titantom

This may be totally impossible, but I thought I would ask in case someone knew about this. We are waiting for our K1 papers to go to the NVC, and then on the Moscow. I figure this will take 3 - 4 weeks to get to Moscow. Hopefully less... I may have a chance to be in Moscow with my fiancee the first week of September. Is there any chance or has anyone heard of someone getting in for a quick appointment or the embassy having last minute openings because of cancellations; where I could interview with her? Otherwise she will have to fly to Moscow later and interview alone. Seems like a total shot in the dark of making this happen, but thought I would ask in case someone knew something I didnt. I will email the embassy as well. We planned for her interview later and to do it alone, but the opportunity came up to see each other and I thought it would nice to squeeze this in. Saves a flight, and we can interview together...

Congrats......were going NVC together

Thanks Man!!! And Congrats to you too!!! Hope the next stage goes quickly... would be awesome!!!

WOW!!! I can't believe it... Was talking to my fiancee to say Good Night, and our call dropped like it often does... then the text message came in because the call ended... Case Status Changed... so I called her back... and said wait, wait, wait... I need to check something... (the website)... and there it was... APPROVED!!! We got share it together... SO FREAKIN COOOOOOOL!!! I don't think I will sleep much tonight...

Sure, not a problem. There were even a couple of dates open next week, according to Sveta, but we needed to time to prepare. Our papers were only at NVC for a few days (on my timeline it may not be exact). All I remember exactly was calling them and getting my MOS### then a few days later received an email from the embassy stating that it was time to schedule her appointment. I know some have said that it was difficult to do, but I went to my bank (used my debit card to pay for her visa) to open my account for Russia, waited 24 hours after (it takes time for them to process payment) and had absolutely no problems scheduling.

Thank You Very Much for all the information... Very kind of you to share... I sincerely wish you both all the best in this and your future together!!!

Hello all!!!

My fiancé (Sveta) will have her interview in Moscow August 29. As far as my financial documents, everything is very well prepared. My only question is about our evidence...

Here is what we have...

About 25 emails dated for various dates.

Skype Logs showing all calls and some messaging.

80 pictures

Scans of our passports showing a vacation in Cyprus.

Hotel receipts (Moscow and Cyprus)

A printed page (from her email) showing all poems and dates that I wrote them.

Calling card receipts and records.

Flight receipts from our trip to Cyprus.

Several cards that I sent to her.

All of her required papers.

Her engagement ring and receipt.

Not to mention email copies of floral receipts and we "front loaded" out initial petition.

Does it seem like enough????

Thanks in advance!!!

Hey Jamie, I have been watching your progress for a while. Glad to see you are getting an interview. We obviously haven't scheduled anything yet, but I am curious about the process and interview times. Can you tell me if the date you chose was first available or if you were working with another schedule? Sveta's interview is just under 80 days from your NOA2, so I was wondering if this is typical for interview wait times right now in Moscow. As usual, we are trying to speculate as to when we will be together and also schedule future work things for both of us. The way things are with VSC, who knows when it will be and we keep pushing things back as the weeks go by... Thanks for any information you can provide. I really appreciate it.

Hi Everyone,

I am wondering what did you do for your fiance/fiancee insurance when they just came to the USA?

I will be covered under my fiancee's insurance when we are married.

I know I can get travel insurance from Denmark, but somehow it doesn't make sense to me to get travel insurance from here since I won't be back for some time.

In case of emergency, medevac etc, wouldn't it be better to get temporary insurance in the USA?

Does anyone know any insurance company that offer service specifically for "K-1 foreigner" before marriage?

Thanks

You can probably find a "Short Term" Policy... I have checked and may do this for my fiancee, depending on the timing of everything. In my state, you can buy short term health insurance policies (2 months). This one doesn't cover pregnancy, and possibly other things, but it could get us through until she is on my insurance at work after we are married and come to the beginning of the month. Its not the same as Travel insurance at all... its typical health insurance that covers doctor visits, hospital, major medical, etc... With a deductable and 80 / 20 payout...

