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Sam&Lu

Johannesburg consulate deserves a Bells

By Sam&Lu in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

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Sam&Lu Rookie

Sam&Lu   1

Posted
Filed: Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

The NVC kept our petition for 7 weeks after we were approved, but the US Consulate in Johannesburg has been absolutely wonderful. Checked CEAC this morning to find that our petition's status was 'ready'. I emailed the Consulate to find out how long it would take til we received Packet 3 and 2 hours later Packet 3 was in my inbox. I sent back the notification of readiness and was given an interview date within the hour.

Over the moon! dancin5hr.gifdancin5hr.gifdancin5hr.gif

Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,813

Posted
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

 

meuy99 Explorer

meuy99   4

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

That's so exciting!! Congrats! NVC finally received my application after 39 days, so I totally understand how excited you are. Keep us updated on how the rest goes!

Removal of Conditions


Sept 24 2016 - resent packet (1st attempt arrived 2 days too early due to miscalculation of 90 days)




AOS Timeline


8/9/14- Mailed I-485/131/765 (took a long time to get our Marriage Certificate)


8/15/14- notified via text and email that application was accepted on 8/12 and being processed.


9/8/14- Biometric done; 11/5/14- EAD/I-131 Approved/Card Production


11/5/14- AOS moved to testing/interview; 11/13/14- EAD/AP Combo card REC'D


12/16/14- AOS Interview- APPROVED! 1/3/15- Green card approved.



K1 Timeline


8/16/2013 I-129F Sent via UPS to Lewisville, TX 9/25/2013 Hard copy of NOA 2 received dancin5hr.gif


8/19/2013 I-129F CSC Received 10/29/2013 Got email from NVC with case number (NVC rec'd)


8/20/2013 NOA1 10/30/2013 Left NVC


8/22/2013 Notice that Alien Registration Number was changed 11/04/2013 Consulate Rec'd


8/26/2013 NOA1 Received by mail 11/12/2013 Packet 3 rec'd


9/20/2013 Email notice of NOA2 (31 days)



02/04/2014 After many months of waiting and frustration, FI finally got his birth certificate, passport and police clearance from his home country and we received an SMS today stating that his SA Police Clearance was finalized.


02/18/14 Police Clearance rec'd


2/20/14- Second packet 3 sent to consulate


2/27/14 Followed up with Consulate to get interview date. They schedule an interview for 2/20 when he submitted the application of readiness (what we had to do to extend his NOA2) on 1/21, but they didn't notify us of that appointment, so we missed it.


3/27/14- Interview- APPROVED!!!


4/10/14- FI entered US via LAX and flew to SF 6/14/14- Civil Ceremony

rshree Enthusiast

rshree   16

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
Posted

Congrats! I wish I were in Johannesburg!

Oh Montreal Consulate people, please learn from those at Johannesburg!!!

USCIS - 50days

I-129F Application mailed: 10-July-2013; NOA1 (hard copy): 22-July-2013; NOA2: 29-Aug-2013 (text/email)

NVC: 52 days

NVC received: 15-Oct-2013; Got case #: 16-Oct-2013(phone); In Transit: 17-Oct-2013(CEAC website)

Consulate ~ Medical - POE: 139(+) days

Consulate received: 21-Oct-2013; Packet3 forms sent to Consulate: 29-Oct-2013; Packet4 received: 04-Nov-2013

Medicals completed on 28-Jan-2014; Interview on 10-March-2014; Visa in hand: 24-Apr-2014

GC: 114 days

POE:17-May-2014; Marriage: 19-May-2014 (Got marriage certificate on the same day at Sacramento, CA); I-693 on 20-May-2014

AOS/EAD/AP sent: 22-May-2014; Reached USCIS: 26-May-2014; NOA1: 02-June-2014

Received Biometrics notice: 07-June-2014 for Biometrics on 23-June-2014, 12:00 noon; Early Walk-in Biometrics successfully completed: 12-June-2014

USCIS website AoS status changed to "testing & Interview" : 30-June-2014; EAD/AP Status "Card in production": 04-Aug-2014; USCIS website updated with interview date as 8-Sep-2014 on: 6-Aug-2014.

