ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaIf You Could Choose to Live in Any State, Which Would You Choose???
Hey "Huggle" - I am with you - Colorado, mpore specifically out near Vail/Beaver Creek. I live in Charlotte now (funny how I am posting this right after you), but I just came back from visiting Beaver Creek (where I used to have a condo with my ex (now she has it sad.gif ), but it is beautiful out there year 'round if you are an outdoor person. I grew up in Florida (West Coast), but also spent a lot of time in Ft. Lauderdale area where we used to keep a boat and I wouldn't want to live there. But for our retirement, we are heading to Belize....
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-08-21 22:29:00
CanadaQuestions about visiting USA from Canada with intent to marry on trip
QUOTE (garnet80 @ Sep 4 2009, 01:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, all I can really say is that it's about the individuals, not the numbers. My fiance is exceptionally mature. If he wasn't, of course this wouldn't work. I was worried about our ages at first too, I won't lie. But it's HIM that I love, not his age. I don't see 18 when I look at him. I see him. And actually we have had support from both sets of parents, and friends. They know us, and know we are good for one another.
Thanks for the replies.


You are right about the individuals being the deciding factor. But as you already know (being a recent divorcee) that it's so tough finding the right person, eventhoughyou think everything is "right" on paper. I was just playing a bit of a devil's advocate devil.gif since you said you were only recently divorced and "rebound" relationships can happen for the wrong reasons. Good luck with the immigration process AND of course in your marriage. good.gif
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-09-04 19:51:00
CanadaQuestions about visiting USA from Canada with intent to marry on trip
QUOTE (garnet80 @ Sep 3 2009, 10:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the replies. Makes sense, and is also very disheartening. sad.gif Seems like no matter what we do there can be no promise of our wedding. We would have just gone for the K1 route, except I am thinking we have too many red flags... I am 11 years older than he is (I'm 29, he is 18), I will be very recently divorced, and we will only have the one trip where we met IRL (can't afford more). Oh and we've only been together a year.


Forgetting the fact you have only met once, at your ages, that IS a very large RELATIVE age difference in terms of his (im)maturity - you are 61% older than he is. Unless he is a very very mature 18 year old AND has had a lot of "experience" (i.e., no future inclination to discover what he "missed"), I would say the odds for a succesful relationship are not in your favor, regardless of nationalities and any cultural differences. I wouldn't worry about the POE officer questioning you, but I would suggest you question yourself. I am sure it has been known to work and statistics are just that - a number. Certainly there must be some marriages with 18 year old boys (I am sorry, he is not a man yet) marrying older women that have worked, but again, the two of your must have an extraordinary relationsip to have a greater than a low percentage of success. I don't know if any other poster brought this up (I didn't read all the responses), but I am willing to bet your story here raised a few eyebrows. Still, other than raising a final warning flag (that your own friends and family probably brought up and you chose to ignore) I wish you luck along with other posters' congratulatory wishes.
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-09-03 23:54:00
CanadaHow do you feel about strippers?
I have no desire to go to one myself, but I would go with my fiancee/SO. I have not been to one in about 5 years (my ex-GF used to like to go occasionally, since she was equally interested yes.gif ), but I noticed that there were a significant number of couples who would be there when we did go. We only went to very classy ones (that served dinner and all), but I think that if the COUPLE goes together, it helps the woman get a better understanding of what really goes on (that could be a lot or a little depending on the club rules). My fiancee has said she has no desire to go (she said she would be jealous), so I am OK with that also. She is waay hotter than any woman I have met in any club and she can dance like a temptress, so I have no reason to want to go.
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-08-09 09:25:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI have a huge doubt!!!
QUOTE (rin and john @ Oct 22 2009, 08:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kurt y Dora @ Oct 20 2009, 07:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is correct. Until you have your US Passport (and citizenship), you will have to apply for entry to all countries as if you were a Peruvian i.e., as if you were not married to an American. So, all visa and restrictions still apply.


Not correct. For certain countries, having USA permanent residence eliminates the need for a visa (i.e. a Peru citizen is required to have a visa to enter Mexico or Canada; a Peru citizen with a US GC does not need a visa).


Hmm, I was not sure how to interpret the colon and dash in the statement:
"Visa required, except for A stay of max. 180 days:
- for alien residents of the U.S.A. holding a Permanent
Resident/Resident Alien Card (Form I-551); "

But if you are correct, that is good news for us, because I was hoping to take Dora to Mexico, but thought I would have to hassle with a visa.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-22 22:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI have a huge doubt!!!
QUOTE (rin and john @ Oct 20 2009, 08:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Delta's website has a great resource for checking this:

https://www.delta.co...rt_information/

You can enter your country of citizenship and your country of permanent residence.


