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Filed: K-3 Visa Country: India
Timeline
Posted

Hi All,

Here is the detailed report that I promised earlier. I first applied for I-130 in April 2007 and I-129F in June 2007. Both of our petitions were transferred to California Service Center. In November-December 2007, we received RFE for both petitions asking us to submit marriage certificate. My wife and I were unable to register our marriage after our traditional religious wedding as I was in India for only one week. In India we are required to give 30 days notice before registering the marriage and I was not able to get that much leave so we couldnt get the registered marriage done. Anyway, I came back to US after the religious wedding and applied for I-130 and I-129F.

In December 2007, I took up a new job with another company and I was on 3 month probationary period, so I could not take any days off to goto India and register our marriage When I received the RFE, I called California Service Center and spoke with an immigration officer and explained the situation. I said it is not possible for me goto India at such a short notice, get the marriage certificate and submit it before the RFE deadline. The officer said just write that in a letter and send your explanation to CSC with the RFE notice. CSC said the officer who has your petition will take a decision based on what you write. So I did just that and after one week, they sent me a denial notice for I-129F with no option to appeal. THen after a few days they sent a denial notice for I-130 with option to appeal. Both the denial notices came in Jan 2008. And remember I could not take any days off from my job to travel all the way to India to get the marriage certificate because of probationary period from my employer. But after the denial I gambled and took a chance with my employer and told them I have to goto India for emergency reason.

So, in Feb 2008 I went to India for one week and got our registered marriage done and obtained the certificate. I came back to US and re-filed the I-130. Soon after receiving the NOA1 for I-130 I sent the I-129F in first week March 2008.

On March 20, 2008 (after receiving NOA1s for both petitions), I filed for expedite request. The reason for expedite was on humanitarian/financial/medical grounds. My grandfather who is staying with me here in the US had suffered a massive brain tumor attack last year and his condition kept getting worse. He went through 2 brain surgeries and spent 4 months in hospital which resulted in more than $150000 dollars worth of medical costs. Since I had taken the financial responsibility for him, I started gettting calls from collection agencies and the hospital to make the payments which I could not affort. The collection agency even threatened me with a lawsuit if I dont start paying the amounts they decided. So based on this I filed expedite request with VSC. They denied the expedite request saying that since your grandfather is not related by blood to your wife we cannot expedite your request.

Then in late May 2008, I sought help from my local congressman to expedite again based on the same reasons that I gave in March 2008. The congressman's office submitted the expedite and AGAIN VSC Congressional Unit denied the request saying it does not meet requirements for expeditious handling. Congressman's office said we have done everything we can to expedite and we cannot help you further.

On June 15, 2008 I had a terrible accident which resulted in fractured nose, left arm and several muscle ruptures in the back muscles. So then I update the Congressman's office of my accident and asked to them to send an expedite request again. Congressman's office sent the expedite request along with a letter from my attending doctor and other medical reports to VSC Congressional Unit. The next day VSC Congressional Unit replied saying we DENY this expedite request as the accident doesnt seem to have caused any life threatening injuries. Therefore we cannot ask for expeditious processing.

Then on July 11,2008, I called VSC through RFE line and asked them if they ever got expedite request from my Congressman's office. The officer said there was no expedite request sent to VSC by your Congressman. I was very surprised and got really mad. Then the officer said, there is a seperate expedite team at VSC which consists of 6 immigration officers. They are the ones who decide if expedite should be approved or not. She also said that expedite team in the Congressional Unit of VSC is entirely different. So then she asked me to submit the expedite request again and fax the requested documents directly to VSC. I did that and got an email confirmation about the expedite request the same day from VSC. Then on July 17, 2008 at around 12:30 pm I called VSC again and asked them for a status on my expedite. The immigration lady said, both your I-129F and I-130 are paired together and have just been assigned to an officer. She said you should get a response within 7-10 days. Then I check the USCIS case status online system at 7:00 pm and viola APPROVAL NOTICE SENT for I-129F!!!!!!

