ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)From Kreschatyk to US Embassy
QUOTE (Ana&D @ Jul 24 2008, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's pretty easy from Kreshatyk smile.gif Here you go:
1. Get on the metro at Kreshatyk and go untill the next stop - Teatralna. You will need to catch the metro car going in Akademmistechko direction.
2. Get off on Teatralna and take the escalator to Zoloti Vorota (a transfer to different metro line).
3. From Zoloti Vorota take a train to Lukyanivska (one stop).
4. Get off on Lukyanivska and take the escalator up.
5. Exit onto Artema street and go right, towards Kyiv Russ movie theatre.
6. Once you reach the movie theatre, cross the street and continue going straight.
7. You will pass Soho steakhouse and glass looking bank on the bus stop. Right next to that bank on the left you will see a side street (Pumonenka) that will lead you directly to the embassy.

Good luck!!!! smile.gif

Excellent - EXACTLY what I was looking for.....

Thanks So much..

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-24 10:21:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)From Kreschatyk to US Embassy
Can any of the experienced folk provide directions to the Embassy from Kreschatyk Street. I realize that there is a Metro System with a Station on Kreschatyk. I have an apartment lined up on Kreschatyk and want to know how far away the embassy, how long of ride it would to get there, etc.

How much would a taxi be? Or a bus? If on the Metro, where do you transfer. I know you would get off at the Lukyanivska Metro station and walk down Artema street to Pymonenka Street.

But I am looking to see if anyone has definate directions - like get on Metro here, get off at this station, get on this other line, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-24 09:25:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Need courier going to Kyiv leaving 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
QUOTE (Mark and Sasha @ Aug 12 2008, 02:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anybody going to Kyiv (or Kirovograd) leaving 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17? I may not have sent my documents early enough to my Fiancé, our interview is the 19th (next tuesday).

As I've played courier before, I was wondering if i could get someone to play courier for me? If you can, I can overnight the documents to you and you can pass them on to her in Kyiv.

PM me if you can, much appreciated.

Mark B.

I just sent you PM. I am leaving Chicago on Friday morning to be with my girl for her interview at 9:30 on the 19th. Please check your PM. I would be happy to help out if I can.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-08-12 20:21:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Fiancee coming from Ukraine...phase 2 of process?
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Aug 21 2008, 01:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ChuckandOlga @ Aug 20 2008, 10:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello Gary and Alla,

If you need I have a translation program that I use to communicate with my Olga in Ukraine. I can translate it the best that I can for you if you need this help. The program I have will translate Russian and not the Ukrainian language.


Thank you Chuck:

Translation is not the problem. I have these programs also and also speak Russian (not very well...but, well enough to function living and working there for 2 years, and I read Russian much better than speak it) and Alla speaks English quite well. My problem was I work in a mountainous area and was in a bad area to understand her on the phone because of a poor cell phone signal. Cell phones are still an emerging technology here in Vermont. smile.gif

Now it is 1:43 am here and I just spoke to Alla for more than an hour. She was told this by a passport agent at the airport. She just had a trip out of the country and when she returned she made the mistake (in my opinion, a mistake) of asking the person at passport control if she needed any other documents to travel to the USA besides her visa and passport. She said it turned into a 1 hour fiasco and finally after speaking to many people (maybe 10 she said) they finally told her she needed this tax document and it regards that she owns no car and no land and owes no taxes for these things. It is crazy! These people obviously do not know about what they speak! But now she is nervous. She is afraid she will try to leave the country and they will ask for these things and she will not have them and does not know what to do. I told her to ignore this, but she will go for this office today and receive this document so she will have peace of mind. I know her, and she would be a nervous wreck thinking she did not have something she needed. So, as much as it is BS, now that she has this in her head, she will need this document just so she can sleep at night. Crazy. I asked her, please, do not be doing this, it will only make her nervous and worried and assured her she has everything she needs. If she speaks to 10 people who do not know what they are talking about, she will get 10 different answers and run around the country trying to have a document for every idiot she could possibly encounter when she gets on the airplane. She also said she thinks she remembers reading something about this at the place where she had the medical exam, but maybe it is for another type of visa, I do not know. I never heard of such a thing for a fiancee visa.

