven't heard back. I am good work-wise (as I am adjusting from H-1B), but really need to travel to see a sick family member.

[RIcat]

Got my EAD in the mail on Saturday (biometrics were done on January 22). I did not expedite.

While it's nice to have it, in practical terms it changes nothing for me since I am currently on H-1B. The thing I'm actually waiting for is some movement on the I-485, but all it says is "Case was updated to show fingerprints were taken." Nothing on the interview yet.

[RIcat]

Right. I submitted a service request for the I-131 outside of processing time but haven't heard back. I am good work-wise (as I am adjusting from H-1B), but really need to travel to see a sick family member.

Could you not travel and re-enter on H-1B? I've been told that even with I-131 approved, I should enter on H-1B since entering on Advanced Parole would invalidate H-1B status.

[kippenpox]

Could you not travel and re-enter on H-1B? I've been told that even with I-131 approved, I should enter on H-1B since entering on Advanced Parole would invalidate H-1B status.

I cannot because I am in a bit of a pickle: my H-1B stamp expired, and my status was renewed around the time I filed for AOS (July 2020). I would have to leave the country and get a stamping appointment at my country;'s US embassy to reenter the US. Legal counsel at my job strongly advised against doing that.

[RIcat]

I cannot because I am in a bit of a pickle: my H-1B stamp expired, and my status was renewed around the time I filed for AOS (July 2020). I would have to leave the country and get a stamping appointment at my country;'s US embassy to reenter the US. Legal counsel at my job strongly advised against doing that.

Ah okay, I see, yes that makes sense. Good luck with the AP and EAD. Hope they come soon for you!

[gafear]

Any July filers with biometrics done that got their EAD already without expediting?

I got mine a few months back without expediting it. In my case it doesn't really change as I had a valid H1b, the annoying part is that I haven't had a status update on my 485 for 5 months...

[tokich]

Yeah, it looks like the people who already received EAD combo cards without expediting are employment based categories.

[tokich]

Right. I submitted a service request for the I-131 outside of processing time but haven't heard back. I am good work-wise (as I am adjusting from H-1B), but really need to travel to see a sick family member.

Sorry to hear that...hope we all receive them sooner rather than later.

That reminded me what the congressman's office mentioned to me when they called me back, they advised against leaving even with AP. They said they're currently dealing with a case where an aos applicant is not allowed to re-enter with approved AP...not sure what the specifics of the case are though, that's all they said.

[raq345]

Notice for interview arrived today - scheduled for 3/9!

[kippenpox]

Wow congrats! So interview was scheduled with EAD never having been approved, correct?

[BipBop]

Notice for interview arrived today - scheduled for 3/9!

That's great! Congrats to you and good luck on the interview! Please share how it goes and what they asked you after you go.
Did you ever get your EAD? I hope I receive an update sometime soon too.