So moral of the story guys, dont ever give up on your case and keep pushing them as reasonably as you can. Oh and one more thing, practice patience, that is one weapon which is most useful when dealing with USCIS. Good luck to all, my prayers are with all of you!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Thailand
Timeline
Posted
Hi All,

Here is the detailed report that I promised earlier. I first applied for I-130 in April 2007 and I-129F in June 2007. Both of our petitions were transferred to California Service Center. In November-December 2007, we received RFE for both petitions asking us to submit marriage certificate. My wife and I were unable to register our marriage after our traditional religious wedding as I was in India for only one week. In India we are required to give 30 days notice before registering the marriage and I was not able to get that much leave so we couldnt get the registered marriage done. Anyway, I came back to US after the religious wedding and applied for I-130 and I-129F.

In December 2007, I took up a new job with another company and I was on 3 month probationary period, so I could not take any days off to goto India and register our marriage When I received the RFE, I called California Service Center and spoke with an immigration officer and explained the situation. I said it is not possible for me goto India at such a short notice, get the marriage certificate and submit it before the RFE deadline. The officer said just write that in a letter and send your explanation to CSC with the RFE notice. CSC said the officer who has your petition will take a decision based on what you write. So I did just that and after one week, they sent me a denial notice for I-129F with no option to appeal. THen after a few days they sent a denial notice for I-130 with option to appeal. Both the denial notices came in Jan 2008. And remember I could not take any days off from my job to travel all the way to India to get the marriage certificate because of probationary period from my employer. But after the denial I gambled and took a chance with my employer and told them I have to goto India for emergency reason.

So, in Feb 2008 I went to India for one week and got our registered marriage done and obtained the certificate. I came back to US and re-filed the I-130. Soon after receiving the NOA1 for I-130 I sent the I-129F in first week March 2008.

On March 20, 2008 (after receiving NOA1s for both petitions), I filed for expedite request. The reason for expedite was on humanitarian/financial/medical grounds. My grandfather who is staying with me here in the US had suffered a massive brain tumor attack last year and his condition kept getting worse. He went through 2 brain surgeries and spent 4 months in hospital which resulted in more than $150000 dollars worth of medical costs. Since I had taken the financial responsibility for him, I started gettting calls from collection agencies and the hospital to make the payments which I could not affort. The collection agency even threatened me with a lawsuit if I dont start paying the amounts they decided. So based on this I filed expedite request with VSC. They denied the expedite request saying that since your grandfather is not related by blood to your wife we cannot expedite your request.

Then in late May 2008, I sought help from my local congressman to expedite again based on the same reasons that I gave in March 2008. The congressman's office submitted the expedite and AGAIN VSC Congressional Unit denied the request saying it does not meet requirements for expeditious handling. Congressman's office said we have done everything we can to expedite and we cannot help you further.

On June 15, 2008 I had a terrible accident which resulted in fractured nose, left arm and several muscle ruptures in the back muscles. So then I update the Congressman's office of my accident and asked to them to send an expedite request again. Congressman's office sent the expedite request along with a letter from my attending doctor and other medical reports to VSC Congressional Unit. The next day VSC Congressional Unit replied saying we DENY this expedite request as the accident doesnt seem to have caused any life threatening injuries. Therefore we cannot ask for expeditious processing.

Then on July 11,2008, I called VSC through RFE line and asked them if they ever got expedite request from my Congressman's office. The officer said there was no expedite request sent to VSC by your Congressman. I was very surprised and got really mad. Then the officer said, there is a seperate expedite team at VSC which consists of 6 immigration officers. They are the ones who decide if expedite should be approved or not. She also said that expedite team in the Congressional Unit of VSC is entirely different. So then she asked me to submit the expedite request again and fax the requested documents directly to VSC. I did that and got an email confirmation about the expedite request the same day from VSC. Then on July 17, 2008 at around 12:30 pm I called VSC again and asked them for a status on my expedite. The immigration lady said, both your I-129F and I-130 are paired together and have just been assigned to an officer. She said you should get a response within 7-10 days. Then I check the USCIS case status online system at 7:00 pm and viola APPROVAL NOTICE SENT for I-129F!!!!!!

