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Posted

So I am currently having nightmares about my visa being denied at the interview in two weeks for no apparent reason!

I found this thread and thought I'd do a little update/intro of my own. I notice that most of the people on this UK section of the forum are doing K1, or CR1s through the embassy rather than the NVC, so I keep reading threads and going 'but - but I didn't do that - oh '. Then I look at their case and take a deep steadying breath.

A little about us and our case so far. We met in the Caribbean and after getting married last August, and knowing our work permits were running out in the Caymans, started the process of getting me a green card/visa. Of course we ended up making a major mistake by starting the process when we knew we were probably going to have to leave the Caymans before it was completed, and spent 6 months from December until June trying to get my location changed to the UK.

Once it happened everything else was insanely quick. Despite the woman from the NVC telling me it would take up to 60 days to get my interview date, a week later I got an appointment for the 1st of August. Kind of made us crazy knowing that if we hadn't had to change the location of the interview I probably would have had my interview sometime in April! But such is life. I have my medical next Friday. And we have this desperate dream that I might be in the US by our first wedding anniversary on the 29th of August. I don't know if that's wishful thinking or not. Maybe someone here can tell me.

So, yeah, that's us. I have to admit that we've been working towards this since October last year, and now it's actually happening (as in we have some kind of end date) I'm actually getting nervous about the move. I've lived overseas a lot, but always had it in my head that I would go back to live in the UK in the end. Now this is a permanent move. And it's kinda scary. Exciting though!

Posted

Welcome! I'm also doing CR-1 (it will be IR-1 as our two-year wedding anniversary is in September and I won't be there before then) not through the embassy. Timelines are something I try not to look at! And yes, a lot of the discussion here does not apply to us. Nice to meet another one on the same path.

I'm also very nervous about denials due to the unusual nature of our case (previous UK spouse visa denial for my husband and his criminal record).

I agree about the nervousness about the permanent move. For us it will be a permanent move as my husband has a lifetime ban from the UK unless there is a change of law by a future government. I've lived in 4 other countries. I am dual nationality and spent my childhood going back and forth. My parents eventually divorced. I've worked in China and India and did a student exchange for 6 months in Iceland. Although China and India were bigger culture shocks, I was always aware that they were just temporary deals and that work would take me back home after a fixed period of time. I would go back to Iceland tomorrow if I could.

Timeline in brief:

Married: September 27, 2014

I-130 filed: February 5, 2016

NOA1: February 8, 2016 Nebraska

NOA2: July 21, 2016

Interview: December 6, 2016 London

POE: December 19, 2016 Las Vegas

N-400 filed: September 30, 2019

Interview: March 22, 2021 Seattle

Oath: March 22, 2021 COVID-style same-day oath

 

Now a US citizen!

Posted (edited)

Congrats! So happy for you!

Thanks!!

Congrats! You have the same "Issued" date as I do, keep us posted when you have visa in hand :)

Thank you! I will let you know, no emails yet about delivery, hopefully early next week.

Edited by prenouveau
Spoiler

 

2/25/16...Mailed I-129F packet to Dallas lockbox

2/27/16...USPS confirms delivery at post office

3/3/16...Money order cashed

3/4/16...NOA1 email/text

5/26/16...NOA2 email/text

6/17/16...NVC received

6/20/16...Case number assigned

6/29/16...Medical

7/12/16...Interview Approved!

7/13/16...Visa in Administrative Processing

7/14/16...Visa Issued
7/19/16...Visa received (courier)
7/25/16...Arrival in US ❤️ (via Dublin POE)

8/1/16...City Hall wedding

8/9/16...Mailed AOS, EAD, AP packet to Chicago lockbox

8/12/16...NOA1 email/text

8/30/16...Received biometrics letter

9/2/16...Early walk-in biometrics at Portland, ME field office

10/17/16...EAD/AP status changed to "Approved"

11/1/16...Received EAD/AP combo card in the mail

3/22/17...AOS approved without interview

3/30/17...Green Card received in mail

 

 

ROC

 