The full link is here: https://www.delta.co...ation/index.jsp

21OCT09 / 0149 UTC
National Peru (PE) /Residence U.S.A. (US)
Destination United Kingdom (Great Britain) (GB)

United Kingdom (Great Britain) (GB)


Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
for the period of intended stay.

Visa required.

Minors:
- When their names are registered in the passport of (one of)
their parents or guardians, For details, click here
- Children must also comply with the entry or transit
regulations. For details, click here
Additional Information:
- Flights between the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands,
Ireland (Rep. of) and Isle of Man are treated as domestic
flights, therefore are not subject to UK immigration
control.
Warning:
- There is no passport control on traffic between "Great
Britain & Northern Ireland" and "Ireland (Rep. of)".
For details, click here
- Non-compliance with entry/transit requirements (incl. forged
documents) For details, click here

Edited by Kurt y Dora, 20 October 2009 - 07:49 PM.

Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-20 19:45:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionI have a huge doubt!!!
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Oct 20 2009, 07:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You'll have a great time - your husband must be really good on the bagpipes to be competing at that level. Remind your husband and his family that the green card is only applicable for the US - it means that the US will allow you back in - but it has no value to other countries unless they specifically chose to recognize it (ie. Canada).


This is correct. Until you have your US Passport (and citizenship), you will have to apply for entry to all countries as if you were a Peruvian i.e., as if you were not married to an American. So, all visa and restrictions still apply. The BIG difference is that because you are now married to an American and living in America, you should be able to obtain a visa with much greater ease. One of the biggest reasons for refusing visas is that the country you are applying for wants to be sure you GO HOME because they don't want you to stay and become a ward of their country. (That's why the good ole USA makes it so hard to get in as well and rejects most tourist visas). But most countries do not require US citizens to get visas (unless for political reasons, China and Russia being two of the few, in "retaliation " and to earn hard currency) because they believe that you plan to return. They also believe that you will go home again with your husband, thus they will be much more willing to grant you the visa. I would anticipate that you will get it without problems. Enjoy the vacation!! (PS. I guess in your family, your husband doesn't wear the pants.....at least while he is playing the bagpipes in full kilt, LOL)

Edited by Kurt y Dora, 20 October 2009 - 07:41 PM.

Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-20 19:39:00
PhilippinesDuring argument or conflict with your spouse/fiance...
Try this little "trick" I learned in a "pre-marriage" class with my college girlfriend (although we never even got engaged) - HOLD HANDS DURING AN ARGUMENT. You will find it's really difficult to have a "hurtful" disagreement and you tend to use softer words and have more respect for each other and the other person's viewpoint.
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-08-10 23:13:00
PhilippinesI-134 Affidavitt of Support supporting Docs Question
You need two copies of everything (just as your fiancee needs two copies of passport size photos) for the interview. I would guess that, as in all things bureaucratic, they send your information everywhere in the "system".
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-08-16 13:13:00
PhilippinesFIANCE AT THE INTERVIEW
I can't imagine not being there - 1) after such a long wait, you want to give yourself every chance at success, and the extra expense has to be worth it. I doubt that anyone was denied because the petitioner was there but there are surely cases when the visa would have been granted if he/she had been there. 2) It will be a nerve wracking time for the beneficiary and I think you owe them every bit of support possible. Sort of like the father being there for your child's birth - is it necessary for the final outcome? NO, but it sure is evidence of support to your spouse and the doctors. And I believe the interview is about on par in terms of a life milestone as having a child. That "pink slip" (which is better than the one when you lose your job) is the gateway to major changes in your lives.
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-09-05 10:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOMG WE GOT IT WE GOT IT
Congratulations! After reading other posters' comments, I realized that you are well known with many sympathizers. I had to read your timeline and I was absolutely astounded at the bungling incompetancy you have encountered. Even more astounded that you have not seen each other in over 2 years! How do you manage to survive such a separation? I also noticed many posters here with timelines of 4, 6, 8 plus months since a last visit. How do all of you manage that? And is the reason for such long separations strictly one of finances? I guess we are extremely fortunate that I own my own company and I can literally work from anywhere as long as I have a high speed internet connection, so I have more flexibility than the average person.

