Jump to content
EmilyRugBurn

K-3 Visa in Hand!!!

By EmilyRugBurn in Canada

 Share

32 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

EmilyRugBurn Explorer

EmilyRugBurn   0

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

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to thank the VJ community for all the moral support and advice I received in the days leading up to my K-3 interview when I completely lost sight of all things logical. (i.e. Thanks for tolerating my freak-out!). It is impossible to accurately iterate the toll this process takes on you unless you have experienced it first hand. On the surface it's just a bunch of forms you have to fill out and a 5 minute (or less) interview at a US consulate, but the stress of worrying if you dotted your i's, crossed your t's and checked the correct boxes is enough to drive you mad. Especially when the stakes are so high. No one knows this better than the VJ community. This forum, that allows for the open exchange of ideas and information is, in a word, invaluable. Thank you SO much!

Everything went great last week (you can read my fairly detailed review here) and I received my passport avec Visa in the mail today! (Yes, 7 full days/5 business days after my interview.)

Anyway, thanks again everyone. I know this is painfully cliché, but I really don't know what I would have done without this place. I'll probably take a break from VJ for a short while (my house goes up for sale in a couple of weeks!), but I'll be back soon enough to read POE reviews and research the AOS process. (Ugh!)

Cheers!,

~ Em

I-130 / IR-1 @ USCIS

08/02/06 - Mailed I-130 to Vermont

08/11/06 - Received NOA1 in the mail - 9 days

05/06/07 - After 9 months @ VSC, my petition was transferred to CSC

05/31/07 - Touched... and APPROVED!!! (After nearly 10 months!!)

06/01/07 - Touched & Received e-mail indicating approval

06/05/07 - Received NOA2 in the mail

I-130 / IR-1 @ NVC

06/14/07 - Petition at NVC; Case # Assigned

07/02/07 - DS-3032 & AOS Fee Bill Generated

07/03/07 - Emailed NVC w/Choice of Address & Agent (DS-3032)

07/05/07 - Mailed AOS Fee to NVC

07/13/07 - NVC confirms Choice of Agent (via e-mail)

07/27/07 - Received IV Bill

07/30/07 - Mailed IV Bill (Overnight)

07/31/07 - IV Bill @ NVC

08/04/07 - Received I-864 Packet in the mail

08/08/07 - Mailed I-864 (Overnight)

08/29/07 - Mailed DS-230 +documents (Overnight)

09/20/07 - Received RFE (for original docs) -- sent to NVC

12/12/07 - Recieved Interview Letter from NVC

01/15/08 - Interview in MTL... Approved! YAAAAAYYYY!!

01/16/08 - Picked up passport from consulate & activated the I-155 @ POE

02/09/08 - Received "Welcome" letter (Notice Date: 02/04/08)

02/11/08 - Card Production Ordered

02/15/08 - OS155A Immigrant Visa & Alien Registration Approved

02/21/08 - Greencard Received! Goodbye USCIS `til 2018!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 31
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Flames9_RN Grand Master

Flames9_RN   358

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

Congrats!!! Best of luck on the sale of ur house

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Link to comment
Share on other sites
raymaga Mentor

raymaga   25

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats and best wishes for the final preparation for your move to the U.S.

"THE SHORT STORY"

KURT & RAYMA (K-1 Visa)

Oct. 9/03... I-129F sent to NSC

June 10/04... K-1 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

July 31/04... Entered U.S.

Aug. 28/04... WEDDING DAY!!!!

Aug. 30/04... I-485, I-765 & I-131 sent to Seattle

Dec. 10/04... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport stamped)

Sept. 9/06... I-751 sent to NSC

May 15/07... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Sept. 13/07... N-400 sent to NSC

Aug. 21/08... Interview - PASSED!!!!

Sept. 2/08... Oath Ceremony

Sept. 5/08... Sent in Voter Registration Card

Sept. 9/08... SSA office to change status to "U.S. citizen"

Oct. 8/08... Applied in person for U.S. Passport

Oct. 22/08... U.S. Passport received

DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!!

