KiwiinMaine's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: Jacob
Beneficiary's Name: Samantha
VJ Member: KiwiinMaine
Country: New Zealand
Last Updated: 2023-09-14
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Immigration Checklist for Jacob & Samantha:
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USCIS DCF I-130 Petition:
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Dept of State IR-1/CR-1 Visa:
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USCIS I-751 Petition:
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USCIS N-400 Petition:
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IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Nebraska Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Auckland, New Zealand |
| Marriage (if applicable): |
2013-10-18 |
| I-130 Sent : |
2018-02-02 |
| I-130 NOA1 : |
2018-02-15 |
| I-130 RFE : |
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| I-130 RFE Sent : |
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| I-130 Approved : |
2018-06-18 |
| NVC Received : |
2018-07-12 |
| Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : |
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| Pay AOS Bill : |
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| Receive I-864 Package : |
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| Send AOS Package : |
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| Submit DS-261 : |
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| Receive IV Bill : |
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| Pay IV Bill : |
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| Send IV Package : |
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| Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : |
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| Case Completed at NVC : |
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| NVC Left : |
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| Consulate Received : |
2018-07-17 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
2018-07-20 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
2018-07-30 |
| Packet 4 Received : |
2018-08-06 |
| Interview Date : |
2018-08-30 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2018-09-03 |
| US Entry : |
2018-09-07 |
| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-130 was approved in 123 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 196 days from your I-130 NOA1 date. |
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Port of Entry Review
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| Event |
Date |
| Port of Entry : |
Houston |
| POE Date : |
2018-09-07 |
| Got EAD Stamp : |
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| Biometrics Taken : |
No |
| Harassment Level : |
0 |
| Comments : |
Great POE! Couldn’t for have been a more positive experience! |
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Adjustment of Status
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Jacksonville FL |
| Date Filed : |
2014-03-19 |
| NOA Date : |
2014-03-27 |
| RFE(s) : |
2014-04-10 |
| Bio. Appt. : |
2014-04-28 |
| AOS Transfer** : |
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| Interview Date : |
2014-08-25 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
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| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
No |
| Greencard Received: |
2014-09-04 |
| Comments : |
The interview was a breeze! Our officer was a really sweet lady who hit it off with my husband straight away. She |
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Employment Authorization
Document
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago National Office |
| Filing Method : |
Mail |
| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2014-03-19 |
| NOA Date : |
2014-03-28 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Bio. Appt. : |
2014-04-28 |
| Approved Date : |
2014-05-28 |
| Date Card Received : |
2014-06-04 |
| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your EAD was approved in 70 days. |
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Advance Parole
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| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago National Office |
| Filing Method : |
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| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2014-03-19 |
| NOA Date : |
2014-03-28 |
| RFE(s) : |
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| Date Received : |
2014-06-04 |
| Comments : |
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your AP was approved in 70 days. |
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Citizenship
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Online |
| CIS Office : |
Portland ME |
| Date Filed : |
2023-06-12 |
| NOA Date : |
2023-06-12 |
| Bio. Appt. : |
2023-07-07 |
| Interview Date : |
2023-09-13 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Oath Ceremony : |
2023-09-28 |
| Comments : |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Auckland, New Zealand
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
September 2, 2018 |
| Embassy Review : |
Interview date 08/30/18 10am
I got to the consulate at 9:30, went to security and they said come back at 5 to 10. So I went downstairs and waited in the lobby until 9:55. I went through security which is very easy, just place your interview documents onto the scanner and then you personal items. They took my personal items and put them in a locker, I got a number that corresponds to my locker. Then you walk through a scanner, they open the door to the consulate and direct you to the correct window.
I was directed to window 6 which is usually non-immigrant visas, so I was a little confused at first. I got up to the counter and was warmly welcomed by none other than the lovely B! She is a lifeline! She was so helpful answering all my emails leading up to my interview. She helped calm my nerves and relax before my interview. She checked all my documents and then took my finger prints. I have crooked fingers thanks to breaking them riding horses (lol), so I had some issues getting my fingers flat enough for the fingerprinting, but we got there in the end. After that was all done I went and sat down but I thought it was odd that I didn’t have to pay the fee. I waited until another interview we went up to pay and then asked if I could pay. They were all confused and got B because they were convinced I’d already paid the fee. Not really sure why, but B quickly corrected it and I paid the fee. After that I went and sat down again and waited my turn for my interview. I took a book with my because I’d read that it would be a long wait with nothing to do. I finished my book about 1.5 hours into waiting, so twiddled my thumbs for a while after that. Just before 12 I was finally called up! The officer was very nice and polite, asked me how I was and commented on the massive folder I bought with me 😂 We went straight into questions after that:
What’s your husbands name?
