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

Just want to put in a huge shout out to all the former members of VJ that continue to stay on to help us in our journey to our loved ones...without your input, knowledge and former experience, we would be searching and reaching for answers that we may never find. So .....thanks so much for all you do to help guide us, support us, give us less stress in this long journey... :star:

10/02/2010 Nikah/Marriage in Karachi
USCIS JOURNEY
11/10/2010 -Sent
03/24/2011 i 130 approved!!!
NVC JOURNEY
03/30/2011 NVC received case-04/07/2011 NVC Case Number Assigned
05/03/2011 CASE COMPLETE- In Que for INTERVIEW!!-05/17/2011 Received interview letter and info via email
EMBASSY JOURNEY
05/20/2011 Medical Appt/passed
06/15/2011 Interview result AP
06/21/2011 Submitted requested docs..under review
07/25/2011 CO called did phone interview result: PENDING MANDATORY AP/CO told us they have to do namechecks

03/07/2013 Case returned to USCIS waiting for NOIR/reaffirmation

04/18/2013 USCIS received case for review

08/19/2013 Received NOIR to respond by 9/18/2013

9/9/2013 Responded to NOIR/USCIS received documents awaiting response

9/20/2013 USCIS reaffirmed sent to embassy

1/04/14 Case opened for review

8/31/15 Interview- no questions visa approved on the spot

9/8/15 visa status issued

9/10/15 visa received

9/19/15 POE Charlotte

p9WGm4.png

Filed: Other Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Just want to put in a huge shout out to all the former members of VJ that continue to stay on to help us in our journey to our loved ones...without your input, knowledge and former experience, we would be searching and reaching for answers that we may never find. So .....thanks so much for all you do to help guide us, support us, give us less stress in this long journey... :star:

GOD BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND SENTIMENTS!!!!! We're all in this together. good.gifgood.gifgood.gif

IR5

2007-07-27 – Case complete at NVC waiting on the world or at least MTL.

2007-12-19 - INTERVIEW AT MTL, SPLIT DECISION.

2007-12-24-Mom's I-551 arrives, Pop's still in purgatory (AP)

2008-03-11-AP all done, Pop is approved!!!!

tumblr_lme0c1CoS21qe0eclo1_r6_500.gif

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

You're very gracious, si man. :)

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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

Just want to put in a huge shout out to all the former members of VJ that continue to stay on to help us in our journey to our loved ones...without your input, knowledge and former experience, we would be searching and reaching for answers that we may never find. So .....thanks so much for all you do to help guide us, support us, give us less stress in this long journey... :star:

I second that :thumbs:

VJ is what it is - a bottomless well of knowledge - thanks to the people who are done with their process and could have left this forum but never did.

Thank you!

USCIS Stage (147 days)

12/24/2010 - I-130 Sent

12/28/2010 - NOA1 (Receipt)

05/23/2011 - NOA2 (Approved)

NVC Stage

06-07-2011 NVC received

06-08-2011 Case # and IIN # assigned

06-09-2011 Received DS-3032/AOS bill

06-10-2011 Paid AOS Bill

06-10-2011 Returned Completed DS-3032

06-15-2011 Received I-864 Package

06-16-2011 Returned I-864 Package

06-16-2011 Received IV Bill

06-17-2011 Paid IV Bill

06-22-2011 Returned DS-230 (IV Package)

07-07-2011 Case Closed J

07-13-2011 Interview Date Assigned

US Consulate in Warsaw

08-24-2011 @ 8.45am - - > 240 days from NOA1 --> APPROVED! :-)

POE Chicago ORD --> 9.03.2011

event.png

Posted

Just want to put in a huge shout out to all the former members of VJ that continue to stay on to help us in our journey to our loved ones...without your input, knowledge and former experience, we would be searching and reaching for answers that we may never find. So .....thanks so much for all you do to help guide us, support us, give us less stress in this long journey... :star:

Just want to put in a huge shout out to all the former members of VJ that continue to stay on to help us in our journey to our loved ones...without your input, knowledge and former experience, we would be searching and reaching for answers that we may never find. So .....thanks so much for all you do to help guide us, support us, give us less stress in this long journey... :star:

02/2003 - Met

08/24/09 I-129F; 09/02 NOA1; 10/14 NOA2; 11/24 interview; 11/30 K-1 VISA (92 d); 12/29 POE 12/31/09 Marriage

03/29/-04/06/10 - AOS sent/rcd; 04/13 NOA1; AOS 2 NBC

04/14 $1010 cashed; 04/19 NOA1

04/28 Biom.

