Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Six Month Club	Well unfortunately I guess I have to register for this club. I am at 213 days with one recent RFE back in their hands. Hoping for the rest of us to close this club soon for lack of members.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-15 06:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Finally NOA2Approved - 224 Days -	Hello All, I guess I can now officially join the Post NOA2 crowd and start building the documents and things needed for the interview. if I remember from reading ahead I can call the NVC in a week and ask if my case has been received, right? What do I use as a reference if and when I do call them? I will not be near the mailbox until May 11th and then only for a day and I am gone again to see my Mahal Ko. Once I have the MNL number this means it has been sent to Manila and I can start to try and get an interview. Any ideas how far out the appointments are as of now? What are the chances she will have a visa in hand by August 1? Thanks for any and all assistance the VJ group may offer. Good Luck one and all.. Edited by mjaye65, 26 April 2011 - 11:51 AM.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-26 11:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Approved past USCIS but SKIP NVC	Thanks everyone. I called the NVC today and they have located my file and said it will be processing it soon. I appreciate the information and best wishes to all of us navigating the process. Thanks Again,	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-05-03 10:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Approved past USCIS but SKIP NVC	Greetings All, I received a form I-797 notice of action in the mail notice dated April 26, 2011 stating that my petition has been approved and forwarded to the listed consulate (Manila). The Notice Type: Approval Notice / Valid from 04/26/2011 to 08/26/2011 / Consulate: Manila Philippines. The text I received on April 26 from USCIS said my petition had been approved and was forwarded to NVC for further processing. I called the NVC and they said it sounds like this is true my Visa went to Manila but they did not see me listed in their system. The only reference I had when I called them was the same receipt number from the USCIS and they said that was good enough for them to see my records. I called the Manila Visa office today and they do not have any record of my file either so I guess I will try again on Friday. Anyone had this happen before? Any advice on how I can get the MNL number they are talking about? I am headed over there for my five month visit and it would be great if we could track all this down and arrange one of the open appointments when I am there in May. BPI said that all they needed to accept the Visa payment was a copy of the NOA 2 and the passport. Is this correct I want to make sure they money does not go out the back door.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-05-03 07:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Updates on a I-129F petition	Hello All, I was not the most patient person waiting out the NOA1 to NOA2 time. I did not have any touches except for a mass touch on October 3 and I think this was a system change. I waited the five month average date and then started chasing USCIS through their number. I kept a running log of the dates, times, and the Agent ID that I talked too. You will learn that the Tier 1 personnel will recite the same information you can already see on the website. You can try to get a service request started after the five months is up. They will tell you that you have to call back after 30 days which is equal to the five months + 30 days. This is bull. I just kept calling back every day until I reached a tier 1 that submitted the service request. The mailed response from the service request was merely that they were processing the application please allow 60 days until the reach a decision. I contacted my senators once I had a few of these USCIS attempts under my belt. I wrote him with all the dates, times, agent ID and what was said. Then asked them to write in and check on things and boom I at least received some action which was an RFE - Request for Evidence - wanting another copy of my divorce which they already had as part of the packet. I was told by others that this may have been merely to give them more time to look at the file they should have processed already. Just be patient as possible and make sure to keep all the chat logs that you can. Gather copies of the money transfers that you make as you make them. Try to use a camera with the date on the picture when you visit. We did not do this in the beginning so we have to figure out the dates on our first visits. It is a draining process. Talk often, Visit when ever possible, and build on the relationship. We have been together and we have over 2000 pictures of us around the philippines. Good Luck	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-05-03 14:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Almost Done with the LDR	Well her interview was on June 15, 2011 in Manila. She and the three boys had their Physicals at St Luke’s on June 7th – Three days for the youngest boy. Interview for the Kids they all passed just a few questions about my full name, How many times I have come to the Philippines to see them all. The consular was surprised when they said 8 times in two and a half years. Where were we all going to live? Rina was asked more question most of which I can not remember but I will ask again and post later. She did not have a NBI under the last name of her first husband. She said she never used his name on official documents so we did not pursue this. Now I wish we had. This has since been requested from NSO, received and sent via 2GO to the embassy while still in Manila. She needed something else from the NSO but I can not remember what it was but this issue as well is resolved. She did not have the CENOMAR proving the first marriage was officially over. We did not pursue this either since it ended in his death long time ago and she was since remarried and that one we did prove was officially over. Again I guess we should have over prepared for these contingencies. Once this is received she needs to return her passport to the Embassy. This is the only document we are waiting on. It will be ready is supposedly 5 working days and the Embassy will pick it up by their own methods. Once this is received then the visas will all be issued and then it will take 2 weeks to courier to her house in Iligan. I can not believe the hardest stage of this process is almost over and she and the kids will be with me in Dallas. Hopefully by Mid July. Good Luck one and all.