ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionMy N-400 Timeline (2011)
Hello my VJ friends. Just though I would post my timeline of the Naturalization process. This may give an idea to someone out there on what to expect with the Dallas Lockbox Facility. Remember though, each case is unique.

If you're currently going through this process, I wish you the best of luck. Hang in there and don't go crazy if your case status does not update, it will, trust me I used to check up to 20-30 times - daily. But hey, here I am, posting my timeline. Good luck guys. :)

Sent N-400 via USPS to Lewisville, TX (Express mail): 06/10/2011
USCIS Received N-400: 06/14/2011
Acceptance SMS/Text: 06/15/2011
Acceptance by snail Mail (NOA): 06/17/2011
FP appointment mailed: 06/23/2011
FP appointment arrived: 06/29/2011
FP Taken: 07/07/2011
In line for Interview Scheduling: 07/11/2011
Scheduled for Interview: 08/02/2011
Interview Letter in Mail: 08/04/2011
Interview Date: 09/8/2011
Scheduled for Oath: 09/12/2011
Oath Ceremony: 09/28/2011 (US Citizen)

110 days from N-400 mailing.
I applied for the US Passport using the expedited service (NOT 24 hour passport), payed $267 and got it in like 10 days.

Edited by Yau & Yadi, 12 February 2012 - 09:11 PM.

Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-02-12 21:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsInappropriate Interview
It all depends to what extend are you willing to have an intimate relationship with your government (U.S). It has been documented that the CIA have asked these types of questions to new applicants, and even current employees (every 3 year or so). Except these are on the polygraph. They are called "life-style" screening test questions.


If you're applying for certain immigration benefits, I personally believe they should have the right to ask you any type of question - be it personal or not. After all, it is up to them to decide if you qualify for the applied benefit according to the type of answers and evidence you have provided them with.

It's all about that bona fide relationship, and an authentic and honest future marriage.

If you're not willing to answer any questions Immigration Officials ask of you because you think they are invading your privacy, don't expose yourself and save the paperwork. Same as in the airport, don't want to risk getting frisked by CBP out of your concern for your privacy? Don't travel.

And btw, is not like those officials at the embassy are going to care in the long run about your sexual behaviour. I am pretty sure you won't be the only person that has been asked these controversial questions, nor the last.

Edited by Yau & Yadi, 26 February 2012 - 04:34 AM.

Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-02-26 04:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 in 3 weeks (21 days)

Great advice !!!
Do you mean that your NOA2 was approved within 3 weeks from filing the petition? If that's the case - then WOW !!! :thumbs:



No, that would be 29 days from the day I sent it. 21 days from NOA1.

Good luck.
Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-02-24 05:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNOA2 in 3 weeks (21 days)
Obviously not the fastest. Not claiming anything. Just personal experience, that's all. Nothing special.

What I do recommend is to have a Facebook profile, make it searchable, this is easily done just by having a not-a-common name. We all know USCIS Officers do searches online to try and find more info on you to ultimately establish a bona fide relationship is indeed going on.


Taken into account that every case is different, and unique, I would like to point out the following things I did, apart from following the normal instructions here on VJ.

? I did a timeline of the exact dates I went to see Fiancee (Q18 Supplemental), and explaining my trips in details (for each trip).

Example:

"08/24/2011 - 09/22/2011 (29 days): This time we didn't traveled much around the country and we were more focused on family time, her mom got sick and we spent 11 days at the hospital, etc etc, kept explaining other things, etc etc."

? I did 2 full pages, detailing the first time we met, how we met, when we met, and how our families reacted when we got engaged, etc etc.

? Provided pictures not only of us two, but with our families together. Also provided pictures in different locations, different time (2008, 2009, 2011, to reflect certain obvious changes) Typing lighly on back of photos (ex: Christmast night, whole family together, we had a big dinner party)

? Our place of birth is in the same small town, not sure if this affected anything.

? I made sure my Facebook profile was well indexed by Google, so searching my name would be an ease to find me (usually on top), and of course,pictures of my fiancee and me, my friends, my family, her family (if possible), etc, all set to PUBLIC, so they could see it is indeed a bona fide relationship.

? I said I loved USCIS, and the embassy of my country, LOL? Maybe they took it personal? Who knows.


