Jump to content
educator_71

How did (or are you ) dealing with the separation during the waiting process?

 Share

49 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Jordan
Timeline

Staying busy is what kept me sane. There was a 7 hour time difference so it was difficult, he would get home from work and I would be going off to work. I would get home from work and it was midnite there and he would wake up so we could talk an skype, but it was tiring because he had to be up at 7 am for work. If visiting in July is going to be too much of a stress on the budget, don't go. You will need that money a lot more after your fiance arrives


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: Colombia
Timeline

During our time apart we always kept in mind that if it is meant to be then "absence makes the heart grow fonder".

Good luck on your journey, and yes this is why it is applicably named a journey.

--------------------------------K-1----------------------------
October 1, 2011 Mailed I-129F Application
October 7, 20122 Notice Date of NOA 1
February 15, 2012 Received Hard Copy of Approved NOA 2
March 8, 2012 Rec email Pacs 3/4 US Embassy in Bogota
March 29, 2012 Scheduled Interview
June 7, 2012 Interview APPROVED!

------------------------------Arrival @ LAX-----------------------------
July 27, 2012 Arrived POE @ LAX
October 21, 2012 Married (L) (L)

------------------------------AOS----------------------------------
April 20, 2013 Mailed AOS package

April 29, 2013 AOS NOA

May 22, 2013 Biometric date

June 7, 2013 NOA, rec. interview date for 7-16-13

June 18, 2013 EAD/AP Approved

June 29, 2013 Rec. in mail EAD/AP combo card

July 8, 2013 AOS process on HOLD, interview canceled unsure.png as wife returned to Colombia on medical emergency!

Oct. 17, 2013 AOS Interview re-schedule to November 20, 2013

Nov. 1, 2013 Rec. Notice from USCIS that 11-20-13 interview "due to unforseen circumstances" has been CANCELED. girlwerewolf2xn.gif

December 18, 2013 Rec. notice that AOS interview has been re-scheduled for January 17, 2014 (we will see)

January 17, 2014 Interview and AOS was APPROVED! dancin5hr.gif

January 27, 2014 Received GREEN CARD in mail! kicking.gif

-----------------------ROC----------------------

December 23, 2015 ROC Mailed I-751 to CSC

December 30, 2015 ROC NOA1

January 25, 2016 ROC Bio appointment

May 26, 2016 Approved!

June 4, 2016 - Received 10-year PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD in mail! :thumbs:

-----------------------CITIZENSHIP------------------

November 16, 2016 Mailed

November 19, 2016 NOA date

December 13, 2016 Biometrics

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: China
Timeline

I think it all depends on individuals.

We set the expectation upfront that this could take about 10 to 12 months

so we were not too frustrated.

We also live busy lives outside our relationship, so our relationship didn't

totally consume us. We were both content with our lives as is, but having

each other just meant that it would be the finishing pieces to our life's puzzle.

We used the waiting time to get to know each other more deeply,

so when we finally started living together, we had very little surprises.

For us in the long run, I think the waiting time was actually good.

10-04-2013 We met online
11-21-2013 We met in person in Shanghai for 2 weeks

12-13-2013 I-129F packet sent via express

12-19-2013 USCIS NOA #1 (text and email) received

12-24-2013 USCIS assigns Alien Registration Number
12-31-2013 USCIS NOA #1 hard copy received
06-02-2014 USCIS web site shows NOA #2 approval
06-06-2014 USCIS web site shows case sent to NVC

06-xx-2014 Fiancee acquired birth, marriage, and police certificates from local police station (wrong)

06-16-2014 NVC creates case with GUZ### number

06-19-2014 NVC sends case sent to Guangzhou, China
06-24-2014 Received packet 3 express mail from embassy
06-25-2014 Completed DS-160 and paid K1 visa fee

06-26-2014 Mailed packet 3 response back to Embassy

06-26-2014 Requested police certificate from Russian embassy

07-08-2014 Received packet 4 email from Embassy

07-17-2014 Picked up Russian police certificate

07-25-2014 Fiancee medical exam (received MMR & Varicella, but they missed required TD shot)

