The Getty's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: Karen
Beneficiary's Name: Matthew
VJ Member: The Getty
Country: Canada
Last Updated: 2014-09-16
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Immigration Checklist for Karen & Matthew:
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USCIS I-130 Petition:
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Dept of State IR-1/CR-1 Visa:
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USCIS I-751 Petition:
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USCIS N-400 Petition:
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IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Vermont Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Montreal, Canada |
| Marriage (if applicable): |
2010-11-26 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2011-02-04 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2011-02-10 |
| I-130 RFE : |
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| I-130 RFE Sent : |
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| I-130 Approved : |
2011-05-16 |
| NVC Received : |
2011-05-17 |
| Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : |
2011-06-14 |
| Pay AOS Bill : |
2011-06-14 |
| Receive I-864 Package : |
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| Send AOS Package : |
2011-06-23 |
| Submit DS-261 : |
2011-06-14 |
| Receive IV Bill : |
2011-06-15 |
| Pay IV Bill : |
2011-06-21 |
| Send IV Package : |
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| Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : |
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| Case Completed at NVC : |
2011-08-16 |
| NVC Left : |
2011-08-16 |
| Consulate Received : |
2011-08-16 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
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| Packet 3 Sent : |
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| Packet 4 Received : |
2011-08-17 |
| Interview Date : |
2011-09-28 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2011-10-03 |
| US Entry : |
2011-10-11 |
| Comments : |
- OPT IN for completing application online: 06/11/2011; accepted 06/14/2011
- All supporting documents submitted electronically 08/04/2011.
- Medical done 09/23/2011 at Medisys in Montreal, Quebec
- Visa Packet sent received 10/03/2011
- Social Security Card received 10/21/2011
- Welcome letter received 10/21/2011.
- Welcome letter #2 received 11/04/2011.
- Permanent green card received 11/05/2011. However, new one has to be issued as 'Resident since' and 'Expires' dates are incorrect due to error at POE (wrong year on stamp).
- Biometrics done at ASC in East Hartford, CT....another few month wait for my permanent green card, hopefully with ALL correct info this time.
- Received 2nd permanent green card on 02/23/2012...all info correct! |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-130 was approved in 95 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 230 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
CDN-USA Border |
| POE Date : |
2011-10-11 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
Yes,Passport Stamp |
| Biometrics Taken : |
Yes |
| Harassment Level : |
0 |
| Comments : |
POE: Niagara Falls, NY (via Queenston-Lewiston Bridge)
Total time at border crossing : about 2 hours (partly due to high traffic volume) |
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Lifting Conditions
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Vermont Service Center |
| Date Filed : |
2013-10-09 |
| NOA Date : |
2013-10-15 |
| RFE(s) : |
2014-03-13 |
| Bio. Appt. : |
2013-11-22 |
| Interview Date : |
2014-08-21 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2014-09-08 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
Yes |
| Green Card Received : |
2014-09-15 |
| Comments : |
11/20/2013 - Received notification that case is transferred from VSC to CSC.
07/17/2014 - Case transferred to Hartford, CT Field Office
07/28/2014 - Received interview date for USCIS Field Office in Hartford, CT |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
October 1, 2011 |
| Embassy Review : |
Arrived at my interview on September 28th around 6:45 AM at the Consulate in Montreal where there were already 2 people ahead of me. About 7:30 we were let in one person at a time and went through security (NOTE: You WILL be required to remove your belt and empty your pockets and put your jacket through the x-ray machine). I was 3rd in and 2nd through security (one lady had 2 kids with her). We were directed downstairs by the elevator. A security guard then told all immigrant visa applicants to stand up and enter the elevator. HINT: When you enter the elevator move to the very back near the "other" door as this "other" door is where you will exit (I was 9th or 10th on, but first off because I did this). The floor number where the elevator stopped was floor 19.
We were greeted by a lady when we got off who directed us to line up and then asked for our appointment letters. I was first in line and received ticket C-1 at window 14A/B. I sat down for about 5-10 minutes and was called to window 10. I showed my appointment letter, gave my 2 photos and my passport, then had my fingerprints scanned on the electronic scanner. Another piece of info: even though I completed form DS-260 (the online version) they weren't able to retrieve it from the computer so I had to complete form DS-230 (even though the state dept web site said NOT to complete a DS 230 if you did form DS260).
I then went back out to the waiting room to complete the DS-230 and before I could get it completed I was called to Window 11 (about 3 minutes after going to window 10). Because I had not completed my DS-230, I had to go back and complete it then sit down to be called again. I waited about 20-30 minutes then was called to window 11 again. I then provided my birth certificate, my marriage certificate, my wife's divorce decree from her first marriage, the I-864 (my wife could do the EZ form as I was the only person she was petitioning and all the requirements for this form applied) and my police check form. The only things that the lady kept were my passport, the AOS form and the police certificate; I got everything else back at the window (probably because I had done the visa process online and they had scanned forms of all documents).
I then went back and sat down until I was called to Window 8 which is in a little room (about 30-40 minutes if that). I then had to raise my right hand and swear that all answers/info I provided was true. She then asked me how I met my wife, where we met, what she did. And, in a very anticlimactic way, said my visa was approved and welcome to the US. She then handed me a sheet of paper that gave info on when to expect my visa by courier, how long I had to enter the country, etc. I then left the Consulate a little after 9:00 AM.
Overall, the actual interview took about an hour and a half from the time I was let in by the security guard until I left the building. It would have been less had I had a completed DS-230 with me (which, as mentioned above, I believed I did not need).
I am now in Kitchener, ON at my sister's awaiting my visa packet (which, I found out was sent yesterday September 30th and is in transit to the DHL location in Kitchener/Waterloo.) I should have it by October 5th at the absolute latest.
My advice to others: Arrive around 6:30 - 6:45 AM. Bring next to nothing with you- ie. if you don't need it for the interview or to get into your car/house/hotel room, DON'T bring it (if your car key has a remote starter/unlock on it, BE SURE TO REMOVE IT. You will NOT be allowed to bring it into the consulate). Give honest, concise, quick answers. Be polite at all times. The staff at the consulate were polite to me even if they were serious/monotonous. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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Timeline Comments: None yet, be the first!
*Notice about estimates: The estimates are based off averages of other members recent experiences
(documented in their timelines) for the same benefit/petition/application at the same filing location.
Individual results may vary as every case is not always 'average'. Past performance does not necessarily
predict future results. The 'as early as date' may change over time based on current reported processing
times from members. There have historically been cases where a benefit/petition/application processing
briefly slows down or stops and this can not be predicted. Use these dates as reference only and do not
rely on them for planning. As always you should check the
USCIS processing times to see if your application
is past due.
** Not all cases are transfered
ver 5.0
