Anna Gandur
Registered Users (C)
Hi All,
I thought I would share my experience at INS so that you can be better
prepared if you happen to go to San Jose INS office for GC stamping after
getting approval notice.
On my first attempt to get my GC stamp on my passport, I went on last Monday
morning @ 6.00 am to stand in the queue. INS opened office at 7.30 am and
started letting people in 10 at a time. By the time I got to the gate it was
11.00 am and there were 15 people in front of me. They said they could not
process any more applications for the day and asked people to come later on.
On the second attempt, I went to INS office @ 2.30 am on last wednesday. I
was better equipped this time. I took a folding chair and lots of coffee in
a flask. There were already approximately 300 applicants ahead of me. It
seems like queue starts forming @ 8.00 pm the previous day. As usual the
office opened at 7.30 am and started letting in the applicants. I entered
the office @ 8.30 am. Just 10 minutes before entering the building, I left
my paraphernalia [Chair, Flask and Extra Clothing] in the car. You are not
allowed to carry anything inside other than your papers. No food and no
drinks; not even water. They give you a token number at the entrance. By
the time I got my appoitment with the INS officer, it was 3.00 pm. People
who joined the Queue at 4.00 am did not get a chance to get in. If you have
other family members to get the stamping, all of them need not come to the
queue at the same time. If one of you go early and stand in the queue,
others could join you before entering the building which could be as early
as 7.30 am. So you get the picture now.
I hope this helps you prepare.
Good luck.
Cheers
I thought I would share my experience at INS so that you can be better
prepared if you happen to go to San Jose INS office for GC stamping after
getting approval notice.
On my first attempt to get my GC stamp on my passport, I went on last Monday
morning @ 6.00 am to stand in the queue. INS opened office at 7.30 am and
started letting people in 10 at a time. By the time I got to the gate it was
11.00 am and there were 15 people in front of me. They said they could not
process any more applications for the day and asked people to come later on.
On the second attempt, I went to INS office @ 2.30 am on last wednesday. I
was better equipped this time. I took a folding chair and lots of coffee in
a flask. There were already approximately 300 applicants ahead of me. It
seems like queue starts forming @ 8.00 pm the previous day. As usual the
office opened at 7.30 am and started letting in the applicants. I entered
the office @ 8.30 am. Just 10 minutes before entering the building, I left
my paraphernalia [Chair, Flask and Extra Clothing] in the car. You are not
allowed to carry anything inside other than your papers. No food and no
drinks; not even water. They give you a token number at the entrance. By
the time I got my appoitment with the INS officer, it was 3.00 pm. People
who joined the Queue at 4.00 am did not get a chance to get in. If you have
other family members to get the stamping, all of them need not come to the
queue at the same time. If one of you go early and stand in the queue,
others could join you before entering the building which could be as early
as 7.30 am. So you get the picture now.
I hope this helps you prepare.
Good luck.
Cheers