shaiboogie

Make sure you find out how to withdraw correctly. It will not be held against you in the future. Things happen beyond your control. I went thru the K1 process before and found out she lied to me. I am glad I withdrew properly because I finally found the right partner. I believe you will too.

If VJ's Stats and Trends (and even the USCIS Processing Times page) are any indicators of when a NOA2 would arrive, it would truly be an exception(miracle) if any May 2017 Filer have received his/her NOA2. But I believe in miracles. I expect a NOA2 everyday and pray for it (actually, I expect an expedited petition straight to the Consulate and a "GO" to schedule an interview. ). I use the Stats and Trends to plan, but I never let it rule out miracles so I keep my plans "flexible". These are what i keep in mind during this process:
1. It's neither a marathon or a sprint, it's an obstacle course with Starts, Stops, and Backups.
2. expect, pray, and prepare for the best. But also expect and prepare for the worst 
3. Do the best I can, as quickly as I can(RFE), and "flex-ercise" my plans.

I'm traveling tomorrow to see my fiance   SO excited!!!
It is all unpaid time.. but honestly I don't care anymore.. I miss him!!  work will be there when I come back..

Good Morning All! (Its morning here on the east coast of the USA)
 
We are truly struggling with the distance. We are only about 70 days post NOA1. The waiting time is painful and extremely difficult. How are you all coping with this while you wait. My work schedule is pretty hectic, however we communicate often via video/phone calls? How are you all able to cope? 
 
My timeline keeps pushing back towards almost the end of September?!! HELP! 

Fiinally will be seeing my love in exactly 2 weeks from today. 
Im the petitioner he is the beneficiary from Italy.
There's not much info on the Italian site besides maybe reviews for the embassy interview.
WE are both excited. I haven't seen him since March 10th.
WE have have texted, skyped and called each other as much as possible.
The time differences for us are not always on our side. 
Still waiting on the NOA2 but it hasn't been as bad as we were expecting it to be. 
Just will be satisfied to see my love again.
Keep strong everyone 
<3
 

Hey Guys,
 
Just discovered this website/forum. Very helpful otherwise I'd be entirely in the dark on timescales. 
 
We received our NOA1 on 2nd May waiting on the NOA2. I'm hoping early to mid August. I'm the beneficiary from UK and fiancée is from Charlotte, NC. 
 
Ill keep you updated. 

We're late to the countdown - but better late than never!  NOA1 - May 8,17.  Good luck, everyone!

From the expected dates many are listing in September, how long is the rest of the process until the beneficiary can enter the country on the K1? Estimates are fine. Just trying to get an idea. I'm thinking we'll need to plan for our backup date of 4/28/2018 instead of trying to squeeze it in for winter this year (bc outdoor wedding).
 
As to what I'm doing... as the bride in the States, where he is moving, I am wedding planning and MOVING. I was planning to stay put during the process BUT a house came up that's twice the square footage for the same price, in a great location in the same
town, so. I just put together all the wedding things and it's already a lot...
 
Our Aussie engagement session canvas is at the bottom left

 

Woah nelly I can't handle alcohol. I went out with a girlfriend last week for 1 margarita and I had to go to the grocery store after. I thought I was going to die. I even woke up in the night like damn! That's my old age showing waahaahaa

Just thought I'd say hi. 
Received date may 12th
noa1 may 17th. 
I am the petitioner, beneficiary is from Saudi Arabia. 
I love the positive and encouraging words going through here! 
I'm so glad to be a part of this!

Hey Guys,
 
I'm late to the party. But wanted to say hi...I've been following the forum and thought it was time.
NOA1  date: 5/18/17
The wait feels like forever.
 
Thanks,
MxS

Well guys....we're in the month of July!!!! June went fast...kinda; but July is now here. Just another month before August and hopefully, we're up next and on schedule for our approvals. Just gotta hold out a little longer!!!! Soon it will be our turn!!!
 
Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone!!!! 

Hi Everyone, 
 
we recieved our NOA1 May 15th and today we received our NOA2 June 29th, with no RFE's !!!   (The letter was dated June 22nd but the mail came today) 
 
My fiancé is in the Marines and it was an expedited case (which the did super fast 38 days) BUT I wanted to give y'all hope because they are on track of everything and yours will come! I was having anxiety attacks, stressed, upset... and boom, out of nowhere.. NOA2.
no text, no email, nothing to even say our expedite had been approved, it just appeared Lol! 
 
Keep the faith!!!!! <3
 
its coming! God willing. 
 
Thanks guys!  
 
