November 2018 AOS Filers

[clare240 6]

2 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

VJ members are only a tiny fraction of all filers so not an accurate representation of the whole picture.

The sample sizes aren't insignificant though (555 filed by mail in the last 180 days), I'm just wondering who the VJ members are who are getting EAD and AP so quickly, and why they seem to be well ahead of others, and whether VJ takes into account the different types of filing; are EAD and AP processing times different for applicants in the US vs. outside, for example? I don't know. People not updating their timelines would surely only increase the averages? Or just not be included in the calculation? And what sort of extra contingency USCIS put on their dates for case enquiries? Like, if they say you can file a case enquiry if your NOA is from Sept 15th, does that mean they're mostly onto mid-october applications, and they're just covering themselves? Just my maths brain, trying to fill up my unemployed hours. 

[K1visaHopeful 2,895]

3 minutes ago, clare240 said:

The sample sizes aren't insignificant though (555 filed by mail in the last 180 days), I'm just wondering who the VJ members are who are getting EAD and AP so quickly, and why they seem to be well ahead of others, and whether VJ takes into account the different types of filing; only if the VJ member has input their info correctly

are EAD and AP processing times different for applicants in the US vs. outside, for example? EAD and AP can only be applied for within the US.

 I don't know. People not updating their timelines would surely only increase the averages? Or just not be included in the calculation?

You would have to ask VJ how they come up with their wild calculations.

And what sort of extra contingency USCIS put on their dates for case enquiries? Like, if they say you can file a case enquiry if your NOA is from Sept 15th, does that mean they're mostly onto mid-october applications, and they're just covering themselves?

We cant answer that either other than I noticed a mad influx of touched cases once the service enquiry date on USCIS hit about 3 to 4 weeks before the dates I was scanning on the app.

Just my maths brain, trying to fill up my unemployed hours. 

There is no method to the madness. USCIS is actively processing EADs and APs from September 2018 until January/February 2019.

The service enquiry date is posted and updates accordingly on the USCIS processing times website for those who's PDs are passed that date and are eligible to make an enquiry.

Unfortunately we dont have enough info to delve into figuring out the process but imagine a warehouse of boxes and an agent on a ladder picking one out and maybe that will ease your thoughts.

[Jlomartin 71]

@jakejon congrats on receiving your combo card!  My status updated last night to “card mailed to me” how long after did you receive a tracking number? 

[jakejon 1,197]

5 minutes ago, Jlomartin said:

@jakejon congrats on receiving your combo card!  My status updated last night to “card mailed to me” how long after did you receive a tracking number? 

So it was last Wednesday afternoon mine changed to 'card was mailed'. I was too impatient waiting for my tracking number after it was mailed, so on Thursday afternoon I went on to ask Emma online and got though to customer rep who gave me it with no issues. Give it a go that way if you wanna try  

Edited April 23, 2019 by jakejon

[K1visaHopeful 2,895]

6 minutes ago, Jlomartin said:

@jakejon congrats on receiving your combo card!  My status updated last night to “card mailed to me” how long after did you receive a tracking number? 

Mine was updated to "Card was picked up by USPS" the day after "Card was mailed to me".

[Jlomartin 71]

21 minutes ago, jakejon said:

So it was last Wednesday afternoon mine changed to 'card was mailed'. I was too impatient waiting for my tracking number after it was mailed, so on Thursday afternoon I went on to ask Emma online and got though to customer rep who gave me it with no issues. Give it a go that way if you wanna try  

Thanks I will try this!

[Jlomartin 71]

20 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Mine was updated to "Card was picked up by USPS" the day after "Card was mailed to me".

Maybe tonight it will change.  Did you receive your combo card already?

[K1visaHopeful 2,895]

14 minutes ago, Jlomartin said:

Maybe tonight it will change.  Did you receive your combo card already?

Yes. Check my timeline. I have my full timeline written in my notes of the EAD including the time when I received the notifications.

[Joe_UK 20]

5 hours ago, clare240 said:

The sample sizes aren't insignificant though (555 filed by mail in the last 180 days), I'm just wondering who the VJ members are who are getting EAD and AP so quickly, and why they seem to be well ahead of others, and whether VJ takes into account the different types of filing; are EAD and AP processing times different for applicants in the US vs. outside, for example? I don't know. People not updating their timelines would surely only increase the averages? Or just not be included in the calculation? And what sort of extra contingency USCIS put on their dates for case enquiries? Like, if they say you can file a case enquiry if your NOA is from Sept 15th, does that mean they're mostly onto mid-october applications, and they're just covering themselves? Just my maths brain, trying to fill up my unemployed hours. 

