Passport stamped this morning at INS Arlington, VA. This office is an edifice to INS ineptitude and unprofessional behavior. Only one of the six counters were open and the lady who sat there preferred to take 10-15 minute breaks in between the 5 minutes of processing that she did. We got there at 5:30 a.m. and there were already enough people there. By the time the doors opened at 7:30 there were God-knows-how-many-people. We stood in line for a ticket number and then waited. The first person was called at about 7:50. We were 12th and 13th in the line (my wife and I) and did not get to our turn until 9:45 a.m.
The actual processing took only about 5 minutes. No additional information was asked for but the courtesy copy, pictures, EADs, paroles and I-94s were taken away, what we got back were little pink stamps that said "Processed for I-551. Temporary Evidence of Lawful Admission for Permanent Residence. Valid until Nov 12 2001. Employment Authorized."
Our A# and the EAC number of the I-485 application were written by hand. We were told that it would take up to 1 year for the actual card to be processed although I believe it takes substantially less than that. I would appreciate if someone could share their experience with the same.
Anyway it is all over for now. It took me a little under 2 years and 2 months from Labor to I-485 approval and I guess I am very lucky compared to some other friends who have been waiting for upto more than twice the same time. I do not feel extreme joy but do feel immensely relieved.
Thanks to all of you for the help and support and wish you Godspeed with your respective applications. I shall monitor this forum for the rest of this week just in case some of you have questions. I should continue to be a visitor to the Greencard forum.
The actual processing took only about 5 minutes. No additional information was asked for but the courtesy copy, pictures, EADs, paroles and I-94s were taken away, what we got back were little pink stamps that said "Processed for I-551. Temporary Evidence of Lawful Admission for Permanent Residence. Valid until Nov 12 2001. Employment Authorized."
Our A# and the EAC number of the I-485 application were written by hand. We were told that it would take up to 1 year for the actual card to be processed although I believe it takes substantially less than that. I would appreciate if someone could share their experience with the same.
Anyway it is all over for now. It took me a little under 2 years and 2 months from Labor to I-485 approval and I guess I am very lucky compared to some other friends who have been waiting for upto more than twice the same time. I do not feel extreme joy but do feel immensely relieved.
Thanks to all of you for the help and support and wish you Godspeed with your respective applications. I shall monitor this forum for the rest of this week just in case some of you have questions. I should continue to be a visitor to the Greencard forum.