So frustrating!

[KrisandJennie 35]

So my fiance and I got engaged in Scotland (where he lives) mid-April and filed the paperwork which USCIS received May 16th. We received the NOA1 very soon after that but are STILL stuck in the preliminary (background check) stage of the process. Our wedding is November 5th of this year and I'm terrified we aren't going to have this visa in time. I've spoken to USCIS and they said we could still get married but then we'd have to start the process all over again to file for a spouse visa and there's no guarantee he'd be able to stay. We've spent way too much time apart and I don't want to wait any longer! Anyone have any advice? Does it really only 5 months for this (in which case we'd be fine) or is it much longer?

PLEASE HELP!!

[J & M - S 0]

So my fiance and I got engaged in Scotland (where he lives) mid-April and filed the paperwork which USCIS received May 16th. We received the NOA1 very soon after that but are STILL stuck in the preliminary (background check) stage of the process. Our wedding is November 5th of this year and I'm terrified we aren't going to have this visa in time. I've spoken to USCIS and they said we could still get married but then we'd have to start the process all over again to file for a spouse visa and there's no guarantee he'd be able to stay. We've spent way too much time apart and I don't want to wait any longer! Anyone have any advice? Does it really only 5 months for this (in which case we'd be fine) or is it much longer?

PLEASE HELP!!

We were one week short of 5 months. That was just to get our NOA2. There are several VJ'ers that we talked to that were right at 6 months to get their NOA2.

Use the K1 Process Flow Chart link below to help you get a good idea about how long the ENTIRE process will take.

K1 Process Flow

Not trying to depress you, just trying to help manage expectations. It looks to take a couple/few months after your NOA2 to actually get your K-1 to travel on.

Hope this helps and we wish you guys the best of luck.

Jim

[stronger 43]

I don't want to give bad news. But the average wait time is 4-5 months. This is just for the NOA 2 letter. Then you wait about another month for packet 3, if no RFE required. Then you await an interview date. UK can be faster with booking interviews, so it could be possible to make the November 5th deadline, however, I would not make any firm plans that will cost you deposits until you know firm dates. It's the downfall of the fiance visa. I myself am still waiting for my NOA 2. So I completely understand. I have a NOA 1 date of May 16th. I want my love here for the holidays, but we are at the mercy of the USCIS. Not much you can do except have a backup plan. Sorry hun...I know you wanted good news. It's all about patience and hoping for the best case scenario.

[bigdog 376]

You should get your soonish, unfortunately this is a slow process etc. Hang in there. Get some fresh air and exercise. Sometimes a beer works also.

[patient2010 93]

You should get your soonish, unfortunately this is a slow process etc. Hang in there. Get some fresh air and exercise. Sometimes a beer works also.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Does it really only 5 months for this (in which case we'd be fine) or is it much longer?

PLEASE HELP!!

I think the 5 months you're quoting is to get the petition approved. Then you've got to get through National Visa Center (NVC) and on to London where the beneficiary applies for the K1 visa. That can easily eat up 3 months more time.

Here's some current times based on VJ user timelines. Add it up, but remember those graphs trending up could be even higher when you get there. You can see the times go up and down and there's no prediction of where they will be 3 months from now.

[G&T 12]

So my fiance and I got engaged in Scotland (where he lives) mid-April and filed the paperwork which USCIS received May 16th. We received the NOA1 very soon after that but are STILL stuck in the preliminary (background check) stage of the process. Our wedding is November 5th of this year and I'm terrified we aren't going to have this visa in time. I've spoken to USCIS and they said we could still get married but then we'd have to start the process all over again to file for a spouse visa and there's no guarantee he'd be able to stay. We've spent way too much time apart and I don't want to wait any longer! Anyone have any advice? Does it really only 5 months for this (in which case we'd be fine) or is it much longer?

PLEASE HELP!!

It seems like you will have to reschedule your Wedding date . I received my NOA1 on April 4th and I am still waiting for NOA2. That said, the overall process can take around 7-8 months if you are very lucky and 9 montsh to more than a year if you get unlucky or have multiple RFE.

I am lacking as much patience as you are, and was also planning to have a wedding around NOV. 28th but it is what it is. You have waited for long before to be with your one and only, a little more ( even if I get frustrated too with the thought of it)is all that it take, just a little more. Good luck

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

So my fiance and I got engaged in Scotland (where he lives) mid-April and filed the paperwork which USCIS received May 16th. We received the NOA1 very soon after that but are STILL stuck in the preliminary (background check) stage of the process. Our wedding is November 5th of this year and I'm terrified we aren't going to have this visa in time. I've spoken to USCIS and they said we could still get married but then we'd have to start the process all over again to file for a spouse visa and there's no guarantee he'd be able to stay. We've spent way too much time apart and I don't want to wait any longer! Anyone have any advice? Does it really only 5 months for this (in which case we'd be fine) or is it much longer?

PLEASE HELP!!

USCIS received my application in May and I got my NOA2 in July and my interview was in October. We got married in November but we did not plan anything until I had my visa.

If I were you I'd check how easy it is to cancel/postpone your wedding. I'd also think about doing a 'faux' wedding, heading over for a wee holiday having the big party without actually signing anything and continuing on with your K1.

You could get married and start the process again...but check the timelines for that process first, many times it's longer than for a K1.

In the meantime your fiance could get his documents in order and make sure that he's good to go as soon as it gets transferred to the embassy. http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=United%20Kingdom&cty=London

I also hope you get your NOA2 soon.

