To live happily with my wife...

[IndigoSkies 168]

Dear VisaJourney,

I would like to start my very first topic in your forum by thanking you. What you have created here is unique. The service you provide through maintaining this forum is equivalent to hiring 20 lawyers. VisaJouney Posters, This forum wouldn't be this forum with your contribution both in form of questions and answer. The immense amount of knowledge that I have gained, and indeed you have also, from here is literally priceless. The best part is however reading your stories. Your journeys from meeting someone to showing your dedication to someone, your family, your relatives portray that part of humanity that I am proud of: sympathy, affinity, love, loyalty, trust, etc among many other things.

However, on sad occasions you also remind us with your stories of betrayal and mistrust and other such human follies. To those who were victims of such things (i.e. sham wedding for immigration), I say keep on keeping on. There will certainly be times when you’ll be happy. And all the misconducts of the universe will self-correct. And those who have found true friendship, love, etc, kudos to you. Don’t take your relationship with your spouse and/or family for granted. Thank you both the staff and the posters. I hope you will guide me through the same journeys that you’ve taken or are taking. As I have also started the same. A little bit on me and my story.

I have been arrange-married to my lovely wife who resides in Bangladesh. You may have heard many ill stories regarding arranged marriages; but, I am here to attest that mine is as blissful as it can ever be. Though this was arranged by parents and family, both I and my wife always had the option to say no. We’re eternally thankful to our kind parents and relatives for their guidance, supports, and effort. After all the formalities of a really traditional and really fun wedding, I and my wife were really husband and wife. We’re both happy and we get along very well. So now begins my journey to bring her to America…

We married on middle of March 2010. When I came back to America, I filed Form I-130 along with Form G-325A for myself and my wife. Along with I-130, I included the required copy of my passport, both of our birth certificates, marriage certificate (in Bengali, and in English,) and a copy of my citizenship certificate. I included a check for 355USD and mailed it overnight to Chicago Lockbox. The online USPS tracking shows that the package has been accepted and signed by USCIS agent. But I haven’t received the green return receipt yet. The form was mailed on 20 MAR 2010; USCIS received them on 21 MAR 2010. And today is 27 MAR 2010. I expected the green slip to be here by now. Should I be worried? Should I take any pre-emptive actions? The check for 355USD Form I-130 hasn’t been cashed yet. Thanks for your responses, criticism, etc.

Kindly,

IndigoSkies

PS: I have found it difficult to decipher the lot of acronym that you’ve used. AOS, NOA, etc. Though I know meaning of them now, I think it will be wonderful to have a Sticky Thread explain NOA stands for Notice of Acceptance, etc. Just an idea! Maybe there is already such a thing.

[Cheyemo 8]

I really don't have an answer for you IndigoSkies, I just wanted to say I liked your post! My husband and I met and married in Bangladesh too (though neither of us are of Bangladesh nationality) so I'll always have a fond place in my heart for Bangladesh! I wish you the best on your journey.

[milimelo 4,503]

Are you sure you didn't mail everything in April and not March? Often times it takes up to 2 weeks or more for the check to be cashed and NOA1 sent to you. Once you see the check cashed expect NOA1 shortly.

Best of luck on your visa journey!

[IndigoSkies 168]

In my rush to get out of the office for an hour of R&R under the spring sky and gently flowing clouds (I swear one of the cloud looked like Dr. Phil's head), I wrote MAR when I should've wrote April. Unfortunately I cannot edit this anymore. So to self-correct: I sent all the forms on 20 APR 2010. USCIS signed for the stuff on 21 APR 2010. Today is 27 APR 2010. I had to go to the post office to mail my aunt some seeds. You know how aunts are when it's spring/summer time. Garden, garden, garden... Anyways, the post office worker said I should get the receipt in a day or two. I suspect she was just saying this to get rid of me from the line.

It has only been a week now. I'm not impatient just yet. However, I was impatient to join VisaJourney.

[sdw 10]

You should get something in the next few days.

You should get something in the next few days.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Dear VisaJourney,

PS: I have found it difficult to decipher the lot of acronym that you’ve used. AOS, NOA, etc. Though I know meaning of them now, I think it will be wonderful to have a Sticky Thread explain NOA stands for Notice of Acceptance, etc. Just an idea! Maybe there is already such a thing.

Actually NOA means "Notice of Action". Here is the list: http://www.visajourney.com/content/definition

As for your case. I wouldn't be worrying too much at this point. Give them 2 weeks. You have your online confirmation and that's all that matters at this stage so you know it's there. Just keep an eye out for your NOA1

Good luck

[IndigoSkies 168]

Good friend, Vanessa&Tony, thank you for not only correcting my understanding of NOA but also for providing me with ze link to others acronyms, which has been promptly bookmarked!

