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FINALLY...NOA2 after 55(!!!) days post-RFE. Have hope!!!:)

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
Timeline

Just wanted to share and give hope to those in similar situation...

I just got NOA2 on day 55 after CSC received my RFE. I lost all hope, was thinking all the bad thoughts, preparing mentally to the denial.

Just like that... NO reasons whatsoever, no criminal history, no funny business, no problems. All long waits like this usually resulted in denial (from my research on the subject), and the long review process was usually due to some complicated circumstances...

My RFE was to prove that the site we met was not IMB- and I did everything recommended here, wrote a detailed letter, attached printouts from the site, our communication- everything others did who got approved within 1-2 weeks after RFE. I have been in a state of 'every day now' for 7 weeks, and it is exhausting!!!

So, sometimes things are just like that- unpredictable. I imagine my adjudicator has some system going on when the RFE responses go to the end of a pile, and he has a backlog of cases, and then went on vacation... and there you go, 8 weeks of waiting for me...

I was watching cases in CSC get approved that were submitted 2 months after us, I watched RFEs getting approved within a week for the same IMB reason. I lost all the hope...

and look, 4 days before the 'due date' they generously give themselves to reply (60 days), I got it.

Bottom line, and this is the result of me reading on the topic extensively: if you have all docs, met all criteria, didn't lie about criminal history- YOU WILL GET APPROVED. At this step it is rather simple.

Main reasons for denials (from reading up on USCIS site- all public records):

1) not having met within 2 years PRIOR to filing or not being able to prove they did even after RFE or during appeal process

2) not being legally able to marry AT THE MOMENT OF FILING. Yes, I have seen cases when people got their divorces finalized after I-129F was submitted.

3) having criminal history or lying about it- they do run background checks, fingerprint checks, Dept of Justice database, interpol- so even when people have criminal history from years before and from different countries, NEVER LIE ABOUT CRIMINAL HISTORY. There are a bunch of waivers in place, they give you chances to submit (RFE) even if you missed something. But lying is the only thing that results in automatic denial with no appeals possible.

I also connected via private messages with few members of VJ in a similar situation- very helpful! It was a lot easier to wait together and support each other through this stressful process. One person even had to visit a hospital with high blood pressure... This process takes a huge toll. The worst is the uncertainty and not being able to find any information. Even Tier 2 officers, while being helpful in explaining the details of the process, do not have much more info about a particular case.

Another lesson learned- DO NOT put much weight into timelines of other members here. Every case is unique, every adjudicator has his own way of processing petitions. I see here people start freaking out very early in the process because 'petitions before mine get approved...'.

Look at me- in CSC, simple RFE- and it took me almost 4 months to get my NOA2! We fell into the same trap, 'expecting' to be approved quickly and planning on reuniting in the US in April. Big mistake, lots of failed hopes and unnecessary disappointments.

So, the advice you hear here from more mature members that have seen it all- expect 5 months- is a very wise thing to do. Do not measure yourself by the quickest timelines. I think the quickest I have seen in CSC is 9 days between NOAs.

Good luck everyone! This process is not for the weak, and it will test your relationship in the ways that you will be grateful at the end for all the delays. If the relationship is real and strong, you will only get a chance to test your partner in a highly stressful situation, and this is not a bad thing before committing to a life together.

I-129F petition/K-1 visa

1/21/2015 I-129F mailed USPS Priority to Dallas lockbox /// 1/26/2015 received by USCIS

1/28/2015 NOA1 date /// 1/29/2015 NOA1 (text/email) I-129F sent → NOA1 - 7 days

2/3/2015 NOA1 (hard copy)

3/10/2015 RFE (email) /// 3/16/2015 RFE (hard copy) with A# NOA1 → RFE - 41 days

3/19/2015 RFE mailed USPS Priority to CSC /// 3/23/2015 RFE response received by CSC

5/18/2015 NOA2 (email) RFE→ NOA2 - 69 days / NOA1 → NOA2 - 110 days I-129F sent → NOA2 (CSC phase) - 117 days

5/22/2015 NOA2 (hard copy)

6/1/2015 NVC: case received NOA2 → NVC received - 14 days

6/4/2015 NVC: assigned case # & invoice ID

6/8/2015 NVC: sent to Embassy NVC received → NVC left - 7 days

6/10/2015 Status 'Ready' on CEAC site, letter from NVC mailed to petitioner /// 6/13/2015 NVC letter with case # (hard copy) received

6/16/2015 Embassy: case received NOA2 → Embassy received (NVC phase) - 29 days

6/17/2015 Status 'Administrative processing' on CEAC site, email from Embassy with interview instructions

6/24/2015 Interview scheduled, packets 3 & 4 received (email) /// 6/25/2015 Packet 3 sent to Embassy