Received EAD/AP Combo card in mail: 11-Aug-2014

AoS Interview: 8-Sep-2014; Result: APPROVED; USCIS status changed to "card in production"; Received GC by mail: 16-Sep-2014

RoC:

Applied I-751: 14-June-16; NoA: 17-June-16; Letter received on: 22-June-16

Biometrics notice received on 30-Jun-16 ; Biometrics: 12-July-16;

Received RFE dated 04-Aug-17 on 09-Aug-2017; asked house lease or deed, utility bills if applicable, birth cert of children born to this marriage;

Responded on 15-Aug-2017; USCIS received response on 16:Aug-17; Approved: 13-Sep-17; Case Status to "New Card is mailed": 18-Sep-17; Card received in mail: 21-Sep-2017

N-400

Applied online: 12-Nov-2017; Biometrics: 06-Dec-2017; Received interview letter on 09-Oct-18; Interview at SFO: 06-Nov-2018; Approved; Oath Scheduled on 05-Dec-2018; postponed to 16-Jan2019 because of Former President Sr. Bush's funeral; Oath completed on 16-Jan-2019; Applied for US Passport (expedited) on 18-Jan-2019; received Passport : 29-Jan-2019; received NC:01-Feb-2019

meuy99 Explorer

meuy99   4

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

Just got the packet 3 email from them at 5AM today, my fiance is working on emailing back the forms to say we are ready!! wow, I hope we get an interview set soon too.

Hey- can you share with us what the new requirements for packet three are? I think I got a good idea from all the great info MayandJohn posted, but I'm an eager beaver...even though I know our case will sit for 2-3 months while we wait for his passport.

Removal of Conditions


Sept 24 2016 - resent packet (1st attempt arrived 2 days too early due to miscalculation of 90 days)




AOS Timeline


8/9/14- Mailed I-485/131/765 (took a long time to get our Marriage Certificate)


8/15/14- notified via text and email that application was accepted on 8/12 and being processed.


9/8/14- Biometric done; 11/5/14- EAD/I-131 Approved/Card Production


11/5/14- AOS moved to testing/interview; 11/13/14- EAD/AP Combo card REC'D


12/16/14- AOS Interview- APPROVED! 1/3/15- Green card approved.



K1 Timeline


8/16/2013 I-129F Sent via UPS to Lewisville, TX 9/25/2013 Hard copy of NOA 2 received dancin5hr.gif


8/19/2013 I-129F CSC Received 10/29/2013 Got email from NVC with case number (NVC rec'd)


8/20/2013 NOA1 10/30/2013 Left NVC


8/22/2013 Notice that Alien Registration Number was changed 11/04/2013 Consulate Rec'd


8/26/2013 NOA1 Received by mail 11/12/2013 Packet 3 rec'd


9/20/2013 Email notice of NOA2 (31 days)



02/04/2014 After many months of waiting and frustration, FI finally got his birth certificate, passport and police clearance from his home country and we received an SMS today stating that his SA Police Clearance was finalized.


02/18/14 Police Clearance rec'd


2/20/14- Second packet 3 sent to consulate


2/27/14 Followed up with Consulate to get interview date. They schedule an interview for 2/20 when he submitted the application of readiness (what we had to do to extend his NOA2) on 1/21, but they didn't notify us of that appointment, so we missed it.


3/27/14- Interview- APPROVED!!!


4/10/14- FI entered US via LAX and flew to SF 6/14/14- Civil Ceremony

Sam&Lu Rookie

Sam&Lu   1

Posted
Filed: Country: South Africa
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Hey- can you share with us what the new requirements for packet three are? I think I got a good idea from all the great info MayandJohn posted, but I'm an eager beaver...even though I know our case will sit for 2-3 months while we wait for his passport.

There are new requirements?? I just sent back the DS-230 Part 1 and notification of readiness even though the consulate *forgot* to tell me to send that back! Its a good thing VJ exists or we'd all be quite lost. There are some other forms in there (DS-156. DS-156K, Supplement to DS-156 and DSL-1083) as well as instructions, but I'm assuming I have to fill those out and take them to the interview since they have to be signed in front of the Consular officer. Again, the Consulate hasn't alerted me to this. I think that the DS-156 has to be done in duplicate, which they also have neglected to tell me. Thank Gandalf for VJ!

meuy99 Explorer

meuy99   4

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

There are new requirements?? I just sent back the DS-230 Part 1 and notification of readiness even though the consulate *forgot* to tell me to send that back! Its a good thing VJ exists or we'd all be quite lost. There are some other forms in there (DS-156. DS-156K, Supplement to DS-156 and DSL-1083) as well as instructions, but I'm assuming I have to fill those out and take them to the interview since they have to be signed in front of the Consular officer. Again, the Consulate hasn't alerted me to this. I think that the DS-156 has to be done in duplicate, which they also have neglected to tell me. Thank Gandalf for VJ!

Hi Sam&Lu- There are new requirements. All you have to fill out now, if I'm not mistaken all you need to fill out now is the DS-160. The new requirements apply to anyone with an interview Oct 7th.

Removal of Conditions


Sept 24 2016 - resent packet (1st attempt arrived 2 days too early due to miscalculation of 90 days)




AOS Timeline


8/9/14- Mailed I-485/131/765 (took a long time to get our Marriage Certificate)


8/15/14- notified via text and email that application was accepted on 8/12 and being processed.


