"Ready to be scheduled for interview" - any insight to what this means?

[eckoin 211]

For the record, my AOS package was received on 6/29/2018, and my case is not ready to be scheduled for interview.

 

The only thing I know about "ready to be scheduled for interview", is that your application appears to be in order and it was sent to your local office.  That understanding might not even be correct.

 

So why do some applications become "ready" relatively soon, like within a couple of months, and others, like mine (and I know others wait for much longer), do not?  Does it mean that they just didn't get to mine yet, or is there a preference to certain adjustment scenarios (like, adjusting from fiance visa vs. other visas for example)?  I was under the impression, and confirmed by two separate lawyers, that our field office is super quick and not particularly busy, so I'm not sure it has anything to do with the field office.

 

And even if your application is "ready", you could still get an RFE from your local field office; does that mean that you can only get an RFE once you're ready to be scheduled, or can you still get an RFIE (bar unusual cases where I'm sure anything can happen)?  As opposed to before you're ready to be scheduled, you could get an RFE or an RFIE at any point?

 

I know it doesn't change anything; it goes how it goes.  I'm just curious if my case isn't ready to be scheduled for interview because they identified some "needs further review" parts and put it in another pile, or if it's some unknown reason, which is as good as random.

[Echel0n 27]

Well to my understanding it's a similar thing as it is for the USCIS step. First there are different consulates with different schedules. Second there are totally different cases coming in, some simple and some complicated. They atleast need to review your files to send you the letter telling you what documents you should bring to the interview and lastly there are many different people involved. If the one working on your case is sick or similar it can delay the process. That's atleast my unimportant understanding. So it sucks if you are one of the slow cases but all you can do is stay patient and sane. 

Just reread it's aos so forget the consulates but still the process and problem is the same 

Edited September 19, 2018 by Echel0n

[geowrian 22,338]

41 minutes ago, eckoin said:

The only thing I know about "ready to be scheduled for interview", is that your application appears to be in order and it was sent to your local office.  That understanding might not even be correct.

The I-485 (plus I-131 and I-765, if filed) are sent to the NBC. An initial review is completed there then the status is updated to ready to be scheduled for an interview. Once an interview slot opens up at your local USCIS field office, you will get a notice that the interview is scheduled.

 

Quote

So why do some applications become "ready" relatively soon, like within a couple of months, and others, like mine (and I know others wait for much longer), do not?  Does it mean that they just didn't get to mine yet, or is there a preference to certain adjustment scenarios (like, adjusting from fiance visa vs. other visas for example)?  I was under the impression, and confirmed by two separate lawyers, that our field office is super quick and not particularly busy, so I'm not sure it has anything to do with the field office.

This primarily depends on the local USCIS field office. Some are much faster than others. Some may take a few months for an interview and others (like mine) are more backlogged and take over a year on average.

As for how they do the scheduling with a particular office, that's a black box. Rumor has it that they do ritual sacrifices to determine order.

 

Edit: Charleston 's current processing timeline dictates that they anticipate to have 50% of cases adjudicated in 11.5 months and 90% adjudicated in 23.5 months. The 11.5 months is on the medium range of scale...so not sure why you were told the office is super quick.

Although 7.5-15.5 months is the typical timeframe.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Quote

And even if your application is "ready", you could still get an RFE from your local field office; does that mean that you can only get an RFE once you're ready to be scheduled, or can you still get an RFIE (bar unusual cases where I'm sure anything can happen)?  As opposed to before you're ready to be scheduled, you could get an RFE or an RFIE at any point?

An RFE can be issued at any point prior to approval, including after the interview (which isn't uncommon if something was missing at the interview).

Edited September 19, 2018 by geowrian

[eckoin 211]

5 minutes ago, geowrian said:

This primarily depends on the local USCIS field office. Some are much faster than others. Some may take a few months for an interview and others (like mine) are more backlogged and take over a year on average.

As for how they do the scheduling with a particular office, that's a black box. Rumor has it that they do ritual sacrifices to determine order.

