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smilingstone

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Everything posted by smilingstone

  1. When did you receive your NOA2? Your petition now has to go to NVC, and then NVC will forward it on to your embassy. All of this can take some time, for me it was: NOA2: 2024-08-02 USCIS to NVC: 2024-08-28 NVC to Embassy: 2024-09-24 Embassy Received: 2024-09-30 Letter from Embassy Received: 2024-10-19 (this date is an estimate as I flew to the US on the 19th, and had not received anything before then, but upon returning the letter was here and was dated 15th Oct) You can check the USCIS tracker to see where your petition is at. You will also receive updates via letters at each point (from NVC and embassy) but these typically lag behind the tracker.
  2. Hiya, We're getting incredibly close to the final hurdles now with my medical and interview scheduled this month. I've opted in for premium delivery of my passport to have it sent back to my home address, but I am wondering if anyone can tell me if it will need to be signed for? I would guess so due to the nature of the contents. My issue is, is that due to employment I'm just not at home during typical delivery hours, so now I'm worried about missing delivery and what may happen. If delivery is missed, do they have an option to pick it up from a local Post Office? I'm wondering if it would be better to change the address to the reception at where I work. Thank you!
  3. I returned today from my 2 week trip to visit my fiancé. I arrived at ATL POE and had all my docs ready if needed. The officer motioned me to him and he asked where I was going. I responded with my final destination. He then asked how long my trip was for. I responded that it was 2 weeks. He wished me well and let me through. He didn't give me any hassle or even ask who I was going to see (maybe obvious at this point given my travel history?). I was a little frustrated that I spent so much time collating everything and lugging it to the US (it was a heavy folder...), but I'm glad that I did as it's better to be overprepared rather than under.
  4. Not allowing pre-check in with a K1 is common, so that is likely the reason. Are you aware that as soon as he enters the US with the K1, that your 90 day clock will start counting down? From what I understand, if he is on VWP or a tourist visa and now has a K1 in addition, that the K1 cancels out the tourist visa. Although K1 is technically nonimmigrant, it shows very clear immigrant intent, where-as tourist is strictly for nonimmigrant intent. It is not as if he can choose which to enter on at POE, as they say opposite things. Edit: Wait, after reading again I think you are trying to say that your I-129F was approved back in September but you are now deciding to withdraw it? If so, then it's unlikely that's the reason for not allowing pre-check in. Especially if the NVC hasn't even received your approved petition (as you seem to say).
  5. If it's commercially packaged and sealed, and isn't an amount that would indicate you are reselling it, then you shouldn't have an issue. You can buy it from Amazon, so it isn't as if it's contraband. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/coffee-tea-honey-nuts-spices#:~:text=Most dried spices can be,product into the United States.
  6. Sorry for piggybacking off this thread, but if they don't have your results by the time of your interview, does it just mean you wait a little while for AP? I'm currently struggling with having to travel from one end of the country to the other and I'm thinking of trying to schedule both close together to avoid multiple trips and more time off work.
  7. Cashing means that your NOA1 will be on it's way, but it could still take a little bit of time. Additionally, NOA1 does not mean that they have even looked at your petition yet. You won't know that it's been checked until you receive an RFE or NOA2 (whichever comes first for you).
  8. I can't see why someone would write a 40 page statement of circumstances of meeting. Are you confusing this with the total page count for the entire I-129F petition? Because total pages for ours was 50. They are not asking for a biography. You have to consider that people reviewing your application are also responsible for reviewing many more, so their time is limited. 1 to 2 pages is perfectly fine and needn't be any more.
  9. A mix of KLM and Delta. How about you?
  10. First red flag. She is already trying to pursue a life outside of her home country. I'm not saying she is being dishonest with you, but these overseas dating apps are rife with people attempting to garner "relationships" with USCs in an attempt to move to the US, nothing more. Is it possible that she wants that and just so happened to meet you via this app and fall in love? Yes, but this isn't always the case. Second red flag. You're pursuing the relationship because you don't like the concept of her working as a maid? Marriage should be grounded on a desire to spend your lives together, dedication and companionship, not to rescue someone from a situation you deem unfortunate. Third red flag. You're sending money regularly but have only met once, recently, and are now suddenly committed to marriage? Noting back to the first red flag, do you think your relationship would sustain should you suddenly not be able to make these payments anymore? Personally, I would advise that you slow things down and try to get some more trips in to spend more time together. I do not wish to pick apart the relationship between you and your partner, as I do not know you, but the description you provided of your circumstances raises some concerns. On the face of it, your case seems perfectly DIY'able but I wouldn't be surprised if you receive scrutiny due to your short timeline and circumstances meeting.
  11. Eee! We are flying the same day! Safe travels!
  12. As others advise, please make sure this is all in line with the requirements of the VWP. Check things with the organisation to ensure both you and them are able to arrange this. Tourism is for tourism, which isn't voluntary work. Last thing you want is to lie at the POE or to be denied entry.
