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I Did It!!!!!!!

By FinnLove in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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FinnLove Proficient

FinnLove   0

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

:dance:

I just sent off the I-130 package for my husband (AKA Finn Man!)!!!! I'm so excited! I'd do the happy dance if I wasn't about to pass out from hunger. My fedex package weighed 7 lbs. YIKES! They'll probably laugh when they see all my exhibits in binders and a photo book. Oh well.

Now the wait starts...

Our timeline:

2/88: We met in Sydney, Australia at a youth hostel! He's Finnish, I'm American-both were in our early 20s at the time and fresh out of college (so couldn't afford to visit each other's countries after that!). We had a three-day romance, then went our separate ways. He actually was going to Sydney a week later, but decided at the last minute to cut his trip short in another country and go early. Wow.

1988-1998: Wrote "snail mail" letters/sent Xmas cards, but lived our separate lives. I married someone else, divorced in 2006...he lived with someone for years and then that ended.

10/08: Because of a series of random life events, I Googled my Finn Man and found him (but no link to his email, and the website his name was on was in Estonian so I couldn't even read it!). It took me two weeks to find a link to someone else, who forwarded my email to him (we were both single at the time thankfully!!!!). The email went to his spam folder but he happened to check it that day and responded back to me immediately! This was after 10 years of no contact and almost 21 years of not seeing each other after we first met.

11/08-5/09: We traveled back and forth to visit each other. Love at first (second?) sight!

7/09: Married in Helsinki, Finland...after meeting randomly 21 1/2 years ago and finding each other again!!!!!

8/13/09: I-130 sent!!!!!!!!!

Rest is on my timeline!

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Chris Me lil D Rising Star

Chris Me lil D   17

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Bulgaria
 Timeline
Posted
:dance:

I just sent off the I-130 package for my husband (AKA Finn Man!)!!!! I'm so excited! I'd do the happy dance if I wasn't about to pass out from hunger. My fedex package weighed 7 lbs. YIKES! They'll probably laugh when they see all my exhibits in binders and a photo book. Oh well.

Now the wait starts...

Good luck and have a safe journey :thumbs:

P.S. I'm sure they'll love ur binder :P

bulgaria_mwp.gifusa_mwp.gif

CSC USCIS ~CR-1 Visa~ Journey

2009-02-19 : I-130 package sent_________________2009-02-20 : I-130 Received in Chicago, IL

2009-02-27 : NOA1 Approved____________________2009-05-04 : NOA2 Approved

NVC ~CR-1 Visa~ Journey

2009-05-11 : NVC case # assigned

2009-05-19 : DS-3032/AOS Bill Generated__________2009-05-20 : DS-3032 e-mailed; AOS/I-864 Bill (paid online $70)

2009-05-26 : Sent In Completed I-864

2009-06-04 : e-mailed DS-3032 accepted by NVC____2009-06-04 : IV Fee bill generated, paid online $400

2009-06-08 : DS-230 mailed to NVC

2009-07-10 : Case complete - in 141 days

2009-07-21 : Interview expedite request e-mailed to NVC

2009-07-27 : NVC replied NO to expedite request

2009-07-29 : NVC e-mailed an interview date for Sept.15th

2009-08-07 : Case left NVC

2009-08-10 : DHL shipped file

2009-08-12 : Case received in USEM, Sofia

2009-08-24 : Medical scheduled

2009-08-25 : Interview re-scheduled

2009-08-28 : Visa in hand

2009-09-01 : US entry - Boston, MA

2009-09-15 : Welcome letter sent (21st Sept received)

2009-09-30 : GC production ordered

2009-10-08 : GC received

2010-02-01 : little D was born :)

VSC ~ROC~ Journey

2011-06-03 : mailed ROC package

2011-06-06: ROC NOA1

2011-07-08: Biometrics appointment

2012-02-25: GC Approval

2012-03-....: PGC received

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AbbynSheryl Proficient

AbbynSheryl   0

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

hey good luck, but u know immigration only and only have 15 minutes the maximum to review each application, i have no idea how much they can see of those 7 lbs in 15 minutes, any way wish u all the luck in the world. abby n sheryl

