Lynxyonok

Several months ago, I added my foreign fiancée as an authorized user on one of my credit cards.
 
The intent was for her to have access to money during the interview process as well as to prove to airlines that she does indeed have a card that tickets are bought with.
 
Fast-forward to now...
 
The bank reported to a credit agency that someone else "lives" with me.
 
That agency reported to my car insurance company that there is an "extra" driver.
 
The car insurance:
 
- served me with a bill, as my fiancée is now showing as residing with me despite living 8,000 miles away
- served me with a non-renewal notice, as I had exposed them to unnecessary risks
 
Yes, it is that archaic for companies not to realize in 2023 that:
 
- not every family is limited to one set of four walls
- not every adult will drive
 
But, as Russians say, translated, that's how it is.

Be safe, and be careful folks...

It's scary how in 2023 we can't even see or update our applications online.
 
I mean, USCIS scans every file in from the get-go.
 
So, it's online already.
 
Just not for peasants (us).
 
$535 paid to be denied basics.

It's scary how in 2023 we can't even see or update our applications online.
 
I mean, USCIS scans every file in from the get-go.
 
So, it's online already.
 
Just not for peasants (us).
 
$535 paid to be denied basics.

It's scary how in 2023 we can't even see or update our applications online.
 
I mean, USCIS scans every file in from the get-go.
 
So, it's online already.
 
Just not for peasants (us).
 
$535 paid to be denied basics.

It is extremely tough. Frankly, by now realizing that VJ is a commercial entity, I am surprised there aren't any ads for psychological help, for heavens know, we (still waiting to be adjudicated) all need it by now.
 
It's so mind-boggling to look at people around oneself and realize that one of them might hold the power to choose whether to let you be happy or not. Remember, some phases of the process rely on offices outside of California.
 
Stay strong.
 
I've pretty much put my entire work-free life on hold, devoting it only to communication with my special other and to checking cases statuses.
 
...
 
I'm pretty sure I'm voting against every incumbent during the next cycle. For no human should go through this.

Congratulations to everyone approved.
 
To everyone else (including myself), stay strong...

Congratulations to everyone approved.
 
To everyone else (including myself), stay strong...

There are over 3,500+ cases still piled up from pre-May 2023. And there are just as many RFE's waiting to be answered.
 
I'm not American by birth, and that's one part of this culture I can't accept to date: not having the courage to tell someone "no" - leaving them wondering and guessing for months after the fact instead. I mean, there are September 2021 cases still being actively adjudicated this week!
 
I so feel for the people going through this mental BDSM - and I'm so terrified I'm about to be one of them myself. My week's cases are 40% approved - and there are plenty of approvals from cases 2 weeks past mine...

It is extremely tough. Frankly, by now realizing that VJ is a commercial entity, I am surprised there aren't any ads for psychological help, for heavens know, we (still waiting to be adjudicated) all need it by now.
 
It's so mind-boggling to look at people around oneself and realize that one of them might hold the power to choose whether to let you be happy or not. Remember, some phases of the process rely on offices outside of California.
 
Stay strong.
 
I've pretty much put my entire work-free life on hold, devoting it only to communication with my special other and to checking cases statuses.
 
...
 
I'm pretty sure I'm voting against every incumbent during the next cycle. For no human should go through this.

The closer it gets to when it estimates adjudication, the more nervous I get. I can't even sleep at night anymore. I would hate to have to start all over again because I made some minor mistake over a year ago

Of course I'm in 80500-81000 with 9 approvals in the past week and the groups around me are at 20-40... sigh... hope you all hear back soon!
 
Still scanning every day: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NMUjX2wtjfAT8p8MesJ1k-ThuO5ddH-rqNd_85GZbbo/edit?usp=sharing

yea add the long weekend to that statement an you'v got a complete picture.. when USCIS processed after our date we were intially confused then thought it was the way the packets were distributed amongst the agents.. Now were a little baffled an on the edge of our seats everyday checking..
    So hang in there people were so close... Man are we close... 

It was for a while. Up now.

Oh boy.
 
First, thank you for the citation. It helps to know that people pay attention to one's work.
 
