ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2009 K-1 Visa Filers
QUOTE (Luis&Alice @ Nov 4 2009, 03:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is anyone here planning to go to the interview with your fiancee?


I'm debating. I'm leaning towards not, since it is such a huge, potentially unnecessary expense. We don't have a unique case or anything, so there should be no reason for it not to be approved.

If finances are looking good, though, I may go. I have not officially proposed yet (due to distance), but it is our intention to get married. I plan on proposing with a ring and everything next time I see her. I'm wondering if it is bad if she doesn't have a ring when she goes to the embassy. In reviewing embassy reviews I haven't read anything about people being asked 'how he proposed'.

Has everyone here already 'officially' proposed? Has anyone not? I just refuse to propose over skype.
Joe+AndreaMaleColombia2009-11-04 18:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2009 K-1 Visa Filers
QUOTE (Gaynto @ Nov 4 2009, 08:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kayla*Mathew @ Nov 4 2009, 09:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Morning everybody!!!!

Hoping for some good news!


Good morning!
Me too! Another one on my watch list went to RFE.. are they working on everyone's with the same NOA1 date but mine?



I'm still waiting for NOA2. California processing.
Joe+AndreaMaleColombia2009-11-04 15:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2009 K-1 Visa Filers
QUOTE (Jenn and Fuat @ Nov 3 2009, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Joe+Andrea @ Nov 3 2009, 01:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I haven't been very active in this, and I think that's helped me stay patient. Now I see that many people are getting NOA 2, so I'm getting pretty excited that something is going to happen soon.

Did any other petitioners get letters from their senators or congress person? I got one of each. I don't know if it helps much, but it can't hurt. Basically the politician will send a letter to the processing center (or probably to the foreign country if it's already there) saying they're concerned and they want to know what happens. The Embassy's are REQUIRED to respond, i.e. contact the politician when a decision is made. It's good because as I understand it there is an appeal process for the Fiance visa, so if it came to that, it's good to have your representative involved early.


We actually had a letter of invitation, from a State Senator, the second time we applied for the visitor visa. Didn't help.. still denied. Didn't get a letter this time, but haven't needed it so far. If we get denied at the interview, we will appeal and I will definately get some involvement at that time!



Just like you we got a senator's letter for the second visitors visa and it didn't help. But since we did that then, all it took was a 1 min phone call to get one with the fiance visa. can't hurt.

Joe+AndreaMaleColombia2009-11-04 15:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2009 K-1 Visa Filers
I haven't been very active in this, and I think that's helped me stay patient. Now I see that many people are getting NOA 2, so I'm getting pretty excited that something is going to happen soon.

Did any other petitioners get letters from their senators or congress person? I got one of each. I don't know if it helps much, but it can't hurt. Basically the politician will send a letter to the processing center (or probably to the foreign country if it's already there) saying they're concerned and they want to know what happens. The Embassy's are REQUIRED to respond, i.e. contact the politician when a decision is made. It's good because as I understand it there is an appeal process for the Fiance visa, so if it came to that, it's good to have your representative involved early.
Joe+AndreaMaleColombia2009-11-03 13:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2009 K-1 Visa Filers
Hey Sept filers! I was on the site a lot when prepping, but this is my first post. Maybe that's for the best, as I see people are going a bit crazy waiting. wacko.gif Here's are a couple little concerns; I have generally researched them, but I'll put them out there in case anyone in the group can relate.

- Denied 2x for tourist visa. crying.gif
- I'm not sure about what I gave them as Andrea's address; it wasn't as detailed as it could've been. But her correspondance will be with couriers, not the postal service, so I think it will be handled well and they will call her if they need more info.
- Still contemplating whether I will accompany her to her visa interview. That's a very big extra expense and is not required, but I've heard it helps. What are others thinking who have an expensive flight?
- What is this "touch" business all about? Someone fill me in.

Other than that, I followed VJ guidelines very closely and my application was about 45 pages with all the proofs. I tried to be as thorough as possible so I don't get an RFE.

Anyone applying in Colombia? "friend" me.


