ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Moves Quickly!
Hmmmm, I'm still there. NOA2 July 2, 2012. Entered at NVC July 6, 2012 (pretty damn fast!). Called and got my case number July 16, 2012. Called today and they have not sent it on yet. Was told takes about two weeks. Maybe given the volume my Consulate receieves they are waiting for a bundle before they ship them on together? Was told to call back on Monday. :wacko:
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-20 15:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAdditional Processing
Additional processing means running a routine criminal background check as I understand it. My petition has been at the NVC for 18 days now. I have a set of fingerprints on file with the DOJ so they should be able to run me pretty quick I reckon.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-24 15:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Question- Additional Processing

As part of a recent job application my husband was subjected to a criminal background check. It took just three days. In our immigration case the same thing took about 3 months. It isnt your background that will cause the delay as much as the time they need to simply do the work. There doesnt seem to be any way to know how long these things will take. Many cases we see here never endure the check at all or go thru very quickly if one is done.


My sene is that it may be due the clerk your petition ends up with and how hard/fast they work. The criminal background check is done by way of a national database maintained by the FBI, pretty straightforward stuff. I have finger prints on file with the DOJ so they could literally do my check in a matter of minutes. Today is number 18 at NVC and of course no timeline or anticipated completion date could be given.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-24 18:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Question- Additional Processing

I called NVC today and was told our application is undergoing "additional processing" and a letter will be sent out to petitioner once the case is being forwarded to the embassy abroad.
NVC said all fiance visa cases undergo additional processing but I did not get clarification as to whether this is the same as "administrative processing" or how long this all takes.


Yes, they could not give me a timeline either. I looked into "additional processing" and was told that it is routine criminal background check on the petitioner and since I don't have one they should be able to wrap it up soon.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-23 12:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNVC Question- Additional Processing
Got NOA2 on July 2, 2012, NVC entered into their system on July 6, 2012. They have now had it for 17 days. I called today for a status and was told that the petition is undergoing "additional processing", anybody know what that means? What is the typical turn around time for the NVC? Thanks.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-23 12:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCalled NVC, sent embassy today!!!
Just had to share, so excited!! NOA1 January 11, 2012, NOA2 July 2, 2012, enterd at NVC on July 6, 2012, on it's way to the Embassy July 26, 2012!! Woo hoo!! :dance: :dance: :dance:
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-26 12:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsThings really started moving once we got our NOA2!
Wanted to share my excitement and hopefully offer some encourgement to those still waiting. I129F filed 1/10/12, NOA1 1/11/12, NOA2 7/2/12 (173 days), NVC received 7/6/12, NVC sent to Embassy 7/26/12, Embassy received 7/27/12. My fiancee went and got her medical exam yesterday. When she got home (8/14/12) there was the letter from the Embassy with the Packet 3 instructions! Needless to say she called me and was so excited. We already have Packet 3 ready send so it will go in the mail (EMS) tomorrow! Bangkok has been setting interviews lately about two to three weeks after getting Packet 3 so we are estatic! Will be booking a flight real soon!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-08-14 10:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUnbelievable!

Wow, that was quick turn-around.
Rght behind you (we hope) as our approved application arrived last week and we are trying to get Packet 3 submitted next week.

steve from
Jamnan_n_Steve


Good luck to you! I reckon our "comprehensive" Packet 3 and our cover letter might have helped a bit. I figured EMS delivered it on Friday morning, so they had a a day or day and half to give it the once over and then BAM!, they give us an interview in 1 week! Scrambled to get the flight this morning but even though I only made the reservation 3 days before the flight I paid bacically the same price! Thank you Buddha!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-08-20 17:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUnbelievable!
Wanted to share my good news and hopefully offer some encouragement to others.

We submitted our Packet 3 by EMS (Thai Express Mail) on Thursday August 16, 2012. Last night at about 12:30 am (2:30pm BKK time) I got an e-mail from the Embassy with an interview date of August 27, 2012 :dance: :dance: Didn't sleep much after that. Booked my flight for this Thursday and bought a return ticket for the fiancee soon to be wife. After all the waiting we suddenly got put in the fast lane!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-08-20 16:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsInterview August 28, POE September 2!!!
Well, the interview went well, passport returned on 8/31 and we flew home Sunday. I'll do a write up in the Bangkok Consulate section when I get time. I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for their comments and advice on this "journey". While it's not completely over, we are at least togerher which makes completing the process that much easier! Thanks again! :thumbs:

As an aside, at our POE in Los Angeles, we had this big Russian guy with a heavy accent as our CBP agent, he couldn't have been nicer and told some funny stories about his mother and father's emigration here. He made my fiancee feel really at ease. He reminded us twice to get married within 90 days.

