Thanx Nic - It's so strange you spend all this time waiting, stressing and complaining about the wait and the stress and all I have said to people today is "Ahhh we were approved so fast!!"

As for touches, we were sadly deprived of the pleasure throughout our journey we definitely didn't get our moneys worth. We were touched on the 17.03 and 23.03 and that was it. I would have liked to have seen a few more just to know that we weren't sitting behind a cupboard somewhere but they definitely aren't indicative of whether your case is proceeding or not.

Good luck everybody, another 30 days or so and you will all be jumping around with your NOA2s in hand

xxxxxx

I danced around all happy when our forms were signed for, then when our cheque was cashed, then when we got the NOA1 number, I am all jumped out! .

Must be exciting Bex!, your forms will be taking a transatlantic trip soon! if they havent left already!

Okay, I couldn't resist.

I finally signed up for the online case status service from the USCIS. I gather you cannot see the collective touches only the last touch/update. So, if you check on a consistent basis you can see the new update. If this is wrong, and you can check all the collective "touches", someone please let me know.

Drum Roll please,

ddddddddddddddddrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, my last update/touch was 04/29/08.

Since my NOA1 is dated 04/03/08, I hope this means that the file box containing my petition was checked out for review and is now sitting on someone's desk. Remember, I am a GHF person.

As I have mentioned before though, our personal timeline is an interview date for my SO of early August. So our plans don't really change if my approval is May, June or early July. An early approval will just encourage me to make some deposits for a September wedding.


Brian

Congrats to BexandAlan

Ooooh Brian got a touch... errrr or is that a caress?

Hell, I wouldn't mind a grope!

Brian you are correct, you can only see the latest Touch. I have been writing my touches down on notepad Document I started to keep mind of all the important dates etc;, for future reference, or even to look back on when I am old and say "remember when.."

I think getting 'groped' would be the last touch before the NOA2 hehe.

Thanks a lot Graham I checked my update today (as I knew I would) and there is no change and it bummed me out for a minute. Just kidding, but that is why I soooo did not want to sign up for those updates.


And yes Kim, I would like to think that my file was lovingly "caressed" by a thoughtful and caring USCIS worker who is happy with their job and looks forward to processing my file.

And as far as the final "grope" for approval Nicoxcx, the only thing that really bothers me is that I paid $455 to be groped.

Have a great day everybody,

Brian

I haven't had my file touched yet.

Although the "last updated" date is different from my NOA1 date, but I thought that was because I signed up for the account on that date. Is this true?

I'm not too savvy on this stuff, lol

One has nothing to do with the other. I did not register on-line until 5/13 but my last update was and still is 4/29.
Of course I could be completely wrong, but then my update date would be 5/13.

I think it was just a coincidence, that you registered the same day as your file was lovingly "caressed" by the gentle hands of a caring and supportive USCIS worker.

Brian

No that would be a touch susita wtg, lets hope for more or even an approval

woohoo! thanks guys, you just made my day!!!

Congratulations Bex!

Hey, how's it going. Well my comment on the irritating thing was half tongue-in-cheek, I wasn't really bent out of shape or anything. I don't consider Brian's comments all that serious enough anyway, they're just too emotional to be reasonable, IMO. And let me say that again, "IMO". Take note of that before you flame away, 'cause I won't listen to any flames, it is MO only. Anyway I guess several of you missed the "irritating" joke.

What I don't like from him and possibly you/others is being labelled as a "glass half empty" person though, to be open about it. I don't see myself as that, I'm just more realistic with what I see and don't live so much on the "hope" factor. I consider myself lucky overall, so life is good and yes, my "glass is half full", to borrow your phrase. So you can quit making your little "those of you whose glass is half empty" backhanded remarks Brian...



Yeah that is really the thing to do. Personally I don't give much weight to people who complain a lot (on the forums or otherwise) but who actually DO very little about their issues in life. WRT the petition approval process within our government I have made attempts on three occasions now to get our voice of discontent out there, with the basic pitch advocating various arguments, such as the assertion that we as citizens should take priority in the proverbial USCIS adjudication queue over petitions for foreign workers, that kind of thing. I've done this at community town hall meetings with my local representation and - since I live in the capitol of TEXAS - once inside the capitol building.

This is TAKING ACTION and carries much more significance than posting on boards. Heck, I'm only here tonight 'cause I have nothing else to do and I'm feeling a little "combative", but I digress.



Well that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. Let's just agree to disagree, shall we?

