Dealing with the waiting game

[patient2010 93]

Interesting, I just wonder why they created the date of interview after 4 months for you, is it normal practice? NOA-2 is valid for 4 months only. it's written in that document. I know that CO can add another 4 months, but they never give this written in any paper, just say THEY CAN DO THIS, but I guess nobody had notification about it as a hard copy when in many cases it's a reason to "kill" petition because it's "expired".

That is very normal practice and i too wondered why it was not it writing as well that they can automatically renew petition after the expiration date. But I dont worry about them saying the petition expired because it is not my fault it is there fault because they had to schedule outside of the 4month window so they must honor it now if it had expired because I didnt do some paperwork or just neglected to get an interview within the time frame then yes they could and would deny on basis of expired docs but in this case it is not my fault it is the embassies so they must honor my NOA2

[gap1 21]

I think the worst part is friends and family that have no idea what the process entails. People are constantly asking me when he will be living here, as if all he has to do is hop on a plane. I just wish I knew that our application was at least being looked at (not even touched since the day our check was cashed). I don't know if it's just them not updating the website or if they've actually not even looked at it. We're planning the wedding for the end of April (filed in June), so hopefully that gives us enough time for everything.

As if the wait wasn't bad enough, we have to deal with the possibility our fiances will get turned away at customs when they visit! It's ridiculous. He's coming here in a month, but I can't even relax because I'm terrified something will go wrong and he'll not be allowed in.

[Lucy NY 1]

thanks for all the replies fellow waiters

Its such an inspriration and calming feeling that you aren't the only one in the world waiting on something that seems like a life-time. I am positive that all posters will get to be with their loved ones eventually and patience and perserverence will pay off but its nice to know that i am not the only one going insane.

As some posters have said, some days are fine, others a total nightmare, I find holidays quite hard and each others birthdays etc etc. Going to have to face the facts that Christmas this year will be spent at home and apart from each other. Some days I feel like I am going to explode with all this frustration.

Does anyone think they are putting their life at a total standstill for this? I am not even happy at home anymore because I am not doing anything or planning anything to make me excited other than the wedding and the visa ####### - which although is exciting, its all tainted due to waiting so much. Maybe I am just a very impatient person I almost feel like the direction I want my life to go just cant be done and everyday with work it feels like you are never going to escape the place. I guess for some partners its easier as thier life continues as normal, as I said my OH is much more relaxed about it than I am! He knows it will happen when it happens, I guess I should take a leaf out of his patience book

I really hope someone hears some good news soon and the key I think is too kepp as busy as possible

[Gingerpants 8]

Does anyone think they are putting their life at a total standstill for this? I am not even happy at home anymore because I am not doing anything or planning anything to make me excited other than the wedding and the visa ####### - which although is exciting, its all tainted due to waiting so much. Maybe I am just a very impatient person I almost feel like the direction I want my life to go just cant be done and everyday with work it feels like you are never going to escape the place. I guess for some partners its easier as thier life continues as normal, as I said my OH is much more relaxed about it than I am! He knows it will happen when it happens, I guess I should take a leaf out of his patience book

I really hope someone hears some good news soon and the key I think is too kepp as busy as possible

Definitely! I feel like everything we talk about these days begins with "when we get in the US we can...."

It really just makes the wait more annoying

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Absolutely. This process is something that is impossible to plan around, so my life's completely on hold. All of our plans are for "when I'm there" but we don't know when that will be, so there's nothing we can do but wait. That's the most frustrating part. Feeling like you can't even plan major life events (moving to another country, getting married, etc) because you still have so much paperwork to sit and wait to be processed.

[Rob+Liz 0]

I check the status daily...a little OCDish, I know! Although I am on the text message and email update, I still check it.

In three days I am going to Peru for a week but after that...I probably will not be able to go back until the interview date....so that is unknown Not knowing the next time we will be together will be maddening....but at least we will hopefully (assuming they approve the K1) be together always after that. I know it is going to be horrible when I leave, but I am just trying to concentrate on the time together.

I completely understand and wish I could go to Peru right now as well. I have not seen my fiance in 9 months, thanks to the US Military. The next time i can go is either Christmas or an interview. So I feel your pain.

