来ました〜！！
意外と早く面接の予約日の手紙が水曜日の４月２日に届いた！面接は５月１３日にルイビルだそうです。ミクシィで似たような間隔で物事が進んでいる人のタイムラインを参考にすると、面接１〜２週間前にEAD（労働許可書）、面接３週間から１ヶ月後にはグリーンカード貰っているみたいです。ってことはうまく順調に進むと予定どおり６月末にはルイビルに引越す事になりそう・・・
ポートフォリオさっさと更新して転職先探さないとやばい〜？！
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
At last!
I got an appointment letter for the interview on Wednesday April 2! Things are moving forward at pretty good speed. The interview is scheduled on May 13th. According to other people online who got their biometrics done in similar time line after submitting applications, received their EAD (Employment Authorization Document) a few weeks prior to their scheduled interviews, and got their green cards in mail 3-4 weeks after interviews.
So this means, if everything goes smoothly for me, I should get mine by the end of June! Pretty nice :)
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
[GC] バイオメトリック/Biometric
３月１７日にシンシナティに指紋採取と顔写真をとりに行ってきました。予約が月曜日の９時だったので思案した結果、前日日曜はシンシナティに一泊する事に。通勤ラッシュで遅れたりするのが嫌だったのと（ルイビルの予約に遅れそうになった経験が…）数日前に開店したIKEAに行きたかったのです。
バイオの当日は予約時間よりも早い８時４０分に着いたけれども、なんの問題も無く建物に入れた。予約の紙に携帯持ち込み禁止と書いてあったのにも関わらず、セキュリティーでは携帯や鞄を持った人たちもスンナリ通ってった。ここのオフィスは他の所よりはそんなに厳しくないよう。シティーホールなどの他の役所も一緒に入っているからかなあ？
バイオの部屋には既に１人が座って待っていた。私が開いている窓口に行ったものの誰もいないし、こない？？数分後、バイオが終わったと思われる女性が係の人と待合室に出てきた。どうやら係の人は受付からバイオまで一人で全てこなしているよう。う〜ん、道理で窓口に誰もいない訳だわ．．．予約が混んでいる時間帯じゃなくって良かった．．．
持参した物はパスポート、車の免許、予約の紙と念のためにI-485とI-765のNOA。受付で渡された書類に名前、レシート番号（予約の紙に書いてある）、両親の名前、身長や体重、現住所などを記入。その後、番号札を渡され、暫くしてから自分の番号が呼ばれる。
指紋採取は１０本の指なんだけど、片手づづで始めに親指で次に残りの指４本をまとめて。そして指一本ずつを丁寧に。乾燥肌の私はローションをつけた直後だったんだけど、そのため指紋の写真が（？）濃く移り過ぎて何度かやり直しに。ネットによると、手が乾燥している人はローションをつける言われるらしい。顔写真は撮った後に、係のおばさんに「見る？よく撮れているわよ。」と写真を見せてもらう。車の免許の写真を撮った時なんかと比べて気が利くと思った。免許の写真なんて合図もなしに知らない間に撮られるんで、いつも妙な表情なんだよね・・・ （苦笑）
全て終わった後にアンケート用紙を記入し、建物を出たのが９時１５分。係の人が１人以上だったらもっと早く終わってたと思う。私が終わった時点では待合室には４人ほど待ってました。予約時間より早めに着いてよかったあ。
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
I had an appointment for biometrics (fingerprints and photo taken) for the green card application on Mach 17th, 9am on Monday. Considering the traffic going into Cincinnati on Monday morning, we've decided to stay there night before. Also this way we would have time to go to IKEA which has just opened in West Chester, OH a few days ago. :)
On Monday, I got to the office at 8:40am. I got inside of the building without any problems. Even though it stated not to bring cell phones on the appointment letter, people with cell phones and handbags were going through the security with no problems. It didn't look like this office wasn't as strict as some other ones I read about online.
In the waiting room of the biometrics, there was already one person waiting. As I waited for someone at a reception desk, a lady with an office worker showed up from the next room. Turned out only one person was doing — fingerprinting, taking photos and reception work! geez! Regardless to say, I was happy that my appointment wasn't during busy time of the day...
Things I brought with me were the passport, drivers license, appointment letter, and NOA for I-485 and I-765. After filing a sheet of paper with my name, address, parents' name, physical descriptions, I was called into the next room.
For fingerprints, she started with my thumb then the remaining 4 fingers together for both hands, then each fingers were taken individually. Because of lotion I applied earlier, the fingerprints had a tendency of coming out darker. Therefore they had to be re-done for a few time to get it right. Supposedly if people have dry hands, they'd be asked to apply lotion for better fingerprints. As for the photo, unlike ones for drivers' licenses, the lady asked me if I wanted to take a look at it afterwards... I wish I could get to do that for the drivers licenses too. Often times, you even don't know when they took your photo, and you suck with a bad photo of yourself!
