redpixie

i called everyone....nothing but automated responces. TracyLuis, did you get a different message the next day?

Yup, there are a lot of automated messages when you call up, but there are also options to talk to customer service reps. I have heard that quite a few people hang up when they hear so many of the auto responses. We've called a few times and got through to speak to someone every time, though it does take about 5 mins to go through all the correct channels (ie, enter the right numbers) and auto responses. Keep in there!

You could try giving the USCIS a call and see if your information is on file with them, but give it a week or so. Don't worry too much, it will get there.

Quote Craig: "1) My opinion is that you do NOT need a lawyer to file these things for you. They are designed so an average person of average intelligence can fill them out and accomplish the task. An attorney is going to file these papers on THEIR time...and YOUR MONEY!"

(Yet to work out this damn board thing!)

I completely agree. Lawyers are pretty costly and, if you can avoid using them then avoid at all costs. I've seen quotes online for Lawyers offering to sort out petitions for upwards of $1500 (filing fees usually not inclusive). I know some people consider going through a lawyer as they might think that this might help their petition in some way, but it doesn't.

Thanks for all of the advice guys. I really appreciate it a lot!

I know that I shouldn't really have fretted so much about the NOA1, being that it's only really a receipt of the petition. Then again, not having any clue as to what was going on was really stressful for us. We will be keeping a close eye on the post for the NOA2 as that's the first real biggy. Does anyone know if we will get that sent to Ireland, as we are both living here, as opposed to my fiance's parents place in Texas? We have his parents address on our form as the US address as they have kindly asked us to live with them when we get over there. Obviously, my finace put his actual home address down as our address in Ireland.

Thanks also msu17, we'll be keeping a close eye on our progress on the uscis website to see when it gets touched again. I'm getting really excited now and I think I'm driving my fiance crazy with all the wedding planning ideas! I'm going to officially ask his sister to be my bridesmaid in the next week or so. This is really exciting and I really hope things go through smoothly!

Congrats on your approval and have a great wedding!

I hired a lawyer to do my K1 visa, she said she filed Jun 5. It has been over a month with no confirmation of receipt. Is this unusual, does it take that long. Can it take up to a month.

I wouldn't worry too much about not hearing back yet. When you call the USCIS, they do say that it can take around a month for the to receive and start processing your petition. I am also aware that, because of some of the service centers passing on the petitions to other centers now, some things have slowed up a little. We actually sent our I-129F into the Texas center back in late April and they didn't receive it until May 15th. We also didn't get the NOA1 sent to us and had to call to get the receipt number last night. If you are concerend, ask your lawyer to call the USCIS customer help line and ask if they have the receipt number for your case so you can keep track of the progress online. They are really nice and we spoke to a wonderful lady last night who helped us, and put our minds to rest.

Good luck with your petition and take care.

First off, thanks to everyone for your help and support over the last few weeks here. We've taken some of your advice and called the USCIS again today. This time we spoke to a really lovely lady who was so helpful and gave us the information we needed.

As you may be aware, we sent our I-129F off back in April from Ireland, as we live together out here. We didn't receive the NOA1 or cheque/international money order back in the post (in Ireland and the UK, our cheques are sent back to the bank once they have been cashed and we don't get to see any copies). We were concerned about this and called up the USCIS a few weeks ago, but no one was able to help us. Anyway, we called again today and were given our receipt number, so at least now we can check the status of our petition online. Also, the ladt said that our petition wasn't received by the USCIS until 15th of May (I know it takes time to sent items overseas from here, but I'm shocked that it took three weeks. That's fine though, it's there.)

We signed up to the online feature to check our progress and it says that the NOA1 was sent out, which we didn't get, but that's no big deal now. Also, it said that our case was still pending (relief) and that the information was last updated on May 25th. Does this mean we've had no touch or action since then as that was over a month back? Also, there's nothing on there about these illusive "touches". How do we find out more about that?

Thanks again for all of your support. We are both so relieved right now, and so happy.

