rogerinca

I had not checked my PO Box for a few days, but when I did today, I found two NOA's for my wife and daughter's AOS, Notice to Appear for Interview, sitting in the box. They were both dated May 7th, 2009 and the interviews are at the same time on a date in mid June. There was no activity and I can not even yet open the files on my USCIS online portfolio. I have received no other correspondence since the notice of our biometrics appointment at the end of last month. From the date of our first NOA, receipt of AOS files at the Chicago lock box facility, (4/2) until the date of these notices, (5/7) is only a span of about 5 weeks. There has been no info or activity on the EAD. I guess they must feel that is a moot point, if the interview is in June, and GC's produced shortly thereafter? Again, I am surprised by the speed of this action !! Maybe it speaks to having followed the USCIS directions and fully front-loading both files, just like I did with our previous I-130 and I-129F; coupled with being married for well over two years now. Anyway, get the interview completed and maybe, for the most part, the end of all of this?

Even though the AOS timelines for issuance of card vary, it has been my observation, looking daily over at VJ, that [most] AOS cases are moving steadily and smoothly through the system. You are already into the timline deeper than most, looking at your filing date. I would think that absent some significant issue, you will have your card in hand prior to August....just my opinion. Looking at your timeline, you did not indicate what the RFE was for; in addition to getting the file returned, right after you filed, due to an unsigned check. Was the RFE quickly cleared ? Again, it has been my observation that most who get RFE's move ahead again smoothly, once it is cleared. Also, have you called the USCIS info number to obtain more info on your status?

CONGRATULATIONS !!!! This is fantastic news !!! Sounds just like the way my wife's interview went !! Best wishes !!!

I was looking at our timeline from about this time last year, and even though my wife lived right there in Guangzhou, it took 5 days for the P-4 to arrive at her home, from across town at the Consulate....and that was just 12 days before our interview. It is not the EMS system, maybe as much as how fast the GUZ mailroom is, vs. when the data is punched into their computer. No worry.

today was your turn.... how did it go? My MSC numbers are still not there LGR< I guess I'll just latch onto your thread.. The bio appn't went very well today. It was scheduled for 11:00, and I left home early, to avoid a traffic surprise along the way (one hour trip). We arrived at 9:50 and I went in and told the security official that we had arrived and asked if they could take us early? He replied, sure, come on in. Showed him the passports and the NOA's and filled out the two forms. They called my daughter first, and then 5 minutes later called my wife. I sat and watched as they did the EFP's and then the photos, both were done about the same time and we were out of there at 10:30 a.m. The security guards and the bio-techs were all very nice and low-key. Very quiet and not very many people in our time slot. Nice modern building, easy to find and parking right close to their front door. Had Dim Sum and tea nearby in downtown Sacto, then hit the Chinese food store before heading back home. I am glad this is out of the way. I just checked and only the MSC #'s for the I-765's are loaded into our portfolio. The I-485 MSC's are not there yet; but I expect they should be soon, now that the Bio-Met is completed. I still cannot get ALL my MSC numbers in my portfolio, but today I got I-512L AP documents. These documents are good to May - 2010.. issued on May 4th and in my hands May 9th. The EAD is in the online system and approved for card issue in 30 days... some good news.. Well, at least that is some progress. You are about ten days ahead of us, so you should hear more and sooner than we do. Our K-3 had the AP built in for 24 months, so I only filed for EAD and AOS. I see the other K-3's over at the VJ site, are also lagging when compared to the K-1 folks who are adjusting. But, as I stated elsewhere, the process does not appear to be gummed up at this juncture, and all is moving forward smoothly for most I see at VJ. I still cannot access my I-485 on line, only the I-765 filing in the portfolio. You should see EAP in the next two weeks or so.

Have been looking over at VJ for similar AOS cases in my time frame, (March/April) as there are so few initial AOS’s in the queue here at CFL. I can see some of the K-1 cases really flying through the process, with fast transfers to the CSC and fast access to the online portfolio. It is obvious that the K-3 AOS files are handled a little differently, with respect to how fast each step is attained, and how fast the transfer and/or interview date is set up, or how fast the GC is approved. Overall though, it seems like the system is not in any 'bog-down' mode this spring. That is good. Funny, when I was in queue for GUZ, (P-2,P-3,P-4) I didn't pay much attention to the AOS forum. Perspectives soon change.

For the newer members and for those of you who are not so new, but do not like to look at past threads/posts: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25128

From the Consulate web page: U.S. Citizen petitioners who would like general information on the Immigrant Visa process in Guangzhou may attend an information session hosted by Consular Officers on Mondays at 2:00pm. The purpose of these sessions is to address frequently asked questions and provide you with a better understanding of the process. Cases cannot and will not be re-adjudicated at petitioner hour. Additional materials for cases that have already been interviewed cannot be submitted during these sessions.

