Post 485-Filing

Friends,

Just wanted to share the good news with you all.....Yesterday, got the green cards for me and my wife.

Here is the timeline,

SC : NSC

PD : First week of June 2007

RD : First week of Oct 2011

FP: First week of Nov 2011 (live in a small city – nobody was there when I walkedin, only the staff)

EAD/ AP: My wife gets hers in the first week of Dec 2011

I get an RFE for picture not good. Was about to move to a different address,

Replied for the RFE with pictures in the last week (after move) of Dec 2011.

My EAD/AP gets approved in second week of Jan 2012. They send it to the new address.

485: Last week started getting approval emails. Card production email on Friday eve.

Monday got the physical card in priority mail.

PS: USCIS sends notifications when the card is picked by USCIS and delivered too (good job)


Thanks a bunch for the gurus and others answering the questions, spending the time (away from kids) and maintaining the site.

For folks waiting there (EB2), I feel things have got better in the last three years and don’t believe the wait will be too long. I sincerely hope and wish things will continually improve as far as visibility and movement. For new comers, my 2 cents - please be courteous, all the guys answering your questions and queries they have a job to do and are sharing their knowledge/experience....and are not Paid.

Good Luck !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by leo07

essenel, Thanks for your wish. btw, I'm a fan of SNL too...:)

---

I was wondering when someone would notice :D:D

NSC is doing a great job, but TSC is starting to stress me out... :( I hope TSC approvals start picking up tomorrow....

Trident

Happy for you! All the best for future. Appreciate your courtesy and kind words for all people contributing to the forum.

All the best!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trident

Friends,

Just wanted to share the good news with you all.....Yesterday, got the green cards for me and my wife.

Here is the timeline,

SC : NSC

PD : First week of June 2007

RD : First week of Oct 2011

FP: First week of Nov 2011 (live in a small city – nobody was there when I walkedin, only the staff)

EAD/ AP: My wife gets hers in the first week of Dec 2011

I get an RFE for picture not good. Was about to move to a different address,

Replied for the RFE with pictures in the last week (after move) of Dec 2011.

My EAD/AP gets approved in second week of Jan 2012. They send it to the new address.

485: Last week started getting approval emails. Card production email on Friday eve.

Monday got the physical card in priority mail.

PS: USCIS sends notifications when the card is picked by USCIS and delivered too (good job)


Thanks a bunch for the gurus and others answering the questions, spending the time (away from kids) and maintaining the site.

For folks waiting there (EB2), I feel things have got better in the last three years and don’t believe the wait will be too long. I sincerely hope and wish things will continually improve as far as visibility and movement. For new comers, my 2 cents - please be courteous, all the guys answering your questions and queries they have a job to do and are sharing their knowledge/experience....and are not Paid.

Good Luck !

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by qesehmk

Trident

Happy for you! All the best for future. Appreciate your courtesy and kind words for all people contributing to the forum.

All the best!

---

Thanks Q...it was a long wait, hope it was worth the wait...Should know the answer one day ! :)

A quick question in EAD usage vs H1B. My wife and I both are on H1B right now and will be getting EAD soon. Since my wife needs to change jobs - she is going to use her EAD immediately at the new employer. I, however, will continue in my current job. Question: do I continue to be in H1B status even if my dependent shifts into an EAD which is derived from my primary 485?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by imdeng

A quick question in EAD usage vs H1B. My wife and I both are on H1B right now and will be getting EAD soon. Since my wife needs to change jobs - she is going to use her EAD immediately at the new employer. I, however, will continue in my current job. Question: do I continue to be in H1B status even if my dependent shifts into an EAD which is derived from my primary 485?

---

you have to be on ead too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gc_usa

you have to be on ead too.

---

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by this. Can you please explain? My wife who was on H4 just started working with her EAD. Are you saying that this means that I'm no longer on H1-B?

