Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	mostly K-1s.....   Those are getting approved left and right.   NBC doesn't process those.    I'm interested in the I-130 stats.   It seems they put them all in a box, shoved them in a closet and shut the door.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-11 11:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Yea,, where is this new information?   There haven't been any approvals lately....  just a few. according to Igor, there hasn't been many for the last few months...  I would love to know what the hold up is.     as a matter of fact.... it looks like the K-1s are getting cranked out... alot of approvals yesterday.  Add that to the people who don't even belong to this site.   Edited by LoveMyTico, 11 July 2013 - 11:04 AM.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-11 11:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I hear it is very tough to work for the adjudicator dept.   Good thought though.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-10 12:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Yessssssss, I'm trying not to get my hopes too high....  I hope they pick up the pace.  The stats are depressing on VJ. It looks like there is no movement according to the charts.  Igor's list is not very accurate since people don't update thier timelines.  Everyday my "estimated" approval dates go further and further out.  It was the middle of July a few weeks ago. Now its the end of Aug to mid Sept.  How depressing...  I' know its only an estimate and VJ is only a small percentage of cases at the NBC... but still   its hard to stay positive....    One thing I don't understand is why the K-1's are getting approved before the people who are already married.......   I miss my husband... yesterday his cell phone stopped working and he isn't able to reply to my texts. I really looked forward to his messages throughout the day. Its the little things in life... right?	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-09 11:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I was just reading a thread about the USCIS slowing down....  Whats up with that?  Before I got married, I was stalking the processing times just to get an idea of what I was in for... It was 5 months for the longest time. As soon as I get married and file.... it seems they slowed down to snail speed.    How frustrating...   What can we do to speed things up?  I was thinking of pulling up a chair at the congressional office and having a chat with them... It might not do anything for my case, but I might feel better..    I wish everyone would update their timelines too.   I can't even trust the ESTIMATED date because I know the timelines are not even close to be accurate....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-08 17:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE !!   Let's all hope the USCIS adjudicators are all at work today ready to process our cases ! ! !	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-08 10:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Is Uscis is closed today? I was wondering the same thing... I am assuming it is open but most people are using PTO for a 4 day weekend.  SUCKS FOR US !	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-05 10:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Interesting story. I havent called uscis yet because from what I read here they rehash the same answer. Theres a backlog etc and wait 5-8 months etc.... Anyway no news for me today and hoping to hear something this month. End of July would be 120 days for me waiting for noa 2. Lets hope something happens in July.... I kind of set my mind to not expect to hear anything until late August or sometime in September.  I'm just going to go see my husband the last week in August and play it by ear.  If I have to fly back a month later.... so be it...	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-01 16:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I thought I'd call the USCIS today and chat it up with them since I haven't called since April 29th.  They have a call back feature where you can enter your number and you get a call back when its your turn. At first I was laughing.. but I entered my number anyway and they did actually call me back.. 1 point for the USCIS   However, I was told that my case did not get transferred to the Philadelphia field office YET... Yea, she said YET...  a couple times... she said it will get transferred to the field office then back to the Benefits Center.  Average processing time is 5-7 months.  I will NOT receive any notices when my case gets transferred. They will just continue to process.. She did mention that sometimes the field office will schedule an appointment to go down to the office if they need more info.. I explained that my husband is not here in this country.. She said, its not for him, it would be for me.   I have no idea why she would come out and say that since I didn't ask about  going to the field office.  I feel like she could see information but wasn't giving it up.        Nice way to start a Monday	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-07-01 10:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	How could they be a "New American" if they aren't american citizens yet...smh  I couldn't agree more?     and even if they become citizens here, they still aren't Americans....  If I became a citizen in Costa Rica, I wouldn't be Costa RIcan... I'd still be American....     I'm still deciding if I should post a response to his comment or if I should just let it  slide....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-30 09:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	This is a response I received from my attorney the other day on facebook. I was asking about the processing of cases during this Reform garbage going on...  I made a comment about the illegals being able to stay here while we all have to wait for our spouses to be able to enter legally.   