September 2018 filers

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

What day and time of day is everyone getting their updates? I'm obsessively checking the case tracker but I thought maybe I could save myself stress if they only update usually on certain days or between certain times. 101 days since submission and still nothing since fingerprint fee was received.

I have observed that updates tend to occur around the Tools Outage that takes place twice a month. Typically, these tools outage happen on or around the 5th and 20th of every month.

It is also helpful to have the "No activity" notifications turned on. You will get a bi-weekly email letting you know that "We are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time. We last took action on your case on MM/DD/YY". While these emails may seem pointless at first, they are actually quite helpful. You will not get one when they are working on your case. So let's say that on the second Thursday of the month, you do not get the email. Then, after the next 2 week cycle, you will eventually get one letting you know that there are no updates at this time BUT the "We last took action on your case" date will be different. Those are "soft" updates. You can actually call USCIS and ask what is the most recent action they took.

Best,

USCFFS

[huyhoangvn]

What day and time of day is everyone getting their updates? I'm obsessively checking the case tracker but I thought maybe I could save myself stress if they only update usually on certain days or between certain times. 101 days since submission and still nothing since fingerprint fee was received.

It happens quite randomly. There's no fix time frame for them to update things. Better off signing up for email and mobile notification and just forget about it. I'm tired of waiting for the EAD/AP too. Got a job offer but can't work and my checking account is getting slimmer and slimmer. Request for expedition doesn't seem to help much. They don't really care.

[BluePanther]

What day and time of day is everyone getting their updates? I'm obsessively checking the case tracker but I thought maybe I could save myself stress if they only update usually on certain days or between certain times. 101 days since submission and still nothing since fingerprint fee was received.

There are no fixed days for updates, but the processing time for EAD/AP is currently 5-6 months and the AOS depends on the field office, but probably your case will stay with NBC until the EAD/AP are completed. So probably best to check less obsessively to save yourself the stress or try expedite your case if you have a valid reason (such as a job opportunity).

[Misspaige]

What day and time of day is everyone getting their updates? I'm obsessively checking the case tracker but I thought maybe I could save myself stress if they only update usually on certain days or between certain times. 101 days since submission and still nothing since fingerprint fee was received.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

I also saw a reduction in Houston processing time. It was like up-to 32 months last time I checked, but today it shows 21-23 months which is not too bad. I had hoped it would be dragged to more than 2 years so I can get the 10-year GC.

It seems like field offices are striving to finalize those cases that take longer. I just read this entry from someone in Minnesota https://www.immihelp.com/experience/....html#comments

05-18-18 Priority date
08-99-18 Interview Date - sometime in August
12-19-18 Approval date - new card being produced.

That's 19 months right there. The case had several layers of complexity. I am just glad to see that they are making a concerted effort to adjudicate all cases filed in 2017.

[huyhoangvn]

Thank you for clarifying!!! Often times the difference between the two status updates is a source of confusion on the forum. The Boston, MA office does show reduced processing times 4.5 Months to 14.5 Months Family-based adjustment applications. The case inquiry date is November 01, 2017. That's pretty fast.

I also saw a reduction in Houston processing time. It was like up-to 32 months last time I checked, but today it shows 21-23 months which is not too bad. I had hoped it would be dragged to more than 2 years so I can get the 10-year GC.

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you the valuable information, I did not apply to extend my OPT since I already filed AOS. I asked my lawyer if I should and he said no, I still have till end of march and hopefully will get my EAD before then.

AOS EAD is much more powerful than F1 EAD which has limitation on which jobs you can take. With AOS EAD, you can work whatever jobs you want, even driving Uber as the second job. You don't have that privilege with F1 EAD.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

It says
interview was Scheduled

on December 28, 2018 we scheduled an interview for your form I-485....

Thank you for clarifying!!! Often times the difference between the two status updates is a source of confusion on the forum. The Boston, MA office does show reduced processing times 4.5 Months to 14.5 Months Family-based adjustment applications. The case inquiry date is November 01, 2017. That's pretty fast.

[kaiodama]

Alright. For the sake of clarity, I have to ask. Does the status update say "Interview Scheduled" OR "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"?

It says
interview was Scheduled

on December 28, 2018 we scheduled an interview for your form I-485....

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Hi everyone, just wanted to share my updates with you all.
My PD is 09/19/2018 concurrent filling from Boston, MA. Married to USCitizen
Just received the notification saying that my interview was scheduled and they will send the notice with the date and time.
My I-131 and I-765 are still on case received and have not received the EAD as today’s date.
Since my interview was scheduled I don’t even think they will send my combo card.

Alright. For the sake of clarity, I have to ask. Does the status update say "Interview Scheduled" OR "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview"?

[spaceprice]

It goes to show that being selected for interview is random. They just choose cases from the "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview" pool without actually checking the priority date.

Make sure to prepare!

USCFFS

Hasn't the Boston field office generally been reasonably fast though? Therefore, making it not so random?

Just curious to get your thoughts on that

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Yeah! I also feel it was too fast! I was really expecting to get the EAD now in January and maybe having the interview scheduled around May!

It goes to show that being selected for interview is random. They just choose cases from the "Case is ready to be scheduled for an interview" pool without actually checking the priority date.

Make sure to prepare!

USCFFS

[kaiodama]

That's FAST for Boston, MA. Please prepare. Shoot for an approval on the spot!

Yeah! I also feel it was too fast! I was really expecting to get the EAD now in January and maybe having the interview scheduled around May!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

No! From B2

That's FAST for Boston, MA. Please prepare. Shoot for an approval on the spot!

[Dianis]

That’s great! Good luck, you’re giving me hope 😍

[kaiodama]

Congratulations! Are you adjusting from k-1?

No! From B2