S&D

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

Ana&D>>>

Well, If i am not lucky, then I will have to do the same thing with you...hope the vaccine wouldn't turn out harmful later...

Suzy>>>

I don't know the exact date when NVC received my case, but I got NOA2 dated Aug 13, and

I confirmed that NVC sent out my package on Aug 19. I tracked my package online

and saw that it was delivered to Tokyo yesterday. That is how it went for my case!

Ana&D

I really hope to get the blanket!!! My Japanese gynecologist says that he doubts, in clinical point of view, if it is really necessary for me to take Gardesil as I am getting married and am kind of old for it. Plus, the truth is....I already have HPV. It is one of the low risk types so he says that he doesn't really think it will turn into cervical cancer. I will try to work it out with my civil surgeon. I hope i will be lucky!!!!

Kim>> yeah, I guess I overreact to things like that. My fiance always told me to stop worrying about hypothetical things... I am sure when oral contraceptive just came out, people were so skeptical but then it ended up proven safe to take for long time.

I will turn 26 next May.I am guessing that I should be in the US probably by thanksgiving and

we are planning to get married right after I enter the US.

I am not quite sure of exactly by what time I have to be vaccinated if I have to.

If things go smoothly as I wish, my AOS starts by December but I don't want to wait

for 6 months just because I have to be finished with all the Gardeseil rounds....

Fernanda>>

I am concerned about HPV too. I am 25 so I will have to take it but I really don't want to. My Japanese gynecologist said that it is not proven safe yet in Japan that is why it is not approved in Japan yet...

I am not ignorant about cervical cancer or danger of carrying HPV but it seems pointless for me to have to take it. Requring us to take Gardeseil is almost against the principle of marriage, which is to be faithful and loyal to your husbands. it also seems to me that by requiring all the female immigrants to take it, the government will be able to get more samples of the vaccine to study the possible unknown side-effects....

I might be taking it too personal but I already have so much vaccination to take and I just don't wanna have to load more to it...especially something that was JUST released about 2 years ago.

Kim>>

Thank you so much!! You are really kind, Kim...I've just called NVC and the representative told me that my package was sent out on Aug 19th to Tokyo. I typed "EXP 19 AUG 2008A" and the range "Aug 19"-"Aug 20". Somehow when I typed the same date in two spots, it didn't work. I saw one package picked up on the 20th delivered to Tokyo earlier today on DHL website so it must be it!!!! I am so thrilled!!

Thank you Kim! Yes, we had so much fun together with no fights/aruguments!

I am sure that you two will have wonderful times together!!!

A receptionist at one of the hospitals designated by the US Embassy in Tokyo told me

that those people who enter the US on any type of visa are required by the US government

to prove that they got vaccinated against measles twice. I don't want it to come back anyway

so I don't mind getting vaccinated twice but even if I didn't want to get vaccinated,

as long as I am traveling to the US on K1 visa, I would have to get it done anyway.

I don't mean to cut this off, but I have a question as well...

I see people tracking their packages through DHL but I just don't know

how to find out if my package left NVC....

Should I just call NVC and ask the representative if my package left there yet??

or is there something else online where I can find it out?

Congratulations on your approval Suzy!!!!

My fiance was visiting me in Japan the whole last week and I was away from the computer so I just found out that you got approved!!

Hi, Highwaystar!

In Japan, doctors would say the same things to patients.

I was vaccinated against measles when I was a baby but

I am planning to take another one before the medical.

I have to get vaccinated against measles twice prior to my departure to the US,

so I will take one shot before the medical check, and another one at the medical.

Vaccination against measles is required for any children in Japan

but apparently one vaccination in lifetime is not good enough.

In fact, there has been this crazy measles outbreak

in many of the Japanese colleges in this past 2 years.

Almost every single college in Japan had to warn students and

encourage them to go and get vaccinated against it again.

Several colleges in Tokyo had to shut down schools for about a week

last year due to the sudden measles outbreak. It was called "measles break"!!!!

Then many doctors started to say that people should get vaccinated against it

again after they turn 20 or something because grown-ups are likely to get measles again although

they were vaccinated in childhood. You may not want to underestimate that....

By the way, the trick was you have to press "0" after the automated line asks you what option you need.!!

And then you will be able to speak with a representative.

WE JUST GOT APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What made me even happier is that Kim got approved too!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kim, it really happened!!! We got approved on the same date!!!!!!!!

I think our cases were kept in the same box for the same adjudicator

About calling USCIS, my fiance got to talk to a representative who was totally not helping us at all.

We knew this is what would happen, but we just could not wait any longer sitting and hoping.

He asked her what was going on with our case or why our case took so long while many March filers

got approved in June/July etc. As we all knew, she started to read her manual and told us what we see on their website.