SEE BELOW   Hi, Jen, they have been processing I-130s the whole time. Processing times have been holding steady at 4-6 months for more than 6 years, new law or no. It has no effect. And please don't use the word "illegals". That's not a fair word to describe a person who is undocumented. Some people like to use "New American," others are fine with "undocumented immigrant." But I would just ask for folks to use a word that would not denigrate someone's husband, wife, parent, or child. Words matter     One this that bothers me is   they are illegal. Its not like making a racial comment. Its just stating their status. Like calling them a resident instead of a citizen ( In my opinion anyway )	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-29 06:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Hello all   Hoping to connect with any other applicants that have filed with the Chicago lockbox for an IR1/2 from Colombia.   April 23 - FedEx to Lockbox April 25 - Accepted and forwarded to NBC June 28 - Still waiting to hear from NBC.   Anyone have an idea how long it's taking for I-130 approvals from NBC for Colombia?  USCIS is absolutely no help, I know, I know, why should I expect them to be, right? WELCOME !!!! SInce you're new, you should take some time and read the guidelines on this site. They are very informative. Also, read through some threads.   And even this one from the start.    Please create a timeline. It helps others see the progress and you can see an estimated processing time at the bottom. As you go through the process, come back and fill in the events so others can follow too.  Unfortunately, many people don't come back and fill their timelines so keep in mind, the estimate at the bottom of your timeline is a very ROUGH estimate.    You can follow specific timelines from Columbia and even read the embassy reviews...  Everyone on this site is amazing with all the info they can provide.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-29 06:46:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I just read that the average wait time for Noa1 to Noa2 is 100 days at tye NBC. Even if other people dont update their timelines 100 days are still the average. If this is the case april filers should hear something before the end of july fingers crossed. Let's hope that is true !!  July 1st will be 80 days for us at NBC.  That is 80 days total... Its much less if you only count "business days"  I was looking forward to hearing something in August...  July would be Perfect.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-27 04:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	anyone any luck this week my file is at NBC and they are backlogged     Did you call the USCIS and someone told you they are backlogged?     If you look at Igor's list, there is almost nothing the last couple months.... How discouraging   I was going to call the USCIS today but I'm leaning towards not bothering.... I wish everyone would fill out their timelines when they get approved ( if nothing else)  That would make Igor's list more accurate.  The estimated approval time on my timeline keeps moving out. Next thing you know, it'll say December 2013..	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-26 11:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I'm so happy to see some of the April filers getting their approvals. CONGRATS TO ALL OF  YOU !!   I hate to jinx it but maybe they are picking up the pace a little.   I'm going to visit my husband at the end of August. It would be nice to have the approval behind us.  The waiting really sucks.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-24 08:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	We got approval  yesterday and we are so happyy NOA2:))                Congrats ! ! ! ! !   Please stick around and update everything so we can follow your progress.    So happy for you !	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-23 06:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I seriously think that the files either sit in a central file cabinet and the USCIS processors just grab them one by one  or a number sequence is assigned to a specific processor and it sits in that file cabinet til they get to it. I'd like to think there is some kind of organization.  I dont't think they separate them by country, just by priority date......   The processing has slowed down so much at NBC..  But I don't put too much hope into Igor's list because I would bet that alot of people get their approval and never update their timelines ( which sucks for the rest of us still waiting)    I try not to be obsessed with checking our status. I am signed up for text and email alerts but I don't trust that.  I  have a phone app that I can check  but I don't do it everyday.  It consumes you if you let it.   Not knowing what the heck the problem is at the USCIS is making us all nuts.  I hate that the holiday is coming up and most of the USCIS people will probably have off the 4th and 5th.  ( 2 days lost)	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-23 06:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I received NOA2's (1st of April priority date) for my wife and stepson this morning - via email.  The wait is finally over.....now the rest of the waiting begins.  CONGRATS ! ! !      Happy to hear things are starting to move... Edited by LoveMyTico, 22 June 2013 - 08:19 PM.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-22 20:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Ahhhh! Just got our NOA2 email! So excited right now! CONGRATS ! !       I am so happy for you !!!!!!!  NBC?  or Field office?	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-22 20:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Things seem to have slowed down considerably in the last couple months.  If you look at the November, December, January threads, you will see many couples with the USC overseas getting their NO2's in 30-60 days.  There are some quick cases in the February and March threads but much fewer than the previous months.  There are even fewer instances in the April and May threads.   