*Reference link to abbreviations/terms post*
Well, I decided to call an operator today. Around 5:30pm, I called NVC up. Took me 3 times to finally get in. Chose the option to speak with an operator and then found myself on hold for about 20 minutes. I finally got through and spoke with a nice guy, didn't catch his first name. He asked for my CIS receipt number and then told me that there was no case number yet for my case and that I should wait till next week. I told him thank you and hung up.
Definitely not waiting till next week as per the operator's suggestion. Going to call up the operators again twice tomorrow, along with calling the AVR.
~Lindsay
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Plan of action
*Reference link to abbreviations/terms post*
So, here's what needs to be done in the following few weeks.
I'm going to continue calling NVC's AVR to see if a case number has been assigned. I think starting this Tuesday (one week after our approval), if no case number has been assigned, I'll start calling up an operator about twice daily to find out if it's been assigned yet, as well as continuing to call the AVR.
As soon as I find out our case number, I'm going to call up an operator immediately and give our email addresses and ask for our IIN which is required for the payment portal.
As soon as that's done, I'll send an opt-in email to opt-in for electronic processing. I'll then sign onto the payment portal and fill out the online form DS-261 (similar to the DS-3032, but online).
If we get this done early in the week, the AoS bill might appear by the end of the week. If Ben can pay that immediately, it'll show up as PAID most likely early next week or end of this week. It all depends when we get a case number. Once it shows up as PAID, we print the coversheet out, attach it with all the I-864 forms and documents, and email it off.
Sometime next week or the week after, the IV bill should appear, we pay that and wait for it to appear as PAID. I fill out the online form DS-260 (similar to the DS-230, but online). I submit that once done and then email off the supporting documents.
And then the waiting! If all goes well, we should be done at the end of February or sometime in March.
Also, this week, Ben needs to print out the employment letter and get his boss to sign it. We have to go over the I-864 and make sure everything is correct. He then needs to scan everything and send it to me. I'll then put it together into a PDF. A cover letter also has to be written up.
Next week, I'll work on the DS-260 documents, scanning everything in and putting it all together as a PDF. I've still got a photocopy of my birth certificate and passport from August on my computer, so I don't need to scan those again. I need Ben to scan a copy of the marriage certificate and send it to me. Then I just have to scan my police certificate and 2 passport-style pictures of myself. A cover letter also has to be written up.
I'm sure I'll be writing a lot these next two weeks with plenty of updates!
~Lindsay
EDIT: I was bored and just did the two cover letters for the I-864 and the DS-260. I just have to update the date on them before we send them and the case number once we get it.
So, here's what needs to be done in the following few weeks.
I'm going to continue calling NVC's AVR to see if a case number has been assigned. I think starting this Tuesday (one week after our approval), if no case number has been assigned, I'll start calling up an operator about twice daily to find out if it's been assigned yet, as well as continuing to call the AVR.
As soon as I find out our case number, I'm going to call up an operator immediately and give our email addresses and ask for our IIN which is required for the payment portal.
As soon as that's done, I'll send an opt-in email to opt-in for electronic processing. I'll then sign onto the payment portal and fill out the online form DS-261 (similar to the DS-3032, but online).
If we get this done early in the week, the AoS bill might appear by the end of the week. If Ben can pay that immediately, it'll show up as PAID most likely early next week or end of this week. It all depends when we get a case number. Once it shows up as PAID, we print the coversheet out, attach it with all the I-864 forms and documents, and email it off.
Sometime next week or the week after, the IV bill should appear, we pay that and wait for it to appear as PAID. I fill out the online form DS-260 (similar to the DS-230, but online). I submit that once done and then email off the supporting documents.
And then the waiting! If all goes well, we should be done at the end of February or sometime in March.
Also, this week, Ben needs to print out the employment letter and get his boss to sign it. We have to go over the I-864 and make sure everything is correct. He then needs to scan everything and send it to me. I'll then put it together into a PDF. A cover letter also has to be written up.
Next week, I'll work on the DS-260 documents, scanning everything in and putting it all together as a PDF. I've still got a photocopy of my birth certificate and passport from August on my computer, so I don't need to scan those again. I need Ben to scan a copy of the marriage certificate and send it to me. Then I just have to scan my police certificate and 2 passport-style pictures of myself. A cover letter also has to be written up.
I'm sure I'll be writing a lot these next two weeks with plenty of updates!
~Lindsay
EDIT: I was bored and just did the two cover letters for the I-864 and the DS-260. I just have to update the date on them before we send them and the case number once we get it.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
APPROVAL!!!