 

Been following, thought I should just join.
File date 5/16/17 Notice date 5/18

Thanks, I will take note. Eagerly waiting.....we checking almost like everyday, just in case some miracle happens ....lol. I wish everyone the best. 
also I saw a thread that shows early march filers already getting approved. So I'm hoping it gets to us soon, which I think depends on how much paperwork is in the queue. Good luck once again everyone. 

beyond fulfilling an immigration requirement: 
how can you think about moving across the world and marrying a person you haven't even met in person? 

I just hope that you are trying to educate yourself in the process that you and your fiancee will have to take so you will have knowledge of what to expect. THIS process is SERIOUS and very STRESSFUL to people (like myself) who have found love on the other side of the world and are trying to bring our loved one here to start a life together. When people try to be "sneaky" and use this particular way to get into America, it makes things harder for US (the people who actually are honest and true). 

READ, READ, READ and READ ALL the information given on here and the USCIS website. And if you have any questions or unsure of something you and your financee can come here and find the answers from more than ONE person. WE are ALL here to help eachother. A big family of support from one continent to the next. 

I hope you find all the information you need and PLEASE take this process serious. Its not cheap to become an AMERICAN citizen. lol

I just hope that you are trying to educate yourself in the process that you and your fiancee will have to take so you will have knowledge of what to expect. THIS process is SERIOUS and very STRESSFUL to people (like myself) who have found love on the other side of the world and are trying to bring our loved one here to start a life together. When people try to be "sneaky" and use this particular way to get into America, it makes things harder for US (the people who actually are honest and true). 

READ, READ, READ and READ ALL the information given on here and the USCIS website. And if you have any questions or unsure of something you and your financee can come here and find the answers from more than ONE person. WE are ALL here to help eachother. A big family of support from one continent to the next. 

I hope you find all the information you need and PLEASE take this process serious. Its not cheap to become an AMERICAN citizen. lol

Just a rule of thumb, but you should meet someone before you decide to marry them. 

Immigration rules aside, why would anyone plan to marry and moved thousands of miles to live with someone they've never met in person? 

As per other VJers who have responded, you'll need to have met in person within the last 2 years preceding your filing date. I'm not sure which country you're from but if you're from a high fraud country, it's recommended that you meet with your US citizen petitioner for more than one time. Location wise, you can meet anywhere in the world.
 
Additionally, photos together are a secondary evidence. Your petition package needs more than just photos. There are USCIS form, required supporting documents, current fee and other supporting documentation that you think will help illustrate a bona fide relationship with your US citizen petitioner. 
 
To get a feel of the process and what's needed, check out the following with caution as the sample forms shown aren't up to date but all other information are still applicable and useful:
 
K-1 guide http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide
 
K-1 flowchart http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow
 
Always download and use the latest version forms from USCIS website and check the latest fee there too. For new petitions, the current fee is $535 and form G-325A is no longer needed as it has been incorporated into the latest I-129F.
 
And to answer your other question, no, you don't just submit the petition one month before the interview because you won't even know when's the interview till after one in scheduled post-NOA2. It doesn't work like a B2 tourist visa application. Based on current processing times, it takes approximately 3 months for a I-129F to get either a NOA2, denial or RFE. In some cases, it might take more than 3 months and RFE would also add time to your process. If you're lucky, maybe it's under 3 months.
 
My personal advice is that you and your petitioner familiarise yourselves with the process and requirements prior to filing a petition to ensure that your submission is as complete as possible, and that you know what to expect i.e. this is not an instant approval one month process or further evidence might be asked from you.
 
Please note that after I-129F/K-1, there would be AOS + EAD + AP, removal of conditions and finally ROC. It's a long road ahead. It doesn't stop at you guys getting married. With K-1, do not buy your one-way flight ticket to move to the US until you have your visa in hand. It is also more prudent and less stressful to get married at the courthouse first and then to plan your actual wedding/reception at a subsequent date. Again, that's just an opinion and decision is still in yours and your petitioner's hands. All the best
 
With US immigration, always consider yourself the rule, not the exception. 

Only just got our NOA2, no RFE's 😀 did all the paperwork by ourselves ☺ 

You're right. This process, whether a K-1 or a CR-1, requires a great deal of research, determination, and patience.  I had no idea!!!!  

Some people go into this process blindly 😒

"The couple should  have met within the two years immediately prior to the filing of the K1 visa petition. 
More importantly, the couple must show with substantial and convincing evidence that they have a true and honest relationship and not merely a relationship designed to evade immigration law and obtain immigration benefits. Additionally, the K1 couple must demonstrate that they have met within the two years immediately prior to the filing of the K1 visa application.
The two year meeting requirement is rigidly enforced and many K1 visa applications are denied or placed in 221(g) administrative processing because of the requirement. "