MatthewNCarolina

It varies from what I've seen. If your petition was accepted by USCIS and you have a file number (NOA1) it's going to be sitting in a box untouched for the next few months. It seems that most times they won't even look at your petition until they're actually about to adjudicate it.

Thank you.

Don't they usually just return the packet if you submit the wrong fee or forget to sign the check? My thoughts are that you'll get an RFE, as Amber and Ahmed did.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/285222-rfe-for-i129f-for-k-3/page__p__4323821#entry4323821

So if I get an RFE, will that be around the 5 month waiting period or will this RFE be really soon? Do they give and RFE very early if it's noticed very early? Or will they review everything else and send the RFE for my missing signature, once they know that's all they need before approving?

thanks

Hey all. I was taking a look at my copy petition... I swear I do not know how I overlooked the signature and date on the biographic data form....I understand they might send the petition back to me for my signature? They're supposed to receive my petition package at the dallas lockbox facility at around 12:00PM tomorrow.... damn am I ever dejected over this... Everything else in the whole petition is signed.... Will they take it further and then eventually send an RFE or will they just send it right back for my signature? Thanks

Matt

Glad you made a copy, now you don't worry about.

Amen to that. I'll take this time responding to your reply, to also state that if everyone thought I was being an idiot about it... I really wasn't lol. I use a method to get my answers. I've used other forums before and people never would answer me straight to the point! lol, so nobody will see a post like that again I'm really a nice guy and love my fiancee more than I ever thought I could love

Hey all, thanks very much for all the responses. I woke up today, read all the replies and headed STRAIGHT out the door to Staples. I bought more ink for my printer, which makes it the 3rd time I had to buy new color ink and black ink as well, since buying this printer/scanner. I bought it when I started putting together my petition to bring my lady to me. So, I guess I can kinda do a review on this printer/scanner! If anyone wants to know a good printer/scanner/copier... Canon PIXMA MP495! It prints/scans/copies pretty fast. It's not too big, but not tiny. It comes with a usb cable, yet it also has built-in wireless too! It's really a reasonable price too. It was under $100.00. Anyway, as you all can tell, I was in a sort of panicked/aggravated state of mind when I made this post.

I read the replies, you all made my mind up, and you were so right. I was more worried about not being able to have enough time to make an entire copy and send my petition in the mail as well. So as soon as I read these replies, I made up my mind and IMMEDIATELY drove out and bought stuff and came back and put things in high gear! It took me a little over 2 hours to finish up... I looked over things, drove to the post office and paid $18.30 for extremely fast shipping... it's supposed to get there in dallas at around 12:00PM eastern time! Thank you all very much and I'm now praying.. I hope it goes smoothly and with a little luck, possibly not have to wait TOO long lol. I really like this web site and I know I'll be even more glued to this place throughout the entire journey.

Most of you seem to be very "stand-up", caring, and, quick to give advice. God bless all of you. I feel for others here, just as I'm sure others feel for me! Uhh other than that it was so nice to see my sweetheart's smiling face on skype, and her excitement over me finally sending the petition. It was a little over a month of working on it, very carefully and thoroughly... good god it seems like this petition was here, in my eyesight for MUUUUCH longer than that. I'm sure many of you know all about that though. Again, thank you all very much.

I think I'll be able to sleep just a little easier now, knowing that the thoughts that were once so glued to me 24/7... the thoughts of "gotta get the petition finished, gotta get it sent, gotta get her stuff in the mail, gotta send it right away, petition, PETITION, petition.." I'll patiently wait now, for action... whatever comes my way, I'm confident in it no matter what because it'll come, no matter what, it'll come. And for others in my shoes, at the same stage at this point... those who miss their other half so terribly. Just remember, no matter what... nothing can stop people from being together, it's impossible. Love is way too strong!

Matt

Can everyone share how the USCIS system works where some applicants who applied in Feb. 2011 can go from NOA1 to NOA2 within 30 days versus others who have had sent their I-129F in November 2010 and are getting close to the average wait of 150-180 days to get to NOA2 and are still waiting for a response?

The Initial Review states "During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators"

Am I to assume those who get their application processed quickly have very little "history" and thus go to the next step? How about those applicants whose history has to be verified, ie: divorces, criminal history, nationality, credit or employment history, etc...is that why there is such a lag time to get to the next stage?

I've read that praying was the reason an applicant went from NOA1 to NOA2...read on a past post that an applicant had neatly bagged and sorted their I-129F application which he felt made a difference for the quick process... writing to their local congressman? or is it really just sheer luck on which USCIS employee picks up an application and approves the "Initial Review".?

Any insight from VJers who have gone through this process and can shed light how the process works is greatly appreciated.

I'd like to give you an answer but I really can't. I do want to say though that I can feel the frustration in your post. I do like the questioning in your post because I can see myself (if) in the future making a post similar. I'm about to send my petition in the mail in about 8 hours. I've put together a pretty thorough package and I might say that it looks impressive to me, when I open it and look through it. I may be able to answer if putting together a nice clean package makes a difference, in the future. For now, I hope your questions get answered because there isn't enough straight forward answers to straight forward questions anymore. Keep asking your questions in a "to the point" manner though, it usually keeps the "timid know-it-alls" from replying with unnecessary info. Good luck on everything!

