iEAD experience at Philly 3/12/04

M

mavishka

Registered Users (C)
We left home at 7.30 am and by the time we finished parking it was about 8.30 am when we got into the building. There was a queue at the token counter. We got our token number at 9.30 am. The lady at the token counter was courteous. We hadn't filled new I-765 forms so she gave us one and when we were done we went back to her. She then asked us to be seated and wait for our number to be called. We waited and waited, and finally at 1.00 pm we were called to the counter to verify our I-765 receipts and other Id. They were extremely short on staff and hence the inordinate delay. The lady (I think she's the supervisor) was nice. She verified some information quickly and then gave us a sheet with our names and a stamp and her signature. Then we went up to the 3rd floor and submitted our papers to the receptionist. She asked us to be seated. To warn you, there's no order at the 3rd floor, people who came after us were done and left much before us. Finally, our names were called by a guy at 3.00 pm. We went in, verified our name and DOB, signed a sheet, and our pictures were taken. At about 3.30 the same guy came out and distributed our EAD cards. Phew!! we had planned to work today, if not by going to the office, at least working from home. But after the long wait, and by surviving just on water all along, we were totally pooped out. We just decided to call it a vacation day. But at least we got our job done, our previous EADs were expiring today.

Do's:
Carry bottled water and some snacks, maybe even your lunch when you go there. Also, carry some magazines or even your laptop, maybe you could get some work done.

Fill out a new I-765 form and keep it ready. Keep your I-765 Receipt Notice for your previously filed renewal EAD ready. Also, your passport or driver's license to verify your Id and address.

Dont's:
Don't reach there too early else you might have to wait out in the cold. Today was very cold and extremely windy. When we reached at 8.30 am everyone was inside so we didn't have to wait outside. Some people even came in as late as noon and got done almost along with us.

Kids are allowed there, but we felt very happy that we didn't take our 3 yr son. The waiting is too long.

Hope that helps.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
No, they did not ask for the I-140 Approval Notice.

All they asked was I-765 Receipt Notice, newly filled I-765, Driver's License (for Id and address check), and previous EAD card.
 
Forgot to mention this earlier. They issued the iEAD for 8 months. Will I still receive the renewal card valid for 1 full year from VSC?
 
i received for 12 months EAD after 5 days of IEAD for 8 months from VSC and after 3 days 485 approval.
 
Did you have to pay again? When did you originally apply for EAD?

Note for all: Different offices have different procedures. Also in the past some people have reported horror stories at Philly- approved 140 with copy, copy of old EAD approval notice etc.

HTH
 
I did not have to pay again nor carry any ADIT photos.

My EAD renewal RD/ND was Dec 10/12, 2003.

I was expecting people to be rude and nasty there, based on what I had experienced long time back and based on what people had posted here. But I found them to be courteous for most part. Also, they asked for the bare minimum of documents. However, they make you wait like getting an iEAD is your greatest achievement in life.
 
Regarding payment, though we didn't have to pay anything, since this was our 3rd EAD, I met another Indian couple who had filed their 140/485/EAD concurrently and were there to get their iEAD, but I think since this was their 1st EAD they were asked to pay.
 
I EAD in Philly

Originally posted by mavishka
Forgot to mention this earlier. They issued the iEAD for 8 months. Will I still receive the renewal card valid for 1 full year from VSC?
Click to expand...

Hi Mavishka,

Which sub office should i go to? Is it District office or Sub office?
My home address is in Norristown, PA. So I assume I should go to Philadelphia or is it Pittsburgh?

Also can you give me the exact address pls

Pls clarify

Thanks
 
Thanks

Originally posted by mavishka
philly district office on 1600 callowhill st.
Click to expand...

Hi Mavishka,

Thanks for your answer.
IS there any concept of appointments in Philly office or is it a first come first served basis?


I can produce the following
-newly filled out 765 form
-765 receipt notice
-485 receipt notice
-passport

IS DL or state Id mandatory as I recently moved to Philly and I only have Virginia ID?