You were a LPR previously?
How did you become an LPR?
Why did you and your husband move to NZ?
What does your husband do?
What did he do previously?
What do you do?
Will you be doing the same in the States?
Why are you moving back?
Then he reached under his desk and grabbed a little white pamphlet, I saw that it was about my rights as an LPR so I knew it went well. Then he said you’re approved and your passport will be back with you in 1-2 weeks. I asked if that was it and if I needed to do anything else, he said no that’s it you can go now. I started fumbling trying to get all of my stuff together to leave and he gave me a big smile and told me to have a good day 😊 I went down stairs, got in the car and started crying with relief that it was all over!
A few things that I think are worth a mention:
There are toilets at the consulate, but are outside security
They have change so you don’t have to pay in correct cash
Bring some reading material, not a kindle as it’s not allowed in
They have a water cooler in the consulate
You can wear a non digital watch
All in all the Auckland consulate is great! The staff are all super lovely and the atmosphere is official but relaxed. You have nothing to be nervous about! |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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POE Review: Houston
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| Event |
Description |
| Entry Date : |
2018-09-07 |
| Embassy Review : |
I entered the USA Today on my IR1 visa. I was nervous about Houston being my POE due to some of the reviews of it, but I really didn’t need to be worried! I think it took around 1 hour total, from getting off the plane and having my stamped passport in my hand. The immigration officer at the first processing desk was very polite but warm, I was then escorted to secondary processing. There were about 10 other people in there, it was a tense atmosphere, but I was too tired at that point to be concerned as I know I’ve done everything correctly. The CBP officers in secondary were abrupt and slightly intimidating, but they’re just doing their jobs. One of the officers was borderline rude to the couple that were processed before me, so I didn’t really want him to be processing me. Luck of the draw meant I got him. He was very polite and kind with me, just checked my final address and that was all he asked me. He was having issues bringing up my medical documents that were uploaded electronically, but they eventually got them up on a different computer. They did read my previous surgeries aloud so everyone heard that, wasn’t super happy about that, but it’s not a big deal really. Next thing I hear is his infamous stamp and I start to get excited, he calls my name and passes me back my passport with my entry stamp and says I’m free to go. Easy peasey! He didn’t say welcome to America which would have been nice, but no complaints since it was such an easy process! All in all, Houston was a great POE 😊 |
| Harassment Level : |
Low |
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Local US CIS Office Review: Portland ME
Review Topic: cis_topic
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
October 2, 2023 |
| Embassy Review : |
I had my N400 interview and Oath ceremony at the Portland, ME Office.
Interview Experience:
I arrived 15 minutes prior to my appointment and I got through security quickly. Once you're through security you will go to the waiting room to the right. There are lots of seats and bathrooms to the back of the waiting room. My IO, Jeremy was extremely prompt and called me in for my appointment bang on my appointment time. You'll follow the IO to their office, where they will ask you to raise your right hand and swear in for your interview. After that is done they will get you to answer the reading and writing portion of the civics test on the iPad in front of you. Then, they will generate your civics questions and ask you them before typing your answer into their computer. Once the civics portion is concluded they'll ask any questions they have about your application, or confirm your information on there, then ask you the yes/no questions. You'll then review your information on the iPad before signing the oath. My IO printed out a piece of paper and handed it to me before explaining that I had been approved and my oath would be before the end of the month. All in all, a very comfortable experience!
Oath Experience:
I arrived 30 minutes before my oath ceremony time, but didn't enter the office until 20 minutes before the scheduled time. Security had a line as there were quite a few of us taking the oath and everyone had family/friends coming to watch. We all sat and waited to be ushered into the Naturalization room. There are areas to complete the form required to take your oath as you're need to complete it the day of your oath, not before. They then called us all in to the Naturalization room, and we were to line up along the right side wall to give in our green cards and form, plus get our packet. The IO that completed my interview was the office swearing us in as US Citizens, so that was special! We were asked to sit at the first two rows of the chairs, but lots of family and friends had taken up spots, so we squished wherever we could. After we had all been checked in and were seated, Jeremy welcomed us all and, read out the countries we came from (21 of them!), then got us to stand, raise our right hand and repeat the oath after him. That took maybe 60 seconds and then he congratulated us on being the newest Americans! He passed out our Naturalization certificates. We got to register to vote at the ceremony too. There were spots to take photos to celebrate the momentous occasion, and then we were free to go. Very quick and enjoyable! |
| Harassment Level : |
Very Good |
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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
