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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ireland
Timeline
Posted

1. Country USC resides in: Ireland
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: Mailed Dec 8, 2015 and received Dec. 17, 2015
4. How long had you been living abroad: Just over 4 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes.
6. What is the reason for your residence: Post graduate student on a study visa, then on a post-graduate work permit, then long term relationship with Irish citizen
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes.
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes, through An Post (Irish post office), registered package
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes. Copies of: letter from Irish Immigration Authorities confirming basis of legal residence in Ireland, utility bills in both names, Irish private medical insurance in both names, various holiday return flight tickets to destination and return to Ireland.
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes but only as a reference of our correspondence address.
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes, only 20 days and over the Christmas period also.

  • 2 weeks later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Brazil
Timeline
Posted

1. Country USC resides in: Brazil
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: December 2015
4. How long had you been living abroad: 2 years and two months.
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/ Dual Citizenship.
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes, forwarded it to a parent in Florida, who sent it to the USCIS.
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes. Address on I-130 form, and all other forms. Included utility bills and a marriage invitation with address on it.
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes, 27 days.

Pre Immigration:

Oct, 2010: Met my spouse!

May, 05/04/2014: Began dating!

Jan 01/01/2015: Engaged.

Jul 07/17/2015: Married!

USCIS CR-1/IR-1:
Dec 12/28/2015: Mailed I-130 (Chicago Lockbox)
Jan 01/04/2016: NOA 1 (California)
Jan 01/26/2016: NOA 2 (USCIS)
Feb: Sent to NVC.
TOTAL DAYS IN USCIS: 22 days.
NVC Stage
Feb 02/14/2016: NVC received case.
Feb 02/23/2016: NVC issued Case and Invoice #.
Feb 02/25/2016: Received Case & Invoice Number from NVC.
Feb 02/25/2016: Filled out and completed DS-261.
Feb 02/27/2016: Invoice fee to pay Affidavit of Support.
Mar 03/15/2016: Paid Affidavit of Support fee.
Mar 03/18/2016: Affidavit of Support fee paid status.
Mar 03/18/2016: Invoice to pay IV fee, Paid IV fee,
Mar 03/23/2016: Completed DS-260.
Mar 05/11/2016: Ceac Case shows ready and expedited to Rio(unknowingly)
May 05/31/2016: Sent in AOS & IV package.
May 05/31/2016: Case complete. Received Medical Letter and Interview scheduled for June 17th, 2016.
June 06/01/2016: Medical exam schedule for 06/15/2016.
June 06/17/2016: VISA APPROVED!!!

  • 2 months later...
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline
Posted

***Several posts removed for below stated reason.***

***This purpose of this thread is to provide information when sending a petition from abroad from countries where DCF is unavailable (or a petitioner did not qualify to use); it is not intended for general Q and A. Several recent posts that deviated from the purpose of this thread have been removed.***

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

Posted

1. Country USC resides in: Singapore

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No

3. When did you file the I-130: March 25, 2016

4. How long had you been living abroad: 2 years

5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes

6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/ Work

7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes

8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Technically not, forwarded it to parents in California first.

9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? included the rental agreement, but not the work permit copy.

10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Mentioned that we moved to Singapore for work in the affidavit, but not in the cover letter.

11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Just got the NOA1, waiting.

Just got the email earlier stating that our case was accepted and forwarded to NSC (Nebraska). Makes me really nervous, I read quite a bit through this thread and it seems like all the "auto-expedited" cases are being sent to California. Please help me calm down - is there anyone here whose case (with the special queue) went to Nebraska or any other service center besides California?

Thanks and cheers.

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Belgium
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Hello Everyone!

Our answers below in purple.

1. Country USC resides in: Belgium.
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No.
3. When did you file the I-130: January 2016.
4. How long had you been living abroad: 5 years.
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes.
6. What is the reason for your residence: To get marry & live together.
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes.
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes from Belgium to the Chicago Lockbox.
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes.
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? No.
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Yes, 69 days.

POTOMAC SERVICE CENTER.

Edited by negmatic
Posted

1. Country USC resides in: Singapore
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: 31 March 2016
4. How long had you been living abroad: 18 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: Work / Employment Pass
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes from Singapore
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes - property search, credit card statements
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? No.
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Received NOA1 through email on 6 April 2016. Hoping for the best for "auto-expedited".

Like Jeniafrench, our case will be forwarded to Nebraska (NSC). Now the long wait begins ..........

  • 2 months later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: France
Timeline
Posted

I'm posting to the June filers topic as well, but just stumbled on this one and was thrilled!!! We were so scared that it would take a year or more for our request to go through.

1. Country USC resides in: France
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: June 2016
4. How long had you been living abroad: 7.5 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/other - Work/Family
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes - had our landlord sign a statement saying we were living together at our address here in France.
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes; more specifically, I stated that we were living abroad and I had accepted a job in the states that was once-in-a-lifetime, and asked for them to do everything possible to keep our family from being separated for a long time, specifically that my wife was pregnant with our fourth child and I didn't want her to have to spend her first year of life away from her father.
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Unknown, NOA1 received yesterday. Fingers crossed!