Does anyone know if there is a thread about the topic of "How often you see your significant other and the reasons behind your timeframes?" I would be interested to read that. Despite being on line in skype with Dora twice a day and talking on the phone in-between, I am hard pressed to be able to wait more than 6 weeks between visits. I can't necessarily afford the frequent visits, but I make them anyway.....
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-08-31 19:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsYESSSSS NOA2 in only 68 days
QUOTE (hawkeyesk @ Oct 3 2009, 11:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Congrat.... VSC is definitely moving their butts!



WOW - I can't believe your timeline! Even half of ours. Is it snowing in Vermont yet, so maybe they are stuck in their offices and having to work?

and then only 2 days in NVC? I better get going on my I-134 stuff!
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-07 18:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsYESSSSS NOA2 in only 68 days
I think for Dora now, the reality is setting in! She is much more motivated and bouncing off the walls now that the time frame is narrowed down to 1-3 months instead of some nebulous future date. We already planned a few more visits, but my visit at New Years might actually end up with her accompanying me home - now THAT would be a great way to start 2010. Thanks to all for your "congratulations" and good luck in your own journeys.
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-02 18:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsYESSSSS NOA2 in only 68 days
QUOTE (TBoneTX @ Oct 1 2009, 11:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Si, man! smile.gif

Brilliant thinking to have her get her driver's license down there. That plus the International Driver Permit will enable her to drive in the U.S. for (I believe) a year. This sure beats her being stuck in the casa until the EAD comes through (the usual document before the green card that will allow her to apply for and receive a state driver's license), si man.

More immediate advice: Avoid taking the consular interview for granted. Thank your lucky stars that you're not dealing with a certain smaller, neighboring country, uff man.


Yes, my sister in law (who is from the same city as Dora) who also lives in NC knows some other Gringo-Colombiana couples where they were miserable because the woman was basically stuck in the house. and because of NC requirements, it was taking a long time for her to get a license. As a result, their whole relationship is very rocky. NC does not recognize an international driving license - all Dora needs to have is a regular Colombian license. And because she is still not considered by the state of NC to be a RESIDENT (even after she is married to me) , she doesn't need to obtain an NC license and can drive on her Colombian one.

Because my sister-in-law (she's been in the country and married to my brother for 24 years) has seen a lot of her fellow countrywomen come here she is able to advise me on some on the adjustments that will be required for Dora to make. I am trying to think of everything in advance to make sure the adjustment is as easy as possible. I also have a neighbor across the street who is from Bogota, so she is going to help us out as well. The ONE THING I can't change or do anything about is the weather. She will be arriving in the dead of winter here, and while Charlotte is not like Chicago, she is still used to a temperature range 70-85 year round. Hope Dora is able to tolerate the cold.

We will be "studying up" for her interview. While we have plenty of documentation about the reality of our relationship, Dora is shy and gets nervous, so I hope that she doesn't "blow" the interview. That's what happened to my Ukrainian GF a few years ago in her interview and she was denied a B1 visa.

Edited by Kurt y Dora, 01 October 2009 - 11:28 PM.

Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-01 23:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsYESSSSS NOA2 in only 68 days
Received a big surprise today - NOA2 received - after only 68 days! Received 2 1/2 months earlier than expected based on average timelines. I have been encouraging Dora to learn to drive and get her license when she was still in Colombia and she kept saying "I have plenty of time" - now, maybe not so much time. good.gif
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-01 12:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
Another Bit of info on what happens in the "black hole" of the Service Centers. this information is from my Attorney's website where they track their clients.

"This feature of our proprietary program is the least understood by clients before filing their K-1, and the most appreciated after filing. It is completely unique among immigration law firms. To understand the feature, a little background is in order. When the USCIS receives an application, the basic data is entered into a computer, a receipt number and notice to the attorney is sent, and then the case is placed in a waiting room with hundreds or even thousands of other similar petitions waiting to be moved to an examiners desk (the examiner needs only about 10 minutes to review the case). Waiting times change over time because backlogs occur and also because K-1 examiners periodically get pulled off K-1 cases for "special projects". The USCIS does, however, periodically state the date of the most recently reviewed case. It's available on their web site. The problem with this published date arises from the fact that the USCIS pulls cases from the waiting rooms in a more or less random manner, which can make the I-129F "current date" misleading by weeks or worse. Your case may have been submitted on April 1, but the USCIS happened to pull a case that arrived in the room much sooner or later than your case. So, trends must be monitored. We do this by showing our clients all our clients' wait times (anonymously, of course) so that you can watch these very important trends and obtain far better information for predicting when your individual petition should be approved. Our clients love it! "


