Employment Based Greencard

Hi All,

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and I am a regular reader of this forum.

My PD is July 2017 and got I140 approved in March 2018. Because of retrogression I couldn't file my I485. Now the October visa bulletin says Date of filing as 01OCT17 for India, can i apply for I485 or should I wait till it becomes current?

Thanks

I've been a silent visitor in this forum. I sincerely appreciate every single information being shared here. They helped me gain a lot of insights of this looong journey and keep me stay positive. It's my turn to tell my story, and hope at least one person would benefit from it.

Here's my timeline -
PD Jan 2015
I-140 approved July 2016
AOS filed 5/2/2018
BIO completed 6/4/2018
EAD/AP approved late July 2018 (I still haven't received the card, I called and they they told me to wait..)
Interview scheduled 8/1/2018 (received the official letter after several days)
Interview date 9/12/2018

I had my interview this past week in NYC. I didn't have an attorney with me for the interview. The wait was nearly 3 hours. I checked with the clerk twice and she kept confirming the IO had my case and would call my number when he's ready for me. So (if you don't have an attorney) I would say bring someone with you if you can, just in case the wait is long and you need a restroom break. You don't want to miss your name/number. Anyway, 1, 2, 3 hours passed, my number was announced.

The IO was friendly (I think I'm lucky). I took the oath, photo, finger prints (my finger prints didn't match initially >"<, IO ran it again and this time they matched..). Signed the waiver of attorney. Then IO went over / confirmed my status from the day I landed America as an F1 student till now; check visa stamps, i-797 approval notices (OPT, H1b, EAD/AP). Questions asked: where did you go to school, what did you study, are you working at the company who sponsors you, what's your current job title, what's your job responsibilities, how do you like your company, how many people work in the same role at your company. He took notes along the way and went over everything I submitted with the AOS application, make sure he has everything. He kept only my employment letter, copies of EAD/AP approval notices, latest h1b approval notice, driver's license, and passport. He didn't ask for birth certificate, tax return, W-2, paystub, diploma at all. (I did submit copies of those with AOS thou.) And then we went thru all of the Y/N questions. The interview took about 45 mins.

At the end, he said he had everything he needed, and said "you did a fantastic job" (I must say that sentence totally lifted the cloud in my heart). He then explained that normally he would be the one to make a decision and just "boom" (he made a stamping and tapping on the keyboard gesture), but because they ran out of visas this year so he couldn't make a decision on my case, and my case will be in a continuous status. My case and all other cases with interview completed during back log will be sent back to the service center, and the staffs over there will process the final decision when there are visas available again. They will perform some administrative steps and check all the docs again and if none of the forms expire, they will approve the case and I will received an approval notice, followed by the physical GC. He told me to cross my finger and to give probably 90 days, and if I don't hear anything call the inquiry number.

PS: online status still no update since interview

I would say, just be prepared (even over prepared), confident and truthful during the interview. I made an error on my i-485 and I explained to the IO that it was an oversight on my part. He just corrected it on the spot without any problem. Now I just need to be patient and hopefully I can hear the good news soon. I wish everyone here all the best and bunch of luck on your GC journey!

I've been a silent visitor in this forum. I sincerely appreciate every single information being shared here. They helped me gain a lot of insights of this looong journey and keep me stay positive. It's my turn to tell my story, and hope at least one person would benefit from it.

Here's my timeline -
PD Jan 2015
I-140 approved July 2016
AOS filed 5/2/2018
Bio completed 6/4/2018
EAD/AP approved late July 2018 (I still haven't received the card, I called and they told me to wait..)
Interview scheduled 8/1/18 (received the official letter after several days)
Interview date 9/12/18

I had my interview this past week in NYC. I don't have an attorney with me for the interview. The wait was nearly 3 hours. I checked with the clerk twice and she kept confirming the IO had my case and would call my number when he's ready for me. So (if you don't have an attorney) I would say bring someone with you if you can, just in case the wait is long and you need a restroom break. You don't want to miss your name/number. Anyway, 1, 2, 3 hours passed, my number was announced.