But we have decided she will fly to the USA on Sept. 11, but I will wait until at least tomorrow to buy the ticket when she has these documents. I will be SOOOOOOOOOOOO glad when this is over and she is here! (I know, it is not over, I must do the AOS, but at least I can handle that here myself) And let me be clear, Alla is the most wonderful and beautiful woman in the world (sorry to all those guys who think THEIR fiancee is the most wonderful and beautiful...you are mistaken smile.gif ) But she worries about everything and trusts NO ONE in government and is sure someone will be waiting to prevent her from leaving the country. She said, perhaps if she was younger she would feel more freedom, but she has had too many bad experiences in the past and just worries a lot that what she dreams of will be taken away. I think it is my most sincere wish that she will arrive here and have a quiet life and learn to trust that "all is OK" and have "inner rest".

Thanks to everyone for your help.

Gary


Bottom line is: she has a visa - yes?? So, once a visa is issued, the US Customs Officials could give two hoots about what she owes, what shes owns, or anything else. You are over playing the complexity of this process. Once she has the Visa, she is good to go. I can give you any number of girls with phone numbers that she can call, if she does not belive you.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-08-22 20:01:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Picking up passport from courier office in Kiev
Olya,
The Kiev Embassy uses Federal Express to deliver the passport with the visa.

It is possible to hold the passpsort at the office and you can pick it up rather than having it delivered.
My Ulyana lived in a small village in the Carpathian Mountains. Fedex would only go so far as to having it delivered to the office in Ivano-Frankvisk (about an hour's drive away by car from her village). She was notifiied about 6 days after our interview that there was a package at the FedEx office for her in Ivano. She drove over and picked up the package at the local Ivano FedEx office.
When she opened the package, she found someone else's passport, visa, and documents in the FedEx envelope along with hers. Scary.........
She gave the other persons documents back to FedEx and went on her way. She arrived in America on September 6th.

Good luck to you...

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-10-20 12:09:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Awesome, Congratulations! You both must be very excited.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-18 13:06:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Scott,

Any update on your girl's interview? I remember that she had scheduled it for today - july 18. Hope everything went well.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-18 06:35:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Sean,
sorry for the delayed response. Had not been on this thread for a while. But, to answer your questions:

Yes, you can call or email the embassy. Calling is difficult as they in about 75% of the time, do not answer the call and it goes into a voice mail system that says that they are busy and you need to call back. I figured after five rings and they did not answer, I hung up to avoid paying for the call. However, I did get through four times to a person. The first man was very nice and told me the case was not in the system. I called the next day and a woman put me on hold and after 5 minutes, I hung up. I called the following day and a man answered, he said he would check and came back on the line and told me the case was not in the system. The next day I called and a woman answered and said that they are not allowed to give that information over the phone. She said to send an email and they would answer it in 10 business days.

So, I paid $12 for a pin and called once to the call center, response was "not in system". Then I made the mistake of asking my lady to call the call center since I was having a difficult time getting through from America. Well, she/her friend called twice and had same result - not in system. But when I went to call, they had used up about 7 of the 8 minutes. They were asking questions about when/what/ etc and burned through the minutes.

I called on July 4th, not in system. I paid another $12 on the morning of the 7th, called spoke to Thomas and the case was in the system and I scheduled an interview. So, case was received somewhere around June 20th in Kiev from the NVC and it was logged into the Embassy computer system on July 7th. I did finally get a response to my email from the Embassy on July 7th stating that the case was in the system.

So, yes in answer to your second question, you can call the call center to see if the case is in the system, but you're paying $1.50 a minute plus the cost of the call to the Ukraine phone number if the 800 number does not work.

