thonati's US Immigration Timeline
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Petitioner's Name: thonati
Beneficiary's Name: mary
VJ Member: thonati
Country: Philippines
Last Updated: 2025-05-27
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Immigration Checklist for thonati & mary:
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USCIS I-129F Petition:
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Dept of State K1 Visa:
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USCIS I-485 Petition:
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USCIS I-765 Petition:
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USCIS I-131 Petition:
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USCIS I-751 Petition:
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USCIS N-400 Petition:
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K1 Visa
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| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
California Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Manila, Philippines |
| I-129F Sent : |
2024-06-10 |
| I-129F NOA1 : |
2024-06-13 |
| I-129F RFE(s) : |
2024-11-14 |
| RFE Reply(s) : |
2024-12-03 |
| I-129F NOA2 : |
2025-01-07 |
| NVC Received : |
2025-01-30 |
| Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : |
2025-02-26 |
| NVC Left : |
2025-03-11 |
| Consulate Received : |
2025-03-12 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
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| Packet 3 Sent : |
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| Packet 4 Received : |
2025-03-12 |
| Interview Date : |
2025-05-13 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
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Second Interview
(If Required): |
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| Second Interview Result: |
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| Visa Received : |
2025-05-23 |
| US Entry : |
2025-05-27 |
| Marriage : |
2025-04-01 |
| Comments : |
Bio & Interview appointments are scarce from Manila Embassy. We took the first one we could get. Visa issued 20MAY but it took a few days to send to Parqal for pick up. CFO in Manila on 26MAY. They asked to see all original documents. One point that made the CFO Officer happy was that I put in the pre-nup that I would give my fiance/wife $1000 USD cash to return to Philippines, no questions asked. The officer was really happy to see that and approved immediately.
Came through SFO 27MAY. First officer at window was great. They let K1 visa holders to go through the US Passport line as long as the USC was present. The officer took us to the office for secondary review. The second officer only asked "when is the wedding?" My fiance answered, "We do not have a fixed date yet but within the 90 days per the requirements." The officer smiled and said "OK, you know the requirements. Welcome to America, have a great day". Secondary took less than 5 minutes. |
Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-129f was approved in 208 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 334 days from your I-129F NOA1 date. |
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Member Reviews:
Consulate Review: Manila, Philippines
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
May 13, 2025 |
| Embassy Review : |
Pre screening was the worst part. My Fiance did not have her orignal birth certificate so we had to rush back to the hotel to get it. The pre screen agent gave her 30 minutes or he would give her a 221g. My fiance and I returned back to the hotel and back again to the Embassy in 15 minutes.
The interview took about 10 minutes, very conversational. The Consular made it seem like 2 friends chatting. It was window 64, a middle aged American Woman.
Q: So tell me about your fiance? A; He is kind, funny, loving and devoted to his family and children
Q: Oh, so he has children? Tell me their names and ages? A: (she answers correctly)
Q: Where does he work and what is his job? A: (she answers correctly)
Q: What are your wedding plans and date? A: We do not have a date yet but we plan to get married at his house before the 90 days expires.
Q: When did you last see your fiance? A: 2 minutes ago, he is outside.
Q: Oh, when did he arrive? A: May 11th
Q: Where did you meet him? A: Dating Website
Q: How often do you contact him? A: every day, sometimes 3 times per day.
Q: Oh so often, how does that affect your daily schedule? A: When it is morning here, it is evening in the US and he stays home and watches sports on TV. When he wakes up, it is evening here and he talks to me when he drives to work.
Q: What did you do together when he arrived? A: We went to the mall and bought a wedding dress.
Q: When is he returning to the US? A: He does has not return flight because we will go together to the US.
Q: Oh really? That is interesting. Do you know he has a criminal record (DUI when I was younger. She also noted a Bankruptcy that I had 30 years ago which was not asked on the I-129F). A: Yes, he told me everything
Q: Are you sure you want to go through with the marriage? A: Of course
Then she said "OK, here are some pamphlets for you to read, VISA APPROVED. You will get the visa in 1 or 2 weeks" |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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POE Review: San Francisco
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| Event |
Description |
| Entry Date : |
2025-05-27 |
| Embassy Review : |
Came into SFO from MNL. I was with my Fiance. They let K1 visa holders go through the US Passport Line with me. At the first window, the officer processed me first, then her. He asked for the "Yellow Packet". He asked 2 questions: "When is the wedding?" My answer: We do not have a date yet but it will be within the 90 day window." He said "OK. You know the requirements."
The second question was for me to verify my address on the I-129F form; which was correct. He said they need to confirm an address for the K1 visa holder. He then led us to secondary office. The officer asked my fiance "When is the wedding date?" Her reply was the same as mine. The secondary officer smiled and said "Welcome to America, have a great day". He kept the packet and did not give her anything.
First officer took 5 minutes, mostly to scan passport and take pictures. The secondary review took less than 5 minutes. We were at the baggage claim before the bags came out. |
| Harassment Level : |
Low |
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Timeline Comments: 8Our plan is to be married on 15MAR~01APR24. We plan to have her in the USA by Christmas and get married on day 85 or so. I want her to see all aspects of her new life before marriage. I do not want to hear "but it is too cold or I don't like the weather". I live in the Mid-west and the winters are cold and snowy. (She has never seen snow before).
Christmas here is beautiful with a light layer of snow, and not too cold (25~30F). She says the cold will not bother her but I told her that she cannot say that with certainty until she actually experiences it first hand. Otherwise, it is just a pipe dream. Once she gets here and gets adjusted, then she can say with certainty.
That is a fairly aggressive timeline, I know. However, we have seen many couples receive the visa within 180 days. If no approval by Christmas, I will go to Philippines and spend New Year's with her, then stay through the interview and subsequent trip to USA. I will be retired by then.
We have done much research and homework. We have prepared everything and used a Visa Agent from Las Vegas (they were great). Even though vaccines are not required for the K1, she will be fully vaccinated by 02JAN25 (Hep B) as it takes 6 months from first shot to third shot. If we get the visa before 02JAN25; she will get the final shot in the USA. CVS has the for $10 per shot.
Trump will not be in office until 20JAN25 so we are praying we get approved before he takes office. Trump can make sweeping changes and with the border crisis in full swing, I am nervous he stops all immigration until "we figure this out" (his actual quote). Trump has said before that he wants a college degree from all immigrants and fortunately, my fiance has one. She does not plan on working but her degree will help if we are not approved by 20JAN25 and Trump halts immigration for a time period. She is getting a copy of her diploma (she lost original) while she gets her police clearance, just in case.
I have no idea. I entered the date that the case went to "ready" status.
Once case went to "ready" on 12MAR25, we were able to schedule the bio (fingerprint & picture) appointment for 15APR25 and interview 13MAY25. We have seen estimates of a few days to a week to get the passport returned. So we plan to fly to the US on 20MAY25. The marriage date is TBD.
So how hard was it to schedule the interview ?
I mean how many times a day did you check the website to secure the spot ??
Who receives the interview appointment letter ??
Congrats guys
I’m still waiting to be sent to DOS
*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
Mays91 on 2025-03-21 said: