Michele and Adam

MAN do I wish I was a Vermont filer!!!!!

Congratulations! Hope the rest of the journey goes equally quickly and painlessly (minus the worrying, of course!)

Michele

Oh my, I am so sorry to hear that! How awful! Hopefully he pulled that ####### with someone who has "connections" and his butt got canned.

I feel like I need to apologize to you on behalf of America!

Glad to hear it all worked out in the end though.

Michele

Welcome to the club, everyone!

If we can just get through this portion of it, everything will be fine. It seems things move faster once the NOA2 is done. There's more things to be doing than just sitting around waiting - getting the visa number which happens much faster, fiance scheduling and doing the medical, getting their police certificates, interview....time will seem to go by faster when you're actually doing stuff to advance your journey.

On a side note, and I'd thought I'd share with everyone something silly to help with the wait: Every night, Adam and I say to each other "well, that's another 75 files closer we are to being working on". 75 is a random number, I have no idea how many are ahead of us, or how many they get done in a day.

But, it's nice to think that even though there was no change to your file status, you did, in fact, just move a tiny bit closer to your processor's desk. Your box slid up in a line a bit, and does every work day.

It helps me to think of it that way, when I check my status for the 80th time and nothing has changed, even though I know it's going to be around two months before anything does happen.

Good luck to us all! We'll get there.

Michele

I took mine to Andre. He was speechless when he saw how much time and effort I put into filing the visa. He did not realize it was more then just a few pieces of paper.

Hahahaha, exact same boat here! I put our package together while Adam was still visiting and he thought it was all done when we filled out those 8 million copies of the application and biographical info. He didn't know how much other stuff I was stockpiling. I didn't include our primary evidence of having met (just sent a photo and a letter from a friend, d'oh!) so in anticipation of the RFE that's coming, I've been copying EVERYTHING that has anything to do with our visits, and made a huge, very organized package, with perfect copies for both of us. Adam was astounded when I gave him his copy of both of the 129F and the stuff for our RFE when he left to go back to England! I probably added 10 pounds to his suitcase weight!

I would also like to comment, I thought I had read somewhere in another forum that your fiance will need the originals of the copies you sent for your 129F? Like, he'll need a certified copy of my birth certificate, real photos and the like? That the consulate wants the originals? Or am I mixing that up with the consulate wanting originals of the police certificate/medical interview, etc. Or, did I just dream the whole thing?

Hmmm...all good answers. Maybe we'll just shoot for a month then, in August. I hadn't thought about them viewing it like he was residing here, in a way. Grr...why does every single thing about this process have to be so difficult?!?! Haha.

I wish I could just go visit him in England for a while, but alas, my company wouldn't hold my job, and I already used up most of my vacation time. -sigh-

Nope, just sent it plain old US mail. D'oh! So I don't know exactly when they got it. I won't be doing that again, it's going to be over-nights with return receipt from here on out!

It's funny, I feel like I'm kind of half an April filer, half a May filer. Sent it mid-April but wasn't received till first day of May. So I'm kinda watching both forums and timelines!

Excellent everyone! Very good news to all those who view this that most people are able to get in. You may get questioned, but you get in. And after all, isn't that the important thing?

Here's a poll kind of question, and I'd like some thoughts on it. Adam has been here three times in the past...6 months-ish? One week in November 06, three weeks in January 2007, and three months from February to May, 2007. (he just left May 20, 2007...boo...)

Do you think so many visits is a bad thing? On one hand, they seemed to be concerned the past two times how he could afford to come so much and stay so long, etc. On the other hand, that's three times now that he came and left exactly when he said he would, and within the allotted amount of time on the visa.

Hmm...

We're just trying to decide if we should chance a two month visit around August, and that's the main thing we're concerned about. That'll be around six months he'll have stayed in the US in about 11 months.

Keep posting guys! Everyone feels a tiny bit more safe chancing that visit when they hear more success stories!