06/16 EAD/AP

06/24 Infops; AP mail

06/28 EAD mail; travel 2 BKK; return 07/17

07/20/10 interview, 4d. b4 I-129F anniv. APPROVAL!*

08/02/10 GC

08/09/10 SSN

2012-05-16 Lifting Cond. - I-751 sent

2012-06-27 Biom,

2013-01-10 7 Mo, 2 Wks. & 5 days - 10 Yr. PR Card (no interview)

*2013-04-22 Apply for citizenship (if she desires at that time) 90 days prior to 3yr anniversary of P. Residence

Posted

Just want to put in a huge shout out to all the former members of VJ that continue to stay on to help us in our journey to our loved ones...without your input, knowledge and former experience, we would be searching and reaching for answers that we may never find. So .....thanks so much for all you do to help guide us, support us, give us less stress in this long journey... :star:

Thanks for your kind words, but just a point of "diction" - you meant to say thanks to all the members with completed visa journeys

who continue to stay on.good.gif A former member is no longer a member.

About a month ago, I happened to spot a quite ragged paperback book at the local library and said "this one must be very very popular."

Turned out to be Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

He was a mountain climber on K2 that was helped by people in a village in northern Pakistan after getting lost coming down

from a glacier after a rescue mission. They had only an open-air school in a barley field and a little girl asked him to build a school.

He came back and built that school and many more - it became his life's work.

He founded an NGO, the "Central Asia Institute" to build schools and perform relief work.

All of this without the fame/clout of Hilary who did similar work among the Sherpa.

This book was very good, but written by a ghost writer so it didn't have the immediacy of a "1st person" account.

Right now I'm half way through Stones Into Schools which IS written in the first person and from my perspective, so much better.

This guy has done more than US foreign aid or any UN development agency with practically no resources.

The key to what he was doing was to empower the local people - they would donate the land and free labor

and he would furnish the materials and assist with teachers salaries. The local people would be totally in

control of the curriculum, which was a good alternative to the terrorist madrasas which the Saudis were building

everywhere in Pakistan. Typical aid agencies were always about telling the local people what to do and

treating them as children. He earned their respect by letting them teach HIM.

I think he would be a great non-political candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize

The story of Stones Into Schools is how he extended this model to neighboring Afghanistan,

with the cooperation of the local people but not initially with the Afghan government.

His philosophy was to build schools not where the government asked him to but where the

need was the greatest - in this case, the "Wakhan Corridor" (the Roof of the World).

When he went to Kabul to get government approval for the projects that he had already initiated

with the support of the local people, he was told these three things by the finance minister:

"There are plenty of schools in the Wakhan"

"The Wakhan is not part of Afghanistan, it is in China."

"There are no people living in the Wakhan."

I was in Afghanistan 40 years ago, I know how crazy the government bureaucracy can be.

02/2003 - Met

08/24/09 I-129F; 09/02 NOA1; 10/14 NOA2; 11/24 interview; 11/30 K-1 VISA (92 d); 12/29 POE 12/31/09 Marriage

03/29/-04/06/10 - AOS sent/rcd; 04/13 NOA1; AOS 2 NBC

04/14 $1010 cashed; 04/19 NOA1

04/28 Biom.

06/16 EAD/AP

06/24 Infops; AP mail

06/28 EAD mail; travel 2 BKK; return 07/17

07/20/10 interview, 4d. b4 I-129F anniv. APPROVAL!*

08/02/10 GC

08/09/10 SSN

2012-05-16 Lifting Cond. - I-751 sent

2012-06-27 Biom,

2013-01-10 7 Mo, 2 Wks. & 5 days - 10 Yr. PR Card (no interview)

*2013-04-22 Apply for citizenship (if she desires at that time) 90 days prior to 3yr anniversary of P. Residence

Filed: Other Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Thanks for your kind words, but just a point of "diction" - you meant to say thanks to all the members with completed visa journeys

who continue to stay on.good.gif A former member is no longer a member.

