Passport return/Greencard fees - Questions

[Collie 122]

I have to admit that I am now unsure as to the steps after the interview has been completed, so I have questions . My parents had their interview yesterday in London and were approved, but when will they be notified when their passport is ready to pick up? When do they actually pay the Green-card fee? Will they get the sealed envelope back with the passport or how does that work? Their CEAC status shows Administrative processing, which I know from reading

other posts is normal, but how long on average does it take to change to "issued" or whatever it is supposed to say?

I was able to predict the next steps when everything was state-side but now that its in the UK, I know nothing! One last question and I should know this but I'm uncertain, but do they get a 2 year or a 10 year green card?

Thanks everyone

[BOS_LHR 829]

I'm going to lump your questions together to try to answer what I can in the most efficient way possible

Their CEAC status shows Administrative processing, which I know from reading other posts is normal, but how long on average does it take to change to "issued" or whatever it is supposed to say? When will they be notified when their passport is ready to pick up?

-Time spent in AP varies, but for recent London approvals it's only been about a day to go from AP to Issued. Hopefully that'll be the case for you. In my husband's case, his interview was Monday, visa status was "issued" on Tuesday, and the visa arrived for Depot pickup on Friday. I believe he got notification from the courier Thursday. Shipping might take a little longer for your parents as they're farther from the embassy.

When do they actually pay the Green-card fee?

-Any time after they get their packages back. The visas will have the A- number that you need in order to register with ELIS and pay the fee. I'm hoping that paying it well before POE will mean faster green card processing later, and I paid our ELIS fee the day my husband picked up his paperwork. They can wait to pay it until after POE, but the green card won't be issued until that's sorted.

Will they get the sealed envelope back with the passport or how does that work?

-There will be a larger outer package which will contain the passport and another, inner envelope, which is the sealed one they're not to open themselves.

One last question and I should know this but I'm uncertain, but do they get a 2 year or a 10 year green card?

-I believe it'll be a 10 year green card, along with the other IR visa types.

Edited June 12, 2014 by BOS_LHR

[Collie 122]

Super, thanks for the info