It wouldn't suprise me at all if some of the immigration reform stuff is impacting the processing of our applications.   Looks like most of us are in for a longer wait. If I had the time, I think I might go sit in the congressional offices a few towns over and talk to them face to face and see what they have to say....Explain to me how the immigration reform is going to help me and my husband  ( since we did everything legally )     HAHAHAHAHAAAAA just sayin'	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-18 13:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	around mid july we should see some movement with April fillers  I was thinking more like mid August... But I like your suggestion better....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-18 13:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Any other April filers with their case at NBC still not had it transferred to their local office? Does anyone have any idea when this might happen?! My hubby called up and they basically didn't tell him anything we didn't know already and weren't hugely helpful... I think when those USCIS people train for their jobs, they take an class on how NOT to be helpful.    they dance around questions and pretty much use the same answer for everything.      I filed in April and have not received anything saying we were tranferred to Philly . The USCIS insists they will send out a notice if that happens but from what I read on here, they never let you know.  My case is a bit different. This is my second filing so I am sure they are looking at me with a microscope.  ( which is fine )  My case probably wont get transferred because they have to do more background checking ...  I am hoping to hear something by August though.  Thank God for Visa Jounney.  It helps that we can all track our progress... Edited by LoveMyTico, 17 June 2013 - 06:27 AM.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-17 06:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I am planning a trip back to Costa Rica the last week in August. I was going to wait to see what happens with the processing but I see it like this......  EVEN IF the NBC approves our papers in August, we still have the NVC journey which will take a minute or two, so I can go back for the interview and then again after his waiver is approved.   UGHHHHH   I hate the waiting.   The government should show us a little mercy ... especially since they want to approve that dang immigration reform which would allow all the ILLEGALS to stay here without having to go back to their home country and file like we had to.   So much for enforcing the laws...   ( haha can you tell the immigration reform makes me angry?)    And, here comes another holiday...  Which sets us back a week or so....  July 4th lands on a Thursday this year, which probably means the government offices are closed that day and the next day.   I hope the processing picks up after the 4th.    GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE !!	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-15 11:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Let's all hope for a bunch of approvals soon !!   I know being an April filer is asking a little but too much for some movement this month... but we can all wish.   GOOD LUCK to everyone this week.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-09 20:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	It was my understanding that NBC is kind of a middle man....  I was told that VSC is so busy, the NBC is helping with the case load.  So, I was wondering if the VSC is still processing cases.... and is the 60-90 day turn around for real at the NBC?   and is the estimated processing time at the bottom of our timelines close to being accurate?   Just wondering....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-06 21:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	NVC doesn't have anything to do with the embassy/consulate until it's time to schedule an interview. Not to tell you you're wrong, but it would be impossible to get through NVC nowadays in a week and a half. It takes longer than that for the case to even arrive from USCIS. It took three weeks for my case to get to NVC from CSC and for them to assign me case numbers, and that was considered quick. Local offices have really been screwing up NVC arrivals lately.   I agree about the illegals, though. It's a huge pet peeve of mine. My in-laws were talking about a cousin who got a fake passport made so she could go to the States several years ago, and was given her citizenship a few days ago. It really annoys me how those kinds of people who lie and cheat their way into the country can sneak under the radar with no problems.   But, asi es la vida, I guess. well, we were approved at the end of February and our interview was the last week in April.  I literally call NVC for my case number, and a few days later I was tracking it to the embassy.    It sucks that things are much slower now.       as far as the illegals,  There are SEVERAL in my town. A few have landscaping businesses, they don't just work for someone. They make boat loads of money.... They don't have driver licenses, or anything . The one illegal girl has a brand new 2013 Ford truck and drives around without a license.  Her illegal daughter attends public school, Its disgusting.  The US really needs a way to track everyone who comes here on a B2. They need to make sure they leave.  I'm for a friggin ankle bracelet .  It would beep until the person went to the immigration office to get it removed and then off to the airport to get the heck out.. HAHAHAHHAHAHA the undocumented ones should be rounded up and dropped off at the boarder. Pay the boarder control to make sure they leave.  NO IFS ANDS OR BUTS....  