Coincidentally, my girl received the information packet from the Embassy in the mail on Tuesday, July 15th. She is up in the Carpathian mountains in Western Ukraine in a small village, so in this case, the Ukrainian Postal service did in fact deliver the package in a relatively timely fashion - about 3 weeks from when it was recevied from the NVC into Kiev.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-17 07:17:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Called the Call Center again this morning. 800 number not able to go into English. Called the "in Ukraine" number and again spoke to Thomas. He said yes, in fact our petiton was logged into the computer and we could schedule an interview. The first available date was August 19th and they had only one slot left for that day.

So, we are on for August 19th in Kiev.....

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-07 08:26:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
The only thing calling the Embassy will get me (possibly) is a confirmation that they have the petition physcially logged into the system, rather than calling the call center and burning through my alloted 8 minutes. I actually got through to the call center a few hours ago (using the "in Ukraine number), and they confirmed that the case was not logged in yet, so no interview could be scheduled. After 3 calls to the call center, 12 bucks is gone. Will now reload another 8 minutes and possibily try tomorrow.
John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-03 10:42:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Got up at 2:30am Chicago time to call the call center. The 800 number was down - "I'm sorry, this number is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later" Still the same now three hours later.
Tried calling the "in Ukraine" number but cannot get through.
The last time I called the Embassy Consulate directly to inquire if my case was logged into the system, I got scolded and said that cannot give that information out over the phone and to send an email......

I am going to try and call the consualte directly, because if I don't get through today, I will have to be looking at next as everything will be closed tomorrow....
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-03 05:43:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Had somebody in Ukraine phone the call center yesterday. She got through and got the same BS that Muddy got. "Case not in the computer but you must wait until she receives packet 3 before you can schedule an interview anyway. Wait until she receives the packet and she can call and make interview appointment."

I will personally call in about 5 or 6 hours to see if the case is logged into the system. But the information they are spewing is totally inaccurate and misleading. It is unbeleivable. I sent a email message to the Kiev Embassy last Thursday asking if the case was logged into the system, to date, no response to the email - one week tomorrow.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-02 19:48:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Can anyone tell me how many digits the PIN code is. I called this morning from the US and had extremely bad connections, but succeeding in paying for and obtaining a PIN. I then called to try and see if the case could be scheduled for an interview, but the connection is very poor and once I enter 6 or 7 digits, the reponse is that I have entered an incorrect pin, then i try again and the line goes dead - tried twice already. The PIN code I received is 12 digits long.

Also, I called the embassy in Kiev on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, had a terrible time getting someone to pick up the phone each time, but all three times the individual answering the phone appeared to actually look in the computer & tell me the case was not logged in yet. I call today, a women answers the phone, I ask the same question - she says they cannot answer that question over the phone, send an email. When I said they did it the last three days for me, she said someone had broken the rules and they are not allowed to asnwer that question over the phone........

Thanks
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-26 09:11:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Scott,
Good to hear that you got the interview scheduled. I have another question. How did you determine when the Embassy had your petition "logged" into thier system so you could schedule the interview?

I called NVC last night and they said the petition was sent out to Kiev yesterday. If in fact it did go out yesterday, it was hopefully on the DHL shipment that was sent yesterday. The packet weighed 3lbs, so hopefully our petition was in there. Based on transit, I would assume our petition would hit the embassy tomorrow, the 18th. How many days did you wait until you knew the petition arrived until you could schedule the interview?

Thanks, also, I am confused as to the comments about paying a $12 fee to be able to schedule the interview - can you explain how you set up your interview? Many thanks in advance.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-17 10:08:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
OK thanks.
I hope my petition left the NVC last Friday - I checked DHL and it appears that (unless I am missing something) that they mailed shipments on Friday the 6th and shipments on the 13th. So, I wonder if they are only shipping once a week.

