GrayL

11/20/2014: Approved, card production ordered

To me this looks like your NOA1, did you receive this? biometrics appointment letter?
Also, it's a good idea not to reveal full case numbers on this forum
Also based on your home state, you would have filed to VSC, so no, I wouldn't be worried unless you didn't receive your NOA1 or Biometrics appointment letter.

I am going to try and give some constructive advice. Reading this thread I get the overwhelming feeling that the OP has martyred his application based on a whim of doubt, without any proof to back it up.
Not at all meant to criticize the OP, that's not at all my intention.
My advise is to stop, take a really deep breathe and analyze the situation. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that you will be denied, and I would disagree with your logic that they will wait the full 5 months to deny. I remember in the angst of awaiting my approval I frantically searched the USCIS case status page and randomized the last two digits. I figured the case would be generated about the same time as mine and I was right! I remember almost all of the cases +-20 of mine were all approved, and mine just happened to fall through a mysterious crack and was the only one still under review.
But it was still approved, no RFE! OP, it's just the nature of the beast, judging your dates on your application peers will not serve anything positive, only add to the anxiety you're clearly already feeling.
My question is, WHY do you believe your application will be denied? Do you have anything other than just inline NOA dates? because if so frankly that's nonsensical to feel alarmed based on this.
Also understand that absolutely everyone who collectively makes up this great site has been through or is currently going through exactly what you're going through. I have no idea where you get 2 years from, but that is just not factual. 8 months OP. I would have waited 8 years if I needed to, despite how horrible it is, or feels at the prospect of being apart, we do live in a technological world which brings the world together unlike ever in the past. Use it, utilize it, and appreciate it. My parents immigrated to Australia form the United Kingdom back in 1981 and at that time calling on a delayed scratchy analog line cost them $2/minute, so communication was restricted to Christmas and birthdays!
Personally I didn't see my now wife for 1 years and 2 days, and it took 9 months from NOA1 to VISA issuance. I'm not saying that people here won't sympathize with you, because I'm sure EVERYONE does, but try to understand that everyone on here is in the same boat as you, or was as once point in time.
Finally, I will end by saying take each step as it comes, analyze your situation without angst but with rationale. and the very best of luck on your VISA journey.

A bit of a random post here but bear with me...
I came to the US on a K1 in July and i'm living blissfully happy with my wife here in California. This website helped me the whole way through the grueling process - I certainly could not have done it without all the support and advice this brilliant resource provides. US immigration can be unbearably drawn out and I remember toiling through days and weeks on my own wondering if it was ever going to end. It's a huge mountain of confusing paperwork and documentation and reference numbers and all kinds of strict administrative processes. It can also leach plenty of hard earned money out of your pocket, with no recourse to getting it back if it all falls through. Oh and on top of that I had further stress from minor historic offenses which could've cost me everything.
Its clearly long winded, hard work, and expensive. They don't make it easy.
So now I'm reflecting on this struggle, nine months after starting it all, from the privileged position of having successfully completed much of it. I'm living with my wonderful wife, I have permission to work, social security sorted and driver license on the way, and hopefully green card delivered in the not too distant future. I came from a position of disadvantage, I fought against it, I read hard and took advice, and I came through it.
This morning I updated my timeline and it felt great to be looking at all those blue boxes with green ticks. There's still plenty to do, I know, but I feel like a hill has been climbed and that feels good.
On the rare occasions I check back here at visajourney, I feel great sympathy for all the honest, well-meaning folks who are despairing at their current K1 circumstances. Its important to stay focused, keep your convictions, be honest, take advice from people who know better and be humble with Uncle Sam's way of doing things. I just want to let those people know that time falls away, things will move for you, and I wish you all the best in your struggle to get wherever you're going.
Keep the love and nothing can separate you from the person you've chosen to be with!
Peace,
D
x

Here's hoping tomorrow brings good news!!