Personally I will still advocate that little will change with the increased fees and new personnel hirings. This is based on my experience as a former government employee who has seen this same kind of thing happen before. Our agency increased our "fees", which really were something slightly different but analogous, and nothing changed. I saw this same phenomenon within other governmental agencies too and more than once. So I'll stand by my assertion that over the next few months the approval rate will continue to slow and in the longer term picture, the overall NOA1 - NOA2 timeframe will not improve significantly over previous years.

Again, and I hope you "glass is half full" people (gawd!) are listening: I am NOT trying to be negative, "glass is half full", rain on anyone's parade, or anything of that nature. Did you hear that? Read that first sentence again, just to make sure you got it. I am only advocating a different position than yours, but that in and of itself does not make me negative or "glass is half empty". Panamyish?



Well the previous years are when the other SCs were still accepting and processing I-129F petitions, which they are no longer doing, so you can't really use that data for making the argument you're making, at least not logically. (emotionally perhaps, but not logically) I also do not agree (based in part on the aforementioned assertion) with you regarding the seasonal dropoffs. Those do and will continue to happen, though they may not be aligned with what we would refer to as "seasons" per se, so much as they will with performance review cycles and the like. (just one possibility) However I do agree with you in part regarding the H visa thing.



Well thanks for the well wishes, I return the same to you, Brian and all the other folk who have engaged themselves in this somewhat arduous process. Contrary to what Brian and co have asserted, I am hopeful that things will improve, but I am also realistic too, and I know that such improvement is not likely.



Ok if that last sentence was in relation to me, I take true exception to that comment. And just incase it was: This thing hasn't consumed me or Olga, thank you very much. Once again, don't mistake my realistic commentary and opinion for some kind of "ba! humbug" Scroog-ish outlook on the process or the time constraints therein. I simply choose to look at what's happening with an unbiased, unemotional perspective, that's all. And if that comment wasn't directed to me, my apologies.



Don't know what that means, but glad that you've turned a corner in your relations. And yet again (you'd think that y'all would get the picture by now), noone is trying to rain on your parade, and that includes me.



Yes quite possibly, that's true. And for y'all (and everyone else), I hope that bears truth in the end. And before you ask yourself, YES I do mean that.

However, with that having been said, I think that in the near future people will be looking at a 60-day approval in the VSC (where "approval" means from the NOA1 date until the NOA2 date inclusive) with the same "Eeeeeeewwww-Aaaahhhhhh!" quality that they used to look at a 30-day VSC approval just earlier this year. Heck, even if you go to the "Processing Times" here on the VJ website, you'll see the graph that indicates that what I'm advocating appears to be happening. I can remember when the average was down around 60 days at VSC and now that same graph is showing around 78! Personally I think it'll be up into the 90s by the summer time and perhaps even into the triple digits again, though you April filers will likely come in before that happens...

One final thing. Remember that the data here on VJ is only representative of a sample of the overall number of petitions in the VSC/CSC/wherever. There are SO many more folk who have filed but who have never heard of VJ before, so to make any real analysis like "...of the 65 March filers..." is simply ridiculous. Although it can give you a "feel" of what's happening, that's all it can really do.

Anyway, enough ramblings. There's a barbeque dinner with my name written on it, so I need to head out and give it the attention it requires.

Y'all have a good week! Good talking with you and Best Speed on getting your NOA2s!

Thanks,

Jerry

Stop the negativity ahhhh!

It was a sunny day in NY today! About 65 degrees, much better than the nasty cold weather we've been having!

Somebody else say something nice!

My fiancee, however, is cold in Peru. Well good for him, because when he was bragging about the sunshine and beaches in Peru I was freezing my a$$ off here in NYC.

LOL

What else is new with everyone? Remember, think happy thoughts hehehe

Jerry, thanks for your comments. Anything directed at you was addressed to you..the rest was 'in general'. I realize you said you weren't raining on anyone's parade but perhaps, if you read your own words again, you might see where many of us feel you might be just a tad. Therefore, forced to be defensive on our own behalf as you seem to be. We do understand that you have a different perspective on the process and we can respect that you have that opinion without having to believe in the same thing. In return, you should respect the fact that we have our own opinions as well.

The management style in Vermont has been attributed to it's speedy process. They hired new employees to handle the new petitions.. who are trained by the same managment team... I don't see how that slows them down more. ...just MHO tho. As you stated many times, we just dont know. So, why argue the points you're trying to make? I believe you're just trying to explain your position but you must see that are you a tad combative in your approach.