I booked a round trip on CZ from LAX to CAN and return, with a return date of a few days after the interview date. Once, we had the visas IN HAND, my wife, who has lived in GZ and worked for a large insurance company in downtown for many years, went to a [source] she had at the Baiyun Airport Authority, and obtained two more tickets on the same CZ flight I had prviously booked for myself, back to LAX. We got one of the three seat rows, near the back of the plane, and it worked out so well for the three of us !! There is some risk in this type of endeavor, but I had thought about it for a long time, and made the decision to go with it. Everything worked out with precision, and I arrived in Guangzhou on May 29th, with interview on June 2nd, visas in hand on June 5th, we exited GZ on June 6th. Note: We were all packed, and held family goodbye dinner on the day after the interview, so we could exit on the 6th without any last minute issues. I figured that the worst case scenario, if we could not find seats available on the same flight on the 6th, was that I would have to pay the $125 rebooking service fee to change my return flight to LAX to a later date. This was my direct experience.

Hi jp2008, Congratulations I have bought my tickets from flychina.com, but I think pommey is right. Get your tickets direct from "China Southern" they have a great deal going on ....also if you buy 2 months in advance its half price or more to LAX. We used China Southern coming home to the USA. Tom and Ling China Southern isn't gonna work for me. I'm over here in SFO, they only go to LAX. Thanks for the heads up though! I am just outside of Sacramento, but I still fly out of LAX, about 90% of the time on CZ (drive or fly to LA). I have found them to consistently have the best rates, when booking via an ethnic Chinese travel agent, in a predominantly Chinese community such as Monterey Park, in Los Angeles County. The other thing I like about China Southern is the open galley in the rear of the plane. You can wander back, chat with the attendants, grab a sandwich, and most any drink, at most anytime during the flight !!! Over the years and months, I observe the [newer] members each excitedly coming in here with their favorite online venue for buying their first tickets; similarly, I have tired of reposting the same info over and over, as many seem not to want to use the search button anymore on some of the more basic info, such as the best fares to the PRC. When it comes to these airline deals, especially from the online venues, you must compare apples to apples..... Price, including the taxes and fees. True flight availability, and not a bait and switch. Refundable and/or revisable once you purchase, not the loss of the ticket if you can't go on the date booked. Good for at least one year, if you change your plans. A real person to assist you in case of a last minute change or problem on your side or the airline's side. On all but my first trip to China, I have used the same Chinese American travel agent, and he has never failed me with his customer service and or/the price he gets with CZ out of LAX to CAN. As I mentioned in another thread awhile back, he even took the time to call me on my mobile phone while I was in GZ for my wife/daughter's interview last June, to make sure I had been able to link up the same round trip CZ flight I had purchased, to the one-way tickets on CZ we purchased in GZ for my wife and daughter's return to the USA (she got a fantastic one-way deal through the Baiyun Airport Agency office in downtown GZ). I was alerted (in 2004) to this aspect by a Chinese/American businessman while waiting for my flight at LAX. He has a business in LA and flies back and forth to Guangzhou a couple of times a month. I compared my Orbitz fare to the fare he had (purchased from the ethnic travel agent) for the same flight we would share that evening and it made me sick. Never again did I go on line to find a flight. He gave me the man's name and number in LA, and I have used this since 04/04, and will use again, when we return to GZ for a visit after the GC's arrive, later in the year. But hey, everyone should do what makes [them] feel good. B) BTW, CONGRATULATIONS on the interview !!!

Yes, this was my thought and the thesis of my statement. Even though all the ducks are lined up....spotless background, good income, pay my taxes, fantastic case file submitted (with zero spelling errors) and ACCO clips with top punched holes to boot; and married now for 30 months, I suspect that they will want to see the happy family, all together, at least once, before they hand out the 10 year hall pass.

I am wondering¡­. If you are a K-3 filer, [and] you are married over two years, when you file for AOS, wherein you are eligible for a 10 year, permanent Green Card, will you automatically have an AOS interview? I have been checking and while I know there are fewer K-3 filers these days, many K-1 filers do not have an ¡®initial¡¯ interview, but may instead have one after two years, when they file for the permanent GC. And many who have the initial interview, are not asked for a second one, when filing for the 10 year card, two years later. Since, they (the USCIS) only get one shot, so to speak, at those of us who are K-3¡¯s and are eligible for the 10 year GC, will they call us in for an interview; and maybe not transfer us to the CSC, just keep us at the NBC and transfer the case to our respective local office, for final adjudication? I have been reviewing many case files, here and over at VJ and I am (so far) yet to come up with any K-3¡¯s that were married over two years, who did not have an AOS interview. Any ideas from those of you who also track these things and may have direct experience too?

Re: Sacramento, see the link below. http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...t+in+Sacramento Moreover, I am quite familiar with the Carson City area, multiple visits and a lot of time in the Carson Valley; however, I do not recall any notable Chinese restaurants in this cowboy town. Reno is just up the road a piece, and you will find some there for sure, but I can't name them now.

I found this USCIS link when I first filed my I-130 two years ago. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD Bullet #8 speaks to this. Moreover, I had a friend in the US Attorney's office who was on the same joint local, state, federal task force; and I noticed all his case files were top hole punched in black or rust colored top hinged file folders....the 'federal' way. Back then, right about the time they added the additional bona fides of relationship portion of the I-130 file, I also noted bullet #15, and I then front-loaded each of my files. Notice it is they, who have put the word "complete" in bold type face.