Our time line for CR1 visa took only 5 months and 1 week or 156 days; from the filing the I-130 on the 03-12-2009 to Approval of NOA2 on the 05/13/2009, then Interview on the 08/18/2009 at Manila, Philippines. We had a daughter on the 11-12-2010 named AISHA JOY means HAPPY LIFE.a1_opt-1.jpga2_opt-1.jpga3_opt-1.jpg

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FinnLove Proficient

FinnLove   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Finland
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

15 minutes? Well, now I'm laughing! I had no idea!!! Maybe I'll be well known for overdoing it and having the heaviest mailing box. Hey, they wanted proof of a "bonafide marriage" and they got it! We had nothing joint so I made binder exhibits. Well anyway, please tell me they'll forward all my beautiful binders and silly photobook on to NVC...but yes, I did get another photobook and have complete duplicate binders! I'm really not this organized in real life-that's why it's so funny. Maybe I'll get approved so fast so they can get my ####### off their desk!!!!

Hurry mly, hurry!!!!! We have to compare notes!

Our timeline:

2/88: We met in Sydney, Australia at a youth hostel! He's Finnish, I'm American-both were in our early 20s at the time and fresh out of college (so couldn't afford to visit each other's countries after that!). We had a three-day romance, then went our separate ways. He actually was going to Sydney a week later, but decided at the last minute to cut his trip short in another country and go early. Wow.

1988-1998: Wrote "snail mail" letters/sent Xmas cards, but lived our separate lives. I married someone else, divorced in 2006...he lived with someone for years and then that ended.

10/08: Because of a series of random life events, I Googled my Finn Man and found him (but no link to his email, and the website his name was on was in Estonian so I couldn't even read it!). It took me two weeks to find a link to someone else, who forwarded my email to him (we were both single at the time thankfully!!!!). The email went to his spam folder but he happened to check it that day and responded back to me immediately! This was after 10 years of no contact and almost 21 years of not seeing each other after we first met.

11/08-5/09: We traveled back and forth to visit each other. Love at first (second?) sight!

7/09: Married in Helsinki, Finland...after meeting randomly 21 1/2 years ago and finding each other again!!!!!

8/13/09: I-130 sent!!!!!!!!!

Rest is on my timeline!

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meowmeowmeow Proficient

meowmeowmeow   1

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

congratulations, that's great! i hope you guys will be reunited soon!

Timeline:

Sent in I-130 form: 01/29/09

Interview Date: 11/08/09 (APPROVED!)

Visa in Hand: 11/12/09

POE: 01/30/10 (!!!!) at JFK Airport in NYC... can't wait!

Got the green card maybe 8 weeks after 01/30/10...

TBC....

======================================================================

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FinnLove Proficient

FinnLove   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Finland
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thanks enraptured! I haven't seen him in three weeks now and I'm already going crazy...kind of funny that so many of us are married and don't even live with our spouses yet!!!! Some people have been telling me that's the perfect marriage. ha! Okay that's not so funny for all of us waiting...

Our timeline:

2/88: We met in Sydney, Australia at a youth hostel! He's Finnish, I'm American-both were in our early 20s at the time and fresh out of college (so couldn't afford to visit each other's countries after that!). We had a three-day romance, then went our separate ways. He actually was going to Sydney a week later, but decided at the last minute to cut his trip short in another country and go early. Wow.

1988-1998: Wrote "snail mail" letters/sent Xmas cards, but lived our separate lives. I married someone else, divorced in 2006...he lived with someone for years and then that ended.

10/08: Because of a series of random life events, I Googled my Finn Man and found him (but no link to his email, and the website his name was on was in Estonian so I couldn't even read it!). It took me two weeks to find a link to someone else, who forwarded my email to him (we were both single at the time thankfully!!!!). The email went to his spam folder but he happened to check it that day and responded back to me immediately! This was after 10 years of no contact and almost 21 years of not seeing each other after we first met.

11/08-5/09: We traveled back and forth to visit each other. Love at first (second?) sight!

7/09: Married in Helsinki, Finland...after meeting randomly 21 1/2 years ago and finding each other again!!!!!

8/13/09: I-130 sent!!!!!!!!!

Rest is on my timeline!