SEE YA      Just sayin	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-04 16:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Longer. It's been taking upwards of a month just for NVC to receive cases lately. From there, it takes about a month to six weeks to get all the NVC fees paid and all the docs sent in, assuming you're proactive and get everything ready to send ASAP. Then you'll have to wait for your case to have an interview assigned, which takes a few weeks depending on what time of month you got your case complete, and then you usually have to wait a month for the interview itself. I would say four months is a fair estimate, from NOA2 to interview. It could be longer if you're unprepared for the NVC stage, or shorter if you get lucky and get an interview schedule quickly. It's very subjective. Last time I went through this (2008) it took about a week and a half at NVC. The papers were sent to the American Embassy in Costa Rica by DHL and we had our interview within a month. I think it depends on how fast each embassy works.  Costa Rica was EXTREMELY fast.  I am hoping things move along this time. I have an attorney, so he will be making the payments to the NVC.  I know each case is deifferent..  I hope they get their ####### together and speed things up a bit.  I am so angry about this immigration reform they are trying to pass.  33 million illegals get to stay but we are doing things the legal way and get caught up in this mess.  Those illegals are already here...  They don't get separated from their family. They get rewarded for breaking the law... UGHHHH	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-04 16:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	yep, the call was a waste. He was reading off of a script.  The average processing time is 5-6 months... blah blah blah..... You will get a notice in the mail if your file gets transferred ... ( sure I will  )   He also seemed annoyed and asked me where I got my info... he asked me if it was from a forum....  ha ha   I told him this is the second time I've done this. I know how it works...	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-04 11:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I just called the USCIS to see if my file was transferred to the field office. The operator insisted that I will get a notice if it gets transferred and as of today, it is still at the NBC.    I really didn't expect anything but it was worth a try.  Has anyone else received a notice about their file being transferred?	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-04 10:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	today is my 63 days from our noa1 and  i still waiting for noa 2 this time killing my............  not to be a downer... but be prepared for at least that much time and maybe more...  The wait is ridiculous but  we have no choice.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-04 10:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I just returned from visiting my husband in Costa Rica  for the last 9 days.  This does suck...  having to leave him in Costa Rica...  We filed in April also....  I wonder why the case processing has been so slow lately.  Does anyone know why?	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-06-02 20:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Yep, I got  my NOA1 on April 12th and then touched on Aprill 16th  and thats all she wrote so far.  I had a previous case that I withdrew back in 2009 so I am expecting a little extra touching  ( HA HA )    I hope they get a move on because processing and approvals have been a little sparse lately   to say  the least.  Has anyoone gotten a notice about being transferred from NBC to their local field office???   GOOD LUCK TO ALL !!	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-05-20 18:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	ANYTHING HAPPENING WITH THE APRIL FILERS????   HAPPY FRIDAY ALL  ! ! ! ! ! !	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-05-17 10:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Hi!! im the USC my husband and i live in Portland, OR, he is from Mexico but been living here for 14 years. I'm from Costa Rica, have been in the United States for 8 years and I became a USC 2 years ago. Our NOA1 date is April 2 2013, it have a MSC # and is in the NBC right now. I hope time goes fast and we all get approvals soon.       YAY.. .  COSTA RICA ! ! !     Good Luck.  We are April Filers too  and the papers are at the NBC ( for now)	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-05-05 05:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Hi. I'm Japanese and my husband is American citizen. We sent I-130 on 1st of Apr and received on 5th. NOA1 is 9th by e mail. But we are still waiting for the paper of NOA1. They say on email "within 7-10 days by standard mail you will receive your official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) with your Receipt Number...." But it's been almost one month. Did everyone receive the paper mail soon after NOA1 on email ?  I wish I could get email notices..  I signed  up for them ... and for text messages but I only received the hard copy.( 5 days after the NOA1 priority date)  Am I doing something wrong or does it not work for everyone?	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-04-30 20:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	To try and be positive, even though its almost impossible.... If processing times are nine months, then we are about half way. Better than starting at the beginning....but not as goods as being complete	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-17 13:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	my estimated processing time at the bottom of my timeline is officially in January 2014....  My PD is 4-12.. #######???????	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-17 09:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Every time I go to the USA I have a shopping list!!!  Not only is stuff here double the price, but the quality is terrible!  And I hate that I can't order anything online because it'll never make it to me.  I rented a PO box for 1.5 years and got maybe 5% of what was mailed to me.  I think someone was stealing stuff since it was sent from the USA.  My friend sent me a package with a tracking number and when after 3 months it still wasn't there I went to ask the post office guys.  