J&A 808's US Immigration Timeline
|
Petitioner's Name: Justin
Beneficiary's Name: Abhie
VJ Member: J&A 808
Country: Philippines
Last Updated: 2021-02-16
|
|
|
Immigration Checklist for Justin & Abhie:
|
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 : |
Manila, Philippines |
| I-129F Sent : |
2016-04-15 |
| I-129F NOA1 : |
2016-04-21 |
| I-129F RFE(s) : |
|
| RFE Reply(s) : |
|
| I-129F NOA2 : |
2016-07-07 |
| NVC Received : |
|
| Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : |
2016-08-02 |
| NVC Left : |
2016-08-02 |
| Consulate Received : |
2016-08-04 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
|
| Packet 3 Sent : |
|
| Packet 4 Received : |
|
| Interview Date : |
2016-09-02 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
|
Second Interview
(If Required): |
|
| Second Interview Result: |
|
| Visa Received : |
2016-09-14 |
| US Entry : |
2016-10-01 |
| Marriage : |
2016-11-20 |
| Comments : |
|
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-129f was approved in 77 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 134 days from your I-129F NOA1 date. |
|
Adjustment of Status
|
| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Honolulu HI |
| Date Filed : |
2016-12-09 |
| NOA Date : |
2016-12-24 |
| RFE(s) : |
|
| Bio. Appt. : |
2017-01-09 |
| AOS Transfer** : |
|
| Interview Date : |
2017-05-01 |
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2017-05-01 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
|
| Greencard Received: |
2017-05-08 |
| Comments : |
|
|
Employment Authorization
Document
|
| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
Chicago National Office |
| Filing Method : |
Mail |
| Filing Instance : |
First |
| Date Filed : |
2016-12-09 |
| NOA Date : |
2016-12-24 |
| RFE(s) : |
2017-03-22 |
| Bio. Appt. : |
2017-01-09 |
| Approved Date : |
2017-04-11 |
| Date Card Received : |
2017-04-22 |
| Comments : |
|
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your EAD was approved in 123 days. |
|
Lifting Conditions
|
| Event |
Date |
| CIS Office : |
California Service Center |
| Date Filed : |
2019-02-12 |
| NOA Date : |
2019-02-20 |
| RFE(s) : |
|
| Bio. Appt. : |
|
| Interview Date : |
|
| Approval / Denial Date : |
2020-02-06 |
| Approved : |
Yes |
| Got I551 Stamp : |
|
| Green Card Received : |
|
| Comments : |
|
|
Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines
Review Topic: K1 Visa
|
| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
October 30, 2016 |
| Embassy Review : |
Overall, the interview process went smoothly and took about three hours. I was informed my visa was approved at the end of the interview.
Before going to the U.S. embassy, make sure you have all your documents ready and in order. I recommend dressing like you’re going to a job interview. Leave all gadgets at home – cellphones, USB, iPads/tablets, smartwatches, lighters, and all electronic devices are strictly prohibited. If you absolutely need to bring these items to the embassy, be prepared to pay P100 per item (you can haggle if you have multiple items) to vendors outside the embassy that will hold your item(s) for you. If you arrive early for your appointment (which is recommended), be aware there is no seating outside the embassy. There are chairs available for rent just outside the embassy for P30 per chair.
My appointment was scheduled at 9:00 a.m. and I arrived at the embassy three hours before my appointment. (I don’t suggest you to be there that quite early.) There was a long line outside the embassy, but security will not let you get in line if it’s not yet your appointment time. You will know if you can get in line once your appointment time is posted on the sign next to the guard (which is about five minutes before each appointment time). Have your passport, DS160, and appointment print-out ready before you get in line.
When I arrived inside the embassy, I went through security check and then was directed to the first step, which is data encoding. The officer at this window asked just a couple of questions, merely for validation, such as my name, age, and name of petitioner. It took 2-3 minutes, but it could take longer if there are discrepancies in your papers. The next step is finger printing (just make sure your fingers and palms are clean). Step 3 is an interview by a Filipino Consular Officer (CO). She asked for my documents (NSO birth certificate, NBI clearance CENOMAR, and St Luke’s sealed medical exam result). Questions asked by the Filipino CO: name, birthdate, petitioner’s name, petitioner’s birthdate, how did you meet, how many times did he (petitioner) visit you, and when did you meet in person. She then asked for our photos. Since they were in a big album, she asked me to flip through the pages, but she didn’t even look at them. The next and last step was an interview by an American Consular Officer. The American CO had all of our papers from the NVC what we had submitted to the USCIS. You will need a lot of patience in this step. I waited 2 hours and 15 minutes to be interviewed by the American CO. Questions asked: what is your name, what is your birthdate, what is your petitioner’s name; how are you related to the petitioner (some petitioners are family); do you have kids; does your fiancé have kids, have you been married before; has your fiancé been married before; have you traveled abroad, have you worked abroad, what is your fiancé’s job, how many times did he visit you, when/how did you meet, when did you become officially girlfriend/boyfriend.
Since I worked in Saudi Arabia for more than six months, the American CO asked if I was able to get my police clearance from Saudi Arabia. I said no, because it’s not available once you’re outside the Kingdom (which was apparently a satisfactory answer). The American CO didn’t ask for the Affidavit of Support from my fiancé.
After the five-minute interview, the American CO said “visa approved.†Wohoo!! Nothing comes to my mind after that. :D The entire process took about three hours, but it was all worth it!
Tips/Reminders:
To avoid window/step 5 (221G form), make sure your NSO birth certificate and CENOMAR are current. I suggest you get your NSO documents two or three weeks before your interview. Make sure your name matches what is on your passport.
You won’t have privacy during the interview. Other applicants waiting in the queue to be interviewed will be next to you and can overhear your interview conversation.
Electronic devices are not allowed in the embassy. Do not take the risk of trying to bring a device in.
Other tips:
- Carefully read all the documents/emails you receive prior to your interview;
- Tell the truth (trust me, they will know if you’re lying);
- Be there 30 mins before your scheduled appointment;
- If you’re not sure where to go or where the next step is, do not hesitate to ask. The staff is very nice and approachable;
- Be confident, and good luck!
|
| Rating : |
Very Good |
|
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
