OIF0607's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: Steve Beneficiary's Name: Ana VJ Member: OIF0607 Country: Philippines Last Updated: 2012-06-19 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for Steve & Ana:

USCIS DCF I-130 Petition:       Dept of State IR-1/CR-1 Visa:     USCIS I-751 Petition:   USCIS N-400 Petition:

IR-1/CR-1 Visa Event Date Service Center : Texas Service Center Transferred? No Consulate : Manila, Philippines Marriage (if applicable): 2011-04-20 I-130 Sent : 2012-03-08 I-130 NOA1 : 2012-03-08 I-130 RFE : I-130 RFE Sent : I-130 Approved : 2012-05-17 NVC Received : 2012-05-17 Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : Pay AOS Bill : Receive I-864 Package : Send AOS Package : Submit DS-261 : Receive IV Bill : Pay IV Bill : Send IV Package : Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : Case Completed at NVC : NVC Left : 2012-05-17 Consulate Received : 2012-05-18 Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : 2012-06-18 Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : US Entry : Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-130 was approved in 70 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 102 days from your I-130 NOA1 date.

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Event Description Review Date : June 18, 2012 Embassy Review : Ok. So my wife had her interview this morning. This is how it turned out: 2am - woke up 4am - had breakfast at 24hr chowking 4:30am - left in taxi for embasy 5am - arrived at embasy 5-6am stood in line outside embasy We were the tenth person in line. There was another American with his Filipina wife behind us about number 20 in line. When going through the check point before entering the embasy, they will ask for your appointment sheet and passport. They will apply a sticker on the back of your passport and place it in a plastic bag and hand it back to you. They will also ask you if medical gave you anything and you tell them that they gave you a CD and paper in an envelope. Then you start to go into the embasy. NO WATER BOTTLES...I had to pour ours out and come back in to catch up with my wife. Anyway, you go through the metal detectors and then into the embasy itself where they will give you a numbered ticket. You have a seat and wait for your number to flash on the screen. We were the first to be called up to window 39. Once you get to window 30, the girl will ask for your DS-230. Once you give that to her, you sit back down and wait for your number to be called again...BY THE WAY IT IS VERY COLD IN THERE SO WEAR SOMETHING WARM. Once your number is called again, you get finger printed at window 40. Then you have a seat again to wait for your number to be called again. This time the wait is a little longer... IT IS TRUE THAT THE NUMBERS ARE CALLED RANDOMLY... So it doesn't pay to show up any earlier or be the first on line. So now we waited for about an hour and our number is called for the 1st interview... We are interviewed by a Filipino (Gay I think). He was very nice and allowed my presence while interviewing my wife. He just asked the basic questions that we have all read about such as: How long have we known each other, When and where did we meet, When do we plan to go back to the US, Who are the joint sponsors listed on the I-864a. That was just about it. We gave him the documents he requested which was everything that is listed in packet 3 list of documents. He did not ask for proof of our personal relationship such as pictures and joint bank accounts, etc. We were told to have another seat and wait for our number to be called again... This time the wait for forever. People that were way behind us in line early this morning was finishing up and leaving while my wife and I was still there waiting. The longer we waited, the more nervous we got. We were both nervous because my income alone was not enough, so I had two joint sponsors who are household members back in the states who are also on disability and who's income is below the threshold. Finally our number was called and we went to window 61 I think. The interviewer was an American with Asian (Chinese) descent. The interviewer verified both of us and asked that I return back to my seat while conducts the interview with my wife. After about 10 minutes, my wife comes back to the seat and he calls me to the window. He basically said that he had a slight problem with my domicile in the states since I had lived in the Philippines on my disability check for the last 6 months. I informed him that I included my bank statements and state return taxes as proof of my domicile at my address in the states and he said ok and told me that my wife was approved. I walked away from the window and gave my wife a thumbs up as I was walking toward her. She was very happy when she saw that. I asked my wife what he had asked her and she said that he was very detailed. He asked about both of our prior marriages and why they failed. He asked her some of the questions twice. Basically asked how do you know him, how did you meet him, who is so and so, which is my brother, mom, etc., how many children does she have, has she ever been out of the country, when do we plan to fly to the states, etc. Most people on VJ say the second interview was easier than the first, but our experience is just the opposite. There was a Filipino man standing behind the second interviewer; not sure if he was in training or what. Maybe that was why the interviewer was being so thorough, not sure. Anyway, we sat and waited for our number to be called again and then when to window 72 I think which is the 2GO window in which they verify that your VISA will be mailed in a few days or so. The man didn't give a specific arrival time of the VISA. After that we left the embasy. The whole process was smooth and efficient. Make sure you bring a light jacket or wear long sleeve shirt. Don't wear open toed shoes unless you don't mind your toes freezing off (my wife wore her rubber shoes (Tennis shoes), along with new dark blue jeans, and a nice button up blouse with a collar. It seemed that most people were approved with no problem and as long as you have all your paperwork in order, you wont have a problem. I saw one older man sitting by himself praying constantly. My wife and I said a few prayers as well. We were finished with everything and out of the embasy at 9:30 am. The embasy keeps your passport and it will be delievered to you with your VISA by the 2GO courier. Rating : Very Good

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(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
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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.

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