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Peter&Dana

Our visa journey is finally over.

By Peter&Dana in Africa: Sub-Saharan

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Peter&Dana Apprentice

Peter&Dana   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
 Timeline
Posted

Praise to the one true God, whose mercies endure forever.

Today our case was approved by USCIS without an interview. Peter's green card is on the way! Maybe now we can celebrate our first anniversary in style, since he can come and go as he pleases (we did NOT want to pay for AP after all the fees USCIS has stolen from us already).

Here's the email all of you will expect to see in the future (in case you're curious!):

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The following is the latest information on your case status

Receipt Number: MSC05XXXXXXXX

Application Type: I485 , Application to Register Permanent Residence or to

Adjust Status

Current Status:

This case has been approved. On February 7, 2006, an approval notice was mailed.

If 14 days have passed and you have not received this notice, you may wish to

verify or update your address. To update your address, please call the National

Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status

results listed above, or if you have not received a decision or advice from

USCIS within the projected processing time frame*, please contact the National

Customer Service Center.

National Customer Service Center (800) 375-5283.

*The projected processing time frame can be found on the receipt notice that you

received from the USCIS.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sep, 1992 - First contact, as teenage penpals

1998 - Fell in love

Sep 12, 2002 - First meeting

Nov 13, 2003 - Engaged!

June 10, 2004 - I-129F expressed to Texas

June 15, 2004 - NOA1

Aug 12, 2004 - NOA2

Oct 2004 - Called Accra Embassy, picked up packet

Nov 23, 2004 - Got appt for Jan. 20

Dec 14, 2004 - Medicals & Vaccinations

Jan 13-23, 2005 - Dana goes to Ghana to attend interview

Jan 21, 2005 - Visa appointment! APPROVED!!!

Feb 4, 2005 - Visa pick-up date. Not yet processed. Peter told to come back Feb. 11! ARGH!

Feb 11 - Peter's brother gets visitor's visa to attend wedding. YES!

Feb 11, Part 2 - Peter got his passport back with the visa! Woohoo!

Feb 21, 2005 - Transit visa received

Feb 23, 2005 - Peter comes to Atlanta!

March 10, 2005 - Applied for SSN

Apr 2 - Wedding! Honeymoon!

Apr 18 - Reapplied for SSN (we never got it)

Apr 18 - Received marriage certificate in the mail

Apr 25 - Received SS card

Jun 19, 2005 - Submitted AOS and EAD

Jun 21, 2005 - AOS package received at Chicago Lockbox

Jul 1, 2005 - Checks cashed

Jul 5, 2005 - NOA's received for both AOS & EAD

Jul 6, 2005 - Walk-in biometrics

Aug 29, 2005 - EAD email approval (Dated 8/21) / EAD received same day

Nov 9, 2005 - I-485 forwarded to CSC

Jan 18,19,20,21 - Touched 4 times

Feb 7, 2006 - Case approved. We're free!

Mar 7, 2006 - Infopass appt - got I-551 stamp (Green card still not received)

Apr 3, 2006 - Got Welcome Letter and GC!

Oct 12, 2007 - Lifting of Conditions

Dec 2, 2009 - Naturalization!!!!!!

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Kanyiri Collaborator

Kanyiri   0

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ghana
 Timeline
Posted

That is wonderful! Congratulations! I can only imagine the relief you both must feel.

Celebrate in style...

K-1 (more detail in profile):

05-25-05 - Applied for I-129F

06-07-05 - Approved

12-01-05 - Picked up visa!!

AOS:

12-25-05 - Flight lands at JFK - EAD stamp

05-15-06 - Green card received!! Woo-hoo!!!

05-09-07 - Our first son born!

Removal of Conditions

01-29-08 - Mailed Removal of Conditions Application (overnight)

02-07-08 - Check Cashed

02-08-08 - NOA1

03-12-08 - Biometrics

12-12-08 - Card production ordered! Yay!

12-30-08 - 10 year card received! Yay!

Naturalization

01-12-10 - Mailed application

01-20-10 - NOA

02-16-10 - Biometrics

04-21-10 - Interview

04-21-10 - Oath ceremony - US CITIZEN!!!

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raymaga Mentor

raymaga   25

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats and best wishes!!!

"THE SHORT STORY"

KURT & RAYMA (K-1 Visa)

Oct. 9/03... I-129F sent to NSC

June 10/04... K-1 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

July 31/04... Entered U.S.

Aug. 28/04... WEDDING DAY!!!!

Aug. 30/04... I-485, I-765 & I-131 sent to Seattle

Dec. 10/04... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport stamped)

Sept. 9/06... I-751 sent to NSC

May 15/07... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Sept. 13/07... N-400 sent to NSC

Aug. 21/08... Interview - PASSED!!!!

