How long is too long to wait between filing I-485 & AOS interview?

[ladysoul 0]

Hi guys,

this whole I-485, AOS application is starting to drive me nuts... We filed for my I-485 with INS notice date of 29th of sept 2006. We haven't heard ANYTHING since, except from a letter from INS 2 weeks ago stating that the case have been moved from our Baltimore office (we live in DC) to California due to heavy case load in Baltimore, and to speed up the processing.. I went and did the biometric/fingerprint in Baltimore the 31st of oct 2006, and when I called INS help-line a few days ago to see whats going on they said that California Service Center had JUST a few days earlier (middle of may 2007) recieved the biometrics from Baltimore... Me and husband was planning om going to Sweden in the beginning of august to visit my family and friends, since its the first time they meet us after us getting married in july of 2006. We have been hoping that our interview would come up before aug considering we filed in sept 2006. Apparently not since our case is now moved, and we have no idea if we're in the end of the line of all the California cases now... The woman I spoke to at USCIS help-line a few days back was not helpful at all and we dont really know where to go from here? Is this timeline normal, I mean since the first notice in sept 29th 2006, my case hasn't been touched once, and all of a sudden a few weeks back moved over to the west coast. Can we make an info-pass about this, or something else that will speed this up or give us some answers? Additional questions:

We both have to attend the interview right?

Will our interview still be scheduled in Baltimore, we can't fly out to Cali for an interview.

How long does it usually take between notice date of AOS interview and the actual interview? Will we at least get 1-2 weeks to prepare, or is it within matter of days from the notice?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping us sort our next move out! We might just have to cancel our planned aug vaccation...

/ Lady Z.

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

I don't know what to tell you, but usually those who are transfered to CSC are approved without an interview. Also, it's hard to give you a certain time frame because it varies from case to case. For some, it takes a mere few months, while for others, it takes years before their cases are approved (or denied). Sorry I can't be more help. It seems to me the wheels are turning now, seeing as your case has recently been transfered, and hopefully you will be hearing something soon. I honestly think all you can do is sit and wait, but maybe I'm wrong.

[Dr_LHA 3]

Me and husband was planning om going to Sweden in the beginning of august to visit my family and friends, since its the first time they meet us after us getting married in july of 2006.

I hope you applied for Advance Parole then! If you didn't, and you don't have your Green Card in your hands by then you can't travel to Sweden without abandoning your Green Card application.

We both have to attend the interview right?

Will our interview still be scheduled in Baltimore, we can't fly out to Cali for an interview.

Don't be silly, they won't expect you to fly to California!

CSC transferees get approved without interview. Worst case they decide to transfer your case back to your DO and you have your interview in Baltimore.

How long does it usually take between notice date of AOS interview and the actual interview? Will we at least get 1-2 weeks to prepare, or is it within matter of days from the notice?

Varies, but right now as you're a CSC transferee I'd forget about the interview unless you get a notice that your case has been transferred back to the MSC.

[mozplay 29]

There is a thread on this forum dedicated to people who have been transferred to CSC. Most people who get transferred to CSC get approved without an interview. However, if they would like to pay for us to fly out to Cali to be interviewed, I'd happily go .

You've been waiting a long time already. Sorry to hear that. However, most get approved within a few months of being at CSC.

All that being said - some still get their cases transferred back to their home offices for an interview, and there are some who have been waiting at CSC since last year.

If you have firm travel plans, then you may want to apply for AP (if you have not already done so) just in case you also get held up at CSC.

Check us out on the thread I mentioned - I'm sure many of your questions will be answered.

Monique

Edited May 22, 2007 by mozplay

[ladysoul 0]

Thanks guys! I have indeed applied for AP (a few weeks ago though cause I had high hopes during te spring that we would be approved before aug since everything was running so smoothly with the whole process until we hit complete halt after last biometric appointment in oct 2006. My stupid mistake! However, IF I do get my AP approved before our planned aug 2nd trip (to last a month, back in US sept 2nd) how will we dare go and maybe be scheduled for interview when we're in Sweden... So ringht now I dont see the point of filing that AP although we've already done it. But hey, if I might get approved without interview and before aug, that would be just fab! Well, maybe not being scheduled for interview in California then, but Ive heard about people having to drive 8-10 hours for interview... If they pay for it, Ill too do Cali for interview...