I don't have any experience with fiancé(e) visas but someone mentioned that it's not first-in, first-out, meaning just because you hear of a case submitted after yours getting approved before yours doesn't mean they lost your file or are planning to deny you.
With my wife's stateside AoS, I joined VisaJourney and saw people in the July 2014 threads getting their green cards before we even received our interview notice despite our case being early January 2014. It's frustrating, but there are a lot of factors at play and a lot of unknown variables.

Tim,
Yes OP just means "Original Poster", it's forum lingo
I'm sorry, but your theory is just not true, with respect. I took the liberty of doing a search on this forum for "K1 Filers" and found the stock thread for everyone else in similar situation to you, http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/505281-k1-july-2014-filers/. Also looking at your own timeline and searching for similar timelines I found to other profiles, one have an approval and the other is just like you, waiting NOA2.
You just cannot apply logic and sense to the process; doing so would be fruitless. Some people get approved in a week, some people it takes a year. It's just the nature of the beast. But the synonymous importance is the time it takes bares absolutely no relevance to a successful or unsuccessful petition. I cannot stress this enough, but that's all I can really say on that matter and if you are convinced by your own determination, then that is your choice.
Tim, I commend you for your determination in your pursuit of happiness and love. It seems very clear you are determined to move to Indonesia, and even more determined to make it work with your relationship, that is completely admirable. If that's your prerogative and that's your decision than I wish you all the very best. If it were me, I would hold off just a little longer for your petition result. It seems like you will hear something soon based on your timeline. I do completely understand the hardship of being apart and living separate lives and I also realize that that can work for some, and be much much much for difficult for others. That's not a judgement, it's just how we're all unique on this rock called Earth.
If you do choose to move to Indonesia, I would recommend you write and officially cancel your petition, or VISA, depending on where you are at at that time. Abandoning the VISA and letting the set deadlines lapse may be counterproductive should you and your partner ever choose to reconsider and move back to the US. This site holds with it a stratospheric amount of information, advice, people to lean on and shoulders to cry on. The K1 visa process is long, rough, and sometimes feels impossible. I have been there, done that, purchased the t-shirt, as have everyone else on this site. No one here will tell you it's easy, and this is just part of the recipe of bringing your love to the US. It's just the way it us, for good or for bad, I'm truly sorry if you entered into this K1 process with another idea of how tough this process is, because the reality would dictate otherwise.
Once again best of luck and happiness to you both.

I am going to try and give some constructive advice. Reading this thread I get the overwhelming feeling that the OP has martyred his application based on a whim of doubt, without any proof to back it up.
Not at all meant to criticize the OP, that's not at all my intention.
My advise is to stop, take a really deep breathe and analyze the situation. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that you will be denied, and I would disagree with your logic that they will wait the full 5 months to deny. I remember in the angst of awaiting my approval I frantically searched the USCIS case status page and randomized the last two digits. I figured the case would be generated about the same time as mine and I was right! I remember almost all of the cases +-20 of mine were all approved, and mine just happened to fall through a mysterious crack and was the only one still under review.
But it was still approved, no RFE! OP, it's just the nature of the beast, judging your dates on your application peers will not serve anything positive, only add to the anxiety you're clearly already feeling.
My question is, WHY do you believe your application will be denied? Do you have anything other than just inline NOA dates? because if so frankly that's nonsensical to feel alarmed based on this.
Also understand that absolutely everyone who collectively makes up this great site has been through or is currently going through exactly what you're going through. I have no idea where you get 2 years from, but that is just not factual. 8 months OP. I would have waited 8 years if I needed to, despite how horrible it is, or feels at the prospect of being apart, we do live in a technological world which brings the world together unlike ever in the past. Use it, utilize it, and appreciate it. My parents immigrated to Australia form the United Kingdom back in 1981 and at that time calling on a delayed scratchy analog line cost them $2/minute, so communication was restricted to Christmas and birthdays!
Personally I didn't see my now wife for 1 years and 2 days, and it took 9 months from NOA1 to VISA issuance. I'm not saying that people here won't sympathize with you, because I'm sure EVERYONE does, but try to understand that everyone on here is in the same boat as you, or was as once point in time.
Finally, I will end by saying take each step as it comes, analyze your situation without angst but with rationale. and the very best of luck on your VISA journey.

