merc0230's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: Rafael
Beneficiary's Name: Karen
VJ Member: merc0230
Country: Costa Rica
Last Updated: 2019-01-07
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Immigration Checklist for Rafael & Karen:
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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 : |
California Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Costa Rica |
| Marriage (if applicable): |
2012-05-24 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2012-07-31 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2012-08-02 |
| I-130 RFE : |
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| I-130 RFE Sent : |
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| I-130 Approved : |
2012-10-02 |
| NVC Received : |
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| Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : |
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| Pay AOS Bill : |
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| Receive I-864 Package : |
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| Send AOS Package : |
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| Submit DS-261 : |
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| Receive IV Bill : |
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| Pay IV Bill : |
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| Send IV Package : |
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| Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : |
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| Case Completed at NVC : |
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| NVC Left : |
2012-11-27 |
| Consulate Received : |
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| Packet 3 Received : |
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| Packet 3 Sent : |
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| Packet 4 Received : |
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| Interview Date : |
2013-01-07 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
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| US Entry : |
2013-02-03 |
| Comments : |
Easy interview...just missing my certified divorce copies...had no idea I needed that!
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-130 was approved in 61 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 158 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
Atlanta |
| POE Date : |
2013-02-03 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
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| Biometrics Taken : |
Yes |
| Harassment Level : |
0 |
| Comments : |
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Lifting Conditions
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Vermont Service Center |
| Date Filed : |
2014-11-05 |
| NOA Date : |
2014-11-7 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2014-12-10 |
| Interview Date : |
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| Approval / Denial Date : |
2015-07-01 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
Yes |
| Green Card Received : |
2015-07-10 |
| Comments : |
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Citizenship
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Lewisville TX Lockbox |
| CIS Office : |
Tampa FL |
| Date Filed : |
2015-11-06 |
| NOA Date : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
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| Interview Date : |
2016-04-18 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Oath Ceremony : |
2016-04-22 |
| Comments : |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Costa Rica
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
January 8, 2013 |
| Embassy Review : |
Easy and straight forward.
Yesterday (1/7/13) we had our interview or rather my wife's interview.
The letter from NVC informed us that our appointment was at 12:30, but my wife received an email from the consulate ensuring that we brought some additional information and said the appointment was at noon, so we showed up at 1140 to be safe. Ushered right in to the outside waiting area, there were 4 people ahead of us (one woman(alone), one couple, 2 minors). We waited about 45 minutes for the first interview. With an older lady, very nice. She basically got all the paperwork in order, she did ask where/how we met and a couple of other generic questions. Nothing difficult at all. Then we waited another hour and half or so. I think part of the problem is that we were there during lunch time (as the second interviewer wasn't even there most of the time).
The second interview went pretty easy as well. First you scan your finger prints, swear and sign the application and then she questions you. Same type of questions..when and how did you met, travel anywhere together (outside of visits), and show me pictures. They also questioned me about my income (I was self employed while living in CR, but when I moved back to the states I took a "normal" job) so, I think they just needed some extra comfort about my financial ability. The only downside is that I need a certified copy of the divorce of my first marriage - no where did I EVER see that, but none the less, she said we were approved, just drop off the certified copy and pick up the visa the following week.
If anyone is wondering about the medical exam and pregnancy, we didn't have any problems with not having the x-rays and all of my wife's shot records due to the pregnancy, we got congratulations, but no issues. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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POE Review: Atlanta
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| Event |
Description |
| Entry Date : |
2013-02-02 |
| Embassy Review : |
Got in on a Sunday afternoon, my wife went straight to the counter. I took a seat at the chairs provided. Didn't ask any questions, went through the paperwork, called me up and had me sign a document reminding us about the temporary green card rules. Said it could take up to 6 months to receive her GC in the mail. Also said she could come back into the US with the visa stamp until her GC arrives. All in all took about 10 minutes. Very easy! |
| Harassment Level : |
Low |
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Local US CIS Office Review: Tampa FL
Review Topic: cis_topic
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
April 18, 2016 |
| Embassy Review : |
Today was the big interview. We got there at 12:00, as our appointment was at 12:25. Long line just to get to the waiting room as there was only person working the desk and she was as slow as molasses. Once inside, they started calling numbers completely at random, we were 97, the first number they called as 89, then 95, then 103, etc, etc. My wife was finally called back a 1:29 and she came back out at 1:50. First up was the standard oath, then the interviewer (lady from Puerto Rico) started going through some of the application...all standard review. Then she was asked the 6 civics question.
1. We elect a US Senator for how many years?
2. Name one branch or part of the government.
3. What did the declaration of Independence do? (side note, my wife said "declared our independence" which is supposed to be an acceptable answer, but the interviewer asked the follow up question of "From who?"
4. What does the president's cabinet do?
5. If both the president and vice president cannot serve who becomes president?
6. How many justices are on the supreme court?
She was then asked to "When is Columbus day" and write "Columbus day is in October".
The interviewer was very nice, talked a little about ours (and hers) personal lives. (kids, etc).
She said "You did perfect".
She then asked my wife, "do you owe any taxes". Answer "no; again she asked "do you owe any taxes". Answer "no". She said, "I'm going to ask you one more time""do you owe any taxes". Answer "no". She then said, can you prove it? My wife said sure and showed her the receipt for paying our back taxes (thanks to a bad CPA). I guess, I prepped my wife too well, "Only answer the question she asks, don't offer anything else".
That apparently was the only tense moment during the interview.
She then had some computer problems and was unable to approve the application right then. She handed my wife the approval paper and said, just wait 30 minutes and I'll get my supervisor to help me with the computer.
I wasn't allowed back or asked any questions (as the USC).
About 30 minutes later we were called to a window and given the date for the Naturalization ceremony (this Friday at 0730). |
| Harassment Level : |
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
