Newark PP stamping Experience

K

krishna Venkat

Registered Users (C)
I received my 485 approval notice( approval date 02/15) last thursday (02/27) and decided to get it stamped the next day at Newark INS. I took the NJ transit train and reached Newark Penn station by 7.30 AM. I stopped by a photo studio on Broad street to gettwo ADIT style photos for which they charged $10. You actually get 4 and every additional photo is $1.50.
The whole process took about ten minutes and I reached INS office around 8.
 
Hoping to see a huge crowd, I was shocked to find no crowd at all. For a moment I wondered if Newark INS changed their appointment only day to a friday. I went to room 136 to get a token and stood in one of the lines. After a few minutes an officer asked that any new/renewal applicants to come forward. She verified my 485 notice, gave me a token and sent me room 1012 (this is the same room which previously was housed in 334). Here I waited for 2 hours for my number to be called.

At the counter, the official asked for my latest H1B, 485 approval notice, EAD, AP, last I94 given at POE and the ADIT style photos. You have to write your name and A# on the back with a pencil. She then stamped my passport and I was all done in less than 3 hours.

FYI: I do not think there is any problem to travel outside US without getting your PP stamped. The only downside is you have to go back to the Airport and show the 551 stamp to the POE officer, even if you have the approval notice at POE itself.
 
directions

Could you give me the directions to get to the INS office in Newark from the Newark Penn station and the location? Thank you.
 
Re Directions

Go through the main entrance onto raymond boulevard, make a left ( it is very narrow and looks like a dead end) and walk couple of block till you a hit a T junction. Make a right ( do not remember street name) and walk about 3 block till you hit broad street. Make a left on Broad street and INS is about 4 block on your left ( you will pass city hall and a church). I think your best bet is to go on a tuesday or friday ( if you go without appointment) to avoid a large crowd.

Hope this helps.
 
Thank you

Thank you very much. I guess this is not the same office where they do FP. Also, I heard that we have to go only on a Wednesday to Newark for PP stamping. Is that not right?
 
pphily

I never went to Newark by car, so I can\'t tell you the directions. However, I do remember seeing a post with directions on this board. Regarding parking, there is a parking lot right behind INS where you can park. I\'am not sure but I think it is about $6/day.

If convenient, I would advice taking the train.
 
FP office

As I mentioned in my original mail, I went on a friday to get PP stamped. So, it is not necessary to go on a wednesday. As you may be aware, wednesdays are by appointment only. The approval notice does not mention a specific time and date which means you do have to schedule an appointment to go on a wednesday. If I were you, I would not go on a wednesday.

Even if you go without appointment, they will ask for new/renewal applicants who will be given priority which will reduce the wait time. Moreover, they have seperate windows which process EAD/AP, PP stamping, 485 interview etc. which should further cut the processing time.
 
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