Case Complete to Interview June 2016

[Hansona 11]

Yep....they touched ours today as well! They are preparing for us on Monday and ensuring our "approved" paperwork is on point!

All the best of luck to you Hansona...pray for us to be approved.

You feel "nervited" while I think I feel "excervous"! lol

Thank you Amadia! I will definitely be praying your approval! All the best to you!

[Hansona 11]

So, I got in on Sunday and port of entry was JFK. It was a total breeze. Have a job interview on Monday and my husband and I went to a social security office today and we were told they processed my card on the 18th so I should receive it no later than June 1st.

Haven't been on here much lately since I've been getting settled but good luck to all upcoming interviews, congrats on all CCs and visa approvals. Hope everyone is fine and everything goes smoothly.

Congratulations Thomianguy and good luck on your job interview!

[shsl73 29]

I have attached a photo....you will see where it says Status Updated Date. That date changes each time someone looks at your case file.

Thank you...I "assumed" that was it but because it had a date of 5/11 and our interview is soon (very soon)...I thought that maybe it would have shown a more recent activity dates. Oh well...'tis what it 'tis..

[Rosegrove 86]

My case finally changed to "In Transit". I found the DHL tracking for it too. ETA to Mumbai - Tuesday, 5/24. I swear I'm like a stalker with this whole process.

Wohooo! I hear you on the "Stalker" thingy cause i feel the same way. Constantly checking the CEAC tracker to see if they touched our file again and all. Every little update gets me excited, haha. 18 days and 19 hrs until interview and i feel like i´m losing my mind already

We have Visa in hand. Oh happy day.

But why they trying to test us wirh this sealed visa packet. I want to know what it is dang it.

So happy. Now can get on plane wirh a clear mind. Yes lord

Awesome, congratulations!!

[Joey & NaYa 13]

Now let's all shout what we were waiting to here....APPPRRROOOOVVVVVEEEEDDDDD

I know I'm late but still YAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY lol. Thank God

[shsl73 29]

Good morning all...been trying to do some research and wondering if anyone could point towards some documentation.

1. Is there any written documentation on how long one is given to deparure their perspective country after being approved? I believe it's 6 months but I can't find where I read that. I have been told that it's up to the CO but I don't believe thats accurate.

2. Once you receive an approval, the stamp inside the passport acts as a temporary green card, correct? Is that valid up to a year (until the green card is issued)?

3. Once the beneficiary has completed POE, they are allowed to travel with the stamp inside the passport, correct?

I found this:

www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular

However, there is no other information that I can locate and I have attempted several key word searches with no luck.

Thanks...

Edited May 21, 2016 by shsl73

[picobenz 2]

Good morning all...been trying to do some research and wondering if anyone could point towards some documentation.

1. Is there any written documentation on how long one is given to deparure their perspective country after being approved? I believe it's 6 months but I can't find where I read that. I have been told that it's up to the CO but I don't believe thats accurate.

2. Once you receive an approval, the stamp inside the passport acts as a temporary green card, correct? Is that valid up to a year (until the green card is issued)?

3. Once the beneficiary has completed POE, they are allowed to travel with the stamp inside the passport, correct?

I found this:

www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular

However, there is no other information that I can locate and I have attempted several key word searches with no luck.

Thanks...

You have six months to travel once visa is approved, upon your POE they will stamp an I 551 in your passport (Temporary Green Card) so you can work and travel until you get the real Green Card.

[gryphon 20]

Good morning all...been trying to do some research and wondering if anyone could point towards some documentation.

1. Is there any written documentation on how long one is given to deparure their perspective country after being approved? I believe it's 6 months but I can't find where I read that. I have been told that it's up to the CO but I don't believe thats accurate.

2. Once you receive an approval, the stamp inside the passport acts as a temporary green card, correct? Is that valid up to a year (until the green card is issued)?

3. Once the beneficiary has completed POE, they are allowed to travel with the stamp inside the passport, correct?

I found this:

www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular

However, there is no other information that I can locate and I have attempted several key word searches with no luck.

Thanks...

1. https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/family/immediate-relative.html#16

"You are required to enter the United States before the expiration date printed on your visa."

2/3. I couldn't find any "official" documentation saying how long the stamp is good for, but I did find this: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs which says that CBP will do the stamp at the POE when you give them the sealed packet. So it looks like the stamp is given WHEN you travel.

Anyone who has firsthand knowledge, of course, please correct!

[JyMu 12]

Hi all. Exactly after three months of being here in the US has my plastic green card arrived in the mail. Just as the officer at the uscis field office here told me. So word of advice to all, dont panic if yours doesnt wihtin the stipulated three weeks. But do go check for ssn status at the field office if it doesnt wihtin three weeks of your arrival here. I did.

[Sukie 1,457]

Good morning all...been trying to do some research and wondering if anyone could point towards some documentation.

1. Is there any written documentation on how long one is given to deparure their perspective country after being approved? I believe it's 6 months but I can't find where I read that. I have been told that it's up to the CO but I don't believe thats accurate.

2. Once you receive an approval, the stamp inside the passport acts as a temporary green card, correct? Is that valid up to a year (until the green card is issued)?

3. Once the beneficiary has completed POE, they are allowed to travel with the stamp inside the passport, correct?

I found this:

www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/consular

However, there is no other information that I can locate and I have attempted several key word searches with no luck.

Thanks...

You are getting so close!