Sept. 2/08... Oath Ceremony

Sept. 5/08... Sent in Voter Registration Card

Sept. 9/08... SSA office to change status to "U.S. citizen"

Oct. 8/08... Applied in person for U.S. Passport

Oct. 22/08... U.S. Passport received

DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!!

KAELY (K-2 Visa)

Apr. 6/05... DS-230, Part I faxed to Vancouver Consulate

May 26/05... K-2 Interview - APPROVED!!!!

Sept. 5/05... Entered U.S.

Sept. 7/05... I-485 & I-131 sent to CLB

Feb. 22/06... AOS Interview - APPROVED!!!!! (Passport NOT stamped)

Dec. 4/07... I-751 sent to NSC

May 23/08... 10-Yr. PR Card arrives in the mail

Mar. 22/11.... N-400 sent to AZ

June 27/11..... Interview - PASSED!!!

July 12/11..... Oath Ceremony

We're NOT lawyers.... just your average folks who had to find their own way!!!!! Anything we post here is simply our own opinions/suggestions/experiences and should not be taken as LAW!!!!

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mandolinv Explorer

mandolinv   0

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

Oh, that is so great. I am so happy for you. :)

Met on internet 6/04. Married at court house in Aba, Nigeria 12/04. 3/05 traditional ceremony in Nigeria w/ my picture. 12/05 finally together again. 4/06 ceremony/celebration in the states together

I 130

1/10/05-sent

2/11/05-NOA1

5/30-touch

6/16-rep contact

6/27-Approved

7/?/05-ds3032/i864 bill generated

7/22/05-sent payment $70

8/1/05-IV visa bill generated

8/11/05-sent bill overnight

8/20/05- rec. 864 packet

8/25/05- nvc rec. IV bill

8/29/05-overnight 864

9/6/05-rec. ds230 (waiting on husband info)

9/28/05-sent ds230

9/29/05-ds230 rec

11/9/05 RFE for orig. birth cert.

11/9/05-sent origional

11/29/05 case complete-abandoned for k-3

129f

3/2/05 sent 3/15/04 noa 1 6/17/05 touched

6/20/05 touched 6/29/05 -heard approved on phone

7/21/05 - husband got packet/interview date at consulate

12/15/05- visa Approved!

12/20/05 picked up visa

AOS

1/9/06 mailed AOS & EAD

1/18/06 NOA 1 AOS and EAD

2/8/06 received appt. notice for bio

2/2/06 EAD touched

2/22/06 EAD touched

3/6/06 apt. date for both bio.

3/7/06 AOS/EAD touched

3/10/06 EAD on it's way

3/14/06 received EAD

3/20/06 filed for ssn

3/28/06 rec ssn

5/10/06 rec noa for AOS interview on June 26

6/22/06 found out pregnant- So happy!!!!

6/26/06 interview-Officer led us to believe we'd have card soon

7/8/06 e-mail stating welcome letter on it's way!

7/13/06 rec. Green card. Yipee!!

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Oly Enthusiast

Oly   0

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Peru
 Timeline
Posted

:dance: Congratulations and Best wishes

OLY AND DIDIER

AOS PROCESS

Finally we sent our AOS and EAD paperwork.

09-13-2006 AOS/EAD package sent via FedEX to USCIS in Chicago.

09-22-2006 Received NOA by Mail for AOS and EAD

09-29-2006 Received Appointment Notice for Biometrics

10-04-2006 Biometrics done for AOS and EAD

10-10-2006 NOA by Mail Regarding Transfer to CSC

11-21-2006 AOS touched

12-06-2006 AOS approved (online status)

12-11-2006 Green Card Arrived - Woo Whoo

12-12-2006 Welcome Letter by mail

Removing Conditions I-751

09-09-2008 Sent Package

09-15-2008 Received I-751 NOA1 (Notice date: 09-10-2008)

10-01-2008 Received Biometrics Appointment (Notice date: 09-26-2008)

10-15-2008 Biometrics date: 09-30-2008

12-12-2008 Card production Ordered

Citizenship Process

10-26-2009 Sent N400 - Citizenship Application

10-30-2009 NOA notice date

11-02-2009 Received NOA in mailbox

11-19-2009 Received Fingerprint Notification notice

11-20-2009 Fingerprint taken

01-29-2010 Passed Interview

02-19-2010 Oath Ceremony

02-23-2010 Ordered passport book and card :)

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Cassie Mentor

Cassie   8

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congratulations!!!! :)

*Cheryl -- Nova Scotia ....... Jerry -- Oklahoma*

Jan 17, 2014 N-400 submitted

Jan 27, 2014 NOA received and cheque cashed

Feb 13, 2014 Biometrics scheduled

Nov 7, 2014 NOA received and interview scheduled


MAY IS NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
Educate Yourself on the Warning Signs of Stroke -- talk to me, I am a survivor!

