TheSkywalkers's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: Luke Beneficiary's Name: Leah VJ Member: TheSkywalkers Country: Philippines Last Updated: 2022-05-15 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for Luke & Leah:

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 : United Arab Emirates I-129F Sent : 2016-09-23 I-129F NOA1 : 2016-09-28 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2016-10-21 NVC Received : 2016-11-17 Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : 2016-11-17 NVC Left : 2016-11-19 Consulate Received : 2016-11-26 Packet 3 Received : 2016-12-22 Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : 2017-01-25 Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : 2017-01-30 US Entry : 2017-02-25 Marriage : 2017-03-21 Comments : Timeline: 4 months processing from filing to approval. Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 23 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 119 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.

Adjustment of Status Event Date CIS Office : Jacksonville FL Date Filed : 2017-04-13 NOA Date : 2017-04-22 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2017-05-18 AOS Transfer** : Interview Date : 2017-08-28 Approval / Denial Date : 2017-08-28 Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : Greencard Received: 2017-09-14 Comments : Timeline: 4 months from filing to approval.

Employment Authorization Document Event Date CIS Office : Chicago National Office Filing Method : Mail Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2017-04-13 NOA Date : 2017-04-22 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2017-05-18 Approved Date : 2017-07-29 Date Card Received : 2017-08-04 Comments : EAD's status changed from Case was Received to New Card is Being Produced on July 29, 2017. (106th day active) Processing Estimates/Stats : Your EAD was approved in 107 days.

Advance Parole Event Date CIS Office : Chicago National Office Filing Method :   Filing Instance : Date Filed : 2017-04-13 NOA Date : 2017-04-22 RFE(s) : Date Received : 2017-08-04 Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Your AP was approved in 107 days.

Lifting Conditions Event Date CIS Office : Potomac Service Center Date Filed : 2019-06-10 NOA Date : 2019-06-18 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2019-10-21 Interview Date : Approval / Denial Date : 2020-01-28 Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : No Green Card Received : 2020-01-31 Comments : My Removal of Conditions process only took 7 months and 2 weeks from the date of filing until approval. NO RFE AND NO INTERVIEW

Citizenship Event Date Service Center : Online CIS Office : Jacksonville FL Date Filed : 2020-08-07 NOA Date : 2020-08-15 Bio. Appt. : 2020-09-14 Interview Date : 2020-11-23 Approved : Yes Oath Ceremony : 2020-12-04 Comments : Received notice that biometrics will be reused. N400 took only 3 months, 3 weeks and 4 days from filing to oath taking ceremony.

