Jump to content

MASH's US Immigration Timeline

  Petitioner's Name: Derrick
Beneficiary's Name: Mahshid
VJ Member: MASH
Country: Canada

Last Updated: 2022-10-24
Register or log in to follow this timeline

  

Immigration Checklist for Derrick & Mahshid:

USCIS I-129F Petition:      
Dept of State K1 Visa:    
USCIS I-485 Petition:  
USCIS I-765 Petition:      
USCIS I-131 Petition:      
USCIS I-751 Petition:  
USCIS N-400 Petition:  


K1 Visa
Event Date
Service Center : California Service Center
Transferred? No
Consulate : Vancouver, Canada
I-129F Sent : 2015-04-14
I-129F NOA1 : 2015-04-17
I-129F RFE(s) : 2015-06-17
RFE Reply(s) : 2015-07-22
I-129F NOA2 : 2015-08-03
NVC Received : 2015-08-31
Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : 2015-08-31
NVC Left : 2015-09-03
Consulate Received : 2015-09-09
Packet 3 Received : 2015-09-16
Packet 3 Sent : 2015-09-21
Packet 4 Received : 2015-10-01
Interview Date : 2015-11-10
Interview Result : Approved
Second Interview
(If Required):
Second Interview Result:
Visa Received : 2015-11-16
US Entry : 2015-11-25
Marriage : 2016-01-07
Comments : This was an easy process, it is the stress that honestly makes it worse then what it actually is, if you are truly in love this process may take awhile but it's worth it <3

-Reason for the RFE due to my Fiance not putting N/A on parts that did not pertain to us and did not put a check mark on the part that says we are not related LOL, be careful on those small details, it delayed our process by 2 months ;)

REVIEW ON MEDICAL:
Once I finished package 3 and emailed it to the Vancouver consultants they gave me package 4 were I can book my interview plus my medical appointment. I emailed Dr Cheema and provided my information on my appointment date, age etc and they gave me appointment date for Oct 19th. I just drove to Dr Cheema with my history of shots,4 passport photos, 2 pieces of ID then the nurse took my height and weight and told me to sit and Dr. Cheema would be ready for me (waited for only 5 mins), Dr.Cheema saw me and just checked my ears, stomach and then asked me simple yes or no questions and that was it :)

after that I went to the front and they gave me an envelope to give it to the other office which was a 3 min drive to take my xray and blood test which was really easy except the blood test made me wait 30 min but everything else was less then a 5 min wait, so after all that I am done in less than an hour. After all was said and done I just drove off to work like it was a normal day :)
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your I-129f was approved in 108 days from your NOA1 date.

Your interview took 207 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.


Port of Entry Review
Event Date
Port of Entry : Vancouver
POE Date : 2015-11-25
Got EAD Stamp : No
Biometrics Taken : Yes
Harassment Level : 0
Comments : Only thing annoying about the trip is bringing my PS4 on the flight with me especially during the security screening which I had to re-open the PS4 which gave me a nasty cut on my thumb, a lot of blood came out which none of the security people didn't bother giving me a bandage or even a Kleenex, also the person giving out the tickets being unreasonable for me to put some clothes in my other suitcase to make the fee for baggage claim less,

Remaining info is in my POE review


Adjustment of Status
Event Date
CIS Office : Dallas TX
Date Filed : 2016-02-25
NOA Date : 2016-03-03
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. : 2016-03-28
AOS Transfer** :
Interview Date : 2016-11-17
Approval / Denial Date : 2016-11-18
Approved : Yes
Got I551 Stamp : No
Greencard Received: 2016-11-30
Comments : BIOMETRICS REVIEW:
Pretty simple,I got there 40 min early and no one was there except 2 other people,when I got to the agent I just showed my passport and letter (didn't have to show marriage certificate since I kept my last name) and then I filled out a simple form that had put my full name, DOB, height ,weight and my A# with the MSC#'s I applied for , then I gave the sheet back and waited for my # to be called which only took 8 mins, the gentleman scanned my letter and asked for my signature, then took my fingers to scan and scan each finger on its own ( my right pinky finger wouldn't fully scan but he said 9-10 fingers is ok) than took picture and then that's it, gave me a survey sheet and then I was on my way out the door (it all took only 15 mins).


Employment Authorization Document
Event Date
CIS Office : Dallas TX
Filing Method : Mail
Filing Instance : First
Date Filed : 2016-02-25
NOA Date : 2016-03-03
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. : 2016-03-28
Approved Date : 2016-05-04
Date Card Received : 2016-05-12
Comments : Even though it says I got approved in 69 days for me it was actually 92 days as I sent out the file on February 2nd but sadly USCIS was not able to read my husbands cheque so I received it back on the 24th and had to start over :( but in the end I am happy to receive the EAD with the AP together so I can finally start life with my husband till the 2 year green card is ready :)

-Got my EAD/AP Combo Card on day 100 <3
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your EAD was approved in 69 days.


