Local Office vs Service Center

[grumpybear]

I submitted all my papers (I-130, I-485, I-864... etc) to my local office having jurisdiction over my place of residence. I notice, however, that most people in here submitted their applications to service centers. What's the difference?

 

[xalidag]

I have the same question.

Also, do I have a choice, if I don't live nearby one of service centers.

 

[NBC_June04]

Grumpybear, YOU DID IT ALL RIGHT, Don't have to worry!!!!
Concurrent filling of I-130&I-485 family- based is always done in local offices with jurisdiction over the place of residency. And being transfered for processing to NBC (131, 765, 130). Further 485 & 130 adjudicated together at local office.
I was also very confused in the begining, whether to file in the local office in Pittsburgh, where I live or to the Vermont SC which has jurisdiction over the place where I reside. Finally mailed the whole package to Pittsburgh local office and happened to be right. That's what almost all "concurrent filling 130/485" guys here do. File in local offices and being transfered to NBC (get AP & EAD from NBC), further scheduled for interviews at their local offices.
XALIDAG go ahead, do your paperwork and send everything to your local office.You were also asking about NYC.Just check to which local office's Service area your County belongs and there you go... Send it all there

Why dont you schedule infopass for basic consultation with an Imm Officer. Basicly there's no need, but if you are really that confused.
A friend of mine was totally confused with all the documents and just walked into the local center. The Immigration officer explained to him everything in details and even filled in all his documents. When he got home, he just rewrote and sent them out. It's amazing how helpful she was. Hope all Immigrations officers are like this one

 

[rzs]

Here is what USCIS link says regarding filing of I-130 from http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-130.htm :

"A petitioner residing in the United States should file Form I-130 at the Service Center with jurisdiction over the petitioner's place of residence."

Here is what USCIS link Says regarding filing of I-485 from http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-485.htm

"Where to File:
The Service Center that has jurisdiction over your intended place of employment."

The word to look for is "Service Center". On the USCIS pages with the word "Service Center", which has a link that points to different states with their corresponding service centers. Find your state and determine appropriate place to file.

If you ask me for my state of Arizona, I would file it with California Service Center.

 

[xalidag]

I submitted all my papers (I-130, I-485, I-864... etc) to my local office having jurisdiction over my place of residence. I notice, however, that most people in here submitted their applications to service centers. What's the difference?

I did some research after I posted my previous post. There are a couple of reasons you may want to submit to Service Center, IF POSSIBLE. In my case, Vermont Service Center proceeds stuff, including AP and EAD, way quicker than New York City Office does. But seemingly I HAVE TO go through the local office.

 

[xalidag]

NBC_June04:

Thanks again for the articulate info.

 

[xalidag]

Here is what USCIS link Says regarding filing of I-485 from http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-485.htm

"Where to File:
The Service Center that has jurisdiction over your intended place of employment."

Thanks, but this is for "Employment-Based Applications."

If you look at "Family-Based Applications" on the same page, it says

Where to File:
Your local USCIS Office (except if you are in the Baltimore District - then file at the Vermont Service Center.)

 

[NBC_June04]

I did some research after I posted my previous post. There are a couple of reasons you may want to submit to Service Center, IF POSSIBLE. In my case, Vermont Service Center proceeds stuff, including AP and EAD, way quicker than New York City Office does. But seemingly I HAVE TO go through the local office.

No problem xalidag. Still, I dont want to get you confused. But you still have to file to local office. That's valid statewide, because all concurrent filling family based are processed that way. Your AP & EAD are issued by The National Benefit Center and has nothing to do with the speed in the local offices, no matter where you live you and which local office you file you get the AP&EAD from NBC. Your local office's speed is concerned only to the matter of processing your I-485.
That's what I've done, and many other guys here and think it's the right way. . If you are worried about the period the EAD will be issued.
Really can't tell you anything. I waited for it for 100 days. There are guys who get it within a month and a half. SOme even sooner, some wait 4-5 months.
Just dont get the situation complicated and go the way as it is.
Good luck

PS I am not quite sure, havent read a lot about that. But I think you cant do concurrent 130/485 at VSC

 

[xalidag]

Here is what USCIS link says regarding filing of I-130 from http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-130.htm :

"A petitioner residing in the United States should file Form I-130 at the Service Center with jurisdiction over the petitioner's place of residence."

If you file I-130 by itself, without I-485, you send it to the Service Center. If you do so, you should wait a little to receive I-797 (Notice of Action) before filing I-485. This is probably more pain, I suppose.

If you file both I-130 and I-485 concurrently, which I think the majority does, you should send both to your local office. I couldn't find the page now but I read that somewhere on the USCIS site since last night.

 

[grumpybear]

Thank you for all your replies. Actually, I don't seem to be having a problem with my application. It's just that processing of my case was really fast and I was wondering if that was normal. Sort of too good to be true...

In fact, I filed for my AOS (along with I-130, I-765, etc) on August 2004. 3 weeks later I was issued my EAD. Now, I have my interview in 2 weeks. So that's just a little over 3 months.