"Life is as the little shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset" ---Crowfoot

The true measure of a society is how those who have treat those who don't.

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MaryandMian Mentor

MaryandMian   1

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Pakistan
 Timeline
Posted

Congratulations,

Mary

Everything I respond to is from personal knowledge, research or experience and I am in no means a lawyer or do I claim to be one. Everyone should read, research and be responsible for your own journey.

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onwa Collaborator

onwa   6

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
Posted

Congrats! I can't wait for us to say the same thing!

February 17, 2005--mailed in I 129F to CSC!

February 24, 2005--1st NOA

March 15, 2005--2nd NOA

April 11, 2005--Fiance receives Packet 3

May 19, 2005 Fax Checklist(Nigeria police report finally arrives)

June 6, 2005-- Interview Date!!!!Visa approved!!

June 18, 2005--Fiancee arrives in Hawaii!

August 14, 2005--wedding in Oregon

September 12, 2005--sent in AOS

September 20, 2005--1st NOA AOS

September 23, 2005--Walk-in biometrics completed

October 1, 2005--fingerprints received/processing resumed

November 26, 2005--EAD card received in mail

June 7, 2006--contact senators about AOS

June 28, 2006--senator says interview date is for August 14!!

August 14, 2006--AOS interview and 1 year wedding anniversary

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Peggy Experienced

Peggy   1

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats :D

PEGGY & ROGER

3dflagsdotcom_canad_2fawm.gif3dflagsdotcom_usa_2fawm.gif

K-1/K-2 VISA'S APPROVED IN MONTREAL MAY 2, 2005

K-1/K-2 AOS APPROVED IN ATLANTA MAY 17, 2006

10 year GC Approved - APRIL 16th ,2009 - Peggy and Jonathan's......

Still waiting for our cards...Had to file I-90 as they sent them to the wrong address.

March 9th, 2010, Received GC that has been lost in the mail for 10 months. Still waiting for my son's that is lost as well.

Filed Waiver for my son's 10 year GC and it was approved. He finally received his GC after its been missing for 2 years.

Thanking God this is over for 10 years.

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Satisfaction Collaborator

Satisfaction   1

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Timeline
Posted

CONGRATULATIONS! SO GOOD NEWS!

Ps: I don't mean to cool the ice here, but the journey with USCIS is not exactly "over" until one becomes a US Citizen (not an obligation). Just be careful. It's not easy to say "bye bye" to DHS you know! :whistle: Most people (like I did) find themselves dealing with DHS again at some point, even after getting their Greencard. There are certain conditions to "hold" a green card: i.e. residing in the US for 6 months out of the year is an example (except with the "authorization" of DHS). Greencard holders can be deported for committing fraud or for being convicted of a crime (I don't know all the rules here). Especially since 9/11, even some minor offenses have caused a few immigrants a lot of truble with DHS, even though they had lived in the US for years. I've read this horrible stories in the news quite a few times....

Sometimes I think I know everything, and I regain consciousness. Seen it all, done it all, forgot most of it....

So much plenitude, yet so much emptiness

everest-summit.jpg

The Journey, Part I: I-129F (K-3)

I 129F sent to Chicago 11/14/05

NOA1 12/14/05, received by snail mail 12/23/05

NOA2 01/17/06, received by snail mail 01/20/05

Received Packet "3" 02/17/06

Medicals done in Nairobi 03/22/06

VISA APPROVED in Nairobi 03/30/06

Husband arrives ni USA!

The Journey, Part II: EAD and AOS

EAD mailed to Chicago 05/17/06

horserun.gif

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Peter&Dana Apprentice

Peter&Dana   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Thanks so much for your well wishes everyone! I know that the journey of life is not over, but the hard parts certainly are. Peter doesn't even know yet - he doesn't have email at work! I can't wait to surprise him.

CONGRATULATIONS! SO GOOD NEWS!

Ps: I don't mean to cool the ice here, but the journey with USCIS is not exactly "over" until one becomes a US Citizen (not an obligation). Just be careful. It's not easy to say "bye bye" to DHS you know! :whistle: Most people (like I did) find themselves dealing with DHS again at some point, even after getting their Greencard. There are certain conditions to "hold" a green card: i.e. residing in the US for 6 months out of the year is an example (except with the "authorization" of DHS). Greencard holders can be deported for committing fraud or for being convicted of a crime (I don't know all the rules here). Especially since 9/11, even some minor offenses have caused a few immigrants a lot of truble with DHS, even though they had lived in the US for years. I've read this horrible stories in the news quite a few times....

