Green card through marriage process and timeline

[nguyening]

Hi all,

As I received my green card through marriage just last month, I want to post here and share with you all the timeline of this process. When I was going though this complicated and lengthy procedure, I found reading through the discussions/comments/suggestions on this forum extremely helpful. Therefore, I want to give back and share my process hoping that some of you will find it helpful. One thing that I learned from this process is to be very PATIENT. I know it's difficult to submit a really important application and do not hear back for months. There's aways that an uneasy feeling that you have, and I completely understand. Just know that USCIS receives a high volume of applications, and they WILL get back to you as soon as your petition has been processed.

My wife is American, and I am Vietnamese. I was on an H1-B visa before the green card for about a year. I remained my H1-B status throughout the application process. The process took 7 months in total for me, which is rather typical. Please note that I did use an attorney and the price for this was almost double as compared to if I was filling this out myself. However, my lawyer was extremely helpful as she prepared us for the interview really well. I highly recommend you to use an attorney in my opinions, if you can financially afford this service.

Date Event
12/21/15 Green card and EAD/AP petitions mailed
12/22/15 Green card and EAD/AP petitions received by USCIS
1/4/16 Receipt Notice for all petitions
1/9/16 Biometric appointment notice
1/28/16 Biometric appointment taken at USCIS's facility
3/29/16 EAD/AP petitions approved
4/1/16 EAD/AP approval notices and card picked up by USPS
4/4/16 Received EAD/AP card combo and approval notices in the mail
6/13/16 Interview scheduled
7/19/16 Interview in Boston office, approved, and green card is being produced
7/24/16 Green card approval notices received
8/1/16 Green card received in the mail

Let me know if you have any questions, happy to help.

[ML1983]

thanks for sharing. Boston Filer.

Hi, I'm also from Boston and this is very helpful. Below is my timeline. Looks like I'm going to have to wait longer than I expected. =/

7/19/16- sent package
7/20/16: package delivered
7/28/16: case accepted
7/28/16: checks cashed
8/16/16: Biometrics done in Boston
9/6/16: Case is Ready to be Scheduled for Interview
9/26/16: New Card is being produced
9/26/16: Case was Approved (EAD and Advance PArole)
10/14/16: EAD and Advance Parole card delivered

Its been over 2 months since status changed to Case is Ready to be Scheduled for Interview... Still waiting.

[CarolinaC]

Green Card through Marriage / Also from Boston.. still waiting

Hi, Nguyening and everyone

Thank you for taking the time to describe your process. It is certainly helpful and hopeful. I am also in Boston and I am waiting to at least received my EAD card because I have a job offer and I am still trying to figure it out how to explain them because I am worried they will withdraw their offer. My case currently says "New card is being produced" since Nov 9.. and for the I-485 it says that they are "Ready to schedule my interview" since Oct 5th.

Does anyone of you went trough a situation where you had to explain to an future employer that you were just waiting for the EAD? What did you tell them?

This is my case so far:

8/18/16 - Sent Package
8/22/16 - Package received
09/03/16 - Received notice for Biometrics Appointment
09/23/16 - Biometrics done in Lawrence
10/05/16 - I-485 Case change to "As of Oct 5 we are ready to schedule your interview"
11/07/16 - Sent inquiry through USCIS website to ask about my I-765 case
11/09/16 - I-765 Case change to "Your card is being produced"

As of today, I am waiting to receive my EAD card..