Caleb&Ashlee's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: Caleb
Beneficiary's Name: Ashlee
VJ Member: Caleb&Ashlee
Country: Canada
Last Updated: 2016-07-29
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Immigration Checklist for Caleb & Ashlee:
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USCIS I-129F Petition:
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Dept of State K1 Visa:
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USCIS I-485 Petition:
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USCIS I-765 Petition:
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USCIS I-131 Petition:
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USCIS I-751 Petition:
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USCIS N-400 Petition:
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K1 Visa
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
California Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Montreal, Canada |
| I-129F Sent : |
2015-01-17 |
| I-129F NOA1 : |
2015-01-22 |
| I-129F RFE(s) : |
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| RFE Reply(s) : |
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| I-129F NOA2 : |
2015-02-04 |
| NVC Received : |
2015-02-24 |
| Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : |
2015-03-24 |
| NVC Left : |
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| Consulate Received : |
2015-03-18 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
2015-03-18 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
2015-03-30 |
| Packet 4 Received : |
2015-04-09 |
| Interview Date : |
2015-05-27 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2015-06-16 |
| US Entry : |
2015-06-29 |
| Marriage : |
2015-09-05 |
| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-129f was approved in 13 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 125 days from your I-129F NOA1 date. |
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Adjustment of Status
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Columbus OH |
| Date Filed : |
2015-09-25 |
| NOA Date : |
2015-10-02 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2015-10-28 |
| AOS Transfer** : |
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| Interview Date : |
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| Approval / Denial Date : |
2016-07-27 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
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| Greencard Received: |
2016-07-29 |
| Comments : |
Received a letter dated January 21, 2016 informing me that my AOS application is a potential interview waiver case and that DHS is anticipating a current delay in processing of up to 6 months. I still haven't heard anything more. (The letter was sent 3 months ago).
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Called regarding my AOS and received a letter shortly thereafter (July 15th 2016) informing me that my case was outside of normal processing time, but still delayed further.
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Received my Greencard! (July 29th 2016) |
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Employment Authorization
Document
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago National Office |
| Filing Method : |
Mail |
| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2015-09-25 |
| NOA Date : |
2015-10-02 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
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| Approved Date : |
2015-12-14 |
| Date Card Received : |
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| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your EAD was approved in 80 days. |
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Advance Parole
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago National Office |
| Filing Method : |
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| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2015-09-25 |
| NOA Date : |
2015-10-02 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Date Received : |
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| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your AP was approved in 80 days. |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
May 31, 2015 |
| Embassy Review : |
My interview was on May 27th at 7:40 am. My Fiance and I left our hotel and walked the short distance to the consulate. We arrived at the consulate around 7:25 am. (Not too early, having read previous reviews advising that there was no point in arriving more than 15 minutes prior to the interview time.) There was already a line up of about 15 to 20 people outside on the sidewalk, some alone some with another person. Shortly after we got in line quite a few people came and lined up behind us.
We probably waited 10 minutes before they opened the doors and started letting people inside. The line didn't move too slowly overall, and in about another 10 minutes I reached the lady who was screening everyone before they went into the consulate. She asked what time my interview was scheduled for (7:40 am) and asked to see my passport and appointment letter.
There was a man ahead of us who was turned away, and some others as well because they had bags/briefcases or I suppose later appointment times. I had a zip up binder, which seemed not a whole lot smaller than some of the bags people had, and I was afraid they would ask me to take everything out and just bring the papers in. I had carefully organized everything, so I was of course hoping it would be okay. It was, nobody raised any objections to my having the binder.
Both I and my Fiance were let in the front doors even though the lady informed us that only I would be allowed upstairs due to space issues. (When I asked about the Packet #4 letter's indication that a U.S. citizen was permitted to accompany me, she said this was a new rule). The lady then gave me a number and told me to listen for when it was called once I got upstairs.
I am somewhat of a nervous person anyway,I live 20+ hours away from Montreal and had had a very long trip, and this information was stressful to hear. However, despite what we were told outside the consulate, my Fiance was allowed to accompany me through the entire process, until the interview at the second window. The lady at the first window even asked him a few short questions.
