gtessier
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Posts posted by gtessier
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once the TSC approves with NOA2, doesn't it go to Visa Service Center (VSC) for further processing? How long is that process taken now?
VSC = Vermont Service Center
NVC = National Visa Center
NVC is the next stop in the process on the journey. As has been discussed here long ago (mostly by CSC filers and likely buried waaaay earlier in this thread), the process is to wait about 10-14 days then call them and get your case number. Then you can move from there and begin setting up your interview once you get the case number.
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Hello All,
Its been awhile since I have updated here. I have been watching the thread and seeing couples arrive here in the US, apply for AOS and even begin starting families together already. Congratulations to all.
I started this post back on March 3rd as I was the first March filer. Since then, we have had nothing but problems and delays.
If some of you remember, we got the first RFE for the "dating site/marriage broker" issue. After 45 days or so, our petition was finally approved on June 4th. It went smoothly from CSC to the NVC and then on to the Manila embassy. We had a little bit of drama on the day that Melanie had her medical exam on July 10th, as she did not have the letter from NVC but she got on through and passed the medical exam. Shortly after, she had her interview on July 22nd and was approved and then also got her visa in hand on July 31st. A couple days later she got her CFO sticker and was then ready for travel.
During the three weeks in Manila, her mother back home in Ozamiz was having heart problems and she needed to fly home. She left most of her luggage in Manila at her brother's house and then flew home with minimal personal items, basically a carry on, as she intended to only be back home for a week or so. Mom was then hospitalized and she decided to wait awhile to come here as her sister in Manila was completing an employment contract and would be the one to take care of mom and dad when she got back home to Ozamiz on October 6th.
I had already booked a flight last month as it looked like mom would be OK for the short time until sister arrived. However, we decided to rebook and wait. The flight from Ozamiz was booked for yesterday, Saturday October 10 and her intention was to go to brothers house and repack and then fly today October 11.
This morning, in her excitement and nervousness, she was on her way to the airport and when she arrived at the airport she left her purse in the taxi. She has her baggage but in her purse is her passport/visa/CFO sticker. OH! EM! GEE!
Now we are faced with a huge challenge. Already we have had so many delays. Now need to replace the passport, then the visa and CFO sticker. Fortunately, her document package was in her carry on.
So, this is where my question come in....
1. To replace the passport, she needs to go to DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and report it lost/stolen. There is a 15 day clearance period. So then she has anew passport but no visa.
2. Now she needs the visa. This is where we need help/advice. My guess would be that she needs to go the embassy and explain the situation. From there, they would need to reissue the visa and then they take her passport and laminate it to it and then send to the 2GO locally for pickup. In other words, repeat the process from post interview forward?
3. Next, the CFO sticker. With passport/visa in hand and record she has completed the class. Should be the easiest to fix
I am hoping it is this simple. However my biggest fear is having to begin the process all over again. So far this is the only applicable info I can find (See bottom of page):
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/lost-or-stolen-travel-documents.html
Any help, advice or insight anyone can offer would be appreciated.
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Those that have already have their fiance(e) here, did you get a one way ticket or round trip?
I'm curious - why would you get a round trip ticket? Although a one way ticket is more that half the price of a round trip, it is still quite a bit less.
Have you done comparison shopping yet?
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It's Issued Wooop
eh what I want to ask ..have I to bring anything special with to the US to get married? What do I need there? Or is the Visa enough?
Bring a wedding dress.
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Hi everyone!! For the update: I passed my interview today! Whew! its a nerve wracking experience for me, I'm so nervous during the whole process coz of 2 things, 1. Having limited facetime with my fiance ( once and for 8days only) 2.having co-sponsor but Thank God everything went smoothly in the end, so I wanna thank u all guys here in vj who helped me, I learned a lot from this site. I'm soo happy right now
Congrats to everyone who recently got approved too, and bon voyage to those with upcoming trip Cheers!!!Congratulations! Well done!
If you have not already done so, write a review on your timeline.
Seems a lot of the beneficiaries at the Manila embassy got pretty nervous due to posters here getting the third degree from other embassies. The Manila embassy is actually pretty laid back as long as you are legit and your relationship is genuine.