About a month ago, I happened to spot a quite ragged paperback book at the local library and said "this one must be very very popular."

Turned out to be Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson.

He was a mountain climber on K2 that was helped by people in a village in northern Pakistan after getting lost coming down

from a glacier after a rescue mission. They had only an open-air school in a barley field and a little girl asked him to build a school.

He came back and built that school and many more - it became his life's work.

He founded an NGO, the "Central Asia Institute" to build schools and perform relief work.

All of this without the fame/clout of Hilary who did similar work among the Sherpa.

This book was very good, but written by a ghost writer so it didn't have the immediacy of a "1st person" account.

Right now I'm half way through Stones Into Schools which IS written in the first person and from my perspective, so much better.

This guy has done more than US foreign aid or any UN development agency with practically no resources.

The key to what he was doing was to empower the local people - they would donate the land and free labor

and he would furnish the materials and assist with teachers salaries. The local people would be totally in

control of the curriculum, which was a good alternative to the terrorist madrasas which the Saudis were building

everywhere in Pakistan. Typical aid agencies were always about telling the local people what to do and

treating them as children. He earned their respect by letting them teach HIM.

I think he would be a great non-political candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize

The story of Stones Into Schools is how he extended this model to neighboring Afghanistan,

with the cooperation of the local people but not initially with the Afghan government.

His philosophy was to build schools not where the government asked him to but where the

need was the greatest - in this case, the "Wakhan Corridor" (the Roof of the World).

When he went to Kabul to get government approval for the projects that he had already initiated

with the support of the local people, he was told these three things by the finance minister:

"There are plenty of schools in the Wakhan"

"The Wakhan is not part of Afghanistan, it is in China."

"There are no people living in the Wakhan."

I was in Afghanistan 40 years ago, I know how crazy the government bureaucracy can be.

A VJ Bodhisattva?

IR5

2007-07-27 – Case complete at NVC waiting on the world or at least MTL.

2007-12-19 - INTERVIEW AT MTL, SPLIT DECISION.

2007-12-24-Mom's I-551 arrives, Pop's still in purgatory (AP)

2008-03-11-AP all done, Pop is approved!!!!

tumblr_lme0c1CoS21qe0eclo1_r6_500.gif

Posted

A VJ Bodhisattva?

I just thought I'd share that as I've been reading about him for the last month or so,

as the OP is from Pakistan.

I was in Afghanistan myself over 35 years ago and so many of the things

Mortenson experienced had a ring of familiarity.

I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia and had a lot of

interaction with rural farmers. The folks who live on next to nothing

are truly the salt of the earth.

I'd like to know if Mortenson is known to the OP.

02/2003 - Met

08/24/09 I-129F; 09/02 NOA1; 10/14 NOA2; 11/24 interview; 11/30 K-1 VISA (92 d); 12/29 POE 12/31/09 Marriage

03/29/-04/06/10 - AOS sent/rcd; 04/13 NOA1; AOS 2 NBC

04/14 $1010 cashed; 04/19 NOA1

04/28 Biom.

06/16 EAD/AP

06/24 Infops; AP mail

06/28 EAD mail; travel 2 BKK; return 07/17

07/20/10 interview, 4d. b4 I-129F anniv. APPROVAL!*

08/02/10 GC

08/09/10 SSN

2012-05-16 Lifting Cond. - I-751 sent

2012-06-27 Biom,

2013-01-10 7 Mo, 2 Wks. & 5 days - 10 Yr. PR Card (no interview)

*2013-04-22 Apply for citizenship (if she desires at that time) 90 days prior to 3yr anniversary of P. Residence

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

I just thought I'd share that as I've been reading about him for the last month or so,

as the OP is from Pakistan.

I was in Afghanistan myself over 35 years ago and so many of the things

Mortenson experienced had a ring of familiarity.

I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia and had a lot of

interaction with rural farmers. The folks who live on next to nothing

are truly the salt of the earth.

I'd like to know if Mortenson is known to the OP.