By the time I got out of the building, it was 9:15am. About 4 people were waiting after I was done. I guess it paid off to get there a little earlier.
バイオの当日は予約時間よりも早い８時４０分に着いたけれども、なんの問題も無く建物に入れた。予約の紙に携帯持ち込み禁止と書いてあったのにも関わらず、セキュリティーでは携帯や鞄を持った人たちもスンナリ通ってった。ここのオフィスは他の所よりはそんなに厳しくないよう。シティーホールなどの他の役所も一緒に入っているからかなあ？
バイオの部屋には既に１人が座って待っていた。私が開いている窓口に行ったものの誰もいないし、こない？？数分後、バイオが終わったと思われる女性が係の人と待合室に出てきた。どうやら係の人は受付からバイオまで一人で全てこなしているよう。う〜ん、道理で窓口に誰もいない訳だわ．．．予約が混んでいる時間帯じゃなくって良かった．．．
持参した物はパスポート、車の免許、予約の紙と念のためにI-485とI-765のNOA。受付で渡された書類に名前、レシート番号（予約の紙に書いてある）、両親の名前、身長や体重、現住所などを記入。その後、番号札を渡され、暫くしてから自分の番号が呼ばれる。
指紋採取は１０本の指なんだけど、片手づづで始めに親指で次に残りの指４本をまとめて。そして指一本ずつを丁寧に。乾燥肌の私はローションをつけた直後だったんだけど、そのため指紋の写真が（？）濃く移り過ぎて何度かやり直しに。ネットによると、手が乾燥している人はローションをつける言われるらしい。顔写真は撮った後に、係のおばさんに「見る？よく撮れているわよ。」と写真を見せてもらう。車の免許の写真を撮った時なんかと比べて気が利くと思った。免許の写真なんて合図もなしに知らない間に撮られるんで、いつも妙な表情なんだよね・・・ （苦笑）
全て終わった後にアンケート用紙を記入し、建物を出たのが９時１５分。係の人が１人以上だったらもっと早く終わってたと思う。私が終わった時点では待合室には４人ほど待ってました。予約時間より早めに着いてよかったあ。
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
I had an appointment for biometrics (fingerprints and photo taken) for the green card application on Mach 17th, 9am on Monday. Considering the traffic going into Cincinnati on Monday morning, we've decided to stay there night before. Also this way we would have time to go to IKEA which has just opened in West Chester, OH a few days ago. :)
On Monday, I got to the office at 8:40am. I got inside of the building without any problems. Even though it stated not to bring cell phones on the appointment letter, people with cell phones and handbags were going through the security with no problems. It didn't look like this office wasn't as strict as some other ones I read about online.
In the waiting room of the biometrics, there was already one person waiting. As I waited for someone at a reception desk, a lady with an office worker showed up from the next room. Turned out only one person was doing — fingerprinting, taking photos and reception work! geez! Regardless to say, I was happy that my appointment wasn't during busy time of the day...
Things I brought with me were the passport, drivers license, appointment letter, and NOA for I-485 and I-765. After filing a sheet of paper with my name, address, parents' name, physical descriptions, I was called into the next room.
For fingerprints, she started with my thumb then the remaining 4 fingers together for both hands, then each fingers were taken individually. Because of lotion I applied earlier, the fingerprints had a tendency of coming out darker. Therefore they had to be re-done for a few time to get it right. Supposedly if people have dry hands, they'd be asked to apply lotion for better fingerprints. As for the photo, unlike ones for drivers' licenses, the lady asked me if I wanted to take a look at it afterwards... I wish I could get to do that for the drivers licenses too. Often times, you even don't know when they took your photo, and you suck with a bad photo of yourself!
By the time I got out of the building, it was 9:15am. About 4 people were waiting after I was done. I guess it paid off to get there a little earlier.
Monday, March 03, 2008
[GC] USCISからの手紙/letter from USCIS
書類不足の通知が来てたらどうしようとハラハラしてた先週。週末にUSCISからNotice of Action(NOA)とbiometrics（指紋採取と写真撮影）の通知が届きました! やっと物事が進み始めたって感じで、心なし落ち着いたかな？よかったぁ。
３月17日にシンシナティのUSCISローカルオフィスでBiometrics。ルイビルだとばっかり思ってたんで、ビックリ。面接はどこになるんだろう？I-130 Question 22にルイビルと記入しちゃってるけど面接とBiometricsのオフィスは別なのかも。17日はビージェイが一緒に来てくれるそうです。必要はないんだけどね。
ちなみにNOAのレシートナンバーを使いステータスの確認がUSCISのサイトで出来るのですが、何度試みてもエラーが。ミクシィで調べた結果、アメリカでGCを請願する場合はBiometrics後のみ、このサイトでステータスの確認が出来る場合がほとんどとか。ミクシィ重宝してます〜
******************************************************************************
Last week, I was a little uneasy wondering if I'd receive a notice of insufficient documents. Well, I got letters of the Notice of Actions (NOA) and the biometrics (taking fingerprints and photo) appointment from USCIS over the weekend!!! Finally the ball is rolling...