KAELY (K-2 Visa)

Apr. 6/05... DS-230, Part I faxed to Vancouver Consulate

May 26/05... K-2 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

Sept. 5/05... Entered U.S.

Sept. 7/05... I-485 & I-131 sent to CLB

Feb. 22/06... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport NOT stamped)

Dec. 4/07... I-751 sent to NSC

May 23/08... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Mar. 22/11.... N-400 sent to AZ

June 27/11..... Interview - PASSED!!!

July 12/11..... Oath Ceremony

We're NOT lawyers.... just your average folks who had to find their own way!!!!! Anything we post here is simply our own opinions/suggestions/experiences and should not be taken as LAW!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mozplay Proficient

mozplay   29

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats!!!! :thumbs:

Mo

http://static-forums.visajourney.com/public/style_emoticons/default/timeline.gif

Full timeline can be seen in my profile

 

CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS - I-130 petition for married sibling
2016

Jul 5 - Receipt date for I-130 petition for my over 21 brother and his wife (both in the UK)

2024

Feb 23 - Sent USCIS a message asking for a processing update

May 6 - Received an email response saying things were progressing normally but that waiting times might be longer

 

*********************************************
THE OG STORY - From K-1 to Citizenship (a love story)
K-1: Aug 12, 2006 to Jan 17, 2007 - mailed I-129F
AOS: Feb 26, 2007 - Jul 26, 2007
REMOVING CONDITIONS: May 4, 2009 - Oct 3, 2009
CITIZENSHIP: Nov 27, 2012 - May 9, 2013
Note: I immigrated from Canada, not T&T - the timeline is reflective of this.


THE SAGA CONTINUES - IR-5 Story
I-130 for Parents - 2013
Aug ?? - mailed I-130 packages for both mother and father
Sept 10 - NOA1 date
Sept 16 - NOA1s received

2014

Feb 25, 26 & 28 - got emails saying that the cases had been transferred to another office, then to my local office, and then just transferred and are being processed

Mar 17 - got email, attached to one case number only, saying that my A number was changed relating to the I-130 filing

Mar 18 - got emails saying that the petitions are approved http://static-forums.visajourney.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png

2020

Mar 20 - N-400 receipt date for my father
2021
Apr 21 - Biometrics appt.

2022
May 2 - Interview

May 20 - Naturalization ceremony
 



Visit my website Dancing Light Stained Glass Studio to view my work.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
misa Experienced

misa   2

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Yippee! I'm glad you got the visa in hand now! You can breathe a sigh of relief. :)

K3 Timeline - 2006-11-20 to 2007-03-19

See the comments section in my timeline for full details of my K3 dates, transfers and touches. Also see my Vancouver consulate review and my POE review.

AOS & EAD Timeline

2007-04-16: I-485 and I-765 sent to Chicago (My AOS/EAD checklist)

2007-04-17: Received at Chicago

2007-04-23: NOA1 date (both)

2007-05-10: Biometrics appointment (both - Biometrics review)

2007-06-05: AOS interview letter date

2007-06-13: AOS interview letter received in mail

2007-07-03: EAD card production ordered

2007-07-07: EAD card received! (yay!)

2007-08-23: AOS interview (Documents / Interview review)

2007-08-23: Green card production ordered!!!

2007-08-24: Welcome notice mailed!

2007-08-27: Green card production ordered again... ?

2007-08-28: Welcome notice received!

2007-09-01: Green card received!

Done with USCIS until May 23, 2009!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EmilyRugBurn Explorer

EmilyRugBurn   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
  • Author
Posted
Yippee! I'm glad you got the visa in hand now! You can breathe a sigh of relief. :)

Oh, misa -- I was such a basket case this weekend thinking my passport got lost in the mail. (Surely I am not the only one who curses Canada Post on a near daily basis?!)

Oh, funny thing; hubby and I stayed at Hôtel La Tour Centre-Ville while we were in Montreal, and the night before the interview, we ate at the Chinese restaurant on the main floor. My fortune?: "You will step on the soil of many countries."

