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GarrettB

Moscow Interview

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On 9/7/2019 at 12:55 PM, GarrettB said:

We have our interview in Moscow next week.  Any tips or suggestions?    How tough are they? Based on the reviews, they didn't sound too horrible so I am crossing my fingers...........

Hey Garrett, 

 

Your interview will be around the same time as Katya's and I's. Can you check your CEAC and see if it says administrative processing? Ours says it right now, but we haven't had our interview yet.... Also I suggest getting there early.6:30 or 7am if your appointments at 8am. There is a person who is across the street who can hold your phone. I never asked to see how much it was. I suggest just leaving your phones at your flat. 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
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The interviews are not hard unless your case has red flags and you didn't submit a lot of strong evidence. Is there anything in particular you think is a red flag that might come up?

🇷🇺 CR-1 via DCF (Dec 2016-Jun 2017) & I-751 ROC (Apr 2019-Oct 2019)🌹

Spoiler

Info about my DCF Moscow* experience here and here

26-Jul-2016: Married abroad in Russia 👩‍❤️‍👨 See guide here
21-Dec-2016: I-130 filed at Moscow USCIS field office*
29-Dec-2016: I-130 approved! Yay! 🎊 

17-Jan-2017: Case number received

21-Mar-2017: Medical Exam completed

24-Mar-2017: Interview at Embassy - approved! 🎉

29-Mar-2017: CR-1 Visa received (via mail)

02-Apr-2017: USCIS Immigrant (GC) Fee paid

28-Jun-2017: Port of Entry @ PDX 🛩️

21-Jul-2017: No SSN after three weeks; applied in person at the SSA

22-Jul-2017: GC arrived in the mail 📬

31-Jul-2017: SSN arrived via mail, hurrah!

 

*NOTE: The USCIS Field Office in Moscow is now CLOSED as of February 28th, 2019.

 

Removal of Conditions - MSC Service Center

 28-Jun-2019: Conditional GC expires

30-Mar-2019: Eligible to apply for ROC

01-Apr-2019: ROC in the mail to Phoenix AZ lockbox! 📫

03-Apr-2019: ROC packet delivered to lockbox

09-Apr-2019: USCIS cashed check

09-Apr-2019: Case number received via text - MSC 📲

12-Apr-2019: Extension letter arrives via mail

19-Apr-2019: Biometrics letter arrives via mail

30-Apr-2019: Biometrics appointment at local office

26-Jun-2019: Case ready to be scheduled for interview 

04-Sep-2019: Interview was scheduled - letter to arrive in mail

09-Sep-2019: Interview letter arrived in the mail! ✉️

17-Oct-2019: Interview scheduled @ local USCIS  

18-Oct-2019: Interview cancelled & notice ordered*

18-Oct-2019: Case was approved! 🎉

22-Oct-2019: Card was mailed to me 📨

23-Oct-2019: Card was picked by USPS 

25-Oct-2019: 10 year GC Card received in mail 📬

 

*I don't understand this status because we DID have an interview!

 

🇺🇸 N-400 Application for Naturalization (Apr 2020-Jun 2021) 🛂

Spoiler

Filed during Covid-19 & moved states 1 month after filing

30-Mar-2020: N-400 early filing window opens!

01-Apr-2020: Filed N-400 online 💻 

02-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received online 📃

07-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received via mail

05-May-2020: Moved to another state, filed AR-11 online

05-May-2020: Application transferred to another USCIS field office for review ➡️

15-May-2020: AR-11 request to change address completed

16-Jul-2020: Filed non-receipt inquiry due to never getting confirmation that case was transferred to new field office

15-Oct-2020: Received generic response to non-receipt inquiry, see full response here

10-Feb-2021: Contacted senator's office for help with USCIS

12-Feb-2021: Received canned response from senator's office that case is within processing time 😡

16-Feb-2021: Contacted other senator's office for help with USCIS - still no biometrics

19-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice - canned response from other senator's office 🌐

23-Feb-2021: Interview scheduled - notice to come in the mail

25-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice arrives via mail

01-Mar-2021: Interview notice letter arrives via mail  ✉️ 

29-Mar-2021: Passed interview at local office! Oath Ceremony to be scheduled

13-Apr-2021: Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

04-May-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 Unable to attend due to illness

04-May-2021: Mailed request to reschedule Oath to local office

05-May-2021: "You did not attend your Oath Ceremony" - notice to come in the mail

06-May-2021: Oath Ceremony will be scheduled, date TBA

12-May-2021: Oath Ceremony re-scheduled for June 3rd, then de-scheduled same day 😡 

25-May-2021: New Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

16-Jun-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 - DONE!!

