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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

I just re-read the first 10 or 11 pages of this thread.

I then went and hugged Mrs. T-B. pretty hard.

It's easy to forget how hard it was to go through the whole process, including time apart, and all that jazz. When I look back over past VJ ramblings, I am especially happy that hubby and I can physically be together, and I try not to take that for granted for sure. Glad both of our Ecu-spouses are with us, TB! :) Diego became a citizen about a month and a half ago, and I definitely thought of you guys throughout the process. Hope all is well!

USC who lived in Manabí, Ecuador with hubby from 2009 - 2013. Hubby became a naturalized American citizen in August 2016. Currently living together in northern Virginia.

For full timeline, see "about me".

Latest Dates

N-400 Filing - 03/14/2016

NOA - 03/15/2016

Biometrics - 04/13/2016

In Line - 05/11/2016

Interview Notice - 06/03/2016

Interview Date - 07/11/2016

Oath - 08/29/2016

  • 6 months later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Today (4/29/17) is the 9-year anniversary of Mrs. T-B.-to-be's hosing in Guayaquil (see early this thread).

Today (4/29/17) is Mrs. T-B.'s graduation with honors from a community college program.

Her CO in GYQ can stuff this information appropriately, with cc: to the Section Chief.

 

By the way, in Fall 2016, I tracked down the Section Chief of the time and wrote him.  He actually replied.  I'll reproduce that at some point.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

  • 1 month later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

i wonder how the interviews are now (2017) in Guayaquil? After reading this thread i think i should go with my husband to his interview when it comes up. It's so nerve wrecking and i only have the NOA1 not even 2 just yet. I just hope when the time comes he gets approved and we can finally have out happily ever after.

Married: 02/06/2017

I-130 Submit: 05/15/2017

NOA1 (PD): 05/17/2017

NOA2: 11/04/2017

NOA2 by mail: 11/08/2017

USCIS sent to NVC: 11/16/2017

NVC received I-130: 11/30/2017

Received IV & AOS invoice: 12/05/2017

Paid IV & AOS invoice: 12/06/2017

Submit DS-260: 12/14/2017

Submit IV & AOS Packet: 12/14/2017

NVC SD1: 12/20/2017

Checklist: 02/02/2018

Submit Checklist Docs: 02/05/2018

NVC SD2: 02/09/2018

CC: 03/06/2018

Interview: 05/09/2018 ^_^

APPROVED!!!

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
4 hours ago, Cbr22 said:

i wonder how the interviews are now (2017) in Guayaquil? After reading this thread i think i should go with my husband to his interview when it comes up. It's so nerve wrecking and i only have the NOA1 not even 2 just yet. I just hope when the time comes he gets approved and we can finally have out happily ever after.

If you can plan to be at the interview, don't think it twice. It would not hurt and could make a huge difference in the outcome. We had ours last August and both of us got interviewed. 

K-1 Petition - California Service Center

Sent by FedEx: Feb 9 2016

Received at CSC: Feb 10 2016

NOA1: Feb 12 2016

Approved/NOA2: May 31 2016

NOA1 TO NOA2: 111 Days

NVC Received: July 26, 2016

NOA2 TO NVC: 56 Days

NVC Case #: July 27, 2016

NVC Processing: 3 Business Days

NVC To Consulate: July 29, 2016

Consulate Received: Aug 1, 2016

Consulate Ready: Aug 5, 2016

Interview: Sep 19, 2016

(Visa Approved!)

POE: Oct 17, 2016

Wedding: Dec 22, 2016

Filed for AOS: May 5, 2017

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Definitely budget the funds and time to go.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

  • 4 weeks later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Today (6/30/17) is the 9-year anniversary of our Stokes interview at GYQ.

One of these days, I'll post full details of what happened plus possible insights into why it happened.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

  • 9 months later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Today (4/29/18) is the 10-year anniversary of our first hosing at GYQ.

I'm preparing a lengthy thread about the whole sordid affair.

It will take several weeks to hone.

However, a satisfactory answer will be presented as to how and why it all happened.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

  • 3 months later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Hello everyone! New here. I have lived in Ecuador since 2013 (with a short stint in the UK for a year).  I still live in Ecuador, with my Ecuadorian husband. We got married in 2017 here in Ecuador and are now starting the spousal visa process. We are currently getting together all the documents we need before sending in the I-130. Has anyone here applied from Ecuador with both the petitioner and beneficiary living outside the US? Any tips on what to do before starting the process? I have done a lot of research, but know it's best to have all my ducks in a row before even sending the I-130. All advice is welcome! Thanks!

