serendipitous

My fiance was here when we first started to file for the I-129F. I prepared the papers like a month in advance and it made everything much simpler. We would compile our information together, he was able to sign forms and so forth and we got everything in order rather quickly because he was actually here with me.

We sent off the petition before he had left, and we got our NOA1 when he was still here.

That's what we did and so far although he is in Australia, everything is going pretty smoothly.

We're only about 3 weeks into the process and already our case is being sent over to the Consulate in Australia.

Are you intending for her to just stay with you without going back to get her daughter and all her belongings?

You're right, I shouldn't complain... I am so lucky to be with my fiancé right now

Sorry for my constant moaning

Aww, No, I wasn't in any way talking about you moaning. Trust me. I was just reminding you of other things that you should focus on more Like your girlfriend (edit to say: Fiancee hehe) especially since you guys are so lucky to be with each other right now

Plus, thinking of things like that really helps to make the much more difficult/agonizing process a bit easier

I'm sorry if it seemed like I was implying you were constantly complaining. Trust me, I would be too, heck I think I'd do like 100x more complaining than you do, and mine would be annoying too ahha!!

But your approval will come soon!!

Aww don't let it get you down.

Be happy that you guys see each other at the moment hehe.

And in no time before she leaves, everything will go according to plan.

It'll be tomorrow for sure!!

Tony, you still haven't gotten it? Man we filed/shipped out our packets the same day!!

I really hope you get notice tomorrow. I'll be wishing for ya as well And anyone else in february that's still left behind

After the approval though, it seems to go MUCH faster.. not that i'm all that far ahead, but I guess the excitement makes things go that much easier knowing you're getting somewhere.

OHhh that's very exciting news!!!

Congratulations!

May the rest of your journey be smooth and quick!!

Hey,

Just a general question, how much was everyone's tickets over to the US approximately? (USD if possible)

And where did you buy it from?

Hey friends i got my NOA2 today. Dont worry guys everyone will get approved

OMG, 8 Days.. That's amazing

Everyone should have turnover like that! Our hearts wouldn't be going crazy that way

Congrats!!

Congrats!!

What does AR/AP stand for?

Shannon and I found out that the London Embassy recieved our packet from the NVC on the March 2nd ......... Yay Packet 3 must be on its way very soon now and will get the fastest turn around in history.

Hehe, I may be up there with you for fastest turn around!! Everything is going so fast and smooth so far! JINX *knocks on wood*

Did you expect everything to go by this fast? I certainly didn't not that I'm complaining.

How do you know when the consulate receives your package? Mine should be sent off to the embassy soon. So it'll be good to know

YAY.. I just called this morning at 7:40am (EST) and asked if they received my case, and they have!!

Hey ELW or anyone else that can answer this question..

How do you know when the consulate/embassy receives the case? Is this found out by that DHL method? Or does NVC let you know if it has been received?

Thanks!

Just an update..

Hopefully it helps someone else (But I'm sure no one else is as silly to put the wrong consulate down)

I called NVC today, and they told me they received my case!! (YAAAAAAAAY)

I asked if it would cause delays, and if they could correct the mistake on my form. She told me that they could not change that for me, but that they would be sending it to Sydney Australia and not what I had down. (thank god!)

She also told me that it would be leaving really soon and that I should call back tomorrow, and the next day and the next day to make sure when and if it has left.

Hope this can help someone else as well.

This is from Captain EWOK in the sticky thread: General K1 Guides and Info, *Plus special notes to help you now and later during AOS

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=300

He gives really good instructions. You should go to that thread on the K-1 Forums (it's one of the first on the list of threads)

QUOTE

Many VJs find it difficult to figure out how to check for touches and ask for helpsmilie.gif. So I thought I'd have this topic to make it easier for everyone.

What is a touch?

As JEDI's defined it (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20192#):

QUOTE

Any time your application is handled by someone at a Service Centre, the barcode is scanned, which results in an update to the "last date" for your case on the USCIS website. When the date changes, this mean that someone has physically handled or "touched" your case. There are many reasons your application may be "touched" - from simply being moved from one desk to another, to RFE's, to being approved.

There are 2 kinds of touches. There are the ones that show some kind of update, there are the ones that don't bring a new message. By logging into the account, take a look at the date that shows next to your case number. If it's changed, you've been touched.

By clicking on the case number, you get to check whether it was an update touch or not. The ones that don't show updates are connected with some kind of work done with regard to your case - it merely shows that they've taken a look at it somehow.

What? Case number? Account? Hang on, let me explain it. smile.gif

How do I get to check it out?

First thing is, get your receipt number (or case number). You can find it online on the back of the check you used to pay for the filing of the application when it's been cashed. If you can't do that, wait for the NOA1 in the mail. It'll be there.

There are 3 ways to check for updates.

1. By searching online: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp - you'll just need the receipt number.

2. By logging into your account. To register on the USCIS site: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/selectusertype.jsp

3. By e-mail (once you have registered and clicked on the "E-mail on" button.

Options 1 and 3 are good if you only wish to check for status update. Option number 2 shows the mysterious touches (somebody worked on your case but we can't be sure what has been done).

Option 2 in detail:

Log into your account: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/login.jsp

It'll show a table:

Receipt Number | E-mail | Last Updated | (mm/dd/yyyy) | Form # |Form Title

Take a look at the date in the "last updated" box. Then go to "Receipt Number" and check the message. Is it different from the last update you got?

Yes: smile.gif Great! You got an update that changes the status of your case.

No: sad.gif Aw. They have just worked on your case...

Please note that the date on the update notices don't change. For example, if you got a message saying your petition was approved on JUNE 20, 2006, that date will never change. The ones that might change are the ones you get to see at the chart when you log into the account.