She says in a little rude way "I understand your frustration but you have to wait for about 4-6 months. we can't do anything

while your case is within the processing time" . We both got so frustrated that my fiance and I started bickering and

went to bed feeling so depressed. We just woke up and I was checking my emails while he was in the shower

and I found the email and just screamed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took me about 5 months to get here......

Hi, guys, thank you so much for the comments!!!

My fiance got to talk to a representative yesterday, but she was just reading the manual to him and only

made him upset. She sounded quite rude too, which was all predicted before we called.

BUT, WE JUST GOT APPROVED right after we called.

We called USCIS from Japan and my fiance and I got in fight because we were so frustrated about not finding a way out of this

and we just woke up and found the email!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sure this is simply nothing but a sheer coincidence because all the representative said was

what is written in her manual and things that you can read on UCISI website.....

I have waited for this for about 5 months....Most of the March filers got approved in June/July so

it was really hard.......

Let me thank you guys for sharing your experiences with me because last night I really felt like low and

scared to think that our case was skipped and left unnoticed but it cheered me up to read somone else's experiences.

God's girl, pressing "0" was what we didn't know and it actually transfer my fiance to a representative!! thanks!!

Our case has been pending since this March.

My fiance tried to call USCIS but it would not tell him how to get to speak with a representative.

the numbers that he called are as follows; (800) 375 – 5283 or 1-800-767-1833

I have heard that many people at VJs talking about their experiences of talking with the USCIS representatives on the phone

and I really need to know how my fiance can get to speak with an acutual representative, not just answering machines...

USCIS makes the customer service so complicated and tricky.

Is there a certain way or number to press in order to get connected to a representative???

I know speaking with a representative probably will not result in NOA2 or any change but my fiance and I

feel like we just have to do something....enough for sitting and trying to keep the faith and believing in USCIS.

Please someone give us some advice. We are so desperate....

Thanks

Hi, everyone. I have a quick question...

How do people get to talk to the representatives at USCIS???

What number do we have to press??

My fiance has called USCIS trying to talk to a representative but unless our case has been

30 days beyond the processing time, it seems like there is no way for us to get to a representative....

Any advice/comments will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Kim&Highwaystar>>>

Thanks for your thoughtful wishes!

I tried not to obsess in about the past 2 weeks. I was not really looking at either of VJ / USCIS.

I was getting so excited to see my fiancefor the first time in 8 months and didn't have to think about it.

After about 2 weeks, I still see no change on my case and it is pretty depressing

I feel like they are moving so ahead that they probably skipped our case way before

and they don't even know that they skipped someone's case....

But Highwaystar got her approval so that shoud mean that VSC is working on the cases, just really really slowly....

KIm, I totally know how hard it has been for you lately.

when I was seeing all the March filers getting approved everyday and

I felt like it could be my turn anytime but nothing would happen, I was going MAD!!

I got used to not seeing any change afterwhile but I want you to get approved before you get to that stage of mind!

You should get approved any time soon, you have been cheering everyone up so it should be your turn now!!!

I really hope to be able to celebrate with you soon!!! I will be wishing both of us the best luck!

HIghwaystar, I hope your aunt will get better soon!!! I am sure it will make her feel better to know that

her neice is happily getting married to someone that loves her!!!

Highwaystar>>

I am so happy for you getting approved!!!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess we really did become one of the last March filers who haven't got approved.

My fiance is here in Japan and I am thinking of having him make a call to USCIS.

They will probably tell him that we are still within the processing time.

I know that we may be, but we are definitely one of the few couples who haven't got approved.

Can anyone give us some advise how we should talk to USCIS people on the phone??

Should we simply ask them what is going on with our case or should we be a little be demanding??

I am really getting depressed now.....

in addition, i never had a problem with the law in the US.

I got in a little trouble when I was trying to enter the US from Canada

because I didn't have my I-20 with me besides my passport and

the officer was very upset with me saying that she could send me

to some facility in NY till she could confirm my I-20.....

I tried my best to have my roommates locate it in my room but it didn't work and

the officer told me to let it a learning experience and not to make the same mistake again

and permitted me to enter the US. This is the only thing that I could think of

as far as the US law is concerned in my history. I don't think this is affecting my processing time though.

Damian

I have posted a topic on the same issue!!

I was a student on F-1 from 2003-2004 and did not finish school in the US.

I have been waiting for NOA2 for over 4 months at VSC

and it seems to be beyond the average processing time at VSC!!!!

It seems that normally people would receive NOA2 within 2-3 months

after they file the petition at Vermont so I have been wondering why.....

Have you entered the US after you returned to the UK??

My F-1 was good till 2007 but I was already back in my japanese university in 2005.

Whenever I was trying to enter the US at the custom, I would be always

sent to a different room by the officer. Their explanation was always

something like this "don't worry, we just neet to confirm something that does not

come up on the screen at the custom because you used to have a F-1 before!"

