Frances&Bryan

There are those that have had interviews recently that were told the medical would be sent to the Consulate only to find out the day of it was not and they had to bring it back at a later date. I would suggest to pick it to be on the safe side.

i agree with reese!! i wouldnt want to chance it!!

your welcome!

it was the date from the second text. the letter took about 3 to 4 days for me to receive it.

Ya1127 After May 1st medical rates are different because is not flu season, she paid $350 since it was before may 1st. my husband would be paying $290 his medical will be after may 1st, means we saving 60$ out of the 350$ if the medical was done before May 1st.

Heres the link for the prices at Consultorios de visas @ Santo Domingo

http://www.consultoriosdevisa.com/precios.htm

that's great news!! thank you for sharing! my fiance and i are waiting for noa2 soon so ours will definitely be AFTER May 1st! thank u!!

I received and email stating that a Requesting Additional Evidence had been mailed out April 11, 2013. I have been anxiously awaiting its arrival in the mail. Now, today, I recieved another text and email stating that it was sent out today, April 15, 2013.

Did they forget to put it in the mail April 11? Is there two questions now? Did they simply click the notify button again today, by accident?

I called the service center, but all she did was read what was on the email, and say that she only sees what I see, that it was mailed April 15.

How hard would it be for them to include the information that they are requesting in the email, and also send it as well via postal mail? After they verified who I was, they still could not give me any information.

Just sharing my "journey". Any input or ideas are appreciated.

Nothing to worry about, that happened to me as well with my RFE. i received 2 texts with different dates as to when they mailed it out. i only received one letter with everything they were requesting in the mail. you just have to wait for it in the mail in order to know what exactly is what they are asking for. when you do receive it you will see it is a blue paper with the requested information. make sure when you do reply to it (send it back) make sure the blue paper is on TOP of the documents you are sending back to them.

good luck with your journey!

Felicidades corazon!!!

Hello All,

We received our approval today. 10 days ago I emailed my US Senator's office. I included all of the information that I could about the process. I included the Visa Journey site so that they could understand how I was coming up with my information. I included excuses given to other congressional offices, as found on VJ. I talked about the fact that CSC has been working on July 18, 2012 for the last four months. I preemptively agreed with the whole first come first serve basis of approval. What I pointed out was that there were 11 million applications that seem to have cut in line. That, I was not above the law but, I did not feel it fair that many people who are following the law, now seem to be affected by those who have not. I basically thanked them, informed them of what they could expect as an answer from CSC.

I received an email today from the Senator's office stating that the info I had given allowed for an informed argument and dismissal of the excuses given by CSC. I was told to expect to hear from them soon as the USCIS representative was confounded with the informed person on the other end of the line. The Senator's aide also told me that she had no idea of the things going on and could only take what she was told by USCIS at face value in the past. Well, I received an email from the USCIS 3 hours after hearing from my Senator's office, our approval.

My suggestion to all who are still waiting. If, you have been waiting longer than 6 months, email your US SENATOR'S office. Be very polite letting them know you do not seek preferential treatment but, to be treated fairly. Give them the VJ site for their research. Our Senator's office said that they found out a huge amount of information about the process and current state of affairs from VJ that they had never been privy to in the past. Take your time to document all of the inconsistencies from the USCIS i.e. the plumbing problem that was expected to cause no delay, only to be used as an excuse for 48,000 applications. Give the people you are asking help from the tools they need to help you. My letter to my Senator was a couple of pages of clear, concise information as it pertained to my case.

I wish you all of the best of luck. I thank you all for your help and information. I especially thank all of the people at VJ for this site.

Chris

Congratulations!! Great job on that letter and thank you for sharing!!!

Hello and welcome!

ANYTHING that shows dates and seems like evidence make sure u save and make copies of it. (i.e. i sent bank statements of when i was over there that showed dates and location of when i used my atm card to withdraw money) also MAKE SURE YOU DO get a letter of intent from him. u will definitely be needing that when u send off ur packet. i got an RFE for NOT sending one but luckily i had him sign one just in case they asked for one and they did.

also, when that packet reaches the DR embassy they primarily look for FAMILY AND FRIENDS pictures! make sure u take a ton of them!!! the dr is high on fraud so they make sure the relationship is legit!

any questions, the dr crew is here to help with any questions u have! good luck with your journey!

