Strange times (Nigeria)

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

Hello community. 
 

I am in Oregon in the middle of all these fires and I am looking for small pieces of hope, and a bit of guidance. 
 

This might be repetitive since I’ve posted here before but I’m at a loss. 
 

As I understand it, the immigration system here in the US is at a complete standstill. My fiancé and I haven’t even sent in our I-129F because the embassies and state borders aren’t open. Should we send our packet anyway? Would it be better to wait? Does anyone know anything? I read about it tirelessly but I am just going in circles. We only want to be together. I plan to travel there to see him again regardless of the visa situation, but it’s been 6 months since we were together and there’s no end in sight. We need a new plan and I don’t know where to start. Thanks in advance. 🙏🏻

[HRQX 4,145]

8 minutes ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Should we send our packet anyway?

Yes, you can file. Check the consulate website for possible upcoming updates:  "...on what services that post is currently able to offer."

If no news yet, check periodically (e.g. weekly).

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

2 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Hello community. 
 

I am in Oregon in the middle of all these fires and I am looking for small pieces of hope, and a bit of guidance. 
 

This might be repetitive since I’ve posted here before but I’m at a loss. 
 

As I understand it, the immigration system here in the US is at a complete standstill. My fiancé and I haven’t even sent in our I-129F because the embassies and state borders aren’t open. Should we send our packet anyway? Would it be better to wait? Does anyone know anything? I read about it tirelessly but I am just going in circles. We only want to be together. I plan to travel there to see him again regardless of the visa situation, but it’s been 6 months since we were together and there’s no end in sight. We need a new plan and I don’t know where to start. Thanks in advance. 🙏🏻

Common its been months and you still holding on to that packet?....I thought we already told you in your previous post to send it ASAP?...its been at least 2-3 months now?

[J&A1234 181]

There is no advantage to waiting for things to open up, you still have to proceed with getting your place in line. If you want to proceed with the I129F I would encourage you to file ASAP. 

[carmel34 3,639]

You first started working on the I-129F petition back in April, that was five months ago.  If you had filed back then, your petition might be near approval by now, as USCIS has been actively working on them all this time, and you would be in line for a visa interview at the consulate or embassy abroad once they start opening back up.  By the time the interview would be scheduled early next year things may change in Nigeria as well and the ban might be lifted.

 

File immediately and start the process.  If you have a solid application you might get approved in 2021.  If that doesn't work, get married in Nigeria and try for a CR-1 spousal visa, as this is a pretty common backup plan for Nigeria.  It's good that you are planning more visits to spend more time in person together as that evidence will help for both K-1 or possible CR-1 application.

 

Sorry that you are experiencing wildfires up there in Oregon.  We have gone through similar crazy times here in Northern California.  We even had to evacuate our home a few weeks ago for three days, thankfully our house was spared and we are back.

 

Good luck!

Edited September 11, 2020 by carmel34

[Strawberrymermaid 346]

9 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Hello community. 
 

I am in Oregon in the middle of all these fires and I am looking for small pieces of hope, and a bit of guidance. 
 

This might be repetitive since I’ve posted here before but I’m at a loss. 
 

As I understand it, the immigration system here in the US is at a complete standstill. My fiancé and I haven’t even sent in our I-129F because the embassies and state borders aren’t open. Should we send our packet anyway? Would it be better to wait? Does anyone know anything? I read about it tirelessly but I am just going in circles. We only want to be together. I plan to travel there to see him again regardless of the visa situation, but it’s been 6 months since we were together and there’s no end in sight. We need a new plan and I don’t know where to start. Thanks in advance. 🙏🏻

Hi there! I'm just curious what your reasoning for waiting is? The longer you wait, the further back in the line you will get and petitions in front of you will get approved before you.

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

51 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

You first started working on the I-129F petition back in April, that was five months ago.  If you had filed back then, your petition might be near approval by now, as USCIS has been actively working on them all this time, and you would be in line for a visa interview at the consulate or embassy abroad once they start opening back up.  By the time the interview would be scheduled early next year things may change in Nigeria as well and the ban might be lifted.

 

File immediately and start the process.  If you have a solid application you might get approved in 2021.  If that doesn't work, get married in Nigeria and try for a CR-1 spousal visa, as this is a pretty common backup plan for Nigeria.  It's good that you are planning more visits to spend more time in person together as that evidence will help for both K-1 or possible CR-1 application.

 

Sorry that you are experiencing wildfires up there in Oregon.  We have gone through similar crazy times here in Northern California.  We even had to evacuate our home a few weeks ago for three days, thankfully our house was spared and we are back.

 

Good luck!