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-06-17 10:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Yet Another Set back US Embassy manila	Interview Date June 15 US Embassy Manilla. Administrative Hold awaiting further Documentation. - GO to NSO and request NSO certificate of death for first Husband and have them contact the Embassy for pick up. - Go to NSO and get an original copy of the marriage contract and other documentation related to the same. - Obtain an NBI Clearance under the last name of the first husband and dispatch it through 2 GO couriers to the embassy along with her passport. (The embassy retained the children’s passports while in administrative hold) From about June 21 till now we have been calling the same Visa information line which we found out this past Monday is the wrong place to call to get real answers after you have finished the interview itself. This is the call center for Visa Scheduling and general visa questions. Monday I showed frustration and the agent told me it was just a call center and that I could call the embassy main line and work my way through and get more details on the true case status. This is what I did and I found out that the case was reviewed by a case officer on June 30 and that a letter was mailed out on July 6th asking for clarification and explanation why the death certificate issued by the hospital is not registered at the NSO. We found out the next day by going to the NSO that it is registered there and they did get a copy of the death certificate from the NSO but that the name on these documents does not match his real name. There is two parts to his first name and the death certificate issued by the hospital and registered at the NSO by the hospital in 1993 do not list both parts of his first name. My lady is now in Manila trying to either get the documents amended or an affidavit certifying that although the names are different the two names are the same person. I am not sure if either will satisfy the embassy but I have all my fingers and toes crossed. If any of you out there have dealt with similar issues please let me know how to handle this pleaseee.. So now the wedding plans are again on hold and so is the plane tickets until we work through this new hurdle placed before us.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-13 16:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Visa in hand finally!	Congrats, We hope to be headed to Dallas within 2 weeks lord willing. More document reviews at embassy and god bless visa issue. Enjoy your new home good luck	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-23 13:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Admin - Review Complete - Visa Approved	At the interview she was not approved. she needed a few more / better documents or else this would have been the case. We called the visa section and they said to call the 2GO office and when they have it we can have it held in manila. We are scared if it is shipped south uit6 may get lost or misplaced all over again. At least it is approved and the embassy is almost out of the loop. Do you live next door?	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-27 06:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Admin - Review Complete - Visa Approved	Well VJ We are finally approved and now waiting to have the Visa in Hand. She lives in Iligan city Mindanao, so we are worried about the delay in days to arrive there from Manila. I have asked her to call the 2GO office at the embassy or some where and try to have the VISA held there. Anyone have any idea how we can get it held there instead of mailed to Iligan city Mindanao? I would like to know if it is safe to book flights for August 7 and CFO for the preceding Friday. She should have the visa in hand. Thanks all my VJ friends and the lord above for all the help and prayers.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-26 08:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Visa Recieved - Finally - Thanks	Thanks every one for your support and guidance as we migrated through here.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-30 12:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Visa Recieved - Finally - Thanks	Visa was delivered yesterday around 2 PM. This was while 2GO could not tell us where it was and did not have a tracking number for us. No matter we have it now we will fly out of Iligan City on 8/3 to manila and attend CFO on Thursday 8/4, and fly to Dallas on 8/7. Thanks VJ family for all the help and support as the LDR and K1 visa has been a struggle the end is near. Then we will start the AOS process which I hope is simplier.