[Dr_LHA 3]

However, IF I do get my AP approved before our planned aug 2nd trip (to last a month, back in US sept 2nd) how will we dare go and maybe be scheduled for interview when we're in Sweden...

You're a CSC transferee - that means no interview, so I woudn't worry about that. Most likely if you're going to get an interview the first thing you'll see is an email telling you you have been transferred back to the MSC/NBC. At that point, I'd hop on a plane back to the USA, but honestly most CSCs transferees just get approved.

[Tom_Jim 40]

You live in Wash DC, and your case got transfered to Baltimore? I thought residents of DC did their AOS through the Fairfax office? Our lawyer has indicated to us that the Baltimore office is an absolute nightmare. Thank goodness your case ended up at the CSC.

Where in DC do you live? We live in Wash DC proper, in NW.

[CanadaGirl 0]

I wouldn't count on CSC tranfer = no interview or end of the road for you. Check out my timeline.

I hope your case gets approved soon.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I wouldn't count on CSC tranfer = no interview or end of the road for you. Check out my timeline.

Agreed, and I pointed this out several times.

[ladysoul 0]

"I wouldn't count on CSC tranfer = no interview or end of the road for you"

sorry guys, dont understand whats meant by that, well the likelihood of being approved without interview yes, but end of the road, meaning that the case is tranferred to Cali 'cause of aomething else (bad) and denial = end of the road? What do you mean by "I wouldnt count on CSC tarnsfer"? Its not a good thing?

Thanks for your awesome and fast replies guys, Dr LHA, you've helped alot! Im so greatful. / Lady Z.

[zsam 0]

hopefully you'll have good news!

We've been waiting almost a year and a half for an AOS interview. Philly's USCIS office sucks and the hold up seems to be good ol' Missouri's NBC. Anyone knows anyone who has been waiting so long for an interview? Our interview was cancelled and we haven't received any news to date.

[CanadaGirl 0]

Sorry I should have been more specific.

I just meant that just because you got transferred to CSC does not mean this will be the last step for you. As you can see from my timeline, I was transferred to CSC and though I was done. I thought I would get my greencard in a couple months without an interview. They just sent me a notice that I have now been transferred to the National Benefits Center.

I wish you the best at CSC but I didn’t want you to get your hopes up thinking that this is the last step or you won’t have an interview. Anything can happen in AOS filing even at CSC.

[ladysoul 0]

Sorry I should have been more specific.

I just meant that just because you got transferred to CSC does not mean this will be the last step for you. As you can see from my timeline, I was transferred to CSC and though I was done. I thought I would get my greencard in a couple months without an interview. They just sent me a notice that I have now been transferred to the National Benefits Center.

I wish you the best at CSC but I didn’t want you to get your hopes up thinking that this is the last step or you won’t have an interview. Anything can happen in AOS filing even at CSC.

Ok, I'll see, now I understand and thanks for explaining, as for now I dont count on ANYTHING, twists and turns is the name of this game... I can deal with waiting, that I've done for a long time now, and I have my EAD so we're living a pretty normal "waiting" life here in the US, it's not being able to go and see my family or being able to make any plans thats frustrating. But hey, these are all minor problems in the long run, getting a denial, now that's a serious problem, so Im still greatful!

Thanks for helping me out! Lady Z.

[eau_xplain 2]

HI Lady Z,

In case you have not found "them" yet, the CSC Transferee topic link is in my signature below. Check it out. They have a running list of people transferred to CSC.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I just meant that just because you got transferred to CSC does not mean this will be the last step for you. As you can see from my timeline, I was transferred to CSC and though I was done. I thought I would get my greencard in a couple months without an interview. They just sent me a notice that I have now been transferred to the National Benefits Center.

Yeah, if you read my posts above I did mention that this could happen.