So moral of the story guys, dont ever give up on your case and keep pushing them as reasonably as you can. Oh and one more thing, practice patience, that is one weapon which is most useful when dealing with USCIS. Good luck to all, my prayers are with all of you!

Man... after all that, I would say you definitely earned that visa. Good luck moving forward.

Service Center : Vermont Service Center

Consulate : Bangkok, Thailand

Marriage : 2006-11-08

I-130 Sent : 2008-02-22

I-130 NOA1 : 2008-03-10

I-129F Sent : 2008-04-08

I-129F NOA1 : 2008-04-14

I-129F touched: 2008-05-06

I-130 touched: 2008-05-09

I-129F approved 2008-09-05

I-130 approved 2008-09-05

NVC received 2008-09-12

Pay I-864 2008-10-08

Pay IV bill 2008-10-08

Receive Instruction 2008-11-05

Case Complete 2008-11-18

Medical 2009-01-19/20 passed

Receive Pkt 4 2009-01-30

Interview 221g 2009-02-23

Second interview 2009-03-02 Approved

POE DFW 2009-03-07

Received SS card 2009-03-17

Received GC 2009-04-01

Done for 3 years or 10 years. Haven't decided yet.

(I'm going for the IR-1 and blowing off the K-3. Even if it takes an extra couple months, it's worth it to not have to deal with USCIS again)

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Note:

Please fill out I-130, wait 6 months for approval, then 3 more months for an interview. (Unless of course we've bombed your country into the stone age, then you qualify for expedited processing.)

Welcome to the USA!!!

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
Timeline
Posted
Hi All,

Here is the detailed report that I promised earlier. I first applied for I-130 in April 2007 and I-129F in June 2007. Both of our petitions were transferred to California Service Center. In November-December 2007, we received RFE for both petitions asking us to submit marriage certificate. My wife and I were unable to register our marriage after our traditional religious wedding as I was in India for only one week. In India we are required to give 30 days notice before registering the marriage and I was not able to get that much leave so we couldnt get the registered marriage done. Anyway, I came back to US after the religious wedding and applied for I-130 and I-129F.

In December 2007, I took up a new job with another company and I was on 3 month probationary period, so I could not take any days off to goto India and register our marriage When I received the RFE, I called California Service Center and spoke with an immigration officer and explained the situation. I said it is not possible for me goto India at such a short notice, get the marriage certificate and submit it before the RFE deadline. The officer said just write that in a letter and send your explanation to CSC with the RFE notice. CSC said the officer who has your petition will take a decision based on what you write. So I did just that and after one week, they sent me a denial notice for I-129F with no option to appeal. THen after a few days they sent a denial notice for I-130 with option to appeal. Both the denial notices came in Jan 2008. And remember I could not take any days off from my job to travel all the way to India to get the marriage certificate because of probationary period from my employer. But after the denial I gambled and took a chance with my employer and told them I have to goto India for emergency reason.

So, in Feb 2008 I went to India for one week and got our registered marriage done and obtained the certificate. I came back to US and re-filed the I-130. Soon after receiving the NOA1 for I-130 I sent the I-129F in first week March 2008.

On March 20, 2008 (after receiving NOA1s for both petitions), I filed for expedite request. The reason for expedite was on humanitarian/financial/medical grounds. My grandfather who is staying with me here in the US had suffered a massive brain tumor attack last year and his condition kept getting worse. He went through 2 brain surgeries and spent 4 months in hospital which resulted in more than $150000 dollars worth of medical costs. Since I had taken the financial responsibility for him, I started gettting calls from collection agencies and the hospital to make the payments which I could not affort. The collection agency even threatened me with a lawsuit if I dont start paying the amounts they decided. So based on this I filed expedite request with VSC. They denied the expedite request saying that since your grandfather is not related by blood to your wife we cannot expedite your request.