In our case, my two hole punch fit perfectly within the width of the std. business envelope which contained the I-693 . I held the envelope up to the light, let the contents slide down to the bottom side of the envelope, then two hole punched the top side of the envelope and secured it to the folder, along with the other data (med exam related) I had supplied. Simple, clean, and consistent with all the other documents enclosed in my top hinged, ACCO clipped, bottom tabbed file folder. Again, and IMO, and as I have stated before, I followed the attached link from USCIS very closely, and gave them what they wanted. So far it seems to have paid off well. I know from my own personal experience of reviewing 'thousands' of (internal/external) investigative files over the years; that the nice, clean, complete, well organized, easy to read ones, left me with a good feeling when I opened it and then closed/signed off on it. But as Randy states, we each should approach this matter in the way that gives us the most satisfaction. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD

Ya' know, the folks at VJ recommend the plastic baggies; however, on my two I-130's for K-3 and K-4, my I-129f for K-3, and most recently with my two I-485 packages for AOS, I used two of the medium (larger sized than standard) paper clips, one at the side and one at the bottom, to secure all photos to each form which required them. No RFE's, no delays, no adverse comments. Similar to front-loading, and adding photos with the AOS packages, sometimes you just have to use some common sense and not worry about..."this is the way we have always done it..." I don't want to get into an argument or debate with those who are very anal on these things; this is just the way that I did it.

Yes, and to follow up on Randy's comment. First, I can remember--I think I was age 12--when I applied for my own SSN when I had my first job, a paper route, for the Pasadena Star-News. Next, my daughter, age 12 at the time I filed for her last month, and now just turned age 13, and her I-765, primarily to get her SSN, is moving forward through the process.

Mike, aside from the coffee maker discussion we had a couple of days ago, I forgot to add; if you want a very good American style donut, go to the Marriott China Hotel in downtown. At the second floor restaurant, behind the cashier's desk, are the very best donuts in all of GZ; they are as good as any you will get with that cup of coffee, here in the USA.

I agree with this assessment Mike (the FAX). Worked very well for me at about this time last year.

Randy, I am a K-3/K-4 filer and I agree with your assessment. Moreover, I am not convinced that the K-3 is, in fact, running at the "same" time line as the CR-1. When we had those delays in the process at the CSC over a year ago, the K-3's did slow to within about a month of the CR. However, I have not observed a consistent pattern of that remaining as we have exited that period of delay at the service centers. I have observed some, to now be running more than one or two months ahead of the CR-1, over at VJ. We have fewer cases here at CFL to form a clear picture of what is now developing in this regard. I realize that the CR-1 has some advantages. But if you want to marry in China, and are not in a rush to have your wife work soon after arrival in the USA, then the K-3 is still an option, if you want her here in the fastest possible period of time, while still marrying her in the PRC. I think all who are embarking on this journey, need to fully research each of the visa types, and then make a decision based on their individual needs.

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/citizen.html Randy, did they change the link in your previous post, from last year (#4) ? http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...an+citizen+hour I really don't care, after three of them, I doubt there will be another for me; but they should clarify the website for others who follow, and list the two together with the definition of each. In the IV page you have posted, they have buried it where you have to really look. Yes - I guess the point is that there may be two different hours - one for IV, one for NIV - that you really have to be there to know what's going on, and that the fun and games go on from 1 to 4PM Maybe a good question for USCONGUZ. If they even come around anymore that is. Yes Dave, and that is food for another thread/topic. B) Unless I am reading the forum/thread wrong, it looks like their last response was on Feb 3, 2008 ?

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/citizen.html Randy, did they change the link in your previous post, from last year (#4) ? http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...an+citizen+hour I really don't care, after three of them, I doubt there will be another for me; but they should clarify the website for others who follow, and list the two together with the definition of each. In the IV page you have posted, they have buried it where you have to really look.

You know Mike, the more I think about this, I have never before heard of two [different] type ACH's, being discussed here at CFL, with respect to actual attendance. I just saw the post of that one member awhile back who made this observation and everyone sort'a kind'a bought in to it. Nor have I ever heard of someone going to the 'wrong' ACH and being turned away. My gut feeling is, this is the one and only one. I could see so much confusion otherwise, if there were two separate ACH's. Furthermore, if there were, GUZ would have a big notice attached to there link, to prevent the obvious confusion. Just my thought, after looking at all the posts in this thread and the other one. I do remember the time change from my first/second ACH to the last (third) one I attended. I remember I got there a little late and was at the end of the sign-in line, and didn't get called until almost 4:00 and didn't get out of there until after 4:00. My wife was waiting the entire time in the coffee shop below, and wondered if they had incarcerated me !! I think the link I posted in the other thread, and the same one IDave posted here, is the correct info; absent them having again recently changed the time, and forgot to update the website. Anyway, I am sure you will be able to figure it out after your re-con of the Consulate today. Rog

Hey Mike, FYI, in post #4 of this attached thread, Randy has the same time and the same link listed: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...an+citizen+hour I agree though, better to double check, since you are there in Dodge City, anyway.