Joe+AndreaMaleColombia2009-10-07 16:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPreparing to file Writ of Mandamus
I spoke with my friend earlier today, he informed me that he is going to meet with the lawyer and preparing to file a writ of madamus in the federal court. His case cr1 only has been in AP since January 2012, in Ho Chi Minh City. The lawyer fee will be $4000. It is a lot of money and besides his case in AP not that long. I told him that to be patient, soon or later your case will be completed. I also told him that the lawyer just wanted his money, does not matter with the outcome. I just hope that the case will be sucessfull. That is my opinion. What everyone think on this topic?
robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-05-23 17:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMandamus

If your phone rings at 11 PM or so and you see a 202 # you will know who it is before you answer..:whistle: be ready to answer questions that MUST match her responses,,,


You stated that they will call me around 11 PM or so. What kind of questions do they ask? my guess is that the questions have to be related my our wedding date, city, anything that relates to my wife. If you have experiences with these questions, please give me some sample questions. One more thing, I am working on 3rd shift, from 7 PM to 7 AM. Is is a problem if they can not get a hold of me? Thanks
robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-06-10 22:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMandamus

Robert,

Any word yet? The tipping point is when you get a phone call in the middle of teh night asking you questions, or if someone shows up at her work or her home asking questions... From then its usually only a month or two later before they give in... You should be hearing something in the next few months.. I know it seems like forever, but its likely bringing you two closer together than ever...:thumbs:


At this point, My wife has not heard anything from consulate office or any one yet. My case has been in AP since January 18, 2012, it is very close to 6 months. I hope to hear something near future. We are pretty close, we talk every day. I will post if I receive news.
robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-06-10 00:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMandamus
while your case under AP, is is a good idea to submit more evidence? I think the reason most cases under AP, the consulate already had suspicious. It could deday or hurt the case. Hoping every one gives some thoughts. Thanks


robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-04-04 05:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMandamus
Hi everyone

As I stated that I was on K1 prior threat, but I informed by the lawyer, I am on CR1. Therefore the precedural was correct. Thank you for every advice.
robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-04-04 00:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMandamus

That is the problem then, you went for the wrong visa- K1 are fiance visas, you'd need to be unmarried to get one.



Yes, As ScottThuy stated it, My lawyer already filled out i130. Thanks
robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-03-28 23:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMandamus

They can delay the case for a year or more if the CO wants.. take a read through of the AP pinned topic in the VN regional.. a WoM cn take well over a year to get heard and rarely get any results... All the CO has to do is say that they are performing an investigaton... There is no time requirement... Nobody, and I mean by law, nobody, no senator, no lawyer etc. can make the CO issue the visa...




:blink: wife?



start filling out an I130....


ScottThuy, I think my lawyer already filled out i130, I have to recheck to make sure. Thanks
robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-03-28 23:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMandamus
She is my wife.
robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-03-28 05:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMandamus
Hi I am a new member, have read threats/topics, but there is little topic about a Mandamus. I am interesting to file mandamus.
Here short version of my story K1. My wife had interview on 12/15/2011, received blue slip. 1/18/2012 sumitted additional documents, then OC collected my wife and children passports and informed them that the visa will be sent out to you within 2 to 3 weeks. A week later 1/27/2012, OC called my wife home phone stated that they can not issue visa to you at this time, you want to pick up your passport in person or we will mail it to you. On 2/3/2012, my wife received an envelope, inside included passports and another blue slip, stated that your case required additional processing, you do not need to submit further documents. We will contact you when we have finished your case. On 2/14/2012, I had my lawyer and senator email inquiry to consulate office Ho Chi Minh City. A week later, Senator/Lawyer received an email stated that they can not operate out of sequent according to us law.
My questions: should I wait until 120 to 150 days before file a mandamus? I know all of us have been dealing with this process. Please your advises will be thankful.


robert&thuongMaleVietnam2012-03-28 00:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMarch 2010 - K1 CSC Filers

Congratulations! My husband is from Brasil,and we submitted our K1 paperwork last March 2009. We got married in December, and we were just approved for the green card last month. What part of Brasil is your fiance from?