Can someone point me to the general email/mail letter you drafted to your congressman? I know it's on here somewhere.

Thanks!

My congressman had a permission form on their website that had to be completed, signed and faxed in. And I just wrote a letter explaining the situation and included all pertinent USCIS info. And I also included a copy of my NOA1. Then I followed up by email, and the caseworker replied that its customary to wait 30-45 days for a reply from USCIS. So then I became impatient and I filed an SR myself a week later, and already heard back about that... Just another "canned" answer... In review and wait another 60 days for NOA or status change. Never heard back from congressman, and that was 2 weeks ago. I really don't know if the SR made it worse, because people all around me are approved or with RFEs... as if I was pulled from the working stack of apps...

All I know is... it sucks... and the system sucks... They should have deadlines like everyone else that works or pays for something. In the real world, heads roll for things like this... Being late happens... but this is ridiculous and they seem accountable to no one... They received my app 188 days ago...

And like most of you... I just want to know when we will be together. 2 months? 3 months? 4 months? We can't plan anything or look forward to a date... And we can't even realistically visit eachother until this is over. We haven't seen eachother since Jan. 8...

all I want to do on Fridays is cry... I hate weekends... and specially today, what a sad day! It's 10 pm here and I will be going to sleep disappointed again... 6 months worth of tears, I'd say I cried a river already and it might be an ocean by the time we are approved...

Hang in there... It's coming soon... If it's not today, find something else to keep your mind busy for a couple of days, or it will drive you crazy. And Monday will be here before you know it. We are all getting very close...

Well... FWIW, the USCIS VSC updated their processing times yesterday... 5 months for K1... and alot of us are at 6+ months. It's just pure torture...

I sure don't want to go into this weekend empty handed again. I guess there are a couple of hours left for something...

well yes it is in review! we all know that, since we can see it on the USCIS website after typing our case number... it's in review since 6 freaking months! they are so useless with their responses...

The exact words were this...

The status of this service request is:

Your case is currently under review. You should receive a decision or notice of other action within 60 days of the date of this letter.

Sure, its their generic answer. But judging by the numbers close by... somethings coming soon. Hopefully an approval!!!

Hopefully a good day for approvals ahead! So close.

I am soooooo close its stupid... and I got a response from USCIS yesterday about my SR. Said my I129F Case is in review... guess it's on someone's desk... I hope so... Would be a really good weekend for a change if I get an approval today...

Another Vote for russianflora.com

Used them 4 or 5 times in the last 1.5 yrs... Only had one late delivery, but that wasn't their fault.

Yeah Right!!! It is a term of endearment... We call each other this all the time, and a few other funny words like this... Actually she started it... not knowing it was so common for me and my family... so she fits in perfect... She is the Russian version of me... Same sarcastic humor and all... Something I find very interesting... She can explain the meaning of Russian words or sayings, using a limited English vocabulary, much better than I can when trying to explain an English word or phrase to her. How can this be when I am a native speaker? It's really amazing to me...

Oh... Been wanting to ask this... Anyone here had any luck turning your wife onto Pro Football? Assuming you like it yourself... I have already told her that I sometimes become a slightly different person on Sundays at gametime... And she has been warned... she WILL be going to a game with me too this Fall...

Definitely man! and looks like there's hope if any of us need to push this through. Based on our received dates we'd be eligible for expedites this week. (Thursday for you and Wednesday for me). 5 months + 30 days. Incredibly slow day today..But maybe tomorrow and Wednesday will make up for it...I have a good feeling about tomorrow and Wednesday. And even if it doesn't work out..Expedite time.

Hey There!!! I think it was while you were away, but somehow I got a Service Request in last Tuesday. I don't know how, because I was shut down when I tried before. Also, my Congressman's office inquired late in the week before that. Nevertheless, I have nothing new to report yet. I was told by the USCIS that if I didnt get a response to the SR within 15 days, I should call back and give them the SR Reference Number they gave me for an update. I think the SR process was legit, because they took all detailed contact information and entered it, including reading it back to me for verification. Anyway... its gotta be soon... Man... was I naive to think we would be getting married in August... All I know is, whenever it happens... It's gonna be freakin awesome... Being with her is worth the wait, however long it takes...

