TogoAfrica's US Immigration Timeline

Petitioner's Name: Michelle Beneficiary's Name: Bright VJ Member: TogoAfrica Country: Togo Last Updated: 2023-03-17 Add Comment to Timeline Register or log in to follow this timeline

Immigration Checklist for Michelle & Bright :

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 : Togo I-129F Sent : 2017-12-20 I-129F NOA1 : 2017-12-26 I-129F RFE(s) : 0 RFE Reply(s) : 0 I-129F NOA2 : 2018-07-16 NVC Received : 2018-08-01 Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : 2018-08-01 NVC Left : 2018-08-07 Consulate Received : 2018-08-09 Packet 3 Received : 2018-08-20 Packet 3 Sent : 2018-08-20 Packet 4 Received : 2018-08-20 Interview Date : 2018-08-30 Interview Result : Administrative Review Second Interview (If Required): 2018-09-13 Second Interview Result: Approved Visa Received : 2018-09-21 US Entry : 2018-10-04 Marriage : 2018-10-20 Comments : August 16, 2018 packet 3 was ready but my fiancé was very sick with mumps and malaria and could not pick the packet up. Because of this we could not get a medical exam done in time for the interview but the embassy said keep the interview date for August 30, 2018 and bring the medical results in when we get them. August 30 we had our interview with no medical records, the interviewer said he was sorry he couldn’t give us the approval yet because of this and to come back September 13 with the medical records. September 7 we picked up the medical results and his vaccination records and x-rays. September 13 we brought results to embassy and the women said she will give to the consulate. September 21 we recieved a call from embassy our visa was ready to be picked up and approved!!! October 20, 2018 wedding !!!!!!!!! Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 202 days from your NOA1 date. Your interview took 247 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.

Port of Entry Review Event Date Port of Entry : Boston POE Date : 2018-10-04 Got EAD Stamp : No Biometrics Taken : No Harassment Level : 0 Comments : Very easy, welcomed us to America and said congratulations on the soon to be marriage.

Adjustment of Status Event Date CIS Office : Portland ME Date Filed : 2018-11-26 NOA Date : 2018-11-28 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2018-12-27 AOS Transfer** : Interview Date : 2019-07-03 Approval / Denial Date : 2019-07-03 Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : No Greencard Received: 2019-07-12 Comments : May 14 the USCIS app changed to Interview was scheduled. May 18 we received the letter with Interview date on July 3 July 3 we had the green card interview and was approved!! July 12 we received the green card The Interview was interesting experience; we both entered and was sworn in, then my husband left the room and I was questioned. Started simple with how did we meet and then went to more deeper questions about our life. She just wanted me to talk and tell her about our life. She would ask questions to prompt the conversation. She would write different things down. The craziest question was, what meats do you have in the freezer? 😜 my husband was then allowed back into the room and he was asked questions based on the conversation she had with me. She looked to see if he had the same details as I did. The entire interview maybe took about an hour.

Employment Authorization Document Event Date CIS Office : Kansas City MO Filing Method : Mail Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2018-11-26 NOA Date : 2018-11-28 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : 2018-12-27 Approved Date : 2019-07-01 Date Card Received : 2019-07-05 Comments : Received a letter July 1 from the uscis that the EAD was approved...3 days before our green card interview. It took 8 months For the EAD to be approved 🤦🏽‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ July 5 we received the EAD/AP in the mail July 12 received the green card in the mail. Processing Estimates/Stats : Your EAD was approved in 217 days.

Advance Parole Event Date CIS Office : Kansas City MO Filing Method :   Filing Instance : First Date Filed : 2018-11-26 NOA Date : 2018-11-28 RFE(s) : Date Received : 2019-07-05 Comments : Received a letter July 1 from the uscis, AP was approved. 3 days before green card interview. Took 8 months for the AP to be approved 🤦🏽‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ July 5 we received the EAD/AP in the mail July 12 received the green card in the mail. Processing Estimates/Stats : Your AP was approved in 217 days.

Lifting Conditions Event Date CIS Office : National Benefits Center Date Filed : 2021-04-07 NOA Date : 2021-05-04 RFE(s) : Bio. Appt. : Interview Date : 2023-01-30 Approval / Denial Date : 2023-01-30 Approved : Yes Got I551 Stamp : Green Card Received : Comments : 6/9/2021 Did not need new biometrics, could use old fingerprint 9/20/2022 transfer notice, petition moved to National Benefits Center in MO 10/11/2022 received letter for citizenship interview date; November 15,2022 11/15/2022 USCIS had computer problems and citizenship interview needed rescheduled 1/9/2023 received I-751 interview letter and saw online the I-400 citizenship letter for a combo interview January 30, 2023

Citizenship Event Date Service Center : Online CIS Office : Portland ME Date Filed : 2022-04-07 NOA Date : Bio. Appt. : Interview Date : 2023-01-30 Approved : Yes Oath Ceremony : 2023-03-17 Comments :

Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Togo Review Topic: K1 Visa Event Description Review Date : September 28, 2018 Embassy Review : 12/20/2017 we sent our petition to the USCIS. 7/16/2018 7 months later we received our approval and it was sent to the NVC. 8/1/2018 The NCV received it 16 days later from USCIS approval. 8/7/2018 our petition was electronically sent to the American embassy in Togo. 8/9/2018 the NVC web sight indicated the American embassy in Togo was ready for us to make an appointment to pick up our packet 3. We emailed them to make the appointment. They emailed back and said they would call us when they are ready. 8/16/2018 the embassy called my fiancé and told him he could come today and pick up the packet 3, (packet 3 for Togo is basically just a list of what you need for the interview and scheduling your interview and getting the clinic names and the letter you must show the clinic to make your appointment.) My fiancé was sick with the mumps and malaria and could not come 8/16/2018 for the packer. He asked for another day. They said to come 8/20/2018. 8/20/2018 we both went to the embassy to pick up our packet 3 and schedule the interview. They would not let me into the embassy and said I had to wait outside. My fiancé was inside for about an 1 1/2. They told him he had a choice between two different clinics in Lome for his medical exam and to make an appointment with them. Clinique Saint Helene Rue Sédomé Doulassamé or Polyclinelle Wossinue and Gbogbo Rue Soviepe Ave Maria. They also scheduled his interview for 8/30/2018 8/21/2018 we visited the clinic closest to us and they made an appointment for his exam 8/24. They also informed us it takes two weeks to get the results because it is sent to America and back to Togo. They only do medical exams on Fridays at 8:30am. We explained we needed our exam fast because the interview was 8/30/2018. They explained this was impossible and we would not have the results in time. We decided to visit the second clinic and see if the same was true there, it was. So there was nothing we could do about it, we emailed the embassy and explained our medical exam would not be ready in time for the interview and we asked them what they would like us to do. They emailed us back and asked him to come anyways and when medical exam is ready to return and bring it. 8/24/2018 we arrived at Polyclinelle Wossinue and Gbogbo for our 8:30 appointment and then sat and waited for 5 hours. During that 5 hours my fiancé paid for the medical exam ($418 American) then was called to have an X-ray. Then later was called to have blood work. Then again was called to speak with the doctor. The doctor asked if he had ever had a serious sickness or in the hospital for anything? My fiancé mentioned his current health situation. The doctor also asked if I was the one in the lobby he was marrying and my fiancé answered yes. It was a simple meeting. They then told him to come back 9/7/2018 at 2pm for the results. 8/30/2018 we both arrived at the embassy at 8am for my fiancé 8:30 appointment for the interview. I was prepared to sit outside like I did last time but the security guard insisted that was not appropriate or allowed. He suggested I sit in our car and we explained we don’t have a car, but a moto. He then said see if the security guards inside will let you in. We entered but then my fiancé remembered he forgot his passport at home, this caused commotion as he explained he needed it for the interview and needed to go home. The security guard was kind and tried to help explaining we only need his ID card to get in but my fiancé kept insisting he needed the passport for the interview and needed to go home. Well they insisted we enter and ask someone in the office what to do. Before we knew it, we both were in...even though technically I was not suppose to be. He then asked someone in the office if he could go home and get his passport, they agreed. I stayed and waited while he went home to get it. After an hour waiting, He was first called to the window to give his paperwork they asked for in the packet 3. The women could see me there and asked me to come up also. She is Very kind, and asked me if I was the one he was marrying and I said yes. She explained I may not be able to be part of the interview but if the interviewer needed to ask me questions they would let him know I’m here also. We then sat and waited for his turn for the interview. While waiting he was called up to another window where he paid for the visa ($265/we gave it to them in cfa). Later he was called up by a white American man who did his interview. It was very simple interview... he was asked Had he ever been married before or had children? Had I ever been married before and had children? When did we first meet? Why? Where? When did I arrive in Togo recently? And when did we intend to travel to America? He asked this question twice and my fiancé explained both times we had not bought our tickets yet because we do not know if we are approved for the visa. He asked for no additional evidence that our relationship had continued. We had a folder ready with this information; phone calls, WhatsApp conversation, photos, plane tickets, supporting letters, receipts for rings. But they didn’t need any of this, maybe because I was there I was evidence enough relationship was continuing. The interviewer then kindly said he was sorry he could not approve us today because we did not have the medical results but to bring them in as soon as we did. They then gave him a pink denied paper and on it was marked denied because we presented an incomplete application and they require additional information and it was marked they needed medical exam results. It then said return Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 11:30-12:30 with the information. 9/7/2018 we went to the clinic to get the results. Crazy we had to wait 3 hours just for them to hand us a sealed envelope for the embassy. Also they gave him his x-ray disc, and vaccinations. We feared because he had mumps, a contagious disease this would delay getting the visa. But the doctor didn’t mention anything about any health concerns. Mumps is only contagious 5 days and when he had the exam it was 12 days later. So we are feeling like this was not a problem anymore. 9/13/2018 my fiancé brought the medical results to the embassy. It was very simple and took only 30 minutes. He just needed to give it to the secretary. She said she would give it to the interviewer and they would call him. 9/21/2018 the embassy called my fiancé and told him he was approved and his visa was ready to be picked up!!! They gave him a sealed envelope with papers we are to give at the airport entering America. The embassy was wonderful in Togo! Very kind and everything happened efficiently on their part. The medical exam is a pain and the hours it takes is a waste of time and very tiering as you just sit and wait for your turn. This is our visa journey. Hope it helps someone else!! There is not a lot of information for Togolese, so we hope this helps the next ones behind us. Rating : Very Good

Local US CIS Office Review: Portland ME Review Topic: cis_topic Event Description Review Date : July 12, 2019 Embassy Review : The interview took about an hour We were both asked to come into the room and was sworn in and explained what would happen. Then my husband was asked to step out and the uscis agent started asking me questions about our life. The questions were simple everyday questions about how we met, about our life together, what we do, how we live, there was questions about our religious beliefs, about our families, work we do, our routines. There was even some funny questions about what meats I have in the freezer and if we have a coffee maker at home. Then they asked him back in and she asked him questions based of the conversation we had just had. Overall it was a professional, calm experience. Everyone was nice! My husband received his green card approval, July 3, 2019 and July 12, 2019 we received it in the mail!!! He can finally work!! We waited 7 months for the interview and received his green card the same time as his work/travel cards came 🤪😜 Harassment Level : 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.

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