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KULtoATL's US Immigration Timeline

  Petitioner's Name: M
Beneficiary's Name: L
VJ Member: KULtoATL
Country: Malaysia

Last Updated: 2021-03-24
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Immigration Checklist for M & L:

USCIS I-129F Petition:      
Dept of State K1 Visa:    
USCIS I-485 Petition:  
USCIS I-765 Petition:      
USCIS I-131 Petition:      
USCIS I-751 Petition:  
USCIS N-400 Petition:  


K1 Visa
Event Date
Service Center : California Service Center
Transferred? No
Consulate : Malaysia
I-129F Sent : 2017-03-01
I-129F NOA1 : 2017-03-07
I-129F RFE(s) :
RFE Reply(s) :
I-129F NOA2 : 2017-06-03
NVC Received : 2017-06-19
Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : 2017-06-19
NVC Left : 2017-06-23
Consulate Received : 2017-06-28
Packet 3 Received : 2017-07-03
Packet 3 Sent : 2017-07-04
Packet 4 Received :
Interview Date : 2017-08-24
Interview Result : Approved
Second Interview
(If Required):
Second Interview Result:
Visa Received : 2017-08-30
US Entry : 2017-11-01
Marriage : 2017-12-12
Comments : << Step 1: I-129F >>

1 Mar 2017 (Wed): FedEx 2-Day 10.30 AM to Lewisville, TX.
3 Mar 2017 (Fri): Delivered to Lewisville, TX. <Signed for by: S. Logan>
7 Mar 2017 (Tue): NOA1 hardcopy's date.
8 Mar 2017 (Wed): NOA1 via SMS and e-mail - petition assigned to CSC.
13 Mar 2017 (Mon): NOA1 hardcopy via normal mail. <Note: USCIS misspelled the third word in beneficiary's first name>
14 Mar 2017 (Tue): Submitted Service Request via USCIS e-Request to correct misspelling of beneficiary's first name. <Note: Reply due from USCIS by 5 April 2017>
6 Apr 2017 (Thu): Called USCIS NCSC 1-800. Officer noted that the name was truncated due to the 18-character space limit and nothing can be done.
3 Jun 2017 (Sat): NOA2 hardcopy's date

** 88 days from NOA1 to NOA2 **


<< Step 2: K-1 >>
12 Jun 2017 (Mon): Called NVC. Officer noted that our case number has not been generated yet and to call back in a couple of days.
13 Jun 2017 (Tue): Submitted Certificate of Good Conduct application online and mailed out payment as well as self-addressed envelope to KLN.
16 Jun 2017 (Fri): Called NVC. Still no case number.
19 Jun 2017 (Mon): NVC case number assigned and IIN obtained.
23 Jun 2017 (Thu): NVC - In Transit. Case file en route from NVC to the embassy.
28 Jun 2017 (Wed): NVC - Ready. Presumably, the embassy has received our case file. Still no e-mail from the embassy on Packet 3.
29 Jun 2017 (Thu): Certificate of Good Conduct received from KLN via normal mail.
29 Jun 2017 (Thu): NVC notice hardcopy via normal mail. <Note: NVC listed FNU as beneficiary's first name despite all words were properly separated into the first and last name boxes in all submitted USCIS forms>
30 Jun 2017 (Fri): E-mailed the embassy about Packet 3. Received useless automated response.
30 Jun 2017 (Fri): Called NVC. Officer said nothing can be done about the FNU name issue found in the notification letter to the petitioner.
3 Jul 2017 (Mon): Embassy e-mailed Packet 3 (6-page PDF instructions).
3 Jul 2017 (Mon): Paid for professional birth certificate translation by ITBM. <Note: Translation would be ready in 3 working days>
3 Jul 2017 (Mon): Submitted DS-160 and paid the visa fee.
4 Jul 2017 (Tue): Scheduled the interview online
4 Jul 2017 (Tue): E-mailed the DS-160 and interview confirmation pages to the embassy.
4 Jul 2017 (Tue): Called the clinic but was advised to call back in early Aug 2017 to schedule the medical appointment.
12 Jul 2017 (Wed): Birth certificate translation received from ITBM via Poslaju.
24 Jul 2017 (Mon): Called Klinik Catterall, Khoo & Raja Malek and secured medical appointment.
4 Aug 2017 (Fri): Medical appointment. <Note: Pending Td/Tdap and flu shots, report ready 15 Aug 2017 (Tue) - collected 19 Aug 2017 (Sat) - clean medical!!>
24 Aug 2017 (Thu): Interview day. <APPROVED - Link to my so-called review on the US Embassy of Malaysia. It's actually more of a step-by-step of what transpired.>
24 Aug 2017 - IV Ready | 25 Aug 2017 - IV Ready | 28 Aug 2017 - NIV Application Received | 28 Aug 2017 - NIV Administrative Processing | 29 Aug 2017 - Issued + ticket purchased | 30 Aug 2017 - Visa received

