Jump to content

32 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Posted

After all the stress and long wait, it's finally over.

My appointment was for 6:15 am. My husband and I arrived at the embassy at 530. There were different lines separated by purpose and appointment time so we just asked the guard where to go for my schedule. After lining up, I realized I left my pen and my pictures, my husband had to go back to the hotel to get the pictures though in the end I did not need them. The pen was also only used twice, filling out the 2GO form and for the signature for DS230.

By 615, the line started to move forward. Near the gate there was some confusion because nobody was managing the lines but got fixed after some minutes. So at the gate, the person looked at the first page of my appointment letter, circled the time and then gave me the 2GO form. He also placed my passport in a transparent zip lock.

Almost 7am: First door to the embassy building was for security check where they really confiscated mobile phones and some items which are not allowed, most people had to go out and give their phones to friends or vendors outside for safe keeping. Some just threw the small stuff in the trash like lighter or perfume. Actually there were warnings about that even outside, the vendors were saying them repeatedly but the people in my line were saying like maybe it's not true, I, on the other hand,knew that it's not allowed so when someone asked me what I think I just say I read that it's not allowed so it's better not to have any of those things which are on the list.

After security, we went straight to the windows where they asked me if I already had my medical and what things they gave me, after that she just put number 1 on my appointment letter and stapled 6088(my number for the queue) and asked me to drop it at Window 39. We went straight to another building and there's another security check, after that, there was a woman waiting for people and she just collected our app letter instead of dropping it at Window 39. We sat down and waited for my number to be called.

At around 830: my number was called at Window 45. I wasn't expecting that it was already the Filipino consul waiting for me so my husband wasn't there beside me when I did the pre-screening but she said it's fine and just have him with me during the final interview. It took more than ten minutes for the pre-screening. The only document she asked was the 2011 tax form and then she looked at our pictures. She asked me the name of my husband, where I met him, his age, date of marriage, what he does, his first marriage and why it ended, about my in-laws, size of household. She was focused on the documents and was just taking notes. After that she just asked me to wait for my number to be called again.

Around 915: I was called at Window 42 for finger printing. My fingers were a little sweaty because of the mixed emotions so I had to do it twice hehe.

Around 10: I was called for the interview with the American consul at Window 64. My husband came with me this time. The consul gave me the pamphlet regarding domestic violence after the oath. Only two questions were asked to me, date of marriage and if I've been abroad before. He asked my husband where we intend to stay when we get to the US and that's it. After a minute of looking at the documents, he said 'everything looks good, please be seated again and wait for further instructions. That's it! No additional documents were asked. I brought a copy of my NBI, marriage cert, cenomar (which was not sent to NVC), birth cert and many more but they did not ask for them and my husband was just laughing at me because I printed so many copies of so many things, I wanted to be very sure and I don't regret it. hehe

At 10:10, our number was called again at window 71, the person there just said everything is ok now and just wait for my visa to be delivered, she then asked us to give our 2GO form at window 69 and I opted for pick up at one of their branches. We were out of the embassy by 1030.

I felt so good after that, my feet were a bit sore because I wore sandals with heels haha, and I was really tired because I didn't get much sleep the night before. Now, I can sleep better. This whole process has been stressful especially the month before the interview but it all went well. Just make sure to submit everything to NVC and you won't have a problem during the interview. And of course, pray a lot.

Thank you to my VJ family for all the help. Daghang salamat!

Met in Person: Feb 2009

Got engaged: Aug 2010

Got married: Dec 2010

NOA 1: Oct 13, 2011

I-130 Approved: March 23, 2012

NVC Recieved: May 10, 2012

Case Completed: Oct. 23, 2012

Medical: Nov.17 and 18: passed but went back Nov 22 for immunization

Interview: Dec 3, 2012 (Approved)

Visa in hand: Dec 6, 2012

POE: January 12, 2013

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

Congrats!

