steve&mary's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: Steve
Beneficiary's Name: Mary
VJ Member: steve&mary
Country: Nicaragua
Last Updated: 2012-02-07
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Immigration Checklist for Steve & Mary:
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USCIS I-130/I-129F Petitions:
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Dept of State K3 Visa:
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USCIS I-485 Petition:
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USCIS I-765 Petition:
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USCIS I-131 Petition:
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USCIS I-751 Petition:
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USCIS N-400 Petition:
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K3 Visa
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
California Service Center |
| Consulate : |
Nicaragua |
| Marriage : |
2006-07-09 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2007-07-10 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2007-07-27 |
| I-130 RFE : |
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| I-130 RFE Sent : |
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| I-129F Sent : |
2007-08-10 |
| I-129F NOA1 : |
2007-08-22 |
| I-129F RFE(s) : |
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| RFE Reply(s) : |
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| I-129F NOA2 : |
2008-03-14 |
| NVC Received : |
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| NVC Left : |
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| Consulate Received : |
2008-04-04 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
2008-04-04 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
2008-04-30 |
| Packet 4 Received : |
2008-04-30 |
| Interview Date : |
2008-05-05 |
| Interview Result : |
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2008-05-14 |
| US Entry : |
2008-05-24 |
| I-130 Approval : |
2008-03-14 |
| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-129f was approved in 205 days from your NOA1 date.
Your I-130 was approved in 231 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 283 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
Houston |
| POE Date : |
2008-05-24 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
No |
| Biometrics Taken : |
Yes |
| Harassment Level : |
0 |
| Comments : |
They took me to a little room where I waited for about an hour. They were courteous. I spoke to an officer, who didn't ask a lot of questions, just gave the I-94 an explained to me that had to submit if I travelled out of the US, and I would recieve another one whenever I returned to the US, and that it was a visa valid for two years. |
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Adjustment of Status
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
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| Date Filed : |
2008-06-12 |
| NOA Date : |
2008-06-17 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2008-07-16 |
| AOS Transfer** : |
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| Interview Date : |
2009-01-05 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2009-01-06 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
No |
| Greencard Received: |
2009-01-15 |
| Comments : |
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Employment Authorization
Document
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago National Office |
| Filing Method : |
Mail |
| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2008-06-12 |
| NOA Date : |
2008-06-17 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2008-07-16 |
| Approved Date : |
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| Date Card Received : |
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| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Based on timeline data, your EAD may be adjudicated between August 5, 2008 and August 16, 2008*.
If this date range has passed or your application is past due per USCIS processing times then you should consider calling the USCIS to inquire on your petition. If you have been approved please update your timeline. |
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Citizenship
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Phoenix AZ Lockbox |
| CIS Office : |
New Orleans LA |
| Date Filed : |
2011-11-07 |
| NOA Date : |
2011-11-14 |
| Bio. Appt. : |
2011-12-09 |
| Interview Date : |
2012-01-26 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Oath Ceremony : |
2012-02-02 |
| Comments : |
As promised, here is my experience for the N400 citizenship interview. My U.S. citizen husband and I spent the night at the Days Inn, about a block from the USCIS office in New Orleans (Metaire). I was scheduled for 10:30 am and the letter said not to arrive any earlier than 30 minutes before your scheduled time.
We arrived at 10:10am, and went through security. There was no line. I put my interview letter in a slot through the door and was told to sit and wait. About 30 minutes later I was called in. When my husband stood up to walk in with me, the lady said very politely that she only needed me for the interview. So I was on my own!
We walked back to her office and she asked me to remain standing and raise my right hand - and swore to tell the truth.
First thing she asked was to see my green card, government issued ID (drivers license), and passports. She looked at them, and then started flipping through my file. When she saw my auto insurance card (with both our names on it), she asked who drove that car. I said my husband, and that I drove the Prius. At this she started asking me how I liked it and if it needed special gasoline (chit-chat). Then she looked at my employment history on my application and asked who I worked for or if I worked (I'm currently self-employed). So I explained how both my husband and I have the same profession (wildlife biologists) and what kind of work we do (she was very interested in it).
After the work question she asked if I've traveled outside of the country and for how long. I brought with me a detailed list of all my travels with dates. She kinda flipped through my passport pages, but didn't count the stamps or make sure the dates were the same on the application (I've read on VJ that some officers do this!). I did let her know that I had traveled once since I filed the application, and that trip was 10 days long. She also asked if I was a member of any organizations. I am a member of a LOT of conservation and animal advocacy organizations, so she asked me what the ASPCA and some others were.
She asked if my husband's been a US citizen, and I said yes, that I had his passport with me. But she didn't want to/need to see it. Then asked me a bunch of standard questions (have you filed your taxes, do you owe takes, are you a terrorist, have you been arrested, ect). So she printed out a few pages that were the civics/English test. First was the English test. Asked to write down a sentence she read out loud (something about Columbus Day). And then asked me to read a sentence (about Columbus Day).
Then she asked me some of the civics questions, maybe five or six of them (how many judges, declaration of independence, don't remember the others).
She said "it was quick and painless, right?" And printed out two sheets of papers and she checked two boxes on it and asked me to sign. She handed me the N-652 Naturalization interview results, which said "You passed the tests of English and U.S. history and government" and "A) Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval. At this time it appears that you have established your eligibility for naturalization. If final approval is granted, you will be notified when and where to report for the Oath Ceremony". She had me sign my two passport pictures.
