Celebrations & Thanks

[subbuss]

Hi All - Silent lurker on this forum and have gained a lot through the years. I wanted to share the new that we (me and my spouse) recently got greened and received the card last week.

All my details are in my signature.

Hope each and every one of you get greened at the earliest. We have all waited for a very long time.

[qesehmk]

Hi All - Silent lurker on this forum and have gained a lot through the years. I wanted to share the new that we (me and my spouse) recently got greened and received the card last week.

All my details are in my signature.

Hope each and every one of you get greened at the earliest. We have all waited for a very long time.

Many congratulations!

[srimurthy]

Glad that your file is now picked up for processing. Hope they start working on MSC21902* and MSC21903*.

Was your status though "Fingerprint fee received" or "Fingerprint taken" prior to Interview update? Also assuming you had submitted medicals with the initial filing?
Finger Print taken after end of Mar and Medicals submitted along with the application in Oct/2020

[aGCHopefull]

Hi All - Silent lurker on this forum and have gained a lot through the years. I wanted to share the new that we (me and my spouse) recently got greened and received the card last week.

All my details are in my signature.

Hope each and every one of you get greened at the earliest. We have all waited for a very long time.

Congratulations!

[gten20]

Hi All - Silent lurker on this forum and have gained a lot through the years. I wanted to share the new that we (me and my spouse) recently got greened and received the card last week.

All my details are in my signature.

Hope each and every one of you get greened at the earliest. We have all waited for a very long time.

Congratulations subbuss!

[Noesis]

Hi All - Silent lurker on this forum and have gained a lot through the years. I wanted to share the new that we (me and my spouse) recently got greened and received the card last week.

All my details are in my signature.

Hope each and every one of you get greened at the earliest. We have all waited for a very long time.

Many Congratulations.!

[knighthood83]

Hey Guys mine and my wife's status changed to New Card Is Being Produced !!!!

Some details -

Straight EB2
PD = 10/08/2010
RD = 10/29/2020
Charlotte field office.

This forum has been a great place over the many years. I feel a kinship to all of you. Thank you for all the help over the years.

[aGCHopefull]

Hey Guys mine and my wife's status changed to New Card Is Being Produced !!!!

Some details -

Straight EB2
PD = 10/08/2010
RD = 10/29/2020


Congrats buddy! great way to kickstart the weekend!

[texas_]

Dear All,

Our I-485 applications were approved yesterday after the Interview.
Case status shows - Case approved

Not sure how long it will take to receive green card after receiving this message
We are so thankful to this forum and it's very knowledgeable founders and all of you
Love you all

Thanks

[aGCHopefull]

Dear All,

Our I-485 applications were approved yesterday after the Interview.
Case status shows - Case approved

Not sure how long it will take to receive green card after receiving this message
We are so thankful to this forum and it's very knowledgeable founders and all of you
Love you all

Thanks

Congrats buddy!

[andhraguy]

Dear All,

Our I-485 applications were approved yesterday after the Interview.
Case status shows - Case approved

Not sure how long it will take to receive green card after receiving this message
We are so thankful to this forum and it's very knowledgeable founders and all of you
Love you all

Thanks

Congrats texas_, Could you post your PD and application processing timeline. Also it be very helpful for other folks if you share your I485 interview questions.

[gten20]

Dear All,

Our I-485 applications were approved yesterday after the Interview.
Case status shows - Case approved

Not sure how long it will take to receive green card after receiving this message
We are so thankful to this forum and it's very knowledgeable founders and all of you
Love you all

Thanks

Congratulations!

[texas_]

Congrats texas_, Could you post your PD and application processing timeline. Also it be very helpful for other folks if you share your I485 interview questions.

EB3-I October 2010 (Current : 1 may 2021) |RD 27 Oct 2020 (MSC) | BIO may 2021 | Interview August 2021| Approved same day as interview
Hope this helps

[inspired_p]

Jan 2010 pd here - we responded to our medicals and i485j rfe last week and today we got update ?new card is produced ? we were expecting a approval notice! Hope this means our green card is approved !!!

Congratulations!!
Card production is subsequent status so yes that would mean the GC is approved

[shaisri]

Congratulations!!
Card production is subsequent status so yes that would mean the GC is approved

Thank you we will breathe easy once we receive the card!

[aGCHopefull]

Thank you we will breathe easy once we receive the card!
Congratulations!!

[mesan123]

Hey Guys mine and my wife's status changed to New Card Is Being Produced !!!!

Some details -

Straight EB2
PD = 10/08/2010
RD = 10/29/2020
Charlotte field office.

This forum has been a great place over the many years. I feel a kinship to all of you. Thank you for all the help over the years.

Congratulations to you & your family

[mesan123]

Dear All,

Our I-485 applications were approved yesterday after the Interview.
Case status shows - Case approved

Not sure how long it will take to receive green card after receiving this message
We are so thankful to this forum and it's very knowledgeable founders and all of you
Love you all

Thanks

Congratulations

[knighthood83]

My 485 was approved on Aug 13th and got the 797 approval notices for 485 and 485J . However my status is sitting in case approved.

1. How long before status changes too "Card is mailed"?

2. Am I am LPR effective Aug 13th ( 485 approval date on 797) or do I need to wait till the card comes to call myself a LPR?

Thanks for answering

[qesehmk]

My 485 was approved on Aug 13th and got the 797 approval notices for 485 and 485J . However my status is sitting in case approved.

1. How long before status changes too "Card is mailed"?

2. Am I am LPR effective Aug 13th ( 485 approval date on 797) or do I need to wait till the card comes to call myself a LPR?

Thanks for answering

knighthood - congratulations. You are a PR now. Card is just a formality.

[knighthood83]

knighthood - congratulations. You are a PR now. Card is just a formality.

Thanks Q. Appreciate the quick response.

[gammaray]

My 485 was approved on Aug 13th and got the 797 approval notices for 485 and 485J . However my status is sitting in case approved.

1. How long before status changes too "Card is mailed"?

2. Am I am LPR effective Aug 13th ( 485 approval date on 797) or do I need to wait till the card comes to call myself a LPR?

Thanks for answering

I mean you can call yourself a LPR but can't do anything (change I-9, bank updates etc.) without the card in hand.

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

I mean you call yourself a LPR but can't do anything (change I-9, bank updates etc.) without the card in hand.

Do we need to update the bank/mortgage lender about the change in immigration status?

[Zenzone]

Congrats all recent greeners!

[Zenzone]

Do we need to update the bank/mortgage lender about the change in immigration status?

As far as I know, its a moot point.

[qesehmk]

Do we need to update the bank/mortgage lender about the change in immigration status?
The only things I personally would do proactively are:
1) I-9s
2) Driver's ID
3) School / univ registrations for children (if at all that would mean they become eligible for some aid/scholarship/in-state fees etc.

I wouldn't care about anything else.

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

The only things I personally would do proactively are:
1) I-9s
2) Driver's ID
3) School / univ registrations for children (if at all that would mean they become eligible for some aid/scholarship/in-state fees etc.

I wouldn't care about anything else.

Thank you, Q!

[gammaray]

Do we need to update the bank/mortgage lender about the change in immigration status?

Banks are legally required to have the status (citizen/LPR/non-citizen) of the account holder in their system. Normally you should see a notification/email to update the status. And you have done that already in the past, they of course won't know when the status has changed unless you inform them, or till maybe they send out another status update request at some point in time.

[tatikonda]

The only things I personally would do proactively are:
1) I-9s
2) Driver's ID
3) School / univ registrations for children (if at all that would mean they become eligible for some aid/scholarship/in-state fees etc.

I wouldn't care about anything else.

I believe, we need to update your SSN and remove any conditions on it. SSN office will send new SSN Card (Same Number) by removing any restrictions.

[prabakarb]

After 15 years of wait, my 485 status changed to ?New Card Is Being Produced?. Status changed for both my wife and I.

I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first. I want to thank this group and the admins for the hard work and great insights. I also want to thank President Trump (Greatest President in my life time in my opinion), who?s Executive Order issued to save American jobs resulted spill-over and many of us got current. All the very best to everyone who are waiting. Aap ka number bhi ayega zaroor.

Category : EB2, TSC
PD: 4/2/2010
Rd: 3/12/2012
1st RFE: 2015 for 693, 325A
2nd RFE: 6/4/2021 for 693, 485J
RFER: 7/19/2021
485 : 8/19/2021 - New Card Is Being Produced (Both for me and my wife)
Officer: XM1410

[gammaray]

I believe, we need to update your SSN and remove any conditions on it. SSN office will send new SSN Card (Same Number) by removing any restrictions.

This is true, for folks that come here on a F1 the SS card does have the words "Valid for work only with DHS Authorization". Definitely want to update the system and get a "clean" SS card. The SSN itself remains unchanged.

[qesehmk]

After 15 years of wait, my 485 status changed to ?New Card Is Being Produced?. Status changed for both my wife and I.

I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first. I want to thank this group and the admins for the hard work and great insights. I also want to thank President Trump (Greatest President in my life time in my opinion), who?s Executive Order issued to save American jobs resulted spill-over and many of us got current. All the very best to everyone who are waiting. Aap ka number bhi ayega zaroor.

Category : EB2, TSC
PD: 4/2/2010
Rd: 3/12/2012
1st RFE: 2015 for 693, 325A
2nd RFE: 6/4/2021 for 693, 485J
RFER: 7/19/2021
485 : 8/19/2021 - New Card Is Being Produced (Both for me and my wife)
Officer: XM1410

Prabakar, all the best to you and your family.

[ak7419]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions.

[krnashvom8]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions.

Congratulations.. great news.. good to hear!

[aGCHopefull]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions.

Great news! congratulations, very happy for you buddy!

[vsivarama]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions.

Congratulations!! Glad to hear this news from you. It was long time coming! As per your research what percentage of 2012 filers do think are still waiting for GC? Do you have any clue?

[qesehmk]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions.

Many congratulations AK. The timing is perfect to have a weekend celebration !! Wish you and your family the best.

[mesan123]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions. Congratulations Ak

[ak7419]

Congratulations!! Glad to hear this news from you. It was long time coming! As per your research what percentage of 2012 filers do think are still waiting for GC? Do you have any clue?

I have not done any research but based on what I know at least handful of folks (~50) are waiting for either RFE or approval following RFER.

[ak7419]

Thank you all!!

[Noesis]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions.

Many Congratulations AK.!

[AceMan]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions.

Ak great news buddy. Really happy for you.

[Chilli19]

Hi All,

I'm have been following this forum and immigration related info posted here since long time. I think its my turn to share the good news. The status on mine and my spouse I-485 changed to card produced on Friday. The journey was quite long as i entered to this country on 03/10/2005 and its been more than 16 years

Here are the timelines if anybody interested

PD 05/27/2010
RD 10/19/2020
BM 03/22/2021
EAD approval 04/09/2021
Interview held on 08/09/2021
i485 approval on 08/20/2021

[shaisri]

We received our physical green cards yesterday (pd Jan 2010) . After uscis did not pick our case for processing even after we were current for 4 months - we approached our local congressman?s office. I don?t have enough words of praise for them- they got all the details from us, tried to expedite the case at uscis . When that failed, the office said they were not satisfied with the response of the uscis agent and proceeded to escalate our case to a sr adjudication office.two days after we got intimation for our medical rfe. One week after they received our medicals, we got the approval and card was in hand couple of days later
I urge anyone who has still not even received a rfe from uscis, and are 2010 filers , please reach out to your local congressman?s office.
Thank you for all the information shared here - we would have been so lost if we all didn?t share our journey here.

[dosaman]

We received our physical green cards yesterday (pd Jan 2010) . After uscis did not pick our case for processing even after we were current for 4 months - we approached our local congressman?s office. I don?t have enough words of praise for them- they got all the details from us, tried to expedite the case at uscis . When that failed, the office said they were not satisfied with the response of the uscis agent and proceeded to escalate our case to a sr adjudication office.two days after we got intimation for our medical rfe. One week after they received our medicals, we got the approval and card was in hand couple of days later
I urge anyone who has still not even received a rfe from uscis, and are 2010 filers , please reach out to your local congressman?s office.
Thank you for all the information shared here - we would have been so lost if we all didn?t share our journey here.

Congratulations! Could you give me some pointers or refer to some pages? I would like to do the same. Thanks.

[andhraguy]

Hi All,

I'm have been following this forum and immigration related info posted here since long time. I think its my turn to share the good news. The status on mine and my spouse I-485 changed to card produced on Friday. The journey was quite long as i entered to this country on 03/10/2005 and its been more than 16 years

Here are the timelines if anybody interested

PD 05/27/2010
RD 10/19/2020
BM 03/22/2021
EAD approval 04/09/2021
Interview held on 08/09/2021
i485 approval on 08/20/2021

Congratulations Chilli19! and others who got greened recently.

Chilli19 - could you share some of your interview questions if that ok with you. Few folks in this forum are looking for i485 interview questions.

[abcx13]

We received our physical green cards yesterday (pd Jan 2010) . After uscis did not pick our case for processing even after we were current for 4 months - we approached our local congressman?s office. I don?t have enough words of praise for them- they got all the details from us, tried to expedite the case at uscis . When that failed, the office said they were not satisfied with the response of the uscis agent and proceeded to escalate our case to a sr adjudication office.two days after we got intimation for our medical rfe. One week after they received our medicals, we got the approval and card was in hand couple of days later
I urge anyone who has still not even received a rfe from uscis, and are 2010 filers , please reach out to your local congressman?s office.
Thank you for all the information shared here - we would have been so lost if we all didn?t share our journey here.

Which Congressman?

[Octgc7]

Congrats @ak7419 !! It was a long time coming.

[prepleo]

This is true, for folks that come here on a F1 the SS card does have the words "Valid for work only with DHS Authorization". Definitely want to update the system and get a "clean" SS card. The SSN itself remains unchanged.

is it mandatory to update this with the social security? I thought it was mandatory only when one becomes a citizen. Any harm in keeping "Valid for work only with DHS Authorization" on your SS card?

[inspired_p]

Great news! congratulations, very happy for you buddy!

Congratulations !! Long time coming !

[inspired_p]

All:

Happy to announce that my 485 was approved this week! Submitted 485J in March (in a hope that it would trigger RFE) and then interfiled medicals along with 325A and G-28 in June. Got approval directly without RFE in August.

Among several awesome folks on this forum, I would like to specially thank @Aceman and Q for encouraging (and empathizing with all 2012 filers) during our long journey!!

I hope and pray that all 2012 filers get their GCs at the earliest.

Adios but happy to take any questions.

Congratulations!!! Long time coming ! Can't imagine the torture but glad it is in the rear view mirror now

[gten20]

Congratulations to prabakarb, k7419 and Chilli19. Good to see long timers getting greened. Enjoy the freedom.

[skpanda]

Thanks to all who resonded. I am not losing sleep over GC. Waited for over a decade and few more months/years do not make any difference for me. I am not looking for changing jobs or anything.

I am just curious on the process and asking questions so answers can help others who want to know.

All,

I received the below email indicating that card is being produced. However my wife's case has not received it yet. Hopefully she will get it soon.
*** Update 8/24 Wife's email notification came first thing in the mornig on next day.

On August 23, 2021, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSC219054****, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

From what I have seen here, looks like it takes a week to get the GC in hand. I hope so!

I am thankful but there is no sense of joy... this GC journey has left a very bad taste..... just want to get it over with!

[aGCHopefull]

Hi All,

I'm have been following this forum and immigration related info posted here since long time. I think its my turn to share the good news. The status on mine and my spouse I-485 changed to card produced on Friday. The journey was quite long as i entered to this country on 03/10/2005 and its been more than 16 years

Here are the timelines if anybody interested

PD 05/27/2010
RD 10/19/2020
BM 03/22/2021
EAD approval 04/09/2021
Interview held on 08/09/2021
i485 approval on 08/20/2021

Congratulations Chilli19! Would you be able to share details on interview process / questions, if you don't mind?

[aGCHopefull]

We received our physical green cards yesterday (pd Jan 2010)

Congrats shaisri!

[gten20]

All,

I received the below email indicating that card is being produced. However my wife's case has not received it yet. Hopefully she will get it soon.

On August 23, 2021, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSC219054****, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

From what I have seen here, looks like it takes a week to get the GC in hand. I hope so!

I am thankful but there is no sense of joy... this GC journey has left a very bad taste..... just want to get it over with!

Congratulation! Sometimes it a takes a bit of time to feel the joy and a sense of relief. I hope you feel that soon. Cheers!

[mesan123]

Finally my cards arrived today. It was so much of relief after 15+ years and mutiple H1b?s.. cannot express the feeling.

This forum was my solace and also so helpful during this journey. Soecially would like to thank all the oldie buddies i made, who were supportive through out by answering all the queries and making the journey easy, when decisions of job changes were to be made?



Thank you Q, Spec , Nishanth, Soggadu, Kanmani , sunniphx, johnty, imdeng, skpanda and many more..

Hoping everyone gets greened soon

[qesehmk]

Finally my cards arrived today. It was so much of relief after 15+ years and mutiple H1b?s.. cannot express the feeling.

This forum was my solace and also so helpful during this journey. Soecially would like to thank all the oldie buddies i made, who were supportive through out by answering all the queries and making the journey easy, when decisions of job changes were to be made?



Thank you Q, Spec , Nishanth, Soggadu, Kanmani , johnty, imdeng, skpanda and many more..

Hoping everyone gets greened soon

mesan - I am genuinely happy for you. My best wishes to you and others who got approved recently!

[suninphx]

Finally my cards arrived today. It was so much of relief after 15+ years and mutiple H1b?s.. cannot express the feeling.

This forum was my solace and also so helpful during this journey. Soecially would like to thank all the oldie buddies i made, who were supportive through out by answering all the queries and making the journey easy, when decisions of job changes were to be made?



Thank you Q, Spec , Nishanth, Soggadu, Kanmani , johnty, imdeng, skpanda and many more..

Hoping everyone gets greened soon

Many Congratulations! Enjoy!

[mesan123]

Many Congratulations! Enjoy! Thank you Sunny!!!

[mesan123]

mesan - I am genuinely happy for you. My best wishes to you and others who got approved recently! Thank you Q 😊

[skpanda]

Finally my cards arrived today. It was so much of relief after 15+ years and mutiple H1b?s.. cannot express the feeling.

This forum was my solace and also so helpful during this journey. Soecially would like to thank all the oldie buddies i made, who were supportive through out by answering all the queries and making the journey easy, when decisions of job changes were to be made?



Thank you Q, Spec , Nishanth, Soggadu, Kanmani , sunniphx, johnty, imdeng, skpanda and many more..

Hoping everyone gets greened soon

Congratulations mesan!! njoy!

[GCGCGCGC]

Finally my cards arrived today. It was so much of relief after 15+ years and mutiple H1b?s.. cannot express the feeling.

This forum was my solace and also so helpful during this journey. Soecially would like to thank all the oldie buddies i made, who were supportive through out by answering all the queries and making the journey easy, when decisions of job changes were to be made?



Thank you Q, Spec , Nishanth, Soggadu, Kanmani , sunniphx, johnty, imdeng, skpanda and many more..

Hoping everyone gets greened soon

Congratulations!!!

[GCGCGCGC]

Congratulations mesan!! njoy!

Congratulations Skpanda!!!

[GCkaLADDU]

Received the much awaited magical status update yesterday for myself and wifey!

1. Package sent to USCIS : 10/26/2020 (Medicals submitted with AOS application)
2. Package received by USCIS : 11/02/2021
3. Physical Notices mailed (Notice Date): 01/21/2021
4. Priority date: 04/24/2013 (EB3 India - Straight)
5. Finger Print taken : 03/17/2021
6. AP/EAD Physical cards mailed : July 2021
7. Receipt series : MSC219063XXXXX
8. i-485 J: Received around end of July
9. Case transferred to Kansas city FO : 08/12/2021 (Confirmed with 8-10 Emma agents)
10. I-485 status : "New Card Is Being Produced" on 08/23/2021

Can't wait to have the actual card in hand :) This forum is an oasis of information with amazing people like Q, Spec, Idliman who helped keep my sanity intact in this chaotic journey. A big thanks!

[andhraguy]

Received the much awaited magical status update yesterday for myself and wifey!