When the last updated date changes, that means your file has been touched. Like everyone else, you will sit on a shelf for 2-3 months before your case gets picked up and processed.

Thanks for the post. It's a relief that it has been touched. The waiting bit now isn't so hard as at least we know that some action has been taken.

First off, thanks to everyone for your help and support over the last few weeks here. We've taken some of your advice and called the USCIS again today. This time we spoke to a really lovely lady who was so helpful and gave us the information we needed.

As you may be aware, we sent our I-129F off back in April from Ireland, as we live together out here. We didn't receive the NOA1 or cheque/international money order back in the post (in Ireland and the UK, our cheques are sent back to the bank once they have been cashed and we don't get to see any copies). We were concerned about this and called up the USCIS a few weeks ago, but no one was able to help us. Anyway, we called again today and were given our receipt number, so at least now we can check the status of our petition online. Also, the ladt said that our petition wasn't received by the USCIS until 15th of May (I know it takes time to sent items overseas from here, but I'm shocked that it took three weeks. That's fine though, it's there.)

We signed up to the online feature to check our progress and it says that the NOA1 was sent out, which we didn't get, but that's no big deal now. Also, it said that our case was still pending (relief) and that the information was last updated on May 25th. Does this mean we've had no touch or action since then as that was over a month back? Also, there's nothing on there about these illusive "touches". How do we find out more about that?

Thanks again for all of your support. We are both so relieved right now, and so happy.

We can't check the status of our case as we posted it from Ireland and used a bank issued international money order.

we forgot to send the Statement of Intent and I just realized today that we filled in a 2 page G325 rather than the four page G325A.

She refused to give him the number of the receipt so we could check the status online.

I would recommend contact your senator and letting them know what is going on. Having filed out the wrong G-325A and not adding your letter of intent may result in an RFE(maybe not hehe but you don't want to chance it.). Better to get that taken care of now. I would contact your Senator today without delay since USCIS isn't being of any help.

wioombeen

Hey Wioombeen,

Thanks for the advice. I've heard/seen it mentioned a fair bit over the last few days for people to contact their Senator. Wouldn't they be too busy to look at a case for a fiance visa petition? In saying that, I think that anything is worth a shot right now. We'll try and get in touch with the USCIS this week and see where the land lies.

I'm kind of half expecting an RFE....IF they ever get back to us. Someone on here told me before that the USCIS are likely to deny our petition for our problems, but the USCIS said that it's most likely we'll get a slight delay in processing and an RFE at most. We're not coming from one of the "risky" areas, so we do have that bonus I guess. Also, we've been living together for two years.

Thanks again Wioombeen!

It won't speed it us, but congrats on your pregnancy. I hope it goes well for you. Try not to get too stressed or under too much duress as that can be problematic to the babe.

True...I also said as nicely as I could that it all seems a bit fishy to me. Regardless, he should see someone about getting his stuff back.

64 days and not a god damn thing at vsc. they received may 1st touched on the 18th and nuttin since. wonder if they misplaced my packet. Oh we'll just waitin and ventin. Least the jersey tomatoes are starting to ripen I've watched my garden grow and no touches to boot very frustrated and in love! we'll good luck everyone I fell a little better gettin that out! cheers!

We're in a similar position. We filed in April and haven't even had the NOA1 sent to us. We can't get our receipt number from our check as we used an international money order, we called and the lady was no help at all. We have no clue if our case has been touched or anything.

Anyway, goodluck!

I would keep calling them until you get someone. You're approaching 90 days now.

Thanks for getting back to me. I think that we might have to do that as I think we might be getting one of those RFE (?) things coming our way due to us forgetting to send our statement of intent and, it looks like now, filling in the G325 rather than G325A. Either way, we need to know what to do as we have a wedding to book and plan for.

We're concerend about calling again as the last lady we spoke to was no help at all. But, we do need to get some clarification as to our position. I thought it would have been a walk in the park for us as we have been living together for over two years now, but we seem to be having it a lot harder than other people who have only spent a few weeks here or there with their loved one. I mean, no NOA1! It's crazy.