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-29 06:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	how did you meet your loved one	I met my Rina in a bar in Okpo South Korea where we were both working. She was the bartender and if you have ever been in one of the bars full of of arm candy you will understand the rest. Anotgher lady approached and chatted a few and asked if I would buy her a drink and I shook my head no, pointed to Rina and said I won't buy you one but I would gladly buy her one. Rina refused saying any of the other ladies would be glad to sit and chat. I finished my beer alone and came back the next night. A different lady approaoched chatted and asked the same question and i di the same thing and agin Rina refused. The third night however she stated i will not give up and i said no I never give up. She sat we chatted and spent most of the next year chatting side by side every night I was in town. When she return to the Philippines and I to the US I knew I had to make the fisnish what I started and made 13 trips in the next two years to PI and now she has been here since August 2011 and we just started the AOS process. We still laugh about the opening line. No I will not buy you a drink but I would gladly buy her one. Could not be happier. Good luck one and all	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2012-02-21 06:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	Greetings All, We received an RFE as I posted on April 1, 2011 asking for more proof of the divorce from my X wife. I sent them another copy of the divorce decree and proof it was in the original packet. We sent the responding documents back and they were signed for on April 5th. We did not receive any news until yesterday which was that as of April 25th the responding documents had been received and were being reviewed. Then an hour ago we received a text that as of April 26th They have approved our application and have sent it to NVC. Thank you all for your help and support. Good luck one and all on yuor journey and I will see you aghain on a later topic	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-26 11:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	Cngradulations to those already in the Arms of the one they love. Congrats to those past the NOA2. We are waiting for acknowledge and review of RFE documents we returned. It was something they already had so we believe this was to buy them more time. Take Care one and all. Michael	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-25 04:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	Thanks for the vote of support and good luck on the rest of your journey.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-15 06:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	Greetings One and ALL, I have called at five months and requested service request only to receive an email stating it is in process. Stating I should hear a response in 60 days. I have called and requested expedite after we were 5 months + 30 days only to receive an email stating it is in process. Stating I should hear a response in 60 days. I have written the oimbudsmen only to receive the same as above. I have written my congressman and a week later I receive a notice that an RFE was issued on April 1, 2011 in regards to the divorce not listing my x by her maiden name as it appeared on the I-129. I mailed a letter explaining it all to them with yet another copy of the marriage license and divorce decree on April 5, 2011. I emailed the follow-up address with proof of delivery and as of yet they have not responded to any further emails. My senator wrote in this week and received a reply stating that the adjudicator does not have the returned evidence and that it may be in the mail room. Congrats to those that are past the NOA 2 and good luck to those of us still waiting. Edited by mjaye65, 15 April 2011 - 02:37 AM.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-15 02:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	From: mjaye65***@**** To: cisombudsman@dhs.gov; scopsscata@dhs.gov; vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov; casework@hutchison.senate.gov Subject: Service Request ID: T1B*******VSC - I have tried being patient my dear Sir Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:00:23 -0500 Greetings Sir / MAM, I am sorry you feel I am a pest or out of line. I am not intending to be either of these but at the same time I feel if I do not keep inquiring the story will never change. Each time I have talked or emailed I have gotten the same story. Eventually it has to progress. The immigration process, the immigration web site, even the USCIS Director’s numerous press releases I have read in the last few months’ state the process should take 5 months. That he is not aware of any back logs or reasons for delay. I have watched numerous applications that were filed after mine progress to visa already. I have been told my application is under review. To me this means that my application is on some one's desk already. This is to include the email below that is now asking me to wait another 60 days. I have paid my fee. I have waited my turn in line and watched others walk on by and every one every where just keeps telling me to be patient and wait it a response will come in 14 days, no wait I meant 30 days, now wait I meant 60 days. To me a response is not another extension on the original. I want to know how I can contact the Director of the USCIS I have spent hours searching the internet looking for his address. He is an appointed public office there has to be a point of contact some where. I want my fiancé and her kids with me in Dallas. I want to stop splitting my finances in two households. I want to start building my life with my new family. I want to get on with life. I do not like emailing you like I have been. I do not like emailing the Vermont Service Center like I have been. I would rather trust what I was told back in November, December, January, February that my application would be processed within the average five month window. I want to trust that if I made it past the six month window TOMORROW March 14, 2011 I can request that my case be expedited to a case agent for immediate processing. I want to trust that these applications are processed on a first come first serve bases, but I have seen proof that this is not the case. I understand that the CIS Ombudsman does not have any powers to process my application. I believe the function of this office is ensure the polices and processes are handled as required and to recommend policy and process changes if there is a need. I have seen some of the changes you recommended and that have taken place good job there. I read that if I feel my case is not being handled properly I should write to the follow up email address for my assigned service center which I have done this as well. I have read that if i feel that the follow up email address responses do not come i can write another address. well I have received a response but I feel the response is a form letter excuse and another delay so I have included this additional email on this email for all to see. I have discovered if I fill in a few slots in your inbox it tends to get your attention easier.