** 170 days from NOA1 to interview **
** 82 days from NOA2 to interview **


Additional note: My K-1 visa validity begins from the date of issuance (29 August 2017) instead of medical date.
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your I-129f was approved in 88 days from your NOA1 date.

Your interview took 170 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.


Port of Entry Review
Event Date
Port of Entry : Atlanta
POE Date : 2017-11-01
Got EAD Stamp : No
Biometrics Taken : Yes
Harassment Level : 0
Comments : Arrived at 9.18 pm. There was a long immigration queue but it was moving quickly. Told 3 usherers that I have a K-1 visa at their respective points and they told me to go to the regular foreign passport line instead of the famous tripod area from the start.

*** At the first CBP counter ***

Me: Good evening, sir. I have a K-1 visa. [handed over my passport, sealed visa packet and x-ray CD]

Officer 1: K-1 visa? Oh boy! I don't need your x-ray CD. You can take it back.

Me: OK, thank you.

Officer 1: Are you on Visajourney.com?

Me: Yes, I am.

Officer 1: Good. Just refer to that site. The website has all the information that you need. You don't need to hire an attorney because it's unnecessary. You can handle the paperwork yourself.

Me: Yes, the paperwork is straightforward.

Officer 1: When is the wedding?

Me: December 12, 2017.

[fingerprinted and photographed]

[Officer 1 called Officer 2 asking if he wanted to take a K-1 entrant and Officer 2 told Officer 1 to send me over]

[my passport and sealed visa packet placed in a clear folder]

[Officer 1 got out of his cubicle, handed me the clear folder and redirected me to the tripod area, which was located at the far left end of the hall]


*** At the second CBP counter ***

Me: Good evening, sir.

Officer 2: Good evening. What is your father's first name?

Me: [mentioned father's English name by mistake and the name is totally off all his official documents]

Officer 2: .....

Me: Oops sorry! His actual first name is [Chinese name].

Officer 2: Where did [English name] come from?

Me: [English name] was due to his conversion into Christianity but the name is not on any official documents.

Officer 2: That's dangerous. So what are you doing in the US?

Me: I am here to marry my US citizen fiance.

Officer 2: Are you sure you want to get married?

Me: Yes, I am sure.

Officer 2: A lot of people come here and they are not sure if they want to get married.

Me: [stayed silent]

Officer 2: When is the wedding?

Me: December 12, 2017.

Officer 2: Do you have any kids?

Me: No kids.

Officer 2: Your last name is just [last name]?

Me: Yes. The other words are all my first name.

Officer 2: You will have to get married within 90 days. Do you know what will happen if you do not get married within 90 days?

Me: I will have to go back to Malaysia.

Officer 2: Yes, that is right. Your I-94 is valid till [date]. Do you know what you need to do after you get married?

Me: I will need to adjust my status.

Officer 2: Yes. that is correct. Before you get your green card, if you want to travel outside of the US, you will need an advance parole so that you would be allowed back in after that. If you travel to overseas without an advance parole, you can no longer come back into the US. After you get your green card, you will no longer need to travel with an advance parole. Are you clear?

Me: Yes, I am clear.

Officer 2: Do you have any questions for me?