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FinnLove Proficient

FinnLove   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Finland
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Awww Mrs. E, you probably can tell that I have a special place in my heart for Australia! We're hoping to go there for our honeymoon (whenever that'll be!) and find the youth hostel where we first met, then go up to the Great Barrier Reef!

Our timeline:

2/88: We met in Sydney, Australia at a youth hostel! He's Finnish, I'm American-both were in our early 20s at the time and fresh out of college (so couldn't afford to visit each other's countries after that!). We had a three-day romance, then went our separate ways. He actually was going to Sydney a week later, but decided at the last minute to cut his trip short in another country and go early. Wow.

1988-1998: Wrote "snail mail" letters/sent Xmas cards, but lived our separate lives. I married someone else, divorced in 2006...he lived with someone for years and then that ended.

10/08: Because of a series of random life events, I Googled my Finn Man and found him (but no link to his email, and the website his name was on was in Estonian so I couldn't even read it!). It took me two weeks to find a link to someone else, who forwarded my email to him (we were both single at the time thankfully!!!!). The email went to his spam folder but he happened to check it that day and responded back to me immediately! This was after 10 years of no contact and almost 21 years of not seeing each other after we first met.

11/08-5/09: We traveled back and forth to visit each other. Love at first (second?) sight!

7/09: Married in Helsinki, Finland...after meeting randomly 21 1/2 years ago and finding each other again!!!!!

8/13/09: I-130 sent!!!!!!!!!

Rest is on my timeline!

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SuperDuper! Mentor

SuperDuper!   230

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Timeline
Posted
hey good luck, but u know immigration only and only have 15 minutes the maximum to review each application, i have no idea how much they can see of those 7 lbs in 15 minutes, any way wish u all the luck in the world. abby n sheryl

Abby, this is a VERY interesting bit of USCIS trivia. How did you learn this info? Do you have a friend that works there?

Sign-on-a-church-af.jpgLogic-af.jpgwwiao.gif

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kcoyclay1 Proficient

kcoyclay1   98

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Jamaica
 Timeline
Posted
15 minutes? Well, now I'm laughing! I had no idea!!! Maybe I'll be well known for overdoing it and having the heaviest mailing box. Hey, they wanted proof of a "bonafide marriage" and they got it! We had nothing joint so I made binder exhibits. Well anyway, please tell me they'll forward all my beautiful binders and silly photobook on to NVC...but yes, I did get another photobook and have complete duplicate binders! I'm really not this organized in real life-that's why it's so funny. Maybe I'll get approved so fast so they can get my ####### off their desk!!!!

Hurry mly, hurry!!!!! We have to compare notes!

The details of how you guys met and got reacquainted proves that what is yours will always be yours no matter the route or obstacles to attain it. I wish you guys a speedy and incident-free journey. Your seven pound mail is worth it regardless of the fifteen minutes. When it is forwarded in the process, the information enclosed will be worth the pounds and the cost to mail it. You did the right thing. Better send more than necessary than receive an RFE. Again, all the best.

STANLEY & KAREN
01/15/2009 - Fedex I-130, I-485, I-693, I-864, I-765, G-325A
01/20/2009 - Received in mail-room and signed for by J CHYBA
01/28/2009 - Checks cashed by Homeland Security
02/02/2009 - Received in mail 3 pcs of NOA1 one each for I-485, I-130, I-765 dated 01/28/2009
02/03/2009 - Received email RFE. What did I not send now, whew!
02/09/2009 - Received mails for initial evidence and Biometric appointment (02/19/2009); mailed evidence
02/19/2009 - biometrics done - in a out in 45 minutes
03/14/2009 - Receive NOA2 dated 03/10/2009. AOS interview April 29, 2009
03/18/2009 - Touched. EAD Card production ordered
03/25/2009 - Touched. EAD approval sent
03/27/2009 - EAD card received in the mail; applied for SS# immediately (office is across the street from my home)
04/02/2009 - Received SS# in the mail
04/29/2009 - Interviewed. I- 130 approved, I-485 pending IO's review
05/05/2009 - Received NOA2. Welcome letter for Permanent Residency. I-130 and I-485 approved 04/30/2009
05/08/2009 - Touched. I-485 approval letter sent
05/11/2009 - GC received in the mail. Expires 2019
05/11/2009 - Applied to remove restrictions on my SS Card
05/18/2009 - Received unrestricted SS card
10/13/2009 - My darling husband of 2 yrs 5 months 3 weeks 3 days passed away :(

