The NOA1 creates a nice "warm fuzzy" feeling but has no practical use if you have received your case number via another method. If you have your number then of course they have received it and your petition has found a home.

Now, the NOA2 which is the approval should be provided to the SO, so they can provide it at their interview in case questions arise. Considered a requirement for open appointment interview times for K-1's like in Mexico. For countries that appoint individual slots, you would think they would not confirm the appointment unless all their ducks were in a row. So in that case a copy of the NOA2 would be a nice back up.

Good to be back from my trip to Mexico, always sad to leave. My SO has a tendency to cry at the airport. I am never really comfortable with that.

I have noticed that the time frame has stretched from 45 days to 60 according to the latest approvals. It appears that those K-1 Vermont petitions filed around March 15th are now being processed. Here's hoping that all of us stay in the 60 day range.

Brian

We met our baby for the first time today. I was crying!! We saw the heart beating, and the blood in the body. The arms and just everything, it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. Neither of us have kids but Megan does have a stupid German Shepherd cross who's as naughty as a kid at times!!! Thank you for your support Kim

Good luck to everyone, we are still hoping and praying every night.

Brian, welcome home! Airport goodbyes are just tragic. At least you know it wont be that much longer!

Graham, i've had three children and assisted in many deliveries ....my babies are almost 16 and 11 now! (I lost a child at 1 month to a congenital heart defect) The time just flys! I plan on having another child with Russell and can not wait! There's just no greater gift! I absolutely loved every minute of being pregnant and could tell you anything you ever wanted / or didnt want to know about pregancy and childbirth! You sound like you'll be a wonderful father!

Well it's three weeks today since the file was sent! Now if we were January filers I might be expecting my approval any time now but it's looking like another 5 weeks or so. We can do that!

Have a super night folks! Happy thoughts!

Question for you all about these "touches" again...(sorry maybe I just confuse easily )

Where exactly do you see that your case has been touched? I have been checking by going to the USCIS and putting in my receipt number and looking at the page that says that my case is received and pending and nothing else has shown up on that page so I assumed that no touches had registered yet. But tonight I went to the page where you can actually log in (not just check the status through the case status search but use the logon name and password i set up) and I see that under "Last Updated" it says 4/29/2008 which is after my original filing date of 4/3/2008. Is that a touch??? does it not show up under the regular case status search?

Just drop by to check on evryone!!Gues we are all too anxious to get NOA2..I hope it will be soon..
I am face with a good employment job in amidst of the visa..Im confused if i will take it ..an early approval as early as this month would somehow ease the pressure on making a decision.
ANyways,i hope we all get approve this month...
God bless

Katie, If you haven't already done so, Go to this link and register with the uscis to get your email updates. When you are 'touched' you wont be emailed but you'll find that your date on the page you log into changes.

Hi Pink, it's great you have some prospects for work! You do know you can not 'legally' work upon entry with the K1 without the EAD stamp which then expires after 90 days and then you need to wait for EAD that you file with AOS only after you're married? Depends on the employer really if they want you to stop working whilst you await your EAD but the law is sketchy and not many people understand it. Whatever the case, it's good to have that decision to make!

I keep looking at the vj timeline expecting more VSC approvals... telling myself that we're such a small percentage here at VJ and that there's probably tons of approvals that we just dont know about. It's wonderful to see the CSC moving. Those people have waited a long time. But I don't think that means VSC should stop! It does look like we're looking at 2 months. Some have been more, some have been less.

Have a great Thursday! We've got rain the next couple of days which my garden will love!

Hi KimRuss.
Its always nice to see this thread alive and the people here at VJ indeed look after each other..As for the employment its a job offer here on my home country (with a government agency like IRS for US)..i dont know ..Oh well..have to decide soon..Its a Deal or No deal?//hehehe//
God Bless everyone

Ooops misunderstood you! Oh that's a tough one, eh? Do they know you'll be leaving in a couple months?

btw... love the devil horn pic!

Nope they're no aware of it..
and about the devil horn pic?!!!..I got to keep my man "wanting" always.. Wait till i post my catwoman pic... joke..
Sometimes we need to chill out and relax just to unwind from all the pressures this journey have..

I wish you all good luck

thanks for the quick info! yeay first touch!!! (or maybe second or third since I havent been paying attention to this site!)

yw... i've been sadly neglected!



You are so right about that!

Got my NOA1 hard copy!

Hurry-up-and-wait time now, I suppose.

Welcome to the the NOA2 waiting room.

The Januray days of the 30 day approval are gone, and IIRC, one petition was approved in 18 days.

