ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Africa: Sub-SaharanVisa in HAND!
Awesome!!!
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-22 14:56:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWriting a letter to Congressman. K-1
QUOTE (winifredbee @ Jan 23 2009, 06:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Why wait? Go for it. Making a little noise is only going to (possibly) help everyone. I am waiting till the end of next week to see if there is any change and then I am starting in on the office again. Last I spoke to them they told me 6 months and an additional 220 days that is INSANE. The fact that they have not updated their processing times is a bit of a red flag and a point to make to our Congressman and women.


I agree that we shouldn't wait. We should all stand up for all the other people that have also been waiting! Not only that, but I want transparency and I want accountability(not to mention, I want my girl back). Perhaps the senators and congressmen/congresswoman can enact something to make this process easier!
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-23 16:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWriting a letter to Congressman. K-1
As far as I can tell, Congress has the authority to impose restrictions on the Attorney General(who has the ultimate say in your approval process), but the Senate can only apply political pressure...
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-22 21:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWriting a letter to Congressman. K-1
I also wrote my congressman and senator, but instead of focussing on my particular case I wanted to make a general statement about how it's completely unfair that people from other countries who want to work in the US can expedite their case, but people who want to get married and start a family have to deal with the uncertainty of the processing times from each service center. I sent them a release form and a packet containing ALL data that I sent USCIS and all data recieved back as well as supporting evidence from this website as well as individual citations of the the US Code Title 8 Chapter 12: Immigration and Nationality that details that every 6 months a report has to be issued in front of congress and at the next meeting I would like him to bring up some reform for those wishing to get married... perhaps a temporary visa while waiting for a decision(NOA2)

I hope this helps!
-Ken
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-22 21:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWTF VSC?
QUOTE (beans @ Jan 23 2009, 04:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There are too many unknown variables for anyone short of a USCIS employee can justify. Unfortunately, K visa's are not the only visas processed, we do not know VSCs caseload or CSCs to actually make that assumption.

IMO, I think the best response to the frustration is sit and wait, enjoy the time you still have with your friends and family at your current home while you still can. If I spent all my time getting frustrated at VSC (and I have my reasons) or stressing myself out in general, I probably would be to the hospital and back. But for now, I focus on my job, the logisitics of moving, and the life I have here in Canada.


The letter was not a request to expedite my case, but a letter to show the congressman the difficulties that some of you guys have been having and hopefully on the 6 month review the congressman can ask some important questions to the Attorney General. The new administration is advocating transparency in government and so I would like to see USCIS also provide us with more information, including EXACTLY what are the issues with processing times at ANY of the service centers(including VSC, to get back onto topic here) and why the fiance visa is considered secondary to worker visa's?

Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-23 13:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWTF VSC?
Oh, and I also added in a separate note citing US Code TITLE 8 > CHAPTER 12: IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY which states that there is a panel convened once every 6 months to review the status of immigration and that during the next meeting he should bring up the hardships we have faced to possibly see if they can create a temporary visa for people waiting on a decision from USCIS.
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-22 21:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWTF VSC?
Oh, it should be noted that I'm going through CSC, not VSC
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-22 21:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWTF VSC?
when I filed my I129F I made copies of EVERYTHING. 5 copies in total! I sent the ENTIRE packet plus a copy of the NOA1 and some references to VJ for some unofficial time-line estimates and a reference to the USCIS processing times page. I basically told them it was an injustice to those starting new families to be separated for several months to even a couple of years. Here's a copy of the letter I sent my congressman:
Dear Congressman Norm Dicks,

On November 14th, 2008 I got down on one knee and proposed to my soon to be wife, Isabella Peldszus(Isa), who is a German citizen. We began the long process of filing for a special visa, called a fiance visa, in order for us to get married legally in the United States. I researched extensively how to go about doing this and we prepared our I129F forms and mailed them out December 4th, 2008. We then waited for the USCIS to send us some confirmation that they have moved the letter on to the Department of Homeland Security for final review, and we began planning our wedding. We waited very patiently as their website advertised that the process should only take 6 months. Isa flew back to Germany on November 18th, 2 days after I proposed to her. We have been separated ever since waiting to hear when her interview with the American Consulate in Germany is going to be. It's been over two months since we have last seen each other and still no word from USCIS.

It has come to my attention that many people filing for a K1(fiance) visa have had long wait times and, in several cases, were unjustly accused of trying to commit fraud to the system when all the wanted to do was just be together and enjoy their lives together. It is my belief that the government should focus on families and fostering relationships rather then the needs of corporations and businesses who have the ability to expedite their applications, but there is no process to expedite the simple act of getting married(unless we circumvent immigration law, which could cause her to be deported). In many cases it makes it impossible to plan a wedding because of the uncertainty of the application process and the long wait times.

I understand that it is under the jurisdiction of the Attorney General to grant approval for the initial phase of the immigration process, and I would like you to tell congress that his handling of the simple act of getting married is overly complicated and that the wait times and the uncertainty is costing people their jobs, their relationships, their health in some cases all because the USCIS is forced to expedite certain cases over others and has little time for us little people trying to start our lives together.

Furthermore, it is my opinion that it should be easier for people to apply for a fiance visa then to simply get married and rush into things(thus circumventing immigration law), but it turns out that is not the case here. Instead we are met with piles of unnecessary paperwork and confusing piles of information to read through only to be met with long delays and uncertainty.

Thank you,



Kenneth Noland


I hope this helps!!!

You really should write your own and read carefully through your congressman's website regarding his assistance towards others. Norm #######'s wanted me to sign a release form authorizing him to speak on my behalf to the Attorney General, and asked me to send any supporting documents to my case. This letter was sent 4 days ago and still no response(but it's only been 4 days).