The biometrics appointment is on Monday March 17 at 9am in Cincinnati. This was unexpected since I was thinking that I'm under Louisville office jurisdiction, and we even put down the Louisville office on form I-130 Question 22. Well, maybe that's where the interview will be. Even though it's not required, Beejay probably will accompany to that day.
Also to check the status on USCIS website using the receipt numbers on the letters is possible after biometrics. This finding is based on information I found online...
３月17日にシンシナティのUSCISローカルオフィスでBiometrics。ルイビルだとばっかり思ってたんで、ビックリ。面接はどこになるんだろう？I-130 Question 22にルイビルと記入しちゃってるけど面接とBiometricsのオフィスは別なのかも。17日はビージェイが一緒に来てくれるそうです。必要はないんだけどね。
ちなみにNOAのレシートナンバーを使いステータスの確認がUSCISのサイトで出来るのですが、何度試みてもエラーが。ミクシィで調べた結果、アメリカでGCを請願する場合はBiometrics後のみ、このサイトでステータスの確認が出来る場合がほとんどとか。ミクシィ重宝してます〜
******************************************************************************
Last week, I was a little uneasy wondering if I'd receive a notice of insufficient documents. Well, I got letters of the Notice of Actions (NOA) and the biometrics (taking fingerprints and photo) appointment from USCIS over the weekend!!! Finally the ball is rolling...
The biometrics appointment is on Monday March 17 at 9am in Cincinnati. This was unexpected since I was thinking that I'm under Louisville office jurisdiction, and we even put down the Louisville office on form I-130 Question 22. Well, maybe that's where the interview will be. Even though it's not required, Beejay probably will accompany to that day.
Also to check the status on USCIS website using the receipt numbers on the letters is possible after biometrics. This finding is based on information I found online...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
[GC] チェック引き落とし/withdraw
きょう銀行口座をチェックしたら2月27日の日付で、I-130とI-485の費用が引き落とされてた！残高がこんなに減ったのにも関わらず、なんとなく嬉しい経験は初めてかも（苦笑）NOA (Notice of Action)が最初に届くかと思ってたから、ちょっとビックリ。違ったみたい…？今のところ、タイムラインはこんな感じかな？
2/18 : UPSでシカゴへ書類提出（I-130, I-485, I-765, I-864, G-325A）
2/19 : ネットで書類到着確認
2/27 : チェック引き落とし
さあ、グリーンカードうまく夏頃までに届くでしょうか？ビージェイの転勤のための引越の日程が,私の永住権次第のところがあるので微妙なところです。彼の会社側に６月下旬までにはルイビルに越しくるよう頼まれているのだけれど、どうなる事やら… それまでの間、数年間放っておいたポートフォリオと作品のサイトを更新しなければ！
余談ですが、提出前にネットやミクシィで地元のUSCIS事務所で書類を確認してくれたと書いてあったので、私もInfoPassで予約を。でもこれって窓口の人もしくは事務所によって違うのかなあ？USCISのサイトにもサービスの一環として公式には「書類確認します」みたいな事、書いてないんですよね。
私達の場合、レキシントンに一番近い事務所はルイビルなので、休みを取って朝一に行ったのにも関わらず窓口で「そういうサービスは行っていません」の門前払い。質問に対しても「案内文に書いてある通り、書類を提出してください。追加書類が必要な場合は連絡がいきますから」と結構不親切。
「いや、だから必要以上に時間かけたくないから、提出事前に確認したいんじゃん！」と言いたいところを我慢して、渋々諦めることに。ビージェイにも「自分たちできっちり確認すれば大丈夫」と励まされることに。
*************************************************************************
Today when I checked my bank account, the checks for I-130 and I-485 have been cashed out! Woo hoo!! This is probably the first time I feel happy for a chunk of time being taken out from the account... hahaha I was expecting to receive NOA (Notice of Action) before the withdrawal of the fees. So I was bit surprised. I guess I was wrong. So far the things are like this:
2/18: Overnighted the applications to Chicago Lockbox via USP （I-130, I-485, I-765, I-864, G-325A）
2/19: the package was delivered
2/27: the checks were cashed out
On the side note, before I submitted the applications I made an appointment at the USCIS office because I had heard and read online that they will check your applications beforehand. However, this service may vary from office to office. The website doesn't mentions about this as a part of the services neither.
