Short version: We got our passports stamped yesterday at the Atlanta office, reception counter. It took around 1 hour & 20 minutes for us there before we came out. Went in by 1:45pm and came out by 3:05pm.
Long story: We went to the local BCIS office in Atlanta (77, Forsyth st) yesterday in the afternoon by 1:45pm. At the security, first they said that we have to come back another day. When I explained that the letter says we can be there anytime between 7:30am & 3:00 pm and that we are here to get our passports stamped, the security officer talked to someone and allowed us in after checking us.
We went to the reception counter by 1:55pm and were waiting in the line. The lady there called us by 2:05pm. Saw our papers (courtesy copy of the approval document) and got an IIO from inside & she went away. The IIO gave us I-89 form and asked us to fill it in. Meanwhile, the IIO was on the phone talking about some mortgage and stuff. He came back after 15-20 minutes. Got the forms with other papers/pasports and documents from us. Got another important phone call discussing about some games/tickets/seating...etc. We were standing in front of the desk all the time. There were only couple of people behind us in the line. After sometime, he said that he is going to give a special treatment to us and that we dont have to wait. Then, he started fingerprinting us one by one, filled out the I-551 or some form by himself.
Just asked where we were living when we applied I-485 and when we landed in USA first.
Meanwhile, one of his esteemed coleagues came by and started talking about some game/tickets...etc. As people behind us in the line started coming closer to the counter (thanks to them), he sent his collegue away and worked on our forms. Stamped our passports and gave it to us by 3:00pm.
IIO collected the courtesy copy of approval, I-94, Advance paroles, EAD cards and 2 photos.
As our street address name was long, he said that he has abbreviated the street name and asked us to watch out for our cards in the next 3 weeks.
But for his (IIO) government employee working nature, he was so polite/smiling and completed the 5 minutes job in 1 hour comfortably, having everyone waiting behind us.
Thanks to all of you for your help. Especially, Our thanks to Mani_paul, who posted his experience of stamping in Atlanta by going in the afternoon. All our friends went in by 6am and came out in the afternoon and we would have followed the same. Hats off to Mani_paul.
Good luck to you all!!
Long story: We went to the local BCIS office in Atlanta (77, Forsyth st) yesterday in the afternoon by 1:45pm. At the security, first they said that we have to come back another day. When I explained that the letter says we can be there anytime between 7:30am & 3:00 pm and that we are here to get our passports stamped, the security officer talked to someone and allowed us in after checking us.
We went to the reception counter by 1:55pm and were waiting in the line. The lady there called us by 2:05pm. Saw our papers (courtesy copy of the approval document) and got an IIO from inside & she went away. The IIO gave us I-89 form and asked us to fill it in. Meanwhile, the IIO was on the phone talking about some mortgage and stuff. He came back after 15-20 minutes. Got the forms with other papers/pasports and documents from us. Got another important phone call discussing about some games/tickets/seating...etc. We were standing in front of the desk all the time. There were only couple of people behind us in the line. After sometime, he said that he is going to give a special treatment to us and that we dont have to wait. Then, he started fingerprinting us one by one, filled out the I-551 or some form by himself.
Just asked where we were living when we applied I-485 and when we landed in USA first.
Meanwhile, one of his esteemed coleagues came by and started talking about some game/tickets...etc. As people behind us in the line started coming closer to the counter (thanks to them), he sent his collegue away and worked on our forms. Stamped our passports and gave it to us by 3:00pm.
IIO collected the courtesy copy of approval, I-94, Advance paroles, EAD cards and 2 photos.
As our street address name was long, he said that he has abbreviated the street name and asked us to watch out for our cards in the next 3 weeks.
But for his (IIO) government employee working nature, he was so polite/smiling and completed the 5 minutes job in 1 hour comfortably, having everyone waiting behind us.
Thanks to all of you for your help. Especially, Our thanks to Mani_paul, who posted his experience of stamping in Atlanta by going in the afternoon. All our friends went in by 6am and came out in the afternoon and we would have followed the same. Hats off to Mani_paul.
Good luck to you all!!