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: United Arab Emirates Review Topic: K1 Visa Event Description Review Date : January 25, 2017 Embassy Review : Time of Arrival: 5:50AM (There were already 3 families when I reached the Embassy, did not see any K1 visa applicant until the time they let us in.) 7:30AM : The security asked all Immigrant Visa filers to fall in line near the booth by the entrance. Step 1: Handing over the original passport, appointment letter and DS-160. They scanned the barcode of my DS-160 and printed a sticker with the barcode so they can put it at the back of my passport. They gave me back all those (3) documents and instructed me to enter the door at the left side. Step 2: Security Check - They instructed us to switch off our mobile phones, and put them in a small tray along with our belts, wristwatches and wallets. They had it scanned along with my paperbag (no bags allowed inside the Embassy so I used the paperbag from NMC). They then instructed me to pass through the body scanner. After checking my things, they took my mobile phone and powerbank, gave me a claim card number while they keep them in the booth. They told me to enter another door and to sit inside and wait for a bit. Step 3: I was instructed to go to another building and upon reaching there, the security asked for my passport (again) and the appointment letter. They then gave me a token number and told me to wait for my number to appear above the windows used for interviews. Step 4: Document Collection - I was called to approach window #9: the lady asked for my original passport and appointment letter + DS-160. She asked me if I have been married before and I told her no. She asked for my birth certificate (original and photocopy), and asked me if I have lived in another country for over 6 months apart from UAE and the Philippines, told her no, she then asked for my Dubai police clearance and NBI Clearance. Afterwards she asked for the financial support documents, I handed over my fiance's Form I-134, Tax Transcript, Bank Statements, Employee Certificate, his pay history (he has no paystubs but he has his pay history listed in a table), W2 + our joint sponsor's documents (my aunt) which consists of her Form I-134, Form 1040, Social Security Benefits statement, and her passport copy as a proof of her US citizenship. Lastly, the lady asked for (2) passport size photos and my medical results. Step 5: Fingerprinting (Total Time of Waiting: 20-25 minutes) - left hand, right hand and then both thumbs together. Step 6: Interview (Total Time of Interview: 3 minutes) - I was called to approach Window #10 for the interview. The consul (a guy) looked serious but nice. He was nice enough to ask how was I doing and though I was so nervous, I told him I am fine. First off he told me that they need to make sure that all the information we provided are true and correct. He asked me to do another fingerprinting of my left hand. He then looked at me and compared my face to what's on the passport and once he was satisfied, he started firing questions while typing. He constantly looked me in the eye, nodding his head while I was giving answers. Here are the questions: "So Luke, right? So how did you and Luke meet?" He told me to wait a moment as if he forgot something, left and went back in and handed over a pamphlet for helplines I can contact if I ever needed help regarding domestic violence and told me to read it thoroughly. He then proceeded to asking A LOT of questions. "How did the conversation start?" "How long was he here when he visited?" "What did you do while he was here?" "How long have you been here in the UAE?" "What do you do for work?" "And what does he do for a living?" "How about now? How do you communicate?" "And what do you talk about?" "Where is his family?" "Does he have any brothers or sisters?" "Where do they live?" "So who is living with Luke? Is it just him?" "What are your plans when you get there? Are you going to work or be a housewife?" "Is it gonna be real estate again? Or something else?" "Do you have any family in the US" (I said Yes) "What family?" "Where do they live in the US?" After that, he closed the file where all our docs are, I saw him scribble the word "Approved" on a post-it note, put it on top of the file, took a rubber band and put it all around the file securing the post-it on top and told me, "Everything looks good. So you need to wait for 3 to 4 working days and we will be sending an email telling you that your visa is ready for pickup at the nearest EMPOST. Congratulations on your approval. Have a nice day." He handed over a white slip to me after that. I thanked him and wished him a nice day then stepped out of the building. All the stress that we went through for the past 4 months was all worth it. To everyone who answered my questions (here and via PM), to everyone who included us in their prayers and wished us well for today's big day, to everyone who went an extra mile to lend a helping hand and forwarded me e-mails for starting the process, A MASSIVE THANK YOU! And to everyone who are still in the process of getting theirs approved, best of luck, be patient and pray really hard! Remember that this is just the beginning. There's more to come (AOS) but as long as this group and its members are here, it's gonna be a piece of cake! UPDATE: I have created a blog entry about K1 visa journey. Please visit this link: https://happilyhaberlafter.wordpress.com/2018/04/21/k1-visa-process Hope that helps! Godbless us all! (updated on January 26, 2017) (updated on April 21, 2018) Rating : Very Good