Then in late May 2008, I sought help from my local congressman to expedite again based on the same reasons that I gave in March 2008. The congressman's office submitted the expedite and AGAIN VSC Congressional Unit denied the request saying it does not meet requirements for expeditious handling. Congressman's office said we have done everything we can to expedite and we cannot help you further.

On June 15, 2008 I had a terrible accident which resulted in fractured nose, left arm and several muscle ruptures in the back muscles. So then I update the Congressman's office of my accident and asked to them to send an expedite request again. Congressman's office sent the expedite request along with a letter from my attending doctor and other medical reports to VSC Congressional Unit. The next day VSC Congressional Unit replied saying we DENY this expedite request as the accident doesnt seem to have caused any life threatening injuries. Therefore we cannot ask for expeditious processing.

Then on July 11,2008, I called VSC through RFE line and asked them if they ever got expedite request from my Congressman's office. The officer said there was no expedite request sent to VSC by your Congressman. I was very surprised and got really mad. Then the officer said, there is a seperate expedite team at VSC which consists of 6 immigration officers. They are the ones who decide if expedite should be approved or not. She also said that expedite team in the Congressional Unit of VSC is entirely different. So then she asked me to submit the expedite request again and fax the requested documents directly to VSC. I did that and got an email confirmation about the expedite request the same day from VSC. Then on July 17, 2008 at around 12:30 pm I called VSC again and asked them for a status on my expedite. The immigration lady said, both your I-129F and I-130 are paired together and have just been assigned to an officer. She said you should get a response within 7-10 days. Then I check the USCIS case status online system at 7:00 pm and viola APPROVAL NOTICE SENT for I-129F!!!!!!

So moral of the story guys, dont ever give up on your case and keep pushing them as reasonably as you can. Oh and one more thing, practice patience, that is one weapon which is most useful when dealing with USCIS. Good luck to all, my prayers are with all of you!

you could write a book.. man you went through a lot.. i'm glad you finally got approved.. i pray things go more smoothly from now on

Passage Revelation 19:11:

11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

"satan is real and he's playing for keeps
God is realer and we are His sheep
which side are you on, CHOOSE, start moving your feet
choose JESUS and have ETERNAL PEACE" by GOD to me on 9/26/10 about 2am
Thank you Jesus!!!!


Bebe and Cece Winans Heaven



Abdel Halim Hafez Qariat al Fingan


Filed: K-3 Visa Country: India
Timeline
Posted

Hello Dear,

We both have made it to this point and I am sure we will be able to cross every hurdle. It was our faith in ourselves, each other and ofcourse the most important God which has made it possible. The last one year and seven month was very hard, but now the time has come when I will see you soon and we will be together forever. Take care of yours.

We both will keep everyone in our prayers for their visa journey

May God Bless All

14 Dec 2006 Marriage

24 April 2007 Applied for K3

31 Jan 2008 Denied by CSC (for not able to provide marriage certificate in time)

25 Feb 2008 Reapplied at VSC for K3 again

17 July 2008 Approval of I129 F (Approval through expedite, I130 is still pending)

22 July 2008 file received at NVC

24 July 2008 File left NVC to New Delhi consulate

28 July 2008 File received at consulate

29 July 2008 Packet 3 received

30 July 2008 Packet 3 submitted to consulate

30 July 2008 Packet 4 received

01 Aug 2008 Medical Appointment and collected reports on 4 Aug, 2008

04 Aug 2008 I130 Approved (17 days after the I129f approval)

13 Aug 2008 Interview !!!!!!!! and Approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

19 Aug 2008 Visa received by VFS

18 oct 2008 US Entry

Filed: K-3 Visa Country: India
Timeline
Posted
Hello Dear,

We both have made it to this point and I am sure we will be able to cross every hurdle. It was our faith in ourselves, each other and ofcourse the most important God which has made it possible. The last one year and seven month was very hard, but now the time has come when I will see you soon and we will be together forever. Take care of yours.

We both will keep everyone in our prayers for their visa journey

May God Bless All

Yes honey. The wait has made our bond even stronger. Cant wait till you get here. Love you lots!

 
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