  • 2 months later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Georgia
Timeline
Posted

It makes me feel really good seeing so many people getting auto expedite approved! Some friends of mine are still keep telling me that it depends on the country USC is residing in, service center and also the reason has to be close to some sort of an emergency. But I'm not loosing my hope :rolleyes: I was trying to find out which service center is processing faster but I couldn't. If someone has and info about that I would appreciate if you could share it here.

1. Country USC resides in: Georgia

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: September 2016
4. How long had you been living abroad: 2 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/ Living with my wife.
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes. They were meant to be evidence of bona fide relationship, but they also prove the USC is residing in Georgia.
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? I've just sent my petition so I don't know anything yet. But I'm having my fingers crossed! Reading all these posts from people from different countries getting expedited petition, gives me hope.

  • Got married - 9/26/2014
  • I-130 filed - 9/22/2016
  • NOA1(Went to Nebraska) - 9/27/2016 
  • Got transferred to Texas Service Center - 2/23/2017
  • NOA2 - 3/28/2017 
  • Got sent to NVC - 3/31/2017 
  • NVC received our case - 4/7/2017
  • Case number assigned - 4/6/2017
  • DS-261 Filled out - 4/10/2017
  • Welcome letter/invoice received - 4/11/2017
  • AOS fee payed - 4/12/2017
  • IV fee payed - 4/14/2017
  • Completed DS-260 Application - 4/20/2017
  • Sent documents to NVC - 5/15/2017
  • Scan Date - 5/19/2017
  • Case Complete at NVC - 7/19/2017
  • Interview date released - 8/1/2017
  • Interview date - 9/6/2017 - Approved!
  •  
Filed: Timeline
Posted

1. Country USC resides in: Argentina

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: August 18th, 2013
4. How long had you been living abroad: 9 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: work permit/student/tourist/ Family
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Just got the NOA1, waiting.

However not super hopeful as it was sent to Nebraska Service Center. Will update if pleasantly surprised and it's quicker than the 5 month average.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

1. Country USC resides in: Japan

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: September 13, 2016
4. How long had you been living abroad: 4 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: Work
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Just got the NOA1, waiting.

NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER

USCIS Timeline

09-13-2016: ___________ I-130 Mailed to Chicago Lockbox from Japan

09-21-2016: ___________ NOA1

10-27-2016: ___________ NOA2

11-07-2016: ___________ Case sent to NVC

 

NVC Timeline   

11-14-2016: ___________ Case received by NVC

11-21-2016: ___________ Case number and IIN assigned

11-23-2016: ___________ DS-261 completed online

11-26-2016: ___________ AOS fee unlocked and paid / welcome email from NVC received

11-30-2016: ___________ IV fee unlocked and paid / barcoded cover sheets for AOS and IV received

12-04-2016: ___________ DS-260 completed online

12-19-2016: ___________ AOS and IV packets mailed to NVC

12-23-2016: ___________ Scan Date

02-08-2017: ___________ Escalated to supervisor review

02-27-2017: ___________ Review Department
03-06-2017: ___________ Case Complete (10 weeks from Scan Date)

 

Interview and US Timeline 

03-13-2017: ___________ Interview date found out by calling NVC

03-16-2017: ___________ Interview letter received

03-21-2017: ___________ Medical Exam in Tokyo

04-03-2017: ___________ Interview in Tokyo (APPROVED!!!) 
04-05-2017: ___________ Passport with immigrant visa stamp received in the mail
04-25-2017: ___________ POE (LAX)

05-15-2017: ___________ Green Card in the mail (20 days after POE)

05-24-2017: ___________ Filed for social security number at a physical office (21 working days after POE as per their policy)
06-06-2017: ___________ Social Security Card (with number) in the mail 

 

ROC Timeline

03-19-2019: ___________ I-751 delivered at USCIS Phoenix

03-21-2019: ___________ Check cashed

03-22-2019: ___________ Text notification of Receipt Number

03-26-2019: ___________ Form 797 (NOA) and extension letter received in the mail

Sometime in April: _____ Missed Biometrics appointment (never got the letter)

08-05-2019: ___________ Rescheduled Biometrics appointment

08-09.2019: ___________ Notified USCIS of address change

08-21-2019: ___________ Case status "Ready to Schedule Your Interview"

Posted

1. Country USC resides in: Zambia

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: September 12, 2016
4. How long had you been living abroad: 2 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: Work
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes, but through parents house in the USA
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? Got the NOA1, sent to Nebraska Service Center