So I was pretty happy, but then she said "Are you able to come to the oath ceremony on Feb 2, which is next Thursday?" I was SO HAPPY!!!! She gave me a letter with the date and time for the ceremony and other instructions for that day (bring the letter, green card, travel documents, etc). The back of the letter has 8 yes or no questions that must be uestions li the day of the oath (questions like, since the interview have you been arrested, ect).
She never asked to see additional documentation, although I was prepared with a bunch of papers/proof. I did a pretty good job of sending everything in my original application (3 years of taxes, joint savings account, credit cards, health and life insurance, car payments, car insurance -- all joint. Plus we've been married for over six years). She only made a comment about me JUST being eligible for naturalization -- on Jan 5th was my 3-year Green card anniversary.
The officer was very polite and friendly. She even apologized for calling me in a little later than the scheduled time. All in all it was a GREAT experience in the New Orleans office, we were there for one hour, including going through security and waiting to be called in.
Hope this helps other N-400 / New Orleans filers. |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Nicaragua
Review Topic: General Review
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
August 20, 2008 |
| Embassy Review : |
K3 Visa Interview in Managua, Nicaragua. (My USC husband was there with me, however, it was not neccesary)
Our interview in Managua was very smooth, no problems at all. You spend most of the morning inside the Embassy waiting your turn (so eat a good breakfast - no food is allowed inside).
We got there earlier and went through two security checks. (No Cellphones, cameras, perfumes or makeup bottles allowed). After that we waited in an air conditioned room. When they called out our number we walked up to the window where they checked to see if we had all our papers. We brought a box full of emails, letters, air plane tickets, and two photo albums. They did not look through them very much, I guess we overwhelmed them with so much evidence.
They asked us to sit down and after about 10 minutes we were called again to the window to talk with a consular officer. She was very nice and asked how we met, when we got married. Since we are both wildlife biologists she told us she lived in Africa for a while where there were amazing animals. And that was it. She said congratulations. And gave me a little slip to give to the post office people for delivery of my passport.
Everyone was very very nice and polite. Not a big deal at all if you have ALL of your papers. Actually they were very responsive before the interview. I had a serious of email communications with Blanca Perez and they even accomodated my interview date to coincide with my husband's visit down to Nicaragua.
You pick up your passport with visa at your local Correos de Nicaragua, and should take 3-4 days. You have to pay US$7.00
The NEW US embassy is a very nice building, HOWEVER, if you are driving your own vehicle you will have to park across the 4 lane round in the park (Piedrecitas) or at Enitel. Careful crossing the streets! They charge from C$30 - C$50 cordobas for parking. The Embassy does not allow parking in its lot, even if you are with the US Citizen. (This may have changed now, but it was the case when we went for our interview).  |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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POE Review: Houston
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| Event |
Description |
| Entry Date : |
2008-05-24 |
| Embassy Review : |
After waiting in line for a Immigration officer, he took my sealed package and opened it. He said since it was the first time I came in on the K3 I had to go through another examination. They took me to a little room where I waited for about an hour. They were courteous. I spoke to an officer, who didn't ask a lot of questions, just gave the I-94 an explained to me that had to submit if I travelled out of the US, and I would recieve another one whenever I returned to the US, and that it was a visa valid for two years. Very easy, but it took a while. I did not have a connecting flight, just my husband waiting for me. If you have a connecting flight, I would have at least 3 hours layover. |
| Harassment Level : |
Low |
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Local US CIS Office Review: Columbus OH
Review Topic: cis_topic
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
January 12, 2009 |
| Embassy Review : |
Our appointment was set for 9:15 am. We arrived at 9:00 am and there was a very long line to get checked for security. While we were waiting in line, one of the security officers collected our appointment notifications. It was quick. The use of iPods, cell phones, or other electronics is not allowed. Once we cleared security, we sat down and waited for our name to be called. We waited about 5-10 minutes until my name was called.
We walked into an office. The guy was very courteous, introduced himself and a lady that would be sitting in our interview. He explained we could be videotaped. He swore both of us in. He then asked me (the beneficiary) a series of basic questions (what's your name, DOB, SSN, parents' name, etc). Then he asked my husband the same. He asked if we had children (NO), then the lady asked if I had any children of my own (NO). He asked me a series of yes or no questions, like have you ever taken drugs, been a prostitute, a communist, ect (NO). His last question of that series was "have you ever had a J1 visa?" (YES). This prompted the lady to ask more questions about this. I explained I had a J1 4 years ago and that I had completed my required 2 year HRR. They reviewed my old passport with my entry stamps and visa to confirm. The lady then asked if we had any proof of joint assets, and I showed her our savings account/credit card statements. She the asked me if I worked (YES), and my husband (YES). She asked if she could keep the credit card statement (YES).
She then turned to the man and told him it was always a good idea to look through as many pictures as possible. We showed him an album with pictures of all our travels, and an album of our wedding and reception. (She said to him, it will help you feel better about whatever decisions you make regarding a case). (It seemed the guy was being trained by the lady). Then she said everything looked OK, and that we'd hear from them in the next two months. My husband asked if we were approved or not, and she responded that they only have access to the files the day of the interview so they will look through it and then make a decision. But that in our case everything seemed fine. I left regretting not showing them ALL our evidence. But the next day we got an email from CRIS saying we were approved and the card production had been sent! The interview itself took no longer than 5-8 minutes!
Overall, they were very professional, timely, and courteous. |
| Harassment Level : |
Good |
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Timeline Comments: None yet, be the first!
*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