Yes, I would appreciate it if you could let me know when you get an interview date, trying to plan time around work as I will go to Kiev to be with Ulyana for the Interview. Appears based on FWAGUY's comment that it will probably be around 4 weeks or so from this week.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-16 10:15:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)Newbie - questions about Kiev Embassy Intervew/Info Packet
Scott,
I have a question for you. My petition was received at the NVC last Thursday, June 12th. I assume it will go out to Kiev today or tomorrow. Were you able to schedule an interview date in Kiev yet? Just curious as to how far out they are scheduling interviews?

Thanks
John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-16 09:06:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
QUOTE (Mark and Sasha @ Aug 22 2008, 07:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Brad and Vika @ Aug 19 2008, 04:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Mark and Sasha @ Aug 19 2008, 07:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sasha had her interview today, got approved within a few minutes and was out quickly enough. Best of luck to everyone else. She can fill in more info for you all if she wants ~

Mark B.


My congratulations kicking.gif kicking.gif When will she be arriving?


Thanks. smile.gif
I'll be in the US in the middle of September I guess..... star_smile.gif

Sasha

UPDATE:

I just spoke to Ulyana. THe Embassy just called her this morning. They said her documents/visa is ready and will be sent to Ivano-Frankvisk for pickup on Monday. Fed Ex will not drive to her Village to deliver. She lives in a village by the name of Zarinchya - about a 30 minute drive by car to Ivano. So, she will go on Monday to pick up her Visa.

So, it took them two/three days to process the visa paperwork & FedEx out. In essence it will be 6 days from the date of our interview to the time she gets the Visa - that includes two weekend days.

She will arrive to the US on September 6th. I had previously purchased her and Anna's ticket back in July.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-08-22 08:15:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Got back to Chicago last night from Kiev. I went to Kiev last Friday to be with Ulyana for her Interview on the 19th of this week. Here is the sequence of events:

Arrived to the Embassy at approximately 9AM on the 19th. There were many people milling about and forming a line to the front door of the embassy. Someone before, maybe FWAGUY, said that you receive much respect when you show a US passport. Definately true. We were whisked to the front of the line and told to proceed inside. Even the Babushka at the front of the line did not like this, but when the officer said something to her, she replied "I understand, I understand"

Once inside we were sent to the wrong line -we waited about three minutes when another officer asked what visa we were applying for. We said K1 and were instructed to go back down a hallway to a smaller room with two heavy glass windows that protected the workers inside the office - much like you would see at a currency exchange.

One tip - when you get back this room, there is a button by one of the glass windows that says you can push it for assistance. We did not and after sitting there for 45 minutes, (It was 9:50AM at this time) I pushed the button and a lady came to the window. I asked if we needed to sign in or check in. She replied "your fiancee can bring her documents to the window now"

The embassy official had her own KEV1 form and went right down the line asking for each document. Ulyana would push the document through the opening of the glass window. She was told to sit down. After about 5 minutes, she was called back again and asked to go down this side aisle. She returned very quickly. I asked what was that for - "It was for finger and palm prints". We again sat down.

And then we waited and waited. There was only two other girls all morning. One girl had an 8AM appointment and was gone by 10:15am and one girl had a 9:30 appointment. We started to get a little nervous and then at 11:30 another officer (man) called Ulyana's name and she was asked to go back down this side aisle to a window - again, similiar to a currency exchange. I asked if I could go. He said yes. By the time I had gotten back there, he had already asked Ulyana if she spoke English, she said yes.

He then proceeded to start giving our documentation back through the opening at the bottom of the glass window - again, a window similiar to what you would see at a currency exchange. He then looked at me and said: "I looked at all of your documentation and I really don't have any questions. Take this form out the Fed-Ex station and they will record it and you will reveive your visa in 7 to 8 days."

So, that was it. Not one question. So, I would very much agree with what has been written here. Make sure all your documentation is in order and that you have ample evidence of a relationship. They had our documents for 1 1/2 hours and there was only one other girl at the same time as our interview, so they had ample time to review the documentation.

