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I only started to browse through various sites about EAD/Advance Parole Combo Card a month and half ago, and found there is not a single post that can detail out every step of the way and this made people (like me) worried and panicked etc. These stress are completely unnecessary if people has a clear mind of what is going on and what shall be expected, and would save people's energy by doing the right thing. So I thought I should share my experiences with others.
My filing was I-485 concurrently filing (including I-130, I-131 and I-765) on December 13, 2017 through USCIS lockbox and was allocated to NBC.
I received the I-797C Notice of Receipts towards Christmas holidays and then received the fingerprints/biometrics appointment notice towards early January, 2018. I attended the appointment on January 25, 2018.
Till the end of March, 2018, I did not do anything, all I did was to checking the processing time and noticed that for NBC, the processing time is between 2.5 - 5 months, which indicated that my combo card would be approved around the beginning of May.
I waited patiently till May 11, 2018 (Friday), at that time, it is indicated that my application was outside the normal processing time. During the weekend (May 12 and May 13), I started to be panicked, I filed the first service request on May 13, 2018 for the I-765 application only, as the website did not allow me to submit the service request for I-131 (later I learned that the processing time for I-765 was different from I-131, and I-131 processing time was 14 days behind that of I-765).
I called the USCIS customer service (only talked to level 1 customer services) on May 14, 2018 (Monday) and found no helpful information at all. So I searched the local congressman/congresswoman's offices and talked to the office of senior senator and local congresswoman. Both offices were extremely friendly and willing to help. I chose the congresswoman's office in the end, as they said they typically get responses within 5 days but could be two weeks maximum.
For this part, you need to find out the congresswoman/congressman for your own district, as you have to be within their district in order for them to help. You can only ask one office to help, as there can be only one congressional inquiry submitted for each application. Also I explained to the office about my situation (I had an offer on May 9, 2018 and the company wanted me to start on May 29, 2018), so the congressional inquiry was submitted for expedite processing (an offer was submitted with this inquiry).
The congressional inquiry was submitted on May 15, 2018. Also I booked an infopass appointment on May 15, 2018 for May 24, 2018 local field office appointment. Then I did not do much besides waiting till May 21, 2018, although the waiting was painful.
During the weekend, I crazily browsing different forum and tried to find out what else I can do to speed up my application, and found out that the customer service level 1 staff are just contractors and they cannot provide anything that is already known to you, you can ask them to transfer your call to an level 2 immigration officer, who has more detailed information about your application status.
I called USCIS on May 21, 2018 (Monday) and asked to be transferred to a level 2 immigration officer and the wait time was 220 minutes, but you can register for call-back, and right on time, a level 2 immigration officer called back and told me that my application for both I-131 and I-765 were assigned to an adjudication officer on May 17, 2018. This is a huge step forward, as for the first 5 months, my applications were just sitting in the closet. And he also mentioned it should be done shortly, but he cannot confirm a date (but maximum it should be 30 days). Great, who can wait for another 30 days.
While I was waiting for the level 2 officer to call back, I called customer service again, and the level 1 staff was super nice and helped me to file another expedite service request (as this request will be answered within five business days, versus the service request is normally answered within 2 weeks time, you will see the estimated response time after you successfully submitted the service request). Note: expedite service request can only be submitted through infopass appointment or calling the customer service center.
After these two service requests were submitted, the case history section had both requests there. Strongly recommended everyone to register online account. Next step is not really helpful in tracking case status, and it only shows what happen for each step.
On May 22, 2018, both service requests changed status as below:
On May 22, 2018, your request to have your case expedited, referral number YYYY YYYY X, was completed.
On May 22, 2018, we sent a response to your request to have your case expedited, referral number YYYY YYYY .
On May 22, 2018, your request to have your case expedited, referral number YYYY YYYY , was assigned to an officer for response.
The sequence of these responses are backwards, so 1) service request was assigned; 2) a response has been sent; 3) the request procedures is completed. These responses only meant that someone actually looked into your request and sent you the response, nothing else. So do not feel too excited as the response is typically generic (something like you case is currently under review or for processing, we will make a decision shortly). These responses are sent through email. I never received these responses, and I had to call level 2 officer to read them to me. Also level 2 officer mentioned that you need to wait for 2 weeks to call, and it could take up to 30 days (again 30 days).
On May 23, 2018 (Wednesday), I heard back from the congresswoman's office that my case was routed for expedite processing and the response was received on May 21, 2018.
