November 2018 AOS Filers

[Luna3716 68]

1 hour ago, craigybear said:

Hi all, long time lurker and reader - and fellow November AOS filer.

I did receive the EAD/AP approval 'relatively' quickly on 18th March this year.

Related - I can confirm that the process of entering the US with the AP card is a much more painful process than it was before!

Previously my  L1 visa and Global Entry combination meant I was through immigration and customs in no time at all - often beating my USC wife. The last two times I've entered it has involved sitting in 'secondary' for at least 30 minutes waiting to be 'paroled' - almost missed our connection in Houston on Monday! 

 

Now we are waiting at the mercy of the Washington DC office for our interview notice...

Can you tell me more about your experience with AP, specifically re-entering the country (what POE, questions they asked, documents you needed to provide if any other than the card itself). My husband is going to re-enter the country on AP after he gets back from visiting him family in 2 weeks.

 

Thanks!!

 

Edited: sorry, I realize now you already said you went through Houston! 

Edited May 22, 2019 by Luna3716

[craigybear 10]

13 minutes ago, Luna3716 said:

Can you tell me more about your experience with AP, specifically re-entering the country (what POE, questions they asked, documents you needed to provide if any other than the card itself). My husband is going to re-enter the country on AP after he gets back from visiting him family in 2 weeks.

 

Thanks!!

 

Edited: sorry, I realize now you already said you went through Houston! 

Sure - I've done it twice now.

1 - POE was Washington Dulles, near where I live. I went to the Global Entry kiosk like I usually did before and it failed to pull my record. Advised the agent who sent me to another agent then I was forwarded to 'secondary' with my documents in a clear plastic case. Handed it over on arrival and had to take a seat for approx 30 minutes. When called up the agent asked if I was going through the AOS process and why etc. Then the typical questions about food, money, goods I was carrying. At that point I asked if I needed to do the parole process each time I entered (I was hoping I could use my L1 visa to enter instead) and the answer given was yes.

2 - POE was Houston, connecting to Washington DC. Used the GE kiosk again and it actually worked - got the usual print out for presentation to the agent. As I approached, he seemed to know I had an issue and asked for my passport and GC. Stated I have AP/EAD combo card. He asked why I was entering on L1 (was worth a shot!) and then had to call his supervisor to see if was admissible on L1 vs AP. They weren't sure - sent me to secondary. The process once I got to secondary was similar to the first time, albeit Houston took a little longer as it was busy. Just about made our connecting flight with some running to the next gate! We had 1h45m between flights so if you find yourself in this situation (connecting international to domestic), plan accordingly.

Edit - in terms of documents they asked for - just the AP card and passport. I usually carry other documents as stipulated by my L1 visa but these weren't requested.

Edit - on arrival in Houston, my USC wife wasn't allowed to enter secondary with me and so had to wait beyond immigration. Typically no phones can be used in the secondary area (DC was a little more lenient) so if you do find yourself in the situation where you're travelling together and you SO gets sent to secondary, be sure to have a plan for how to proceed, where to meet etc.

Edited May 22, 2019 by craigybear

[Katelyngene 95]

14 hours ago, NicolaBolton87 said:

I finally got approved for my work permit today!! 

 

Filed: November 19th 2018

Receipt date: November 28th 2018

New Card Being Produced: Today, 21st May 2019.

 

It’s coming guys!! 

Congratulations! 🎉 

 

We’re on day 195 of waiting.

Filed: October 22nd 2018

Receipt date: November 8th 2018

[RambaCat 643]

Ugh, USPS are playing with me.

[jakejon 1,197]

7 hours ago, craigybear said:

Sure - I've done it twice now.

1 - POE was Washington Dulles, near where I live. I went to the Global Entry kiosk like I usually did before and it failed to pull my record. Advised the agent who sent me to another agent then I was forwarded to 'secondary' with my documents in a clear plastic case. Handed it over on arrival and had to take a seat for approx 30 minutes. When called up the agent asked if I was going through the AOS process and why etc. Then the typical questions about food, money, goods I was carrying. At that point I asked if I needed to do the parole process each time I entered (I was hoping I could use my L1 visa to enter instead) and the answer given was yes.