07-31-2014 Picked up medical exam reports

08-01-2014 Request (correct) birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service (GongZhengChu)

08-06-2014 Picked up birth, marriage, and police certificates from Notarial Service

08-14-2014 Passed Interview Guangzhou embassy

09-01-2014 Received passport, visa, & sealed envelope

09-13-2014 POE

09-17-2014 Went to CBP office to get (US entry) I-94 updated correctly

09-18-2014 Applied for Social Security Card
09-19-2014 Applied for Marriage License (via online)
09-25-2014 Received Social Security Card
09-30-2014 Picked up Marriage License
10-09-2014 Marriage by Justice of Peace
10-09-2014 Got Certified Marriage Certificate Copies
10-17-2014 Received a letter from SS office that they need the marriage license
10-09-2014 Applied to change the social security card name
10-24-2014 Went back to SS office to provide the marriage certificate documents again!!!
12-09-2014 Submitted AOS, EAD, and AP
12-16-2014 Received 16 emails and 16 text NOA messages
01-05-2015 Received Biometrics appointment letter for (01-12-2015)
01-12-2015 Had Biometrics (fingerprint & picture) - Required Marriage Certificate!!!
02-17-2015 EAD and AP is approved
02-23-2015 Received AP is approval letter
02-25-2015 Received EAD/AP combo card (expires 02/16/2016)
02-27-2015 Applied for SS card name change (they took her SS card)
02-27-2015 Driver's learner permit test was denied since the SS card was given to SS office for name change
03-17-2015 Received SS card with married name
03-17-2015 Started to change all her accounts to married name
03-23-2015 Received potential interview waiver letter
03-27-2015 DMV rejects learner's permit due to "legal status=pending" and vision test failure
04-05-2015 Vision test for learner's permit
04-06-2015 DPS sent us letter that DHS cleared my wife's status to acquire driver's license.
04-10-2015 Passed Driver Learner's Permit
04-22-2015 Received Driver Learner's Permit ID card (expires 02/16/2016)
08-27-2015 Green Card approved
08-31-2015 Received Green Card "Welcome Notice Was Mailed" letter
09-05-2015 Received Green card
10-26-2015 Passed Driver's License Road Test (on 3rd attempt)
11-03-2015 Received Driver's License (expires 02/16/2022)
11-06-2015 Applied to remove conditional work remark on SS card
11-23-2015 Received updated Social Security Card.
- - - - - - - - - - Pending Future Processing - - - - - - - - - -
05-27-2017 File 10 Year Green Card
08-27-2017 2 Year Green Card Expires
05-27-2018 File USC

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep busy. Spend time with friends and family. Work, read, run.. anything. Get ready for when your fiance arrives etc. When you are together you will look back and realize this time just made you stronger.

K-1

04/20/2012- I-129F Package Sent!

04/25/2012- NOA1

07/31/2012- NOA2

08/06/2012- NOA2 Hard-copy

08/08/2012- NVC Received

08/13/2012- NVC Left

08/17/2012- Consulate Received

08/17/2012- Packet 3 Received

08/20/2012- Packet 3 Sent

08/20/2012- Packet 4 Received

08/23/2012- Medical

09/04/2012- Interview---Approved smile.png

11/20/2012- POE Blue Water Bridge

11/24/2012- Wedding!!

AOS

12/24/2012- AOS Mailed

01/02/2013- NOA1,AOS, EAD/AP

01/25/2013- Biometrics

02/20/2013- EAD & AP Approved

03/04/2013- EAD & AP Combo Card Received

07/29/2013- AOS Approved

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We had to wait over 8 months; it's extremely hard. No one but we who go through this know what agony it really is. I wrote an email every single night; just poured my heart into it, shared past stories, asked questions.... there would be an email waiting every morning. It helped the count down somewhat.

