Mella's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: Dami Beneficiary's Name: Mella VJ Member: Mella Country: Jamaica Last Updated: 2024-02-29 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for Dami & Mella:

USCIS I-129F Petition:       Dept of State K1 Visa:     USCIS I-485 Petition:   USCIS I-765 Petition:       USCIS I-131 Petition:       USCIS I-751 Petition:   USCIS N-400 Petition:

K1 Visa Event Date Service Center : Texas Service Center Transferred? California Service Center Consulate : Jamaica I-129F Sent : 2018-01-24 I-129F NOA1 : 2018-02-01 I-129F RFE(s) : RFE Reply(s) : I-129F NOA2 : 2018-08-01 NVC Received : 2018-08-15 Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : 2018-08-16 NVC Left : 2018-08-21 Consulate Received : 2018-08-22 Packet 3 Received : 2018-09-08 Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : 2018-09-14 Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : 2018-09-20 US Entry : 2018-10-17 Marriage : 2018-11-04 Comments : Date of US Medical: August 31, 2018 Andrew's Memorial Hospital US Medical Review Firstly, everything you need to know about the hospital and the US Medical may be found on their website, including cost and the medical history form you must complete and take with you: https://www.andrewsmemorialhospital.com/usmedical/ You must also register on their website to be able to get an appointment.They will email you back within two business days with a date. Your medical must be done 10 days before your interview. I arrived at 7:45 a.m. for my 8 a.m. appointment. The waiting room was already filled with people. On entering, I stopped at a desk by the door where my passport, US interview appointment confirmation, 4 passport sized photos (with my name written on the back), my previously completed medical history form (obtained from the hospital's website but also contained in Packet 3) and my immunization records were taken. I was told to sit and wait until my name is called. By 8:15 a.m., my name was called and I was given a sheet of paper that had all the info I had provided online. I was lead to the cashier to pay for the medical. Usually, the cashier is in the same building but apparently they weren't up and running yet, so a few of us were taken to the cashiers in the main hospital. I was given my receipt and the sheet was stamped. I was instructed to take the sheet back to the US Medical building where I was shown to another room to drop off the form. The lady who took my form asked who is filing for me and if I had any questions. I was sent back to the waiting area. Shortly after, I was directed to the nurse who took the regular vital stats: height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, a vision test etc. By 9 a.m. I was directed to another building adjacent to the waiting area, I went up some stairs and went into a room where the nurse drew some blood for my blood work and then instructed me to pass urine (with the door open). By 9:15 a.m. I was directed to a receptionist downstairs that same building at the end of the hall, where I had to fill out a clearance form to say whether or not I was pregnant (since I was about to do the x-ray next). When I was done, I walked back up the same hall to a yellow door on the left and handed them my passport and receipt (you have to do this so they can call your name, don't just sit there waiting). I was the only one waiting at the time so I was called into the x-ray room within 2 minutes. I was told to remove jewelry, bra and blouse and given one of those surgical robes (the light blue ones with the open back and tie at the neck) to don. My chest x-ray was taken. That whole process was less than 5 mins. I was back in the waiting room by 9:30 a.m. At 9:50 a.m., I was called in to be examined by the doctor, his name was Dr. Chong. He asked me a ton of medical history questions from a long list including questions about marijuana use and self harm. He also asked if I am on any medication. He then told me to undress and lay on the bed where he did the typical medical check up. He checked heart,abdomen, breasts, eyes, throat, ears etc. The exam only lasted 5 minutes. At the end, I was told I needed two shots and told to wait in the waiting room again. A few moments later, a nurse came and gave me a form to pay for the Tdap and Varicella (chicken pox) shots that I needed. I paid for them ($9150) at the cashier inside the building and was directed to the nurse who administered both simultaneously and told me I need to get a second booster in 4 weeks. She gave me a medical form (Vaccination Documentation Worksheet) that I must take with me to the US that's needed for work/school purposes (it's not needed for the interview). After that was done, the medical was complete. My receipts were stapled together and given to me and I was told to call for the chest x-ray CD (also not needed for the interview but needed for when you enter the US). I was done by 10:10 a.m. My tips/ additional info: - Go early. Even though you were given an appointment, they are batched so many people will have the same time, the earlier you go the better! - Have a full breakfast and bring a snack and water. - Be prepared to wait!!! I lucked out that day to be out of there in 2 hours. I was told it normally takes 4-6 hours!!!!! - Speaking of the long wait, bring some reading material. There is a sign that says no cellphones but you can use them as long as you are not being disruptive. Take phone calls outside. - Wear something easy to take on and off. If you wear long sleeves, be mindful that you will have to roll them up to do blood work/ have shots administered. - The order in which you do your tests may vary from how I did mine. - The staff are very friendly (with the exception of the lady who drew my blood). Have to big up Mr. Bignal and Mr. Harris for their excellent customer service. - The US Medical dept is not in the main hospital building. When you enter the hospital grounds using the entrance, keep going straight ahead like you are going to the back of the premises. Signs will guide you. There is ample parking. - They accept payments in cash or card in JMD or USD currency. - The medical goes directly to the embassy. It arrived on time for my interview on 9/14. Send me a personal message if you have a questions. Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 181 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 225 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.

