Sam & Yehia's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: Sam Beneficiary's Name: Yehia VJ Member: Sam & Yehia Country: Turkey Last Updated: 2023-09-22 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for Sam & Yehia:

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 : Ankara, Turkey I-129F Sent : 2019-02-16 I-129F NOA1 : 2019-02-19 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2019-05-24 NVC Received : Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : NVC Left : 2019-06-28 Consulate Received : 2019-07-10 Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : 2019-09-19 Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : 2019-09-23 US Entry : 2019-09-24 Marriage : 2019-10-19 Comments : I had my medical on the 13th of September, even though my embassy appointment was on the 19th, the only other available medical appointment was on the 17th. so I preferred spending a couple of days more in Ankara than stress out about a tight timeline. I went early morning at 9am, my appointment was at 9:30, they got me in at 9:15 took my height, weight, BP, etc. Then the doctor came in and asked questions about any health issues, habits. Made my eye test, and gave me one shot for varicella (chicken pox) even thought I did have previous exposure as a kid. I payed $178 at the clinic, they sent me then to the medical lab on the 3rd floor for blood, urine, and xray tests. Lab was more crowded hence a longer wait. They make you pay first at the reception, in my case $120, then they take your passport and the referral from the clinic. Wait was around 20 min, before the nurse called me for another BP measurement, the blood sample, then the urine sample (they have water fountains if you feel like hydrating). Waited another 10 min before being called for my xray. After the xray, the technician gave me my passport and the lab form (that you have to sign, 3 consents for each test), I went to the clinic on the 4th floor gave the receptionist the form, and she told me to come pick up the results tomorrow morning before noon. All in all took about an hour and $297. Could I have took the medical appointment on the 17th? in hindsight sure. But I would rather give myself time. And I got to explore Ankara! Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 94 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 212 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.

Port of Entry Review Event Date Port of Entry : Philadelphia POE Date : 2019-09-23 Got EAD Stamp : No Biometrics Taken : Yes Harassment Level : 0 Comments : Smooth run

Adjustment of Status Event Date CIS Office : Syracuse NY Date Filed : 2019-11-10 NOA Date : 2019-11-15 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2019-12-09 AOS Transfer** : Interview Date : 2020-07-27 Approval / Denial Date : 2020-07-27 Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : No Greencard Received: 2020-08-18 Comments : Interview postponed from March 30th to July 27th because of COVID19 shutdown

Employment Authorization Document Event Date CIS Office : Chicago National Office Filing Method : Mail Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2019-11-10 NOA Date : 2019-11-15 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2019-12-09 Approved Date : 2020-02-21 Date Card Received : 2020-02-25 Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Your EAD was approved in 103 days.

Citizenship Event Date Service Center : Online CIS Office : Buffalo NY Date Filed : 2023-05-28 NOA Date : 2023-05-28 Bio. Appt. : Interview Date : Approved : Oath Ceremony : Comments : Reusing bio, case actively being reviewed.

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Ankara, Turkey Review Topic: K1 Visa Event Description Review Date : October 5, 2019 Embassy Review : My embassy appointment was on the 19th of September, I scheduled the medical appointment on the 13th (check my timeline for medical review). I had all my documents prepared in a plastic black folder (, and headed to the embassy on foot (found an Airbnb less than 3 min walk). My appointment was at 8:30 am, and I was there at 8 am. There was a small queue forming at the entrance already, and the embassy security personnel helped reorganize the visitors based on their appointment time. I went through security and inside the embassy by 8:20, and inside the main hall they gave me a number for the IV section, and they made sure I had my address registered for passport delivery. The IV section have windows in the end of the hall towards the left on a small corridor, if I remember correctly windows numbered 11-13. This is where K1 visa applicants need to keep an eye out for. My number was called after 30 min wait. A Turkish lady asked for my passport, Birth Certificate (turkish or english), Police clearances (from ANY country I stayed in for more than 6 months continuously). She also asked for 2 bio-metric photos, relationship evidence, and the I134 Affidavit of Support for the past year (2018), with all supporting documents. After she collected my documents she told me they will call my number again, she talked to me in English throughout. After 15 min my number was called, this time into one of the interview windows in the main hall. A counselor officer (lady) made me swear, then she gave me back my relationship evidence documents (photos, flights, etc) she proceeded to ask about how Sam and I met, where, when. When I proposed and where. She asked about her birth date and where she was born. Asked what I like about her, and what passions we share. Out of these questions she asked more elaborate questions based on my answers etc. The interview took 5 min she gave me pamphlet about my rights in US as fiance/spouse. And told me my visa was APPROVED! I asked her of she needed anymore documents or that is it! She told me that is it. And to expect my passport in 5 days. 30 min after I left the embassy they sent me an email to submit my CV and any publications I made within 5 days, or it will cause delays in my visa issuance. I had my CV at the embassy but they never asked me for it. I submitted the required documents on the link they provided and even went back to the embassy and dropped off the documents as hardcopies. They would not let me back in, but they took the documents from me and delivered it to the CO. The person came back out and confirmed they received it. Next day I received an email that the visa was issued. That was a Friday, I received it on the local PTT mail office on Monday. Rating : Good

Timeline Comments: 46



*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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