Married: September 12, 2015

I-130 sent to Chicago: September 12, 2016

NOA email received: September 19, 2016

Application sent to Nebraska Service Center

Application transferred to Potomac Service Center: February 9th, 2017

I-130 Approved: March 20th, 2017

Case Sent to NVC: April 5th, 2017

Case Received at NVC: April 11th, 2017

Case # and IID Received: April 11th, 2017

DS-261 Complete: April 12th, 2017

AOS Paid: April 15th, 2017

IV Paid: April 18th, 2017

DS 260 Complete: May 2, 2017

Sent in AOS & IV package: May 29, 2017

Scan Date: May 31, 2017

Checklist: August 8, 2017

Checklist package received by NVC: August 28, 2017

Expedite Requested: August 31, 2017

Expedite Approved: September 14, 2017

Case Complete: September 14, 2017

Case sent to Embassy: September 18, 2017

Interview Scheduled: October 5, 2017

Interview Date: October 17, 2017

 

 

 

  • 1 month later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Spain
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Hi, I'm submitting this because I've actually gotten the NOA2 notification. I'm sorry to say it's been frustrating to watch all of these responses pop up as I was waiting and hoping for an expedite (since MAY), when the people posting had only just begun and had no news!! Am i the only one that's here hoping to be able to make some sense of this process by seeing the ANSWERS here?

IMHO, please, for other the applicants' sake, post when you have news! There are a lot of other topics where you can join for support and give your updates.

And yes, I'm grouchy because we weren't expedited. lol

But at least we've finally been approved. :D

1. Country USC resides in: Spain - My husband is from Morocco, Permanent Res of Spain
2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No
3. When did you file the I-130: End of April 2016
4. How long had you been living abroad: 2 years
5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes
6. What is the reason for your residence: Got a non-lucrative visa to live with my then fiance, later husband.
7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes
8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Yes
9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes. Included residence documents with our address on it and a copy of my Spanish ID.
10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes. I wrote a book. Facebook screenshots and the whole nine yards.
11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? No. 177 days. Almost 6 months.

NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER :ranting:

Edited by SabrinaJerome

October 2011: Met in Spain

2012-2014: Video chat + visas + visits and vacations = we made it through!

June 2014: Moved to Spain, got engaged 

December 31, 2015: got married

April 20, 2016: sent I130 package

May 2, 2016: package received in Chicago Lockbox - - - 12 days for delivery!! Don't use TNT couriers!! 

May 2nd or 5th, 2016: email NOA1... accepted and sent to.... NEBRASKA 

And now.... breeeeeeathe..... be like water my friend....

October 26th, 2016: NOA2 [We had waited almost 6 months. Received notification from the phone app, never got an email.]

November 9th 2016: USCIS sent the petition to NVC (app notification) [waited 2 weeks after approval for this]

November 25th 2016: NVC received and created account for our petition [waited 16 days after USCIS sent it, for NVC to acknowledge receipt]

Dec 1st 2016: Chose agent online DS261 [a few days later than it could've been since the above NVC email went to SPAM!]

Dec 6th 2016: Case available for paying fees. That was fast, I think! 5 days!

Took a long time to get package out because... life... and husband's family in Morocco had to travel to get police document.

Feb 20th 2017: Scan date at NVC, received weird email.

April 28th 2017: CHECKLIST. Moroccans are required to send a Court Report regardless of Police Record status. My husband had to go back to Morocco to get it in person. Also, NVC wants a 2016 tax return now that is 2017. My bad.

September 15th 2017: 2nd Scan Date at NVC. Sent for document review October 20th.

Nov 10th 2017: Email requesting document be brought to interview. Will schedule interview.

Case complete date??: TBD :clock:.... November 8th!!

Interview date : January 18, 2018!!           Result: Administrative Processing      :mellow:

Embassy called for new medical last week of August. New Medical Sept 10.

Visa ISSUED September 14, 2018. :blink:

Posted

It seems that mostly those filing from abroad, that also have been send to California Service Center, will enjoy the fast track. Files that go to Nebraska have recently same processing times as everyone else.

i agree with this assessment.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.  - Dr. Seuss

 

  • 2 weeks later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Serbia
Timeline
Posted

1. Country USC resides in: Serbia

2. Is there a USCIS field office in this country / Is DCF still possible? No

3. When did you file the I-130: Nov. 4th 2016

4. How long had you been living abroad: 2+ years

5. Do you reside in the country legally? Yes

6. What is the reason for your residence: Marriage visa

7. Did you list your foreign address on all forms in I-130 package? Yes

8. Did you send I-130 package from abroad? Sent to parents who sent to Chicago because of the need of an American money order.

9. Did you include evidence of your residence abroad in the I-130 package? Yes.

10. Did you mention the fact you reside abroad in the cover letter or write a letter describing your current situation and the evolution of your relationship with your spouse (mentioning your residence abroad)? Yes

11. Has your case been "auto-expedited"? How long between NOA1 and NOA2? No, transfered to NSC Nov. 14th 2016

I bawled after getting the email that we were transfered to NSC.. I was really hoping for anything but Nebraska.

Did anyone who got Nebraska get approved before 4-5 months?

Married 2014-08-31

Filed I130 2016-11-04

Delivered 2016-11-07

NOA1 2016-11-14

NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER

NOA2 Waiting!!

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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