Hey...October CSC filer here. Here's the thing: I used an attorney for petition. I know...bad move. I joined this great group in February, and have learned so much. I contacted my attorney, and mentioned the letter of intent. He said we didn't need one due to the other evidence we already have. I know now that I will probably get an RFE, so I've had my fiance sign one and send it to me. My question is, should I send hers and mine now? Or, should I wait until I get the RFE?

The SAME EXACT thing happened to me. I sent out my package in September, mentioned it to the immigration legal aid that was helping me and she said we did not need one, so i didnt send one. However, i had my fiance sign one just in case while i was visiting him. Needless to say, I received an RFE a few weeks ago, and there it was. They needed a letter of intent from us. So, JUST IN CASE u do get the RFE for it, wait for it first, then send it in with that blue sheet they send u. Good job in having ur fiance sign one just in case u need it!

Por fin!!! felicidades my friend!!!

Congratulations!!!

Felicidades!!! I feel the happiness in ur words!

Congrats!!!! hopefully mine will be right behind urs!!!

like godsgift said ur next step is to call NVC.

also, mr tee's step by step after NOA2 is EXTREMLY helpful!! specially since the DR is "special" with the way things work over there lol

i suggest u print that out, i did, and it has guided me on what to expect!!

felicidades again!!

Thank you for sharing your experience!! It helps alot when all of us are traveling back and forth to see our loved ones!!

Update: out of those 67 petitions(2 already were approved), one got a RFE on the 7th of February.

I'll keep checking every now and then and will post updates.

thank u for keeping us updated!! its very appreciated!

I know we all are hoping for a quickening of the pace, and probably wishing you were together.. but just a reminder.. don't forget your special someone... Valentines Day is almost at hand! .. I just purchased flowers, card and chocolates to be delivered to mine.. :thumbs:

awww that is soo sweet!!

We made a decision long ago (we have known each other for two and a half years) that it is important to keep our lives as normal as possible and continue with hobbies and activities we enjoy. We talk most every day, but if one of us is unavailable because LIFE DOES GO ON, we never begrudge the other an outing. It becomes very difficult to have meaningful conversation if all you do is work or sit at home waiting to talk. We do have 'online dates' such as listening to radio drama or music programs together; this takes a little planning due to the time difference. There is no denying that the waiting is unbearable, but we try to make the best of it.

Most of all, COMMUNICATE and PLAN... we actual feel that the verbal communication (since it really is all we have when we are apart) has helped us get to know each other BETTER than couples in more 'traditional' relationships. And we will never take each other for granted after going through this process. We'll just look at each other and say "3741" (our distance apart) and all those little nagging issues that many couples argue about will just melt away.

great perspective!! i always try to keep that in mind, all the advantages over a "regular" relationship as to a long distance one!

Hi

Most of us on the website have been waiting or starting the waiting process. Its a long and miserable wait. Often resulting in tension in the relationship, arguments, nights of loneliness, crying and just overall unhappiness.

What are some of the ways you keep from going crazy during this trail seperation from your loved one?

Please give tips and advice as it might help some others cope.

Thanks

great thread! thank u for bringing it up! i was one to ask as well

separation is very tough and its the worst becaouse of all the damn holidays we have had xmas, new years, MLK ,and now friggin VAlentines day !!!! woppie!!!

anyways its hard on a couple for me its very hard and i cry and complain but at the end of the day my goal is to have my man here with me so this is what i do:

- we talk daily

- i been preparing for his arrival (saving $$ , buying things for him like socks etc.., organizing my files, buying deodorants for him lol , shopping for sales)

- stocking up my kitchen -when he gets here he will be home while i work for a few weeks waiting for a job.

- preparing his closet

- i been preparing my luggage for when i go to the interview lol - gotta look good for the interview!

- we talk on ovoo,skype you name it we do it

- getting all my proof in order.

AND WHEN YOUR MAD PHONE SEX WORKS!!! EVERYONE FORGETS ABOUT HOW SAD THEY ARE AND HOW UPSET THEY ARE LOL :lol:

Trust me while you wait you should be having fun cux if you dont you will loose your mind looking at grids, uscis.gov, checking emails and etc..

so take my advice try to ocupy your mind and lots of phone fun

hope this helps

couldnt have said it better myself!!!

i agree!

positive energy everyone!