The check that I sent for 355USD along with I-130 has been posted on my account last night. I can see scanned copy of the check. Front and back. I wanted to mention that I wrote "Department of Homeland Security" when I should've wrote "US Department of Homeland Security." USCIS agents were kind enough to scatch my mistake and sealed in "US Department of Homeland Security." Sweet! I have a timeline now.

20-APR-2010 - Form I-130 mailed

21-APR-2010 - USCIS received I-130

27-APR-2010 - Form I-130 fee cashed

[milimelo 4,503]

Since you are doing the CR/IR visa, I will move your topic in CR/IR forum.

[IndigoSkies 168]

Since you are doing the CR/IR visa, I will move your topic in CR/IR forum.

Is that what I'm doing? I've no idea. I learned something new now. Yay! Thanks. I must say this whole immigration process is brand spanking new to me.

[Filipinawife0210 15]

It's new to alot of us. I am awaiting some documents from my wife, and will be filing shortly. I have spent countless hours soaking up as much information as possible from this forum. Through this learning, I have been able to give some advice to other VJers as well, so I feel priveleged to have the opporunity to learn from so many knowledgeable folks. Good luck on your journey, and congratulations on your blossoming marriage/relationship!

[IndigoSkies 168]

I have an update to make today. But first of all, I talked to my lovely wife. Sometimes, it still takes me a second to fully grasp that I'm married to this amazing girl. She's not only super cute but she's lively. She laughs loudly and uncontrollably. And I always found that sexy in a person (especially in a woman.) Oh and duration I spent with her after the marriage, I noticed she had a good posture and sge stood straight up and never drooped. That ups the sexiness a few notches even on an ugly person.

20-APR-2010 - Form I-130 mailed

21-APR-2010 - USCIS received I-130

27-APR-2010 - Form I-130 fee cashed

28-APR-2010 - Received USPS return receipt (send for Form I-130)

[antoneya 9]

I have an update to make today. But first of all, I talked to my lovely wife. Sometimes, it still takes me a second to fully grasp that I'm married to this amazing girl. She's not only super cute but she's lively. She laughs loudly and uncontrollably. And I always found that sexy in a person (especially in a woman.) Oh and duration I spent with her after the marriage, I noticed she had a good posture and sge stood straight up and never drooped. That ups the sexiness a few notches even on an ugly person.

20-APR-2010 - Form I-130 mailed

21-APR-2010 - USCIS received I-130

27-APR-2010 - Form I-130 fee cashed

28-APR-2010 - Received USPS return receipt (send for Form I-130)

Indigo,

Remember you send your 1-130 to the Chicago lock box = 3 - 5 days USPS timeframe. It then gets send to the service center, California or Vermont = 3 - 5 days USPS. Since your check got cashed yesterday your forms are probably at one of the service center, so give them today and tomorrow to get your information into the computer and send a NOA out to you. So that's 2 days + 3 - 5 days USPS to get the NOA 1. I suggest give them 2 weeks if you don't get anything by the middle of next week then start calling them.

[IndigoSkies 168]

I've noticed people usually get their first notice of action (NOA1) for I-130 in about 9.73 days. Today is the 9th day. So things are progressing well and on schedule. I'll start making phone calls if I don't get NOA1 by mid next week as you advised. Thanks.

Speaking of noticing things, I've also noticed that though the service centers reserve at least 5 months to process the I-130 files from an US citizen, many people have their second of Notice of Action (NOA2) much sooner. These people are just lucky or or their some reasoning for faster services? I'd love to be one of the lucky one. There's nothing to really expedite the process.

I have another question. I have my previous 3 years of tax-return files with W-2 and other supplimental things. I have also rquested IRS to send me the tax transcripts and tax account transcripts. That's all dandy. But one of my friend said NVC/USCIS wants fresh copies of these transcripts. Less than 6 months old. Is that true? Have I ordered my transcript too soon?

[IndigoSkies 168]

When USCIS cashes your Form I-130 fee check, it has assigned a case number already. So as soon as you can see a scanned copy of your check online (at your bank website, if they offer such things), you should be able to get the case number from scanned, back side of your check. I just learned that today. The existance of a case number means first Notice of Action (NOA1) has been issued. You just haven't received it on your hand yet. So I should get it today I'm hoping. Or tomorrow. I'm happy knowing everything is progressing smoothly and as they should. I hope I was able to teach you folks something with this post. You can get your case number even before you get your NOA1.

Also, should I start new topics every time I have something new to say? Or should I just use this forum post as sort of my on-going log?

[IndigoSkies 168]

I didn't add a updated timeline on my previous post. I thought I didn't have anything to update on. But I do.

20-APR-2010 - Form I-130 mailed

21-APR-2010 - USCIS received I-130

27-APR-2010 - Form I-130 fee cashed

28-APR-2010 - Received USPS return receipt (send for Form I-130)

30-APR-2010 - Realized cashed check has case number, NOA1 has been mailed on 27-APR-2010.