Our US Immigration Timeline
The Meeting:
March 06, 2004 - Craig's first email to Ging.
March 11, 2004 - Ging's first email response to Craig.
The constant communication went on and sooner progressed through phone calls, daily emails and chats. The communication was continous daily and this was a very good chance for both of them getting to know each other further.
May 21, 2004 - Craig's first visit to see Ging. Meeting place was at NAIA at the passenger's waiting area. This was a special day!
June 01, 2004 - Craig's departure back to US :(.
September 03, 2004 - Craig's 2nd visit to see Ging...same meeting place.
September 07, 2004 - Craig got his Affidavit of Capacity to Marry at US Embassy, Manila.
September 08, 2004 - Craig and Ging applied for their marriage license at Ging's hometown in Iloilo.
September 14, 2004 - Craig's departure back to the US. (Both were wishing spending vacation for them together would be endless!).
September 23, 2004 - we got our marriage license.
October 18, 2004 - Craig's 3rd visit...they are getting married!
October 24, 2004 - The Wedding Day!
October 26, 2004 - Craig and Ging went off to Hong Kong & Macau for their 5-day honeymoon tour.
October 30, 2004 - arrived in Manila from Hong Kong.
November 05, 2004 - Craig and Ging went to Tagaytay for their honeymoon extension ;).
November 07, 2004 - Craig's departure back to the US...[sigh!!!}
March 11, 2004 - Ging's first email response to Craig.
The constant communication went on and sooner progressed through phone calls, daily emails and chats. The communication was continous daily and this was a very good chance for both of them getting to know each other further.
May 21, 2004 - Craig's first visit to see Ging. Meeting place was at NAIA at the passenger's waiting area. This was a special day!
June 01, 2004 - Craig's departure back to US :(.
September 03, 2004 - Craig's 2nd visit to see Ging...same meeting place.
September 07, 2004 - Craig got his Affidavit of Capacity to Marry at US Embassy, Manila.
September 08, 2004 - Craig and Ging applied for their marriage license at Ging's hometown in Iloilo.
September 14, 2004 - Craig's departure back to the US. (Both were wishing spending vacation for them together would be endless!).
September 23, 2004 - we got our marriage license.
October 18, 2004 - Craig's 3rd visit...they are getting married!
October 24, 2004 - The Wedding Day!
October 26, 2004 - Craig and Ging went off to Hong Kong & Macau for their 5-day honeymoon tour.
October 30, 2004 - arrived in Manila from Hong Kong.
November 05, 2004 - Craig and Ging went to Tagaytay for their honeymoon extension ;).
November 07, 2004 - Craig's departure back to the US...[sigh!!!}
I-130/CR-1 TIMELINE: (Immigrant Spousal Visa Petition)
Using a lawyer...
December 30, 2004 - I-130 package submitted to Vermont Service Center (VSC).
January 03, 2005 - received NOA-1. This was the priority date. (I-797 Notice of Action from USCIS).
January 14, 2005 - NOA-1 receipt date
January 26, 2005 - A copy of the letter RE: Request For Corrections to Petition Due To Clerical Errors was sent as a follow up by our lawyer.
February 23, 2005 - We received an email from USCIS saying that our case was on RFE (Request for Further Evidences) which means the INS needs further informations and documents from us. Missing document was Craig's 2003 tax returns which we believe was submitted. We thought it was a case of misplacement of documents or simply got lost along the way???
March 07, 2005 - RFE document sent to VSC.
March 09, 2005 - RFE document received by VSC.
March 14, 2005 - case "touched".
May 28, 2005 - Craig's 4th visit to see Ging. They both worked for their joint tax returns filing.
June 15, 2005 - NOA-2. Petition was approved online. (Yey!)
The papers were then forwarded directly to the National Visa Center (NVC).
December 30, 2004 - I-130 package submitted to Vermont Service Center (VSC).
January 03, 2005 - received NOA-1. This was the priority date. (I-797 Notice of Action from USCIS).
January 14, 2005 - NOA-1 receipt date
January 26, 2005 - A copy of the letter RE: Request For Corrections to Petition Due To Clerical Errors was sent as a follow up by our lawyer.
