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Kim Mertens

Kim and Clint!

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Kim Mertens Enthusiast

Kim Mertens   54

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Belgium
 Timeline
Posted

Hello all :)

When I discovered this forum, I have to admit I jumped straight into the information pool for documents and traps and tips and tricks for our visa.

Today I am just done with it for a little bit my head is killing me trying to figure everything out, and so today I also discovered this subforum and other fun, not too serious parts of this forum.

I`m liking it!

My name is Kim, in 25years old and I currently live in Belgium.

In the spring of 2012 I met my now fiance online on a gaming forum. Yup, I know, geeky!!

I sent my first Christmas package to him in 2013, before that he was afraid of what his family would think, and he was afraid I was going to prank him sending him weird inappropriate presents. DON`T ASK ME WHY :D His family loves me and I love them to the moon and back!!

We first met in person when I flew to VA in January 2014. I would stay there for 3 weeks, then head back to Belgium and start work again. Plans changed cause we just couldn`t say goodbye. While I was over there we skyped my mom saying "We`re gonna need a 2-person bed. Clint`s coming back with me." We booked a flight back for him, on the seat next to mine, and I called work for another 2 weeks off. The night before he had to return, he proposed to me, completely unexpectedly. Of course I said yes.

When he had to go back to VA I collapsed at the airport. I still get tears thinking back.

Once he got back we talked about getting married and made the deal that we`d get married next time I`d come to the USA. We didn`t know at that point how crazy the K1 visa application was!

He came back to Belgium in October 2014 and we spent an entire month together here, and did some day trips across the border left and right. Same drama happened when he had to go back on November 20th.

We started "Getting our ducks in a row" pretty much the day after he arrived back in VA. He graduated and got a job, I finished one of my studies (number 2 and 3 soon to be finished) and we started saving up.

Few weeks ago we started seriously looking into the visa process, and so we`re starting now.

Our I-129F is almost ready to be sent, we`re now just waiting for my letter of intent and G-325A to arrive there.

With the workload thingy going on we`re hoping to get sent to CSC, most VA people get sent to TSC so we`re knocking on wood.

If we do get sent to TSC I will have to break our promise to get married next time I come to VA, cause I will probably go surprise visit him over the summer if we end up getting the "slow" service center. I know he`s working and can`t get much time off but he`ll be extatic when he finds out :)

Any other couples here that met through video games? :D

Here`s a picture of us!

xoxo Kimpost-204510-0-78610900-1432851500_thumb.jpg

event.png
United_States.gif:wub:Our Journey :wub:Belgium.gif

 

K1
Sent I-129F: June 9th, 2015
Received at Texas Lockbox: June 11th. Sent to CSC!
NOA1: (NOA1 date June 15th 2015) Hardcopy arrived June 20th 2015
NOA2: July 23rd! Hardcopy arrived July 27th 2015
Left NVC in transit to Brussels Embassy: August 17th 2015
Received at Brussels Embassy: August 21st, 2015
Package 3 sent: August 25th, 2015
Package 3 reveived: August 26th, 2015
Checklist sent back: August 27th, 2015
Medical Appointment in Antwerp: August 27th, 2015 and August 31st, 2015
Received Package 4: September 11th, 2015
Interview: September 17th, 2015 : APPROVED!!!
POE: October 25th, 3.55pm 2015 at Washington Dulles Airport.
Wedding Courthouse: November 24th, 2015. (L)
Wedding ceremony and reception for friends and family US: April 2nd 2016 (L)
Wedding ceremony and reception for friends and family Belgium: October 8th 2016 (L)

AoS

Filed for AoS: June 17th 2016

Package arrived: June 20th 2016 8.05 AM

Check Cashed: June 25th 2016

Texts and e-mails NOA1: June 28th, 10.30 PM

Hardcopy NOA1`s: July 2nd

Biometrics letter: July 8th.

Biometrics appointment: July 20th, 11 AM, Charlotte, NC

Early walk-in Biometrics: July 14th!