9/8/14- Biometric done; 11/5/14- EAD/I-131 Approved/Card Production


11/5/14- AOS moved to testing/interview; 11/13/14- EAD/AP Combo card REC'D


12/16/14- AOS Interview- APPROVED! 1/3/15- Green card approved.



K1 Timeline


8/16/2013 I-129F Sent via UPS to Lewisville, TX 9/25/2013 Hard copy of NOA 2 received dancin5hr.gif


8/19/2013 I-129F CSC Received 10/29/2013 Got email from NVC with case number (NVC rec'd)


8/20/2013 NOA1 10/30/2013 Left NVC


8/22/2013 Notice that Alien Registration Number was changed 11/04/2013 Consulate Rec'd


8/26/2013 NOA1 Received by mail 11/12/2013 Packet 3 rec'd


9/20/2013 Email notice of NOA2 (31 days)



02/04/2014 After many months of waiting and frustration, FI finally got his birth certificate, passport and police clearance from his home country and we received an SMS today stating that his SA Police Clearance was finalized.


02/18/14 Police Clearance rec'd


2/20/14- Second packet 3 sent to consulate


2/27/14 Followed up with Consulate to get interview date. They schedule an interview for 2/20 when he submitted the application of readiness (what we had to do to extend his NOA2) on 1/21, but they didn't notify us of that appointment, so we missed it.


3/27/14- Interview- APPROVED!!!


4/10/14- FI entered US via LAX and flew to SF 6/14/14- Civil Ceremony

meuy99 Explorer

meuy99   4

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

There are new requirements?? I just sent back the DS-230 Part 1 and notification of readiness even though the consulate *forgot* to tell me to send that back! Its a good thing VJ exists or we'd all be quite lost. There are some other forms in there (DS-156. DS-156K, Supplement to DS-156 and DSL-1083) as well as instructions, but I'm assuming I have to fill those out and take them to the interview since they have to be signed in front of the Consular officer. Again, the Consulate hasn't alerted me to this. I think that the DS-156 has to be done in duplicate, which they also have neglected to tell me. Thank Gandalf for VJ!

http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_4230.html

Removal of Conditions


Sept 24 2016 - resent packet (1st attempt arrived 2 days too early due to miscalculation of 90 days)




AOS Timeline


8/9/14- Mailed I-485/131/765 (took a long time to get our Marriage Certificate)


8/15/14- notified via text and email that application was accepted on 8/12 and being processed.


9/8/14- Biometric done; 11/5/14- EAD/I-131 Approved/Card Production


11/5/14- AOS moved to testing/interview; 11/13/14- EAD/AP Combo card REC'D


12/16/14- AOS Interview- APPROVED! 1/3/15- Green card approved.



K1 Timeline


8/16/2013 I-129F Sent via UPS to Lewisville, TX 9/25/2013 Hard copy of NOA 2 received dancin5hr.gif


8/19/2013 I-129F CSC Received 10/29/2013 Got email from NVC with case number (NVC rec'd)


8/20/2013 NOA1 10/30/2013 Left NVC


8/22/2013 Notice that Alien Registration Number was changed 11/04/2013 Consulate Rec'd


8/26/2013 NOA1 Received by mail 11/12/2013 Packet 3 rec'd


9/20/2013 Email notice of NOA2 (31 days)



02/04/2014 After many months of waiting and frustration, FI finally got his birth certificate, passport and police clearance from his home country and we received an SMS today stating that his SA Police Clearance was finalized.


02/18/14 Police Clearance rec'd


2/20/14- Second packet 3 sent to consulate


2/27/14 Followed up with Consulate to get interview date. They schedule an interview for 2/20 when he submitted the application of readiness (what we had to do to extend his NOA2) on 1/21, but they didn't notify us of that appointment, so we missed it.


3/27/14- Interview- APPROVED!!!


4/10/14- FI entered US via LAX and flew to SF 6/14/14- Civil Ceremony

MayMay68 Explorer

MayMay68   9

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

There are new requirements?? I just sent back the DS-230 Part 1 and notification of readiness even though the consulate *forgot* to tell me to send that back! Its a good thing VJ exists or we'd all be quite lost. There are some other forms in there (DS-156. DS-156K, Supplement to DS-156 and DSL-1083) as well as instructions, but I'm assuming I have to fill those out and take them to the interview since they have to be signed in front of the Consular officer. Again, the Consulate hasn't alerted me to this. I think that the DS-156 has to be done in duplicate, which they also have neglected to tell me. Thank Gandalf for VJ!

Here are the new requirements, per the Consulate.

