Transfer to CSC vs. Los Angeles Local Office

[Johnnie Oz 0]

I am a bit confused/perplexed....

Devilette tipped me off that those of us who file for AOS at LA office can expect an interview.

Meanwhile, folks who have filed all over the country from Miami to Cincinnati occasionally have their applications transferred to the California Service Center. Once there they are expedited rather quickly and many receive their PR in 3-4 months (unless there's a FBI name-check issue). In addition, there is no interview on most occasions.

So CSC is nice n quick with the AOS for those from outside of California, but take much longer for those who file I-129Fs there?

Plus, those of us who then have to file for AOS in Los Angeles get shafted again - since there's an interview requirement. Devilette's comment that most seem rather short is accurate but surely it takes longer since they have to find an interview slot.

Just venting a little: not getting any breaks here.

Worst place to to file I-129F, worst place to file AOS, fees going up right now of all times - we were originally thinking of just filing I-485, no EAD/AP and saving a ton of money. With JFK POE and the short processing time for AOS, the fiance(e) would have been able to work for 2-3 months, waited a little and then gotten back to work. The name in question is pretty unusual so FBI namecheck delay seems unlikely. A risk I know.... but with the new, improved all inclusive I-485 you can't opt out of the EA or AP. I don't buy some/most of the rationale for the price hikes...

I-485 Resort: "Now including more buffet meals, the right to work and advance parole for being a good lil immigrant with more bucks for us".

Plus, our DCF option went out the window 6 months ago.

OK, the question. Is there any way of avoiding the seemingly lethal CSC and LA CIS office combo? The USC (an official California resident) was an East Coast resident till last September and has all family there.

KKhx5iPSR8Q

tusen tack!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Actually, they hand out interviews pretty quickly out of the LA office - we got our appointment within 10 weeks of filing.

Most people going through LA seem to get approved as fast as (if not faster than) CSC transfers.

[no name 1]

Look here at LA timelines:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/aoslis...%20Angeles%20CA

It looks to be 2-4 months to interview.

[Jenn! 918]

I thought that California residents have just as much of a chance of a transfer to CSC for AOS as anyone else.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I think other DOs in CA get transferred but I'm not sure I've seen that happen to someone filing through LA - but like I said, they hand out interviews pretty fast, so the OP shouldn't worry too much.

[rebeccajo 14]

If you're filing anyplace other by mail to courier to the Chicago lockbox you certainly may expect a delay.

An interview isn't the end of the world. At least if you have one and you are caught in the really-all-that-not-unusual FBI namecheck, you know about it rather than waiting and waiting with no information as to why.

Where you live now determines which office processes the I485 - as with all things USCIS they are little concerned with where anyone has formerly lived (unless that happens to be a penitentiary).

[Johnnie Oz 0]

Sounds good.

And K1s are currently picking up steam at CSC.

Filing via CSC and LA office doesn't seem so bad anymore.

Thanks!

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

An interview isn't the end of the world. At least if you have one and you are caught in the really-all-that-not-unusual FBI namecheck, you know about it rather than waiting and waiting with no information as to why.

well, now, that wasn't really my experience in LA with our FBI namecheck, but hopefully others won't deal with the same, rather opaque DO!