I-485 approval and Passport Stamped

[thsu]

Hi, all
My wife and I got the I485 approval through the mail on Wednesday (Nov. 14, 2001). Just got our passports stamped this morning.
My case detail:
EB2 (NIW)
PD:01/00
I-140: 02/01
1st FP: 04/01
2nd FP: 10/01
I-485: 11/01

WAC-125-*****.

Our approval notice asks us to go to the downtown L.A. INS office. However, after considering the way the L.A. INS handling the people, we decided to go to the Santa Ana INS office for our passport stamp. It turns out to be very nice experience. Believe it or not, it only took us about 10 minutes to finish our passport stamp process. Went there (Santa Ana INS office) about 9:45AM and was out there at 10:05 AM. The whole process is very quick and smooth.
We first got into the 3rd floor for the reception and ticket number assignment. Our number is F627 and F628. After got the ticket number, we had to go to the 5th floor for the passport stamp. There were a lot of people sitting and waiting in the 5th floor. We thought that we had to wait for a while (may be 1~3 hours) after we saw the crowded people. It is a pleasant surprise for us to see that our number was already on the board. The IIO in that specific window was already waiting for us. Approached the window immediately and showed her our documents. She took my AD, EAD, ADIT photos, I-94, and passport for examination and then took my index finger print. After signing my name in the finger printed sheet, she stamped my passport and told me that the stamp will be valid for one year and the actual plastic card should be arrived in 6~ 12 months. Then she proceeded to process my wife’s case. The whole process only took us about 10 minutes.

So, the Santa Ana office is an alternative choice for the passport stamp if you are reluctant to the downtown LA INS office.

Finally, thank to your guys and especially Ciba for marinating this great site for immigration information sharing.

Hang in there guys, your time will come.

 

[nologic Algo]

Congratulations !! and Thank You so much for sharing the info

Feel good to know you guys got your GC.

Can I go to Santa Ana for my Address change? I sent address change
application to INS but not updated even after 2 months and never get
to IIO using Telephone.

Thanks.

 

[forever waiting]

tshu, did they ask why you went to Santa Ana?

TSHU,

Did they ask why you opted for Santa Ana instead of LA (as in
485 approval notice).

My wife works in LA and I live in San Jose and I would like to
got to LA for staming. Could you tell me the address of Santa
Ana INS office.

Also where can my wife get photo taken in LA.

You response will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[thsu]

sorry, I do not have the answer

Dear Algo:
To be honest, I do not have the answer that you are looking for. As I posted, there were a lot of people waiting there. My guess is that they were waiting to speak to an IIO for their immigration process. If so, it may not be a good choice to be there for address change.
It seems to me that a better choice is to call the IIO. This may save your time.

good luck!

 

[thsu]

the Santa Ana INS address

Dear Forever Waiting:
Actually, the reception IIO had never brought up the issue why I chose the Santa Ana INS instead of LA INS. So, it is safe to say that they will not question you about this change. What they care about is the genuine of your case. So, be sure to bring your photo ID (driver\'s license), approval notice, and all of the required documents (listed in the approval notice).

The Santa Ana INS office:
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/fieldoffices/santaana/aboutus.htm.
34 Civic Center Plaza
Federal Building
Santa Ana CA 92701

Parking fee is $0.75 for every 30 min.

As to the photo, I believed that I have posted a message for you.
Anyhow, you may go to any local photo shop or Costco for the ADIT
photo. Costco is much cheaper (2 photo for $4.99). If you want to go to the Costco, be sure to bring the example. The staff in the Costco may not know what the ADIT means. Yet, they know how to take the picture once you show them the example.