Are you referring to "ready to be scheduled for an interview" or "your interview is scheduled"?  I'm more interested in the former, i.e. in the first part you said:

 

7 minutes ago, geowrian said:

The I-485 (plus I-131 and I-765, if filed) are sent to the NBC. An initial review is completed there then the status is updated to ready to be scheduled for an interview. Once an interview slot opens up at your local USCIS field office, you will get a notice that the interview is scheduled.

This part - how come some people move really quickly to "ready to be scheduled" and others are lagging at the NBC bottleneck?  I guess like @Echel0n said, if your case worker is off for a few weeks on vacation or sick, you're a casualty, but we're still talking months of differences (some people are ready to be scheduled for interview two months after they sent the package, and others are waiting for far longer).  Surely all case-workers have a generally similar workload, and bar a couple of weeks they might take off, it's still confusing.  Either they have two piles: (1) - wow, easy, off to the interview you go, and (2) ugh - what a mess - I'll read this later; or there's something else that determines how quickly it moves (e.g. current status in the US, or how bona fide the marriage seems, etc.  Or it's literally random, where they just keep a giant pile of paperwork and roll an eight-sided die every day to figure out which one they'll look at that day.

 

Honestly, I want my interview to be at least 12 months out from when I filed, because I don't want a 2-year GC and I got married in June of 2017.  It'd be way easier if the interview were after June 2019.  So I don't want it to go quickly, I'm just curious if the complexity of the case matters (meaning, mine is more complex), and that I should expect a lot more questions or RFEs in the future.

[eckoin 211]

20 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Edit: Charleston 's current processing timeline dictates that they anticipate to have 50% of cases adjudicated in 11.5 months and 90% adjudicated in 23.5 months. The 11.5 months is on the medium range of scale...so not sure why you were told the office is super quick.

Although 7.5-15.5 months is the typical timeframe.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

Good point.  I don't know either.  I checked that and asked about it during my last consultation (I did ask two different lawyers the same questions I had about our specific situation), and they both said that 'easy' cases move really quickly, like 4-6 months quickly, and that my case is not considered 'not easy' (though not necessary 'easy' either due to a couple of factors).  But the consensus was, <12 months "for sure".  

 

They both seemed to talk out of their a55 on some other things I asked though, so eh - maybe they were hoping I'd pay them $5k to fill the forms out for me, even though I told them I just wanted to ask questions and pay them for their time.

[geowrian 22,338]

39 minutes ago, eckoin said:

Are you referring to "ready to be scheduled for an interview" or "your interview is scheduled"?  I'm more interested in the former, i.e. in the first part you said:

"Ready to be scheduled" is the end result of NBC processing.

"Your interview is scheduled" is once the local USCIS field office had an open interview slot and assigned it to your case.

 

39 minutes ago, eckoin said:

This part - how come some people move really quickly to "ready to be scheduled" and others are lagging at the NBC bottleneck?  I guess like @Echel0n said, if your case worker is off for a few weeks on vacation or sick, you're a casualty, but we're still talking months of differences (some people are ready to be scheduled for interview two months after they sent the package, and others are waiting for far longer).

I can't speak as to why that occurs specifically...no 2 cases are the same nor are any 2 IOs. But generally if somebody does an expedite (and is approved) of the EAD or AP, it means they have to do the initial review of the I-485 so that may help get it to the point where it's ready sooner. But beyond that, it's again a black box.

 

39 minutes ago, eckoin said:

Honestly, I want my interview to be at least 12 months out from when I filed, because I don't want a 2-year GC and I got married in June of 2017.  It'd be way easier if the interview were after June 2019.  So I don't want it to go quickly, I'm just curious if the complexity of the case matters (meaning, mine is more complex), and that I should expect a lot more questions or RFEs in the future.

Complexity certainly can matter in terms of documentation and verification of documents.