*Reference link to abbreviations/terms post*
So, at 4:44pm, I got a text message on my phone from USCIS!! All it said was my case was updated, didn't know if we had gotten an RFE or were approved. I immediately went to the USCIS website and signed in. I saw the 'last updated' column finally switched to 1/26/2011. I was so tired of seeing 9/03/2010 every day (as was Ben). I clicked on our receipt number, and saw this:
So, at 4:44pm, I got a text message on my phone from USCIS!! All it said was my case was updated, didn't know if we had gotten an RFE or were approved. I immediately went to the USCIS website and signed in. I saw the 'last updated' column finally switched to 1/26/2011. I was so tired of seeing 9/03/2010 every day (as was Ben). I clicked on our receipt number, and saw this:
I had been seeing only Inital Review since September, definitely nice change. Then I quickly scanned the text below and saw: On January 25, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. And then I yelled, and my body started to shake, and tears started to well in my eyes. I was in complete shock.
The funny thing, I was on the phone with the IRS when all this happened. Thank goodness I was on hold, the lady would have thought I was weird.
I immediately texted Ben who was in a meeting (in which he got a letter congratulating him on his hard work and a $200 bonus!). He had gotten the notification as well. I then quickly went to Facebook and spammed a bunch of messages, but my hands were shaking non-stop, very hard to type.
So, the first step has finally been completed! Now onto the NVC! I'll write another post this week about what Ben and I need to do in the next few days.
~Lindsay
P.S. Ben, I love you forever <3 <3
Friday, January 21, 2011
8 month anniversary, NVC, and California
*Reference link to abbreviations/terms post*
Happy 8 month anniversary to Ben and I! ^_^
Still no news on our NOA2.
I've been calling NVC's AVR each night just to see if a case number has been assigned. I've heard of a few cases where some people hadn't received their NOA2 in the mail or had any updates on the USCIS website, but found that their case had been approved by finding a case number had been assigned to them at NVC. I now have the NVC number committed to memory: (603) 334-0700. I know which numbers to press as soon as I hear the automated voice (1, 1, 1, 4, 1, receipt number, 1). Once I hear: "There is no record of your case on file..." I hang up. Can't wait to hear: "This case was entered in the NVC computer system on..."
Anyways, in other news, Ben's in California. He's been there since Sunday. No, not to go to the CSC, but for work. Advanced SQL training (he's a programmer). All expenses paid for by his work (flight, hotel, food, and training). He flew Sunday afternoon and his training was Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Yesterday he visited Apple headquarters and bought me an Apple shirt! Just have to wait for him to come and visit me now to get it. He's currently in an IMAX theater watching the Green Hornet in 3D. He flies back on Sunday and I know he's going to visit a long-time friend that he's never actually met in person. He might also go see the Googleplex (Google headquarters), but I don't know when.
Not much else to report on. Come on NOA2!! :D
~Lindsay
Happy 8 month anniversary to Ben and I! ^_^
Still no news on our NOA2.
I've been calling NVC's AVR each night just to see if a case number has been assigned. I've heard of a few cases where some people hadn't received their NOA2 in the mail or had any updates on the USCIS website, but found that their case had been approved by finding a case number had been assigned to them at NVC. I now have the NVC number committed to memory: (603) 334-0700. I know which numbers to press as soon as I hear the automated voice (1, 1, 1, 4, 1, receipt number, 1). Once I hear: "There is no record of your case on file..." I hang up. Can't wait to hear: "This case was entered in the NVC computer system on..."
Anyways, in other news, Ben's in California. He's been there since Sunday. No, not to go to the CSC, but for work. Advanced SQL training (he's a programmer). All expenses paid for by his work (flight, hotel, food, and training). He flew Sunday afternoon and his training was Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Yesterday he visited Apple headquarters and bought me an Apple shirt! Just have to wait for him to come and visit me now to get it. He's currently in an IMAX theater watching the Green Hornet in 3D. He flies back on Sunday and I know he's going to visit a long-time friend that he's never actually met in person. He might also go see the Googleplex (Google headquarters), but I don't know when.
Not much else to report on. Come on NOA2!! :D
~Lindsay
Friday, January 7, 2011
Some good news!
*Reference link to abbreviations/terms post*
Just to start off, Happy New Year!
I had a great Christmas with Ben. He flew in Wednesday night and left less than four days later. I'm so glad we got to spend our first Christmas together.
Also, as of January 2nd, it's been 4 months since our NOA1. And as of today, I've known Ben for exactly a year ^_^
Anyways, on to the good news. So, on VJ, I came across a thread indicating that the DS-260 is now mandatory for all visa applicants going through the Montreal Consulate. At first, I was kind of disappointed since I already have the DS-230 filed out, but soon realised how amazing this DS-260 is.