Here's a painful moment to acknowledge, though.
 
What I said wasn't a range from May 2nd... to whatnot. What I should have said (and I may or may not have yet) was, USCIS is carrying a quagmire of 11,500+ cases prior to May 2022. So, each opportunity they have to adjudicate a case has a sizeable chance of being wasted (and apologies to pre-May, 2022 files here) on a case that's not from this (May 2022) month. In fact, I see regular activity among 2021 cases with brand-new, day-old timestamps.
 
I am on your side; I am a May 2022 filer praying and hoping to be approved anyday now.
 
But.
 
There's a mountain-level wave of filers ahead of us with just as many hopes and prayers.
 
Stay strong.
 
Stay brave.
 
Remember that scene in "Patriot" where militia is asked to hold the line?
 
Hold it.
 
 

Hey folks. I wanted to share my timelines so far but also ask 1/ if there are updated interview schedule timelines for Warsaw for IR5 visas (or similar) from anyone here and 2/ if people recommend moving case from Warsaw to Almaty? My mom has Schengen visa until Sept 2023.
 
Our timelines so far (IR5):
- Petition received: 03/01/2022
- Petition approved: 03/18/2023
- NVC account created: 04/06/2023
- NVC payment processed: 04/10/2023
- NVC documents submitted: 04/12/2023
- NVC documents approved (DOCUMENTARILY QUALIFIED): 04/25/2023

Just a reminder that USCIS has been expanding their approval / action ranges to the widths unseen before.
 
Yes, there was a case from May 11th approved in the past 48 hours.
 
And there was a case from September 13th, 2021, that received an RFE in the past 48 hours as well (WAC2190135252, if anyone would like to verify...)
 
This means that a 12-month-old case has the same chance of being acted upon as an 18-month-old one.
 
Overall, my earlier theory of easier cases being processed sooner than later does seem to hold true. Because 2021 ones are now getting mostly denied, but not always.
 
Stay patient, my friends.
 
Stay lucky.

hey everyone, i just started scanning cases today and just saw 4 approvals and 2 RFEs in the 2290077600 -2290077800 range, with no evidence of expedite! what do y'all think? is this the start of May processing? 🙏

I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability, but eventually I would like to compile a complete “Warsaw guide” and request for it to be stickied here. Maybe even this post could serve as it, but here goes. Warsaw has a relatively unique (and slightly confusing) process and the information here has been compiled from other users’ experiences. I encourage them to add to, or correct, what I write below.
 
1. Once you get NOA2, your petition, like all others, will go to NVC. NVC should have your case number a week or two after your packet arrives. You may call NVC directly to get your case and invoice number, though the latter is not required for Warsaw. The best times to call NVC are 7-8am EST or 11:30-12:00pm EST.
 
2. At any point before your case leaves NVC, you may call them to report a change of address - email or physical. It is vital for all beneficiaries leaving their home countries to have a reachable and accurate address on file.
 
3. NVC will email the beneficiary when the case is sent to Warsaw. Warsaw is currently accepting new K1 petitions and they appear to be forwarded every other Tuesday.
 
4. Your packet will arrive to Warsaw within a couple days. At this stage, you will be waiting for Packet 3 - which is both physical and email. This has been the most confusing step and I’ve been a bit wavering in my answers so let me try to finally get it straight. “Packet 3” sent by email are the generic instructions telling you that you can schedule your interview, where you can do medical, and informing the beneficiary of the IMBRA rights. Warsaw, additionally, will send your original I-129F by mail to whatever physical address you have on file. It is currently unclear whether you need the I-129F in-hand in order to come to the interview, but from my understanding, only the email component is required.
 
5. Complete the DS-160. After scheduling medical yourself (see below) and the interview yourself through TravelDocs (see below), proceed to the interview. I cannot stress this following part enough: if you did not receive Packet 3 before your interview date, your appointment will be cancelled by Warsaw the day before.
 