Thanks Kanmani - this is a relief. I am trying to be as conservative as possible and hold on to my H1B status until I have the physical GC card in hand.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kanmani

imdeng
You can verywell maintain your H1b status. You are not required to switch to EAD even if your wife has started using EAD .

---

gc_usa - please elaborate - do you agree with Kanmani or disagree?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gc_usa

you have to be on ead too.

---

EAD Delay

We got our EAD / AP approval emails 4 weeks ago and I got the physical card 3 weeks ago. But my wife is yet to receive hers. Is it common to have this gap, though both our applications were approved at the same time? Please let me know. I'm waiting for the 30 day window to pass to call USCIS.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by imdeng

Thanks Kanmani - this is a relief. I am trying to be as conservative as possible and hold on to my H1B status until I have the physical GC card in hand.


gc_usa - please elaborate - do you agree with Kanmani or disagree?

---

I am wrong , but if any thing goes wrong with your spouse case she will not be able to get back to H4 that is what I think.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 10102007

EAD Delay

We got our EAD / AP approval emails 4 weeks ago and I got the physical card 3 weeks ago. But my wife is yet to receive hers. Is it common to have this gap, though both our applications were approved at the same time? Please let me know. I'm waiting for the 30 day window to pass to call USCIS.

---

Same here dude.... My wife got the combo card and I an still waiting from Jan 17

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kanmani

gc_usa

As long as the primary is maintaining H1b and working with the H1b employer, the spouse could switch to H-4 using change of status petition.

In imdeng's case his wife is currently on H1b not H-4 . If the spouse is already on H-4 and stop working after using EAD, the status is either protected by pending I-485 or H-4 itself.

---

Thanks ,

So basically its good for H4 spouse to use EAD , even her I 485 get rejected for any reason she has chance to move back to H4 because primary is maintaining H1B. is that correct ?

What is the FBI Phone number to check Name check/Biometrics check status?
Also please tell me what is the procedure to call them

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kanmani

Yes



Soggadu bhai, you guys will receive the GC itself even before EAD card . GC has the previlege of travelling in Rajdhani while EAD is in ox cart.

---

Amen to that sistah girl....Hoping for the best!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nishant2200

:) and also as I always suspected, in period which is current, anyone who is ready can get approved. so much for ordering by priority date and all that. So yes, Received Date is a big deal! It ensures your app is being processed earlier on in the queue.

---

Wow.. Confusion and uncertainty seems like an eternal truth with the USCIS.

In 2011, it was uncertainty about how much demand, how much porting, how far will dates move.. In 2012, the dates keep on moving but who gets approved when is totally up for grabs..

Not that I am complaining.. as long as the ball keeps on rolling, the chances of everyone getting their GCs/EADs are higher..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by polapragada

What is the FBI Phone number to check Name check/Biometrics check status?
Also please tell me what is the procedure to call them

---

FBI can be reached either at 304-625-5590 or at 304-625-2406 Source: http://www.immihelp.com/immigration/fingerprints.html

FBI - Name Checks FAQs: http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/na...me-checks-faqs

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by soggadu

PG... with all these apps coming in they are taking time.. give them atleast 20 days before you start pressing the panic button...

---

Well, given the importance of RD, and seeing as how the 2009 PD folks will start to receive their receipt notices soon I'm just concerned. Tell me this, are the checks cashed before the receipt notices are sent out? It's 13 days and they haven't cashed the bloody check yet. I've never been this concerned about someone not taking my money!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RMS_V13

Pedro,

Has your check been cashed? My check (dependent) got cashed 7 days after being picked up from the Phoenix lock box. So, I am assuming my husband's check is also cashed.

No Receipts yet.

---

My employer made out my checks. I have no visibility into it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by soggadu

Same here dude.... My wife got the combo card and I an still waiting from Jan 17

---

Thanks Soggadu. Let's hope we will get it soon. Did both you get different approval notices? My wife's had 2 pages, saying both EAD and AP are approved whereas mine had only 1 page and said only EAD was approved though I did receive the combo card.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pedro Gonzales

Well, given the importance of RD, and seeing as how the 2009 PD folks will start to receive their receipt notices soon I'm just concerned. Tell me this, are the checks cashed before the receipt notices are sent out? It's 13 days and they haven't cashed the bloody check yet. I've never been this concerned about someone not taking my money!
.