You state your facts as though we are all too emotionally distraught to see the clear picture. Firstly, I am an edjucated woman, close enough to your age and with more tragedy and life experience than most people get in a lifetime. Sure this is difficult, but it's not like losing a child.... it's not like trying to breathe life into your own parent. It's about patience. My vision is not skewed because I want Russell here earlier. I am a computer programmer, graphic/web designer and I write all my own code by hand. I have an extremely analytical mind and i've been studying the numbers and patterns now for months... basically because I had nothing else to do with regards to the petition while we waited to file! Pathetic, I know!

The true and only facts are that we just have no way of knowing. All we can base our perception on is that the people who are being approved right now, the people that we know about, have waited approximately 60 days. I don't see anything wrong with assuming the same will happen for us. And I don't see basis for your argument... besides well... argument.

Again, thanks for interjecting and letting us know how you feel and why. We've heard you. We wish you well. Now we're moving on and awaiting our 60 day approvals!

Hi Susy, was gorgeous here in MA today too! Getting cold in NZ but my man is on the North Island where it stays a little warmer so he's hanging in there. Boy was I envious when he was in the warmth and beauty of that beautiful country and I was here buried in 3' of snow!

Now if my boys in red can beat the Orioles and if my boys in Green can crush Cleveland tonight, then all will be (almost) right in the world! Tell me you're not a yankee fan!

mmmmm

Yesterday, another March filer was approved in under 60 days. Almost 10% of all the March VJ filers have received NOA2's this week so far.

A really good week for March filers, unless your a GHE person.

I think I will order my tax transcripts next week. I would rather my SO present those as part of my financial proof, instead of my actual tax returns. A one page summary for each year would be easier for the consulate to review, than sifting through my returns.

Susita, I am glad you got confirmation that you were "touched."

I have a feeling that someone soon will be the first to get approved.

Brian

Brian I love your statistical outbursts!

Thanx for the congratulations adair - your touches look like good news could possibly be on the way for you too. Yes this site is representational of only a small percentage of filers but it is a representation after all.

I hope everyone is having a lovely week. This time next Thursday I will have finished my degree so I'm getting a wee bit stressed out with revision right now. Fingers crossed VSC keep up their pace on March filers and move onto April by the end of the month!

*hugs*

Bex xxx

Oh Geeez that Bex is here again! congrats on the degree! Good for you hon!


Sh!t Stirrer!

A little dreary in MA here today. Immediately after I posted last night the orioles got a grand slam and beat the red sox! Wont be any more of that! At least the celtics won and it's on to game 6... on the road *gulp*! Lots of work to do and I have no interest in doing it. Did I mention how much I hate computers?

Well i'll start getting more excited once I see Brian and a few of the other April early birds approved. Then i'll start checking more often. I do hope they pick up the pace some as seeing others approved seems to really brighten my days! Let's go vsc! csc's been showing you up lately!

WOOHOOOO, I WAS APPROVED..............


for like 10 seconds. When I checked the USCIS website for an update I apparently entered WAC and not EAC (W and E are neighbors on the keyboard) as my part of my id. Apparently, WAC plus my ten digit id number brings up an approved work visa.


Still an exciting 10 seconds, though.


Brian

Just to keep your spirits up guys I went through all the timelines for March NOA1s today and there are 79 people received their's in March and out of those 79 people, 30 have received their NOA2s already. Thats 38% and who knows if all 79 people keep their timelines up to date?!?!?!

Always keep that glass half full everyone

Oh and come on the Pens tonight in the Playoffs. Down with the Flyers 4-0 would be peachy!!! Let's go Pens!!!

Let's go April Vermont Filers!!!!!!



Unlucky Brian, but it's coming soon for everyone hopefully!!

Brian... you suck! My heart stopped! That is too funny.

Graham. very sweet of you to do the math! Great to know!

Congrats Brian, now it moves quick hope you got good brakes lol

omg had me fooled

Brian ~

You're so good because if I were you I'd be hysterical crying lol

I'm becoming addicted to this website and to checking the USCIS website.

Do we have a support group for this? LOL

Of the 95 people that received their NOA1 in February, 74(78%) have received NOA2.

And of the 89 people that received their NOA1 in January, 75(85%) have received NOA2.

I'm pretty sure not everyone updates their timline so fingers crossed everyone

December is 93%!!!

Sally, I thought you were only playing with him.

Graham... boy you like those numbers! By any chance are you a 'geek' like me? If not, perhaps I can offer you a job? I don't care what anybody says, it's great to have definitive proof that things are happening. Thanks again! btw... did you mention if you guys had any baby names picked out??

Susy, the first thing you must do is admit you have a problem. You're half way there!

I too am here every day. I think it makes me feel closer to Russell in some strange way. Doesn't help that i'm always on the computer for work. I don't seem to check the uscis site too often though. Russell does check it every day. I guess I figure we'll get an email if we're approved. Maybe in a few more weeks i'll start getting a little more obsessed about it.

Luis is so computer illiterate, (he only knows how to send e-mail and use Messenger) on my first trip to Perú I had to install Skype for him and show him how to use it. He is obviously NOT checking the USCIS website, lol. However, he does ask me every single day if I've checked it

We miss each other. It's been pretty rough we're both going through some personal stuff and it would be nice if we were together so we could help each other through it a lil' better.

Otherwise, I'm pretty occupied with work, school, the kids, etc. However my new obsession with checking the website & posting in the forums and reading other peoples timelines is taking OVER lol.

I'm still down for those drinks btw.

Russell and I are both complete geeks! We're both pretty good with graphics but he's better with components and hardware and i'm better with scripts and languages so we are a good match. He's really not a chatter but you'll find him posting here at times with 'our name' and he comes to browse all the time. Me, on the other hand, am a social butterfly! I've had my own forum with loads of members for 10 years so this is old hat for me!

We met online 10 years ago so I guess we've had our share of chat programs and what-not. We mostly use msn now (skype takes over your pc too much imo..especially when your work is your pc!). Im going to set up a live streaming cam for him on my server so that he can log on and check the house out anytime he likes. He said it will make him feel closer. Honestly, I just can not wait until we're not checking emails and having to log on just to talk anymore. We had that for a year and a half when we lived together and it was just so hard going back when he got 'das boot'.

I'm thinking once he's here I wont be getting any work done anymore!

Susy, how old are your babies?

My kids are twins and they're 3. They're completely crazy, but they're the best. They are from a prev. relationship (my ex turned out to be no good) so I'm a single mom. Good thing Luis loves my kids. I told him that he might change his opinion when he gets here, LOL.

j/k but they're VERY active little boys.

Susy, they are beautiful! You can see the 'spirit' in their eyes! I'm sure they're loads of work... don't know a kid that isn't!

My kids are almost 16( g ) and 12 1/2( B ) now! How the time flies! I was with their dad for 20 years. Still care about him very much but he's not who I should be with either. Russell gets along very well with them and they miss him a lot too. We do plan on having a child together asap... should be a whole new world this time around!

Good Friday morning April filers! Have a wonderful day!

Brian, do let us know if you're approved again today!

, that was good.


I did check that case again. It was so deceiving because it said the following:

Current Status: Cable sent to American Consulate or port of entry notifying them of approval.

I was like no way, then I started looking, it had no name or address but then I saw the following:

Application Type: I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER

Anyway it really had me going for a while, until I figured out my case id# was off by one letter.


Brian

Two more MARCH VJ filers approved today in UNDER 60 days.

Over 12% of the the March filers were approved this week alone.





Brian

PS. I think I just set the new indoor VJ record for
emoticons. The previous record was set in 2004
by USC filing for a K-3 visa for his Ukranian wife.

keep em comin!!!

Here's my NOA2 !!!! (from 2005....lol)

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1088/noa2md0.jpg


Ok, 2nd time's the charm!!
May us April filers get theirs soon

Did Anyone from April 2008 filers got their NOA2 already?

not that we know of here

VJ March K-1 filers halfway done with NOA2's.

68 Filers with NOA1's dated between 03/01 and 03/31

34 Filers have received NOA2's w/ 45 day avg. between NOA1 and NOA2

2 Filers have received final visa's already.


Congrats to the March filers.


Brian- GHF

Hey Guys

Hope you've all had lovely weekends! I'm about ready to see some April filers at the top of Igor's list. I don't think it will be long now.

Good Vibes

xxxxx

Thank goodness for Brian.

With my math skills, I'd get nowhere. What would we do without yours and Kim's calculations?

I'd be lost, that's for sure, lol

Well thanks for being good at math!

Have a nice Sunday!

First APril filer to get an NOA2 buys us all a drink!, Unless it is me you can all buy me one hehe.

I would also be lost, I have the math skills of a banana, okay maybe I am being a little harsh on myself but thanks guys, for keeping us up to date with statistics!