Michele

OOPS! Accidently posted before I was done! Disregard above post (won't let me edit for some reason...). Here's what I mean to say:

Yep, there is definitely a slow down. I've posted this in a few topics so sorry to the people who are reading it again, but my timeline has been: I mailed my petition on April 12th and it wasn't "received" (check cashed, number assigned, NOA1 sent) until May 1, 2007.

The USCIS site says my NOA1 was mailed May 1, I still have yet to receive it.

Also, my cancelled check happened to NOT have my receipt number on it, I had to call and get it and then register. It should be on the check, but mine wasn't for some reason.

I think a good rule of thumb is if you are around two weeks to a month behind where you think you should be, call USCIS. You can always call before then, but you don't want to bombard them.

Just keep comparing your timeline to similar ones to yours and if you seem way out of range, give a call. But of course, don't assume because one person got a NOA2 60 days after filing or whatever, you will too. Use the timelines as general guidelines.

My one experience calling was good, I talked to two people who both gave me the same answer and they were both nice. Call was quick. Just don't abuse it. You don't want to be "that" case that customer service dreads dealing with!

Don't panic! We're all in this together. You'll be fine.

Michele

Yep, there is definitely a slow down. I've posted this in a few topics so sorry to the people who are reading it again, but my timeline has been: I mailed my petition on April 12th and it wasn't "received" (check cashed, number assigned, NOA1 sent) until May 1, 2007.

The USCIS site says my NOA1 was mailed May 1, I still have yet to receive it.

Also, my cancelled check happened to NOT have my receipt number on it, I had to call and get it and then register. It should be on the check, but mine wasn't for some reason.

I think a good rule of thumb is if you are around a month behind where you think you should be, call USCIS. You can always call before then, but you don't want to bombard them. I have NO IDEA

Yay! Finally, huh? I still haven't gotten the paper NOA1 in the mail, said it was mailed May 1st. Uh huh.

Welcome to "the system"!

Good luck to us all moving a bit faster than we seem to be right now!

Michele

Well, let's see, I live in Michigan, and I see that Pennsylvania is a Vermont Center state...

Pennsylvania isn't THAT far away from Michigan...maybe I should relocate there and restart the process! Hee hee, kidding.

Man, I so wish I was in a Vermont Center filing state. I can't believe how fast they are ripping through the process! People who filed in late March are already getting their NOA2s! Makes sense though, they're only processing 1/4 of the applications for the entire country, unlike California who is getting 3/4 of them.

Sorry, just feeling sorry for myself. Adam has been here for three months now visiting and is leaving tomorrow (Sunday 5/20) to go back to England for god knows how long. I want this application done now! I want him back forever NOW!

Can you tell patience is not my forte?

Michele

-venting over-

I'd definitely call if I was you. If, god forbid, something did happen and you needed to get the packet together again, you'd want to start on that ASAP, right?

Your check really should have been cashed already, you're a week behind when I sent mine, and my check was cashed three weeks ago...

But I'm sure everything is fine. At least you know it was received already. I stupidly just sent it plain old regular mail. I won't be doing that again...

Good luck!

Have you heard anything yet? You're at a month now yourself, I'd think about calling if I were you...

Michele

Still haven't gotten my NOA1 in the mail, website says it was mailed May 1st. Methinks I'm going to be one of the people that never get the actual paper NOA1. Oh well, I know they got it, check was cashed, number assigned, etc.

They want you to wait a month after they say they sent something before calling if you haven't actually gotten it, and I think I will be calling June 1st, more to be sure my address is correct than to get the NOA1 because it doesn't say very much you probably don't already know from these forums, from what I understand. I've already called them once since my receipt number wasn't on the back of my cashed check, I don't want to call too much! Although I would definitely recommend calling if you suspect something is wrong, they were very very nice to me when I called and very quick.

Waiting waiting waiting...

Marieke - Good luck! I'm sure you'll be totally fine. I know, there comes a point where you just can't stand it any more and have to visit. Risk versus reward. But at least it does seem that most people are allowed in. You may get hassled a bit but you're right: if you are one of the few that get denied, you're right back where you started (minus airfare, which stinks), no harm no foul. If you are one of the many that get admitted, you get to be with your fiance!