-Ken

Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-22 21:04:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWTF VSC?
Don't bother... it's just someone with a scripted response saying "they'll get to it when they get to it"... I would recommend writing your congressman and/or senator! I just recently did that and my congressman's office(Norm Dicks) said that they will look into the matter and get back to me(roughly translated that means they'll get to it when they get to it).

Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-22 14:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsWE GOT THE VISA!
Congrats!!! kicking.gif
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-03-11 14:26:00
Middle East and North AfricaWashington state MENA meet up or others willing to travel
Hi! I'm new here but I would be interested in meeting up with people who are going through the same process I am. I feel like a n00b, but what exactly is MENA?

Thanks,
-Ken Noland
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-01-22 19:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdvice? Expedited request denied
QUOTE (no more patience @ Feb 23 2009, 11:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The USCIS had taken 9 months to complete there part in my i-130. I contacted my local congreeperson at month 8.5 and it got approved basically 2 weeks later. If you are over th e6 month limit dont wait contact the appropriate office asap....
Hope that helps


She said she was in a high risk pregnancy and I believe that is grounds for expediting due to the potential loss of life of her child and/or herself. If there is serious medical problems, go to your congressmen and ask for their immigration liaison to assist. I showed up in person and I noticed that made a big difference! I am also faced with a medical problem of extreme urgency and so I was forced to go this route!
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-24 17:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAdvice? Expedited request denied
Wow!!! Contact your congressman/woman!

I hear that expedited applications differ from "congressionals" and that congressional applications actually go through faster.
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-23 21:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI'm just not sure... I need some help...
Also depends on the customs agent at the airport. a J1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, vs a K1 visa which shows intent to immigrate. If you have intent to immigrate and you don't have an immigrant visa, then they can deny you entry into the US. His visa might be valid, but they could still turn him around.
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-23 15:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpedited K1 Visa
I should've been more accurate with my terms. I just found out that there is a huge difference between expedited applications and congressional aid applications. The assistance I am getting is with congressional aid due to extreme medical conditions that would be detrimental if we waited another 6 months.

I know terminology is important, so I thought I'd clarify!
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-23 21:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpedited K1 Visa
Okay, so sounds like I need to get her to the doctors right away to get the vaccines. Some of them she has moral problems with(specifically the Influenza vaccine since a friend of a friend of hers allegedly died due to complications, although I would seriously doubt her friend who told her that), and I don't know how happy she'll be to hear that they are necessary... oh well!

So it sounds like I'll need to contact a few more agencies in order to get the processing time down to the next few weeks.

According to this http://www.visajourn...ge=k1historical the trends show that NVC processing times could take as long as 17 days. hmmm... I'll see if I can hopefully speed that along too!

As far as I know, they are forwarding my request for expedite to the German consulate... I guess we'll see on that!

Thanks again for all your help!


Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-23 16:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpedited K1 Visa
QUOTE (Kez/JWolf @ Feb 23 2009, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Do you have an approval on your expedite request?


Yes

QUOTE (Kez/JWolf @ Feb 23 2009, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
There is no set timeline for an expedited case, if the expedite is approved it can be passed to the Embassy quite quickly, you would then have to ask the embassy for expedited processing again.


Okay, I still have to contact them and see if they are willing to expedite it as well.

Thanks again!

Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-23 15:37:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpedited K1 Visa
Thanks!

Yes, it is on a case-by-case basis that they review for expediting the application. I had a friend who was able to get me the number of the person I needed to call to send them the necessary paperwork.

So the vaccinations don't have to be COMPLETED by the doctors appointment, but have to be done before her visa arrives? AFAIK that means that she has to have the vaccinations before she leaves Germany? That could be a problem if the processing is done in the next few days/weeks.

Thanks again!
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-23 15:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpedited K1 Visa
Hey everyone,

Isa and I filed our paperwork for the K1 visa and it was accepted into the California Service Center(CSC) January 4th 2009. Due to reasons I would not like to get into on public forums, but are health related and extremely unfortunate, our application has been put in the expedited queue at the CSC.

I have a few questions though that you guys might be able to answer.

First of all, has anyone ever heard of an expedited K1 visa? I did a quick search and I wasn't able to find any similar cases. I asked and they said that they will process it as soon as possible, but that doesn't give me any kind of timeline. Any ideas on when things will happen in an expedited case?

Also, I'm worried that because she doesn't have all the necessary vaccinations yet, she may be declined at the medical screening. Is there any way you guys know of to get a waiver on some of the vaccinations?

Isa and I are not doing this through any law firm, we are doing this on our own and when the situation turned from bad to worse we contacted a friend who was able to point us in the right direction to get our case pushed through as fast as possible. I apologize to all those who have been waiting months and years even, but the set of circumstances behind this expedite are extremely unfortunate for both Isa and I(I wanted to make that clear so people didn't turn this thread into a series of "you lucky..." and "how did you..." type of responses).

Thanks!
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-23 15:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresVermont processing
I read the post where there was an old adjudicator explaining how the process worked. Basically he said he would walk in, grab a box and sit down and start processing them. Each time he grabbed a box he would wand them in, resulting in a "touch", but then he would process other applications at the same time. The box selection was literally up to the contractors that they hired to shuffle the boxes around.

I spoke with someone else who worked with the USCIS and they described it as a scene from Indiana Jones with a government warehouse dedicated to just piles of paperwork.

So yeah, things may get mixed up from time to time and certain applications will go faster then others simply by luck of the draw. It's unfortunate!
Ken NolandNot TellingGermany2009-02-25 19:58:00