mikesaidyes

APPROVED!!!!! March 30, 2024 NOA1, Tues June 23 afternoon - first email "taken action," nothing happened Thurs June 26 evening - second "taken action email," case actively reviewed but nothing in docs 2.5 hours later - logged in, documents tab was noticeably slow to upload, and there it was! APPROVAL! So basically 15 months NOA1-NOA2 whew, what an emotional rollercoaster. Good luck everyone on your journey!

March 30, 2024 filer here - Vermont Service Center - it should be like TODAY TUESDAY in America. Currently Tuesday morning here in Seoul, so our night time tonight, and GAH I can't stand it. Might have to crack open the champagne at 3a when I check my email randomly hahahah Any other Vermont people here?

I checked my application after one year, just like the online filing receipt (The PDF copy) and I am SUPER ANNOYED because I found MORE formatting errors. Last year, right after I filed, when I reviewed the PDF copy of the I-130 they gave me - you know the computer auto generates the fill in the blank when you submit it - it completely left out details in my address.....that I know were there. Because we got the paper mail receipt to the full, correct address with no errors! And the online version of the receipt notice was also correct! So last year I wrote a letter mentioning the errors with the correct full address for their reference. There's not actually a problem with the address! And even then the list of documents in the PDF copy was incomplete, but they're all on the main website list. And one of my former addresses was sent down to like the end of the page, out of order lol. Obviously I didn't have anything to do with that. It's their system. And then this year I noticed: the local Korean version of his name - which I KNOW I typed in. I KNOW I did it because I spent HOURS checking each item line by line. We wrote on paper and then I went step by step with the online and then checked each line. Literally took 4-5 hours because I was SO PRECISE not to miss nanything. Like DUH I wouldn't forget to type that. Because there is more stuff to fill out after that section, too. I know it's a website bug. And then - somehow his I-94 info is listed in the "is the beneficiary currently in America?" Like no, obviously not, we were at home together. I would not have marked that. So I had to show proof that he was in Korea with an immigration record. So I had a mini panic attack at our one year filing mark hahahah, but I know they're not going to deny me because it's a website bug, I addressed it, I have proof that he was not in America when we made the application and hasn't been back with his I-94 etc. And also we are a real couple of 8 years, living together officially on Korean government paper for almost 3 years now, he's in my will, we send money to each other, etc. Not just pictures haha. So yea mini panic attack, I submitted my letter to clarify and that's that, but I AM SO READY FOR THIS BE APPROVED! (Again, disclaimer: I am an intelligent 41 year old man, I didn't like "oops my mistake," I'm too detail oriented for that haha)

Lurking around (March 2024 filer just checking random forums every so often) and hey Spartanburg! I was born and raised on the Eastside. Small world! Now living in Seoul and gonna go back to Atlanta or NYC when the husband and I get approved in 2025/2026 whenever the heck that may be hahaha

Meanwhile, as a comical update as to why you should never trust the MyProgress tab I was "on track" for approval in March/April 2025, as the general estimates (applied NOA1 March 30, 2024) Logged in today just for fun - and now my progress tab says 13!! months hahaha and we just know that's not true. And also they added some new "timeline" bar underneath it which is even more useless

You believe the general timelines here - not my progress ever ever ever So, you should expect NOA2 aka approval of the first part - around February to April 2025 (12-15 months). But, generally it’s one year so probably it will happen Feb 2025, but don’t be shocked if it’s not until March or April.

Most people DO know - and it's around 12-13 months for I-130 based on general processing timelines shared here. It's very common information around here and other groups online.

Lucky for us, but also unlucky because we are ready to go - we married March 21, 2024, applied online March 30, 2024- so we are gonna stick it out until March 2026 to get IR-1 and go right away (I'm on F-2-7)....so if it's a little slow that's ok even though I am ready to go (I've been here 13 years, F-2-7, I've done all I can do with making my own businesses, earning potential, language skills etc). THANK YOU for this info!

Seoul resident here, waiting for our I-130 approval (PD March 30, 2024) - are these groups in Facebook? NAVER Cafe? Can you share them with me, please?

Ah yes, I read about this just now! I had no idea! BUT in my case - we are not separated, we live together in Korea, sooooo I am sure K3 would be swiftly denied for me AND the govt website says "I-130 often is faster anyway" haha

The I-129F is only for fiance applications, spouse can only use I-130, that's why I'm confused as to why you would file the I-129F

If you're married, and doing an I-130, why would you ever think to do this?

I got one of those cryptic "an action has been taken on your case" messages last week, like many people did it seems, BUT nothing has changed in my Case Status or Notices section. MyProgress went from 15 months to 4, but we know that's not to be trusted one bit. American citizen, PD 3/30, VSC, online filing, South Korean spouse, solid evidence (in relationship living together for 7ish years, married one month) - so not worried about things like RFE or any questions from them ( we even have random stuff like my will, bank statements sending money within Korea and boarding passes from flights 7 years ago)

MyProgress is to be trusted 0%, it's totally useless. Those emails are what you should get excited about haha the "action made on your case.." BUT when they say nothing in your case status, that's also equally frustrating (as was ours from last week)

I also got this email, as did many others on the USCIS Reddit Sub, but nothing in most of our accounts are updated. MyProgress has changed from 15 months now to 4, but we know that is USELESS.

I did some Googling, but didn't get my answer, so I want to ask the experts here. Obviously, I was ridiculously thorough and checked my addresses properly on the first page LOL that's the first thing you do and there are no mistakes. Filed yesterday online and did one more review today just to be thorough! BUT when I printed the PDF form of the submission, it was LOADED with address errors. The receipt I got with my Receipt Number has my correct full address, but the PDF form took out my building name (in the Apt Line). Also, the PDF form only shows like half of the documents submitted in a list. And the weirdest thing? Address history section - shows my current address twice, BUT "additional petitioner address history" is on page 13 by itself at the very end of the entire PDF.... Is this a common thing? I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone mention this weird formatting error on their end. *****HOW TO SOLVE?***** I also read that if you just write a letter an add it as unsolicited evidence, that's enough. Right? Luckily, I applied during the weekend, so no one is touching it or looking at it right now. I wrote a letter that says "hey this is the page, part, question that looks weird, but look our receipt address is correct, and oh yeah the address history is weird and actually it's on page 13..." to clarify. That's enough, right?

Thanks for the reply....yeah so it seems that it's "just file it and wait a year and be very surprised if we get it early' haha

First time posting, excited for this community as we begin our journey. Thank you all for your advice and previous posts and info! American living in Seoul since 2011, with my partner, living together since 2017 with tons of proof (official address documents in Korean, money sent between banks, he is on my will), and money exchanged, so obviously no worries about "is our relationship real?" BUT we have the very unfortunate (or is it?) timing of Denmark wedding 21 March and back to Korea on 25 March. I know that it's all a ####### shoot, but what's the word on the street: Rush to apply with lower fees and get stuck in a backlog? Or wait until April, pay more, be in a new batch and fingers crossed it's faster? Any idea what the odds are? I'm not worried about the cost, and I still fully expect it to take a year and a half start to finish (I-130 online, wait a year according to recent estimates - then DS-260 and interview at Seoul Embassy six months wait). I also know that it all comes down to the pure luck of which center we get - is there any way to predict which center we get as BOTH living abroad? Or again, pure crapshoot? Would hate to shoot myself in the foot if done at the wrong time with the fee changes. Thanks everyone!