February 23, 2005 - We received an email from USCIS saying that our case was on RFE (Request for Further Evidences) which means the INS needs further informations and documents from us. Missing document was Craig's 2003 tax returns which we believe was submitted. We thought it was a case of misplacement of documents or simply got lost along the way???
March 07, 2005 - RFE document sent to VSC.
March 09, 2005 - RFE document received by VSC.
March 14, 2005 - case "touched".
May 28, 2005 - Craig's 4th visit to see Ging. They both worked for their joint tax returns filing.
June 15, 2005 - NOA-2. Petition was approved online. (Yey!)
The papers were then forwarded directly to the National Visa Center (NVC).
NATIONAL VISA CENTER (NVC) TIMELINE:
June 24, 2005 - NVC email saying papers have been received.
July 13, 2005 - Affidavit of Support & Immigrant Visa fee bills received by Craig (petitioner), dated July 03, '05.
July 18, 2005 - Affidavit of Support & IV fee bill payment sent to NVC.
July 23, 2005 - a letter from NVC received by Craig from the mail.
August 11, 2005 - Affidavit of Support (I-864 Form) received by Craig.
August 16, 2005 - Notarized Affidavit of Support form sent back to NVC.
August 18, 2005 - NVC received forms.
October 11, 2005 - RFE notice received by lawyer. (RFE letter is dated Oct. 07, '05) Ging's birth certificate was the missing document needed. We were not sure if this was overlooked by our lawyer or a case of document misplacement again, but either of the two was a case of a sad story...it means our length of wait was extended! :(.
October 13, 2005 - NVC received the RFE documents.
May 15, 2006 - We received an email from USCIS and lawyer too that Ging was scheduled for a visa interview at the US embassy in Manila. After 7 months of waiting, too late. We decided to ignore the interview schedule and chose to go ahead with Ging's adjustment of status here in the US since she was already in the US before the interview was scheduled.
July 13, 2005 - Affidavit of Support & Immigrant Visa fee bills received by Craig (petitioner), dated July 03, '05.
July 18, 2005 - Affidavit of Support & IV fee bill payment sent to NVC.
July 23, 2005 - a letter from NVC received by Craig from the mail.
August 11, 2005 - Affidavit of Support (I-864 Form) received by Craig.
August 16, 2005 - Notarized Affidavit of Support form sent back to NVC.
August 18, 2005 - NVC received forms.
October 11, 2005 - RFE notice received by lawyer. (RFE letter is dated Oct. 07, '05) Ging's birth certificate was the missing document needed. We were not sure if this was overlooked by our lawyer or a case of document misplacement again, but either of the two was a case of a sad story...it means our length of wait was extended! :(.
October 13, 2005 - NVC received the RFE documents.
May 15, 2006 - We received an email from USCIS and lawyer too that Ging was scheduled for a visa interview at the US embassy in Manila. After 7 months of waiting, too late. We decided to ignore the interview schedule and chose to go ahead with Ging's adjustment of status here in the US since she was already in the US before the interview was scheduled.
I-129F/K-3 TIMELINE: (Non-Immigrant Visa Spousal Petition)
February 24, 2005 - I-129F package sent to Chicago.
February 28, 2005 - package received in Chicago.
March 07, 2005 - Missouri Service Center (MSC) received the package from Chicago.
March 16, 2005 - case "touched"...(case update through email).
July 03, 2005 - Manila case number assigned.
July 05, 2005 - NOA-2 petition approved online! (Yeehaa!!)
July 18, 2005 - package was forwarded to US embassy in Manila.
July 22, 2005 - US Embassy-Manila received package.
January 13, 2006 - Ging's St. Luke's medical appointment.
January 23, 2006 - Ging's K-3 visa interview at US Embassy-Manila. (approved!!!..thank God!)
January 27, 2006 - Ging received her visa @ Swagman Hotel, Malate, Manila.
February 02, 2006 - Ging and Craig finally returned to the US together.
February 28, 2005 - package received in Chicago.