The lastest approvals on the VJ list appears to be from petitions filed on March 10th. So I would have to agree with Kim, 60 days looks like the current processing time.

I planning to go with my SO to the embassy interview, though I am not allowed inside (Mexican embassy rules). I want to be there for emotional support, and in case a problem arises that I can resolve. Early August is ideal for my work schedule, so I am in no huge hurry for approval which makes the wait much more tolerable.



Brian

I finally got our NOA 1, Im so happy,I can`t belive how stressful it was.
now just get some hair dye to get the gray out.
Good luck everybody !

Really? Wow. I'm totally not complaining about THAT. I was expecting something more like three or four months. Although it could very well be, if we get any RFE's.

congrats Sterling and jer08
let the waiting begin...

How's everyone doing today in the forum???

It's raining over here in NY, and I'm just patiently waiting for that NOA2, which seems like will take 2 months, hey we've waited this long already.... lol

I'm so glad that I found this website or else I'd be clueless.

Hope everyone is doing good & enjoying their day! Hope it's sunny where you are!



Did anyone hear about what's going on in Burma (Myanmar)? It's terrible. I've never listened to NPR public radio so much in my life. My heart goes out to those people.

Well don't get your hopes up too much, I'd say, based on my experiences. Unless you're one of these folk who get approved before others do, that is. I'm sitting at 65 days as of today and am currently thinking that it'll be another 10-20 days before I see a NOA2. Don't know what the delay is, but it's there, as the trends on the VJ processing times would seem to indicate.

Keep the faith and good luck!

Jerry

We were touched today, but other than that nothing else exciting has happened!!!!

[/quote]

Well don't get your hopes up too much, I'd say, based on my experiences.

Jerry
[/quote]

I think us April filers are entitled to a glass half full opinion right now. Several of us have noted the slow down since January. Heck, even with the frantic pace of January, there is still almost 10% of January filers that have not received approvals.

I would rather not dwell on the 4-5 month scenario that might happen to a smaller percentage of us. Of course, knowing my luck, I will be in the slow lane.

I always pick the wrong lane at the grocery store. You know the one where the lady is demanding a price check, then decides to have something taken off the bill that requires a supervisor override, and then writes a check and has left her id in the car.

I will hope for 60 days which is possible giving the number of March petitions already approved, realizing that there are no guarantees in life. Except for death, taxes and visa fees.


Brian

Hey Brian,

Well sure, hope for the best, absolutely, but I wouldn't recommend looking too favorably at your half-full glass is all. Just wouldn't want to see y'all April filers take too big of a fall off the cliff, so to speak. The trend is for a slowdown I believe and as a former government employee I can tell you without doubt that folk are gone (I mean GONE) during the summer months on vacations, whatever. Based on these factors and others that I won't go into (review cycles, etc.) I would suspect that the slowing trend will continue over the next few months, not get better. Just be glad you aren't sending your petition to CSC! Gotta feel for those folk, let me tell ya what! I had an encounter with a local congressman not to long ago in which I brought up the issue of LEGAL immigration and the problems/issues we folk who chose to follow the policies, procedures and rules of the US Government are currently dealing with. The first thing I mentioned was the disparity between VSC and CSC WRT I-129F petitions, despite having filed with the VSC. "Yeah, uh-huh, I understand your problem" was the basic response I got, but hey, at least he appeared to be listening...

Everyday I wake up with fingers crossed but when I don't see my NOA2, I'm hardly surprised. Have you filed before Brian? If you are a virgin filer, I think your petition has a better prospect of being approved in a more favorable timeframe. That too is only a suspicion but I have some data to back it up, limited, but data nonetheless. There are about three folk who I can think of off the top of my head (meaning that there are others who I could look up who are in the same boat) who filed at or beyond my petition date and who have already been approved, one in about 28 days. All of them were first time petitioners. However, as another poster has already mentioned, the less-than-a-month-approval days appear to be all but gone. As for me, I am a previous filer (only once and going on 4 years ago now), and as such IMBRA is coming back to haunt me. But now I am straying...

I can completely relate to the always-getting-in-the-slow-line thing too. The rough analogy here is that your petition lands on the desk of a slow adjudicator or one who is new to the job or who is "sick" a lot (boy did we EVER have those types in my govermental agency), that kind of thing. I'm there now, or so it would appear.

But what the hey, such is life. Hopefully we'll all get NOA2s soon! Again, keep the faith and good luck!

Jerry

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry. Join us on the sunny side of life.

The numbers still look very good for March, Jerry. Out of the 65 March VJ Vermont K-1 petitioners, 22% (14) have already been approved and within 60 days.