That's all. Nothing great nor special, just a couple things I did. Not saying it will help you at all. Your best bet is to follow the VJ instructions thoroughly and most importantly, tell the truth - always. Also remember that each case is different.

Sometimes one petitioner is waiting 7 months for an answer/decision, while at the same time one that just applied get's approved within weeks, like me. God knows what those fellows are doing (and thinking) apart from having their daily morning caffeine intake.

I wish everyone a fast journey through these agonizing processes, that unfortunately, do to love knocking our doors, one have to take this ride. This includes USCIS random decisions, and pretty much straight up unfairness in some particular cases.

Good luck.

Edited by Yau & Yadi, 24 February 2012 - 04:04 AM.

Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-02-24 04:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAlmost 7 months and still no NOA2
I filed for Cuba on VSC not so long ago. Got NOA1 02/02/2012, then got NOA2 02/23/2012 (21 days), so as you can see, I am very surprised you've had to wait 7 months.

Cuba has somewhat of a reputation around here for being very quick, except the interview part. That must seriously be upsetting - having to wait 7 months. Wouldn't be that bad, but no one understands that we Cubans have to wait another 5-6 months at the USINT (our "embassy") for the interview, I don't know what USCIS is doing with you guys.

I just want to wish you good luck and hope you get your NOA2 very soon. Like mentioned above, hang it there. :I
Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-02-29 04:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X

- So many students like you petition for their spouses/fiance(e)s every year - you are not alone.
- Approval of the initial petition will be based on whether you have a genuine relationship or not and whether you eligibale for that immigration benefit. It does not matter whether you can support the beneficiary or not or whether you have worked or not. That is an NVC/consulate territory and will be considered at the time of interview.
- You can still sign the affidavit of support even if you have never worked before (and even will never work later) as long as you have an eligible co/joint -sponsor that signs the financial support on behalf of the beneficiary.
- Like others suggested, put student or unemployed and the time line.

Don't worry, your situation is normal and embassies deal with it on a regular basis.



Well thank you for making me feel not-completely-isolated, or a rare case. I would imagine lots of students do file for the K-1 and similar visas, since most the time people fall in love in their 20s or so.


Thanks for the extra advices and opinions :)
Yau & YadiMaleCuba2011-08-08 01:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X

yadi I'm unemployed, graduated in December and have been back and forth the last 7 months to serbian and back to be with my husband. I had my father co-sponsor and we are scheduled for an Interview on Sept. 27th. I am guessing you will be fine



Oh hey thank you Dana & Mica ;) Nice to know I'm not the only one who's unemployed atm and filing/filed the K-1, or IR-1/CR-1 visas. I wish you the best on the interview date:) hope it all goes well for you guys.


Edit: Thanks Rich&Vero for clarifying the above statement :star:

Edited by Yadi+Yau, 07 August 2011 - 06:12 AM.

Yau & YadiMaleCuba2011-08-07 06:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X

Of course you can follow (stalk) me. lol The length of time this process (Cuba specifically) takes has changed throughout the years. I had a friend who brought his fiance from Cuba in 5 months back in 2005. That is not the case at this time. My I-129 has currently been pending since April 4th. I am hopeful that an approval of my petition will come any day now. But, even after an approval is adjudicated, and it goes through the NVC (National Visa Center), which I have seen it take anywhere from one week to just over a month, you will have to contact the US Interest Section and make an appointment for an interview. I have a friend, who is also a VJ member, who got approved in February, 2011, and her initial appointment was December, 2011. However, she was able to advance the interview to September, 2011. That is still 7 months after approval. So if the PETITION approval takes 5 months, which is what USCIS is saying it could take to adjudicate a petition, and then it takes about one month at NVC, and then another 7 months for an interview, that is about 13 months. Then after the visa is issued in Havana, which I know of someone that took a little over a month to get the visa after they were approved at the interview, you will then have to jump through the Cuban hoops in order to get the exit permit (Carta Blanca). So we need to strap ourselves in because this is a bumpy ride falling in love with a Cuban National. It is trying on your patience and your emotions. You see other countries make their interview appointments in less time and we have to wait that long, but there is nothing we can do about it.

