sitwell

Two more March filers approved today!

wooooop!!

Hanging in there, everyone?

Our timeline shifted closer agin- August 15th! Really hoping we don't get an RFE, that's my biggest worry right now.

Headed stateside tomorrow to visit my fiance for a week!

The february approval yesterday made me so happy! It's almost our turn...

I'm visiting my fiance in one week, crossing in Buffalo. I've crossed this particular border many times without any problems... nothing beyond the basic questions (how long are you staying? where does he live? etc). However, this will be my first time saying "visiting my fiance" not "visiting my boyfriend", so I want to bring a letter from my employer stating when I'll be back at work.

If anyone would care to share an example of a letter from their employer that seemed to appease the lovelies at POE, it would be much appreciated!

I imagine doing it without VJ means they don't sit here and think about it all day long!

terrifying thought...

Yes, Visajourney members are only about 5% of all K1 filers, but I think that even though we are only a fraction, Igor's List does give you a basic overview about proceedings at a certain time. Up until a couple of weeks ago, we saw a constant stream of maybe 15-20 approvals per week, give or take a few. Then, in the beginning of May... suddenly hardly any approvals anymore here on VJ. So I'd say that even though VJ is not necessarily representative, it does show that there is a slowdown to SOME extend.

What I wonder most is how 95% of people can DO THIS without VJ

Ohhh Tim Hortons, I somehow don't miss you when I'm in the states and cannot have you, but will love you forever.

Everything bagels toasted with butter, iced capps, ice coffee, sour cream glazed donuts, chicken salad sandwiches. And of course, a dirt cheap, exceedingly mediocre cup of coffee on a cold day (used to be double double, but I'm down to one milk, one sugar nowadays.) There's a Tim Hortons right near my new work, so I'm in there way too often. I'm loving the vanilla flavoured iced lattes lately too!

One of those days when it feels like the waiting will never end....

There has been some debate on here if it is 180 days per trip, or 180 days per calender year. Personally, I interpret it to mean 180 days per trip. But, either way, you're fine. You didn't stay more than 180 during any 1 trip, or more than 180 days in a calender year. No overstay. They will probably ask you about your trips during your K-1 interview, and they may ask why you were there for so long, so i would be prepared to answer that. But I don't anticipate any issues.

I don't see why you should avoid trips while the visa is in process. There is nothing preventing you from visiting. Just keep in mind you may face some additonal questioning with the pending visa application. Come prepared with evidence of strong ties to Canada.

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!! You've put my mind at ease.

Its not an overstay unless you stay more than 180 days, or stay past the date recorded on an I-94. What you're doing is perfectly fine.

Ok, something I have been unsure/nervous about for a while.

My last visit to the states was 173 days long, from September '11 to March '12. Before that, I was in the US for 2 weeks in July '11 and 2 weeks again in August. These 3 trips were separated- but could it still count as an overstay? I have been told for the most part that the 180 day rule is PER trip or per calendar year, so I should be fine. But now that we are applying for a K-1, I'm worried about this posing a problem.

Furthermore, should I avoid trips south of the border until the visa is approved?

Thanks in advance.... and sorry for the thread hijack.

We leave the date open and have nothing really planned yet. We want a small wedding and will do it as spontaneously as we can

Same here

We'd like either an October or December wedding (October is probably unrealistic)... I'm just hoping we don't have to have it in January or February- Minnesota is too cold!

Guelph, ON to Minneapolis, Minnesota! Can't wait to start counting down the days haha

thanks!

They do NOT send emails and texts "throughout the prosess" and you are exactly correct that the G-1145 is not important.

If you fill out this form, they MIGHT send you an email or text when they receive the petition, then about 6 months later they MIGHT send you an email or text to tell you it is approved or an RFE sent. The rest of the time you worry why you are not getting emails and texts.

Instead of this, ANYONE can use the systme online to check their status using only the receipt number from the back of the check or the NOA1 and check your status online. Same thing, it will stay the same for months and might change when your case is approved. In our case it did not, but we were still approved.