A large majority of the recent EAD/AP approvals (February & March) are actually expedited cases, and many of those people don't disclose that information..

 

As far as i'm aware VJ doesn't have an option to select and filter out expedited cases; the knock on effect of this is that the timeline for everyone's EAD/AP approval is reduced significantly and actually provides an incorrect estimation. It's frustrating as i've used VJ through this whole process (K1, EAD/AP & AOS) and their estimates have been pretty spot on; hence a lot of people are disappointed when their estimated date has been and gone 😔

[K1visaHopeful 2,895]

2 minutes ago, Joe_UK said:

 

 

As far as i'm aware VJ doesn't have an option to select and filter out expedited cases;  

They dont but I put in a request on the technical/bugs thread here about that. It got a few likes from admins and mods so hopefully it's something in the works in the near future.

[TogoAfrica 161]

19 hours ago, NicolaBolton87 said:

I’m with you on that. I honestly think it’s worse now that we’re expecting it any day. At least a couple of months ago we could put it to the back of our minds knowing it wasn’t going to be for a while. I know I should be grateful to be further along this process than those who filed after us but GOD i just want to work already and get some kind of life back!

EXACTLY!!

[TogoAfrica 161]

I don’t know what to do....wait patiently like everyone else here who is in the same boat 

or

call the USCIS and try to figure out what happened to our expedite. 

 

We filed for an expedite back in February because my husband was offered a job. The employer really needed him highred and trained before April. He has been trying to find employees and business is effected. So he actually wrote to the government on our behalf asking to expedite. 

Well..... they received all this information but we never received an answer. When we called to get information we were told someone would call us back. One time when we called the representative said we were approved but someone would call us back with information. I just don’t understand...we never received those call backs and we never received the expedited work card. We just decided that since visa journey stats indicated our card would be coming soon we decided to just wait patiently for it. But we saw others get it, and then there is some of us waiting 150 days and more. I had to resign from one of my jobs because physically can’t keep doing all this work. And we thought his card was coming. But we are only 150 days waiting and I can see others here waiting up in the 160’s. Hmmmm so do we keep just waiting patiently or do we try to call and figure out what happened to that crazy expedite? Meanwhile the employer is so frustrated and my husband is going crazy from no work and I’m just physically tired from trying to make enough money for the both of us. 😜🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

[jakejon 1,197]

1 hour ago, TogoAfrica said:

I don’t know what to do....wait patiently like everyone else here who is in the same boat 

or

call the USCIS and try to figure out what happened to our expedite. 

 

We filed for an expedite back in February because my husband was offered a job. The employer really needed him highred and trained before April. He has been trying to find employees and business is effected. So he actually wrote to the government on our behalf asking to expedite. 

Well..... they received all this information but we never received an answer. When we called to get information we were told someone would call us back. One time when we called the representative said we were approved but someone would call us back with information. I just don’t understand...we never received those call backs and we never received the expedited work card. We just decided that since visa journey stats indicated our card would be coming soon we decided to just wait patiently for it. But we saw others get it, and then there is some of us waiting 150 days and more. I had to resign from one of my jobs because physically can’t keep doing all this work. And we thought his card was coming. But we are only 150 days waiting and I can see others here waiting up in the 160’s. Hmmmm so do we keep just waiting patiently or do we try to call and figure out what happened to that crazy expedite? Meanwhile the employer is so frustrated and my husband is going crazy from no work and I’m just physically tired from trying to make enough money for the both of us. 😜🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

I personally don’t know much about expedites in detail. But if you never heard back wouldn’t it be worth calling to see if there’s any updates? 

 

Worth following up on expedite you initially done! 

 

Good luck! 😊

Edited April 24, 2019 by jakejon

[TogoAfrica 161]

13 minutes ago, jakejon said:

I personally don’t know much about expedites in detail. But if you never heard back wouldn’t it be worth calling to see if there’s any updates? 

 

Worth following up on expedite you initially done! 

 

Good luck! 😊

I guess your right...... it just seemed to not get us anywhere when we called before. Never a straight answer. We just decided in the end to wait patiently for the work card because it “seemed” November appliers would be getting an answer in April. But now we are seeing it could take much longer then April....and we still have the employer desperately asking us daily if we got it yet. 🤦🏽‍♀️🤪 making me anxious, along with the fact we decided it was ok for me to resign one job thinking he would be working soon. But now....not sure when that will be. 

 

So maybe yohr right....guess we should call again and harass them about the expedit we sent back in February. 

[Luna3716 68]

Got an update this morning "new card being produced". NOA1 is Nov. 16.

 

Good luck to all those still waiting!