(TO,CC,BCC) All I have continually asked for is fair treatment in the process now that I am being asked to wait another 60 days for a response or action I now KNOW I am not be treated fairly in this process and I want to know what I can do next. Whom may I speak to? When I called back in February I was told they are processing applications for August 21 and to call back in 30 days. I have done this as of Friday and they say they are still processing applications for August 21st. I am trying my best to stay professional and polite but honestly my patience is quite thin at this point. Please provide me with phone numbers and email addresses of others who may truly assist me in my process and provide with fair service and not excuses.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-14 10:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	From: VSC.Ncscfollowup@dhs.gov To: mjaye***@******* Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 11:37:15 -0500 Subject: RE: Now outside of the five month window of I-129F On March 2, 2011, Officer Teresa advised you with the following information. Processing times for specific applications and petitions at the Vermont Service Center (VSC) are provided on the www.uscis.gov website and are updated weekly. Based on fluctuations and variables that impact the processing times and for the purpose of interim or final adjudicative processing, the VSC allows 30 days beyond the posted date before the case is considered "Outside of Normal Processing Time" (ONPT). An additional 30 days must be allowed for adjudicative review and processing before we can request expeditious processing based on an ONPT request. If the application or petition is still pending after 30 days, and once we receive your formal request for expeditious processing, your case will be forwarded to the applicable adjudicative unit for expeditious handling. So in your case since the Vermont Service Center received your petition on September 13, 2010, five months would bring us to February 13, 2011, and 30 days beyond that is March 15, 2011. If at that time you have not received a notice of action, such as a Request for Evidence notice or approval/denial notice, please contact the National Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-375-5283 and request that your petition be expedited since it will be out of processing time. I hope this is helpful information for you. For future status inquiries of a petition or application filed at this Center you may want to utilize our National Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-375-5283. If you would like to obtain forms, filing instructions, case status or schedule an appointment with your local office, please visit our website at www.uscis.gov. For future status inquiries of a petition or application filed at this Center you may want to utilize our National Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-375-5283. If you would like to obtain forms, filing instructions, case status or schedule an appointment with your local office, please visit our website at www.uscis.gov. Officer Michele Vermont Service Center Customer Service Unit	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-14 06:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	I agree with you All, We used to say we would be done by December. Then we might be done by May, but now we just say we hope soon. Setting a date or a months eems to hurt the heart worse. Even the IRS is easier to deal with than these yahooossss.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-13 09:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	Morning All, I called again to the USCIS yesterday and once again was told they were still processing applications for August 21. I stated that I had a service request to look into and the agent said this was impossible as I still had 24 more days to wait before would could be issued. I quoted the agent name and agent number and she transferred me to the tier 2 immigration officer. Who stated the same thing as the first neither would take look into the service request and said call back after the 24 days. This is such a merry go round of bullshit and lies it is ridiculously frustrating.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-12 00:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	Well I received an email response from the Service Request I initiated on February 24th. It stated that my case was under review. I forwarded this letter to the oimbudsmen and asked if my case is under review would that not entail that the date on my file within the USCIS site changing to a recent date and not the October 3, 2010 that it has had since October 3, 2010. He replied back and said yes this would be the case they are looking to the condition of my application and will respond in a few days. Good Luck to those Sept filers still waiting in line.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-10 02:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	Well march 12, 2011 will be our 6 month mark. I guess we will see something after that. I have not seen many NOA2, but I guess they are on staffing reductions to go along with the budget reductions. Good Luck one and all.