Additionally, of the remaining March VJ petitioners, 75% have not exceeded the 60 day goal as of today's date.

And most have a ways to go before exceeding 60 days. Almost 51% of all the remaining March VJ filers filed after the 19th of March.

And in the last 8 business days there has been 10 approvals for March filers.

So my glass is half full.

Brian

Hello everyone.

Just found this site, and as someone who filed to VSC on March 12 and got a NOA1 on March 18, I am suddenly very excited.

In a perfect world, when I visit Svetlana in St. Petersburg this August, I would love to bring her back with me. But I realize the odds of that are long, and we are still figuring that October is more likely for her arrival. Also, she will be bringing a dog with her, so that presents a few other complications.

I filed and was approved back in early 2005 for my first K1; curious to see if what you say is true or not Jerry about us 2nd timers...Also, here's to havin' no RFEs!!!

Congrats on finding us BTalley. Here is a link for the Russian interview timeline you might useful:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list...p;op5=&cfl=

It looks like you will have about a two month period between your approved petition leaving the NVC and your appointment being scheduled in Russia. Which if you get approved in May, add three weeks for your file to get to NVC, probably would put you around late August, on the sunny side of life.

No worries on the dog really. No visa required for pets.

Just check with your vet about the required vaccines that the U.S. requires for entry. Hopefully your new kid is one of those tiny puff balls that your SO can store under her seat on the plane. Otherwise, the poor pooch is going to have a long ride as cargo.

Brian

[/quote]

I filed and was approved back in early 2005 for my first K1; curious to see if what you say is true or not Jerry about us 2nd timers...Also, here's to havin' no RFEs!!!
[/quote]


Please don't join the conspiracy club.

You have probably read the great synopsis thread from the USCIS adjudicator Huskerkiev. Both Kim and I posted a shortcut to it earlier in the thread. Here it is:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...dicator-q-and-a

Basically, once they pull a box of all K1-129F's they work through the entire box before starting their next box of visa petitions.

If mine is one of the slow ones, remember there are still outstanding petitions from Dec., Jan. etc., it it would drive me crazy to think that it was somehow personal.

Brian

I'm not bro....not at all. Just curious

Ok now you're just starting to get irritating.

As I already posted, I am beyond your 60 day window and counting. 'Not really expecting much anytime real soon, either. Finally, I am not a conspiracy type, so keep that language to yourself please, e.g. people can make commentary without others such as yourself bashing that commentary. They are expressing opinion and should be allowed to do so without other folk either directly telling them how wrong they are or inferring the same. The numbers don't lie and I have seen where those who have filed before are taking longer to receive subsequent approvals. It makes sense too I suppose; with the new IMBRA laws they have to do some additional checking, whatever that may be. And there's the "database" entry that must be made for anyone who has filed two or more petitions. I am aware of some exceptions, namely a friend of mine from CT who got an approval quite quickly despite having filed only 1.5 years ago. However those appear to be the exception, not the rule. He filed with VSC previously too, so the "checking process" was likely easier. My previous petition was with the TSC, so I suspect that VSC might need to contact them regarding that petition. Eh...dunno about that, but possibly, whatever. Anyway. Are those factors in my case? Who knows, maybe, maybe not. Half the fun when I have time to think about this stuff is playing the speculating game.

So keep your glass half-full, sure. Just be prepared live up to your words if and when your petition gets in the slow lane too.

To desenchantee, let me know how it goes for you, I'd be interested to learn if you think that your previous filing might have increased your wait time or not. Also, sorry to learn that you experienced difficulty with a previous filing. Rough thing, that. Glad to see you have rebounded well!

Keep the faith to all!

Jerry

I tried to edit the previous post with the following, but musta pressed a wrong button somewhere. Anyhooo...this should have completed the first paragraph:

Your assertions appear to be made largely off of data from the month of March, though in previous posts you have made reference to January and the like. Look Brian, noone is trying to rain on your parade, I'm certainly not. But the reality is a little different than you are attempting to portray it, that's all I am asserting. I base this on my previous governmental employment and experience with the USCIS, though I have never worked as an adjudicator. Mind you, I hope that my suspicions prove to be incorrect. I'd like that, I'd like to see the wait times decrease and as previously mentioned, I have taken more direct action than simply posting on these forums to affect that result. Not just for me either, but for everyone who will attempt the process in the future. That having been said, I don't see things changing anytime soon (e.g. the next year or two) and in the short term (e.g. the next few months), I anticipate a gradual slowing of the I-129F petitions in the VSC. This is an unemotional analysis of the situation as I currently find it; no "hope" of mine is playing into that equation. "Just the facts as they now appear" to borrow a phrase.