Matt

I'm about to mail out my I-129F petition tomorrow... or actually today since it's 12:34 AM. I'm usually in bed at 11PM... I need answers to this: What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2):

1. A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one).

SERIOUSLY. How CRUCIAL and IMPORTANT is this? I think it's a suggestion. If it is, TELL ME it is. I know damn well that not everybody has made an ENTIRE copy. I started to do this as I was piecing together my petition... but since I am so thorough, it began to get too overwhelming to focus on basically TWO petitions... I tried to print everything *times* two still, but I found myself needing to focus on my IMPORTANT petition... copies don't seem as important to me. Now... I'm staying up late because I told my fiancee I'd mail out the petition tomorrow. I don't want to let her down. The separation has been very hard and I can't help but think of her pain the most. I need honest answers. Flat out answers. I'm making black and white copies of my forms/passport/birth certificate as we speak. I can't help but think it's overkill. What's the chances of her consulate/embassy requesting an ENTIRE copy of my petition, if it's forwarded to them anyway? I plan to go to the interview with her, and also plan to help her gather things for the interview.

anyway... other than the most important stuff, I have facebook messages, some skype conversation chat logs, excess pictures printed on regular paper... copies of atm receipt, copies of tickets when we visited tourist attractions in her country... I have so much as far as ongoing relationship stuff. As I said, I'm very thorough and if I was to sit here and make copies of EVERYTHING... it just seems like it'd be a total waste. Especially since I read about many people going to interviews with heaps of stuff and the officers don't even look at it. I know it's worth it, for the outcome but FOR REAL... do I need copies of all the ongoing relationship stuff I ALREADY HAVE in my petition? We plan to print a bunch of that stuff anyway, when I'm there because we'll obviously have more saved chat history/pictures/receipts/etc. I am planning on flying to see her as soon as I send this damn petition because I can't stand being away from her anymore. She feels the same too. I'm going to propose to her on this next visit... and we're also having a small ceremony since her family won't be able to see her get married here with me, in the US when she comes. We'll have more evidence then, for her interview.

I know that what I pasted here: What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2):

1. A copy of the entire I-129f package (that you made when you sent the petition in) and a copy of information that you sent back due to an RFE (if you received one).

this is a very good suggestion but in the same token it is NOT asked by USCIS. I see a lot of "smart people giving their 2 cents" here very often... I read a lot of posts. If you're gonna just tell me it's "a good idea" then I don't want to hear from you. If you are somebody who has been through this process and didn't make an entire COPY and your process was fine, tell me. If you're somebody who knows a lot about it, did include all of this, yet didn't end up needing it... TELL ME. Just don't pass it as concrete fact if it's not.

Thankyou very much, I'm limited on time

Matt

We got Pack 3 Feb 8. Sent it out Feb 22

JUST GOT THE CALL TODAY! They had a cancellation for tomorrow and offered the SO a spot at 1:30.

I researched and most people stated it would take 5 business days, their email stated 7 business days, but 21 calendar days later, we got it for the next day.

Seems like it would have been the same as receiving the interview date end of Feb, but the wait was killer!

Very happy for you! Good luck too!

The first answer here is right. Just also note that you need one filled out by her, and sent to you. It needs signed by her so she'll mail it to you. I went through this. I'm about to send out my petition tomorrow. I had my fiancee send me her passport style photos, G325A form, and letter of intent to marry. She did it through express mail in brazil and it got here in 5 days. So basically ONE G325A from you, signed. And one from her, signed as well. Good luck!

I'm about to mail out my petition tomorrow. Uhh, I put all my stuff in a 3-ring binder... holepunched everything except for the forms/letters of intent to marry/cover letter. Now I'm wondering if this is okay or not? Any help on this? It'd be nothing for me to remove it all from the binder and use the fasteners that are spoken of here. I'd have to go buy the fasteners first lol. Anyone ever use a binder?

wow, thanks for all the fast and replies straight to the point! Alright, my decision is made. Take care all!

Hey all. My petition is almost wrapped up! I had heard before (somewhere, not sure) that it's good to make an entire copy of your complete petition. Did anyone do this? How crucial is it? I pretty much... everything I printed, printed in double and placed the extra in a different location, for an entire "replica petition". As this kind of took some of my focus on building my actual petition, the best possible way.. I kind of lack some things in the "copy" stack. Any advice on this? Thanks

I would never put N/A cuz sometimes it looks like you are saying 'not available' as if you can not find the answer...so as a matter of caution I would always put 'none' (years ago a friend of mine got an RFE on this very thing)

If I knew for sure that putting "None" everywhere would be okay, I'd just do that. "None" seems like a more solid word anyway. I can absolutely claim that I've never had previous spouse's, etc. I don't know. It's hard because it seems RFE's can get issued almost "for the hell of it"... and a petitioner wants to be sure to try to get EVERYTHING right because it's very important. I've scratched my head plenty of times while second guessing things on this whole petition

What? RFE for an issue of not doing "N/A" and "None" correctly? OH DEAR. I didn't pay very good attention to that when I did mine; let's hope the template from the book I used was correct. Good luck to you!

hey, now I will say that the post I read last night... for the RFE for that... it was in like 2006 or something like that. I'm just here trying to cover all my basis.