March 07, 2005 - Missouri Service Center (MSC) received the package from Chicago.
March 16, 2005 - case "touched"...(case update through email).
July 03, 2005 - Manila case number assigned.
July 05, 2005 - NOA-2 petition approved online! (Yeehaa!!)
July 18, 2005 - package was forwarded to US embassy in Manila.
July 22, 2005 - US Embassy-Manila received package.
January 13, 2006 - Ging's St. Luke's medical appointment.
January 23, 2006 - Ging's K-3 visa interview at US Embassy-Manila. (approved!!!..thank God!)
January 27, 2006 - Ging received her visa @ Swagman Hotel, Malate, Manila.
February 02, 2006 - Ging and Craig finally returned to the US together.
Adjustment of Status (AOS) & Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Application TIMELINE:
March 21, 2006 - appointment for TD shot vaccination (and PE/blood tests). The civil surgeon did give me PE again! :(.
April 05, 2006 - AOS, EAD & Advance Parole packages submitted c/o lawyer.
April 28, 2006 - Ging's biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment schedule.
May 10, 2006 - Ging went for biometrics appointment (USCIS Baltimore).
Note: Ging wasn't able to make it to her scheduled appointment for biometrics since we were out of town then. Since biometric schedule is usually good for 3 months, we just followed the instruction to go on any following Wednesday with the same time as noted on the schedule.
June 24, 2006 - Advance parole (Form I-131) was approved and issued.
June 30, 2006 - Employment Authorization Card (EAD) approved.
July 01, 2006 - Employment Authorization Card received from the mail.
July 07, 2006 - AOS Notice for Interview date received from mail.
July 13, 2006 - Ging applied for SSN.
August 09, 2006 - Ging got her SSN card from the mail.
August 30, 2006 - Ging's AOS interview at 9:15AM.
September 05, 2006 - Ging got her "Welcome to the USA" letter of notice from USCIS.
September 09, 2006 - Ging received her "Welcome to the USA" letter from the mail.
September 18, 2006 - Ging got her green card from the mail.
March 14, 2007 - received an email from the USCIS like the following below:
*DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***
The last processing action taken on your case
Receipt Number: EAC0507250446
Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR
ORPHAN
Current Status: Case was shipped to the Department of State for visa
processing.
On March 14, 2007, we shipped this approved or re-affirmed case to the
Department of State for visa processing. For more information, please
contact them directly.
If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case
status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from
USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS
Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.
*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at
www.uscis.gov under Case Status & Processing Dates.
*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.
Sincerely,
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The email above refers to the immigrant visa petition application in which Ging was scheduled for visa interview supposedly at the US embassy in Manila last May 15, 2006. We both decided to ignore the interview since Ging is already in the US by that time using the K-3 visa.
We are following up on this email...
May 11, 2007 - scheduled for an INFOPASS appointment at 11AM (USCIS-Baltimore).
I-130 Update: As per the immigration officer: The papers were forwarded to DOS and is sitting there APPROVED. She said further, there's nothing much to do (that's good news) about it since Ging is now a green card holder and all we have to do is just uplift Ging's conditional status to get the 10-years green card 90 days before Ging's GC expires.
SSN Card Update: RE: Removal of the note "Valid For Work Only With DHS Authorization".
No big issue about the note since Ging can still use it that way. But per choice, the note can be removed after Ging can get her GC renewed, or either getting the G-845 form and do status verification.
No BIG things worth doing not until May 2008.
April 05, 2006 - AOS, EAD & Advance Parole packages submitted c/o lawyer.
April 28, 2006 - Ging's biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment schedule.
May 10, 2006 - Ging went for biometrics appointment (USCIS Baltimore).
Note: Ging wasn't able to make it to her scheduled appointment for biometrics since we were out of town then. Since biometric schedule is usually good for 3 months, we just followed the instruction to go on any following Wednesday with the same time as noted on the schedule.
June 24, 2006 - Advance parole (Form I-131) was approved and issued.
June 30, 2006 - Employment Authorization Card (EAD) approved.