I wouldn't expect an RFE in the future, but it can happen still. For instance, did you do your medical over 1 year ago? They may or may not require a new one for AOS from K-1 status...IO's call if they wan to see a new one or not.

 

30 minutes ago, eckoin said:

Good point.  I don't know either.  I checked that and asked about it during my last consultation (I did ask two different lawyers the same questions I had about our specific situation), and they both said that 'easy' cases move really quickly, like 4-6 months quickly, and that my case is not considered 'not easy' (though not necessary 'easy' either due to a couple of factors).  But the consensus was, <12 months "for sure".  

That may have been the case about a year ago, but not anymore. Timelines shift considerably. They also changed the interview waiver policy a little under a year ago so there is no general waiver available for AOS from K-1 or any employment category...significantly increasing interview backlogs at the local field office.

[eckoin 211]

37 minutes ago, geowrian said:

I can't speak as to why that occurs specifically...no 2 cases are the same nor are any 2 IOs. But generally if somebody does an expedite (and is approved) of the EAD or AP, it means they have to do the initial review of the I-485 so that may help get it to the point where it's ready sooner. But beyond that, it's again a black box.

I hadn't even thought that they'd have to make sure my I-485 was in order when I submitted an EAD expedite request.  I literally submitted all of the same documentation required for I-765 (including IDs and all that), just in case they don't have my file.  

 

At this point, since they haven't sent an RFE, I assume we're OK on the basic stuff (you know, not missing passport copies and whatnot).  Fingers crossed it goes smoothly, but also, fingers crossed it takes forever so I don't have to renew my temporary Green Card

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

5 hours ago, eckoin said:

For the record, my AOS package was received on 6/29/2018, and my case is not ready to be scheduled for interview.

 

The only thing I know about "ready to be scheduled for interview", is that your application appears to be in order and it was sent to your local office.  That understanding might not even be correct.

 

Your file stays at NBC until the second that your interview is scheduled. You can call and ask a Level 2 rep. They will tell you where your case is. Level 1 reps do not have access to that information. 

 

 

[eckoin 211]

1 minute ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

Your file stays at NBC until the second that your interview is scheduled. You can call and ask a Level 2 rep. They will tell you where your case is. Level 1 reps do not have access to that information. 

 

 

Oh, huh.  I thought when it's ready to be scheduled for an interview, it moves over to the local office.

 

I'm a little tempted to call USCIS and ask what's up, but it seems desperate.  It's just to satiate my curiosity.

 

So any thoughts on what "ready to be scheduled for interview" really means, and why some take longer than others?  I've seen mention of background checks, as in, not just biometrics, but full background checks, taking a while.  I wonder if that's it.

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

15 minutes ago, eckoin said:

Oh, huh.  I thought when it's ready to be scheduled for an interview, it moves over to the local office.

 

I'm a little tempted to call USCIS and ask what's up, but it seems desperate.  It's just to satiate my curiosity.

 

So any thoughts on what "ready to be scheduled for interview" really means, and why some take longer than others?  I've seen mention of background checks, as in, not just biometrics, but full background checks, taking a while.  I wonder if that's it.

We filed 03-16-18. Got the "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview" on 04-23-18. We are in Minneapolis, MN. That's one of the slowest offices in the country. I've looked at the raw data. Confirmed. it's one of the slowest. In July, I called the NBC and finally got it out of a level 2 officer that our file is at the NBC and that the background checks cleared on 06-28-18. So yes, background checks may take a long time too. They use 5 different systems to do their background checks.

We also moved to Raleigh, NC in June and filed for a change of address. The change of address was confirmed. Then we requested for the interview to be expedited. The Raleigh-Durham field office sent us an email informing us that the file was at the NBC and that they did not have jurisdiction over the file. (Yeah... real helpful), We weren't there very long and moved back to our beloved blue state of Minnesota. The change of address was confirmed on the first week of August. 