17-Jun-2021: Certificate of Naturalization issued

 

🎆 Members new and old: don't forget to fill in your VJ timeline! 🎇 https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
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On 9/7/2019 at 8:55 PM, GarrettB said:

We have our interview in Moscow next week.  Any tips or suggestions?    How tough are they? Based on the reviews, they didn't sound too horrible so I am crossing my fingers...........

We just did our interview today! Try to get in like no later than 7 (that's when we got there and the line behind us was crazy). Don't bring your phone unless you wanna spend 500rub to stow your phone in a van across the street. We were in at 8:00 and out by 8:40, but we were also the first or second K1 case today. The lady collecting documents was very sweet and didn't ask for as much as we were prepared for. Also, the interview was quick and easy and the woman was really sweet! She spoke English to me and Russian to my fiance :)  We left approved and very, very happy! 

Good luck! 

Edited by myjourney229

        K1

  • 04.12.2019: Sent in I-129F Packet via UPS
  • 04.17.2019: I-129F Packed Arrived in Lewisville, TX - signed for by "Edwards"
  • 04.22.2019: NOA1 Text Received 
  • 04.23.2019: Check Cashed
  • 04.26.2019: NOA1 Hardcopy Arrived in the Mail 
  • 07.17.2019: NOA2 Received via Old Website 
  • 07.22.2019: NOA2 Hardcopy Arrived in the Mail 
  • 08.09.2019: Called NVC & Given Case Number + Invoice Number 
  • 08.20.2019 NVC Shipped to Moscow Embassy
  • 08.21.2019 Case Status Switched to "Ready"
  • 08.30.2019 Interview Date Scheduled 
  • 09.12.2019 Interviewed and Approved! 
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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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7 minutes ago, myjourney229 said:

We left approved and very, very happy! 

:dance: :dance: :dance: 

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(!).

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
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15 hours ago, myjourney229 said:

We just did our interview today! Try to get in like no later than 7 (that's when we got there and the line behind us was crazy). Don't bring your phone unless you wanna spend 500rub to stow your phone in a van across the street. We were in at 8:00 and out by 8:40, but we were also the first or second K1 case today. The lady collecting documents was very sweet and didn't ask for as much as we were prepared for. Also, the interview was quick and easy and the woman was really sweet! She spoke English to me and Russian to my fiance :)  We left approved and very, very happy! 

Good luck! 

 

Congrats! What did she ask you guys? Also good to know that you can come with your fiancé to the interview 

Edited by Art25
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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
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11 hours ago, Art25 said:

 

Congrats! What did she ask you guys? Also good to know that you can come with your fiancé to the interview 

She just asked some general questions like how we met, she asked me where I lived and what I do for work, and she asked my fiance how old he is and a few other things I really can't remember. It was honestly like five minutes and so stress free, it was beautiful! 

On 9/7/2019 at 8:55 PM, GarrettB said:

We have our interview in Moscow next week.  Any tips or suggestions?    How tough are they? Based on the reviews, they didn't sound too horrible so I am crossing my fingers...........

How was it?? 

        K1

  • 04.12.2019: Sent in I-129F Packet via UPS
  • 04.17.2019: I-129F Packed Arrived in Lewisville, TX - signed for by "Edwards"
  • 04.22.2019: NOA1 Text Received 
  • 04.23.2019: Check Cashed
  • 04.26.2019: NOA1 Hardcopy Arrived in the Mail 
  • 07.17.2019: NOA2 Received via Old Website 
  • 07.22.2019: NOA2 Hardcopy Arrived in the Mail 
  • 08.09.2019: Called NVC & Given Case Number + Invoice Number 
  • 08.20.2019 NVC Shipped to Moscow Embassy
  • 08.21.2019 Case Status Switched to "Ready"
  • 08.30.2019 Interview Date Scheduled 
  • 09.12.2019 Interviewed and Approved! 
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Filed: Other Country: Canada
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The interview was realitively easy and we were approved.  :):)  It was realitively fast, the whole process was about 2.5 hour.  We arrived at 7 and were near the front of the line, the line behind us was 1/2 of a block long.    Definitely leave phones at hotel, the van that stores your phone wants a ridiculous about of money to hold your phone for a few hours.   Most of the time was spent waiting.  The actual interview itself was about 10 minutes and the woman spoke perfectly English and Russian was was friendly.  The medical appointment was a lot longer and more difficult than the interview :)  We are glad it's over!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
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25 minutes ago, GarrettB said:

The interview was realitively easy and we were approved.  :):)  It was realitively fast, the whole process was about 2.5 hour.  We arrived at 7 and were near the front of the line, the line behind us was 1/2 of a block long.    Definitely leave phones at hotel, the van that stores your phone wants a ridiculous about of money to hold your phone for a few hours.   Most of the time was spent waiting.  The actual interview itself was about 10 minutes and the woman spoke perfectly English and Russian was was friendly.  The medical appointment was a lot longer and more difficult than the interview :)  We are glad it's over!