---

Well, in my case checks were cashed and then notice.
Checks are wired electronically, so even if you access your account you wont see check image, but just a debit entry.
Can you see the fedex/ups tracking that your package is delivered ? What's the lockbox u sent it to ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pedro Gonzales

Well, given the importance of RD, and seeing as how the 2009 PD folks will start to receive their receipt notices soon I'm just concerned. Tell me this, are the checks cashed before the receipt notices are sent out? It's 13 days and they haven't cashed the bloody check yet. I've never been this concerned about someone not taking my money!

---

So, I figured out why my checks haven't been cashed. My lawyers paralegal says she sent the docs out by the 19th, but she sent it by snail mail! Since it was certified I tracked it and found out that it only got to Dallas on Jan 27th. I could only get her my final packet with my signatures on Jan 11th after returning from India, but for it to take an additional 16 days to get to the USCIS is freaking unpardonable.

Everything looks green to me today..One helluva American Dream journey...

Chargeability: EB2 - I
PD: 06/21/2007
Processing Stage: I-485
TSC
Mailed Date: 10/08/2011
Received Date: 10/11/2011
Notice Date: 10/18/2011
FP Notice Date: 10/26/2012
FP Scheduled, 11/16/2012
EAD/AP approval Date:12/29/2011
EAD/AP: Combo card received on 01/28/2012
485 Approval: 01/24/2012
485 Email Notification: 01/26/2012
485 Physical Card: 01/31/2012
Spouse 485 Approval:pending

Hello Gurus,

I have a requirement to change my job location to a location not listed on my H-1B application (with same employer). My application mailed last week Monday, not received notice yet for Finger print or anything yet. Can i do it without filing for change in location or should I wait until i receive EAD?

I'm sure it does :)
Congratulations!!!

It's encouraging as well...as your Received Date: 10/11/2011 and from TSC. Good Luck!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sjkumar

Everything looks green to me today..One helluva American Dream journey...

Chargeability: EB2 - I
PD: 06/21/2007
Processing Stage: I-485
TSC
Mailed Date: 10/08/2011
Received Date: 10/11/2011
Notice Date: 10/18/2011
FP Notice Date: 10/26/2012
FP Scheduled, 11/16/2012
EAD/AP approval Date:12/29/2011
EAD/AP: Combo card received on 01/28/2012
485 Approval: 01/24/2012
485 Email Notification: 01/26/2012
485 Physical Card: 01/31/2012
Spouse 485 Approval:pending

---

Thanks username (btw, what's your actual username :))

I just called the FBI number and verified the status for me and family. The prints were processed and result status sent to USCIS on the same day. The rep was super friendly and courteous. So atleast one thing is confirmed that the USCIS is not waiting on FPs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by username

FBI can be reached either at 304-625-5590 or at 304-625-2406 Source: http://www.immihelp.com/immigration/fingerprints.html

FBI - Name Checks FAQs: http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/na...me-checks-faqs

---

copied from trackitt....

******************************************
October filers on Trackitt(Nationality - India, Country of Chargeability - India, Category - EB2):
*******************************************
Total cases: 129
Approved: 39
% Approved: 30.2%

Total cases NSC: 23
Approved NSC: 10
% Approved TSC: 43.5%

Total cases TSC: 102
Approved TSC: 29
% Approved TSC: 28.4%
*******************************************


*******************************************
November filers on Trackitt(Nationality - India, Country of Chargeability - India, Category - EB2):
*******************************************
Total cases: 385
Approved: 22
% Approved: 5.71%

Total cases NSC: 136
Approved NSC: 19
% Approved TSC: 14%

Total cases TSC: 235
Approved TSC: 2
% Approved TSC: .85%
*******************************************

Soggadu, Thanks for sharing!