*Reference link to post about the DS-261/DS-260*
I just found out today some very uplifting news which I am so grateful for. This new DS-260 is getting rid of the mail backlog at the Montreal Consulate. As soon as a case is complete at NVC, the DS-260 is sent electronically to the consulate. An interview date is then assigned. How fast are interviews getting assigned now? In this other thread I'm following about the DS-260, there were two members that got case completes this week, and got their interview dates this week as well. This has never happened before. NEVER. (Unless it was expedited, but these are non-expedited cases). Usually, for Montreal, after a case complete, one waits about 4 months, gets assigned an interview date, and then has the interview one month later.
Plus, I haven't gotten to the best news of all. Sure, getting an interview date assigned fast is nice, but WHEN the interview date is important. Instead of being 5 months from a case complete, these two members have interview dates TWO months after case complete. TWO MONTHS. When I saw this, I broke out in a smile. Like, a very large smile. :D :D
If this get-an-interview-two-months-from-case-complete remains, then to get to South Dakota for our first anniversary on May 21, I'd have to have the interview at the beginning of May, which means I need to get a case complete around the end of February/beginning of March. And since NVC only takes a few weeks, this is all possible once we get our NOA2 in the next upcoming weeks. So happy and thankful.
~Lindsay
Just to start off, Happy New Year!
I had a great Christmas with Ben. He flew in Wednesday night and left less than four days later. I'm so glad we got to spend our first Christmas together.
Also, as of January 2nd, it's been 4 months since our NOA1. And as of today, I've known Ben for exactly a year ^_^
Anyways, on to the good news. So, on VJ, I came across a thread indicating that the DS-260 is now mandatory for all visa applicants going through the Montreal Consulate. At first, I was kind of disappointed since I already have the DS-230 filed out, but soon realised how amazing this DS-260 is.
*Reference link to post about the DS-261/DS-260*
I just found out today some very uplifting news which I am so grateful for. This new DS-260 is getting rid of the mail backlog at the Montreal Consulate. As soon as a case is complete at NVC, the DS-260 is sent electronically to the consulate. An interview date is then assigned. How fast are interviews getting assigned now? In this other thread I'm following about the DS-260, there were two members that got case completes this week, and got their interview dates this week as well. This has never happened before. NEVER. (Unless it was expedited, but these are non-expedited cases). Usually, for Montreal, after a case complete, one waits about 4 months, gets assigned an interview date, and then has the interview one month later.
Plus, I haven't gotten to the best news of all. Sure, getting an interview date assigned fast is nice, but WHEN the interview date is important. Instead of being 5 months from a case complete, these two members have interview dates TWO months after case complete. TWO MONTHS. When I saw this, I broke out in a smile. Like, a very large smile. :D :D
If this get-an-interview-two-months-from-case-complete remains, then to get to South Dakota for our first anniversary on May 21, I'd have to have the interview at the beginning of May, which means I need to get a case complete around the end of February/beginning of March. And since NVC only takes a few weeks, this is all possible once we get our NOA2 in the next upcoming weeks. So happy and thankful.
~Lindsay
Monday, December 20, 2010
Summary of immigration process
I thought it'd be a good idea to do a summary of the major steps needed from the filing an I-130 all the way to becoming a US citizen. I've linked every step to that specific blog post about it.
USCIS:
-File an I-130
NVC:
-Send the DS-3032
-Send the I-864
-Send the DS-230
US Embassy:
-Have the medical
-Have the interview
Afterwards:
-Go through the border, get the green card and SSN
-Remove conditions (only if a CR-1 visa holder)
-Get naturalized (optional)
And those are all the steps to getting a spousal visa. Not that many steps, but each step is very time-consuming and includes a lot of paperwork needed.
The rest of this blog will be specifically about my own personal experiences since I explained every step in as much detail as possible (unless something gets changed about a part of the process). There will be a lot to write about during the NVC process and I can't wait to write about my experiences through that. Very soon I shall be!
~Lindsay
USCIS:
-File an I-130
NVC:
-Send the DS-3032
-Send the I-864
-Send the DS-230
US Embassy:
-Have the medical
-Have the interview
Afterwards:
-Go through the border, get the green card and SSN
-Remove conditions (only if a CR-1 visa holder)
-Get naturalized (optional)
And those are all the steps to getting a spousal visa. Not that many steps, but each step is very time-consuming and includes a lot of paperwork needed.
The rest of this blog will be specifically about my own personal experiences since I explained every step in as much detail as possible (unless something gets changed about a part of the process). There will be a lot to write about during the NVC process and I can't wait to write about my experiences through that. Very soon I shall be!
~Lindsay
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Naturalization explained
*Reference link to abbreviations/terms post*
I'm not 100% sure yet if I want to later become a US citizen, but I'll describe the process if it's ever done.
First off, eligibility. For those applying for US citizenship under the basis of being married to a US citizen, the minimum amount of years being a lawful permanent resident is 3 years, along with having been married AND living together for three years. For those that are applying for US citizenship without being married to a US citizen, the minimum amount of years being a lawful permanent resident is 5 years.
Of course, this is an optional step, so I don't need to apply after exactly 3 years. I can apply in 5 years, or 10 years, or even 50 years, or never, doesn't matter.
To apply for US citizenship, the first step is to mail in the form and supporting evidence. The form to fill out is called the N-400. As with removing conditions, a copy of the front and back of the permanent resident card must be sent in. Also, 2 passport pictures taken within 30 days of filing must be submitted. We must also send in a copy of Ben's birth certificate (to prove he's a US citizen), a copy of our marriage certificate (to prove our marriage), along with other documents proving our relationship. These would be the same kinds of things submitted with the removing conditions package.
The birth certificate, marriage certificate, and evidence of the relationship is obviously not necessary for those applying as not being married to a US citizen. Under those circumstances, I'd assume only the form, passport pictures, and the copy of the permanent resident card is required.
Additional documents might be needed, depending on each person's circumstances. If one's had a criminal record, then court records are needed. If one's been in the military, military records are needed. Etc, etc. The whole document checklist and eligibility guide can be found here.
The fee currently is $595 for the form and then $85 for the biometrics, bringing the total to $680 to become a US citizen. Of course, by the time I get to this point, I'm sure the fees will have changed.
An interview isn't mandatory, but like with removing conditions, one can be called in for an interview. Also similar to removing conditions, biometrics need to be done, presumably at a local office as well.
Once approved, the applicant takes a test (reading, writing, US citizenship test) and then takes an oath. The naturalization certificate is then, I assume, mailed off.
This process requires a bit more than removing conditions as tests are done. Reading and writing won't be a problem for me, but I would definitely need to brush up on US information, specifically branches of government and such. Also, the form to fill out is very long, 10 pages, the longest one throughout all of this I believe. But of course, this is optional, so I don't need to do it if I don't want to. Although, at the moment, I'm leaning toward becoming a US citizen and having dual citizenship. We'll see in a few years though.
~Lindsay
P.S. Only a few more days till Ben is here! Yay! Oh, and he turned 22 yesterday ^_^
I'm not 100% sure yet if I want to later become a US citizen, but I'll describe the process if it's ever done.
First off, eligibility. For those applying for US citizenship under the basis of being married to a US citizen, the minimum amount of years being a lawful permanent resident is 3 years, along with having been married AND living together for three years. For those that are applying for US citizenship without being married to a US citizen, the minimum amount of years being a lawful permanent resident is 5 years.
Of course, this is an optional step, so I don't need to apply after exactly 3 years. I can apply in 5 years, or 10 years, or even 50 years, or never, doesn't matter.
To apply for US citizenship, the first step is to mail in the form and supporting evidence. The form to fill out is called the N-400. As with removing conditions, a copy of the front and back of the permanent resident card must be sent in. Also, 2 passport pictures taken within 30 days of filing must be submitted. We must also send in a copy of Ben's birth certificate (to prove he's a US citizen), a copy of our marriage certificate (to prove our marriage), along with other documents proving our relationship. These would be the same kinds of things submitted with the removing conditions package.
The birth certificate, marriage certificate, and evidence of the relationship is obviously not necessary for those applying as not being married to a US citizen. Under those circumstances, I'd assume only the form, passport pictures, and the copy of the permanent resident card is required.
Additional documents might be needed, depending on each person's circumstances. If one's had a criminal record, then court records are needed. If one's been in the military, military records are needed. Etc, etc. The whole document checklist and eligibility guide can be found here.
The fee currently is $595 for the form and then $85 for the biometrics, bringing the total to $680 to become a US citizen. Of course, by the time I get to this point, I'm sure the fees will have changed.
An interview isn't mandatory, but like with removing conditions, one can be called in for an interview. Also similar to removing conditions, biometrics need to be done, presumably at a local office as well.
Once approved, the applicant takes a test (reading, writing, US citizenship test) and then takes an oath. The naturalization certificate is then, I assume, mailed off.
This process requires a bit more than removing conditions as tests are done. Reading and writing won't be a problem for me, but I would definitely need to brush up on US information, specifically branches of government and such. Also, the form to fill out is very long, 10 pages, the longest one throughout all of this I believe. But of course, this is optional, so I don't need to do it if I don't want to. Although, at the moment, I'm leaning toward becoming a US citizen and having dual citizenship. We'll see in a few years though.
~Lindsay
P.S. Only a few more days till Ben is here! Yay! Oh, and he turned 22 yesterday ^_^
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