jennie ann

Hi Jennie,

I'm just curious. What did you send it?

Thanks!

Sorry for the delay on my reply! This is what we sent in as evidence of the relationship (FYI, I'm the citizen, and my husband is the PR):

- Letter from my husband's university confirming our joint residency in university housing and a copy of one of our rent bills – We wanted to send a copy of our lease, but that only has my husband's name on it (the university always only includes the name of the student) but the housing office wrote a letter for us confirming that the housing was approved for both of us and that we were living there together

- Combined statements for joint checking and savings account – I only included two statements, about a year and a half apart

- Tax return transcripts for 2011 and 2010 joint federal tax returns

- Credit card statements (I am the primary cardholder, but my husband is an authorized user with a card in his name) and copies of the two cards – I think we only included two statements, first and most recent

- Copy of health insurance cards (I am a dependent on my husband's student health care plan) and a screen shot from the Aetna website that showed a pull down menu with both of our names – this one was kind of tough because I couldn't get any official looking documentation from the insurance company that had both our names on it, but it's pretty clear that the cards are for the same account because the account numbers are identical except the very end (-01 and -02)

- Copies of joint utility bills (the first after we moved to NYC in August 2012 and the most recent)

- Sworn affidavits from two friends who know us very well and spend time with us (one a citizen, the other not a citizen but living in the US for his PhD program)

- Copy of the invitation to our wedding reception (which we held after my husband got his conditional green card) and about four photos from our reception that showed us with family (on both sides)

So I think we covered all of our bases but didn't go overboard with hundreds of pages of bank statements or anything like that – just a few pieces of strong evidence for each essential category.

By the way – got another email/text update from USCIS this morning saying the new card had been mailed (no tracking number yet).

Congrats

Thank you!

Hey everyone, got this email update this morning, so I guess we're approved!

"On August 21, 2013, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283."

I didn't expect it to happen so quickly, and I was almost certain we'd get an RFE because we didn't really send in very much evidence compared to what others sent in (I went in with the "less is more" approach, but then started worrying when I saw how much other people had included). We won't even be back to NYC for another week, so I guess our subletter will have to look out for our approval letter and possibly our new card!

Good luck to everyone still waiting!

I guess I should update for our early bio as well:

California Service Center (24 applicants)

VJName...........Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....
SUDO...............04/01/13........04/03/13.......05/01/13........--/--/--....
CHRISTI85..........04/02/13........04/03/13.......05/06/13........--/--/--....
FRENZYHEART........04/04/13........04/09/13.......05/23/13........--/--/--....
PAULANDBECKYR......04/05/13........04/08/13.......05/24/13........--/--/--....
SARA L.............04/05/13........04/08/13.......05/24/13........--/--/--....
TABS...............04/06/13........04/08/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
PASHMAK............04/06/13........04/08/13.......05/24/13........--/--/--....
{PURETAQWA}........04/09/13........04/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
MISSICY............04/09/13........04/10/13.......05/24/13........--/--/--....
XELANCE............04/10/13........04/12/13.......05/24/13........--/--/--....
NRFITZ.............04/10/13........04/12/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
GAP1...............04/12/13........04/15/13.......05/28/13........--/--/--....
YANABEL............04/12/13........04/15/13.......05/28/13........--/--/--....
DNIEPU.............04/15/13........04/16/13.......05/29/13........--/--/--....
MRSFRISBEY.........04/15/13........04/17/13.......05/28/13........--/--/--....(Death Waiver)
APPLE33............04/16/13........04/22/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
WAITWAITWAIT.......04/??/13........04/17/13.......06/05/13........--/--/--....
MISTERBIGTOE.......04/18/13........04/22/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
BKC................04/19/13........04/22/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....

PHARDREAM..........04/22/13........04/23/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
MRSWAHIDI..........04/22/13........??/??/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
PEARLGRAYTEA.......04/22/13........04/24/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
MAL AND MEG........04/24/13........04/26/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
CORKSTAR...........04/24/13........04/25/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....


Vermont Service Center (32 applicants)