I am not at all a believer of long distance relationship. I think if you are a couple, you live together. However if you choose somebody for good, you can wait for her/him for a year or two because of a visa. It is a good enough reason to wait.
... and while you wait you prepare! You prepare for her/his arrival in the US, you save money, you plan (without specific time schedule)
If you do this preparation while she is here, it will be hard on both of you. So better do it before.
Again everyone is different. Everyone reacts differently. If you have already waited 3 months just keep waiting. no need to reset the clock. However, as everyone mentionned, you need a co sponsor if you want her in the US in the next months even if you find a job before the interview. You won't have enough history to be stable financially.... Unless you have assets and this is a different story...

Just checked the web site and it tells us that production of my wifes card was ordered on Oct. 22! No text or anything so we hope the site is correct!

http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/replace-green-card
You would need to do a paper filing to request a corrected card with the correct "resident since" date.
Not sure if you're going to bother to do that when you're filing for citizenship. But I would be sure to include copies of both cards and the reason why, so they can easily see your qualifying date is not the date on the 10 year card.

You could also have a non-legal, non-binding 'celebration' in Pakistan and then legally marry here in the US (Legally marrying can be as simple as you both going to your local courthouse one afternoon).
The issue here is you must be legally engaged and free to marry at POE, you must legally marry within 90 days of POE.
Anything non-legally binding is okay, and I think it's acceptable to have a celebration in your home country considering you'll be moving to the US with your forever love
Either way, good luck to you both, but no-no on the legal marry before you come here

If you marry, your K-1 visa will be void and you'll have to begin the IR1 process which will take approximately another year or so. Bad call, IMHO.

Thank You GrayL. Good information.

Very location specific sir, your figures are more than double what I pay here in Montana, you're not comparing apples for apples. I have family earning about $15k and make do with that.
Also, major point to make, this thread has majorly derailed....

Rob: I believe the OP got negative feedbacks and accusations because she kept slamming back on people. Read the first couple of replies and how she reacted to them. People merely told her facts, and how her situation seems right now, and she attacked back. I do agree, some posts gone a bit far, (such as labeling someone as stroll and lawbreaker is insultive, and does not help) but it also seems the OP simply wanted to hear that she can easily stay, and not hearing this immediately back made her just snap at the people who intially replied. Anyway, I still stand to wish her luck and her family with whatever they pursue. I think it is just a very sensitive situation as people here are focusing so much on going by the book and then they just get a bit furious reading someone is at the edge of becoming illegal which makes them irritated. But again, this is my opinion what caused some of these responses escalate to what they have became and why. :/

I do not know if you are a troll or sincere, because I literally can't stop shaking my head reading these responses. Assuming you're sincere then...
A Student Visa is for the purposes of pursuing education, not obtaining residence, which you have clearly just stated and I underlined above. Therefore, that is premeditated immigration fraud. The only reason it is painful to you now, is because you are in a situation where you could get caught living illegally or become financially unstable. Fulfill YOUR part of the visa agreement and return to Spain and then apply for the appropriate visa to re-enter the states.
As for Opening your business....You do realize that if you are receiving any form of EARNED INCOME in the states, whether you are present and working there or not, or just bringing in profit, then you are considered TAXABLE and therefore are working illegally. There is no corporation that can legally evade immigration laws and allow non-immigrants to obtain income in the states without legally being responsible for taxes. Sorry, but again, you're cheating the system. **As I said, if your income comes from anywhere outside of the states, that is another story.
Sorry if this comes off as rude, but just because you're good people in your community and feel like you are a citizen of the world who can live anywhere, doesn't mean you can lie to get what you want. You do understand that your EXACT situation is one of the reasons there are immigration laws, and specific visas? You CANNOT get financial support in the U.S. as you stated because of your status, and you are ALMOST out of money, as you also stated. Do you think they are going to just pat you on your back when you are trying to get welfare on a student visa and just let you be on your way with food stamps and public support?
So if you want to be noble, you honor your commitments, you respect other people's homes and their country by following the rules, and you don't become a burden on those around you.
Edit: (I'll word this more nicely) You knew you were attempting to enter the states for purposes other than your intended visa, therefore you committed a crime at that point and are actually there with ulterior motives of not leaving once the education has completed. You need help from an immigration attorney, not people who are here trying to do things the right way. If you came here for help, you should have looked at some of the other forum posts where people tried to cheat the system or get illegal advice and see how they were responded too.
You're welcome for the input.