You too Guess we all live and learn

adair, I don't think brian was trying to irritate you. He is making a choice here to remain positive...like many of us. You stated yourself that the only thing certain about this whole process...is the uncertainty.

Yes, there are those, like you, waiting for long periods of time and it's a shame. Many of those waiting have either received RFE's or were stuck in namechecks or database hits. A few are the result of a uscis error. Yes, it's unfair. But it is what it is. That's why we have a voice and that's why we use it by contacting our representatives. Good for you in doing so. Whether change is immediate or not, at least it's one more voice added to the cause. I'm certainly with you there.

As far as statistcal data... you can't really base anything as 'fact' when it comes to the numbers. The uscis number show a consistent increase in visa's over the last decade. That's all we know for sure. Times are changing fast. We have to consider there are new officials as well as lots of new staff. I, like Brian and others here, choose to believe they are headed in more positive direction...not the other way. Time will tell. We have to also consider that the database driven searches and name hits may come up more frequently as the DHS tries to better it's own process.

According to these same stats that show the 'general' picture... VSC has a long history (years) of being much quicker than even 60 days and that does not fall off seasonally. The work visa's seem to slow it down a bit about this time of year and, of course, those dreaded fee hikes, but it picks up again once those are cleared up. The H visa's could very well explain the difference in how quickly January's approvals went through to the 2-4 weeks more it seems to take now.

Last years influx threw the numbers way off, they weren't prepared and admittedly mismanaged it, Unfortunately, it also seemed to hold those last quarter filers with any kind of 'rfe' or 'hit' up even more. We can speculate all we want but the uscis are the only ones that know why that's happening. It does seem to be clearing out now. I hope that means you are on your way soon.

Yes, we feel fortunate to be able to file with VSC. I'm also glad that Russell is not from a 'higher fraud' country and that we wont get stuck in AP for years like those poor folks over there do. There are tons of things that can happen. Things beyond our control. Things that will disapoint us. Why should we live in even more misery now just in case that happens to us? Just because you choose not to let it consume you doesn't mean that you don't understand the realities off he process.

I've waited many, many years to share my life with this man. We've had enough pain and misery to last a lifetime. We've opened a new chapter with this petition. So, even though we are well aware that there are more obstacles to face, nothing is gained by worrying about what 'could' happen and nobody is going to rain on our parade. It's hard enough already.

The chances are very good that we will be approved within a couple months time. Yes, it could be more... it could also be less...

My glass remains half full with Brian's. Life's too short and difficult enough without worrying about the what-ifs.

Optimism doesn't set you up for more dissapointment ...unless you let it.

Have a good weekend folks... Happy Mother's Day to all!

*lookin through rose colored shades*

Kim and Brian I am with you guys my glass remains well and truly half full and no one can take that away from me. Sure I have my bad days just like I have my good days. This process will lead to me spending a long and wonderful life with Alan whether it take 3 months or 3 years the outcome I can be sure of. I do however have to admit that my glass of chardonnay continues to slip way below half full on a regular basis today, luckily I'm a classy bird and bought a box!!

Adair we filed almost around the same time and I'm still waiting too. Swing by the January, February and March threads and you'll find people who are still waiting. I'm from the UK and my SO has never filed before, I wouldn't have thought I have a similar name to any badies and I've never been in any trouble myself. Our package was put together well and everything was included as far as we are concerned. Its just the game. We either play by USCIS rules (of which seem to be few and far between) or we don't play at all. Personally attempting to second guess this process would drive me insane and thats why I choose to do it my way. I hope that your suspicions are proved wrong too and your receive your approval soon.

Best wishes to all the April Filers - I hope your enjoying the sunshine

Bex xxx

Bex do you mean literal sunshine ? because Scotland is unusually sunny and it is great! and my football team are playing in Manchester on Wednesday I want to go so bad .

I always told my SO that I wanted to be there for Christmas, we of course filed in march (forms were lost) and then April, I will have my fingers crossed I can spend Christmas with him in the States, 60 seems a little quick for an i-129F , but if 60 days was my approval, I would be absolutely ecstatic, but then have to remember an Approval isnt the end of this journey, and what is it they say, it's the journey who makes you who you are.

Like Bex said , this leads to a new life and like everytime I see Steven after long intervals you cant explain that feeling, just thinking about seeing him at the airport , and knowing I am not going to have to say goodbye at the airport , just thinking about it makes me all gooey inside! (I am such a girl)

I also wouldn't trust VSC's timelines.

One would think $455 would buy you semin decent service, or atleast pay the wages of one guy to do your entire form for you

Bex do you live near Manchester?

