globaljewels's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: Marc Beneficiary's Name: Julie VJ Member: globaljewels Country: Australia Last Updated: 2011-04-29 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for Marc & Julie:

Dept of State Other Visa:     USCIS I-485 Petition:   USCIS I-765 Petition:       USCIS I-131 Petition:       USCIS I-751 Petition:   USCIS N-400 Petition:

Other Visa Event Date NVC Received : NVC Left : Consulate Received : Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : Interview Result : Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : US Entry : 2009-11-08 Comments : I am an Australian citizen who was living/working in the USA on an E3 Employment Visa when I met my partner Marc. We began applying for my permanent residency on the basis of our defacto relationship (in Colorado). VisaJourney.com has been a very helpful site for us, and I hope to be able to include additional information gained from my own experience, that I was unable to find on this site, that will be helpful and time saving for others.

Adjustment of Status Event Date CIS Office : Denver CO Date Filed : 2011-03-25 NOA Date : 2011-03-04 RFE(s) : 2011-03-14 Bio. Appt. : 2011-03-28 AOS Transfer** : Interview Date : 2011-05-12 Submit Review Approval / Denial Date : Approved : Got I551 Stamp : Greencard Received: Comments : We did all of our own paperwork, were quoted $3,500 for an Immigration Lawyer to handle it (plus USCIS fees etc total would have been around $5k), but as I had already used the IM Lawyer to get my E3 Visa, I had become familiar with the process - enough to feel comfortable completing the forms in detail and thoroughly ourselves, saving us the $3,500. Our Application went smoothly. The only RFE we received was that our Affidavit of Common Law Marriage document was insufficient, so we simply went to the Local Court House the next day and got 'officially' married on 18 March and returned a certified copy to USCIS next day - within 24 Hours. We also had to complete an additional document which we had overlooked - an I-864 Affidavit of Support, which is basically a document stating my partner Marc who is petitioning for me to be accepted as a permanent resident, is willing to be financially responsible for me. He had to include financials such as Annual income for last 3 years, copies of tax returns etc. Once we sent that back, it satisfied their requests as we then got the letter for our appointment for the Initial Interview, which I understand is to finalize the I-485 Application Process. At the same time we lodged the I-485 (mailed March 25, 2011 from Boulder, CO to Chicago, IL) we included the Employment Authorization Request I-765. I just received my Employment Authorization Card in the mail today - April 29 :) Forms We completed and sent in our initial pack were: I-485 - Application to Adjust Status I-765 - Application for Employment Authorization I-693 - Medical Exam and Vaccination Record I-130 - Petition for Alien Relative G-325A Biographic Information (one each) Also included supporting docs such as copies of: For Julie (beneficiary): birth certificate, passport, e3 employment visa, i-94 card, 2 x photos for I-485, 2 x photos for I-765, plus check for $1,070 (filing fee + biometrics) For Marc (petitioner): 1 x photo each of Marc and Julie, copy of Marc's passport, birth certificate, decree of dissolution of marriage, affidavit of common law marriage* (in lieu of marriage certificate*). Plus, evidence of joint finances eg. health insurance, bank accounts, HOA statements, mobile phone statements, energy accounts, car insurance. * RE THE AFFIDAVIT OF COMMON LAW MARRIAGE / MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE - note, we were not officially married by law, only by common law marriage 'Affidavit' so I could be added to Marc's company Health Insurance policy. This deems us to be married as Common Law Marriage is recognized officially in Colorado. We hoped this would be sufficient, but it was not. We got an RFE on March 14 requesting a copy of our marriage certificate. So we we just went to the Local Court the next day, got officially married and sent the certificate in (certified copy). That was something I had been unable to find an answer to on this site, so hope this helps if you have a similar query. ALSO, we had somehow missed we needed to include an I-864 Affidavit of Support - which basically means that Marc qualifies for, and is willing to, take financial responsibility for Julie as his spouse, in need. I guess so I don't become a 'burden to the system.' This was pretty straight forward. Once we submitted these 2 docs the application process continued smoothly. One other item I had initial challenges with was the Medical Exam/Vaccinations I-693. Being Australian and over 40, I (and my doctors) had no written record of my having had Chicken Pox (Varicella), nor Measles and Mumps as a child (and therefore was immune) plus a Rubella shot. I didn't want my system pumped with all of those shots again - especially as I needed to get a Flu Shot, Diphtheria/Tetanus/acellular Pertussis (DTaP) shot, plus TB testing and possibly an Hepatitis shot (depends on your age group). I couldn't find it anywhere easily, but ended up discovering the following: 1. You can have a blood /pathology test done (at your local doctor) and have it tested for MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunity. If you test Immune, no need for further shots. Yay (as was the case for me). Flu Shots - only required if you apply during flu season Oct - March I think. My local Doctor gave me this at the same time as the blood test for MMR. At same time she also gave me tetanus shot (DTaP version to cover all bases). Finally, You MUST go to a USCIS certified surgeon (refer to website for list) to do the final test and complete I-693. Because of my age - 42 - I only needed to have the TB test. They simply asked if I'd had chicken pix as a child and I had so said yes and they marked it on the form. I needed to immunity test or other shot. I went to Dr Clarence Kluck in Denver - he seems to be the cheapest around. You need to have go twice - once for the TB skin test - and return within 24-48 hours for them to check the skin test to ensure you are not positive. Then they complete the paperwork and send you on your way. Pretty simple, neither appointment takes too long. It's a walk-in clinic. Good luck!

Employment Authorization Document Event Date CIS Office : Chicago IL Filing Method : Mail Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2011-02-25 NOA Date : 2011-03-04 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2011-03-28 Approved Date : 2011-04-21 Date Card Received : 2011-04-29 Comments : Took about 2 months for my Employment Authorization Card to arrive in the mail. Pretty good as they suggest to allow 90 days. Processing Estimates/Stats : Your EAD was approved in 55 days.

Member Reviews: None Found

To enter a review please select one of the following:

--o Consulate Reviews
--o US Port of Entry Reviews
--o US CIS Local Office Reviews



Timeline Comments: None yet, be the first!



*Notice about estimates: The estimates are based off averages of other members recent experiences
(documented in their timelines) for the same benefit/petition/application at the same filing location.
Individual results may vary as every case is not always 'average'. Past performance does not necessarily
predict future results. The 'as early as date' may change over time based on current reported processing
times from members. There have historically been cases where a benefit/petition/application processing
briefly slows down or stops and this can not be predicted. Use these dates as reference only and do not
rely on them for planning. As always you should check the USCIS processing times to see if your application
is past due.

** Not all cases are transfered

ver 5.0