7/2/2015 Medical

7/6/2015 Interview NOA1 → interview - 159 days Embassy received → interview (Embassy phase) - 20 days 7/28/2015 Visa issued /// 7/29/2015 email recieved/ visa in hand I-129F sent → visa in hand - 189 days (~6 months) TOTAL TIME

8/22/2015 POE LA

9/10/2015 Wedding

I-485(AOS)/ I-131(AP)/ I-765(EAD)

9/10/2015 Wedding /// 10/6/2015 Marriage Certificate (certified copy) received

11/3/2015 AOS/ AP/ EAD package mailed (USPS Priority to Chicago lockbox) /// 11/5/2015 received by USCIS

11/6/2015 NOA1 (x3) date /// 11/9/2015 NOA1 (x3) (text/email) AOS/AP/EAD sent → NOA1 - 3 days

11/13/2015 NOA1 (x3) (hard copy)

11/20/2015 Biometrics appointment invitation received (hard copy)

11/30/2015 Biometrics appointment

1/26/2016 NOA2 (EAD/AP) date /// 11/9/2015 NOA1 (x3) (text/email) AOS/AP/EAD sent → NOA1 - 3 days

1/29/2016 NOA2 (EAD) (hard copy)

2/3/2016 EAD/AP card received

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Thanks for this post. It gives me some hope - sort of....

I also got an RFE for the same exact thing. Well known dating site with literally hundereds of prior approvals and got RFE to prove it is not an IMB.

There were several like mine in the March 2015 filers post. I was the first to get the RFE fo rthis and it seems I am the last to move to the NOA2 status. Others got the same dating site/IMB RFE and some even from the same dating site. It seems that a few have been approved (from posts and looking at timelines) withing 7-10 days of recieving the needed documents, but ours is still not yet approved and it is almost 30 days now.

Like you, I have the "any day now" stress and we were hoping she could be here for our 3rd anniversary on July 4th. With a 7-10 delay it would have been doable. But now its looking bleak. There are some March 2015 posters with I-129F submitted about the same time as our and have already had their interviews in Manila. Very frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch...

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

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

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Just wanted to share and give hope to those in similar situation...

I just got NOA2 on day 55 after CSC received my RFE. I lost all hope, was thinking all the bad thoughts, preparing mentally to the denial.

Just like that... NO reasons whatsoever, no criminal history, no funny business, no problems. All long waits like this usually resulted in denial (from my research on the subject), and the long review process was usually due to some complicated circumstances...

My RFE was to prove that the site we met was not IMB- and I did everything recommended here, wrote a detailed letter, attached printouts from the site, our communication- everything others did who got approved within 1-2 weeks after RFE. I have been in a state of 'every day now' for 7 weeks, and it is exhausting!!!

So, sometimes things are just like that- unpredictable. I imagine my adjudicator has some system going on when the RFE responses go to the end of a pile, and he has a backlog of cases, and then went on vacation... and there you go, 8 weeks of waiting for me...

I was watching cases in CSC get approved that were submitted 2 months after us, I watched RFEs getting approved within a week for the same IMB reason. I lost all the hope...

and look, 4 days before the 'due date' they generously give themselves to reply (60 days), I got it.

Bottom line, and this is the result of me reading on the topic extensively: if you have all docs, met all criteria, didn't lie about criminal history- YOU WILL GET APPROVED. At this step it is rather simple.

Main reasons for denials (from reading up on USCIS site- all public records):

1) not having met within 2 years PRIOR to filing or not being able to prove they did even after RFE or during appeal process

2) not being legally able to marry AT THE MOMENT OF FILING. Yes, I have seen cases when people got their divorces finalized after I-129F was submitted.

3) having criminal history or lying about it- they do run background checks, fingerprint checks, Dept of Justice database, interpol- so even when people have criminal history from years before and from different countries, NEVER LIE ABOUT CRIMINAL HISTORY. There are a bunch of waivers in place, they give you chances to submit (RFE) even if you missed something. But lying is the only thing that results in automatic denial with no appeals possible.

I also connected via private messages with few members of VJ in a similar situation- very helpful! It was a lot easier to wait together and support each other through this stressful process. One person even had to visit a hospital with high blood pressure... This process takes a huge toll. The worst is the uncertainty and not being able to find any information. Even Tier 2 officers, while being helpful in explaining the details of the process, do not have much more info about a particular case.

Another lesson learned- DO NOT put much weight into timelines of other members here. Every case is unique, every adjudicator has his own way of processing petitions. I see here people start freaking out very early in the process because 'petitions before mine get approved...'.

Look at me- in CSC, simple RFE- and it took me almost 4 months to get my NOA2! We fell into the same trap, 'expecting' to be approved quickly and planning on reuniting in the US in April. Big mistake, lots of failed hopes and unnecessary disappointments.

