J and S

How long does it take before the Embassy will make contact to pickup packet 3? We keep calling and they say that they will call. It will be a month soon that they received paperwork from NVC.

The Flow Chart on this site says that it should take 1-4 weeks to go from the NVC to the Embassy. I've seen, however, that it takes some people 5 or 6 weeks.

Five months one week five days and still no NOA2...CSC claims to still be working on June 16th

Oof. I remember looking at the CR-1 forum a few months back. CSC was going realllllly slow with them, slower than with K-1s. Have they sped up on those at all? I hope you get yours soon. I would imagine that being separated as an already married couple is far more difficult.

I'm telling you, if my relationship dies, as mentioned of someone else in a prior post in this thread, because of VSC's incapacity to process my application, there'll be a lawsuit.

A lawsuit? If the relationship fails, it wasn't meant to be.

Everyone knows when they go into this, it's a crapshoot in terms as to how long it'll take. It's one of the hardest tests our relationships face. Regardless of if it takes 5 months or 2 years...if a relationship fails...it is not *solely* the USCIS's fault.

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In terms of why the two centers have such different processing times...there are so many factors: from how fast different individuals work, to the number of various visas (remember they don't just work on K-1s), to the number of RFEs they have to deal with. Basically, the more RFEs an agent has to work with the further their workload gets backed up. Person A gets through their pile because they have 1 application where they dealt with an RFE. Person B gets through their pile twice as long because they had, say 5 RFEs.

The part that is most frustrating is when there is the odd case where a couple waits 8 or 9 months with NO RFEs and no one can or will give them a straight answer.

I hope everyone waiting 6months+ finds their answers soon!!!!!

This is exceedingly simple. List the LAST PLACE you lived outside the USA for more than one year in this space. ALSO list it in the 5 year history. No penalties for filling out the form completely.

If that is the address before the one you lived now, then list that.

I just looked at my photocopy of our petition, and my fiance did exactly this.

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OP: It may seem redundant, I know. But, it's a form used for both the petitioner and the beneficiary. Better safe to be thorough even if it is redundant, than to get held back with a possible RFE.

That's what I mean... it shouldn't be random. Some lucky couples are getting approved while the rest of us have to wait and wait and wait.. It will be 7 months for us on the 23rd of this month! The process should be more fair to those who applied first. Is it the case worker who is just slow? taking a vacation? or just not doing his job??!! maybe some other case workers are faster and that is why other visas are getting approved.

It's not as "random" as we think. Someone (who worked for the USCIS) posted a link to a really good explanation. ... I wish I could find it. ... I may have saved the link at my home computer. If I did, I'll post it here.

But in short, a set of petitions go in a box. The box is assigned to a worker. Said worker goes through the box and cannot move forward until a case is finished. Imagine now, if they come up with a case where they get a hit which requires additional background check. Or they have to work on RFEs (meaning they have to put current work aside, to go back to an older case to get it through.) ... but coworker in the cubicle over has a bunch of easier cases. ... Hence, what seems "random." It's not really an excuse, but it gives some insight into how things work. The post was actually SUPER detailed, so I hope I have it saved...and I'll share here.

thanks for the replies A&B and Inky. i have another question, how critical is the you have to meet each other in person within the last 2 years? Are they really concrete on that rule or it could be off a little bit? we were together the last time on June, 2009. i sent my I-129F on August, 2011. Does anyone know if there is any issue with that? I have not hear anything from USCIS so far since NOA1. Thanks.

It states 2 years to the date of filing the petition. I *have* seen examples of petitions being denied for not reaching this requirement (afterall, it is a requirement). I *have not* seen a case of the USCIS being lenient and letting someone slip through the cracks. Just because I have not seen it, doesn't mean it hasn't happened though. But considering that they send RFEs for not dating a signature or marking a box... ... ... prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Maybe they'll have a "nice" day. I hope it works out for you though.

This is asking for an address that the person filling out the form may have lived outside of the US for a year or more. For example, if I lived in Brazil for 1 1/2 years at any point in my life.

There is already a portion for you to fill out your residence for the last 5 years.

I just got engaged to a lady in Manila and am ready to start the K-1 process. Does anyone know of a GOOD attorney they can recommend, one that is detailed, returns phone calls and ideally has some connections in Manila in case there are any problems?

Try asking under the Philippines forum, you may get more replies there.

my fiance also called this morning but the person he spoke with said he's been calling too much... like twice a month but man we've been waiting for more than 7 months

Twice a month is considered "too much"? ... I wonder what they say to the people who call every other day.

Have you called your Congressman? I can't remember...do you have an RFE?

Me too… I wonder what's happening at CSC. Are they putting I-129F on hold? Is there a protest?? No approval yesterday, all the NOA2 approvals on VJ are from Vermont.

Seriously CSC, there's many couples waiting to be together.

Because they also have to work on Spouse visas, Work visas, Student visas, Tourists visas etc. In general, it looked as though the IR-1s were being processed slower than the K-1s. I can only imagine how frustrating that is for a couple who's already married and possible have kids as well.

CSC is picking up compared to their activity in October/November. More and more will start to get approved.

Good luck to anyone still waiting.

I use either kayak.com or travelocity.com ... I've also used expedia.

