Lingon

Just a "warning", the K-1 might not be faster than the CR-1 at all. It most likely won't be for us. Had we known it'd take this long we would definitely have went for the CR-1 instead, that would've saved us some money, we would've been done with the AOS part when I enter the US and the process would've been just as fast.

I totally regret the K-1 but at this point it has gone so far so we can't really change our minds.

There is no way of telling which visa will be the fastest way than to look at statistics. I wanted to get married in Sweden with my family and friends around me as we were going to live in the U.S.A, so that's what we did and therefore we applied for CR-1. We ended up in backlogs and RFEs we already sent them several times and after 1,5 years after we got married, I almost gave up on us and we started to discuss if we should just get at divorce and move on with our lives separately. Instead I quit my job and traveled to stay with my husband on the ESTA visa for three months and by the end of my visit the embassy in Stockholm gave me an appointment for the interview. Only good thing that came out of it was that I received LPR instead of CR..... But if I had known it would take that long I would have applied for the K1 instead.

Sorry to hear that you too Scandi regret your choice of visa even if your experience is the opposite from mine. Cross my fingers for your visa journey to speed up now!

Americanboy, you and your Danish girlfriend just have to read through the options and make up your mind about what route is the best for you two whatever advice you receive from here or anywhere else. Good Luck to you, whatever you choose!

I got the regular stamp on my passport. I got so confused when the officer told us that we just make the call on our 2nd anniv that's why I've decided to post my case/questions here to be enlightened.

Thank you guys for the reply really appreciate it.

Good to hear you have the regular stamp in your passport so there are no worries there. It is probably like other people already wrote, the CBP officers don't always know everything and sometimes they might misinform people. If I was you though, I would still make a call and ask for the GC (and SSN?) if you haven't received it yet. Good Luck with everything !

Hi, I recently entered the US through SEA port of entry.

The CBP officer told me and my husband that he's giving us a waiver to get the 10 year GC instead of the 2-year card since we're only 2 months away from our 2nd year anniversary. He told us to just call and make an appointment when we reach our anniversary to get the 10-year LPR card.

Is it normal for CBP officers to give waivers?

Has anyone experienced the same?

Oh and it has been almost two months and i still don't have my greencard (I woner if they're waiting for us to make the appointment?

Hi, Never heard about it being done that way. When I was at the interview at the American embassy in Stockholm though, they informed me that since we were only a few days away from celebrating our 2nd anniversary, they could wait for that date to pass before they did the final decision. Of course I said "yes" and so I received a 10 year GC instead of a conditional. After I entered the US border it took about 2-3 weeks for the GC and the SSN to arrive. If you haven't received the GC by now you should probably call them whether you will receive the conditional or the LPR to make sure everything is okay... And why not wait until the 2nd anniversary, as it is coming up any day now and the CBP officer actually instructed you to do that, just in case .

What would make the process fairer is if the files were at least started to be processed in as close to the order they were received as possible.

So person A sends in their file in Jan, Person B sends their file in May..

Person A's file should be opened for adjudication before person B's.

At that point if Person A has a very complicated case and it takes months to process name checks then they may very well get their approval months after person B is approved.

But what we see happening in the current system is that one center is moving so much faster than another that people who file months and months after a poster who's zip code sent them to a different service centre are still waiting for their file to be picked up off a shelf.

And sometimes there are similar discrepancies at the same service centre (goodness knows what happened then - files left in a storage room forgotten for a few months, who knows)

The above happened to me back in 2007/8. We filed in Oct. 2007 There was a huge backlog at VSC. By January CSC was processing people who filed months after us. At this point our check hadn't even been cashed so our file was just sitting somewhere untouched on a shelf. Then even more annoying there were people from VSC who filed in February and afterwards who were being processed and there was a big bunch of us on here who were Oct-Dec filers who didn't get our files even picked up and looked at for nearly ten months.

And over the last 8 years on this board I've seen similar things happen over and over.

The problem is USCIS systems would need a huge expensive overhaul which I don't think anyone is prepared to do for the small numbers of visa filers it affects in relation to the millions of visas which are processed each year.