Case ID Submitted Approved Wait Days
11277180 02/27/09 08/04/09 158
11276414 03/06/09 08/17/09 164
11277972 03/06/09 08/16/09 163
11288616 03/06/09 08/17/09 164
11289383 03/09/09 08/23/09 167
11288440 03/18/09 08/12/09 147
1128891 03/24/09 08/19/09 148
11286493 03/26/09 08/28/09 155
11289576 04/03/09 08/14/09 133
11292798 04/07/09 08/26/09 141
11293824 04/10/09 08/20/09 132
11289953 04/14/09 09/11/09 150
11291935 04/15/09 08/21/09 128
11289903 04/17/09 08/31/09 136
11290433 05/05/09 09/11/09 129
11292964 05/05/09 09/22/09 140
11287693 05/05/09 09/16/09 134
11274162 05/14/09 09/09/09 118
11292838 05/14/09 09/08/09 117
11293662 05/14/09 09/11/09 120
11294141 05/29/09 09/08/09 102
1128865 05/29/09 09/17/09 111
11294410 05/29/09 09/15/09 109
11294220 06/15/09 09/22/09 99
11290361 06/16/09 09/24/09 100
11291136 06/19/09 09/17/09 90
11290256 06/20/09 08/27/09 68
11288853 07/06/09 09/21/09 77
11298171 07/21/09 09/28/09 69
11230596 07/30/09 09/30/09 62
11273701 07/30/09 09/28/09 60
11297526 08/10/09 09/29/09 50
11288727 08/24/09 09/25/09 32
Average: 117.36

While the long term average is 117 days, NOTE the recent history is trending to be MUCH faster!! Take heart July filers - be glad you didn't file in February!
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-13 20:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
I know it seems interminable, but all July filers who have NOT received their NOA2 are still in the USCIS's timeframe for NOA2. I know that is easy to say, since I got mine in 66 days, but I prepared myself from the beginning to not see NOA2 for 4-5 months and I was VERY pleasantly surprised to receive it earlier. Why do some get their NOA2 earlier (or later) than others? My immigration attorney, who has handled over 8000 applications had this to say:

" Another thing - even though the USCIS says that it processes all cases in order of their arrival at the Service Center, we know from long experience that this is not true. Once petitions are logged into the Service Center’s computer system, they are moved to storage rooms while they await transfer to an examiner’s desk. The petitions are sometimes pulled from the room out of sequence (simply due to poor quality controls). At other times, cases wait on an examiner’s desk while the examiner is on vacation. We created Transparent Office to address this problem. It lets you look at trends so you can get a better sense of where your case fits in within the big picture. Your case may still be pending after a case from our office was approved even though it arrived in the USCIS after yours (‘why did someone’s case get approved before mine even though mine was submitted earlier?” is the question we sometimes hear), or our case may be approved before another case in our office that arrived in the USCIS earlier than yours did (the lucky client never complains ). If your case is seriously off the trends (more than two weeks), give us a ring (we are watching these type cases anyway). If not, don’t be concerned that there is anything wrong with your case. You may just have gotten a little bit of bad luck. Divergences between the fastest times and the slowest times are rarely more than three weeks.We will advise you immediately as soon as we receive your approval notice. You will also receive a copy of the Approval Notice (Form I-797C). Please send us an email letting us know when you receive it."

But good luck anyway to everyone.



Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-13 19:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
"Fortunately I have a driving licence and as far as I know I can use it up to a year from the date of my arrival to US. Which is not bad at all considering that in order to get an american driving licence you need SSN and GC first. And getting those it may take a while.
"

EXACTLY correct (at least for NC laws) - that is why I am having Dora learn now and get a license in Colombia - cost USD$170 and she takes lessons 2 1/2 hours a day for 4 days and gets her license! But she is learning on a manual drive in the streets with regular traffic - yikes!! Not even 5 minutes driving around a parking lot to get the feel of it. I'll give her more training once she arrives here, but it will be better for BOTH of us as far as freedom.

Edited by Kurt y Dora, 08 October 2009 - 11:53 AM.

Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-08 11:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
QUOTE (Musho @ Oct 8 2009, 02:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (pdcvcm @ Oct 8 2009, 05:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
JULY 2009 VSC Filers - We support you! good.gif

Kadrin&Robert
Musho
Batta (RFE Sent)
RussandRachel
Kitty23
Scott St. Hillier (Scott and Cherry Ann)
EasternDE
norftown
PeruvyandGringa

Oct 16th midnight (not sure where smile.gif ) is the deadline. A!! kicking will take place on the 17th. smile.gif

Pls keep us posted. star_smile.gif

I want some more NOA2 approvals for July VSC '09 filers and I want 'em now! kicking.gif



Jejejeje! Thank youuuu pdcvcm!
Come on NOA2, we are waiting for you smile.gif


I don't know what is going on in VSC - I got my NOA2 in 66 days and thought that was fast, but an AUGUST 28 filer got theirs in about 34 days!! Now is still within their "normal" window, so I don't know if you can even complain or start calling yet. My attorney explained that they are SUPPOSED to handle requests in the order in which they are received, but often they don't. An application on someone's desk gets put aside while the agent handles some other paperwork and might just get "lost" on their desk for a while. But good luck!!
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-08 07:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
TAKE HEART JULY FILERS!! We filed July 24 (NOA1) and got notice NOA2 Sept. 28 - 66 days!! (Vermont filing). Was quite surprised, as I didn't expect it for another 45-60 days. Now I have to scramble to complete the next round of paperwork. Dora is taking driving lessons now. It's much easier to get a license in her country than wait until she arrives here, and NC recognizes a foreign driving license and she will not be considered an NC resident, so she can remain driving on her Colombia license. (Just something else to consider in your overall plans).

Good luck to all fellow "Julyers". Kurt
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-07 08:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNeed help

It actually helps me too to know that we are not the only one who are waiting for such a long time. We hired lawyer to do this process. He sent us receipt number and I am not sure if we actually got NOA1, since all the correspondence goes directly to him. He told us that if we will inquire about our case, it usually takes USCIS for a month to respond. But it may even delay the decision making because they will be taking this case file from someone's drawer and yada yada. So, we are also waiting until the 18th, but praying that we will hear something before that. We still have somewhat 2 weeks. So hopefully you and us will hear something good soon. :)

You should go to the USCIS website (www.uscis.gov ) and set up an account as the Petitioner and sign up for email and/or SMS text message updates. Also, once you get a notice of receipt from them (ask your lawyer, since he should have received this) you should be given a Receipt number as your reference number and then you can call and get any automated updates (if any action has been taken) or go to the USCIS site and follow the "Check my case status" for any updates.
Good Luck

Edited by Kurt y Dora, 05 August 2010 - 08:52 AM.

Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2010-08-05 08:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
Looking at Igor's recent list, there are some SEPTEMBER filers who have gotten their NOA2s - one in 20 days!!!??? That simply has to mean that there is no rhyme or reason at VSC, and it's probably a more correct assumption that there isn't a problem with your application if it hasn't been procesed yet (trying to be encouraging here). It just shows the randomness of some of the processing and that quite rightly causes infuriation for those who haven't been procesed. It's SUPPOSED to be First In First Out (unless there are no complications). And since many of those with no complications get processed after others without complications, that is not right - but it's a fact of their "system". So, hopefully the "any day now" (without worry that something is "wrong") approach is the best (and least stressful) attitude to have. Here's hoping it truly is "any day now" for EVERYONE who filed BEFORE August 1.
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-16 00:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
QUOTE (JewelX @ Oct 13 2009, 09:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kurt y Dora @ Oct 13 2009, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I know it seems interminable, but all July filers who have NOT received their NOA2 are still in the USCIS's timeframe for NOA2. I know that is easy to say, since I got mine in 66 days, but I prepared myself from the beginning to not see NOA2 for 4-5 months and I was VERY pleasantly surprised to receive it earlier. Why do some get their NOA2 earlier (or later) than others? My immigration attorney, who has handled over 8000 applications had this to say:

Wow, that's wonderful. It is easy for you to say. I'm sure you don't have much of an filter when you want to tell people something. Do you? I sure don't!!!! You might want to hang on for this one.

We've been giving each other support this entire way. The people and their fiance(e)s in this forum ARE attorneys, mathematicians, stats experts, accountants, etc. Not all of us had to PAY someone to tell us what is going on, because we have used our own reasoning, research and heartbreak to get to this point.

Your post has a tone of, "I know better than you". Before I totally rip your throat out or ask you just HOW SMALL your c*** is I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you failed to understand the tone of your email. Try again.

Good luck, and PLEASE do not disappear only to post and let us know when you have your fiance(e) permanently with you. Especially if you want to tell us that it's not so bad that we are still lonely with no end in sight.