1. Package sent to USCIS : 10/26/2020 (Medicals submitted with AOS application)
2. Package received by USCIS : 11/02/2021
3. Physical Notices mailed (Notice Date): 01/21/2021
4. Priority date: 04/24/2013 (EB3 India - Straight)
5. Finger Print taken : 03/17/2021
6. AP/EAD Physical cards mailed : July 2021
7. Receipt series : MSC219063XXXXX
8. i-485 J: Received around end of July
9. Case transferred to Kansas city FO : 08/12/2021 (Confirmed with 8-10 Emma agents)
10. I-485 status : "New Card Is Being Produced" on 08/23/2021

Can't wait to have the actual card in hand :) This forum is an oasis of information with amazing people like Q, Spec, Idliman who helped keep my sanity intact in this chaotic journey. A big thanks!


GCkaLADDU - Congratulations! and thanks for posting your status update. Good to know that 2013 priority date are getting picked up.

[rave79]

Congratulation! Sometimes it a takes a bit of time to feel the joy and a sense of relief. I hope you feel that soon. Cheers!

Congrats GCkaLDDu..!!

[aGCHopefull]

Finally my cards arrived today.

Congrats buddy!

[Noesis]

Finally my cards arrived today. It was so much of relief after 15+ years and mutiple H1b?s.. cannot express the feeling.

This forum was my solace and also so helpful during this journey. Soecially would like to thank all the oldie buddies i made, who were supportive through out by answering all the queries and making the journey easy, when decisions of job changes were to be made?



Thank you Q, Spec , Nishanth, Soggadu, Kanmani , sunniphx, johnty, imdeng, skpanda and many more..

Hoping everyone gets greened soon

Many Congratulations.!

[aGCHopefull]

Received the much awaited magical status update yesterday for myself and wifey!

1. Package sent to USCIS : 10/26/2020 (Medicals submitted with AOS application)
2. Package received by USCIS : 11/02/2021
3. Physical Notices mailed (Notice Date): 01/21/2021
4. Priority date: 04/24/2013 (EB3 India - Straight)
5. Finger Print taken : 03/17/2021
6. AP/EAD Physical cards mailed : July 2021
7. Receipt series : MSC219063XXXXX
8. i-485 J: Received around end of July
9. Case transferred to Kansas city FO : 08/12/2021 (Confirmed with 8-10 Emma agents)
10. I-485 status : "New Card Is Being Produced" on 08/23/2021

Can't wait to have the actual card in hand :) This forum is an oasis of information with amazing people like Q, Spec, Idliman who helped keep my sanity intact in this chaotic journey. A big thanks!

Congratulations!!!

[gten20]

Received the much awaited magical status update yesterday for myself and wifey!

1. Package sent to USCIS : 10/26/2020 (Medicals submitted with AOS application)
2. Package received by USCIS : 11/02/2021
3. Physical Notices mailed (Notice Date): 01/21/2021
4. Priority date: 04/24/2013 (EB3 India - Straight)
5. Finger Print taken : 03/17/2021
6. AP/EAD Physical cards mailed : July 2021
7. Receipt series : MSC219063XXXXX
8. i-485 J: Received around end of July
9. Case transferred to Kansas city FO : 08/12/2021 (Confirmed with 8-10 Emma agents)
10. I-485 status : "New Card Is Being Produced" on 08/23/2021

Can't wait to have the actual card in hand :) This forum is an oasis of information with amazing people like Q, Spec, Idliman who helped keep my sanity intact in this chaotic journey. A big thanks!

Congratulations!

[Noesis]

All,

I received the below email indicating that card is being produced. However my wife's case has not received it yet. Hopefully she will get it soon.
*** Update 8/24 Wife's email notification came first thing in the mornig on next day.

On August 23, 2021, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSC219054****, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

From what I have seen here, looks like it takes a week to get the GC in hand. I hope so!

I am thankful but there is no sense of joy... this GC journey has left a very bad taste..... just want to get it over with!

Many Congratulations.!

[Noesis]

Received the much awaited magical status update yesterday for myself and wifey!

1. Package sent to USCIS : 10/26/2020 (Medicals submitted with AOS application)
2. Package received by USCIS : 11/02/2021
3. Physical Notices mailed (Notice Date): 01/21/2021
4. Priority date: 04/24/2013 (EB3 India - Straight)
5. Finger Print taken : 03/17/2021
6. AP/EAD Physical cards mailed : July 2021
7. Receipt series : MSC219063XXXXX
8. i-485 J: Received around end of July
9. Case transferred to Kansas city FO : 08/12/2021 (Confirmed with 8-10 Emma agents)
10. I-485 status : "New Card Is Being Produced" on 08/23/2021

Can't wait to have the actual card in hand :) This forum is an oasis of information with amazing people like Q, Spec, Idliman who helped keep my sanity intact in this chaotic journey. A big thanks!

Many Congratulations.!

[gammaray]

All,

I received the below email indicating that card is being produced. However my wife's case has not received it yet. Hopefully she will get it soon.
*** Update 8/24 Wife's email notification came first thing in the mornig on next day.

On August 23, 2021, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSC219054****, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

From what I have seen here, looks like it takes a week to get the GC in hand. I hope so!

I am thankful but there is no sense of joy... this GC journey has left a very bad taste..... just want to get it over with!

Well, I could have said, I did tell you it's round the corner. Glad it's over with for one more person. Good luck on future endeavors.

[Zenzone]

Congrats all who got greened in the past week. Good to see many old timers getting the good news. Hoping every known member of this forum and anyone who filed and waited gets greened by this fiscal!

[kanthmedala]

Finally after 13 years in USA, got Greened. Big relief for us, as my wife need not depend on
my status which is very important.

Thank you very much Q, Spec and others. Q this site rocks. Kept me sane over years and can relate lot
of similar stories here.

FIELD OFFICE - Durham, Raleigh, NC
Category: EB2I Straight
PD: JAN 2011
RD: Oct 29, 2020 (medical not submitted with application)
Receipt number: MSC2190686xxx
ND (I-485, I765, I131): Jan 15th, 2021
FP: Mar 15th, 2021
ND (I485J): June 24, 2021 Fees Waived notice

EAD(I765): Jul 29, 2021: New Card Is Being Produced
AP(I-131): case is received
RFE - 07/29/2021
RFE Sent - 08/02/2021
I485(Primary and Dependent): Approved - 08/24/2021

[aGCHopefull]

Finally after 13 years in USA, got Greened. Big relief for us, as my wife need not depend on
my status which is very important.

Thank you very much Q, Spec and others. Q this site rocks. Kept me sane over years and can relate lot
of similar stories here.

FIELD OFFICE - Durham, Raleigh, NC
Category: EB2I Straight
PD: JAN 2011
RD: Oct 29, 2020 (medical not submitted with application)
Receipt number: MSC2190686xxx
ND (I-485, I765, I131): Jan 15th, 2021
FP: Mar 15th, 2021
ND (I485J): June 24, 2021 Fees Waived notice

EAD(I765): Jul 29, 2021: New Card Is Being Produced
AP(I-131): case is received
RFE - 07/29/2021
RFE Sent - 08/02/2021
I485(Primary and Dependent): Approved - 08/24/2021

Congratulations!!

[GCGCGCGC]

Finally after 13 years in USA, got Greened. Big relief for us, as my wife need not depend on
my status which is very important.

Thank you very much Q, Spec and others. Q this site rocks. Kept me sane over years and can relate lot
of similar stories here.

FIELD OFFICE - Durham, Raleigh, NC
Category: EB2I Straight
PD: JAN 2011
RD: Oct 29, 2020 (medical not submitted with application)
Receipt number: MSC2190686xxx
ND (I-485, I765, I131): Jan 15th, 2021
FP: Mar 15th, 2021
ND (I485J): June 24, 2021 Fees Waived notice

EAD(I765): Jul 29, 2021: New Card Is Being Produced
AP(I-131): case is received
RFE - 07/29/2021
RFE Sent - 08/02/2021
I485(Primary and Dependent): Approved - 08/24/2021

Congratualtion!! Enjoy the freedom

[qesehmk]

I will never get tired of saying this !!

"JOY WHEN SHARED INCREASES" !!

Many congratulations my friend. I am happy for you and believe me - there are a ton of people on this site who feel happy for you.
Finally after 13 years in USA, got Greened. Big relief for us, as my wife need not depend on
my status which is very important.

Thank you very much Q, Spec and others. Q this site rocks. Kept me sane over years and can relate lot
of similar stories here.

FIELD OFFICE - Durham, Raleigh, NC
Category: EB2I Straight
PD: JAN 2011
RD: Oct 29, 2020 (medical not submitted with application)
Receipt number: MSC2190686xxx
ND (I-485, I765, I131): Jan 15th, 2021
FP: Mar 15th, 2021
ND (I485J): June 24, 2021 Fees Waived notice

EAD(I765): Jul 29, 2021: New Card Is Being Produced
AP(I-131): case is received
RFE - 07/29/2021
RFE Sent - 08/02/2021
I485(Primary and Dependent): Approved - 08/24/2021

[Noesis]

Finally after 13 years in USA, got Greened. Big relief for us, as my wife need not depend on
my status which is very important.

Thank you very much Q, Spec and others. Q this site rocks. Kept me sane over years and can relate lot
of similar stories here.

FIELD OFFICE - Durham, Raleigh, NC
Category: EB2I Straight
PD: JAN 2011
RD: Oct 29, 2020 (medical not submitted with application)
Receipt number: MSC2190686xxx
ND (I-485, I765, I131): Jan 15th, 2021
FP: Mar 15th, 2021
ND (I485J): June 24, 2021 Fees Waived notice

EAD(I765): Jul 29, 2021: New Card Is Being Produced
AP(I-131): case is received
RFE - 07/29/2021
RFE Sent - 08/02/2021
I485(Primary and Dependent): Approved - 08/24/2021

Many Congratulations.!

[kanthmedala]

thanks a lot everyone. Best of luck

[krnashvom8]

guys finally after 19 years in this country we have received our GCs. came to USA in 2002 as a student (F1) and then on H1B since oct 2005. made a few job changes and so filed for GC with PD of June 2010. has been a long journey, lost few good opportunities on the way as those companies were not sponsoring h1b. but overall would like complete this on an optimistic note and say alls well that ends well.

details
EB2I PD of 10-June-2010
RD: 15 Oct 2020 - submitted with medicals
Biometrics: 11-Jan-2021
EAD/AP approved and received 19-Jan-2021
Receipt no. MSC2190267xxx
I485 status changed to - New Card Is Being Produced - 13Aug2021 for both me and my wife
GC's received 21Aug2021

have been a reader of this forum for quite a few years now but created an account only recently. I'd like to thank stalwarts like Q, Spec, Idliman, Ace and relatively new comers like Turbulent Dragonfly for sharing their insights and knowledge with us. that has helped us mentally to keep going in this journey.... Apologize if I didnt name all contributors, there are too many to name.. all have been really nice and helpful in sharing info. God bless you all guys....
I sincerely hope and pray that each and every one of us receive their GC at the soonest.. we all deserve it.. take care folks,,. best wishes always..

[userksp]

guys finally after 19 years in this country we have received our GCs. came to USA in 2002 as a student (F1) and then on H1B since oct 2005. made a few job changes and so filed for GC with PD of June 2010. has been a long journey, lost few good opportunities on the way as I am not in IT and those companies were not sponsoring h1b. but overall would like complete this on an optimistic note and say alls well that ends well.

details
EB2I PD of 10-June-2010
RD: 15 Oct 2020 - submitted with medicals
Biometrics: 11-Jan-2021
EAD/AP approved and received 19-Jan-2021
Receipt no. MSC2190267xxx
I485 status changed to - New Card Is Being Produced - 13Aug2021 for both me and my wife
GC's received 21Aug2021

have been a reader of this forum for quite a few years now but created an account only recently. I'd like to thank stalwarts like Q, Spec, Idliman, Ace and relatively new comers like Turbulent Dragonfly for sharing their insights and knowledge with us. that has helped us mentally to keep going in this journey.... Apologize if I didnt name all contributors, there are too many to name.. all have been really nice and helpful in sharing info. God bless you all guys....
I sincerely hope and pray that each and every one of us receive their GC at the soonest.. we all deserve it.. take care folks,,. best wishes always..

Congrats to you ! We both have almost the same timelines... right from 2002 as student to starting work in 2005 to GC in Aug 2021 :) So totally understand what you went through. Enjoy the freedom both from a work & travel perspective.

And happy for all the members that got GC recently ! Relieved to see so many getting approved in the past 2 months and hope they approve many many more before Sep 30.

[aGCHopefull]

guys finally after 19 years in this country we have received our GCs. came to USA in 2002 as a student (F1) and then on H1B since oct 2005. made a few job changes and so filed for GC with PD of June 2010. has been a long journey, lost few good opportunities on the way as I am not in IT and those companies were not sponsoring h1b. but overall would like complete this on an optimistic note and say alls well that ends well.

details
EB2I PD of 10-June-2010
RD: 15 Oct 2020 - submitted with medicals
Biometrics: 11-Jan-2021
EAD/AP approved and received 19-Jan-2021
Receipt no. MSC2190267xxx
I485 status changed to - New Card Is Being Produced - 13Aug2021 for both me and my wife
GC's received 21Aug2021

have been a reader of this forum for quite a few years now but created an account only recently. I'd like to thank stalwarts like Q, Spec, Idliman, Ace and relatively new comers like Turbulent Dragonfly for sharing their insights and knowledge with us. that has helped us mentally to keep going in this journey.... Apologize if I didnt name all contributors, there are too many to name.. all have been really nice and helpful in sharing info. God bless you all guys....
I sincerely hope and pray that each and every one of us receive their GC at the soonest.. we all deserve it.. take care folks,,. best wishes always..

Congrats, very happy for you.

[aGCHopefull]

Congrats, very happy for you.

Glad to see early 2010 getting approved. Lot of 902 and 903 still waiting for RFE. Hope they pick up rest of cases. Best wishes to all waiting in line.

[krnashvom8]

thanks userkp! glad to see a fellow 2002 mate here. congrats to you as well and best wishes!

[krnashvom8]

thanks so much!

[Chilli19]

guys finally after 19 years in this country we have received our GCs. came to USA in 2002 as a student (F1) and then on H1B since oct 2005. made a few job changes and so filed for GC with PD of June 2010. has been a long journey, lost few good opportunities on the way as those companies were not sponsoring h1b. but overall would like complete this on an optimistic note and say alls well that ends well.

details
EB2I PD of 10-June-2010
RD: 15 Oct 2020 - submitted with medicals
Biometrics: 11-Jan-2021
EAD/AP approved and received 19-Jan-2021
Receipt no. MSC2190267xxx
I485 status changed to - New Card Is Being Produced - 13Aug2021 for both me and my wife
GC's received 21Aug2021

have been a reader of this forum for quite a few years now but created an account only recently. I'd like to thank stalwarts like Q, Spec, Idliman, Ace and relatively new comers like Turbulent Dragonfly for sharing their insights and knowledge with us. that has helped us mentally to keep going in this journey.... Apologize if I didnt name all contributors, there are too many to name.. all have been really nice and helpful in sharing info. God bless you all guys....
I sincerely hope and pray that each and every one of us receive their GC at the soonest.. we all deserve it.. take care folks,,. best wishes always..

Hi krnashvom8, Congrats. May i know after getting the status changed to card produced when was the usps card pick up status changed and after that how many days does it took to receive the card? Mine got approved on friday 08/20 still no status change after that except that i485J got approved on 08/24.

[gten20]

Congratulations kanthmedala and krnashvom8. Its so good to see post about GC approvals. Enjoy the freedom.

[srimurthy]

Started at home at 10:15 am and reached USCIS office at 10:45am. Spoke with attorney outside the office for 15mins and went in to the building at 11:00am. The security was just like in airport, they asked your interview letter and asked me to remove your belt, shoes etc. after the security check there are small window counters where they will ask your id and interview letter and ask your A# as well and enter in to the system and write a number on the letter and ask you to go to upstairs.

After taking an elevator to upstairs / 2nd floor there will be a receptionist who takes your interview letter and asks you to sit the in the waiting area and they will be calling your name. Sat in the area at 11:15am.

Waited and waited and waited and no call until 12:15pm. The officer Magee came in asked me to come in and asked my spouse to stay outside and she don?t need an interview as I being the primary applicant.

Officer asked me to raise my hand and take an oath as I say everything truth. He opened my file and asked me
How long have I been in this country and when did I came in first?
How many times have you entered in to USA?
What are the visa statuses you were in those visits to USA? What are the timelines?
What are the different employers you were with since you first came in?
What are the timelines of each employer?
What are the client places you worked for each of these employers?
Asked about Comany name 1 and Company name 2 (name change). Are they different or same while verifying the employer info on the file and system.
Went thru personal info filled in the i485 applications like what is your full name, DOB, address, wife?s name, Kids? name, parents names etc.
Went thru the i485 part 8 questions each and every one
Asked me to sign that interview is concluded
I asked if they have medicals on the file that I interfiled, he said yes.
Came out to the door and said thank you at 1:10 PM.

Thank you Chilli this is helpful.

[shivab55]

Our 485 application status changed to 'New card is being produced' - 08/25, 6 PM PST

Here is the timeline,

PD: 04/04/2011 EB2 Straight
ND : 10/21/2020 ( without medical)
EAD/AP: 01/29/2021


- Joined G Siskind's lawsuit in June
- Changed Job in June 2021 - AC21 Job portability
- Submitted Sub J in beginning of July.
- Interfiled medicals sometime during July 2021
- Sent EAD/AP Renewal application beginning of August
- RFE response to medical 08/16
- Sent an email to my Congressman 08/25 - 04 PM

I am thankful to Q, Spec, Idliman and so many others in this forum that i learnt from. I am not sure which of my action worked, but i kept USCIS engaged with one form or another since my priority date become current in Final Action chart ( July 1st).

It makes me even more happier that i navigated this long journey by filing all the applications by myself, and ofcourse with Q's forum.

[krnashvom8]

Hi krnashvom8, Congrats. May i know after getting the status changed to card produced when was the usps card pick up status changed and after that how many days does it took to receive the card? Mine got approved on friday 08/20 still no status change after that except that i485J got approved on 08/24.

Congrats Shiva!

Chilli,
our status changed to New Card Is Being Produced on 8/13 and cards shipped via USPS on 8/19.

[qesehmk]

Congratulations Shiva and everybody else that got approved recently. Wish you the very best with your future life and career.

Here is a comprehensive (but not complete by any means!) list of people who have been great contributors on this forum. If anybody thanks me - I am going to redirect those thanks to all these folks.

[inspired_p]

Some further information on the status of "Correspondence Was Received And USCIS Is Reviewing It"*:
1. This status is relatively new, it started to show up on cases majorly starting 8/6. before that it was just 2-3 case.
2. Atleast 55% of the cases were approved within 2-3 weeks ( it could be as high as 70%, Did not spend much time)
3. Less 12% of the cases are pending for more than 3 weeks i.e since 8/6.


*Data used from a google drive for each week of MSC* series data movement available from trackitt user.

You can add my case changing status within 6 days as well.

[AlmostThere]

You can add my case changing status within 6 days as well.

wow... Great!! Happy for you.
so it does prove the data is somewhat correct. Will continue to wait.

[mesan123]

Thank you all for wishes!!! Congratulations Skpanda and all who are greened? wishing others get greened soon

[inspired_p]

wow... Great!! Happy for you.
so it does prove the data is somewhat correct. Will continue to wait.

Thank you ! Now just waiting for derivative applications to change status and getting the cards shipped

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

Thank you ! Now just waiting for derivative applications to change status and getting the cards shipped

Hey, congrats inspired_p!

[inspired_p]

Hey, congrats inspired_p!

Thank you ! it's been a long journey, but it has not ended yet. We have not received any update on the derivative applications. I really hope derivatives don't get lagged behind.

Derivative application received RFE for medicals and primary was left behind.

Now Primary got approved after interfiling (no RFE) and the derivative that got RFE has not moved.

It's strange how the applications run parallel and independent of each other, when ideally they should be processed as a group.

[drop2ocean]

Finally after 19 years in US, gained my freedom ! Came to US on F1 in 2002, started on H1 from 2005. went through a lot of pain and suffering in this ~20 year journey. Think its totally worth it !!! Off to enjoying simple joys of life.

PD: 15 June 2010
RD: 29 Oct 2020
FP: 23 April 2021
REF (medicals): 29 July 2021
REF summitted: 10 Aug 2021
New Card production ordered: 23 Aug 2021

Waiting to receive the card

Best wishes to my fellow countrymen !

