Hi gdh,
Congratulations on your successful interview.
When we apply for AOS one of the things NBC does is:
If record (A-File) does not exist they create A-File.
If record (A-File) already exists they create a T-file and requests A-File from holding office.
They do this before they send the cases to Field Offices.
I think "holding" offices like to hold files.
The existing A-Files are requested by NBC long before they transfer
the cases to field offices for interview.
How long does it take to send a file from Texas to Philadelphia?
Congratulations on your successful interview.
When we apply for AOS one of the things NBC does is:
If record (A-File) does not exist they create A-File.
If record (A-File) already exists they create a T-file and requests A-File from holding office.
They do this before they send the cases to Field Offices.
I think "holding" offices like to hold files.
The existing A-Files are requested by NBC long before they transfer
the cases to field offices for interview.
How long does it take to send a file from Texas to Philadelphia?
Yesterday I received two emails, one for me and one for my wife, stating that they ordered card production for our EAD cards.
And today, we had our interview. First, I apologize for the long post, there's a short version on the bottom in case you're not interested in or don't have time for the details.
Detailed Version
My wife and I had the appointment in the Orlando, FL office at 7:30AM. We arrived there at around 6:50AM and the office was closed. Due to a bathroom emergency we had to visit a Walgreens close by and by the time we got back, the office was open and there was a big line to get through security. We had to take off our shoes, belts, etc. It would have been nice if they had carpet. Anyways, we got through security at about 7:40. We were told to submit our appointment letters to window 9. There they told us to sit down and they'll call us. As we sat down, the lady came out and called our names.
She was very nice and pleasant. She led us into her office and we sat down. She asked for our passports, IDs and the EAD cards. We told her we don't have the new EAD cards yet so I gave her the old one from OPT. She checked the documents and then we took the oath. Then she started to go through my file first. She checked my name, address, etc, asked me all the questions in I-485. She also matched the passports to the copy we submitted with the application. Then she asked me if I ever applied to permanent residency before. I told her about the EB-3 case and she was surprised. Once she was done with my file, she repeated the same process with my wife.
She asked me if someone helped me prepare the files because it was very well organized. Big thanks to you guys! So I told her that I got help from an online forum.
She said that everything looks fine and this is a very simple case, however, because of the other application, she will have to order my files from the National Center. She said it usually takes one to two weeks to order a file and then I should expect my green card in another two weeks. I asked her if I'll get any notification when the files arrive and she said no. I told her that I know someone who's been waiting for the files to be transferred for over a month. She was very nice, she said that she'll hold on to my current file and when the old files arrive, she'll give me a call (she took down my cell number). She also gave me her name and told me that if I don't hear back in two months, I should write her a letter or get an info pass.
After the interview she told us that in five years we can apply for citizenship and we talked a little bit about that. Then she walked us out and we left. All in all it was a successful interview but unfortunately, I too have to wait for my old files to be transferred.
Short Version
The interview was really smooth with a very pleasant IO but she couldn't approve our case until she orders my EB-3 case file. It looks like I'm joining i2009.