JLJoseph's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: John Beneficiary's Name: Angelica VJ Member: JLJoseph Country: Philippines Last Updated: 2022-05-13 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for John & Angelica:

USCIS 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 : Potomac Service Center Transferred? No Consulate : Manila, Philippines Marriage (if applicable): 2018-06-21 I-130 Sent : 2018-07-12 I-130 NOA1 : 2018-07-17 I-130 RFE : I-130 RFE Sent : I-130 Approved : 2018-12-14 NVC Received : 2019-01-03 Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : Pay AOS Bill : 2019-02-20 Receive I-864 Package : Send AOS Package : 2019-02-22 Submit DS-261 : 2019-02-22 Receive IV Bill : 2019-02-20 Pay IV Bill : 2019-02-20 Send IV Package : 2019-02-22 Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : 2019-04-18 Case Completed at NVC : 2019-03-19 NVC Left : Consulate Received : 2019-04-16 Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : 2019-05-21 Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : 2019-05-29 US Entry : 2019-06-02 Comments : Expedite filed 4/16/2019 Expedite approved 4/18/2019 Appointment set on USEM website 4/22/2019 Interview date 5/22/2019 USEM changed date of interview to 5/28 on 5/8/2019 (this was a surprise but there was an earlier appointment availible) I changed interview date to 5/21/2019 on 5/8 /2019 Medical at SLEC 5/7/2019 and 5/18/2019 no issues CFO seminar and interview scheduled in Manila for 5/23 (READ UP ON THIS... IT IS A WILDCARD) (Thanks, Thomas Rheinhardt) Interview on 5/21- They would not let me stand at the window (the interview is at a "window" like in a bank) with my wife and the gentleman who interviewed her was rude and impatient but she passed. Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-130 was approved in 150 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 308 days from your I-130 NOA1 date.

Lifting Conditions Event Date CIS Office : Nebraska Service Center Date Filed : 2021-03-04 NOA Date : 2021-03-30 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2022-02-25 Interview Date : 2022-05-12 Approval / Denial Date : 2022-05-13 Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : Green Card Received : Comments : The interview was easy. They separated us and asked her questions about me and where we lived and about our dog. Then I was interviewed and they used her answers to ask me questions. All they wanted to see was if we had concurrent answers. The woman said that because the initial submission packet was so complete that the only thing she needed was my 2021 IRS 1040 form. When the interview was done, she said that she foresaw no issues and we could expect to hear in 2 weeks.

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Event Description Review Date : February 25, 2022 Embassy Review : The consulate interview was as expected. I was there to help my wife. The worst part was the long line outside and the confusion as to where to go. The consulate employees who "direct traffic" are not helpful and often wrong. Once you get inside, it is easy. You are directed to the proper waiting area and you wait until your name is called. In our case, the gentleman behind the window was nasty. He was in a hurry, impolite, and he did NOT want me any where near my wife. As a result, I had to be called back to the window by my wife five times to explain things to the person questioning. Among the things that he did NOT understand were: the fact that I was retired and had been for some time (I retired at 45); my assets were well in excess of the requirements but I was asked up to explain why my brokerage account was not a checking account; I was asked why the assets were not on a tax form (because we are not taxed on assets); I was also asked for my rent even though my wife had brought the deed to my house and the real estate tax receipt.(for some reason, the agent did not like that I didn't have a mortgage nor rent. ) Among the other questions the person asked my wife were: -Where she met me. We met in person at the place I was renting in Bohol. The agent asked her FOUR TIMES if we met online. He even said, "But of course, you met online first?". We didn't. I was living in the Philippines. He seemed determined to find some fault with how we met. -How long I lived in the Philippines. -How many times we met (which really baffles me since we lived together in the Philippines for over a year...) -What I liked to eat -How many trips back to the US I made -Where I lived in the US -How I earned a living (even though he knew I was retired!) -If she had children with anyone in the Philippines (he asked that twice) -How long we had known each other (and "you really met online, didn't you...") All in all, I would describe it as a little confusing for my wife and a little hostile toward me. I think he was pissed that I had initially gone to the window with my wife. (The woman directing people to the windows had said it was just fine.... ) After the interview, we were told alll was in order and we had to wait for biometrics to be taken. The Embassy would give us no indication when they would get the passport back to us but it only took 2 or 3 days. It was a little tight because we had the CFO interview on day 3. The CFO doesn't allow the husbands to attend. Mostly they try to tell the women that these American men are evil and willing to sell women into prostitution and can beat them. I don't know where they come up with this. Remember that even though you have your visa to the US, you still need the CFO stamp to take her out of the country if you are married (if you are single you don't.... go figure....) Rating : Moderate

Timeline Comments: 12



*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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