Yes, you did take it totally wrong! - I was really trying to be encouraging (by stating that July filers were still in the "acceptable range") and being apologetic in advance (since I was one of the lucky ones to receive mine early) but that doesn't mean I couldn't be sympathetic. And, I don't know better than others who did everything on their own. I couldn't really "afford" to hire a lawyer, but I couldn't afford to take chances either by missing one detail and having to go back and redo things and have the emotional and financial expense of a delay. So, I made a conscious decision to give myself every chance at success. By mentioning my lawyers' experience, I was not trying to convey that I knew better, but to put credence behind HIS written explanation as to why there seems to be no rhyme or reason on why some get through the process faster than others. Knowledge is power - or I was hoping in this case that it would be some comfort to those who are waiting and wondering......

BTW, I reread my comment through your "filter" and I can see how it could be read incorrectly, so I won't fault you for being too "harsh", afterall you were considerate enough to couch your words with "I will give you the benefit of the doubt". Good luck.

Ps. I sent another post showing the decreasing timelines for VSC NOA2 responses (for my lawyer's clients, at least) - again to give some hope that any backlogs at VSC are getting cleared up.
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-13 23:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
Another Bit of info on what happens in the "black hole" of the Service Centers. this information is from my Attorney's website where they track their clients.

"This feature of our proprietary program is the least understood by clients before filing their K-1, and the most appreciated after filing. It is completely unique among immigration law firms. To understand the feature, a little background is in order. When the USCIS receives an application, the basic data is entered into a computer, a receipt number and notice to the attorney is sent, and then the case is placed in a waiting room with hundreds or even thousands of other similar petitions waiting to be moved to an examiners desk (the examiner needs only about 10 minutes to review the case). Waiting times change over time because backlogs occur and also because K-1 examiners periodically get pulled off K-1 cases for "special projects". The USCIS does, however, periodically state the date of the most recently reviewed case. It's available on their web site. The problem with this published date arises from the fact that the USCIS pulls cases from the waiting rooms in a more or less random manner, which can make the I-129F "current date" misleading by weeks or worse. Your case may have been submitted on April 1, but the USCIS happened to pull a case that arrived in the room much sooner or later than your case. So, trends must be monitored. We do this by showing our clients all our clients' wait times (anonymously, of course) so that you can watch these very important trends and obtain far better information for predicting when your individual petition should be approved. Our clients love it! "


Case ID Submitted Approved Wait Days
11277180 02/27/09 08/04/09 158
11276414 03/06/09 08/17/09 164
11277972 03/06/09 08/16/09 163
11288616 03/06/09 08/17/09 164
11289383 03/09/09 08/23/09 167
11288440 03/18/09 08/12/09 147
1128891 03/24/09 08/19/09 148
11286493 03/26/09 08/28/09 155
11289576 04/03/09 08/14/09 133
11292798 04/07/09 08/26/09 141
11293824 04/10/09 08/20/09 132
11289953 04/14/09 09/11/09 150
11291935 04/15/09 08/21/09 128
11289903 04/17/09 08/31/09 136
11290433 05/05/09 09/11/09 129
11292964 05/05/09 09/22/09 140
11287693 05/05/09 09/16/09 134
11274162 05/14/09 09/09/09 118
11292838 05/14/09 09/08/09 117
11293662 05/14/09 09/11/09 120
11294141 05/29/09 09/08/09 102
1128865 05/29/09 09/17/09 111
11294410 05/29/09 09/15/09 109
11294220 06/15/09 09/22/09 99
11290361 06/16/09 09/24/09 100
11291136 06/19/09 09/17/09 90
11290256 06/20/09 08/27/09 68
11288853 07/06/09 09/21/09 77
11298171 07/21/09 09/28/09 69
11230596 07/30/09 09/30/09 62
11273701 07/30/09 09/28/09 60
11297526 08/10/09 09/29/09 50
11288727 08/24/09 09/25/09 32
Average: 117.36

While the long term average is 117 days, NOTE the recent history is trending to be MUCH faster!!
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-13 20:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJuly 2009 Filers
I know it seems interminable, but all July filers who have NOT received their NOA2 are still in the USCIS's timeframe for NOA2. I know that is easy to say, since I got mine in 66 days, but I prepared myself from the beginning to not see NOA2 for 4-5 months and I was VERY pleasantly surprised to receive it earlier. Why do some get their NOA2 earlier (or later) than others? My immigration attorney, who has handled over 8000 applications had this to say:

" Another thing - even though the USCIS says that it processes all cases in order of their arrival at the Service Center, we know from long experience that this is not true. Once petitions are logged into the Service Center’s computer system, they are moved to storage rooms while they await transfer to an examiner’s desk. The petitions are sometimes pulled from the room out of sequence (simply due to poor quality controls). At other times, cases wait on an examiner’s desk while the examiner is on vacation. We created Transparent Office to address this problem. It lets you look at trends so you can get a better sense of where your case fits in within the big picture. Your case may still be pending after a case from our office was approved even though it arrived in the USCIS after yours (‘why did someone’s case get approved before mine even though mine was submitted earlier?” is the question we sometimes hear), or our case may be approved before another case in our office that arrived in the USCIS earlier than yours did (the lucky client never complains smile.gif). If your case is seriously off the trends (more than two weeks), give us a ring (we are watching these type cases anyway). If not, don’t be concerned that there is anything wrong with your case. You may just have gotten a little bit of bad luck. Divergences between the fastest times and the slowest times are rarely more than three weeks.We will advise you immediately as soon as we receive your approval notice. You will also receive a copy of the Approval Notice (Form I-797C). Please send us an email letting us know when you receive it."

But good luck anyway to everyone.

Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-10-13 19:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaQuestion about engagement rings...
My immigration lawyer said that we did not need to be engaged prior to the interview (therefore a ring was not necessary), but it was imperative that PROOF OF RELATIONSHIP be established and he seemd to put a bit more emphasis on the Intent to Marry letter than the sample letter presented here on VJ. It might depend on the individual consulate or the individual interviewing officer that day, but supposedly the "official" guidelines do not require an actual engagement nor a ring. However, I wanted to formalize my intent with my fiancee, so we are officially engaged with ring, family party, etc. and photos to boot.

Regarding "IHAVEQUESTIONS" question about getting married on paper, I would guess you are referring to a totally and binding Civil ceremony, which would be very simple and quick and save the BIG event for the rest of the family during a return trip to Egypt in the future. You have to be legally marrried within 90 days in order for your fiance' to remain in the US or face a visa violation (which would have severe consequences if your fiance' wanted to remain here legally). We are also planning a civil ceremony here in the US (who has time to plan anything else in 90 days ), but a bigger "Catholic" ceremony in Colombia in the future.




Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-08-16 13:09:00
Middle East and North AfricaOMG!! He got his Visa minutes ago...
Congratulations! It's always good to hear and read good news. Now begins the next phase - getting acclimated to the US and each other 24/7. Hope that goes great for you.
Kurt y DoraMaleColombia2009-08-15 13:49:00
Asia: SouthTimeline Experience with NVC Approval to Mumbai Consulate Scheduling Interview
Receiving an NOA2 from one of the Service centers is just the first step in the process. There is a second set of processes you need to go through where you need to submit an Affidivit of Support, DS230, collecting police cleareance certificates from the local police station and the passport office etc.. which needs to be submited to either the consulate or the NVC depending which visa you are applying for... only after your file is sent to the consulate will your interview be scheduled. I went the CR1 route, check out my time line from when I got the NOA2.

Thanks and goodluck!

Wow! So from a NOA2 received on Dec 21st 2006, the interview in Mumbai was set for May 2nd 2007! That's about 4 whole months!!! Is that normal?

Yes mumbai does take some time to schdule interviews, look at my timeline


devbltNot TellingIndia4/18/2007 15:01
Asia: SouthNRIs: Buying a home in India made easy

Nobody cares, no reply in 4 fking months.........


IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING CONSTRUCTIVE TO SAY... PLEASE DO NOT SAY IT! :protest: :ranting:
devbltNot TellingIndia4/19/2007 17:31
Asia: SouthWhy Wal-Mart entry can disrupt India
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING CONSTRUCTIVE TO SAY... PLEASE DO NOT SAY IT! :protest: :ranting:
devbltNot TellingIndia4/19/2007 17:31
Asia: SouthMumbai Rescheduled the interview
Another update:

My wife received her local police cleareance certificate, and went to Ahemdabhad Gujarat, yesterday to get her Passport cleareance. They said it'll take 4 days for her to receive it.

She has also got her Medical interview scheduled for May 22nd in Mumbai.

I sent her all the documents needed for the interview yesterday in a 3 ring office binder separated by TABS and a "table of content" cover page for easy reference.

She has to go back to Ahemdabhad on the 14th of May to do the VFS process.