How exciting! Congratulations to you too :) Tiago is from Paranaguá (it's about an hour from Curitiba). Where in Brasil is your husband from?
kelli316FemaleBrazil2010-04-20 20:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMarch 2010 - K1 CSC Filers
YAY! I just checked our case status on the USCIS website and I saw we had a touch... I clicked and saw that we have been approved!!! They must have changed our status today, but it said that we were approved on the 19th which was yesterday. We should be getting a hard copy of the NOA2 in the mail soon. I'm so relieved and overjoyed! Now the next phase begins...

Thanks for the continual support and good luck to everyone!

I don't know what I would do without this site and all the wonderful people!

THANK YOU! :)
kelli316FemaleBrazil2010-04-20 17:44:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMarch 2010 - K1 CSC Filers
I sent off our papers on March 2nd and our NOA1 date was March 5th. Still waiting on the NOA2. No touches on our case yet... I hate this waiting game!
kelli316FemaleBrazil2010-04-18 03:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsTHANK YOU!!!!!
Way to Go!!!!!! :)
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-06-22 10:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI'VE BEEN APPROVED!!!!!!!
Congratulations!!! Good Luck the rest of the way!! :dancing:
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-06-22 08:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsMy Fiancee received the NOA2 today
Congrats and Good Luck!!!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-07-10 18:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWe got NOA2!!
Congrats!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-08-16 10:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsANOTHER MAY FILER APPROVED!
Congrats! Good Luck! :D
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-08-16 14:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAnother May Filer APPROVED!
Congrats!! Good Luck the rest of the way!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-08-22 14:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOff to Be with Fiancee
Good Luck! Just curious, what town does An live in? My honey is in Ben Tre.
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-01-02 10:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsOctober interview
Good news Jack! That's not too far away form now!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-09-17 09:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsReceived approval
Congrats!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2008-08-25 08:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
Thanks everyone! I mailed it on 6-1 and the received date on the NOA1 is 6-1. I used the date 6-14 because that was the notice date on the NOA1 and the date CSC received it per the USCIS website. I received the NOA1 in the mail on 6-21.
Thanks again! Good luck to all of you! Hope you get your NOA2's soon!

Edited by Dave_Thao, 16 October 2007 - 09:40 PM.

Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-10-16 21:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
Touched Today!!!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-10-16 15:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
type can't I but eyes my crossed I sleep.gif
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-08-21 13:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-129F June Filers
June 1 started round 2! Received NOA1 June 21! It might be longer for the NOA2 for me because of the IMBRA.
Good Luck everyone!
Dave_ThaoMaleVietnam (no flag)2007-06-27 13:31:00
PhilippinesOur Son is born!

Our son is born! wife had a rough time and ended up with a c-section due to the babies weight, 9lbs! Big boy. We are all at home now , surviving the floods. I can finally rest easy knowing it all worked out.

Posted Image


Awe Congrats on the new addition :thumbs: :thumbs:

:star: a star is born
SweetieOneFemaleJamaica2012-08-10 08:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSlow Down at CSC

A June 3, 2010 petition got approved yesterday!!! :)

http://www.visajourn...filers.php?cfl=



I hope the fact that the original NOA1 was from June 2010 means this is just a regular, non-expedited application and that more are on their way...

Keep 'em coming, CSC!
En&EmMaleRussia2010-10-15 16:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSlow Down at CSC

"Thus, it seems that CSC is at a virtual standstill with I-129Fs right now."

Great job at crunching the numbers and I think the above quote says it all. And that's why I posted this thread; not to dispute that others have waited much longer, or that the highly motivated workers at CIS aren't doing their best, but to merely find out if there was an explanation to the "virtual standstill." After all, we as citizens have a right to know how and what a government agency spends our tax dollars on and the methodology it employs to service us, don't we?


Those are great questions, but I don't think the answers will be flowing. Maybe you could try a Freedom of Information Act request. I wonder how long that would take?

I think the best we can get is an educated guess that CSC felt the need to catch up on other even more delayed applications. I don't know that that kind of decision is necessarily unreasonable, but it sucks for us.

