PP Stamping Experience in Arlington, VA

[Mitwaaa]

Learnings:

1. Unless it is absolutely required - Never go to Arlington, VA center without InfoPASS appointments. (there is no link on the website saying that this center is open - but u can go in and type in your zip code and make an appointment)

2. InfoPASS appointments are given first preference and the last would be walk in appointments.

Experience:

Reached the Arlington, VA (For DC, VA and MD residence) at 5.15AM and found 100 + people in line ahead of me.

At 7.30AM the gates opened and by the time there were another 200+ people behind me. We passed through security check and we were told to go to room 210 ( second floor). Everyone would not make it for today's walk in.

There was another line on the second floow to get the tickets. I waited till 9.00AM to get my tickets. I was lucky to be given a ticket (token with number). A total of 150 odd tokens were given that day. The rest were asked to return the following day or make appointments through InfoPASS.

I waited and waited until 2.30PM when I got my chance.

At the counter the office was very courteous and I was asked to give
1. Courtesy copy or original approval - I gave the courtesy copy
2. Old EAD card
3. Old Adv Parole
4. Two photographs ( ADIT and normal were acceptable)

The office checked my residence and asked for my drivers ID. My drivers ID was in the same state (VA) but had an old address. I had to explain that we moved recently to the new address and showed the DMV updated card and electric bills etc as proof of residence. Later the officer told that they are checking the address to make sure that the plastic card comes to the right address. and made sure that our names are there in the mail box. (if the names are not there in the mailbox the plastic cards are returned)


The whole process took about two minutes. He said Congratulations. Now you can travel in and out without visa and can work without any visa.

OUr passport was stamped with a temporary permanent residence status for a year.

There is no separate application for plastic cards - The cards would reach us within two months, he said.

Walked out happily after the stamping but had to wait that long. Saw two movies when we were waiting there in Room 210 - Dunston checks in and Jurassic Park I.

Wishing you all good luck and patience till you get your turn.

Thanks,
Mitwaa

 

[TheGCWait]

Congrats! Now your ordeal is finally over...just have to wait for the card!!

I too am waiting to get my approval letters by mail after which we have to go for our stamping. I have a few questions..
1) Whats a courtesy copy of Approval? The email printouts?
2)Photographs: side face (like the ones given for EADs) or front face?
3)Is address proof needed? We have been in the same residence thruout..
4) Do they take Fps again. All fingers? (my wife has a cut in one)
5) The PP stamping is done in the same local office as the FPs or is it different?

Sorry for the bombardement of queries

 

[Mitwaaa]

Response

See my responses below:


Good luck with your stamping.


Thanks,
Mitwaaa

Congrats! Now your ordeal is finally over...just have to wait for the card!!

I too am waiting to get my approval letters by mail after which we have to go for our stamping. I have a few questions..
1) Whats a courtesy copy of Approval? The email printouts?

Courtesy copy is the one that you get. Attorneys usually get the original approval notice. Courtesy copy is different from the print outs

2)Photographs: side face (like the ones given for EADs) or front face?

Both are acceptable. ADIT style is the side face. They now take the front face also.

3)Is address proof needed? We have been in the same residence thruout..

Better to carry it. If you Driving license has the latest address then u dont need any proof. In my case I had a different address.

4) Do they take Fps again. All fingers? (my wife has a cut in one)

Just the right index finger. and signature.


5) The PP stamping is done in the same local office as the FPs or is it different?

PP is usually different. I did my FPs in Alexandria, VA. I did my PPstamping in Arlington, VA. Check your address on the approval notice.




Sorry for the bombardement of queries

 

[ridiculous]

Is courtesy copy enough for stamping

Can I use the courtesy copy for stamping??

 

[TheGCWait]

Thanks Mitwaa for your replies. I guess I have to wait for the approval notices anyway. My wife checked the mail...they aren't there today Its funny how after 3.5 yrs of wait for this, waiting for 2 days more seems endless!!!