chicurious

Please spare any flaming remarks or opinions. I want just analysis of facts.

So, when I filed for my I-129F the CSC was averaging (according to this website) about 90 days between the NOA1 and the NOA2. Now it is nearly to 150 days, which is nearly double. Can someone explain that to me? And when is the USCIS considered to be out of their processing time? I'm only at 2 and a half months, so I'm just curious for the future.

I'm particularly interested to know this since I understand that we can start a congressional inquiry. When is the appropriate timeframe to do so? I thought I'd be getting the NOA2 by the first days of November, but now wonder if I receive them with all the backlog.

I just believe the agency should have appropriately prepared for this increase of applications with the fee increase. Therefore, I wonder if more of us got our congress member involved it would perhaps call more attention to the time increase (if you look at the time lines from even a year ago it seems considerably lower). I'm not going to call any action on this site since I saw another guy do it and most people seemed to have the sentiment of "just deal with it." But I do wonder what a congressional inquiry would do at the three month mark if I just personally did it. Could it affect the case for the worse?

congratulations, kitkat. I bet that is the biggest relief.

I'm trying to prepare pretty much everything so that as soon as I get the NOA2 (or my mom does since she's in the US) I'll be pretty much ready to go- just waiting for it to be sent to the NVC and then the consulate. I was reviewing all of the reports that the.ronin put together and people often talked about an interview date. However, according to the Juarez letter (I can't remember what the name of the form is since I'm not typing from my usual computer and don't have the info saved) it says to compile the listed information and then to come any working day from Monday through Thursday, etc.

So, is there an actual date of the interview or do we go once we get the letter and our stuff together? Any day (that it is open, of course) that we choose?

Also, for proof of our ongoing relationship, I actually put it in with the I-129F package. While I'll add new photos and proof of me being here in Mexico with him (although not with him so the lease is a no-go), can I repeat certain things like my lease, migration card and boarding passes here?

I'm sure my questions will be along similar lines in the next few months as I wait for the NOA2, but if my fiance wanted to work in an unpaid internship in his field (electronic engineering) while he waited for the work permission, is that legal provided they're not paying him? It would be a great way to keep him busy, make him feel active and involved, and have him start building connections.

And if you do encounter a problem, insist on being let inside to talk to the CO (lie if you have to and say they asked for you). Always better to resolve issues on the spot than after you leave.

Can you really insist on being let in the Consulate? What sort of problems would warrant this? Would this be something done when a fiance comes out and says they didn't get the visa? Even for an Administrative Review (which I still don't understand what that is for and how they come about throwing that card on the table)? Just curious since I hadn't read this before.

immigrate2US.net

For the Mexico folks, is visajourney or immigrate2US more helpful for you all? I have been using visajourney consistently, and have received most of my info from them. I am new at immigrate2us and just wanted to know if y'all have any particular links (I noticed kitkat's links listed) that woud be helpful to a filer for Mexico.

On my I-129F under the "Alien number" for my fiance I typed "n/a." I was reviewing some posts and something occurred to me that I might have made a mistake since he holds a tourist visa to the US. I haven't seen his tourist visa to know, but did I make a mistake? With the NOA1 they assigned him an Alien number (have to dig up his visa to see if it is different). Can anyone shed some light?

I actually think I'm the last July filer to come clean with everyone. It arrived July 24 at the CSC from my parents' place in Ohio (I live in Mexico with my fiance) and the NOA1 was dated August 1 on the website and Aug. 2 on the hardcopy. Is that normal?

Now the very frustrating waiting process, as I am ready to move back to the US from Mexico.

I've read plenty about my fiance not being advised to enter the US to visit during the K-1 visa application. However, his job (in Mexico) is wanting to send him to the US for a week for a training/course. B/c of the warnings that I've read on here, as well as from my friend that is an attorney, we were not planning on him coming to the US to meet my friends, go to a wedding, etc. However, this could be complicated since he won't be informing his work about this until we have the visa in hand and he's ready to leave for the US.