I remain hopeful that CSC will resume processing I-129Fs and that they will move those applications quickly. Too much of an optimist? Perhaps.
En&EmMaleRussia2010-10-14 16:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSlow Down at CSC
I certainly would like CSC to start processing more I-129Fs. Of course, most of us would like this process to move more quickly. Long distance relationships are more difficult and less rewarding than in-person. There is nothing wrong with wanting that.

At the same time, I don't know enough to criticize CSC or how it focuses on its workload.

That being said, I have been trying to figure out what is going on. Here are a couple posts from other threads on similar subjects:

I am one of the masses who wants CSC to start moving on I-129Fs. When? I hope soon!

Here is my post that outlines the I-130 / IR-1 / CR-1 theory:

I have posted this a couple times this past week, but is fits this thread, too:

I check the progress several times each day to try to determine what CSC is doing.

Based in VJ reports, it seems CSC is focused on I-130s (IR-1/CR-1) applications, with up to five or six receiving an NOA2 each day.

You can see this in the following link:
CSC - I-130 status

Meanwhile, the 1-129Fs are having little or no movement. You can watch CSC's processing of I-129Fs here:
CSC - I-129F status

I cannot wait until 1-129Fs pick up again...

This info seems a lot more detailed than the table of "Approximate Processing Dates" that you find when you click on "Immigration Timelines." I don't really understand how that table is put together. The dates for CSC change by several weeks at a time sometimes on that chart, even though little seems to be happening on the more detailed reports based on the links above.

Good luck to all! May your love endure, and your visa come quickly!

I would very much like CSC to be processing I-129Fs, just like almost all of us. But, unfortunately, we have no control over what is happening or how CSC distributes staff/workload. I wish I did. I know which file would have top priority! (Along with everyone else in this thread and related ones.) :thumbs: But, alas, ...


and...

Well, to be more clear, one of the features of VJ is that multiple people are self-reporting their application processing timelines. If the information is good enough and there is a large enough sample, we can get an idea of what is happening with CSC's overall caseload.

My opinion is that VJ has sufficient reliability in its self-reports and a large enough sample to give us a pretty good idea. Of course, the information is a little imperfect, because people make errors or don't update their timelines or whatever. But for I-129Fs, if you look at the reports from the links (the longer ones, organized by NOA1 issued by each month, approved and unapproved petitions), there are approximately 80-90 or so applications being reported each month for CSC. Similarly, for I-130s, there seem to be about 60-70 or so applications being reported each month for CSC. And from the history, VJ participants seem to follow through with reporting timeline updates at a rate of at least 80-90%.

Moreover, from these same charts (the longer ones--or even the bar graphs), you can see that CSC has processed most I-129s through May 2010, and most I-130s through April 2010. This seems to show that CSC is a little further behind in processing the I-130s--about a month (assuming the timelines for each of these applications typically would be similar).

MOST NOTABLY, based on the top reports from the links (Last 15 Approved Applications), we can see that CSC is reported to have approved only three or four I-129Fs (i.e., CSC issued the NOA2) from VJ participants during the ENTIRE PAST MONTH. To keep up with the filings, at the 80-90% reporting rate, CSC would have to approve about 70 or so applications each month. Thus, it seems that CSC is at a virtual standstill with I-129Fs right now.

For I-130s, CSC is reported to have approved four to six I-130s (again, by issuing an NOA2) from VJ participants EACH BUSINESS DAY. (Please note that I am disregarding reports from the last couple days, in case VJ participants need more time to self-report their updates.) This would equal about 80-100 approvals of VJ participants per month (assuming an average of four to five each day, with about 20 business days in the month). Thus, CSC seems to be processing I-130s at a solid pace.

Does that make more sense? Or is it too many numbers? :wacko:


I don't look at the numbers to criticize anyone. I do it because I want to have an idea about how long the wait will be. I saw that not much was happening at CSC, and then I have been looking for explanations and comparisons. I've looked at VSC and then the I-130s, which led me to the theory above.

