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Fer Schvarztman's US Immigration Timeline

  Petitioner's Name: Bret Alexander. S
Beneficiary's Name: Fernanda R Sanz
VJ Member: Fer Schvarztman
Country: Argentina

Last Updated: 2021-02-19
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Immigration Checklist for Bret Alexander. S & Fernanda R Sanz:

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 : Texas Service Center
Transferred? California Service Center on 2018-07-05
Consulate : Argentina
I-129F Sent : 2018-06-28
I-129F NOA1 : 2018-07-05
I-129F RFE(s) :
RFE Reply(s) :
I-129F NOA2 : 2018-12-04
NVC Received : 2019-01-08
Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : 2019-01-08
NVC Left : 2019-01-08
Consulate Received : 2019-01-09
Packet 3 Received : 2019-01-22
Packet 3 Sent : 2019-03-12
Packet 4 Received :
Interview Date : 2019-03-21
Interview Result : Administrative Review
Second Interview
(If Required):
Second Interview Result: Approved
Visa Received : 2019-04-03
US Entry : 2019-04-22
Marriage :
Comments : My interview appointment was 10am. I arrived 1 hour erlier because I live 2hs away, good thing is there's a caffe Havanna nearby where I waitted.

At 9:45 I arrived at the door, asked a woman where I had to announce myself for k1 visa interview. She directed me to a screen. Another woman behind the window gave me a green folder where you need to place the documents they ask for (the folder has a list on the front explaining what documents and in which order you need to present, for example some of them are "Acta de Nacimiento", passport and pictures, picture of medical exams,etc) also told me to do step 4 and 5 after security check, whithout doing the line, just announce myself.

Before getting into the embassy, a guard asked me if I had any of the prohibited objects: you can't enter food, phones, headphones smartwatches, no technology at all, makep up, creams, medications, sharp objects like nail cutters or pens) said no and let me in.


Once inside passed the security check, did no problem (suggestion for women: use no bra or any sport top like I did, so the "detector de metales" don't activate with the metal "aro" some bras have inside. I've seen this issue today, and also a guy was delayed because he had headphones and a pen. Just go with the papers.

After that, I had my biometrics done, the girl was very nice to me, she asked me with a smile If I was ready to marry, and I smiled back while saying yes, then I got into a different building, announced myself and let me in. There was a big line of people waitting for the tourist visa interview, all the immigrant visa applicants were waitting on the left hand side of the building. I sat with 2 more couples.


They called me and asked for the green folder with the documents required and also returned me all the I129F and packet 3 proof. The consul mentioned it was not the actual interview, they were going to review the papers first. I got worried when the consul asked me for the "Acta de nacimiento", I only had my birth certificate. She said it's ussless the birth certificate for the American law, the Acta is the only thing that works for them, she said the consul was going to explain at the interview what I needed to do to get my acta de nacimiento.


After that It was 10:30, I waited an hour and the consul called me for the interview at 11:30. He was nice, serious and professional. He made me swear all documents and statements I presented were true as well as my declarations at the interview , after that his questions were:

How we met?

How old are you?

How old is your fiance?

Have you ever travelled to the States?

Do you speak english? The consul didn't gave me the chance to choose if I wanted the interview to be in english or spanish, he talked to me in spanish all the time, but I always communicated with them through email in english, as well as when I delivered my packet3 at the embassy so they already knew my english sound native.

Is your fiance a permanent residence? said no; He was born in the states, so asked me for my fiance's original birth certificate, and if I didn't have it the copy. I showed him my fiance original birth certificate, and that was the only document he asked for, he really examinate it. When he was satified returned it to me.

In the end, he explained all the paperwork and interview was fine, but could not approve my visa until I send them my "acta the nacimiento", and try to do it ASAP.

Finally asked me if I was going to travel overseas to give me my passport back, said no, so they kept it. He printed out a paper, he signed it and marked it.

I left with a bittersweet feeling, and half worried because the sheet of paper he gave me mentioned I was regected because "missing acta de nacimiento".

When I got back home I realised I had the acta with me at all times at the interview and didn't realise because it was attached to the certifocate of no previous marriage. So ad soon as I got back home, got into the CEAC, checked the steps I had to follow and the next day sent it to the CEAC building in Santa Fe Av.