Of course, true to Visa Journey form, there has to be a party pooper. *sigh*

No offense Satisfaction, but posts like yours are exactly the reason why I rarely post at VJ anymore. I try to escape it by posting almost solely in the Sub-Saharan forum. I'm no fool - I know the potential challenges that may occur in the future, but my visa journey is OVER. O-V-E-R. At this point, any other things that happen in our marriage will simply be a part of life as an international, dual residence, married couple, and not a result of being "pending status."

I don't even care if I sound harsh anymore - I just wish people would keep the negativity and fear-based "advice" to themselves. I'm fed up to here with it.

Edited by Peter&Dana

Sep, 1992 - First contact, as teenage penpals

1998 - Fell in love

Sep 12, 2002 - First meeting

Nov 13, 2003 - Engaged!

June 10, 2004 - I-129F expressed to Texas

June 15, 2004 - NOA1

Aug 12, 2004 - NOA2

Oct 2004 - Called Accra Embassy, picked up packet

Nov 23, 2004 - Got appt for Jan. 20

Dec 14, 2004 - Medicals & Vaccinations

Jan 13-23, 2005 - Dana goes to Ghana to attend interview

Jan 21, 2005 - Visa appointment! APPROVED!!!

Feb 4, 2005 - Visa pick-up date. Not yet processed. Peter told to come back Feb. 11! ARGH!

Feb 11 - Peter's brother gets visitor's visa to attend wedding. YES!

Feb 11, Part 2 - Peter got his passport back with the visa! Woohoo!

Feb 21, 2005 - Transit visa received

Feb 23, 2005 - Peter comes to Atlanta!

March 10, 2005 - Applied for SSN

Apr 2 - Wedding! Honeymoon!

Apr 18 - Reapplied for SSN (we never got it)

Apr 18 - Received marriage certificate in the mail

Apr 25 - Received SS card

Jun 19, 2005 - Submitted AOS and EAD

Jun 21, 2005 - AOS package received at Chicago Lockbox

Jul 1, 2005 - Checks cashed

Jul 5, 2005 - NOA's received for both AOS & EAD

Jul 6, 2005 - Walk-in biometrics

Aug 29, 2005 - EAD email approval (Dated 8/21) / EAD received same day

Nov 9, 2005 - I-485 forwarded to CSC

Jan 18,19,20,21 - Touched 4 times

Feb 7, 2006 - Case approved. We're free!

Mar 7, 2006 - Infopass appt - got I-551 stamp (Green card still not received)

Apr 3, 2006 - Got Welcome Letter and GC!

Oct 12, 2007 - Lifting of Conditions

Dec 2, 2009 - Naturalization!!!!!!

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S&S Enthusiast

S&S   1

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

congratulations! :dance::dance::dance: i'm sure it's a huge relief. pls don't stop coming to vj. i miss reading all the posts from the vjers who have disappeared. I hope some of u come back at least once in a while to update :)

06/06/05 I-130 NOA1

06/14/05 K-3 NOA1

07/08/05 k-3 NOA2

07/22/05 K-3 leaves NVC to Lagos

08/08/05 Hubby picks up interview packet from embassy

11/17/05 K-3 interview (denied, C.O refused to take co-sponsor for k-3)

12/16/05 I-130 NOA2

01/03/06 NVC assigns case number

02/15/06 Case complete (thank you James Shortcuts- only 6 weeks!)

04/19/06 tired of waiting, filed k-3 #2 ( petition is still lost in oblivion)

09/11/06 NVC scheduled CR-1 interview/ on to Lagos (thank God after 7 months of waiting!)

10/14/06 Interview date (success!)

10/18/06 Hubby goes to pick up visa- not ready ( ugh what's going on!)

10/19/06 Visa in hand ( thank you God!)

10/29/06 Together at last :)

Whole process 1 year and 4 months

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blah0323 Enthusiast

blah0323   0

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Germany
 Timeline
Posted
:dance: This great!!! I hope that our process goes as smooth as yours did.

7/20/05 - Visa received in the mail

9/13/05 - Arrival to Texas FINALLY!!!

12/2/05 - Wedding

1/25/06 - AOS/EAD sent

1/26/06 - AOS/EAD received at USCIS

02/4/06 - NOA received for EAD

02/6/06 - NOA received for AOS

02/7/06 - ASC appt notice rcv'd

03/2/06 - Biometrics appt.

05/15/06 - AOS Approval (stamp in passport)

05/23/06 - Received Welcome letter

05/26/06 - Green Card arrived in mail yaaaahhooooo

08/10/06 - Hubby 1st job in US

05/15/08 - ??? what next

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