Advance Parole
Event Date
CIS Office : Dallas TX
Filing Method :  
Filing Instance : First
Date Filed : 2016-02-25
NOA Date : 2016-03-03
RFE(s) :
Date Received : 2016-05-12
Comments : AP came with my EAD in a EAD/AP combo card :),
I can finally go see my family after so long and spend time with them on Canada Day <3
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your AP was approved in 69 days.


Lifting Conditions
Event Date
CIS Office : Texas Service Center
Date Filed : 2018-11-10
NOA Date : 2018-11-14
RFE(s) : 2020-02-10
Bio. Appt. : 2019-10-31
Interview Date : 2020-12-17
Approval / Denial Date : 2020-12-18
Approved : Yes
Got I551 Stamp : Yes
Green Card Received : 2020-12-24
Comments : This Green Card took longer than the rest. It was a long process but a worth it one. As always I was a nervous wreak and worried it was going to be denied especially how long it was taking, but my hubby assured me that we will pass and possible due to covid that it is taking longer than expected. After sending all the paperwork and what we sent was.
- Table of Contents
- I-751 Form
- Check for $680 for I-751/Biometrics
- Marriage License
- 2 year green card/passport info
- Husband citizenship info
- 3 affidavit letters from friends
- Copies of plane tickets and photos from trips and celebrations
- Taxes from 2016-2017
- Lease
- Loan Statements
- Car Insurance
And
- Bills

We didn’t have much as we are just basic people who love each other that go to work and spend time together as much as possible.

After a year we finally got the biometrics which was pretty basic stuff like how we had to do it for the 2 year green card.

What hurt for this process is that we got a RFE In February and the excuse was pretty much “you have proof you live together but not actually married. Me and hubby were just in shock when we read that, so all we did on the RFE was provide more affidavits from family and friends , new bank info , proof that we now live with my mother in law with our new taxes that we did for the year 2018-2019 as we couldn’t get much else since it was during the beginning of covid many places was closed around me.

Once December hit we got our letter to come for an interview which I was freaking out , so I made sure I got more evidence as honestly at that point we felt it will take years for approval so we ended up getting our own place again in November 2020 and our new agreement with our auto loan and proof we still have our old loans together.

On our way to interview it was pretty simple , we went in and they asked us questions about covid , went to the booth for our reasons to be in the building and told us to go upstairs were we had our interview.

During the whole time hubby held my hand and said “I Love You, and everything is going to be ok”.

Once the interview started the agent asked us if we had anything new to show him which I did and asked us these questions.
1) How did we meet?
2) When did I come to the states?
3)When did we get married?
4) Where does my husband work?
5) What is the plan for our future?

And once that was done we honestly talked about how we fell in love with each other and our hobbies we shared ,which I guess he felt that was enough to prove that we are a genuine couple. On our drive home I got a text saying my card is in process and finally got my 10 year green card on Christmas Eve which is the best Christmas gift I could ask for and of course me being able to relax that day with hubby.

Now off to apply for citizenship and the journey will fully be over.


Citizenship
Event Date
Service Center : Online
CIS Office : Dallas TX
Date Filed : 2021-12-19
NOA Date : 2021-12-20
Bio. Appt. : 2021-12-20
Interview Date : 2022-09-02
Approved : Yes
Oath Ceremony : 2022-09-20
Comments : I am very much happy they are using my old biometrics cause missing work or making up the hours at my job is a nightmare to do. Now I just have to wait to see if I get and interview or not ☺️.

*UPDATE*

I had my interview which only took 5 mins and I got approved 🥰.

*INTERVIEW*
I got to the building 20 mins before going in , went through the scanner , provided my letter stating of my interview today, got my picture taken and was asked to go to the 2nd floor.

Once I got to the 2nd floor I was waiting for my name to be called which was 10 mins after my interview was supposed to start but it was fine cause the person I got was really really nice and made me feel comfortable about the whole process.

Agent only asked me 6 questions (they have to give you max 10 questions and you have to get 6/10 to pass):

- Who Makes Federal Laws? (Congress)

- What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? (Freed The Slaves)

- Who Is Our Current President? (Joe Biden)

- What Did Abraham Lincoln Do? (Freed The Slaves)

- When Do We Celebrate Independence Day? (July 4th)

- What did Martin Luther King Jr. Do? (Fought For Civil Rights)

Than told me to say out loud “Who Can Vote? And told me to spell “Citizens Can Vote”.