Hey all, it's me again. I have to fill my I-129F form out again... my fiancee's zip code changed. Anyway, I'm actually glad though, because I noticed that I put "N/A" in a bunch of fields for previous spouses, divorces, etc... I had read last night about people getting RFE's for writing N/A where there should be "None". I understand that. But can I just put "none" everywhere and call it good? Rather than trying to figure out where to put N/A's in case of possible RFE's? It's a stupid question I'm sure... but in the same token, it's kind of a stupid RFE. Of course, I think some people give an RFE just cause they can. Please advise, folk! have a GOOD DAY!

Good idea Matt! Check everything before sending, and since we had a problem with our form, I would like to tell you so you wont have any problem in the future, that's what this forum is for, right? Anyway, be sure the I-29F is not outdated. We sent one that was expired, and we to sent all over again, that took us more than a week, so be sure you have the correct one. We saw that there was no difference between the outdated and the good one, both had the same information, exccept for the expiring date =P

Hope everything works well for you!

T&R

Thanks for the heads up! But it's fine, my I-129F form is almost a year from now to expiration date. And thanks for hoping everything works well.

Matt

I'm not sure what letter she downloaded, but it doesn't sound like the intent to marry. The best thing to do is make one identical to yours using her name and information, email it to her to print out and sign, and have her mail it back to you. Since the mail can be slow coming from Brasil, you can ask her to send it through SEDEX (like our FedEx and sends documents. It will be here pretty quickly. I had to do that with my fiance's paperwork, and it only delayed sending in the packet by about 3-4 days.

By the way, all of the forms she needs for the interview can be obtained from the Brazil consulate website.

Yes, it's definitely not the letter of intent to marry. I figured that out because my actual name wasn't in it. My letter of intent to marry is pretty much the one from the example on here. Uhh, this letter that I WAS unsure of, was sent along with her passport style photos and G-325A through Sedex as well. Yes it took about 5 days total here. Anyway, we already decided to wait and that she'll send the right one. Last night I did actually type one just like mine, with her name instead and indicated where to put the address, date, signature and printed name. I sent it to her via hotmail and told her to paste it into her Microsoft Word, so that it will align the text and all to where it's pretty much the same as mine.

Even told her to send it back to me, as an attachment, so that I could view it in the way that Microsoft Word changes it. Also to make sure she has it right .

Thankyou for your reply. I'll have to remember to tell her to get all forms from the consulate website. It makes sense what you're saying, since it'll all take place there, on the interview.

I want to be sure I understand your question. Did she write her letter of intent in Portuguese? If you need it translated, it can be done by anyone who is fluent in both English and Portuguese. They just sign a statement saying they are fluent in both languages. I have not heard of translating the intent letter before as (at least in my case) I wrote it in English and had my fiance sign it and send it back to me. I think your best idea would be to find someone to translate for you and sign the certification. It doesn't have to be anything formal or lawfully certified. There is an example of the certification here on VJ. If you cannot find anyone near you that can do the translation of if you can't do it yourself, I am fluent in both languages and would be happy to help you if you want to email it to me. I know you wanted a "for sure" answer, so maybe someone else will respond with that, but I can help with a translation if necessary. Good luck!

wow, I figured out what this letter is I think, after I made my initial post here. So here's an update...the letter she sent is downloaded in portuguese from uscis.gov. It's titled with "Consulate General of the united states of america" She said it was a form she was only able to download and fill in her name, and sign. So I'm thinking she printed a version of what she'd need to take to the interview with her. I don't think it's a letter of intent to marry. I used the example here for mine. More help anyone? lol thankyou

Hello all, I am new here and wasn't planning to join until after I filed my I-129F petition. I'm Matthew, call me Matt. My fiancee is Carolina. She's from Brazil and I'm petitioning to bring her here to marry and live our lives together in love and complete happiness. So I'll cut to the question. I want answers only from people who know for sure please. My petition is almost completed and ready to send. I had been waiting for her passport style photos, G-325A form signed by her, and letter of intent to marry, to come in the mail.

Well, it finally came today... AWESOME right? Well, would be... but here's the kicker now. I had read about documents needing a full translation from the foreign language, to English... and something something blah blah blah about why the person who did the translation is qualified. I used the example letter from here on visajourney, for my letter of intent. I assumed my fiancee did the same and made it in english either way. She knows english fairly well. On the same token, I feel like a moron for not letting her know, to be safe...

Anyhow... FROM HERE? She's tired of waiting, we'll wait another several days and she'll spend more money lol. Anyone ever had this trouble? Should she just send me a new one in english? Can I send this one anyway?(probably not) Nothing in the instructions says that the translation has to be signed by my fiancee, and it does not say that I, the petitioner can't find somebody to translate it from here. Can I do this? Will that be okay? I'd like some kind of helpful answers ASAP so we can get the ball rolling on our journey! Nice to meet you all, hope all is well.

Matt