Because the closest office from Lexington is in Louisville, I took a day-off to get to 9am appointment. But at the window, I was just simply told that they don't check the application, and to prepare the documents according to the instruction provided, and I will be notified if they need additional documents. She wasn't helpful at all!
Even though I wanted to thank her for the obvious, I left quietly. Beejay encouraged me by saying that we'd double-check everything again and everything will be okay....
2/18 : UPSでシカゴへ書類提出（I-130, I-485, I-765, I-864, G-325A）
2/19 : ネットで書類到着確認
2/27 : チェック引き落とし
さあ、グリーンカードうまく夏頃までに届くでしょうか？ビージェイの転勤のための引越の日程が,私の永住権次第のところがあるので微妙なところです。彼の会社側に６月下旬までにはルイビルに越しくるよう頼まれているのだけれど、どうなる事やら… それまでの間、数年間放っておいたポートフォリオと作品のサイトを更新しなければ！
余談ですが、提出前にネットやミクシィで地元のUSCIS事務所で書類を確認してくれたと書いてあったので、私もInfoPassで予約を。でもこれって窓口の人もしくは事務所によって違うのかなあ？USCISのサイトにもサービスの一環として公式には「書類確認します」みたいな事、書いてないんですよね。
私達の場合、レキシントンに一番近い事務所はルイビルなので、休みを取って朝一に行ったのにも関わらず窓口で「そういうサービスは行っていません」の門前払い。質問に対しても「案内文に書いてある通り、書類を提出してください。追加書類が必要な場合は連絡がいきますから」と結構不親切。
「いや、だから必要以上に時間かけたくないから、提出事前に確認したいんじゃん！」と言いたいところを我慢して、渋々諦めることに。ビージェイにも「自分たちできっちり確認すれば大丈夫」と励まされることに。
*************************************************************************
Today when I checked my bank account, the checks for I-130 and I-485 have been cashed out! Woo hoo!! This is probably the first time I feel happy for a chunk of time being taken out from the account... hahaha I was expecting to receive NOA (Notice of Action) before the withdrawal of the fees. So I was bit surprised. I guess I was wrong. So far the things are like this:
2/18: Overnighted the applications to Chicago Lockbox via USP （I-130, I-485, I-765, I-864, G-325A）
2/19: the package was delivered
2/27: the checks were cashed out
On the side note, before I submitted the applications I made an appointment at the USCIS office because I had heard and read online that they will check your applications beforehand. However, this service may vary from office to office. The website doesn't mentions about this as a part of the services neither.
Because the closest office from Lexington is in Louisville, I took a day-off to get to 9am appointment. But at the window, I was just simply told that they don't check the application, and to prepare the documents according to the instruction provided, and I will be notified if they need additional documents. She wasn't helpful at all!
Even though I wanted to thank her for the obvious, I left quietly. Beejay encouraged me by saying that we'd double-check everything again and everything will be okay....
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
[GC] 書類郵送 / AOS application mailed
ここまで時間がかかったのは自分たちだけではないかと疑問に感じるほど、長かった準備が無事（？）終わり、UPSのOvernightでグリーンカード申請書類を提出した。
そわそわとネットで追跡すること数時間、お昼頃にやっと「配達ずみ」というステータスにかわってた！無事届いてよかった〜。これからは只管連絡が来るのを待つしかなさそう。書類不十分の通知がこない事を只管願うのみです…
**********************************************************************
It seemed like that it look forever to put together the Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications, and maybe we are only people who took this long for preparations. Anyhow, the application was send out via UPS overnight to the USCIS's lockbox at Chicago yesterday.
As I frequently checked the status of the package, the status finally changed as "delivered" on the USP website around noon! phew... I'm happy that it got there safely. Now all we can do it just to wait to hear back from the USCIS for the next step for the process. I'm just hoping that we won't be told that we missed some documents since that will delay the process.... :(
we shall see.
そわそわとネットで追跡すること数時間、お昼頃にやっと「配達ずみ」というステータスにかわってた！無事届いてよかった〜。これからは只管連絡が来るのを待つしかなさそう。書類不十分の通知がこない事を只管願うのみです…
**********************************************************************
It seemed like that it look forever to put together the Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications, and maybe we are only people who took this long for preparations. Anyhow, the application was send out via UPS overnight to the USCIS's lockbox at Chicago yesterday.
As I frequently checked the status of the package, the status finally changed as "delivered" on the USP website around noon! phew... I'm happy that it got there safely. Now all we can do it just to wait to hear back from the USCIS for the next step for the process. I'm just hoping that we won't be told that we missed some documents since that will delay the process.... :(
we shall see.
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