K-1
03/09/12 - NoA1
10/04/12 - NoA2 (210 days)

AoS

01/25/13 - NoA1
08/15/13 - NoA2 (199 days)
 

RoC
05/21/15 - NoA1

11/02/15 - NoA2 (164 days)
 

N-400

08/18/16 - NoA1
03/14/17 - Interview

03/16/17 - Oath Ceremony (217 days)

US citizen

Total time start to finish: 5 years, 12 days (1,838 days)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Tunisia
Timeline

We married march 2014 in Tunisia.while waiting I spent my days calling USCIS then nvc.then shopping for clothes for my husband redecorating our bedroom, cleaning closets to make space for his things.after interview his case being sent back to USCIS.now once again my days are filled with calling nvc we Skype everyday , text messaging, more than 1,800 messages a month.now july 1st I'm going to Tunis to stay with my husband til he takes his visa.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Sweden
Timeline

My husband and I have been living apart for four and a half years and was finally able to start our visa journey last September. We stay sane by lots and lots of contact... Phone calls, emails, visits. I fly over to see my husband in the US every three months. We went five months without a visit once because I got sick and we were about ready to break down.

Living apart like this is really really tough but you'll just have to try and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. You're only at the beginning of your visa journey and when my husband and I where there, it felt like it was gonna take forever to get the end of the visa journey but once you have your approved petition, I promise you'll forget the long wait and it's gonna feel so much better.

Met online October 2010


Engaged December 31st 2011


heart.gifMarried May 14th 2013 heart.gif



USCIS Stage


September 8th 2014 - Filed I-130 with Nebraska Service Center


September 16th 2014 - NOA1 received


March 2nd 2015 - NOA2 received :dancing:



NVC Stage


March 28th 2015 - Choice of agent complete & AOS fee paid


April 17th 2015 - IV fee paid


May 1st 2015 - Sent in IV application


May 12th 2015 - Sent in AOS and IV documents


May 18th 2015 - Scan Date


June 18th 2015 - Checklist received


June 22nd 2015 - Checklist response sent to NVC


June 25th 2015 - Put for Supervisor Review


Sept 15th 2015 - Request help from Texas US Senator Cornyn and his team


Sept 23rd 2015 - Our case is moved from supervisor review to NVC's team for dealing with Senator requests


Nov 4th 2015 - CASE COMPLETE!!!! :dancing:



Embassy Stage


Dec 16th 2015 - Medical exam


Dec 21st 2015 - Interview


Dec 21st 2015 - 221(g) issued at interview for updated forms


Jan 13th 2016 - Mailed our reply to the 221(g) to the US Embassy, received and CEAC updated the next morning


Jan 20th 2016 - Embassy require more in-depth info on asset for i-864


Feb 1st 2016 - Sent more in-depth info on assets as requested. Received the next morning


Feb 16th 2016 - Visa has been issued :dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :dancing:



In the US


April 5th 2016 - POE Newark. No questions asked.


April 14th 2016 - SSN received


May 10th 2016 - First day at my new job :dancing:


May 27th 2016 - Green Card received


June 7th 2016 - Got my Texas driver's license

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Jamaica
Timeline

I'm angry a lot and I eat a lot.

Exactly- eat alot.

We've been together in some way for 4 years. Married since last September. Luckily he's in Jamaica which is only abt 2 hrs away. We pool our resources so I've been able to see him every 2-3 months. We Skype everyday-as long as we're home we keep skype up on our tablets and go about our days so that way we can stop and have little talks. We let it run all night so we can hear each other sleep. If skype is being troublesome, we use what's app and Google voice. What's app is the greatest way to communicate while not at home. The Couple app is another great way to communicate and they have a feature called thumbkiss that is just awesome-everyone should try it. We also communication through out the day by tagging each other in stuff on Facebook and Instagram. We use Buzzfeed to takes quizzes together and go through posts. We have movie night where we watch the same movie's together online He sleeps with something I left at his home and I sleep with his shirt on a pillow.

