WaitingWanda

Hi there,

I just wanted to say hello and maybe offer some encouragement to anyone out there waiting. I went through this waiting "HELL" (there's no other word for it) three years ago but things got resolved in the end, and I moved with my then husband from Ireland to the U.S.

I had been denied on a charge of 'misrepresentation'. We were apart (for about a year) and were lucky enough to have the means for my husband to visit me often. At the time I thought this was the absolute worst possible thing that could happen to us, and even though I tried to keep a positive attitude it, put a strain on us both. I know many of you will be experiencing the same thing, and possibly doubting the relationship, because you haven't seen each other for a long time. At the risk of sounding 'preachy' this actually wasn't the worst thing that could happen to us. Last December my wonderful husband died — and that really was the worst thing. I suppose what I'm trying to say is this: Hang in there. This too will pass, and you will be reunited with your loved one. Hold on to the fact that even though this is horrid, you're healthy and together, and still a team, and bizarrely in the long run, this whole ordeal actually strengthens your relationship.

I really really hope you all hear good news soon.

That's fantastic news Annasherwood!! Haven't checked the forum for a while so great to do so and see another one through!!

Hang in there Jpkeswim, good news is coming I'm sure.

Rinkle

Hope you're hanging in there. Can only imagine what a huge strain it must be but you probably should launch an appeal. I know the stats are disheartening but someone's getting the appeals. Might as well see it to the end, right? A whole different set of documents may have a different judgement entirely.

Rinkle

So sorry to hear about that decision What a complete bummer! Hopefully you're feeling better and ready to launch an appeal

Did you use a lawyer?

Hi all, just wanted to update you from 'the other side'.

All went well with the interview in Dublin after the waiver was granted, got the visa and came back to the US on Friday the 16th of Nov.

Heart was pounding at immigration in Washington D.C. but everything was fine and they didn't so much as bat an eyelid when I handed them the package from the embassy which includes a letter on the waiver being granted apparently.

Its rather weird being back initially - funny how you want something so badly for ages and then you have a sort of culture shock when you get it. But now I'm loving being here again.

Still thinking of you all - it really is the most stressful of times - but it does end!

Take care.

Not sure what the procedure is through London but presume you'll have to go back to the embassy to acutally get your visa. The waiver just lifted the ban to allow me to get a visa. Its not an actual visa and for that I have to show up in person.

Also had to get a new police certificate because it's been more than six months since my original was issued.

Fingers crossed it all goes well tomorrow and I can head back for a couple of weeks on Friday!

Sounds like you two are both on a similar time frame.

The updating seems to be sporadic. A big flurry of activity and then nothing for weeks. But sometimes they update on a Monday or Tuesday, so maybe tomorrow?

We got 'put up' about a week after filing but only becasue they happened to update the website shortly after receiving our paperwork. And we never recieved a reciept of application at all so I wouldn't worry about that once you're on the board...

Off to the embassy Tuesday so fingers crossed it all goes well...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you for the waiver and the baby. What an exciting time (though worrying too no doubt).

Just as info, we never went to 'under review' went straight to 'completed' from 'pending'.

Many of them don't seem to go to under review so don't think you're getting left behind!

Thanks for the congrats Rinkle. Hope your not too disheartened - you've definitely got to be in the next week or so. The toughest place I know...

Embassy in London said in the approval letter that they'd recieved it on July 12. They posted it for the first time on July 20th I think, so it would have been 15 or 16 weeks from when they actually got it.

But who knows.

We've been monitoring all the cases every time they change it and a couple have just appeared, stayed at pending for two or three weeks and then gone to completed, while others have been 'under review' or 'pending' since we got on.

Anna, I hope you're feeling better. Completely understand the gauntlet of emotions this stuff throws up.

Hang in there. It does end.

Welcome to the madhouse ... I mean waiting room! It will probably take a few weeks for your case to show up on the page kindly linked to above by Waiting Wanda, mine took about 6 weeks. Since mine appeared on that page I have been waiting 16 weeks and have still heard nothing. 11 cases so far in October is still painfully slow, but you gotta keep smiling, right?

We've finally got the GREAT news. APPROVED!!

Took exactly 15 weeks from when they first posted it on the website and 16 from when they recieved it.

Just so your not panicking if you're 'completed' but haven't heard anything yet, ours was posted it as completed last Tuesday the package still hasn't arrived at the embassy in Dublin (week later) and no one has called us.

By Friday we couldn't contain ourselves any longer and rang Dublin who knew nothing about it and then UCSIS in London where they confirmed it had been approved.

Finally yesterday I was sent a letter through our lawyer so a relief to have it in writing.

I really really hope everyone here gets theirs soon. It really is a hellish wait.

Any news Rinkle?

Hi Annasherwood

Welcome to the waiting game! I'm not sure what the story with the medical is but I'm sure someone else here will.

The link to the website to monitor progress is http://london.usembassy.gov/dhs/forms/i601_status-web.pdf

Small flurry today and three more completed including a 'London' one. Fingers crossed for you......

I'd wager your 'friend' has probably spent very little time outside the US? Brazil may not be the wealthiest country in the world but it is still one of the friendliest and most beautiful. Good on ya. Would you really want to consider such narrow-minded souls among your friends anyway?

An update today (Oct 19). Any chance you're the completed Nick???? Only one in two weeks...

I know it unfortunately wasn't us!

Not sure what sort of order they use because today's 'completed' has only been on the list 10 weeks and there were several other 'pending's' ahead of it....

Know the feeling. Think these last few weeks are the worst. Hang in there. Maybe there'll be one of those rare Monday updates today.

My application got to the 12 week mark yesterday and I still have plenty of names ahead of me on the list. When it was submitted the Embassy told me 12-16 weeks but they have not exactly been speeding through the cases in recent weeks. This waiting is an absolute nightmare but it's got to end at somepoint. Will let you know when I hear something about my case so you have an idea of how long it's currently taking them.

Nick

Hi Nick, thanks for the response. Looks like we're at more or less the same stage.

Any chance you have the weekly status reports for the last couple of weeks in July. We have been tracking since then (we're a bit obsessed!) but did not keep copies of the July reports, so can't track since our file went into the queue

Thanks for the response and congrats on the baby. Good thing is that life goes on despite all these delays I guess.

I'll be thinking of you and will let you know when we hear!

All good wishes....

Just wanted to touch base with anyone else out there waiting on an approval of the I601 from London.

We've almost been 'pending' for 11 weeks. Does anyone who recently got a response know how long its currently taking? We were told 12 weeks at the embassy in Dublin but don't know how accurate that is.

These last few weeks are the killers but at least my husband (the USC) is over for a week from October.

Hope to hear from some fellow penders!