Interesting info.

Pedro :
I doubt if it is based on receipt date. In July 2007, a similar event occurred. But I doubt if GC was issued based on receipt date as there is enough data to prove that is not the case. My belief is that approvals are based on the PD, followed by the receipt date with the variant being the efficiency of the officer picking up the case.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pedro Gonzales

Well, given the importance of RD, and seeing as how the 2009 PD folks will start to receive their receipt notices soon I'm just concerned. Tell me this, are the checks cashed before the receipt notices are sent out? It's 13 days and they haven't cashed the bloody check yet. I've never been this concerned about someone not taking my money!



My employer made out my checks. I have no visibility into it.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by soggadu

copied from trackitt....

******************************************
October filers on Trackitt(Nationality - India, Country of Chargeability - India, Category - EB2):
*******************************************
Total cases: 129
Approved: 39
% Approved: 30.2%

Total cases NSC: 23
Approved NSC: 10
% Approved TSC: 43.5%

Total cases TSC: 102
Approved TSC: 29
% Approved TSC: 28.4%
*******************************************


*******************************************
November filers on Trackitt(Nationality - India, Country of Chargeability - India, Category - EB2):
*******************************************
Total cases: 385
Approved: 22
% Approved: 5.71%

Total cases NSC: 136
Approved NSC: 19
% Approved TSC: 14%

Total cases TSC: 235
Approved TSC: 2
% Approved TSC: .85%
*******************************************

---

Sogaddu thanks for posting excellent analysis by imireform on Trackitt, Immireform thanks for putting things in the right perspective for everyone. So a lot of people including NSC filers are waiting just that NSC is ahead. You are right about the 2 months time span on the delay for TSC folks. PS – Iam also TSC.

If it is Jan 27th, you can expect the receipts from USCIS by Feb 2nd week. Your RD and ND will be a lot earlier than Feb 2nd week, but that is when you would know the dates.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pedro Gonzales

So, I figured out why my checks haven't been cashed. My lawyers paralegal says she sent the docs out by the 19th, but she sent it by snail mail! Since it was certified I tracked it and found out that it only got to Dallas on Jan 27th. I could only get her my final packet with my signatures on Jan 11th after returning from India, but for it to take an additional 16 days to get to the USCIS is freaking unpardonable.

---

Congrats sjkumar...

I believe i am in a unique situation. According USPS website EAD/AP cards were delivered on Jan 30th, but we didnt receive them. Contacted USCIS and got tracking numbers of USPS. That also says the same thing. Contacted local USPS and they say the same thing. Contacted USCIS and they opened a service ticket for the same. But they say i have to wait for 15 days to resolve it or so.

I am moving from IL to FL on 10th of this month.

Gurus, any suggestions in this case.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TeddyKoochu

Sogaddu thanks for posting excellent analysis by imireform on Trackitt, Immireform thanks for putting things in the right perspective for everyone. So a lot of people including NSC filers are waiting just that NSC is ahead. You are right about the 2 months time span on the delay for TSC folks. PS – Iam also TSC.

---

One can also see that TSC receives disproportionately larger amount of applications. I hope TSC has the staff to cope with it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kd2008

One can also see that TSC receives disproportionately larger amount of applications. I hope TSC has the staff to cope with it.

---

KD that’s a good catch, the TSC numbers are quite high for the nov filers they are almost double, Oct filers the proportion is even more lopsided.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TeddyKoochu

KD that’s a good catch, the TSC numbers are quite high for the nov filers they are almost double, Oct filers the proportion is even more lopsided.

---

Thanks, Teddy. At the going rate and the lopsided distribution, it may happen that USCIS will never be able to process enough applications to consume the FY 2012 total quota, forcing Mr. CO to take the cut-off dates as forward as possible to generate CP case demand - a la July 2007 in slow motion. This theory is gaining ground even in other forums.