Yes, that describes pretty much my experience here. Even now at NVC it seems like our case will take longer than most. Don't know why, we have given them everything they need and have no problems, so the way I see it we should be an easy case for them. I advice anyone who can apply for a fiance visa to do that instead of CR-1 visa. I wanted to marry at home with my family and friends, but it isn't worth it when it takes this long.

I just looked at your timeline. I can't believe USCIS took 11 months to approve you and I saw you had about a month gap for sending in your AOS forms too. I really hope you get done at NVC soon. It really speeds up when the interview date is set. I can't believe I even complained to myself about how my interview was scheduled for mid November because it meant waiting just over a month. Already half that time is gone and it doesn't compare to the uncertainty of the I-130 fiasco with the National Benefits Center we all went through.

I really hope NVC goes back to being a 2 month thing really soon. I had my sights set on being in the US by August at one point before the backlog became apparent o-o

Yes, it it the USCIS thing that makes me disappointed, because their RFE:s were completely wrong and made it take 11 months to be approved and on top of that we arrived at NVC when they were in the backlog so time seems not to be infavor for us even if I know there are other people having it even worse. Sending in the packages two-three weeks after the AOS/IV payments we have a reason for and nothing we blame NVC for or this process. Husband called NVC when it was 60 days since they received the AOS package and was given the information that they will review it at the same time as the IV package. Were yours approved individually? Know the feeling of hoping for the best and then see the date pass by and look for another. Kind of hard to plan things, like job, place to live and so on, but sooner or later luck must shine on us too . Wish you Good Luck with your upcoming interview!!

It's my pleasure and honor

Your very welcome and I'm very happy you have joined us. We are here for you and completely understand your frustration and need to continue with your life normally. Those of us waiting for so long understand well the frustration of seeing people fly by and on top of that not be grateful. I saw two posters on another thread one went through USCIS in 17 days another 22 and complained NVC was taking so long, one of them was given an expedite when others with dying family members were denied. The process is unfair in every way.

I see sweet heart you are very close to CC praying there is nothing to stop you from getting it this or next week.

Yes, a little understanding from others can soothe the frustration and a little cheering from others can give a person some new energy. Compare to your example with dying relatives I guess I have nothing to complain about, as both me and my husband doing fine, just want to do super fine together in a not too distant future. Hope that will happen to you too very soon

Thank you for this thread. Not that I have anything to say really, but i am so frustrating this taking such a long time. When me and my husband started this process I was naive to think if you did everything right it would be approved within a year for sure. I wanted to marry here among my family and friends as me and my husband will live in the States and I was prepared to wait for a year to organize everything here for the move. If I had known we would have received RFE:s even if we done the application correctly and that it would delay our case with months I would have chose the fiance visa instead, because this wait isn't worth having the wedding in your home country. At best it seems like our case will be done in January/February, taking more than 18 months from start. Seeing other people walking past us all the time really feels unfair when there is no reason to restrain us... I am happy our time line isn't the normal, just want the approval to happen to us too soon. Wish everyone Good Luck on their process.

Maybe Saylin's for spouses going through NVC can answer your question. What language do they speak where your husband studied? If it is not English it needs to be translated and certified.

Saylin's Step 6 - IV package:

Translations

"NVC's website states:

"All documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations and submitted to the NVC. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator stating that the:

-Translation is accurate, and

-Translator is competent to translate."

Despite this, I have seen cases of people getting checklists for not having translations of non-English documents. I'd suggest you get everything translated anyways to be on the safe side. It's not needed, but highly recommended.

Additionally, embassies/consulates in some countries require translations of documents into English even though they are written in the official language of the country, so it's best to check with the embassy/consulate to see what document translation requirements are."

Submitted DS-261 July 27 and received the invoice IV fee September 10. So for us it took 6,5 week. Been reading here on VJ it can take two months between these two steps, so just hang in there.

What did you do to get them to explain and approve? Thanks, need all the luck we can get!