The Consulate has received your approved petition. You may now download the initial set of instructions, known as “Packet 3”, from website

Forms required:

Form DS-160 — Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Form DS-261 - Choice of Address and Agent

Form DS-2001 — Applicant’s Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed

Form I-134 — Affidavit of Support

A medical examination report is required. Your medical is only valid for 6 months and must be valid when you enter the U.S. please consider this when scheduling your medical appointment.

You may need to obtain a police certificate for South Africa or another country.

Please note that you must be interviewed and have your visa issued within the four-month validity of your petition.

When you have obtained all of the documents and forms required for your case, complete and email Form DS-2001 to advise the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg at consularjohannesburg@state.gov that you are ready for your final visa interview.

K-1 visa processing times vary. There may be unexpected ineligibilities that become apparent only at the time of your interview which require additional time and processing. For this reason, you should not make any irrevocable arrangements, such as purchasing non-refundable tickets, selling your home, or quitting your job, until after your visa is actually approved and issued to you.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General, Johannesburg

Sam&Lu Rookie

Sam&Lu   1

Posted
Filed: Country: South Africa
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Here are the new requirements, per the Consulate.

The Consulate has received your approved petition. You may now download the initial set of instructions, known as “Packet 3”, from website

Forms required:

Form DS-160 — Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Form DS-261 - Choice of Address and Agent

Form DS-2001 — Applicant’s Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed

Form I-134 — Affidavit of Support

A medical examination report is required. Your medical is only valid for 6 months and must be valid when you enter the U.S. please consider this when scheduling your medical appointment.

You may need to obtain a police certificate for South Africa or another country.

Please note that you must be interviewed and have your visa issued within the four-month validity of your petition.

When you have obtained all of the documents and forms required for your case, complete and email Form DS-2001 to advise the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg at consularjohannesburg@state.gov that you are ready for your final visa interview.

K-1 visa processing times vary. There may be unexpected ineligibilities that become apparent only at the time of your interview which require additional time and processing. For this reason, you should not make any irrevocable arrangements, such as purchasing non-refundable tickets, selling your home, or quitting your job, until after your visa is actually approved and issued to you.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General, Johannesburg

I emailed them this morning and they sent this through. I guess the person who forwarded the email to me yesterday wasn't aware of the changes.

meuy99 Explorer

meuy99   4

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: South Africa
 Timeline
Posted

I emailed them this morning and they sent this through. I guess the person who forwarded the email to me yesterday wasn't aware of the changes.

Hey Sam&Lu- can you guys let us know how long it takes you to get an interview after you send back packet 3 (or rather the readiness form).

Removal of Conditions


Sept 24 2016 - resent packet (1st attempt arrived 2 days too early due to miscalculation of 90 days)




AOS Timeline


8/9/14- Mailed I-485/131/765 (took a long time to get our Marriage Certificate)


8/15/14- notified via text and email that application was accepted on 8/12 and being processed.


9/8/14- Biometric done; 11/5/14- EAD/I-131 Approved/Card Production


11/5/14- AOS moved to testing/interview; 11/13/14- EAD/AP Combo card REC'D


12/16/14- AOS Interview- APPROVED! 1/3/15- Green card approved.



K1 Timeline


8/16/2013 I-129F Sent via UPS to Lewisville, TX 9/25/2013 Hard copy of NOA 2 received dancin5hr.gif


8/19/2013 I-129F CSC Received 10/29/2013 Got email from NVC with case number (NVC rec'd)


8/20/2013 NOA1 10/30/2013 Left NVC


8/22/2013 Notice that Alien Registration Number was changed 11/04/2013 Consulate Rec'd


8/26/2013 NOA1 Received by mail 11/12/2013 Packet 3 rec'd


9/20/2013 Email notice of NOA2 (31 days)



02/04/2014 After many months of waiting and frustration, FI finally got his birth certificate, passport and police clearance from his home country and we received an SMS today stating that his SA Police Clearance was finalized.


02/18/14 Police Clearance rec'd


2/20/14- Second packet 3 sent to consulate


2/27/14 Followed up with Consulate to get interview date. They schedule an interview for 2/20 when he submitted the application of readiness (what we had to do to extend his NOA2) on 1/21, but they didn't notify us of that appointment, so we missed it.


3/27/14- Interview- APPROVED!!!


4/10/14- FI entered US via LAX and flew to SF 6/14/14- Civil Ceremony

Sam&Lu Rookie

Sam&Lu   1

Posted
Filed: Country: South Africa
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Hey Sam&Lu- can you guys let us know how long it takes you to get an interview after you send back packet 3 (or rather the readiness form).

Once I sent back the notification of readiness, I received the email containing my appointment letter within the hour.

 
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