Do I really need to check the mysterious touches?

Not at all. Only obsessive people like me, for example, will do it. I find it comforting to know that someone's been working on my case smile.gif

Also, you only get to check the status before your petition is fowarded to the NVC...

I hope I covered it all. good.gif

Hope it helped!

Congrats!!!

Congratulations!!

Your NOA2 is dated before mine!! Hehe.

I hope we both have relatively easy paths the rest of the way!

Oh man I bet you guys are absolutely excited! I know I would be. Heck, I'm excited for you guys!

Goodluck, and don't worry too much!

Ack! So it can be misdirected?

So you suggest me calling NVC or emailing them letting them know that I didn't know that Sydney was suppose to be the Consulate for K1 Visas?

I'll do either one, just want to know which way would be better to communicate with them. I don't think the NVC has gotten my I-129F yet, since I only got my I-129F approval on Thursday. I haven't even received my NOA2 in the mail yet.

So should I wait till they receive it before mentioning to them through email or phone?

I-129F petitions are generally not held at NVC for long periods of time. They are assigned a case number, a background/security check done, and then routed to the consulate. Thats why I said your window of opportunity can be small. I would call them every day, even a couple of times a day to try and catch it. Even doing that, there is no guarantee that you will succeed. All you can do is try.

Ack. I called the NVC today and they haven't received my petition yet so they weren't able to help me. All she did was give me the number to USCIS. I called them and they weren't able to change my form even if it was still at USCIS.

So I'm guessing I just wait and call back at NVC hoping I get them in time to have them change it?

I think I will send an email too.

Definitely. Vermont rocks!!

Goodluck with the rest of the process!

goodluck!!!!!!!!!

OHhh that was definitely very helpful to me

So when we call they will give us our NVC Case number?

When you call the NVC, you give them the USCIS number (it's on the NOA2 approval email/snail mail letter). If they say no, we don't have any record of that case yet, keep calling (this is the obsessive compulsive part of it ).Once NVC receives your case and it is entered into the system (might take 1-3 weeks after your NOA2), they will tell you what the new case number is, and the day they sent it to the foreign Embassy.

Ah, that was a great help ELW Mine seems to have fallen behind a filing cabinet or something and after nearly 40 days of waiting I was trying to figure out what I needed to do to check on it at NVC. You are a life saver.

Ahh thanks, glad to help...I feel all warm & fuzzy...

Woot, you totally rock!!

I'll be one of those compulsive people who bug the NVC about my case and knowing the status of it. I can't wait! haha.

Thanks so much ELW!

How do we know when our package is received by NVC and sent off to the consulates?

Will we have the ability to access a status page sort of thing with the NVC like we did our I-129Fs with the USCIS?

Sorry, no status page at NVC like at USCIS.

NVC Info (to find out when your case arrives/leaves there and to get NVC Case number):

Call (603) 334-0700 - press "1" for English then "5" to speak to a rep on the phone. Be ready with USCIS case number, beneficiary name and birthdate. K1 visas are NOT entered into the automatic system. Reps are available 7:30 AM - 12 midnight Eastern time. Call right after they open or right before they close for best results - during the day lines are always busy.

Tracking your file via DHL from NVC to Embassy:

1. Go to http://www.dhl-usa.com/home/home.asp

2. Click on "Track"

3. Click on "Track by Reference"

4. A "Track it by reference" form will come up. Next to "Reference" type in "CORRESPONDENCE"

5. In the "Shipment pickup date range" put in the date the NVC said they mailed off your package.

6. In the box "Origin Postal Code" type in "03801"

7. Press on the red "Track" button

8. Several pages of results will come up. Look through the "Receiver's Name" for your Embassy. There might be several packages going to your embassy - but you won't know which one is yours. Anyway, most sent on the same day will arrive the same day. Press on the red "Tracking number" of any package going to your Embassy and up will come a page showing where it is now.

Aww thanks!! So when we call they will give us our NVC Case number? Or do we get that in the mail first and then provide that case # and the other information to get a status check?

We only sent our expedia purchase confirmations for my last year trip cause I lost the actual boarding passes. That seemed to work. I didn't get any RFE and I got approval.

For my boyfriend's boarding passes, we just made copies and wrote on top: "Original Unaltered Copies of Boarding Passes & if needed, we can provide original upon request" And had my boyfriend sign and date that. (I was able to do that, cause I filed this when he was still here visiting me)

Then we sent in photos and copies of our passport stamps. And then our itinerary to the Bahamas for a week together (to show ongoing relationship).

Ack! So it can be misdirected?

So you suggest me calling NVC or emailing them letting them know that I didn't know that Sydney was suppose to be the Consulate for K1 Visas?

I'll do either one, just want to know which way would be better to communicate with them. I don't think the NVC has gotten my I-129F yet, since I only got my I-129F approval on Thursday. I haven't even received my NOA2 in the mail yet.

So should I wait till they receive it before mentioning to them through email or phone?

I-129F petitions are generally not held at NVC for long periods of time. They are assigned a case number, a background/security check done, and then routed to the consulate. Thats why I said your window of opportunity can be small. I would call them every day, even a couple of times a day to try and catch it. Even doing that, there is no guarantee that you will succeed. All you can do is try.

Thank you very much! Aussiewench you rock

So after approval at USCIS there's basically no more dealings with them.

How do we know when our package is received by NVC and sent off to the consulates? I notice a lot of people have information pertaining to these dates in their signatures/timelines.

Will we have the ability to access a status page sort of thing with the NVC like we did our I-129Fs with the USCIS?