When we talk we tend to focus on the future-where we want to visit, where we want to live, when we'll have kids, what kinda cars we want- anything to focus on the future. It gets really hard on when we have bad days or when it gets dangerous where he lives then I kinda just cry and eat and allow my self to waddle in sorrow for a little while. Then I remind myself of ppl I've seen on here that been apart for a lot longer and thank God that while everything isn't perfect, we'll be together soon enough.

The biggest thing you can do is surround yourself with positive people that understand the process. I was previously around ppl that made me feel guilty when i got sad for choosing to do this. Thy didn't exactly understand how love makes all of this worth it and that caused me to be very depressed. Now the ppl I'm around understands and it makes it so much easier having them to talk to.

Surround yourself with good people, stay busy and focus on the future- in a few years this little time apart won't matter.

09/27/14 Married :content:

12/03/14 Became a US citizen :star:

. .

02/25/15 130 Petition sent

02/27/15 NOA1 date :clock:

07/23/15 NOA2 date

08/03/15 Mailed to NVC

08/07/15 NVC Received

08/19/15 Case number assigned, submitted DS-261

08/20/15 Paid AOS bill

08/25/15 Received welcome letter

08/25/15 Sent AOS & IV package

08/31/15 DS-261 reviewed

08/31/15 AOS & IV scan date confirmed by Sup.

09/02/15 Received IV bill by email

09/03/15 Paid IV bill

09/09/15 Submitted DS-260

09/17/15 Case Completed @ NVC

10/06/15 Expedite Request sent to NVC

11/12/15 Contacted Sen. Marco Rubio for assistance with expedite by email

11/19/15 Expedite Approved

12/9/15 Medical

12/11/15 Interview (Approved)

12/14/15 CEAC Status changed to AP

12/15/15 CEAC Status Changed to Issued

12/18/15 Picked up Passport & booked hubby's ticket.

12/31/15 Ring in the New Years together after 4 years!!!! :dancing:

event.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Fiancé and I have been together coming up 4 years in October. It's not to bad with us because there is only 5hrs between us, I'm in Canada and he is in Pennsylvania. He comes to visit me a few days every month and I try an visit every few months for a few days. It's easier for him to travel to see me because it's hard for me to get time off of work. We met online playing Xbox back in 2011, so we don't have to worry about long distance bills because we talk over the Xbox and text each other when we aren't home. Even though we see each other every month it is still very hard and upsetting when he has to leave to go home or I have to go home. We talk every single day and as silly as it sounds we fall asleep with each other on the headset every night. It has only been 3 months since we received our NOA 1 so we still have a long wait ahead of us but we will get through it. We can't wait till the Visa is approved so we can start our life together.

9sNNm4.pngZiQym4.png

Met online through Xbox360...…July 1, 2011

Relationship started......October 6, 2011

Met in person......July 29, 2013

Got engaged (L)November 27, 2014

 

Filed I-129f petition......January 30, 2015

Petition received......February 3, 2015

NOA1......February 5, 2015

NOA1 Hardcopy......February 13, 2015

NOA2......August 7, 2015

NOA2 Hardcopy......August 13, 2015

Sent to NVC......August 14, 2015

NVC Received......August 24, 2015

Montréal Embassy Received......August 31, 2015

Packet 3 Received......September 9, 2015

Packet 4 Received......September 10, 2015

Medical......September 17, 2015

Interview......November 9, 2015

POE......November 23, 2015

Wedding......December 21, 2015

 

AOS Filed......January 19, 2016

EAD/AP Filed......January 19, 2016

AOS NOA1 Received......January 27, 2016

EAD/AP NOA1 Received......January 25, 2016

Biometrics......February 24, 2016

AOS Approved......April 4, 2016

EAD/AP(case terminated because AOS was approved)...... April 6, 2016

Green Card received......April 11, 2016

 

ROC Filed......February 22, 2018

NOA......February 26, 2018

Biometrics......April 20, 2018

ROC Approved......April 3, 2019

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Jamaica
Timeline

How do I deal with it? I cry a lot.

Yep me too. Have crying bouts, get it all out, and then I'm good for awhile.