[GCGCGCGC]

Finally after 19 years in US, gained my freedom ! Came to US on F1 in 2002, started on H1 from 2005. went through a lot of pain and suffering in this ~20 year journey. Think its totally worth it !!! Off to enjoying simple joys of life.

PD: 15 June 2010
RD: 29 Oct 2020
FP: 23 April 2021
REF (medicals): 29 July 2021
REF summitted: 10 Aug 2021
New Card production ordered: 23 Aug 2021

Waiting to receive the card

Best wishes to my fellow countrymen !
Congratulations!! Enjoy the freedom.

[vsivarama]

Congratulations kanthmedala, krnashvom8, Chilli19, Skpanda, shivab55, drop2ocean and anyone else I missed!! Enjoy your Freedom!!

[aGCHopefull]

Finally after 19 years in US, gained my freedom ! Came to US on F1 in 2002, started on H1 from 2005. went through a lot of pain and suffering in this ~20 year journey. Think its totally worth it !!! Off to enjoying simple joys of life.

PD: 15 June 2010
RD: 29 Oct 2020
FP: 23 April 2021
REF (medicals): 29 July 2021
REF summitted: 10 Aug 2021
New Card production ordered: 23 Aug 2021

Waiting to receive the card

Best wishes to my fellow countrymen !

Congratulations! Good to see some 2010s are getting approved.

[skpanda]

All,

I received the below email indicating that card is being produced. However my wife's case has not received it yet. Hopefully she will get it soon.
*** Update 8/24 Wife's email notification came first thing in the mornig on next day.

On August 23, 2021, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSC219054****, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

From what I have seen here, looks like it takes a week to get the GC in hand. I hope so!

I am thankful but there is no sense of joy... this GC journey has left a very bad taste..... just want to get it over with!

Dear Friends,
I am happy to inform that my spouse and I have received Green Cards in hand today! 16+ years of wait comes to an end.

I would like to thank Q for providing this wonderful safe and amazing platform for people like us to share and help each other. Many old timers have time and again provided their advise in troubling times. There too many to name!

If you wish to know my story, see below a write-up I did last year.

https://www.qesehmk.org/forums/showthread.php/2798-Immigrant-Stories?p=65355&viewfull=1#post65355

God has been great and life has been good. Since i wrote this post in 2020, there have been few more updates in life in last 1 year.

Upsides since 2020:

a. Joined a top Executive MBA program in one of the top M7 schools. Amazing experience. Network is wonderful!

b. Started my side-hustle a startup with my wife (products and services)

c. Founded a non-profit Organization to help students with their education.

d. Working on building a learning platform that would provide education oppurtunities for students with no means to afford. Did a pilot in 2020 for IIT aspirants. It was a great success. Implementing the learnings from the pilot.

d. Still working with the top fintech, team size and responsibilities have tripled. I am being groomed to be the next CIO of the region I work in (If I stay here of course... haha).

e. Spending more time with family (I am sort of a workaholic)

Downsides since 2020:

a. I was sick for over 2 months in 2020 (not covid) - It is not really a downside. As I was not sure if I would survive, I made a list of regrets in my life. From that list I started implementing / working to overcome each regret. You can see the results in the upsides in last 1 year (above).

b. Broke my knee cap in a freak accident in May 2021. Underwent surgery, Immobilized for 6 weeks. Did Physiotherapy for 6 weeks. Made amazing progress. (90% back to normal life) - better than most people with this kind of injury - and then a bummer - last wednesday 8/23 my knee snapped while doing physiotherapy. Underwent surgery again last friday 8/27. I am in immense pain as I write this. Immobilized again. Back to square one. But past never holds me back. I am working on getting better every single day.


Good luck to all!

Happy to connect offline if you think I can help!

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

All,

I received the below email indicating that card is being produced. However my wife's case has not received it yet. Hopefully she will get it soon.
*** Update 8/24 Wife's email notification came first thing in the mornig on next day.

On August 23, 2021, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSC219054****, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

From what I have seen here, looks like it takes a week to get the GC in hand. I hope so!

I am thankful but there is no sense of joy... this GC journey has left a very bad taste..... just want to get it over with!

Congrats, skpanda!!!

[qesehmk]

Dear Friends,
I am happy to inform that my spouse and I have received Green Cards in hand today! 16+ years of wait comes to an end.

I would like to thank Q for providing this wonderful safe and amazing platform for people like us to share and help each other. Many old timers have time and again provided their advise in troubling times. There too many to name!

If you wish to know my story, see below a write-up I did last year.

https://www.qesehmk.org/forums/showthread.php/2798-Immigrant-Stories?p=65355&viewfull=1#post65355

God has been great and life has been good. Since i wrote this post in 2020, there have been few more updates in life in last 1 year.

Upsides since 2020:

a. Joined a top Executive MBA program in one of the top M7 schools. Amazing experience. Network is wonderful!

b. Started my side-hustle a startup with my wife (products and services)

c. Founded a non-profit Organization to help students with their education.

d. Working on building a learning platform that would provide education oppurtunities for students with no means to afford. Did a pilot in 2020 for IIT aspirants. It was a great success. Implementing the learnings from the pilot.

d. Still working with the top fintech, team size and responsibilities have tripled. I am being groomed to be the next CIO of the region I work in (If I stay here of course... haha).

e. Spending more time with family (I am sort of a workaholic)

Downsides since 2020:

a. I was sick for over 2 months in 2020 (not covid) - It is not really a downside. As I was not sure if I would survive, I made a list of regrets in my life. From that list I started implementing / working to overcome each regret. You can see the results in the upsides in last 1 year (above).

b. Broke my knee cap in a freak accident in May 2021. Underwent surgery, Immobilized for 6 weeks. Did Physiotherapy for 6 weeks. Made amazing progress. (90% back to normal life) - better than most people with this kind of injury - and then a bummer - last wednesday 8/23 my knee snapped while doing physiotherapy. Underwent surgery again last friday 8/27. I am in immense pain as I write this. Immobilized again. Back to square one. But past never holds me back. I am working on getting better every single day.


Good luck to all!

Happy to connect offline if you think I can help!

Congratulations again skpanda. You have an amazing and fulfilling story. I wish you terrific success ahead in all kinds of endeavors! Feel free to use me as a sound board if you ever need to. Also I am curious to learn about your non-profit. Perhaps you can tell all of us more about it.

Finally sorry to hear about health situations. It seems you already have a great attitude towards life. I think you will be a winner no matter what. Wish you great happiness and health.

p.s. - Drop2Ocean - wish you the very best too!

[gten20]

Congratulations shivab55 and drop2ocean.

[AceMan]

Dear Friends,
I am happy to inform that my spouse and I have received Green Cards in hand today! 16+ years of wait comes to an end.

I would like to thank Q for providing this wonderful safe and amazing platform for people like us to share and help each other. Many old timers have time and again provided their advise in troubling times. There too many to name!

If you wish to know my story, see below a write-up I did last year.

https://www.qesehmk.org/forums/showthread.php/2798-Immigrant-Stories?p=65355&viewfull=1#post65355

God has been great and life has been good. Since i wrote this post in 2020, there have been few more updates in life in last 1 year.

Upsides since 2020:

a. Joined a top Executive MBA program in one of the top M7 schools. Amazing experience. Network is wonderful!

b. Started my side-hustle a startup with my wife (products and services)

c. Founded a non-profit Organization to help students with their education.

d. Working on building a learning platform that would provide education oppurtunities for students with no means to afford. Did a pilot in 2020 for IIT aspirants. It was a great success. Implementing the learnings from the pilot.

d. Still working with the top fintech, team size and responsibilities have tripled. I am being groomed to be the next CIO of the region I work in (If I stay here of course... haha).

e. Spending more time with family (I am sort of a workaholic)

Downsides since 2020:

a. I was sick for over 2 months in 2020 (not covid) - It is not really a downside. As I was not sure if I would survive, I made a list of regrets in my life. From that list I started implementing / working to overcome each regret. You can see the results in the upsides in last 1 year (above).

b. Broke my knee cap in a freak accident in May 2021. Underwent surgery, Immobilized for 6 weeks. Did Physiotherapy for 6 weeks. Made amazing progress. (90% back to normal life) - better than most people with this kind of injury - and then a bummer - last wednesday 8/23 my knee snapped while doing physiotherapy. Underwent surgery again last friday 8/27. I am in immense pain as I write this. Immobilized again. Back to square one. But past never holds me back. I am working on getting better every single day.


Good luck to all!

Happy to connect offline if you think I can help!

Get well soon, wishing you full mobility for your knees and congratulations for receiving your GC.

[suninphx]

skpanda - very inspiring story .. great attitude as well.

Many congratulations and wishing you speedy recovery. Take care.

[GCGCGCGC]

Dear Friends,
I am happy to inform that my spouse and I have received Green Cards in hand today! 16+ years of wait comes to an end.

I would like to thank Q for providing this wonderful safe and amazing platform for people like us to share and help each other. Many old timers have time and again provided their advise in troubling times. There too many to name!

If you wish to know my story, see below a write-up I did last year.

https://www.qesehmk.org/forums/showthread.php/2798-Immigrant-Stories?p=65355&viewfull=1#post65355

God has been great and life has been good. Since i wrote this post in 2020, there have been few more updates in life in last 1 year.

Upsides since 2020:

a. Joined a top Executive MBA program in one of the top M7 schools. Amazing experience. Network is wonderful!

b. Started my side-hustle a startup with my wife (products and services)

c. Founded a non-profit Organization to help students with their education.

d. Working on building a learning platform that would provide education oppurtunities for students with no means to afford. Did a pilot in 2020 for IIT aspirants. It was a great success. Implementing the learnings from the pilot.

d. Still working with the top fintech, team size and responsibilities have tripled. I am being groomed to be the next CIO of the region I work in (If I stay here of course... haha).

e. Spending more time with family (I am sort of a workaholic)

Downsides since 2020:

a. I was sick for over 2 months in 2020 (not covid) - It is not really a downside. As I was not sure if I would survive, I made a list of regrets in my life. From that list I started implementing / working to overcome each regret. You can see the results in the upsides in last 1 year (above).

b. Broke my knee cap in a freak accident in May 2021. Underwent surgery, Immobilized for 6 weeks. Did Physiotherapy for 6 weeks. Made amazing progress. (90% back to normal life) - better than most people with this kind of injury - and then a bummer - last wednesday 8/23 my knee snapped while doing physiotherapy. Underwent surgery again last friday 8/27. I am in immense pain as I write this. Immobilized again. Back to square one. But past never holds me back. I am working on getting better every single day.


Good luck to all!

Happy to connect offline if you think I can help!

Congratulations!! Get well soon

[may2011]

Dear Friends,
I am happy to inform that my spouse and I have received Green Cards in hand today! 16+ years of wait comes to an end.

I would like to thank Q for providing this wonderful safe and amazing platform for people like us to share and help each other. Many old timers have time and again provided their advise in troubling times. There too many to name!

If you wish to know my story, see below a write-up I did last year.

https://www.qesehmk.org/forums/showthread.php/2798-Immigrant-Stories?p=65355&viewfull=1#post65355

God has been great and life has been good. Since i wrote this post in 2020, there have been few more updates in life in last 1 year.

Upsides since 2020:

a. Joined a top Executive MBA program in one of the top M7 schools. Amazing experience. Network is wonderful!

b. Started my side-hustle a startup with my wife (products and services)

c. Founded a non-profit Organization to help students with their education.

d. Working on building a learning platform that would provide education oppurtunities for students with no means to afford. Did a pilot in 2020 for IIT aspirants. It was a great success. Implementing the learnings from the pilot.

d. Still working with the top fintech, team size and responsibilities have tripled. I am being groomed to be the next CIO of the region I work in (If I stay here of course... haha).

e. Spending more time with family (I am sort of a workaholic)

Downsides since 2020:

a. I was sick for over 2 months in 2020 (not covid) - It is not really a downside. As I was not sure if I would survive, I made a list of regrets in my life. From that list I started implementing / working to overcome each regret. You can see the results in the upsides in last 1 year (above).

b. Broke my knee cap in a freak accident in May 2021. Underwent surgery, Immobilized for 6 weeks. Did Physiotherapy for 6 weeks. Made amazing progress. (90% back to normal life) - better than most people with this kind of injury - and then a bummer - last wednesday 8/23 my knee snapped while doing physiotherapy. Underwent surgery again last friday 8/27. I am in immense pain as I write this. Immobilized again. Back to square one. But past never holds me back. I am working on getting better every single day.


Good luck to all!

Happy to connect offline if you think I can help!

Congratulations ! and thank you for sharing your story.It is truly inspiring I wish you a speedy recovery and the best of luck !

[ivohra]

Hi Everyone,

I am a silent lurker who came here often to get a sense where things stand for the community. My husband and I received our GC last week. All we felt was gratitude and immense relief. Our kids sadly aged out and will be on their own journey of H1b lottery or maybe move to another country. Unless documented dreamers get included in a bill that actually passes.

Thank you so much for all the advice and positivity.

Good luck to all!

[Noesis]

Apparently, the option to expedite even though you do not qualify for it based on processing time for your processing center, used to be there. It was removed recently from the website. You are in a special situation so no harm in trying the congressman/senator route. Unfortunately, I don't think it will help a lot given we are still in the very early part of processing timelines for LIN.

OTOH, I think you are days away from approval. Our PD, RD, Bio, EB3 140, RFE, RFER dates match very closely. 1 month to a few days difference. I got the approval message today - my RFER date was 08/11. I see them starting to get into later part of 10 - 20 Aug RFERs. I hope and I wish for success in your case very, very soon.

Many Congratulations.!

[aGCHopefull]

Dear Friends,
I am happy to inform that my spouse and I have received Green Cards in hand today! 16+ years of wait comes to an end.

Congratulations!! Wish you a speedy recovery. All the best

[Noesis]

Many Congratulations shivab55, drop2ocean and Skpanda.!

[Noesis]

Hi Everyone,

I am a silent lurker who came here often to get a sense where things stand for the community. My husband and I received our GC last week. All we felt was gratitude and immense relief. Our kids sadly aged out and will be on their own journey of H1b lottery or maybe move to another country. Unless documented dreamers get included in a bill that actually passes.

Thank you so much for all the advice and positivity.

Good luck to all!

Many Congratulations.! Wish your kids all the best and hope that an IR happens soon.

[qesehmk]

It's a bittersweet moment isn't it. I wish you and your family the best.

If I were you I would file children into family GC ASAP. Who knows with COVID they might be approved quickly in US itself.
Hi Everyone,

I am a silent lurker who came here often to get a sense where things stand for the community. My husband and I received our GC last week. All we felt was gratitude and immense relief. Our kids sadly aged out and will be on their own journey of H1b lottery or maybe move to another country. Unless documented dreamers get included in a bill that actually passes.

Thank you so much for all the advice and positivity.

Good luck to all!

[KingofJoy]

Congratulations to all the folks who got greened and wish everyone else the best, hope you all get greened very soon

[inspired_p]

Thank you ! it's been a long journey, but it has not ended yet. We have not received any update on the derivative applications. I really hope derivatives don't get lagged behind.

Derivative application received RFE for medicals and primary was left behind.

Now Primary got approved after interfiling (no RFE) and the derivative that got RFE has not moved.

It's strange how the applications run parallel and independent of each other, when ideally they should be processed as a group.

All applications finally showing "Approved" Status online. :)

[march1612]

My 485 status is sitting on "New Card Is Being Produced" since 8/27.

My case is processed at Texas Service center if it matters.

I did not receive approval Mail yet.

How long does it take for card to mail and case status to be approved?

[sstest]

All applications finally showing "Approved" Status online. :)

Welcome back to a consistent state :) Congrats

[AlmostThere]

All applications finally showing "Approved" Status online. :)

Woo Hoo!!!
Love to hear you get Greened fully.

I am still awaiting, lets see how it goes.
Th light at the end of the tunnel just gets brighter and brighter daily ;)

[ivohra]

It's a bittersweet moment isn't it. I wish you and your family the best.

If I were you I would file children into family GC ASAP. Who knows with COVID they might be approved quickly in US itself.

Yes! We are in the process of filing I-130 in F2B category. Thank you :)

[AlmostThere]

Woo Hoo!!!
Love to hear you get Greened fully.

I am still awaiting, lets see how it goes.
Th light at the end of the tunnel just gets brighter and brighter daily ;)

OK, so today for me and wife the status got changed to "New Card Is Being Produced".
So it took roughly 7 days from RFE receipt date's status of "Correspondence was received".

[qesehmk]

Yes! We are in the process of filing I-130 in F2B category. Thank you :)
Great. I just checked and F2B is even ahead of your own PD and so they are already current. Should be greened approximately in a year.

So it seems - EB-IC people who are very anxious for now about their kids - even if your kids age out - at least for now they should be able to get GC literally within a year.

(Wrong and Wrong - the EB Pd does not carry over to FB.)

[Spectator]

Great. I just checked and F2B is even ahead of your own PD and so they are already current. Should be greened approximately in a year.

So it seems - EB-IC people who are very anxious for now about their kids - even if your kids age out - at least for now they should be able to get GC literally within a year.

Q,

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.

An EB priority date (established due to a PERM / I-140 petition) does not carry over to FB (established under an I-130 petition).

An EB PD can be retained within EB1, EB2 and EB3 only. It cannot be retained for EB4 (based on I-360 petition) or EB5 (based on I-526 petition).

The FB2B PD will be the date the I-130 petition is received by USCIS (so it would be a 2021 Priority Date). The Cut Off Date for F2B is currently in September 2015.

If the petitioner becomes a citizen and the son/daughter is still unmarried, the petition can be converted to F1 (Cut Off Date currently December 2014). This can be opted out of if the F1 Cut Off Date is older than the F2B Cut Off Date.

If the son/daughter gets married, the petition will be converted to F3 (Cut Off Date currently November 2008).

[qesehmk]

Q,
An EB priority date (established due to a PERM / I-140 petition) does not carry over to FB (established under an I-130 petition).


Spec - thanks. I overlooked the PD not being carried over part. What a bummer.

On another note - in all likelyhood the aged out child will be on F1 and then H1 and marry an American spouse and things will be just fine in the long run. But the life will still be hell for a while. This is absolutely pathetic.

[GCGCGCGC]

Congratulations everyone!!

[Jonty Rhodes]

You can of course submit an expedited request. But just do not stop with the reason you gave in the forum to your congressman. While I absolutely empathize with you, but the congressman and USCIS will not so much. That unfortunately is the cold hard truth. There is something that you may want to try though especially if you are still on H1. Just recently Greg Abbott the governor of Texas had asked for physicians to volunteer to treat Covid patients in Texas. You can mention to your congressman that you being on H1 is definitely impacting you from volunteering if the situation arises in any other state (because of amendments and other logistics). Hope that moves the needle for you. I do salute you for the service you are doing to the community in these trying times.

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

[gten20]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

Congratulations!

[Jonty Rhodes]

Congratulations!

Thank you. Good luck to you. Hopefully, you get greened soon also.

[monsieur]

Congrats Jonty!! Hopefully you get some downtime this upcoming long weekend to enjoy your new found freedom

[Noesis]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

Many Congratulations.!

[Jonty Rhodes]

Congrats Jonty!! Hopefully you get some downtime this upcoming long weekend to enjoy your new found freedom

Thank you.

[Jonty Rhodes]

Many Congratulations.!

Thank you.

[vsivarama]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

congrats Jonty!!! Enjoy your freedom.

[Zenzone]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

Congratulations!

[KingofJoy]

Congratulations Jonty

[tatikonda]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

Hearty Congratulations Jonty. Waiting to see your signature updated with Green Card in Hands with a Date :).
I am happy for you.

[aGCHopefull]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

Congratulations!!! Really happy for you!

[GCGCGCGC]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

Congratulations Jonty!!!

[Jonty Rhodes]

congrats Jonty!!! Enjoy your freedom.

Thank you.

[Jonty Rhodes]

Thank you so much for your wishes Zenzone, KingofJoy, tatikonda, aGCHopefull, GCGCGCGC

[skpanda]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

Congratulations Jonty.. and others who got greened recently. Good to see some old timers get greened!

[Jonty Rhodes]

Congratulations Jonty.. and others who got greened recently. Good to see some old timers get greened!

Thank you so much.

[YTeleven]

Thank you for your kind words. It has been an awful year and a half and I just hope that these tough times get over soon for everyone.