I seriously thought this said 'I used a Manila Envelope Express' until I clicked on the thread and thought 'there's no way a story about a manila envelope could be this long' :lol:

Edited by KDubovik

oldlady.gif

Posted

Congrats!

I seriously thought this said 'I used a Manila Envelope Express' until I clicked on the thread and thought 'there's no way a story about a manila envelope could be this long' :lol:

Ahahaha Thanks :)

Met in Person: Feb 2009

Got engaged: Aug 2010

Got married: Dec 2010

NOA 1: Oct 13, 2011

I-130 Approved: March 23, 2012

NVC Recieved: May 10, 2012

Case Completed: Oct. 23, 2012

Medical: Nov.17 and 18: passed but went back Nov 22 for immunization

Interview: Dec 3, 2012 (Approved)

Visa in hand: Dec 6, 2012

POE: January 12, 2013

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
Posted

After all the stress and long wait, it's finally over.

My appointment was for 6:15 am. My husband and I arrived at the embassy at 530. There were different lines separated by purpose and appointment time so we just asked the guard where to go for my schedule. After lining up, I realized I left my pen and my pictures, my husband had to go back to the hotel to get the pictures though in the end I did not need them. The pen was also only used twice, filling out the 2GO form and for the signature for DS230.

By 615, the line started to move forward. Near the gate there was some confusion because nobody was managing the lines but got fixed after some minutes. So at the gate, the person looked at the first page of my appointment letter, circled the time and then gave me the 2GO form. He also placed my passport in a transparent zip lock.

Almost 7am: First door to the embassy building was for security check where they really confiscated mobile phones and some items which are not allowed, most people had to go out and give their phones to friends or vendors outside for safe keeping. Some just threw the small stuff in the trash like lighter or perfume. Actually there were warnings about that even outside, the vendors were saying them repeatedly but the people in my line were saying like maybe it's not true, I, on the other hand,knew that it's not allowed so when someone asked me what I think I just say I read that it's not allowed so it's better not to have any of those things which are on the list.

After security, we went straight to the windows where they asked me if I already had my medical and what things they gave me, after that she just put number 1 on my appointment letter and stapled 6088(my number for the queue) and asked me to drop it at Window 39. We went straight to another building and there's another security check, after that, there was a woman waiting for people and she just collected our app letter instead of dropping it at Window 39. We sat down and waited for my number to be called.

At around 830: my number was called at Window 45. I wasn't expecting that it was already the Filipino consul waiting for me so my husband wasn't there beside me when I did the pre-screening but she said it's fine and just have him with me during the final interview. It took more than ten minutes for the pre-screening. The only document she asked was the 2011 tax form and then she looked at our pictures. She asked me the name of my husband, where I met him, his age, date of marriage, what he does, his first marriage and why it ended, about my in-laws, size of household. She was focused on the documents and was just taking notes. After that she just asked me to wait for my number to be called again.

Around 915: I was called at Window 42 for finger printing. My fingers were a little sweaty because of the mixed emotions so I had to do it twice hehe.

Around 10: I was called for the interview with the American consul at Window 64. My husband came with me this time. The consul gave me the pamphlet regarding domestic violence after the oath. Only two questions were asked to me, date of marriage and if I've been abroad before. He asked my husband where we intend to stay when we get to the US and that's it. After a minute of looking at the documents, he said 'everything looks good, please be seated again and wait for further instructions. That's it! No additional documents were asked. I brought a copy of my NBI, marriage cert, cenomar (which was not sent to NVC), birth cert and many more but they did not ask for them and my husband was just laughing at me because I printed so many copies of so many things, I wanted to be very sure and I don't regret it. hehe

At 10:10, our number was called again at window 71, the person there just said everything is ok now and just wait for my visa to be delivered, she then asked us to give our 2GO form at window 69 and I opted for pick up at one of their branches. We were out of the embassy by 1030.

