Kris & Crystal's US Immigration Timeline
Immigration Checklist for Crystal & Kris:
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USCIS 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 : |
London, United Kingdom |
| Marriage (if applicable): |
2018-11-07 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2018-12-12 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2018-12-24 |
| I-130 RFE : |
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| I-130 RFE Sent : |
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| I-130 Approved : |
2019-07-03 |
| NVC Received : |
2019-07-16 |
| Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : |
2019-08-07 |
| Pay AOS Bill : |
2019-08-10 |
| Receive I-864 Package : |
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| Send AOS Package : |
2019-08-11 |
| Submit DS-261 : |
2019-08-11 |
| Receive IV Bill : |
2019-08-07 |
| Pay IV Bill : |
2019-08-10 |
| Send IV Package : |
2019-08-11 |
| Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : |
2019-09-20 |
| Case Completed at NVC : |
2019-09-13 |
| NVC Left : |
2019-09-13 |
| Consulate Received : |
2019-09-20 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
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| Packet 3 Sent : |
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| Packet 4 Received : |
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| Interview Date : |
2019-10-15 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2019-10-19 |
| US Entry : |
2019-11-21 |
| Comments : |
No direct consular filing, expedites or any sob stories.
I was able to get a California Real ID with the endorsed/stamped visa.
2019-10-02 - Medical.
2019-10-15 - Interview.
2019-10-16 at 08:04 - Status changed to 'Administrative Processing'.
2019-10-16 at 14:00 - Status changed to 'Issued'.
2019-10-17 at 14:35 - Received email with a tracking number and saying the passport with the visa was dispatched.
2019-10-18 - Called DX Couriers as I was in a rural area and the status of the tracking number said: "Your item has been sent via 3rd party. Please contact your service provider." - They told me they sent it via Royal Mail Special Delivery that morning. It took a while to register but at 15:40 it was in the South Midlands Mail Centre.
2019-10-19 at 10:04 - Received the delivery.
2019-11-25 - Social Securiy Card Printed.
2019-11-27- Received Social Security Card.
2020-03-18 - Green Card/Permanent Resident Card Printed
2020-03-21 - Received Green Card/Permanent Resident Card. |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-130 was approved in 191 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 295 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
Los Angeles |
| POE Date : |
2019-11-21 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
Yes,Passport Stamp |
| Biometrics Taken : |
No |
| Harassment Level : |
0 |
| Comments : |
The CBP officer at LAX didn't know what type of visa CR-1/IR-1 was -- guessing he was new -- he flipped through a little book/guide, called a few people but no luck.
He had to get someone up from secondary. I chatted with the guy for about 30 to 40 minutes holding up the line until the secondary guy arrived. Went to secondary with the new guy for 10 minutes and everything was good. Had to explain to the secondary guy that I didn't have a physical packet and that it was all digital. |
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Lifting Conditions
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
National Benefits Center |
| Date Filed : |
2021-10-21 |
| NOA Date : |
2021-10-28 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2021-12-01 |
| Interview Date : |
2023-07-20 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2023-07-20 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
No |
| Green Card Received : |
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| Comments : |
Approved as part of a subsequent N-400 Citizenship/Naturalization request. |
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Citizenship
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Online |
| CIS Office : |
Fresno CA |
| Date Filed : |
2022-11-03 |
| NOA Date : |
2022-11-04 |
| Bio. Appt. : |
2022-11-25 |
| Interview Date : |
2023-07-20 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Oath Ceremony : |
2023-07-20 |
| Comments : |
I arrived 30 minutes, early. Got asked for my appointment letter and ID.
I wasn't allowed to take my wife in, even with a pending I-751.
Went through Airport/Embassy style security. Had to take off shoes, empty pockets into a plastic bin, etc. I heard security be fairly abrupt and rude with some people in front and behind of me. It seemed to mainly be if you didn't know what your were doing or didn't follow requests.
Presented my appointment letter to Reception, she took my picture with a Logitech 920c webcam (it was on a small tripod, but she kind of just held it facing upwards while she was seated)... if anyone cares this is the picture they'll use for the Naturalization Certificate or the similar picture they'll take at the Oath Ceremony appointment, if separate.
I also had to give finger prints from both index fingers and was told to take an elevator/lift to the second floor and wait.