Me: Yes, I have one question. We are planning to visit my fiance's family in [state name] during Christmas. Will I get into trouble if I don't have an advance parole at that time?

Officer 2: No, you do not need an advance parole to travel anywhere within the US. You only need it for international travels.

Me: OK, thank you.

Officer 2: Good luck. [handed passport back at me]


Adjustment of Status
Event Date
CIS Office : Atlanta GA
Date Filed : 2018-03-01
NOA Date : 2018-03-10
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. : 2018-04-05
AOS Transfer** :
Interview Date : 2019-02-26
Approval / Denial Date : 2019-02-27
Approved : Yes
Got I551 Stamp :
Greencard Received: 2019-06-27
Comments : 1 Mar 2018 (Thu): FedEx 2-Day 10.30 AM to Chicago, IL.
5 Mar 2018 (Fri): Delivered to Chicago, IL. <Signed for by: J. Chyba>
10 Mar 2018 (Sat): NOA1 hardcopy's date.
12 Mar 2018 (Mon): Check cashed.
13 Mar 2018 (Tue): Received text and e-mail notifications.
16 Mar 2018 (Fri): NOA1 hardcopy via normal mail.
16 Mar 2018 (Fri):: Biometrics appointment letter's date.
22 Mar 2018 (Thu): Biometrics appointment letter via normal mail.
5 Apr 2018 (Thu): Biometrics appointment at 9.00 am.
19 Jul 2018 (Thu): Text and e-mail notifications stating as of 17 July 2018, case is ready to be scheduled for an interview and a notice will follow.
23 Jan 2019 (Wed): Text and e-mail notifications stating on 18 January 2019, an interview has been scheduled and a notice will follow.
25 Jan 2019 (Fri): Interview notice delivered by USPS.
26 Feb 2019 (Tue): Interview scheduled for 12.55 pm.
27 Feb 2019 (Wed): Text and e-mail notifications received. New card is ordered and being produced.
27 Feb 2019 (Wed): Text and e-mail notifications received. Post-decision activity - case being reopened.
27 Feb 2019 (Wed): NOA2 hardcopy's date. This was mailed out of Williston, VT 05495 zip code area.
27 Feb 2019 (Wed): NOA hardcopy's date. This was a I-797C titled Reopen Notice. It was mailed out of Corbin, KY 40701 zip code area.
28 Feb 2019 (Thu): NOA2 hardcopy's postmark date.
28 Feb 2019 (Thu): E-mail notification received. Case was approved.
28 Feb 2019 (Thu): E-mail notification received. Case was reopened.
1 Mar 2019 (Fri): NOA hardcopy's postmark for the I-797C Reopen Notice.
4 Mar 2019 (Mon): Received both NOA2 (Approval Notice) and NOA (Reopen Notice) via USPS normal mail.
26 Apr 2019 (Fri): Mailed out casework request to Senator Isakson office via USPS Priority Mail.
29 Apr 2019 (Mon): Casework request delivered to Senator Isakson office signed by C. Chad.
Apr 2019: Received acknowledgment of receipt from Charles Spry of Senator Isakson office via USPS regular mail.
4 Jun 2019 (Tue): Mailed out casework follow-up to Senator Isakson office via USPS Priority Mail.
6 Jun 2019 (Thu): Casework follow-up delivered to Senator Isakson office signed by C. Chad.
Jun 2019: Received update from Charles Spry of Senator Isakson office via e-mail. He forwarded the generic response that their office received from USCIS.
21 Jun 2019 (Fri): Text and e-mail notifications received. New card is ordered and being produced.
25 Jun 2019 (Tue): Text and e-mail notifications received. New card is mailed out.
26 Jun 2019 (Wed): Green card sent from Corbin, KY received via Priority Mail and no signature was required at delivery. Mailman dropped it in the mailbox like regular mails.