2 - POE was Houston, connecting to Washington DC. Used the GE kiosk again and it actually worked - got the usual print out for presentation to the agent. As I approached, he seemed to know I had an issue and asked for my passport and GC. Stated I have AP/EAD combo card. He asked why I was entering on L1 (was worth a shot!) and then had to call his supervisor to see if was admissible on L1 vs AP. They weren't sure - sent me to secondary. The process once I got to secondary was similar to the first time, albeit Houston took a little longer as it was busy. Just about made our connecting flight with some running to the next gate! We had 1h45m between flights so if you find yourself in this situation (connecting international to domestic), plan accordingly.

Edit - in terms of documents they asked for - just the AP card and passport. I usually carry other documents as stipulated by my L1 visa but these weren't requested.

Edit - on arrival in Houston, my USC wife wasn't allowed to enter secondary with me and so had to wait beyond immigration. Typically no phones can be used in the secondary area (DC was a little more lenient) so if you do find yourself in the situation where you're travelling together and you SO gets sent to secondary, be sure to have a plan for how to proceed, where to meet etc.

That's an awesome write up! I like the point you made about connecting flights which is worth remembering. When booking I purposely selected a flight which left 5 hours in between flying from Seattle and Las Vegas- I'd imagine it would be fine for POE on AP (airing on side of caution/more beer time)! I know I'll prob end up hanging around the airport for a good while after but I do love airports so all good!

 

Thanks again for the write-up and detail  

Edited May 22, 2019 by jakejon

[NicolaBolton87 161]

9 hours ago, Ash&Jaye said:

YAY! So happy that there was some movement for you guys!!! 

Thank you so much!! 

[Akk1989 19]

Wondered if anyone knows this?...once we get to the date we can make a case inquiry, is it best to call USCIS and ask to speak to a tier 2 or just submit the online form? Which would be quicker/more effective?

 

[RambaCat 643]

30 minutes ago, Akk1989 said:

Wondered if anyone knows this?...once we get to the date we can make a case inquiry, is it best to call USCIS and ask to speak to a tier 2 or just submit the online form? Which would be quicker/more effective?

 

It's probably best to call when you get to the date of enquiry

[RambaCat 643]

Conditional Green Card in hand! 😁

[Gand2018 61]

16 hours ago, RambaCat said:

Conditional Green Card in hand! 😁

Congrats! It feels fantastic doesn’t it? 😀

[RambaCat 643]

1 hour ago, Gand2018 said:

Congrats! It feels fantastic doesn’t it? 😀

Feels super weird - I keep going to check my status or the "usual" ritual...aside from the month between arrival and submitting the AOS paperwork, we've been waiting on *something* since January of last year! @.@

[tombs07 78]

22 hours ago, RambaCat said:

Conditional Green Card in hand! 😁

Congratulations! I hope you won’t mind me asking. Would you know why they gave you conditional green card instead of the regular green card? Thanks! 

[rrobin0609 387]

17 minutes ago, tombs07 said:

Congratulations! I hope you won’t mind me asking. Would you know why they gave you conditional green card instead of the regular green card? Thanks! 

10 year green card is applied for with removal of conditions. Adjustment of status grants a two year green card.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

23 hours ago, RambaCat said:

Conditional Green Card in hand! 😁

Congratulations!  🙌

Finally free...for year and a half or so.

 

Edited May 24, 2019 by Allaboutwaiting

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

59 minutes ago, tombs07 said:

Congratulations! I hope you won’t mind me asking. Would you know why they gave you conditional green card instead of the regular green card? Thanks! 

If you've been married for less than two years at the time of the interview/approval, you get a two years conditional green card and MUST go through removal of conditions in 21 months.