K1 from Germany...unclear...help?

[stillwaitingNohio 0]

Hi to all,

This is my first post on VJ, although far from my first visit to the site. This site has been a wonderful help with getting started down the long road to a visa! Let me begin by telling you where I stand:

I sent in my I-129F to the California SC on September 5, 2007, and recieved my I-797 on September 31, 2007. It has a recieved date of September 12, 2007. That is it......

I am beginning to worry because I have heard absolutely nothing from USCIS about my case, and when I have called the Customer Service all they tell me is the information that is on my I-797. They say that they have no more information, and refuse to give an estimated date that my case will be reviewed.

We are planning to have our wedding on Aug 9th. I have already put the down payment on the service and her family has already purchased airfare to come to the wedding. Have I made a mistake? I read that most visas are issued within 8 months of the initial filing, which would have us legal to be married by May if true. I cant help but constantly worry that it is all going to fall apart somehow because of some beauracratic error or lost paperwork.....I am at my wits end!

From anyone who has been through this already, particularly with a German, any insight or commentary would be greatly appriciated.

Also, when I read the logs that people often post with their comments on this board, often I see the word "touched" or "case touched" by one of the dates. Can someone please tell me what that means exactley? Hey, I'm new to the game! lol

Thanks in advance,

Zeb

[Jeraly 4]

Haha - ok - you sound like me I've been through the exact same thing so hopefully I can help

The date you filed means you shouldn't necessarily hear anything yet. It took me 152 days to get my NOA2 and it took many others longer. As far as I can tell, CSC is just beginning to process early August Filers while they finish up us July lot You might hear something in a month or so - maybe earlier if you are one of the lucky ones but seriously nothing to worry about just yet

As for booking the ceremony - we did the same thing - as the whole process is taking so much longer at the moment than it was when we booked our wedding we are now having to settle for a non-legal wedding in February as my family had booked tickets, we put deposits down etc as well - it means I have to try to enter the US next month (I should be fine but am nervous about it) and then return to the UK to wait out the rest of the visa. Then I will go out and we will have a legally binding ceremony to fulfill visa conditions in the summer You should be fine - you have allowed 11 months which is good although there can still be nightmare situations where you might not get it in time (if your case goes into extended review or whatever). Don't panic just yet but if you get to a point where you are worried I would seriously consider your other options We had to and we've picked what we think is the best choice for us - it is different for everyone

I am sure you will be fine but I wish you all the luck in the world - hopefully you'll be luckier than us!!

[Steve'sGirl 0]

Don't think you should worry about anything at this stage. I know, the wait seems endless but your timeline still looks pretty good. There are plenty of VJers out there who have waited six months or so for NOA2. Just try to be patient, even though it's tough.

A 'touch' means that someone at your SC took your file, maybe started reviewing it or just they they put it in another box. When you check your case online you should look at the date. So the date that is on there now is the one they last 'touched' your petition. There will be no record of your touches on the USCIS website, you can only keep a list for yourself from checking the site every now and then. Touches don't necessarily mean anything even though they are comforting.

You should be on the safe side with your August arrangements.

I'm sure you'll hear something soon. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

If, by some chance, it doesn't happen and time, and you have a non-legal ceremony, your guests probably wouldn't be any the wiser. Only the ones I told knew that. We even still went off to the side afterwords to sign something. In this case, it was a little thing the reverend typed up himself stating that we know that what he performed wasn't legal, etc., in order to protect his own behind. Plus, we then had proof that we weren't married at that ceremony if it ever comes into question.

[stillwaitingNohio 0]

Thanks so much to all of you who replied to my post. That is conforting that my situation is not that uncommon and that most of you think that I have allowed sufficient time when planning the wedding. It is enough to keep me up at night though, thinking of the "worst-case scenarios". lol

Just a quick question about having a "non-legal" marriage in case the visa is not approved in time. Isnt there a reg that says that the fiance cannot come to the States, even for a visit, while the application is still being processed? If so, how would it be possible to get her here to have that sort of ceremony? Also, would she have to leave the country again to go back to Germany and do the interview afterwards? Thanks again for all of your help!

Zeb

If, by some chance, it doesn't happen and time, and you have a non-legal ceremony, your guests probably wouldn't be any the wiser. Only the ones I told knew that. We even still went off to the side afterwords to sign something. In this case, it was a little thing the reverend typed up himself stating that we know that what he performed wasn't legal, etc., in order to protect his own behind. Plus, we then had proof that we weren't married at that ceremony if it ever comes into question.

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

Well, in that case, it might be a bit harder for you. You'd have to have clear indication and documentation that the person entering the country would be leaving after their trip. We lived right on the border, and crossed many times while the visa was in process.

[Sinergy 3]

Im not saying not to worry but not saying to worry, just saying, this process can and has taken longer than 6 months, no ones case is the same and no one here can tell you not to worry after putting down a deposit on a weeding and ppl already purchasing plane tickets. Anything can happen to prolong the approval and then you have a paid for wedding with no bride yet and inlaws with tickets and no event to go to.

I do hope it dont happen that way, but ive seen it way to often on VJ happen just that way.

Good Luck

[stillwaitingNohio 0]

Well I guess at this point I just have to hope for the best and stay optimistic. I'm sure it will work out, and if not we will find a way to make it ok in the end. Thanks again for the support and info!

Im not saying not to worry but not saying to worry, just saying, this process can and has taken longer than 6 months, no ones case is the same and no one here can tell you not to worry after putting down a deposit on a weeding and ppl already purchasing plane tickets. Anything can happen to prolong the approval and then you have a paid for wedding with no bride yet and inlaws with tickets and no event to go to.

I do hope it dont happen that way, but ive seen it way to often on VJ happen just that way.

Good Luck