OUR IMMIGRATION TIMELINE
The Petition
At this point, Drew dealt with the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) and did most of the work. Since his home state is Pennsylvania, he filed the petition through the Vermont Service Center (VSC).
Early in 1999
Drew and Nile met in a chat room called #casual of the Undernet. Click here to read our story.
March 23, 2001
Drew's first visit to the Philippines. While we were together, Drew downloaded forms for Nile to fill up and had the required ADIT pictures taken.
May 4, 2001
Drew mailed the application packet to the Vermont Service Center (VSC). Click here for the list of requirements for the petition.
May 7, 2001
The application packet was received by the VSC according to the tracking information on the Web.
June 1, 2001
Nile received from Drew all documents that will be submitted during the K-1 Visa application process through the US Embassy in Manila. Click here for the list of documents needed for the visa application through the Manila consulate.
June 7, 2001
Notice of Action dated June 2, 2001 was received in the mail. The increased filings at the VSC beginning April 2001 caused a bit of delay in the processing.
June 20, 2001
Nile called the VSC (1-802-5274913) to inquire about the status via INS automated system. PETITION APPROVED! The approval is supposed to be cabled to the US Embassy in Manila.
June 27, 2001
Notice of Approval was received in the mail. When you receive the Notice of Approval, guard it with your life! You will need it later while going through the entire process.
Total number of days from filing to approval:
44 calendar days
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The Embassy
During this stage, Nile deals with the US Embassy in Manila and does most of the work.Nile had already secured the documents needed beforehand so it took less time to assemble the application.
July 1, 2001
The US Embassy in Manila changed their procedure in handling applications for the K-1 Visa effective today. Click here to read on this new procedure.
July 16, 2001
Nile called the Immigrant Visa Information Center to schedule the delivery of her packet despite the absence of her name in the Embassy's system.
July 19, 2001
Nile receives the application packet from the Embassy via LBC (courier).
July 26, 2001
Nile goes to St. Luke's Extension Clinic for her medical exams. She was asked to come back the next day to claim her medical results and to receive her vaccines. Click here to read Nile's medical exam narration.
July 27, 2001
Nile goes back to St. Luke's to claim her medical exam results, receive her vaccinations, and submit her visa application packet. The wait for the visa begins.
August 7, 2001
Nile calls the Immigrant Visa Information Center to ask why her visa hasn't arrived yet. She was informed that the Embassy does not have any record of her approval from the INS.
August 14, 2001
As of today, the Embassy still does not have a record of the approval from the INS.
August 28, 2001
Drew called the US Embassy. The person he spoke to told him that Nile's visa was approved on August 24 and that delivery should be expected within the week. In a few days, we'll find out if this Embassy personnel was telling the truth or is full of shit.
August 30, 2001
Received visa through courier (LBC)!!!When you receive your visa DO NOT detach the passport from the envelope and DO NOT open the brown envelope! This will only be done by an INS officer at the port of entry. If you do make that mistake, you will have to go back to the Embassy to have the passport restapled and the documents put back into the envlope.
September 3, 2001
Nile attends the Commission for Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Guidance and Counseling Session as a requirement for departure.
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Adjustment of Status (AOS)
After arrival in the US and marriage, Drew and Nile file paper work that will legalize Nile's residency after the 90-day K-1 visa has expired and eventually give her US citizenship (if she opts to).
September 29, 2001
Nile's departure from Manila to the United States, Port of Entry (POE): Minneapolis. Click here to read on Nile's travel and POE information and experience. 90-day EAD stamp/card not issued.
October 1, 2001
Drew and Nile apply for their marriage license in York, Pennsylvania. Requirements: personal appearance of the couple, valid identification, birth certificate, $40 processing fee. There is a waiting period of 3 days unless a waiver is granted. No blood tests are required.
October 20, 2001
Drew and Nile were married in a beautiful Fall ceremony at the Clarke Chapel, Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
November 5, 2001
Nile applied for her Social Security Number (SSN). Click here for instructions on how to apply for your SSN. Today, Nile and Drew also sent notice to the INS that they have moved. Nile sent a letter to the INS district office from the state where she originally had her address. She also sent a copy of the letter to the INS district office in the area where they now reside. Drew sent Form I-865 (Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address) to the service center which serves the state we have moved to.
November 15, 2001
Nile is able to obtain her SSN over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213.
November 23, 2001
Nile receives her Social Security card in the mail.
December 19, 2001
Nile and Drew files Adjustment of Status and EAD applications at the INS Norfolk office. Appointment of the issuance of the EAD is on February 1, 2002. Read Nile's AOS Filing experience here.
February 1, 2001
Nile shows up for her appointment at INS Norfolk and receives her EAD on the same day.
June 3, 2002
Drew and Nile send a status inquiry letter to their local INS office. To see a sample document, click here
June 18, 2002
Drew and Nile receive an interview notice from the INS with an appointment date of June 20, 2002. Now that's one short notice!
June 20, 2002
Adjustment of Status interview at INS Norfolk...SUCCESS!!!
July 11, 2002
Nile receives her conditional green card in the mail, 22 calendar days after the I-485 interview. Amazing!
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Removal of Conditions
This set of paperwork is filed no more than 90 days before the second anniversary of the adjustment of status approval (which is also the expiration date of the two-year conditional green card). After the conditions have been removed, the 10-year renewable green card is granted. Drew and Nile lived in Virginia at the time it was filed, so they sent in their application to the Vermont Service Center.
March 22, 2004
Drew and Nile send in their application for the removal of conditions.
March 29, 2004
Date indicated on the Notice of Action. Nile's conditional green card is extended for one year.
July 28, 2004
Drew and Nile move to Texas and file for a I-865 Sponsor's Change of Address and ar-11 Alien's Change of Address shortly after the move.
August 17, 2004
Date on Notice of Action for I-865 Sponsor's Change of Address.
March 19, 2005
Nile receives an interview notice from the USCIS. Removal of conditions interview scheduled on April 4, 2005.
April 4, 2005
Removal of conditions interview at the San Antonio District Office - SUCCESS!
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Naturalization
March 22, 2005
Nile is eligible to file for citizenship, so she gathers all documents and gets her naturalization packet ready.
March 25, 2005
Nile files her application for citizenship through the Texas Service Center.
April 16, 2005
Nile receives a Notice of Action for her N-400 application.
May 6, 2005
Nile receives a notice for her fingerprinting appointment
May 7, 2005
Nile goes to the INS San Antonio fingerprinting office
July 16, 2005
Nile receives a notification letter for her naturalization interview scheduled on August 23, 2005.
August 23, 2005
Naturalization interview...SUCCESS!!!
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