So, the advice you hear here from more mature members that have seen it all- expect 5 months- is a very wise thing to do. Do not measure yourself by the quickest timelines. I think the quickest I have seen in CSC is 9 days between NOAs.

Good luck everyone! This process is not for the weak, and it will test your relationship in the ways that you will be grateful at the end for all the delays. If the relationship is real and strong, you will only get a chance to test your partner in a highly stressful situation, and this is not a bad thing before committing to a life together.

The advice is to expect 10 months and be happy with 5. It looks like you'll get through in 3.5 or 4. The quickest CSC turnaround has been 4 days. Texas Service Center is *averaging* 218 days just for NOA2 (see here: CSC is averaging 31, so 55 isn't really all too far off when you factor in the RFE http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1historical).There are still September 2014 folks waiting for NOA2, and nothing after November 2014 has been touched yet. I'd be counting my blessings, all 55 of them, in your shoes.

Marriage/ AOS Timeline:

23 Dec 2015: Legal marriage

23 Jan 2016: Wedding!

23 Jan 2016: "Blizzard of the Century", wedding canceled/rescheduled (thank goodness we were legally married first or we'd have had a big problem!) :sleepy:

24 Jan 2016: Small "civil ceremony" with friends and family who were snowed in with us. December was a bit of a secret and people had traveled internationally and knew we *had* to get married that weekend, and our December legal marriage was nothing but signing a piece of paper at our priest's kitchen table, without any sort of vows etc so this was actually a very special (if not legally significant) day. (L)

16 Apr 2016: Filed for AOS and EAD/AP (We delayed a bit-- no big rush, enjoying the USCIS break)

23 Apr 2016: Wedding! Finally! :luv:

27 Apr 2016: Electronic NOA1 for all 3 :dancing:
29 Apr 2016: NOA1 Hardcopy for all 3
29 Jul 2016: Online service request for late EAD (Day 104)
29 Jul 2016: EAD/AP Approved ~3 hours after online service request
04 Aug 2016: RFE for Green Card (requested medicals/ vaccination record. They already have it). :ranting:
05 Aug 2016: EAD/AP Combo Card arrived! (Day 111)
08 Aug 2016: Congressional constituent request to get guidance on the RFE. Hoping they see they have the form and approve!

K-1 Visa Timeline:

PLEASE NOTE. This timeline was during the period of time when TSC was working on I-129fs and had a huge backlog. The average processing time was 210+ days. This is in no way predictive of your own timeline if you filed during or after April 2015, unless CSC develops a backlog. A backlog is anything above the 5-month goal time listed on USCIS's site

14 Feb 2015: Mailed I-129f to Dallas Lockbox. (L) (Most expensive Valentine's card I've ever sent!)

17 Feb 2015: NOA1 "Received Date"
19 Feb 2015: NOA1 Notice Date
08 Aug 2015: NOA2 email! :luv: (173 days from NOA1)

17 Aug 2015: Sent to NVC

?? Aug 2015: Arrived at NVC

25 Aug 2015: NVC Case # Assigned

31 Aug 2015: Left NVC for Consulate in San Jose

09 Sep 2015: Consulate received :dancing: (32 days from NOA2)

11 Sep 2015: Packet 3 emailed from embassy to me, the petitioner (34 days from NOA2).

18 Sep 2015: Medicals complete

21 Sep 2015: Packet 3 complete, my boss puts a temporary moratorium on all time off due to work emergency :clock:

02 Oct 2015: Work emergency clears up, interview scheduled (soonest available was 5 business days away--Columbus Day was in there)

13 Oct 2015: Interview

13 Oct 2015: VISA APPROVED :thumbs: (236 days from NOA1)

19 Oct 2015: Visa-in-hand

24 Oct 2015: POE !

15 Dec 2015: Fiance's mother's B-2 visa interview: APPROVED! So happy she will be at the wedding! :thumbs:

!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
Timeline

Of course, how can anything go by without a bitter post from TCS sufferer...

I wasn't approved in 55 days.

It was 110 days from NOA1.

And comparing TSC and CSC makes no logical sense to those who are waiting. In both directions.

I-129F petition/K-1 visa

1/21/2015 I-129F mailed USPS Priority to Dallas lockbox /// 1/26/2015 received by USCIS

1/28/2015 NOA1 date /// 1/29/2015 NOA1 (text/email) I-129F sent → NOA1 - 7 days

2/3/2015 NOA1 (hard copy)

3/10/2015 RFE (email) /// 3/16/2015 RFE (hard copy) with A# NOA1 → RFE - 41 days

3/19/2015 RFE mailed USPS Priority to CSC /// 3/23/2015 RFE response received by CSC

5/18/2015 NOA2 (email) RFE→ NOA2 - 69 days / NOA1 → NOA2 - 110 days I-129F sent → NOA2 (CSC phase) - 117 days

