Hi All,
Myself & my wife got our PP stamped yday(08/09/01) at San Jose INS.
Ciba,
Please post this in the Experiences.
I went to the INS at 3.45 AM; My wife joined me in the line at 6.15 AM; When I went at 3.45 AM, there were about 100+ people before me. Glad, that it was not that cold, like today; It was OK temp, but still need a Jacket. The line started moving at around 7.00 AM; at 7.00 AM, there were easily 150+ behind me in the line. When my turn came, it was 8.30 AM;
They give separate token #s, for primary and the spouse, though you go together. The officer who gave us the token, wrote I-89 at the back; This would make the Immigration officer\'s job easy at the counter. And the worst part is No food, No water(uh?); but you can always get out showing your token, go to your car, and have whatever you want to.
At 8.30 AM, they were operating 6 counters, and after some time, couple of them went on a break for 15 to 20 minutes. But by 10\'o clock, they had 7 counters; Though they announced, no more tokens for the day, they still allowed people; I felt glad for the people standing outside; I have a feeling, that who ever stood in line before 8.30 AM, they got a chance. Most of the guys in the lines seems to be for PP stamping.
Our turn came at 10.50 to be exact; The line was moving fast after 10\'0 clock; I went to the counter, with both my tokens, and asked the officer whether he can do us both at the same time; He said, only one token at a time; Well, what the heck?
I told him that I was there for the PP stamping. I had everything ready for him;
1) PP with I-94 undetached;
2) Two pictures (with first & last name, and A #);
3) Approval letter (courtesy copy is fine)
4) EAD Card;
5) Advance Parole(s);
Then he verified the address, and started filling the I-89 form; Asked us to index finger print, and a signature; Then he wrote all the details on the passport and a affixed the stamp. He told us, it would take 9 months to 1 year for the actual card;
We are out of INS at 10.55; It took less than 5 minutes actually;
My wishes to everyone for a speedy and tensionless approvals;
Tips for the visit:
1) Take a chair, because standing or sitting on the parking lot for 3+ hours is not easy;
2) Take a blanket, because the cold early morning breeze is tough.
3) Take accompanying Mom/Dad or other elders inside the INS. Not necessarily they have their role inside; I checked with the security, and did not object at all ; And they do have extra chairs inside; If they are inside, they can use the restrooms at their will; This is a concern in SJ ASC when we did the finger printing (where only people who do finger printing are allowed);
4) Mobile cafeteria truck comes in at 5.00 AM for your early morning coffee and/or breakfast;
Hope this info helps everyone in this board;
Thanks CIBA for all the efforts and maintaining the database
Myself & my wife got our PP stamped yday(08/09/01) at San Jose INS.
Ciba,
Please post this in the Experiences.
I went to the INS at 3.45 AM; My wife joined me in the line at 6.15 AM; When I went at 3.45 AM, there were about 100+ people before me. Glad, that it was not that cold, like today; It was OK temp, but still need a Jacket. The line started moving at around 7.00 AM; at 7.00 AM, there were easily 150+ behind me in the line. When my turn came, it was 8.30 AM;
They give separate token #s, for primary and the spouse, though you go together. The officer who gave us the token, wrote I-89 at the back; This would make the Immigration officer\'s job easy at the counter. And the worst part is No food, No water(uh?); but you can always get out showing your token, go to your car, and have whatever you want to.
At 8.30 AM, they were operating 6 counters, and after some time, couple of them went on a break for 15 to 20 minutes. But by 10\'o clock, they had 7 counters; Though they announced, no more tokens for the day, they still allowed people; I felt glad for the people standing outside; I have a feeling, that who ever stood in line before 8.30 AM, they got a chance. Most of the guys in the lines seems to be for PP stamping.
Our turn came at 10.50 to be exact; The line was moving fast after 10\'0 clock; I went to the counter, with both my tokens, and asked the officer whether he can do us both at the same time; He said, only one token at a time; Well, what the heck?
I told him that I was there for the PP stamping. I had everything ready for him;
1) PP with I-94 undetached;
2) Two pictures (with first & last name, and A #);
3) Approval letter (courtesy copy is fine)
4) EAD Card;
5) Advance Parole(s);
Then he verified the address, and started filling the I-89 form; Asked us to index finger print, and a signature; Then he wrote all the details on the passport and a affixed the stamp. He told us, it would take 9 months to 1 year for the actual card;
We are out of INS at 10.55; It took less than 5 minutes actually;
My wishes to everyone for a speedy and tensionless approvals;
Tips for the visit:
1) Take a chair, because standing or sitting on the parking lot for 3+ hours is not easy;
2) Take a blanket, because the cold early morning breeze is tough.
3) Take accompanying Mom/Dad or other elders inside the INS. Not necessarily they have their role inside; I checked with the security, and did not object at all ; And they do have extra chairs inside; If they are inside, they can use the restrooms at their will; This is a concern in SJ ASC when we did the finger printing (where only people who do finger printing are allowed);
4) Mobile cafeteria truck comes in at 5.00 AM for your early morning coffee and/or breakfast;
Hope this info helps everyone in this board;
Thanks CIBA for all the efforts and maintaining the database