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Review - Austin Application Support Center

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This was my first direct experience with USCIS, and it was very pleasant and quick.

The worst thing about it was having to take public transport (I'm carless) to the ASC, which is eighteen miles away from downtown Austin. I was hanging around in the cold at the bus stop for maybe forty minutes or more. If Capital Metro ever manages to get the light rail service up and running, the good news is that the "Lakeline" stop is maybe only half a mile away (if that) from the ASC, and you will be able to get there much more quickly. Here's some info about the light rail in case you need it: http://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/capital-metrorail.shtml

The ASC building is actually in Parkline shopping center. It's a pretty nondescript building right across the parking lot from Home Depot, parallel to Lakeline Boulevard (but the entrance faces into the mall parking lot). It wasn't what I was expecting at all - I thought it would be much bigger and grander, with US and Texas flags flying, but there was none of that. If I hadn't seen the word "Application" on the sign peeking through the trees, I would have missed it completely. I don't even rememeber there being anything on the building to suggest it had anything to do with USCIS.

I made a point of leaving my cell phone at home because I'd read that cell phones wouldn't be allowed into USCIS buildings. I had assumed I would have to go through a metal detector, and undergo a bag search, but there was actually no security whatsoever (pretty surprising actually, in this day and age!). I just walked right in and up to the reception desk. The lady there wasn't overly friendly, but she wasn't a dragon either. She let me go ahead with my walk-in biometrics, which was a relief, as I was worried they would turn me away.

There were hardly any people in the building whatsoever, maybe only two other people ahead of me. The young, blond-haired woman who took my fingerprints and photograph was very sweet and friendly, and we chatted briefly about us both being newlyweds. She even let me see my photograph on the computer in case I wanted her to take a nicer one.

All in all, I was in and out of there in maybe 10 minutes or so. I'm glad that USCIS opened this Application Support Center in Austin, as it certainly saved me a long trip to San Antonio for such a short visit. Now I just hope that my walk-in speeds the process up for me!

*** NB! If the name on your immigration paperwork doesn't match the one on your ID (e.g. because you changed your name after getting married), make sure to bring your marriage licence with you. The biometrics appointment letter doesn't say anything about bringing it, but you'll need it to explain the name change ***

ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS

AUGUST 10 2004 - Arrived in Austin, TX with F-1 student visa status.

EARLY JAN/FEB 2008 - Met Michael (my future husband) in the café where he works.

APRIL 12 2008 - We go on our first date. It lasted 2 days!

APRIL 13 2009 - Got married in Marfa, TX, in the middle of the West Texan desert.

NOVEMBER 4 2009 - Finally saved up enough money to send off I-130; I-485; I-131; I-765.

NOVEMBER 5 2009 - Package arrived at the Chicago Lockbox at 9:32 a.m! Signed for by A. Analakis. [DAY 1]

NOVEMBER 12 2009 - Cheques for I-485 and I-130 are finally cashed! [DAY 8]

NOVEMBER 12 2009 - I-485, I-130, I-1765 & I-131 are all "touched"! [DAY 8]

NOVEMBER 13 2009 - Received NOA's for I-485, I-130, I-765 & I-131 (Notice date - November 10th 2009).[DAY 9]

NOVEMBER 16 2009 - All forms were "touched" again. [DAY 12]

NOVEMBER 23 2009 - Received biometrics appointment letter (scheduled for December 14th 2009) [DAY 19]

NOVEMBER 24 2009 - Walk-in biometrics appointment in Austin ASC [DAY 20]

NOVEMBER 24 2009 - All forms were "touched" [DAY 20]

NOVEMBER 25 2009 - All forms were "touched" [DAY 21]

DECEMBER 28 2009 - Received AP approval letter, dated December 23. Received a text & email, too [DAY 54]

DECEMBER 29 2009 - Received email & text, saying EAD is approved; card production ordered. [DAY 55]

DECEMBER 31 2009 - Received AP document. [DAY 57]