I gave them the tracking number and they told me that the tracking number changes when it comes to CR.  Then WHAT IS THE POINT OF HAVING ONE??!!  They then insisted it was the USA who lost all my mail.  Yeah... right...   Basically all my gripes comes down to the fact there's no address or road signs or anything.  It's so hard to get anywhere new, you can't get mail, you can't order things online, utility bills are just stuck in your front gate and if it rains and knocks it down before you get to it oh well, etc etc.   I'm actually looking for an excuse to go back to the USA to buy some new shoes.   100% agree with everything  you said !!  I have had very good luck with packages going to CR lately.  I can send a card to my husband and it gets there within 8 days.  I just sent another box full of stupid stuff  . it weighed 10 lbs... they told me it was too heavy for 1st class so I had to send it priority. Only cost $66.00 to send.  They told me 6-10 days..  and of course nobody delivers on Saturdays over there, so he will get it probably Thursday or Friday next week.  And someone has to bring it to his house allll the way up the mountain with a 4X4... and it still gets there... Compared to a few years ago, its pretty good service.... of course now that I said all these good things about their ####### postal service, the box will get lost.   I wanted to send a cell phone for my husband but they won't let me send the battery anymore.   A cow stepped on his phone.....  NO LIE !!!     If you are close to the airport, I can bring something for you.  Order it online and I can bring it.   A girl has to have her shoes ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !    I'm down to a carry on because half my ####### is already at my husbands house !!   I have a cell over there.  It can be arranged !!  I feel your pain.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-16 19:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	It means what it means - your case is under review or will be reviewed shortly. I pray you get a decision soon. Hopefully you will hear from USCIS within the next few days. I HOPE it means they will approve you soon because I am 3 days before you !!!  I think I would fall over if I got approved this month.  After being on this site, I have my head and heart ready for a very long haul....  My fingers and toes are crossed for you.  I haven't called them in so long. I get so angry when I hang up.  Its such a joke.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-16 19:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Yes good ole tico time.  I applied for residency back in February 2012 and I still haven't heard anything.  You'd think I'd be used to it and think USCIS was a breeze!  "Only" waiting a year for residency approval. . .   I know I'm lucky to be with my husband, but I've been here over two years and I'm ready to go back to the USA.  Most days are great.  But that 10% that sucks, really sucks.  The infrastructure here is so freaking awful.  Roads are constantly collapsing and there's no street signs.  It's also dangerous (crime AND traffic).  I mean we go to a dance class not even two blocks away and have to be careful walking at night.  We live basically in prisons of bars and even that's not enough to keep out thieves.  (car got broken into a few months back, even though it was behind a gate)  Although in the mountains, your esposo probably doesn't have to deal with crime as much.  And it's a VERY expensive country to live in, where you make nothing.  That's the number 1 reason we decided to move to the USA- $$.  My esposo works 60+ hours a week and makes a fraction of what he would working 40 hours in the USA.  I make half what I did in the USA, and everything, everything costs more.  Except for mangoes, platanos and avocado!   Anyways, rant over.  I'm trying not to hate on CR too much.  I was so sure we'd be back in the USA by Feb 2014, and now that that's looking not so realistic, it's made me a little bitter towards CR.   wooo saaaa  Yea.. I know exactly what you are talking about...  Food is ridiculous.  a small jar of peanut butter is 3500...  Really?  if you want american food, you have to goto Walmart  which is NOT cheap. When you shop at Walmart in the US, you expect the prices to be lower... its the opposite over there.   There is a produce truck that makes it way around the mountain..  Green beans and chayote, papas etc.  really cheap  and then  Limes, bananas, mangos, oranges, avacados, plantanos and some flor thing.. all in the back yard.  but if you want meat... forget trying to go inexpensive.... When I am there, I try and cook for the family and give them an american flare for a change. My mother in law still insists on making rice  even when I make shimp with alfredo..  or spaghetti.   I can't eat that much starch  but I love everyone and I enjoy their company even though my spanish is terrible.  My husband doesn't think I can drive in the mountain( i guess because I am a girl)  so he never lets me drive.  He told me I can use the horse...    definitely laid back.... I keep reminding him that he married an american and we aren't like the Ticas.  We are on the go all the time. Don't ask me to stay in the house all day, everyday.    I need the mall, I  need the convenience store to be convenient  the pulperias just don't cut it...LOL LOL     Don't you miss the shopping in the US?  I've been to CR about 22 times.... I was over the souveniers the 2nd time I was there...   If I ever lived there, I'd be shopping online and having it sent to my daughter and then have  her ship a box quarterly...  SERIOUSLY !      My brother came to CR with me last  year for the first time.. He was complaining the whole time about the roads and the lack of street signs...  I have learned to accept it, he had a very hard time... it was funny   and the bars on the windows are everywhere    EVEN in the mountain.  They lock everything like fort knocks !!   I was robbed back in 2009. They took eveyrthing, even my passport.  What a pain that was  to get taken care of....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-16 18:56:00