Past the test part easy breezy and just told me where I live now which I said I live with my MIL, and where do I work. After everything was said and done he approved me and said I will get my Oath Ceremony scheduled in 4-6 weeks ❤️.

*UPDATE*:
I got a update less than 2 hrs later saying my Oath Ceremony is set for 09/20/22.

I will follow up on how my Oath Ceremony went 😁.

*OATH CEREMONY*:
My Oath Ceremony was set for 10:30am so I made sure I got there by 10:00am the letter requested with the letter I got in the mail and made sure to fill or they will not let you in the building. When got there at 10:00am there was quite a big line but very well organized and they let us in 3 mins before 10:30am than made us make 2 lines to show our letter we got in the mail, 10 year green card and form of ID like a drivers license (sadly I lost my green card 2 months ago so I made sure I brought my police report of the lost card and they were ok with it). After that I went to a new line where they gave us a folder with the American flag, register to vote paper plus the passport form which I filled out before the actual ceremony started which was exactly 1 hr after 10:30am. The Ceremony it was only 15 mins which consisted of a video from president , welcoming us , do the oath and sing the national anthem (whole thing from beginning to end took 1.5 hours). Once that was all done I went outside to wait for my husband to drive home.

*FINAL THOUGHTS OF CITIZENSHIP JOURNEY*: This was a crazy ride getting to this point and I am happy not to deal with USCIS anymore even though I met amazing people through it <3. My final journey will be getting my passport and updating my SSN and than I can say my journey will be officially over, I wish luck to everyone and hopefully my posts will help even if it’s a small amount and I’ll be sure to post my passport and SSN journey in the comments section at the moment it is completed and the whole process.💕

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Vancouver, Canada
Review Topic: K1 Visa
Event Description
Review Date : November 19, 2016
Embassy Review : Interview Date: November 10th 2015.

Before I got out of bed I was super nervous, I got myself ready,got my hair fixed up and put on my make up and just caught my bus and went on the sky train which I had to take all the way to Burrad from Lougheed station. First thing I did when I got close to there is I put my big bag and cell phone at my sisters office as I heard when you go the consultant building they wont let you bring in a big bag and no cell phones allowed *but I learned once I got there they will keep your cell in a safe* but as for big bags DO NOT BRING!! If you did bring alot of stuff there are places like Quiznos which is across from the building that will hold your bag for sadly a fee *happy I didn't have to do that*.

Now the first thing that will happen is there is a security guard in front of the building that will ask for your DS160 and Passport then the second security guard will give you a card that will say B once I show my passport and DS160 sheet as we'll him, then the 3rd security will check all the items that you brought with you and will ask if I have a cell phone or anything in my pockets which I nicely said no, when all that was done I went up some stairs were there was a another security guard which also asked me if I had anything in my pockets and went through a machine as people do when they walk through security at the airport then once done you go near the elevators were a gentleman will take you up to floor 20.

once you get to Floor 20 more security guards are there asking what type of visa you are applying for? and then they will open a door for you and tell you were the B window is, once you get in there is a switch you have to flip *flip only once*

when I did that a gentleman came up and asked for everything on my checklist:

-Passport: (Original - was advised did not need the photocopy version)
-DS160: (Mine was black and white not colored so no need to worry)
-Police Certificate: (Original) - (I had photocopy but was advised does not need it)
-Affadavit of Support: (Original that your Petitioner signed with 3 years of W2, 1040 tax return ,plus proof of employment)
-Birth Certificate: (Photocopy) (YOU SHOULD HAVE ORIGINAL, the only issue I had with mine was I was born in Iran and I only had the translated version so the agent asked alot of questions about it on were it is? and I couldn't properly answer him and had to ask what I had was ok, advised me since I was born in Iran there is no birth certificates there so what I had was perfect but if you were born in a country were there is a birth certificate you need the ORIGINAL copy).

Once all that was done he gave me a # and I waited for my number to be called, while I was waiting I was super nervous so I decided to talk to people around me and they were all going through what I was going through so it put me at ease and we were just talking about how much we love our fiance's, and out of all of us I was called first for the interview so I was very nervous but the girls I was talking to wish me luck and I was happy.

NOW AS FOR THE ACTUAL INTERVIEW:

when my # was called I went to the booth and the consultant asked for my passport and got my other documents from the person at window B and mainly he was going through my documents and said "perfect" on everything which put my mind at ease, once he looked through everything he told me to put my left hand up , have me do an oath that I will be 100% truthful of what I say and show and then took my fingerprints as well as a form of signature.

the question the consultant asked me are:

How did you meet?
When did you become Official?
Why did my fiance decided to marry someone outside of America?
When did you decide that you truly wanted to be together?

the Consultant loved my answers and told me I was approved (didn't even look my proof of relationship after all that work but I AM SO HAPPY!!!).