I had every letter Ulyana wrote to me, every letter I wrote to Ulyana, an sms log for the last year, phone records for the past year, ample financial eveidence to support the 134 form, pictures, records of three trips to Ukraine since Auugust of 2007 to see her, one trip in March to Egypt together.

But there was one girl form Ulyana's home city that previoulsy had interviewed in July - she was turned away and asked for more proof a relationship. She scheduled another interview on August 5th. She again was denied - I beleive because they do not beleive the relationship was bona - fide. So, my counsel to all here would be to ensure you have plenty of documentaiton and proof of a real valid relationship.

Thanks to each of you for all for your valuable advice.
Good Luck

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-08-22 06:58:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
What if most of my clients don't provide me with 1099s? Is this going to be a problem?


Well, yes that would be a problem. I don't understand what numbers you would put down on your tax return without the W2's or 1099's to support it. Anyone could fill out a IRS form 1040 with numbers, but without the adequate supporting documentation, the form is meaningless.

As an example, if the income on the 1040 is $50,000 gross - you need W2s or 1099's that support the $50,000. Otherwise, someone could say you are fabricating the form and they wont believe you.
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-08-08 06:36:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
QUOTE (Muddy @ Aug 7 2008, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What happens if you schedule the visa interview and later cancel it, can you reschedule? Is there a time limit?

Yes, you can cancel the interview and reschedule. To cancel your visa interview appointment, you need to call the call center with a request to do so and reschedule for another date. Good luck. I am leaving in 8 days for Ulyana's interview on the 19th. I thought you had your's scheduled for the 13th...

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-08-07 06:18:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
QUOTE (Mark and Sasha @ Aug 7 2008, 01:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have a question regarding the financial documents and requirements on form I-134. Section C/1 states “copy of last income tax return filed" which is for me form 1040 – does this need to be notarized? Will a simple photocopy do, or do I need to request that my tax preparer give me an additional copy?

Thanks in advance,
Mark n' Sasha


The tax retrun does not need to be notarized. You can provide the return, but must have the support behind the return - such as W-2, 1099's etc. that prove the numbers on the tax return. A photocopy of all of this acceptable.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-08-07 06:14:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
Yes, you are fine. Police Certificates are good for 6 months as well as the medical is good for 6 months.
My Ulyana called today to schedule her medical and was given July 24th, but this was too soon for her. They told here they only schedule up to 10 days away from today's date, so if she wanted something in the following week to call back on Monday. So, she will call back on Monday to schedule her and her daughter's medical.

Conincidentally, we have our Interview on August 19th too, at 9:30AM. Where are you from - USA?? If you are from America, and your interview is scheduled around the same time, I will see you at the Embassy.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-07-16 09:25:00
Europe & Eurasia (except the UK and Russia)The Kyiv Beat......
My Fiancee waited about 10 days. She paid more to get the certificate sooner rather than later. Not a large some of money to expedite it, I think about 75 to 100 hryvnia. Otherwise, it would have taken about 3 to four weeks. This was in Ivano Frankivsk Region.
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-30 06:01:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfirst touch after a million years
My advice would be to watch your Post Box. I was in same situation with an NOA1 date of October 19th, 2007. Finally was able to get Senator Durbin's office to call the CSC. They called on May 28th. I received a followup letter from the Senator's office informing me that on June 3rd the Congressional Inquiries desk sent Durbin's office an email saying I would get a letter within two weeks from the officer handling my case informing me of the status of the case. I saw that my file was touched on June, 2, June 3rd and June 6th with the status of the case on the Website listing as still pending.
On Saturday the 7th, in my Post Box was the NOA2 with an approval date of June 2nd........ My case status on the website still says "pending"....
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-10 06:53:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionGreen Card Arrivals Timeline
You can add me to the list if you want.