All in all, it seems as though everything is falling into place.
devbltNot TellingIndia4/18/2007 9:38
Asia: SouthMumbai Rescheduled the interview
Hey guys,

Just wanted to give you a quick update. If you remember last week, I posted to let you know that my wife got her interview date for May 4th, but that date conflicted with her exams.

I had sent two e-mails to the mumbai consulate to reschedule the appointment. Today, we received an e-mail from the consulate stating that the interview has been rescheduled for May 24th! :dance:

Seems like a huge weight has been lifted of our shoulders!

Thanks again for all your support guys!
devbltNot TellingIndia4/9/2007 9:04
Asia: SouthTransit visa needed in Germany?
So I was looking into Tickets for my wife and spoke to a Lufthansa representative.

I asked if there were any "special" requirments since my wife will be traveling from Mumbai to Frankfurt and then into the USA. I was told that since my wife has an Indian passport, that she may need a "Transit" visa for when she lands in Frankfurt.

I told them that she's coming on an immigration visa, but were adement that she needed one.

Can anyone shed any light on this if you happend to go through Frankfurt?

Thanks
devbltNot TellingIndia4/27/2007 12:24
Asia: SouthBreach candy medical

MEDICAL COMPLETED !@!!

STAFF WAS VERY NICE TO HER


Shosurplussales,

Can you post your wife's expereince at Breach Candy? My wife will be going there for her medical on the 22nd of May. I want to let her know what to expect.

On another topic, I see you are from the Atlanta area. Have you booked the flight for your wife? Will she be coming directly to Atlanta to clear immigration? If you have booked your flight already, how much did you pay for the ticket?

My wife will be coming to Charlotte, and looks like she'll be getting the Delta flight to Atlanta and then on to Charlotte.

Thanks and good luck for the interview.
devbltNot TellingIndia4/30/2007 14:24
Asia: SouthBreach candy medical
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING CONSTRUCTIVE TO SAY... PLEASE DO NOT SAY IT! :protest: :ranting:
devbltNot TellingIndia4/19/2007 17:32
Asia: SouthNew Delhi Interview coming up

my hubby also has his interview at New delhi embassy on 5/24/07. I am going to india next week and plan to attend the interview with him.......hopefully they will allow me. if not, then thats fine too...atleast i will be there by his side.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL FOR UPCOMING INTERVIEWS.


Good Luck to you too. Please keep us updated. Based on my time line, I don't think my wife will be scheduled any sooner than July. :crying:

Sandip


Sandip.. we've all shed those tears.. you are not alone. Just keep thinking positive thoughts, keep yourself busy and hopefully time will go a lot faster, and you'll soon realize that July is just around the corner!

Goodluck!
devbltNot TellingIndia5/8/2007 16:19
Asia: SouthNew Delhi Interview coming up

You may want to check with the Embassy's website to make sure this is still what they do, but when Suj's visa was approved they took his passport and he received his passport with visa in it just a couple days later by courier.


OH Boy,

It took you almost 4 months after receiving the approval. My wife will also be going thru New Delhi. I was hoping that it will take 2 or 21/2 months. Lets see what happens.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

Sandip


I'm confused. You mean the I129-F approval?

Because his visa was approved the same day as the interview.


I think he is saying it took approx 4 months from when NVC received the application and assigned a case # to when they got the interview.

Sandip's application just got to the NVC recently.
devbltNot TellingIndia5/8/2007 11:14
Asia: SouthNew Delhi Interview coming up
Congratulations on the interview schedule. Hope all goes well.
devbltNot TellingIndia5/8/2007 8:17
Asia: SouthVISA APPROVED
Congratulations! :dance:
devbltNot TellingIndia5/2/2007 8:32
Asia: SouthHas anyone received Interview date for June in Mumbai?

I know Mumbai post the list on their website by 15/16th of the month, but they sure must be sending the packet4/interview dates before that. Has anyone received interview date for June?


ssma2007,

There is a possiability that you'll not get an interview in June, since your packet 3 was only received by the consulate in late April. You should try calling the Department of State at 202-663-1225 (option 1, listen to the entier list of options, and then after a small pause, it will say press "0" to talk to an operator). They'll be able to tell you if an interview has been scheduled for June.

In my case, I was informed by calling DOS on March 28th that an interview was scheduled for May 24th, my case was at the Mumbai consulate by Feb 28th. I was hoping for an April interview, but I guess our case got there too late.

Good luck
devbltNot TellingIndia5/7/2007 9:48