Actually I've recently heard about the Three cups of TEa book...but considering the last two years ive worked 7 days weekly up til now haven't had much leisure time...however, if you recommend the book I will definitely see if i can purchase/borrow etc...and take up a weekend relaxing with a book ;)

10/02/2010 Nikah/Marriage in Karachi
USCIS JOURNEY
11/10/2010 -Sent
03/24/2011 i 130 approved!!!
NVC JOURNEY
03/30/2011 NVC received case-04/07/2011 NVC Case Number Assigned
05/03/2011 CASE COMPLETE- In Que for INTERVIEW!!-05/17/2011 Received interview letter and info via email
EMBASSY JOURNEY
05/20/2011 Medical Appt/passed
06/15/2011 Interview result AP
06/21/2011 Submitted requested docs..under review
07/25/2011 CO called did phone interview result: PENDING MANDATORY AP/CO told us they have to do namechecks

03/07/2013 Case returned to USCIS waiting for NOIR/reaffirmation

04/18/2013 USCIS received case for review

08/19/2013 Received NOIR to respond by 9/18/2013

9/9/2013 Responded to NOIR/USCIS received documents awaiting response

9/20/2013 USCIS reaffirmed sent to embassy

1/04/14 Case opened for review

8/31/15 Interview- no questions visa approved on the spot

9/8/15 visa status issued

9/10/15 visa received

9/19/15 POE Charlotte

p9WGm4.png

Filed: Other Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

I just thought I'd share that as I've been reading about him for the last month or so,

as the OP is from Pakistan.

I was in Afghanistan myself over 35 years ago and so many of the things

Mortenson experienced had a ring of familiarity.

I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia and had a lot of

interaction with rural farmers. The folks who live on next to nothing

are truly the salt of the earth.

I'd like to know if Mortenson is known to the OP.

Thongd, I wasn't razzing you. It's just that the OP statements reminded me of the concept of reaching nirvana (by analogy US Immigration) and coming back to help others. As usual your experiences are far more interesting than mine.:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

IR5

2007-07-27 – Case complete at NVC waiting on the world or at least MTL.

2007-12-19 - INTERVIEW AT MTL, SPLIT DECISION.

2007-12-24-Mom's I-551 arrives, Pop's still in purgatory (AP)

2008-03-11-AP all done, Pop is approved!!!!

tumblr_lme0c1CoS21qe0eclo1_r6_500.gif

Posted

Actually I've recently heard about the Three cups of TEa book...but considering the last two years ive worked 7 days weekly up til now haven't had much leisure time...however, if you recommend the book I will definitely see if i can purchase/borrow etc...and take up a weekend relaxing with a book ;)

I got both from the public library; it probably depends on whether you live in a big population center,

as if you do they are more likely to have it.

02/2003 - Met

08/24/09 I-129F; 09/02 NOA1; 10/14 NOA2; 11/24 interview; 11/30 K-1 VISA (92 d); 12/29 POE 12/31/09 Marriage

03/29/-04/06/10 - AOS sent/rcd; 04/13 NOA1; AOS 2 NBC

04/14 $1010 cashed; 04/19 NOA1

04/28 Biom.

06/16 EAD/AP

06/24 Infops; AP mail

06/28 EAD mail; travel 2 BKK; return 07/17

07/20/10 interview, 4d. b4 I-129F anniv. APPROVAL!*

08/02/10 GC

08/09/10 SSN

2012-05-16 Lifting Cond. - I-751 sent

2012-06-27 Biom,

2013-01-10 7 Mo, 2 Wks. & 5 days - 10 Yr. PR Card (no interview)

*2013-04-22 Apply for citizenship (if she desires at that time) 90 days prior to 3yr anniversary of P. Residence

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

I got both from the public library; it probably depends on whether you live in a big population center,

as if you do they are more likely to have it.

I'll definitely check it out then... now that we finally have our NVC packets complete and im mailing them today....Inshallah they will be accepted with little or not issues...n then onto interview...so ill have some extra time during my weekends now :) thanks for the info on the book im anxious now to read it :) and I do agree with you....when I was in KArachi i felt so grounded to life...like it was real ...here in usa we get so sidetracked with things we really dont need but want....in karachi it ws all about life not the luxuries one wants....and the ppl were happy not sad about it :)