Ask USPS who signed for it. Probably your appt manager (incase you live in one)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by arikepudi

I believe i am in a unique situation. According USPS website EAD/AP cards were delivered on Jan 30th, but we didnt receive them. Contacted USCIS and got tracking numbers of USPS. That also says the same thing. Contacted local USPS and they say the same thing. Contacted USCIS and they opened a service ticket for the same. But they say i have to wait for 15 days to resolve it or so.

I am moving from IL to FL on 10th of this month.

Gurus, any suggestions in this case.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kd2008

Thanks, Teddy. At the going rate and the lopsided distribution, it may happen that USCIS will never be able to process enough applications to consume the FY 2012 total quota, forcing Mr. CO to take the cut-off dates as forward as possible to generate CP case demand - a la July 2007 in slow motion. This theory is gaining ground even in other forums.

---

Wouldn't a simpler, fairer decision be to move more of the applications from TSC to NSC instead? It's not like the DoS hasn't processed 140,000 visas before this year. Yes, they had a huge backlog of preadjudicated cases to bank on for the last few years, but the 140K limit existed before 2007. Also, they have nearly the whole year to work through these. At the rate they appear to be going, I would have thought that it would be far more likely that the annual quota would get used up well before Fiscal Q4 (July). Am I totally missing something? I have been out of the conversation for the last 6 weeks so I may well be talking out of the side of my head here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gchopeful123

The prints were processed and result status sent to USCIS on the same day.

---

Does this also mean that FBI name-check is complete? Isn't finger-printing only a small portion of the actual name-check process? I think the FBI name-check FAQs page says that we need to contact the agency that requested for name-check to get status-update on name-check. Isn't that true?

TSC is stuck in Pre-July 2007 era, NSC already got into 2008. I believe there is no limit on how many visas a particular SC can issue, it possible that NSC may exhaust FY quota by getting into mid 2008. If TSC has lot of volume left at July-2007 era, It may not touch Nov filers. I am scared.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pedro Gonzales

Wouldn't a simpler, fairer decision be to move more of the applications from TSC to NSC instead? It's not like the DoS hasn't processed 140,000 visas before this year. Yes, they had a huge backlog of preadjudicated cases to bank on for the last few years, but the 140K limit existed before 2007. Also, they have nearly the whole year to work through these. At the rate they appear to be going, I would have thought that it would be far more likely that the annual quota would get used up well before Fiscal Q4 (July). Am I totally missing something? I have been out of the conversation for the last 6 weeks so I may well be talking out of the side of my head here.

---

Nishant and everyone..
I just received an Email from attorney office that they have received my FP notice.
I have not checked snail mail for a week..I was busy replacing my radiator, thermostat fan switch..what a fun that was...

Our office has received the USCIS - ASC Appointment Notice for you and your spouse. USCIS is requesting that you appear for the biometric appointment 02/09/2012 at 2:00 PM at the following USCIS Office:

I'm thinkning of walking in..but 2/9 is not that off either..I will need to see how my schedule works out..

Good luck everyone..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nishant2200

I agree with cm's lawyer friend analysis. It's very common sense logic what he is saying. I hope I qualify for low hanging fruit :D

---

Nishant bhai

How have you been. Congrats on the EAD approval . Hope you definetly qualify for the low hanging fruit.

It is puzzling to me to hear the approval irrespective of PD theme from various forums/blogs. USCIS should techincally be gating the final approval with PD...but looks like in order to meet their percentages they will indeed for the low hanging fruit...or maybe it does not make sense to keep somebody waiting when all their paperwork is in order irrespective of PD. Throws out the whole concept of an PD ...

Consular processing in this scenario will pay the biggest reward to those brave ones who would have opted for it...though the burden of providing paperwork would be huge.

:p It right now feels like a game of musical chairs....whoever gets an empty chair can sit ...the rest will be left standing(post May bulletin when retrogression is expected to hit )