VJName...........Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date......Biometrics......Approved....
SAMBILLZ...........04/01/13........04/04/13.......05/08/13........--/--/--....
SHEZAM.............04/01/13........04/03/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
GJEN...............04/08/13........04/15/13.......05/29/13........--/--/--....
JILL84.............04/08/13........04/10/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
KENSINGTON.........04/09/13........04/12/13.......05/28/13........--/--/--....
PINKMARTINI........04/10/13........04/12/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
HANIEL.............04/12/13........04/16/13.......05/24/13........--/--/--....
H1983..............04/12/13........04/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
MRCLEAN............04/15/13........04/18/13.......06/04/13........--/--/--....
VSNANO.............04/15/13........04/17/13.......06/03/13........--/--/--....
NBDFW..............04/15/13........04/18/13.......05/30/13........--/--/--....(Early Bio 05/10)
VITUKAS............04/15/13........04/18/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
JBUGGY1............04/15/13........04/23/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
SKYNAUT............04/16/13........04/17/13.......05/29/13........--/--/--....
BEANIEBABY.........04/16/13........04/19/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
JENNIE ANN.........04/16/13........04/19/13.......06/05/13........--/--/--....(Early Bio 05/13)
TRACY67............04/17/13........05/02/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
ROSANAHANAHANA.....04/17/13........05/02/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
MARLEA.............04/17/13........04/22/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
MICHELLE723........04/18/13........04/23/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
ISLAND10...........04/19/13........04/22/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
MELONHEAD202.......04/19/13........04/22/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
I&JJ<3.............04/20/13........04/25/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
PAUL ELIZABETH.....04/20/13........04/23/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
LEDNEW.............04/22/13........04/25/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
PENCILS............04/23/13........04/29/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
VICTORIAN221B......04/24/13........04/26/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
TROCHERO...........04/24/13........04/29/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
TERESAANDKURT......04/25/13........--/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
JESSICARABBIT1981..04/27/13........04/30/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
DOBOLO.............04/27/13........04/30/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....
GREATK.............04/28/13........--/--/13.......--/--/13........--/--/--....



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Some people have had luck yes, but I wouldn't count on that. I suggest that you try a walk-in at your local ASC before you leave for your trip rather than walking in to a different center on your scheduled date. That way you still have enough time to reschedule if your walk-in is not successful.

This was a great suggestion. My husband and I went to the ASC today, more than 3 weeks before our appointment, and we had absolutely no trouble getting the biometrics done as a walk-in. We got there a little past 2:00pm, and the place was almost empty. After we filled out the simple form, they took my husband straight back, and the entire biometrics process itself only took about 5 minutes! So glad to get that out of the way, and that the whole thing was so easy!

Some people have had luck yes, but I wouldn't count on that. I suggest that you try a walk-in at your local ASC before you leave for your trip rather than walking in to a different center on your scheduled date. That way you still have enough time to reschedule if your walk-in is not successful.

Thanks – that is sensible advice. I hadn't really considered that before because I thought we would probably have already left NYC by the time the appointment letter arrived, and by then, that wouldn't really be an option. I just don't think that mailing in the notice with a request for rescheduling would be very fruitful anyway because we are actually going to be away from NYC for quite a long time – over three months – so we probably wouldn't be able to make the rescheduled appointment anyway.

Does anyone know if it's worth trying to call USCIS about something like this, or is a walk-in basically the way to go?

Received biometrics appointment letter today! Notice date of 05/08, appointment for 06/05. We're actually leaving New York before our appointment, so we will try the ASC in San Francisco. People have had some luck just walking in to different centers on different dates with the appointment notice in hand, right?

Received our NOA1 today! It's dated 04/19/2013 (the day after they received our packet). Checked cleared yesterday (05/03).

California Service Center (20 applicants)

Just checked my bank account – check is "processing" as of today! Waiting for the NOA1 now.

I was starting to get nervous again because I realized that I consistently wrote the wrong form number (I-571 instead of I-751) on my cover letter, but I was hoping that as long as I sent the correct form (which I did), the USCIS people would figure it out.

I'm also worried now that we didn't send enough supporting documents, reading through some of the things that other people sent and what kinds of RFEs others are getting, but I guess I can't do anything now but wait and see. If they ask for more evidence, they ask for more evidence... but at least my hubs is with me this time.

I never would have made these kinds of mistakes or under-prepared evidence when we were going through the CR-1 process, but I think I might have let my guard down a little this time around because I felt generally less stressed about it now that my husband is here. I may be kicking myself for this later, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

haha whaats up Timosha and Skynaut?! I remember you guys from that TSC fiasco...congrats on the baby Timosha

Yeah, 2 years and 1 baby later... haha )

i see many familiar nicknames. Hello everyone, long time no see haha

Just catching up on this thread... funny to be back together again two years after that CSC-TSC-CSC insanity! Hope you're all doing well, and best of luck in this process! Hopefully it will all go more smoothly this time around...

The exact thing happened with us when we filed change of address back in January. They sent a reminder letter to our old address about 2-3 weeks after we filed (and printed out the confirmation). I wouldn't worry too much, I don't think it means much though it doesn't make sense why they do it like this. But then again, it was USCIS that sent me a "Welcome to the United States" package to our old address a year and a half after I first entered the country as a permanent resident Just keep proof that you filed for your change of address. I don't see how that would cause problems. People move all the time, in many cases after they file with USCIS

Thanks, Christi! That makes me feel better.