I was going to contact Senator tomorrow but finally, my and my spouse's statuses got updated this afternoon to "New Card being produced" and I have a sense of relief now.

Hi Jonty,

Many Congratulations!!.

You took a right decision to downgrade to EB3 and then upgrading it to premium and got lucky to get the approval in less than 11 months.
Otherwise you would have got filing your 485 today. You avoided almost a year of nightmare. Enjoy rest of the life. Happy for you.

[tomhagen]

All
Finally got my freedom :)

Category - EB2 Straight
PD - 12th May 2011
485 RD - 07 Oct 2020
485 ND - 23rd Oct 2020
485J ND - 29th Oct 2020
BM - 30th Nov 2020
EAD/AP approved - 10th December 2020
EAD/AP Card mailed - 16th December 2020
EAD/AP received - 18th December 2020
Medical interfiled - 2nd August 2021
Medicals received by NBC - 3rd August 2021
485J Approved - 5th August 2021
RFE for Medical - 6th August 2021
FO - Indianapolis
RFE responded - 18th August 2021
RFER received - 20th August 2021
New Card ordered - 26th August 2021
Case approved - 27th August 2021
Card mailed - 31st August 2021
Card received - 5th September 2021

My wife has her own 140 but filed as Dependent with me (her date is 2012). Contacted USCIS multiple times but no one is giving information if medicals are interfiled or not. Applied for change of address for her and that request went to Indianapolis FO and got address change confirmation as well

Q, Spec, Idliman and others - Thank you for giving the strength when I needed most throughout this journey

[qesehmk]

Congrats Tom. You are a real old timer. You have only made 42 posts but somehow I have remembered you all these days. I wish you very very happy days ahead. Good luck!


All
Finally got my freedom :)

Category - EB2 Straight
PD - 12th May 2011
485 RD - 07 Oct 2020
485 ND - 23rd Oct 2020
485J ND - 29th Oct 2020
BM - 30th Nov 2020
EAD/AP approved - 10th December 2020
EAD/AP Card mailed - 16th December 2020
EAD/AP received - 18th December 2020
Medical interfiled - 2nd August 2021
Medicals received by NBC - 3rd August 2021
485J Approved - 5th August 2021
RFE for Medical - 6th August 2021
FO - Indianapolis
RFE responded - 18th August 2021
RFER received - 20th August 2021
New Card ordered - 26th August 2021
Case approved - 27th August 2021
Card mailed - 31st August 2021
Card received - 5th September 2021

My wife has her own 140 but filed as Dependent with me (her date is 2012). Contacted USCIS multiple times but no one is giving information if medicals are interfiled or not. Applied for change of address for her and that request went to Indianapolis FO and got address change confirmation as well

Q, Spec, Idliman and others - Thank you for giving the strength when I needed most throughout this journey

[gten20]

All
Finally got my freedom :)

Category - EB2 Straight
PD - 12th May 2011
485 RD - 07 Oct 2020
485 ND - 23rd Oct 2020
485J ND - 29th Oct 2020
BM - 30th Nov 2020
EAD/AP approved - 10th December 2020
EAD/AP Card mailed - 16th December 2020
EAD/AP received - 18th December 2020
Medical interfiled - 2nd August 2021
Medicals received by NBC - 3rd August 2021
485J Approved - 5th August 2021
RFE for Medical - 6th August 2021
FO - Indianapolis
RFE responded - 18th August 2021
RFER received - 20th August 2021
New Card ordered - 26th August 2021
Case approved - 27th August 2021
Card mailed - 31st August 2021
Card received - 5th September 2021

My wife has her own 140 but filed as Dependent with me (her date is 2012). Contacted USCIS multiple times but no one is giving information if medicals are interfiled or not. Applied for change of address for her and that request went to Indianapolis FO and got address change confirmation as well

Q, Spec, Idliman and others - Thank you for giving the strength when I needed most throughout this journey

Congratulations!

[tomhagen]

Congrats Tom. You are a real old timer. You have only made 42 posts but somehow I have remembered you all these days. I wish you very very happy days ahead. Good luck!

Q : Thank you very much. Yes I was not responding actively but always watch this blog because this is the only decent place over there :). I will continue to watch and try to help the people where ever I can, now that burden is off of my shoulders

[Noesis]

All
Finally got my freedom :)

Category - EB2 Straight
PD - 12th May 2011
485 RD - 07 Oct 2020
485 ND - 23rd Oct 2020
485J ND - 29th Oct 2020
BM - 30th Nov 2020
EAD/AP approved - 10th December 2020
EAD/AP Card mailed - 16th December 2020
EAD/AP received - 18th December 2020
Medical interfiled - 2nd August 2021
Medicals received by NBC - 3rd August 2021
485J Approved - 5th August 2021
RFE for Medical - 6th August 2021
FO - Indianapolis
RFE responded - 18th August 2021
RFER received - 20th August 2021
New Card ordered - 26th August 2021
Case approved - 27th August 2021
Card mailed - 31st August 2021
Card received - 5th September 2021

My wife has her own 140 but filed as Dependent with me (her date is 2012). Contacted USCIS multiple times but no one is giving information if medicals are interfiled or not. Applied for change of address for her and that request went to Indianapolis FO and got address change confirmation as well

Q, Spec, Idliman and others - Thank you for giving the strength when I needed most throughout this journey

Many Congratulations.!

[AceMan]

Thank you so much.

Congrats Jonty, please let me know when you get your GC what is the status code under which you got greened. Is it E2 or E3.

My coworker who had Eb3 2010 priority date had upgraded to Eb2 in 2016 and when he got the card issued the category was E3 in his actual green card.

Since you downgraded, I want to confirm if you got green classified in 2 or 3.

[aGCHopefull]

Finally got my freedom :)


Congratulations!

[BigAnt]

Hello Everyone,

I am one of those not-so-vocal visitor who regularly visit this page to keep our sanity in check and get the updates in this long journey which tested our patience to the tee. Today after 11 long years I received my Green Card.

I sincerely want to express my gratitude to Q for running this classy forum, which is very informative to the backlogged community, really hoping everybody who are waiting in this forum would get their GCs soon. Below is my timeline in case it help to gauge processing time.


Category: EB3 India (straight)
EB3 Priority Date: 04/2010
Processing Center: National Benefits Center
Receipt Series:MSC21905*****
Receipt Date : 10/29/2020 (Submitted EAD/AP/Medicals applications along with 485 application)
Receipt Notice: 12/16/2020
Biometrics: 04/12/2021
EAD/AP Approval: 7/28/2021
485 J Receipt Notice : 7/28/2021
Case Transferred to Field office : 8/24/2021
New card being produced: 9/2/2021
485 Approval Date : 9/3/2021
485 J Approval : 9/3/2021
Card Mailed date : 9/8/2021
Card Received Date : 9/9/2021

[aGCHopefull]

Hello Everyone,

I am one of those not-so-vocal visitor who regularly visit this page to keep our sanity in check and get the updates in this long journey which tested our patience to the tee. Today after 11 longs years I received my Green Card.

I sincerely want to express my gratitude to Q for running this classy forum, which is very informative to the backlogged community, really hoping everybody who is waiting in this forum would get their GCs soon. Below is my timeline in case it helps to gauge processing time.


Category: EB3 India (straight)
EB3 Priority Date: 04/2010
Processing Center: National Benefits Center
Receipt Series:MSC21905*****
Receipt Date : 10/29/2020 (Submitted EAD/AP/Medicals applications along with 485 application)
Receipt Notice: 12/16/2020
Biometrics: 04/12/2021
EAD/AP Approval: 7/28/2021
485 J Receipt Notice : 7/28/2021
Case Transferred to Field office : 8/24/2021
New card being produced: 9/2/2021
485 Approval Date : 9/3/2021
485 J Approval : 9/3/2021
Card Mail date : 9/8/2021
Card Received Date : 9/9/2021

Congratulations!!

[andhraguy]

Hello Everyone,

I am one of those not-so-vocal visitor who regularly visit this page to keep our sanity in check and get the updates in this long journey which tested our patience to the tee. Today after 11 long years I received my Green Card.

I sincerely want to express my gratitude to Q for running this classy forum, which is very informative to the backlogged community, really hoping everybody who are waiting in this forum would get their GCs soon. Below is my timeline in case it help to gauge processing time.


Category: EB3 India (straight)
EB3 Priority Date: 04/2010
Processing Center: National Benefits Center
Receipt Series:MSC21905*****
Receipt Date : 10/29/2020 (Submitted EAD/AP/Medicals applications along with 485 application)
Receipt Notice: 12/16/2020
Biometrics: 04/12/2021
EAD/AP Approval: 7/28/2021
485 J Receipt Notice : 7/28/2021
Case Transferred to Field office : 8/24/2021
New card being produced: 9/2/2021
485 Approval Date : 9/3/2021
485 J Approval : 9/3/2021
Card Mailed date : 9/8/2021
Card Received Date : 9/9/2021

Congratulations! BigAnt and others who recently got their Green Card. Enjoy the Freedom.

[qesehmk]

Hello Everyone,

I am one of those not-so-vocal visitor who regularly visit this page to keep our sanity in check and get the updates in this long journey which tested our patience to the tee. Today after 11 long years I received my Green Card.

I sincerely want to express my gratitude to Q for running this classy forum, which is very informative to the backlogged community

Many congratulations Big Ant. I wish you health happiness and fulfillment in your life and career ahead.

[inspired_p]

Congrats Jonty, please let me know when you get your GC what is the status code under which you got greened. Is it E2 or E3.

My coworker who had Eb3 2010 priority date had upgraded to Eb2 in 2016 and when he got the card issued the category was E3 in his actual green card.

Since you downgraded, I want to confirm if you got green classified in 2 or 3.

Just curious ; do the categories matter ?

[AceMan]

Just curious ; do the categories matter ?

At this point, it is just a matter of statistical interest for me. The immigration year book uses this to indicate the count of applicants greened in EB category.

https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/yearbook/2019/table7

I had seen my former colleague's GC. He had a priority date couple of months earlier than mine, he had upgraded to Eb2 from EB3 in 2014 and he filed 485 only in October 20. However his GC says E37, and spouses E39.

It can also imply the statistical numbers and real time application has some serious disconnect or not really important for USCIS.

[bangaloreboy]

Congratulations bigant, tomhagen, Jonty, skpanda and everyone else who got greened recently! Its wonderful to see both old timers and very old timers getting approved!

[Noesis]

Hello Everyone,

I am one of those not-so-vocal visitor who regularly visit this page to keep our sanity in check and get the updates in this long journey which tested our patience to the tee. Today after 11 long years I received my Green Card.

I sincerely want to express my gratitude to Q for running this classy forum, which is very informative to the backlogged community, really hoping everybody who are waiting in this forum would get their GCs soon. Below is my timeline in case it help to gauge processing time.


Category: EB3 India (straight)
EB3 Priority Date: 04/2010
Processing Center: National Benefits Center
Receipt Series:MSC21905*****
Receipt Date : 10/29/2020 (Submitted EAD/AP/Medicals applications along with 485 application)
Receipt Notice: 12/16/2020
Biometrics: 04/12/2021
EAD/AP Approval: 7/28/2021
485 J Receipt Notice : 7/28/2021
Case Transferred to Field office : 8/24/2021
New card being produced: 9/2/2021
485 Approval Date : 9/3/2021
485 J Approval : 9/3/2021
Card Mailed date : 9/8/2021
Card Received Date : 9/9/2021

Many Congratulations.!

[Jonty Rhodes]

Thank you everyone for your wishes. I finally got green cards in hand today. I went and picked the cards from the mail.

Just like many of you, I have a similar story of struggle and anxieties.

I came to this country in December 2004 as a student. I did my Masters in Public Health, worked my butt off with on-campus jobs, as a research volunteer in a big hospital that took me 3 hours to commute back and forth daily for more than a year, and studied for USMLE while doing all that. Finally matched into a residency program and did an internal medicine residency for 3 years, got rejected several times for fellowship as majority hospitals won't sponsor H1B for fellowship. Started working after finishing residency in June 2010. Got current in October 2015 bulletin and got everything ready to file but as you all may recall, the bulletin was withdrawn and the dates never got current for another 6 years till October 2020.

In the meantime, we formed an advocacy group for physicians called PAHA and started advocating for physician immigration reform and the efforts increased significantly especially during the pandemic. My story was presented in the Senate by Senator Durbin last year (I couldn't do it in person as they were not allowing testimonies by individuals due to COVID) and received wide media coverage. In between, I seriously explored the option of EB5 but dropped the idea as India was backlogged in EB5 also at that time.

Finally, after discussing with a few other physician friends who were advocating for immigration reform but were also working simultaneously on their EB1A applications, I got motivated to work on my EB1 in 2019. I contacted several lawyers who all rejected me saying my profile was too weak. Finally, I talked to an amazing lawyer who guided me on what I need to do to improve my profile. I started working on improving my CV and again had to work extremely hard at it. In the last one and a half years, I reviewed more than 250 journal articles, became a reviewer for about 15 journals, got on editorial board of 2 journals, did 14 publications, collected about 20 citations, started judging abstract and poster competitions, got on governing councils of medical organizations, worked towards getting awards, obtained memberships of organizations, became a principal investigator and sub-investigator of 6 clinical trials, wrote articles in medical magazines and journals and I can just go on and on on. My CV which was 5 pages long basically became 25 pages long.

While I was working towards this, my wife had medical issues which are still ongoing. I myself suffered from gall stones, ended up in ER 3 times back to back, and had to get my gall bladder removed on Black Friday last year in urgency. Combine that with seeing COVID patients every day for the last one and a half years and my mental stress has been through the roof. But I have managed somehow. When I see myself in the mirror, I feel as if I have suddenly grown few years old. I have lost scalp hair, look balder and my beard and hair have grayed.

While I was working towards EB1, dates moved suddenly but I missed my priority date in EB2 by 5 days. My employer was gracious enough to allow me to downgrade to EB3. So finally I downgraded to EB3. But I continued to work towards EB1 because I wasn't sure how far the dates would move. I did a contract with the lawyer in January and paid her half the money. But finally, the EB3 dates moved and I got current in May or June so then I decided to stop working on my EB1. I still wasn't sure when medical RFEs would come as I had not even received my EAD/AP despite doing biometrics in April but then on July 30, I received a text on my phone for medical RFE, and then in about one and a half months, I have a green card in my hand.

The same green card that I was trying to get for more than 10 years. But I was not jumping with joy. There is a feeling of relief. There is some feeling of happiness but I think it will take some time for this to sink in that this has happened. I find it ironic that I originally filed in EB2, explored EB5, worked on EB1, and almost came close to filing and then finally obtained the green card in EB3. It is like the entire process came to a full circle.

I have cards in my hand. The feeling is surreal and the mood is somber. When I look back on it, I wonder if it was even worth it to go through this entire ordeal to get out of this bizarre, deliberately broken, and terribly messy system that is holding the lives and careers of millions of people hostage.

I can write more about my frustrations but I don't want to bore you more so I would stop.

I would like to thank everyone who comes to this forum and shares their valuable knowledge. This group has been a great support over the last 10 years and whenever I have felt depressed and hopeless on the green card situation, I have come to this forum and I have always found honest advice.

I congratulate those who have received their green cards and are enjoying their moments of security and freedom. I wish good luck to those who are still waiting to be greened.

May you all get greened soon.

[NeelVohra]

Thank you everyone for your wishes. I finally got green cards in hand today. I went and picked the cards from the mail.

Just like many of you, I have a similar story of struggle and anxieties...
.

Congratulations. I'm sure all the hard work you have put will pay dividends in many ways in the future. All the best for your health and future.

[qesehmk]

I have lost scalp hair, look balder and my beard and hair have grayed.

You son of gun I read very carefully and very hard and this is the only common thing I found with you.

Well done my friend. This is especially hard for talented for people to digest this injustice. So I can understand why there isn't exactly a feeling of joy in this. As time goes by the bitterness will go away though. I appreciate every single thing about USA. I read I travel and I particularly read history and I think US absolutely the fantastic place for talented hardworking honest people.

p.s. - Fun aside - there is one more thing common - wife's health. Seven years back my wife almost died. Lucky to be alive. That has completely changed my outlook towards life and I basically like to love one day at a time now a days. Wish your wife better health and your family all the happiness.

[srimurthy]

You son of gun I read very carefully and very hard and this is the only common thing I found with you.

Well done my friend. This is especially hard for talented for people to digest this injustice. So I can understand why there isn't exactly a feeling of joy in this. As time goes by the bitterness will go away though. I appreciate every single thing about USA. I read I travel and I particularly read history and I think US absolutely the fantastic place for talented hardworking honest people.

p.s. - Fun aside - there is one more thing common - wife's health. Seven years back my wife almost died. Lucky to be alive. That has completely changed my outlook towards life and I basically like to love one day at a time now a days. Wish your wife better health and your family all the happiness.

Congrats Jonty and other who got greened. Wish everyone a healthy and happy life as finally nothing matters if the people who with whom we make memories are fighting battles as it impacts the whole family. I agree with Q that US is a good place for talented and hardworking people and hence we still see people trying to come here. The only issue as we all know is the botched up Immigration system and the pathetic state of Employment based lines for backlogged countries.
And I feel after such a long wait it is more of a relief than Joy to receive the GC.

[suninphx]

Thank you everyone for your wishes. I finally got green cards in hand today. I went and picked the cards from the mail.

Just like many of you, I have a similar story of struggle and anxieties.

I came to this country in December 2004 as a student. I did my Masters in Public Health, worked my butt off with on-campus jobs, as a research volunteer in a big hospital that took me 3 hours to commute back and forth daily for more than a year, and studied for USMLE while doing all that. Finally matched into a residency program and did an internal medicine residency for 3 years, got rejected several times for fellowship as majority hospitals won't sponsor H1B for fellowship. Started working after finishing residency in June 2010. Got current in October 2015 bulletin and got everything ready to file but as you all may recall, the bulletin was withdrawn and the dates never got current for another 6 years till October 2020.

In the meantime, we formed an advocacy group for physicians called PAHA and started advocating for physician immigration reform and the efforts increased significantly especially during the pandemic. My story was presented in the Senate by Senator Durbin last year (I couldn't do it in person as they were not allowing testimonies by individuals due to COVID) and received wide media coverage. In between, I seriously explored the option of EB5 but dropped the idea as India was backlogged in EB5 also at that time.

Finally, after discussing with a few other physician friends who were advocating for immigration reform but were also working simultaneously on their EB1A applications, I got motivated to work on my EB1 in 2019. I contacted several lawyers who all rejected me saying my profile was too weak. Finally, I talked to an amazing lawyer who guided me on what I need to do to improve my profile. I started working on improving my CV and again had to work extremely hard at it. In the last one and a half years, I reviewed more than 250 journal articles, became a reviewer for about 15 journals, got on editorial board of 2 journals, did 14 publications, collected about 20 citations, started judging abstract and poster competitions, got on governing councils of medical organizations, worked towards getting awards, obtained memberships of organizations, became a principal investigator and sub-investigator of 6 clinical trials, wrote articles in medical magazines and journals and I can just go on and on on. My CV which was 5 pages long basically became 25 pages long.

While I was working towards this, my wife had medical issues which are still ongoing. I myself suffered from gall stones, ended up in ER 3 times back to back, and had to get my gall bladder removed on Black Friday last year in urgency. Combine that with seeing COVID patients every day for the last one and a half years and my mental stress has been through the roof. But I have managed somehow. When I see myself in the mirror, I feel as if I have suddenly grown few years old. I have lost scalp hair, look balder and my beard and hair have grayed.

While I was working towards EB1, dates moved suddenly but I missed my priority date in EB2 by 5 days. My employer was gracious enough to allow me to downgrade to EB3. So finally I downgraded to EB3. But I continued to work towards EB1 because I wasn't sure how far the dates would move. I did a contract with the lawyer in January and paid her half the money. But finally, the EB3 dates moved and I got current in May or June so then I decided to stop working on my EB1. I still wasn't sure when medical RFEs would come as I had not even received my EAD/AP despite doing biometrics in April but then on July 30, I received a text on my phone for medical RFE, and then in about one and a half months, I have a green card in my hand.

The same green card that I was trying to get for more than 10 years. But I was not jumping with joy. There is a feeling of relief. There is some feeling of happiness but I think it will take some time for this to sink in that this has happened. I find it ironic that I originally filed in EB2, explored EB5, worked on EB1, and almost came close to filing and then finally obtained the green card in EB3. It is like the entire process came to a full circle.