They would never tell me anything further though. I was never rejected to enter the US

but it has never been smooth since I returned to Japan.

You will be less than an hour away from me! I was born and raised here in Leominster.... my great grandparents landed here from Sicily and helped build this city. It's a wonderful place to live with strong family roots. Yes, we've done this airport / hotel thing for many... many... many years now. This time it's for good! That is the moment that keeps me going through this difficult process! You will have to make sure you get up to Conway... Bartlet... and into the White Mountains in the fall. It is some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see. Do let me know if you make it down here sometime.

Oh yes, I will defenitely let you know when I make it there!!! Hopefully before Thanksgiving!!!!!

I went camping with his dad's family up in the Whilte Mountains 2 years ago!!!!

yeah, the scenery from top of the mountain was just breathtaking, as I remember....

I will be thinking of you and your Italian family next time when we drive by Leominster!

S&D ... N.H. is where us MA folks go for expensive things... big party alcohol purchases and where many smokers go for their cigs. I drive a big honkin Eddie Bauer Expedition so it would probably cost me more in gas than i'd spend in groceries! I love Boston too... I had one brother that went to Harvard and one to North Eastern and my ex husband works for Gillette (now P & G) in Southie... so we've spent quite a bit of time there. Russell and I are planning a few days alone there after he arrives in Logan.. although i'm not sure we'll leave the room! (that was for you Suz! :lol) I'm about an hour northwest in Leominster. I'm with your fiance, as much as I like being in the city, I could never live there. It's good being close though!

Oh my goodness!!! When he was living in around Keene, NH years ago,

we would stop in Gardner or Leominster for bathroom or dunkin' donuts coffee on our way to Boston!!

Now his place is near Manchester NH so we are much closer to Boston!

It feels funny to find someone on the internet that knows the area that I know!!!!!

We have the same kind of plan! He is coming to see me in Tokyo in 2 weeks

and I live not too far from the airpot but we booked a hotel room near the airpot for the first night!!

I am sure you will have the beautiful romantic fun moments with Russell!

S&D, I'm so glad my ramblings helped to ease your spirit a bit. It's just honesty really. If there wasn't so many left from your timeframe I might be a little more concerned for you all but there seems to be this small group left from the end of March / early April. I know.. it's so unfair. I don't think I knew you were going to be in New Hampshire. I'm only about 20 minutes from the border. I hope you can get here for fall as it's just breathtaking in New England at that time!

Kim>>

I think I am beyond the hardest point now.

I don't even check my account at USCIS website anymore....

I know when they update it, I will receive an email

so there is really no use checking it like every second....

When most of the late March filers were getting approved every day,

it was really frustrating and the toughest and I was losing patience and going crazy!!!!!

But it has just been too long and I just really got sick of the dissappointment to see no update on my case.

I am still planning to have my fiance call USCIS very soon though!!

You seem to be very close to where I will be living in NH ;-)

Our place is only 45min away from Logan and actually I used to

go to a small private college in Boston! That's where I met him!!!!

Although I wanted to live in Boston, my fiance is such a NH guy that needs the nature

and the woods around him! Well, NH is awesome because it is a SALES TAX-FREE state!

Maybe you should come to NH for grocery shopping

Raff, i've often found myself with the short stick too but I honestly believe that what goes around.... comes around. Be strong, stick to your values, do good unto others and life will shine on you. You can't really compare our lovely Country with our screwed up mortgage lenders right now. They're all going under..and there's good reason for that. I work for several real estate companies and an appraisal office and I can tell you that the fact that you even got a mortgage at this point is shocking to me. It just took me 6 months to refi the house i'm living in and it's a family home! It's not an easy thing to go through right now. Don't lose faith... the US is a great place to live! Sure, some of the gov't agencies need a big overhaul... including immigration...anyone would admit that. But you have said the same things about your own Country. Not to psycho-analyze, but I think maybe you're going through a process of grief and with that often comes anger... it helps to have someone to blame. Believe me, I know ALL about that as i've sure done my share of grieving too. Someone with an NOA1 date right around yours was approved yesterday... did you see that? So perhaps my presumption about an adjuticator or two on vacation is true. It's sad that happens, you're right, but I truly feel it's coming. I so wish I could spend a day with you just hanging out and showing you all the beauty and love that I see in life...even throughout this difficult process. I know you're losing hope and I know all these approvals after you are unfair but it happens to some people, i've seen this for a year now with no rhyme or reason to it. You have got to stay strong and believe it's coming or you're going to make yourself sick. It's wonderful that you purchased real estate..especially right now! I know it doesn't feel that way.. but it really is. It's glorious that you have someone you love deeply to share your life with now. Beauty and wonder await you... this pain you're feeling now will soon be a distant memory!

