Wenche&Jason

I went and picked my visa packet up from the post office on Friday. Can't believe I finally have it in hand!

Awesome! Congratulations! Good luck on the rest of the journey. So happy for you, that you finally will be reunited with your loved one!

I am filing from the US for my husband. Noa1 was 11/4

I know I'm not the only one but it's frustrating

Yes, my husband is also filing from the US, however I'm in Norway. Sometimes people are already in the US for different reasons when their spouse file for them. I think those cases are prioritized..again, I do not know for sure.

It is indeed frustrating, but not much we can do, but wait. That's why so many of us call it "the waiting game".

So why is there some November filers being approved?

They could be filing from the US.. doing both I-130 and 485 at the same time.. just guessing,.. I really don't know. Or maybe the petitions are expedited for some reason.

Received text/email that my I-130 was received and routed to the Potomac Service Center. I sent I-130 in to Chicago Lock box they received it on 3/11/2016 so only a few days to accept it. My question is I never heard of the Potomac service center and wondering if this is a good thing or bad thing. Anybody else transferred there and any idea if the processing times are similar to the others?

Hi, you will receive a hard copy of the acceptance as well. Then you won't hear anything until RFE (Request for Initial Evidence) or Approved. You can check your case on the USCIS web site or use their app. Then you will know once there is any updates. I downloaded the app to my phone

Good luck with your process to be reunited with your loved one.

I've noticed some November filers getting approved. I called uscis yesterday and was told they are still processing from September filers so I'd have to wait 2 months!! Is this accurate?

Yeah, that sounds about right... unfortunately.

No, I'm a K-1/K-2 though. Here they don't tell over the phone but about a week from the RFE notice you'll get a letter with the RFE. I don't think it's different for CR-1/IR-1?

But no I'm on day 37 of waiting for NOA2 so still have a bit of waiting before I hear anything.

Oh... ok, thanks. We're are IR-1/CR-1 applicants and already 121 days into the waiting "game". Hopefully I'll be able to move sometime this fall. Expecting total processing to be at least 300 days.

They won't tell you over phone you have to wait for the hard copy to arrive.

Ahh..oh,.. well, that's annoying. Was my husbands friend that told me to, he was going through the same process bringing his husband from Germany a couple of years ago. All he said was, now is the time to start calling.. Have you tried calling to get information about what documents they are missing?

Ahh...thanks so much for the prompt reply! I figured that was it. I know the estimated processing time in Texas is 5 months, so still (in)patiently waiting. Heading over to be with my hubby in 9 days

So glad we can travel on the VWP and don't have to apply for visitors visa. Makes visiting so much easier.

Checked our case a couple of hours ago, and it was updated with RFE. Tried to call to know what's missing, but they were closed for today. Try again tomorrow. At least we know they've been working on our petition then Progress.

When you're on the CR/IR-1, USCIS takes five to six months so it's perfectly normal with no CEAC update until towards the end of that period. The many and frequent updates is just before and after the interview.

Ahh...thanks so much for the prompt reply! I figured that was it. I know the estimated processing time in Texas is 5 months, so still (in)patiently waiting. Heading over to be with my hubby in 9 days

So glad we can travel on the VWP and don't have to apply for visitors visa. Makes visiting so much easier.

So happy for everyone that finally have their visa and are reunited with their loved ones. It is a bit stressful living in "limbo" like this, but knowing there's something good waiting in the other end helps a lot. I find a lot of the information in here very helpful Thanks to everyone for sharing. I do however have one question.. I see that some put in their "process" that their cases have been *touched*.. Or petition was sent to the Chicago lockbox and received and approved there on November 19th and sent from there to the Texas Service Center. We are able to follow the case on the USCIS web site and the app,.. however there has been no update what so ever since then.. is that normal?

I know what u mean I visit my husband ever three months. I'm not sure why it's taking to get approval I knw tht ever case is different. When I send in my i130 I also send in my i864 along with the supporting documents. Will the nvc resend the i864 again

I don't know,..but I think so. I think they need everything in the "correct" order, or they get confused

And there's also the AOS fee to pay,.. I guess we just need to wait patiently.

Hi, I'm new here I also file in November 2015 still waiting for approval

Welcome... we're all in this "waiting game" together. I'm off to visit my hubby in 9 days.. can't wait to see him again. 119 days into the process now. Still waiting for an update. Status for case has been "Case was received" since November 19th. Good luck!!

We filed the petition on November 17th, received by USCIS on November 19th. Check cashed on November 23rd. Case sent to Texas.. We're 116 days into the "waiting game".. Off to visit my hubby in 12 days,.. can't wait to see him again, even though it isn't more than 7 weeks since I was there the last time.

Stay strong everyone!!!

So, I was sitting getting ready for work this morning when I received an e-mail notification on my phone. I just glanced at it and then grabbed my phone when I saw it was from USCIS. It was the e-mail I had been waiting for ! We were approved !!!!!!!

I am so thankful that this part is over ! On to the NVC and praying that the rest of the process will be over quickly.

Good luck to everyone still waiting for their approval. Keep the faith !

Congratulations!!!

It has to be in English.

As far as I know, your husband does not need to be present at the interview.

What ever you do, do not lie! My, now husband and I have been flying back and forth for more than 7 years. I have always told the truth about the purpose of me entering into the US. As Italian you should be holder of a ESTA visa. You will have to apply for that at least 72 hours before you travel to the US as a tourist and the fee is $14 I think. However, this visa does not guarantee you access to the US. The immigration officer decides that. But again, and I can't say that enough, do not lie about why you are there. I have never done so, and have never had any problems. Sometimes they ask questions like, where did you meet, have you met in person before,.. or do you intend to marry, and do you have a return ticket, and they also sometimes ask to see it. Here is a link to information about the ESTA Visa Waiver Program. https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-program.html

The last time I entered to visit my husband was in January, 2 months into the 1R-1/CR-1 Visa process, and I had no problems. Just don't be terrified. You'll be fine. Good luck!!!

Visited my husband for 3 weeks in January 2015,.. Immigration officer had only 2 questions for me: Where are you going,..and how long are you staying. I had prepared for severe questioning, but no problem what so ever. We're still waiting for the visa approval,.but hope I'll be able to move some time this year.