goldengate <RD 06/18> <WAC-01-262-> Approval notices recd <in PCe

goldengate

Registered Users (C)
Feeling a bit unreal, but it is sinking in slowly. Just received the approval notices in the mail. The approval date is Feb 26, so technically this should be #161 in the Feb list. But I don\'t want to mess with rsrgc\'s painstaking summary so I am leaving it here. Let him decide where he wants to place this case.

Details :
PD : 04/98
Country : India
Category : EB3/RIR
RD : 06/18/01
ND : 08/20/01
AD : 02/26/02
WAC : 01-262-xxxxx

Early FP : 10/30/01 (Schd. 11/28/01)

AVM Pending Review : 11/16
AVM Processing Resumed : 12/21
AVM unchanged till 2/28. Will check tonight.

History : Originally applied in EB2 in Jan, 1998.
LC Applied : 04/98
LC Approved : 03/99 (There was a computer system shutdown for 3 months at DOL, old timers will remember)
I-140 applied : 04/99
I-140 DENIED : 03/00 (due to clerical error on part of lawyer who specified BS+2 by mistake on the form rather than BS+5. I too, assume responsibility for not proof reading the final drafts)
I-140 Reapplied in EB3 : 12/00
I-140 Approved : 1/01 (within one month!)

Priority dates became current : May 01. Once again lawyer sat on case doing nothing for 4 weeks and mailed only in June 01.

End-to-End : 4 years and 1 month. What a ride!

To all waiters : I\'ve already posted on the topic of frustration and dealing with it. It is extremely tough when we are up against the totally random way things happen in this situation (I know, I know that CSC has improved a lot and all credit to them for trying but they still need to incorporate more order and fairness in the way they deal with cases). To all waiters, my best wishes for speedy approvals. To all those who post helpful messages, my thanks. Much thanks to PCee, rsrgc, Dee Rod for their invaluable contributions. Also thanks to all those who posted useful info about stamping at SFO (Jony Lever, desigirl etc.)
 
goldengate

Sorry - You will go in the march list not in feb list
I post messages in the order of FIR concept (First Information received) by this board - Yes your approval was earlier date but the message was posted on the board today

Has it really sunk in - I am sure that you and your family must be very very happy - Have you called all your overseas relatives ?

It is fun to read such messages from regular posters

Party - Have fun
 
rsrgc You\'re breaking my heart

which was set on getting on that Feb. list. I want to be #161 in the Feb list, please. Damn, even the INS is more flexible :)

Yes, we are happy. I\'ll wait till I get that stamp on Monday before calling others.

I\'ll keep checking this site for approvals of the regulars. Sites like this make the lonely frustration of long waits bearable not only because of all the useful data but from the reassurances that you get from others. This is certainly not a thing to be taken lightly.

(Sadly, there are those whose self esteem is so low that the sanctity of such forums is lost to them and they take cover under easily obtainable guises and behave childishly. They deserve to be ignored. No point in getting upset. On that topic, let me take the liberty of urging you to bury the hatchet with Vishnu. The guy seems to be having a tough time and maybe the benefit of the doubt should be given to him. Why dwell on past unpleasantness?)

Good luck with your approval.
 
satsri, Tamizhan, ak1970, silent_waiter...Thanks

for your good wishes. Good luck to you all.

Tamizhan, hang in there. That RFE will become a trivial memory soon.
 
Congratulations goldengate! It is wonderful to hear regular...

insightful and meaningful posters get approved. Ihave enjoyed reading your posts and discussing with you. Enjoy!
 
Thanks for your kind words, Dee Rod

I\'ll keep checking this site looking for approvals for all the regular folks. Good luck to you!
 
Congrats "sonagate" that was a long 4yr wait,

me too in same boat PD 9/98, RD 06/21.......
i hope i\'ll recv my appr. sooooon...
 
Stamping experience at SFO

I\'ll not repeat the info contained in earlier posts.

Link to Jony Lever\'s post
nologic Algo "Jony -PPT stamped @ SFO-Important tips" 2/12/02 7:33pm

I\'ll just add some more info regarding transportation. For the really tight-fisted, the best garage to park is the Portsmouth Garage in Chinatown, just 2 blocks away on Washington St. The garage is at the junction between Kearney and Washington. We paid $5 for 3 hours. It has always been a favorite garage of mine to visit Chinatown and it came in handy today as well. Due to its low tariff, it is quite popular. Go early (we went at 9 am and found plenty of empty spaces), avoid lunch hour (plenty of folks come to Chinatown for lunch). Directions: From 101N, take last SF exit at 4th st, turn left on 3rd st and drive on across Market. 3rd becomes Kearney after crossing market. Keep to the left. The garage is on the left after crossing Clay. There are even helpful electronic signs indicating which garages have space and which are full, posted as you drive up on Kearney. Real friendly.

For public transportation, there is always BART. Get off at Montgomery and walk the few blocks. But remember BART parking lots (at the origin station) will be full quite early. The other alternative for Peninsula/South Bay folks is Caltrain. Get off at the SF terminus and take SF Muni Rte 10, which stops right outside the INS office (10 minutes). The advantage of this option is that parking at Caltrain lots is relatively easier (though it costs a buck :).

The stamping experience was eventless. Finally got darshan (holy viewing) of the famous 200B slot. No wonder people are polite. There is a huge sign there reminding everyone that they deserve courtesy and professionalism and should complain if they receive bad treatment.
But it was not lightning quick like some others have posted. There was plenty of crowd. Overall it took 75 minutes, which is not bad by any standards.

Once we came out, we had dumplings in Chinatown and then drove to the Golden Gate Bridge for a quite stroll on the bridge, contemplating the soothing waters on a blissfully sunny day. Had we been in NYC, we would certainly have gone to Ellis Island which is symbolic of American Immigration.
 
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