Both my wife and I got our passports stamped at the interview today. What a relief!! First and foremost thanks to everyone for all the posts - they quite literally were the only source of reliable information.
History:
* EB1 Outstanding Researcher I-140 Filed Jun 2002, Approved Jan 2003. RFE issued late 2002 for additional research credentials; response submitted Jan 2003.
* I485 Filed Oct 2002 (Concurrent) (WAC-03-015-54XXX)
* Finger prints Dec 2002 & Aug 2004
* Case transferred to SFO Aug 2004
* Switched jobs Oct 2004 (after transfer)
* Interview April 18th 2005, approved & stamped at interview.
Main reason for transfer (at least from what I can gather): My immunization record was not complete at the time of filing I485 - I needed to get the 3rd HepB vaccination in 6 months, which I did on time, but lawyer suggested not to inform USCIS as they would loose it anyways. He wanted to wait for an RFE - instead the case got transferred for an interview! My guess is that as USCIS was under pressure to clear the backlog and as transferred cases are not counted against the backlog they were rampantly transferring cases for the smallest of reasons. I think this was confirmed by new regulations issued in Jan 2005 that require supervisor approval before a transfer.
Interview experience
In addition to the usual proof of marriage, taxes, etc. they asked for *recent reference* letters and of course the I693 supplement (Vaccination record). We proactively submitted AC21 papers after the notice for the interview (DE6, Company income tax, same similar reasons ... etc.).
I took a lawyer to the interview and although in the end he did not have to do much, no regrets about spending the money. The interviewer was very nice and did not give us much trouble. Interview started 45 mins late and lasted about 1hr - most of the time spent shuffling through papers. By and large a fairly standard interview:
1. Proof of marriage: asked for daughter's birth certificate.
2. Looked at new company's DE6, income tax, my pay stubs.
3. Took all copies of tax returns (we took 2004 taxes too)
4. Did not dwell on AC21 at all! The lawyer just said once that I accepted a same and similar job.
5. Did not ask for or even look at the recent references I carried. . I also had a host of papers that cited my work, proof of participation at international conferences, proof of reviewer - did not ask for any of it! Lawyer was anyways prepared to say that he should not be adjudicating I140 again, but we were still prepared to show proof.
6. Verified our legal stay as students and then on H1s - took photocopies of all that paperwork.
7. Asked for I693 supplement.
Getting the visa number and stamping the passport took quite some time, but, hey, we were happy to wait.
Thanks again to everyone for help in maintaining such a great resosurce. I am off to make my donation to immigrationportal (is that still active?) - want to make sure that people like Rajiv keep reminding USCIS of their duties.
Signing off now!
History:
* EB1 Outstanding Researcher I-140 Filed Jun 2002, Approved Jan 2003. RFE issued late 2002 for additional research credentials; response submitted Jan 2003.
* I485 Filed Oct 2002 (Concurrent) (WAC-03-015-54XXX)
* Finger prints Dec 2002 & Aug 2004
* Case transferred to SFO Aug 2004
* Switched jobs Oct 2004 (after transfer)
* Interview April 18th 2005, approved & stamped at interview.
Main reason for transfer (at least from what I can gather): My immunization record was not complete at the time of filing I485 - I needed to get the 3rd HepB vaccination in 6 months, which I did on time, but lawyer suggested not to inform USCIS as they would loose it anyways. He wanted to wait for an RFE - instead the case got transferred for an interview! My guess is that as USCIS was under pressure to clear the backlog and as transferred cases are not counted against the backlog they were rampantly transferring cases for the smallest of reasons. I think this was confirmed by new regulations issued in Jan 2005 that require supervisor approval before a transfer.
Interview experience
In addition to the usual proof of marriage, taxes, etc. they asked for *recent reference* letters and of course the I693 supplement (Vaccination record). We proactively submitted AC21 papers after the notice for the interview (DE6, Company income tax, same similar reasons ... etc.).
I took a lawyer to the interview and although in the end he did not have to do much, no regrets about spending the money. The interviewer was very nice and did not give us much trouble. Interview started 45 mins late and lasted about 1hr - most of the time spent shuffling through papers. By and large a fairly standard interview:
1. Proof of marriage: asked for daughter's birth certificate.
2. Looked at new company's DE6, income tax, my pay stubs.
3. Took all copies of tax returns (we took 2004 taxes too)
4. Did not dwell on AC21 at all! The lawyer just said once that I accepted a same and similar job.
5. Did not ask for or even look at the recent references I carried. . I also had a host of papers that cited my work, proof of participation at international conferences, proof of reviewer - did not ask for any of it! Lawyer was anyways prepared to say that he should not be adjudicating I140 again, but we were still prepared to show proof.
6. Verified our legal stay as students and then on H1s - took photocopies of all that paperwork.
7. Asked for I693 supplement.
Getting the visa number and stamping the passport took quite some time, but, hey, we were happy to wait.
Thanks again to everyone for help in maintaining such a great resosurce. I am off to make my donation to immigrationportal (is that still active?) - want to make sure that people like Rajiv keep reminding USCIS of their duties.
Signing off now!