biggish data

Expedited Process

Good luck with this, they seem to be a bit prudent about doing this...I just got a letter today, was rejected for my request to expedite my case

^$#^#$&#%%*%$

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-18 14:39:00

g325a

yes to all your questions. you and your children both need to fill that paperwork out. hope that helps.

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-18 16:20:00

jan 2009 i-130 filers

I guess I'd qualify for this thread, my I-130 was received february 4, 2009. I hope things go smoothly now. I wish that they'd hire more manpower at these offices to help things go more quickly....wouldn't that benefit them and us a whole lot more?

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-20 01:32:00

QUOTE (canadian_wife @ Mar 18 2009, 04:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (enraptured @ Mar 17 2009, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi all,

I had a few Q's about the next step for me to ask before I proceeded:

1) I actually called USCIS last week and asked for the application to be expedited and they sent an email on friday telling me they'd call within 5 days...which is fine. I'm wondering if anyone else tried this path and what are the chances they approve it? I'm going through the Vermont Service Center. - Expedites are rare. I am sorry you were denied.

2) I guess after reading what everyone writes, I'd go the CR-1 route...just was wondering what I need (I guess I know, but would like to be sure) and especially for my co-sponsor, who is a teacher in another state....does that make a difference too? - I think the CR-1 is the superior visa

3) Are the timelines here updated on a continuous basis? Just wondering versus USCIS's...it seems they do it monthly... - They seem to do it every 6 weeks or so now. Don't go by what USCIS processing times are, they seem to be a CYA estimate.

4) What does DCF mean? - Direct Consular Filing can be done if the US citizen is also a legal perminant resident of another country and has been for at least 6 months.
5) My husband and I were married in Turkey, but he has Syrian citizenship...I guess he'd have to go to Ankara for the interview? Do both of these embassies process visas and what not on a timely basis? Are they decent/nice/etc.? Sorry I don't know

Thanks!

K.

You also asked about the I-485. Is your husband in the US currently? Have you already filed the I-130?

thank you for your replies so far, and no he is not in the US. the i-130 was filed on february 4, 2009 and have not heard anything back yet besides the NOA1 i got in the mail. i just am very frustrated, i know i'm not any more special than anyone else waiting for their family members, but this is getting ridiculous.

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-18 15:53:00

anyone? please? even a few Q's?

I was rejected today it seems by a letter that I received from USCIS to expedite my case

I know everyone wants to be with their loved ones, etc. but I really wished they'd have taken care to actually call me and talk to me so that I could explain why my situation is dire. Whatever....I'm getting the impression VSC isn't so nice.

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-18 14:50:00

got another: is it better for me to file the i-485 along with the i-864? thanks!

Kat

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-17 21:33:00

Hi all,

I had a few Q's about the next step for me to ask before I proceeded:

1) I actually called USCIS last week and asked for the application to be expedited and they sent an email on friday telling me they'd call within 5 days...which is fine. I'm wondering if anyone else tried this path and what are the chances they approve it? I'm going through the Vermont Service Center.

2) I guess after reading what everyone writes, I'd go the CR-1 route...just was wondering what I need (I guess I know, but would like to be sure) and especially for my co-sponsor, who is a teacher in another state....does that make a difference too?

3) Are the timelines here updated on a continuous basis? Just wondering versus USCIS's...it seems they do it monthly...

4) What does DCF mean?

5) My husband and I were married in Turkey, but he has Syrian citizenship...I guess he'd have to go to Ankara for the interview? Do both of these embassies process visas and what not on a timely basis? Are they decent/nice/etc.?

Thanks!

K.

Edited by enraptured, 17 March 2009 - 09:11 PM.

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-17 21:06:00

visa approved

congrats!! all the best!!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-21 20:44:00

Happiest day of my life....

congrats!!!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-26 21:21:00

interview today...plz pray for us

Good luck! What happened??

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-29 23:13:00

QUOTE (Paris Heart @ Apr 1 2009, 11:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (enraptured @ Apr 1 2009, 10:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Paris Heart @ Apr 1 2009, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What evidence did you send for the marriage? You needed to send your recorded marriage cert, maybe a wedding innivation or announcement, a few wedding pics. and maybe a few chat logs and or emails back and forth to each other would do nicely.

Scheduling a appoinment and showing interest in your case truly wont help your case. Besides the officers you meet with at the info appointment have nothing to do with processing your petition.

For not visiting your husband in his home country, I dont think will effect anything, What counts is that you have been together.
That would be like USCIS asking me, well Mrs.******** your husband is from Algeria, and he is in France, why did you and him never go to Algeria together? It wont effect anything, so dont worry there.
Hang in there, dont worry so much, your probely worrying for nothing Dearheart.