2/11/19...Mailed I-751 packet to Dallas lockbox

2/15/19...Package delivered by USPS

2/19/19...Text message - receipt notice 

2/20/19...Check cashed

Posted

Once it happened everything else was insanely quick. Despite the woman from the NVC telling me it would take up to 60 days to get my interview date, a week later I got an appointment for the 1st of August. Kind of made us crazy knowing that if we hadn't had to change the location of the interview I probably would have had my interview sometime in April! But such is life. I have my medical next Friday. And we have this desperate dream that I might be in the US by our first wedding anniversary on the 29th of August. I don't know if that's wishful thinking or not. Maybe someone here can tell me.

With an 8/1 interview, if approved, there's a very good chance you will be there by the end of August. It seems to be taking a couple weeks tops from interview to passport in hand. :thumbs:

Spoiler

 

2/25/16...Mailed I-129F packet to Dallas lockbox

2/27/16...USPS confirms delivery at post office

3/3/16...Money order cashed

3/4/16...NOA1 email/text

5/26/16...NOA2 email/text

6/17/16...NVC received

6/20/16...Case number assigned

6/29/16...Medical

7/12/16...Interview Approved!

7/13/16...Visa in Administrative Processing

7/14/16...Visa Issued
7/19/16...Visa received (courier)
7/25/16...Arrival in US ❤️ (via Dublin POE)

8/1/16...City Hall wedding

8/9/16...Mailed AOS, EAD, AP packet to Chicago lockbox

8/12/16...NOA1 email/text

8/30/16...Received biometrics letter

9/2/16...Early walk-in biometrics at Portland, ME field office

10/17/16...EAD/AP status changed to "Approved"

11/1/16...Received EAD/AP combo card in the mail

3/22/17...AOS approved without interview

3/30/17...Green Card received in mail

 

 

ROC

 

2/11/19...Mailed I-751 packet to Dallas lockbox

2/15/19...Package delivered by USPS

2/19/19...Text message - receipt notice 

2/20/19...Check cashed

Posted

Welcome! I'm also doing CR-1 (it will be IR-1 as our two-year wedding anniversary is in September and I won't be there before then) not through the embassy. Timelines are something I try not to look at! And yes, a lot of the discussion here does not apply to us. Nice to meet another one on the same path.

I'm also very nervous about denials due to the unusual nature of our case (previous UK spouse visa denial for my husband and his criminal record).

.

Very nice to meet someone else doing the same thing. Do you have your interview date yet? I think that was the weirdest part for me. I kept seeing this stuff on here about booking your interview with the London embassy, and then instead being told I basically had to wait for a date (and at that point that I would have to wait 60 days) really through me. Until I realised that you only book the interview yourself when you're on a different 'path'.

My denial fears are really stupid if I'm honest. There is zero logical reason for me to be denied - but I can't help worrying that they'll just decide they don't like me!

I've spent a lot of time in the US over the last few years. We got married here, and spent holidays here before Hubby moved back - and since then I've spent just about as much time as my VWP will let me. I thank god that I'm a writer and can basically earn royalties even if I take 3 month holidays. Don't know how I'd have coped just not seeing him for 6 months. But now we're really at the end and I won't just be in the US on holiday, but actually living here full time, kind gets scary.

But honestly, I just can't wait for us to get started on our lives together!

Posted (edited)

Very nice to meet someone else doing the same thing. Do you have your interview date yet? I think that was the weirdest part for me. I kept seeing this stuff on here about booking your interview with the London embassy, and then instead being told I basically had to wait for a date (and at that point that I would have to wait 60 days) really through me. Until I realised that you only book the interview yourself when you're on a different 'path'.

My denial fears are really stupid if I'm honest. There is zero logical reason for me to be denied - but I can't help worrying that they'll just decide they don't like me!

I've spent a lot of time in the US over the last few years. We got married here, and spent holidays here before Hubby moved back - and since then I've spent just about as much time as my VWP will let me. I thank god that I'm a writer and can basically earn royalties even if I take 3 month holidays. Don't know how I'd have coped just not seeing him for 6 months. But now we're really at the end and I won't just be in the US on holiday, but actually living here full time, kind gets scary.