When interview was done I went back to window B and the gentleman I spoke to said "looks like you have been approved congratulations how do you feel?" I said " I am so happy FINALLY after almost 8 years lol"

the gentleman advised me that my Visa will be mailed to me and will call me when its ready to be picked up and that I should be receiving the call in 5 bus days, also advised me that I will be receiving the information I gave with extra things to give when I across the POE and strongly advised me DO NOT OPEN IT (which I don't plan to lol)

All in all it was less stressful then I thought it would be, honestly for me it was the easiest part of the whole process

Now i'm excited to finally be with my future hubby after almost 8 years of being together. <3
Rating : Very Good


POE Review: Vancouver
Event Description
Entry Date : 2015-11-25
Embassy Review : Did what I normally do at an airport, got there 2 hrs early, got my plane ticket, and went through security screening. The only difference is I advised I'm coming on a K1 visa were I had to fill out a sheet and go in a special line were a woman waiting there as well took my fingerprints and took me to the room were 2 security men looked through my paperwork, then 5 mins later they told me to come up and asked what is my petitioners name? and how we met? , after all was done they stamped my passport and was on my way to catch my flight to Dallax Texas <3
Harassment Level : Low


Local US CIS Office Review: Dallas TX
Review Topic: cis_topic
Event Description
Review Date : November 19, 2016
Embassy Review : Interview Date: November 17th 2016.

I can't believe I was nervous again like the K1 visa lmao. Honestly I felt my interview was abit pointless just cause all they did was give me the same questions I answered on the forms I mailed in. The only thing additional I did was give a copy of mine and my husbands lease agreement that we live together lol. But in the end I am glad it's over and now I am just waiting to get my green card in the mail <3.

Here is what I put for my AOS before I mailed it out.

Contents include:

Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance

AOS Cover Letter

I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
· Check: Payment in the amount of $1070 (I-485 Form Fee $985 and $85 Biometrics fee)
· Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
· Copy of my passport (biographical page and entry stamps)
· Copy of my passport page with K-1 visa
· Copy of Form I-797 Notice of Action (Approval Notice for I-129F)
· Copy of Electronic Form I-94
· Copy of my foreign Birth certificate
· Copy of my foreign Birth certificate translated from Farsi to English
· Certified copy of Marriage Certificate
· Form G-325A Biographic Information Sheet (K1 Applicant)
· Two (2) Passport size photos
· Form DS-3025 Vaccination Documentation Worksheet

I-864 Affidavit of Support
· Cover letter from USC Spouse
· Form I-864 Affidavit of Support
· Copy of USC Spouse tax transcripts from 2012, 2013 & 2014
· USC Spouse W-2 from 2014
· Letter from USC Spouse Employer
· Copy of most recent pay stubs (6 total)
· Copy of U.S. Spouse passport page

I-765 Application for Employment Document
· Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
· Copy of my passport (biographical page)
· Copy of my passport page with K-1 visa
· Copy of Electronic Form I-94
· Two (2) Passport size photos

I-131 Application for Travel Document
· Form I-131 Application for Travel Document
· Copy of my passport (biographical page)
· Copy of my passport page with K-1 visa
· Copy of Form I-797 Notice of Action (Approval Notice)
· Copy of Electronic Form I-94
· Two (2) Passport size photos

I hope this helps future filers. <3

In the end they told us that I should know in 4 months if I got approved or not 0-0 ,but when I looked at 9:30am today on my status it said "New Card Being Produced" which I was told by many people that it means me and my husband got approved which made me very happy .

I am glad that the AOS is done that me and my husband don't have to worry about USCIS for another 1 year and 6 months.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL !!!
Harassment Level : Very Good


Timeline Comments: 1

MASH on 2022-10-24 said:
The second you get your letter for your Oath Ceremony I recommend making a appointment with your USPS asap at least a day after Ceremony as I was super lucky cause someone cancelled their appointment for September 29th and I took the spot quick 💕. As for the process itself before I went to the post office I brought - Citizenship Certificate (Make sure you make copies of it so the passport office returns your original back to you as they will have to mail the authentic copy) - ID - Debit Card ( You can bring a check , NO CREDIT CARD ALLOWED ) - Passport Application Form ( Fill it out before going to save time) And - Passport Photos Once that was done I played the waiting game and here is my timeline for it…easy process 😊. Once I get my Citizenship Certificate back I will keep you guys posted. 👍 US Passport Journey: (Expedited) USPS Passport Appointment: September 29th, 2022 Passport Office Received Documents: October 3rd,, 2022 Passport Application Approved: October 19th, 2022 Passport Received: October 21st,, 2022
Register or log in to comment on this timeline


*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

vjTimeline ver 5.0




×
×
  • Create New...