Sav&Har's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: S Beneficiary's Name: H VJ Member: Sav&Har Country: Dominican Republic Last Updated: 2019-06-14 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for S & H:

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 : Dominican Republic I-129F Sent : 2017-12-18 I-129F NOA1 : 2017-12-26 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2018-06-29 NVC Received : 2018-07-17 Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : 2018-07-18 NVC Left : 2018-07-24 Consulate Received : 2018-07-25 Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : 2018-08-21 Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : 2018-08-28 US Entry : 2018-09-19 Marriage : Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 185 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 238 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.

Port of Entry Review Event Date Port of Entry : Miami POE Date : 2018-09-19 Got EAD Stamp : Biometrics Taken : Harassment Level : 0 Comments : Our flight had a layover on Miami, FL at Miami Intl Airport. That was my first step on US soil. The officer that admitted me (me and my fiancee traveled together) asked us simple questions, like how we met? And where are we living? Etc. He reminded us about marrying within 90 days and scanned my fingerprints. He then asked us if we have something to declare, animals, substances, etc? To me and my fiancee, we were confused and made weird faces, and she answered "uhmmm no?", He said, "you hesitated" he then went to me and asked me the same question, and I answered "aaaaah no, but what do you mean?". He said, "You're hesitating, think about it thoughtfully, do you have something to declare, say it all". And I answered with "no" but we still had a confused face. He then said, "Let me pull you aside for a few minutes until I verify this information". We then waited for a CBP officer and were asked to sit in a room. 2 minutes later a lady came up to us and asked our baggage numbers, and left. Then a few more minutes later an CBP officer came and told us. "Let me get you guys outta here, come over here". He explained us about an issue on another airport and from another country that cause some sort of red alert, and had nothing to do with us. He stamped the i-94, gave my passport back, explained us what to do next and wished us a good day. It was a confusing but smooth entry.

Adjustment of Status Event Date CIS Office : Louisville KY Date Filed : 2019-03-19 NOA Date : 2019-03-26 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2019-04-15 AOS Transfer** : Interview Date : 2019-06-04 Approval / Denial Date : Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : No Greencard Received: 2019-06-10 Comments : Ours was at 8:50AM at the Louisville Field Office, by 8:00AM we were already in the front of the building sitting in the steps until 8:30AM that we got in. We got quickly checked our items through metal detectors before getting into the main part of the building. It seem like is not an office dedicated for USCIS but rather a government building for many different parts of the govt. the USCIS office was in the 3rd floor. When we got in, I showed my interview letter to one of the old lady, she took my fingerprints and a photo. And told me to sit and wait until my name is called. There were other people there, none seemed to be marriage based from what I could tell. About 3-4min my name was called before anyone else who was already waiting in there. Me and my wife got where we were being called, it was our interviewer USCIS officer. It was a female and Hispanic accent and looking, I assume maybe because they thought I would speak Spanish. She was very friendly nevertheless. She asked us to raise our hand and sworn that we're going to say the truth. The interview was only directed to me (applicant), not a single question was asked to my Wife (US Citizen) which was right beside me. The questions were basic questions that are already in the form. My name? Date of birth? Parents name? Wife name? her date of birth? what did I do at my home country? ect. Answers that you already answered on the form, she marked the questions as she went through it. There were a couple of questions that were outside of it. Like more details of the job I did in my home country and how did I learn English? she complimented my level of English to be very good. She then went to the last part of the form that are Yes or No question, I don't think she asked every single one of them but there were many. She then asked me to sign the last part of the form. And asked me if I have any bonafide marriage evidence. Here is where things get strange, my wife hasn't spoken or being asked anything at this point. I started explaining that my inability to get a SSN number before my i-94 expired (SSA office told me I need a GC or EAD to get a SSN), I have been unable to get added to most of my wife bills and bank account. Before I was finishing, she briefly interrupted and asked me but you have bonafide evidence? I answered, "Yes I do but I am pretty lacking on that regard..." she then again briefly started explaining that by US law is a requirement that I MUST have bills or deeds in both of our name, insurance, bank account, etc. She continued saying that, "is nice that you both live together, but the US law require you have those documents, that by nature a married couple usually have these kind of documentation and if you (me0 don't have it you're probably not going to get accepted" (something along the lines), my wife seemed to start panicking. I presume that maybe she thought my explanation was just an excuse to not show anything of those evidence. I then told her that I do have some evidence (In my case, some correspondence on both our names, a receipt for some repairs in our home, photos of us and a sworn affidavit of people that know us. That is all about we could get). As I turned to get those documents, my wife asked "What happened if I (me) get denied?" She said, "You will get a response in the mail about your case" (something along the lines). As the officer continued talking about those MUST have documents. Again, putting emphasis on how the US Law requires Bills, Insurance, Rent, etc in both our names to qualify. My wife said, "but we went to the bank together and they wouldn't add him (me) unless he had a SSN", in a panicked tone. The officer argued that some banks allow to do so just with the passport. And my wife was like "Well, evidently ours didn't". I then show our evidence, she notices the letter of support and made a comment about the signatures looking equally hand writing (Lol). My wife then said. "Ummm... yeah, the pen might be the same but the're all different". The officer then asked if I have an ID of any of the person in them. My wife had the DL of my sister in law, which was one of the person in the letters of support. And then the officer said "Okay, give me all what you've got with you about relationship evidence, I am going to make a copy of this ID real quick, you guys can wait in the lobby and I'll return the card to you". At that point, I was not panicked or scared, but rather confused and a few things seemed off compared to what I know and have learned. The officer finally said, "I will work with these documents and I am going to apply the US law, you will hear a decision on the mail" (something a long the lines). We then walked outside of the office, I was still confused. I wasn't given anything, no paper or anything I was not even told whether the interview was over. I even asked if she needed my passport of something. On the way out as we walked to their lobby. I asked, while looking at the officer "Just to be clear, the interview is over right?" Lol and she said yeah, you will hear a decision in the mail in the next weeks, she then moments later returned us the ID. As we were leaving the parking lot, I was checking the status online for any changes. Then at my 3rd attempt, like about 30-40min later. It changed to "New Card Is Being Produced". Then shortly, we received a lot of text messages about an update on our case. I received also 3 emails. One confirming the card being in production and 2 about the AP/EAD being closed.

