I have been a long time visitor on this site, and having just had my NYC interview, wanted to post my experiences.
I am EB3. Received my I-140 approval notice on Oct 24, 2001. Filed my I-485 in Dec 2001 as well as EAD application. My file went through the Vermont Service Center and I received my first fingerprint notice in Jan 2002.
Also received my first EAD in Jan 2002
Heard nothing from Vermont either online or thru the automated voicemail, until May 2003, when they sent me an RFE because one of my medical forms was missing some info.
Completed the missing section and sent it back.
In June 2003 the online message advised me that the file had been transferred to NYC for an interview. There was no reason given for the interview requirement, but I have read on this board several times that if you paid the 245-I penalty fee your case was likely to be sent to the local office for interview (even after my interview, I still have no idea why my case was selected for an interview)
In October I received a request for a second fingerprinting, and in the same envelope, an interview date in December
Went to Federal Plaza on the date of the interview. On the advice of my lawyer, I took the following paperwork:
Copies of last 3 years of tax returns
2" x 2" photos
EAD Card
Copy of my birth certificate
Passport
Copies of 2 most recent pay stubs
Copies of my most recent bank statement
Letter from my employer stating my current salary, years that I had worked there, # of dependents and a contact number. I also had a letter from my employer stating that upon receipt of Permanent Resident Status I would be paid the salary certified by the Dept of Labor, for my position (since my current salary did not match the DOL certified salary). The letter also listed my job title.
To be safe, I took along originals as well as the copies
When you arrive at Federal Plaza you have to present your appointment letter to get in the door.
In the waiting room, they take your appointment letter and have you sign a blank form and also fingerprint it, front and back.
You then take a seat until they call your name - I waited approx 1 hour after my scheduled time.
When they call your name you go to a side door where your Immigration Examiner meets you with your file and then leads you to his/her office.
The examiner then swears you in. In my case the examiner asked me the following:
Had I ever been arrested
Had I ever had any trouble with Immigration
When did I enter the country
What was my current address
He then asked me for copies of my tax returns, employment letter, photos and EAD card and passport.
Then he copied down a number from his computer, stamped my passport and signed it, gave it back to me and told me that the card would be mailed to me within a year.
The entire "interview" took at most 30 minutes, and most of that time was spent typing at his conputer.
Hope this is helpful.
Good Luck!