  13. You don't have a lot of time? You've been given a whole 6 months! Our approval came a month earlier than yours and we only have until 30th Nov...
  14. We're now at the embassy stage and I am due to travel out next week (on an ESTA) for a 2 week trip - I've submitted my DS-160 and paid the interview fee, so this trip is incredibly close to the final hurdle. Over the past couple of months I've been gradually collating all the docs I intend to take incase I get any hassle at POE (Atlanta). My list is: Flight itinerary (which includes return flight). Full copy of I-129F petition. All subsequent notices (NOA1, NOA2, NVC - I'm unfortunately yet to receive anything from the embassy). Evidence of employment (original contract, letter from my manager detailing the dates I am away and when I am expected to return). Tenancy agreement and email correspondence between myself and agent. Bank statements for Sept + Oct (acting as both proof of address and showing rent payments). Does anyone think I should also include a copy of my DS-160 confirmation and the payment receipt for the fee? Is there anything else recommended to take? My last trip was March (again for 2 weeks), so I'm not too concerned about any red flags around that. My only concern is having enough to show that I will return. I'm hoping that having 2 previous, relatively short trips where I didn't overstay and that were 4 - 6 months apart will say something too... I will post an update after I have flown out!
  15. You're right. Me and my fiancé discussed it and the reasons I was holding off weren't really reasons at all. I've submitted my DS-160 and paid the fee. I'll just have to let them know I travelled since submitting (but isn't an issue from what I read). The date booker is showing slots up to 14th Nov, which is unfortunately a little too soon for me due to work implications. I'll be keeping an eye on it and hoping they start releasing for the back-end of Nov soon. Thank you again!
  16. So be thankful that you got lucky. Just because your experience was (positively) different, that doesn't make all previous stories "untrue".
  17. @ScarletWitch6xthankyou! So does London only release slots during the current month? I did seemingly half register by providing the DS-160 number despite not submitting it. I got to the point it asks for payment but could see the soonest available date, no sort of calendar view. I'm hoping to schedule Nov/Dec so am wondering if it's worth just waiting until I return from my trip on early Nov to do the next steps. Do you think that's sensible?
  18. Yes, it can wait for update until the DS-160. A lot can change between filing the petition and DS submission, such as address, employment, travel, etc. Don't worry about it. 😊
  19. But not everyone shares the same perspectives as you or people you know.
  20. My thoughts are that you were already approved and established as a non-risk, but I can also see people using employment as a tie and then quitting to abscond. Can you get confirmation in writing from your previous employer that you were laid off, and didn't quit?
  21. You detail a lot of unfounded concerns about the legitimacy of your relationship. It's normal to feel anxious going through this process, but you are so focused on this in particular that it reads as rather strange. If your relationship is legitimate, then evidence what you can and take the leap. Plenty of incredibly valid advice here to follow from people who have gone and are going through this process. Boundless' only concern is profit. The difficulty of your situation now is that VJ will tell you ABC is fine, but Boundless will say it isn't and won't proceed your case until they tick all their boxes. I'm guessing you are in too deep to cancel their "services" so your hands are tied.
  22. Yes, get ready to wait! For us, it took 108 days from NOA1 to approval. We did receive an RFE which may have delayed things for us, but also I read that processing times have slowed since May/June. I went into this assuming approx. a 12 month total wait, give or take - 6 months for I-129F, 6 months for K1. I think when all is said and done (married) that will be a pretty close estimate. You can search VJ timelines and filter by country. It will give you a good idea of things.
  23. Photos are great to include, but are ultimately secondary for evidencing meeting. It's very easy to say a photo was taken on X date, when it wasn't. Primary evidence for meeting is flights, accommodation, passport stamps, I-94, etc.
  24. Your ties to each other's family/friends are irrelevant. None of our documents nor evidence mentioned anyone but ourselves. Specific to our relationship evidence, we included a single image together, a selection of text messages and a 2-page statement of how we met/how our relationship developed. Alongside this, we included all other required evidence of meeting. We did get an RFE, but it was because we missed a question on the form, nothing to do with our relationship. All that matters in terms of I-129F is evidencing: You have both met within the past 2 years and; are both legally willing and able to marry. All that matters in terms of K1 is evidencing that: Your USC can support you or that them and co-sponsor(s) can support you and; are both still legally willing and able to marry. I had the same worries as you when we first filed. I was scared that what we had wouldn't be enough, and some faceless entity was deciding if our relationship was real without even knowing us. Ultimately, they know the red flags to look out for and they know what to query. You are from a low-fraud consulate, so although it is not a given, you generally do not need to worry about having a thoroughly documented relationship. Nothing you mentioned (not knowing family, becoming engaged after 18 months) would be much of a concern to USCIS.
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