5/22/2015 NOA2 (hard copy)

6/1/2015 NVC: case received NOA2 → NVC received - 14 days

6/4/2015 NVC: assigned case # & invoice ID

6/8/2015 NVC: sent to Embassy NVC received → NVC left - 7 days

6/10/2015 Status 'Ready' on CEAC site, letter from NVC mailed to petitioner /// 6/13/2015 NVC letter with case # (hard copy) received

6/16/2015 Embassy: case received NOA2 → Embassy received (NVC phase) - 29 days

6/17/2015 Status 'Administrative processing' on CEAC site, email from Embassy with interview instructions

6/24/2015 Interview scheduled, packets 3 & 4 received (email) /// 6/25/2015 Packet 3 sent to Embassy

7/2/2015 Medical

7/6/2015 Interview NOA1 → interview - 159 days Embassy received → interview (Embassy phase) - 20 days 7/28/2015 Visa issued /// 7/29/2015 email recieved/ visa in hand I-129F sent → visa in hand - 189 days (~6 months) TOTAL TIME

8/22/2015 POE LA

9/10/2015 Wedding

I-485(AOS)/ I-131(AP)/ I-765(EAD)

9/10/2015 Wedding /// 10/6/2015 Marriage Certificate (certified copy) received

11/3/2015 AOS/ AP/ EAD package mailed (USPS Priority to Chicago lockbox) /// 11/5/2015 received by USCIS

11/6/2015 NOA1 (x3) date /// 11/9/2015 NOA1 (x3) (text/email) AOS/AP/EAD sent → NOA1 - 3 days

11/13/2015 NOA1 (x3) (hard copy)

11/20/2015 Biometrics appointment invitation received (hard copy)

11/30/2015 Biometrics appointment

1/26/2016 NOA2 (EAD/AP) date /// 11/9/2015 NOA1 (x3) (text/email) AOS/AP/EAD sent → NOA1 - 3 days

1/29/2016 NOA2 (EAD) (hard copy)

2/3/2016 EAD/AP card received

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
Timeline

Thanks for this post. It gives me some hope - sort of....

I also got an RFE for the same exact thing. Well known dating site with literally hundereds of prior approvals and got RFE to prove it is not an IMB.

There were several like mine in the March 2015 filers post. I was the first to get the RFE fo rthis and it seems I am the last to move to the NOA2 status. Others got the same dating site/IMB RFE and some even from the same dating site. It seems that a few have been approved (from posts and looking at timelines) withing 7-10 days of recieving the needed documents, but ours is still not yet approved and it is almost 30 days now.

Like you, I have the "any day now" stress and we were hoping she could be here for our 3rd anniversary on July 4th. With a 7-10 delay it would have been doable. But now its looking bleak. There are some March 2015 posters with I-129F submitted about the same time as our and have already had their interviews in Manila. Very frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch...

And this is exactly the point of my post. I was in your shoes just yesterday, closing on 60 days with no hope. And one of the VJ members told me something similar and shared their situation just a day before. And yesterday- bam! NOA2!!

That member also said: if I knew, I wouldn't stress myself so much and relax more.

So, here goes- do not stress yourself, it will come. Relax:). You have nothing to worry about. I was you just yesterday:)

I-129F petition/K-1 visa

1/21/2015 I-129F mailed USPS Priority to Dallas lockbox /// 1/26/2015 received by USCIS

1/28/2015 NOA1 date /// 1/29/2015 NOA1 (text/email) I-129F sent → NOA1 - 7 days

2/3/2015 NOA1 (hard copy)

3/10/2015 RFE (email) /// 3/16/2015 RFE (hard copy) with A# NOA1 → RFE - 41 days

3/19/2015 RFE mailed USPS Priority to CSC /// 3/23/2015 RFE response received by CSC

5/18/2015 NOA2 (email) RFE→ NOA2 - 69 days / NOA1 → NOA2 - 110 days I-129F sent → NOA2 (CSC phase) - 117 days

5/22/2015 NOA2 (hard copy)

6/1/2015 NVC: case received NOA2 → NVC received - 14 days

6/4/2015 NVC: assigned case # & invoice ID

6/8/2015 NVC: sent to Embassy NVC received → NVC left - 7 days

6/10/2015 Status 'Ready' on CEAC site, letter from NVC mailed to petitioner /// 6/13/2015 NVC letter with case # (hard copy) received

6/16/2015 Embassy: case received NOA2 → Embassy received (NVC phase) - 29 days

6/17/2015 Status 'Administrative processing' on CEAC site, email from Embassy with interview instructions

6/24/2015 Interview scheduled, packets 3 & 4 received (email) /// 6/25/2015 Packet 3 sent to Embassy

