Post 485-Filing

[whereismygclost]

Thanks username ... very helpful indeed.

Source: http://us-non-immigrants.blogspot.co...-to-track.html

'Hard' vs 'Soft' LUD - How to Use It To Track Your Case With USCIS

If you heard people talking about keeping track of 'Soft' and 'Hard' LUDs on forums and other websites, and wondered what it is, now you can understand what is LUDs and how you can use them to track any activity on your petition that is pending with USCIS. LUD is an abbreviation for 'Last Updated Date'. In order to track any activity on your pending petition, you will first need to register an account with USCIS to check your case status online.

Here is a link to register for USCIS case tracking system. Once you are registered to the system, you will need to add each case you want to track based on receipt number on notice that you had recently received from USCIS. You will see your case as shown below. You can track LUD (Last Updated Date) on your case in column shown with red box below.


You can go into each case to check your status. USCIS allows an individual to setup an email or mobile alert to track case status update.


Hard LUDs
"Hard" LUD (Last Updated Date) is one where you see status update to your case. Example from "Initial Review" to "Decision". Here you know why case was updated; you can see the update status online. You can even get an email or mobile alert, if you had opted for this option. However, the status will only change if the USCIS updates your case from one to other (receipt notice, approval notice, request for evidence (RFE), notice of intent to deny (NOID), card production, or other documents) or on receipt of response to RFE, NOID or request to premium process the case.

Soft LUDs
"Soft LUD" is one where you will not see any change in status or get an email alert from USCIS. These are the internal activities that occur at USCIS. For example your I-485 case has been processed and ready to be approved, but USCIS could not approve it because your priority date is not current. Others like your fingerprints get added in the system, your background check results are received, your case was moved internally from one cabinet to other or moved from one service center to other etc. You can track this by logging into USCIS Case Status system and checking "Last Updated" column in your portfolio. If you know that you expect any update in your case due to FP or background check or your I-485 is about to process, you can track this based on "Soft LUD". But again, this is all based on guesstimate and no one other than USCIS knows what is the real reason behind the update. My personal opinion is that I would not lose my sleep over tracking Soft LUDs. You will never get anything useful from it.

Hope this help.

[gcjones]

Hi gcjones..

That's music to my ears that you were able to complete biometrics in the Bay area, while being scheduled for FP in Alexandria.

I had posted a question a few days ago, regarding this, whether this could be done.

Which ASC did you go to San Jose, or San Francisco?

My ASC is Boston, MA, but I will be in the Bay Area around the time I get my FP notice, and would like to get it done there...

Did you just walk in? U mentioned that you didn't have to justify anything? What day of the week and at time did you go for FP?

Sorry about asking too many questions....but appreciate your answers very much.

Good luck with the rest of the 485 journey!!

I went to San Jose ASC on Monday around 10:30 AM. I was prepared to provide my reasons for walking into different ASC across the country, but was not asked anything. The security guard gave me a form to fill out after looking at the notice and passport. He stamped the notice and gave me a token number once I returned the completed form.

I was called in very quickly for biometrics where the official captured the fingerprints and photograph. The whole process was over in about 15 minutes.

I was prepared to go to Oakland, San Francisco, Modesto, or Sacramento if San Jose ASC had refused.

[Stemcell]

Friends,
I received my FP notices today for 12/19.
RD-11/14
ND-11/15

But my spouse has not received them yet.Has anyone experienced this so far ?

Thanks

[gchopeful123]

Congrats!!! TSC or NSC?

Friends,
I received my FP notices today for 12/19.
RD-11/14
ND-11/15

But my spouse has not received them yet.Has anyone experienced this so far ?

Thanks

[Stemcell]

Congrats!!! TSC or NSC?

Thank you gchopeful.
Mine is TSC.

[rockybaba]

Awesome!! San Jose ASC will be the most convenient for me as well.

Enjoy ur time in the Bay Area..!!!

I went to San Jose ASC on Monday around 10:30 AM. I was prepared to provide my reasons for walking into different ASC across the country, but was not asked anything. The security guard gave me a form to fill out after looking at the notice and passport. He stamped the notice and gave me a token number once I returned the completed form.

I was called in very quickly for biometrics where the official captured the fingerprints and photograph. The whole process was over in about 15 minutes.