My visa stayed in "Administrative Processing" status for 11 days, until April 1st, that showed status as " Issued"

The embassy also sent me an email, letting me know my visa was ready for pick up at the Santa Fe facility, with the rest of documents I need for customs at the US port of entry. ( I didn't cgoose the option to havenit delivered at home by DHL)

Please don't think acta de nacimiento is the same legaly as certificado de nacimiento, because the acta is the only valid document for legal and migration process.
That day we where only 5 couples 3 for k1, 2 for CR1 and only 2 were approved from 5. Don't review or practice for the interview at the waitting room, because cameras are watching, a coupe did this and they did not get their approval, maybe was something else the reason why, or Im too paranhoid, but I do not recommend that, try to relax or show yourself as confident as you can, and believe in your relationship. In my special case, the interview felt as a burocrasy step, like they already knew they had the will to approve our case.

Good luck to everyone and hope my experience helps you out! 😊
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your I-129f was approved in 152 days from your NOA1 date.

Your interview took 259 days from your I-129F NOA1 date.


Adjustment of Status
Event Date
CIS Office : New York City NY
Date Filed : 2019-07-17
NOA Date : 2019-07-19
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. : 2019-07-26
AOS Transfer** :
Interview Date : 2021-02-11
Approval / Denial Date : 2021-02-11
Approved : Yes
Got I551 Stamp :
Greencard Received: 2021-02-19
Comments : My interview was scheduled March 30th and canceled due to covid19 on March 18th 2020. Still waitting for reschedule interview.

Got Interview notice Jan 25, 2021. Interview held on Feb 11th,2021 in NYC.

First we enter the building and pass the security controls, just like at the airport, the officers made us take shoose off, place jackets,bags, everything on the plastic containers to pass thru the scanner, we passed the detector as well. This was very fast, then we followed the signs to find the elevators to the floor and the ISO, there's also officers you can ask if you feel lost.

We got to a waitting room with a rep on the other side of the glass who took my interview notice, made copies and proceed with the Covid safety protocols. Test fever, questions about being exposed to the virus, etc.

After that it was 8:51am and our interview was scheduled at 9am. We waited more or less 15 minutes and an agent called my name.

He was a very nice latino rep, so asked us if we wanted the interview to be in English or Spanish, and we end up doing it in both languages.

The questions where very simple and were directed to both of us, being me the one answering the majority and my husband added information, as I was the one seeking a benefit:

How we met?
Since when do we know eachother?
Have we had marriages before?
Asked about our families back in Argentina and if we lived together before marriage.
If my husband is Jewish because of his last name, and said yes but he does not practice the religion, that tradition ended with his grandparents

Also asked if we have or would like to have kids, we said no at the moment, we want to have a very stable economy 1st.

Then started all the "no" answer questions about terrorism an told us about the next step. Lifting conditions on greencard after 2 years, and the 3rd year I was going to be able to process the Naturalization process to become a citizen.

My packet was very well organized with copies and a lot of information.(petitioners & beneficiary documents; Sponsors, Petitioner's Affidavit of support; Beneficiary employment Documents; Joint Acc documents; "Bona fide" Marriage documents folder I & II) He said I was over prepared and took just my documents and my husband's affidavit.

Also mentioned we where going to receive by mail the answer within 2 weeks.

After 3hs passed we got the notification "card being created" on the USCIS App, and on Feb12 changed to "case was approved".

They also appreciate we were well dressed, we had no lawer because we did all the paperwork ourselves.

If you are in a long relationship like ours that we know eachother for 10 years or so, that will help a lot to show the relationship is true and real.

If it is short make sure to be ready for other questions such as, what appliances you have at home?, who makes breakfast? Etc, we heared another couple's questions and they were more precise about the everyday life.






Employment Authorization Document
Event Date
CIS Office : New York City NY
Filing Method : Mail
Filing Instance : First
Date Filed : 2019-07-19
NOA Date : 2019-07-19
RFE(s) :
Bio. Appt. : 2019-07-26
Approved Date : 2020-01-02
Date Card Received : 2020-01-10
Comments : My EAD and AOS cases are handled by the National Benefits Center in Kansas city, MO. It took 5 months since they received it. Today January 10 got my EAD Card with a spelling mistake on my married last name. This is the 2and time USCIS makes a mistake with it, even though I called 4 months ago to have this issue corrected when I did my biometrics. They sent me a letter with the correction, but anyways I got my card with a mistake. 😩

Received it corrected a month later, and the renewal after a year was even faster got it after 2 weeks.
Processing
Estimates/Stats :
Your EAD was approved in 167 days.