Its been a week since Melanie was apporved. Then a couple of days waiting for the visa to go to AP and in and out of AP in one day. Status now says "Issued" for last couple of days. I think that while it may have been issued, it still needs to go through the printing process before they send it by 2GO courier to its pickup point.
Now just waiting for it to leave the embassy and arrive at 2GO. Then CFO seminar and book tickets. Hoping she is here by mid-week next week.
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Wow, that's awesome!
The police certificate arrived today and we will take it to the embassy Thursday if there are seats available on the train.
Would be so awesome if we also got a quick turnover and had the visa issued within a few days.
Every embassy is different, but I'm definitely pulling for you!
I was shocked to see it this morning issued same day as it went to AP. Manila embassy seems to be at about 2-3 days from AP to issued, so we got lucky for sure.
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UPDATE:
Woke up this morning and checked CEAC. Not expecting anything, status is now "Issued"
So it went to AP in the morning there in Manila and was issued same day. Has to be some sort of record....
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UPDATE:
Melanie's visa application is now in Administrative processing. So, on the 3rd business day after it is now in AP with this message on the CEAC website:
"Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved after administrative processing, your passport will be delivered by our contracted courier to the address you specified when you booked your interview."
This is normal - so far. All applications go through AP prior to issuance. Note the "undergoing necessary administrative processing" statement. So no need to panic. However, the "This processing can take several weeks" statement is a little scary (especially after having a 6-week delay for an RFE) and the reason one should not book airline tickets until visa is in hand.
It seems AP times until issuance vary. The Manila embassy seems to be at about 2-3 business days from observing other cases here in this post.
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Ummmm, did you check status on the CEAC website?
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I'm looking forward to when TSC catches up to our filing month too! It can't be too much farther away. I hope August goes by quick for us all because I'm optimistic that we will get a healthy number of TSC NOA2's.
On a whim, I just checked on this and it looks like TSC files with January NOA1's have been getting NOA2's for the past couple weeks. So it seems to be about 6 months from NOA1 to NOA2. Unless TSC gathers some momentum, March TSC filers should start seeing their NOA2's late August/Early September
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Good news....
Melanie had her interview today and was approved. I got her text message at about 10pm here in California. She texted me a sad face and then a "denied" message. She waited a few minutes and then texted me a "HAHAHAHAHA I'M JOKING" message with about 50 thumbs up. Nice to have a feisty fiancee' with as warped sense of humor as mine.
She said the CO was really nice and asked only a few questions...
CO: "What attracted your fiance' to you"
Melanie: "He says it was my chicken legs" (She's 5'5" tall and 95 pounds)
She says the CO thought it was funny and laughed.
CO: "What are his hobbies"
Melanie: "He likes to watch TV and watch Laker games and car racing"
The CO asked only a few other questions and told her she was approved. Now she will do the CFO seminar Friday as we wait for visa issuance and delivery of the visa to the 2GO at MOA.
On a side note, I got the NVC letter in the mail on Saturday the 18th. Postmarked the 15th and dated the 1st of July. Thanks NVC for the timely service. "Ya think that would have been handy a couple of weeks ago when she was at her medical??
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i found the tablet it has Samsung name on it i think its just the tablet
I have T-Mobile. I have an iPad mini. I have a promo they offered that is "free data for life"
There is a separate phone number for the iPad. If you call it, there will be no answer.
Other than looking at the phone bill and seeing a third line, is there any other reason to suspect him of cheating? If not, let it go.
Not a good way to begin a new relationship.
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For the people who've already gotten your NOA2 would you recommend getting the medical exam before you actually get the NOA2 or is it too much of a gamble to get it early? I want to be proactive and make the process as easy as possible for the hopefully near future.
For the people who've already gotten your NOA2 would you recommend getting the medical exam before you actually get the NOA2 or is it too much of a gamble to get it early? I want to be proactive and make the process as easy as possible for the hopefully near future.
Depends on the country. For Philippines, you need the case # from NVC to get the appointment and get through registration.
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My fiance did her interview today and was approved! The interview took 3 minutes! HA! And I sent so much evidence with her I guess they were like "Holy #######.... uh, well you're approved have a nice life!"