I tend to look for the cheapest flights and then go to the airline for the price shown. I personally prefer to buy through the airline, and I still am able to get the lowest possible price (unless you plan on doing one of those 3-5 stop and switch airlines a million times type of deal).

Usually on international flights, the passport is needed. I've never had to present anything other than my passport.

Safe travels!

It's a good thing I have this site.

I would've kept all the paperwork anyways, but I saw it mentioned previously that an original copy of the NOA2 is needed for the AOS process. I had no idea it's $400 for a replacement!!!! That's insane o.O

Part of the process is being able to follow instructions, it will get you delayed every time if you don't.

Amen

... ...

But some people like to learn the hard way

This process is too simple. I work a lot too and I understand you need help.

Seriously? That makes buying a house less intimidating.

... ... but I digress ... ...

Anyways, OP. I agree with the advice that everyone else has already given.

After being on here for a year, I've seen more people complain about lawyers rather than praise them. Most people who used a lawyer, wish they had found this site first. The only time people will suggest a lawyer (as mentioned before) is if you have an extremely unique case in which legal advice would be needed.

Just because the back "looks" blank, doesn't mean that it IS blank. Watermarks might show up that cannot be seen on the original. On mine, the back is free of information, but grains in the paper showed up that were not necessarily visible on the original. Each state is different. By providing both front and back, they are able to tell whether or not the certificate was doctored illegally. The workers look at enough of these from various states to know whether or not to look for a blank page or information on the back.

What is the harm in sticking in ONE extra blank page and FOLLOWING the directions to the T?

Congratulations! The waiting time will seem long, but in reality it'll go by fast (if you keep yourself occupied).

Good luck with a speedy and smooth visa journey!

daaaaaaaw congratulations!!!!! that's an extremely nice day to get the news

In many cases the correction can be submitted over the phone. We noticed an error in the SSN on the I-129f (it was correct on the 325A) so we called the 800 number and eventually spoke to a customer support agent. They looked up the case using the receipt number and found the incorrect SSN in their case database. The agent submitted a computerized correction notice to the service center handling the case. It was all very easy and fast. They also said that current processing time was 5 months from date of submission of the original petition.

Good luck!

J&N

That's a bit easier to fix. The SSN gets put into the system along with the receipt for the case, and by calling in they can easily access that and change it to the correct SSN.

On the other hand, the OP forgot to check a yes/no box. This is NOT easily done. They cannot easily find the petition (at the correct service center) amongst the pile of petitions sitting in a box, which is sitting next to more boxes of more petitions. Open the box. Mark in the missing info...etc. This is why they would tell the OP to wait for the RFE. Imagine how much longer it would take them to fix petitions if everyone who forgot to check a box or date a signature or spelt something wrong, called in and asked them to physically change the info for them.

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OP...it'll be an easy RFE to fix when you get it. And it'll only delay you a few weeks. Not so bad in the bigger scheme of things. And definitely lesson learned...as this will be the first of dozens of forms we'll all be filling out throughout the immigration process. lol Good luck on your case!

congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If it says her maiden name, than put her maiden name.

If this was not done, than yes, you do need to have it corrected.

Their school transcripts could be helpful as well (translated if possible).

I work in a school with a lot of immigrants, and it helps kids to get put into the proper courses if we have their transcripts from their country (middle school age or older....not sure if it would matter for elementary school age).

Save Binder 4 for the interview, unless you're front loading. What consulate will your case be forwarded to? Some countries require front loading, other do not.

Also, as people stated...do not use binders or staples. The butterfly clips work fine. If your petition is too large, you can also use the 2 prong file fastener (which is what I used).

You do not need to have anything notarized at the petition stage. ... Well, maybe for some consulates you would need to (which is why it'd be helpful if you told us which one you'll be going through). I had letters from several family members, a few bank statements to correspond with credit bought on skype, etc, did *not* include any chat logs ... none of them were notarized...and I received my NOA2 with no RFEs.

well it would take too long to wait for another 325 sign by her, so she sent me that letter signed via e-mail so... I hope they would accept like that, with attachment letter, I just wasn't thinking about the gaps... I would wait for another g325 but she's pregnant, so I'd like to send the i129f asap. any other advise... can the G325A just be scanned and emailed?

Ah, I see. I am personally the type of person who feels better with sending in forms with original signatures.

But, I've seen several people post about an email/scanned signature without any problems. It would be up to you if you feel safe with that.

I'm not sure how much they will scrutinize it if you just send it the way it is with the additional letter to explain the missing dates. Hopefully they won't.

well, I hope is not a biggie and they just let it be like that, with the letter .

I'm new here and I'm kind of lost I wish I could browse better through this pages of VJ so I can get more help on other topics.

Welcome to VJ by the way, browsing can be hard but the search feature is pretty nice. If not, just ask whatever questions you have! There's lots of great people with helpful and good advice.

Also..congratulations

One more question. did your fiance notarize the g325a form? im not going to have her notarize it, because i dont see that suggestion here on the guides.

There's no need to notarize the form.

Good luck

:/ Good luck. Hopefully it'll come in the next few days or so.

Perhaps they are doing background checks? I'm not familiar with visa petitions going through Russia...is it considered a high fraud country?

Either way, I hope you hear from CSC soon!