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
10 minutes ago, AbbyD said:

Hello everyone! New here. I have lived in Ecuador since 2013 (with a short stint in the UK for a year).  I still live in Ecuador, with my Ecuadorian husband. We got married in 2017 here in Ecuador and are now starting the spousal visa process. We are currently getting together all the documents we need before sending in the I-130. Has anyone here applied from Ecuador with both the petitioner and beneficiary living outside the US? Any tips on what to do before starting the process? I have done a lot of research, but know it's best to have all my ducks in a row before even sending the I-130. All advice is welcome! Thanks!

 

HI! My husband and I did it while living together in Ecuador as well. I moved there in 2009, we got married in 2011, filed in 2012, and moved back to the US in mid 2013. Because the postal service down there is super unreliable, I had family members mail everything for me as needed, and anything that need an original signature from me I paid extra to ship via DHL. 

 

No tips except to be very patient. Hopefully things have changed, but we had to wait a whole 2 months before getting a consulate interview and it felt like an eternity. Otherwise, provide tons of proof (like to the point that it feels unnecessary), go with him to his interview, and double check all the guides as you go. Feel free to check out my timeline or ask specific questions. Lots of luck! 

USC who lived in Manabí, Ecuador with hubby from 2009 - 2013. Hubby became a naturalized American citizen in August 2016. Currently living together in northern Virginia.

For full timeline, see "about me".

Latest Dates

N-400 Filing - 03/14/2016

NOA - 03/15/2016

Biometrics - 04/13/2016

In Line - 05/11/2016

Interview Notice - 06/03/2016

Interview Date - 07/11/2016

Oath - 08/29/2016

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
28 minutes ago, oohpartiv said:

 

HI! My husband and I did it while living together in Ecuador as well. I moved there in 2009, we got married in 2011, filed in 2012, and moved back to the US in mid 2013. Because the postal service down there is super unreliable, I had family members mail everything for me as needed, and anything that need an original signature from me I paid extra to ship via DHL. 

 

No tips except to be very patient. Hopefully things have changed, but we had to wait a whole 2 months before getting a consulate interview and it felt like an eternity. Otherwise, provide tons of proof (like to the point that it feels unnecessary), go with him to his interview, and double check all the guides as you go. Feel free to check out my timeline or ask specific questions. Lots of luck! 

Thank you so much!  Regarding mail, I know how awful the mail is here, so I was planning on putting my parents' US address as my mailing address, and having them then DHL everything to me whenever anything comes. Do you think it's a problem to have a US mailing address while my residency is actually in Ecuador?

And I see you are in Alexandria! I'm originally from Arlington :)

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
1 hour ago, oohpartiv said:

 

HI! My husband and I did it while living together in Ecuador as well. I moved there in 2009, we got married in 2011, filed in 2012, and moved back to the US in mid 2013. Because the postal service down there is super unreliable, I had family members mail everything for me as needed, and anything that need an original signature from me I paid extra to ship via DHL. 

 

No tips except to be very patient. Hopefully things have changed, but we had to wait a whole 2 months before getting a consulate interview and it felt like an eternity. Otherwise, provide tons of proof (like to the point that it feels unnecessary), go with him to his interview, and double check all the guides as you go. Feel free to check out my timeline or ask specific questions. Lots of luck! 

Sorry, one more question. Since you lived in Ecuador, how did you prove "domicile" in the States? I have declared taxes, voted, visited a bunch, have bank accounts, etc. But I haven't lived there in 5 years, which will be more than that at the time of the interview. I have read that in most cases I would have to move back to the States and get a job in order to establish "domicile". Was this true in your case? I can say that we plan to live with my parents until we have jobs and a place to live, but I'm not sure if that's enough

  • 2 months later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Ten years ago today, on 9 October 2008, Mrs. T-B.-to-be passed through POE with use of her K-1 visa.

I'm still composing the monster thread to expose how we all got hosed in Guayaquil by that consular administration.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

  • 4 years later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
On 2/20/2009 at 1:08 PM, TBoneTX said:

Section Chief Phil Linderman

Resurrecting this thread of immortal horror (read the first several pages) to point out that Someone has resurfaced after all these years:

 

https://cis.org/Phillip-Linderman

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

  • 5 months later...
  • 1 month later...
 
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