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Abbyerin's US Immigration Timeline

  Petitioner's Name: Dean
Beneficiary's Name: Abby
VJ Member: Abbyerin
Country: United Kingdom

Last Updated: 2017-02-08
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Immigration Checklist for Dean & Abby:

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 : London, United Kingdom
I-129F Sent : 2015-12-10
I-129F NOA1 : 2015-12-17
I-129F RFE(s) :
RFE Reply(s) :
I-129F NOA2 : 2016-02-11
NVC Received : 2016-02-23
Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : 2016-02-24
NVC Left : 2016-02-25
Consulate Received : 2016-02-29
Packet 3 Received : 2016-03-12
Packet 3 Sent : 2016-03-03
Packet 4 Received : 2016-04-01
Interview Date : 2016-05-05
Interview Result : Approved
Second Interview
(If Required):
Second Interview Result:
Visa Received : 2016-05-12
US Entry : 2016-06-12
Marriage : 2016-06-30
Comments : Medical scheduled for 15 March 2016
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your I-129f was approved in 56 days from your NOA1 date.

Your interview took 140 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.


Port of Entry Review
Event Date
Port of Entry : JFK
POE Date : 2016-06-12
Got EAD Stamp : Yes,Passport Stamp
Biometrics Taken : Yes
Harassment Level : 0
Comments : Got to JFK and went to the immigration line for New Esta's/Other visa's. When I visited before I could go into the 'returning Esta's' line (I asked a lady there to double check too).

Not a long line at all as I was one of the first off of the plane. After 2 minutes I took my package and passport to the gentleman at the desk and advised I was coming in on a K1 visa. He opened it and took my passport. Asked if we had a date for the marriage. Took my biometrics twice (unsure whether he needed to or just didn't get them correctly the first time).

He looked over the paperwork and through the system. He was lovely, not talkative but approachable. I also gave him my customs form and advised that I hadn't filled in the sections that say 'country of residence' or the cost of my articles. I apologised and said I hadn't filled it in as I don't know what to put. I said, I'm going to be in a grey area because I'm not going to stay a resident of the U.K but I'm also not yet a resident of the United States. We had a little laugh about how I'm currently in between status and a Nomad and he said to not worry as this is fine, it's understandable.

Then he said, everything looks fine but as with anything I need secondary interviewing. I nodded and said of course absolutely, I understood I needed to.

I then got taken to a room off to the side and was told to wait for my name to be called. It was around 10/15 minutes before my name was called. I walked up to the counter and he gave me my passport back with my declaration form and said "Thank you, have a nice day". I was baffled at this point as previous POE reviews people had said they took them in a room and asked a few questions but Nope! nothing like that. I said to the officer "Is there anything else I need to do?" He smiled and said "Get married and adjust status" I thanked him for his time and then asked "When can I apply for a social security number?" and he said "Tomorrow". I thanked him again and went on my way. All the officers I interacted with were lovely!

I then walked out the office and didn't see the officers on the way out. One of them said "Mam, I need to see your passport" I apoloigised and laughed and said I didn't see him as a I walked out. He laughed and said "no problem" checked my passport and I was on my way to baggage claim.

Note - I was allowed to take in my handbag/purse into the secondary interview room but not my extra bag, this was left outside of the room.

The whole experience was great and easy. No harassment at all!


Adjustment of Status
Event Date
CIS Office : Pittsburgh PA
Date Filed : 2016-07-29
NOA Date : 2016-08-05
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. : 2016-08-29
AOS Transfer** :
Interview Date :
Approval / Denial Date : 2017-02-04
Approved : Yes
Got I551 Stamp :
Greencard Received:
Comments : 07/19/2016 - Sent AOS, EAD, AP documents in the post with 2 day priority USPS.

07/28/2016 - Package delivered very late as was delayed somewhere in transit.

08/09/2016 - Text and email notifications starting at 12:41am (Texts came first and then email).

08/12/2016 - Get 3 NOA's in the post with the filing date 07/29/2016 and the NOA date 08/05/2016.

08/19/2016 - Get Biometrics appointment letter in the post.

08/29/2016 - Go to have biometrics done.

10/13/2016 - EAD and AP approved!

10/27/2016 - EAD status updated to "Card Mailed To Me".

10/31/2016 - EAD/AP combo card received in mail.

02/04/2017 - I-485 case status goes straight to "Card is being Produced" (Approved without interview).

02/06/2017 - I-485 case status changes to "Case Approved"

02/07/2017 - I-485 case status changes to "Card was Mailed to Me".


Employment Authorization Document
Event Date
CIS Office : Chicago National Office
Filing Method : Mail
Filing Instance : First
Date Filed : 2016-07-29
NOA Date : 2016-08-05
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. : 2016-08-29
Approved Date : 2016-10-13
Date Card Received : 2016-10-31
Comments : I had validation errors on my case numbers for both EAD and AP until it updated on 10/13/2016

10/27/2016 - EAD status updated to "Card Mailed To Me".

10/31/2016 - EAD/AP combo card received in mail.
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your EAD was approved in 76 days.


Advance Parole
Event Date
CIS Office : Chicago National Office
Filing Method :  
Filing Instance : First
Date Filed : 2016-07-29
NOA Date : 2016-08-05
RFE(s) :
Date Received : 2016-10-31
Comments : I had validation errors on my case numbers for both EAD and AP until it updated on 10/13/2016

10/27/2016 - EAD status updated to "Card Mailed To Me".

10/31/2016 - EAD/AP combo card received in mail.
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your AP was approved in 76 days.


Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: London, United Kingdom
Review Topic: K1 Visa
Event Description
Review Date : May 9, 2016
Embassy Review : My visa date was 5 May 2016 at 12.00pm

I got into London around 9.30am and had a slow walk down to the Embassy from Baker Street. Even though my appointment was 12.00, I thought it best to get my bearings.

I turned up to the embassy just after 10am and saw two lines formed. It looked like there was an immigrant line and a non-immigrant line. There was a little tent propped up with embassy staff ticking peoples names off of lists. On the other side of the tent was a line for the American citizen services which was of course a smaller line.

As I was early, I decided to walk back the way we came and just went for a coffee in the huge Marks and Spencer's on Oxford Street until it was time to return to the embassy.

My mother came with me and as it was a beautiful day she decided to sit outside of the embassy by the beautiful park that surrounds it. If it wasn't a lovely day then there are plenty of coffee shops/pubs to sit in whilst a friend or family goes for their interview.

By the time I got back to the embassy it was around 11.15am and there seemed to be only one line now and the embassy staff were pulling down the tent. From previous reviews I noticed it best just to ask an embassy staff member with a list before lining up as it's been known for people to go in the wrong line.

I Spoke to a lovely lady with a clip board and advised I've got an interview for a K1 visa and asked where to go. She said "Oh that's fine, I can sign you in here". I showed her my appointment letter and my passport. She wrote a little note on my appointment letter and directed me towards a security officer just outside the security area. He checked my appointment letter and passport again and then I was in line for security checks. I waited about 2 minutes to get into the airport style security room which you can see into from outside. I then went through security with no problems and then came out a door and turned to the right. There you go round the edge of the embassy and up some steps to the reception.

From there you give your appointment letter and they stick a few stickers on the letter with your number on it. Mine was I-905. The lady on reception then directed me up the stairs to a large waiting room. The room had a few hundred seats with a huge screen at the front that was constantly pinging numbers up. There is also many bank teller style windows around the outside of the room. This was around 11.22am.

I sat down nervously and looked at the screen for a few minutes. I could only see "N" numbers on the screen (This is for non-immigrant visas). There were a few ladies walking around answering questions if asked. I went up to a young lady and stated that I've got an "I" number and I was worried I wasn't in the correct place. She was very reassuring and approachable and told me not to worry, I'm just a bit early.

I sat back down and before I knew it I-901 was called. This put me at ease so I just started to get all my documents together whilst I waited. At 12.08 they called my number. I went to window 13 with my documents. I was greeted by a middle aged english man who was very friendly. He asked for my documents; I gave him my photo, police certificate, Birth Certificate, appointment letter, affidavit of support and proof of payment of the visa fee. I asked if he wanted my DS-160 but he said it wasn't necessary and gave me my photo back pretty soon after that. Whilst he was sorting my documents he asked when I planned on going and I replied with "12 June 2016 hopefully" He smiled back at me. He asked if I have ever been married, changed my name or have been adopted. He also asked if I was ever in the military.

He then took my finger prints like they do at immigration and then gave me a cd-rom of my chest X-Ray. He told me to keep it safe for my adjustment of status. He seemed very surprised at the amount of proof I had for the affidavit of support but I'd rather have too much than too little. He smiled and told me to go sit back down and wait for my number to be called again.

By 12.15pm I was back at my seat waiting and then at 12.42 I was called up to window 16 to have my interview. I was greeted by a tall, slim American guy. I said hello and then he said "Hey, how are you today?" I replied "I'm great thanks and you?" He replied quickly to confirm he was good and then looked at my arm and said "I like your ink" (I've got a few visible tattoos on my arms). I thanked him and then he immediately asked me to put my left fingers on the reader to check I'm the same person that gave the documents in half an hour earlier.

After this, he said "So Dean is your fiance´ correct? I confirmed this and then he asked when we met. I gave the exact date and he looked baffled at me and asked "How do you know the exact date?" I replied with "I've just got a thing for dates" He gave me quite a quirky look that was a cross between amused and just pure baffled. He was a very chirpy, happy character and certainly not what I expected from an interviewer.

He then asked me how we met. I started to explain the story and he said "woah, less detail" He then just asked me to let him know how we maintain the relationship and asked if we facetime. I replied that we skype call everyday and text. He asked if me and Dean have met each others families and I replied with "Yes of course, many times". He also asked what Dean did for a job. I thought he was going to carry on then he just stood up (from leaning on the counter) and said "That's it, you're approved". I was in shock at this point and said "really? you don't need anything else?" He just kept shooing me off saying "No, No, It's all done! Go call Dean and tell him".

At this point I was shocked and so happy. I was so thankful I got such lovely gentlemen to manage my case and make me feel at ease. As you can imagine I didn't sleep too well on the run up to it.

As I was walking out one of the lady chaperones was standing by the wall ( I think to help direct people to the exit) and she said "Wow, so you're going to America" and smiled at me. I just replied with a big "Yes" and the biggest smile I've ever given! She directed me to the exit and then I walked back round the building and out the security gate.

I walked to the window at 12.42 and I was out of the building by 12.45. It was literally minutes.

Of course I then called Dean and messaged all my families to let them know. I then walked to the nearest pub and had a lovely lunch and a well earnt beer with my mum.

It was an amazing, easy experience and all the staff I came across were lovely and seemed very understanding of our situations. They must see a lot of different emotions going through the halls daily. I looked at a lot of reviews of the U.S embassy in London to help me. I knew that it was known to be a good embassy but I was totally blown away by how fast, efficient and friendly it was.

Just waiting for my visa now. I can't wait to start the next chapter of my life with my husband to be.

Rating : Very Good


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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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