is there anyone here in texas who has applied for their 698? if so, how long is the process taking. i did my biometrics 3/12/09, still not gotten a letter for interview.

quote:

Originally posted by bintiyv:
is there anyone here in texas who has applied for their 698? if so, how long is the process taking. i did my biometrics 3/12/09, still not gotten a letter for interview.

I'm not in Texas, but in Los Angeles.

My interview was done about 5 months after biometrics!

Freedom1.

hi guys, i just got a letter today informing me to go to the immigration for an official matter.
it is not an interview, per the document,
however,they want me to take my valid id, passport and evidence that i resided in the us between 82-88 plus my medical exam. by the way this is for my 698. has anyone encountered this,
the only evidence i used when i got approved of my 687 was letters from my parents friends, since i applied for this as a beneficiary of my parents. anyone help.

Hi, Bintiyv

When I received my appointment letter for my I-698 interview, it didn't have the word "interview" anywhere. It just said that it was regarding "an official matter". If they are asking you to take your passport with you, you should be fine, you will probably be approved on the spot.

As for the documents that they are requesting and you don't have (you're not supposed to have them), don't worry, they usually fill those letter forms without much care. Good luck on your interview and remember that you will take the English and civics test.

thanks hjv

i feel a little better coz i have been really stressing out, by the way the interview is exactly a week from today.
i have been asked to ask for a particular "life act officer " (which just got me more confused because i had not applied for the life act).
then the reason for appointment reads i-687 or i-697, gosh does that make sense? i am applying for 697 and they are asking for both. was that the same with you.

they also want a current letter from my employer

quote:

Originally posted by bintiyv:
thanks hjv

i feel a little better coz i have been really stressing out, by the way the interview is exactly a week from today.
i have been asked to ask for a particular "life act officer " (which just got me more confused because i had not applied for the life act).
then the reason for appointment reads i-687 or i-697, gosh does that make sense? i am applying for 697 and they are asking for both. was that the same with you.

Hi Bintiyv,

Just wanted to stop by and say good luck with your interview. Come back and tell us how it went.

Bintiyv,

You have nothing to worry about. Once the USCIS starts approving things they continue, when they start denying things they also continue. There is no way they would have re-examined your case after approving your I-687. Relax and be happy you got approved without any pre-1982 evidence.

Keep in mind, hundreds of people were denied who only had affidavits like yourself. Some were denied who actually had everything that was required, myself included. You're very lucky. Like everything else in life, much of this depends on luck, and personal feelings. If your immigration officer happens to not like you for any reason, or non reason, you will not be approved.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: unique,

quote:

Originally posted by bintiyv:
thanks hjv

i feel a little better coz i have been really stressing out, by the way the interview is exactly a week from today.
i have been asked to ask for a particular "life act officer " (which just got me more confused because i had not applied for the life act).
then the reason for appointment reads i-687 or i-697, gosh does that make sense? i am applying for 697 and they are asking for both. was that the same with you.

When you say "I-697" I assume you mean I-698, since there is no form I697. They probably assigned a LIFE Act officer to do the interview because there are no "CSS/LULAC" officers.

If they are requesting a job letter, it's because you need to prove that you have not left the country for a longer period than you are allowed.

Lastly, they are not supposed to ask you again about the documents you submitted with you I-687 application, since they place a red sheet on top of those documents,in you file. Then they start placing the documents for newer cases on top of that sheet. At least that's how it was done in my case. Good luck.

Hi guys, just want to let you know, i went for my interview last thursday.
It went well, and i was verbally approved. the immi officer could not stamp my passport, becuase she informed me that they recently updated their policies and they have to do another background check, if all comes back negative then they will go on ahead and process my GC. my interview took about 10minutes. i did not have to do the civics exam because i have a post grad degree. the officer informed me that my degree would suffice for the exam. she just went through my 698 application form, had me initial through my app. as verification. She did not look at any of the documents i brought with me, ie. my evidence, 693 medical . she was a very nice lady. she requested i be patient, because they are changing the GC production machine and this has caused a delayin GC production. she said it would be maybe 3 month delay before my GC would come through mail. Last piece of advice she gave me was once i got my card, i should cut my EAD into little pieces so it doesnt fall into fraudulent hands.
just glad this whole process is over. now i am just waiting for my GC card.

Congratulations!!!!

Now, according to my lawyer, in order to qualify for citizenship, we need to wait 5 years as LPR.

The 1986 amnesty law says the 5 years required to file for citizenship starts when our I-698 was received or after the 19 month eligibility date after becoming temporary resident whichever is latter.

Your greencard will arrive with the wrong approval date (you'll see), but my lawyer said to save the I-698 I-797 receipt form (when it was received by USCIS) and when applying for citizenship to send a copy of the receipt and copy of the 245a law where it says how to process our case.

So, for me I just have to wait 3 more years to file.

Freedom1.

oh thats cool thanks for the tip.
if they can use the 19th month eligibility date from my temp card. that will be great coz that will cut down my years to another 2years. my 698 process has taken 5mths from the date i sent in my application.
can i apply for my parents paperwork as a GC resident or i have to wait for my citizenship to sponsor my folks?

One must be a US citizen before petitioning for parents. See link below.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/si...CM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

quote:

Originally posted by bintiyv:
if they can use the 19th month eligibility date from my temp card. that will be great coz that will cut down my years to another 2years. my 698 process has taken 5mths from the date i sent in my application.

I'm afraid you start accruing time towards your citizenship after the later of the two, in this case the date you filed to become LPR. It looks like you took some time to apply for your LPR status after you became Temporary Resident?

245a.(m) :
(m) Date of adjustment to permanent residence. The status of an alien whose
application for permanent resident status is approved shall be adjusted to
that of a lawful permanent resident as of the date of filing of the application
for permanent residence or the eligibility date, whichever is later. For purposes of making application to petition for naturalization, the continuous residence requirements for naturalization shall begin as of the date the alien’s
status is adjusted to that of a person lawfully admitted for permanent residence
under this part.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/...r/pdf/8cfr245a.3.pdf
Page 11.

Freedom1.

Sorry for the late post, but my parents received my green card in the mail in the last week of June. I'm currently on the island of Dominica in medical school at an American Medical School (ROSS Univ). I haven't seen my card yet, been here since May 5. I fly back to the states on August 19 after 1st Semester is over.

Hope things are well with you guys! PS I think when I come back I'll go to canada for a few days just to check it out, I haven't been there before! Maybe Mexico after that. I was thinking of Venezuela cause its right off the coast of Dominica, but then again I guess I would have to get a visa for that country.

Shabber

I personaly Would probably skip venezuela this year. mexico, south america Etc. Not like it once was.