Booked a massive wedding party back home and may have misjudged AP times!

[alexkaz 0]

Hi guys, I'm wondering if I could get some feedback/advice on a dilemma I'm having.

 

I arrived in Los Angeles, USA from the UK on my K1 Visa on October 5th 2021 and got married November 6th 2021. I was supposed to be over by March 2020 but Covid delayed the whole process as I'm sure it did for many others.

 

My adjustment of status documents were received by USCIS on December 8th 2021. I did concurrent filing, submitting three forms: I-486 AOS, I-765 EAD and I-131 AP.

 

I went for my biometrics appointment in LA on 11th January 2022. I also submitted some additional information online that was requested for my AOS on that very same day. All my correspondence regarding these forms has come from the National Benefits Center in Kansas City, MO.

 

My dilemma is this: back in 2019 when we stared this process we were under the impression that the Advance Parole document would be the first to arrive, usually within 3 to 4 months. I had actually spoken to some people who had this experience. Now with Covid I'm seeing people mention it is taking way longer - at least 6 months. The timeframe on the USCIS says even longer. The problem is that even though we're married we've booked a big wedding party back in the UK on July 3rd 2022.

 

I'm worried that this could be cutting it really fine and that I might miss my own party because the Advance Parole document will take so long. Presuming it takes 6 months from December 8th 2021 that would mean I'd get it sometime in June. I'm trying to decide if I should postpone the whole thing and not risk putting more deposit money down for entertainment/photography etc.

 

My questions would be:

 

1 - Does the fact I've done biometrics already give any indication at how fast the Advance Parole might be granted?

2 - Is there anybody is a similar situation (K1, UK/USA, Kansas Office etc) who is awaiting AP? What has your experience been like?

3 - Does the AP actually arrive first before anything else or did I somehow dream that?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice or perspective you can give!

[Verrou 1,962]

1. no. saw on same cases, people didnt get AP but their interview date is quick ( depend on your field office, and if you are lucky)

3. see answer no 1

in some cases, people got their combo card between 8-10 months 

 

though im a half glass empty person, and not so lucky most of the time, so i always plan for the worst 

hopefully you are the lucky one 

[P055UM 289]

8 minutes ago, alexkaz said:

Hi guys, I'm wondering if I could get some feedback/advice on a dilemma I'm having.

 

I arrived in Los Angeles, USA from the UK on my K1 Visa on October 5th 2021 and got married November 6th 2021. I was supposed to be over by March 2020 but Covid delayed the whole process as I'm sure it did for many others.

 

My adjustment of status documents were received by USCIS on December 8th 2021. I did concurrent filing, submitting three forms: I-486 AOS, I-765 EAD and I-131 AP.

 

I went for my biometrics appointment in LA on 11th January 2022. I also submitted some additional information online that was requested for my AOS on that very same day. All my correspondence regarding these forms has come from the National Benefits Center in Kansas City, MO.

 

My dilemma is this: back in 2019 when we stared this process we were under the impression that the Advance Parole document would be the first to arrive, usually within 3 to 4 months. I had actually spoken to some people who had this experience. Now with Covid I'm seeing people mention it is taking way longer - at least 6 months. The timeframe on the USCIS says even longer. The problem is that even though we're married we've booked a big wedding party back in the UK on July 3rd 2022.

 

I'm worried that this could be cutting it really fine and that I might miss my own party because the Advance Parole document will take so long. Presuming it takes 6 months from December 8th 2021 that would mean I'd get it sometime in June. I'm trying to decide if I should postpone the whole thing and not risk putting more deposit money down for entertainment/photography etc.

 

My questions would be:

 

1 - Does the fact I've done biometrics already give any indication at how fast the Advance Parole might be granted?

2 - Is there anybody is a similar situation (K1, UK/USA, Kansas Office etc) who is awaiting AP? What has your experience been like?

3 - Does the AP actually arrive first before anything else or did I somehow dream that?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice or perspective you can give!

I can give you a little insight on #2.