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-06 00:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	Well Guys and Gals, Today I started emailing the VSC coipies of the same email I sent to them earlier and numbered the copies until I receievd a reply. I utilized the BCC block so that each send took two slots in the inbox. It worked on number 6 I received the following reply. ========================== Good Morning, Processing times for specific applications and petitions at the Vermont Service Center (VSC) are provided on the www.uscis.gov website and are updated weekly. Based on fluctuations and variables that impact the processing times and for the purpose of interim or final adjudicative processing, the VSC allows 30 days beyond the posted date before the case is considered "Outside of Normal Processing Time" (ONPT). An additional 30 days must be allowed for adjudicative review and processing before we can request expeditious processing based on an ONPT request. If the application or petition is still pending after 30 days, and once we receive your formal request for expeditious processing, your case will be forwarded to the applicable adjudicative unit for expeditious handling. So in your case since the Vermont Service Center received your petition on September 13, 2010, five months would bring us to February 13, 2011, and 30 days beyond that is March 15, 2011. If at that time you have not received a notice of action, such as a Request for Evidence notice or approval/denial notice, please contact the National Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-375-5283 and request that your petition be expedited since it will be out of processing time. I hope this is helpful information for you. For future status inquiries of a petition or application filed at this Center you may want to utilize our National Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-375-5283. If you would like to obtain forms, filing instructions, case status or schedule an appointment with your local office, please visit our website at www.uscis.gov. ================================== Here is the reply that I sent after receiving this email >>>>>> Good Morning Teresa I appreciate the reply and I have read and understood the statements made. The main cause for concern and worry on my part is that by all documentation I have read I can see the process of my application and if it is in process by the update listed within my account portfolio of the USCIS site. To be considered under final adjudicative processing my file would have to be opened at least once. It was updated on October 3, 2010. When I contacted the customer service number back in October and November I was told I had to wait until February 14th before I can process a request to find out why. That was at this time it would be outside the five month window. That there may not be any updates on my case until this time or when ever it is finally processed. I have read all over the immigration pages that the applications are processed on a first come first serve bases. If this is to be believed why would I see numerous applications processed not only past me my current stage but to completion and in their own words they did not request fast processing, they did not file a service request, they are not a member of the military, and they are thankful for the speedy process but amazed by it at the same time. I do not mind military having priority as I was an eight year veteran through Desert Storm 1. They deserve all we can give them any time they ask. According to your own director the agency does not have a backlog of cases. If this is the case five months should be achievable. California is presently 25 days ahead of you in processing averages from what I can research and find. ----- Excerpt from a press conference from your director Mayorkas Is there a -- could we turn to the room? Suzanne? MS. GAMBOA: Where do things stand in terms of backlogs? Do you have any anymore? Are there any -- what's your turn-around time now? DIRECTOR MAYORKAS: I believe we have eliminated our backlogs. Whether there is a -- one backlog out there or not, but by and large we've eliminated them. Whether there is one area of processing where we continue to see some delays, I don't know, Suzanne. ------- Teresa, I do not mind waiting my turn in line. I do not mind playing by the rules. I do expect a level game board and even treatment through out. As I am only sampling a small group of a few thousand applications that I have found and I can only assume that based on my research the things that I see in the groups are present across the board. I have no doubt that you are busy day in and day out. If the process needs to be altered to ensure applications can not be accessed at random to ensure those that come in first process first I have no control you do. My concern is of course my application and as such I feel I need to keep asking and inquiring to make sure it is not October 2011 when I can finally have my family in one household. If I felt I could have trust the CSC persons words when I call the customer support center I would have never written the first email to the different agencies and supervisors above you. I was told to wait the five months and I have done so. Now that the five months has expired I am given additional reasons to wait. Is this because it is factual and policy based or is it because the original reason is invalid now. I have provided you all the data you need in my application. I have proof of eight trips. Your average ratio seen is 2-4. I have over a thousand pictures. I have proof of financial support adding up to $52,000 sent to pay rent food and household needs. I have paid medical expenses, annulment, and other things for her and the children. Administrative review, interim or final adjudicative processing should not be required, 30 minutes of one person’s time and I am off to the next step and my focus changes to that one and off of this one. I appreciate the reply and I wish someone there would go look around at the following web site of users and their compliments which are numerous and the complaints of dissatisfaction which are also numerous. http://www.visajourney.com/ Sincerely, XXXX I hope I did not offend anyone in here. Thanks Edited by mjaye65, 02 March 2011 - 12:52 PM.