Employment Authorization Document
Event Date
CIS Office : Chicago National Office
Filing Method : Mail
Filing Instance : First
Date Filed : 2018-03-01
NOA Date : 2018-03-10
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. : 2018-04-05
Approved Date : 2018-08-06
Date Card Received : 2018-08-11
Comments : 1 Mar 2018 (Thu): FedEx 2-Day 10.30 AM to Chicago, IL.
5 Mar 2018 (Fri): Delivered to Chicago, IL. <Signed for by: J. Chyba>
10 Mar 2018 (Sat): NOA1 hardcopy's date.
12 Mar 2018 (Mon): Check cashed.
13 Mar 2018 (Tue): Received text and e-mail notifications.
16 Mar 2018 (Fri): NOA1 hardcopy via normal mail.
16 Mar 2018 (Fri):: Biometrics appointment letter's date.
22 Mar 2018 (Thu): Biometrics appointment letter via normal mail.
5 Apr 2018 (Thu): Biometrics appointment at 9.00 am.
6 Aug 2018 (Mon): NOA2 hardcopy’s date.
6 Aug 2018 (Mon): Text and e-mail notifications received. New card is ordered and being produced.
9 Aug 2018 (Thu): Text and e-mail notifications received. Card is picked up by USPS.
10 Aug 2018 (Fri): NOA2 hardcopy via normal mail.
11 Aug 2018 (Sat): Combo card sent from Lee’s Summit, MO received via Priority Mail and no signature was required at delivery. Mailman dropped it in the mailbox like regular mails.
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your EAD was approved in 158 days.


Advance Parole
Event Date
CIS Office : Chicago National Office
Filing Method :  
Filing Instance : First
Date Filed : 2018-03-01
NOA Date : 2018-03-10
RFE(s) :
Date Received : 2018-08-11
Comments : 1 Mar 2018 (Thu): FedEx 2-Day 10.30 AM to Chicago, IL.
5 Mar 2018 (Fri): Delivered to Chicago, IL. <Signed for by: J. Chyba>
10 Mar 2018 (Sat): NOA1 hardcopy's date.
12 Mar 2018 (Mon): Check cashed.
13 Mar 2018 (Tue): Received text and e-mail notifications.
16 Mar 2018 (Fri): NOA1 hardcopy via normal mail.
16 Mar 2018 (Fri):: Biometrics appointment letter's date.
22 Mar 2018 (Thu): Biometrics appointment letter via normal mail.
5 Apr 2018 (Thu): Biometrics appointment at 9.00 am.
6 Aug 2018 (Mon): NOA2 hardcopy’s date.
6 Aug 2018 (Mon): Text and e-mail notifications received. New card is ordered and being produced.
9 Aug 2018 (Thu): Text and e-mail notifications received. Card is picked up by USPS.
10 Aug 2018 (Fri): NOA2 hardcopy via normal mail.
11 Aug 2018 (Sat): Combo card sent from Lee’s Summit, MO received via Priority Mail and no signature was required at delivery. Mailman dropped it in the mailbox like regular mails.
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your AP was approved in 158 days.


Lifting Conditions
Event Date
CIS Office : Texas Service Center
Date Filed : 2020-12-01
NOA Date : 2021-01-14
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. :
Interview Date :
Approval / Denial Date : 2021-03-18
Approved : Yes
Got I551 Stamp : No
Green Card Received : 2021-03-23
Comments : 29 Nov 2020 (Sun): Earliest filing date and the beginning of the 90-day window.
1 Dec 2020 (Tue): FedEx 2-Day 10.30 AM to Phoenix, AZ.
3 Dec 2020 (Thu): Delivered to Phoenix, AZ. <Signed for by: F. Brown>
14 Jan 2021 (Fri): NOA1 hardcopy's date.
15 Jan 2021 (Fri): Check cashed.
19 Jan 2021 (Tue): NOA1 hardcopy's postmark.
21 Jan 2021 (Thu): Called USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 and requested for receipt number since the check has been cashed but NOA1 hardcopy has not been delivered yet.
22 Jan 2021 (Fri): NOA1 hardcopy via normal mail.
25 Jan 2021 (Mon): Received text notification.
27 Feb 2021 (Sat): Conditional green card expires.
5 Mar 2021 (Fri): Biometrics waiver via normal mail.
17 Mar 2021 (Wed): NOA2 hardcopy’s date.
17 Mar 2021 (Wed): Received e-mail notification. New card is ordered and being produced.
18 Mar 2021 (Thu): NOA2 hardcopy's postmark date.
18 Mar 2021 (Thu): E-mail notification received. Case was approved.
19 Mar 2021 (Fri): E-mail notification received. Card was mailed out.
22 Mar 2021 (Mon): E-mail notification received. Card is picked up by USPS.
22 Mar 2021 (Tue): NOA2 hardcopy via normal mail.
23 Mar 2021 (Wed): Green card sent from Corbin, KY received via Priority Mail and no signature was required at delivery. Mailman dropped it in the mailbox like regular mails.


Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Malaysia
Review Topic: K1 Visa
Event Description
Review Date : August 24, 2017
Embassy Review : 10 am interview but I arrived at 9 ish. No queue nor crowd. A guard told me I can go through security immediately to enter the embassy compound.

Registration counter: Provided my ID card and visa interview confirmation page. Lady checked my appointment against her list, stamped my visa interview confirmation page with a B, returned the page to me and issued me a visitor tag. My ID card was held at the counter.

First security checkpoint: Handed in my mobile phones, power bank, USB cable and earphones and was given a pigeonhole number tag. Bags were scanned (like airport security checks) and I walked through a detector. Collected everything and walked to the actual embassy building.

Second security checkpoint: Guard manually checked my bags casually and I walked through yet another detector. After I was cleared, I was instructed to go to the interview hall, which was on the left.

Interview hall: Queue number ticket guy checked my visa interview appointment confirmation page. Gave me a queue number ticket that began with a B followed by three numbers. He told me to hold onto it and get my documents out from my folders. Just as I was opening my folder, my queue number was called. I had to go to the document submission window.

Document submission window: Lady asked for my visa interview confirmation page and returned it to me after taking a look. Gave me a slip which was supposed to act as a letter of intent for me to sign and date as well as a copy of the domestic violence pamphlet. Then she started to ask for the following:

1) DS-160 confirmation page
2) Passport
3) 1 passport photo
4) Queue number ticket (she tore one portion from the two-part ticket to be affixed to my passport)
5) Original Certificate of Good Conduct or other police certificates
6) Original birth certificate + birth certificate copy + birth certificate translation
7) Medical envelope - she returned me the x-ray CD
8) Transaction Confirmation page (document delivery address registration confirmation page)
9) Visa fee payment receipt
10) I-134 + tax transcripts
11) Evidence of relationship - video call screenshots, call logs, one Christmas card (I received from my fiancé) - asked if she wanted more and she said no

Waiting hall: After submitting all documents, I was told to go to the waiting hall. This hall is across the interview hall. It is situated on the right side of the second security checkpoint. Put my stuff back into their relevant pockets. Sat for less than 10 minutes and my number was called again and was assigned Counter 7.

Interview counter: My interview session was at Counter 7 and the consular officer was Gordon Wood. He was pleasant but nothing overly friendly. He remained courteous and professional throughout. I took my oath and continued with biometrics. Once I finished my fingerprinting, he started to ask me questions:

1) How did we meet?
2) When's the first in-person meeting?
3) Was that visit to the US specifically to visit him?
4) Where did the first in-person meeting took place?
5) Where does he live?
6) What's his job?
7) Has he ever been married?
8) Have I ever been married?
9) Has he been to Malaysia?

Upon hearing my answer to his final question, he got busy looking for some papers on the shelves. I almost burst into tears thinking he was gonna deny my visa application or tell me to submit more documents. He couldn't find what he needed so he went to the next counter only to come back with the domestic violence pamphlet. He asked if I had gotten that and understood the content to which I answered yes. Finally, he didn't say my visa was approved. Instead, he said everything looked good and I should wait to get my visa in the next few days.

Waiting hall: Ushered by the queue number ticket guy to the other hall. I was told that I could take as much time as I want there to re-organize my stuff or whatever. Quickly packed up my things, checked I have my original birth certificate back and changed into a pair of flip flops because my shoe straps broke. Embarrassing as f-ck considering I was in an embassy! It's damn funny too.

