TXS

Weeellll....I think right now Texas is the slowest but nebraska is pretty slow I hear. I'm sorry! But silver lining is that it gives you plenty of time to prepare for the next steps! 😊 And things can always change, so just stay busy with other things and keep the faith. All will be well and we are in there with you. 

Sent ours out last Thursday, got NOA1 today. Sent to Nebraska. Someone please tell me the NSC isn't as slow as I have read! 

I am a March 2017 filer and thinking back now the process and the 12 to 18 month wait seemed so daunting. Honestly for the first few months I really stressed myself out constantly thinking about it. 
 
Now in March 2018 and looking back it doesn't seem so long, I am just waiting now for my interview date. If I could have given myself advice back then it would have been relax and don't stress. The process takes the time it takes, just plan your journey and read what you need to and try get a little more prepared for the next stage. With the exception of mistakes in paperwork you have no control of the time, so just sit back and think of the good stuff (your future) and not the process.
 
Best of luck on your visa journey 
 
Richard 

Petitioner signs. Beneficiary who is not living in the US at the point of submission of the petition need not sign. Mine was left blank and it was approved  

As far as I'm aware, I believe you'd just leave in blank. 
 
I'm kind of in the same situation (British Citizen), although I currently live in Canada and my husband lives 2 hours away, so although i wouldn't have to sign, it's more of a might as well. 
 
But as it states beneficiaries signature, this does not apply to you. And on part 6, you don't need to sign the preparers details because as it states 'Provide the following information about the preparer you used to complete Form I-130A if he or she is different from the preparer used to complete the Form I-130 filed on your behalf'.
 
Long story short, I think you're good to go without the signature!
 
Hope this helps.

Hello,
 
As your husband doesn't live in the US, he's not required to sign the I-130A document. 

Yes, him being out of work for possibly 3-6 months is simply not going to work. While it would be great to have him here sooner, there is no way I could support us both, unfortunately. Sounds like the CR-1 is the only way to go.
 
Thanks for the responses, I'll share this with the BF.
 
For those of you who did this process from the UK to the US (although I'm not sure if the country matters), how long did it take from submitting paperwork to successfully being approved? 

On a K-1 you have to apply for an EAD after marriage. This takes around 3 months. Added to that the time spent in the USA before marriage and you could be looking at up to 6 months without a job. In my career field, being out of action that long would make it almost impossible to get back into it when I would be able to work again. Also, for my own sanity I couldn't be out of action for that long. 
 
Personally, I can't imagine why anyone with a career from a VWP country would consider a K-1 unless they are marrying a millionaire and have no need to work. Sure a CR-1 takes a few months longer but VWP people can visit a lot easier than others who need visas and a few months wait (with visits during that time) to keep my place on the career ladder was absolutely worth it. Moving to the USA was a life decision for me and I would not feel comfortable changing my whole life and losing my job in the process. Also I make 3 times the money my husband makes so it was important for me to work as soon as I arrived. He cannot keep two people on his salary. 
 
It was also a great feeling landing here with my immigrant visa knowing that I am done with paperwork and fees forever. We don't even have to remove conditions because we had been even married 2 years already when I arrived. Imagine starting married life with one person unable to work and a massive bill from USCIS. 

You are mistaken. It can take 3 - 4 months after marriage and filing AOS (which is a extra cost btw) before you get authorization to work. Not only that, there have been many cases where immigrants weren't even issued drivers licenses until they received their green card, which can take up to 6 months. 
 
The main advantage of the K1 is being physically in the US faster. Otherwise, it is much more expensive and then you are limited in what you can do for months after coming here.
 
I did a K1 for my wife and I mostly advise against it.

It seems like it takes 2-3 months or longer to get employment authorization, based on what I've read/seen on VJ.
 
It's true that it's faster than the CR-1 wait, but for some people, waiting up the three months or longer without work can be an issue. If it's imperative for the spouse to work, then taking a few months break can be an issue financially as well as for the resume/experience gap And that's assuming you'll find a job immediately after you get EAD, when in reality it can take a few months to find a job for some people. 
 
I'd say it's subjective then. Depends on the person and their career plans/goals and financial situation. The OP here seemed to stress that it was important to them for career and financial reasons, hence why I recommended the CR-1.