Yes... it took me longer than expected to get the documentation together that I needed and then when COVID hit the US embassy In Lagos closed and we weren’t sure if it would be wise to send in an application if he can’t travel outside of his state to get the medical exam or paperwork needed or attend the interview due to lockdowns. We didn’t want to start the process only to be struck down midway. Apparently this was a misunderstanding on my part, and now I am feeling really sorry that I somehow missed the mark on all this. As of today, our packet is ready to go so I will be submitting it and hoping for the best. Even now, to my knowledge, the embassy remains closed. I didn’t realize that submitting the application held our place in line. I was under the impression that everything was wiped back to ground zero until further notice. I am so mad at myself now. 
but anyway, thank you for the support. I’ll be mailing it out today!

[CoriandPhilemon 9]

8 hours ago, Sparkle Sparkle said:

Common its been months and you still holding on to that packet?....I thought we already told you in your previous post to send it ASAP?...its been at least 2-3 months now?

Don’t be rude. 😟 you guys did tell me that but it was before covid got really serious and we’re trying to be careful. There’s a lot going on. We’ve both had stress at work and sickness and all kinds of things so I’m just trying to be careful and not miss any details. 

[Juliet57 304]

51 minutes ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Don’t be rude. 😟 you guys did tell me that but it was before covid got really serious and we’re trying to be careful. There’s a lot going on. We’ve both had stress at work and sickness and all kinds of things so I’m just trying to be careful and not miss any details. 

I honestly don't think the reply above was *that* rude, it gets tiring giving advice and people not following it.

Even if you don't like what you hear, hurrying you to get that petition filed is in your best interest.

 

I wonder how many people have already sent their application since you asked that question in April? All of those applicants will be ahead of you in the process.

 

Sorry you realized you misunderstood, there's no point in beating yourself up just send it asap.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

12 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Hello community. 
 

I am in Oregon in the middle of all these fires and I am looking for small pieces of hope, and a bit of guidance. 
 

This might be repetitive since I’ve posted here before but I’m at a loss. 
 

As I understand it, the immigration system here in the US is at a complete standstill. My fiancé and I haven’t even sent in our I-129F because the embassies and state borders aren’t open. Should we send our packet anyway? Would it be better to wait? Does anyone know anything? I read about it tirelessly but I am just going in circles. We only want to be together. I plan to travel there to see him again regardless of the visa situation, but it’s been 6 months since we were together and there’s no end in sight. We need a new plan and I don’t know where to start. Thanks in advance. 🙏🏻

Waiting hasn't and does not provide any benefit to you nor your fiancé unless you weren't prepared/met the requirement to send the packet. 

So no, waiting only puts everyone else who filed in the last 6 months ahead of you. 

[HRQX 4,145]

3 hours ago, carmel34 said:

By the time the interview would be scheduled early next year things may change in Nigeria as well and the ban might be lifted.

Reminder that K-1 for Nigerian nationals isn't affected by PP 9983 because K-1 is nonimmigrant: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/presidential-proclamation-archive/presidential-proclamation9645.html?wcmmode=disabled

[Timona 4,207]

You've looked into benefits of K-1 vs CR-1? I'd go for CR-1 as time differences like 3 months. That helps you avoid another 1.5 years of USCIS AOS headaches. @Lucky Cat always has a good breakdown.

 

1 hour ago, usernameosas said:

Hello house This is actually my first time on this group and i find it more enlighten. I’m FB-1 category and my priority date is August 17 2015, i will like to know when I’m likely to get my welcome letter.

 

Start your own thread. Don't hijack.

Edited September 11, 2020 by Timona

[NandV 87]

2 hours ago, CoriandPhilemon said:

Yes... it took me longer than expected to get the documentation together that I needed and then when COVID hit the US embassy In Lagos closed and we weren’t sure if it would be wise to send in an application if he can’t travel outside of his state to get the medical exam or paperwork needed or attend the interview due to lockdowns. We didn’t want to start the process only to be struck down midway. Apparently this was a misunderstanding on my part, and now I am feeling really sorry that I somehow missed the mark on all this. As of today, our packet is ready to go so I will be submitting it and hoping for the best. Even now, to my knowledge, the embassy remains closed. I didn’t realize that submitting the application held our place in line. I was under the impression that everything was wiped back to ground zero until further notice. I am so mad at myself now. 
but anyway, thank you for the support. I’ll be mailing it out today!

Wanted to add that you don't have to worry about the embassy at the moment. The first steps is to send the application to the Texas lockbox and then this info gets sent to your local processing center in Oregon. From there, the NVC/Lagos comes into a play. Sign up for the texts

 

I had a lawyer tell me the same thing, but I decided to just send it in and see what happens.

[HRQX 4,145]

5 minutes ago, NandV said:

and then this info gets sent to your local processing center in Oregon.

No. Almost all I-129F petitions for K-1 are processed at California Service Center. A few are processed at Vermont Service Center. https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

[NandV 87]

4 minutes ago, HRQX said:

No. Almost all I-129F petitions for K-1 are processed at California Service Center. A few are processed at Vermont Service Center. https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

Oh yes, sorry good catch