Edited by khwaidee1, 04 September 2012 - 10:36 AM.

khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-09-04 10:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWe broke up.
It is tough but if it is true love it's worth the wait. The time zone differences also don't help. I even went over to see her for a weekend a few times and that always seemed to help. She got here Sunday so it's all good now. Best of luck to you!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-09-06 18:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFeb, 2012. 200 days now

Hi,

Me and my sweetheart are still waiting for our NOA-2. We are currently at the 200 day mark now :wow: . I am worried we have not recieved no RFI or our approved NOA-2. I just sent my Texas Senator our information on our very long wait from the Vermont Service Center to send us any information. Any warming advise out there would help our wandering thoughts?? :whistle:

I called the USCIS and put in a service request, e-mailed the ombudsman and sent a rquest in to my senator. I don't know that any of that helped but, it made me feel like I was doing everything possible. I know that once we got our NOA2 everything moved very quickly! Good luck!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-09-10 12:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDoes this get easier...
As you well know, it will all be worth it soon! It was miserable waiting, especially being at work while she slept and vice versa. My phone bill was outrageous as we talked several times a day! We were 230 days from our NOA1 to interview and she came home with me 5 days later! Best of luck to you and yours!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-09-10 11:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWords of Encouragement
Following on TBoneTX's story I thought I'd offer up mine as well since I know last year I was scouring this site for some encouragement. Our journey was much less eventful but stressful none the less.

I-129F Filed 1/10/12
No RFEs
Interview 8/28/12 and K-1 Approved
POE 9/2/12
Married 10/5/12
I-485, I-131 and I-765 filed 10/23/12
AP/EAD card received 1/14/13
AOS interview 1/15/13 Approved
Received Green Card in the mail today! 1/25/13

So, this part of our journey is over for now and we won't have to deal with government bureaucracy for at least 21 months!


Just wanted to share that it was roughly one year from K-1 filing til GC in hand and to thank everyone for their help along the way and wish everyone still on their journey the best of luck. We're going back to see the family in two weeks this time with the wife a LPR!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2013-01-25 16:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportshelp
I reckon you've got a bit of time to wait. We sent in our 129F on 1/10/12 and had our interview 8/28/12. Good news is we got the GC 1/25/13. Good luck!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2013-03-28 15:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsDenied!!!
This process does try one's patience but, so does marriage from time to time.I hope things work out for you but, maybe it's better you found out this quality, or lack thereof, before you were with him in the U.S.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2013-04-26 11:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK-1 approved! now what to do upon entry to US?

Yeah, POEs vary. Some take you to the office, some do it just there at the regular desk.  Look up your POE here to see what's most likely to happen: http://www.visajourn.../poereviews.php

 

Basic procedure for everywhere though - have your passport and the sealed envelope *in your hands* as you approach the waiting area (do not pack it in your checked luggage - you won't retrieve that until AFTER immigration - keep it with you on the plane).  If you're not sure which line to join, ask someone official looking, or just join the shortest line (some POEs have a "new immigrants" line, so just join that one if it's available).  Then when you get to the desk, present your passport and envelope and then they'll take you through the rest. smile.png

 

Good point on the envelope, hand carry it, do not let it out of your hands ever until you get to the CBP officer. And based on some of the horror stories I've read here, NEVER EVER open the envelope.


khwaidee1MaleThailand2013-09-05 11:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsK-1 approved! now what to do upon entry to US?

No papers to fill out at customs, but it may take an hour or 2 to get through. They'll take her into secondary and she'll have to sit in a waiting area and perhaps be called up to the window several times while they go through all the stuff in the sealed envelope she'll have given them. I was also fingerprinted there. I guess that probably happens for everyone.

 

POE LAX, stand in line, hand your envelope to the CBP officer, he opened the envelope and looked through the documents and put it on stack behind him, wife did her entry biometrics, he joked with us and reminded us to get married within 90 days, stamped the passport and I-94 and we were on our way to get our bags. 15 minutes tops and no secondary. I guess it's different depending on your POE.


Edited by khwaidee1, 05 September 2013 - 11:49 AM.

khwaidee1MaleThailand2013-09-05 11:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary I-129F filers
I-129F 1-10-12
NOA1 1-11-12
NOA2 7-2-12
NVC Received 7-6-12
NVC Sent 7-26-12
Consulate Received 7-27-12
Packet 3 Received 8-14-12
Packet 3 Sent 8-16-12
Packet 4 Received 8-20-12
Interview 8-28-12
POE LAX 9-2-12

Woo hoo :dance: :dance: :dance:

Now on to the AOS!!!!!!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-09-06 16:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary I-129F filers
I have gotten so much encouraging info here I thought I would share this for the January CSC filers who thought Calif was moving quicker than the rest!!