But honestly, I just can't wait for us to get started on our lives together!

I haven't even got my NOA2 yet. 159 days and counting. I imagine my interview will be next year.

I'm fortunate that I work for an airline and have get able to go back and forth every 6 or 8 weeks or so. I've been to see my husband around 40 times and I don't know how people cope who only go once a year or something.

Yes, my denial fears are also almost groundless. No reason why I wouldn't be approved but because my NOA2 is taking so long I'm getting nervous. I'm assuming it's background checks on my husband because he has done prison time.

The whole "pick your interview date" is confusing. Can't understand why it can't be for everyone. My biggest fear is that us doing CR-1/IR-1 through NVC will wait longer because NVC will not be pro-active in choosing a quick date for us. And if an earlier date becomes available due to a cancellation we won't be able to grab it. This process is already twice as long as K-1.

Edited by JFH

Timeline in brief:

Married: September 27, 2014

I-130 filed: February 5, 2016

NOA1: February 8, 2016 Nebraska

NOA2: July 21, 2016

Interview: December 6, 2016 London

POE: December 19, 2016 Las Vegas

N-400 filed: September 30, 2019

Interview: March 22, 2021 Seattle

Oath: March 22, 2021 COVID-style same-day oath

 

Now a US citizen!

Posted

The whole "pick your interview date" is confusing. Can't understand why it can't be for everyone. My biggest fear is that us doing CR-1/IR-1 through NVC will wait longer because NVC will not be pro-active in choosing a quick date for us. And if an earlier date becomes available due to a cancellation we won't be able to grab it. This process is already twice as long as K-1.

Pick your own for K1 and DCF has only been in effect two months. There's still slots set aside for NVC in the manner they have always done so that part shouldn't be different. NVC has to micro manage and check all your documents and take payment ahead of time. They come up with some weird RFEs on the I-864. Things I am sure London wouldn't even be bothered with. And London does have the final say. And it takes them a long time to get around to your case to check it. It's kind of a bottleneck in my opinion since DCF people get the same visa without NVC. London checks everything at the interview for DCF and K1. If it's unacceptable, they tell you what to fix before they can issue the visa.

So this online scheduling is new and I don't have my head around it yet. Wondering if once NVC gives you an interview date, you would somehow be able to log in, see your date, and pick a different one. Just thinking out loud because I have no clue. You can also use one of the contact forms to ask for an earlier date, but seeing what was open and changing yourself would be a bonus. Something to experiment with when you get there.

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

Posted

Pick your own for K1 and DCF has only been in effect two months. There's still slots set aside for NVC in the manner they have always done so that part shouldn't be different. NVC has to micro manage and check all your documents and take payment ahead of time. They come up with some weird RFEs on the I-864. Things I am sure London wouldn't even be bothered with. And London does have the final say. And it takes them a long time to get around to your case to check it. It's kind of a bottleneck in my opinion since DCF people get the same visa without NVC. London checks everything at the interview for DCF and K1. If it's unacceptable, they tell you what to fix before they can issue the visa.

So this online scheduling is new and I don't have my head around it yet. Wondering if once NVC gives you an interview date, you would somehow be able to log in, see your date, and pick a different one. Just thinking out loud because I have no clue. You can also use one of the contact forms to ask for an earlier date, but seeing what was open and changing yourself would be a bonus. Something to experiment with when you get there.

London checked everything with my NVC case as well. The CO interviewing me went through the I-864 and made sure we met the income threshold. She also filled up the area on top of the form where it says if you meet/don't meet the income requirements. With our case, the adjusted gross income was 0, the CO accepted the job contract we had included.

Posted

London checked everything with my NVC case as well. The CO interviewing me went through the I-864 and made sure we met the income threshold. She also filled up the area on top of the form where it says if you meet/don't meet the income requirements. With our case, the adjusted gross income was 0, the CO accepted the job contract we had included.