I have cards in my hand. The feeling is surreal and the mood is somber. When I look back on it, I wonder if it was even worth it to go through this entire ordeal to get out of this bizarre, deliberately broken, and terribly messy system that is holding the lives and careers of millions of people hostage.

I can write more about my frustrations but I don't want to bore you more so I would stop.

I would like to thank everyone who comes to this forum and shares their valuable knowledge. This group has been a great support over the last 10 years and whenever I have felt depressed and hopeless on the green card situation, I have come to this forum and I have always found honest advice.

I congratulate those who have received their green cards and are enjoying their moments of security and freedom. I wish good luck to those who are still waiting to be greened.

May you all get greened soon.

Many congratulations! And thank you for your service during these very challenging times. Wishing speedy recovery for your wife.

[beagle]

Thank you everyone for your wishes. I finally got green cards in hand today. I went and picked the cards from the mail.

Just like many of you, I have a similar story of struggle and anxieties.

I came to this country in December 2004 as a student. I did my Masters in Public Health, worked my butt off with on-campus jobs, as a research volunteer in a big hospital that took me 3 hours to commute back and forth daily for more than a year, and studied for USMLE while doing all that. Finally matched into a residency program and did an internal medicine residency for 3 years, got rejected several times for fellowship as majority hospitals won't sponsor H1B for fellowship. Started working after finishing residency in June 2010. Got current in October 2015 bulletin and got everything ready to file but as you all may recall, the bulletin was withdrawn and the dates never got current for another 6 years till October 2020.

In the meantime, we formed an advocacy group for physicians called PAHA and started advocating for physician immigration reform and the efforts increased significantly especially during the pandemic. My story was presented in the Senate by Senator Durbin last year (I couldn't do it in person as they were not allowing testimonies by individuals due to COVID) and received wide media coverage. In between, I seriously explored the option of EB5 but dropped the idea as India was backlogged in EB5 also at that time.

Finally, after discussing with a few other physician friends who were advocating for immigration reform but were also working simultaneously on their EB1A applications, I got motivated to work on my EB1 in 2019. I contacted several lawyers who all rejected me saying my profile was too weak. Finally, I talked to an amazing lawyer who guided me on what I need to do to improve my profile. I started working on improving my CV and again had to work extremely hard at it. In the last one and a half years, I reviewed more than 250 journal articles, became a reviewer for about 15 journals, got on editorial board of 2 journals, did 14 publications, collected about 20 citations, started judging abstract and poster competitions, got on governing councils of medical organizations, worked towards getting awards, obtained memberships of organizations, became a principal investigator and sub-investigator of 6 clinical trials, wrote articles in medical magazines and journals and I can just go on and on on. My CV which was 5 pages long basically became 25 pages long.

While I was working towards this, my wife had medical issues which are still ongoing. I myself suffered from gall stones, ended up in ER 3 times back to back, and had to get my gall bladder removed on Black Friday last year in urgency. Combine that with seeing COVID patients every day for the last one and a half years and my mental stress has been through the roof. But I have managed somehow. When I see myself in the mirror, I feel as if I have suddenly grown few years old. I have lost scalp hair, look balder and my beard and hair have grayed.

While I was working towards EB1, dates moved suddenly but I missed my priority date in EB2 by 5 days. My employer was gracious enough to allow me to downgrade to EB3. So finally I downgraded to EB3. But I continued to work towards EB1 because I wasn't sure how far the dates would move. I did a contract with the lawyer in January and paid her half the money. But finally, the EB3 dates moved and I got current in May or June so then I decided to stop working on my EB1. I still wasn't sure when medical RFEs would come as I had not even received my EAD/AP despite doing biometrics in April but then on July 30, I received a text on my phone for medical RFE, and then in about one and a half months, I have a green card in my hand.

The same green card that I was trying to get for more than 10 years. But I was not jumping with joy. There is a feeling of relief. There is some feeling of happiness but I think it will take some time for this to sink in that this has happened. I find it ironic that I originally filed in EB2, explored EB5, worked on EB1, and almost came close to filing and then finally obtained the green card in EB3. It is like the entire process came to a full circle.

I have cards in my hand. The feeling is surreal and the mood is somber. When I look back on it, I wonder if it was even worth it to go through this entire ordeal to get out of this bizarre, deliberately broken, and terribly messy system that is holding the lives and careers of millions of people hostage.

I can write more about my frustrations but I don't want to bore you more so I would stop.

I would like to thank everyone who comes to this forum and shares their valuable knowledge. This group has been a great support over the last 10 years and whenever I have felt depressed and hopeless on the green card situation, I have come to this forum and I have always found honest advice.

I congratulate those who have received their green cards and are enjoying their moments of security and freedom. I wish good luck to those who are still waiting to be greened.

May you all get greened soon.


Congrats and we are all happy for you. With GC in hand, now you can take of your health and family's health without constantly pondering about the immigration status.

[AceMan]

Thank you everyone for your wishes. I finally got green cards in hand today. I went and picked the cards from the mail.

Just like many of you, I have a similar story of struggle and anxieties.

I came to this country in December 2004 as a student. I did my Masters in Public Health, worked my butt off with on-campus jobs, as a research volunteer in a big hospital that took me 3 hours to commute back and forth daily for more than a year, and studied for USMLE while doing all that. Finally matched into a residency program and did an internal medicine residency for 3 years, got rejected several times for fellowship as majority hospitals won't sponsor H1B for fellowship. Started working after finishing residency in June 2010. Got current in October 2015 bulletin and got everything ready to file but as you all may recall, the bulletin was withdrawn and the dates never got current for another 6 years till October 2020.

In the meantime, we formed an advocacy group for physicians called PAHA and started advocating for physician immigration reform and the efforts increased significantly especially during the pandemic. My story was presented in the Senate by Senator Durbin last year (I couldn't do it in person as they were not allowing testimonies by individuals due to COVID) and received wide media coverage. In between, I seriously explored the option of EB5 but dropped the idea as India was backlogged in EB5 also at that time.

Finally, after discussing with a few other physician friends who were advocating for immigration reform but were also working simultaneously on their EB1A applications, I got motivated to work on my EB1 in 2019. I contacted several lawyers who all rejected me saying my profile was too weak. Finally, I talked to an amazing lawyer who guided me on what I need to do to improve my profile. I started working on improving my CV and again had to work extremely hard at it. In the last one and a half years, I reviewed more than 250 journal articles, became a reviewer for about 15 journals, got on editorial board of 2 journals, did 14 publications, collected about 20 citations, started judging abstract and poster competitions, got on governing councils of medical organizations, worked towards getting awards, obtained memberships of organizations, became a principal investigator and sub-investigator of 6 clinical trials, wrote articles in medical magazines and journals and I can just go on and on on. My CV which was 5 pages long basically became 25 pages long.

While I was working towards this, my wife had medical issues which are still ongoing. I myself suffered from gall stones, ended up in ER 3 times back to back, and had to get my gall bladder removed on Black Friday last year in urgency. Combine that with seeing COVID patients every day for the last one and a half years and my mental stress has been through the roof. But I have managed somehow. When I see myself in the mirror, I feel as if I have suddenly grown few years old. I have lost scalp hair, look balder and my beard and hair have grayed.

While I was working towards EB1, dates moved suddenly but I missed my priority date in EB2 by 5 days. My employer was gracious enough to allow me to downgrade to EB3. So finally I downgraded to EB3. But I continued to work towards EB1 because I wasn't sure how far the dates would move. I did a contract with the lawyer in January and paid her half the money. But finally, the EB3 dates moved and I got current in May or June so then I decided to stop working on my EB1. I still wasn't sure when medical RFEs would come as I had not even received my EAD/AP despite doing biometrics in April but then on July 30, I received a text on my phone for medical RFE, and then in about one and a half months, I have a green card in my hand.

The same green card that I was trying to get for more than 10 years. But I was not jumping with joy. There is a feeling of relief. There is some feeling of happiness but I think it will take some time for this to sink in that this has happened. I find it ironic that I originally filed in EB2, explored EB5, worked on EB1, and almost came close to filing and then finally obtained the green card in EB3. It is like the entire process came to a full circle.

I have cards in my hand. The feeling is surreal and the mood is somber. When I look back on it, I wonder if it was even worth it to go through this entire ordeal to get out of this bizarre, deliberately broken, and terribly messy system that is holding the lives and careers of millions of people hostage.

I can write more about my frustrations but I don't want to bore you more so I would stop.

I would like to thank everyone who comes to this forum and shares their valuable knowledge. This group has been a great support over the last 10 years and whenever I have felt depressed and hopeless on the green card situation, I have come to this forum and I have always found honest advice.

I congratulate those who have received their green cards and are enjoying their moments of security and freedom. I wish good luck to those who are still waiting to be greened.

May you all get greened soon.

Congrats Jonty once again.

[abcx13]

Congrats Jonty, so happy for you! The system is abominable. I would not wish it upon anyone.

[march1612]

I was finally greened last week and got my card. Like everyone my journey was long and painful one.

I made so many friends during this journey and I would like to Thank everyone for all support and help that was offered to me on this forum.

Hope everyone gets greened soon!

[qesehmk]

I was finally greened last week and got my card. Like everyone my journey was long and painful one.

I made so many friends during this journey and I would like to Thank everyone for all support and help that was offered to me on this forum.

Hope everyone gets greened soon!
Many congratulations march. Have a great life and career ahead.

[mesan123]

Thank you everyone for your wishes. I finally got green cards in hand today. I went and picked the cards from the mail.

Just like many of you, I have a similar story of struggle and anxieties.

I came to this country in December 2004 as a student. I did my Masters in Public Health, worked my butt off with on-campus jobs, as a research volunteer in a big hospital that took me 3 hours to commute back and forth daily for more than a year, and studied for USMLE while doing all that. Finally matched into a residency program and did an internal medicine residency for 3 years, got rejected several times for fellowship as majority hospitals won't sponsor H1B for fellowship. Started working after finishing residency in June 2010. Got current in October 2015 bulletin and got everything ready to file but as you all may recall, the bulletin was withdrawn and the dates never got current for another 6 years till October 2020.

In the meantime, we formed an advocacy group for physicians called PAHA and started advocating for physician immigration reform and the efforts increased significantly especially during the pandemic. My story was presented in the Senate by Senator Durbin last year (I couldn't do it in person as they were not allowing testimonies by individuals due to COVID) and received wide media coverage. In between, I seriously explored the option of EB5 but dropped the idea as India was backlogged in EB5 also at that time.

Finally, after discussing with a few other physician friends who were advocating for immigration reform but were also working simultaneously on their EB1A applications, I got motivated to work on my EB1 in 2019. I contacted several lawyers who all rejected me saying my profile was too weak. Finally, I talked to an amazing lawyer who guided me on what I need to do to improve my profile. I started working on improving my CV and again had to work extremely hard at it. In the last one and a half years, I reviewed more than 250 journal articles, became a reviewer for about 15 journals, got on editorial board of 2 journals, did 14 publications, collected about 20 citations, started judging abstract and poster competitions, got on governing councils of medical organizations, worked towards getting awards, obtained memberships of organizations, became a principal investigator and sub-investigator of 6 clinical trials, wrote articles in medical magazines and journals and I can just go on and on on. My CV which was 5 pages long basically became 25 pages long.

While I was working towards this, my wife had medical issues which are still ongoing. I myself suffered from gall stones, ended up in ER 3 times back to back, and had to get my gall bladder removed on Black Friday last year in urgency. Combine that with seeing COVID patients every day for the last one and a half years and my mental stress has been through the roof. But I have managed somehow. When I see myself in the mirror, I feel as if I have suddenly grown few years old. I have lost scalp hair, look balder and my beard and hair have grayed.

While I was working towards EB1, dates moved suddenly but I missed my priority date in EB2 by 5 days. My employer was gracious enough to allow me to downgrade to EB3. So finally I downgraded to EB3. But I continued to work towards EB1 because I wasn't sure how far the dates would move. I did a contract with the lawyer in January and paid her half the money. But finally, the EB3 dates moved and I got current in May or June so then I decided to stop working on my EB1. I still wasn't sure when medical RFEs would come as I had not even received my EAD/AP despite doing biometrics in April but then on July 30, I received a text on my phone for medical RFE, and then in about one and a half months, I have a green card in my hand.

The same green card that I was trying to get for more than 10 years. But I was not jumping with joy. There is a feeling of relief. There is some feeling of happiness but I think it will take some time for this to sink in that this has happened. I find it ironic that I originally filed in EB2, explored EB5, worked on EB1, and almost came close to filing and then finally obtained the green card in EB3. It is like the entire process came to a full circle.

I have cards in my hand. The feeling is surreal and the mood is somber. When I look back on it, I wonder if it was even worth it to go through this entire ordeal to get out of this bizarre, deliberately broken, and terribly messy system that is holding the lives and careers of millions of people hostage.

I can write more about my frustrations but I don't want to bore you more so I would stop.

I would like to thank everyone who comes to this forum and shares their valuable knowledge. This group has been a great support over the last 10 years and whenever I have felt depressed and hopeless on the green card situation, I have come to this forum and I have always found honest advice.

I congratulate those who have received their green cards and are enjoying their moments of security and freedom. I wish good luck to those who are still waiting to be greened.

May you all get greened soon.


Many Congratulations Jhonty, very happy for you... :) wishing and praying for your wife's health speedy recovery...

[racharox]

This forum has been great and have always been "go to place" to keep our sanity in check and excellent source of information. We received our GCs in mail. Our GC journey just like everyone has been long and tedious - but all is well that ends well. I wish the rest waiting in Q to get their approvals quick and easy. Peace to you all.

[bangaloreboy]

Dear friends, My case status turned to "New card is being produced" today!
I wasn't expecting this, considering my case was still at NBC, with no RFEs or interviews.
No update on wife's case yet.
While I wait to inform my near and dear ones until I get more status updates, I surely wanted to let this community know since this is where I always came to be better informed!
So I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you on this blog! More to come.

[kisvasa]

Dear friends, My case status turned to "New card is being produced" today!
I wasn't expecting this, considering my case was still at NBC, with no RFEs or interviews.
No update on wife's case yet.
While I wait to inform my near and dear ones until I get more status updates, I surely wanted to let this community know since this is where I always came to be better informed!
So I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you on this blog! More to come.

Congratulations bangaloreboy..... very glad to see your status turn green ... enjoy your freedom....

[Jonty Rhodes]

Thank you NeelVohra, Q, gurumurthy, suninphx, beagle, AceMan, abcx13, mesan123

Appreciate your wishes.

Q - as you said, as time goes by the bitterness will go away. I am sure it would. As I said, just needed some time for this to sink in.

[aGCHopefull]

Dear friends, My case status turned to "New card is being produced" today!
I wasn't expecting this, considering my case was still at NBC, with no RFEs or interviews.
No update on wife's case yet.
While I wait to inform my near and dear ones until I get more status updates, I surely wanted to let this community know since this is where I always came to be better informed!
So I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you on this blog! More to come.

Wow great news, congratulations!!! I remember your post few days ago regarding J receipt, good to see they approved it on fast track once they generated the J receipt.

[aGCHopefull]

We received our GCs in mail.

Congratulations!

[andhraguy]

Dear friends, My case status turned to "New card is being produced" today!
I wasn't expecting this, considering my case was still at NBC, with no RFEs or interviews.
No update on wife's case yet.
While I wait to inform my near and dear ones until I get more status updates, I surely wanted to let this community know since this is where I always came to be better informed!
So I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you on this blog! More to come.

@bangaloreboy Congratulations! enjoy the greened life.

[bangaloreboy]

Thanks Kisvasa, aGChopefull, andhraguy! Hope you and everyone current gets greened soon!

[bangaloreboy]

Wow great news, congratulations!!! I remember your post few days ago regarding J receipt, good to see they approved it on fast track once they generated the J receipt.

you are right! Status change happened right after receipt of J notice...

[Noesis]

Many Congratulations racharox and bangaloreboy.!

[qesehmk]

This forum has been great and have always been "go to place" to keep our sanity in check and excellent source of information. We received our GCs in mail. Our GC journey just like everyone has been long and tedious - but all is well that ends well. I wish the rest waiting in Q to get their approvals quick and easy. Peace to you all.


Dear friends, My case status turned to "New card is being produced" today!
I wasn't expecting this, considering my case was still at NBC, with no RFEs or interviews.
No update on wife's case yet.
While I wait to inform my near and dear ones until I get more status updates, I surely wanted to let this community know since this is where I always came to be better informed!
So I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you on this blog! More to come.


Many congratulations to both of you. Wishing your families all the success and happiness and health.

[gten20]

Thank you everyone for your wishes. I finally got green cards in hand today. I went and picked the cards from the mail.

Just like many of you, I have a similar story of struggle and anxieties.

I came to this country in December 2004 as a student. I did my Masters in Public Health, worked my butt off with on-campus jobs, as a research volunteer in a big hospital that took me 3 hours to commute back and forth daily for more than a year, and studied for USMLE while doing all that. Finally matched into a residency program and did an internal medicine residency for 3 years, got rejected several times for fellowship as majority hospitals won't sponsor H1B for fellowship. Started working after finishing residency in June 2010. Got current in October 2015 bulletin and got everything ready to file but as you all may recall, the bulletin was withdrawn and the dates never got current for another 6 years till October 2020.

In the meantime, we formed an advocacy group for physicians called PAHA and started advocating for physician immigration reform and the efforts increased significantly especially during the pandemic. My story was presented in the Senate by Senator Durbin last year (I couldn't do it in person as they were not allowing testimonies by individuals due to COVID) and received wide media coverage. In between, I seriously explored the option of EB5 but dropped the idea as India was backlogged in EB5 also at that time.

Finally, after discussing with a few other physician friends who were advocating for immigration reform but were also working simultaneously on their EB1A applications, I got motivated to work on my EB1 in 2019. I contacted several lawyers who all rejected me saying my profile was too weak. Finally, I talked to an amazing lawyer who guided me on what I need to do to improve my profile. I started working on improving my CV and again had to work extremely hard at it. In the last one and a half years, I reviewed more than 250 journal articles, became a reviewer for about 15 journals, got on editorial board of 2 journals, did 14 publications, collected about 20 citations, started judging abstract and poster competitions, got on governing councils of medical organizations, worked towards getting awards, obtained memberships of organizations, became a principal investigator and sub-investigator of 6 clinical trials, wrote articles in medical magazines and journals and I can just go on and on on. My CV which was 5 pages long basically became 25 pages long.

While I was working towards this, my wife had medical issues which are still ongoing. I myself suffered from gall stones, ended up in ER 3 times back to back, and had to get my gall bladder removed on Black Friday last year in urgency. Combine that with seeing COVID patients every day for the last one and a half years and my mental stress has been through the roof. But I have managed somehow. When I see myself in the mirror, I feel as if I have suddenly grown few years old. I have lost scalp hair, look balder and my beard and hair have grayed.

While I was working towards EB1, dates moved suddenly but I missed my priority date in EB2 by 5 days. My employer was gracious enough to allow me to downgrade to EB3. So finally I downgraded to EB3. But I continued to work towards EB1 because I wasn't sure how far the dates would move. I did a contract with the lawyer in January and paid her half the money. But finally, the EB3 dates moved and I got current in May or June so then I decided to stop working on my EB1. I still wasn't sure when medical RFEs would come as I had not even received my EAD/AP despite doing biometrics in April but then on July 30, I received a text on my phone for medical RFE, and then in about one and a half months, I have a green card in my hand.

The same green card that I was trying to get for more than 10 years. But I was not jumping with joy. There is a feeling of relief. There is some feeling of happiness but I think it will take some time for this to sink in that this has happened. I find it ironic that I originally filed in EB2, explored EB5, worked on EB1, and almost came close to filing and then finally obtained the green card in EB3. It is like the entire process came to a full circle.

I have cards in my hand. The feeling is surreal and the mood is somber. When I look back on it, I wonder if it was even worth it to go through this entire ordeal to get out of this bizarre, deliberately broken, and terribly messy system that is holding the lives and careers of millions of people hostage.

I can write more about my frustrations but I don't want to bore you more so I would stop.

I would like to thank everyone who comes to this forum and shares their valuable knowledge. This group has been a great support over the last 10 years and whenever I have felt depressed and hopeless on the green card situation, I have come to this forum and I have always found honest advice.

I congratulate those who have received their green cards and are enjoying their moments of security and freedom. I wish good luck to those who are still waiting to be greened.