1. You must enter the US prior to the expiration of your MEDICAL report - which is six months. So...if you got your medical just before your interview, then you have about six months from your interview date. If you got your medical two months before your interview, then you only have about 4 months to enter the US.

2. When you get your passport back from your consulate/embassy, there is a full-page "foil" (or sticker) in your passport. This is one-half of what you need. You get the other half of what you need when you enter the US at your POE. That is the immigration STAMP (like a rubber stamp) that shows when you entered the US. That stamp will give you a date of expiration (one year from the day you enter the US). You need BOTH of these items to have a valid visa. If anyone ever says "you need a green card before we can .....", they are incorrect. The combination of the foil and the immigration stamp is the equivalent to the Green Card - and you are free to get a job (as soon as you have your Social Security Number) and work with those two things. You do NOT need the physical card to get a Driver's License or to work. There are a lot of clueless clerks out there - so read up on your rights, and photocopy the page from the USCIS site if you think you'll have an issue.

3. After you enter the US and have BOTH the foil and the immigration stamp, you are free to travel internationally.

Hope this helps everyone.

Sukie in NY

[shsl73 29]

1. https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/family/immediate-relative.html#16

"You are required to enter the United States before the expiration date printed on your visa."

2/3. I couldn't find any "official" documentation saying how long the stamp is good for, but I did find this: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs which says that CBP will do the stamp at the POE when you give them the sealed packet. So it looks like the stamp is given WHEN you travel.

Anyone who has firsthand knowledge, of course, please correct!

Thanks so very much...

You have six months to travel once visa is approved, upon your POE they will stamp an I 551 in your passport (Temporary Green Card) so you can work and travel until you get the real Green Card.

Thanks..Picobenz. Guess I can let you keep your card!

[Javi22 2]

Good Morning shsl73

1. Is there any written documentation on how long one is given to deparure their perspective country after being approved? I believe it's 6 months but I can't find where I read that. I have been told that it's up to the CO but I don't believe thats accurate.

A: you will have 6 months to travel to the US but this date is based on your medical, you have to travel before they get expired.

2. Once you receive an approval, the stamp inside the passport acts as a temporary green card, correct? Is that valid up to a year (until the green card is issued)?

A: Yes, pnce the CBP stamp your passport close to you immigrant visa it acts as a temporary green card for 1 year or till you get your plastic card.

3. Once the beneficiary has completed POE, they are allowed to travel with the stamp inside the passport, correct?

A: Yes, I Travel back to my home country for mother's day just with the stamp, I only had 3 weeks after my POE by that time I flew back to Honduras, they dont even care about if you just travel with the stamp.

[shsl73 29]

You are getting so close!

1. You must enter the US prior to the expiration of your MEDICAL report - which is six months. So...if you got your medical just before your interview, then you have about six months from your interview date. If you got your medical two months before your interview, then you only have about 4 months to enter the US.

2. When you get your passport back from your consulate/embassy, there is a full-page "foil" (or sticker) in your passport. This is one-half of what you need. You get the other half of what you need when you enter the US at your POE. That is the immigration STAMP (like a rubber stamp) that shows when you entered the US. That stamp will give you a date of expiration (one year from the day you enter the US). You need BOTH of these items to have a valid visa. If anyone ever says "you need a green card before we can .....", they are incorrect. The combination of the foil and the immigration stamp is the equivalent to the Green Card - and you are free to get a job (as soon as you have your Social Security Number) and work with those two things. You do NOT need the physical card to get a Driver's License or to work. There are a lot of clueless clerks out there - so read up on your rights, and photocopy the page from the USCIS site if you think you'll have an issue.

3. After you enter the US and have BOTH the foil and the immigration stamp, you are free to travel internationally.

Hope this helps everyone.

Sukie in NY

Thanks Sukie!

I want to make sure I understand the "details" so that I can explain to my husband....and provide a source of reference in case I don't articulate correctly.

Yes, the days are quickly approaching. Thankfully, I am surrounded my great family and friends (including the ones here) that keep me distracted with comedy! Coupled with that, kick-boxing this morning and a supply of DEPENDS...I'd say, I'm pretty much ready and won't be a hot mess waiting for my husband to call with an update.

Good Morning shsl73

1. Is there any written documentation on how long one is given to deparure their perspective country after being approved? I believe it's 6 months but I can't find where I read that. I have been told that it's up to the CO but I don't believe thats accurate.

A: you will have 6 months to travel to the US but this date is based on your medical, you have to travel before they get expired.

2. Once you receive an approval, the stamp inside the passport acts as a temporary green card, correct? Is that valid up to a year (until the green card is issued)?

A: Yes, pnce the CBP stamp your passport close to you immigrant visa it acts as a temporary green card for 1 year or till you get your plastic card.

3. Once the beneficiary has completed POE, they are allowed to travel with the stamp inside the passport, correct?

A: Yes, I Travel back to my home country for mother's day just with the stamp, I only had 3 weeks after my POE by that time I flew back to Honduras, they dont even care about if you just travel with the stamp.

Thanks so much Javi22

[mj751 0]

Congratulations!! A nice quick interview

Thank you JASM!

Congratulations. So happy for you two.

Thank you Dwheels76! You are always very helpful to all of us. Keep up the good work. Best wishes.

[Saved 3]

Hi guys,

I submitted my DS-260 online just before I realized that my request for consulate change was not yet processed. I am still waiting to here from the NVC about the change. Do you think I will need to resubmit another DS-260 since the old one has the old case number (old consulate letters).

Has anyone been in such situation? How long it takes to process consulatechange requests?

Thank you.