Good luck!

[Operator 1,925]

Yeah unfortunately what you are waiting for now is the approval of your petition not the approval of the K-1 visa. You still have another step to go after that. We were another 4 months after NOA2. Your's will probably be faster than ours but I would think November is a long shot.

Good luck!

Edited August 30, 2011 by Operator

[KrisandJennie 35]

We were one week short of 5 months. That was just to get our NOA2. There are several VJ'ers that we talked to that were right at 6 months to get their NOA2.

Use the K1 Process Flow Chart link below to help you get a good idea about how long the ENTIRE process will take.

K1 Process Flow

Not trying to depress you, just trying to help manage expectations. It looks to take a couple/few months after your NOA2 to actually get your K-1 to travel on.

Hope this helps and we wish you guys the best of luck.

Jim

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

So my fiance and I got engaged in Scotland (where he lives) mid-April and filed the paperwork which USCIS received May 16th. We received the NOA1 very soon after that but are STILL stuck in the preliminary (background check) stage of the process. Our wedding is November 5th of this year and I'm terrified we aren't going to have this visa in time. I've spoken to USCIS and they said we could still get married but then we'd have to start the process all over again to file for a spouse visa and there's no guarantee he'd be able to stay. We've spent way too much time apart and I don't want to wait any longer! Anyone have any advice? Does it really only 5 months for this (in which case we'd be fine) or is it much longer?

PLEASE HELP!!

The UK is already scheduling October interviews (I see there is even an Oct 31 date scheduled) so if you received your NOA2 this very second the best you could possibly do is a November interview and there is still a short wait after the interview to get the visa.. I'm sorry but November 5th is not possible.

[baron555 934]

So my fiance and I got engaged in Scotland (where he lives) mid-April and filed the paperwork which USCIS received May 16th. We received the NOA1 very soon after that but are STILL stuck in the preliminary (background check) stage of the process. Our wedding is November 5th of this year and I'm terrified we aren't going to have this visa in time. I've spoken to USCIS and they said we could still get married but then we'd have to start the process all over again to file for a spouse visa and there's no guarantee he'd be able to stay. We've spent way too much time apart and I don't want to wait any longer! Anyone have any advice? Does it really only 5 months for this (in which case we'd be fine) or is it much longer?

PLEASE HELP!!

Our timeline, to the first interview, is kinda typical. I'd cancel the wedding and reschedule once you have the visa in hand and not any earlier. This information is well established and well discussed; why you chose to ignore it is on your conscious.

[Manda_Uk 2]

If there is any way to reschedule your wedding I would, you don't want that kind of stress on you when your trying to organise a wedding, trying to immigrate and trying to get everyone family and friends over to the US for the actual event etc. Me and my fiance are getting married by ourselves as soon as the visa process is over and we are organising our Wedding for friends and family next year which means that we avoid the stress of not knowing if you will be approved in time for the wedding. It might not work for your situation but just an idea. USICS certainly don't make it easy for us! Best of luck!

[Dave H 12]

So my fiance and I got engaged in Scotland (where he lives) mid-April and filed the paperwork which USCIS received May 16th. We received the NOA1 very soon after that but are STILL stuck in the preliminary (background check) stage of the process. Our wedding is November 5th of this year and I'm terrified we aren't going to have this visa in time. I've spoken to USCIS and they said we could still get married but then we'd have to start the process all over again to file for a spouse visa and there's no guarantee he'd be able to stay. We've spent way too much time apart and I don't want to wait any longer! Anyone have any advice? Does it really only 5 months for this (in which case we'd be fine) or is it much longer?

PLEASE HELP!!

Hi KrisandJennie,

I see your pain of being apart, but the November wedding could be out of the question, I am sorry. My interview took 200 days to get, then I had to plan the flights, put in my notice at work and tidy up my affairs in U.K. which added a small amount of extra time, and all without RFE's. If you get a RFE this will add more time.

I am sorry for the bad news, but just think that you will be together soon, do not rush it I beg. It will be worth the wait.

Dave

Edited August 30, 2011 by Dave H

[Wishin-n-hopin 15]

I know that this process can be so frustrating. I had originally planned to get married on October 29th of this year (we filed our petition in March)...but with the way things are looking right now, I have decided to move my wedding date to December 3rd. It does take, on average, 4-5 months just to get the approval for your petition (I-129F), and that's if there are no RFE's. Then...the case is sent to NVC, where it can sit for nearly 2 weeks. Then...it is sent to the embassy in London.

Your fiance will also need to go to London for a medical exam, but this is done AFTER your petition is approved and after you get a case number from NVC. Around that time, you will also get a letter from the embassy (packet 3)...there will be more forms to complete and you will also need to gather more documentation for the interview. I am told that from the time that the embassy in London receives your completed packet 3 forms, there is an average wait time of 7 weeks before the interview date. My fiance and I are in this waiting period now. He just sent packet 3 back to the embassy yesterday, so I'm thinking he won't have an interview date until somewhere around the middle of October. He will not be able to come over to the states immediately because he will have a lot of packing to do, plus selling his car, getting rid of his flat, resigning from his job and securing a shipping container to ship his belongings over here (so if your fiance has anything like this to take care of...make sure you give him ample time to do all of it before he comes over).

So...I agree with others who have responded here....if you can possible change your wedding date, do it. Do NOT make any wedding arrangements at this time that can't be changed (such as renting a hall for your reception, or having your wedding invitations printed). The only advice I can give you at this time is....be flexible.

Good luck!