My advise would be to echo what others are saying here, start at least making a plan for the next stage, yes it'll be some months away, but better get the plan in place now while you can take your time and do it relaxed than find surprises later.
Speaking from experience, don't assume each thing is going to be easy, actually research so no nasties should occur in YOUR case. I will share what happened to me:
I found out after I received my information from the US Consulate in Sydney, Australia, that I had to get a police clearance from England because I lived there for longer than 6 months in the last 8 years (or so). I was very lucky that England didn't require biometrics (horror stories about them taking MONTHS from other countries) but had to pay 150 pounds to get it express handled and shipped to Australia, which still took a week, it would have cost much less if I was more prepared.
My actual Australian federal clearance form required fingerprints and that was a whole other hassle because unlike the 'norm' I read about Australia, I had to go and get ink prints done and then sent off to Sydney by mail because the state I lived in was the only state where prints couldn't be taken electronically.
The point here, and the bottom line, my advise is to invest the time now to cover all of your basis ahead of your next stage so that you will feel prepared for when that day comes and all hell breaks loose (You get the your NOA2>NVC>Consulate Approvals ) and you lives become all about the VISA once again!
Good Luck

Is there a reason you are in a hurried to get married? The K-1 visa allows you to travel to the States and get married. Any day now you will get your NO2 and from the there the process speeds up a bit. You will be starting over if you file the K-3 visa, and it could take up to a year to get it. Just hold on a bit longer.

Technically, no fiancé is a woman.

Most people will say this, but here goes again...
First off, congratulations, as you said you are that tiny bit closer to being together, forever.. I absolutely remember the feeling (for us it was in 2010) when my now wife sent off the petition, the anxiety feeling of getting prepared was definitely met with the feeling of emptiness. But have comfort in the fact that it's out of your hands, even though that might sound silly. Deal with RFE's if they happen, and remember they are NOT the end of the world, deal with whatever happens face on and you really don't be delayed! We got an RFE in our I-129F petition (birth certificate issue) and again in AOS (birth certificate issue again with co-sponsor), both times we took care of it and it didn't effect the outcome one tiny bit!
It sounds like you were ample prepared for the petition, I read your previous post about your package contents and I think you'll be fine. All that white letter paper scattered over the floor so bad you can't see the floor? All nicely bundled into a folder and taken to the post office, "Here you go government, here's my future".. oh yes, I think most people can feel it too?
One thing I will tell you, is the wait will be long and drawn out, there's simply no sugar coating that; it sucks.. but know this, right now you are building together something most people don't ever get to experience, and that's the blatant agony of being apart, the desire and appreciate to just be in the same room together, just to be able to hug, kiss and hold their hand. It's priceless and weird to say, but cherish it, and DON'T forget about it.
The silver lining here is though, some day soon(ish), you will be together, and then you will be walking down the isle (or however you choose to do that) and then your 'forever' (how my wife an I call it) will begin as husband and wife.. after that you WILL look back on this time as a BLIP in your forever. you WILL look back, just like my wife and I do today and be damn PROUD of what you did.. what I'm saying is the heartache of today will strengthen and solidify your forever; forever.
Don't think about tomorrow, plan for your future. My only other advise will be, stay busy, distract yourselves as best as you can and talk each and every day. Right now you get to plan your perfect future and that's something to be excited for.
Best of luck through your VISA journey, and yes as others have already mention, the VISA hoops will keep coming and coming. I moved here in 2011 and no I'm going through ROC, it's still that necessary thorn, but it gets easier, at least after this is done, the other hoops you can jump through hand in hand together, so know that it gets easier from now on in.
Good Luck!
PS.. Also be thankful for today's technology, our loved ones are closer than you may think. Don't get angry when Skype fails you, or your Facetime connection fails.. be thankful for it.. when I was going through all that, I kept reminding myself of my parents, they immigrated to Australia in 1981, two years before I was born. My mum and dad left their families and ventured out for a new beginning. Back then to call back to England was $2 a minute, voice calling over a scratchy and delayed line! My mum told me she could only afford to call home once or twice a year. I guess we take for granted what we have, but I think sometime the stresses of not being together makes us not appreciate the tools we do have at our disposal! Imagine doing this 30 years ago? WOW!!