Ulyana received the approval letter dated May 27th. Actual green card arrived in post yesterday, June 18th.
johnichkaMaleUkraine2009-06-19 06:50:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionApril 2011 filers

Congrats johnichka :dance: !! If you tell us "sent date", "NOA date" and "Decision date", we can add you CSC list ;)


Sent date: April 1

NOA Date: April 6

Biometrics: May 11

Decision Date: July 19

Cards Received; July 23
johnichkaMaleUkraine2011-07-26 07:02:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionApril 2011 filers
Had Biometrics on May 11th.

Received notice of approval last Friday, July 22nd.

Cards arrived in post box the following day - July 23rd.

No Interview - No RFE

Now we are done for awhile.

Good Luck to all.

Johnichka
johnichkaMaleUkraine2011-07-25 19:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOctober Filers Still Out There?? Today is 196 days at CSC
Greetings,

Today marks the 196th day that our K1 petition has been at the California Service Center. Our NOA1 was dated October 19th, 2007. Very frustrating....

Anybody still in the same situation?

Thanks
Johnichka
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-05-02 06:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCongressman and Day 210
Hello All,
Well today is day 210 of our process of trying to get our K1 petition approved out of the California USCIS Office. My Congressman in the 16th district of Illinois has an office within about 4 miles. So, I downloaded the privacy form, filled it out and drove over to his office. A nice lady in the office with the title of District Representative asked my how she could be of assistance.
I informed her of my K1 petition that that it was received at the USCIS office on October 18, 2007. I asked that the Immigration Liaison from Congressman Manzullo's office call the USCIS and inquire about my case. She said she was not the Immigration Liaison but would definitely give my information to the appropriate individual and they would get back in touch with me. This was approximately 4pm yesterday afternoon.

This morning at 9:45 a woman from Congressman Manzullo's office called me and told me she had my request and asked about the background. I told her that each time I had called (using the RFE "trick") they told me the case was with an officer and would be approved soon. I was told in February that it went to an officer on February 22, I was told on March 24th that it was with an officer. I was told on April 24th that it just went to an officer and that the other people who had told me it was previously with an officer were lying to me. I called on May 2nd, the gentleman at USCSI told me it was with an officer. I told him I had been hearing this for 3 months. He said to be patient they are only processing cases from October 8th (lie). He said the case was with a good officer and this officer adjudicates petitions fairly quickly.
All of this was what I told the woman from the Congressman's Office. She said she had a direct contact at USCIS that usually gets things resolved fairly quickly and she had his direct line and would call him and get back to me at some point - maybe today, or tomorrow, depending on if she got a hold of him.

She called me back within 20 minutes and she said they she spoke with USCIS. They said they were sorry and this information should have been explained to me before. She said that USCIS told her that my petition WENT TO AN OFFICER on May 6th and to give it 30 days from today for approval. So, all along, the folks answering the phone line (using the RFE trick) were just playing me and lying.

So, it was very good to have such a very quick turnaround from the Congressman's office. For those of you waiting with times beyond 6 months, I strongly encourage you to go and visit the Congressman's or Senator's Office.
I emailed my two Senators - Obama and Durbin earlier to enlist their help, they have never replied. Go and personally visit the office if you can.

I did go to the USCIS and see that my file was touched today, so I am confident that she did in fact get in touch with USCIS.
Hopefully, we will receive approval soon.
Good luck to all those still waiting
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-05-15 11:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSomething wrong?
Same Bull S$3&T they are telling me. They told my congressman to give them 30 days. So, when I had my follow-up call with the Congressman, he said "I will trace for June 13. Please call me if you get approval before then, but if not, I will call again on June 13."

I had thought that you could trust these USCIS people and that they had our genuine interests in mind, but in the end, they turn out to be civil servants who don't give a s%%t about anybody..... It is no wonder given what they are paid....

My only hope is to keep praying to the Lord Jesus Christ..........

