CanadiaGirl's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: Paul
Beneficiary's Name: Amanda
VJ Member: CanadiaGirl
Country: Canada
Last Updated: 2013-02-12
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Immigration Checklist for Paul & Amanda:
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USCIS 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 : |
Vermont Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Montreal, Canada |
| Marriage (if applicable): |
2009-04-18 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2010-03-04 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2010-03-30 |
| I-130 RFE : |
2010-03-18 |
| I-130 RFE Sent : |
2010-03-22 |
| I-130 Approved : |
2010-07-29 |
| NVC Received : |
2010-08-09 |
| Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : |
2010-08-11 |
| Pay AOS Bill : |
2010-09-18 |
| Receive I-864 Package : |
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| Send AOS Package : |
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| Submit DS-261 : |
2010-08-22 |
| Receive IV Bill : |
2010-09-02 |
| Pay IV Bill : |
2010-09-02 |
| Send IV Package : |
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| Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : |
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| Case Completed at NVC : |
2010-11-18 |
| NVC Left : |
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| Consulate Received : |
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| Packet 3 Received : |
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| Packet 3 Sent : |
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| Packet 4 Received : |
2010-12-30 |
| Interview Date : |
2011-02-23 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2011-03-03 |
| US Entry : |
2011-03-03 |
| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-130 was approved in 121 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 330 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
CDN-USA Border |
| POE Date : |
2011-03-03 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
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| Biometrics Taken : |
Yes |
| Harassment Level : |
0 |
| Comments : |
Crossed at the Queenston Lewiston Bridge at exactly 9:11pm. Went in and just sat. I was called up gave my packet to the officer then sat back down. Most of the waiting was just the officer doing the paper work. He was a very nice guy and gave us no issues. We didn't need a detailed list of my items.
I was called back up to give my finger prints and sign the papers. At 10:11 exactly an hour later we were in our car and on our way.
Overall this experience was rather painless for us. After reading visajourney and hearing about some of the problems people have had. I'm very grateful we were able to do it without a lawyer and in a relatively smooth manner all thanks to VJ's help!! Welcome to the USA!! :D |
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Lifting Conditions
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Vermont Service Center |
| Date Filed : |
2013-01-12 |
| NOA Date : |
2013-01-18 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2013-02-13 |
| Interview Date : |
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| Approval / Denial Date : |
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| Approved : |
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| Got I551 Stamp : |
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| Green Card Received : |
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| Comments : |
Our Cover letter -
Dear USCIS examiner:
Enclosed please find a JOINT I-751 petition for removal of conditions of permanent resident status regarding my wife, Amanda. My wife, Amanda entered the US on a CR-1. We are all happily living together and request that this petition be accepted for removal of conditions on the residence of my wife Amanda.
Contents include the following documents, constituting a petition for the Removal of Conditions on the Residence of Amanda B
Completed 1-751 JOINT Petition to remove Conditions on Residence
Money Order for $590 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Photocopy of both sides of Amanda B’s Permanent resident Card
Additional Information page - Previous addresses lived.
Enclosed also please find the following documents to verify the status of our marriage and ongoing relationship:
IDENTIFICATION
Copy of Passport for Amanda B
Copy of New York State Drivers License for Amanda B
Copy of New York State Drivers License for Paul B
RESIDENCE
Copy of rental agreement
FINANCE
Copy of 2011 Joint filed federal tax transcript for Paul and Amanda B.
Copy of Paul 401k listing Amanda B as beneficiary.
Copy of 2 shared AMEX credit card with transactions by Paul and Amanda B.
Copy of Homeowners Insurance Bill addressed to both Paul and Amanda B.
Copy of the title of our car, showing joint ownership.
Copy of various Bank statements showing a joint account at NBT Bank.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Copy of Fertility treatments with Paul and Amanda B.
Copy of Positive Pregnancy Blood test (resulting in our 3rd medically documented Miscarriage at 8 weeks)
Copy of Ultrasound from pregnancy that ended in a miscarriage
A copy of our hotel reservations for our 3rd wedding anniversary vacation we took to Montreal, Canada in April of 2012.
A copy of our airline reservations for a vacation that we took to Dominican Republic in August of 2012.
Copy of Holiday Cards addressed to Paul and Amanda B.
Pictures of vacations taken in April and August of 2012 and throughout our 2 years living together.
Copies of various mail items to the address both Amanda and Paul B reside at. |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
February 25, 2011 |
| Embassy Review : |
Overall this was a great experience with this consulate. We didn't have any issues what so ever. APPROVED!!!  Goodluck to all those with upcoming interviews.
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5 am- alarm came WAY too soon. I was a zombie when I got up getting ready but that part of the morning I don't entirely remember. Luckily I organized our documentation prior to going to sleep so brain function wasn't entirely needed.
*The consulate building doesn't allow electronics, big bags or brief cases. So my husband and I were armed with our organizational folder and my chest x rays and we left our cell phones in our room. (Bring a watch as we didn't have a way of telling time without our cells (outside at least).)There was no point in complicating things just take what we 'needed' to ensure we wouldn't be turned away to take unnecessary items back to our hotel room.
