After nine months, my parents’ green card applications were approved today. They didn’t have to go to an interview. Below is a brief timeline for their adjustment of status process.
- February 2013:
- Completed medical exams.
- Sent both applications (in separate envelopes and clearly labeled) in one package to USCIS in late February.
- Each application included concurrently filed I-130 and I-485, as well as I-131, plus supporting documents.
- March 2013: Received I-797 receipt notices in early March and biometric appointment notice in late March.
- April 2013: Competed fingerprinting.
- May 2013: Received Advance Parole (travel documents). Since we didn’t apply for EAD, this just came in as a paper document – not a card.
- August 2013: Received a Notice of Potential Interview Waiver Case and warning of additional six-month delay.
- November 2013: Received email about improvement on I-130 processing.
- December 2013: Both I-130 and I-485 were approved on 12/4.
Since March 2013, their case status on the USCIS online status check system never changed until today. The I-130 was stuck at Initial Review and I-485 at Acceptance. On December 4, however, I-485 status was updated and jumped directly to step 5: Card Production Ordered (last step on the status graph). Four hours later, the status went back to step 3 – Decision – with the following message:
On December 4, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we had registered this customer’s new permanent resident status. Please follow any instructions on the notice. Your new permanent resident card should be mailed within 60 days following this registration or after you complete any ADIT processing referred to in the welcome notice, whichever is later. If you move before receiving your card, please call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.
The first status update for I-130 was a message I’d never seen before:
On December 4, 2013, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please check our website at www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case. Please wait until the end of normal processing time before calling customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for live assistance.
Again, four hours later the message changed to the approval notice:
On December 4, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we certified our approval of this case and sent it to the appropriate appellate body for review. They will notify you directly when they make a final decision. If you move while this case is pending, follow the instructions provided in the notice and use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.
Update: On December 12, 2013, both green cards arrived in the mail. So it took roughly a week from I-485 approval to actually receiving the green cards.