Kim>>

I know the above comment was not directed to me but it was very re-energizing for me to read as well

because I am in the same boat as Highwaystar....

I can't believe that it has been officially 4 months since my NOA1 was issued....

oh well, I guess I just have to make the best of the time that I have left in Japan to spend with my family!!!

I will miss it once i move to the US. I hope to be able to have thanksgiving dinner in the US though.

Just like Boston, New Hampshire is very pretty in thanksgiving season and I am looking forward to it.

Anyway, you are the best, kim!!

I'm sorry Raff I wish I could explain why some take longer. Peach's sent date (the date they supposedly go by) was 3/30 and she was just approved. By looking at those left I have to wonder if there is just this short stack of filers from your timeframe. Your initial concern of having a bit longer due to security checks because of your job could be it as well. It can be anything holding it up a little longer than some. The good news is that usually those dont get held up for too long. I'm sure it's coming... but in the meantime don't feel badly about being down or having to hold back as we celebrate. We know how you feel and understand your concerns!

Thank you for your understanding. I am very happy for other people, and I don't want to seem as if I'm raining on their parade, but I really feel so terribly down, and at this point I think it's not going to happen. One thing I know is that I can't possibly bear another six months or longer like that, and I don't know what I'm going to do if this goes on much longer. Michael would move here in a heartbeat, but he knows that the current situation in Italy is rather bad (won't go into details, but suffice it to say that he's got to pay about $1,000 a month in child support, and it would be next to impossible for him to find a job here, unless he wanted to risk his life every minute of the day), and that his moving here would put a huge burden on me. My work situation is not good either, especially from a psychological point of view. At my age I wouldn't be able to find another job here, and that would probably make things hard in another European country. This is why we decided to go the K1 route... We were even able to buy an apartment in the US a couple of months ago, but I don't even know if I will ever be allowed to live here (my money was OK to take though).

Sorry for venting and spoiling everyone's party, but I am feeling so depressed... We are good people, and I don't think we deserve this.

HighwayStar>>>>

I am sorry to hear that things have been very tough on you.

I just want you to know I am here to share that depressing uncertainty with you....

I totally know what you mean. My fiance is coming to Japan in two weeks

and we have been apart for almost 8 months because of USCIS.

We have never committed a crime before, we met when we were both in college,

I always wrote down his address in my I-94 form

whenever I went to visit him in the US, I really don't think there is anything

that looks suspicious to USCIS about our history or background.

But somehow it has been taking 4 months since we filed our petition....

It should be encouraging to know that VSC is moving as you can see

from all the new approvals coming every day but it has been so long that

I feel like i would never ever get an approval from USCIS.

But highwaystar, let's hang in there a little longer!!!!

You are not alone!!! Just forget about NOA2 while your fiance is with you in Italy

and try to enjoy every minute of the time you get to spend with him because you know

it is very precious!! ;-)

I will do the same when my fiance comes to Japan!!

Over the last year or so i've tried every which way to analyze every number reported by the uscis but the only thing that remains certain ...is the uncertainty!

Kim,

this is what has been driving me CRAZY!!!!

Every time when I see a few of unfortunate cases that have been pending nearly for 1 year,

it makes me think what if my case will be pending that long too!?

It's frustrating because I will have to renew my contract at work soon but I don't know

when I can get NOA2 so I can't even make a plan for my work......

Well, it is still July and it is too early for me to be depressed!!!!!

HiTech,

Your analysis was quite impressive .

Nich-Nick

Thanks for the links!! I really need to get NOA2 for my mental health .....it is so frustrating!

Kim, thanks a lot for your detailed analysis!

I guess all we can do is really to keep the faith and stay positive and strong....

I really hope all of us will receive NOA2 without being forgotten.

I feel so bad for those who filed way before we did and are still waiting for NOA2.

Their cases must be in those backlog boxes....

I hope you will receive NOA2 very soon as it can happen anytime soon to you!

Kim, as an experienced VJ member, I have one question for you....

Do you think VSC has slowed down lately compared to how they used to process cases before??

I am wondering if we are just caught in a bad timing at VSC...

I have heard that VSC has to process HI visa first, or naturalization for the coming presidential election etc.

I am sure no one really knows what is going on but I just joined VJ last month

so I really don't know the trend at VSC.

BrasilandUSA date='Jul 22 2008, 08:51 PM' post='2039271']

I have the same problems. My fiance sent the forms 03/05/2008 and called to USCIS and they told him they received the forms 03/12/2008.

We don't have any news from VSC and our check is still pending.

I would like to know what can I do in this case, because when we call to the USCIS they always say they don't know when we will have our NOA2.

Best wishes for every VJ's

Ana

Is March 12 the date your NOA1 issued?? Or they just received your petition??

In order to issue NOA1, I believe that your check must be cached first.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!