JANUARY 2 2010 - Received EAD & interview letter (interview will be 02/16/10, San Antonio). [DAY 59]

FEBRUARY 16 2010 - Approved at interview! I-551 stamp in passport. [DAY 104]

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This is an awesome review! Thanks for posting really helpful for everyone waiting to go through biometrics... Also especially for anyone in the same area - you've even got transport links - so sweet. :star:

Incidentally my ASC is a non descript building too it's in the industrial part of Reno, NV... Was expecting something grander and in downtown... Mine is so far from down town that i'm glad when we go for real we'll already know where it's at and we'll be driving and the GPS will find it... :star:

Nov 6, 2012 N-400 mailed

Nov 7, 2012 N-400 delivered to Phoenix lockbox, signed by Arndt & case priority date

Nov 9, 2012 Case Touched, NOA date

Nov 13, 2012 Got text/e-mail with case number & the check was cashed :)

Nov 14, 2012 Case updated online to say biometrics apt. notice is on its way!

Nov 16, 2012 Received NOA & biometrics apt. letter

Nov 28, 2012 Biometrics apt.

Jan 4, 2013 In line for interview!

Jan 5, 2013 Scheduled for interview!

Jan 10, 2013 Received interview letter

Jan 19, 2013 Received yellow letter dated 1/16 asking me to bring more passport pics to the interview

Feb 11, 2013 Interview

Mar 8, 2013 Got an online update - oath scheduled!

Mar 13, 2013 Oath letter received

Mar 22, 2013 Oath! Officially an American citizen!

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you've even got transport links - so sweet. :star:

Ha, I don't know about my being sweet - more like ####### retentive and OCD! ;-)

ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS

AUGUST 10 2004 - Arrived in Austin, TX with F-1 student visa status.

EARLY JAN/FEB 2008 - Met Michael (my future husband) in the café where he works.

APRIL 12 2008 - We go on our first date. It lasted 2 days!

APRIL 13 2009 - Got married in Marfa, TX, in the middle of the West Texan desert.

NOVEMBER 4 2009 - Finally saved up enough money to send off I-130; I-485; I-131; I-765.

NOVEMBER 5 2009 - Package arrived at the Chicago Lockbox at 9:32 a.m! Signed for by A. Analakis. [DAY 1]

NOVEMBER 12 2009 - Cheques for I-485 and I-130 are finally cashed! [DAY 8]

NOVEMBER 12 2009 - I-485, I-130, I-1765 & I-131 are all "touched"! [DAY 8]

NOVEMBER 13 2009 - Received NOA's for I-485, I-130, I-765 & I-131 (Notice date - November 10th 2009).[DAY 9]

NOVEMBER 16 2009 - All forms were "touched" again. [DAY 12]

NOVEMBER 23 2009 - Received biometrics appointment letter (scheduled for December 14th 2009) [DAY 19]

NOVEMBER 24 2009 - Walk-in biometrics appointment in Austin ASC [DAY 20]

NOVEMBER 24 2009 - All forms were "touched" [DAY 20]

NOVEMBER 25 2009 - All forms were "touched" [DAY 21]

DECEMBER 28 2009 - Received AP approval letter, dated December 23. Received a text & email, too [DAY 54]

DECEMBER 29 2009 - Received email & text, saying EAD is approved; card production ordered. [DAY 55]

DECEMBER 31 2009 - Received AP document. [DAY 57]

JANUARY 2 2010 - Received EAD & interview letter (interview will be 02/16/10, San Antonio). [DAY 59]

FEBRUARY 16 2010 - Approved at interview! I-551 stamp in passport. [DAY 104]

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  • 3 years later...
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Venezuela
Timeline

excellent experience..

our current timeline:

05/06/2013.....I-465 & I-765 sent USPS priority mail

05/14/2013......Email, Text of Receiving package on 5/11

05/16/2013......Hard Copy of NOA1 received: I-465 and _I-765 Application for employment