I am the same way with the use of #######. I tell Tanya it is a 'term of endearment.' "Uh-huh," she says. "But my Lyobov---you are my Golden Kakashka." gets me nowhere...

Yeah Right!!! It is a term of endearment... We call each other this all the time, and a few other funny words like this... Actually she started it... not knowing it was so common for me and my family... so she fits in perfect... She is the Russian version of me... Same sarcastic humor and all... Something I find very interesting... She can explain the meaning of Russian words or sayings, using a limited English vocabulary, much better than I can when trying to explain an English word or phrase to her. How can this be when I am a native speaker? It's really amazing to me...

Haha funny you mentioned it, I have lost 14pounds (7 kg) those last 4 months I don't know whether it is the process or my healthy eating

The problem is I have all the AOS done, I mean all prepared for printing etc I even have my cover letter done... if I was in there instead of my fiance I could get busy with flat hunting, wedding etc... here my life is just all about checking the USCIS website and VJ... everything is already planned, starting from the road trips we will take to shopping list and menus

Hang in there... Of course you know you are not alone... My mood is all over the map... especially towards the end of the week lately. I am a monster at work on Thursdays and Fridays, and if I am not talking to Vera on the weekend, then I just want it to go by as quickly as possible.

I work with a Welsh guy, and he went through this K1 thing a while back and is now with a 10 yr Green Card. He asks me every week if I have any news yet, and then I hang my head and say, "Noooooo, not yet!" And then he reminds me that in the scheme of things, the time is short and later when we are together, this will all be a distant memory and you will forget about how long the process was.

So don't let it ruin your life... It's coming soon for us all... I like to read some other forums where people are talking about their experiences, now that they are already living here... And I start to get excited and I imagine that will be us in no time...

I kinda don't want to say this but... I just got my interview date.... There is an end in sight! Every fibre of my being is wishing you ALL luck and everything else I can muster. There is an end to it all guys. I just hope it comes soon for everyone.

Hey!!! Never feel bad about telling this... Its awesome!!! Your progress and good news gives us, still waiting, much hope...

One day soon, we will all say the same... Congratulations!!!

wondering when will they update the processing times for this month... I am really curious to see how will they go about their "January 9 processing bull$**t"

The USCIS CSR actually told me about 2-3 weeks ago that they will update their processing times on the 15th of this month... I don't know if that meant the "Jan 9" stuff or "5 months" or what exactly that is... But that is what she said... This was a 1st level person, I suppose...

Yes it will. and then they can move on and catch up on that backlog. This week will be six months for many of us so hopefully they have the resources necessary to prevent most of us from going beyond 180 days. *fingers crossed* It would be nice to have this over early in the week.

Yeah... I know its hard, but we gotta be positive somehow, or this will absolutely suck the life out of ya. I've already ruined so many good days waiting... but its gonna happen soon, and it will be a memory... My fiancee and I were talking realistic dates for getting married today and it was really exciting for us both. I told her, "Surely we will hear something this week..." This week is 6 months for us too... and we put in an SR a week ago.

Right now, I'm always ready for the weekend to be over so THEY are back to work... Not me of course...

So for all of us waiting nearly 6 months... "Surely we will hear something this week..."

Wanting to see alot of congrats this week for everyone... Good Luck To You All!!!

Congratulations knope & wdm... May your next steps be quick and with few bumps. Send us all some of your mojo so we can get more approvals before the weekend...

*puts on Rant hat*

It's absolutely mind-boggling to me that some folks go through this process and then either wait until the last minute to get married or slip up and don't get married within the 90-day timeframe and thus, putting additional weight (and wait) on their shoulders. There are giant red flashing signs all over this process stating the rules, yet people can't take the time to do it correctly. Meanwhile, we have folks who would love to be with their loved ones right now and they're stuck in the Service Center or NVC purgatory. I haven't seen my honey since January and unless life changes, I probably won't see him for another 2-3 months.