The IO was friendly (I think I'm lucky). I took the oath, photo, finger prints (my finger prints didn't match initially >"<, IO ran it again and this time they matched..). Signed the waiver of attorney. Then IO went over / confirmed my status from the date I landed America as an F1 student till now; checked visa stamps, i-797 approval notices (OPT, H1b, EAD/AP). Questions asked: where did you go to school, what did you study, are you working at the company who sponsors you, what's your current job title, what's your job responsibilities, how do you like your company, how many people work in the same role at your company. He took notes along the way and went over everything I submitted with the AOS application, make sure he has everything. He kept only my employment letter, copies of EAD/AP approval notices, latest h1b approval notice, driver's license, and passport. He didn't ask for birth certificate, tax return, W-2, paystub, diploma at all.. (I did submit copies of those with AOS thou). And then we went thru all the Y/N questions. The interview took about 45 mins.

At the end, he said he had everything he needed, and "you did a fantastic job" (I must say that sentence totally lifted the cloud in my heart). He then explained that normally he would be the one to make a decision and just "boom" (he made a stamping and tapping on the keyboard gesture), but because they ran out of visas this year so he couldn't make a decision on my case, and my case will be in a continuous status. My case and all other cases with interview completed during back log will be sent back to the service center, and the staffs there will process the final decision when there are visas available again. They will perform some administrative steps and check all the docs again and if none of the forms expire, they will approve the case and I will receive an approval notice, followed by the physical GC. He told me to cross my finger and to give probably 90 days, and if I don't hear anything call the inquiry number.

PS: online status no update yet

I would say, just be prepared (even over prepared), confident and truthful during the interview. I made an error on my i-485 and I explained it to the IO and it was an oversight on my part. He just corrected it on the spot without any problem. Now I just need to be patient and hopeful I can hear the good news soon, and I wish everyone all the best and bunch of luck on your GC journey!

Just now got that visa bulletin suggest that EB1 still not current for Oct. Can someone confirm.

Hello folks,

I'm from Pakistan and recently got my PERM approved PD 24th July EB2, I'm ready to file my I-140, I-485, EAD & AP but issue is I'm currently on CPT which is expiring in December and H-1B got picked but pending since last 6 months without any response from USCIS.

I will be taking care of all the fees and have dependants too so I want to know what are the changes I will get EAD before getting my CPT expired and won't have to worry about my F1 status.

Hi All,

I am a regular reader of this forum. I see EB1C late 2017 and early 2018 filers getting their interview scheduled within months after the case is transferred to NBC.

Mine was concurrent filing done in Feb 2018. Got my I140 approved in April 18 and EAD travel approval received in May 18. On 17th May 18, my case got transferred to NBC. Post that there is completely no update. its been 4 months now. My field office is Columbus OH.

Anyone in same situation?? your response is really appreciated...

Hi folks,

Did you guys see this most Adjustment of Status Filing Charts?

https://www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo

Is it expected that for Employment-Based Preference Filings they will use the Final Action Dates chart?

Does that also mean for EB1A the cutoff date (India and China) will be 01OCT17 instead of 01JUN16?

Please share your thoughts and ideas. Thanks!

Here is my timeline, I'm in EB3 China category

PD - 2015/3
RD - 2018/4
FP - 2018/5
Courtesy letter for i693 - 2018/7
Combo - 2018/8
-----------------------
My 485 case status is still in "fp fee received" and I'm a bit worried after waiting for about 6 months on my case.

Would it be OK if I travel outside the US after the interview? If my I-485 is approved while I am travelling, it could be an issue when I re-enter the US with my current H1B status (my AP was denied earlier)?

Thanks for your input in advance.

Hi,
I would like to know that whether EB2-ROW is in retrogression period or not. I had my interview in last week of July and didnt get any feedback after that.