I was prepared to go to Oakland, San Francisco, Modesto, or Sacramento if San Jose ASC had refused.

[nayekal]

Guys,
I filed on Nov 1st (pd Oct 12th 2007) and I know that it will take may be another month or more to get EAD / AP. In the meantime, I am thinking of sending my family back to India for holidays (my wife is H4, but my both kids US Citizens). I will go as soon as I receive my AP and while coming back both of us will use our AP's.

My question is, I am not sure whether it is ok or not for me to send my wife when she doesn't have H4 visa stamp and before getting AP Approval.

[Stemcell]

Guys,
I filed on Nov 1st (pd Oct 12th 2007) and I know that it will take may be another month or more to get EAD / AP. In the meantime, I am thinking of sending my family back to India for holidays (my wife is H4, but my both kids US Citizens). I will go as soon as I receive my AP and while coming back both of us will use our AP's.

My question is, I am not sure whether it is ok or not for me to send my wife when she doesn't have H4 visa stamp and before getting AP Approval.

nayekal,

You have to have the AP in hand while exiting the country.Only then will the AP be valid at POE. This topic has been covered elsewhere too.

[soggadu]

nayekal,

You have to have the AP in hand while exiting the country.Only then will the AP be valid at POE. This topic has been covered elsewhere too.

i thought you need to have AP while coming INTO the country and doesnt matter if you have it or not while EXITING the country....

[Stemcell]

i thought you need to have AP while coming INTO the country and doesnt matter if you have it or not while EXITING the country....

http://goo.gl/Wvdoo

Travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences if you are in the process of adjusting your status (applying for a green card). In general, if you are seeking immigrant status (a green card) and depart the United States without the appropriate documentation (i.e. advance parole) you may be inadmissible to the United States upon return, or even if admitted, you may be found to have abandoned your application.


Cant travel without the AP in hand, its considered abadonment of your GC process.USCIS is very clear about this.

[nayekal]

http://goo.gl/Wvdoo

Travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences if you are in the process of adjusting your status (applying for a green card). In general, if you are seeking immigrant status (a green card) and depart the United States without the appropriate documentation (i.e. advance parole) you may be inadmissible to the United States upon return, or even if admitted, you may be found to have abandoned your application.


Cant travel without the AP in hand, its considered abadonment of your GC process.USCIS is very clear about this.

hmm..I thought H1, L1 holders and their dependents were exempted from this rule..That's what I read some where. I will post it once I find it.
but thanks for responding promptly..

[imechanix]

http://goo.gl/Wvdoo

Travel outside of the United States may have severe consequences if you are in the process of adjusting your status (applying for a green card). In general, if you are seeking immigrant status (a green card) and depart the United States without the appropriate documentation (i.e. advance parole) you may be inadmissible to the United States upon return, or even if admitted, you may be found to have abandoned your application.


Cant travel without the AP in hand, its considered abadonment of your GC process.USCIS is very clear about this.

I agree with stemcell in terms of the law stated. But, my sibling & in-law received their AP while they were abroad & they were able to come back without any problems. But, it's a risk and it all depends upon the immigration officer I guess.


Nayekal, By the way you can apply for emergency AP if your are in such a hurry. There is some provision around that.

[imechanix]

I am facing the same issue. The USCIS website does not recognize the receipt numbers. I guess nothing to be concerned about at this time...

Service Center: NSC
Receipt date: 11/15/2011.

My lawyers contacted USCIS today as my SRC number cannot be found on the online update system. Following is USCIS response,

"The applicants case were "in the mainframe" and that the biometrics were received. It takes a while for these cases to get into the system so you can access the information on line.

Nevertheless, he assured that all was well with the applicants cases. He told, for the time being, the only way to get status information is to call the National Customer Service line at 800-375-5283"

[parsvnath]

I have a quick question....

I mailed my 485 application on Nov 30th. Fedex tracking confirmed that USCIS received the same on Dec 1st 9:01 AM. Waiting for my receipt notice from my lawyers. My question is when I filed for 485, I did not file for EAD and AP. My lawyers were charging a whole lot for preparing and filing the EAD and AP documents. I have gathered all EAD and AP documents and waiting for 485 receipt notice to file EAD and AP. When I file for EAD and AP, how does finger printing work. Will I get separate finger printing notices for 485 vs EAD/AP. I am assuming once I do my finger printing for 485, that should be it. Can someone confirm?