Port of Entry Review Event Date Port of Entry : Fort Lauderdale POE Date : 2018-10-17 Got EAD Stamp : No Biometrics Taken : No Harassment Level : 0 Comments : POE was a breeze. Stood in immigration line for about 9 mins. When I got to the immigration officer, I presented my passport and packet 3. He asked me about my customs form where I had selected that I had food. I told him I had my wedding cake and coffee and honey for wedding favours. He took me to a room and told me to sit and wait. After about 10 mins of waiting, another officer returned my passport only, with a stamp of January 14, 2019 and told me to proceed to baggage claim. Got my bags and they sent me to have them screened. Had a laugh about how heavy the cakes were with the persons who checked my bags and they sent me on my way. Everyone I came in contact with was SUPER pleasant and I went through the customs/immigration process in 30 mins tops. I would totally recommend FLL as POE.

Adjustment of Status Event Date CIS Office : Denver CO Date Filed : 2018-12-22 NOA Date : 2018-12-31 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2019-01-24 AOS Transfer** : Interview Date : 2019-04-03 Approval / Denial Date : 2019-04-03 Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : Greencard Received: 2019-04-10 Comments : Send me a message if you have specific questions!

Employment Authorization Document Event Date CIS Office : Chicago National Office Filing Method : Mail Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2018-12-22 NOA Date : 2018-12-31 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : Approved Date : Date Card Received : Comments : April 8, 2019 - Case closed due to benefit received by other means. Processing Estimates/Stats : Based on timeline data, your EAD may be adjudicated between February 9, 2019 and March 11, 2019*. 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.

Advance Parole Event Date CIS Office : Chicago National Office Filing Method :   Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2018-12-22 NOA Date : 2018-12-31 RFE(s) : Date Received : Comments : April 8, 2019 - Case closed due to benefit received by other means. Processing Estimates/Stats : Based on timeline data, your AP may be adjudicated between May 11, 2019 and July 4, 2019*. 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.

Lifting Conditions Event Date CIS Office : Date Filed : 2021-03-27 NOA Date : 2021-04-26 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : Interview Date : Approval / Denial Date : Approved : Got I551 Stamp : Green Card Received : Comments :

Citizenship Event Date Service Center : Online CIS Office : Norfolk VA Date Filed : 2023-11-07 NOA Date : Bio. Appt. : 2023-12-07 Interview Date : 2024-02-16 Approved : Yes Oath Ceremony : 2024-02-16 Comments :

