jelky's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: M Beneficiary's Name: J VJ Member: jelky Country: Canada Last Updated: 2021-01-11 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for M & J:

USCIS I-130 Petition:       Dept of State IR-1/CR-1 Visa:     USCIS I-751 Petition:   USCIS N-400 Petition:

IR-1/CR-1 Visa Event Date Service Center : Texas Service Center Transferred? No Consulate : Montreal, Canada Marriage (if applicable): 2015-10-07 I-130 Sent : 2018-07-25 I-130 NOA1 : 2018-07-31 I-130 RFE : I-130 RFE Sent : I-130 Approved : 2019-01-22 NVC Received : 2019-03-18 Received DS-261 / AOS Bill : Pay AOS Bill : Receive I-864 Package : Send AOS Package : 2020-02-01 Submit DS-261 : Receive IV Bill : Pay IV Bill : Send IV Package : 2020-01-21 Receive Instruction and Interview appointment letter : Case Completed at NVC : 2020-02-06 NVC Left : Consulate Received : Packet 3 Received : Packet 3 Sent : Packet 4 Received : Interview Date : 2020-12-11 Interview Result : Approved Second Interview (If Required): Second Interview Result: Visa Received : 2020-12-29 US Entry : Comments : Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-130 was approved in 175 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 864 days from your I-130 NOA1 date.

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Event Description Review Date : January 11, 2021 Embassy Review : My appointment was on December 11 2020 at 9:30 AM. I got to the consulate at 9:25 and was let in by a security guard at 9:30. A couple of other people were waiting outside as well but the guard said she'd only be letting in people scheduled for 9:30. When I went inside she asked to see my passport to confirm my name on a checklist and asked me some covid-related questions. She let me into the lobby where there were a few border agent-esque officers who told me to put my things (coat/gloves/scarf, phone which was turned off, and folder of paperwork) in a bin to be x-rayed. I walked through a metal detector and was scanned with a handheld metal detector by one of the officers as well. They took my phone to put in a locker and gave me a key to hold onto. They directed me to take the elevator, which brought me to a big waiting room with probably 12 other people waiting, sitting socially distanced, and I think 11 numbered service windows/counters. I wasn't totally sure where to go (I think an officer downstairs told me but I misheard), but a security guard sitting at a desk told me to wait for one of the windows to free up. I think you're initially only supposed to go to window 7, 8, or 9, which I did when the guard told me to. The consulate officer asked for my passport and then told me to sit down again. This part was the longest time I had to wait. There was an analog clock on the wall which said 2:50 even though it was probably actually 9:45 at the latest when I noticed it. Not sure what that's about! I probably waited for at least a half hour before I was called up to a different window (they will use a PA system to announce your name). There are hooks at every window where you can hang up your coat. The consulate officer was friendly which definitely helped set my mind at ease because I was really worried that I'd be missing some paperwork. She first verified my phone number and address and my husband's phone number and address. I had my husband's new address on an updated i864 so I gave her that. She then asked for my original birth certificate (I gave long-form), marriage certificate, police clearance, and photocopy of my passport's bio page. She also scanned my fingerprints. She then asked for my husband's 2019 tax return, but he still hadn't received it which I explained and offered his 1040 and W2 instead. That was what I was most worried about so I had also brought his 2016, 2017, and 2018 tax transcripts and his last paystub, but she was fine with just the 1040 and W2. I imagine it would be better to come even more prepared if your spouse is retired, self-employed, or switched jobs. She asked for one passport-style photo and returned it to me after scanning it. She gave me a pamphlet on domestic violence and asked me to sit down again. I waited probably less than 10 minutes before being called to a different window. This consulate officer was also friendly and mostly just asked me questions, such as: How did you meet your spouse? When did you meet? When did you get married? What does your spouse do for a living? Where does your spouse live? Have you ever travelled to the US? What's the longest time you've stayed in the US? The consulate officer asked me about my medical exam, which was done on November 24 and sent on December 3, but apparently there had been a delay for a lot of people. I got verbal confirmation of approval and received a "Welcome to the USA" letter. I got a tracking number for my passport on December 23 and was able to pick it up on December 29. That was pretty much it! Now to actually get to the US :P Rating : Very Good

Timeline Comments: 2



*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

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