Can't wait for her to get here
Thats so funny. My fiancee's interview is Wednesday. She is asking me this morning how much stuff to bring. I told her to bring ALL of the stuff I sent her. She replied that someone told her that they only want to see what they asked for.
My reply to her was, A) Better to have more documents than not enough, B) If they ask for something, you have it in that 4 pounds of documents, and, C) There's something intimidating about 4 pounds of documents stacked 4 inches high that probably tells them you have your act together and anything they may want to throw at you is probably in those 4 file folders she has.
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Hopefully the NOA2 comes quickly. I have seen them as quickly as 7-10 days after RFE reply and ours took about 45 days. Some have been longer.
Good luck to you
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Yup, Daisy attended yesterday (I think Missouri Gal today) and she told me that it was very informative and at some points even fun. She and I went over most of the information before, so she knew a lot of it already. They also went through (in her course) how to travel internationally. That last part she said she kind of ignored because she will be traveling with me. LOL
Melanie has her interview next Wednesday the 22nd and we have scheduled the CFO for Friday the 24th. She will be spending the time between her interview and leaving to the US with her brother in Manila. She wants to do something useful with her time, so she plans to do the CFO while she waits for the visa to be issued.
My understanding is that this can be done - she just has to make another trip there to get her passport sticker as soon as she gets the visa issued. Apparently she does not need to be there early - just go there, bring the passport and they will affix the sticker and she's good to go.
Daisy is getting close! May she have safe travels.
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Hey there, Brian, welcome to the VisaJourney community!
You raise a few different points, so hopefully I can address each of them.
(1) Calling TSC usually doesn't help, from what I've heard, but I haven't ever called directly so I can't speak from personal experience. Don't feel too bad that they weren't helpful. It also takes different amounts of time for them to update their website, as frustrating as that is. However, it doesn't seem to mean anything other than their web service is poorly managed (as are most things at TSC, so I wouldn't be surprised).
(2) The data on VisaJourney is not perfect, and I don't know how TSC determines which months they report. There are also examples of expedited cases that, for whatever reasons, are processed before others. I personally don't pay attention to either one very much. I'm not a fan of waiting, and I feel, for me, checking the dates and processing estimates too often will just make it harder to bear. Others on VisaJourney do great work with numbers, so seek them out if you're interested in fine details like these, but realize that most of these reports are speculation and not indicative of what's actually happening at TSC.
(3) Near the end of March, USCIS began routing all I-129F petitions to the California Service Center, which is aeons more efficient thatn TSC, which is why most people from the end of March as well as through April, and maybe even more recently (I stopped paying attention to CSC for obvious reasons) have already received their NOA2s. It's unfortunate that this leaves us at TSC waiting in uncertainty for far longer than is fair, but it's all we can do at this point, besides perhaps writing our representatives to try to get something changed.
(4) I'm also in a same-sex relationship, and from everything I've heard, you have nothing to worry about. Since the June 26, 2013, ruling in the United States v. Windsor, which struck down the section of the Defense of Marriage Act that prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, USCIS has honored fiance and spousal petitions from same-sex couples, even if they lived in states that did not permit or recognize same-sex marriages. Obviously, since Obergefell v. Hodges just two weeks ago, this last part is now a moot point. If you're interested in connecting with other same-sex couples on VisaJourney, please follow the binational same-sex couples thread, at the link below:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/441524-binational-same-sex-couples-show-up/
Finally, as far as feeling discriminated against goes, despite the injustices in the immigration system, there is no reason to feel this way. Right now, it seems as if you're simply in the same long waiting line as the rest of us, so the best thing now is to gather your patience, write letters or make phone calls to your representatives and lobby for change if you're so inclined, and just hold out hope that your NOA2 will come soon.
All very well said...
TSC doesn't care if you are in a same sex relationship. They are backlogged farther than CSC and have been for quite a long time.
Also, you will learn quickly two things....
