I just got back from my interview in Hartford this morning. Overall it went smoothly. The security line to get in was long (they only open doors at 7:30 and we were there by 7:40) but we made it on time and had to wait only 10-15 minutes before they called us. The officer asked us to take the oath then asked for our drivers licenses and passports. He removed by I-94 and then wanted to see my EAD and AP document. I gave him the originals and copies. He kept the one I used and returned the unused AP. He then wanted my original I-20 (from 10 years ago now) and my second I-20. He kept both of those. He then asked for the original INS approval notices for my past H1B visas and also my change of status from H1B to F1. I didn’t have these originals with me but the copies were in my packet. He said I should have brought them but moved on.
He then asked us the questions from form I-485. He then moved on to ask us for my husband’s employer letter and one last paycheck. He was recognized the name of the company where my husband works (it is a local business that they contract with) and they chatted about that for a bit. Then he asked us if we had documents that showed joint proof of address. I gave him copies of our leases, bank statements, dental and vision insurance, life insurance beneficiary, safe deposit box etc. He asked if our health insurance letters and W2s came to the same address. He also asked if we had cars registered at the same address. We told him we only had one car in my husband’s name registered at his parent’s address. He said it was okay for now but we should probably change that because it might show a red flag when they look back at my case to remove conditions. He didn’t ask for our photos or taxes. I wish I had given him the photos anyway because I had them copied for this occasion only
Then he said we were all clear on the background check and the fingerprint check. The only think pending was the FBI name check . He said that in the file it looked like it had not been updated since June so he thinks it is probably already done and just hasn’t been updated. He said that in all probability I should get the conditional card in 5-6 weeks and if I don’t hear by May I should contact them to see what happened. I would have liked to have closure on this but I suppose it is not too bad for now. I can still travel on my AP and work on my EAD and if all goes well I shouldn’t have to renew them at all.
I hope this is helpful for others who have interviews coming up. I know it was very helpful for me to read others posts on this matter in the last few weeks and thanks to all for that.
For those gurus who have already passed this phase, a couple of questions:
1) The officer took my old and new I-20 – the originals. Is that okay? I doubt I will ever need them again but I am just wondering.
2) I am not sure what the officer meant by saying they haven’t updated my file since June and that is why the FBI name check might not be updated. It seems strange because I had my fingerprints in July. Wouldn’t that be an update on my files?
He then asked us the questions from form I-485. He then moved on to ask us for my husband’s employer letter and one last paycheck. He was recognized the name of the company where my husband works (it is a local business that they contract with) and they chatted about that for a bit. Then he asked us if we had documents that showed joint proof of address. I gave him copies of our leases, bank statements, dental and vision insurance, life insurance beneficiary, safe deposit box etc. He asked if our health insurance letters and W2s came to the same address. He also asked if we had cars registered at the same address. We told him we only had one car in my husband’s name registered at his parent’s address. He said it was okay for now but we should probably change that because it might show a red flag when they look back at my case to remove conditions. He didn’t ask for our photos or taxes. I wish I had given him the photos anyway because I had them copied for this occasion only
Then he said we were all clear on the background check and the fingerprint check. The only think pending was the FBI name check
. He said that in the file it looked like it had not been updated since June so he thinks it is probably already done and just hasn’t been updated. He said that in all probability I should get the conditional card in 5-6 weeks and if I don’t hear by May I should contact them to see what happened. I would have liked to have closure on this but I suppose it is not too bad for now. I can still travel on my AP and work on my EAD and if all goes well I shouldn’t have to renew them at all.I hope this is helpful for others who have interviews coming up. I know it was very helpful for me to read others posts on this matter in the last few weeks and thanks to all for that.
For those gurus who have already passed this phase, a couple of questions:
1) The officer took my old and new I-20 – the originals. Is that okay? I doubt I will ever need them again but I am just wondering.
2) I am not sure what the officer meant by saying they haven’t updated my file since June and that is why the FBI name check might not be updated. It seems strange because I had my fingerprints in July. Wouldn’t that be an update on my files?