MarmiteC's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: J Beneficiary's Name: A VJ Member: MarmiteC Country: United Kingdom Last Updated: 2023-10-02 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for J & A:

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? Texas Service Center Consulate : London, United Kingdom Marriage (if applicable): 2022-08-24 I-130 Sent : 2022-09-15 I-130 NOA1 : 2022-09-15 I-130 RFE : I-130 RFE Sent : I-130 Approved : 2023-04-28 NVC Received : 2023-05-03 Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : 2023-05-08 Pay AOS Bill : 2023-05-08 Receive I-864 Package : Send AOS Package : Submit DS-261 : Receive IV Bill : 2023-05-08 Pay IV Bill : 2023-05-11 Send IV Package : 2023-05-31 Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : 2023-06-29 Case Completed at NVC : NVC Left : Consulate Received : Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : 2023-06-29 Interview Date : 2023-08-08 Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : 2023-08-11 US Entry : 2023-10-01 Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-130 was approved in 225 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 327 days from your I-130 NOA1 date.

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Event Description Review Date : August 9, 2023 Embassy Review : I had my interview at the London embassy on 8th August 2023, and I agree with all other reviews, a really smooth experience. My appointment was scheduled for 9.30am. I arrived at the embassy at 8.45am. I have read reviews that both tell you to join the long queue and skip the long queue and go to the desk at the front. Being so early, I decided to join the queue (I couldn't even see the desk at the front!). An embassy worker came down the line and asked everyone who had not checked in to go to the desk to check in. I went to the desk and advised as I had a DS-260 I did not need to re-join the queue, but I was too early and I needed to wait at the side until 9am. Point to note: this queuing and waiting is all outdoors - please bring an umbrella if needed as there is no cover from the rain. At 9am I went back to the desk where I was checked in and sent right to the front of the queue. The front of the queue was into a small building which had airport style security in it. A security guard came out of the building, asked me to open my phone and turn on any app, and then I was shown inside. Inside I put my bag and my documents into trays to be scanned, and walked through a scanner. I had a bottle of water in my bag so I was asked to drink some. Please note no laptops or ipads are allowed. After clearing security, I walked outside the security building into a courtyard (also uncovered from the elements). The main embassy building is in front of you. At the outside entrance of the embassy building there are 2 queuing areas: 1 for US citizens and 1 for all visas. I went to the one for all visas. There was no actual queue so I went straight inside the building to reception. At reception I had to give my DS-260 confirmation. They printed a label and stuck it to the confirmation with directions where to go, a ticket number and a request to sit outside a certain booth number. I went up in the lift and turned left into the immigration area. There were rows and rows of booths with people queuing up for them. These are non immigrant visa areas. I walked past these, and turned left again, down to the end, where there was a row of booths in a much quieter area. I took a seat close to the assigned booth. After about 10 minutes, my ticket number popped up on screen to go to the booth. Here I saw a friendly guy who asked for my original documents: Passport DS260 confirmation Birth Certificate Marriage certificate Passport photo Divorce decrees Police certificate. I saw he was ticking off each item as he went along on a checklist. As he was doing so he was checking everything on his computer also. He put all the documents into a folder, and then scanned my fingerprints. After that I was asked to sit back down and wait to be called for interview. After around 10 minutes my ticket number flashed up to call me to a different booth. Here I met another really friendly guy. He asked me: How did we meet (he wanted me to be quite specific) When did we first physically meet When did we last see each other Was I the one who usually travelled there Have our families ever met How did he propose and was it a surprise What does my husband do for a living When did I plan on moving there. He then proceeded to tell me he was happy to say I was approved and I would receive my passport back in 1-2 weeks. He handed me back all of my documents and wished me a nice day. I think I got a few other questions for a couple of reasons, 1. We've managed to get through this process in less than 11 months, we haven't even reached our first anniversary yet and 2. I can be very simplistic in answering what I feel are closed questions, for example "When did you last see each other?" I answered "Last month"... true but I think he wanted to know a bit more! lol He smiled a bit more when I began elaborating and sharing more. I entered the embassy at 9.06am, and was out at 9.46am. Today, my visa status on CEAC has already moved to issued!! Rating : Very Good

POE Review: Minneapolis/St Paul Event Description Entry Date : 2023-10-01 Embassy Review : I entered visa MSP on a CR1 Visa on 1st October 23. Very easy process. Entered with my US citizen husband and we both went to the All Visas line. The queue was small at that point (although we were lucky to be ahead of another flight also landing and be quick off the plane.) My husband went first, the very friendly officer asked if we were married, then admitted my husband. He asked me if I was bringing more than $10k cash, to which I replied no. He then said I needed to go to secondary for processing. Once in there we were seen very quickly, the officer just asked for the address and contact number, did some things on the compueter, explained that the stamp in my passport was good for 1 year from that date while I await the physical green card. He gave me a leaflet explaining what I can do as a permanent resident and sent us on our way. All in all it probably took us 20 minutes. Worth nothing again that a few more people came into secondary after us, so we could have been waiting longer had we not beat the queues. Very easy and friendly process Harassment Level : Low

Timeline Comments: 6



*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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