Apparently, we were in Raleigh, NC long enough for them to schedule an interview, because on 08-09-18, we got "Interview canceled" notification on the egov site. Then the DHS website also updated with "Interview Canceled", and reset the date on the "case is ready to be scheduled for an interview" status to 08-09-18. That entire time the file was at the NBC. They don't move them until the interview is for sure scheduled. It does not make to move them, either.

 

A very knowledgeable member also shared with me what he learned at an Infopass appointment. The officer explained to him that they do not choose files to be interviewed based on priority date. They just pull cases whose status is "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview". That's it. So imagine that. It's all highly inefficient. 

 

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by USC4SPOUSE

[eckoin 211]

14 minutes ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

We filed 03-16-18. Got the "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview" on 04-23-18. We are in Minneapolis, MN. That's one of the slowest offices in the country. I've looked at the raw data. Confirmed. it's one of the slowest. In July, I called the NBC and finally got it out of a level 2 officer that our file is at the NBC and that the background checks cleared on 06-28-18.

We also moved to Raleigh, NC in June and filed for a change of address. The change of address was confirmed. Then we requested for the interview to be expedited. The Raleigh-Durham field office sent us an email informing us that the file was at the NBC and that they did not have jurisdiction over the file. (Yeah... real helpful), We weren't there very long and moved back to our beloved blue state of Minnesota. The change of address was confirmed on the first week of August. 

Apparently, we were in Raleigh, NC long enough for them to schedule an interview, because on 08-09-18, we got "Interview canceled" notification on the egov site. Then the DHS website also updated with "Interview Canceled", and reset the date on the "case is ready to be scheduled for an interview" status to 08-09-18. That entire time the file was at the NBC. They don't move them until the interview is for sure scheduled. It does not make to move them, either.

 

A very knowledgeable member also shared with me what he learned at an Infopass appointment. The officer explained to him that they do not choose files to be interviewed based on priority date. They just pull cases whose status is "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview". That's it. So imagine that. It's all highly inefficient. 

That is all ridiculous.  So you were "ready to be scheduled for an interview" before the background checks cleared, then they schedule and cancel interviews based on where they prefer to think you're located, and on top, they literally roll an eight-sided dice to see who's gonna have an interview at any given time.

 

Wonderful.

 

I'm sorry, that timeline sounds like it sucks.  Hope you guys move on as quickly as possible.

 

I wish there were a way to prioritize applications; I want mine to take forever, and I'd be at least a little upset if we have an interview before June 2019.  I would be very upset if we had an interview in June 2019, but before June 12, 2019.  I'd put a flag to "take your time" on my I-485 if I could.  Free up time for people who need or want the status ASAP.

Edited September 19, 2018 by eckoin

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

8 minutes ago, eckoin said:

That is all ridiculous.  So you were "ready to be scheduled for an interview" before the background checks cleared, then they schedule and cancel interviews based on where they prefer to think you're located, and on top, they literally roll an eight-sided dice to see who's gonna have an interview at any given time.

 

Wonderful.

 

I'm sorry, that timeline sounds like it sucks.  I wish there were a way to prioritize applications; I want mine to take forever, and I'd be at least a little upset if we have an interview before June 2019.  I would be very upset if we had an interview in June 2019, but before June 12, 2019.  I'd put a flag to "take your time" on my I-485 if I could.

So my husband's father has been in a vegetative state since January 2015. My husband has been in the US since 08-2014. We are unsure about traveling on advance parole given all the anti-LGBTQ laws in Malaysia, and these recent events. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45395086

We wanted to expedite the interview because without the Green Card, he does not mean anything to the US Embassy. If anything happens, the US embassy wouldn't be able to help him. 

 

There is more, though. We also tried requesting to expedite the AP so he could see his father. We sent medical bills, medical chart, even a newspaper article that described in detail the car accident that led to my husband's father vegetative state, as well as how his mother isn't able to work because he needs care 24/7. We wrote "PLEASE EXPEDITE. HUMANITARIAN REASONS" on the application we sent on 03-16-18. We had to call 18 times for someone to FINALLY enter the request to expedite in the system. The request was entered on 06-17-18, Then of course, it was ignored until the background checks cleared. Well, it had been ignored since 03-16-18.