*Notes*

Warsaw is a self-scheduling embassy. They will not provide you a K1 interview date. To make your appointment, the beneficiary must make an account on Poland’s USATravelDocs page. It will ask for her passport and other information, but *not* the DS-160 or case number. This does not mean, however, you should be scheduling anything now. Warsaw has already told someone over the phone they should not have made the appointment before getting the case number. You must also be aware that if you schedule too early and do not have time to collect everything, or Warsaw does not ship your Packet 3, your appointment will be cancelled at very late notice.
 
The DS-160 is the standard non-immigrant visa application every beneficiary is required to submit. It does not ask for your case number, though it asks for your USCIS number. After submitting your DS-160 and having made an appointment, your appointment confirmation in TravelDocs should display the DS-160 confirmation code. If it does not, or displays an outdated one, call Warsaw and request a change. 
 
There are two doctors in Poland that will do the medical exam - one in Warsaw, one in Krakow. Both require your case number for the appointment. Warsaw’s doctor has a wait of over one month, providing nobody has cancelled last I checked. 
 
Good luck, and I hope this is helpful to everyone reading.

Part 1: Application to USCIS
 
We applied in May 2022, after getting engaged in January (so, we had decent documentation that this marriage wasn’t just due to the Ukraine war and its various impacts, in case that made/makes any difference to USCIS.)
 
The I-130 application I did online about 2 weeks after we got married, it was pretty straightforward. I’m sure this form will change (and hopefully improve, since some things were kinda vague) but my policy is to always answer the questions as literally as possible. So yes, there were a couple time where I felt like I was repeating myself (who is my spouse, who is the beneficiary’s spouse, etc.) but just fill it out as if each question is stand-alone.
 
The only other thing I will say about I-130 application is to absolutely complete the I-129 paperwork for the K3 visa. “But the visa is dead” I saw many people reply in the main forum (including legacy members with a lot of ‘good credit’ in the forum)… but I’m a data geek, so I literally tracked dozens of approvals at various service centers in an excel spreadsheet and found a clear pattern that K3 filers were getting approved months before those who didn’t – and eventually that was the case for my petition as well. All I know, is that only people who applied for K3 got accelerated approval, and no one who didn't apply for K3 got an early approval... So...
 
Other than that, not really any comments or issues with USCIS application, no RFEs etc.

Several months ago, I added my foreign fiancée as an authorized user on one of my credit cards.
 
The intent was for her to have access to money during the interview process as well as to prove to airlines that she does indeed have a card that tickets are bought with.
 
Fast-forward to now...
 
The bank reported to a credit agency that someone else "lives" with me.
 
That agency reported to my car insurance company that there is an "extra" driver.
 
The car insurance:
 
- served me with a bill, as my fiancée is now showing as residing with me despite living 8,000 miles away
- served me with a non-renewal notice, as I had exposed them to unnecessary risks
 
Yes, it is that archaic for companies not to realize in 2023 that:
 
- not every family is limited to one set of four walls
- not every adult will drive
 
But, as Russians say, translated, that's how it is.

Be safe, and be careful folks...

Hello 
Waited inside about an 1 hour. 
Interview was pretty easy.
Officer ask how long did we know each other? Did i know who is the sponsor? And address in USA. After she said the result is positive. And visa will be in 2-3 busines days. 
Pick up the passport at mail box (Wierniczna)
Visa was ready next day about 16:00

Basically, it doesn't really matter what you put there - NVC will follow their own instructions to set up the interview in Warsaw. Only when the case is complete at NVC, can you then start asking around to other embassies if they will accept the case transfer. 

Oh no, feel better!!  I love the data; gives me verifiable hope!  Thanks for sharing with all of us!

nice welcome to the thread. lots of good info  an paitent people 🙂...here

I-129Fs: 11423 received - 8509 processed.
 
The backlog as of 12/31/2022 (remember, USCIS quarters start 3 months earlier than calendar ones - Q1 2023 is October - December, 2022) was 58,479 - that number, divided by 8509, is a terrifying 20.6-month delay for brand-new applicants.
 
May 2023 be gentler on everyone.
 
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/data/Quarterly_All_Forms_FY2023_Q1.pdf
Quarterly_All_Forms_FY2023_Q1.pdf