Nomi and Noor

I need urgent help with 2 questions.

The instructions inside Package 3.5 we got from the Islamabad Embassy, Pakistan includes the following to be sent back besides the forms:

1. Divorce certificates.

Q. Do we need to send the actual certified copies now or can we send just a copy now and my fiancee can take the actual certified copies later to the interview? The reason is that it will take another two weeks to get the certified copy from the court. I just have a copy of the original one.

2. Form I-134 supporting documents(Optional)

Q. The instruction says this is optional. It will take another week to get the income letters from Social Security for my Disability Income and Metlife Insurance for the same as well. Is it OK to take it to the interview since the notice says it is Optional.

Please help me. I don't want to delay sending the package to get the interview date but don't want to jeopardize the visa either.

Thanks Numair

Hello everyone! I have filed my NOA1 on 16February 2012 and I not received my NOA2 . Up until now, I still haven't received my NOA2 and it is almost 5 months. I have friends who have their petition approved in less than 2 months. Why is my NOA2 taking too long when others have a very short waiting time? I understand that processing petition is a case-to-case basis, but time difference is quite unreasonable compared to others? I missed my fiancé terribly and I think I have waited long enough already. Hope to hear from you…

We filed on February 9th and I just got my NOA2 email yesterday. It said they sent me the notice day before yesterday (August 20th). Sorry, no more 5 month deal with VSC. It took us close to 6.5 months.

Congratulations I think I was at that step in June! Best of luck at nvc center now.

Thanks. I hope it is quicker getting to and out of NVC than it did for you. Two total weeks would be nice. But I guess that ain't happening.

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity

On August 20, 2012, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

I would think that because your regular income was enough to support your fiance (based on your SSDI income you are receiving and I'm assuming an IDI policy?), I would think that would be fine. It certainly couldn't hurt to send that to your fiance for the interview so he/she will be able to show it to the CO if they have concerns, though I don't know if it will come up during an interview or not. I'll be interested to see how that turns out though so keep me informed! Best of luck on your transplant!

Thanks Thomas and Kristi for clarifying the confusion I had regarding you first post related to this thread about SSDI not being considered regular income. I see the difference between the two scenarious you described.

Que Saudade, sorry you were confused.

I know it can be extremely frustrating because I just got approved last week after 6 and a half months. I called and called customer service, got my senator and congress representative involved. I even got to put in a service request and none of it helped. They will throw up walls everywhere you turn when you try and get answers. It drove me crazy. The date they give you on the phone that they are currently processing is what they go by and they told me it comes from the service center. If your petition falls after that, they just won't do anything for you. I even got an email from USCIS through my senator acknowledging I was passed normal processing time, but they were backlogged and couldn't do anything for me. I don't know how VJ gets their current processing date. This is just what I learned so far and the exact same thing happened to many other January filers on VJ. It is an exercise in true patience and just having to wait. Do you best to hang in there.

This is specific to filers at the Vermont Service Center.

Thanks. I think I will keep calling and even try the "USCIS Error" code. In the end I guess you are right. It is truly a test of extreme patience, working with a system seemingly, intentionally built without customer service level being a performance indicator..

Numair

I called on July 9th (5 month marker) and again today (6 months). The agent first told me that my petition is overr the 5 month processing time and she will open a service request but then said the message she is getting is that the Petition is still within the processing timeframe and that I should call back in 30 days.

1. How and when can we actually start a service request?

2. Where does VJ get the curent processing dates from? It says Feb 13th for K-1 at VSC but the list of approved/unapproved cases does not reflect that at all.

Thanks for any input. This is really a killer!

Numair

Hi there, disability specialist here (private disability and not government, but we tend to work together from time to time).

I want to point out that SSDI is not considered permanent income. It is only as long as the person is unable to work. The Social Security Administration periodically reviews all cases to make sure recipients continue to qualify for benefits. It is possible they would not consider his SSDI income as a stable income, unless he can get Social Security to say they will pay him benefits forever. It's not about being able to pay for the process, it's about being able to support the person when they are here and waiting for a job. They want to make sure they person does not become a public charge and that you are capable of providing a living for them (especially in these hard economic times). She may have a job waiting for her, but unless she's approved to work in the US, you could be waiting for months before she can legally start that job.

Also, the poverty guidelines are not $17500. They are $ 18912 for a household of 2, unless you are in Hawaii or Alaska. Please see the following: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-864p.pdf

I posted earlier on this forum about the fact that I am on SSDI of $1000/month and Disability insurance Income of almost $4000 (Total $5000/month), and I was told by someone here that this income would be ok. I am undergoing Lymphoma treatment and will have a bone marrow transplant next month. Hopefully, if I come thru well, I plan on getting back to work in my field again. Do I need to attached my degrees, certifications, and resume with the paperwork my fiance takes to the interview so they are satisfied that I can take care of her after my disability is over, which will last at least one more year if not two or three?