July 01, 2006 - Employment Authorization Card received from the mail.
July 07, 2006 - AOS Notice for Interview date received from mail.
July 13, 2006 - Ging applied for SSN.
August 09, 2006 - Ging got her SSN card from the mail.
August 30, 2006 - Ging's AOS interview at 9:15AM.
September 05, 2006 - Ging got her "Welcome to the USA" letter of notice from USCIS.
September 09, 2006 - Ging received her "Welcome to the USA" letter from the mail.
September 18, 2006 - Ging got her green card from the mail.
March 14, 2007 - received an email from the USCIS like the following below:
*DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***
The last processing action taken on your case
Receipt Number: EAC0507250446
Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR
ORPHAN
Current Status: Case was shipped to the Department of State for visa
processing.
On March 14, 2007, we shipped this approved or re-affirmed case to the
Department of State for visa processing. For more information, please
contact them directly.
If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case
status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision from
USCIS within the current processing time listed*, please contact USCIS
Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.
*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at
www.uscis.gov under Case Status & Processing Dates.
*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.
Sincerely,
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The email above refers to the immigrant visa petition application in which Ging was scheduled for visa interview supposedly at the US embassy in Manila last May 15, 2006. We both decided to ignore the interview since Ging is already in the US by that time using the K-3 visa.
We are following up on this email...
May 11, 2007 - scheduled for an INFOPASS appointment at 11AM (USCIS-Baltimore).
I-130 Update: As per the immigration officer: The papers were forwarded to DOS and is sitting there APPROVED. She said further, there's nothing much to do (that's good news) about it since Ging is now a green card holder and all we have to do is just uplift Ging's conditional status to get the 10-years green card 90 days before Ging's GC expires.
SSN Card Update: RE: Removal of the note "Valid For Work Only With DHS Authorization".
No big issue about the note since Ging can still use it that way. But per choice, the note can be removed after Ging can get her GC renewed, or either getting the G-845 form and do status verification.
No BIG things worth doing not until May 2008.
PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS ON RESIDENCE (I-751) TIMELINE:
June 03, 2008 - I-751 petition package sent to Vermont Service Center via Fedex overnight.
June 04, 2008 - package delivered, received by Stanley according to fedex tracking number.
June 11, 2008 - check encashed.
June 12, 2008 - Ging received letter from USCIS saying her GC is extended for another year and is authorized to travel within the specified period (with a notice date of June 10, 2008).
July 03, 2008 - Ging received her ASC appointment notice for biometrics schedule with a receipt date of June 30, 2008.
July 19, 2008 - Ging renewed her learner's permit (expiring July 21, 2008) at MVA-Westminster branch.
July 23, 2008 - Ging's biometrics appointment at 2PM.
August 16, 2008 - Ging's 2nd biometrics appointment at 8AM. (fingerprints unreadable according to FBI).
February 19, 2009 - received letter of transfer notice from USCIS dated February 12, 2009 saying that the petition will be moved to California Service Center for faster processing.
February 20, 2009 - case "touched".
February 23, 2009 - Got an INFOPASS appointment at 10:30AM (USCIS Baltimore) RE: TRAVELLING OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHILE GC IS PENDING.
UPDATE: The CO's advice was that Ging doesn't need a stamp on her passport. She will just be presenting the letter of extension sent by USCIS in support of her expired GC.
March 09, 2009 - I-751 petition approved as per approval letter from USCIS received via mail on March 11, 2009.
March 19, 2009 - received Ging's 10-yrs. Green Card from the mail.
June 04, 2008 - package delivered, received by Stanley according to fedex tracking number.
June 11, 2008 - check encashed.
June 12, 2008 - Ging received letter from USCIS saying her GC is extended for another year and is authorized to travel within the specified period (with a notice date of June 10, 2008).
July 03, 2008 - Ging received her ASC appointment notice for biometrics schedule with a receipt date of June 30, 2008.
July 19, 2008 - Ging renewed her learner's permit (expiring July 21, 2008) at MVA-Westminster branch.
July 23, 2008 - Ging's biometrics appointment at 2PM.