Naturalization Process (5 Yrs Later) :goofy:

Mar 28, 2014 - Mailed N-400
Apr 08, 2014 - Check cashed
Apr 09, 2014 - Receive Notice letter Priority date April 3, 2014
Apr 11, 2014 - Touched - Email - Biometrics letter mailed
May 08, 2014 - Biometrics done
May 12, 2014 - Touched - Email - In line for interview scheduling
July 12, 2014 - Pre-interview letter (Yellow letter) received in mail
Aug 20, 2014 - Touched - Email - Interview scheduled
Aug 25, 2014 - Interview scheduled for Sept. 24, 2014
Sept 24, 2014 - Passed interview
Oct 06, 2014 - Touched - Email - In oath scheduling que
Oct 08, 2014 - Touched - Text - Oath ceremony scheduled
Oct 14, 2014 - Received letter - Oath ceremony Oct 28, 2014
Oct 28, 2014 - I AM A US CITIZEN! :joy: :joy: :joy:
Nov 12, 2014 - Updated my status from permanent resident to citizen at Social Security
Nov 14, 2014 - Applied for US passport
Nov 29, 2014 - Received US passport book
Dec 01, 2014 - Received Passport card
Dec 04, 2014 - Received Naturalization Certificate

--------------------
KayCee

Ccut.jpg.png

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FinnLove Proficient

FinnLove   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Finland
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thanks so much Kcoy! How sweet!

Our timeline:

2/88: We met in Sydney, Australia at a youth hostel! He's Finnish, I'm American-both were in our early 20s at the time and fresh out of college (so couldn't afford to visit each other's countries after that!). We had a three-day romance, then went our separate ways. He actually was going to Sydney a week later, but decided at the last minute to cut his trip short in another country and go early. Wow.

1988-1998: Wrote "snail mail" letters/sent Xmas cards, but lived our separate lives. I married someone else, divorced in 2006...he lived with someone for years and then that ended.

10/08: Because of a series of random life events, I Googled my Finn Man and found him (but no link to his email, and the website his name was on was in Estonian so I couldn't even read it!). It took me two weeks to find a link to someone else, who forwarded my email to him (we were both single at the time thankfully!!!!). The email went to his spam folder but he happened to check it that day and responded back to me immediately! This was after 10 years of no contact and almost 21 years of not seeing each other after we first met.

11/08-5/09: We traveled back and forth to visit each other. Love at first (second?) sight!

7/09: Married in Helsinki, Finland...after meeting randomly 21 1/2 years ago and finding each other again!!!!!

8/13/09: I-130 sent!!!!!!!!!

Rest is on my timeline!

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AbbynSheryl Proficient

AbbynSheryl   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
hey good luck, but u know immigration only and only have 15 minutes the maximum to review each application, i have no idea how much they can see of those 7 lbs in 15 minutes, any way wish u all the luck in the world. abby n sheryl

Abby, this is a VERY interesting bit of USCIS trivia. How did you learn this info? Do you have a friend that works there?

hey that tip cost me $1000.00 bcz i had a lawyer to do my I-130 and she told me i am going to prepare ur stuff like that they can see every thing in less than 10 mins bcz the total time the USCIS has on each application is 15 minutes, but that time i did not know about VJ. abby n sheryl

Our time line for CR1 visa took only 5 months and 1 week or 156 days; from the filing the I-130 on the 03-12-2009 to Approval of NOA2 on the 05/13/2009, then Interview on the 08/18/2009 at Manila, Philippines. We had a daughter on the 11-12-2010 named AISHA JOY means HAPPY LIFE.a1_opt-1.jpga2_opt-1.jpga3_opt-1.jpg

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Abiding Contributor

Abiding   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: El Salvador
 Timeline
Posted

I didn't send a bunch of evidence. I sent two sworn affadavits, one from my neighbor and one from the pastor who married us. That's it. I was approved.

I don't know why they require so much from some. I suppose it's because of the circumstances and the adjudicator. Good luck!

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