I didn't send any pics at all, USCIS people said not to send them. I sent my marriage certificate which was notarized and translated here in the US by a Turkish notary. I did not include anything else as far as I remember, damn.......now I'm getting nervous...should I have??? I was following exactly what was said on the I-130 instructions...I included an affidavit as well from my sis-in-law to verify our relationship, I have gotten another since from another friend of mine but I figured I would just put together the entire package of what he'd take with him to the interview, including the pics we have together, some emails, and hopefully my phone logs from Tmobile when they get their act together and send me everything....

I know I perhaps shouldn't worry, but in this day and age, and seeing some of the horror stories here....I absolutely want to do anything and everything that I have to to be with my husband again.......I feel like I'm just getting through each day just to get nearer the day when I pick him up from the airport....

I wish I could just win the lottery sometimes and just move to a fjord in Norway and not have to deal with this #######

Okay, you sent marriage cert. GREAT. A a few affadavits, okay, to me they mean nothing, BUt I admit, my best friend wrote one for me, and I sent it with my petition, mainly cause of the way my husband and I were re-married, Long story.
I bet you will be fine, many got approved with only a marriage cert.

You are right, you will need the chat logs, emails, phone bills, pictures of you and him together. So start gathering them up for your interview evidence. Keep and gather all evidence you can, boarding passes of your time together, receipts for hotels. Everything you can get your hands on. LIfe insurance, joint bank account, etc. You will be fine, I bet you get NOA 2 before you know it. Oh almost forgot, I have T-mobile also, and I print past statements. So go on line and print your past bills from T-mobile, I just did that myself.

Thanks a lot Paris Heart....I think one of my main problems is that I am so mistrustful of the process, USCIS, the constant changing of laws in regards to immigrants, etc. that I've become a paranoid mess. Hope that we all have our journeys end soon....I'm just trying to keep the faith and bury myself in my horrible job at this point

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-01 23:43:00

QUOTE (Paris Heart @ Apr 1 2009, 11:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wish I could just win the lottery sometimes and just move to a fjord in Norway and not have to deal with this #######

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-01 22:38:00

Hi Paris Heart,

Well, I was thinking that perhaps if I scheduled an appointment and went to see someone and discussed the details of my case, it could be recorded (??) and symbolize my keen interest in resolving my case as soon as possible. At least that is how I am looking at it....

I just thought of something else as well........I read on some threads that people had sent evidence of their marriage along with their I-130 packages...should I have done that??? I called USCIS twice to make sure that I was sending in all the correct paperwork and what not, and both operators that I spoke with told me to not send anything showing our bond as it was not necessary at this time...and they told me to save everything for the interview. I just want to confirm this with others who have gotten to the interview stage at this point....

Thanks...

p.s. would it look weird to them if I have never visited his country? My situation doesn't allow me to really consider going to Syria. We have spent time mainly in Turkey and one month last summer in Jordan. Also, I'm not too keen on going there as well, I have really annoying cousins and aunties there that I'd rather avoid seeing LOL....

Edited by enraptured, 01 April 2009 - 10:11 PM.

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-01 22:08:00

Hello everyone,

I just have a few questions about the process that I wanted to get off my chest, been just jotting stuff down as I think of them:

1) I guess I can still visit my husband before things really take off re the process, right? And would it be better if I showed up for the interview (which will hopefully come soon)? Would it signify my commitment to my husband and getting this process over and done with?

2) What is the difference between an I-864 and an I-1864EZ?

3) Is it worth scheduling an appointment via this InfoPass option that is on the USCIS website? Would it help me in any way, or is it just a waste of time?

Thanks .........

Kat

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-01 21:49:00

I-130 Prosessing time

that's weird...normally you can call US numbers from Canada?At least I used to?

Have you tried putting the international code before the 1-800 i.e. 011 800 etc etc... ?

I tried to call their 1-800 number from Europe once, and it worked when I did it that way...hope it works....

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-01 20:51:00

Approved 13 Days After NOA1!!!!!!

QUOTE (ToAliwithLove @ Mar 24 2009, 11:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We are approved.............We filed March 3, 2009, received NOA1 March 11, 2009 and NOA2 March 24, 2009 at 8:30pm by email. The USCIS website is current with our status. THANK YOU JESUS! May good bless everyone in this Forum...............................

you have no idea how extremely jealous i am

congrats!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-03-31 22:22:00

Sending in I-130 - Really all these papers??

really? your passport? i didn't do this? didn't even know you had to?

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-21 22:30:00

CR-1 VISA APPROVED

congrats, best wishes to you!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-25 05:37:00

Petition Approved!

congrats!!!