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-05-21 19:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSomething wrong?
I just called out there. It is really a joke. The only thing the individual could/would tell me was that the petition was with an officer. I then asked "can you tell me when the petition went to an officer?" She then says, "let me look" I hear her pounding on what appears to be a keyboard and then she says "It went to an officer on March 11th."

I then say, "well my Congressman called last week and someone there told him that it was given to an officer on May 6th"
She then says, well if you have a Congressional inquiry, you should not be calling any further, the congressman should be calling. That was all the information she could/would give me.

So, these folks are really screwed up. I keep hearing different dates from different individuals. Frustrating indeed.

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-05-21 15:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSomething wrong?
I received touches on three of the four calls. The one call in March did not generate a touch which would tell me the officer that answered the phone just blew me off. The call on May 2nd generated a touch and then I noticed that the file was touched again on May 4th (a Sunday). So, I am figuring that indeed someone at the CSC was going through files on the 4th and must have prepared a stack to be given to an officer. I assume that my file was given to the officer on May 6th and it would make sense since it was touched on the 4th. Only a thought on my part, but makes sense.

When I called, I asked them if I possibly I had an RFE since my case was so dated. They would check the system and tell me no, that in fact there is no RFE. Then I would ask "Since I have you on the phone, can you tell me where in the division my file is?" They would put me on hold and come back and say it was with an officer and approval should be forthcoming soon.

Once the updated processing times are posted, I have a little more ammunition to go back and forth with them on the phone.
I assume that the processing dates should be updated today or tomorrow. I have watched over the past 6 months and typically they post an update about 6 to 7 days after the 15th of the month - (but still date the update as of the 15th???)


Good luck to you.
John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-05-21 10:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSomething wrong?
No, I have not called back yet as I am waiting for the updated processing dates to be listed. Then I figure I can tell them that the latest update posted on their site states that the last cases they are processing are from November xx. I want to wait for the updated processing dates so they can't just blow me off and say that our case is within "normal" processing times.


But the folks who answered the phone when I did call previously were pretty convincing liars. I was told in February that it went to an officer on February 22, I was told on March 24th that it was with an officer. I was told on April 24th that it just went to an officer and that the other people who had told me it was previously with an officer were lying to me. I called on May 2nd, the gentleman at USCSI told me it was with an officer. So, who knows what the heck is really going on....

My congressman calls and USCIS tells the congressman that it went to an officer on the 6th…. Someone is lying somewhere………

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-05-21 09:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSomething wrong?
We are in the same boat. I am one of the "October remnants" that is still waiting. Our NOA1 date is October 19 - so today is day 215. I have spoken to the CSC four times since February and was lied to each time. Finally, my Congressman called on May 13th and was told that our petition went to an officer on May 6th. So, we will see.
So, it is easy to say don't worry, but I feel for you.
Good luck to you.
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-05-21 06:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDo Congressional Reps Really Have Clout with INS?
I requested and my Congressman's rep did call on May 15th. My NOA1 date is October 19th. The officer told the rep that the petition went to an officer on May 6th and to give it another 30 days.

I had contacted my 2 Senators at the same time (Durbin and Obama) Durbin responded to my inquiry last week - Obama has never responded.

Durbin's representative called USCIS yesterday and she called me back stating that I should have NOT gotten more than one Congressional rep involved. She said she called USCIS and that the file was already tagged with a Congressman's call previously. She said that I may in fact be slowing down the process by have another Congressional rep call and inquire. That I don't undertand.

So, she said that USCIS was going to get back to her within a few days and she would call me back. So, to answer the question of "Does getting a Congressional Rep involved help you?" in my case, not yet. We are day 227 as of today, or 7 1/2 months.....
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-03 06:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 California Service Center
I have contacted the USCIS many times and was lied to 5 out of the 6 times that I spoke with an officer. Four times they said it was with an officer - that was as far back as February 22nd.
After my Congressman called and was told it went to an officer on May 6th, I called back a day later to USCIS to ask status of the case. The officer who answered the call told me it was with an officer. When I pressed her for the date it went to an officer, she told me March 11th. (lie) She probably never looked up the file, no touch due to call as well.
Seems pretty funny that one officer had told the Congressional Rep that it went to an officer on May 6th.