Whew, thanks. So receipt number = same information as case number?

Similar situation so I thought I'd post here...

We did not send in a G-1145 with our petition. Just didn't think it was that important and also had no idea they would be sending emails/texts THROUGHOUT the process! (Hadn't found VJ yet!) Is calling USCIS the only way to get our case #?

Awesome, congrats! May your life together be filled with joy

I just spent some time with my sweetheart. I feared a little to have problems when entering the States, but they didn't even ask anything about my relationship status. I had binding ties with me, but I didn't need them. We had a great time, and the best was, we forgot about the waiting for a couple of days Almost two months of waiting are behind us now! How is everyone?

hanging in there! glad you didn't have any trouble at the border. my fiance is coming here in june and even though he plans on having a return ticket, letter from employer etc to show at point of entry, i'm still worried about him getting across the border. i've never had any problems whatsoever crossing back and forth between canada and the US but this will be his first time in canada... hope everything goes as smoothly as it did for you!

One month since we got our NOA1. Feels like half a year.

Interview went well, she was approved and picked up her visa yesterday. We are going to go on a little vacation and then I will bring her back to the States in a couple of weeks!

good luck everyone!

Congrats!

Is this the Timeline you are receiving from here? I was confused by this at first also but then I saw the fine print:

Notice about estimates: The estimates are based off averages of other members recent experiences

(documented in their timelines) for the same benefit/petition/application at the same filing location.

Individual results may vary as every case is not always 'average'. Past performance does not necessarily

predict future results. The 'as early as date' may change over time based on current reported processing

times from members.

Unless I am reading this wrong, those estimates are based only off people that are posting timelines on this site. It doesn't take into account the other zillion of people that have actually filed. Check the USCIS website for an estimate of their processing times. As I have reviewed a lot of actual timelines on here, I notice that it is pretty accurate. **It is still too long though. ***

Yep, it's the timeline from here. And true, it isn't taking into account the many people who don't use this website/have timelines... but I think the estimates are pretty accurate, as they're based off of how fast the service centers are processing real-life k1's (from months before all of us).

I don't know if your estimate is correct because you have Texas as your service center for the K1. Texas no longer deals with the I -129 F petition. Check your NOA1 for either California or Vermont and hope it 's Vermont because CSC is slower than snails right now. Change your service center on your timeline to get a more accurate estimate. Good luck!

thanks a lot for the reminder. I knew texas wasn't dealing with our case but forgot to change it on my timeline. unfortunately we are with CSC... but hey, our approval estimate date moved up a bit! thanks again!

"Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between August 21, 2012 and September 6, 2012"

last time i checked it was august 10th to 19th

I'm also going to have a lot of trouble when it comes time for me to do this...

The poverty guidelines are here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

The petitioner has to complete the I-134 and I-864, regardless because they are the primary sponsor of the fiancé(e). If they don't meet the minimum, a co-sponsor may be an option. The co-sponsor would need to count the fiancé(e) as part of their household in addition to anyone else they claim as a dependent. The I-864 is legally binding, so they should read through the document very clearly to understand what they're signing. (Note: The ability to use a co-sponsor for the K-1 may vary by embassy, so please check with the relevant country first.)

many thanks

I am soooooo excited. I finally got my NOA 1 by mail today( I didn't check it yesterday). I sent the package off March 19 and was disturbed bc I had not heard anything. The receive date says April 2. I am ecstatic and relieved. Everyone enjoy your Easter and stay blessed.

awesome! I was getting worried about you! congrats

Would someone mind explaining or linking me to the financial rules/guidelines involved with the k1 visa? I wasn't even aware there were any until recently- do ALL k1 petitioner's have to meet a min. income requirement?

Yaay! Be sure to let me know when you receive NOA1. If you get yours first.

Just had to let my sending-date buds know we got our NOA1 yesterday! Any day now for you guys, I'm sure!