Do you really have to pay for the return ticket right then? It seems to me they could just transfer the return ticket you already have. Or could you then get your return ticket (the one you had purchased already to come back from your trip, assuming you got let in) refunded? I'm sure every airline is different in that regard, but I'd be interested in hearing from someone who did get denied with airfare involved. Maybe I'll read up on British Airway's website today...

I was also thinking about being told not to marry while we're here. Maybe Adam was told it would be a violation because he said his reason for visit was to visit me, and didn't say to marry. Since he didn't specify his intent was to marry me on those particular visits, it would be a violation if we did? Border Patrol/Immigration seem very concerned with "intent", so maybe that was it? Of course I can't know for sure and am just guessing.

Well, all I can tell you is that is what was told to Adam each time he visited and said he was visiting his girlfriend (and also what I was told when I went to England). I can't really speak to why the officer would lie to us, if they did. I'm sure the intention of the warning was to not marry and try to stay, but that was not expressely said to either of us.

Here's the info straight from the customer guide from the USCIS web site, "I am a US Citizen, how do I...help my fiance(e) become a permanent resident?" http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/A2.pdf

"What if my fiancé(e) uses a different kind of visa, or

enters as a visitor without visa, to come here so we

can get married?"

There could be serious consequences. Attempting to get a visa or

enter the U.S. by saying one thing when you intend another may

be considered immigration fraud, for which there are severe

penalties. Those penalties include restricting a person’s ability to

get immigration benefits, including permanent residence, as well as

a possible fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to five

years. It is not appropriate for your fiancé(e) to enter the U.S. as

a visitor with the intent to marry you and remain to try to become

a permanent resident. It is appropriate, however, to enter as a

visitor to have the wedding in the U.S. and then return to a foreign

residence for further processing for U.S. immigration as a spouse.

You should come prepared with proof of your clear intentions in

this regard.

So yes, it certainly appears that you are allowed to get married while you're here as long as you do leave, but you'd in effect be abandoning your K-1 application to start a K-3, right? (well, assuming you're not yet married and doing the K-1 route...)

Again, I am just reporting what our experiences were, I can't tell you why we were told that. Wish I could!

Haha, I have no doubt that's exactly what the storage is like!

Yeah, I think Nebraska is sending everything to California (so actually, should I change my timeline info from Nebraska to Cali? Hmmm...)

Well, let's see, they cashed my check...23 or 24 days after I mailed the package, so I would think about calling USCIS soon if they still haven't cashed the check around that time frame. I ended up calling them yesterday because it was two days shy of a month from me sending it, and no word, and they were very helpful. They did ask if my check had been cashed (which it had at that point but did not have the WAC# like it seems it should have). They asked for my name, date of birth, type of petition, when mailed and where, blah blah, questions you should be able to answer easily, and were able to give me my receipt number over the phone. From there, I registered for case status updates, that's how I could tell my case was received May 1st. The person I spoke with told me that as well. My NOA1 was supposedly mailed May 1st as well, but I have yet to receive it.

I don't think there's any harm in calling. You know your package was received, I hear they assign your number, cash your check, and send your NOA1 pretty much immediately upon arrival. I myself work for the government, (enforcing domestic court orders - i.e. divorce files, we have 50,000 open files right now) so I can definitely say it's not unheard of for things to be received and then never be seen again. Sometimes things get accidently put in someone else's file or accidently marked as resolved even though it wasn't, etc. Human errors happen. Hopefully it's not the case for you, but I say better safe than sorry.

Keep us informed of your progress!

I am sad to say I'm a May filer now. I had mailed my packet April 12th, 2007 but apparently it got misplaced or something, wasn't "officially" received and case created until May 1, 2007. I live in Michigan, it does NOT take 20 days for mail to go from MI to Nebraska! (and was subsequently moved to the California office)

Sorry, I'm just very annoyed by this. As I'm sure you all know, every day without your fiance(e) is not fun, and knowing I'm two weeks behind where I should be in line really bugs me.