What should we do? I don't want to risk him being denied entry and then us having to deal with that in the interview (that would be an automatic denial of the visa and then we'd have to file a waiver, right?). However, if he has all the proofs that it is for work, that I am actually IN MEXICO (so there won't be an issue of getting married while in the US for business since I won't even be there), will that greatly help?

Thanks.

HI,

here are the fees:

I-129F filing - $170

Medical - Varies by country $100-$300

Visa - $100

AOS - $325 + $70 biometric fee

If you need AP or EAD they are $170 and $180 respectivly

Removal of conditions $275

Citizenship of you decide to do it $330

The fee you quoted above is WRONG! The I-129f filing fee is $455 as of 7/30/07. Also, AOS is bundled with AP & EAD, you can no longer file for them separately.

If you're going to use the ID "VISAHLP", you should, at minimum, be delivering accurate information.

I didn't know the AOS was now bundled up in the AP and the EAD. Julezablelle, how does that affect the speed in which our fiances will be able to work? I've seen basically it takes about 6 months to get an EAD. Will that take longer (as long as it takes to get the AOS?)? Also, with the AP- that is the document he'll need to travel back to his home country, right?- will that also take longer to get? Thanks!

I have been browsing through other folks that are at the CSC (especially those going through Ciudad Juarez, Mexico) and noticed some this year that the process in total was about 4 months. One even had an RFE!

I don't remember the most recent stats, but is anyone else noticing this or is this just casual random anecdotes of luck?

Between the NOA1 and the NOA2 I want to prepare as much as possible (since I don't want to be rushing around last minute and b-c I won't be able to dedicate as much concentrated time to it like I did with my trying-to-beat-the-deadline I-129F package). Does anyone have a relatively comprehensive list of what my fiance will need to take to the interview?

I've tried my best to read as much of this thread as possible, but am still only about half way. I did read that many who received those forms in the mail mentioned them being elegible photo copies. Can I just download these forms (whichever ones they are) off-line and start getting them filled out?

Also, can someone please explain to me what the different Packages are and what they mean?

Thanks sooo much, folks.

You should get all the forms online from the CDJ website under "Fiance Packet" - a couple create the barcodes which is now necessary. There is only one package from CDJ - it's the same as the website. If you get everything online, everything that comes in the package will be garbage -- but you need the "open appointment" letter from the package to get into the consulate so that's that one think you'll be waiting to receive. Everything else you can prepare in advance, as well as gather all your financial and employment paperwork.

Excellent. In reference to the barcodes... can they tell (or does it even matter) that I will have dowloaded it and started to fill it out before I even receive the NOA2? Thanks again for the advice!

Between the NOA1 and the NOA2 I want to prepare as much as possible (since I don't want to be rushing around last minute and b-c I won't be able to dedicate as much concentrated time to it like I did with my trying-to-beat-the-deadline I-129F package). Does anyone have a relatively comprehensive list of what my fiance will need to take to the interview?

I've tried my best to read as much of this thread as possible, but am still only about half way. I did read that many who received those forms in the mail mentioned them being elegible photo copies. Can I just download these forms (whichever ones they are) off-line and start getting them filled out?

Also, can someone please explain to me what the different Packages are and what they mean?

Thanks sooo much, folks.

I still haven't had this one answered. I've read the guides and it doesn't seem that I have to respond to the NOA1, from what I've gathered. However, my mom made it seem like the wording was asking (her) to indeed verify with USCIS if the information was correct- which it was.

Do any of you have experience with a foreign bachelor's and getting a job in the US? My fiance is an electrical engineer in Mexico, speaks English fluently (does so in his job here) and has a few years of post-graduate work experience at a German company based in Mexico. He graduated from a Jesuit university based in Mexico, and well-respected in the city in which we live. How might I figure out how that could transfer to him getting a professional job in his field in the US once he gets his EAD?

(I hope this isn't a no-no, but I'm going to post this on the forum that deals with adjustment to life in the US too for general cases- but I hope to hear from folks from Latin America or Mexico in particular)

Do any of you have experience with a foreign bachelor's and getting a job in the US? My fiance is an electrical engineer in Mexico, speaks English fluently (does so in his job here) and has a few years of post-graduate work experience at a German company based in Mexico. He graduated from a Jesuit university based in Mexico, and well-respected in the city in which we live. How might I figure out how that could transfer to him getting a professional job in his field in the US once he gets his EAD?