I called back last Thursday and was told by an officer that it was in fact with an officer and went to an officer on May 6th. (first one to be honest with me). She then said she would send an email to the officer. The file was touched that day (due to the call) and touched the next day due to what I believe is the officer receving the email and picking up the file.

Based on my experience, I would not put a lot of faith in what the folks at USCIS tell you.
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-03 09:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK1 California Service Center
Same boat here.
My NOA date is October 19th. Have not received NOA2. Have inquired and the last I heard was that the petition went to an officer on May 6th.

As of today, I am at day 227 - going on 8 months.....

Johnichka
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-03 06:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsYour Congressman/woman..
I requested and my Congressman's rep did call on May 15th. My NOA1 date is October 19th. The officer told the rep that the petition went to an officer on May 6th and to give it another 30 days.

I had contacted my 2 Senators at the same time (Durbin and Obama) Durbin responded to my inquiry last week - Obama has never responded.

Durbin's representative called USCIS yesterday and she called me back stating that I should have NOT gotten more than one Congressional rep involved. She said she called USCIS and that the file was already tagged with a Congressman's call previously. She said that I may in fact be slowing down the process by have another Congressional rep call and inquire. That I don't undertand.

So, she said that USCIS was going to get back to her within a few days and she would call me back. So, to answer the question of "Does getting a Congressional Rep involved help you?" in my case, not yet. We are day 227 as of today, or 7 1/2 months.....
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-03 21:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 Finally Approved
To All:

Heartfelt thanks for your notes of Congratulations. I truly appreciate it. I will continue to pray for all of you.

Estadia, you are especially in my prayers......Soon Darling, you will receive approval......Keep the faith...

John
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-08 11:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 Finally Approved
Well, we had a NOA1 date of October 19, 2007. We have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting......
Asked our Congressman to get involved. He called on May 15th and they told him it went to an officer on May 6th, "So give us 30 days"
Asked our Senator ####### Durbin to get involved and I specifically asked him to make a Congressional Inquiry. He wrote the following in an email to "Congressional Inquires - CSC" on Wednesday May 28th.
"Hello,
The Senator's consituent, John XXXXX, contacted this office regarding the I129 petition for his fiancee Ulyana XXXXX WAC08 111 11111.
At this time, Mr. XXXXX is seeking the status of the case."

signed US Senate Aide

Received a copy of an email from the CSC Congressional Inquiries Office that was sent back to my Senator on June 3rd that said: "Thank you for your inquiry. An officer reveiwed the file. The officer has determined that in order to provide a complete response including the status of the case, the officer will need to prepare a letter for the petitioner and mail it directly to the petitioner. The officer is in the process of preparing the letter. The petitioner may expect to receive the letter in approximately two weeks. The letter will provide status, as well as additional information for the petitioner - information that we do not have here in congressional unit. Will you kindly inform the petitioner that a letter is forthcoming and to look for it."

So, I am thinking I am going to receive an RFE. The file was touched on June 2nd, June 3rd and Friday June 6th and the status on the USCIS website still indicated the petition was not approved yet.

Yesterday, the 7th, I go to my post box and see a letter from USCIS. Figuring it was an RFE, I prepared myself. I opened the envelope and see that is the NOA2! Guess what day it was approved - June 2nd.....
Sure seems pretty strange how the email from the Congressional Inquirires desk goes out the day after the petition was approved indicating that a letter was forthcoming to address the status of the case.......
You wonder sometimes what is actually going on out there in California. So happy to be through with those people.
johnichkaMaleUkraine2008-06-08 06:22:00