I felt so good after that, my feet were a bit sore because I wore sandals with heels haha, and I was really tired because I didn't get much sleep the night before. Now, I can sleep better. This whole process has been stressful especially the month before the interview but it all went well. Just make sure to submit everything to NVC and you won't have a problem during the interview. And of course, pray a lot.

Thank you to my VJ family for all the help. Daghang salamat!

Congratulations and thank you for the great review. One question, I heard that the USC can bring their cell phone with them into the Embassy, can you confirm this? Thank you again.

I Looooooove my baby Lyn.

Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline
Posted

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

Posted

Thanks for sharing. Congrats! :thumbs:

USCIS

8/10/12-Sent I-130 x2

8/17/12-NOA1

2/28/13-NOA2

NVC

5/6/13-Case# & IIN recvd

7/23/13-Case complete!

US Embassy

9/4/13-Interview- APPROVED!

9/7/13-Visas on hand

10/27/13-POE: SFO

11/5/13- SSN's received

12/2/13-GC's on hand

US Citizenship soon...

Posted (edited)

Congrats!!I am confuse you said you have a husband meaning you are married but why you have "CENOMAR"?

[/quote

Even if you are married, you can still get a CENOMAR using your maiden name, BUT all of your previous and present marriages will be listed (Advisory on Marriage/ CEMAR)- this is what the US Consul will be looking at..based on the experiences of most VJ members before..

Edited by Memphis

USCIS

8/10/12-Sent I-130 x2

8/17/12-NOA1

2/28/13-NOA2

NVC

5/6/13-Case# & IIN recvd

7/23/13-Case complete!

US Embassy

9/4/13-Interview- APPROVED!

9/7/13-Visas on hand

10/27/13-POE: SFO

11/5/13- SSN's received

12/2/13-GC's on hand

US Citizenship soon...

Posted

Congratulations and thank you for the great review. One question, I heard that the USC can bring their cell phone with them into the Embassy, can you confirm this? Thank you again.

My husband didn't bring his phone and so I can't answer that question accurately. Just to be safe, better leave all electronics at home/hotel. :)

Congrats!!I am confuse you said you have a husband meaning you are married but why you have "CENOMAR"?

Sometimes they ask for CENOMAR or actually it's CEMAR for married people. They did not get it though I was ready just in case.

Met in Person: Feb 2009

Got engaged: Aug 2010

Got married: Dec 2010

NOA 1: Oct 13, 2011

I-130 Approved: March 23, 2012

NVC Recieved: May 10, 2012

Case Completed: Oct. 23, 2012

Medical: Nov.17 and 18: passed but went back Nov 22 for immunization

Interview: Dec 3, 2012 (Approved)

Visa in hand: Dec 6, 2012

POE: January 12, 2013

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Posted

Congrats!!! Mind me if i ask what do you mean 2011 tax form?

Hi! It's the Income Tax Return. They asked for the latest year.

Met in Person: Feb 2009

Got engaged: Aug 2010

Got married: Dec 2010

NOA 1: Oct 13, 2011

I-130 Approved: March 23, 2012

NVC Recieved: May 10, 2012

Case Completed: Oct. 23, 2012

Medical: Nov.17 and 18: passed but went back Nov 22 for immunization

Interview: Dec 3, 2012 (Approved)

Visa in hand: Dec 6, 2012

POE: January 12, 2013

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Posted

Thanks for sharing. Congrats! :thumbs:

hehe Thanks. Hopefully my kababayans will find this post helpful. :)

Met in Person: Feb 2009

Got engaged: Aug 2010

Got married: Dec 2010

NOA 1: Oct 13, 2011

I-130 Approved: March 23, 2012

NVC Recieved: May 10, 2012

Case Completed: Oct. 23, 2012

Medical: Nov.17 and 18: passed but went back Nov 22 for immunization

Interview: Dec 3, 2012 (Approved)

Visa in hand: Dec 6, 2012

POE: January 12, 2013

“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”

― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...