On May 24, 2018 (Thursday), I went to the infopass appointment and heard the same thing that my applications were assigned on May 17, 2018, the only thing new I heard was the adjudication is the last step, so the decision can be made anytime after being assigned. After the appointment, I had discussed the action plan with congresswoman's office and they said they will follow up with USCIS on May 30, 2018, which is two weeks from assigning to an adjudication officer. I tried not to stress out, but it is difficult to stop worrying about it. I called the USCIS every two days.
On May 30, 2018 (Wednesday), suddenly I got a push notice from the USCIS status app saying "New Card is being produced". Strongly suggest everyone to download this app. On the same day, the congresswoman's office sent another email to follow up the status. I did not receive the email and text alerts until almost midnight on the same day.
On June 1, 2018 (Friday), again I got a push notice saying "Card was mailed to me" at the end of the day (around 5:30 pm). Now the case history updated the previous step "05/30/2018
We ordered your new card." You can tell that case history was always one step before. This time due to USCIS system maintenance, I did not get the email and txt until Monday.
On June 4, 2018 (Monday), I was randomly checking the status and noted that the status was changed to "Card was picked up by the United States Postal Services", and in the body of the message, there was a tracking number. Also if you signed up for informed delivery with USPS, you will see the tracking number in parcel section too. So just be patient, do not need to call USCIS, as they might not be able to help if their system did not update timely. Also I got my approval notices through mail on this day too.
On June 6, 2018 (Wednesday), the combo card is scheduled for delivery. I believe there will be the final status update showing "the card was delivered".
In summary, 1) Don't wait till you are outside the normal processing time, then asking for help. You should proactively ask for help after 4 months. 2) The different stages of status are: application was received; application was approved (I didn't receive this status at all); card was in production; card was mailed; card was delivered. 3) If you submitted the combo card application, the two applications might not updated the same, my I-131 still showing received. But adjudication officer does look both application at the same time and make decision.
Timeline: 1) Once the application has been assigned to an adjudication officer, it typically takes 2 weeks to make decisions. 2) Once decision is made, card will be produced within 48 days and approval letters will be sent. 3) Then within 96 hours from approval, 48 hours from card in production, the card will be mailed out. 3) Once the card is mailed out, the next business day you should receive tracking number from status update and USPS informed delivery. 4) Finally, 1-3 business days will be the delivery time for you to receive your combo card.
Finally I want to mention that don't rely on the customer rep's answer saying 30 days (for service request and decision making) and 60 days (card production and delivery). You need to actively follow up at least every other week (if not weekly). But do not follow up too often as it will only make you frustrated.
Wish everyone Good Luck!
My filing was I-485 concurrently filing (including I-130, I-131 and I-765) on December 13, 2017 through USCIS lockbox and was allocated to NBC.
I received the I-797C Notice of Receipts towards Christmas holidays and then received the fingerprints/biometrics appointment notice towards early January, 2018. I attended the appointment on January 25, 2018.
Till the end of March, 2018, I did not do anything, all I did was to checking the processing time and noticed that for NBC, the processing time is between 2.5 - 5 months, which indicated that my combo card would be approved around the beginning of May.
I waited patiently till May 11, 2018 (Friday), at that time, it is indicated that my application was outside the normal processing time. During the weekend (May 12 and May 13), I started to be panicked, I filed the first service request on May 13, 2018 for the I-765 application only, as the website did not allow me to submit the service request for I-131 (later I learned that the processing time for I-765 was different from I-131, and I-131 processing time was 14 days behind that of I-765).
I called the USCIS customer service (only talked to level 1 customer services) on May 14, 2018 (Monday) and found no helpful information at all. So I searched the local congressman/congresswoman's offices and talked to the office of senior senator and local congresswoman. Both offices were extremely friendly and willing to help. I chose the congresswoman's office in the end, as they said they typically get responses within 5 days but could be two weeks maximum.
For this part, you need to find out the congresswoman/congressman for your own district, as you have to be within their district in order for them to help. You can only ask one office to help, as there can be only one congressional inquiry submitted for each application. Also I explained to the office about my situation (I had an offer on May 9, 2018 and the company wanted me to start on May 29, 2018), so the congressional inquiry was submitted for expedite processing (an offer was submitted with this inquiry).
The congressional inquiry was submitted on May 15, 2018. Also I booked an infopass appointment on May 15, 2018 for May 24, 2018 local field office appointment. Then I did not do much besides waiting till May 21, 2018, although the waiting was painful.
During the weekend, I crazily browsing different forum and tried to find out what else I can do to speed up my application, and found out that the customer service level 1 staff are just contractors and they cannot provide anything that is already known to you, you can ask them to transfer your call to an level 2 immigration officer, who has more detailed information about your application status.