Exit: Left the embassy compound via the tall manual turnstile.

Collection counter: Returned the visitor tag and pigeonhole number tag. Retrieved my ID card and my electronics.

Overall comment: I'm happy with my experience at the embassy this round after two extremely horrible ones previously for my B2 visa applications (1 denied in 2007/08 and 1 approved in 2015). All the guards on duty were polite, document submission window lady was a good sport and the queue number ticket guy was helpful. Consular Officer Gordon Wood had proven to me that consular officers at the US Embassy in Malaysia could be pleasant and professional at the same time without the need for intimidation and spewing baseless allegations. He probably won't be reading this but still, thank you!

THE END

(updated on August 24, 2017)
Rating : Very Good


POE Review: Atlanta
Event Description
Entry Date : 2017-11-01
Embassy Review : Arrived at 9.18 pm. There was a long immigration queue but it was moving quickly. Told 3 usherers that I have a K-1 visa at their respective points and they told me to go to the regular foreign passport line instead of the famous tripod area from the start.

*** At the first CBP counter ***

Me: Good evening, sir. I have a K-1 visa. [handed over my passport, sealed visa packet and x-ray CD]

Officer 1: K-1 visa? Oh boy! I don't need your x-ray CD. You can take it back.

Me: OK, thank you.

Officer 1: Are you on Visajourney.com?

Me: Yes, I am.

Officer 1: Good. Just refer to that site. The website has all the information that you need. You don't need to hire an attorney because it's unnecessary. You can handle the paperwork yourself.

Me: Yes, the paperwork is straightforward.

Officer 1: When is the wedding?

Me: December 12, 2017.

[fingerprinted and photographed]

[Officer 1 called Officer 2 asking if he wanted to take a K-1 entrant and Officer 2 told Officer 1 to send me over]

[my passport and sealed visa packet placed in a clear folder]

[Officer 1 got out of his cubicle, handed me the clear folder and redirected me to the tripod area, which was located at the far left end of the hall]


*** At the second CBP counter ***

Me: Good evening, sir.

Officer 2: Good evening. What is your father's first name?

Me: [mentioned father's English name by mistake and the name is totally off all his official documents]

Officer 2: .....

Me: Oops sorry! His actual first name is [Chinese name].

Officer 2: Where did [English name] come from?

Me: [English name] was due to his conversion into Christianity but the name is not on any official documents.

Officer 2: That's dangerous. So what are you doing in the US?

Me: I am here to marry my US citizen fiance.

Officer 2: Are you sure you want to get married?

Me: Yes, I am sure.

Officer 2: A lot of people come here and they are not sure if they want to get married.

Me: [stayed silent]

Officer 2: When is the wedding?

Me: December 12, 2017.

Officer 2: Do you have any kids?

Me: No kids.

Officer 2: Your last name is just [last name]?

Me: Yes. The other words are all my first name.

Officer 2: You will have to get married within 90 days. Do you know what will happen if you do not get married within 90 days?

Me: I will have to go back to Malaysia.

Officer 2: Yes, that is right. Your I-94 is valid till [date]. Do you know what you need to do after you get married?

Me: I will need to adjust my status.

Officer 2: Yes. that is correct. Before you get your green card, if you want to travel outside of the US, you will need an advance parole so that you would be allowed back in after that. If you travel to overseas without an advance parole, you can no longer come back into the US. After you get your green card, you will no longer need to travel with an advance parole. Are you clear?

Me: Yes, I am clear.

Officer 2: Do you have any questions for me?

Me: Yes, I have one question. We are planning to visit my fiance's family in [state name] during Christmas. Will I get into trouble if I don't have an advance parole at that time?

Officer 2: No, you do not need an advance parole to travel anywhere within the US. You only need it for international travels.

Me: OK, thank you.

Officer 2: Good luck. [handed passport back at me]
Harassment Level : Low


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*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

vjTimeline ver 5.0




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