That's kinda my point that all that time spent at the NVC to get "checked" and wait for bills to be generated seems superflous when London is going to check it all again and takes money at a cashier window (DCF) or online (k1).

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

Posted

Fiance got the email today, visa will be delivered tomorrow :luv:

Spoiler

 

2/25/16...Mailed I-129F packet to Dallas lockbox

2/27/16...USPS confirms delivery at post office

3/3/16...Money order cashed

3/4/16...NOA1 email/text

5/26/16...NOA2 email/text

6/17/16...NVC received

6/20/16...Case number assigned

6/29/16...Medical

7/12/16...Interview Approved!

7/13/16...Visa in Administrative Processing

7/14/16...Visa Issued
7/19/16...Visa received (courier)
7/25/16...Arrival in US ❤️ (via Dublin POE)

8/1/16...City Hall wedding

8/9/16...Mailed AOS, EAD, AP packet to Chicago lockbox

8/12/16...NOA1 email/text

8/30/16...Received biometrics letter

9/2/16...Early walk-in biometrics at Portland, ME field office

10/17/16...EAD/AP status changed to "Approved"

11/1/16...Received EAD/AP combo card in the mail

3/22/17...AOS approved without interview

3/30/17...Green Card received in mail

 

 

ROC

 

2/11/19...Mailed I-751 packet to Dallas lockbox

2/15/19...Package delivered by USPS

2/19/19...Text message - receipt notice 

2/20/19...Check cashed

Posted

Funny, I got the same email :)

What is your visa type? Why don't you fill out your VJ timeline?

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

Posted

What is your visa type? Why don't you fill out your VJ timeline?

IR1. My timeline isn't very relevant, since we've delayed it on purpose for years. We filed I-130 in 2013, and I've only "pinged" them a few times to keep the case alive until January 2016 when I started collecting required papers to send to NVC.

I can fill it if you think it is of any interest to anyone?

Posted

IR1. My timeline isn't very relevant, since we've delayed it on purpose for years. We filed I-130 in 2013, and I've only "pinged" them a few times to keep the case alive until January 2016 when I started collecting required papers to send to NVC.

I can fill it if you think it is of any interest to anyone?

Well, if it says "Filed for: IR1/CR1" right there under your non-photo, it might help someone replying to you or reading your post know you are not a K1 with a different procedure.

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

Posted

I haven't even got my NOA2 yet. 159 days and counting. I imagine my interview will be next year.

I'm fortunate that I work for an airline and have get able to go back and forth every 6 or 8 weeks or so. I've been to see my husband around 40 times and I don't know how people cope who only go once a year or something.

Yes, my denial fears are also almost groundless. No reason why I wouldn't be approved but because my NOA2 is taking so long I'm getting nervous. I'm assuming it's background checks on my husband because he has done prison time.

The whole "pick your interview date" is confusing. Can't understand why it can't be for everyone. My biggest fear is that us doing CR-1/IR-1 through NVC will wait longer because NVC will not be pro-active in choosing a quick date for us. And if an earlier date becomes available due to a cancellation we won't be able to grab it. This process is already twice as long as K-1.

I wouldn't worry too much about the interview being delayed by going through the NVC - I thought that would be the case, and the woman even told me that it would be about 60 days before they gave me a date (which would then be 30 days from then) but in the end it was less than a week. I think the Embassy (from what I understand) releases a load of slots to the NVC each month or 2 weeks or whatever, and the NVC allocates those on a first come first served basis (based I think on when your case is complete with the NVC). So once you get past this stage and submit all your stuff it should speed up. We submitted our paperwork to the NVC on the 17th of Jan and had the case complete email from the NVC mid Feb. The only reason it's taken until now is because of changing the interview location from the Cayman Islands to London. But our whole case was quick excluding that delay. less than a month from NOA1 to NOA2. But we slowed it down ourselves.

Use this time to make sure you have pretty much everything ready to go, and I reckon you'll find it moves pretty quickly once you get your NOA2.

 
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