Yes, you can definitely still travel to the US for visits during the process, but be aware that they CAN turn you away at the border. Just be prepared with your return ticket, proof of ties to Canada (employment letters, lease agreements, etc.), as well as documentation of your visa process (NOAs and other correspondence from USCIS or NVC). They just need to be convinced that you are truly there for a visit and don't intend to stay.

Visa approved!!!! We are so glad it's finally over!!!

Thank you all for all the support and information. I would have gone insane without this group and this forum!!!

Will post a review when i get all the details.

Thank you again and good luck.

Yaaayy, congratulations!

Truly amazing! Congratulations!

Thanks! I'd seen this kind of turnaround time searching through timelines before, but I didn't think we would be so lucky. I actually just moved his flight up a couple of days to get him home sooner!

Thanks Jennie Ann, my husband will be going through the London embassy as well, so this is good news!

Yeah, they seem pretty on top of things. Keep in mind though that his passport was just being delivered to London, so it will probably take longer if it has to go farther, obviously.

And just to let you know about the quoted times it would take – the interview was on Tuesday, May 31st and the flight on the following Thursday, June 9th. When my husband asked the CO if he thought he would get his visa in time for his flight, he said it takes 7-10 days, touch wood it would be there in time, but he can't guarantee it. Then when he asked the courier how long it would take, they said 3-5 days total (including embassy processing time), and that it should be there by Thursday of that week (which is only actually 2 days).

I would still be very careful in planning and not book a ticket unless you can change it, because you never know when there could be unforeseen delays.

Just an update if it helps anyone: my husband's passport with visa was delivered two days after the interview. Amazing! We may even try to move his flight up.

Thank you so much Californiaguy, Lidya. You are almost done with NVC nonesense and will get your interviews in no time.

Thank you Saylin. you are soo lucky! You're already with your husband:)

Congrats Jennie ann!

Welcome back celldoc!

And goodluck to all upcoming interviews!!

Mine is in 25 hrs (8 hrs difference )!!!!! I know i won't be able to sleep till my husband calls me. his interview is at 8 but i heard he might not be done till noon or so. I will probably clean the house the whole night

Thanks! Good luck with the interview!

SO pleased for you both!!

Thanks, Richard! According to the courier, his passport is going to be delivered to him tomorrow, two days after his interview. Amazing!

Congratulations to you both!!!!

Thanks! My husband got a text today saying that his passport would be delivered to him tomorrow – two days after his interview! makes me want to look for an earlier flight, hehe.

We just finished the CR-1 process, and I'm really glad we went that way. It does take a bit longer (our own process was a little on the long side for CR-1 cases even, but that was due to an unfortunate USCIS screw-up), but to me it feels more permanent when it's done, like he's really going to be home for good when he gets here next week! I like that we can start our lives together right away (he can work and travel freely), we don't have to pay $1000+ for adjustment of status later, and the next time we have to worry about any immigration stuff is in two years when applying for removal of conditions and getting a 10-year green card.

There are obviously numerous other factors to consider (for example, I think the financial requirements in terms of showing that you can support your fiance(e)/spouse are different). One I can think of off the top of my head is what you have in mind for your wedding. Ours was very spontaneous – my husband was just here visiting me, we needed to find a way to be together again (and to spend our lives together), so we looked at our options and decided to get married, which we did about one week later at City Hall with just my immediate family and one close friend present. Going the K-1 route may allow you more time to plan a proper wedding but still be able to start the visa application process quickly. For us though, neither of us are that into weddings, and we loved our little private ceremony. We're having a proper reception with family and friends this fall, so that will be our chance to celebrate with others. And of course, going the CR-1 route doesn't mean you can't have a big wedding, depending on how you plan.

Well, I hope that helps. This is all just my personal opinion/experience, obviously, but I think that's part of what you were looking for. Good luck!

Congrats!!! Glad to see your interview went well!

Wonderful! Congratulations.

Thank you! The interview (at least part of it) was a bit unpleasant for my husband, but at least we got a good result!

Congrats, Jennie, and all the rest who are over this journey! truly officially out of the blackhole!

Saylin, as for us, our scheduled interview date is for July 1st, CC last May 4.

Thanks, ezzie! And congrats on getting your interview date!

Best wishes Girl

You made it

CONGRATS!

CONGRATS!!! from a looong journey...

Thanks so much, guys! I hope you all have this day very soon!

My husband's visa was approved today! I haven't gotten many details yet, so I don't know what he had to end up producing for them, if anything (with the CR-1 process, we submit everything they need to the NVC). Now just hoping that he gets his passport/visa in time for his flight on June 9th. So happy! Good luck to everyone else who has their interviews coming up!

Yay grats!

Thanks, Saylin!