Edited by enraptured, 26 April 2009 - 08:31 PM.

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-26 20:29:00

Almost ready...sending I-130

i used paper clips, and i would just do as they say and write with the right tool...

ive noticed some people here went ahead and sent a bunch of stuff in , perhaps it might be better. i myself didnt and followed what the i-130 instructions said to a tee, and assumed that the evidence would be asked for when an interview will be scheduled. but that's just my opinion. good luck, this process is hell!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-26 21:06:00

that's good to hear. i do have a permanent address here that i want to maintain, but i didn't understand how ####### USCIS can be so that is why i was wondering about the calling in to say i'm going overseas, i guess it's really none of their concern at this point is it...

you've been a big help, thanks very much!!!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-29 09:41:00

Does that mean that I do not need to inform USCIS that I am leaving the country to be with my husband? Thank you Mariah, you are awesome. I am totally freaking out here and I have exactly 2 weeks before I take off and want to make sure that I'm not going to be doing anything to jeopardize the situation. There's no way in hell I will be living in Syria. My life is here, my cats is here, and while I love my man, I want to get this over with so I can come back to NY and start my life with him....thanks so much.

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-27 00:24:00

please...anyone. so no one has ever filed an i-130 for a spouse and then decided to go live with them and sort it out from over there? i'm trying to think of what i would need to do, i.e. a checklist of stuff, before i go out. i still need to get a visa anyways and i may or may not get it, but if i do, i'd like to know if this is a common occurence for some people and whether it would help things go quicker.

thanks...

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-26 21:01:00

alright, that sounds logical. so, should i just keep mum then about going and just have stuff sent back and forth to me? i was wondering if i could just deal with the embassy entirely and not have to deal with NVC and what not, that is...if we get "approved" of course...

i am going regardless because i need my peace of mind.

but i suppose it wouldn't really matter anyways in the end if i'm there, right? i haven't been able to secure proper work for months now and my brother is well more than capable of being my joint sponsor. well, maybe i am myself as well, from my tax returns for the past 3 years i made well over the poverty limit that is listed.

should i just have my contacts here send the paperwork i need to work on there, send it back, and that's it?

and do i even need to contact USCIS about this? mind you, i am also concerned about the fact that i'd be living there for a few months. my permanent address technically would still be here though. would i even need to let them know that i'd have a new address?

thanks again

p.s. i should note that i haven't seen my husband since september 2008. we were married in november 2007, but we didn't go this route sooner because we had hoped to move to dubai to live and work and this fell through. hence, why i'm here now. we will have been married probably 2 years by the time he even gets an interview it seems. i just want to know what would be the best way to go about this right now. i am of course going to call the embassy this monday to ask, but just wanted to know if anyone here knew of any tips or suggestions in my case. thanks again

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-25 17:38:00

hi all,

So, had a quick question. Pending a visa, of course, I am planning to go to the ME to chill and be with my hubby. I am pretty frustrated and annoyed with the job situation here in the area as well, and it would actually be cheaper for me to go there for a while than be here.... lol.

My intention is not to return here until my husband is able to travel with me....

With this in mind, would it be possible to change the current petition I have now into a DCF one? Please check my timeline as well to get a better idea of what I am concerned about. I guess, it takes around 6 months or so to get a residency permit in SYR, and from what I understand it takes an additional 1-2 months for this route to clear through.

My question here is: do I call USCIS and tell them this or do I just keep going with what I have? The other alternative that I thought about, as annoying as it is, was let's say USCIS gets their act together, sends me a NOA2 (according to their estimated schedule on their website, this is supposed to be in August or so..) and I just have someone here send my stuff to me overseas, I fill it out, (my brother is going to be my joint sponsor, we are ok with this already, etc.) then send it back and then wait? Or would that be too much of a headache or not cool for USCIS/NVC/whoever the hell can end this ordeal for us?

Which one also would be the quickest route, hypothetically?

I want to call them on Monday to discuss this, hence my question...and I don't really trust their reps anymore at this point, I have memorized their BS speech at the beginning of a call at this point...

Thanks...

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-25 12:58:00

Interview questions

congratulations!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-04-26 20:49:00

Dumb question about Affidavit of Support Forms

great....i just wanted to make sure we both use the same form...muchas gracias!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-16 11:24:00

Dumb question about Affidavit of Support Forms

hi all,

i'm at the point in my journey where i need to submit the i-1864 form...but my brother who now lives in TX is going to be my joint sponsor...so which form would he need? i am leaning towards him doing the same form as i am doing (the regular i-1864) but just want to be 100% on this since i see there are 2 other i-864 forms as well....

thanks a lot...

regards,
kat

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-16 11:12:00

I don't know about you guys

QUOTE (Malrothien @ Jul 17 2009, 01:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But reading and reading and reading more about the process is driving me looney!