[Lucy NY 1]

Feel really shitty today - just so fed up

Another week will come and go and wont hear anything, hating this big time

Cant even be bothered to keep myself busy, have no motivation to do anything. Living everyday, doing the same thing, waiting for the same thing is starting to get rather repetitive.

If this continues until xmas I am going to go insane!

[faytaan 0]

I am experiencing the same feelings. hope you and all other couples here reunite real soon.

just to share with you that within next week I am going to attend Spanish language courses since majority of population in area that I am going to live are Spanish speakers and I want to learn few words . We try to break this waiting period by having short term plans. most probably we will meet sometimes in Nov or Dec depend on his workload.

[Gingerpants 8]

Feel really shitty today - just so fed up

Another week will come and go and wont hear anything, hating this big time

Cant even be bothered to keep myself busy, have no motivation to do anything. Living everyday, doing the same thing, waiting for the same thing is starting to get rather repetitive.

If this continues until xmas I am going to go insane!

Aw, well look on the bright side, at least you're being processed at Vermont and not California.

Because I'm beginning to think that California has one lonesome employee doing all of the processing themselves with the way their moving.

[Lucy NY 1]

Aw, well look on the bright side, at least you're being processed at Vermont and not California.

Because I'm beginning to think that California has one lonesome employee doing all of the processing themselves with the way their moving.

I am thinking they have one old fella to do all applications, and he changes centres every other day!

Didnt think the wait would be this bad!!

[gap1 21]

I know. I think the wait is worse for the Americans as our fiances get to have this exciting life change so they get to spend their time packing and tying up loose ends in preparation to leave their lives behind whereas our lives just stay the same until they arrive.

My fiance and I are aspiring writers, and something we did to help kill time was start a blog about our experiences and general thoughts throughout this process: http://transatlanticboogeymen.blogspot.com/

I agree. This is the only thing I can think about anymore. It's consumed my entire year.

[Gingerpants 8]

I am thinking they have one old fella to do all applications, and he changes centres every other day!

Didnt think the wait would be this bad!!

Yeah hehe, I picture a feeble little old man behind a desk with thick spectacle lenses typing very, very slowly.

*Ah I just noticed I used the incorrect 'their,' when I meant 'They're.'

Perhaps CSC employees just need some good motivation! Like a good old fashioned race between them and VSC.

[Gingerpants 8]

I know. I think the wait is worse for the Americans as our fiances get to have this exciting life change so they get to spend their time packing and tying up loose ends in preparation to leave their lives behind whereas our lives just stay the same until they arrive.

My fiance and I are aspiring writers, and something we did to help kill time was start a blog about our experiences and general thoughts throughout this process: http://transatlanticboogeymen.blogspot.com/

I agree. This is the only thing I can think about anymore. It's consumed my entire year.

Oooh Gap1 I just clicked onto your blog and I'm finding myself immediately entertained, and nodding at each line as you've so precisely depicted this daunting process! I recall when I first heard about the K1 visa I thought to myself, "Wait-- not only do I need permission from my government to get married but I also have to wait ages for their approval?!"

[gap1 21]

Oooh Gap1 I just clicked onto your blog and I'm finding myself immediately entertained, and nodding at each line as you've so precisely depicted this daunting process! I recall when I first heard about the K1 visa I thought to myself, "Wait-- not only do I need permission from my government to get married but I also have to wait ages for their approval?!"

Aw thanks for reading! Yeah, my fiancé and I are really interested in documenting this process. Writing about it is sort of therapeutic for us, especially since we have been slacking on our creativity lately. This acts as a release as well as a motivator to write more regularly. I am the posts tagged The American and he's posts tagged The Englishman. At least something good is coming out of this crazy waiting game.

[Gingerpants 8]

Aw thanks for reading! Yeah, my fiancé and I are really interested in documenting this process. Writing about it is sort of therapeutic for us, especially since we have been slacking on our creativity lately. This acts as a release as well as a motivator to write more regularly. I am the posts tagged The American and he's posts tagged The Englishman. At least something good is coming out of this crazy waiting game.

Yes I've thought about doing something similar but I think it would just manifest into a rant. So for now I'm just expressing my stress through online moodboard tools and such.