Hobbes timeline to full greencard
Jul 17th 2008, 2:23 am
#1
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Hobbes timeline to full greencard
Here goes (partly at meauxna's request 
).
I'll put personal notes in italics. Time lines are slight estimates on occasion.
July 2001 Wish to move to US to be with girlfriend
As will come as no surprise to most, marriage is looking like the only option, so begin fiance visa paperwork, though feel rather young to do so. At same time am applying for jobs.
August 2001 Get job offer! Stop filling out fiance paperwork.
September 2001 Move to US on J-1 visa
August 2002 Same company gets me H-1B visa (no lottery back then)
June 2004 Marry USC (girlfriend I came for in first place)
May 2005 Apply for marriage based greencard (I know, should have done earlier
) through the Dallas DORA pilot scheme
August 2005 Greencard approved (yes, really that quick)
'06, laid off.
September 2006 Apply for re-entry permit
Return to UK after receiving good job offer - wife in tow.
Have baby June 2007. Ensure his USC through report of consular report of birth abroad at London US embassy.
August 2007 Apply for removal of conditions whilst still in UK. Actually filed a couple of days late, but was forgiven.
September 2007 Informed re-entry permit was destroyed (long story). Ignored that minor issue
Fly over for family visit during November '07 trip. Also interview for job in Boston and get it.
November 2007 Biometrics taken in Portland, ME.
Return to UK
Return to US January 2008 to start job.
July 16th 2008 Card production of 10-year card ordered.
Wow, that's my not so indirect journey to permanent residency. "Only" took about 7-years
).I'll put personal notes in italics. Time lines are slight estimates on occasion.
July 2001 Wish to move to US to be with girlfriend
As will come as no surprise to most, marriage is looking like the only option, so begin fiance visa paperwork, though feel rather young to do so. At same time am applying for jobs.
August 2001 Get job offer! Stop filling out fiance paperwork.
September 2001 Move to US on J-1 visa
August 2002 Same company gets me H-1B visa (no lottery back then)
June 2004 Marry USC (girlfriend I came for in first place)
May 2005 Apply for marriage based greencard (I know, should have done earlier
) through the Dallas DORA pilot schemeAugust 2005 Greencard approved (yes, really that quick)
'06, laid off.
September 2006 Apply for re-entry permit
Return to UK after receiving good job offer - wife in tow.
Have baby June 2007. Ensure his USC through report of consular report of birth abroad at London US embassy.
August 2007 Apply for removal of conditions whilst still in UK. Actually filed a couple of days late, but was forgiven.
September 2007 Informed re-entry permit was destroyed (long story). Ignored that minor issue
Fly over for family visit during November '07 trip. Also interview for job in Boston and get it.
November 2007 Biometrics taken in Portland, ME.
Return to UK
Return to US January 2008 to start job.
July 16th 2008 Card production of 10-year card ordered.
Wow, that's my not so indirect journey to permanent residency. "Only" took about 7-years
Jul 17th 2008, 1:05 pm
#2
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,391
Re: Hobbes timeline to full greencard
Congratulations ... at least you made it to the finish line.
Jul 17th 2008, 1:17 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 169
Re: Hobbes timeline to full greencard
That is a heck of story. Congrats.
Jul 17th 2008, 4:09 pm
#4
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Hobbes timeline to full greencard
Thanks Hobbes; it's certainly quite a story!
All the best to you & the fam, and I imagine we'll be seeing you around for N-400 fun soon.
All the best to you & the fam, and I imagine we'll be seeing you around for N-400 fun soon.
Jul 17th 2008, 4:19 pm
#5
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Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Hobbes timeline to full greencard
Wow, what a long journey! Thanks for sharing your whole story. Congratulations on the new card!
Rene
Rene
Jul 17th 2008, 4:27 pm
#6
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Re: Hobbes timeline to full greencard
Yeah, sure would have been a lot quicker if I'd have just bitten the bullet and gotten married at the age of 21 in 2001!
But for the sake of my sanity (and that of the future wife) it was the right thing for us. Meant we could eventually do it without the pressure of immigration. Which was nice and a luxury not many people wanting to join a partner in the US get to have.
But for the sake of my sanity (and that of the future wife) it was the right thing for us. Meant we could eventually do it without the pressure of immigration. Which was nice and a luxury not many people wanting to join a partner in the US get to have.
Jul 17th 2008, 4:29 pm
#7
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Jul 25th 2008, 11:16 pm
#8
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Re: Hobbes timeline to full greencard
One final entry:
July 25 2008 Card arrives in the mail
Just a quick note... I actually moved 3-times during the I-751 process and simply changed my case address on-line while also taking care of my AR-11 requirements. It's 2 separate on-line forms that you fill in one after the other.
The card arrived fine at my new address. I was nervous, but nothing to worry about so it seems
July 25 2008 Card arrives in the mail
Just a quick note... I actually moved 3-times during the I-751 process and simply changed my case address on-line while also taking care of my AR-11 requirements. It's 2 separate on-line forms that you fill in one after the other.
The card arrived fine at my new address. I was nervous, but nothing to worry about so it seems
