A (belated) update on my GC interview in San Jose:
Timeline:
Sept. 2000: I-140 approved.
Oct. 2002: Filed I-485 (after 2+ years)
Jan. 2004: case transferred from CSC (Laguna Niguel) to San Jose
March 2004: interview call letter
April 2004: interview & passport stamping
???: plastic card
Meanwhile, EAD/AP renewals were applied for, and approved.
Interview day:
The wife & I arrived on time at the INS office in San Jose, went straight through the security checkpost to the interview room and placed the appointment letter in the tray. Attorney was present as well. After 15-20 mins, we were called in by the officer.
Took the oath and the interview began with a somewhat chatty, but a very polite & courteous officer. Said we should have no issues since our background/security checks were fine ... then asked for our current & all prior EAD's, letter of employment, pay stubs, I-94, social security cards, suprisingly did not take our Advanced Parole docs. but we had brought them with us anyway. Of course, the EAD's & I-94 are not returned, if they approve your green card.
We were then asked to verify that our marriage was bonafide - asked how we had met, where & how we were married - asked for the marriage certificate (no wedding photos, but we had brought them as well), and multiple documents showing both our names (we showed our joint bank account statement, income tax return, credit cards with same card #, letters addressed to the same address, health insurance card).
The officer made copies of all documents & returned the originals.
That was it ... our passports were stamped validating our I-551 for a period of 1 year, by which time our plastic card should arrive in the mail. After congratulatory greetings from the officer, we left with our passports in hand, approved at last.
Overall, the 45-minute interview went very smoothly - it is important to take all relevant documents with you including all of the ones listed in the interview letter. Every case is different, but it appeared that background checks are considered one of the most important criteria for approval, assuming there are no major issues with the case otherwise. Of course, it always helps to smile & act friendly the whole time.
Hope this account helps. Good luck to everyone waiting for approval. And thanks to Rajiv Khanna & his team, and everyone who posts here to make this site so informative and useful in so many ways.
Timeline:
Sept. 2000: I-140 approved.
Oct. 2002: Filed I-485 (after 2+ years)
Jan. 2004: case transferred from CSC (Laguna Niguel) to San Jose
March 2004: interview call letter
April 2004: interview & passport stamping
???: plastic card
Meanwhile, EAD/AP renewals were applied for, and approved.
Interview day:
The wife & I arrived on time at the INS office in San Jose, went straight through the security checkpost to the interview room and placed the appointment letter in the tray. Attorney was present as well. After 15-20 mins, we were called in by the officer.
Took the oath and the interview began with a somewhat chatty, but a very polite & courteous officer. Said we should have no issues since our background/security checks were fine ... then asked for our current & all prior EAD's, letter of employment, pay stubs, I-94, social security cards, suprisingly did not take our Advanced Parole docs. but we had brought them with us anyway. Of course, the EAD's & I-94 are not returned, if they approve your green card.
We were then asked to verify that our marriage was bonafide - asked how we had met, where & how we were married - asked for the marriage certificate (no wedding photos, but we had brought them as well), and multiple documents showing both our names (we showed our joint bank account statement, income tax return, credit cards with same card #, letters addressed to the same address, health insurance card).
The officer made copies of all documents & returned the originals.
That was it ... our passports were stamped validating our I-551 for a period of 1 year, by which time our plastic card should arrive in the mail. After congratulatory greetings from the officer, we left with our passports in hand, approved at last.
Overall, the 45-minute interview went very smoothly - it is important to take all relevant documents with you including all of the ones listed in the interview letter. Every case is different, but it appeared that background checks are considered one of the most important criteria for approval, assuming there are no major issues with the case otherwise. Of course, it always helps to smile & act friendly the whole time.
Hope this account helps. Good luck to everyone waiting for approval. And thanks to Rajiv Khanna & his team, and everyone who posts here to make this site so informative and useful in so many ways.