Member Reviews:

Consulate Review: Argentina
Review Topic: K1 Visa
Event Description
Review Date : April 3, 2019
Embassy Review : My interview appointment was 10am. I arrived 1 hour erlier because I live 2hs away, good thing is there's a caffe Havanna nearby where I waitted.

At 9:45 I arrived at the door, asked a woman where I had to announce myself for k1 visa interview. She directed me to a screen. Another woman behind the window gave me a green folder where you need to place the documents they ask for (the folder has a list on the front explaining what documents and in which order you need to present, for example some of them are "Acta de Nacimiento", passport and pictures, picture of medical exams,etc) also told me to do step 4 and 5 after security check, whithout doing the line, just announce myself.

Before getting into the embassy, a guard asked me if I had any of the prohibited objects: you can't enter food, phones, headphones smartwatches, no technology at all, makep up, creams, medications, sharp objects like nail cutters or pens) said no and let me in.


Once inside passed the security check, did no problem (suggestion for women: use no bra or any sport top like I did, so the "detector de metales" don't activate with the metal "aro" some bras have inside. I've seen this issue today, and also a guy was delayed because he had headphones and a pen. Just go with the papers.

After that, I had my biometrics done, the girl was very nice to me, she asked me with a smile If I was ready to marry, and I smiled back while saying yes, then I got into a different building, announced myself and let me in. There was a big line of people waitting for the tourist visa interview, all the immigrant visa applicants were waitting on the left hand side of the building. I sat with 2 more couples.


They called me and asked for the green folder with the documents required and also returned me all the I129F and packet 3 proof. The consul mentioned it was not the actual interview, they were going to review the papers first. I got worried when the consul asked me for the "Acta de nacimiento", I only had my birth certificate. She said it's ussless the birth certificate for the American law, the Acta is the only thing that works for them, she said the consul was going to explain at the interview what I needed to do to get my acta de nacimiento.


After that It was 10:30, I waited an hour and the consul called me for the interview at 11:30. He was nice, serious and professional. He made me swear all documents and statements I presented were true as well as my declarations at the interview , after that his questions were:

How we met?

How old are you?

How old is your fiance?

Have you ever travelled to the States?

Do you speak english? The consul didn't gave me the chance to choose if I wanted the interview to be in english or spanish, he talked to me in spanish all the time, but I always communicated with them through email in english, as well as when I delivered my packet3 at the embassy so they already knew my english sound native.

Is your fiance a permanent residence? said no; He was born in the states, so asked me for my fiance's original birth certificate, and if I didn't have it the copy. I showed him my fiance original birth certificate, and that was the only document he asked for, he really examinate it. When he was satified returned it to me.

In the end, he explained all the paperwork and interview was fine, but could not approve my visa until I send them my "acta the nacimiento", and try to do it ASAP.

Finally asked me if I was going to travel overseas to give me my passport back, said no, so they kept it. He printed out a paper, he signed it and marked it.

I left with a bittersweet feeling, and half worried because the sheet of paper he gave me mentioned I was regected because "missing acta de nacimiento".

When I got back home I realised I had the acta with me at all times at the interview and didn't realise because it was attached to the certifocate of no previous marriage. So ad soon as I got back home, got into the CEAC, checked the steps I had to follow and the next day sent it to the CEAC building in Santa Fe Av.

My visa stayed in "Administrative Processing" status for 11 days, until April 1st, that showed status as " Issued"

The embassy also sent me an email, letting me know my visa was ready for pick up at the Santa Fe facility, with the rest of documents I need for customs at the US port of entry. ( I didn't cgoose the option to havenit delivered at home by DHL)

Please don't think acta de nacimiento is the same legaly as certificado de nacimiento, because the acta is the only valid document for legal and migration process.
That day we where only 5 couples 3 for k1, 2 for CR1 and only 2 were approved from 5. Don't review or practice for the interview at the waitting room, because cameras are watching, a coupe did this and they did not get their approval, maybe was something else the reason why, or Im too paranhoid, but I do not recommend that, try to relax or show yourself as confident as you can, and believe in your relationship. In my special case, the interview felt as a burocrasy step, like they already knew they had the will to approve our case.

Good luck to everyone and hope my experience helps you out! 😊
Rating : Very Good


Timeline Comments: 2

Monica Prado on 2018-12-10 said:
Congrats!!!!
Fer Schvarztman on 2019-01-08 said:
Thanks so much! =)
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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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