Waiting (im)patiently

[cellarlily 0]

Hello!

First, may I say that I'm very sad that my service center (Nebraska) sent our application to California to be processed. It seems like they're the most swamped!

Anyway, we received the NOA1 in late July and a RFE for more information October 16. We sent 20 pages of very detailed information the very next day. (I wish I would have known about this website before we even applied to save this step.)

They received it on October 19th and have updated our status every day up until the 25th. Is this a good sign? Do you think they are close to approving it? When they received our additional information they said

"However because preliminary processing was complete, the remaining processing time will be less than the maximum stated in this message. You will receive a written decision on this case."

Less than the maxium stated? They never give a maxium! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

I'm sorry if there are threads on this already...I checked back a couple pages, but I'm anxious for an opinion.

Thanks!!

Edited October 27, 2006 by cellarlily

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I wouldsay it is a good sign - it means someone is working on your file every day - and they have to work on it before they can approve it, so it is looking good.

The message is a standard one. It means that they already had started the work on your file which stopped while they waited for your response. Now that they have your response, they can pick up where they left off so it will be a shorter time than if they hadn't started any work at all.

Hang in there. I suspect you will hear something soon.

[cellarlily 0]

Thank you. I realize now that there are other people who are going through the same thing with CSC and I feel a little dumb asking the same question. We were just very excited to see that it was updated so regularly, but now that they haven't updated in 2 days we're sitting on the edge of our seats.

I called USCIS CSC and it's still being processed. I hope they decide today...it would be the end to such a great week (he was just offered a job here yesterday!)

Now I just hope the Embassy doesn't take forever...

[no name 1]

Thank you. I realize now that there are other people who are going through the same thing with CSC and I feel a little dumb asking the same question. We were just very excited to see that it was updated so regularly, but now that they haven't updated in 2 days we're sitting on the edge of our seats.

I called USCIS CSC and it's still being processed. I hope they decide today...it would be the end to such a great week (he was just offered a job here yesterday!)

Now I just hope the Embassy doesn't take forever...

The UK embassy is about 8-10 weeks from NOA2 to interview. Filter the timelines to check that.

It's great he got offered a job, but you know he won't be able to work until he gets EAD - a good 3 months after filing AOS? That's 3 months after you get married. Which, if you got approved today & married right after getting the K1 is still at least 5 months away.

My UK K1 process took 5 months but I was one of the quicker ones. If you fill out your timeline, we can help you more.

Edited October 27, 2006 by devilette

[cellarlily 0]

Thanks. I believe that his job knows just how long and uncertain this whole process is and they want him anyway and are willing to wait. Let's hope they're willing to wait that long.

I don't have specific dates with me right now (and I can't remember how many times it was "touched" prior to this past week), but I'll do the best I can so you guys get an idea of what we're dealing with.

[Hornet 2]

Try not to assume it will get approved anytime soon becoz it might not. It just makes the wait that much harder. I know, they've had my RFE since July 29 and still nothing. They can take as long as they want.

"However because preliminary processing was complete, the remaining processing time will be less than the maximum stated in this message. You will receive a written decision on this case."

That's a joke. It doesn't mean squat.

Did you have to answer yes to any of the IMBRA questions? I assume yes since you sent 20 pages back.

That might cause a delay. Who knows?? It seems like a total ####### shoot.

If they red flag your file to look at it closer, like they did mine. Be prepared to wait.

Our Govt SUCKS!!

[rosyanne 0]

Hey, don't feel bad there. We all have been there, done that.

Luckily, as other mentioned, once you get the approval, you are only couple months away from take your sweaty home! In some countries, we can't even receive package3, let alone getting the visa.

Since you sent your REF back already, and if it is what they are asking for, your approval should be coming really soon! Good luck!

[cellarlily 0]

I'm not sure what IMBRA is? Sorry.

Ours was 20 pages because we FLOODED them with information. When they asked for proof that we've seen each other in the last 2 years, we included things from every single visit (5 of them) in the last 5 years including flight itineraries, ticket stubs (with dates...I was dumb and didn't realize the one I had sent with my application didn't have the year on it), credit card statements, passport stamps, etc. They also asked us to elaborate how we met, wanted a copy of my fiance's birth certificate, 2 more passport photos (?), and statements from us saying we still intend to marry (which we included the receipt for my engagement ring).

Lots and lots and lots of supporting documentation. I'm hoping it was enough.

[no name 1]

I'm not sure what IMBRA is? Sorry.

Ours was 20 pages because we FLOODED them with information. When they asked for proof that we've seen each other in the last 2 years, we included things from every single visit (5 of them) in the last 5 years including flight itineraries, ticket stubs (with dates...I was dumb and didn't realize the one I had sent with my application didn't have the year on it), credit card statements, passport stamps, etc. They also asked us to elaborate how we met, wanted a copy of my fiance's birth certificate, 2 more passport photos (?), and statements from us saying we still intend to marry (which we included the receipt for my engagement ring).

Lots and lots and lots of supporting documentation. I'm hoping it was enough.

IMBRA Affects everyone after March 6.

Marriage brokering in a nutshell + criminal convictions.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=126

If you got an RFE fpr more pics, that's a bit odd. Did you send them initially? Is how you met straightforward?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

heheheh, I think you answered their concerns very nicely:-). As I mentioned above, being touched is a good thing because it means they are at least looking at your file. Since you did provide the information they requested - and it was a lot of it - they are probably matching it up to the file and ensuring they now have all that they need. I wouldn't be surprisedif you receive your approval soon. At the very least, you do know that they are working on it.

[cellarlily 0]

IMBRA Affects everyone after March 6.

Marriage brokering in a nutshell + criminal convictions.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=126

If you got an RFE fpr more pics, that's a bit odd. Did you send them initially? Is how you met straightforward?

Yep, I sent them with the original package. In the UK, their passport photos are a different size than ours, so I don't know if they didn't accept them because of that or if they just plain lost them. I had to get mine retaken and my fiance e-mailed photos that I had made into wallets that I then cropped to the appropriate 2" x 2" size. I hope that's acceptable.

I think we were as detailed as possible when explaining how we met. I explained that I initially met one of his friends (from the UK) and we became good friends while he was on vacation here. Once he went back, he exchanged our information and my fiance and I started talking extensively for about 4 years through e-mails, phone calls, letters, etc. until he came to visit last summer and that we've seen each other 5 (now 6) times since then.

It had more detailed information, but I won't bore you with that.

I do have to thank you guys for keeping me positive. It's definitely a difficult thing to go through and when we started this process we were extremely naive as to how long it would take. I didn't realize just how many people do this. It is definitely worth it...I just miss him very much and would like to start '07 with him!

[cellarlily 0]

Just wanted to update that I received our NOA2 today which was approved 10/23/2006. Those sneaky USCIS people said it was still being processed on Friday!

Yaaaaaay!!!

[Robert818 0]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

[cellarlily 0]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you!!

Yours will come soon, too I'm sure.

[mybackpages 0]

Congratulations on the NOA2