Okay, here is the jist.
07/21/2004 - application got approved. RD 09/20/2002, ND 10/05/2002 (RFE on 485, AC-21, RFE on I-140, approved for CP - abandoned and filed 485)
07/22/2004 - LUD changed to approved and also received 4 emails(2wife+2myself)
07/27/2004 - Recieved CC approval letter in mail for me - Not yet for wife. So waited few days in vain.
08/02/2004 - Called Attorney and requested to mail the originals to me.
08/03/2004 - Recieved originals from Atty.
08/05/2004 - STAMPING DONE for both of us.
Hartford office times are 8-3 on M,T,Th. 8-12 on W,F So we decided to go Thurday, Aug 5th. Left home at about 6:45 to reach there at around 7:45-8:00 am. We were parked and inside the building by 8:30 am. It was little tricky to get to the address. I took the direction from INS website and did not check anything else - my mistake. I should have checked with Mapquest and the like as well. Some construction, threw my INS directions off. So asked some cops - who were very helpful.
There is a rotary and there is a small sign pointing to 'Main Street' easily missable but if you are careful you are home. Going up the street you end up at the Main street - actually right in front of 450 Main st. Which is the address to go to.
There are few parking places availble for $7.00/day - recommend it. You may also park along the Main st (metered parking 2Hrs max) So unless you come to feed the meters in time and if required - you run the risk of being towed away or ticketed.
There is security at the enterance - like of the airports. The room you have to go to is 456 - on the fourth floor.
Stand in the line - if there is one otherwise go to the counter on your left by the enterance of the room. Get your Numbered Ticket there. First thing to do if you dont want to spend lot of time waiting. Get a Ticket for EACH person NOT the group.
Now wait until your number is displayed to be served.
Things you can do while you wait.
1. Get your ADIT pictures taken and finger printed. (there is an office at the backend of the Room (in the room itself) Pictures cost you only $11 for two.
Recommend taking pics there rather than doing it outside where charges might be higher and also chances of pics not meeting requirements are high.
2. Use restrooms - they are by the elevator(straight out of the room). Men on right, Women on left.
3. Dream about what you want to do after GC.
4. Reflect on your GC journey.
5. Strike up a conversation with fellow waiters..
6. Anything else you can imagine (but be careful of what you do - u r in a Federal building)
Finally our number was called at counter 5. A black lady. I was observing her all the time I was there. She did not seem like a pleasant lady. Had a very serious look on her face. I mentioned to my wife that, I hope we dont get called by her. And if we do, then I will make her laugh and lighten up. Sure enough, she called us.
Walked up (both of us), gave the docs. (Approval notice in original, PP, I-94, EADs - we did not have APs)
She asked my DoB and wrote it down on a form. Asked us to write our A# and name on the back of pictures.
I did some small conversations... then she stamped my PP. and cancelled all the VISA pages... she said I don't need them anymore. I made some comments which made her smile... oh.. mission accomplished.
Then she started processing my wifes docs. I cracked some funny line on DoB which got her laughing. In the next few seconds, we were talking about shopping in the malls and saving money! how funny!
She stamped my wifes passport, wished us good luck. We thanked her and left.
Total time at the counter about 10 minutes - for both of us.
Total time in the building about 2 hours.
Few minutes later we were on our way back to work with our new found Freedom. Now waiting for the Plastic card. Sorry, I forgot to ask her when I should expect them. But again I have no rush... as long as it gets to me before the 1 year expiry date on my PP Stamp. I am cool.
Note: Abosolutely carry your CC copy of the approval letter. They will take it back. If you have CC copy and Originals (recieved by atty's) take CC or both.
Hope this helps and if anybody have any questions, I will be happy to answer.
07/21/2004 - application got approved. RD 09/20/2002, ND 10/05/2002 (RFE on 485, AC-21, RFE on I-140, approved for CP - abandoned and filed 485)
07/22/2004 - LUD changed to approved and also received 4 emails(2wife+2myself)
07/27/2004 - Recieved CC approval letter in mail for me - Not yet for wife. So waited few days in vain.
08/02/2004 - Called Attorney and requested to mail the originals to me.
08/03/2004 - Recieved originals from Atty.
08/05/2004 - STAMPING DONE for both of us.
Hartford office times are 8-3 on M,T,Th. 8-12 on W,F So we decided to go Thurday, Aug 5th. Left home at about 6:45 to reach there at around 7:45-8:00 am. We were parked and inside the building by 8:30 am. It was little tricky to get to the address. I took the direction from INS website and did not check anything else - my mistake. I should have checked with Mapquest and the like as well. Some construction, threw my INS directions off. So asked some cops - who were very helpful.
There is a rotary and there is a small sign pointing to 'Main Street' easily missable but if you are careful you are home. Going up the street you end up at the Main street - actually right in front of 450 Main st. Which is the address to go to.
There are few parking places availble for $7.00/day - recommend it. You may also park along the Main st (metered parking 2Hrs max) So unless you come to feed the meters in time and if required - you run the risk of being towed away or ticketed.
There is security at the enterance - like of the airports. The room you have to go to is 456 - on the fourth floor.
Stand in the line - if there is one otherwise go to the counter on your left by the enterance of the room. Get your Numbered Ticket there. First thing to do if you dont want to spend lot of time waiting. Get a Ticket for EACH person NOT the group.
Now wait until your number is displayed to be served.
Things you can do while you wait.
1. Get your ADIT pictures taken and finger printed. (there is an office at the backend of the Room (in the room itself) Pictures cost you only $11 for two.
Recommend taking pics there rather than doing it outside where charges might be higher and also chances of pics not meeting requirements are high.
2. Use restrooms - they are by the elevator(straight out of the room). Men on right, Women on left.
3. Dream about what you want to do after GC.
4. Reflect on your GC journey.
5. Strike up a conversation with fellow waiters..
6. Anything else you can imagine (but be careful of what you do - u r in a Federal building)
Finally our number was called at counter 5. A black lady. I was observing her all the time I was there. She did not seem like a pleasant lady. Had a very serious look on her face. I mentioned to my wife that, I hope we dont get called by her. And if we do, then I will make her laugh and lighten up. Sure enough, she called us.
Walked up (both of us), gave the docs. (Approval notice in original, PP, I-94, EADs - we did not have APs)
She asked my DoB and wrote it down on a form. Asked us to write our A# and name on the back of pictures.
I did some small conversations... then she stamped my PP. and cancelled all the VISA pages... she said I don't need them anymore. I made some comments which made her smile... oh.. mission accomplished.
Then she started processing my wifes docs. I cracked some funny line on DoB which got her laughing. In the next few seconds, we were talking about shopping in the malls and saving money! how funny!
She stamped my wifes passport, wished us good luck. We thanked her and left.
Total time at the counter about 10 minutes - for both of us.
Total time in the building about 2 hours.
Few minutes later we were on our way back to work with our new found Freedom. Now waiting for the Plastic card. Sorry, I forgot to ask her when I should expect them. But again I have no rush... as long as it gets to me before the 1 year expiry date on my PP Stamp. I am cool.
Note: Abosolutely carry your CC copy of the approval letter. They will take it back. If you have CC copy and Originals (recieved by atty's) take CC or both.
Hope this helps and if anybody have any questions, I will be happy to answer.