Thanks Pushbrk,

I had a feeling that it would be easier over here in the EU than in other countries. I know that the UK has a lot of problems with processing Turkish applicants for our version of the fiance visa. There's been a lot of scams that have been docummented about young Turkish men and older british ladies of late, so I know that area is having a hard time getting processed. I guess it's the same with Russia and some Asian countries also because of a lot of negative press.

64 days and not a god damn thing at vsc. they received may 1st touched on the 18th and nuttin since. wonder if they misplaced my packet. Oh we'll just waitin and ventin. Least the jersey tomatoes are starting to ripen I've watched my garden grow and no touches to boot very frustrated and in love! we'll good luck everyone I fell a little better gettin that out! cheers!

We're in a similar position. We filed in April and haven't even had the NOA1 sent to us. We can't get our receipt number from our check as we used an international money order, we called and the lady was no help at all. We have no clue if our case has been touched or anything.

Anyway, goodluck!

We sent our 1-129F in on around the 20th of April and haven't recieved a damn thing back. We can't check the status of our case as we posted it from Ireland and used a bank issued international money order (ie, we get no notification if this has been cashed or not as I had to buy the order rather than it being taken directly from my account). So, no NOA1, no idea if our case has been "touched" or not, no number to check online, etc. Also, we forgot to send the Statement of Intent and I just realized today that we filled in a 2 page G325 rather than the four page G325A. I guess we should have some notice to send more info in, but nothing at all has come in the post, either to my fiance's parents place in the States or our place in Ireland.

Needless to say, with all this I'm both as worried and as p.o'd as hell.

We tried calling but my fiance was put through to a nightmare of a woman who wouldn't give him any information at all other than we were in the system. She refused to give him the number of the receipt so we could check the status online. I called the USCIS and, while they were really nice to me, they couldn't give me any details as my fiance was in the other room and couldn't come to the phone.

Anyway. We're still waiting. Congrats to all those who are actually getting somewhere with this.

Sorry to go off the topic a little here. Pushbrk, which countries are considered "easy" countries?

I am really sorry for your situation. It sounds as if your ex really has some sort of problem and I would consider myself lucky to be out of that situation, if it were me.

If your ex has stolen your items, then that is theft and I recommned you go to the police about it. It doesn't matter about your immigrant status. What your ex has done is wrong and you have every right to not only get your stuff back, but also to have the ex punished.

Unless your ex has been physically violent toward you, it is not considered domestic violence. However, it is abusive to do what your ex has done to you. Call victim support and see what they suggest. I also recommend you talk to a immigration specialist, if you are in a position to do so.

I am also sorry to say that due to the shortness of your marriage, and the fact your ex has acted in such a manner, they didn't have the correct intent when you married them. I am sorry to ask, and you can have a go if you feel I am being intrusive, but was there any incentment for your ex to marry you. Unfortunately, you do hear about situations such as these where people are offered incentives to marry someone from another country and sometimes the other person doesn't know about it until it is too late. I have warning bells ringing when you say that your ex didn't take you to your interview and has retained your immigration papers. There is something really untoward about that and I would contact the USCIS or another immigration body to tell them about that. If the case was that your ex married you and led you to believe that they were commited to you, but really had other motives, they need to be looked into. Unfortunately, a lot of people can act well and then screw people over. In the UK we have a lot of sham marriages that are often covered in magazines and papers, detailing similar situations. Sometimes it is the petitioner who acts in this manner, just as with you.

I don't think you can simply transfer your immigration status to a student visa. Are you in school right now? I actually went to the states on a student visa a few years back and I know that you can't transfer status out of that easily, if at all. To apply for a status adjustment, such as to a student visa, you might need to leave the states. Also, if you are applying for a student visa you need have a lot of money in the bank to cover living and tuition expenses, as well as to have a confirmed place in a school in the states. If you don't have the required amount of cash, you stand no chance of getting the student visa as you will be not be able to get any student support from the US government.