I called USCIS on May 21, 2018 (Monday) and asked to be transferred to a level 2 immigration officer and the wait time was 220 minutes, but you can register for call-back, and right on time, a level 2 immigration officer called back and told me that my application for both I-131 and I-765 were assigned to an adjudication officer on May 17, 2018. This is a huge step forward, as for the first 5 months, my applications were just sitting in the closet. And he also mentioned it should be done shortly, but he cannot confirm a date (but maximum it should be 30 days). Great, who can wait for another 30 days.
While I was waiting for the level 2 officer to call back, I called customer service again, and the level 1 staff was super nice and helped me to file another expedite service request (as this request will be answered within five business days, versus the service request is normally answered within 2 weeks time, you will see the estimated response time after you successfully submitted the service request). Note: expedite service request can only be submitted through infopass appointment or calling the customer service center.
After these two service requests were submitted, the case history section had both requests there. Strongly recommended everyone to register online account. Next step is not really helpful in tracking case status, and it only shows what happen for each step.
On May 22, 2018, both service requests changed status as below:
On May 22, 2018, your request to have your case expedited, referral number YYYY YYYY X, was completed.
On May 22, 2018, we sent a response to your request to have your case expedited, referral number YYYY YYYY .
On May 22, 2018, your request to have your case expedited, referral number YYYY YYYY , was assigned to an officer for response.
The sequence of these responses are backwards, so 1) service request was assigned; 2) a response has been sent; 3) the request procedures is completed. These responses only meant that someone actually looked into your request and sent you the response, nothing else. So do not feel too excited as the response is typically generic (something like you case is currently under review or for processing, we will make a decision shortly). These responses are sent through email. I never received these responses, and I had to call level 2 officer to read them to me. Also level 2 officer mentioned that you need to wait for 2 weeks to call, and it could take up to 30 days (again 30 days).
On May 23, 2018 (Wednesday), I heard back from the congresswoman's office that my case was routed for expedite processing and the response was received on May 21, 2018.
On May 24, 2018 (Thursday), I went to the infopass appointment and heard the same thing that my applications were assigned on May 17, 2018, the only thing new I heard was the adjudication is the last step, so the decision can be made anytime after being assigned. After the appointment, I had discussed the action plan with congresswoman's office and they said they will follow up with USCIS on May 30, 2018, which is two weeks from assigning to an adjudication officer. I tried not to stress out, but it is difficult to stop worrying about it. I called the USCIS every two days.
On May 30, 2018 (Wednesday), suddenly I got a push notice from the USCIS status app saying "New Card is being produced". Strongly suggest everyone to download this app. On the same day, the congresswoman's office sent another email to follow up the status. I did not receive the email and text alerts until almost midnight on the same day.
On June 1, 2018 (Friday), again I got a push notice saying "Card was mailed to me" at the end of the day (around 5:30 pm). Now the case history updated the previous step "05/30/2018
We ordered your new card." You can tell that case history was always one step before. This time due to USCIS system maintenance, I did not get the email and txt until Monday.
On June 4, 2018 (Monday), I was randomly checking the status and noted that the status was changed to "Card was picked up by the United States Postal Services", and in the body of the message, there was a tracking number. Also if you signed up for informed delivery with USPS, you will see the tracking number in parcel section too. So just be patient, do not need to call USCIS, as they might not be able to help if their system did not update timely. Also I got my approval notices through mail on this day too.
On June 6, 2018 (Wednesday), the combo card is scheduled for delivery. I believe there will be the final status update showing "the card was delivered".
In summary, 1) Don't wait till you are outside the normal processing time, then asking for help. You should proactively ask for help after 4 months. 2) The different stages of status are: application was received; application was approved (I didn't receive this status at all); card was in production; card was mailed; card was delivered. 3) If you submitted the combo card application, the two applications might not updated the same, my I-131 still showing received. But adjudication officer does look both application at the same time and make decision.
Timeline: 1) Once the application has been assigned to an adjudication officer, it typically takes 2 weeks to make decisions. 2) Once decision is made, card will be produced within 48 days and approval letters will be sent. 3) Then within 96 hours from approval, 48 hours from card in production, the card will be mailed out. 3) Once the card is mailed out, the next business day you should receive tracking number from status update and USPS informed delivery. 4) Finally, 1-3 business days will be the delivery time for you to receive your combo card.
Finally I want to mention that don't rely on the customer rep's answer saying 30 days (for service request and decision making) and 60 days (card production and delivery). You need to actively follow up at least every other week (if not weekly). But do not follow up too often as it will only make you frustrated.
Wish everyone Good Luck!
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