Went to the second floor and waited for about 15 minutes, until just before my appointment time. I heard my name being called and went back, through a door to a private area and into a private office.
Sat down in the office and could see my I-751 packet on the Officer's desk. I chatted with her and mentioned that I couldn't bring my wife in, she said that was to be expected despite of what I read online.
She said she would have to make a decision on my I-751 before we could proceed with my N-400. She said my evidence was very comprehensive, asked me where one photo was taken and approved the I-751. I don't think this was a question, but more personal interest. She was very chatty even after the whole process.
I got asked the Civics and History portion of the test, only got asked 6 questions.
I got asked to read a sentence from a tablet facing me. The sentence was "Which State has the most people?"
I got asked to write "California has the most people". This is done with a blunt, soft-nubbed stylus on a tablet but there's plenty of space.
We reviewed my N-400, and I had to sign a couple of things on the tablet again.
She gave me a print out of my results, which said I had passed, was recommended for approval, etc. And then she said she was approving the case.
She said that they stop taking people for the Oath Ceremony at 15:00 (3 PM) or she could roll me into the one today.
She gave me the option of coming back at a later date for a group oath ceremony, or that she could do a private one in her office.
I opted for the private one, she administered it in the office, went and printed a naturalization certificate, gave me a welcome packet and some novelty flags.
She also took my Greencard/I-551 and said I shouldn't receive one for the I-751, but if I do to return or shred it.
We chatted for a bit and then I left. The interview portion took about 30 minutes.
The evening of the 20th/morning of the 21st the MyUSCIS website updated with the case being approved and stating that Oath Ceremony was scheduled for 2023-07-20 at 16:30 (4:30 PM).
The evening of the 21st/morning of the 22nd the MyUSCIS website updated with the I-751 being approved and stating that a Naturalization Certificate was issued for my N-400. |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
October 15, 2019 |
| Embassy Review : |
CR-1 Interview in London, United Kingdom.
Today is the day...
Getting to London
My appointment was at 09:30.
I had some bad experiences travelling to London last time for the medical, they weren't the best this time. I swear London doesn't like me. I was flying BA1471 from Inverness to London Heathrow. Leaving at 19:05, arriving at 20:35 and staying overnight.
Unfortunately the day I was travelling London had Yellow and Amber weather warnings, with all the airports having IFR flying conditions or worse -- though knowing London that could have just been for a mild drizzle... sorry Londoners -- this meant I was paranoid all day the flight would be cancelled... luckily it wasn't, it just arrived about 20 minutes late.
I was also worried about the Revolution Rebellion LARPers slowing things down also but that didn't happen either
I'd recommend going for a mid to late morning appointment if you can as it would make things easier than my experience.
In conclusion, every time I'm in London, Caledonia starts playing in my head -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX9h558Tz1E
Getting to the Appointment
I recommend storing any luggage above a small backpack or bag, there are various options for this.
I stayed in the Heathrow Central Travelodge. I got one of the many buses going to Heathrow back to the airport. Took the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. Then it was on to the Underground, took the Bakerloo - Southbound Line from Paddington until Oxford Circus for 5 stops, then switched to the Victoria - Southbound Line for 4 stops until Vauxhall station. There are 4 exits from that station, exit number 4 is the best to take in my mind.
Then it was just a short leisurely walk (12 to 15 minutes) to the Embassy. There are two entrances, you want to go to the South Pavillion -- it's the one with the line.
I arrived at 08:20, I skipped to the front of the line, a woman asked for my DS-260 and Passport, wrote on the DS-260 and told me to come back at 09:00. Walked around for a bit and came back at 09:00-ish she put a sticker on the DS-260 then I went through security, skipped the line -- death stares all round from those queueing -- took the lift to the first floor then left and left again... you'll know when you get there, there's a smaller area with a few windows and seats -- numbers 19 to 24 -- one of these windows is a cashier.
I took some crappy pictures if it helps anyone know what to look for https://imgur.com/a/RHFbZHJ
At the Appointment
I waited a few minutes then went up to present my documents. I had to have my fingerprints taken. Answer if I was ever married before, did military service, lived in any other country, if I was adopted, etc. Then despite bringing a massive binder full of stuff all I had to provide was my passport, a visa/passport style photograph, the courier confirmation, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police certificate and that was it.
