18/11/2025
โจ Our Spousal Visa Journey is FINALLY Complete! โจ Hereโs our full timeline:
๐ CR1 to IR1 Visa (I-130 Petition) w/o K3
๐ Date of Marriage: June 18, 2022
๐ Date of Interview: Sept 18, 2025
๐ Texas Service Center
๐ US Citizen ~ Filipina Spouse
๐ Consular Processing: U.S. Embassy in Manila
๐ USCIS Processing Time: 15.5 months (470 days)
๐๏ธ Jan 13, 2024 โ Priority Date (submitted I-130 online)
๐๏ธ Jan 13, 2024 โ NOA1 (1st Active Review)
๐๏ธ Apr 10, 2025 โ NOA2 (2nd Active Review & Case Approval)
๐ NVC Processing Time:
๐๏ธ Apr 10, 2025 โ USCIS sent case to NVC
๐๏ธ Apr 15, 2025 โ NVC Welcome Email (CR1 converted to IR1)
๐ท Apr 16, 2025 โ Paid Affidavit of Support ($120)
๐ท Apr 18, 2025 โ Paid DS260 ($325)
๐๏ธ Apr 21, 2025 โ NVC Payment Processed for DS260
๐ท Apr 27, 2025 โ Sent NVC Inquiry (AOS payment issue)
โผ๏ธ Apr 27, 2025 โ AOS Payment Rejected
๐ท Apr 27, 2025 โ Sent NVC Inquiry again w/ Proof of Transactions
๐ท May 6, 2025 โ 2nd Attempt Payment AOS
๐๏ธ May 9, 2025 โ AOS Paid
๐ท May 11, 2025 โ Submitted AOS
๐ท May 11, 2025 โ Submitted DS260 & Civil Docs
๐๏ธ May 22, 2025 โ Documentarily Qualified
๐ต๐ญ๐บ๐ธ Manila Embassy:
๐๏ธ Jul 10, 2025 โ Interview Letter Received
๐๏ธ Jul 15, 2025 - Case Ready
๐๏ธ Jul 15, 2025 โ Booked Medical Online and VAC Appointment
๐๏ธ Sep 2, 2025 โ Day 1 Medical Appointment
๐๏ธ Sep 3, 2025 โ Day 2 Immunization & Biometric at Parqal
๐๏ธ Sep 4, 2025 โ Email Received: Vaccination Record from SLEC
๐๏ธ Sep 5, 2025 โ Email Received: Visa Medical Report Successfully Submitted
๐๏ธ Sep 12,2025 - Case Status Update from NVC โ Received Email Regarding System Error and Refund Request.
๐จ๐พโโ๏ธSep 18, 2025 โ Interview at the Embassy
๐Sep 19, 2025 โ Visa Issued
๐Sep 20, 2025 โ Visa Ready for Pick Up Email
๐Sep 22, 2025 โ Visa On Hand
๐จโ๐ผSep 24, 2025 โ CFO Certificate (Baguio)
โ๏ธ Oct 27,2025 - My Flight
GREENCARD:
๐ชชOct 29, 2025 - Paid GC
๐ชชNov 04,2025 - Received SSN
๐ชชNov 04,2025- Produced GC
๐ชชNov 14, 2025 - Received GC
๐ The entire process took 21 months (1 year & 9 months) from PD to Visa Issued & CFO.
๐ DIY (No K3, No Attorney, No RFE / Joint Sponsor, No 221g).
โผ๏ธ USCIS Case Estimate & Visa Journey were never accurate.
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๐จ๐พโโ๏ธUS EMBASSY MANILA INTERVIEW:
WINDOW 61 (BLACK AMERICAN)
I brought everything with me. Literally, I was overprepared! But these were the only documents they actually asked for:
Original Civil Documents:
โ
DS-260 Appointment
โ
Marriage Certificate
โ
AOM โ Petitioner
โ
AOM โ Beneficiary
โ
NBI Clearance
โ
Birth Certificate
โ
Passport
โ
2x2 ID
Tip: Bring all the civil documents you submitted to the NVC, just to be safe.
These were the questions asked during the Final interview:
* What is your full name?
* What is the petitionerโs full name?
* What is your date of birth?
* When and how did you meet?
* When did your husband propose?
* When did you get married?
* Has your husband been married before?
* Have you been married before?
* Do you have any children?
* How many times has your husband visited the Philippines?
* So, does he visit you twice a year?
* When was the last time you saw him in person?
* Does your husband live with anyone?
* What does your husband do for a living?
* Have you ever been to the U.S.?
* Did you commit any crime?
* Have you worked outside the country?
* Do you have pictures together?
Consul: Your visa has been approved. Congratulations! Please allow 1โ2 weeks for your visa to be issued. Here is the pamphlet, which you may scan at any time. Should you have any questions, please proceed to Window 71. If you have no other inquiries, you may proceed to exit.
I was blessed with a kind, professional and straightforward immigration officer, a Black American, who was pleasantly amazed by our photo album. ๐๐
๐จโ๐ผ CFO FACILITATOR: Sir JG
โ
Printed GCP Appointment Letter
โ
Marriage Certificate
โ
AOM โ Petitioner
โ
AOM โ Beneficiary
โ
NBI Clearance
โ
Birth Certificate
โ
Passport with VISA
โ
Passport Copy of Petitioner
โ
Proof of Bonafide Marriage
โ
Police Certificate of Petitioner
Questions During my Interview: (Taglish)
๐ Love Story & Marriage
* When and how did you meet?
* When did you get married?
* In marriage, misunderstandings and problems are normal. In your case, how do you and your husband overcome them?
* Has your husband been married before
* Have you been married before?
* Do you have any children?
* How is your relationship with your in-laws?
* Regarding finances, have you and your husband discussed it?
* Who will handle the money or the household budget?
* What are the things you love most about your husband?
* Does he send you financial support?
* Has he already met your family?
* How did you communicate while apart?
๐ Migration Knowledge & Expectations
* Do you have any idea or knowledge about the country you are moving to?
* What changes or adjustments do you expect to experience once you live there?
* What are the challenges or possibilities you might encounter in the country you are entering?
๐ Work, Education, Future Plans & Goals
* What is your husbandโs job?
* What is your current job?
* What is your educational attainment?
* What are your goals or plans once you move there?
* Do you have any plans to study further once you are in the U.S., given that you already graduated from college?
* Do you have plans to petition your family in the future?
* Do you have pictures together with your Husband?
๐ After the one-on-one interview, I proceeded to the seminar where we watched around 10 short videos followed by a group discussion. After that, they returned my appointment letter, and I went to the cashier to pay โฑ30. I scanned the QR code, provided my email and OR number, answered the evaluation form, and then submitted it. Finally, I received my CFO certificate through email.
โฅ๏ธAt my CFO session, I was truly blessed again because my facilitator was very kind and professional. He asked me one question, then smoothly moved on to the next. The whole process took around 20-25 minutes only.
I know that the CFO usually asks more questions compared to the Embassy, but the key is to be well-prepared, relaxed, and answer each question clearly and honestly. They just want to make sure you understand what to expect in your new life abroad and that your relationship is genuine.
๐ขMy advice: Bring all your requirements, know your love story by heart, and be confident. Donโt stress too much,if your relationship is real and you are prepared, youโll get through it smoothly. Remember, the facilitator is there to guide you, not to scare you.
๐ฎโโ๏ธ US IMMIGRATION OFFICER: LAX ๐ซ
LAX immigration officer asked me a few questions:
โข Who is your petitioner?
โข When did you get married?
โข What is your address?
After that, he said: โAlright, we will use this address to mail your SSN. For now, I will stamp your visa. This stamp will serve as your temporary Green Card for one year, in case you need to travel outside the U.S. before your physical Green Card arrives.
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Most of all, trust in Godโs timing and guidance. Everything will fall into place when you put Him first. ๐โจ
๐ธ Through it all, we give back all the praise, honor, and glory to our Almighty God, Jehovah. Truly, His timing is perfect. What seemed impossible became possible because of His mercy, guidance, and love.
โจ โI myself, Jehovah, will speed it up in its own time โโ Isaiah 60:22 โจ
๐ Forever grateful and blessed ๐
Claim it! Youโre next !!!