At this point, I just keep looking in hopes of discovering that CSC has started processing I-129Fs more regularly. We're all still waiting...
En&EmMaleRussia2010-10-14 10:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsif csc would approve people based on how ...
Based on VJ reports, CSC appears to have approved an I-129F (NOA2) on 10-14-10!!! And the original NOA1 was from June, which means it is not just an old application finally getting approved:

Igor's List (CSC - I-129Fs)

I'm also hoping it was a regular, non-expedited application...

Keep 'em coming, CSC!
En&EmMaleRussia2010-10-15 17:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsif csc would approve people based on how ...
I check the progress several times each day to try to determine what CSC is doing.

Based in VJ reports, it seems CSC is focused on I-130s (IR1/CR1) applications, with up to five or six receiving an NOA2 each day.

Meanwhile, the 1-129Fs are having little or no movement. I cannot wait until 1-129Fs pick up again...
En&EmMaleRussia2010-10-07 11:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCSC Just Reported Processing Times for October
Based on VJ reports, CSC appears to have approved an I-129F (NOA2) on 10-14-10!!! And the original NOA1 was from June, which means it is not just an old application finally getting approved:

Igor's List (CSC - I-129Fs)

Keep 'em coming, CSC!

Edited by En&Em, 15 October 2010 - 04:21 PM.

En&EmMaleRussia2010-10-15 16:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2010 CSC K1
Just to be clear, I know my information is somewhat disturbing, but...

I want to share information, but not cause too much stress, especially until we have more information. I have read posts about the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) giving out conflicting information in the past. Part of the reason I asked so many questions of the staff person is to be sure she was not trying to talk about the five-month goal. She clearly continued to talk about a hold, but who knows. And I think some have said that the NCSC staff does not get cutting-edge and in-depth information from the service centers.

To try to figure this out, I thought it best to compare notes with others, to see if anyone else received similar information. I am wondering if someone else has had recent contact with or without any info about a hold.
En&EmMaleRussia2010-11-08 16:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2010 CSC K1
Today I called the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) for a question about my i-129F application, unrelated to timelines.

Before I could ask my question, the staff member said, your application is on a "five-month hold." Although this could change, she said currently, CSC is not scheduled to start processing the application until February 2011.

She added other applications with receipts (NOA1s) from September 2010 are also on hold until February 2011. She said that the hold was necessary because of a significant backlog at CSC.

I continued to ask some questions:
- Was this unique to my application or to those of us with receipts (NOA1s) from September 2010?
- More specifically, was the hold applicable to applications from July, August, October, and November?
- How does the hold affect CSC's official goal of five months for these applications?

She said the five-month hold applied to all I-129Fs (and perhaps some others, but I did not absorb what she said about other types of applications). She explained that July 2010 applications were on hold until December 2010; August 2010 were on hold until January 2011; etc. She again stressed that this was the current information, and it could change.

With regard to the official goal of five months, she really did not say much, other than repeating that the September applications would be processed in February 2011.

I am somewhat hopeful that her information is out-of-date, for example, the transfer of marriage applications to Texas might be an indication that this supposed backlog is already well on the way to being cleared. While I am trying to remain optimistic, I was disappointed with this potential news.

Has anybody received similar information about a supposed "five-month hold" at CSC?
En&EmMaleRussia2010-11-08 16:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsSeptember 2010 CSC K1

Good luck with yours too!
http://www.visajourn...tion=3&sortby=2
This link references I-130's filed at CSC. Where can you refine the search to include only spouses?


Sorry for the delay. I did not see your question in the copy of your post that was sent to my e-mail.

Anyway, my understanding (but I am no expert) is that, by definition, IR-1 and CR-1 visas are only for spouses. You might use the I-130 application for other family members, but the visa you would be requesting is a little different. The visa differs depending on the family member's relation to the applicant USC. For example:

- IR-1: Spouse of a U.S. Citizen- IR-2: Unmarried Child Under 21 Years of Age of a U.S. Citizen- IR-3: Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. Citizen- IR-4: Orphan to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen- IR-5: Parent of a U.S. Citizen who is at least 21 years oldThe VJ report to which I linked states it is reporting I-130 applications for IR-1/CR-1 visas.

Edited by En&Em, 15 October 2010 - 04:59 PM.

En&EmMaleRussia2010-10-15 16:57:00