NOA1 Received, confused about the estimated timeline?

[LiamT7 27]

Hi,

 

I have a few questions that I have not been able to find a direct answer to.

 

I have received my NOA1 today, and it says that it is from the National Benefits Center, Lee's Summit, MO. I understand that this is normal, and that they process the application until it is ready for an interview where they will transfer it to my local field office (Orlando). 

I can see that here, Orlando has one of the highest processing times, at 365 Avg. Total Days to Interview. What I am confused about is why is this so much longer than a lot of the other field offices when the National Benefits Center is the one that does all of the processing?

 

I also read that some states will accept the NOA1 as proof of residence to allow you to get your driving license, does anybody know what Florida's stance on this is?

 

I am sorry if this is confusing!

 

Thanks!

 

[LiamT7 27]

Also, is it possible to apply for EAD after sending in the AOS package? We did not send it in at the same time due to circumstances, but we were just wondering if this is possible?

[Pitaya 2,577]

8 minutes ago, LiamT7 said:

Hi,

 

I have a few questions that I have not been able to find a direct answer to.Here are a couple of plausible theories and an avenue of research for you to search out more.

 

I have received my NOA1 today, and it says that it is from the National Benefits Center, Lee's Summit, MO. I understand that this is normal, and that they process the application until it is ready for an interview where they will transfer it to my local field office (Orlando). Maybe or maybe not, one of USCIS many moves has been to redshift the workload around to the service centers AND to the field offices.

I can see that here, Orlando has one of the highest processing times, at 365 Avg. Total Days to Interview. What I am confused about is why is this so much longer than a lot of the other field offices when the National Benefits Center is the one that does all of the processing? As above, NBC may only serve as an initial processing and sorting site, and then sent elsewhere. Additionally, there may just be a lot of filings designated for the Orlando field office. 

 

I also read that some states will accept the NOA1 as proof of residence to allow you to get your driving license, does anybody know what Florida's stance on this is? Each state does it differently. Such topics are generally discussed at the Moving to the US and Your New Life in America forum, you should consider posting that portion of your inquiry there. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/15-moving-to-the-us-and-your-new-life-in-america/

 

I am sorry if this is confusing!

 

Thanks!

 

It's not confusing, it is dealing with USCIS.

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[Pitaya 2,577]

3 minutes ago, LiamT7 said:

Also, is it possible to apply for EAD after sending in the AOS package? We did not send it in at the same time due to circumstances, but we were just wondering if this is possible?

Ah, it would seem that you need to do some more research, Google can be your friend. Follow this USCIS link about I-485, read the Special Instructions tab, about AOS/EAD/AP filing scenarios: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[LiamT7 27]

9 minutes ago, Pitaya said:

It's not confusing, it is dealing with USCIS.

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

 

5 minutes ago, Pitaya said:

Ah, it would seem that you need to do some more research, Google can be your friend. Follow this USCIS link about I-485, read the Special Instructions tab, about AOS/EAD/AP filing scenarios: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Thank you so much for this!

[Wuozopo 4,293]

45 minutes ago, LiamT7 said:

Also, is it possible to apply for EAD after sending in the AOS package? We did not send it in at the same time due to circumstances, but we were just wondering if this is possible?

Yes. And don't forget to apply for AP (Form I-131) at the same time. Both are free when you have an AOS application. 

 

Driver license. This is what you need https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/non-immigrant/

 

Read the whole page. If you get it with your unexpired I-94, the license will expire when your I-94 expires. 

You can drive on a Uk license 6 months. From their FAQ page https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/visiting-florida-faqs/

When must a driver get a Florida driver license?

You must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. You are considered a resident of Florida if you:

1.  Enroll your children in public school, or
2.  Register to vote, or
3.  File for a homestead exemption, or
4.  Accept employment, or
5.  Reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

 

 

Edited August 21, 2019 by Wuozopo

[LiamT7 27]

2 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Yes. And don't forget to apply for AP (Form I-131) at the same time. Both are free when you have an AOS application. 

 

Thank you Wuozopo. We were under the impression that EAD was an extra $485 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-765) and extra for the AP as well? Have we missed something here?

[LiamT7 27]

7 minutes ago, LiamT7 said:

Yes. And don't forget to apply for AP (Form I-131) at the same time. Both are free when you have an AOS application. 

 

I have just done some research. I don't know how we overlooked that. We just saw the filling fees and that is what meant we had to wait on this... I feel so silly...

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, LiamT7 said:

I have just done some research. I don't know how we overlooked that. We just saw the filling fees and that is what meant we had to wait on this... I feel so silly...

 

Well you're not too far behind, so do it asap. Don't forget to include a photocopy of the NOA1 so they waive the fees. And some of the stuff you already sent is duplicated in the two new applications. Read the USCIS instructions for each.

 

Edited August 22, 2019 by Wuozopo

[LiamT7 27]

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

Well you're not too far behind, so do it asap. Don't forget to include a photocopy of the NOA1 so they waive the fees. 

 

All prepared, sending out tomorrow. Thank you!  

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 minute ago, LiamT7 said:

All prepared, sending out tomorrow. Thank you!  

Did you see my edit about some stuff is repeated that you sent with AOS? Think of each as a separate application with required documents.

[LiamT7 27]

All I can see in reference to that is the following:

 

3 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Yes. And don't forget to apply for AP (Form I-131) at the same time. Both are free when you have an AOS application. 

 

Is this what you were referring to? If not, I am not following

1 minute ago, LiamT7 said:

All I can see in reference to that is the following:

 

Is this what you were referring to? If not, I am not following

I see the edit now, thank you, I will read them fully now

Edited August 22, 2019 by LiamT7

[billding 59]

13 hours ago, Pitaya said:

It's not confusing, it is dealing with USCIS.

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Is the AOS processed in the AOS center that has jurisdiction where one lives?

[Pitaya 2,577]

4 hours ago, TXBill said:

Is the AOS processed in the AOS center that has jurisdiction where one lives?

If you are going to jump into a thread with your own question, please have the courtesy to at least read the previous postings in the thread. In your case, read the third posting in this thread.  For the sake of clarity, let's try to use the correct names of USCIS facilities. 

 

AOS applications are sent to USCIS lockbox facilities for initial processing/handling, they are then transferred to USCIS service centers for processing. Then depending on USCIS workload, they may stay at that USCIS service center for processing or transferred to another USCIS service center for processing, or transferred to your local USCIS field office for processing. Look at some of the threads in the AOS forum, people are having their applications sent all over the US for processing at the various USCIS facilities, all part of USCIS schema to shift workloads around to the various facilities.

 

YMMV.

[Pitaya 2,577]

5 hours ago, TXBill said:

Is the AOS processed in the AOS center that has jurisdiction where one lives?

BTW, where is your AOS being processed? I cannot tell, since your timeline is vacant. It helps everyone that uses or gets information from the VJ forums. Additionally, the data gives the VJ stats relevance.