Post 485-Filing

[gc0907]

It is not necessary that your passport gets stamped e.g. when you enter Mexico by foot and don't report to the Mexican POE.

I am not sure if they stamp your PP while you enter Mexico / Canada by Car....I don't think they do...but someone can confirm.

Nishant, why is that? i mean do they not stamp passports even if people dont have US passports? Good that you brought it up(of course not that i have a GC) i m used to keeping them for H1 extension filing ...and i have filed many times...and thought i will get out of it.

If you have GC, you will still have Indian passport. Regardless of which passport, now would you want to trace your travel history by looking at stamps in your passport, which many times are illegible, passports may be lost, renewed...., or better still, just keep a separate log of all trips, date you left USA, date you entered USA.

And this is needed only for last 5 years when you file for citizenship, so it will not include your trips during your H1 etc, it will be only after GC, since you can only apply for citizenship min 5 years after GC, if GC is for EB based petition.

Trips shorter than 24 hours need not be itemized, but total count is to be given.

[rdsingh79]

I also read on CBP website that Passport is not even required for Green Card Holders when entering US:-


What documents, identification, and paperwork does a legal permanent resident (LPR) or Green Card holder need to travel internationally?
Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) do not need a passport to enter the United States as per (8 CFR 211.1(a)), however, they may need a passport to enter another country. Please contact the embassy of the foreign country you will be traveling to for their requirements.

Lawful Permanent Residents of the U.S. must present a Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card", INS Form I-551), a Reentry Permit (if gone for more than 1 year), or a Returning Resident Visa (if gone for 2 years or more) to reenter the United States. U.S. LPRs are not required by the U.S. to have a passport for travel within the Western Hemisphere; although most foreign destinations will require you to have one to enter their country (LPRs that are out of the U.S. for more than 180 days are subject to new immigrant inspection procedures as per 8 USC 1101).

Note: While CBP does not require the passport as noted above, the airlines may have their own requirements, please check with your airlines prior to travel.

It is not necessary that your passport gets stamped e.g. when you enter Mexico by foot and don't report to the Mexican POE.

I am not sure if they stamp your PP while you enter Mexico / Canada by Car....I don't think they do...but someone can confirm.

[gc0907]

Good information. Thanks rdsingh79.
May be moderators might want to move this post to "Post Green Card Approval" thread...

I also read on CBP website that Passport is not even required for Green Card Holders when entering US:-


What documents, identification, and paperwork does a legal permanent resident (LPR) or Green Card holder need to travel internationally?
Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) do not need a passport to enter the United States as per (8 CFR 211.1(a)), however, they may need a passport to enter another country. Please contact the embassy of the foreign country you will be traveling to for their requirements.

Lawful Permanent Residents of the U.S. must present a Permanent Resident Card ("Green Card", INS Form I-551), a Reentry Permit (if gone for more than 1 year), or a Returning Resident Visa (if gone for 2 years or more) to reenter the United States. U.S. LPRs are not required by the U.S. to have a passport for travel within the Western Hemisphere; although most foreign destinations will require you to have one to enter their country (LPRs that are out of the U.S. for more than 180 days are subject to new immigrant inspection procedures as per 8 USC 1101).

Note: While CBP does not require the passport as noted above, the airlines may have their own requirements, please check with your airlines prior to travel.

[meso129]

My Spouse's EAD was approved, But only for 5 months ( Her current I-94 on H1 is also expiring on same date). I had submitted her application 2 weeks after submitting the I-485 with receipt notice.

Here are my details

PD: 2/8/08
I-485 RD: 12/15/2011
EAD for self RD :12/15/2011
EAD for Self Pending
FP : 1/25/2012

EAD for spouse
EAD RD : 12/30/2011
FP 1/25/2012
EAD Approved on 1/25/2012 ( approved for only 5 months

Anyone had similar situation ?

SC : TSC

[zenmaster]

My Spouse's EAD was approved, But only for 5 months ( Her current I-94 on H1 is also expiring on same date). I had submitted her application 2 weeks after submitting the I-485 with receipt notice.

Here are my details

PD: 2/8/08
I-485 RD: 12/15/2011
EAD for self RD :12/15/2011
EAD for Self Pending
FP : 1/25/2012

EAD for spouse
EAD RD : 12/30/2011
FP 1/25/2012
EAD Approved on 1/25/2012 ( approved for only 5 months

Anyone had similar situation ?

SC : TSC

I would rather see this as a positive thing.
EAD approval for only 5 months means that your/your spouse's apps will get approved very soon. I think.
Very Good Luck to you man !!!

[Pdmar08]

My Spouse's EAD was approved, But only for 5 months ( Her current I-94 on H1 is also expiring on same date). I had submitted her application 2 weeks after submitting the I-485 with receipt notice.

Here are my details

PD: 2/8/08
I-485 RD: 12/15/2011
EAD for self RD :12/15/2011
EAD for Self Pending
FP : 1/25/2012

EAD for spouse
EAD RD : 12/30/2011
FP 1/25/2012
EAD Approved on 1/25/2012 ( approved for only 5 months

Anyone had similar situation ?

SC : TSC

Interesting. I will have to see what they do with our case. My wifes H1 had expired when we applied and we had applied/ provided extension request receipt with our application.

[nishant2200]

Guys seems like one more guy approved in Dec filer.

http://www.trackitt.com/member/AllIneedisGC

just 53 days. PD of March 2008, Dec filer, NSC.

He mentions he got a BC RFE earlier, so looks like genuinely approved, as generally as soon as RFE responded, case processing resumes. RFE is only thing stopping you between denial and approval. RFE is sent consolidated, for whatever they want, all at once.

[Gclongwait]

Guys seems like one more guy approved in Dec filer.

http://www.trackitt.com/member/AllIneedisGC

just 53 days. PD of March 2008, Dec filer, NSC.

He mentions he got a BC RFE earlier, so looks like genuinely approved, as generally as soon as RFE responded, case processing resumes. RFE is only thing stopping you between denial and approval. RFE is sent consolidated, for whatever they want, all at once.

Nishanth, you beat me to this by a minute. I also just saw this. Looks like FP is the only thing now for NSC. I expect a lot more in the next few days.

[nishant2200]

Nishanth, you beat me to this by a minute. I also just saw this. Looks like FP is the only thing now for NSC. I expect a lot more in the next few days.

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.

[veni001]

Congratulations Veni!!!

Thank you

Veni
many congratulations

Thank you

[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 !

[essenel]

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

I was wondering when someone would notice

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

[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!

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 !

[Trident]

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 !

[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?

[gc_usa]

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.

[tackle]

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?

[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.

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?

you have to be on ead too.

[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.

[gc_usa]

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.

[soggadu]

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

[gc_usa]

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 ?

[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

[soggadu]

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!!!

[ChampU]

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..