At this point, with the resetting of the status "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview", we are just hoping that we are not scheduled for interview before 08-2019. That's our 2 year anniversary. I have been through ROC once 20 years ago. Do not look forward to doing it again. Evidence is not the issue. We sent a 13lb AOS package. 11 lbs were evidence of bona fide marriage. 

[eckoin 211]

14 minutes ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

So my husband's father has been in a vegetative state since January 2015. My husband has been in the US since 08-2014. We are unsure about traveling on advance parole given all the anti-LGBTQ laws in Malaysia, and these recent events. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45395086

We wanted to expedite the interview because without the Green Card, he does not mean anything to the US Embassy. If anything happens, the US embassy wouldn't be able to help him. 

 

There is more, though. We also tried requesting to expedite the AP so he could see his father. We sent medical bills, medical chart, even a newspaper article that described in detail the car accident that led to my husband's father vegetative state, as well as how his mother isn't able to work because he needs care 24/7. We wrote "PLEASE EXPEDITE. HUMANITARIAN REASONS" on the application we sent on 03-16-18. We had to call 18 times for someone to FINALLY enter the request to expedite in the system. The request was entered on 06-17-18, Then of course, it was ignored until the background checks cleared. Well, it had been ignored since 03-16-18.

At this point, with the resetting of the status "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview", we are just hoping that we are not scheduled for interview before 08-2019. That's our 2 year anniversary. I have been through ROC once 20 years ago. Do not look forward to doing it again. Evidence is not the issue. We sent a 13lb AOS package. 11 lbs were evidence of bona fide marriage. 

Damn, this sounds like the worst case scenario.  Like, you read it in the newspapers.  If I were you, I'd contact the media.

 

My EAD expedite went so quickly, I never considered other cases (besides those who were denied for the EAD expedite).

 

My best friend in Canada sponsored his husband about a year ago, and their application didn't even warrant an interview in Immigration Canada's eyes.  Just full approval, and he was able to work and travel well before that.  There are some times that I wonder why our family is settling in the US as opposed to going through the same process in Canada.

Edited September 19, 2018 by eckoin

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

14 minutes ago, eckoin said:

Damn, this sounds like the worst case scenario.  Like, you read it in the newspapers.  If I were you, I'd contact the media.

 

My EAD expedite went so quickly, I never considered other cases (besides those who were denied for the EAD expedite).

 

My best friend in Canada sponsored his husband about a year ago, and their application didn't even warrant an interview in Immigration Canada's eyes.  Just full approval, and he was able to work and travel well before that.  There are some times that I wonder why our family is settling in the US as opposed to going through the same process in Canada.

You know, we are just going to wait. He just got a job. His father while frail is stable - I think. We reached out to a Senator in MN but that didn't work because at that point the change of address to North Carolina had already been confirmed. While we are now back in Minnesota, and could in theory go to a Senator... just like you, we do not want the removal of conditions mess. 

 

If I were to do it  over, I would definitely choose Canada over the US. I am in health care and the licensing process is hell for us. HOWEVER, if Trump gets re-elected, we are out. 

[eckoin 211]

18 minutes ago, USC4SPOUSE said:

You know, we are just going to wait. He just got a job. His father while frail is stable - I think. We reached out to a Senator in MN but that didn't work because at that point the change of address to North Carolina had already been confirmed. While we are now back in Minnesota, and could in theory go to a Senator... just like you, we do not want the removal of conditions mess. 

 

If I were to do it  over, I would definitely choose Canada over the US. I am in health care and the licensing process is hell for us. HOWEVER, if Trump gets re-elected, we are out. 

I wish there were a Hugs option.  Good luck!  If it makes you feel any better, my congressman's office didn't even acknowledge my request for help, let alone in relation to our address.

 

There are a lot of times that I think that Canada, with bad weather and all, ain't so bad after all.