August 16, 2008 - Ging's 2nd biometrics appointment at 8AM. (fingerprints unreadable according to FBI).
February 19, 2009 - received letter of transfer notice from USCIS dated February 12, 2009 saying that the petition will be moved to California Service Center for faster processing.
February 20, 2009 - case "touched".
February 23, 2009 - Got an INFOPASS appointment at 10:30AM (USCIS Baltimore) RE: TRAVELLING OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHILE GC IS PENDING.
UPDATE: The CO's advice was that Ging doesn't need a stamp on her passport. She will just be presenting the letter of extension sent by USCIS in support of her expired GC.
March 09, 2009 - I-751 petition approved as per approval letter from USCIS received via mail on March 11, 2009.
March 19, 2009 - received Ging's 10-yrs. Green Card from the mail.
APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION (N-400) TIMELINE:
September 18, 2009 - N-400 package sent to Lewisville, TX via Fedex.
September 22, 2009 - received and signed for by B. CONTEH as per Fedex tracking number.
September 25, 2009 - check cashed.
September 28, 2009 - received NOA1 from the mail with a notice date of September 24, '09 saying application has been received and is in process.
October 06, 2009 - received biometrics schedule via mail.
October 17, 2009 - biometrics appointment @ 3PM.
December 07, 2009 - received another notice of fingerprinting dated December 3, 2009. {what the heck!!!....AGAIN???} via mail.
December 17, 2009 - 2nd biometrics appointment @ 9AM.
December 23, 2009 - actual appointment since Ging is out of town. The letter said Ging may go on any following Wednesday if unable to appear for the 2nd biometrics as long as it should be done before March 11, 2010.
December 31, 2009 - as per case status online as updated from the USCIS website:
Testing and Interview
Your case has been transferred to a local office and an interview will be scheduled. You will be sent a notice advising you of the date and time of your interview. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.
If your case status indicates that you are currently in this step, you have either been scheduled for an interview or are in line to be scheduled for an interview. The amount of time your application will remain in this step will vary by office and is largely determined by the number of cases ahead of yours. The interview notice will have specifics about time, location and anything you will need to bring to your interview. If your application remains pending beyond our normal processing times (as shown below) please contact our national customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.Please note that not every application/applicant will require an interview. In some instances, an interview is required by regulation and others an interview is requested because USCIS has determined that this is the most efficient means to determine eligibility. For a naturalization application the interview will include your taking the required English and/or Civics tests (unless exempt or waived).
February 02, 2010 - Ging's Citizenship Interview at 8:20 AM.
Interview result: Passed citizenship test, but a decision cannot yet be made due to unreadable fingerprints. The USCIS requires Ging to submit a police clearance before they could continue processing the case.
Went to get police clearance at Maryland State Police in Westminster, but they got Ging's fingerprints instead. As we were told, they (MD State Police) are not connected to the system so they couldn't give us police clearance.
February 09, 2010 - sent Ging's fingerprints (original copy-purple form) to CJIS Repository via Fedex overnight, delivered and signed for by T. PITTMAN on February 12, 2010.
February 12, 2010 - sent Ging's fingerprints (original copy-green form) to USCIS Baltimore via Fedex overnight, delivered and signed for by E. YAO on February 16, 2010.
Same date, we sent letters to USCIS director Alejandro Mayorkas, senator Barbara Mikulski, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and senator Ben Cardin via Fedex.
USCIS Director - delivered and signed for by P. BROWNING on February 15, 2010.
Barbara Mikulski - delivered and signed for by KRITNER on February 15, 2010.
Ben Cardin - delivered and signed for by L. MILES on February 16, 2010.
Roscoe Bartlett - delivered and signed for by R. POOL on February 15, 2010.
February 23, 2010 - Immigration officer Hudson called informing that the fingerprints we sent was not the one they needed, and that they are needing the police clearance. She then further explained the process on how to get the clearance, and time frames of processing if everything goes well.
March 01, 2010 - Received a call from IO saying the case is for approval, and expect oath letter in the mail within 4-6 weeks.