Approved: 2016/10/28 (no interview)

Greencard received: November 5th 2016. (Wrong country of birth: USA)

RoC

Filed: 10/22/2018

Package arrived: 10/23 2:40PM

Package picked up: 10/24/2018 3:54AM.

NOA1: 10/26/2018

Text and e-mail: 10/29/2018

Check cashed: 10/30/2018

 

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Pitaya Grand Master

Pitaya   2,576

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to the forum.

Completed: K1/K2 (271 days) - AOS/EAD/AP (134 days) - ROC (279 days)

"Si vis amari, ama" - Seneca

 

 

 

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yuna628 Veteran

yuna628   9,528

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

Hi Kim,

You're currently in luck, as of the end of March all K-1 applications are being sent to CSC for an undetermined amount of time, regardless of the state you reside. So once you get it sent out to the Texas Lockbox, they'll get it over to California for you. ;)

My fiancé and I didn't meet through gaming, but we are absolutely a gaming couple - both PC and console. We play most days when we have spare time, and it helps pass the hours apart. It will certainly be a dream to finally rig up our systems in the same room.

Our Journey Timeline  - Immigration and the Health Exchange Price of Love in the UK Thinking of Returning to UK?

 

First met: 12/31/04 - Engaged: 9/24/09
Filed I-129F: 10/4/14 - Packet received: 10/7/14
NOA 1 email + ARN assigned: 10/10/14 (hard copy 10/17/14)
Touched on website (fixed?): 12/9/14 - Poked USCIS: 4/1/15
NOA 2 email: 5/4/15 (hard copy 5/11/15)
Sent to NVC: 5/8/15 - NVC received + #'s assigned: 5/15/15 (estimated)
NVC sent: 5/19/15 - London received/ready: 5/26/15
Packet 3: 5/28/15 - Medical: 6/16/15
Poked London 7/1/15 - Packet 4: 7/2/15
Interview: 7/30/15 - Approved!
AP + Issued 8/3/15 - Visa in hand (depot): 8/6/15
POE: 8/27/15
Wedding: 9/30/15

Filed I-485, I-131, I-765: 11/7/15

Packet received: 11/9/15

NOA 1 txt/email: 11/15/15 - NOA 1 hardcopy: 11/19/15

Bio: 12/9/15

EAD + AP approved: 1/25/16 - EAD received: 2/1/16

RFE for USCIS inability to read vax instructions: 5/21/16 (no e-notification & not sent from local office!)

RFE response sent: 6/7/16 - RFE response received 6/9/16

AOS approved/card in production: 6/13/16  

NOA 2 hardcopy + card sent 6/17/16

Green Card received: 6/18/16

USCIS 120 day reminder notice: 2/22/18

Filed I-751: 5/2/18 - Packet received: 5/4/18

NOA 1:  5/29/18 (12 mo ext) 8/13/18 (18 mo ext)  - Bio: 6/27/18

Transferred: Potomac Service Center 3/26/19

Approved/New Card Produced status: 4/25/19 - NOA2 hardcopy 4/29/19

10yr Green Card Received: 5/2/19 with error >_<

N400 : 7/16/23 - Oath : 10/19/23

 

 

 

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,058

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to the forum.

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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Kim Mertens Enthusiast

Kim Mertens   54

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Belgium
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thank you all so much!

Hi Kim,

You're currently in luck, as of the end of March all K-1 applications are being sent to CSC for an undetermined amount of time, regardless of the state you reside. So once you get it sent out to the Texas Lockbox, they'll get it over to California for you. ;)

My fiancé and I didn't meet through gaming, but we are absolutely a gaming couple - both PC and console. We play most days when we have spare time, and it helps pass the hours apart. It will certainly be a dream to finally rig up our systems in the same room.

That`s awesome, glad to hear there`s other gaming couples on here :D We mainly play pc games ( shooters, haha) and indeed its a great way to make the wait go faster! We`re actually actively looking around for setups for both our computers in the same room, there`s some sick ones out there :D

We will probably send our I-129F out in a week or two weeks tops cause his mom insists on taking it to a lawyer before sending it, trying to avoid an RFE. Hopefully they`ll still be sending them to the CSC then :D

What a beautiful story and couple might I add...Good luck on your journey!!!

