Tim and Joan

Ya I see on track my visa now they have approved 1185 cases filed in January and 176 cases from February.

I agree. The track my visa site is saying we could hear something back by March 19 2024. I can dream at least 😁. I see people that filed in November are hearing back. Fingers crossed.

Hi. I started a thread for August 2023 I-129F filers.

Hello...Welcome! For those who have just filed your I-129f application with USCIS, this thread has been created for your needs and for you to be with others experiencing different aspects of this journey. This is a place to ask questions and to share experiences. All are here to learn together. Stay patient because this is a long process currently running 12-16 months for your NOA2 or petition approval by USCIS (first stage). Then your petition will be sent to NVC which runs about 6-8 weeks processing (second stage) and finally your interview at the embassy (third stage). Also, do not compare yourself to others....Some will receive NOA-2 faster than others, some will be stuck at NVC for longer and then finally some will receive interviews fairly quickly at embassy. STAY PATIENT! Please create the timeline in your profile. Also note that USCIS goes by "Received date" : Example I-129 F Sent – August 14, 2023 I-129 F Received – August 16, 2023 (NOA-1) I-129 F - Notice Date – August 18, 2023 In this example your NOA-1 should be August 16th. This will help you fill out your timeline properly.

I don’t understand why people aren’t using this site anymore. It is so much better than a FB group. There are such great resources here. Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable.

Hi everyone, Did no one file the I-129F in July? I just mailed mine today and was excited to post my celebration about finishing that very complex and time consuming packet. Haha. Yay for me 😁🎉 Also I don’t see a topic here yet for August 2023. take care Tim and Joan

Everyone is happy for you and trying to be accurate for you and other members here. Knowledge is power and we need all of that to deal with the USCIS. The correction and other timeframe info was also for other members here like me that are on the edge of our seats trying to get our loved ones to the US. Thanks again for your post. It gives us all hope.

Ya they sure are I found out from the attorney that did the divorce the legal custody part wasn’t addressed because it needs to come from the Philippines court. Also they explained it needs to be done closer to the interview. So bummer there. At the time I file for the I130 is that when I should file for the CR2 /K2?

They are working on passports now. Dad lives in Manila and the kids are in Cebu. He signed the divorce papers and I think he gave up custody with those papers. The plan is for them to stay in Cebu until the visas are done.

They live in the Philippines with my Fiancé parents. Dad hasn’t been in their lives at all for 9 years.

That’s great advice. I think she did but I will make sure. I’ll post what I find out. thank you Tim

Yes she was. She is completing her divorce in Hong Kong now. It should be done in a month. Her ex is okay with her bringing them to the IS. Any advice on that would be appreciated. Thabks, Tim

They are 9 and 12

Hello everyone, I have been researching my situation a lot and need some help. My Fiancé is Filipino and she has been working in Hong Kong for 6 years. She has 2 children that we would also like to bring to the US. From what I can tell the K1 is a good option for this however we want to go through the embassy in Hong Kong because the wait time in Hong Kong is less and that is where she lives. My understanding is when a K2 is applied for the children the embassy will want to move her case to Manila. With a CR1 she can travel back to the Philippines right away after coming to the US. I would rather here leave Hong Kong and bring them through the POE with her all in 1 trip due to travel costs. any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks Tim

Thank you

Thank you for your reply. It is legal now in the Philippines to obtain a divorce if the spouse is a not from the Philippines (Foreigner spouse) If a divorce is done in another country but it may not have been then. This is good info anyway. Now I am worried about them not issuing a CEMAR that even shows the one marriage.

I have seen it here too. Definitely not willing to lie about religion. Haha

Ya I am willing to wait if I had to and I am very familiar with government process there. She lives in Hong Kong and has for over 5 years so I don’t see how divorcing there is a short cut. As long as it isn’t breaking rules and in the visa application everything is disclosed I don’t see the problem. If she really wants an annulment that can be done from the US as easily as from Hong Kong. I totally agree with the find another one but just as you said the heart wants what the heart wants. Thanks for your input. Cheers

Thanks. Ya I knew she won’t be able to change her name on her passport so with the divorce she will not change her name. My guess is by the time she can get dual citizenship divorce will be legal. If not still no big deal. I just don’t want to wait for an annulment for the visa since this other option is faster. thanks again everyone

That is such good news. I have paid consolidation fees to two immigration attorneys and no one knew. I knew more then them. You are my hero. Thank you sooooo much.

Okay so the CEMAR will show her not single and married once. My question is will the US embassy accept the divorce decree from Hong Kong and still apply marriage benefits for a visa to the Us?

Thank you for your reply. I have been hearing on other posts that a cenomar stating single status is required at the embassy interview. The only way to obtain that at this time is an annulment of marriage that is very expensive and can take up to 4 years. Maybe that doesn’t apply with a CR-1 visa. I am only familiar with K1 visas

Hello everyone. I am just starting my journey and want to make sure it isn’t doomed from the start. My fiancé is a Philippines citizen and was married to another Philippines citizen 12 years ago she hasn’t seen him for over 9 years. As everyone knows divorce is not allowed in the Philippines. My fiancé has lived in Hong Kong for the last 5 years on a work visa. Will the US recognize a divorce filed in Hong Kong or does she need to annual it through the Philippines government? I can’t find an answer anywhere. It will be difficult for her to file for an annulment because she lives so far away and isn’t given much time off. thanks again.