I hope this helps some.

All the best.

Again I'm worried, We filled in a copy with only two forms to it. I guess now that they were the wrong forms, even though they ask exactly the same as the one with four pages. More problems again! Really worried now.

My fiance and I actually live together. Would it be a good idea if he came to the interview with me, should everything go through for us?

Hi Kits,

We sent off our form back in April and haven't heard anything back yet. My fiance and I actually live together in Ireland, so we sent everything off from here.

My finace called the USCIS a few weeks back and the lady he spoke to was absolutely awful to him. That put him off calling them again. I called them a few days later and spoke to two really nice, helpful people. They couldn't give me much info as my fiance was not able to come onto the line at that time, but they said that we can call back any time and they will be more than happy to help.

My fiance is concerned about calling them again, however, incase it affects our petition. Others have said that it won't but we're still a little concerend.

I'd say give them a call and let us know what happens.

I am sorry to hear about your trouble. I am also a little worried about this happening as I overstayed my F-1 student visa by a couple of months so as I could stay with my fiance longer. I know that I had 60 days of extended stay as a freebe with the visa, but I ended up staying for 120 days. (Visa ended early May 2005 with extended stay until early July, I stayed until the start of Sept).

I'm also applying for the actual visa at Dublin, as we relocated here from the UK last year. I guess I should contact my bank in the UK and get statements for the period of time I was in the States, the record of my paying for my flight home and records of withdrawls when I came home. Hopefully that will be okay to prove that I came back. I'm a little worried with regards to the three year ban as that won't expire until next Sept.

Good luck with getting it sorted out. Where are you located, btw? We're in Cork.

BTW, msu17--- I hope the interview goes well for you guys! Good luck. They are pretty nice in the London embassy.

I know in the UK and Ireland that police records and medicals are good for one year. I hope that, because your fiance is in France, it should be pretty similar to us seens as we are all in the EU. Then again, who knows. I agree, check it out and if it's good for a year then get them done as soon as. Good luck!

Thank you so much for getting back to me. It really is just so frustrating when all we want to do is get married. It shouldn't be this hard for people who love one another to be able to get married and be together.

Thank you also for the lovely good luck message. We really need as much good luck as we can get right now.

I think that if we don't hear anything back by the end of next week then we are going to have to call up again and find out what is going on. We actually forgot to include our statements of intent, but when I called the USCIS they said that our forgetting would not neccessarily mean that the petition would be denied or held up, especially as we have been living together for two years now. Then again, who knows. It's not as though we're asking for the moon on a stick, we just want to know what is going on so we can start to make plans.

Congrats on your marriage. I hope the next step goes well for you .

We're still waiting to hear back from the USCIS (over two months and not a thing back yet), but I'm already trying to get things sorted out for the interview. I would suggest your fiance finds out where the nearest approved doctor is and book the medical sooner rather than later. You also need police reports, which can take a while to process, birth certificate (I had to send off for copies for myself and my son), and if they were married before, evidence to show that the marriage is disolved (this is about the only thing we don't need as we have both always been single). You also need to provide the affidavit of support. There's a few other bits and pieces your fiance will need to bring, but you should wait and see what they require when the pack comes. I would defiantely suggest getting the medical and police records done as soon as possible though.

has the check cashed? If so, you can see if the case number is on the back of the check. then you can use it to check the status of your case online.

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/caseStatusSearc...4wUs-1facDNoeor

Hi,

I have absolutely no idea if the money has been cashed as we had to send an international money order from my bank to them. I basically paid for them to write a cheque in USD on our behalf. In the UK and Ireland, we don't actually get our cheques sent back to us once they have been cashed.

I tried calling the bank to find out if they had any news back on the money order being cashed but, as per with our bank, they didn't get back to us despite promise after promise that they would.

Thanks for the post back. I really do appreciate it. This visa journey is so hard to get through.