May you all get greened soon.

Congratulation Jonty! It's the end of a somber journey. Wish you all the happiness in days ahead!

[gten20]

I was finally greened last week and got my card. Like everyone my journey was long and painful one.

I made so many friends during this journey and I would like to Thank everyone for all support and help that was offered to me on this forum.

Hope everyone gets greened soon!


This forum has been great and have always been "go to place" to keep our sanity in check and excellent source of information. We received our GCs in mail. Our GC journey just like everyone has been long and tedious - but all is well that ends well. I wish the rest waiting in Q to get their approvals quick and easy. Peace to you all.


Dear friends, My case status turned to "New card is being produced" today!
I wasn't expecting this, considering my case was still at NBC, with no RFEs or interviews.
No update on wife's case yet.
While I wait to inform my near and dear ones until I get more status updates, I surely wanted to let this community know since this is where I always came to be better informed!
So I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you on this blog! More to come.

Congratulations!

[AceMan]

Dear friends, My case status turned to "New card is being produced" today!
I wasn't expecting this, considering my case was still at NBC, with no RFEs or interviews.
No update on wife's case yet.
While I wait to inform my near and dear ones until I get more status updates, I surely wanted to let this community know since this is where I always came to be better informed!
So I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you on this blog! More to come.

Congrats buddy

[andhraguy]

This forum has been great and have always been "go to place" to keep our sanity in check and excellent source of information. We received our GCs in mail. Our GC journey just like everyone has been long and tedious - but all is well that ends well. I wish the rest waiting in Q to get their approvals quick and easy. Peace to you all.

@racharox - Congratulations! and best wishes for your greened life. Could you share you PD and application timeline ?

[bangaloreboy]

Many Congratulations racharox and bangaloreboy.!

Thanks Noesis!

[bangaloreboy]

Many congratulations to both of you. Wishing your families all the success and happiness and health.

Thanks Q! and wish your family the same...

[bangaloreboy]

Congratulations!

thanks gten!

[bangaloreboy]

Congrats buddy

Thanks Aceman! I hope you are greened soon! I really appreciate your suggestions when my wife's application was rejected for the 3a question confusion...

[cool_dude]

Finally got my card yesterday after 16 years

[GCGCGCGC]

Dear friends, My case status turned to "New card is being produced" today!
I wasn't expecting this, considering my case was still at NBC, with no RFEs or interviews.
No update on wife's case yet.
While I wait to inform my near and dear ones until I get more status updates, I surely wanted to let this community know since this is where I always came to be better informed!
So I want to say thanks to each and everyone of you on this blog! More to come.

Congratulations!! Enjoy the green life.

[GCGCGCGC]

This forum has been great and have always been "go to place" to keep our sanity in check and excellent source of information. We received our GCs in mail. Our GC journey just like everyone has been long and tedious - but all is well that ends well. I wish the rest waiting in Q to get their approvals quick and easy. Peace to you all.

Congratulations!! Enjoy the freedom

[singax]

I applied 485 on Oct 30, and got EAD on Aug 1, now changing job on EAD, my question is

1) seems like 485J is simple form, i can apply myself (item# 1-4 applicant need to complete, item5-8 new employer need to complete), need to attach 485 reciept and appproved I-140. please let me know if I m missing anything.
2) when I need to submit 485J, on day1 when i join new empoyer? or wait for Medical RFE?

thanks in advance

[newsletter1978]

Hello Gurus, anyone who has received GC recently in the past month, are interviews still happening.

Just an update for others, USCIS received my RFE response on 9/8. Today 9/15 the status has changed to Card in Production, there was no interview.

[gten20]

Just an update for others, USCIS received my RFE response on 9/8. Today 9/15 the status has changed to Card in Production, there was no interview.

Congratulations!

Can you share your case details?

[andhraguy]

Just an update for others, USCIS received my RFE response on 9/8. Today 9/15 the status has changed to Card in Production, there was no interview.

Congratulations! newsletter1978. what is your PD and notice date ?

[newsletter1978]

Congratulations! newsletter1978. what is your PD and notice date ?

PD 29 Oct 2009, EB2, RFE notice date 7/21/2021, RFE response received by USCIS 9/8/2021, New card in production 9/15/2021

[kisvasa]

PD 29 Oct 2009, EB2, RFE notice date 7/21/2021, RFE response received by USCIS 9/8/2021, New card in production 9/15/2021

Congratulations newsletter ! Another '09 awaited sees the light at the end of the tunnel ! Enjoy the freedom.

[ImmigrantFinally]

Got an email about card ordered for 485 on 9/15.
PD July 2010 EB2
Applied in oct 2020
Biometrics in March
Received EAD in July
Medical rfe 8/20/21
Medical rfe response 9/14/21

[andhraguy]

PD 29 Oct 2009, EB2, RFE notice date 7/21/2021, RFE response received by USCIS 9/8/2021, New card in production 9/15/2021

Thanks for sharing your info. did you file 485 application in October 2020 or before ?

[aGCHopefull]

PD 29 Oct 2009, EB2, RFE notice date 7/21/2021, RFE response received by USCIS 9/8/2021, New card in production 9/15/2021

Congrats!! it has been immensely long wait for you with your PD.

[gten20]

My status got updated to 'New Card Is Being Produced'. Its been a long long wait. Last few months were very trying and I was loosing patience. And now, I don't feel any sense of excitement or relief yet. I want to feel excited, but I guess I am jaded.

[qesehmk]

Got an email about card ordered for 485 on 9/15.
PD July 2010 EB2
Applied in oct 2020
Biometrics in March
Received EAD in July
Medical rfe 8/20/21
Medical rfe response 9/14/21


Finally got my card yesterday after 16 years


Just an update for others, USCIS received my RFE response on 9/8. Today 9/15 the status has changed to Card in Production, there was no interview.


My status got updated to 'New Card Is Being Produced'. Its been a long long wait. Last few months were very trying and I was loosing patience. And now, I don't feel any sense of excitement or relief yet. I want to feel excited, but I guess I am jaded.

Many congratulations to all. Wish you the very best in life and career.

Gten I have seen you around for a long time now. I know sometimes things are too little too late. But I am sure there is a long road ahead and lots of new memories to make! So cheers to that!

[gten20]

Many congratulations to all. Wish you the very best in life and career.

Gten I have seen you around for a long time now. I know sometimes things are too little too late. But I am sure there is a long road ahead and lots of new memories to make! So cheers to that!

Thanks Q. The GC journey took me 19 years. I still remember my flight to US like it was yesterday. This forum has been immensely helpful to say the least.

[andhraguy]

My status got updated to 'New Card Is Being Produced'. Its been a long long wait. Last few months were very trying and I was loosing patience. And now, I don't feel any sense of excitement or relief yet. I want to feel excited, but I guess I am jaded.

Congratulations gten20! you have waited so long I guess 11+ years for this moment. now is the time to Enjoy the freedom.

[aGCHopefull]

My status got updated to 'New Card Is Being Produced'. Its been a long long wait. Last few months were very trying and I was loosing patience. And now, I don't feel any sense of excitement or relief yet. I want to feel excited, but I guess I am jaded.

Congratulations buddy, very happy for you!

[aGCHopefull]

Got an email about card ordered for 485 on 9/15.
PD July 2010 EB2
Applied in oct 2020
Biometrics in March
Received EAD in July
Medical rfe 8/20/21
Medical rfe response 9/14/21

Congratulations.

[gten20]

Thanks andhraguy and aGCHopefull. Last night I had the best sleep I have had in a long time. It's slowly sinking in. Hope you get greened soon as well.

[Noesis]

My status got updated to 'New Card Is Being Produced'. Its been a long long wait. Last few months were very trying and I was loosing patience. And now, I don't feel any sense of excitement or relief yet. I want to feel excited, but I guess I am jaded.

Many Congratulations gten20.! From your signature, your ead/AP never got approved and 485 got approved directly.?

[vsivarama]

Many congratulations to @ImmigrantFinally, @cool_dude, @newsletter1978, @gten20, @bangloreboy!!!!

[gten20]

Many Congratulations gten20.! From your signature, your ead/AP never got approved and 485 got approved directly.?

Yes, that is correct.

[gten20]

Many congratulations to @ImmigrantFinally, @cool_dude, @newsletter1978, @gten20, @bangloreboy!!!!

Thank you.

[Noesis]

Yes, that is correct.

That is good to know.

Many Congratulations again.

[Jonty Rhodes]

Congratulation Jonty! It's the end of a somber journey. Wish you all the happiness in days ahead!

Thank you gten20. Congratulations to you as well.

[gc_2021]

Hello All,

A very silent reader of the forum from long time. I heard about this forum back in 2012 from a friend and since then there was hardly a week without me opening this website. Want to thank you Q for maintaining this forum and others for your valuable information/discussions. Shared this forum with lot of friends and some are anxiously waiting to write similar first time messages (Hopefully Soon ).

Idliman - Shared your Green Card/USPS story with few friends and one of my friend response was thats his Thriller movie for that weekend ;). We are so glad that everything at the end worked out well for you, especially after waiting for years it must have been so much to go through at the end! Hope you dont mind taking your name and sharing your story.

Here is my timeline

PD - 05/02/2011
RD - 10/30/2020
ND - 01/24/2021
BM - 04/14/2021
485J - 07/08/2021
EAD - 08/10/2021
RFE Issued (FO - Kansas City) - 08/23/2021 No status update (Same day I got my medicals from Hospital, I was preparing to interfile)
Sent Medicals to Attorney - 08/24/2021 (still preparing to interfile as there was no online update)
Medical reached Attorney - 08/25/2021
RFE received - 08/27/2021 (luckily Attorney didnt ship-out medicals for interfile). I called them immediately after seeing RFE in mail so they didn't interfile and just responded to RFE
RFER - 08/31/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/10/2021 (Primary)
Card Received - 09/16/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/15/2021 (Derivative)
Card Received - 09/23/2021

Hope to see many more Celebration messages!

Once again thank you Q and others!

[GCGCGCGC]

Hello All,

A very silent reader of the forum from long time. I heard about this forum back in 2012 from a friend and since then there was hardly a week without me opening this website. Want to thank you Q for maintaining this forum and others for your valuable information/discussions. Shared this forum with lot of friends and some are anxiously waiting to write similar first time messages (Hopefully Soon ).

Idliman - Shared your Green Card/USPS story with few friends and one of my friend response was thats his Thriller movie for that weekend ;). We are so glad that everything at the end worked out well for you, especially after waiting for years it must have been so much to go through at the end! Hope you dont mind taking your name and sharing your story.

Here is my timeline

PD - 05/02/2011
RD - 10/30/2020
ND - 01/24/2021
BM - 04/14/2021
485J - 07/08/2021
EAD - 08/10/2021
RFE Issued (FO - Kansas City) - 08/23/2021 No status update (Same day I got my medicals from Hospital, I was preparing to interfile)
Sent Medicals to Attorney - 08/24/2021 (still preparing to interfile as there was no online update)
Medical reached Attorney - 08/25/2021
RFE received - 08/27/2021 (luckily Attorney didnt ship-out medicals for interfile). I called them immediately after seeing RFE in mail so they didn't interfile and just responded to RFE
RFER - 08/31/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/10/2021 (Primary)
Card Received - 09/16/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/15/2021 (Derivative)
Card Received - 09/23/2021

Hope to see many more Celebration messages!

Once again thank you Q and others!

Congratulations!! Enjoy the green life.

[andhraguy]

Hello All,

A very silent reader of the forum from long time. I heard about this forum back in 2012 from a friend and since then there was hardly a week without me opening this website. Want to thank you Q for maintaining this forum and others for your valuable information/discussions. Shared this forum with lot of friends and some are anxiously waiting to write similar first time messages (Hopefully Soon ).

Idliman - Shared your Green Card/USPS story with few friends and one of my friend response was thats his Thriller movie for that weekend ;). We are so glad that everything at the end worked out well for you, especially after waiting for years it must have been so much to go through at the end! Hope you dont mind taking your name and sharing your story.

Here is my timeline

PD - 05/02/2011
RD - 10/30/2020
ND - 01/24/2021
BM - 04/14/2021
485J - 07/08/2021
EAD - 08/10/2021
RFE Issued (FO - Kansas City) - 08/23/2021 No status update (Same day I got my medicals from Hospital, I was preparing to interfile)
Sent Medicals to Attorney - 08/24/2021 (still preparing to interfile as there was no online update)
Medical reached Attorney - 08/25/2021
RFE received - 08/27/2021 (luckily Attorney didnt ship-out medicals for interfile). I called them immediately after seeing RFE in mail so they didn't interfile and just responded to RFE
RFER - 08/31/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/10/2021 (Primary)
Card Received - 09/16/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/15/2021 (Derivative)
Card Received - 09/23/2021

Hope to see many more Celebration messages!

Once again thank you Q and others!


gc_2021 - Congratulation! great to see approval from 2011 PD. Enjoy the freedom and share your experience after green card received.

[qesehmk]

I heard about this forum back in 2012 from a friend and since then there was hardly a week without me opening this website. Want to thank you Q for maintaining this forum and others for your valuable information/discussions. Shared this forum with lot of friends and some are anxiously waiting to write similar first time messages (Hopefully Soon ).


How beautiful it is that you and others register just to share the news and say thanks! I already knew that hundreds of thousands of unique visitors visit us every month. But I will be honest with you - I DID NOT IMAGINE - that there are people visiting forum for nine years straight and never registered.

I am very happy for you and will be happy for anybody else. It is about damn time this misery ends for so many of you. I hope this newfound freedom opens up new horizons. My heartfelt wishes to you and your family.

[aGCHopefull]

Hello All,

A very silent reader of the forum from long time. I heard about this forum back in 2012 from a friend and since then there was hardly a week without me opening this website. Want to thank you Q for maintaining this forum and others for your valuable information/discussions. Shared this forum with lot of friends and some are anxiously waiting to write similar first time messages (Hopefully Soon ).

Idliman - Shared your Green Card/USPS story with few friends and one of my friend response was thats his Thriller movie for that weekend ;). We are so glad that everything at the end worked out well for you, especially after waiting for years it must have been so much to go through at the end! Hope you dont mind taking your name and sharing your story.

Here is my timeline

PD - 05/02/2011
RD - 10/30/2020
ND - 01/24/2021
BM - 04/14/2021
485J - 07/08/2021
EAD - 08/10/2021
RFE Issued (FO - Kansas City) - 08/23/2021 No status update (Same day I got my medicals from Hospital, I was preparing to interfile)
Sent Medicals to Attorney - 08/24/2021 (still preparing to interfile as there was no online update)
Medical reached Attorney - 08/25/2021
RFE received - 08/27/2021 (luckily Attorney didnt ship-out medicals for interfile). I called them immediately after seeing RFE in mail so they didn't interfile and just responded to RFE
RFER - 08/31/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/10/2021 (Primary)
Card Received - 09/16/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/15/2021 (Derivative)
Card Received - 09/23/2021

Hope to see many more Celebration messages!

Once again thank you Q and others!

Congratulations!!

[gten20]

Hello All,

A very silent reader of the forum from long time. I heard about this forum back in 2012 from a friend and since then there was hardly a week without me opening this website. Want to thank you Q for maintaining this forum and others for your valuable information/discussions. Shared this forum with lot of friends and some are anxiously waiting to write similar first time messages (Hopefully Soon ).

Idliman - Shared your Green Card/USPS story with few friends and one of my friend response was thats his Thriller movie for that weekend ;). We are so glad that everything at the end worked out well for you, especially after waiting for years it must have been so much to go through at the end! Hope you dont mind taking your name and sharing your story.

Here is my timeline

PD - 05/02/2011
RD - 10/30/2020
ND - 01/24/2021
BM - 04/14/2021
485J - 07/08/2021
EAD - 08/10/2021
RFE Issued (FO - Kansas City) - 08/23/2021 No status update (Same day I got my medicals from Hospital, I was preparing to interfile)
Sent Medicals to Attorney - 08/24/2021 (still preparing to interfile as there was no online update)
Medical reached Attorney - 08/25/2021
RFE received - 08/27/2021 (luckily Attorney didnt ship-out medicals for interfile). I called them immediately after seeing RFE in mail so they didn't interfile and just responded to RFE
RFER - 08/31/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/10/2021 (Primary)
Card Received - 09/16/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/15/2021 (Derivative)
Card Received - 09/23/2021

Hope to see many more Celebration messages!

Once again thank you Q and others!

Congratulations!

[Noesis]

Hello All,

A very silent reader of the forum from long time. I heard about this forum back in 2012 from a friend and since then there was hardly a week without me opening this website. Want to thank you Q for maintaining this forum and others for your valuable information/discussions. Shared this forum with lot of friends and some are anxiously waiting to write similar first time messages (Hopefully Soon ).

Idliman - Shared your Green Card/USPS story with few friends and one of my friend response was thats his Thriller movie for that weekend ;). We are so glad that everything at the end worked out well for you, especially after waiting for years it must have been so much to go through at the end! Hope you dont mind taking your name and sharing your story.

Here is my timeline

PD - 05/02/2011
RD - 10/30/2020
ND - 01/24/2021
BM - 04/14/2021
485J - 07/08/2021
EAD - 08/10/2021
RFE Issued (FO - Kansas City) - 08/23/2021 No status update (Same day I got my medicals from Hospital, I was preparing to interfile)
Sent Medicals to Attorney - 08/24/2021 (still preparing to interfile as there was no online update)
Medical reached Attorney - 08/25/2021
RFE received - 08/27/2021 (luckily Attorney didnt ship-out medicals for interfile). I called them immediately after seeing RFE in mail so they didn't interfile and just responded to RFE
RFER - 08/31/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/10/2021 (Primary)
Card Received - 09/16/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/15/2021 (Derivative)
Card Received - 09/23/2021

Hope to see many more Celebration messages!

Once again thank you Q and others!

Many Congratulations.!

[incredible]

Many Congratulations.!


So happy to see a lot of old timers getting GC. This forum is one and by far the best immigration forum there is. This keeps all of us sane in difficult times. Thanks Q, Spec, Kanmani, Idliman and so many others.

[MeraNumber09]

It?s finally my turn. Got our GCs card yesterday. After many twist and turn, finally light at the end of tunnel. I had received an RFIE even after submitting all docs and being DQ?ed. Talking to L2 agent did not resolve as he could not see the content of RFIE. Waited for 15 days to open an SR for RFIE not received. The very next day the status changed to card being produced. After three day it changed to case approved.

Thanks to Q, spec, Kanmani, idliman, turbulent dragonfly and various others who have kept this online community going.

For folks who are still waiting, please hang in there. Your tun will come. Please feel free to ask any question . Happy to assist.

[gc_2021]

gc_2021 - Congratulation! great to see approval from 2011 PD. Enjoy the freedom and share your experience after green card received.

Thank you Andhraguy, Was very excited when I saw the status changed to New Card Being Produced. Was jumping in happiness and refreshed the status like 5 to 10 times to make sure. Shared the news with family back in India and couple of close friends. When I received the card - I was monitoring USPS status and when the truck came over I ran to the mail box before mail woman put the mail in the box. I saw she taking/putting a bright red/white envelop and had a big smile on face as soon as I saw it. Opened the envelop and I held the card like 5 min and was going through so many thoughts/memories and emotions! By evening was sharing with everybody and was a long evening/night talking to lot of friends and all!

[qesehmk]

It?s finally my turn. Got our GCs card yesterday. After many twist and turn, finally light at the end of tunnel. I had received an RFIE even after submitting all docs and being DQ?ed. Talking to L2 agent did not resolve as he could not see the content of RFIE. Waited for 15 days to open an SR for RFIE not received. The very next day the status changed to card being produced. After three day it changed to case approved.

Thanks to Q, spec, Kanmani, idliman, turbulent dragonfly and various others who have kept this online community going.

For folks who are still waiting, please hang in there. Your tun will come. Please feel free to ask any question . Happy to assist.

Many congratulations MeraNumber. Sorry for the delayed response. I am sure you had a great weekend!

[gc_2021]

How beautiful it is that you and others register just to share the news and say thanks! I already knew that hundreds of thousands of unique visitors visit us every month. But I will be honest with you - I DID NOT IMAGINE - that there are people visiting forum for nine years straight and never registered.

I am very happy for you and will be happy for anybody else. It is about damn time this misery ends for so many of you. I hope this newfound freedom opens up new horizons. My heartfelt wishes to you and your family.