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-02 12:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	I sent this letter with minor changes depending on the receipent. I sent it to the Vermont Service Center - vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov (note I have NEVER received a reply from this address) I sent it to the USCIS Headquarters - SCOPSSCATA@dhs.gov I sent it to the office of CIS Ombudsman - Cisombudsman@dhs.gov I have also sent this to my congressmen, but this has yielded nothing in replies. Hope it helps	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-01 00:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	September 2010 K1 Filers	I think I touched a nerve or two. I copied and edited the letter I found in this thread about the process and the delays. I will include the reply at the bottom of this post. Quote Dear Sir / Madam: On XXXXX XX, XXXX, I received notification that my I-129F K-1 Visa Petition for Alien Fiancé (e) had been received in the Vermont Service Center of the USCIS, receipt number EAC XXXXXXX. On October 3, 2010, my status was updated on the USCIS case status page but was still listed as being in initial review. My case status has not been updated since that date. I believe this to be the date it was received at the Vermont Service Center. I am aware that many other I-129F petitions which were filed on or near the same date as mine were also updated on October 3, 2010, and that many of those, like mine, have exceeded the 5 month processing time frame posted on the USCIS processing time information page. It appears that the update on October 3, 2010 was indicative that the majority of I-129F petitions filed by American citizens were put aside at that time to give priority processing to other petition types. I called the USCIS national customer service number at 800-375-5283 on February, 21, 2011 and spoke with XXX, ID# XXXXXX. She agreed with me that I was outside the five month processing time, but she stated even though five months is what is stated on the web site this was only an average and therefore she could not open a service request for me until an additional twenty-four days have passed. She stated they were still working on applications dated August 21st. I did some more research and I was unable to find any where on the web site where it stated this to be an average. I called again February 24th and spoke with XXXXXXX, agent ID # XXXXXX, I explained to this agent the same as I had to Jen and this time Tiffany agreed a service request was in deed warranted. She issued me a service Request with the tracking ID of TXXXXXXXXVSC. I have also written to the Vermont Service center contact email address on more than two occasions. The email address I used was as listed on the site vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov. I wrote to them the first time more than two weeks ago, once last week, and again after receiving the service request ID to notify them that a request had been issued. As of today February 28th I have not received any correspondence from them as a reply to my inquiries. I also contacted Senator XXXXXXXX office by way her caseworker email address XXXXXXXXX for the first time on December 26t, 2010 to ask her to look into my case as I had not seen any change since October 3, 2010. I received a brief email reply stating that I was within the five month processing window and until I am outside this window there was no additional information attainable at this time. I wrote another email to this address on February 22, 2011. As of today February 28th I have not received any correspondence from her office in any form. I contacted the ombudsman office on February 22, 2011 and received a same day reply asking that I fill out and return to you authorization to look into my case. I was excited to receive the same day reply and I therefore stopped what I was doing and completed the forms I received and returned them right away as instructed. On February 23rd I forwarded the office ombudsman the correspondence I had written to Senator XXXXXXX so that they would have the complete document. I contacted ombudsman office again via email on February 25th to let them know I now had a Service Request pending and wanted to provide the office the latest information I had obtained. As of today February 28th, I have not received any correspondence from the office of ombudsman in any form since receiving the documents you needed filled out and returned to you. I am well aware that some petitions and applications are granted higher priority based on individual circumstance. I understand that other than these special cases and those involving the members of our Armed Forces all other applications and petitions are suppose to be handled on a first come first serve bases. I have no problem with waiting my turn in line. I do have issue with seeing those who have filed past my date and out as far as January being processed past the point others with similar filing dates as mine are currently posted as being. If these persons who have passed us were just a few I would take them as an exception and say they fell within the express processing guidelines, but the numbers are more than a few. If you would like you can see the source of my findings by visiting two web sites; the AILA.org website, or the visajourney.com web site and review its members time lines and the charts they represent you will see what I have seen and what I have been tracking since I started this journey. Therefore I feel first come first served is not the case in applications pending by the Vermont Service Center. The information I have available to me is limited in comparison to the data you have available to you so mine is merely a sample of a small group. If I can see this occurring in a small group I can only confer that the same is occurring across a larger percentage. I am awaiting a response from the Vermont Service Center, Senator XXXXXX.However, I feel it imperative to also notify USCIS headquarters that my I-129F petition, and many others filed around the same time, have not yet been adjudicated and are beyond the 5 month time frame given on the USCIS web site. In addition, I feel that it is important that you know that some petitions, without expedite and without explanation, have been processed ahead of those filed around the same time as my petition, both at the Vermont Center and the California Service Center(http://www.visajourn...tion=1&sortby=2 , http://www.visajourn...tion=1&sortby=2 ). These discrepancies in conjunction with data from the USCIS web site (http://dashboard.usc...e=6&charttype=1 , http://dashboard.usc...e=6&charttype=1) give the appearance that many I-129F petitions have not only been set aside to put priority processing on other petition types but also are being adjudicated unequally, inappropriately, and possibly in a discriminatory manner rather than "in the order they are received." I am requesting at this time that you address and correct these issues, and that you direct the Vermont Service Center to adjudicate my petition and others, like mine, which are currently beyond the 5 month time frame for processing. I appreciate and look forward to your response. Respectfully, XXXXXXXXX ======================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:30:10 -0500 From: SCOPSSCATA@dhs.gov To: me The processing center has 15 days to respond to the Service Request. It doesn’t help to make multiple inquiries – it just confuses matters. Many different people looking for the file. If you don’t get a response by March 16 please email me again. least he or she could have signed the reply so there would be a name as reference.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-02-28 23:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	We got a RFE (K1 November filler - Vermont)	:dance:Greetings All, We received an RFE as I posted on April 1, 2011 asking for more proof of the divorce from my X wife. I sent them a nother copy of the divorce decree and proof it was in the original packet. We sent the responding documents back and they were signed for on April 5th. We did not receive any news until yesterday which was that as of April 25th the responding documents had been received and were being reviewed. Then an hour ago we received a text that as of April 26th They have approved our application and have sent it to NVC. Yipeeeee Good luck one and all.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-26 11:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	We got a RFE (K1 November filler - Vermont)	no if you call they will tell you nothing except wait for the hard copy I tried that since my text message said an RFE was issued and this was on a Friday. I knew I would not see the RFE hard copy till the next week.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-19 14:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	CASE COMPLETE.....YAY!	Yes I too was told at USCIS they needed another copy of my divorce decree but this was at the end of the 6 month date. Make sure to review all your documents and the supporting documents. WE found out at the interview that the death certificate on her first husband was not good enough. The one we had come from the hospital and not the NSO. The hospital copy was good enough for USCIS, NVC, but not the Embassy Manila. She also needed an NBI clearance for the married name of this husband even though she never used it. This was our mistake but these two are no holding us up after the interview. The interview was nice and short. I sent her a week early and did the Medical and then 7 days later the interview. Good luck on your journey	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-25 07:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	What is next following NOA2 approval?	Congrats on finally getting the NOA2. We hope to see ours soon. I believe like is stated each consulate is different. I have put together a packet of all the boarding passes, chat logs, phone bill copies, postal charges, money transfers that I have made through Wells Fargo each month, a few pictures from each of my eight trips to I to spend time with her and the kids. I will have the 2010 taxes completed in March. she already has copies of the 2008,2009 taxes.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-02-20 00:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Follow up NOA2	I just talked to a tier on the other day after we passed our 5 month mark and she said that since they are still processing august filers I could not make a service request and to call back in 30 days. Once we get passed the NOA1 the rest is supposedly more predictable. Good luck to us all.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-02-20 02:24:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	family and k-1 visa	Greetings All, Rina and I are 6 years apart, and my x and I were 9 years apart. My family has always been open and accepting to my relationships. However it was Rina that really worried about being accepted by my family. Until that is one day when my mom was visiting and saw me talking to her on the phone and simply told me to give her the phone and they talked for about 5 minutes. A few months later when I was visiting my Dad he did the same thing so from that point forward she has been fine. She had already spoken with my sister who lives with me a lot and they get along fine. My parents simply wondered why I went that far to meet some one when they are plenty in Dallas. I told them I was working in Korea and I was not looking for love, but when it I found it I was not going to deny it felt right so I pursued the feeling. That I love the way she makes me feel, the way she treats me, the fact that there is not any drama in her daily life. We communicate well and she is more used to the man being away from home like I am for work. Each parent (they are divorced) has only asked once, after it was explained to them there were no more questions as to why. Just when we talk now they ask how is the visa going? When will she and the kids be with you? Hang in there it will be over soon. If they have advance notice they will be in Dallas when we land coming in from POE LAX. I have lived all over the world. My family knows and sees that I am different than any one else in the family and they simply trust and believe it is my life and I know what is best for it. I would wait till the visa is approved if you fear the Drama. If it is denied then the drama will increase as you explain that to them. But as stated it is your life not theirs. Good Luck,	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-03-04 00:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	OMG for 198 days we got RFE	JiaYou how did you see the USCIS RFE response Received. I sent mine back on the 4th received on the 5th and my status still shows rfe issued on 04/01/2011 02-03-11 | RFE hardcopy received (AWESOME!!) 