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Saturday, January 14, 2006

The ride so far

Current Mood:

I thought it would be interesting to actually track how long it took Steve and me to get this far, immigration-wise :-). I've dug through all my letters so I can get precise dates and just how much the applications cost:

June 9, 2003 - USCIS receives our fiancee visa petition. Cost: $110.00
November 12, 2003 - USCIS approves the fiancee visa petition and says that I will be notified as to when my visa interview will be.
November 25, 2003 - I get a letter from the embassy telling me that my interview is on February 13, 2004 and that I should have the medical examination done by then.
February 10, 2004 - St. Luke's Extension clinic stamps my passport that I've completed the medical examination. Cost of examination: $95.00
February 13, 2004 - I get interviewed. I don't pass the interview just yet because we lacked sufficient documentation. They keep my passport until we send the documentation. We send the required documentation and are told to wait for the decision.
April 7, 2004 - A courier delivers my passport with the fiancee visa attached.
June 22, 2004 - I book my one-way ticket to the States.
July 2, 2004 - I attended the Commission on Filipinos Overseas' guidance and counseling class and they stamp my passport certifying my attendance.
July 30, 2004 - I fly to the U.S.
September 13, 2004 - Steve and I get our marriage license in Memphis, TN.
September 17, 2004 - Steve and I get married in Gatlinburg, TN :-).
November 18, 2004 - USCIS receives my application for work authorization (cost: $175) and to adjust status to permanent resident (cost: $385). I'm scheduled for biometrics (i.e. fingerprinting and picture-taking) for my work authorization document.
December 10, 2004 - I get my biometrics done.
December 28, 2004 - I get my work authorization permit.
January 11, 2005 - I apply for a social security number.
January 25, 2005 - I get my social security card.
October 19, 2005 - USCIS says I need to send them updates of several of my documents since they've expired. I also need to have a new medical exam done.
October 24, 2005 - I complete my second medical exam (cost: $225).
October 28, 2005 - USCIS sends me confirmation that they have my new address (Steve and I moved in June).
November 23, 2005 - USCIS receives my application to renew my work authorization permit (cost: $180).
December 15, 2005 - I mail off the updated documents to USCIS.
January 12, 2006 - USCIS approves my permanent residency application.
January 19, 2006 - I get my green card! It expires January 3, 2008.
UPDATE:
October 6, 2007 - We mailed our application to remove the conditions of my permanent residency (within the 90 day window before my green card expires. Cost: $545). Paid for delivery confirmation so I'll know when they get it.
October 10, 2007 - USCIS receives our application.
November 6, 2007 - I get a letter from USCIS saying that my conditional permanent residency has been extended for one year while the paperwork gets processed.
November 24, 2007 - I get a letter from USCIS telling me where, what day and what time I should show up for my biometrics appointment.
December 5, 2007 - I go to my biometrics appointment. It took less than 10 minutes.
December 15, 2007 - I get an email from USCIS telling me that they've ordered the production of my green card.
December 19, 2007 - I get another email from USCIS saying that the petition to remove the conditions of my permanent residency has been approved :-)!
December 24, 2007 - I receive my new, 10 year permanent resident green card in the mail :-)! It expires December 15, 2017.
October 9, 2008 - Express-mailed my application for Naturalization (cost: $675: $595 plus an $80 biometrics fee).
October 10, 2008 - USCIS (specifically the Texas Service Center) receives my application
October 14, 2008 - USCIS puts my application in the processing queue. Target completion time: 365 days.
November 3, 2008 - I get a letter from USCIS telling me where, what day and what time I should show up for my fingerprinting appointment.

Man, it sure took a while, didn't it :-).

Labels: Immigration

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