ThanksAgain!
 
Re: Thanks

Originally posted by lil_joe
Hi Mavishka,

Thanks for your answer.
IS there any concept of appointments in Philly office or is it a first come first served basis?


I can produce the following
-newly filled out 765 form
-765 receipt notice
-485 receipt notice
-passport

IS DL or state Id mandatory as I recently moved to Philly and I only have Virginia ID?

ThanksAgain!
Click to expand...

If you show them your passport that should suffice. Don't bother showing them your DL unless specifically asked for. But fill out a new I-765 and keep it ready, it'll save you some time and inconvenience at the District Office. When I had called they said that they do not schedule appointments, but some people on this forum have stated otherwise. Most people just walk-in. Like I said, don't try going too early. Some people who came in late (like 11.00 am or so) were almost done at the same time as we were. But check the office timings and use your judgement to go there accordingly.
 
Re: Re: Thanks

Originally posted by mavishka
If you show them your passport that should suffice. Don't bother showing them your DL unless specifically asked for. But fill out a new I-765 and keep it ready, it'll save you some time and inconvenience at the District Office. When I had called they said that they do not schedule appointments, but some people on this forum have stated otherwise. Most people just walk-in. Like I said, don't try going too early. Some people who came in late (like 11.00 am or so) were almost done at the same time as we were. But check the office timings and use your judgement to go there accordingly.
Click to expand...

My 140 got an RFE and was cleared recently. Its been around 120 days since I applied 140/485/765. SO, I think I am eligible for IEAD right??

About walkins,
I have reprorduced the info from BCIS phillyoffice website. They talk about tickets etc. Did u get tehm early in the morning and did they prcess ur stuff according to ticket no?

Thanks

Extract
------------------------
To speak with an Immigration Information Officer regarding filing applications or petitions, you must obtain a number from the information counter, available on a first-come, first-served basis in the information waiting room. Only a limited number of tickets is available each day. Tickets may be obtained starting at 7:30 AM. Please note that you may have to wait several hours until your number is called
 
Yes, they say that but I saw a lot of people walk in even at 11 am. Avoid going on a Monday morning. Best would be mid week. They process based on ticket # which is categorized based on whether it's an inquiry, application, etc. The EAD ones take longer. Is this your 1st EAD? If so, you might have to pay, so carry a check book. Yes, since you've completed more than 90 days since you applied you can obtain an iEAD.
 
Originally posted by mavishka
Yes, they say that but I saw a lot of people walk in even at 11 am. Avoid going on a Monday morning. Best would be mid week. They process based on ticket # which is categorized based on whether it's an inquiry, application, etc. The EAD ones take longer. Is this your 1st EAD? If so, you might have to pay, so carry a check book. Yes, since you've completed more than 90 days since you applied you can obtain an iEAD.
Click to expand...

Their timings acc to website
The Philadelphia District Office is open to the public from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Thursday, and 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Friday. Please see section below on walk-ins. Our office closes in observance of all Federal holidays.


So it should be better if I go on Tuesday or Wednesday when they are open till 3:00 PM.

Also, I dont need EAD. Only my wife needs it. So, can she go alone or should I (the main applicant whose company has filed the whole EB GC petition) also accompany her?

Judging from your experinece, I dont' want to go (as I have to take 1 work day off for this stupid process!)

Thanks Again
 
Your going to the District Office and spending all day long for nothing and taking a vacation day would be the dumbest thing. It's a pretty darn long wait which should be avoided. Your wife could go alone, but she should carry all required documentation.
 
help needed

Hi ,

Here is my case..
I've applied for 3rd EAD applied on FEB 22, 2004. and my current one is expiring on 05/06/2004.. looking at the current pase I dont think I will get the approval before 05/06/04.

Can I apply for IEAD like today or t'row, or do I have to wait till the last day ??? or 90 days has to be completed ... whats the best possible solution for me..


Please respond..


Thanks..
 
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