willwright's US Immigration Timeline
|
Petitioner's Name: William
Beneficiary's Name: Sanna
VJ Member: willwright
Country: Sweden
Last Updated: 2016-07-26
|
|
|
Immigration Checklist for William & Sanna:
|
USCIS DCF 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 : |
Texas Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
London, United Kingdom |
| Marriage (if applicable): |
2015-08-01 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2016-01-07 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2016-01-12 |
| I-130 RFE : |
|
| I-130 RFE Sent : |
|
| I-130 Approved : |
2016-02-23 |
| NVC Received : |
|
| Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : |
|
| Pay AOS Bill : |
|
| Receive I-864 Package : |
|
| Send AOS Package : |
|
| Submit DS-261 : |
|
| Receive IV Bill : |
|
| Pay IV Bill : |
|
| Send IV Package : |
|
| Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : |
|
| Case Completed at NVC : |
|
| NVC Left : |
|
| Consulate Received : |
2016-02-24 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
2016-04-04 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
2016-05-06 |
| Packet 4 Received : |
2016-05-27 |
| Interview Date : |
2016-07-22 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
|
Second Interview
(If Required): |
|
| Second Interview Result: |
|
| Visa Received : |
|
| US Entry : |
2016-08-13 |
| Comments : |
|
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-130 was approved in 42 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 192 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
|
Port of Entry Review
|
| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
Los Angeles |
| POE Date : |
2016-08-13 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
|
| Biometrics Taken : |
|
| Harassment Level : |
|
| Comments : |
|
|
Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
|
| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
July 26, 2016 |
| Embassy Review : |
My wife and I arrived at the embassy at about 11:20am for her 12pm interview on Friday 22nd July 2016. When we arrived we approached a small kiosk where they asked for our ID, interview confirmation and DS260 confirmation. We handed these over where they also asked for my name (since I was the Petitioner). Luckily, my name was on their list of guests for the day. I had only submitted the request the Monday afternoon (18th July) so was a little concerned they wouldn't have processed it in time, but this wasn't the case.
After having our papers checked, we were directed towards security which is essentially like an airport security - belongings through x-ray you through the metal detector. Worth noting is that we'd forgotten that we had an iPad with us, luckily this wasn't an issue. You are fine with electronic items that do not have a keyboard (we only had our iPhones and the iPad with us).
After security, you walk around the corner and up some stairs to a reception style desk where they ask to see your ID and DS260. They then give you a ticket number and after that you go up some steps and in to a large waiting room. At the front of this room is a huge screen with numbers constantly being called to desks. Think there are about 20+ desks so the "bing" with a ticket and desk number are pretty regular, leaving you constantly looking up at the screen! By this point it was about 11:30/35.
At about 11:50 or so we were called to desk 14 where a very nice gentleman requested our paperwork, essentially everything that is on the checklist. We made a payment of $325 at a cashier's desk a couple spots away (desk 12, I think) and handed a copy of the receipt back to the guy checking the papers. After that, we were told to return to the waiting area for our number to be called again for the interview. Time was not about 12pm.
After 10-15 minutes waiting, our number was called again and we went to desk 16 where my wife was to be interviewed. I went along with her, but was politely told by the officer that he would be interviewing her and to just leave them to have a conversation and that he would speak to me if he needed any other information. My wife was then asked some straight forward questions such as:-
- Where did you and your husband meet? (We met in Stockholm in 2009)
- How did the relationship continue? (via Facebook and me visiting Stockholm)
- Have you always had a long distance relationship? (wife explained that she - moved to Scotland in 2011)
- When did you get married and where? (August 2015, Stockholm)
- Have you ever lived anywhere other than Sweden and the UK? Have you ever been arrested? (No)
- Why do you want to move to the US? (to be nearer family)
- When do you plan on moving? (13th August)
The officer then asked me a question about my Affidavit of Support (I-864) as I filled out one entry incorrectly. He had me update this by hand and initial next to it. We also had a quick chat about how the I-864 can be somewhat confusing! After that, he said something like "I'm pleased to tell you you've been approved. You will receive your passport back within the next couple weeks.", and that was it! We walked out of the embassy at about 12:20pm so in and out in about an hour!
A few things to note:-
- At some point along the way (think it was the first desk where they ask for your paperwork) we were asked for proof that the courier was booked so make sure you have that printed out.
- Both desks we went to asked for our planned departure date. Hopefully this is to allow them to make sure they get your papers/passport to you in time!
- I prepared a lot of paperwork as back-up to prove my intent to re-establish domicile since I haven't lived in the US for 22 years! None of this was asked for, but I am still glad I had it just in case.
- We prepared a document with a few photos of us with each other/friends/family from each year from 2009 to now in case they asked for that. Wasn't required. My impression was that you may want this if your relationship has been relatively short. It seemed that when we told him we had been together since 2009 and living together since 2011 there weren't many more questions to ask outside the standard ones.
All in all, a pretty smooth visit to the embassy. In and out in an hour so no complaints from us!
Now just need to get all that paperwork and my wife's passport back!... |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
|
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