POE Review: Fort Lauderdale Event Description Entry Date : 2017-02-25 Embassy Review : Flew from Dubai to the US through Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. I did not need to ask around where should I fall in line as there were people guiding you along the way as soon as the sign that says "Passport Control" stops. There were only 2 lines, one is for US and Canada passport holders and the other one is for visitors and that was where I went. The line was long. And the counter that opens next is being announced in Spanish and English. When it was my turn, I approached counter 12, gave the CBP officer my passport and the packet (K1 visa), did biometrics and photo and he told me to come with him to a room. There were already a lot of people inside waiting, he told me to sit down and wait. He went all the way to the back of the room with my papers and then went out. I did not exactly know why I was told to go there but I guess most of the people are being told to do so. If they were to ask me questions about my US entry, I am fine with it. There were families inside waiting and seafarers too. We all have papers but it seems like CBP still has to go through all the papers we have with us to make sure that we are not entering the country illegally. The line to get to the counter earlier was long that I had to wait for 25 to 30 mins til my turn came and I waited for 1.5hrs in the room just to have them go through my papers. Finally, after 2hrs in total of waiting, the CBP officer called my name, and gave me my passport but not before showing me the date that he wrote on it which is May 25, 2017, 3 months from the time that I arrived to the US. He told me "You must get married before this date, so make sure you seal the deal before that. Have a great day." I went on my merry way to get my luggage and mine was one of the last ones in the carousel. I took my luggages and went out but left my CBP from which I filled out on the plane to one of the officers on the way out of the immigration. Pretty smooth if you'd ask me, it is just the waiting that sucks. Tip: For those of you who will be having connecting flights through FLL, make sure you have enough time in between arrival and departure (like 4 ot 5hrs at least) as waiting for the whole process to be over is 2hrs or it could be more. So to be on the safe side, allow enough time to transit in between arrival and departure. There were officers who were nice enough to go from room to room asking who has a connecting flight. If you are running out of time, let them know so they can speed it up for you and you won't miss your connecting flight. Best of luck everyone! (updated on February 27, 2017) Harassment Level : Low

Local US CIS Office Review: Jacksonville FL Review Topic: cis_topic Event Description Review Date : November 24, 2020 Embassy Review : Interview Date was today, 11/23/2020. I didn't bring in any electronics with me but cellphones are allowed just as long as they are on silent mode. Before entering the door, due to COVID, they have new protocols. I was wearing a cloth mask - I was told by security that they only allow surgical masks. They gave me one. I proceeded to get past the security and headed towards the receptionist to get my # and went inside the waiting room. My appointment was for 1:30pm but I was only called at 2:25pm. The officer, Mr. T Ferrill was very nice and I felt that even at the beginning of the conversation. He asked for my passport and 10 years greencard and had me raise my right hand and swore to tell the truth snd nothing but the truth. He started off by getting the civics test out of the way. Civic Test Questions: What is freedom of religion? Why are there 50 stars in the flag? Why are there 13 stripes in the flag? What did Martin Luther King Jr. do? Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court right now? What is the supreme law of the land? Reading and Writing: Who elects Congress? The people elects Congress. **I wasn't asked to define any words. Officer asked me a few questions to confirm a few details / info about myself and my husband: Where do you work? What do you do there? Did you travel outside of the US in the last 3 years? Was your husband born inside or outside the US? He asked about the address change since the one we had when I filed was different from the current one in the system. He asked me when we moved to the new place and if I have the lease with me. I told him we actually bought the place, and I didn't have the title with me because the title company has not sent it yet and I have proof of that. I had a feeling that could be brought up and I am so glad I brought some paperwork with me that shows we did buy a condo: letters from the mortgage company + the printed email exchange I had with the title company proving that COVID delayed their process of sending out the deed of our home. He also asked us why we filed our taxes separately during the last tax season (we have always filed jointly except for 2019) and I have a ready and printed out explanation for that as well. YES I CAME PREPARED! 😆 He asked for the 2019 Tax forms with the attached W2s. He asked how our marriage is and if we plan to divorce each other, lol. Yes and No Questions followed. He then told me he is approving my application, printed my oath ceremony appointment letter and told me to come back on December 4, 2020 to get sworn in. Officer was so nice, greeted me "Happy Birthday" and told me that this is their (USCIS and America) birthday gift for me as it is my birthday 10 days after the oath taking ceremony. A TIP: In the letter for the interview appointment, it tells us to bring the originals of everything we submitted online. Make sure you bring originals of everything you filed PLUS all evidences of your marriage that you incurred AFTER you already filed because the officer could ask you for those things just like what happened to me. Officer was very happy I came in prepared, makes his job easier he said. All in all it was a very good experience. Thank you USCIS, thank you Mr. Ferrill and thank yoy America!! Harassment Level : Very Good

Timeline Comments: 4



*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

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