1/10/12 I129F Received
1/12/12 NOA1 Received in mail
1/13/12 "Touched"
6/21/12 Write to my Congressman
6/22/12 Called and put in Service Request
6/27/12 E-mail to DHS Ombudsman via FormDHS-7001
6/30/12 E-mail from USCIS on Service Request: "You should receive duplicate Approval Notice in 14 days"
7/2/12 E-mail from USCIS that petition has been approved.

Now it's on to the NVC and wait for our interview! Given that I have visited 8 times in the last 2 years, spent a lot of time with the family in the village, have heaps of photos, cards, e-mails etc I am optimistic that the interview will go smoothly. Thanks!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-03 11:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary I-129F filers
My petition was recived at the CSC on 1/10/12 and touched on 1/13/12. Stilll says intial review. I called the NSC and put in a service request. I was told I should receive a response in 15 days. Has anybody else done this? What was the result? I don't want to piss off any government worker but, I'm now 162 days out and I'm dying to bring my fiance home with me. I see ather filers at the CSC in my time frame have already gotten their NOA2 and some even approved!! Help!!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-06-22 12:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary I-129F filers

You can tell just by looking at your case status on the USCIS site...if the "last updated" date changes but your status does not (still at initial review), it was touched but nothing resulted....literally it could have been a scan when they put it into a box or someone checked that box out to work on, etc. Each file has a code that they scan when they do anything like put it away for storage...so a touch could mean that they are working on it and someone has your file on their desk but it could be just reorganization of their office! haha



Found it, last updated 1/13/12, now I'm really anxious. I thought the California Service Center was quicker than the rest. My fiancee is going nuts as am I!!!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-06-21 18:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary I-129F filers

You can tell just by looking at your case status on the USCIS site...if the "last updated" date changes but your status does not (still at initial review), it was touched but nothing resulted....literally it could have been a scan when they put it into a box or someone checked that box out to work on, etc. Each file has a code that they scan when they do anything like put it away for storage...so a touch could mean that they are working on it and someone has your file on their desk but it could be just reorganization of their office! haha


How do I find that on the web site? All I see is "Intial Review" bluce circle. Is there somewhere else I gon the site? Thanks.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-06-21 18:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary I-129F filers

"touches" does not mean anything really, that might just say that they put your file in a box that day !

How do I find out about the touches? Do I have to call someone? Thanks.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-06-21 17:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsJanuary I-129F filers
Newbie here. I-129F filed 1/10/12, received 1/11/12, NOA1 recived by post 1/15/12. What are "touches" and where does one find them? Thanks!

Edited by khwaidee1, 21 June 2012 - 05:39 PM.

khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-06-21 17:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaI got a call from consulate

I don't care for society, society is
Don't ever let the society control you, there are wrong and bad things out there, Never allow yourself to be a victim by the society.
I don't accept no one's definition of my short life or their criticism.
[b]The reason of my refusal is ME being here in this forum.
The reason of my behavior are some weird people here.[[/

khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-11-05 18:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresGot NVC Case # Today
By calling the NVC. Is there any way to track it's progress as it makes it's way to the Embassy? Thanks.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-18 13:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew to all of this and no idea where to start

Also, even if you do choose to use an attorney or visa service, I would highly recommend you still read through the VJ guides and the information on the USCIS site to become acquainted with the entire process. Unless you're hiring someone who will go through the adjustment of status with you as well, it will serve you well to know which questions to ask and have an understanding of the various steps in this journey.



Agreed. I had gone thorough all of the documents a bunch of times, started a list of what I needed and went over everything with my fiance first. I got real busy and went with a service that will do the AOS and gives you a discount for that (FWIW). I just didn't have the time at the time and wanted to get it filed ASAP!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-18 16:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNew to all of this and no idea where to start
I am sure it is very simple to do yourself and many here apparently have. However, I was extremely busy at the time so I utilized easyfiancevisa.com. They also provided a bunch of the documents in her native tongue. I also wanted to make sure EVERYTHING was done right the first time. Not cheap but no RFEs and just waiting on our interview date now having filed in January 2012. Good luck!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-18 16:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDocuments to send to Fiancee

just to be safe, make copies of everything you send to them. give it to your fiance, sometimes embassy will ask your fiance if she has copies of documents.