From what you have said your current health concerns should not impact your petition as long as you make 125% of the poverty guidelines.

Thanks. I hope they don't say, "Why are you marrying a cancer patient?" since Cancer seems like a death sentence but isn't always so and we wouldn't be marrying if I weren't so positive about the recovery.

Finances should not be a problem. My disability insurance income from Metlife alone is way above the 125% of poverty guideline.

I am wondering if someone else has had to deal with medical issues during this process before???

Whether you mention it is up to you. I probably wouldn;t, but make sure your fiancee is well aware of it, your treatment plan etc in case it comes up at interview

She is well aware of all the details. I am just wondering if bringing the topic in the open myself would be a positive thing or negative.

Hello All,

I hope someone can give me good advice. My fiance and I met last July with the intent of marriage when I visited Pakistan. Our families also met. After getting to know eachother over the phone and chats (lots of them) over the next 3 months we knew this was it. So we decided to get married with the our families' approval as well. When we met in July, I had already been diagnosed with Stage 2 T-Cell Lymphoma (My fiance and her family knew) and the topical treatments and light therapy were showing good results and I was hoping to get back to work in a few months.

We decided to go the K1 path since it would be quicker and applied in the beginning of February, 2012. Unfortunately, unexpedtedly and suddenly (within a month after sending the petition), my cancer stopped responding to the treatment and progressed to stage 4B. It was decided that going for a cure through a Bone Marrow Transplant is the best option. I have since been through Chemo (the results have been excellent, beyond expectation) and now going through radiation (also looking great). The bone Marrow transplant will be in Mid -August or so.

My question is

1.Should I mention my health condition in the second letter of intent which my fiancee will take to her interview? In the I-134 I will declare that I am collecting Disabilitgy Insurance and Social Security Disability Income (much more than the required guidelines).

I am sure they will ask her, what I do in USA and what is my disability since she will tell them about my field of work and the fact that I am currently undergoing treatment.

I certainly cannot lie about this and I am wondering if my being a cancer patirnt is something they would use against granting her the visa?

When we met and got engaged, I did not feel things woud get this serious. However, I have been responding great to the therapies and am very hopeful of a positive response and a complete cure, God willing. And my fiancee is so very supportive. Having her here will really be a boost for me.

Anyway help with this would be highly appreciated since I already have enough to worry about and this is making me crazier. We are still waiting for NOA2. 5 months are already up. I will call USCIS later today for that.

Thanks,

Ahmad

Hi everyone!

My fiance and I received our NOA1 on February 17th from CSC. Although it hasn't been 5 months yet, the USCIS cannot tell us how much longer it will be until we hit that 5 month mark. What steps do we need to take after 5 months?

Frankly, the wait has been killing us and our relationship has taken a turn for the worse as we argue about paperwork all the time. Any of you out there who have filed in February and are still waiting for approval or have already been approved?

My fiance is in Chicago and we haven't seen each other since December 14th of last year. :'( Sometimes I wonder if the people at USCIS care at all about the couples having to spend so much time away from each other.

Does anyone have an idea how much longer it may take?

We applied in early Feb as well. USCIS recieved our application on the 9th of Feb and we got the NOA1 by email on 14th. Being realistic, I don't see them meeting the 5 month goal but I am certainly not losing hope. It is always possible although USCIS does not care about making people wait. They don't have to care. As far as the arguments are concerned, I don't see the point of fighting over something that is not in your hands. If things are getting worse over this small delay that no one can do anything about, just imagine what it would be like when dealing with bigger issues in the future. More patience is needed after NOA2 and even more so after the visa. I guess this is a good test! Keep your fingers crossed like us. The approval will come soon. I know how frustrating this wait can be. Goodluck!

Disability income is still income. SSDI counts too, so that added with the other income should put you more than well over the amount you need.

Thank you so much for the reply. Now I feel better.

Did he give you an unconditional permission to divorce him on the Nikkah Namah (marriage certificate)? If so, then divorcing him in Pakistan will be very simple and dirt cheap than doing it here. Else, you will need to do it here.

I hope someone has an answer for me here. I would really appreciate it. I am currently collecting Long-term disability Insurance from Metlife (over 75% of my income) and the rest from Social Security disability. Metlife income alone takes me well over the minimum income requirement. Shall this be ok or do I need a co-sponsor? Will they have a problem because I am going to be getting treatment until next year?

Thanks,

Ahmad