05/20/2013...... Bio-metric hard-copy.
05/29/2013...... Bio-metric scheduled. . Austin office

so after receiving, hardcopy.. Appointment was 9 days later..

we walked in.. filled out paperwork.. sat down.. got number 112.. they were on number 107..

took all of about 20 minutes from entering and exiting..

very fast.. people were friendly..

great experience..

did not try to walk in.. just didn't get around to it.. besides.. waiting a week was no big deal..

hope this helps

K101/17/2012.....I-129F ..... sent to Dallas, Texas

01/25/2012.....NOA1 (text & email) ..... sent to Vermont Service Center

01/28/2012.....NOA1 Hard Copy in Mail

07/31/2012.....NOA2.. 188 days update@USCIS

08/03/2012.....NOA2.. Hard Copy

09/04/2012.....Sent Email to Caracas Embassy for Interview date.. they had not contacted her

09/05/2012.....Embassy response.. with interview date!!

10/17/2012.....INTERVIEW @Caracas Embassy!

10/17/2012.....INTERVIEW @Caracas Embassy... APPROVED!!

12/31/2012.....POE.. Miami, arrived to AUSTIN next day smile.png

02/16/2013.....Married!!

AOS - K1

05/06/2013.....I-465 & I-765 sent USPS priority mail

05/14/2013......Email, Text of Receiving package on 5/11

05/16/2013......Hard Copy of NOA1 received: I-465 and _I-765 Application for employment

05/20/2013...... Bio-metric hard-copy.
05/29/2013...... Biometric scheduled. . Austin office

07/15/2013...... EAD card arrived in mail today smile.png

10/20/2013...... Green Card approved! NOA hardcopy received!

10/31/2013...... Green Card Delivered!!

ROC-I-751
07/21/15 90 day Window Opens

07/24/15 I-751 Mailed to Cali. Service Center
09/03/15 Biometeric scheduled and completed

01/26/16 ROC Letter arrived
01/30/16 10 yr Green Card arrived

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  • 6 months later...
Filed: Timeline

If you're attempting to do a walk-in during this time of year in Austin, just a heads up - I went, and the temporary officer they have is unable to grant permission for you to do your biometrics ahead of the date you were scheduled.

Save time and go on your scheduled date, and if your biometrics date does not work for you, send the document back to re-schedule as soon as possible.

This may change, I am sure, but I wanted to give you notice so that you know before going in, what to expect so that you can save time (:

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I attempted a walk-in at the Austin ASC a couple of weeks ago, and they said it was not possible to have biometrics done before the appointment date (I was actually the only person there, so it made little sense to me)

AOS - VWP to GC


Day 0 - 11-12-13: I-485, I-130, I-765, I-131 filed


Day 5 - 11-17-13: Text notification NOA1


Day 9 - 11-21-13: NOA1 arrived in mail


Day 14 - 11-26-13: Biometrics appt recvd for 12-10-13 (Austin, TX)


Day 28 - 12-10-13: Biometrics appt at Austin ASC


Day 30 - 12-12-13: RFE received, birth cert/tax transcript


Day 45 - 12-27-13: Status changed to Response to RFE


Day 55 - 1-07-14: Status changed to "Testing and Interview"


Day 70 - 1-22-14: EAD and AP in production


Day 79 - 1-31-14: EAD/AP card arrived


Day 114 - 3/7/14: Interview notification text (Interview April 9)


Day 146 - 4/9/14: Interview - Approved in San Antonio, TX


ROC -



Day 0 - 03-06-16: I-751


Day 5 - 03-11-16: NOA arrived in mail


Day 31 - 04-06-16: Biometrics appt at Austin ASC






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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

Note to All: Bear in mind that the earlier posts in this thread are over 4 years old -- sometimes, details can change during so long a time. However, this year's posters are concentrating on recent information and their own experiences, so this isn't a typical "zombie" thread and it can probably remain open.

TBoneTX

on behalf of VJ Moderation

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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