LC2010

OP-there is a school of thought on this site that seems to equate the way it is with the the way it should be. As you correctly stated, the fact is that married couples should be together, and to keep them apart needlessly and without any recourse is WRONG. It should not take years to be reunited with your spouse, regardless of whether USCIS, DOS or anyone here says so.
 
Yes, you made a choice to marry a foreigner, but you had every right to make that choice, and the government should be just as sympathetic to that as it is to every other issue that only affects a minority of its citizens (in case you haven’t noticed, minority issues occupy a majority of contemporary political discourse). Besides, nobody wants to live in a country in which you can only marry a fellow citizen.
 
Point being, as a matter of fact, you are right, and the system is wrong. What to do about it is another story, though. You can contact anyone you want, but nobody who cares can do anything, and nobody who can do anything cares. Such is the nature of the bureaucracy-too bloated to function with even a modicum of common sense or compassion, too removed to care, and too powerful to fear any accountability.
 
Don’t expect any of this to change with the new administration. They don’t care any more about you, the little guy, than the previous-only about themselves. Welcome to democracy 2021.

Send your congressman/woman a letter. Something needs to be done, 3 years is too long.  Don't listen to some of these people who are negative and are okay with people being apart for long periods of time. If you check their timeline, most of them havent even come to close to waiting as long as you have.

I wanted to address the negative attitudes we have seen on the rise recently in the upper/ immigration forums towards those who ask beginner/ simple questions, or have unusually fast or slow VisaJourneys.

First, there is a tone difference between the Progress forums- which are mostly for support and cheerleading, and the Info forums, which are mostly to have questions answered.   While all our forums are supposed to be welcoming to all and friendly, this is especially important in the Progress forums, which are not to discuss politics, or be negative towards  those fortunate to have their case dealt with quickly, or  critical of those who voice sadness about their own slow progress. These forums are there to uplift eachother!

Secondly- in the info forums, you may get bad news.  When a question is asked, our members are encouraged to answer truthfully, even if this may not be what the Op wants to hear, because it is important to be informed.  However, the emphasis is still on being welcoming and friendly.  If you need to give bad news, do so gently, and stick to facts; constructive criticism of the Op's plans ARE allowed, but the emphasis is on constructive.  No need to dwell on mistakes (or tell members they should be on 90 Day Fiance- that is a personal attack and automatic suspension), or  illegal actions in the past- instead, encourage and explain legal options for the future.  And ONLY legal options- as per our TOS, VJ does not support, condone or encourage illegal (immigration) actions, and such posts will be removed.

Ultimately, we are here to help all members, old and new, easy cases and complicated, those who write a fact filled bullet point post and those who are panicking and don't make much sense in their first post. Yes, sometimes questions can be easily googled, or answered via a search of our forums.  But if you feel that way, just scroll past- no need to criticise the OP for asking the question. 

If it was requested on the DS-260 it can take a few weeks to months to get the SSN.   Once the SSA offices open you can go check in person.   You can't apply online and finding someone knowledgeable on the phone is problematic.

Because it might be over before my visa expires.

To update everyone, we took TBone's advice and she entered this morning in Fort Lauderdale no problem. Well, there was a problem because the Guayaquil Embassy lost our i-129f and she could't show it (but should show her email from them showing that they lost it). They eventually let her in. Thanks for all your advice everyone.
 
While it's great she made it - denial would have been a real disaster - it's still heartbreaking that she had to up and leave in these circumstances, unplanned. The original plan was for her to move in May, and travel the country to see people for the second half of April (or even all of April) after quitting her job. Then in early April we booked a one way for June 7, even if being able to leave her region of Ecuador was still likely impossible before then - it would allow for that chance, maybe, and would give her a date in advance to prepare so such a huge life changing move. But with the EO, our hand got forced here.
 
Her first two weeks here, she'll be totally quarantined and we'll have masks on when around each other. We'll eventually call the city clerk to marry us at his desk. He wears gloves, a mask, and a baseball cap to work. We'll have masks on. Strange times. I'm definitely bringing this local photographer who has been posting COVID pictures on social media.
 
Hoping the best for everyone else. Thanks for your help, all.

Personal advice:  Do everything to get her on that plane.  If she's allowed to board, that's most of the battle.  Upon landing, she can state calmly to CBP that she has a valid visa AND the guidelines were clear enough to enable boarding.  If the front-line agent hesitates, she should calmly point out that NO flights back to Ecu are permitted.  If there's still hesitation, she should calmly yet insistently ask for the shift supervisor or port director and calmly explain the reasoning.  My gut tells me that she'll be admitted... but it can't and won't happen if she's not on that plane!