10/02/2010 Nikah/Marriage in Karachi
USCIS JOURNEY
11/10/2010 -Sent
03/24/2011 i 130 approved!!!
NVC JOURNEY
03/30/2011 NVC received case-04/07/2011 NVC Case Number Assigned
05/03/2011 CASE COMPLETE- In Que for INTERVIEW!!-05/17/2011 Received interview letter and info via email
EMBASSY JOURNEY
05/20/2011 Medical Appt/passed
06/15/2011 Interview result AP
06/21/2011 Submitted requested docs..under review
07/25/2011 CO called did phone interview result: PENDING MANDATORY AP/CO told us they have to do namechecks

03/07/2013 Case returned to USCIS waiting for NOIR/reaffirmation

04/18/2013 USCIS received case for review

08/19/2013 Received NOIR to respond by 9/18/2013

9/9/2013 Responded to NOIR/USCIS received documents awaiting response

9/20/2013 USCIS reaffirmed sent to embassy

1/04/14 Case opened for review

8/31/15 Interview- no questions visa approved on the spot

9/8/15 visa status issued

9/10/15 visa received

9/19/15 POE Charlotte

p9WGm4.png

Posted

Thanks for the thanks :D but I actually enjoy all things immigration, so I'd be shooting myself in the foot to leave. :)

Ditto.

I discovered VJ about a month before intending to file for our K-1.

Prior to getting onboard I never had the intention of using a lawyer or other outside assistance

because I felt that if we used a lawyer the petition would be tainted with an assumption of fraud

when our relationship was 100% genuine. After all, every required document is in English.

When I saw the resources that VJ has, it was a no-brainer to stick around for the help as well

as the friendship.

02/2003 - Met

08/24/09 I-129F; 09/02 NOA1; 10/14 NOA2; 11/24 interview; 11/30 K-1 VISA (92 d); 12/29 POE 12/31/09 Marriage

03/29/-04/06/10 - AOS sent/rcd; 04/13 NOA1; AOS 2 NBC

04/14 $1010 cashed; 04/19 NOA1

04/28 Biom.

06/16 EAD/AP

06/24 Infops; AP mail

06/28 EAD mail; travel 2 BKK; return 07/17

07/20/10 interview, 4d. b4 I-129F anniv. APPROVAL!*

08/02/10 GC

08/09/10 SSN

2012-05-16 Lifting Cond. - I-751 sent

2012-06-27 Biom,

2013-01-10 7 Mo, 2 Wks. & 5 days - 10 Yr. PR Card (no interview)

*2013-04-22 Apply for citizenship (if she desires at that time) 90 days prior to 3yr anniversary of P. Residence

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

Ditto.

I discovered VJ about a month before intending to file for our K-1.

Prior to getting onboard I never had the intention of using a lawyer or other outside assistance

because I felt that if we used a lawyer the petition would be tainted with an assumption of fraud

when our relationship was 100% genuine. After all, every required document is in English.

When I saw the resources that VJ has, it was a no-brainer to stick around for the help as well

as the friendship.

I agree and sadly tho I'm seeing more ppl getting messed up using lawyers actually...i think unless you have a complicated case its best to do it on your own...i do have a lawyer who gives me advice only when i need it but this has been straight forward case for us so i guess its best if you can do it on your own to at least try...takes less time i see that one for sure;) thats why i put the shout out here bcos so many ppl have stayed around helping all of us newbies :D

10/02/2010 Nikah/Marriage in Karachi
USCIS JOURNEY
11/10/2010 -Sent
03/24/2011 i 130 approved!!!
NVC JOURNEY
03/30/2011 NVC received case-04/07/2011 NVC Case Number Assigned
05/03/2011 CASE COMPLETE- In Que for INTERVIEW!!-05/17/2011 Received interview letter and info via email
EMBASSY JOURNEY
05/20/2011 Medical Appt/passed
06/15/2011 Interview result AP
06/21/2011 Submitted requested docs..under review
07/25/2011 CO called did phone interview result: PENDING MANDATORY AP/CO told us they have to do namechecks

03/07/2013 Case returned to USCIS waiting for NOIR/reaffirmation

04/18/2013 USCIS received case for review

08/19/2013 Received NOIR to respond by 9/18/2013

9/9/2013 Responded to NOIR/USCIS received documents awaiting response

9/20/2013 USCIS reaffirmed sent to embassy

1/04/14 Case opened for review

8/31/15 Interview- no questions visa approved on the spot

9/8/15 visa status issued

9/10/15 visa received

9/19/15 POE Charlotte

p9WGm4.png

 

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