(I hope this isn't a no-no, but I'm going to post this on the Mexico/Latin America forum too for specific cases with Mexico- but I hope to hear from folks in general)

My mom received our NOA1 today! I'm so relieved even though it is such a small step. Anyhow, when I looked at it online it mentioned August 1 as the date. Would that be the official date of the NOA1 or the date we received it? Also, it is in Spanish and I can't figure out how to switch it to English (no option listed). Although I am nearly fluent, obviously I prefer English for the ease of my native language.

So, she wrote that they asked if the information listed on our NOA1 is correct. Since it is does she have to confirm it being correct? Also, there is a part for the I-130, which doesn't apply to us and it mentions something for I-130 users if it applies. Do we just ignore it since it doesn't apply?

Ok, checked online finally. They received it.

My mom mailed the I-129F package July 20 certified return receipt to the CSC from Ohio (I FedExed it to her from Mexico). Almost 2 weeks later we have still not received I'm back in the US from Mexico (where I live with my fiance) visiting family and getting some things in order, and tomorrow I will call the post office to find out what's going on. However, isn't it strange that 2 weeks later we haven't even received the receipt that they did indeed receive the package? Just wondering if folks have had similar experiences with US post. Quite nervous that I'll have to redo the package and pay the increased fee and need some calming.

So the I-129F package was sent out Friday from my mom's place in Ohio. How do I start to monitor my case online like everyone else keeps talking about? Do I have to wait until the NOA1? Is there a number on that form that I would use to register?

Oh no! I thought they might mean for the BC and mine didn't have a number so I just wrote "no number on birth certificate" and then I wrote the date it was issued and the state. Pushbrk, I did NOT include a copy of my BC but instead all pages on my passport (since I compiled the package here in Mexico with my fiance). My mom received the package this morning via FedEx and literally JUST brought it to the Post Office.

My question is they are just using either the BC or the passport to prove you're a US citizen, correct? I really thought I was thorough enough to avoid an RFE, will this probably make the process longer? Will they accept the package even though I didn't list a number or include a copy of my BC. Is there anyway, I can send them a copy separately and have them attach it to that file?

If you followed the instructions and sent a copy of every page of your passport, you have proved you are a US Citizen. If you did as some do and thought, "Why do they need copies of the blank pages?" so didn't send them, you may be in for an RFE.

Pushbrk, thanks! I followed instructions and copied EVERY page and even the front and back cover. Incidentally, Pushbrk, you always give good, concise, and accurate advice. Thanks so much!

I'm appalled by this racism. This sort of ignorance really makes me worry about returning to the US with my fiance and the anti-immigrant/Mexican sentiments that exist.

What's this I randomly read once in a while that the Mexico consulate doesn't demand a I-134 affidavit of support for the K-1 visa? Anybody know about this?

I always press 1 (for English), 2 (to skip the introduction), 3 (to discuss your case, I think), and 6 (to talk to a rep). This is what I've been doing until I sent the package out today.

Oh no! I thought they might mean for the BC and mine didn't have a number so I just wrote "no number on birth certificate" and then I wrote the date it was issued and the state. Pushbrk, I did NOT include a copy of my BC but instead all pages on my passport (since I compiled the package here in Mexico with my fiance). My mom received the package this morning via FedEx and literally JUST brought it to the Post Office.

My question is they are just using either the BC or the passport to prove you're a US citizen, correct? I really thought I was thorough enough to avoid an RFE, will this probably make the process longer? Will they accept the package even though I didn't list a number or include a copy of my BC. Is there anyway, I can send them a copy separately and have them attach it to that file?

The version of the I-129F form that I have is from 11/24/06 and the filing fee is $170.00. Is this the most up to date form?

Thanks!

You have to have it postmarked before July 30 in order to make the $170 fee. It is going up ON July 30 to $455. July 30 is a Monday, so you'll have to have it postmarked by that Friday, July 27. I just spent the last 2 weeks pretty much fulltime working on it so that I could send it to my mom in the US to send it out before the deadline. Whew!