7/2/2015 Medical

7/6/2015 Interview NOA1 → interview - 159 days Embassy received → interview (Embassy phase) - 20 days 7/28/2015 Visa issued /// 7/29/2015 email recieved/ visa in hand I-129F sent → visa in hand - 189 days (~6 months) TOTAL TIME

8/22/2015 POE LA

9/10/2015 Wedding

I-485(AOS)/ I-131(AP)/ I-765(EAD)

9/10/2015 Wedding /// 10/6/2015 Marriage Certificate (certified copy) received

11/3/2015 AOS/ AP/ EAD package mailed (USPS Priority to Chicago lockbox) /// 11/5/2015 received by USCIS

11/6/2015 NOA1 (x3) date /// 11/9/2015 NOA1 (x3) (text/email) AOS/AP/EAD sent → NOA1 - 3 days

11/13/2015 NOA1 (x3) (hard copy)

11/20/2015 Biometrics appointment invitation received (hard copy)

11/30/2015 Biometrics appointment

1/26/2016 NOA2 (EAD/AP) date /// 11/9/2015 NOA1 (x3) (text/email) AOS/AP/EAD sent → NOA1 - 3 days

1/29/2016 NOA2 (EAD) (hard copy)

2/3/2016 EAD/AP card received

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Of course, how can anything go by without a bitter post from TCS sufferer...

I wasn't approved in 55 days.

It was 110 days from NOA1.

And comparing TSC and CSC makes no logical sense to those who are waiting. In both directions.

Could not have said it better myself. Completely different circumstances. TSC and CSC not the same and this is an RFE delay rather than a TSC "black hole" situation.

Trolling posts to vent about TSC issues serves no one any benefit.

Apples v. Oranges

I was you just yesterday:)

And hopefully tomorrow I am you. :)

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Congrats. Each case faces their own challenges, whether logistical, personal, professional, expedites, MENAs, and yes....which service center they get assigned to. Don't let anyone derail your journey, excitement, or story.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

The advice is to expect 10 months and be happy with 5. It looks like you'll get through in 3.5 or 4. The quickest CSC turnaround has been 4 days. Texas Service Center is *averaging* 218 days just for NOA2 (see here: CSC is averaging 31, so 55 isn't really all too far off when you factor in the RFE http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1historical).There are still September 2014 folks waiting for NOA2, and nothing after November 2014 has been touched yet. I'd be counting my blessings, all 55 of them, in your shoes.

I think the discouraging thing was waiting 55 days after replying to the RFE, not whole journey. I'm sure they're more than aware of time differences between centers. 59 days after RFE is long no matter the center...

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
Timeline

I think the discouraging thing was waiting 55 days after replying to the RFE, not whole journey. I'm sure they're more than aware of time differences between centers. 59 days after RFE is long no matter the center...

Exactly. People get so wrapped up in their anger against TSC, that whenever they see others daring to complain about anything below (200+ days wait), they don't even read the rest and feel compelled to share their misery.

I should have added that I haven't seen a wait of almost 60 days after RFE in ANY center, including TSC.

The total length of wait has no relevance.

And as much as I feel for TSC folks, those at CSC are not at fault. Form your own TSC support groups with people in similar situations and help each other.

One of the members I was emailing with is actually from TSC...

Oh, and being bitter will not help your journey or make it faster.

I-129F petition/K-1 visa

1/21/2015 I-129F mailed USPS Priority to Dallas lockbox /// 1/26/2015 received by USCIS

1/28/2015 NOA1 date /// 1/29/2015 NOA1 (text/email) I-129F sent → NOA1 - 7 days

2/3/2015 NOA1 (hard copy)

3/10/2015 RFE (email) /// 3/16/2015 RFE (hard copy) with A# NOA1 → RFE - 41 days

3/19/2015 RFE mailed USPS Priority to CSC /// 3/23/2015 RFE response received by CSC

5/18/2015 NOA2 (email) RFE→ NOA2 - 69 days / NOA1 → NOA2 - 110 days I-129F sent → NOA2 (CSC phase) - 117 days

5/22/2015 NOA2 (hard copy)

6/1/2015 NVC: case received NOA2 → NVC received - 14 days

6/4/2015 NVC: assigned case # & invoice ID

6/8/2015 NVC: sent to Embassy NVC received → NVC left - 7 days

6/10/2015 Status 'Ready' on CEAC site, letter from NVC mailed to petitioner /// 6/13/2015 NVC letter with case # (hard copy) received

6/16/2015 Embassy: case received NOA2 → Embassy received (NVC phase) - 29 days

6/17/2015 Status 'Administrative processing' on CEAC site, email from Embassy with interview instructions

6/24/2015 Interview scheduled, packets 3 & 4 received (email) /// 6/25/2015 Packet 3 sent to Embassy