Thank you!  ❤️❤️ 
 
 

I wouldn't panic over this, whether you are out of the country waiting for K1 approval, or in the country waiting for a green card etc, the immigrant process has been delayed historically for years with progression and regression due to many factors, it just means a delay, and the one thing I can say after going from K1 in 2013 to Naturalization in 2017 is don't stress about things you can't control (government bureaucracy, death and the weather) and just let things happen when they will happen.  99% of you will all be approved *eventually* for whatever you are applying for in the end, worrying and stressing won't change your outcome one bit.  Yes it's emotionally draining, but just be patient which is better said than done.

One thing to keep in mind-Trump often makes grand statements which he later clarifies and limits. This may affect only new work visas etc. It will almost certainly not be the complete ban it sounds like now.

I wouldn't worry.  He is cray-tweeting from his throne in the West Wing bathroom again.

Lots of clarification needed. I'm sure CBP tomorrow will also be asking the same questions amongst themselves.

what about those, ready to travel with already a  CR1 VISA issued?

Alhamdulillah.🙏🏼 So excited.  My husband just finished his interview. Our case was approved 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽
 
My husband’s interview was at 7:30 am Egyptian time. He arrive at 6:30 am . He just finished by 11 am  Egyptian time. He was first asked to bring all of our paperwork to be reviewed. 
 
The  primary questions the officer asked : how we met ? Our ages ? How long we have been married?   How many times I have traveled to Egypt to spend time together ? She asked him about our families.  She asked for our photos. Then said congratulations your application has been approved and gave him an approval letter and said he will have the Visa within 2 weeks.    
 
Thank you to everyone in this group.  It has helped so much to have the support , and to be able to ask questions.  I’ll continue to pray for everyone waiting. It has not been easy to wait, but worth it for a lifetime of love and happiness. 

Happy Thanksgiving my VJ family 🍁💖

Don’t give up!! You guys are almost at the finish line. You have already waited this long, you’re almost there now. Soon it will be a thing of the past and you will look back on it and feel good knowing that you made it through despite all the trials and waiting. It’s very difficult and frustrating but we all believe in you!

We got the email from embassy today! Interview scheduled for next week, on the 5th.... yesssssss. Keep faith 

We passed the interview and visa was approved! I ll get passport back hopefully by the end of the week and fly as soon as i get it. End of 15 months of hopes, tears, pain, frustration ...
Thank you my friends: you cant imagine how important you all have been in this journey. Good luck to all!

No, you can have your vaccinations done anywhere. You have to bring the vaccine records to the medical. If you don’t have your required vaccinations before the medical, you must receive them there in order to pass it. The visa medical can only be done by consulate-verified panel physicians but the vaccinations count no matter who does them

Finished submitting docs to NVC 10/23 ; got the email today that we’re moving on to the interview stage!! 
 
I know the amount of time until the actual interview varies big time from embassy to embassy. But when can I expect to at least know what the date will be? Whether it’s going to be Jan 2020 or October 2020, I just want to know so I can get it on our calendars! 

@LilyJ thank you for the quick reply!! Looks like Madrid should be reasonably quick. I can’t imagine being in a country that has a 5+ month waitlist for an interview. Geez. What a brutal process this has been!! 

Finished submitting docs to NVC 10/23 ; got the email today that we’re moving on to the interview stage!! 
 
I know the amount of time until the actual interview varies big time from embassy to embassy. But when can I expect to at least know what the date will be? Whether it’s going to be Jan 2020 or October 2020, I just want to know so I can get it on our calendars! 

Finished submitting docs to NVC 10/23 ; got the email today that we’re moving on to the interview stage!! 
 
I know the amount of time until the actual interview varies big time from embassy to embassy. But when can I expect to at least know what the date will be? Whether it’s going to be Jan 2020 or October 2020, I just want to know so I can get it on our calendars! 

Finished submitting docs to NVC 10/23 ; got the email today that we’re moving on to the interview stage!! 
 
I know the amount of time until the actual interview varies big time from embassy to embassy. But when can I expect to at least know what the date will be? Whether it’s going to be Jan 2020 or October 2020, I just want to know so I can get it on our calendars! 

Finished submitting docs to NVC 10/23 ; got the email today that we’re moving on to the interview stage!! 
 
I know the amount of time until the actual interview varies big time from embassy to embassy. But when can I expect to at least know what the date will be? Whether it’s going to be Jan 2020 or October 2020, I just want to know so I can get it on our calendars!