A lawyer contacted them and proved to them they had the right document, so when they realized their mistake they sent us off to NVC within a week. Now we seem to be stuck in NVC's workload, but that is a different story. Hope you soon find out what the RFE is about so you and your lawyer can start working on it. Best of Luck!

Yes, having two RFEs is possible, but I don't know how common it is. Happened to us even though we didn't miss to include anything in the first place, so the fault is not always of those applying. Called them and told them they already have what ask for and they said it is not uncommon for them to ask for the same documents again (?!). We responded quickly and waited patiently and when the 60 days after the second RFE almost was up we got help and the same day they confronted/explained what was wrong they approved us and our case was sent over quickly to NVC... But still they wasted four months of our time as they should have approved us in February instead of giving us RFEs, so I know exactly what you mean by the delays getting to you. So wish we had asked for help earlier so maybe we would have been further ahead in the process now. You already have a lawyer so get him/her to work so you don't get unnecessary delays whether you missed something or not. Good Luck to you!

Wow can't believe you're still waiting after 2 RFEs. VSC is very slow when it comes to RFE response as well. Been more than a month since we sent RFE response and no word yet. Have you tried any service requests, congressional inquires? What did they say cause for such delay in your case?

P.s. Just saw your timeline. Happy marriage anniversary

Thank you dee&vee, you warmed my heart. Glad we didn't know this on our wedding day or I would have stopped it and we would have applied for the K1 visa instead.

Yes, husband called them a few times, but they just referred to their 60 days from having the last RFE, saying everything seem to by like it should be. He also called the congress man twice and they were not any more lucky in calling USCIS, but promised their lawyer would make inquires if they didn't have a decision for us when the 60 days were up. Now the days are up, so I hope the lawyer contact them next week so we can have some answers or just move on to the next part. So tired of being stuck here.

Wish you a fast approval. Waiting since October is long time too.

Congratulations to you Married4Life13 and good luck with NVC.

Unfair at 5-6 months Azim? I sure hope you or nobody else who does this with no fraud in mind ever have to wait as long as us, heading 11 months and still no decision. Had 2 RFE for marriage certificate that we already sent them with the petition. Husband called them and they said it is not unusual for them to ask for the same evidence again.., Now their 60 days to respond on our last RFE is up and still no decision or update from them.

Our case was transferred from MSC to CSC in January. Always read here it is the fastest center to give you a decision. Well, I haven't noticed that. Maybe VSC is, having two quick approvals just in this thread. Don't give me wrong, I am happy for you , I just wish our case would move on too.

Maybe your case moved on so quickly because you had such a good name here Married4Life13, ;-).

Yes, it happened to us. Now we have responded to the second RFE and we really hope for an approval this time. Very annoying as they already had these documents with the petition. On the phone they said it is common for them to ask for the same documents again...?! But we shouldn't worry to much there, can't do anything about it until it is a fact anyway.

You should definitely send proof like photos (preferable; in different settings and with family and friends, not just wedding pictures), and emails you mentioned. Travel tickets when meeting each other are also good proof of a bonafide relationship along with receipts for gifts or financial documents you have together. My advice is to choose a few mails every month if you have been mailing each other for a year or more, or a few mails every week if you just have been mailing for just a few months. In that way your package isn't suspiciously big. It is your call, I am not an expert here, just someone who has been reading all kind of topics and information here on VJ. Having a look around here helps to understand the visa process, so I strongly recommend to keep doing that on your visa journey. Good Luck!

Hi - we filled our I-130 January 3rd and I saw my check was cashed the following week in Chicago. Now it's getting to the end of March and my husband hasn't recieved a NOA1 at all.

We can't check the status of it since we don't have a number (that I guess you get with the NOA1).

Is this normal processing time? I thought people got the NOA1 right away?

Thank you for the help! This is probably easy to answer, but I'm still confused on the exact process durations.