7/2/2015 Medical

7/6/2015 Interview NOA1 → interview - 159 days Embassy received → interview (Embassy phase) - 20 days 7/28/2015 Visa issued /// 7/29/2015 email recieved/ visa in hand I-129F sent → visa in hand - 189 days (~6 months) TOTAL TIME

8/22/2015 POE LA

9/10/2015 Wedding

I-485(AOS)/ I-131(AP)/ I-765(EAD)

9/10/2015 Wedding /// 10/6/2015 Marriage Certificate (certified copy) received

11/3/2015 AOS/ AP/ EAD package mailed (USPS Priority to Chicago lockbox) /// 11/5/2015 received by USCIS

11/6/2015 NOA1 (x3) date /// 11/9/2015 NOA1 (x3) (text/email) AOS/AP/EAD sent → NOA1 - 3 days

11/13/2015 NOA1 (x3) (hard copy)

11/20/2015 Biometrics appointment invitation received (hard copy)

11/30/2015 Biometrics appointment

1/26/2016 NOA2 (EAD/AP) date /// 11/9/2015 NOA1 (x3) (text/email) AOS/AP/EAD sent → NOA1 - 3 days

1/29/2016 NOA2 (EAD) (hard copy)

2/3/2016 EAD/AP card received

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Of course, how can anything go by without a bitter post from TCS sufferer...

I wasn't approved in 55 days.

It was 110 days from NOA1.

And comparing TSC and CSC makes no logical sense to those who are waiting. In both directions.

Ah ok, I thought it was total including the RFE (wasn't clear to me). I'm not bitter (and I'd thank you to not take this to an attack on my personality, it's just ugly)-- I know full well this is no one at CSC's fault (although some people do stray into the insensitively clueless territory but I can just brush them aside these days), and I'm not angry. What I'd read included you repeating advice incorrectly, and yes I misunderstood your post about the 55 day RFE and that I've already apologized for.

I was correcting your repetition of the advice, stating the facts of the averages and the "records" because most people, and most especially CSC filers are completely clueless about it. And yes, I'd be totally cool with a 55 day total----and lookit that it sounds like you would be too! Oh, gee. You must be bitter, as well. Is that how that works? Or is that only if you're a TSC filer?

But yeah 2 months to reply to an RFE is really unusual--I wonder if your adjudicator went on leave or something? Did you contact the Ombudsman's office or your Congressman? One of the two of them should have been able to look into that on your behalf.

Edited by CatherineA

Marriage/ AOS Timeline:

23 Dec 2015: Legal marriage

23 Jan 2016: Wedding!

23 Jan 2016: "Blizzard of the Century", wedding canceled/rescheduled (thank goodness we were legally married first or we'd have had a big problem!) :sleepy:

24 Jan 2016: Small "civil ceremony" with friends and family who were snowed in with us. December was a bit of a secret and people had traveled internationally and knew we *had* to get married that weekend, and our December legal marriage was nothing but signing a piece of paper at our priest's kitchen table, without any sort of vows etc so this was actually a very special (if not legally significant) day. (L)

16 Apr 2016: Filed for AOS and EAD/AP (We delayed a bit-- no big rush, enjoying the USCIS break)

23 Apr 2016: Wedding! Finally! :luv:

27 Apr 2016: Electronic NOA1 for all 3 :dancing:
29 Apr 2016: NOA1 Hardcopy for all 3
29 Jul 2016: Online service request for late EAD (Day 104)
29 Jul 2016: EAD/AP Approved ~3 hours after online service request
04 Aug 2016: RFE for Green Card (requested medicals/ vaccination record. They already have it). :ranting:
05 Aug 2016: EAD/AP Combo Card arrived! (Day 111)
08 Aug 2016: Congressional constituent request to get guidance on the RFE. Hoping they see they have the form and approve!

K-1 Visa Timeline:

PLEASE NOTE. This timeline was during the period of time when TSC was working on I-129fs and had a huge backlog. The average processing time was 210+ days. This is in no way predictive of your own timeline if you filed during or after April 2015, unless CSC develops a backlog. A backlog is anything above the 5-month goal time listed on USCIS's site

14 Feb 2015: Mailed I-129f to Dallas Lockbox. (L) (Most expensive Valentine's card I've ever sent!)

17 Feb 2015: NOA1 "Received Date"
19 Feb 2015: NOA1 Notice Date
08 Aug 2015: NOA2 email! :luv: (173 days from NOA1)

17 Aug 2015: Sent to NVC

?? Aug 2015: Arrived at NVC

25 Aug 2015: NVC Case # Assigned

31 Aug 2015: Left NVC for Consulate in San Jose

09 Sep 2015: Consulate received :dancing: (32 days from NOA2)

11 Sep 2015: Packet 3 emailed from embassy to me, the petitioner (34 days from NOA2).

18 Sep 2015: Medicals complete

21 Sep 2015: Packet 3 complete, my boss puts a temporary moratorium on all time off due to work emergency :clock:

02 Oct 2015: Work emergency clears up, interview scheduled (soonest available was 5 business days away--Columbus Day was in there)

13 Oct 2015: Interview

13 Oct 2015: VISA APPROVED :thumbs: (236 days from NOA1)

19 Oct 2015: Visa-in-hand

24 Oct 2015: POE !

15 Dec 2015: Fiance's mother's B-2 visa interview: APPROVED! So happy she will be at the wedding! :thumbs:

!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Ah ok, I thought it was total including the RFE (wasn't clear to me). I'm not bitter (and I'd thank you to not take this to an attack on my personality, it's just ugly).