How crazy is that?!?

Thanks for the congrats, everyone! It's a happy day in the RugBurn household!

~ Em

I-130 / IR-1 @ USCIS

08/02/06 - Mailed I-130 to Vermont

08/11/06 - Received NOA1 in the mail - 9 days

05/06/07 - After 9 months @ VSC, my petition was transferred to CSC

05/31/07 - Touched... and APPROVED!!! (After nearly 10 months!!)

06/01/07 - Touched & Received e-mail indicating approval

06/05/07 - Received NOA2 in the mail

I-130 / IR-1 @ NVC

06/14/07 - Petition at NVC; Case # Assigned

07/02/07 - DS-3032 & AOS Fee Bill Generated

07/03/07 - Emailed NVC w/Choice of Address & Agent (DS-3032)

07/05/07 - Mailed AOS Fee to NVC

07/13/07 - NVC confirms Choice of Agent (via e-mail)

07/27/07 - Received IV Bill

07/30/07 - Mailed IV Bill (Overnight)

07/31/07 - IV Bill @ NVC

08/04/07 - Received I-864 Packet in the mail

08/08/07 - Mailed I-864 (Overnight)

08/29/07 - Mailed DS-230 +documents (Overnight)

09/20/07 - Received RFE (for original docs) -- sent to NVC

12/12/07 - Recieved Interview Letter from NVC

01/15/08 - Interview in MTL... Approved! YAAAAAYYYY!!

01/16/08 - Picked up passport from consulate & activated the I-155 @ POE

02/09/08 - Received "Welcome" letter (Notice Date: 02/04/08)

02/11/08 - Card Production Ordered

02/15/08 - OS155A Immigrant Visa & Alien Registration Approved

02/21/08 - Greencard Received! Goodbye USCIS `til 2018!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Flames9_RN Grand Master

Flames9_RN   358

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

Hard to say if u can blame it on Canada post, Mtl may not mail the visa the next day, they may be just mailing visa's a few times a week.

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Catou1181 Enthusiast

Catou1181   0

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats :) Glad to hear everything went perfect :)

Married! 03/19/2007

I-130 Process

10/30/2007 : APPROVED!!!! (in 190 days)

I-129f Process

10/30/2007 : APPROVED!!!! (in 151 days)

02/08/2008 : Interview (Approved!)

02/18/2008 : Visa in Hand :D

02/26/2008 : Moved to Colorado

I-751 Lifting of Conditions

06/01/2010 : Completed packet for I-751

06/04/2010 : Mailed packet via UPS

06/07/2010 : Receipt for I-751

08/18/2010 : Biometrics appointment

08/20/2010 : Approved

02/09/2011 : Contacted congressman due to non-receipt of card

03/28/2011 : Card received!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
misa Experienced

misa   2

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Emily, when are you crossing the border and which border crossing will you be using?

Now the craziness of packing for you. :)

K3 Timeline - 2006-11-20 to 2007-03-19

See the comments section in my timeline for full details of my K3 dates, transfers and touches. Also see my Vancouver consulate review and my POE review.

AOS & EAD Timeline

2007-04-16: I-485 and I-765 sent to Chicago (My AOS/EAD checklist)

2007-04-17: Received at Chicago

2007-04-23: NOA1 date (both)

2007-05-10: Biometrics appointment (both - Biometrics review)

2007-06-05: AOS interview letter date

2007-06-13: AOS interview letter received in mail

2007-07-03: EAD card production ordered

2007-07-07: EAD card received! (yay!)

2007-08-23: AOS interview (Documents / Interview review)

2007-08-23: Green card production ordered!!!

2007-08-24: Welcome notice mailed!

2007-08-27: Green card production ordered again... ?

2007-08-28: Welcome notice received!

2007-09-01: Green card received!

Done with USCIS until May 23, 2009!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EmilyRugBurn Explorer

EmilyRugBurn   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
  • Author
Posted
Emily, when are you crossing the border and which border crossing will you be using?

