My greencard was approved yesterday after the interview. My wife's also approved at the same time.
I would like to share my experience. This forum provided me with lot of info and I am indebted to all contributors.
Details of my case
EB2 NIW, Physician, based on research
Submitted 1-140 in 2/2001, approved in 12/2001
I-485 submited in 3/2002
Transfer to phili in 10/2003
2nd FP on 2/2005
Interview on 7/2005
There are some postings on what documents to take. I took all of them
1. Interview Notice-original
2. Drivers Licenses and Passport and I-94
3. All Receipt Notice and Approval Notice from INS
a. RIR Approval Notice: not applicable in my case
b. I-140 Approval Notice - Original Copy
c. I-485 Receipt Notice - Original Copy
d. I-485 Transfer Notice
4. Employment Letter for Primary applicant
5. Pay Stubs for Primary applicant for the Past 6 Months
6. Marriage Certificate
7. Birth Certificate
8. Federal Income Tax for Year 2001, 2002 and 2003, 2004 and W-2s
9. Evidence of Bona Fides of Marital Union
a. Join Banking Account
b. Mortgage Statement
c. Insurance Policy
d. Photographs
e. Baby Birth Certificate and SSN
10. Copies of All Foreign Travel Documents
a. EAD
b. AP
11. Spouse’s Employment Evidence or Other Document to Prove Currently in Status
a. Employment Letter
b. Pay Stubs
c. H1-B Copy
12. SSN Card
13. All University Diploma
14. All I-485 Filing Document
15. All Bills to prove current address
16. All I-20s
17. Finger print documents (issued by ASC after finger printing)
18. Copy of medical exam and x-rays if any
Also take copies with you to give to officer.
I also asked my lawyer to accompany me. Now, I feel it is not required if your case is staright forward and you have nothing to hide. the lawyer will be behind you; you have to answer all the questions.
Interview experience
We went few hours early than the scheduled time to philadelphia to avoid traffic delays. There are several parking spots around the INS office. You will be only allowed inside, only 1/2 hour before your appointment. I found a small shop (parked van) with photocopying, notary, fax facility parked near by.
There was a baggage and person security check. No eatables will be allowed inside.
we waited for half hour and then was called by officer C. From previous postings we knew that she is a chinese woman. She is extremely pleasant, spoke in chinese english which was a bit hard to understand. Everything went smoothly. Both my wife and I were interviewed togather. Initially she took our signatures and finger prints and then in her office, administered oath (that we will tell truth). She asked for:
1. Employment letter
2. Pay stubs-copies
3. copy of w2 forms
4. EAD's for both of us
5. Passport, I-94 for both
6. Original birth certificate for both
7. Marriage certificate original and copy
8. Birth certificate of my child
9. photos (optional, she said)
Then she said, that everything is in order and our priority date is current and security check is completed. She stamped our passports for 1-year and said our cards will come in due course.
Some tips
1. Be truthful when answering questions. What you think is important and causing anxiety may not be important to them. They look at the big picture. If they think you lied under oath, that will be a felony charge.
2. Answer specific to their questions and do not volunteer any information or documents.
I hope this information helps.
Good luck to you all!!