Hi, I am no expert on this, but no it is not a normal processing time. You should call them and alert them something is wrong. If you look at other people's timeline here you can see they usually have their NOA1 within a week unless there is a long holiday that comes between. Yes, your case number comes with the receipt/NOA1. Call them as soon as possible is my thoughts to you. If they cashed the check they should be able to trace your petition.

Woops, sorry, didn't pay attention to that you have filed for a K-1 Visa, so my CR-1 Visa isn't comparable in that sense. But I wish you good luck anyway and still think if you haven't asked a congress man to call them, maybe you should.

We sent them our petition in July 19. Had no word from them until January 8 when they informed us that our case was transferred from NBC to CSC. Had an RFE in late February and my husband rang them and told them they already have what they are asking for, which was proof that the authority in Sweden accepted our marriage. They answered it is common for them to ask for the same paper again...?! So we sent them new papers. This week, I could see on Internet that we have an additional RFE but my husband hasn't received the letter yet so we don't know what it is yet. Annoying, can't they send all RFE at once? I know we sent them all papers they ask for in the petition I-130 and that concern us. Only thing I can think of is if they want more proof of a bonafide marriage. So will add what we have from July last year in that case. Hope it is that easy.

But when I compare to people on this site out timeline it not is out of a normal. So all I can say to you is to be patient or maybe ask a congress man to call and ask them about your case. We did in late December and just a week later it was transferred to CSC, so maybe it helped. Good Luck with your petiton!

Know the feeling. Really missed my husband during Christmas and New Year. Other than that I have succeeded in trying to stay positive until today when I checked our case status at USCIS and found out they sent us an RFE. After more than 7 months of nothing they ask for an RFE and that probably means it will add a month or two (or more if we are really unlucky) to this progress. I know we sent them everything they ask for in a petition so I really want to know what more they want from us. Feels like this will never end, especially when reading about people who have waited a lot longer than us. It is impossible to plan anything. When can I tell the landlord I won't be living here anymore, when can I tell my boss to look for another employee, and so on... People who haven't done this hardly believe me when I tell them about this wait. They seem to think there must be a problem with a criminal record or the financial support rather than this wait being normal. Everything feels so frustrating and today was the first day I shed tears over this, but I will make sure I become positive about this again. I think most people here truthfully just want to be and live with their spouse/fiance(e). Even if the USCIS told me you won't be ready to travel until next autumn that would be a better answer than not knowing, just waiting. Wish you luck in having a decision soon!

Sorry the message was erased, but here it comes:

It is abuse when a spouse holds the money and doesn't give you food. It is abuse when the parents turn off the heat so you freeze when your husband leaves the house and it is abuse when his step dad is rude to you, because you don't let anyone treat your spouse like that. You are suppose to share in a marriage and it doesn't matter who earns most money. If his love is over for you he still shouldn't treat you like that but talk with you respect the way you should do with everyone. This is only a one sided story, but from the information you give you should leave him, because it seems like he is not ready for a marriage if he spends more of his time with his mom and when he doesn't seem to know or want to care for his spouse. He isn't worth the serious talk as he doesn't treat you with respect. My advice is to pack your bags and go home so you maintain self-respect and and give yourself the chance to meet someone who is worthy your love and care. I know it isn't easy, but in the long run you will know it was for the best. Good Luck!

Hello I am a newbie and first time,

I NEED SOME HELP. I AM SO SORRY IT WILL BE A LIL BIT LONG FOR YOU TO UNDERSTANT MY STORY! PLEASE BARE WITH ME.

Please read the following:

• Husband does not buy groceries for he eat with his parents upstairs and, so I ate given food from friends and church.

• No regular allowance, I feel trapped in the full basement.

• I was so worried of my physical situation because most of the time I am alone waiting my husband for the whole day.

• No regular groceries because he always brings left over foods from his job

. • He deprives me of my rights as a wife to work, even though I have education and a college degree.

• Most of the time he spends time with his parents and not with me as his wife. We never discuss about our future together or any plans with status adjustment.

• Sometimes when his step father gets drunk, he throws bad words to me like, '######' which traumatizes me. That is why I don’t like to go with them.