It seems most states have a 3-day waiting period between filing the marriage license and when it can be used, so in theory, you could file on a Monday and get married in your living room (with the appropriate officiant and witness(es)) by Friday. Yet people can't do that?!?

I would seriously get married in my living room tomorrow, in my yoga pants if it meant my honey could be here right now.

*takes off Rant hat*

I hear ya... I would marry her tomorrow or at least be on the plane to get her if I could. I too haven't seen my fiancee since January, because I am saving every vacation day possible to go get her and spend with her when she arrives. I don't know if my Service Request was anything more than a pacifier. I can't call back for 15 days anyway, and I certainly hope things have moved on before then. There is no rhyme or reason to this... and the closer we get to weeks end, the more I get pissed about it.

Okay... my rant hat is off now too...

I just caught up reading this thread. I'm gonna go on attack mode at the 6 month mark too, but just watch. They will come up with some other lame excuse as to why we aren't outside the normal processing times and we won't be able to do jack about it. I quit expecting anything from them. I want to write a letter to whoever has the power to change this process and tell them they need to stop charging for this service or improve it to give us a little bit of power on what we can do in instances like this. How do we know that our files aren't lost in a box somewhere????? This whole process is ridiculous. You don't tell people 5 months and then say ha ha just kidding I mean 6 and after you hit 6 months I'll tell you another lame excuse as to why I can't do anything for you about your petition..... I'm beyond frustrated. I mean think about it. They've skipped all of us 17-19 ppl so that's how many petitions from ppl on this thread? That's not counting the people who AREnT on this thread that they've skipped as well. I don't think we will be able to expect much from a service request. I could understand if it was a handful of people but there's probably 100s of us. I hate to be negative but I hate gettin my hopes up just to be pushed back down. I was expecting an approval in maybe May but definitely June and look here. It's already almost August. Maybe just maybe I'll have an approval by December....

They put in a service request for me yesterday and gave me a reference number to use for follow-up should I need it. 1.5 weeks ago, they wouldn't even do the SR. But yesterday they did, and entered all my personal and contact information again for the SR... They did give the same "we are working on Jan. 9th" stuff... I didnt ask for Tier 2, this came from the first person that answer. She was nice, but it was obviously scripted. Good Luck!!!

FWIW... I am trying everything I can now and hope to break through somehow... My Congressman's office has contacted the USCIS on my behalf last week and are waiting for an answer, and I also was issued a Service Request and given a Reference # by a USCIS CSR when I called myself today... They said I should hear something in 15 days. Last time I spoke to them, they couldn't even issue a Service Request yet. They told me the same "January 9th" date they gave you all... but at least, there is further inquiry happening now... and hopefully some movement afterwards... Best wishes to you all...

We are gonna contact our congressman tomorrow too.

Finally!

We have been patient enough. No progress. 172 days since Vermont received our petition!

I contacted my congressman's office on 7/5... Sent them the Permission / Release Form, a letter, and a copy of my NOA1 Receipt. I was also given an email address of the lady that handles these issues for my congressman, so I will email her tomorrow or Tuesday and see if she has any news. I am also at 172 days since they received my petition. It's absolutely ridiculous... For me, its not as much about when, but more about not knowing what "when" will be. We just want a date to look forward to... Oh well, another week begins... maybe this will be the one... gotta be right sooner or later... hopefully sooner... Good luck to you all!!!

BTW looks like a congressman in NC is way more efficient than a congressman in NM...

Maybe it's just NM... - My mom lived there about half of every year for the past decade or so... And she always told me anytime she needed something done, the answer for everything was... "mañana" (tommorrow)... But I must say she liked the pace of life there... very laid back... and it has some very beautiful places if you like the outdoors... I like it there...

FWIW: I just talked to Customer Service @ USCIS... I thought I might as well give it a shot too... Told me that VSC was a little behind and I am inside normal processing time and to check back after July 15th if I have not received an answer already.