Employment Authorization Document Event Date CIS Office : Chicago National Office Filing Method : Mail Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2019-03-19 NOA Date : 2019-03-26 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2019-04-15 Approved Date : 2019-06-04 Date Card Received : Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Your EAD was approved in 77 days.

Advance Parole Event Date CIS Office : Chicago National Office Filing Method :   Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2019-03-19 NOA Date : 2019-03-26 RFE(s) : Date Received : Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Your AP was approved in 77 days.

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Dominican Republic Review Topic: K1 Visa Event Description Review Date : August 21, 2018 Embassy Review : Our interview was set for 8:00AM, we got there at 7:20AM. I (beneficiary) went with my US Fiancee. As soon as we arrived the staff asked for the Appointment Confirmation, review it and let us in. As usual, we went through the security checkpoint. Once inside, there is another staff that guided us where to seat. Since there were so many Immigrant visa appointments perhaps specifically for this day, we were asked to sit in benches and were called row by row to enter the building, then join a column of people to ultimately deliver our documents. When it was our turn, on Window 35. We were asked for Appointment Confirmation, Passport, (Wait 4-6min to verify if they have our file), Birth Certificate, Police Certificate and Medical Results. All asked in the same order. Nothing else nothing more. After asking my US Fiancee her address in the US and confirming my home town/city, we were advised to sit between Window 17-27 to wait until our number gets called for the final interview. This is where the longest wait begins. I don't blame them, it seemed to be way too many people in this day, just for the Immigrant visa section. Visa interviews are conducted in Windows (not rooms), literally in front of us while we wait in the waiting seats. We can't hear them but be can definitely see their reaction. After about 3 hours waiting our number was called. Once in our Interview window, a African-American male officer, a very nice gentleman. He greeted us, he asked us to raised our hand and me to put my fingerprints. He stated by asking me (beneficiary): 01. If I have ever traveled to another country before? 02. Have committed any crime before? 03. If I have any children? 04. He told me about my previous tourist Visa application and asked me if was correct. I said yes. 05. How did you learn English? 06. Asked directed at me, if we have been married before. I said no but pointed out she have been married before. He then leaned to her (US Fiancee), and asked. 07. Have you been married before? 08. When did the marriage ended? 09. How did we started, how did we meet? 10. When did you come here? 11. How many times have you come here after the 1st visit? 12. What do you do? (work) 13. (Since she is currently unemployed) How did you paid for all your fees, and trips? After that he marked the file. And said, "Congratulations, you have been approved". The questioning seemed like if we were having a conversation, it was so fast and comfortable. Took about 5min or less. And despite my US Fiancee being currently unemployed, they did not ask for the i-134 Affidavit of Support nor any relationship evidence. It seems like it is the norm on the Santo Domingo, DR embassy to not ask for it. But just like we did, ALWAYS bring those documents and its supporting and qualifying evidence, they strongly recommend it. Rating : Very Good

Timeline Comments: 2



*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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