• The heater is shut off or set very low during day time when my husband is work. I feel so cold on the basement that is why sometimes I go to library or church and friend to warm my body.

• I love my husband very much. I clean, I cook, I take care of him every day, and when he gets sick. I feel I am wronged. He doesn’t meet his obligations and responsibilities as a husband.

• The worst thing happened was when he left me asleep on December 2013.Together with his parents (my in-laws) they went to some place again to celebrate New Year's Eve. He doesn't give me enough importance and concern. He didn't think that something might happen to me during that night when they were away. I don't feel I am his priority at this time.

I met my husband through Facebook last December of 2010 until he officially visited me in the Philippines last August 2011. Then he filed a petition for me last February 5, 2012. I received my Fiancée Visa last February 2013. God knows how much I love my husband. I love the way he communicated with me through email and on webcam when I was in still in my country. He promised me everything and said I’m the woman he wants to be with for the rest of his life. I was so happy to know that from him. He was caring and loving when I was in the Philippines. He regularly replies to every message I sent him on chat back then. Despite the fact I was busy working at the office and taking a Master’s degree program I was still able to manage my time with him. Then we both decided to get married. My parents gave me their blessings and agreed with my decision. So, I resigned from my job from the office as a secretary of the Technical Director where I worked for almost five years. I also quit attending my Master’s degree classes so I can be with him. Before I came here I asked the Lord for guidance. I needed His guidance because I could not imagine how my life will be like away from my parents, relatives, friends and co-workers, and to live the rest of my life with him in a whole new environment here in the US. Because I love him I gave up hundreds of people whom I love and cherish. It was a tough decision for me to make since I have never been away from home, my country. I was blessed to have a loving family and good environment and a successful career when I was in the Philippines. Now I feel so sad that those things are gone. My husband decided to visit me again in the Philippines for the second time last June 3- 13, to bring me to America. During that time I had mixed emotions. I felt sad for leaving my homeland and at the same time happy for I will be with the man I loved forever. I arrived in United States of America last June 2013. I felt very happy when I came here and I even asked myself whether I was dreaming or not. I am now with the one I love and be with him for the rest of my life. I thank the Lord for bringing me here. When I arrived here, my husband parents warmly welcomed me at the airport. We live at his parent’s house in a full basement. At first everything was fine and we’re all okay with each other, I watched and observed their daily activities. Until one day I realized how much my husband spends time with his mom – MORE than with me. They would go out until late in the evening to walk the dog. He spends most of the time with his mother upstairs watching TV rather than spending time with me. He always leave me alone in the basement. Sometimes his mother would borrow my husband’s car and would drop him at work at and picks him up again at night time. I remember I was asking his mother if can I go with them when she drives my husband to work and she said no because she will be back right away. In my mind I just want to be with my husband and would just like to get out of the basement for a while and at the same time enjoy their company. They always go out without me. There was a time when I got home from the church around 11:30 in the morning and found out that he and his mom went somewhere without waiting for me. I read his note that her mother woke him up to go to the store. So I called his step dad and asked him where my husband was and he said maybe they bought a filter then I noticed they’ve been gone from 11:30am to 4:00pm just to get a filter. I felt I have no right to judge him because they have their own routine in life before I arrived here though I have to remind them that he is already married, that we should spend more time together. Every time I get mad at him or confronted him to remind him with all the changes in his life now, they misinterpreted it by saying that I’m controlling him. I don’t know what to do as it is hard to live with in-laws. I remember his step father asking me why I always go to church in the morning and my husband is not morning goer anyway. I asked myself why I have to explain everything since I am the wife. With all these, I am worried that my husband is going to work everyday and yet I am left trapped in the basement alone and cold. I’m not comfortable as they turn the heater off when my husband goes to work. I have not apply for adjustment status for he will not sign the form 864. He is afraid of what it is being said in the papers, so he decided to divorce me and want to send me back home.

Do I have a case against him?

What should I do? To all negative commentator just save your negative words for me as I am already confused and do not know what to do. Please do not add more frustration. I need some guidance here.