I was correcting your repetition of the advice, stating the facts of the averages and the "records" because most people, and most especially CSC filers are completely clueless about it. And yes, I'd be totally cool with a 55 day total----and lookit that it sounds like you would be too! Oh, gee. You must be bitter, as well. Is that how that works? Or is that only if you're a TSC filer?

But yeah 2 months to reply to an RFE is really unusual--I wonder if your adjudicator went on leave or something? Did you contact the Ombudsman's office or your Congressman? One of the two of them should have been able to look into that on your behalf.

I've seen you on forums enough. You give good sound advice to people all the time. I know you're well intentioned.....

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I've seen you on forums enough. You give good sound advice to people all the time. I know you're well intentioned.....

Thanks. I do try to help. And this person was misquoting oft-repeated advice and it's nice to clear that up (one of my biggest regrets in this whole process is not starting it much earlier because I did not have a grasp on what the actual wait times and expectations were).

And YES I misunderstood the 55 day thing. And instead of a kind correction, I get the RABID BITTER TSC FILER thing thrown at me. Ooook. Whatever you want to think. I'm prepared for this wait, have been for a good long time now. Just as long as we've immigrated in 2015, I'm cool. And hey, that means I'll have an even better excuse to spend some time this winter in the tropics (interview and all). But apparently you say anything about thinking shorter wait times are preferable and you get painted with the bitter brush.

Marriage/ AOS Timeline:

23 Dec 2015: Legal marriage

23 Jan 2016: Wedding!

23 Jan 2016: "Blizzard of the Century", wedding canceled/rescheduled (thank goodness we were legally married first or we'd have had a big problem!) :sleepy:

24 Jan 2016: Small "civil ceremony" with friends and family who were snowed in with us. December was a bit of a secret and people had traveled internationally and knew we *had* to get married that weekend, and our December legal marriage was nothing but signing a piece of paper at our priest's kitchen table, without any sort of vows etc so this was actually a very special (if not legally significant) day. (L)

16 Apr 2016: Filed for AOS and EAD/AP (We delayed a bit-- no big rush, enjoying the USCIS break)

23 Apr 2016: Wedding! Finally! :luv:

27 Apr 2016: Electronic NOA1 for all 3 :dancing:
29 Apr 2016: NOA1 Hardcopy for all 3
29 Jul 2016: Online service request for late EAD (Day 104)
29 Jul 2016: EAD/AP Approved ~3 hours after online service request
04 Aug 2016: RFE for Green Card (requested medicals/ vaccination record. They already have it). :ranting:
05 Aug 2016: EAD/AP Combo Card arrived! (Day 111)
08 Aug 2016: Congressional constituent request to get guidance on the RFE. Hoping they see they have the form and approve!

K-1 Visa Timeline:

PLEASE NOTE. This timeline was during the period of time when TSC was working on I-129fs and had a huge backlog. The average processing time was 210+ days. This is in no way predictive of your own timeline if you filed during or after April 2015, unless CSC develops a backlog. A backlog is anything above the 5-month goal time listed on USCIS's site

14 Feb 2015: Mailed I-129f to Dallas Lockbox. (L) (Most expensive Valentine's card I've ever sent!)

17 Feb 2015: NOA1 "Received Date"
19 Feb 2015: NOA1 Notice Date
08 Aug 2015: NOA2 email! :luv: (173 days from NOA1)

17 Aug 2015: Sent to NVC

?? Aug 2015: Arrived at NVC

25 Aug 2015: NVC Case # Assigned

31 Aug 2015: Left NVC for Consulate in San Jose

09 Sep 2015: Consulate received :dancing: (32 days from NOA2)

11 Sep 2015: Packet 3 emailed from embassy to me, the petitioner (34 days from NOA2).

18 Sep 2015: Medicals complete

21 Sep 2015: Packet 3 complete, my boss puts a temporary moratorium on all time off due to work emergency :clock:

02 Oct 2015: Work emergency clears up, interview scheduled (soonest available was 5 business days away--Columbus Day was in there)

13 Oct 2015: Interview

13 Oct 2015: VISA APPROVED :thumbs: (236 days from NOA1)

19 Oct 2015: Visa-in-hand

24 Oct 2015: POE !

15 Dec 2015: Fiance's mother's B-2 visa interview: APPROVED! So happy she will be at the wedding! :thumbs:

!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Jamaica
Timeline

Just wanted to share and give hope to those in similar situation...