Thanks, I have 3 copies of everything, not including what I've sent my fiance. I'm just too ####### to take any chances with a government institution!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-19 15:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDocuments to send to Fiancee

In the guidelines on VJ, it states to make 2 EXACT copies of the original i-129 package you sent. if you did this you can send her one of these copies becuase they contain everything you originally sent to the USCIS.



Question, and not to seem ignorant, what would a fiance need a copy of the petition for? Is it something that is needed for the interview? Won't the Embassy have a copy of the Petition? Thanks for the reply.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-19 15:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA2 Question- Timing
Ok, my NOA2 says; Notice Type: "Aproval Notice Valid from 06/082012 to 10/07/2012."

The notice date of the NOA2 is July 2 so Question 1: Why do they backdate it a month? and Question two: does that mean we have the interview and get the K-1 approved before 10/07/2012?Thanks.

Edited by khwaidee1, 19 July 2012 - 03:46 PM.

khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-19 15:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoes interview need be completed before NOA2 expires?

thats the bureaucracy. Looks like our NOA2 took one month to reach you. Its for months validity from issuance to interview day. If u have interview on the day it expires, you still ok but not after midnight of the expiry day


No, it didn't take one month to reach me. I got an e-mail on July 2, 2012 that it was approved. Got the hard copy NOA2 in the mail July 3, 2012 with the approval date of July 2, 2012. But, it's validity date started running a month before they appoved it. Could this be right?
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-20 16:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoes interview need be completed before NOA2 expires?

if the NOA2 expires before interview then yu start all over again. Thats my understanding. If you already submitted, the consular officer can extend the 4 months at their discretion. I think i read about that here. read almost almost every posting. Time flies. for me if i have NOA2, am doing medicals immediately. its valid for six months and even book interview


For whatever reason my NOA2 is valid for only four months but the notice date is July 2, 2012 so it's effectively 3 months. With a month to get it to the NVC and then to the consulate, that gives my NOA2 a 2 month life, seems a bit tight to me!
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-20 16:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDoes interview need be completed before NOA2 expires?
The reason I ask this is it looks like I got jipped a month. My NOA2 was July 2, 2012 but it is valid from June 8, 2012 to Ocotber 7, 2012. Now I am very optimistic that we will get our interview date before October 7, 2012 (I've got a NVC case #, is supposed to ship out Monday and packet 3 is ready to go EMS as soon as the petition is at the consulate) But, what if they give an interview date beyond October 7, 2012? What will I need to do then? It's amazing the time they take and then they want us rush through everything in basically 2 months! :angry:

Edited by khwaidee1, 20 July 2012 - 04:11 PM.

khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-20 16:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC courtesy notification letter

From vermont it is taking 15 days to reach NVC, from Cali, sometimes more, maybe 30 days. NVC takes 1-7 days to process and forward, and when they forward they will send you a letter. Kiev was good about getting invitation out to beneficiary . Check my timeline. You don't need to call, both petitioner and beneficiary will receive post mail.


Just to give a little hope for the CSC filers, and I could be an exception but, NOA2 July 2, 2012, NVC received July 9, 2012. Called and got my case number on July 16, 2012 (14 days after NOA2 date). You can call 603-334-0700 with your WAC number and they can tell if received, when and your NVC case number.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-20 11:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNvc number?

Can someone please give me the Nvc number? i CAN T FIND IT, thank you . our case was approved on 20 july can we start calling next week?


603-334-0700. And yes, you can call next week. Our NOA2 was July 2 and entered into NVC system on July 6. I called on July 16 and got our case number. However, we're still there :angry:
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-25 17:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresCommon K-1 visa ?

Not only is is asked, you also put your signature on one of the forms in front of the consular officer. So common? Yes.


I've also read that at the interview they make you raise your right hand and swear that you will marry.
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-25 16:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Question- Additional Processing
Got NOA2 on July 2, 2012, NVC entered into their system on July 6, 2012. They have now had it for 17 days. I called today for a status and was told that the petition is undergoing "additional processing", anybody know what that means? What is the typical turn around time for the NVC? Thanks.

Edited by khwaidee1, 23 July 2012 - 12:14 PM.

khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-23 12:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPeople make up your mind before bringing someone here!!
I agree with many of the sentiments here. But, being new here, one thing really jumps out at me and that is financial aspect so many posters talk about. As most of you know, it is expensive to live in the US and money is the number 1 reason for divorce. Regardless of where your fiance may be coming from, I believe you should be able to provide for your mate and it seems hard to believe that that it could be done on 125% of the poverty guidelines, that's like $1600 a month to live on for two people, rent, food, transportation, etc. I understand that love will conquer many things, but, as I heard someone say once "You can't eat love."
khwaidee1MaleThailand2012-07-24 18:44:00