One, don't compare your situation to others here on VJ. Each case is different and has it own set of challenges. We are all here to help each other by telling our experiences but at the same time, one situation's outcome does not ensure the same result on another case. My fiancee' recently had the challenge at her medical interview of not having her letter from NVC (we never got it) and they were not going to let her do her medical. After a lot of PM's back and forth with Tony (aka "Tony and Daisy") and brainstorming, we came up with a "hail Mary" play that worked. I really don't even want to publicly say what we did here because I don't want others to try it and be disappointed if they try it and it does not work out for them.
Two, don't accept everything USCIS, NVC, etc tells you as fact. For example, on the day you finally do get your NOA2, after about 10 days you can begin calling NVC for your case number. If they don't have it yet, they will tell you wait 30 days. It usually takes about 7-14 days - 10 being average.
Hope that helps add some extra light to dsldesch's thorough and excellent post.
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It is a seminar intended to provide useful information to Filipinos who are seeking migration or work overseas. It mostly deals with issues on spousal abuse, employer abuse, human trafficking, etc. I think it is a good. It helps those who are naïve about life overseas. Philippines have a good number of overseas workers and citizens married to foreigners , and unfortunately, some become victims of those issues mentioned. In the past, the victims didn't know what to do. With the seminar, it gives them useful information.
Very well said. Its not "weird"and should be a requirement in other countries for some of the same reasons you have mentioned. IMBRA protects the victims only after its too late. A CFO seminar is more proactive and helpful.
As Tony mentions, not all immigrants are saavy to traveling internationally and not all petitioners are able to fly to the fiance's country another time to escort them to the US.
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What a wonderful birthday present! I finally got my visa. ??
Congrats!
Did you have the visa sent to you or did you pick it up at the 2GO at Mall of Asia in Manila?
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Tony,
Many thanks for all your quick and insightful help yesterday. It was a tense hour or so but in the end your suggestions were helpful and gave us some direction. Sees we were on the same page, but in the chaos it was good to have another helpful mind with very recent experience. At the same time, thank you for taking our conversation private as there's no need to booger up the post with two pages or so of our chatter back and forth.
Melanie completed Day 1 of medical. She goes back tomorrow morning to complete it. For those in the Philippines, she said that they told her at St. Lukes, Monday - Wednesday are busiest days. Thursday - Friday not so busy. Its also been quite rainy lately and the rain has kept the mob of people smaller than normal
Day 2 went well and Medical is done. Melanie flies back home tomorrow for a week or so with family until leaving for her interview on 7/22. After the interview, she will stay in Manila with her brother until the visa is issued and pick it up at 2GO at MOA in Manila and depending on the day issued fly here immediately after completing CFO.
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Miriam: You have about 133 pages of frustrated people with the Black Hole that is Texas Service Center
Fill in your timeline and that will give you a reasonable expectation of when your 129F may be approved
Good Luck
Not true. This post is 133 pages of March 2015 filers - not a support group for disgruntled TSC filers. It is 133 pages of success stories, people helping other people through situations they are unfamiliar with and the random TSC filer envious of the CSC filer that is getting into the party ahead of them. Let's not get the subject of this post confused.
TSC is a wreck, compared to CSC. I get it. TSC filers coming on various posts here on the forum comment range from passive aggressive to outright rants. They really serve no purpose and typically derail the subject of the original question a CSC filer is asking. As an example, I got an RFE and had to wait 45 days from the time CSC received my response and when asking questions about it, got the angry mob of TSC filers "No sympathy for you - we have been waiting forever" rants and venting that interrupted the original question regarding the RFE.
This process is a test of one's patience. Its clear from being here since before March that some people have more than others. At the same time, it is wise to be reasonable with your expectations and not mentally set yourself up for failure. Every case is different. You cannot base your expectations off of other people's cases and situations. They can only give you some direction but in the end, each case is different.
It feels like the embassy interview is the hottest nightclub in town and of course everyone wants to get in. There's the usual group of people that get in ahead of others that have been waiting longer. You know the deal - people with connections, know someone or whatever. The party is going on inside, everyone is inside having a good time and others are on the outside looking in. Having said that, I understand the TSC filer side. I started this post on March as the first March filer. I got an RFE that delayed the process for a few days while I waited for the letter, a week getting the info they need then 45 days for NOA2. In the meantime, I have watched people that filed after me get their NOA2, pass their interviews at the embassy and already arrive here in the US.