 

I arrived from the UK on 8 Aug, married 20 Aug and submitted AoS/AP/EAD on 11 Sept. So far I have done my biometrics on 15 Oct and answered an RFE about my birth certificate (possibly sent in error) towards the end of October. Processing is done in Missouri.

 

Otherwise, that is all that has happened on my case. I fully empathise with your situation about wanting to go back and celebrate your marriage with your family. I would also like to go back to the UK to visit around the time my AP arrives (hopefully March/April). I have actually booked a flight home for May, however the airlines are being incredibly generous with postponements at the moment, so having read their terms and conditions extensively, I am fully prepared to postpone for a future travel voucher if my documents don't arrive on time. I'm not going to advise you on how you should proceed yourself, since it is a highly personal decision, but I am regarding my own trip as something I can "hopefully" do, as opposed to something I will "definitely" be able to do.

 

Re: 1 - my understanding is that a quick biometrics doesn't necessarily translate to a quick processing overall.

Re: 3 - AP and EAD arrive at the same time if filed concurrently.

[Timona 4,208]

You're in LA and you pre-booked stuff? Hehehe ...just ask for a refund. Or reschedule. Sorry dude. I hope you don't bite the nail and lose a lot. 

 

 

[P055UM 289]

1 hour ago, AW1704 said:

Re: 1 - my understanding is that a quick biometrics doesn't necessarily translate to a quick processing overall.

Would add per VJ user data, EAD comes 79 days on average after approval. I am already several weeks past 79 days and...crickets.

[SalishSea 18,161]

AP/EAD seems to be taking closer to 8 months now.

[Chancy 6,243]

*** Moved from AOS from K1 Visas forum to Working & Traveling During US Immigration, to be among other threads about AP processing ***

 

[African Zealot 1,456]

I would count the cost of gambling you would receive the AP versus the benefits and then decide. If you postpone now, you lose some money. If you don’t postpone, it could come in time, or it might not in which case you lose a boatload of money.

 

June seem far out enough you conceivably get it in time but being in LA doesn’t help. Aren’t you far enough from the date that you could ask the venue and other vendors to “hold” your deposit and indefinitely postpone the event without forfeiting your deposit?

[alexkaz 0]

Thanks for all this information guys.

 

Can I ask - why is being in LA a problem? Does it take longer here than other cities or states?

[Bajinga 136]

my combo card (AP/EAD) arrived 180 days after applying for AOS back in 2018, so the times have always varied. Since the NBC process the AP and EAD the field office location does not really matter. In my opinion it is never a good idea to book anything in advance whenever an immigration process is involved.  From what i have seen on VJ 8 months seems to be the norm for the combo card these days.

[Dashinka 24,831]

10 hours ago, alexkaz said:

Thanks for all this information guys.

 

Can I ask - why is being in LA a problem? Does it take longer here than other cities or states?

Typically LA is a very busy field office, so processing times take longer.  That being said, the AP and EAD applications should not be at the LA Field Office, rather these are processed at USCIS service centers and yes, typical timelines are taking 8+ months.  There was an article posted recently showing a little more of the spiderweb of the process.  In this case it is related to the US's archives and national records facilities and how these are slowing down a lot of federal items including immigration due to the inability to get the needed records.

 

Anyway, I agree with the others, I would do a business case on what the cost would be if you delayed your celebration.

 

Good Luck!

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/777744-with-paperwork-locked-underground-thousands-of-us-citizenship-applicants-wait-and-wait-merged/

 

[Asterix78 27]

22 hours ago, alexkaz said:

Hi guys, I'm wondering if I could get some feedback/advice on a dilemma I'm having.

 

I arrived in Los Angeles, USA from the UK on my K1 Visa on October 5th 2021 and got married November 6th 2021. I was supposed to be over by March 2020 but Covid delayed the whole process as I'm sure it did for many others.

 

My adjustment of status documents were received by USCIS on December 8th 2021. I did concurrent filing, submitting three forms: I-486 AOS, I-765 EAD and I-131 AP.

 

I went for my biometrics appointment in LA on 11th January 2022. I also submitted some additional information online that was requested for my AOS on that very same day. All my correspondence regarding these forms has come from the National Benefits Center in Kansas City, MO.