Oh, and the love of my life, Amel, is from Sagua La Grande, which is in the Villa Clara province and I was born in New York, and as every Cuban American with Cuban parents, we eventually headed south to South Florida. lol


:ot: :ot: :ot:
I was talking to someone, not so long ago either, like 2 months ago maybe? He said he had his friend, applied for the K-1 to bring his sister over here, and so we kept talking and I asked him how long that took. He told me it had taken him like 6 months, so I'm like really confused and that's why I though it wouldn't take that long, lol.

Me and fiance met when we were childrens, our mothers grew up together, I left, went back when I was 16, and it's been 4 years or so we've been together and I've traveled to Cuba lots of time. I guess I didn't just fall in love with a national of another country or had much choice, for me is just a......reunion, lol.

And gosh since it takes so long I'll have to travel there at least twice :c

:ot2:
Thank you for all the answers you guys, I'm a bit more informed now ;) And thank you Wanda:) Like I said, I will check on your status from time to time :) so I could have an idea. I wish you the best of luck....just know that you're not alone in this "wait", I get depress all the time, even cry and lose hope......it's difficult sometimes not being with the person you love, I sometimes think life is unfair, if two human beings love eath other so much they shouldn't be separated by the distance....harsh world.
Yau & YadiMaleCuba2011-08-06 20:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X

Yadi & Yau, Cuba does accept co-sponsors and does not limit them to family members. The I-134, Affidavit of Support will not be needed until it is time for the interview in Havana. The I-129 petition is taking anywhere between 4,5,6 months currently; interviews at the United States Interest Section in Havana are taking upwards of 6, 7, 8, even 9 months. So you see, you have ample time to seek and secure employment by the time you will need to fill out the I-134. Absent your ability to secure employment, a co-sponsor will be accepted in Havana. Good luck! BTW, what part of Cuba is your fiance from?


So nice to see someone else that their K1 is currently pending in Cuba. I will definitely follow your status updates. :) If you don't mind someone stalking your status of course, lol:)

And thank you for the answer, I see that I will have plenty of time to keep looking for a job. And regarding that, do you mean the whole process combined takes anywhere from 6 months, plus 7+ more months for the interview? That's more than a year, it really takes that long? I though it would take roughly 6-7 months from time of filing to the arrival in the U.S. Is this correct, the dates you suggested. I see that you have been 4 months into it since NOA1.

P.S I'm from Sancti-Spiritus, and so is my fiance. Most people I meet are from obviously, Havana ;)

P.S.S Thank you for the other replies, it helped me. Much appreciated ^^
Yau & YadiMaleCuba2011-08-06 19:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X
Okay, thank you guys for your answers and advices :) It helps.

Edit: What I really wanted to know was if they accepted applications of unemployed people (yet, at the same time looking for a job), but with a co-sponsor with high enough earnings.

Edited by Yadi+Yau, 06 August 2011 - 07:08 PM.

Yau & YadiMaleCuba2011-08-06 19:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresA question, I need help please....someone :X
Hi guys, I wanted to ask a question that I just can't find the answer to through google, idk maybe I'm just bad at looking or haven't looked thoroughly. And yes, this is my first post, but I've long been a "stalker" on the forums.


Question:

I plan to file for the K1, to bring my fiance. But I'm currently unemployed, I have no resume of past work, because until now I've been a student. I cannot find an hourly job, I've applied everywhere. I'm worried about putting 'None' on the G-325A "Applicant's employment last five years", and not providing MY (the main) affidavit of support on the I-134.


I could put my close friend as a co-sponsor, she earns around $180,000 a year, which is way more than the federal poverty line of $15k or so. I DO intend to work, and I AM actively seeking a job, I'm not disabled, but worried if I don't provide the main I-134 they will deny the case at the consulate on the interview date, specially when they see no work history (I was a student).

Please, I beg, if someone could help me, or someone that has gone through similar events of unemployment, but provided a co-sponsor. I can provide 2 con-sponsors, each earning more than $150k+ a year, but I don't know if that will do if I don't provide the main one, which is my earnings. I'm not disabled, I'm young, and plan to work, I just can't find a job and I don't know how long this will last.

Thank you all, if you take the time to read this and respond. Sometimes I get depress and lose all hope and even start crying when I start worrying about this.... :(
Yau & YadiMaleCuba2011-08-06 17:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUnexpected NOA2 and flight ticket on hand
Thank you moomin. I will definitely go and celebrate, not only her birthday, but also the NOA2.


