FINGERPRINTS & AOS; AOS COMPARED TO CP:
FBI processes requests for domestic name and record checks by INS offices quite quickly. You may call FBI at 304-625-5590 to learn whether and when it completed its name and record check in your case.
INS now sends a copy of the fingerprint notice to the applicant for the applicant to appear at an ASC (Application Service Center) at a certain date and time for fingerprinting. The ASCs appear quite lenient about letting applicants take fingerprints earlier than the date on the fingerprint appointment notice if the applicants have a good reason for walking in early. But you must have an appointment notice in hand to do this. The name and record check by FBI has a validity period of 15 months which commences to run from the date INS receives the information, about 30 days following the FBI name and record check.
AOS applications are now (June 2001) taking 90 to 120 days from taking fingerprints. Nevertheless, AOS is still faster, safer, and more efficient than CP. (Remember these turnaround time estimates are on a bell curve.) If you filed your adjustment application 120 days ago and have not had fingerprints taken, let us know right away because, according to CSC INS on 2/13/01, we can start faxing fingerprint inquiries to them after 120 days at 949-389-3484. Our recent experience is that these inquiries generate fingerprint appointment notices relatively quickly.
Greencard applicants are still finding AOS faster, safer, and more efficient than CP, especially because the October 2000 law allows changing employers after waiting 180 days for AOS to be completed. In addition, GuangZhou and Montreal have very long processing times because the Department of State makes all applicants for those two consulates process all forms and documents through the National Visa Center in New Hampshire, instead of through the consulate itself.
As of November 2000, the time to actually transfer an approved I-140 from CSC INS to NVC in New Hampshire has increased to about four months, and the time it takes for NVC to send Visa Packet Three to applicants has increased to about three months.
FBI processes requests for domestic name and record checks by INS offices quite quickly. You may call FBI at 304-625-5590 to learn whether and when it completed its name and record check in your case.
INS now sends a copy of the fingerprint notice to the applicant for the applicant to appear at an ASC (Application Service Center) at a certain date and time for fingerprinting. The ASCs appear quite lenient about letting applicants take fingerprints earlier than the date on the fingerprint appointment notice if the applicants have a good reason for walking in early. But you must have an appointment notice in hand to do this. The name and record check by FBI has a validity period of 15 months which commences to run from the date INS receives the information, about 30 days following the FBI name and record check.
AOS applications are now (June 2001) taking 90 to 120 days from taking fingerprints. Nevertheless, AOS is still faster, safer, and more efficient than CP. (Remember these turnaround time estimates are on a bell curve.) If you filed your adjustment application 120 days ago and have not had fingerprints taken, let us know right away because, according to CSC INS on 2/13/01, we can start faxing fingerprint inquiries to them after 120 days at 949-389-3484. Our recent experience is that these inquiries generate fingerprint appointment notices relatively quickly.
Greencard applicants are still finding AOS faster, safer, and more efficient than CP, especially because the October 2000 law allows changing employers after waiting 180 days for AOS to be completed. In addition, GuangZhou and Montreal have very long processing times because the Department of State makes all applicants for those two consulates process all forms and documents through the National Visa Center in New Hampshire, instead of through the consulate itself.
As of November 2000, the time to actually transfer an approved I-140 from CSC INS to NVC in New Hampshire has increased to about four months, and the time it takes for NVC to send Visa Packet Three to applicants has increased to about three months.