Below is some info on approval notices. Source: http://www.immigration-law.com/Canada.html.
Nowadays, when I-485 is approved, in most cases the plastic green card is delivered to the new permanent resident in the mail from one week to two weeks. Sometimes, the plastic card is delivered to the new permanent resident in from four to five days, almost simulataneously with the approval notice. However, some people do not receive such plastic cards for a prolonged period of time.
One can learn from the approval notice where his/her case falls. If he/she receives in the mail "Welcome" approval notice, it is an indication that the plastic card will be delivered in the next few days. On the contrary, it he/she receives the approval notice without the "Welcome" language and there is an instruction to schedule fingerprint and biometric collection, it means that the plastic card will not be produced and delivered until the fingerprinting and biometric collection are completed.
Why this happens? According to the USCIS, if the I-485 applicant has already completed both fingerprinting and biometrics collection at the ASC at the time I-485 is approved, the card is digitally produced and mailed out instantly upon the approval of the I-1485 and he/she thus receives a message in the approval notice that he/she is "welcome" to the USA and will receive the plastic card (I-551) shortly. On the other hand, if the ASC collected fingerprints only and biometricts have not been collected before the approval of the I-485, the USCIS still approves I-485 but the approval notice will require him/her to schedule an Infopass appointment to collect biometrics and until the biometrics have been collected, the plastic card will not be produced even if the I-485 has been granted.
Accordingly, those whose I-485 applications have been approved should read the approval notices carefully. If the "Welcome" approval notice is received but he/she fails to receive the plastic card in the mail in a few days or two or three weeks longest, he/she should call the 1-800-375-5283 number to notify the USCIS. On the other hand, those who just receive approval notice without the "Welcome" message but requiring ASC appointment should make an appointment and provide biometrics per the instructions in the approval notice timely and promptly. Otherwise, they will experience delays in receiving the plastic cards!
Nowadays, when I-485 is approved, in most cases the plastic green card is delivered to the new permanent resident in the mail from one week to two weeks. Sometimes, the plastic card is delivered to the new permanent resident in from four to five days, almost simulataneously with the approval notice. However, some people do not receive such plastic cards for a prolonged period of time.
One can learn from the approval notice where his/her case falls. If he/she receives in the mail "Welcome" approval notice, it is an indication that the plastic card will be delivered in the next few days. On the contrary, it he/she receives the approval notice without the "Welcome" language and there is an instruction to schedule fingerprint and biometric collection, it means that the plastic card will not be produced and delivered until the fingerprinting and biometric collection are completed.
Why this happens? According to the USCIS, if the I-485 applicant has already completed both fingerprinting and biometrics collection at the ASC at the time I-485 is approved, the card is digitally produced and mailed out instantly upon the approval of the I-1485 and he/she thus receives a message in the approval notice that he/she is "welcome" to the USA and will receive the plastic card (I-551) shortly. On the other hand, if the ASC collected fingerprints only and biometricts have not been collected before the approval of the I-485, the USCIS still approves I-485 but the approval notice will require him/her to schedule an Infopass appointment to collect biometrics and until the biometrics have been collected, the plastic card will not be produced even if the I-485 has been granted.
Accordingly, those whose I-485 applications have been approved should read the approval notices carefully. If the "Welcome" approval notice is received but he/she fails to receive the plastic card in the mail in a few days or two or three weeks longest, he/she should call the 1-800-375-5283 number to notify the USCIS. On the other hand, those who just receive approval notice without the "Welcome" message but requiring ASC appointment should make an appointment and provide biometrics per the instructions in the approval notice timely and promptly. Otherwise, they will experience delays in receiving the plastic cards!