I have just checked Igor's list right now and they started to deal with end of July files. I also saw one approval where the NOA1 date was 20th August.... Hopefully there are only some weeks to go for all us.

Have a nice week everyone!

This is great news!! thank u for sharing!

Instead of scapegoating, spend this time preparing for your partner's arrival to the U.S., read up on the next steps post-K-1 (since there always seem to be 100 threads of the "We're married, now what?" vein), figure out what housing/lifestyle changes need to be done to ensure your partner feels welcome.

Go volunteer.

Teach a kid how to read.

Book a vacation.

i agree %100 best response yet!

My first post~~ But im not new, I have lurked this site for almost a year!! <3

Here I am today!! ONE YEAR TO THE DAY (almost) since we started our I-485 journey for my husband! I am proud to say that today we got APPPRRRROOOOVVVVEEEEDDDDDDD!!! <3

So in January of last year we sent in our I-485/I-130 packet. Shortly after we received a letter asking for more evidence as well as a sponsor. Well I sent in more evidence but didn't ask anyone to help sponsor us, I thought sending in my pay stubs and taxes it would be enough....was I wrong! About a month later we received a denial notice. At this point my husband and I have FREAKED out. We had 40 days to appeal. Immediately we hired a lawyer...after paying 1600 (including the fee for the appeal I-290B) everything was sent off end of July. I was discouraged because I read/heard it could take up to 2 years for them to approve or deny the appeal and I felt bad because I messed up...I could have just gotten a sponsor but i was too hot headed to ask anyone for help.

Well it only took 2 months for us to get a decision on our appeal---- Approved YAY-- so about a couple weeks after that we got the work permit (EAD) and got his SSN......then our interview date was sent.....our nail biting and stress was a little at ease at this point.

Well our Interview was end of Nov--we get there at 6:45am since we were scheduled at 7:30am...we waited for our office to open, exited to finally be in the last stages.......well.....we were called in and my poor hubby (who speaks English VERY WELL) was asked a hard question--If he was going to commit espionage in the U.S....and he choked he didnt know what espionage meant (not that we ever used that word haha so I wasnt surprised he didnt know that one) and answered that he didnt understand....so the officer stopped us right there and told us that he cant interview us without a translator > GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! BUT HE SPEAKS GREAT ENGLISH JUST REPHRASE THE QUESTION....ok whatever fine...

So we waited and waited and finally we got a second interview date--- LAST WEEK--

So here we were again-- we hired a translator ($300 btw) and she met us there at our interview...same time. Well this time we had a different officer...she was really nice but very stern at the same time. She started off with different questions then the guy which hubby answered easily. She asked us the normal questions pertaining to our packet (btw that thing was 4 inches thick at that point) and asked him my birth date and asked me his birth date....then she asked to see our scrap book (that I put my heart and soul in!! It looked amazing!!) She looked at all our pictures from our Cali/Disney vacation, to our New York vacation to our Las Vegas vacation hahaha-- and she noted that I was very creative and my scrap book looked amazing then asked us which vacation was our favorite we both said New York....and that was it----- and we didnt even need the translator (but she was a sweetheart and really nice) even the Officer said that we didnt need to get a translator but she understood the reason why it had to happen...due to just one question.....well she told us 'Give me a few days to review and I will send you a notice in the mail of my decission' Ahhhhhhhhhh....NO MORE WAITING PLEASE....the stresssss the stressss.......here i was again looking online at stories and outcomes since we didnt have an answer right away and I was freaking out as usuall-- seeing that if they take the I-94 its a good sign (since she took that but not the passport) and seeing how many people got approved on the spot or had to wait........one week of this.........well today we checked online and saw we were APPPRRROOVED...after dancng around a bit and calling everyone we know.... I am one happpppyyyyyy wifey to one happy hubby....now to plan our BIG VACATION to Morocco <3 <3 <3 Hopefully in May....no later then June we will be going to my favorite country in the world again--where this all began in the first place....

So I hope my story will encourage other or show that even with hiccups in the road it will all get done eventually!! Took us From January 12' to January 13' (longer then most) but its all over for now...