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Jamaica Review Topic: K1 Visa Event Description Review Date : September 18, 2018 Embassy Review : US Embassy Kingston Review I arrived at 9:15 a.m. for my 10 a.m. interview. I asked some police officers stationed at the end of the walkway if I was allowed to join the queue 45 mins before my appointment and they said certainly, so I proceeded to the gate (this isn't always the case based on how many people are there but I was the only one in the line at the time - perks of having a later appointment). The lady at the top of the queue asked for my passport, appointment letter (NOT DS-160 confirmation - the one with your interview date and time and payment details) and passport sized pictures. While checking them, she asked me if I had any prohibited items such as electronic devices, liquids or pens (yes, no pens allowed!). She checked them, handed them back to me and told me to stand at the yellow line just outside the door and wait until I was called inside. I only stood there for a few seconds when the door opened and I was ushered inside, I put all my belongings in a tray for it to be scanned. I only had an expandable folder with my documents and a photo album and I was told to remove my watch. I was told to step through the full body scanner and directed when to retrieve my belongings and continue to the outside. I walked all the way to the building at the back where another lady was stationed outside in a booth (if you are unfamiliar with the layout of the embassy, just follow everybody else). She checked the same documents, signed the date and stapled a number to it. I was then directed inside "through the door, make a left and go to the far right, sit and wait for your name". I followed her instructions and went inside. I ended up sitting beside the same people I sat beside at the medical two weeks prior! What are the odds? We kept ourselves occupied through quiet conversation while we waited. They even ended up going through my albums lol. By 10:30 a.m., my name was called to window 11 to do fingerprints. My passport, passport pictures, birth certificate (original and copy), I-134 form, Certificate of No-Impediment, Police Certificate and my fiance's 2017 IRS Tax Transcript were taken from me. I was asked who was filing for me, to confirm my current address and to provide mine and my fiance's telephone numbers. I also saw my medical results among the papers so yes, it was received on time. I was then told to sit and wait for my name to be called again. There were quite a few K1 cases that morning. Many of which, the applicants were NOT prepared. Also, I kept hearing them being told to answer what they were asked. So many times the questions were SO simple and the applicant would give an unwarranted answer. I observed all the consular officers and they all seemed pleasant. Stern but fair. There were 3 men and a lady. Keep in mind that everyone can hear your interview. By 11:40 a.m., I was called to window 9 for my interview. I was very calm. The consular officer and I exchanged pleasantries and he had me do an oath (saying everything I say/present is true). He was very pleasant, and he was smiling the whole time. He asked if I was ever arrested, convicted of a crime or felony or ever paid a fine. He opened up this huge file with all my documents and it had my petition too. He asked me a few questions. Here are some I remember (at least 90% of what was asked I believe): - *Looking at my work shirt* So you are a ********? Are you going to continue in the field when you enter the US? -Dami**** is your fiance? -Have you been to the US? -I see you have a few J1 visas, is that how you met? -Describe when you met -When did you start dating officially? -Do any of you have children? Been married before? -How old is he? How old are you? -What do you like the most about him? -So you'll be living in *****? -How long has he been living in *****? -Do you have any plans for the wedding? When? Where? How many people? It honestly did not feel like an interview. I was relaxed the whole time, he structured the questions in a way where it just felt like a conversation, not an interrogation. While he was asking me the questions, he was flipping through my petition and kept saying "Wow, nice", "Oh, this is neat", "Oh he's ****". He was so impressed. Our petition was fairly front-loaded in that we wrote a story as our declaration of how we met with accompanying photos from each stage of our relationship arranged in chronological order and supporting evidence such as hotel receipts, boarding passes, birthday/Christmas cards, letters etc.I was not asked for ANY evidence of our relationship at the interview. Like none. Ya girl was bummed cause I came readyyyy with the albums and wedding vendor contracts/emails lol When he asked about the wedding, I asked if he would like to see my invitations and he said yes. While I was handing them to him, he asked if it was a copy of it or the real thing but when he touched it he exclaimed "Oh it's the real thing. Wow!" (I designed it myself and had it printed on thick high quality card stock at a local print shop). He said he'd be right back and took it to show the other officers lol He came back and said "Okay,you're good to go!" and he handed me back the invitations and the original copy of my birth certificate. I said "That's it?!". He said "Yep, your documents will be ready in a few days, they will be delivered to your house via DHL". The interview lasted EXACTLY 5 minutes. By 11:45 a.m. I was through the door. Rating : Very Good

Timeline Comments: 10



*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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