Again, sorry, I'm usually not this pessimistic and crabby, but I'm mad!

Adam and I are hoping for him to be in the US on his visa by November or December. His birthday is in November, and of course Christmas/holidays are in December, so it would be nice to be together then. 6 or 7 months? Hmmm... It'll be fun once this is all over to check back in on this post and see if we met our goal.

Can we make sure we keep this thread updated with any actions taken on our cases? I know most people put it in their signature too, but it'll probably be easier to keep checking this thread to see if we're all progressing 'normally'.

Here's to all of us sailing through as quickly as possible! Nice to know we've got a strong, helpful community here to help us all through this trying process!

Michele

That's the way I'm leaning too. Okay, I'll just patiently wait. Who knows, maybe I won't even get an RFE! -waiting for the laughter to stop- Yeah right.

Thanks so much.

Michele

from the guides as well...

The guides here are great, BUT they don't give personal experiences, which is what I believe the OP was striving for in creating this thread. I, for one, think its a great idea!

Yep, exactly. The guides are great, it's true, but this is such a grey area that it really demands some discussion, I think. My goal is to gather as many experiences as possible so people can get an idea of what may be asked of them, and try to prepare as much 'proof' for answers as they can. Maybe see some of the problems other people ran into and prepare for it before you leave. For instance, it never occurred to Adam or I that Border Patrol would question whether Adam actually knew the person he was claiming to be coming here to see. So, from that experience, I'm going to give Adam a short letter from me w/ photo of us together attached to show to customs saying yes, Adam is my fiance, I know him!

I also think it's going to be helpful to everyone who is scared they won't be let in just to read other accounts of being in a similar situation and still being admitted. Of course I have no statistics on it, but reading many other topics and posts, it's my impression that most people are let in (although for some reason, it seems Canadians visiting seem to have a harder time...). You may get grilled pretty hard, but it seems customs isn't in fact in the business of denying people entry for the sheer glee of it.

OKay, thanks. I'll use the date on the correspondence then.

And hey, congrats on your recent NOA2!

This is probably stupid, but when I'm filling in my timeline, what dates are you asking for? The date USCIS says they sent (whatever), or the date it was actually received by me? Likewise, for "filing" dates, is that the date I posted it, or date USCIS received it? For instance, USCIS website says my NOA1 was sent May 1, 2007, but I have yet to receive it. Should I put 5/1/07 as my NOA1 rec'd date, or wait till I actually get it?

Sorry, I'm sure just a few days difference in mail time doesn't make that make big a difference, but some people do have extremely bad mail service and mail time can equal two to three weeks! I just want to help make the timelines as accurate as possible.

Michele

Well, I did just call, and was given my WAC# (cool!) and was also told that they didn't receive my application until May 1, 2007 (not so cool). They couldn't give me any solid reason for the delay, but did apologize and say sometimes (and I'm paraphrasing here) applications don't get checked in as fast as usual, and sometimes things get misplaced or missed initially.

My case is through California now, as are loads of other Nebraska or Texas filers. I can't help but think the length of time from when I mailed it (4/12) to when it was officially received (5/1) has to do with that sending files from office to office. It seems to me my 'received' date should be when Nebraska got it, not California. But oh well, I know the received date isn't that big a deal and there's so many different circumstances that are going to effect my unique processing timeline, but it still sucks.

Oh well. I guess I'm just going to chalk it up to my terrible luck. Sheesh, here I was thinking I was a month into the process, when, on record, I'm 10 days into it.

PS - the website says they received my application May 1, 2007 and a letter was sent to me...blah blah. Is that letter the NOA1 I'm awaiting?

I have to say though that the two people I spoke to on the phone were extremely nice and helpful. While I'd obviously advise against calling for daily updates or 'hurry it up' kind of issues, I'm not afraid to call them with concerns about the process I may have now.

So, I guess I'm technically a May filer now...boo.