Are you guys in "Administrative Processing" right now, or does it say "Application Received" on the CEAC website? 

        K1

  • 04.12.2019: Sent in I-129F Packet via UPS
  • 04.17.2019: I-129F Packed Arrived in Lewisville, TX - signed for by "Edwards"
  • 04.22.2019: NOA1 Text Received 
  • 04.23.2019: Check Cashed
  • 04.26.2019: NOA1 Hardcopy Arrived in the Mail 
  • 07.17.2019: NOA2 Received via Old Website 
  • 07.22.2019: NOA2 Hardcopy Arrived in the Mail 
  • 08.09.2019: Called NVC & Given Case Number + Invoice Number 
  • 08.20.2019 NVC Shipped to Moscow Embassy
  • 08.21.2019 Case Status Switched to "Ready"
  • 08.30.2019 Interview Date Scheduled 
  • 09.12.2019 Interviewed and Approved! 
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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
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21 minutes ago, GarrettB said:

Currently it says "Administrative Processing" still.   And that the passport hasn't been sent. It's only been a few days (interview was Friday)

We are in AP too :) Hopefully everything moves along quickly! 

        K1

  • 04.12.2019: Sent in I-129F Packet via UPS
  • 04.17.2019: I-129F Packed Arrived in Lewisville, TX - signed for by "Edwards"
  • 04.22.2019: NOA1 Text Received 
  • 04.23.2019: Check Cashed
  • 04.26.2019: NOA1 Hardcopy Arrived in the Mail 
  • 07.17.2019: NOA2 Received via Old Website 
  • 07.22.2019: NOA2 Hardcopy Arrived in the Mail 
  • 08.09.2019: Called NVC & Given Case Number + Invoice Number 
  • 08.20.2019 NVC Shipped to Moscow Embassy
  • 08.21.2019 Case Status Switched to "Ready"
  • 08.30.2019 Interview Date Scheduled 
  • 09.12.2019 Interviewed and Approved! 
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  • 4 months later...
Filed: Other Country: Russia
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On 9/18/2019 at 5:24 AM, GarrettB said:

The interview was realitively easy and we were approved.  :):)  It was realitively fast, the whole process was about 2.5 hour.  We arrived at 7 and were near the front of the line, the line behind us was 1/2 of a block long.    Definitely leave phones at hotel, the van that stores your phone wants a ridiculous about of money to hold your phone for a few hours.   Most of the time was spent waiting.  The actual interview itself was about 10 minutes and the woman spoke perfectly English and Russian was was friendly.  The medical appointment was a lot longer and more difficult than the interview :)  We are glad it's over!

How did you guys request to be at the interview together? Or the petitioner can just come there with the beneficiary and will be allowed to the embassy?? Thank you.

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Filed: Other Country: Russia
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On 9/18/2019 at 8:42 AM, myjourney229 said:

We are in AP too :) Hopefully everything moves along quickly! 

So how long did the AP took? When did you get your visa and passport?

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Filed: Other Country: Canada
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14 hours ago, JurisDoctor said:

How did you guys request to be at the interview together? Or the petitioner can just come there with the beneficiary and will be allowed to the embassy?? Thank you.

I didn't have to make a formal request or anything.  When I called the embassy to ask about something else,  I said I was coming with my fiancee and they said that was fine.     Once you have an interview appointment you can just call them and tell them, just to be safe.   

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Filed: Other Country: Canada
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14 hours ago, JurisDoctor said:

So how long did the AP took? When did you get your visa and passport?

It took about 2 weeks to receive the visa from Pony Express after our interview.  Pony Express is not a very good company.   They couldn't figure out how to deliver to her house, so we went and picked it up.  Must have taken 2 hours on the phone calling and calling to finally get someone who said  it was okay to pick up.  Once we found the place it took 2 minutes, it was just there on the desk.  

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