Golden_State's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: James
Beneficiary's Name: Erin
VJ Member: Golden_State
Country: Canada
Last Updated: 2010-12-10
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Immigration Checklist for James & Erin:
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USCIS I-129F Petition:
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Dept of State K1 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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K1 Visa
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
California Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Montreal, Canada |
| I-129F Sent : |
2010-01-14 |
| I-129F NOA1 : |
2010-01-19 |
| I-129F RFE(s) : |
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| RFE Reply(s) : |
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| I-129F NOA2 : |
2010-02-22 |
| NVC Received : |
2010-03-01 |
| Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : |
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| NVC Left : |
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| Consulate Received : |
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| Packet 3 Received : |
2010-03-11 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
2010-03-19 |
| Packet 4 Received : |
2010-04-23 |
| Interview Date : |
2010-06-11 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2010-06-18 |
| US Entry : |
2010-07-14 |
| Marriage : |
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| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-129f was approved in 34 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 143 days from your I-129F NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
CDN-USA Border |
| POE Date : |
2010-07-14 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
No |
| Biometrics Taken : |
Yes |
| Harassment Level : |
0 |
| Comments : |
Quick and simple entry to the USA! Easiest part of the process so far. |
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Adjustment of Status
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
San Diego CA |
| Date Filed : |
2010-08-16 |
| NOA Date : |
2010-08-26 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2010-10-18 |
| AOS Transfer** : |
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| Interview Date : |
2010-11-30 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2010-11-30 |
| Approved : |
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| Got I551 Stamp : |
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| Greencard Received: |
2010-12-09 |
| Comments : |
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Employment Authorization
Document
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago IL |
| Filing Method : |
Mail |
| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2010-08-16 |
| NOA Date : |
2010-08-26 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2010-10-18 |
| Approved Date : |
2010-10-18 |
| Date Card Received : |
2010-10-25 |
| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your EAD was approved in 63 days. |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
June 12, 2010 |
| Embassy Review : |
I'm so excited to be at this stage in my visa journey where I'm writing a review of the Montreal consulate, not obsessively checking other people's reviews every day to calm my nerves  My experience at the consulate was the same as all of the other reviews I've read here, so instead of going into minute detail about everything, I'll share my top 5 tips about how to survive the experience.
1. Arrive no later than 6:30. We got there at 6:35 and if we were a second later, we would have gone up in the second group of people. They seem to let a bunch of people in at a time to clear security and be let upstairs. We were upstairs for about 20 minutes-half an hour before the second group even got there. Being even a couple of minutes late would probably ended up costing us an hour of time waiting.
2. Have something to eat or drink while waiting in line outside of the consulate. For me, this was the most stressful time and it was good to have a distraction. That being said, keep in mind that you could be waiting from 6:30 to 7:30 to get inside, and then another 30 minutes or so before you can access a bathroom
3. Make sure you have $350 in USD. We saw another couple who didn't know this. The petitioner ran downstairs to the bank and was gone at least 45 minutes. Not sure if he had to go through security all over again, but needless to say, it delayed them for quite awhile.
4. Stay calm. Everyone who works at the consulate is kind and pleasant. It's not like the people who work at the border. If you're prepared, you'll be ok.
5. Don't bring anything "extra" to the consulate. Take only the papers/your wallet/hotel key and you'll get through security faster. You don't need to bring the X Ray.
The document review, fingerprinting, and interview will be over before you know it. Like Tom Petty says, the waiting is the hardest part, and chances are, anyone going through the K-1 visa process is already a pro at waiting. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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POE Review: CDN-USA Border
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| Event |
Description |
| Entry Date : |
2010-07-14 |
| Embassy Review : |
I entered the US at the Lewiston-Queenston bridge, crossing into Niagara Falls NY. We arrived around noon and there were approximately 8 cars parked in front of us (not a big line at all). When we approached the border agent, I said I was activating my K-1 visa and we were told to go inside. Once there, we waited approximately 20 minutes to be called to the desk. The process was very straightforward- essentially, I stood at the desk while the agent entered my information and looked through the package. The only question she asked was when the wedding date was, and she told me that I couldn't leave the country until the adjustment of status process was complete. I was fingerprinted and photographed. It was the easiest step of the K-1 process! Just remember to bring the $6 fee. |
| Harassment Level : |
Low |
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Local US CIS Office Review: San Diego CA
Review Topic: cis_topic
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
December 10, 2010 |
| Embassy Review : |
The AOS interview in San Diego went very smoothly, aside from a long wait (over 45 minutes past our appointment time). As other reviewers have mentioned, the best place to park is Horton Plaza, since you can get 3 hours for free.
The interview was similar to our K1 interview experience. The interviewer asked about our timeline (when we met, when we became boyfriend and girlfriend, when the wedding was) and asked to see photos of the wedding. She also looked at my (petitioner's) birth certificate, our marriage certificate, and both of our passports. She also asked my husband where he worked, and that was about it. She took notes about what we said and wrote something like "appears to be a legitimate couple" on our file.
She asked if she could keep a photocopy of the marriage certificate and the photos for our file, so it would be smart to bring some digital prints of wedding photos and an extra copy of the marriage license.
She reminded us that the 2-year card has to be renewed 90 days before it expires and mailed us a reminder (which I got a few days later) with the specific dates to renew on it. I got my official approval letter in the mail a few days later.
Overall, the interview was one of the easiest parts of our K1 visa / immigration journey. Relax and enjoy it -- it's a big milestone! |
| 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