Thank you so much!! :)

event.png
United_States.gif:wub:Our Journey :wub:Belgium.gif

 

K1
Sent I-129F: June 9th, 2015
Received at Texas Lockbox: June 11th. Sent to CSC!
NOA1: (NOA1 date June 15th 2015) Hardcopy arrived June 20th 2015
NOA2: July 23rd! Hardcopy arrived July 27th 2015
Left NVC in transit to Brussels Embassy: August 17th 2015
Received at Brussels Embassy: August 21st, 2015
Package 3 sent: August 25th, 2015
Package 3 reveived: August 26th, 2015
Checklist sent back: August 27th, 2015
Medical Appointment in Antwerp: August 27th, 2015 and August 31st, 2015
Received Package 4: September 11th, 2015
Interview: September 17th, 2015 : APPROVED!!!
POE: October 25th, 3.55pm 2015 at Washington Dulles Airport.
Wedding Courthouse: November 24th, 2015. (L)
Wedding ceremony and reception for friends and family US: April 2nd 2016 (L)
Wedding ceremony and reception for friends and family Belgium: October 8th 2016 (L)

AoS

Filed for AoS: June 17th 2016

Package arrived: June 20th 2016 8.05 AM

Check Cashed: June 25th 2016

Texts and e-mails NOA1: June 28th, 10.30 PM

Hardcopy NOA1`s: July 2nd

Biometrics letter: July 8th.

Biometrics appointment: July 20th, 11 AM, Charlotte, NC

Early walk-in Biometrics: July 14th!

Approved: 2016/10/28 (no interview)

Greencard received: November 5th 2016. (Wrong country of birth: USA)

RoC

Filed: 10/22/2018

Package arrived: 10/23 2:40PM

Package picked up: 10/24/2018 3:54AM.

NOA1: 10/26/2018

Text and e-mail: 10/29/2018

Check cashed: 10/30/2018

 

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AlissaCarly Explorer

AlissaCarly   44

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Netherlands
 Timeline
Posted

Welkom op het forum :D

We didn't meet through video games exactly, but through the gaming industry still, we're both in the gambling/gaming business. Testing video games for casinos and websites. I just moved to the US 7 months ago. Hope your process goes smoothly :)

Our journey so far:

27 Mar '09: Met at work in Holland and started dating.

30 Nov '13: Got engaged in Scotland!

10 Jan '14: Sent I-129F package to Dallas Lockbox.

22 Jan '14: NOA1 received.

29 Jun '14: Congressman Lobiondo inquired at TSC about our case.

16 Jul '14: Senator Menendez inquired at TSC about our case.

21 Jul '14: NOA2 approved!! (180 days)

23 Jul '14: Case sent to NVC.

01 Aug '14: Received NVC case number.

07 Aug '14: Case sent to Dutch consulate.

13 Aug '14: Packet 3 received, completed the DS-160 form.

15 Aug '14: Sent Packet 3 back to the consulate.

21 Aug '14: Packet 4 received with interview date.

02 Sep '14: Medical examination.

16 Sep '14: Interview --> APPROVED!!

20 Sep '14: Passport with visa returned.

12 Oct '14: POE, entered the USA!

14 Nov '14: Married! <3

24 Dec '14: Filed AOS/EAD.

31 Dec '14: AOS/EAD NOA1's received.

29 Jan '15: AOS RFE received for 2014 tax return.

23 Feb '15: AOS RFE response sent.

13 Mar '15: EAD RFE received for legal married name affidavit.

17 Mar '15: EAD RFE response sent.

29 Apr '15: Filed InfoPass to find out why I still didn't get biometrics appt.

06 May '15: Biometrics appointment.

14 May '15: Received EAD (finally!)

22 July '15: Interview waived.

08 Sep '15: Got my Green Card!

nZV0p1.png

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