Now the craziness of packing for you. :)

Yes, the crazy packing has already begun! I own a house so I'll be moving some (large-ish) furniture so it's not like I can just pack up a car and go. (Blech!)

We'll be crossing at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge. Hopefully sometime in May, but I have to sell my house before activating the Visa (and before hubby and I can buy a new house in upstate NY), so I'm thinking the first week of June at the very latest.

As soon as the house is sold, I'm going to cross and activate the Visa. During that week-long trip, we'll buy a house there (we have an agent looking for us), and then we'll come back here to move all my stuff to the new house. It sounds pretty stressful and hectic, but I truly believe the hard part is over. (Until I begin AOS, that is!)

I-130 / IR-1 @ USCIS

08/02/06 - Mailed I-130 to Vermont

08/11/06 - Received NOA1 in the mail - 9 days

05/06/07 - After 9 months @ VSC, my petition was transferred to CSC

05/31/07 - Touched... and APPROVED!!! (After nearly 10 months!!)

06/01/07 - Touched & Received e-mail indicating approval

06/05/07 - Received NOA2 in the mail

I-130 / IR-1 @ NVC

06/14/07 - Petition at NVC; Case # Assigned

07/02/07 - DS-3032 & AOS Fee Bill Generated

07/03/07 - Emailed NVC w/Choice of Address & Agent (DS-3032)

07/05/07 - Mailed AOS Fee to NVC

07/13/07 - NVC confirms Choice of Agent (via e-mail)

07/27/07 - Received IV Bill

07/30/07 - Mailed IV Bill (Overnight)

07/31/07 - IV Bill @ NVC

08/04/07 - Received I-864 Packet in the mail

08/08/07 - Mailed I-864 (Overnight)

08/29/07 - Mailed DS-230 +documents (Overnight)

09/20/07 - Received RFE (for original docs) -- sent to NVC

12/12/07 - Recieved Interview Letter from NVC

01/15/08 - Interview in MTL... Approved! YAAAAAYYYY!!

01/16/08 - Picked up passport from consulate & activated the I-155 @ POE

02/09/08 - Received "Welcome" letter (Notice Date: 02/04/08)

02/11/08 - Card Production Ordered

02/15/08 - OS155A Immigrant Visa & Alien Registration Approved

02/21/08 - Greencard Received! Goodbye USCIS `til 2018!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EmilyRugBurn Explorer

EmilyRugBurn   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
  • Author
Posted
Hard to say if u can blame it on Canada post, Mtl may not mail the visa the next day, they may be just mailing visa's a few times a week.

Yes, this a good point, flames. Although my Visa was approved on the 19th (Monday), it actually says that it was issued on the 22nd (Thursday), so I'll bet it didn't go out until either Thursday or Friday which is why it didn't arrive until today. Had I remembered to write down the XpressPost tracking number, I would have had a much better weekend.

Man, am I gonna sleep well tonight! ;)

I-130 / IR-1 @ USCIS

08/02/06 - Mailed I-130 to Vermont

08/11/06 - Received NOA1 in the mail - 9 days

05/06/07 - After 9 months @ VSC, my petition was transferred to CSC

05/31/07 - Touched... and APPROVED!!! (After nearly 10 months!!)

06/01/07 - Touched & Received e-mail indicating approval

06/05/07 - Received NOA2 in the mail

I-130 / IR-1 @ NVC

06/14/07 - Petition at NVC; Case # Assigned

07/02/07 - DS-3032 & AOS Fee Bill Generated

07/03/07 - Emailed NVC w/Choice of Address & Agent (DS-3032)

07/05/07 - Mailed AOS Fee to NVC

07/13/07 - NVC confirms Choice of Agent (via e-mail)

07/27/07 - Received IV Bill

07/30/07 - Mailed IV Bill (Overnight)

07/31/07 - IV Bill @ NVC

08/04/07 - Received I-864 Packet in the mail

08/08/07 - Mailed I-864 (Overnight)

08/29/07 - Mailed DS-230 +documents (Overnight)

09/20/07 - Received RFE (for original docs) -- sent to NVC

12/12/07 - Recieved Interview Letter from NVC

01/15/08 - Interview in MTL... Approved! YAAAAAYYYY!!

