jtmh's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: J
Beneficiary's Name: M
VJ Member: jtmh
Country: United Kingdom
Last Updated: 2013-06-09
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Immigration Checklist for J & M:
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USCIS DCF 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 : |
Hong Kong, China |
| Marriage (if applicable): |
2009-04-08 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2009-04-18 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2009-04-18 |
| I-130 RFE : |
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| I-130 RFE Sent : |
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| I-130 Approved : |
2009-04-26 |
| NVC Received : |
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| Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : |
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| Pay AOS Bill : |
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| Receive I-864 Package : |
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| Send AOS Package : |
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| Submit DS-261 : |
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| Receive IV Bill : |
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| Pay IV Bill : |
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| Send IV Package : |
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| Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : |
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| Case Completed at NVC : |
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| NVC Left : |
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| Consulate Received : |
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| Packet 3 Received : |
2009-04-26 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
2009-05-17 |
| Packet 4 Received : |
2009-05-23 |
| Interview Date : |
2009-06-19 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2009-06-22 |
| US Entry : |
2009-07-22 |
| Comments : |
The process could have been completed even faster had we been ready with all of the documents for Packet 3 when we received it. Do DCF if you can! |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-130 was approved in 8 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 62 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
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Citizenship
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Phoenix AZ Lockbox |
| CIS Office : |
Saint Paul MN |
| Date Filed : |
2013-02-04 |
| NOA Date : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
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| Interview Date : |
2013-05-20 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Oath Ceremony : |
2013-06-26 |
| Comments : |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Hong Kong, China
Review Topic: Direct Consular Filing
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
June 19, 2009 |
| Embassy Review : |
DCF for a CR-1 Visa (Spouse a UK Citizen)
Our interview was scheduled for 8:30AM, June 19th, 2009. The following is a timeline of our visit.
7:30 Arrived at the consulate. Waited in line outside, 3 other people ahead of us in line.
8:00 Opened gates. Guards asked to see interview letter and checked our bags. Asked to stand in line off to the side. The people ahead of us were there for other visas, so we were first in line for an interview. As we waited, about 7 other parties joined our queue.
8:15 Let in the doors, went through security checks. We didn't bring cell phones, but they must be checked at the door if you have one. We were given a list of the order in which to organize our documents for submission (same as list in packet 4). Then went upstairs to the Immigrant Visa Unit.
8:30 Desks were opened and consular officers made an announcement. The waiting room had filled up with other parties by this time. Although we were there first, they just said to everyone "you can come to the desk" so there was a bit of a rush. Managed to get up to a window first.
The consular officer took our documents and quickly checked to make sure everything was there. Asked to open the medical results envelope in front of the officer. Note: You do not need to bring xrays to the consulate, only the sealed medical results envelope. We also submitted our photo album at this time. We had a folder of cards/letters but they said to hold on to them for now; they never asked to see them. (Total time 5 minutes if you're organized)
8:55 Called to the counter, instructed to pay the fee (US$400/HK$3200)at the cashier in the hallway.
9:20 Called to counter to do a fingerprint scan.
9:30 Called to counter. Gave them receipt of fee payment. Asked a few questions regarding our application.
-How did you meet?
-Where did you meet?
-Asked about our employment in HK
-How we came to Hong Kong
-When do you plan to leave HK?
-Confirmed identity of joint-sponsor for I-864
All very easy, total time about 3 minutes. We went up to the counter together and the questions were asked to both of us, but thought it better to let the applicant answer. (PS I think this was the 'interview' - we never went to another room to talk with an officer)
10:30 After a long wait, we were called to the counter again. Told our application was well put together and everything looked in order. Asked a few friendly questions about when we were going to the US, and where we would be living. Applicant swore that all info was correct and accurate, then instructed to sign DS-230 Part II. At this point, we realized our visa had been approved. We were told to fill out our address on the mailing form and go downstairs to the post office counter to pay the HK$25 Courier fee.
10:40 Left the consulate with big smiles! 
We think the ease of our experience was due to our preparedness and the simplicity of our case/situation (ie, no kids, no previous marriages, no criminal record, etc). We also brought a lot of relationship evidence, including lots of emails, an album with 150+ photos of all our time together, a statement of our relationship together, proof of cohabitation (bills, apt contract), copies of all passport stamps and visas from trips taken together. However, we did notice other applicants being asked a lot of questions. We think they were K-1 applicants, with more complex cases.
All in all, the HK consulate is very organized and friendly. Our DCF process only took two months. We highly recommend going this route if you can. |
| Rating : |
Very 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