Keep busy. I'm focusing work,working out & staying spiritually grounded. We talk 3 times a day at least. We video chat. We have devotion almost every night on the phone. The process has been moving quick for us. I filed the petition in February & his interview is May 29. I feel we are very blessed. Keep your head up.

Praying, fasting, and leaving it in God's hands has helped the feeling of helplessness alot.

Focusing on work and getting the process and paperwork in order. I tend to stay busy a lot.

We talk at least there times a day, mostly over Facebook call

Weekends are ours, and we trend to keep the phone open sometimes up to 12 hrs a day

We do photo stories as well, i would go to the Beach, document with pic,... My hubby would go for a hike, do the same ...and then we would share the pics ( not necessarily at the same time) and we would describe to the smallest details sometimes about the day.

We are not physically together, but are together every single moment and we share that with each other constantly

Until one day we will finally be together together.

Sometimes we take pics of what we are eating and share them. We share everything, what we are wearing, activities, etc.

Keeping busy helps too. There are alot of good answers posted here. Just have to find what works best for you. Visits are awesome! I will be making my 5th visit in July, but it does tap out the finances so it will be my last for quite awhile.....like visa issued.

Best of Luck to you! We all know exactly how you are feeling!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Serbia
Timeline

Although I must say,

I talked to a friend of mine that went through the same process years back.

And she pointed out, and sh was right...

Those calls and talks that we have, we are probably never gonna talk as much as we do now.

I am sure we will talk, but not to that extend. We are capable of spending hours and hours on the phone.

Heck, our first skype call after we reconnected after so many years lasted 5 hours. And we were just catching up.

I talked about that with my hubby just the other day. So, even though its hard, we try to embrace what is good out of all of this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Egypt
Timeline

My husband and I would try to keep skype on always even if we weren't home. Cams running, we had a 7 hour difference so between work and other things was hard but we kept it together :bonk: .We also had magicjack so we could call always.We would have tea cam to cam lol :wub: . We been together 7 years and married almost 5,he came Jan 16, 2014 almost 4 years living in different countries.There was times believe me when we were just agravated with the system but We knew in the end we would be together and that is what kept us going.Good Luck in your Journey :thumbs:Love can make it through anything :yes::dance::whistle:

VMnmm7.pngrSeTm7.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Germany
Timeline

How do I deal with it? I cry a lot.

yep.... :crying:

germangirlintheusa.blogspot.com

~~~ mrandmrsBRS Visa journey ~~~

Service Center: Vermont

Embassy: Frankfurt/Germany

*************************************************************************

Marriage: 2014-12-30

I-130 sent: 2015-1-5

I-130 Noa 1: 2015-1-12

I-130 approved: 2015-6-10

Your I-130 was approved in 149 days from your NOA 1 date.

*************************************************************************

NVC: 2015-7-8

AOS bill: 2015-8-4

AOS P.: 2015-9-22 (e-mail, PDF)

IV bill: 2015-9-15

IV P.: 2015-9-22 (e-mail, PDF)

Case Complete: 2015-10-12 (2015-12-07)

Supervisor Review 2015-11-02Called NVC 2015-12-07 (no longer under supervisor review, waiting for an Interview Date)

**************************************************************************

Medical: 2016-1-7

Interview Frankfurt: 2016-1-19 (called NVC 2015-12-14) APPROVED :dancing: :wub:

POE: 2016-2-9 ATL (Atlanta)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Scotland
Timeline

We used Skype, face-time, Facebook message, viber, etc... We would wake up early or late at night just to say hi before the other went to work or class. Always texting! 6 hours differences was no fun, UK and Texas. Longest apart about 7 months, longest together 6 weeks during my summer break of college. Work two jobs if you must, we both did at one point. We was able to see each other 4 times a year for about a week or two.

Please remember talk when you can, but go out! LIVE! Stay busy. When you do go out, tell the other and put the phone down. Be in the moment with your friends and family.

Encourage each other to do something new!

5 years later, married and just waiting on green card. We both can't believe we are finally together. And you'll be with yours soon! Just have fun along the way :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...