6:20- We got on the subway around 6:20 and arrived at our stop 5 mins later. We exited the metro and we managed to go the wrong way. Thank goodness my husband brought our map we received when we were driving down to Montreal. It was only a 10 min detour so no biggy.
6:40 - The entry process is a first come first serve basis. As many VJ'ers have stated. We walked up to the consulate doors and I'll admit it looked like side doors to a building over the consulate itself. A bit deceiving so my husband walked around the building to ensure we were indeed at the right doors. We lined up to the left side of the doors. We were the first ones there and patiently waited. Around 7am people started coming. Thank goodness it wasn't that cold out but my feet were starting to ache.
7:30 - Guard comes down and unchains the inside doors. Then takes his time to set things up. We were taken into the building after showing our appointment letter and passports. If you bring your US husband or wife they will also need to show their passports. We were instructed to take everything out of our pockets and put it in the basket. Then our coats were taken and scanned. We then went through the metal detector and were given our documents back.
At this time I expected to get a letter as many reviewers of the MTL consulate said they had received. But we didn't. We were asked to go downstairs and wait by the elevator.
At which time we were introduced to another VJ'er Deepa. We had a nice chat about the site and the general 'get to know' stuff. I truly think jus ttalking really helped ease my nervs! Deepa you both were such a pleasure to meet.
NOTE: I find out that 4 out of those 8 people in line were turned away because they had big bags, or brief cases. I felt bad because some of them were waiting a good 30 minutes. But it is clearly stated on many resources what to bring and what not to.
8:05 - Guard comes down and ushers everyone with an x ray into the elevator. If you are ushered in first fear not the doors open at the back. Once you're on the 19th floor you're lined up to then receive your letter. We received C2 and were second in line. From then everything to me was a blurr.
8:10 We sat down in chairs and no sooner was I called up (the board blinked C2 along with the window I had to go to)along side the nice couple we met. I had my finger prints taken electronically and gave them my 2 passport photos. I was then asked to go sit back down.
8:15- This time a person came over the PA and said my number and the window I was to report to. Please be sure to listen to the PA they were very soft and at times hard to tell if they were calling your name or not. Not that they wouldn't call it again but I thought I'd make mention that they do seem to be very soft.
I went to window 11 and signed one of the documents and handed them my medical. They didn't take my x-ray just the sealed envelope. This lady was extremely nice. I was asked to be seated once more.
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I concluded the next time would be our interview. I honestly didn't have enough time to get nervous.
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8:20- "Amanda B, please report to window 6". The very kind lady behind the window asked if I could hear her. She had to turn up the volume a smidgen. I'll admit I didn't realize it was the interview at that time, as I thought we'd be taken into some kind of a room. My husband and I stood there as she asked the following questions.
1. Where did you meet?
2. What do you do for work?
3. Have you ever been denied entry to the Us?
I expected a "You are approved." And perhaps she said it. Honestly I was in a haze as everything was going so fast. She said that everything looked great and handed me this letter that said 'Welcome to America'. As my husband and I left the window I found myself saying to him. "What do we do now? Are we done?" VJ'er Deepa soon after came out with her letter we gave each other a hug and I'm sure both gave a huge sigh of relief.
I thought I'd cry but again I think I was just so caught off guard that it was finished. After a year of this it was finally done! I seriously kept asking my husband "Are we really done? I feel like we've missed something. It can't be that easy."
8:36 - We walked out the doors as we squeezed past literally 20+ people getting into the building for the security scan. I still can't believe it was done.
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Every person we encountered at the consulate were completely nice including the guards. I mean within reason, they are guards after all but I didn't notice anything mean or 'intimidating' about them.
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Personal Notes:
1. Don't bring big bags, brief cases or purses. You will get turned away no matter how long you waited out in the cold for the doors to open.
2. Bring everything from the entire process. I had receipts, all of our submitted packages, photos, copies of original documents, and supporting documentation. I didn't have to use any of my documentation other than the interview letter. But I honestly feel it's best to be safe then sorry. From what I've read many have had to have some kind of supporting documents in one way or another.
3. LINE UP TO THE LEFT of the doors. I searched for this bit of advice on VJ as I knew there was a side to line up on, but is not marked when you get to the brown doors.
4. We stayed at Hotel Espresso and took the subway. I wouldn't suggest this hotel for the price you pay. We happened to get a deal on 'deal of the day' for this hotel.
If you have the opportunity to use the subway I would do so. The drop off is literally 4 min walk from the consulate. Not to mention we got a 24 hr (1 day) subway pass which also includes bus's and only paid 8$ per person. We used it the night before to go to dinner and enjoy a bit of Montreal. Even then if you only intend to use it once 6$ (there and back (3$ one way)) is a heck of a lot better then a $15 cab ride
5. Make sure everyone has their passports with them who will be entering the building with you. |
| 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