I meant REAL all the way ... can you believe we have so much sunshine in the UK at the moment. I'm actually getting a REAL tan!! Whoop Whoop! I think if you want to go to Manchester then you should definitely go - ROAD TRIP!! Its going to be a bigger commute when you are in the states! I live about 2 hours drive away from Manchester in the very lovely and super safe Nottingham ...really its nice ...

Never been to England before, it should be fun when I attempt to find my way to the London embassy !

When I was in the states, that is when I realised how much of a tan I didnt have!, there was even a guy selling DC maps at the subway who said to Steven "I know your american" and then looked at me and said "but where are you from" I didnt even speak .

I also was attacked by mosquitos, we never see mosquitos here, I went to the pharmacist and he said "omg, didnt you have protection" but Steven never even told me they have a crazy arse mosquito thing in Maryland!

No more will I stand out against the tanned americans!, not until I speak anyway, there were alot of "whats" on my first visit.

What is everyones favourite thing about the USA? or your SO's country, or your own. Or all 3!

I fell in love with Ice Cream cake!, when I had my first one in The States I was amazed, alot of "a Cake, made out of...Ice cream, no way" !

My favourite is chilli dogs, hot dogs which chilli meat on the top, yummy.

I agree with the chilli dog thing, they are great!! And what about hamburger helper??? A meal fit for a king I tell you!

P.S. We got touched again today

I am so looking forward to the food there, its so yummy, lovely salads and the fruit is to die for. congrats on the touch too.

Good morning folks.

Graham, how exciting to be touched so much! I hope that means good news for you soon!

Hoping to see lots of VSC approvals the next couple days. We're overdue!

Have a great start to your week friends.

I just love getting touched!!!!

Dang, Graham, your enthusiasm makes me want to register my number so I can track touches. I was trying to hold off. Because I knew that would be one more thing I would track.

Also for the GHF (Glass Half Full) people:

Two more VJ March filers updated their timelines today as being approved. One was 58 days, and the other was 66 days.

And for the GHE (Glass Half Empty) people, I still wish you nothing but the best.

Brian

It's pretty infectious Brian, goodness knows how many times I've checked the USCIS website today. I keep thinking what they are doing with it and when anything will come of it. I know just to sit back and relax but I'm here with not much better to do anyways!!!!

I loved that in Perú the corn was like super gigantic.
It's the best corn on the cob I've ever had.

I'm a New Yorker and my favorite food from NY is the pizza and the dirty water hot dogs they sell in the city.

From down south has got to be the Chic-fil-a chicken sandwich.

hehehe

Still no touches or anything or news my way, but like most of us, I'm trying to keep the glass half-full

Graham, are you thinking that perhaps an adjuticator took your file home for the weekend?

If they did I hope they showed all their friends the pictures of us to help them decide we are for real!!! Nothing new to report as yet but if I get touched up again tomorrow I'll be sure to let you guys know!!

Brian - PLEASE add me to your statistics we received NOA2 yesterday! Woooooohoooooo. There are still people alive at VSC

Good Luck April filers/

Lots of Love

Bex xxx

I'm following you around doing the happy dance

:lol Saff!

Congrats again Bex! SO happy for you!

A few more weeks and I hope that most of us here will be with you guys onto the next step of the journey!

It was 4 weeks ago today that I sent the petition off. The time has really flown by but, after the years of waiting, we are just so anxious to be on to the next chapter already. We're getting there! I'm starting to put his things back into our closet and hoping that the summer plans we're making will include him! All good signs!

edit: Graham... as Russell stated not too long ago... they say being touched may mean 'nothing' but really it means your petition is NOT just sitting in a box in a closet gathering dust waiting to be picked up by an adjuticator. That's got to mean something!

Amazing another 60 day approval for a March filer.

That makes three this week that have been approved in under 65 days and getting closer to almost a 1/3 of all March filers being approved in about 60 days.

Indeed, a good week for us GHF people.

And Graham, I agree with Kim that touches do mean something. While a lot of files are approved without any touches, I like the reassurance that my file has not fallen behind a desk somewhere.

And yes, I will probably register online this week to check for caresses. I would rather my file be caressed. Somehow "touching" seems awkward to me, blame it on Dateline News.

Brian

I just enjoy how excited people are when they say "I was touched!" because I am always thinking "Lucky we are all on the Visajourney, or we would seem like a bunch of loonies!"

We were last touched 30th of last month (duh) we need to be touched again , we feeling rather left out LOL!


Gratz Bex! Great to see March filers getting NOA2's in good timings!