[gchopeful123]

EAD and AP is free of cost when filed concurrently with I-485. The lawyers must be pretty crooked to charge a lot money for EAD and AP because these 2 in addition to being free are the simplest forms ever. Now you will you have pay USCIS money to file them separately - total $825 per person. Check the link below....

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...00b92ca60aRCRD

Reg other details :
- Both you and lawyer will receive the receipt notices (you will get it by post in probably 1-3 weeks). The I-485 which you applied included biometrics fee. So you will get the FP notice based on your I-485. Assume 2-4 weeks after I-485 notice date.
- Not sure abt the biometrics associated with AP. You will have to pay the fee in any case but not sure if they will ask you for second FP.

I have a quick question....

I mailed my 485 application on Nov 30th. Fedex tracking confirmed that USCIS received the same on Dec 1st 9:01 AM. Waiting for my receipt notice from my lawyers. My question is when I filed for 485, I did not file for EAD and AP. My lawyers were charging a whole lot for preparing and filing the EAD and AP documents. I have gathered all EAD and AP documents and waiting for 485 receipt notice to file EAD and AP. When I file for EAD and AP, how does finger printing work. Will I get separate finger printing notices for 485 vs EAD/AP. I am assuming once I do my finger printing for 485, that should be it. Can someone confirm?

[gchopeful123]

Looking at the USCIS fees details page, it seems the biometrics fee applies only for I-485 and AP. Not sure, but this may be the reason why some ppl receive EAD before FP.

I'm not sure if this is true. On the FP notice, it says the finger-printing is for both I-485 and I-765. If it is not required for EAD, then I don't see a reason why the FP notice would say that it is for I-765 as well.

FPs are not needed to process EADs.

[grnwtg]

I have couple of question, Gurus/Others please answers and probably it was answered in several times but still for some reason i am confused about the answers
1) After filing I485 and 6 months have passed, we all know we can file AR21 and get new employment using EAD with same job duties and title. And mostly i hear that we need to join GC filing company later after getting GC. If this is the case then why we lawyers and other tell its safe to be with GC filing employer after atleast 6 months even though we have stayed with them more than 6 months after filing I485.
2) If my wife is on Student EAD and after getting EAD if she want to switch to EAD from me for various reasons, should she report this to uscis or some one else?
3) After getting EAD, if i want to switch to EAD what should i do?

[indiaeb2]

Friends,
Received my FP notice yesterday. I will be going as per scheduled at Boston ASC

Center: Nebraska
FP Notice Recv. Date: 24st Nov
FP Appointment Date: 8th Dec

[gchopeful123]

Wow...that's very less lead time. What is your I-485 RD?

Friends,
Received my FP notice yesterday. I will be going as per scheduled at Boston ASC

Center: Nebraska
FP Notice Recv. Date: 24st Nov
FP Appointment Date: 8th Dec

[nayekal]

Friends,
Received my FP notice yesterday. I will be going as per scheduled at Boston ASC

Center: Nebraska
FP Notice Recv. Date: 24st Nov
FP Appointment Date: 8th Dec

Great. Finally, one FP notice from NSC. Do you see that info updated in your case status for I485?

[indiaeb2]

Wow...that's very less lead time. What is your I-485 RD?

I485 RD : 3rd Nov
I485 ND : 8th Nov
PD: 6th Aug 2007

[indiaeb2]

Great. Finally, one FP notice from NSC. Do you see that info updated in your case status for I485?

No, I did not see any LUD's on my case.

[mars76]

I think the Case Status system is not up to date. I got my FP Notice and completed my Finger Prints and still my my case status didn't have any LUD's for these !!

[gc0907]

Nice indiaeb2...what did you do that you got your FP notice early .
You see gchopeful123 and I have same RD/ND as yours but still waiting...

Wow...that's very less lead time. What is your I-485 RD?

I485 RD : 3rd Nov
I485 ND : 8th Nov
PD: 6th Aug 2007

[imechanix]

What happens if I travel using AP & if I receive my GC approval while I'm still in my home
country. Is there any problem when I'm returning back at the Port of Entry?

Thanks.