Thank you Q,

Guess the reason not registering sooner is may be I did not have anything important to share or contribute. In 2012, my employer convinced me (not intentional) that my PD 2011 would be current any time soon. As I saw dates are moved to around mid 2010 I believed him & stayed with them in the hope of getting GC soon. Almost 1 to 1 and half year passed just in waiting. Was still under impression it could be next bulletin or next quarter etc., There was a fulltime opportunity at that time that I declined for the same reason (how naive was I). When I was explaining to a friend why I didnot take that fulltime opportunity, he told me dates going be retrogressed for a while and explained country caps/backlogs and all, that was the first time I ever heard of those things. Thats when he told me to follow this blog and explained me this forum discusses USCIS/DOS available data and do some kind of valid number crunching etc., I started following the forum and was at least getting some realistic guestimates about dates movement. Fortunately same full time opportunity came in 2017 and I took the opportunity without any doubt/hesitation. Not sure now but if I had not seen/followed discussions here I might have declined it second time too :(

I chose the time to post my first post when I got the GC. However, the intention is to thank you and others for you valuable contribution of the forum. Especially from last year around this time, this forum has been great help to follow how things are going with USCIS and how things work with them.

Once again, thank you for taking time to keep this forum moving.

[qesehmk]

Thank you Q,

Guess the reason not registering sooner is may be I did not have anything important to share or contribute. In 2012, my employer convinced me (not intentional) that my PD 2011 would be current any time soon. As I saw dates are moved to around mid 2010 I believed him & stayed with them in the hope of getting GC soon. Almost 1 to 1 and half year passed just in waiting. Was still under impression it could be next bulletin or next quarter etc., There was a fulltime opportunity at that time that I declined for the same reason (how naive was I). When I was explaining to a friend why I didnot take that fulltime opportunity, he told me dates going be retrogressed for a while and explained country caps/backlogs and all, that was the first time I ever heard of those things. Thats when he told me to follow this blog and explained me this forum discusses USCIS/DOS available data and do some kind of valid number crunching etc., I started following the forum and was at least getting some realistic guestimates about dates movement. Fortunately same full time opportunity came in 2017 and I took the opportunity without any doubt/hesitation. Not sure now but if I had not seen/followed discussions here I might have declined it second time too :(

I chose the time to post my first post when I got the GC. However, the intention is to thank you and others for you valuable contribution of the forum. Especially from last year around this time, this forum has been great help to follow how things are going with USCIS and how things work with them.

Once again, thank you for taking time to keep this forum moving.

Again - happy for you my friend. I do it at least partly because I can't stand injustice. I am sure there are many people here like me who contribute because they too can't stand injustice. Besides if we share what we know and it helps somebody it is a joyful thing to do. So thanks for sharing your news and GC experience is greatly appreciated!

[andhraguy]

It?s finally my turn. Got our GCs card yesterday. After many twist and turn, finally light at the end of tunnel. I had received an RFIE even after submitting all docs and being DQ?ed. Talking to L2 agent did not resolve as he could not see the content of RFIE. Waited for 15 days to open an SR for RFIE not received. The very next day the status changed to card being produced. After three day it changed to case approved.

Thanks to Q, spec, Kanmani, idliman, turbulent dragonfly and various others who have kept this online community going.

For folks who are still waiting, please hang in there. Your tun will come. Please feel free to ask any question . Happy to assist.

Many Congratulations.!

[Noesis]

It?s finally my turn. Got our GCs card yesterday. After many twist and turn, finally light at the end of tunnel. I had received an RFIE even after submitting all docs and being DQ?ed. Talking to L2 agent did not resolve as he could not see the content of RFIE. Waited for 15 days to open an SR for RFIE not received. The very next day the status changed to card being produced. After three day it changed to case approved.

Thanks to Q, spec, Kanmani, idliman, turbulent dragonfly and various others who have kept this online community going.

For folks who are still waiting, please hang in there. Your tun will come. Please feel free to ask any question . Happy to assist.

Many Congratulations.!

[skpanda]

My status got updated to 'New Card Is Being Produced'. Its been a long long wait. Last few months were very trying and I was loosing patience. And now, I don't feel any sense of excitement or relief yet. I want to feel excited, but I guess I am jaded.


Congratulations! I had the same... no excitement or joy!

But it is sinking in now and i feel normal about living in USA not have to worry about the H1B/EAD/GreenCard.

[skpanda]

Hello All,

A very silent reader of the forum from long time. I heard about this forum back in 2012 from a friend and since then there was hardly a week without me opening this website. Want to thank you Q for maintaining this forum and others for your valuable information/discussions. Shared this forum with lot of friends and some are anxiously waiting to write similar first time messages (Hopefully Soon ).

Idliman - Shared your Green Card/USPS story with few friends and one of my friend response was thats his Thriller movie for that weekend ;). We are so glad that everything at the end worked out well for you, especially after waiting for years it must have been so much to go through at the end! Hope you dont mind taking your name and sharing your story.

Here is my timeline

PD - 05/02/2011
RD - 10/30/2020
ND - 01/24/2021
BM - 04/14/2021
485J - 07/08/2021
EAD - 08/10/2021
RFE Issued (FO - Kansas City) - 08/23/2021 No status update (Same day I got my medicals from Hospital, I was preparing to interfile)
Sent Medicals to Attorney - 08/24/2021 (still preparing to interfile as there was no online update)
Medical reached Attorney - 08/25/2021
RFE received - 08/27/2021 (luckily Attorney didnt ship-out medicals for interfile). I called them immediately after seeing RFE in mail so they didn't interfile and just responded to RFE
RFER - 08/31/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/10/2021 (Primary)
Card Received - 09/16/2021
New Card Being Produced - 09/15/2021 (Derivative)
Card Received - 09/23/2021

Hope to see many more Celebration messages!

Once again thank you Q and others!

Congratulations! Njoy being greened!

[skpanda]

It?s finally my turn. Got our GCs card yesterday. After many twist and turn, finally light at the end of tunnel. I had received an RFIE even after submitting all docs and being DQ?ed. Talking to L2 agent did not resolve as he could not see the content of RFIE. Waited for 15 days to open an SR for RFIE not received. The very next day the status changed to card being produced. After three day it changed to case approved.

Thanks to Q, spec, Kanmani, idliman, turbulent dragonfly and various others who have kept this online community going.

For folks who are still waiting, please hang in there. Your tun will come. Please feel free to ask any question . Happy to assist.

Congratulations! Its your number!! Njoy!

[aGCHopefull]

It?s finally my turn. Got our GCs card yesterday. After many twist and turn, finally light at the end of tunnel. I had received an RFIE even after submitting all docs and being DQ?ed. Talking to L2 agent did not resolve as he could not see the content of RFIE. Waited for 15 days to open an SR for RFIE not received. The very next day the status changed to card being produced. After three day it changed to case approved.

Thanks to Q, spec, Kanmani, idliman, turbulent dragonfly and various others who have kept this online community going.

For folks who are still waiting, please hang in there. Your tun will come. Please feel free to ask any question . Happy to assist.

Congratulations!!

[bangaloreboy]

Hello All,
We finally received our green cards!
It truly feels like a weight has been lifted.
The day my status got updated, it took me by surprise, which is strange since I had been waiting 11 years for it! Possibly because we didn't receive RFEs nor interviews. My wife's GC got approved before she could get her EAD.

I had landed in the US as a student in Jan 2003, without making proper accommodation or pickup arrangements. That was quite stupid, a sentiment that I attribute to my GC journey too.
At the airport was Mark, an American who had been helping pickup students out of sheer kindness.
He had invited me for dinner and had introduced me to other American families, who had welcomed me into their homes with open hands.
I have also been subjected to racism, when an American said 'why don't YOU guys go back to where you came from?' at a gas station. And some stares at Walmart could only be called racist.
I have lived on both sides of the coast and places in between. In general, this country has been very kind to me, and the people kinder.

As I mentioned earlier, my GC journey could have been a smarter one.
It was ignorance that prevented me from initiating labor certification when my employer was eager to do it. That was 2008. This is a familiar story like many of us on the forum; those colleagues who went ahead in 2008 got their GCs by or before 2013, while some of us who applied in 2010 and later are still waiting or finally getting approved.
H1 renewal period is when nervousness and anxiety automatically set in. There was a particular period when we had planned to pack up too, if things went south.
Even a dull megabus ride near Rochester NY was interjected by ICE looking for H1 documentation. Luckily I was able to convince them by showing a scanned copy of H1 approval notice.
The wait got so frustrating that my wife, who is a research scientist with a masters degree, decided to pursue EB1 qualification on her own. She had several papers with 1st and last authorship already, and had racked up 100+ citations. Now she had to build her case further. Life had gotten very exasperating. That's when it got worse. My wife who had complained ear and balance problems, decided to change her ENT specialist. He didn't prescribe steroid injections like the previous one but suggested she get an MRI. That day my wife drove to the MRI center while I fed our 6 month old. A call came that I would need to pick up my wife because she wouldn't be allowed to drive. It was brain tumor and really big one pressing the stem. We were shaken to the core wondering what had hit us. My wife went through hell, and the situation was made worse by covid. Though her 14 hr surgery was successful, she still has tinnitus, neck and head aches almost everyday.
To add to all the madness was yet another H1 renewal. 3 of the 6 colleagues who had applied with me had gotten rejections. The adjudicator must have somehow had an inkling about our personal life plight and renewal came through. And when we finally got a chance to file 485 last year, my wife's file was rejected for a trivial checkbox issue that the new administration thankfully fixed. I had tried to shield her from her application upheaval but when she looked up the status herself, it stressed her out like never before.
So when we finally saw GCs in our hand, it was true relief and exaltation.
I also went back to my 15+ year checklist in gmail and was very pleased to finally mark GC as done.
My biggest regret out of this is that I could have sponsored my parents by now if I had acted sooner.

Q blog is a portal I visit just as frequently as news/sports/stocks portals. Its right up there in my favorites.
For me, this forum is a place where I found meaningful information and a sense of commonality. When a lot of my colleagues got irrationally exuberant in the past, I would be more circumspect; spec's somber analysis always sounded right.
A lot of the members here can put some immigration attorneys in the shade. And that's without a law background.
Hats off to you Q for starting this forum which I am not sure you expected it to turn into this.
Thanks to all the topnotch contributors like Spec, Kanmani, Idli, Ace, YT and others I missed who have been the pillars of this forum.
Wish everyone who is waiting a speedy approval.
Now its time to take our 2 year old to the beach and celebrate before it starts getting colder!

[qesehmk]

Hello All,
We finally received our green cards!
It truly feels like a weight has been lifted.
The day my status got updated, it took me by surprise, which is strange since I had been waiting 11 years for it! Possibly because we didn't receive RFEs nor interviews. My wife's GC got approved before she could get her EAD.

I had landed in the US as a student in Jan 2003, without making proper accommodation or pickup arrangements. That was quite stupid, a sentiment that I attribute to my GC journey too.
At the airport was Mark, an American who had been helping pickup students out of sheer kindness.
He had invited me for dinner and had introduced me to other American families, who had welcomed me into their homes with open hands.
I have also been subjected to racism, when an American said 'why don't YOU guys go back to where you came from?' at a gas station. And some stares at Walmart could only be called racist.
I have lived on both sides of the coast and places in between. In general, this country has been very kind to me, and the people kinder.

As I mentioned earlier, my GC journey could have been a smarter one.
It was ignorance that prevented me from initiating labor certification when my employer was eager to do it. That was 2008. This is a familiar story like many of us on the forum; those colleagues who went ahead in 2008 got their GCs by or before 2013, while some of us who applied in 2010 and later are still waiting or finally getting approved.
H1 renewal period is when nervousness and anxiety automatically set in. There was a particular period when we had planned to pack up too, if things went south.
Even a dull megabus ride near Rochester NY was interjected by ICE looking for H1 documentation. Luckily I was able to convince them by showing a scanned copy of H1 approval notice.
The wait got so frustrating that my wife, who is a research scientist with a masters degree, decided to pursue EB1 qualification on her own. She had several papers with 1st and last authorship already, and had racked up 100+ citations. Now she had to build her case further. Life had gotten very exasperating. That's when it got worse. My wife who had complained ear and balance problems, decided to change her ENT specialist. He didn't prescribe steroid injections like the previous one but suggested she get an MRI. That day my wife drove to the MRI center while I fed our 6 month old. A call came that I would need to pick up my wife because she wouldn't be allowed to drive. It was brain tumor and really big one pressing the stem. We were shaken to the core wondering what had hit us. My wife went through hell, and the situation was made worse by covid. Though her 14 hr surgery was successful, she still has tinnitus, neck and head aches almost everyday.
To add to all the madness was yet another H1 renewal. 3 of the 6 colleagues who had applied with me had gotten rejections. The adjudicator must have somehow had an inkling about our personal life plight and renewal came through. And when we finally got a chance to file 485 last year, my wife's file was rejected for a trivial checkbox issue that the new administration thankfully fixed. I had tried to shield her from her application upheaval but when she looked up the status herself, it stressed her out like never before.
So when we finally saw GCs in our hand, it was true relief and exaltation.
I also went back to my 15+ year checklist in gmail and was very pleased to finally mark GC as done.
My biggest regret out of this is that I could have sponsored my parents by now if I had acted sooner.

Q blog is a portal I visit just as frequently as news/sports/stocks portals. Its right up there in my favorites.
For me, this forum is a place where I found meaningful information and a sense of commonality. When a lot of my colleagues got irrationally exuberant in the past, I would be more circumspect; spec's somber analysis always sounded right.
A lot of the members here can put some immigration attorneys in the shade. And that's without a law background.
Hats off to you Q for starting this forum which I am not sure you expected it to turn into this.
Thanks to all the topnotch contributors like Spec, Kanmani, Idli, Ace, YT and others I missed who have been the pillars of this forum.
Wish everyone who is waiting a speedy approval.
Now its time to take our 2 year old to the beach and celebrate before it starts getting colder!

What a story. So many of us can identify with it. When I arrived in 2000, I had no clue who would pick me up or where I would stay or anything really! I stayed at a kind soul's place for a few days and then crashed at one of my batchmate's place until I was able to secure an apartment myself. Delays in GC filing. Kindness of Americans ... a bit of racism. Wife's health. Kids growing up. Fellow H1Bs and all the trips we made. H1 / EAD struggles. USCIS checking our status along border. Driver's license struggles ...

Can go on an on. Thank you for writing an interesting tale. Very happy for you again. I hope your wife becomes 100% fit. Health is more precious than anything else. I wish you great life and career.

[Noesis]

Hello All,
We finally received our green cards!
It truly feels like a weight has been lifted.
The day my status got updated, it took me by surprise, which is strange since I had been waiting 11 years for it! Possibly because we didn't receive RFEs nor interviews. My wife's GC got approved before she could get her EAD.

I had landed in the US as a student in Jan 2003, without making proper accommodation or pickup arrangements. That was quite stupid, a sentiment that I attribute to my GC journey too.
At the airport was Mark, an American who had been helping pickup students out of sheer kindness.
He had invited me for dinner and had introduced me to other American families, who had welcomed me into their homes with open hands.
I have also been subjected to racism, when an American said 'why don't YOU guys go back to where you came from?' at a gas station. And some stares at Walmart could only be called racist.
I have lived on both sides of the coast and places in between. In general, this country has been very kind to me, and the people kinder.

As I mentioned earlier, my GC journey could have been a smarter one.
It was ignorance that prevented me from initiating labor certification when my employer was eager to do it. That was 2008. This is a familiar story like many of us on the forum; those colleagues who went ahead in 2008 got their GCs by or before 2013, while some of us who applied in 2010 and later are still waiting or finally getting approved.
H1 renewal period is when nervousness and anxiety automatically set in. There was a particular period when we had planned to pack up too, if things went south.
Even a dull megabus ride near Rochester NY was interjected by ICE looking for H1 documentation. Luckily I was able to convince them by showing a scanned copy of H1 approval notice.
The wait got so frustrating that my wife, who is a research scientist with a masters degree, decided to pursue EB1 qualification on her own. She had several papers with 1st and last authorship already, and had racked up 100+ citations. Now she had to build her case further. Life had gotten very exasperating. That's when it got worse. My wife who had complained ear and balance problems, decided to change her ENT specialist. He didn't prescribe steroid injections like the previous one but suggested she get an MRI. That day my wife drove to the MRI center while I fed our 6 month old. A call came that I would need to pick up my wife because she wouldn't be allowed to drive. It was brain tumor and really big one pressing the stem. We were shaken to the core wondering what had hit us. My wife went through hell, and the situation was made worse by covid. Though her 14 hr surgery was successful, she still has tinnitus, neck and head aches almost everyday.
To add to all the madness was yet another H1 renewal. 3 of the 6 colleagues who had applied with me had gotten rejections. The adjudicator must have somehow had an inkling about our personal life plight and renewal came through. And when we finally got a chance to file 485 last year, my wife's file was rejected for a trivial checkbox issue that the new administration thankfully fixed. I had tried to shield her from her application upheaval but when she looked up the status herself, it stressed her out like never before.
So when we finally saw GCs in our hand, it was true relief and exaltation.
I also went back to my 15+ year checklist in gmail and was very pleased to finally mark GC as done.
My biggest regret out of this is that I could have sponsored my parents by now if I had acted sooner.

Q blog is a portal I visit just as frequently as news/sports/stocks portals. Its right up there in my favorites.
For me, this forum is a place where I found meaningful information and a sense of commonality. When a lot of my colleagues got irrationally exuberant in the past, I would be more circumspect; spec's somber analysis always sounded right.
A lot of the members here can put some immigration attorneys in the shade. And that's without a law background.
Hats off to you Q for starting this forum which I am not sure you expected it to turn into this.
Thanks to all the topnotch contributors like Spec, Kanmani, Idli, Ace, YT and others I missed who have been the pillars of this forum.
Wish everyone who is waiting a speedy approval.
Now its time to take our 2 year old to the beach and celebrate before it starts getting colder!

What a Journey.! Many Congratulations on finally getting over the finished line. Best wishes to your wife on getting back to 100% fit.

[AceMan]

Hello All,
We finally received our green cards!
It truly feels like a weight has been lifted.
The day my status got updated, it took me by surprise, which is strange since I had been waiting 11 years for it! Possibly because we didn't receive RFEs nor interviews. My wife's GC got approved before she could get her EAD.

I had landed in the US as a student in Jan 2003, without making proper accommodation or pickup arrangements. That was quite stupid, a sentiment that I attribute to my GC journey too.
At the airport was Mark, an American who had been helping pickup students out of sheer kindness.
He had invited me for dinner and had introduced me to other American families, who had welcomed me into their homes with open hands.
I have also been subjected to racism, when an American said 'why don't YOU guys go back to where you came from?' at a gas station. And some stares at Walmart could only be called racist.
I have lived on both sides of the coast and places in between. In general, this country has been very kind to me, and the people kinder.

As I mentioned earlier, my GC journey could have been a smarter one.
It was ignorance that prevented me from initiating labor certification when my employer was eager to do it. That was 2008. This is a familiar story like many of us on the forum; those colleagues who went ahead in 2008 got their GCs by or before 2013, while some of us who applied in 2010 and later are still waiting or finally getting approved.
H1 renewal period is when nervousness and anxiety automatically set in. There was a particular period when we had planned to pack up too, if things went south.
Even a dull megabus ride near Rochester NY was interjected by ICE looking for H1 documentation. Luckily I was able to convince them by showing a scanned copy of H1 approval notice.
The wait got so frustrating that my wife, who is a research scientist with a masters degree, decided to pursue EB1 qualification on her own. She had several papers with 1st and last authorship already, and had racked up 100+ citations. Now she had to build her case further. Life had gotten very exasperating. That's when it got worse. My wife who had complained ear and balance problems, decided to change her ENT specialist. He didn't prescribe steroid injections like the previous one but suggested she get an MRI. That day my wife drove to the MRI center while I fed our 6 month old. A call came that I would need to pick up my wife because she wouldn't be allowed to drive. It was brain tumor and really big one pressing the stem. We were shaken to the core wondering what had hit us. My wife went through hell, and the situation was made worse by covid. Though her 14 hr surgery was successful, she still has tinnitus, neck and head aches almost everyday.
To add to all the madness was yet another H1 renewal. 3 of the 6 colleagues who had applied with me had gotten rejections. The adjudicator must have somehow had an inkling about our personal life plight and renewal came through. And when we finally got a chance to file 485 last year, my wife's file was rejected for a trivial checkbox issue that the new administration thankfully fixed. I had tried to shield her from her application upheaval but when she looked up the status herself, it stressed her out like never before.
So when we finally saw GCs in our hand, it was true relief and exaltation.
I also went back to my 15+ year checklist in gmail and was very pleased to finally mark GC as done.
My biggest regret out of this is that I could have sponsored my parents by now if I had acted sooner.