I just got NOA2 on day 55 after CSC received my RFE. I lost all hope, was thinking all the bad thoughts, preparing mentally to the denial.

Just like that... NO reasons whatsoever, no criminal history, no funny business, no problems. All long waits like this usually resulted in denial (from my research on the subject), and the long review process was usually due to some complicated circumstances...

My RFE was to prove that the site we met was not IMB- and I did everything recommended here, wrote a detailed letter, attached printouts from the site, our communication- everything others did who got approved within 1-2 weeks after RFE. I have been in a state of 'every day now' for 7 weeks, and it is exhausting!!!

So, sometimes things are just like that- unpredictable. I imagine my adjudicator has some system going on when the RFE responses go to the end of a pile, and he has a backlog of cases, and then went on vacation... and there you go, 8 weeks of waiting for me...

I was watching cases in CSC get approved that were submitted 2 months after us, I watched RFEs getting approved within a week for the same IMB reason. I lost all the hope...

and look, 4 days before the 'due date' they generously give themselves to reply (60 days), I got it.

Bottom line, and this is the result of me reading on the topic extensively: if you have all docs, met all criteria, didn't lie about criminal history- YOU WILL GET APPROVED. At this step it is rather simple.

Main reasons for denials (from reading up on USCIS site- all public records):

1) not having met within 2 years PRIOR to filing or not being able to prove they did even after RFE or during appeal process

2) not being legally able to marry AT THE MOMENT OF FILING. Yes, I have seen cases when people got their divorces finalized after I-129F was submitted.

3) having criminal history or lying about it- they do run background checks, fingerprint checks, Dept of Justice database, interpol- so even when people have criminal history from years before and from different countries, NEVER LIE ABOUT CRIMINAL HISTORY. There are a bunch of waivers in place, they give you chances to submit (RFE) even if you missed something. But lying is the only thing that results in automatic denial with no appeals possible.

I also connected via private messages with few members of VJ in a similar situation- very helpful! It was a lot easier to wait together and support each other through this stressful process. One person even had to visit a hospital with high blood pressure... This process takes a huge toll. The worst is the uncertainty and not being able to find any information. Even Tier 2 officers, while being helpful in explaining the details of the process, do not have much more info about a particular case.

Another lesson learned- DO NOT put much weight into timelines of other members here. Every case is unique, every adjudicator has his own way of processing petitions. I see here people start freaking out very early in the process because 'petitions before mine get approved...'.

Look at me- in CSC, simple RFE- and it took me almost 4 months to get my NOA2! We fell into the same trap, 'expecting' to be approved quickly and planning on reuniting in the US in April. Big mistake, lots of failed hopes and unnecessary disappointments.

So, the advice you hear here from more mature members that have seen it all- expect 5 months- is a very wise thing to do. Do not measure yourself by the quickest timelines. I think the quickest I have seen in CSC is 9 days between NOAs.

Good luck everyone! This process is not for the weak, and it will test your relationship in the ways that you will be grateful at the end for all the delays. If the relationship is real and strong, you will only get a chance to test your partner in a highly stressful situation, and this is not a bad thing before committing to a life together.

I am going through the same thing attempting to explain the IMB/Online sites and circumstances that led to our personal relationship. I am sending the paper work today over night mail. which sounds like it doesn't matter when they get it but when they get to it. thanks for sharing. I waited almost 2months for the RFE I am hoping for a quick turnaround but am starting to understand that the timelines on here are just predictions not factual. congrats and I will just pray for a short time before approval.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Jamaica
Timeline

Thanks for this post. It gives me some hope - sort of....

I also got an RFE for the same exact thing. Well known dating site with literally hundereds of prior approvals and got RFE to prove it is not an IMB.

There were several like mine in the March 2015 filers post. I was the first to get the RFE fo rthis and it seems I am the last to move to the NOA2 status. Others got the same dating site/IMB RFE and some even from the same dating site. It seems that a few have been approved (from posts and looking at timelines) withing 7-10 days of recieving the needed documents, but ours is still not yet approved and it is almost 30 days now.

Like you, I have the "any day now" stress and we were hoping she could be here for our 3rd anniversary on July 4th. With a 7-10 delay it would have been doable. But now its looking bleak. There are some March 2015 posters with I-129F submitted about the same time as our and have already had their interviews in Manila. Very frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch...

I am a March Filer (March 30th) and I am just receiving the RFE for the IMB thing. I will send in my paperwork today over night. and hope for a fast approval. 30 days would be great!
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