 

My dilemma is this: back in 2019 when we stared this process we were under the impression that the Advance Parole document would be the first to arrive, usually within 3 to 4 months. I had actually spoken to some people who had this experience. Now with Covid I'm seeing people mention it is taking way longer - at least 6 months. The timeframe on the USCIS says even longer. The problem is that even though we're married we've booked a big wedding party back in the UK on July 3rd 2022.

 

I'm worried that this could be cutting it really fine and that I might miss my own party because the Advance Parole document will take so long. Presuming it takes 6 months from December 8th 2021 that would mean I'd get it sometime in June. I'm trying to decide if I should postpone the whole thing and not risk putting more deposit money down for entertainment/photography etc.

 

My questions would be:

 

1 - Does the fact I've done biometrics already give any indication at how fast the Advance Parole might be granted?

2 - Is there anybody is a similar situation (K1, UK/USA, Kansas Office etc) who is awaiting AP? What has your experience been like?

3 - Does the AP actually arrive first before anything else or did I somehow dream that?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice or perspective you can give!

My wife's AP/EAD combo arrived 7 months after filing and 1 (one) day before her green card arrived. Basically all documents appear to have been processed as we walked out of the interview room. That was our experience. 

Edited January 26, 2022 by Asterix78

[ESD 6]

12 hours ago, alexkaz said:

Thanks for all this information guys.

 

Can I ask - why is being in LA a problem? Does it take longer here than other cities or states?

Actually LA is so fast! I applied early July 2021and had my interview early November 2021. And I see a lot of people adjusting from K1 in LA and their cases are moving faster than expected. Probably you will get your green card before the EAD/AP. So good luck!

Edited January 26, 2022 by ESD

[ghostinthemachine 78]

On 1/26/2022 at 9:19 AM, ESD said:

Actually LA is so fast! I applied early July 2021and had my interview early November 2021. And I see a lot of people adjusting from K1 in LA and their cases are moving faster than expected. Probably you will get your green card before the EAD/AP. So good luck!

Was gonna say the same. Have seen K1 to AOS and straight up AOS take 3-4-5 months at the LA FO the last few months. They are moving at lightning speed in comparison to other places atm. 

[P055UM 289]

On 1/25/2022 at 2:00 PM, alexkaz said:

Hi guys, I'm wondering if I could get some feedback/advice on a dilemma I'm having.

 

I arrived in Los Angeles, USA from the UK on my K1 Visa on October 5th 2021 and got married November 6th 2021. I was supposed to be over by March 2020 but Covid delayed the whole process as I'm sure it did for many others.

 

My adjustment of status documents were received by USCIS on December 8th 2021. I did concurrent filing, submitting three forms: I-486 AOS, I-765 EAD and I-131 AP.

 

I went for my biometrics appointment in LA on 11th January 2022. I also submitted some additional information online that was requested for my AOS on that very same day. All my correspondence regarding these forms has come from the National Benefits Center in Kansas City, MO.

 

My dilemma is this: back in 2019 when we stared this process we were under the impression that the Advance Parole document would be the first to arrive, usually within 3 to 4 months. I had actually spoken to some people who had this experience. Now with Covid I'm seeing people mention it is taking way longer - at least 6 months. The timeframe on the USCIS says even longer. The problem is that even though we're married we've booked a big wedding party back in the UK on July 3rd 2022.

 

I'm worried that this could be cutting it really fine and that I might miss my own party because the Advance Parole document will take so long. Presuming it takes 6 months from December 8th 2021 that would mean I'd get it sometime in June. I'm trying to decide if I should postpone the whole thing and not risk putting more deposit money down for entertainment/photography etc.

 

My questions would be:

 

1 - Does the fact I've done biometrics already give any indication at how fast the Advance Parole might be granted?

2 - Is there anybody is a similar situation (K1, UK/USA, Kansas Office etc) who is awaiting AP? What has your experience been like?

3 - Does the AP actually arrive first before anything else or did I somehow dream that?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice or perspective you can give!

Did you have any luck?? 🤞