03-06-11 | RFE response sent overnight 03-14-11 | USCIS received RFE response	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-18 12:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Service Center Tier 1 uses Scripted Responses	To read the source - http://www.uscis.gov...rt-response.pdf Call Center Scripts – Recommendation 7 The Ombudsman recommends that, second, USCIS eliminate the scripted information over a targeted period of time to enable the Agency to train staff to answer basic immigration inquires. USCIS Response: Scripted information is used only by Tier 1 contract staff. Tier 2 operations, which are staffed by USCIS Academy-trained ISOs, do not employ scripted information when responding to customer inquiries. Tier 1 contract staff spends approximately 4 weeks in initial training to understand USCIS processes and procedures. In addition, Tier 1 contract staff receives training on customer service skills and navigation of the scripts based on the customer inquiry. Tier 1 contract staff also receive approximately 2 weeks of refresher training each year on USCIS polices, procedures, and updates to scripted information. The use of scripted information for first tier and contract staff at a call center is a common practice within the call center industry and is necessary for quality assurance purposes. The contract for the Tier 1 Call Centers provides for incentives and penalties based on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided by the staff. Removing scripted information could lead to erroneous interpretations of USCIS policies and procedures by the more than 500 contract staff. The use of scripted information, however, should in no way impede the customer from receiving an answer from USCIS since inquiries that cannot be answered by a Tier 1 CSR with the scripted information are transferred to a Tier 2 ISO who will be able to more fully respond. USCIS has created a task force to review and revise the scripted information currently used by Tier 1 contract staff to delete unnecessary verbiage and ensure the information is thorough and accurate. This initiative is scheduled for completion by the end of the second quarter of FY 2011.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-04-20 07:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 - Manila Kids interview with Fiance	Thanks for the information	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-05-03 13:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	K1 - Manila Kids interview with Fiance	Greetings All, I just discovered that her children, 19,17,9 will be interviewed along with her when we schedule the interview soon. We have been going over possible interview questions for her but I have no idea what a child is suppose to remember. They know where I live. They know what I do for a living and what their new room looks like. They have not had any interaction with my family so I am sure they do not have all their names in grained yet. any ideas ior tips would be appreciated here.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-05-03 08:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Wish me luck!	Good Luck ours was june 15th she was there at 630 and was out by noon. but she had a previous marriage and did not have the NBI with that name.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-18 08:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Relationship photos?	It also helps if the date is on the picture itself. We swapped cameras just to have the date and time embedded in the picture. We have over 1000 but only took 5 from each of my 8 trips to PI and our 6 months in Korea together. Good Luck	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-25 17:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Let me get this straight	If she has previous marriages please ensure you have NBI clearances under that name as well. This is why we are in review after the interview. - The other posters are correct you should have a copy of everything you send including the delivery and shipping documents of the packet, and fee check. I sent her one, I had 2 and the USCIS gets one of course. - We kept the Skype logs, yahoo chat logs, Wells Fargo transfer sheets, boarding passing and itineraries, phone bills, and any thing else we did even the care packages I shipped over we had the shipping receipts on those. - Your packet may set at USCIS for the 5-6 months without a lot of attention. This is normal but you can track it online once you have the receipt notice from the submittal. Good luck, Talk often, write even more, and stay strong it can be a trying journey.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-25 17:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Big Risk - Please help - 2GO manila	Greetings Everyone, We were finally approved on July 26th. We had to submit more documents after the interview so we do not have a tracking number. We have been told by the Visa department that further communications should be with the Manila 2GO customer service +63-2528-7136. We have called on Wednesday this week and yesterday and they say they still do not have the visa. I have tickets to fly her and the three kids out of manila on August 7th. They will be flying to Manila to hopefully pick up the Visa and attend CFO then Fly out to Dallas, TX on Sunday august 7. Does anyone have other numbers or email addresses or ideas how we can find the visa and get them to hold it in manila? Can we trust what we are told? can they make a note and hold the visa? What is the chances it will slip through and go on to CDO? Man, that would be rough. Please reply with your thoughts and ideas. Thanks and good luck everyone. Edited by mjaye65, 28 July 2011 - 04:50 PM.	mjaye65	Male	Philippines	2011-07-28 16:50:00