Q blog is a portal I visit just as frequently as news/sports/stocks portals. Its right up there in my favorites.
For me, this forum is a place where I found meaningful information and a sense of commonality. When a lot of my colleagues got irrationally exuberant in the past, I would be more circumspect; spec's somber analysis always sounded right.
A lot of the members here can put some immigration attorneys in the shade. And that's without a law background.
Hats off to you Q for starting this forum which I am not sure you expected it to turn into this.
Thanks to all the topnotch contributors like Spec, Kanmani, Idli, Ace, YT and others I missed who have been the pillars of this forum.
Wish everyone who is waiting a speedy approval.
Now its time to take our 2 year old to the beach and celebrate before it starts getting colder!

Congrats and best wishes once again buddy.

[bangaloreboy]

What a story. So many of us can identify with it. When I arrived in 2000, I had no clue who would pick me up or where I would stay or anything really! I stayed at a kind soul's place for a few days and then crashed at one of my batchmate's place until I was able to secure an apartment myself. Delays in GC filing. Kindness of Americans ... a bit of racism. Wife's health. Kids growing up. Fellow H1Bs and all the trips we made. H1 / EAD struggles. USCIS checking our status along border. Driver's license struggles ...

Can go on an on. Thank you for writing an interesting tale. Very happy for you again. I hope your wife becomes 100% fit. Health is more precious than anything else. I wish you great life and career.

Thanks Q, Noesis, Ace!

[srimurthy]

Finally had the interview yesterday first thing in the morning, and late in the evening the status changed tp "Case Approved, New Card is Being Produced"

The interview was good and I will capture the questions and details in the appropriate thread. It is a relief for sure than anything changed in the excitement or way of life atleast at this point.
I need to thank Q for starting this forum, and others being part of the valuable experts and contributors acting as the energy to keep this forum going on and relevant.
I am sure this forum would not have been what it is today without contributions from Spec, Q, Kanmani, Teddy, Suninphx, Soggadu, idliman, Turbulent, Aceman and many more.
The knowledge and expertise surely bowled me over, while the humor from time to time eased things and the stories of people have given me strength showing there are far more tough conditions people are facing than me.

Priority Date---------: 10/30/2010 EB2 India - National Benefits Center (MSC21903*****)
Receipt & Notice Date-: 10/21/2020 & 11/20/2020
Biometrics Date-------: 03/25/2021
SR raised for EAD - 07/02/2021
EAD/AP Approval I797--: 07/06/2021
EAD/AP Card in hand---: 07/16/2021
Interview Confirmation - 08/09/2021
Interview Date and Interview - 9/30/2021
I485 Approval---------: 9/30/2021 (Case Approved and Ordered New Card)
GC in hand------------:

The PD and the approval dates are same 11 years apart and after a near 14 years stay in US.
Did three job changes and the second company went through 3 mergers and multiple delays in filing Labor during the initial years. Also wife started working on H4 EAD from 2016 after giving up on her Dental Career with more than 8 years experience and after that being house wife for 8 years it was difficult to get back into the Job Market, putting a denting in her confidence. Had companies taking advantage when we tried for her H1 between 2010 and 2012, and lost some full time opportunities in the last three years and one as recently as 2 months back as at the final confirmation they declined as there was no GC in hand even though she had H4 EAD and EAD based on AOS.

My elder daughter lost a couple of chances with no GC earlier, but I am glad we got it right on time as she is a Sophomore in Highschool and getting ready for applying to colleges.

[andhraguy]

Finally had the interview yesterday first thing in the morning, and late in the evening the status changed tp "Case Approved, New Card is Being Produced"

The interview was good and I will capture the questions and details in the appropriate thread. It is a relief for sure than anything changed in the excitement or way of life atleast at this point.
I need to thank Q for starting this forum, and others being part of the valuable experts and contributors acting as the energy to keep this forum going on and relevant.
I am sure this forum would not have been what it is today without contributions from Spec, Q, Kanmani, Teddy, Suninphx, Soggadu, idliman, Turbulent, Aceman and many more.
The knowledge and expertise surely bowled me over, while the humor from time to time eased things and the stories of people have given me strength showing there are far more tough conditions people are facing than me.

Priority Date---------: 10/30/2010 EB2 India - National Benefits Center (MSC21903*****)
Receipt & Notice Date-: 10/21/2020 & 11/20/2020
Biometrics Date-------: 03/25/2021
SR raised for EAD - 07/02/2021
EAD/AP Approval I797--: 07/06/2021
EAD/AP Card in hand---: 07/16/2021
Interview Confirmation - 08/09/2021
Interview Date and Interview - 9/30/2021
I485 Approval---------: 9/30/2021 (Case Approved and Ordered New Card)
GC in hand------------:

The PD and the approval dates are same 11 years apart and after a near 14 years stay in US.
Did three job changes and the second company went through 3 mergers and multiple delays in filing Labor during the initial years. Also wife started working on H4 EAD from 2016 after giving up on her Dental Career with more than 8 years experience and after that being house wife for 8 years it was difficult to get back into the Job Market, putting a denting in her confidence. Had companies taking advantage when we tried for her H1 between 2010 and 2012, and lost some full time opportunities in the last three years and one as recently as 2 months back as at the final confirmation they declined as there was no GC in hand even though she had H4 EAD and EAD based on AOS.

My elder daughter lost a couple of chances with no GC earlier, but I am glad we got it right on time as she is a Sophomore in Highschool and getting ready for applying to colleges.


@srimurthy - congratulation. All the best for your freedom!

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

Thank you Q,

Guess the reason not registering sooner is may be I did not have anything important to share or contribute. In 2012, my employer convinced me (not intentional) that my PD 2011 would be current any time soon. As I saw dates are moved to around mid 2010 I believed him & stayed with them in the hope of getting GC soon. Almost 1 to 1 and half year passed just in waiting. Was still under impression it could be next bulletin or next quarter etc., There was a fulltime opportunity at that time that I declined for the same reason (how naive was I). When I was explaining to a friend why I didnot take that fulltime opportunity, he told me dates going be retrogressed for a while and explained country caps/backlogs and all, that was the first time I ever heard of those things. Thats when he told me to follow this blog and explained me this forum discusses USCIS/DOS available data and do some kind of valid number crunching etc., I started following the forum and was at least getting some realistic guestimates about dates movement. Fortunately same full time opportunity came in 2017 and I took the opportunity without any doubt/hesitation. Not sure now but if I had not seen/followed discussions here I might have declined it second time too :(

I chose the time to post my first post when I got the GC. However, the intention is to thank you and others for you valuable contribution of the forum. Especially from last year around this time, this forum has been great help to follow how things are going with USCIS and how things work with them.

Once again, thank you for taking time to keep this forum moving.

Congrats gc_2021!

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

Finally had the interview yesterday first thing in the morning, and late in the evening the status changed tp "Case Approved, New Card is Being Produced"

The interview was good and I will capture the questions and details in the appropriate thread. It is a relief for sure than anything changed in the excitement or way of life atleast at this point.
I need to thank Q for starting this forum, and others being part of the valuable experts and contributors acting as the energy to keep this forum going on and relevant.
I am sure this forum would not have been what it is today without contributions from Spec, Q, Kanmani, Teddy, Suninphx, Soggadu, idliman, Turbulent, Aceman and many more.
The knowledge and expertise surely bowled me over, while the humor from time to time eased things and the stories of people have given me strength showing there are far more tough conditions people are facing than me.

Priority Date---------: 10/30/2010 EB2 India - National Benefits Center (MSC21903*****)
Receipt & Notice Date-: 10/21/2020 & 11/20/2020
Biometrics Date-------: 03/25/2021
SR raised for EAD - 07/02/2021
EAD/AP Approval I797--: 07/06/2021
EAD/AP Card in hand---: 07/16/2021
Interview Confirmation - 08/09/2021
Interview Date and Interview - 9/30/2021
I485 Approval---------: 9/30/2021 (Case Approved and Ordered New Card)
GC in hand------------:

The PD and the approval dates are same 11 years apart and after a near 14 years stay in US.
Did three job changes and the second company went through 3 mergers and multiple delays in filing Labor during the initial years. Also wife started working on H4 EAD from 2016 after giving up on her Dental Career with more than 8 years experience and after that being house wife for 8 years it was difficult to get back into the Job Market, putting a denting in her confidence. Had companies taking advantage when we tried for her H1 between 2010 and 2012, and lost some full time opportunities in the last three years and one as recently as 2 months back as at the final confirmation they declined as there was no GC in hand even though she had H4 EAD and EAD based on AOS.

My elder daughter lost a couple of chances with no GC earlier, but I am glad we got it right on time as she is a Sophomore in Highschool and getting ready for applying to colleges.

Congrats, srimurthy! So happy to see you greened! You have contributed a lot to this forum and you got a case approval on the last day of the FY2021!

Anecdote on my side is very similar to yours. I received my GC in hand exactly 20 years not only to the day, but to the exact hour when I first left India (received 4 PM here, and had a 2:30 AM flight in India that morning 20 yrs back!).

[Turbulent_Dragonfly]

Hello All,
We finally received our green cards!
It truly feels like a weight has been lifted.
The day my status got updated, it took me by surprise, which is strange since I had been waiting 11 years for it! Possibly because we didn't receive RFEs nor interviews. My wife's GC got approved before she could get her EAD.

I had landed in the US as a student in Jan 2003, without making proper accommodation or pickup arrangements. That was quite stupid, a sentiment that I attribute to my GC journey too.
At the airport was Mark, an American who had been helping pickup students out of sheer kindness.
He had invited me for dinner and had introduced me to other American families, who had welcomed me into their homes with open hands.
I have also been subjected to racism, when an American said 'why don't YOU guys go back to where you came from?' at a gas station. And some stares at Walmart could only be called racist.
I have lived on both sides of the coast and places in between. In general, this country has been very kind to me, and the people kinder.

As I mentioned earlier, my GC journey could have been a smarter one.
It was ignorance that prevented me from initiating labor certification when my employer was eager to do it. That was 2008. This is a familiar story like many of us on the forum; those colleagues who went ahead in 2008 got their GCs by or before 2013, while some of us who applied in 2010 and later are still waiting or finally getting approved.
H1 renewal period is when nervousness and anxiety automatically set in. There was a particular period when we had planned to pack up too, if things went south.
Even a dull megabus ride near Rochester NY was interjected by ICE looking for H1 documentation. Luckily I was able to convince them by showing a scanned copy of H1 approval notice.
The wait got so frustrating that my wife, who is a research scientist with a masters degree, decided to pursue EB1 qualification on her own. She had several papers with 1st and last authorship already, and had racked up 100+ citations. Now she had to build her case further. Life had gotten very exasperating. That's when it got worse. My wife who had complained ear and balance problems, decided to change her ENT specialist. He didn't prescribe steroid injections like the previous one but suggested she get an MRI. That day my wife drove to the MRI center while I fed our 6 month old. A call came that I would need to pick up my wife because she wouldn't be allowed to drive. It was brain tumor and really big one pressing the stem. We were shaken to the core wondering what had hit us. My wife went through hell, and the situation was made worse by covid. Though her 14 hr surgery was successful, she still has tinnitus, neck and head aches almost everyday.
To add to all the madness was yet another H1 renewal. 3 of the 6 colleagues who had applied with me had gotten rejections. The adjudicator must have somehow had an inkling about our personal life plight and renewal came through. And when we finally got a chance to file 485 last year, my wife's file was rejected for a trivial checkbox issue that the new administration thankfully fixed. I had tried to shield her from her application upheaval but when she looked up the status herself, it stressed her out like never before.
So when we finally saw GCs in our hand, it was true relief and exaltation.
I also went back to my 15+ year checklist in gmail and was very pleased to finally mark GC as done.
My biggest regret out of this is that I could have sponsored my parents by now if I had acted sooner.

Q blog is a portal I visit just as frequently as news/sports/stocks portals. Its right up there in my favorites.
For me, this forum is a place where I found meaningful information and a sense of commonality. When a lot of my colleagues got irrationally exuberant in the past, I would be more circumspect; spec's somber analysis always sounded right.
A lot of the members here can put some immigration attorneys in the shade. And that's without a law background.
Hats off to you Q for starting this forum which I am not sure you expected it to turn into this.
Thanks to all the topnotch contributors like Spec, Kanmani, Idli, Ace, YT and others I missed who have been the pillars of this forum.
Wish everyone who is waiting a speedy approval.
Now its time to take our 2 year old to the beach and celebrate before it starts getting colder!

Hey bangaloreboy, congratulations on getting approved! So sorry to hear about the health issues your wife is facing. I know everyone here keeps piling on the healthcare system over and over, but we do have some of the best doctors and facilities in the world. I hope you all enjoy life here on moving forward and stay happy and healthy.

[qesehmk]

Finally had the interview yesterday first thing in the morning, and late in the evening the status changed tp "Case Approved, New Card is Being Produced"

The interview was good and I will capture the questions and details in the appropriate thread. It is a relief for sure than anything changed in the excitement or way of life atleast at this point.
I need to thank Q for starting this forum, and others being part of the valuable experts and contributors acting as the energy to keep this forum going on and relevant.
I am sure this forum would not have been what it is today without contributions from Spec, Q, Kanmani, Teddy, Suninphx, Soggadu, idliman, Turbulent, Aceman and many more.
The knowledge and expertise surely bowled me over, while the humor from time to time eased things and the stories of people have given me strength showing there are far more tough conditions people are facing than me.

Priority Date---------: 10/30/2010 EB2 India - National Benefits Center (MSC21903*****)
Receipt & Notice Date-: 10/21/2020 & 11/20/2020
Biometrics Date-------: 03/25/2021
SR raised for EAD - 07/02/2021
EAD/AP Approval I797--: 07/06/2021
EAD/AP Card in hand---: 07/16/2021
Interview Confirmation - 08/09/2021
Interview Date and Interview - 9/30/2021
I485 Approval---------: 9/30/2021 (Case Approved and Ordered New Card)
GC in hand------------:

The PD and the approval dates are same 11 years apart and after a near 14 years stay in US.
Did three job changes and the second company went through 3 mergers and multiple delays in filing Labor during the initial years. Also wife started working on H4 EAD from 2016 after giving up on her Dental Career with more than 8 years experience and after that being house wife for 8 years it was difficult to get back into the Job Market, putting a denting in her confidence. Had companies taking advantage when we tried for her H1 between 2010 and 2012, and lost some full time opportunities in the last three years and one as recently as 2 months back as at the final confirmation they declined as there was no GC in hand even though she had H4 EAD and EAD based on AOS.

My elder daughter lost a couple of chances with no GC earlier, but I am glad we got it right on time as she is a Sophomore in Highschool and getting ready for applying to colleges.

Many congratulations Sri. That's a long wait. Sorry to hear about your wife's career. I think you need to help her believe in herself and sit down think next steps and choices carefully and freely. The companies are now more open to give women a second chance after kids are grown up and with right upskilling she can find something without perceived loss in career path. From your side simple actions (more than just words) can help. Just as an example one can take the responsibility for cleaning the kitchen after dinner. I have to admit I realized I should do this at home after 20 years of marriage. And now I am doing it. With age women are physically hurt so much and I regret not doing this sooner.

Regarding your daughter yes I can understand how she must have lost some opportunities. Luckily she is so young and will achieve her potential now on. To your daughter and anybody else's children the right time to think about college is in high school. The child must check multiple boxes. Don't rely only on SAT or ACT. My son is very sharp but is not necessarily a super duper genius. He worked hard and smart and checked multiple boxes like sports, debate teams, social services, many many many AP classes (all 4.0) and i can't even remember so many things. He ignored my advice to pay attention to SAT score and scored mediocre. And yet he got into #3-5 (depending on who is scoring) school in his discipline. So SAT is not everything, there are many boxes that need to be checked to get into top schools. All the best sri once again! Have a terrific day ahead!

[AceMan]

Finally had the interview yesterday first thing in the morning, and late in the evening the status changed tp "Case Approved, New Card is Being Produced"

The interview was good and I will capture the questions and details in the appropriate thread. It is a relief for sure than anything changed in the excitement or way of life atleast at this point.
I need to thank Q for starting this forum, and others being part of the valuable experts and contributors acting as the energy to keep this forum going on and relevant.
I am sure this forum would not have been what it is today without contributions from Spec, Q, Kanmani, Teddy, Suninphx, Soggadu, idliman, Turbulent, Aceman and many more.
The knowledge and expertise surely bowled me over, while the humor from time to time eased things and the stories of people have given me strength showing there are far more tough conditions people are facing than me.

Priority Date---------: 10/30/2010 EB2 India - National Benefits Center (MSC21903*****)
Receipt & Notice Date-: 10/21/2020 & 11/20/2020
Biometrics Date-------: 03/25/2021
SR raised for EAD - 07/02/2021
EAD/AP Approval I797--: 07/06/2021
EAD/AP Card in hand---: 07/16/2021
Interview Confirmation - 08/09/2021
Interview Date and Interview - 9/30/2021
I485 Approval---------: 9/30/2021 (Case Approved and Ordered New Card)
GC in hand------------:

The PD and the approval dates are same 11 years apart and after a near 14 years stay in US.
Did three job changes and the second company went through 3 mergers and multiple delays in filing Labor during the initial years. Also wife started working on H4 EAD from 2016 after giving up on her Dental Career with more than 8 years experience and after that being house wife for 8 years it was difficult to get back into the Job Market, putting a denting in her confidence. Had companies taking advantage when we tried for her H1 between 2010 and 2012, and lost some full time opportunities in the last three years and one as recently as 2 months back as at the final confirmation they declined as there was no GC in hand even though she had H4 EAD and EAD based on AOS.

My elder daughter lost a couple of chances with no GC earlier, but I am glad we got it right on time as she is a Sophomore in Highschool and getting ready for applying to colleges.

Congratulations Sri, really happy for you and your family.

[Noesis]

Finally had the interview yesterday first thing in the morning, and late in the evening the status changed tp "Case Approved, New Card is Being Produced"

The interview was good and I will capture the questions and details in the appropriate thread. It is a relief for sure than anything changed in the excitement or way of life atleast at this point.
I need to thank Q for starting this forum, and others being part of the valuable experts and contributors acting as the energy to keep this forum going on and relevant.
I am sure this forum would not have been what it is today without contributions from Spec, Q, Kanmani, Teddy, Suninphx, Soggadu, idliman, Turbulent, Aceman and many more.
The knowledge and expertise surely bowled me over, while the humor from time to time eased things and the stories of people have given me strength showing there are far more tough conditions people are facing than me.

Priority Date---------: 10/30/2010 EB2 India - National Benefits Center (MSC21903*****)
Receipt & Notice Date-: 10/21/2020 & 11/20/2020
Biometrics Date-------: 03/25/2021
SR raised for EAD - 07/02/2021
EAD/AP Approval I797--: 07/06/2021
EAD/AP Card in hand---: 07/16/2021
Interview Confirmation - 08/09/2021
Interview Date and Interview - 9/30/2021
I485 Approval---------: 9/30/2021 (Case Approved and Ordered New Card)
GC in hand------------:

The PD and the approval dates are same 11 years apart and after a near 14 years stay in US.
Did three job changes and the second company went through 3 mergers and multiple delays in filing Labor during the initial years. Also wife started working on H4 EAD from 2016 after giving up on her Dental Career with more than 8 years experience and after that being house wife for 8 years it was difficult to get back into the Job Market, putting a denting in her confidence. Had companies taking advantage when we tried for her H1 between 2010 and 2012, and lost some full time opportunities in the last three years and one as recently as 2 months back as at the final confirmation they declined as there was no GC in hand even though she had H4 EAD and EAD based on AOS.

My elder daughter lost a couple of chances with no GC earlier, but I am glad we got it right on time as she is a Sophomore in Highschool and getting ready for applying to colleges.

Many Congratulations.!

[suninphx]

Sri,

Many Congratulations! Take it easy for few days now. Brighter days ahead...

[suninphx]

bangaloreboy - congrats mate! All the best for future endeavors!