romano said:
I went on INFOPASS in Newark recently in June ... I have interview coming ... I asked the question "EB3 numbers unavalibale - how long would I have to wait, I already waited 7 years ..."
The clerk in Newark answered that it (Visa Number) was already allocated to me ... So you guys may be right ... They probably give you visa number once you had filed I485 ... We will know for sure only in July, then first interviews/approvals will start taking place ... GOD BLESS US ALL ...
Guys & Gals,
Don't get optimistic..!! There are tons of places during whole I-485 process where Visa Availability is checked and whenever not available is put into Visa Hold. If you want to know more about the process, There is 485 Processing mannual on the web (Its a huge 269 Page mannual)
Anways, I am quoting out of the same mannual.
Section -8 POST ADJUDICATION
PAGE 8-2
Recommended Approvals
When to Perform
Once an I-485 application has been adjudicated, and the adjudicator deems it
ready for approval, the adjudicator should follow the Recommended
Approvals process.
Description
If an adjudicator finds that the I-485 application is ready for approval, he/she
indicates that the case is "Recommended for Approval" and sends a sheet to
INS clerical or the contractor requesting a visa. INS clerical or the contractor
contacts the Department of State (DOS) to verify that a visa is currently
available. Once DOS verifies that a visa is available the clerk will route the
case back to the adjudicator. The adjudicator will approve the case and send
it back to INS clerical or the contractor for card production activities. (If the
adjudicating officer faxes the visa request to DOS directly, the file will be
routed to INS clerical or the contractor for card production activities after
he/she has approved the case.)
Procedure Complete the following steps to determine if the visa is available.
Step Action: INS/Contractor
1 Receive the files for visa requests.
2 Fax or email the list of all visa requests to the Department of State.
3 Once responses are returned, copy the list and return it along with
the files to the appropriate adjudicator.
4 Once approved and returned from the adjudicator, RAFACS and
forward the files back to the adjudicator.
You can yourself look for this mannual and you will realize that how at every step USCIS checks for Visa availablity till like last moment before approval.
- MunnnaMobile