applying for AP in Baltimore
It was 7:30 am, and the photographer at the corner of Lombard and Charles was closed. Luckyly there was a liquor store around the corner that does INS style photos on the side.
I took pictures in the liquor store and bought a bag of cookies (breakfast time) and returned back to INS. I filled the form, and went back in the line to get a number. It wasn't too bad. I got B-208 (the count stared at B-201).
There are 4 queues: A, B, C, and D. B seems to be for advance paroles. I wasn't able to figure out what the other queues were for.
The B queue was moving the slowest. It took about an hour for my number to come up. The officer took my form, my two pictures and the check for $95.00 and told me they will call my name.
After about 10 minutes, they called my name and gave me a receipt - a photocopy of my application with "PAID" stamped on it. The officer said: "Wait for about 5 minutes then go to the next room."
The next room was packed with people. So I went to a telephone and called my boss to tell her I'll be late for work. When I came back, I asked if they had called my name. They told me they haven't issued any APs yet because of computer problems. She said I probably won't get it before noon.
I wasn't in the mood to use up a vacation day to spend at the INS office, so I asked them if it's OK to come and pick it up the next day. The officer photocopied my receipt, and she said she would put a note somewhere, so they will know to hold my AP until I pick it up.
Two days later, I came to pick up my AP. I went directly to the room where they issue the documents and showed my receips. It was the same officer whom I asked to hold my AP, and she remembered me. I was in and out with my AP within 10 minutes!
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