Going through security wasn't too hectic or difficult. I was asked to take off my belt and empty my pockets. I was permitted to keep my purse, although it was put through a scanner first. (They really can see everything on that scanner). An officer sitting behind the scanner was calling out what was in the purses and clarifying items he wasn't sure of. Another officer actually opened my purse and looked through it. I had only a few things in it anyway, because I hadn't even been sure I could keep it with me. I walked through the metal detector and I guess the zipper on my jeans caused it to beep, so I was asked by an officer to hold my arms out while he used the wand, then I was directed forward and given back my purse. My Fiance and I had to turn off our cell phones and leave them and the car keys with security. We were given a number to present when leaving to have our items returned.
From security we went down some stairs to the 1st waiting area. It is pretty small with some chairs along the walls and a photo booth for anyone who still needs pictures taken. After about 15 to 20 minutes a female officer came into the room and directed everyone to the elevator, telling us to go to the 19th floor. My Fiance and I had to wait for the 2nd trip up because there were too many people to fit in one trip.
The second waiting area is much larger and has big windows with a pretty nice view of the city. There are a lot of chairs facing appointment windows numbered 1-5 which seemed to be the ones most people were called to for the first part of the process.
My Fiance and I waited about 15 to 20 minutes before being called to window 4. The lady there was polite and professional. She took my number and she asked me for a number of documents.
- My passport and a copy of my passport
- My birth certificate (long form) and a copy of my birth certificate
- My appointment letter (with proof of payment)
- 2 visa photos
- The sealed large white medical envelope (not the small brown one with my x-rays)
- My Fiance's letter of intent
(Further action was needed here. My Fiance had signed the letter in black ink, and because of this she believed it was a copy of the letter, not the original.It was a blessing that they had permitted him to come up the elevator with me, because he had to sign the letter again right there at the window).
- Affidavit of support
- My Fiance's 2014 tax return (which thankfully we had thought to print the night before at the hotel just as something extra).
The lady organized all of our papers and put an elastic around them. She asked us a few basic questions, such as where both of us lived and she confirmed that my Fiance's address is where I want future mail sent. She asked me if I had ever traveled to the U.S. before and if either of us had been married previously. Then I was fingerprinted, left hand, right hand, then both thumbs. We were then asked to sit back down and wait to be called for the interview.
After another 20 minutes or so my number was called for window #9. At this point my Fiance was asked to return to the waiting area as they wanted to speak with me only.
I was given an oath and asked to read it with my right hand raised. The lady at this window was very serious, not exactly unfriendly, but she did not smile or show any sign of how the interview was going. She asked me a number of questions, including:
- How did you and your Fiance first meet?
- When did you meet in person?
- Did he come to Canada for the first meeting?
- What does your Fiance do for work?
- Are you currently employed?
- Have you ever had any issues at a U.S. border crossing?
- Do you have a criminal record or any past charges?
- Will this be the 1st marriage for both of you?
- Do either of you have children?
- Did you receive the information packet regarding your rights in a domestic violence situation and do you have any questions regarding your rights?
- What kind of plans do you have for your wedding?
I answered all of the questions simply and honestly without rambling or excessive detail. It was however difficult for her to hear me and me to hear her due to the glass barrier between us. You do have to make an effort to speak a little loudly and clearly.
At this point I was asked to go get my Fiance. When we got back to the window she informed us there was an issue with his affidavit of support. Apparently he had missed a small box with the word "intend" beside it that he needed to check if he did intend to support me while I am in the U.S. (Please read all forms carefully). He was allowed to correct this oversight and give the form back to the lady interviewing us.
At this point the interview was over, the lady returned my original birth certificate and the photos we had sent in with our 1-129F petition. She then told me that my visa was being approved. (I was so overjoyed and excited, but I remained calm there of course.)  She handed me my "Welcome to the United States" letter that I've heard so much about and informed me that my visa would be put in my passport and that it would be sent to the Loomis Courier location I had previously selected.
And just like that everything was finished! We are approved! This entire journey of getting the visa approval was so much better than it could have been. I highly recommend going with your Fiance whenever possible just in case anything from their end needs further clarification or there are any oversights/errors. The fact that we were together saved us, as I would not likely have been approved due to the letter of intent and affidavit of support issues. (And even though they may tell you outside that you can't both go up, we were able to and I noticed at least two other couples who were allowed to stay together as well).
Overall we had a very good experience and are thankful for all we learned on this site as well. Hopefully we can give back and this review can me of help to others.
Blessings to everyone on their visa journeys.
~Ashlee & Caleb
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| Rating : |
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