HELL YEAH!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-17 14:32:00

border crossing experince

that officer didn't do his job properly.....

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-25 13:26:00

NVC number, what next?

what abby and sheryl said

lol

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-29 14:19:00

I need some help and advice here?

looks like you have to refile. i'd get in touch with USCIS as well. sorry to hear about your problems!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-29 14:30:00

May I ask you guys

I just made a thread asking for the same stuff. Think you'll be alright. Wish you the best and good luck!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-29 14:26:00

alright, sounds good! thanks much!

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-30 18:17:00

QUOTE (imaisha @ Jul 29 2009, 12:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes yes transcripts are not only acceptable, they are preferred. The less they have to sift through the better.

Also, there is no barcode you need to produce for the IV or AOS packages. As long as you've got the cover letter you're all set. The barcode instructions in the LingChe shortcuts are for the DS-3032.

hey...does this mean that i don't need to submit the tax returns and can just go and send the tax transcripts we get from the IRS ONLY? that'd be awesome...

QUOTE (lgg @ Jul 30 2009, 06:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, you totally do!!

Two passport pictures of you, if you're the beneficiary for the DS230. Get them done to US spec and write your name, your NVC # and your date of birth on the back of them. ..

Cheers and good luck!

QUOTE (enraptured @ Jul 30 2009, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why do i keep thinking that i have to give two passport photos of myself as well? yeah or nay/

no, honey, i'm the petitioner....and 2? argh...what the heck, i read 4 somewhere...

QUOTE (KKHoliday @ Jul 30 2009, 06:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good Luck!!

THANK YOU, i am nervous as hell just even putting this package together! it was supposed to go out today but my printer jammed....

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-30 18:03:00

why do i keep thinking that i have to give two passport photos of myself as well? yeah or nay/

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-30 17:50:00

um...FYI for anyone in my situation, I just spoke with a NVC operator and she just told me that i could submit tax transcripts in lieu of a w-2, so that's a huge burden off my shoulders....

and i've got mine already so got to ask my bro to get his....

i'm paranoid enough as it is, so i'll call tomorrow again just to clarify all this.

QUOTE (imaisha @ Jul 28 2009, 11:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Does NVC have your email addresses?

If not then you'll never get anything from them. Even if they do have your email addresses it takes them days to send anything.

So yeah, definitely don't wait around for any mail from them- just use the forms from the NVC website.

hey...yeah they do!

my main concern was the barcode thing. i asked her about that, and she just said that i just needed the main cover page and that was it...but i'm going to follow lingche's thing and try to generate a barcode and what not to copy/paste on the form...

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-28 22:55:00

QUOTE (imaisha @ Jul 28 2009, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting... I don't know much about taxes beyond the basic filings so I'm not sure what all of that is. You were right to say misc. papers then! In that case I'd say yes, more is better. Not sure how the unemployment for your sister in law would come in to play. I know that even when a joint sponsor has filed a joint return with a spouse it's only the income of the joint sponsor that counts, so I'm not sure you'd need her paperwork. Maybe someone else will have some more ideas...

well, they filed married and jointly so that's why i figured i'd just shut up and send it in. i'm hoping now that he'll recover the w-2, he's a real pain in the #### to get to do anything.

QUOTE (imaisha @ Jul 28 2009, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh well if you've already got the cover letter for the IV package then you can certainly send them in together. If you think you'll be waiting on what you need for the AOS though you could send in the IV package now just to get them moving on that. RFEs are usually issued for that rather than the AOS so it's probably a good idea to let them get started on that ASAP. I can't think of anyone who's sent in the IV package before the AOS but I can't imagine it'd be a problem at all.

so ....i'm guessing i'm not getting nada from NVC then and just need to go ahead and send this stuff in..alright, then i'm sending the IV stuff tmr. and will wait on i-864...got no other choice....

QUOTE (imaisha @ Jul 28 2009, 11:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

More is always better, especially when it comes to MENA cases. Those photos with family members get an A+ too so good work on that. You won't be bombarding them. Just have them available at the interview and if they ask you can offer them, starting with those most important ones first.

yeah....i mean i know it sucks and all, but i understand i guess why MENA takes longer. one of the things that i'm hoping if that is he does have to go into AP, it won't be that long. he doesn't have a common Middle Eastern name and hopefully it won't be an issue.

thanks again for your reply!

and hope someone can clear up the IV issue too

cheers.

meowmeowmeow

Female

Syria

2009-07-28 22:25:00