Oh and BTW--- our I-130 has been pending for ever-- never got approved or denied...lol I was told they approve that after the interview sometimes....if not done earlier.

What an AMAZING story! You both deserve a BIIIIG CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I love happy endings like this one!

congrats!!!

You don't need an RFE to front load. We front loaded the petition with a few pictures, boarding passes, passport stamps, and a few emails, we never received an RFE. I think everyone should front load with at least some evidence.

And i understand that. However, like i replied JUST to TBONETX from what he said:

"it's just as effective as front-loading the petition would have been in the first place, except that the information that's sent along with the RFE requirements can be newer and fresher.)"

No -- NOT always. Being able to respond to an RFE is a golden opportunity to provide not only what the RFE requires, but also to add further evidence of a bona fide relationship. USCIS will not care, but will forward the material to the consulate when the petition is approved. At tough consulates, the additional information never hurts, at minimum. The additional evidence can turn a sure rejection into a fighting chance for a visa, or turn a borderline chance into a visa approval.

(For example, I secretly hope that Ecuador filers receive RFEs so that they can pad their petition packages with additional evidence -- it's just as effective as front-loading the petition would have been in the first place, except that the information that's sent along with the RFE requirements can be newer and fresher.)

A brief cover-letter can say "Here is the ____ that USCIS requested. Also enclosed is additional evidence of bona fide relationship, for the file. Please ensure that it is sent to the consulate after the petition is approved."

For London and for other VWP countries' U.S. embassies/consulates, additional evidence beyond satisfying the RFE requirements might not be as big a deal. Regardless, VJ members should avoid misunderstanding the "one London filer to another" comment as applying universally.

great information, thank u!! i think i secretly want an RFE now so i can front load lol

Hey everyone I wanted to post this here, but feel free to pass along to other threads.

After hearing all of the "hub-bub" about Dream Act petitions getting preference, adjudication officers being "pulled" from other areas for processing, CSC not processing anything, etc., etc., etc.. Even my own failed attempts to call the CSC and receiving conflicting and nonsense information. One sweet girl, obviously misunderstanding something, told me that the service centers count the first month of the process as zero month.. Huh??? I asked her if the IRS would let me have a zero month.. So I wrote both my Senator and Congressman. Wanted to "get it from the horses mouth" so to speak. Anyway, today I received a call and received what I would call reliable information (my Senators Immigration Specialist). So.. here it is..

1) CSC and VSC are processing as quickly as possible. No adjudication officers were "pulled" from processing K1 or other areas to process Dream Act petitions. Rather more adjudication officers were "brought in" from other resources.

2) Expect 5 to 7 months in the processing time. Typically no less and "hopefully" no longer. But at the end of a "full" 5 months contact someone to find out your status.. (i.e., CSC, VSC, Senator, Congressman, God.. LOL)

3) This puts Sept K1's at Mid February or March for NOA2. So we should be expecting notifications sometime around that time.

4) As always read everything thoroughly and "with a grain of salt".. even what I am telling you... check it out thoroughly and for everyone's benefit don't push propaganda or false information.

I sure hope this helps OR at minimum puts minds to rest knowing that the machine - be it slower than anyone wants - is still functioning.

As always... GOOD LUCK!! Let everyone know when you get your NOA2.

Sorry for the redundancy. I pressed a combination of buttons writing the first and everything disappeared.. If able please delete the first. Thanks!

Wow...Thank you so much for this information!! I greatly appreciate it and it DOES put my mind at ease and makes me a little excited knowing that February is just around the corner

I am truly sorry for the heartbreak you are going through! You have been told many, many great feedback and advice from what seems to be from people with wisdom.

My advice will just be repetitive, because i am agreeing with everyone else on here.

Give yourself time. Take one day at a time. Just breath and take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. Wounds heal. But only with time..

My opinion is for u to stay in the states take the new job offer! in my opinion that would be the SMARTEST thing right now, is to take the job offer. Why i say that, is because the biggest distraction is work. And starting a NEW job will be even a better and greater distraction.

Best of of luck with everything.

Again, time is your best friend right now. Your healer.

P.S. you have NOTHING to be embarrased about. You're not the one that committed adultery..!

Welcome!!! It has helped me cope as well