Several posts have been removed from the thread, and the following post has been edited and returned to the thread:
The removed material referred to deceiving CBP at POE. CBP thrives on the truth. The above poster is very fortunate not to have been thread-banned or suspended for treating the matter in such cavalier fashion.
TBoneTX
VJ Moderation

IMO it would be both unnecessary and inappropriate for you to take any action.
Remember it is his green cards, not yours. it is his to surrender.
If he remains outside the USA for over a year, he will probably be refused entry, as any permanent resident would, unless he can show good cause, and his green card would be subject to revocation.
When his conditional period expires, he will either have to apply for removal of conditions or his green card will expire. Based on the facts you provided, he will probably not apply, and if he does, he will not succeed.
He may wish to surrender it because otherwise he is subject to USA taxes.
I'm sorry for your situation and heartbreak (been there, done that, got the bruises) but you have no obligation to immigration.

Okies. Fee Waivers.
If she truly does not have the money to do this, she can apply, no problem....we did this for part of what we sent in, and this is how:
We had absolutely no money. Ben was sick, but still had just started working. Creditors were calling 3 times a day at least...nasty situation, nasty times. On top of that we had nowhere to live apart from with the parents in law. And you know, if you're absolutely unable to pay the fees in full or in part, this programme is for you. There's nothing to be ashamed of, because THEY will make the decision as to whether or not you are "wrthy" based on the evidence you send them. So here's how:
BOTH of you make a cover letter, explaining that you are asking for a fee waiver, what the fee waiver is for (the form numbers) and then detailing quite broadly the reasons why you cannot afford the fee. Enclose also, some evidence. This can include bank statements, threats from creditors, evidence that you are living in restricted circumstances (such as with family)...anything really, to detail how unable you are to pay the fee - HAS to be truthful mind, or they will certainly reject the fee waiver.
At the end of your letter, you have to write the following: "I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct".
Here is the USCIS fee waiver fact sheet, which details the procedure quote thoroughly. If she does not qualify, the paperwork will be returned. If she does, she'll get an NOA1 instead!
USCIS Fee Waiver Fact Sheet
Remember, this is nothing to be ashamed of. The fee waiver guidance and procedure has been put in place for those people for whom the fees are unaffordable, and if your friend is one of them, she should apply. Because that's what it's for No harm in trying, because you do not get what you do not ask for!

I'm finding the direction of this thread somewhat entertaining.
Before I found VJ, I followed the message boards at theknot.com. There are about 67 pages of arguing about whether it is socially acceptable to have a "wedding" after you are legally "married". They call it a "Pretty Princess Day" (PPD for short)- this is actually where my user name came from (ie The Princess Bride)
Immigration doesn't really care what you do, just as long as you are legally married within 90 days. If it's really important to you to have a wedding party later on to celebrate with family- by all means go for it! Heavens knows we all deserve to celebrate our love after all this! (And be sure to take plenty of pictures for future evidence of a continuing marriage )
Let's just please leaving the arguing over the sublties of the words "marriage" and "wedding" to theknot.com... We have bigger issues