Everything else was consulted through the NVC uploads. Everything was fine I was given a handout on domestic violence, sex trafficking, etc and told to sit down and wait for the interview portion.
This next bit took a bit longer as there were belligerent people holding up two windows. Complaining about how much money they had already spent, and how the embassy was conspiring against them, etc.
When I got to the interview portion I had to swear what I was telling was the truth, give my fingerprints again and answer a few questions (How we met? When we met? If I met her parents) and that was it, was given everything back except the passport, told I was approved and that I should receive it in 1 to 2 weeks, based on previous experiences though I'm hoping it's a bit faster.
I was out of there by 10:20, probably would have been faster were it not for the belligerent people. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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POE Review: Los Angeles
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| Event |
Description |
| Entry Date : |
2019-11-21 |
| Embassy Review : |
The CBP officer at LAX didn't know what type of visa CR-1/IR-1 was -- guessing he was new -- he flipped through a little book/guide, called a few people but no luck.
He had to get someone up from secondary. I chatted with the guy for about 30 to 40 minutes holding up the line until the secondary guy arrived. Went to secondary with the new guy for 10 minutes and everything was good. Had to explain to the secondary guy that I didn't have a physical packet and that it was all digital.
Don't want to overly critical but I'm surprised both CBP officers weren't more knowledgeable. |
| Harassment Level : |
Low |
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Timeline Comments: 7Hi From a fellow Scot, I hope that your process moves along quickly and I hope you don't mind that I follow your timeline for your journey as we only just at the same part. Nervous is an understatement :-)
Congratulations on moving to the next step. Not long to go now! All the best for you both.
@JSNV90, Hopefully yours goes well too. Biggest annoyances for me were the USCIS wait and waiting for documents to be checked at the NVC. I've still to go through the annoyance of travelling to London and back though.
Yeah I know. It’s horrible. We only submitted documents on 28th of August. As I was in Chicago when we moved to next step. So it delayed me 4 weeks as was in the states for 3 months and came back in August. This whole waiting for NVC is a nightmare. And yeah it’s going to be annoying for me to go London also. Once is bad enough. But twice for medical. You would think they would have one in all major cities. But yeah ya scots have to travel. And I see you’re further north than me. But it’s all going to work out for us all :-)
@JSNV90 Argh, yeah. I'm not looking forward to having to travel for two to three days at a time to London -- depending on if I'm fast enough to catch a certain return flight -- at a time, and then make my way from the accomodation to the medical/interview and then to the airport.
Countries smaller than Scotland have an embassy that handles immigration. It's annoying as the interview seems like a box ticking exercise. You think they'd be able to assign an officer to come up to Scotland when there are interviews, there can't be that many.
FD21 on 2020-02-29 said:Thanks so much for all your info on here! My husband will be at same London Embassy as your case was. I have some questions if you don't mind:
1) was that a regular timeline at the NVC or did you expedite?
2) how did NVC notify you it left NVC & went to consulate?
3) did you schedule your own interview?
4) for you, did they give medical results to beneficiary to bring to interview or they mailed it directly?
5) was beneficiary allowed to bring phone inside London embassy during interview?
6) for social security card, did it come in the mail or you had to go to the local ss office? I've heard of lots of delays with that
sorry so many questions!
@FD21 Answers below:
1: Mine is a regular timeline, no expedites or sob stories at any point.
2: They sent me and my petitioner an email saying it had been passed on with an interview date. I was CR-1/IR-1 though, K1 can schedule their own interviews when their case is ready.
3: Nope, the NVC made an appointment for me. I had to arrange a courier via the website you use to book though. If you're K1 they schedule their own interviews.
4: When I had my medical at the start of October they had just moved to a completely digital system and I didn't get anything. I know that K1 get given their results for adjustment of status however.
5: You're allowed to take a phone into the embassy, you just have to prove it's a phone by opening an app.
6: For me it came in the mail. Entered on the 21st of November, card was printed on the 25th of November and I received it on the 27th of November. I know if it doesn't arrive in a couple of weeks you can go the local Social Security Office.
*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
JSNV90 on 2019-08-23 said: