Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	CSC sorry have to vent	The reason they cannot send to Nebraska is that Nebraska cases are getting sent to CSC also. I live in Ohio. Eastern time zone like Vermont, but my service center is Nebraska. Imagine my surprise when I see that my I-130 was sent to California. Wonderful. Sorry to hear that. Welcome to the center of slow processing times.	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-02-14 00:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	CSC sorry have to vent	I share your frustration... seems like extensive background checks and etc are eating up time and resources which could perhaps be better directed elsewhere. :shrug: and as to why they've routed ALL texas filings to the SLOWER of the two other processing centers is beyond me. When I started researching all this, it appeared that we would have our NOA2 within 2-3 months, EASY. now... who knows. The wait is sometimes depressing - no idea what's going on. ryecatcher25: I believe his partner is in Romania, not Vietnam. He's probly in for a good long wait, just as you are. unfortunately CSC doesn't turn out 2-week NOA2's.	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-02-14 00:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	VJ for Brits?	Thanks to all	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-02-14 14:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	VJ for Brits?	Does anyone know of any VJ equiv. to go the other direction, specifically for the UK? We're planning on staying in the USA for a few years at least, but we'de like to explore our options as well. (and I need something to keep occupied with while waiting on the CSC. *grumble*) Cheers Hannah	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-02-13 23:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Hi I'm new	I'm disabled as well (cerebral palsy), and I understand your feelings - but I really don't think they desciminate against such things. I've had well-meaning family members ask if Ollie (my fiance) was pushing for a green card - my justification, beyond just the obvious NO, is that if he wanted me for the green card, he would have taken a more active role in the paperwork process (as it is/was, he's a typical sloth-like male - he has no clue how much work went into the packet). My neighbor, by coincidence, just completed this entire process. She is clinically diagnosed as morbidly obese, and her UK-born husband did ALL the paperwork and provided all the financial support for the process. Their application whizzed through, 5.5 months from I-129f filing to interview! If they had no problems, then people like us certainly won't. (for the record they are gag-me-with-a-spoon disgustingly in love. they can't so much as get out of the car without kissing first, and take daily walks hand-in-hand. it's super cute.)	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-02-13 18:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	packet 3 from London Consulate	Thanks, you all helped quite a bit. i hope we have a resonable wait time till the interview - his return flight is scheduled for July 5th.	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-03-15 04:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	packet 3 from London Consulate	Could someone tell me what packet 3 from uk consular will contain? We've got the DS-156/f and DS-230 example forms from the guide (to use as practice/draft forms) -- but what else will Packet 3 ask for? Do they want copies of the birth certificate and police report then, or just bring them to the interview? Sorry if this is a repeat question... Thanks, Hannah	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-03-13 06:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Recent College Graduate-Income Requirements	I am in the same boat, and have a co-sponsor. Just don't want to take the risk of being denied, regulations are regulations regardless of circumstance.	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-03-23 14:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	another i-134 (affidavit) question	Me and my cosponsor did not send James any tax returns. With London, they are only required for self employed as you said (some consulates want them no matter what, London is not one of them). We each sent bank letters and employer letters and James got approved just fine Ooh, excellent news. lWe're gathering tax returns for the AOS stuff, but we would have had to scramble to get them ready for the interview (hoping its sooner than later...).	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-04-02 18:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	another i-134 (affidavit) question	Does anyone know what is required from the London Consulate?	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-04-02 18:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	another i-134 (affidavit) question	From what I understand, if you are NOT self employed, tax returns are NOT needed if you ARE self employed, attach 1. Copy of last income tax return filed; or 2. Report of commercial rating concern. I've read posts where people take more, is that neccessary, or do people do it just when they feel their case is on the edge, requirements-wise? With my co-sponsor, we should clearly meet the above-poverty requirement, so am I correct to assume we just need to bring what the form instructions ask for?	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-04-02 17:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Messed up DS-156 Ahhh! what do I do?!!!	The DS156 is available online, and that version (barcoded) is from what i've heard, accepted at the UK embassy. Never heard anything about the 156K being barcoded? I downloaded a generic one and filled it out, Ollie mailed it in w/packet 3 last week. Hope that works out... he didn't mention anything about the instructions saying to do it online..., but details are not his thing. Also... from what I have read, it seems like the UK embassy corrects small errors with you at the interview, rather than sending stuff back and delaying everything.	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-04-02 17:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Birth Certificate - Front and back? No back	i copied both sides of mine w/dark (dark-dark-dark) exposure, so the wrinkles and edges and the reverse side of the embossed seal were slightly visable on the BLANK back side of my birth certificate. seems stupid, but they ask for both sides, so they got both sides.	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-04-03 02:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	How do you deal with loneliness?	I write letters. in the days of email, it seems silly. but its kindof like a journal entry, but I'm writing it to Ollie instead. I trust him with my heart and soul, so why not my journal too? the process of writing the letter, addressing the envelope, buying the stamp, etc, i find very theraputic. he doesn't have reliable internet and his cell signal is bad, so it can be days before i hear from him. sometimes i just need to talk, and that's what the letters help with. maybe it'll be something we can show our kids down the line, or maybe it will just be a silent reminder of what we went thru because we love eachother. at any rate, i know he saves every letter i send	latitudes	Not Telling	United Kingdom	2006-04-03 02:38:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	QUOTE (Zeddess @ Jul 28 2009, 03:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey all! I'm really new at this and it's all quite daunting, but seems like you've all had amazing journeys that have worked out wonderfully. We've only just filed our petition last week so I'm right at the beginning of mine! I'd just appreciate any advice you have about how long we should expect it to take as I know it varies so much, he's coming to NZ in December so I'm thinking it would be awesome if I get my interview while he's here, I'd be too freaked out to go on my own!! Is 5 months from now a bit unrealistic for getting an interview? Thanks again!! Hi Zeddess, At times it can be frustrating just waiting for the next step in the process. Our journey started with our filing in June 2006 and has now finished with removal of conditions July 29, 2009. For us it took 6 months for 1st interview (since Alan lived in Austrailia, he went to the consulate in Sydney). After that, the longest we have had for the next step of the process is 4 months. The Key is to make sure you submit paperwork in order and submit timely. Alan arrived in the US in Dec, 2006 and was able to begin work within 90 days. We live in the Bay Area so weather sort of is similar to NZ and Australia. Wishing you the best on your journey and feel free to send me an email if you have any process questions. Best Julie & Alan	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2009-08-01 17:03:00
Australia and New Zealand	NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!	Hello, Was reviewing the site again for the next step in our process. Alan is from New Zealand and has been in the states for 18 months now...soon coming up on 2 year change of status. All is been going well for us...we have settled into married life in San Jose, Ca (my home town). I work for a non-profit in Palo Alto and he has his construction business. Yes, when he arrived here and was waiting for his work permit he took the General Contractor exam. Once he got the job permit, which took about 3 months after arriving in the states, so now he does projects for residential and construction companies. Of all the things Alan misses his Rugby (so signing up this week for Setanta sports via Satalite TV) and the summer time of Australia (he was living there when we met). Planning on trip back to NZ next year if we can get good prices on airfare. Oh yes he also has a side business...looks for classic cars for NZ folks who want to export. Loves the hobby since he is into 1960 car styles... You can email us if you want to know about the area... Bye for now Julie & Alan	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2008-07-04 00:58:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	I made a NVC timeline	Thank you....looks like NVC dealing in backlog...JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-10-05 23:15:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	NVC NOTICE	My petition was received by CSC on July 18th. It was approved on September 18th. I never received any touches or RFE's. On September 19th, CSC sent me 5 emails saying the same thing, that my petition was approved. I waited to receive a notice of some kind saying it had been sent on to NVC, but nothing. I then waited for something from the NVC to say they had received the petition, but nothing. I started calling the NVC really often, but kept getting the reply, they still had not received my petition. Well, thanks to someone here on visa journey, I called to talk to an operator at the NVC. It took a lot of calling, but I finally talked to an operator and she told me my petition had been sent to the Manila Embassy on October 11th. It was said here on visa journey that the NVC doesn't have information on K visa's put on the automated service because they don't stay at the NVC very long..The automated system is for CR's and other things. Not K visa's. I still have not received anything from the NVC telling me my petition had been forwarded to Manila. I had the same problem with NVC system...but I sent them an email inquiry and did get a response from them with my case # and information...so I called their telephone #, talked to a live person, and they confirmed that our case was indeed sent to the australian embassy. Waiting for actual letter which should come to me shortly. Oh yes, congratz & best wishes on your next step in the vj process. jj	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-10-14 15:05:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)	The Lord is hearing our prayers ...	congrats...also got my email today...off to the Australian embassy.... AJ & JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-10-12 22:45:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Packet 3 on its way!	Last week sent an inquiry to the Sydney consulate on status of petition...sydneyiv@state.gov...which was approved on 10/12/06 by the NVC: I used the following email format: Dear Visa Administration Officer, My I129F Fiance petition was approved at the NVC (National Visa Center) in early October: CIS # XXX-XXXXXXXXXX Case # SYDXXXXXXXXXX and forwarded to the Sydney consulate . I would like to know if our case has been received and approximate processing time for Packet #3 to be sent to my fiance (who lives in Australia). Thank you in advance for your help with the above inquiry. Regards, (name) Petitioner (name) DOB XX-XX-XXX Beneficiary ________________________________________________________________________________ _____ Today I got an email reply that they received the approved petition today (Wednesday in Australia) and packet 3 will be mailed on Thursday. Would be a nice Xmas present to have AJ here before Xmas. Getting closer each day	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-10-24 22:26:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	We Have Interview Date!	Just got email from US consulate in Sydney...my fiance has interview date scheduled for 12-11-06...we are getting to the end of the first leg of the visa journey...wish us luck... JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-11-20 00:20:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Visa Approved!!	Good news today...my fiancé just called from Sydney...his visa has been approved and he picks it up on Tuesday. His appointment was at 8 am and he was out by 9:30 am. All paperwork was in order...but he did have a scare...the New Zealand police report (which the consulate sent out for him) had not arrived back. Luckily, AJ had sent away for one to be mailed directly to him (he had that one at the interview) and the CO accepted that one in lieu of the one not yet at the consulate. Up to CO discretion, AJ was told when they mentioned the NZ report. CO asked some basic questions about how we met and when we visited, what work I did and what work he did....after that he said he was approved and to come back the next day at 3 pm for the visa and brown envelope. AJ did say all the folks at the Sydney consulate were very nice, professional, and helpful. So a very merry xmas for us...I will be going to New Zealand and spending the holidays with AJ and his family before we travel back to California. Good luck to everyone else and wish you all the best. JJ and AJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-12-10 22:52:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Citizenship Journey	Just started the process used email/text service to get updates on process. Received Text and email on 7/6/11 that application received and I797C sent...we got letter today 7/9/11. Hopefully in 3-4 months will get interview.	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2011-07-09 12:49:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Just starting the naturalization process	Hi Nick & Nora, Just follow the checklist that is available on the naturalization site...we got our NOA three days after package sent in via priority mail on 7-1-11, already have the biometrics scheduled for end of the month. Good luck on this part of the journy...	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2011-07-17 16:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Interview Passed 9-9-11	Had my citizenship interview today...took only 5 min. Meetings were running late. My interview agent only asked me for passport and residency card...a few questions from the N400 form, noted traffic ticket...said that was fine. Handed me 10 questions to read, then he read them back to me and waited for answer...asked only 7 (all were correct) so that ended the phase 1 of testing. Asked me to write a sentance...then told me I passed and if I wanted to do the oath ceremony next week. So next week at 3pm I will become a US Citizen...wife taking me out for a nice dinner to celebrate. Wishing everyone else a quick and final journey to become a citizen and best to all. Alan	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2011-09-09 22:35:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	After 3 yrs or 5 yrs?	I applied after 3 years...the documents required were easy to obtain and within 2weeks of NOA, I received biometrics appointment...total time form application to oath ceremony took 77 days. Depending on what office you have your interview, oath ceremonies are done almost weekly. Good luck and best wishes. Alan	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2011-09-17 13:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	No Biometrics Yet!!	QUOTE (sophiadun @ Jun 21 2009, 08:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> AJ & JJ, when did you get your first NOA notice? QUOTE (AJ and JJ @ Jun 20 2009, 07:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi, also had similar timeline, we just got the letter today dated 6/16/09 for a 6/30 appointment. We had called the 1-800 # on the first NOA notice and they told us it is taking 30-60 days for appointments to be sent. Wishing you the best. AJ & JJ Got NOA on 5/5/09 AJ & JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2009-06-26 01:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	No Biometrics Yet!!	Hi, also had similar timeline, we just got the letter today dated 6/16/09 for a 6/30 appointment. We had called the 1-800 # on the first NOA notice and they told us it is taking 30-60 days for appointments to be sent. Wishing you the best. AJ & JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2009-06-20 19:26:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	July 2009 Approval - card ordered	Just received email from CRIS...Alan's application for removal of restrictions approved card send for production on 7/29/09...next step will be to apply for citizenship next year. Total time 90 days from date we send I751 to email message. Good luck to all and hopefully approvals start coming through the system. JJ & AJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2009-07-29 18:19:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Finally We Are Approved!	QUOTE (Rebster @ Sep 6 2009, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yesterday the letter arrived which stated we were approved as of September 2nd and the 10-year green card production has been ordered. Just a note: we HAD signed up for email notification and as of this morning we have received nothing. So the moral is, if you have signed up for notifications, don't be discouraged if you don't hear anything 'cause it may arrive via snail mail! Next stop: Citizenship! Congrats!... AJ& JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2009-09-06 18:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Wholly CALF !!! NOA2 !! thru kalifornia no less	Hi John, got my approval today...3 emails sent...the agency must really be catching up...hope more go out over the next few weeks... Oh yeh congrats!!! JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-09-14 23:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	congrats...and all the best...AJ and JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-09-14 23:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	NOA2 Approved! Yippy	Hi all, just got the approval email today...total time from USCIS receipt to approval 76 days!...hope the remaining process goes by fast...FYI...application submitted to Calif Center. Will update my timeline next...jj ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E) Current Status: This case has been approved. On September 14, 2006, an approval notice was mailed. If 30 days have passed and you have not received this notice, you may wish to verify or update your address. To update your address, please speak to an Immigration Information Officer during business hours. If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results listed above, or if you have not received a decision or advice from USCIS within the projected processing time frame*, please contact the National Customer Service Center. National Customer Service Center (800) 375-5283. *The projected processing time frame can be found on the receipt notice that you received from the USCIS. *** Please do not respond to this e-mail message. Sincerely, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-09-14 23:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	It finaly Happend - NOA2	Congratulations...enjoy the day...and best wishes to both of you in the next steps.. jj	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-09-17 17:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	finally...	congrats!....welcome to the next round at NVC...jj	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-10-06 00:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Case Sent to Embassy!!	[quote name='LuvLife' date='Oct 12 2006, 05:31 PM' post='503667'] [quote name='AJ and JJ' post='503658' date='Oct 12 2006, 07:27 PM'] Hi everyone...just got an email today from the NVC...we have a case # and it has gone out to the US consulate in Sydney...Fiance from NZ but lives in Australia so will be getting interview done in Sydney. 29 days from NOA2 approval 9/13/06 to it being forwarded to the consulate...on schedule based on the NOA2 letter. Wishing the best to everyone waiting for their transfers to the US consulates JJ [/quote] How did NVC know your Email info? did you register? Just wondering as many haven't reached NVC since approval and would like to know your details. Thanks for posting! [/quote] [/quote] Answer to LuvLife's question: 1) I started emailing NVC with my CIS Receipt # (show in subject line) after two weeks from date that NOA2 was approved. 2) Here is the standard template I used to email them at NVCInquiry@state.gov Dear Processing Department, My I129F Fiance petition was approved at CIS (their California Service Center) in early September (WAC-xxxxxxxxx) and sent to NVC on [date approved]. I would like to know the case # assigned to my petition. Thank you in advance for your help with the above inquiry. Regards, [enter name] Petitioner [enter name & Date of birth] Beneficiary 3) When I received email confirmation that case was assigned and sent to the consulate, I call the 603-334-0700 and spoke to a live person just to confirm the email...you give them the case # assigned (which is stated in the email), beneficiary name and date of birth. Once they have this they will tell you current status. Note: I did this extra step since there seems to be a delay on when their automated computer systems gets updated...I tried going through the automated system (after I received my email) and the system said it did not have my petition...go figure. Hope this helps. JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-10-12 22:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Case Sent to Embassy!!	Hi everyone...just got an email today from the NVC...we have a case # and it has gone out to the US consulate in Sydney...Fiance from NZ but lives in Australia so will be getting interview done in Sydney. 29 days from NOA2 approval 9/13/06 to it being forwarded to the consulate...on schedule based on the NOA2 letter. Wishing the best to everyone waiting for their transfers to the US consulates JJ	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-10-12 19:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Marcher Approved!	CONGRATULATIONS!!! Hope you are enjoying your trip...loved Queensland when I was there this past March... jj	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-10-18 23:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	USCIS Processing Times	hi... I gave up on the dates posted by the site...we applied in June and our petition was approved in September...we now have visa date set for next month...so by looking at the timelines on USCIS does not realy give the right picture and confuses folks more. jj	AJ and JJ	Male	New Zealand	2006-11-23 22:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Using a PO Box for I-130/I-485 packets	I used a PO Box for all our doings with USCIS. No problems. Just be consistent. Thanks! This whole process can be a little daunting.	khthon	Male	Vietnam	2010-07-22 13:34:00