March 17, 2010 - date the USCIS sent an oath letter to Ging stating her oath schedule.
March 18, 2010 - Ging received her oath letter from the mail.
March 26, 2010 - Ging's citizenship oath taking ceremony...finally!!!!!
April 02, 2010 - Ging applied for US passport via expedite service. (original copy of Nat. certificate witheld)
April 13, 2010 - Ging received her original copy of her Naturalization Certificate via mail.
April 14, 2010 - Ging received her US passport from the mail.
September 22, 2009 - received and signed for by B. CONTEH as per Fedex tracking number.
September 25, 2009 - check cashed.
September 28, 2009 - received NOA1 from the mail with a notice date of September 24, '09 saying application has been received and is in process.
October 06, 2009 - received biometrics schedule via mail.
October 17, 2009 - biometrics appointment @ 3PM.
December 07, 2009 - received another notice of fingerprinting dated December 3, 2009. {what the heck!!!....AGAIN???} via mail.
December 17, 2009 - 2nd biometrics appointment @ 9AM.
December 23, 2009 - actual appointment since Ging is out of town. The letter said Ging may go on any following Wednesday if unable to appear for the 2nd biometrics as long as it should be done before March 11, 2010.
December 31, 2009 - as per case status online as updated from the USCIS website:
Testing and Interview
Your case has been transferred to a local office and an interview will be scheduled. You will be sent a notice advising you of the date and time of your interview. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.
If your case status indicates that you are currently in this step, you have either been scheduled for an interview or are in line to be scheduled for an interview. The amount of time your application will remain in this step will vary by office and is largely determined by the number of cases ahead of yours. The interview notice will have specifics about time, location and anything you will need to bring to your interview. If your application remains pending beyond our normal processing times (as shown below) please contact our national customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.Please note that not every application/applicant will require an interview. In some instances, an interview is required by regulation and others an interview is requested because USCIS has determined that this is the most efficient means to determine eligibility. For a naturalization application the interview will include your taking the required English and/or Civics tests (unless exempt or waived).
February 02, 2010 - Ging's Citizenship Interview at 8:20 AM.
Interview result: Passed citizenship test, but a decision cannot yet be made due to unreadable fingerprints. The USCIS requires Ging to submit a police clearance before they could continue processing the case.
Went to get police clearance at Maryland State Police in Westminster, but they got Ging's fingerprints instead. As we were told, they (MD State Police) are not connected to the system so they couldn't give us police clearance.
February 09, 2010 - sent Ging's fingerprints (original copy-purple form) to CJIS Repository via Fedex overnight, delivered and signed for by T. PITTMAN on February 12, 2010.
February 12, 2010 - sent Ging's fingerprints (original copy-green form) to USCIS Baltimore via Fedex overnight, delivered and signed for by E. YAO on February 16, 2010.
Same date, we sent letters to USCIS director Alejandro Mayorkas, senator Barbara Mikulski, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and senator Ben Cardin via Fedex.
USCIS Director - delivered and signed for by P. BROWNING on February 15, 2010.
Barbara Mikulski - delivered and signed for by KRITNER on February 15, 2010.
Ben Cardin - delivered and signed for by L. MILES on February 16, 2010.
Roscoe Bartlett - delivered and signed for by R. POOL on February 15, 2010.
February 23, 2010 - Immigration officer Hudson called informing that the fingerprints we sent was not the one they needed, and that they are needing the police clearance. She then further explained the process on how to get the clearance, and time frames of processing if everything goes well.
March 01, 2010 - Received a call from IO saying the case is for approval, and expect oath letter in the mail within 4-6 weeks.
March 17, 2010 - date the USCIS sent an oath letter to Ging stating her oath schedule.
March 18, 2010 - Ging received her oath letter from the mail.
March 26, 2010 - Ging's citizenship oath taking ceremony...finally!!!!!
April 02, 2010 - Ging applied for US passport via expedite service. (original copy of Nat. certificate witheld)
April 13, 2010 - Ging received her original copy of her Naturalization Certificate via mail.
April 14, 2010 - Ging received her US passport from the mail.