Testing & Interview!!

[Erica & L 52]

Hi guys!

Exactly 50 days from when we sent out our package, tonight I got the text and e-mail notifications that our case has been updated to "Testing and Interview" and I am REALLY surprised but SO happy!

Just yesterday I was posting in a thread where another user got their case updated SUPER fast and then I get this great news today!

I have a few questions, (probably more but I can't remember them right now) if anyone would be so inclined to answer:

1. On average, when does the hard copy arrive in the mail? or does that depend on if you have a scheduled interview already or are in limbo waiting for an interview time? The website said to call if you don't get anything within 30 days, so I didn't know how loosely to actually reference that time frame.

2. I am going to start organizing all my interview documents now that I got this news, to get ahead of the game. I plan on bringing originals and photocopies for everything of course, however, for things like my co-sponsors original birth certificate, would just a photocopy suffice? I just don't think he's going to want to mail me his birth certificate and go through the hassle and he hasn't been the most cooperative in general through the process.

3. Because I am now at this stage in the process with the I-485, what will happen with the I-130 and the EAD which are still at "Initial Review"? Will the EAD even be approved or will they not bother assuming I should be getting my interview appointment rather soon or in the next month at the latest?

I just didn't know, that even if we have our interview soon and don't get approved on the spot or shortly after (which hopefully won't happen) that I'd be able to at least work while we wait?

As always, your insight is much appreciated!!

[Mrs. Parker 0]

That's great news!!!!hope you get an interview date soon

[doaswedo 0]

Congrats! So happy for you guys!

[jannapa 12]

congrats! so happy for you!

depending on where you are, you should have the interview notification in mail within a few days (mine came two days after the e-mail notification)

the letter will have a check-list with all documents that are required at the interview, but generally my impression is that they will need all original documents that you attached copies of to your applications, and additional evidence that proves that your marriage is a bona fide one (bills with your names on them, joint bank accounts, but also pictures, copies of communication between the two of you etc.) - to my surprise one of the items on the check list is divorce decrees from previous marriages, which i don't recall ever being asked for with i-130 or AOS documents.

i don't know much about i-130 (we filed ours long before the AOS packet), but once you get your green card, you don't need EAD for anything.

well, i might be wrong about it, so if you get different info, disregard what i just said.

anyway, i needed to say something here, b/c i am just so genuinely happy for you. i am glad DOMA is in the past now...

[teanet 20]

When my case changed to testing and interview I didn't get anything in mail, after almost 3 weeks it changed and it was saying We emailed you noticed with your interview appointment and they put date of interview. Than after few days I got hard copy of interview letter with insturctions. The interview was scheduled one month from notice I got in mail. My EAD is still in initial review so I don't think I ll get it since I had interview yesterday.I think it depends on how busy your office is to get interview.

[Erica & L 52]

Thanks everyone!!

My co-sponsor lives in Texas and I really don't think he'd be down to send personal identification information in the mail, so that's what I'm worried about. But I feel like if a photocopy was sufficient for the paperwork that it should be okay? Surely other people have encountered issue where other parties involved (co-sponsors) aren't comfortable with giving original documents, especially through the mail?

But I hope I get notified on my interview date ASAP! I just really need to be working!

[Franciscus 32]

Thanks everyone!!

My co-sponsor lives in Texas and I really don't think he'd be down to send personal identification information in the mail, so that's what I'm worried about. But I feel like if a photocopy was sufficient for the paperwork that it should be okay? Surely other people have encountered issue where other parties involved (co-sponsors) aren't comfortable with giving original documents, especially through the mail?

But I hope I get notified on my interview date ASAP! I just really need to be working!

You do NOT need to bring the original birth certificate of the joint sponsor.

[Franciscus 32]

Hi guys!

Exactly 50 days from when we sent out our package, tonight I got the text and e-mail notifications that our case has been updated to "Testing and Interview" and I am REALLY surprised but SO happy!

Just yesterday I was posting in a thread where another user got their case updated SUPER fast and then I get this great news today!

I have a few questions, (probably more but I can't remember them right now) if anyone would be so inclined to answer:

1. On average, when does the hard copy arrive in the mail? or does that depend on if you have a scheduled interview already or are in limbo waiting for an interview time? The website said to call if you don't get anything within 30 days, so I didn't know how loosely to actually reference that time frame.

2. I am going to start organizing all my interview documents now that I got this news, to get ahead of the game. I plan on bringing originals and photocopies for everything of course, however, for things like my co-sponsors original birth certificate, would just a photocopy suffice? I just don't think he's going to want to mail me his birth certificate and go through the hassle and he hasn't been the most cooperative in general through the process.

3. Because I am now at this stage in the process with the I-485, what will happen with the I-130 and the EAD which are still at "Initial Review"? Will the EAD even be approved or will they not bother assuming I should be getting my interview appointment rather soon or in the next month at the latest?

I just didn't know, that even if we have our interview soon and don't get approved on the spot or shortly after (which hopefully won't happen) that I'd be able to at least work while we wait?

As always, your insight is much appreciated!!

Also, "Testing and interview" is not the same as "Interview has been scheduled" (but I don't know the distribution of times between those, I think it's about a month but maybe it varies a lot, i don't know.)

[housam 0]

I was notified march 5th that my status has been updated to testing and interview and I have yet to receive anything in the mail.from what I have read you should expect a second email stating the time and date of your scheduled interview which could take a couple of weeks to in certain cases several months.the notice you received states that you can call 30 days after receiving the second notice (that states a specific date for your interview) not the message you just received.

[f&c 50]

Hi guys!

Exactly 50 days from when we sent out our package, tonight I got the text and e-mail notifications that our case has been updated to "Testing and Interview" and I am REALLY surprised but SO happy!

Just yesterday I was posting in a thread where another user got their case updated SUPER fast and then I get this great news today!

I have a few questions, (probably more but I can't remember them right now) if anyone would be so inclined to answer:

1. On average, when does the hard copy arrive in the mail? or does that depend on if you have a scheduled interview already or are in limbo waiting for an interview time? The website said to call if you don't get anything within 30 days, so I didn't know how loosely to actually reference that time frame.

2. I am going to start organizing all my interview documents now that I got this news, to get ahead of the game. I plan on bringing originals and photocopies for everything of course, however, for things like my co-sponsors original birth certificate, would just a photocopy suffice? I just don't think he's going to want to mail me his birth certificate and go through the hassle and he hasn't been the most cooperative in general through the process.

3. Because I am now at this stage in the process with the I-485, what will happen with the I-130 and the EAD which are still at "Initial Review"? Will the EAD even be approved or will they not bother assuming I should be getting my interview appointment rather soon or in the next month at the latest?

I just didn't know, that even if we have our interview soon and don't get approved on the spot or shortly after (which hopefully won't happen) that I'd be able to at least work while we wait?

As always, your insight is much appreciated!!

Congratulations on the update. Our case went to Testing and Interview at the end of January and we are still waiting for our interview date. You will get an online update when they schedule the interview and they will mail a notice with all of the interview information. If you do not receive that notice after 30 days, call USCIS.

Your I-130 will likely stay in Initial Review until your I-485 is adjudicated. You will probably get your EAD before your interview, because the Atlanta office seems to be backlogged, but hopefully things will move faster for you. Good luck!

[blk 87]

Hi guys!

Exactly 50 days from when we sent out our package, tonight I got the text and e-mail notifications that our case has been updated to "Testing and Interview" and I am REALLY surprised but SO happy!

Just yesterday I was posting in a thread where another user got their case updated SUPER fast and then I get this great news today!

I have a few questions, (probably more but I can't remember them right now) if anyone would be so inclined to answer:

1. On average, when does the hard copy arrive in the mail? or does that depend on if you have a scheduled interview already or are in limbo waiting for an interview time? The website said to call if you don't get anything within 30 days, so I didn't know how loosely to actually reference that time frame.

2. I am going to start organizing all my interview documents now that I got this news, to get ahead of the game. I plan on bringing originals and photocopies for everything of course, however, for things like my co-sponsors original birth certificate, would just a photocopy suffice? I just don't think he's going to want to mail me his birth certificate and go through the hassle and he hasn't been the most cooperative in general through the process.

3. Because I am now at this stage in the process with the I-485, what will happen with the I-130 and the EAD which are still at "Initial Review"? Will the EAD even be approved or will they not bother assuming I should be getting my interview appointment rather soon or in the next month at the latest?

I just didn't know, that even if we have our interview soon and don't get approved on the spot or shortly after (which hopefully won't happen) that I'd be able to at least work while we wait?

As always, your insight is much appreciated!!

Hi Erica congrats to you ☺ when my status changed to testing & interview it was 6 day's later I had a text & email about my interview date & then the next day I got the letter with the time & place, so hopefully you won't have to much longer to wait. As for the EAD I am still waiting for that to change, but the way it's going it won't be worth them sending it lol.

Brian

[aussie_jason 195]

1. There is no average, it depends entirely on your local office and unfortunately USCIS doesn't reliably update the dates on their website so there is no way to gauge it unless you browse timelines of others from Atlanta

2. I don't think you would need originals from your sponsor

3. The I130 will update along with the I485, if instead you meant the I-131 then that and the I765 will continue to be processed concurrently and depending upon when your interview is scheduled for you may skip those all together and just get your green card

[Erica & L 52]

Thanks for all the information guys!

So basically, if I don't receive the hard copy appointment notice 30 days from when they notified me electronically that my interview has actually been scheduled, THEN I would be able to call and ask about my case.

I didn't file for AP, but as for my EAD, will it still be processed within the 30-90 day period providing I am still waiting for my interview notice? I don't mind having to wait for the interview as much as being able to work.

[Erica & L 52]

I was just looking at some Atlanta timelines and it seems some people had to wait 2-3 months before they had their interview, which again, isn't an issue for me as long as I still get the EAD in the meantime. We are moving in June/July so ideally I'd like to have it before then but other than that not a huge concern. A lot of them got their EAD in 60-70 days so hopefully I'll get another update regarding that.

[Erica & L 52]

Does anyone know if there is an on-going Atlanta processing thread for 2014 filers? I couldn't find a lot of current timelines.