CandB's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: B
Beneficiary's Name: C
VJ Member: CandB
Country: Australia
Last Updated: 2020-11-25
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Immigration Checklist for B & C:
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USCIS DCF 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 : |
Texas Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Sydney, Australia |
| Marriage (if applicable): |
2015-10-14 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2016-08-09 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2016-08-16 |
| I-130 RFE : |
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| I-130 RFE Sent : |
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| I-130 Approved : |
2016-09-19 |
| NVC Received : |
2016-10-25 |
| Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : |
2016-11-04 |
| Pay AOS Bill : |
2016-11-04 |
| Receive I-864 Package : |
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| Send AOS Package : |
2016-12-22 |
| Submit DS-261 : |
2016-12-22 |
| Receive IV Bill : |
2016-11-10 |
| Pay IV Bill : |
2016-11-10 |
| Send IV Package : |
2016-12-22 |
| Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : |
2017-01-11 |
| Case Completed at NVC : |
2017-01-05 |
| NVC Left : |
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| Consulate Received : |
2017-01-17 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
2017-01-11 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
2017-01-11 |
| Packet 4 Received : |
2017-01-11 |
| Interview Date : |
2017-02-21  Submit Review |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2017-02-27 |
| US Entry : |
2017-03-08 |
| Comments : |
After paying NVC fees, we had to wait 6 weeks before we could send our NVC application (DS261) and package (I864 and supporting documents) because we were waiting for a new police certificate to be processed. The first one we applied for had spelling error which delayed processing of the certificate.
In the meantime, we organized and labeled all other necessary documents. We labeled EVERY page of EVERY document with our case number and applicant name at the top of every page. We were able to file everything via email so we also saved everything in PDF format.
December 22, 2016: Submitted DS261 Visa Application online via CEAC website, and sent AOS (financial)/Supporting Documents to NVC via email
December 23, 2016: Called NVC to follow up and was told that all documents were scanned/received at December 23, 2016.
December 27, 2016: Received "false" checklist via email. Called NVC to inquire about the checklist. They assured me it was an automatically generated and to wait.
January 3, 2017: Called NVC and decided to resend the documents on the checklist via email just in case.
**If you plan to submit documents via email, I highly recommend reading the FAQs at this link:
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/submit/documents-scanning-faqs.html
January 5, 2017: Called NVC to follow up document receipt on January 5, 2017 and was told that our CASE was COMPLETE!
January 11 2017: called to check on interview date and was told it had just been scheduled.
Interview date schedule for Feb 21 2017.
January 11, 2017: Interview letter received via email
January 17, 2017: email from Sydney consulate received our case and confirmed interview date. Sent interview packet with IMPORTANT information. Read through it carefully.
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-130 was approved in 34 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 189 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
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Lifting Conditions
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
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| Date Filed : |
2019-01-01-14 |
| NOA Date : |
2019-01-25 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2019-01-25 |
| Interview Date : |
2019-10-08 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2019-10-09 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
No |
| Green Card Received : |
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| Comments : |
Green card was sent but we never received it. Tracking number was provided. We checked with US Post office and they show scan that it was delivered. First green card is now expired. USCIS says we have to file i90 to replace a "lost card" AND pay the $455 filing fee and ANOTHER $85 biometric fee -- even though it wasn't our fault that we didn't receive the new card.
Update: We consulted with an immigration lawyer about whether it is imperative to apply for a replacement green card before filing N400. She said that it doesn't matter if your green card is expired to apply for your N400 and/or you go to your interview. But if we needed to travel out of the country, he would need a new card or get a i551 stamp. This was basically impossible. To get an i551 stamp you need to have a urgent reason for the stamp (death of a family member overseas, etc) Not to mention that COVID shut down the USCIS office for non-essential appointments. So we rolled the dice and applied for the N400 at the earliest time allowed (2 years, 9 months) which was January, 2020 (his first green card was still valid). However in March, 2020, his green card expired. I was nervous about him going out and about with an expired green card. So I made a copy of his I-797 NOA that is evidence that his I-751 was approved. (Lifting conditions - 10 year green card). I put this in the glove compartment of his car just in case he got pulled over for a traffic violation. We took it with us whenever we travelled anywhere. |
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Citizenship
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Online |
| CIS Office : |
Detroit MI |
| Date Filed : |
2020-01-09 |
| NOA Date : |
2020-01-09 |
| Bio. Appt. : |
2020-01-27 |
| Interview Date : |
2020-11-05 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Oath Ceremony : |
2020-11-25 |
| Comments : |
Our approval process took longer than we had hoped. All indicators suggested that his interview should have been scheduled and approved by April or May. But after COVID hit, everything shut down and we heard absolutely nothing for months. We used to check his USCIS account almost daily but then we just stopped until the office opened up again. It wasn't until mid-October before the Interview letter arrived in the mail.
The interview appointment was scheduled for 2:20 pm at the Detroit USCIS. We live on the other side of the state (3 hour drive) so we stayed in Detroit the night before. (Advice: Do NOT stay at the Baymont Hotel on Jefferson -- it's a hole).
They will not let you in any earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Due to COVID restrictions, the only other person allowed to go inside the building with you is your interpreter and/or your attorney. So I had to stay outside and wait. I waited about an hour and a half before he came out.
This is what happened in the interview: First, A few basic questions about our relationship -- When were you married? When is your wife's birthday? Then the usual yes and no security questions that are on the application like "Where you ever a member of the communist party?'"
Be mindful that while they are interviewing you, they are also assessing your ability to understand and speak English.
The civics test is oral and not multiple choice. I recommend you study and learn every single question from the study guide. My husband was asked some tricky questions like "When was the constitution written?" You need to get 6 out of 10 questions correct to pass.
English test is easy as far as language proficiency goes. For the writing test, the interviewer will dictate a sentence or two for you to write. Again -- study the guide that they provide for you.
That was about it. If you prepare, you will be fine.
We received the Oath Ceremony a few days after the interview. Again, only interpreter and attorney are allowed into the ceremony room. This is very disappointing after such a long journey together. But, we're grateful that we reached this milestone.
This USCIS link has a video reenactment and other resources to help you prepare.
https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/the-naturalization-interview-and-test
Oath ceremony: Oath ceremony was held in the ceremony room at USCIS. No other people are allowed to go in except for translators. The Ceremony took 15 minutes. |
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Member Reviews: None FoundTo enter a review please select one of the following:
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US CIS Local Office ReviewsTimeline Comments: 1 CandB on 2020-10-06 said: Today we received our N-400 Interview notification....FINALLY! Interview is set for Nov. 5 2020. We will post the outcome as soon as we know.
*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