Hi Brian,
At last i found out some one who is also an April Filer. Thanks for starting this thread.
I have been reading VJ posts from quite a long time & VJ has helped me & my Fiance prepare ourselves for this long battle before we start our lives together. Our application was last touched on April 26th 2008 & since then we are still waiting for our NOA2. I hope that the Vermont centre processes our applications with a faster speed ( they seem to be fastest amongst other centres that's what i got to know !!!!!!! ). Yeah & fewer submissions means faster responses from them hopefully!!!!!!!!.

Thanks once again Brian for providing us with this awesome information. You surely do a lot of research work .:-)Hopefully we all should get our approvals sooner. Praying to GOD for that............

I wish all the VJ'rs Best of luck.

Regards,

Amrit & Rob




” A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”

Actually, I add very little other than a positive cosmic force. Though, I think everybody should be required to read that Q &A link with a former USCIS adjudicator who gives VJ the inside scoop. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...dicator-q-and-a


Kim is the brains of this thread. She has spent months reviewing this site and her knowledge really shines. Russell is a lucky man. (Kim, you can clip that and send it to him.)

Susita83, Nicoxcx, desenchantee, Graham, mrsgomestobe, marizzacado and prettynpink keep things lively. Which reminds me, where is that catwoman photo prettynpink? And Nicoxcx, I think we should buy a drink and a shot for the last person to get an NOA2. I personally vow to be supportive of everyone until the end. Which knowing my luck will be me.

And Sal&Jay and Bex help keep up us April people in line. Though technically March people, we let them in the club.

It's a great group Amrit & Rob, join the fun and stay positive.


Brian

Awww Brian, thanks. I am always learning but have been well-guided by 'those who came before us'

Trinner (vj elder ) sent me a script to try to help me put together a list of April filers that I can store on my server and update daily. There's a few bugs and I still have to see if I can manipulate it to work with the vj database to show just April filers. I haven't forgot.

Yes, I think we should toast each approval as it comes through and I too plan on sticking around until every April filer has their NOA2! Brian, you should be one of the first...but I know what you're saying...our luck seems about that too. We should stay here to help each other through AOS as well!

5 weeks tomorrow since we sent the papers in. I'm hoping to see some of you early birds approved as soon as next week! Ooooo it's exciting isn't it? Do you feel like you're growing more impatient as the time approaches??

Ahem be careful this may be perceived as a little GHE Kim I have already made a few calls and had yours and Brian's applications moved to the top of the pile. I have everything crossed for you guys. Saffyre a Feb filer had her interview and was approved today!! I can't believe how quickly things move after you get past the dreadful waiting bit.

I just spoke to a lovely man at NVC, its amazing how different they are without once they issue that approval. The people on the phones at USCIS are pre-programed robots and the people at NVC are so full of life. Searching through their records to offer you information you haven't even asked for. I was so pleased with what he was telling me I forgot to ask him for my reference number - LOL the one thing I actually wanted from the call. Oh well I only want it so I can book the medical and I have to wait a few weeks for that anyway.

I really want to see some April approvals before the end of the week. Call it female intuition (or call it wishful thinking) but I can feel it in the air. Hope your all having a great start to your week.

Lots of love

Bex xxx

Yep - a happy Feb filer here.

I wish you all speedy approvals!!

Awwww thanks Bex. and CONGRATULATIONS again Saff!!!!!

It's funny how happy I get for all you folks... it gives me warm fuzzies all over to hear your good news. I guess it's because I just know how i'm going to feel the day I know my man is coming back home to me!!!

Congratulations and Celebrations to Saffyre for a quick approval, well done

Today is a pretty miserable day in the state of Pennsylvania. Megan is working her little cotton socks of with all the rugrats down at Day Care as she does most of the time. Went out on Saturday night and got pretty drunk with an old school friend of her's and her boyfriend, it's pretty nice having a permanent DD!! Then yesterday we watched the Penguins destroy the Flyers in the Eastern Playoff finals. Let's just hope we get the Stars and not the Red Wings in the finals so we get home ice advantage!!

I think there should be an approval either at the tail end of this week or the beginning of next week. I really hope so as I want to be back as soon as possible to help Megan with the issues of pregnancy. Not that I don't wish everyone else a speedy approval. Although I'm not too sure on having to buy everyone in the thread a drink when you get approved, both Nicoxcx and I are Scottish and I'm not really in to that idea at all

I know that we will still be around till everyone gets NOA2 and beyond as this is really just the end of the beginning. Still got medical/interview and then AOS and citizenship to do. So we will still be here for a while to come I think!!