OK! You asked.(for it)....
Hi guys,
I just returned from Newark,NJ office after a successful stamping today! Wednesday being the ONLY By Appointment Day, chose today, though we received our notice on 1/15/04 (other thread Approved atlast...)
Reached Federal Bldng at 8.45 am (Note: If you are coming from 21 South there is a detour for Rector Street, so if you follow the detour this office will be on the left turn on Broad Street) a lot of road work is going on in that area. However if you take left on the E Kinney St, there is a big sign saying Parking for Immigration office. Charge below 2 hrs 5.50 and above 2 hrs $10.
There were 2 queues at the main gate (somebody said if you come by some side entrance, they just let you go immediately. Please go around the building if you want
I did not dare because it was so icy the road and the side walks) Stood in the line of about 15 people and got in 9.05. Then there is a x-ray scan and walk through the metal detector. Then proceed to Floor 2 room # 200. Only 5 people before me in the queue. Got the token by showing ID (EAD card) and the I-485 approval notice. Time taken 1 minute.
Went to 10th floor, room # 1022. Some 20 people were in the room, they were processing exactly 15 number before me. There was a small line in the middle of the room(about 8 people) and the guard asked us to stand in the line and give finger print. The gave a form to sign (signature...you dumb, but the dumber lady behind the counter said somthing about your last name and first name etc and the signature, so started writing my last name. She asked this is how you sign? I said no, she tore that paper and asked me to sign...that was simple, then took the index finger prints on two places of the paper). Elapsed time 20 mts.
Sat there waiting for the number to appear on the electronic board. Elapsed time 30 mts. Now the # of IOs became 2 to 5 and the 2 more counters started taking people. I went down for a coffee in the cafeteria in 2nd floor. Came back to note that my wife's # was called. I was next. When my wife went to the counter the IO become very courteous and started to help a 80 year old lady, so I overtook my wife to another counter. The IO asked for EADs,Travel Docs, Photos and Passport. Gave them and waited patiently for 10 mts till the IOs finished bickering about their boss. "OK, you can take a seat, we will be doing a background check","Thank you Ma'am (you could have told this 10 mts back = which I didn't say).
My wife came happily, "I got the stamp also in the Passport". What no background checks? May be 80 year old lady passed some blessings!
)
However after 20 mts I was called and the IO stamped my passport and said, "This stamp is valid for 1 more year and you have take it with you wherver you travel (dah! this is my passport!) and we have endorsed that you can work, so nomore EAD required. You will get your permanent card in 6 to 12 months". So with a big thank you, came to the seat verified the A#s are OK. Overall the time taken from entering the building 2hrs and 35 mts.
Next thing which was not needed to do it in the same building but waited for another 1 hour in the Social Security office in the same floor and gave an application to change the SSN from "Employment under INS Authorisation" to whatever. This time can be saved by going to the less crowded local SS office. (I dont know where is it near my house, as well already 1/2 day gone so sat there and finished it)
Hope this will help you those who will go to Newark. All the best,
_pa
1 job changed
1 address changed
No RFE
Took all the docs with me but nothing but the required ones were shown/given. Used only Complimentary copy, yet to receive the original from Attorney