01/16/08 - Picked up passport from consulate & activated the I-155 @ POE

02/09/08 - Received "Welcome" letter (Notice Date: 02/04/08)

02/11/08 - Card Production Ordered

02/15/08 - OS155A Immigrant Visa & Alien Registration Approved

02/21/08 - Greencard Received! Goodbye USCIS `til 2018!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lynamon Rising Star

lynamon   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Wow .. that's great news!! All the best of luck in your move!

Met in Cleveland 07/07/05 ... Fireworks!!!

Emails and phone calls until first visit back September '05

Many trips to Cleveland and overnight stays in New York

Engaged 05/07/06

07/18/07 - Interview yeeehaaa .. approved

07/26/07 - received Visa from Montreal (should have received 07/24)

07/26/07 - POE Buffalo, NY (Peace Bridge) .. No EAD stamp

07/27/07 - Beautiful marriage .. now you may call me Mrs. :)

07/28/07 - Filed AOS,EAD, and AP for me and AOS and AP for my son via UPS .. received 08/01

08/16/07 - applied for ssn

09/03/07 - received ssn card

11/07/07 - AP approved and received 11/12/07 :)

11/19/07- EAD approved online and received same day (actual approval 11/07/07) :)

12/27/07 - AOS transferred to CSC

02/26/08 - 485's approved without interview

01/14/09 - Sent I-751 - removal of conditions

02/23/10 - Biometrics

03/17/10 - Removal of conditions approved .. card production ordered

"Life is not measured by the amount of breaths that we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jashley820 Rising Star

Jashley820   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted
Hard to say if u can blame it on Canada post, Mtl may not mail the visa the next day, they may be just mailing visa's a few times a week.

Yes, this a good point, flames. Although my Visa was approved on the 19th (Monday), it actually says that it was issued on the 22nd (Thursday), so I'll bet it didn't go out until either Thursday or Friday which is why it didn't arrive until today. Had I remembered to write down the XpressPost tracking number, I would have had a much better weekend.

Man, am I gonna sleep well tonight! ;)

I just checked my tracking number and it looks like they mailed it out Friday AM....I am anxiously waiting at home for the delivery!! I had my interview last Wednesday. If everything's OK with the visa I will be crossing at Detroit or Sarnia (probably Sarnia) this weekend! Wahoo!

Question: can the CBP guys at POE still deny you entry even though you have your K1? I am worried that they'll find a reason to send me back...I might just be scared still from all of the time's I've crossed and been interrogated!!

AOS

AOS Package received in Chicago 4-25-07 (Day 1)

NOA 1 5-01-07 (Day 7)

Cheque Cashed 5-02-07 (Day 8)

Touched 5-04-07 (Day 10)

Biometrics Appointment 5-18-07 (Day 26)

Touched 5-21-07 (Day 29)

Transferred to CSC e-mail 5-25-07 (Day 33)

Touched 5-28-07 (Day 36)

Touched again...feels niiiice! 5-29-07 (Day 37)

Notice of CSC transfer via reg mail 6-01-07 (Day 40)

Touched; 'pending @ CSC' e-mail 6-07-07 (Day 46)

Touched 6-08-07 (Day 47)

Touched 6-10-07 (Day 49)

Touched 6-19-07 (Day 58)

Touched 6-20-07 (Day 59)

Touched 8-31-07 & 9-3-07

Card Production Ordered 10-01-07

Welcome Notice Sent 10-02-07

Lifting of Conditions

Sent 7/13/09

Received at CSC 7/14/09

NOA Receieved (Dated 7/14) 7/18/09

Biometrics Appointment 8/12/09

Touched 8/13/09

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...