I was just a bit worried about the speed of processing on my case. I will keep you updated though.

Thanks again!

 

[NBC_June04]

If you file I-130 by itself, without I-485, you send it to the Service Center. If you do so, you should wait a little to receive I-797 (Notice of Action) before filing I-485. This is probably more pain, I suppose.

If you file both I-130 and I-485 concurrently, which I think the majority does, you should send both to your local office. I couldn't find the page now but I read that somewhere on the USCIS site since last night.

That's correct. Also filing only 130 by itself will probably take twice even thrice longer. USC- alien spouse get the fastest processing through concurrent filing the whole kit with documents. LOCAL OFFICE, man. Stop doubting becuse you'll cause you troubles you actually dont have at all

 

[NBC_June04]

Thank you for all your replies. Actually, I don't seem to be having a problem with my application. It's just that processing of my case was really fast and I was wondering if that was normal. Sort of too good to be true...

In fact, I filed for my AOS (along with I-130, I-765, etc) on August 2004. 3 weeks later I was issued my EAD. Now, I have my interview in 2 weeks. So that's just a little over 3 months.

I was just a bit worried about the speed of processing on my case. I will keep you updated though.

Thanks again!

SEE, good luck on the interview.

 

[xalidag]

Thanks again NBC_June04. I think it's very clear to me now.

Your AP & EAD are issued by The National Benefit Center and has nothing to do with the speed in the local offices, no matter where you live you and which local office you file you get the AP&EAD from NBC. Your local office's speed is concerned only to the matter of processing your I-485.
That's what I've done, and many other guys here and think it's the right way. . If you are worried about the period the EAD will be issued.
Really can't tell you anything. I waited for it for 100 days. There are guys who get it within a month and a half. SOme even sooner, some wait 4-5 months.

New York City Office processing dates page shows the periods those documents would take. I honestly don't mind how long the other documents would take but I-765/EAD. The page shows it would take seven months... isn't it ridiculously long? Well, I suppose there's nothing I can do for that.

https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/officeProcesstimes.jsp?selectedOffice=49

I also noticed that not many local offices show the periods to take for I-131 and I-765. This may be because the local offices don't process them, that makes sense. And probably some busy offices like New York City show it becuase it may take some time for them to forward the documents to the NBC.

 

[xalidag]

Thank you for all your replies. Actually, I don't seem to be having a problem with my application. It's just that processing of my case was really fast and I was wondering if that was normal. Sort of too good to be true...

In fact, I filed for my AOS (along with I-130, I-765, etc) on August 2004. 3 weeks later I was issued my EAD. Now, I have my interview in 2 weeks. So that's just a little over 3 months.

I was just a bit worried about the speed of processing on my case. I will keep you updated though.

Thanks again!

You're very lucky, man. Congrats and good luck!

 

[NBC_June04]

Thanks again NBC_June04. I think it's very clear to me now.



New York City Office processing dates page shows the periods those documents would take. I honestly don't mind how long the other documents would take but I-765/EAD. The page shows it would take seven months... isn't it ridiculously long? Well, I suppose there's nothing I can do for that.

https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/officeProcesstimes.jsp?selectedOffice=49

I also noticed that not many local offices show the periods to take for I-131 and I-765. This may be because the local offices don't process them, that makes sense. And probably some busy offices like New York City show it becuase it may take some time for them to forward the documents to the NBC.

Better now?As far to the Service Centers - that concerns Green card holders and their spouses. Your case is USC + Alien spouse = Local center<-> NBC. Which is straight and no complications at all. Your EAD/AP will be issued by NBC, not by New York office. Well if it really takes more than 90 days for the EAD just schedule an appointment and get Interim (temporary) EAD at your local office.
I know how it is, we lost 2 months with my husband over such questions. And I will be happy to help and save some time to new applicants to the point our experience gets. Unfortunately I didnt know about this forum, until after we sent everything. If we only knew earlier. Thanx to everybody in this forum. You are great guys

If you want check up my details here:

(Documents sent to Pittsburgh local office, transfered to NBC)
RD I-130: June 7, 2004 ( received by NBC)
ND I - 130 June, 17 , 2004
RD I-485: June 7, 2004
ND I-485: July 1, 2004
FP for I-485 - done 20 July, 04, reviewed 29 July, 2004
RD I-765 - 14 July, 04, ND: 22 July, 04
FP for EAD done - 28 August
Approval e-mail for EAD - 19 OCT, 04
2nd e-mai for EAD - 22 OCt (EAD sent)
Got the actual EAD card in the mail: 25 Oct, 04 (EAD valid 10/19/04 - 10/18/05)
Good luck , man!!!

 

[xalidag]

NBC_June04, you are the great!! Thank you for posting your timeline. I'd love to contribute once mine gets done.

I just heard about Interim EAD from my friend, too. It will save my life!

 

[NBC_June04]

Thanks, man! Happy to help you!
Mind the fact that you wont have to do 2 Fingerprintings like I did. One for 485 and one for 765. I did the second FP only for 765, because I didnt file it with the initial documents, but later on separately.
Keep up this post if you have any questions.