And thank you Leatherneck, I am planning to take the necessary documents. Like a copy of the NOA2, etc etc.


You know, I got approved really fast. And I don't know why. I am obviously extremely happy, but somehow I feel something inside, seeing all the K1 cases going on, and how people wait so long for the NOA2, I see it as unfair and unjust for people like me to get approved almost instantly while others wait for ages.


No one will ever know how USCIS do actually handle their cases. Because mine was just another one on the pile, and somehow got picked up, even before September/October filers and got accepted/decision was made.


Who knows - I am not going to break my head over this. I just wish you all good luck and happy journey.
Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-02-24 04:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUnexpected NOA2 and flight ticket on hand

That is pretty darn fast, 21 days to NOA2.

Congratulations!



Yes, it is. It was un-imaginable for sure - which was what got me so surprised, and excited of course. And thanks ^^


But I am worry now of my trip and leaving for a month without first scheduling an interview at NVC. Not sure if this is the right thing to do. Hence the purpose of this thread.

Any comment would be appreciated on this issue. Thank you

Edited by Yau & Yadi, 24 February 2012 - 02:18 AM.

Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-02-24 02:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUnexpected NOA2 and flight ticket on hand
Hi guys,

So I sent in my I-129F 01/25/2012, got NOA1 on 02/02/2012, fair enough I'd say. As I was getting ready to wait at least 4-5 months, I went in and got me a flight ticket and though I would spent 1 month with Fiancee so time (and the wait) would pass more quickly for at least a month.

BUT....out of the unexpected, I checked my email today (JAN 23) and boom: NOA2 Text/Email. I didn't know what to think tbh, to be happy or to be sad.


Now don't think I am being ungrateful here, but I was NOT expecting this so quickly and got me completely by surprise.


Situation: Fiancee's birthday is March 4th, and I really really want to be with her on that special day. It's something personal, you know....

Thing is, my flight ticket is from March 2, to March 30 (29 days). I received NOA2 Text/Email on Feb 23, exactly 1 week from my departure.

Now I don't know what to do here. If NVC # would be assigned before, or on March 2 I would be fine since I can call and schedule the interview, then leave. But if it doesn't gets assigned I will have to leave for 29 days WITHOUT scheduling the initial interview.

My question: Will this affect the K1 process? When I come back March 30, my case would of gotten the # assigned and everything I suppose, I would just need to schedule the interview. Is there a problem NOT scheduling the interview right after you get the case #? Can you wait, like 4 weeks before actually scheduling the interview, or does it have to be right away?



Have any of you been to a similar experience? I can wait to schedule the interview, not in a hurry, the thing is, will NVC wait, and will it affect me later on?

What I am thinking is that it will probably take them 2 weeks to assign the actual case #, so in reality, my case would just be with them for 2-3 weeks untouched (from me), # assigned and everything, waiting for me, the petitioner, just to schedule the interview.

Is this normal? Can NVC hold my case until I come back March 30 and schedule the interview for her?


I'd appreciate any comment/similar experience!

Edited by Yau & Yadi, 24 February 2012 - 01:50 AM.

Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-02-24 01:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresLetter from IRS?
Hi guys,


How do I get a letter from the IRS stating that I wasn't required to file income taxes because I didn't worked before (student)? I am going through the K-1 Visa process and I need a letter from the IRS to explain to the consulate why I wasn't legally required to file income taxes because I've never worked.

I AM currently working, but I only started like 3 months ago. In the past my mom has always put me in her income tax as a dependent.

My fiancee's interview is coming soon, would I be able to get the letter within 25 days from today? I really need it before June 22.


The letter is part of the affidavit. Since they require a copy of previous income taxes. I haven't filed any income taxes because I've never worked (I was a student). I will provide my current employer letter on how much I earn, my position, when I started, etc. Plus copy of bank statements, recent pay stubs, etc etc. But I need that letter, to show the consulate I didn't had to filed income taxs because I didn't had a source of income (never worked before).

Any help? Do I just contact the IRS? What do I tell them, like what do I ask for? Sure, a letter describing the following, but how exactly?


Thanks. I hope somebody with experience could answer my question.
Yau & YadiMaleCuba2012-05-28 17:24:00