Am I upset? Not really. I just continue to stay focused on the end result and not get distracted by the outside noise (other people's cases and individual situations). Again, our case is different than others. Everyone's is...
Kyle, I understand you feel TSC is a "Black hole". Its not. They just move at a different speed than CSC. In a Black hole, things disappear and never get seen again. Like socks in the dryer. You have been waiting for about 4 months. Just because CSC has been moving unusually fast does not mean you have been forgotten nor does it mean the CSC filers got the "VIP treatment" using my prior nightclub analogy. In looking at your signature, you have over researched the TSC processing timeframes and set an expected NOA2 date. You have even setup a ticker. I'm afraid for you that by doing so, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Correct me if I am wrong, but not only is your relationship with Linh a long distance one, but also long term (compared to others)? If so, another couple of months is not the end of the world? Further, again correct me if I am wrong, but did your fiancee also come here a few times on a Tourist visa for visits? If so, you are lucky. Most do not have that luxury.
We all want to be with our loved ones and begin our new lives together. In the end it will happen for all of us. Be patient and keep your focus on the end result and it makes the whole journey easier
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All is not lost, just my plane tickets. Searching on the Canadian forms got me a link to a company that expedites the process and allows for finger printing to be done in the home country and mailed to them.
So looks like a loss of two weeks. My mom will watch my kids still and my Sgt. said to take the time as well, I won't lose my job.
I feel so blessed that this will not end with me leaving him behind yet again.
God has blessed us with more time here with his family and still traveling together back home.
While reading the Canadian website, they mentioned a service that can do a digital scan of the fingerprints and eliminate the need for mailing them and waiting. Have you looked into this possibility to expedite the process? Is there someplace there in Ukraine that can do this and send direct to Canada?
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I just sent you a message.
Tony,
Many thanks for all your quick and insightful help yesterday. It was a tense hour or so but in the end your suggestions were helpful and gave us some direction. Sees we were on the same page, but in the chaos it was good to have another helpful mind with very recent experience. At the same time, thank you for taking our conversation private as there's no need to booger up the post with two pages or so of our chatter back and forth.
Melanie completed Day 1 of medical. She goes back tomorrow morning to complete it. For those in the Philippines, she said that they told her at St. Lukes, Monday - Wednesday are busiest days. Thursday - Friday not so busy. Its also been quite rainy lately and the rain has kept the mob of people smaller than normal
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Left embassy in Kiev with his passport.
I did not get a police certificate from Canada because I thought it was for places lived in the past 5 or 7 years. They said since 16 yrs of age. So we are in AP and I must figure out how to get this certificate while in Kiev.
Anyone have suggestions. I will research as soon as we get home, but I'm frustrated right now.
All was in order except this and I feel so frustrated with myself as we would have been approved.
My heart sank when I read this. Sank even further when I read the solution...
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/security/police-cert/north-america/canada.asp
How to get a police certificate - Canada
Do I need to provide a Police Certificate with my Application for Permanent Residence? No
Name of document(s) to get: Criminal Record Check
How to get a Police Certificate:
If you are not a citizen of Canada:
If you live outside of Canada:
The Canadian visa office will tell you if you need a Canadian criminal record check while your application is being processed. If the visa office asks you to complete a criminal record check, visit the RCMP website for instructions. You must bring:
- A full set of fingerprints that have:
- rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers taken with black ink
- full name, date of birth and sex of the applicant
- the name and address of the police agency
- the signature of the official taking the fingerprints
- A complete application form (available on the RCMP website)
- Reason for your request (eg. For immigration)
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Mailing address
- Phone number (and/or fax number and/or e-mail address)
- Applicable fees
Suddenly the issue we had yesterday at the medical exam seems minor compared to this.
- A full set of fingerprints that have:
K1 disappointment
in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures
Posted
Agreed.
While you didn't define "money issues", most assumed you were living below the federal poverty level. Everyone has a different concept of "money issues". For some it could be losing that job that pays $150k a year and having to start a new job at $100k.