Method to the madness?

[Petar&Wendy 30]

Does anyone know the method to this madness? We have been looking at people's stories and timelines, especially the ones close to our region (The Balkan) and we just don't get it. We are living in Serbia now. I am an American that came to marry my Serbian this summer because the I-129F we had initially started was going to be over a year (so I was told by the USCIS agent I spoke with over and over again). We submitted our I-130 in September of this year. While reviewing the cases here on VJ we have become more and more confused! Some very similar cases to ours take 3-5 months while others take close to 2 years. I even have seen some visas approved in under a month! I keep telling myself that I just have to wait but I desperately want to go home to my family in Washington State. We are so happy we are together and we know it could be worse, I just want to know what's going on!!!

Homesick,

Lynetta

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It's nothing to do with Serbia. Your file gets put in a box with other files and eventually someone opens the box and goes through the petitions and approved them or sends out RFEs. Most of the time waiting your petition is just waiting in line to get looked at.

I think you misunderstood the USCIS agent. Generally the whole K-1 visa process takes a year. But no one can promise or predict anything, because it changes. Expect to have the spousal visa in your hand in about a year, as well. You've been waiting 1-2 months. In 4 more months you will probably get I-130 petition approval, then on to NVC stage, then on to embassy stage.

There are plenty of flow charts and information about the whole process, if you check the guide section.

[TravelingFrog6476 3]

Does anyone know the method to this madness? We have been looking at people's stories and timelines, especially the ones close to our region (The Balkan) and we just don't get it. We are living in Serbia now. I am an American that came to marry my Serbian this summer because the I-129F we had initially started was going to be over a year (so I was told by the USCIS agent I spoke with over and over again). We submitted our I-130 in September of this year. While reviewing the cases here on VJ we have become more and more confused! Some very similar cases to ours take 3-5 months while others take close to 2 years. I even have seen some visas approved in under a month! I keep telling myself that I just have to wait but I desperately want to go home to my family in Washington State. We are so happy we are together and we know it could be worse, I just want to know what's going on!!!

Homesick,

Lynetta

From what we've experienced, it's mostly A LOT of waiting and TRYING to be patient. Both processes seem to average about 1 year, from start to green card.... but some couples appear to get lucky. We had considered both options for being together. After reading the pros and cons of both, we ended up choosing the K-1 route based upon what we thought was best for our particular situation... btw, we live in the Seattle area and are in the AOS process now... but still waiting.

Try not to be discouraged. I understand you miss the great NW... but I'm sure the rain and coffee (and perhaps other familiar things) will still be here to greet you when you return

Good luck to the two of you on your journey!

P.S. my wife gets bored when I'm at work, mostly because she has not yet been approved to "legally" work in the US, if you can believe that.. lol

[imse82 45]

From what we've experienced, it's mostly A LOT of waiting and TRYING to be patient. Both processes seem to average about 1 year, from start to green card.... but some couples appear to get lucky. We had considered both options for being together. After reading the pros and cons of both, we ended up choosing the K-1 route based upon what we thought was best for our particular situation... btw, we live in the Seattle area and are in the AOS process now... but still waiting.

Try not to be discouraged. I understand you miss the great NW... but I'm sure the rain and coffee (and perhaps other familiar things) will still be here to greet you when you return

Good luck to the two of you on your journey!

P.S. my wife gets bored when I'm at work, mostly because she has not yet been approved to "legally" work in the US, if you can believe that.. lol

Agree with the post above. The whole process takes about a year unless you one if the lucky ones who gets approved quicker. Btw... I'm also in Washinghton State specifically in Vancouver ?

[B & G 200]

Usually the ones that take 2-3 months are DCFs. Direct Consular Filings, these are for US citizens that reside overseas with their spouses.

[Petar&Wendy 30]

Usually the ones that take 2-3 months are DCFs. Direct Consular Filings, these are for US citizens that reside overseas with their spouses.

I am exactly that! I am an American citizen living abroad with my Serbian husband. Is there something special I have to do about that? Our application clearly states that but I haven't heard about DCFs until now.

Thank you all for your NW support! I never knew how much I loved my home and my family until now, so there are many "bright sides" to our situation. We both understand that we need to wait like everyone else, I guess I just didn't know how hard the entire culture shock and homesickness was going to hit me. I wish we were all the "lucky" ones!

And I can completely understand your wife! The employment opportunities in Serbia are nearly nothing. My husband has been searching for a job since we returned from Ireland (where we met) last winter and just this week found something part-time until the New Year. I have no chance of working because I don't know the language, slavic languages are particularly difficult to pick up, but I am trying. So yes, I bet she is bored. My advice: get a dog

[Petar&Wendy 30]

I looked into the DCF but our embassy does not handle the visa's anymore. I believe this changed pretty recently, unfortunately for us. Thanks for the replies!!!

[TBoneTX 43,536]

*** Thread moved from CR-1 Process forum to the CR-1 Case Progress subforum. ***

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Does anyone know the method to this madness?

Long story: None.

Short story: None.