Scottb

Skype only keeps records for 6 months. You need to manually save the logs before they are dropped from the records after 6 months.

Off topic, but I have to say that I'm disappointed with Skype. I pay $0.30 per minute to phone Cambodia and rack up over $150 per month in fees on some months when I'm away. For that kind of money I think I should get proper records. I can work around this by saving all records monthly, but I shouldn't have to do this for the fees I'm paying out. Not only that, but the service is barely adequate and the cost of SMS messages has increased over 20% this year. I've also seen that the call timing meter sometimes runs as the phone is ringing, sometimes adding 30 to 60 cents to an already expensive call.

I also have Skype Pro and an online Skype number with a San Francisco area code, which does come in handy when dealing with state-side clients who might have unfounded reservations about working with an overseas developer. The only problem with my Skype number is that it always changes numbers in the client's caller ID when they receive a call from me. I'm paying for a static number and it should reflect my static number in the receiving party's caller ID. Sometimes the area code is from an entirely different region, like last month when i phoned a client in Oakland California and he had my area code as originating from Boston instead of San Francisco.

I don't know of any competitive players in the VOIP market yet, but I'll jump to another provider as soon as I find one.

Got our NOA2 finally. It was a bit late, but not unreasonably so. It looks like we're halfway there.

Now to update the timeline

We got our NOA1 on Feb 6 2008 and had a touch on feb 24th but nothing since then. No touch at all 192 days. My lawyers keep giving me the "just wait" thing but this is crazy. Can anyone please help with what action I can take. I have financial means and will do anything. Please help

honestly, i felt relieved when i read your post, coz there is someone else out there who is on the same boat as i am. my petition was filed on feb. 4. and i have been waiting and waiting and waiting.

i got my first touch feb.7 and then last august 15. i am still waiting for the approval.

my sweetheart called up USCIS but there is just no one to talk to. it is always the voice recording. he already wrote them a letter. we even asked the help of his congressman's office. until now, we are still waiting.

i have left everything in God's hands now, although i admit that i am feeling weighed down already. so, i know how you feel.

keep in touch and let me know if you find out what seems to be causing all these delays. it is surprising that we are of the same batch and this is what is happening to us. it grieves me when i see april filers being approved and look at us. don't you think one adjudicator is handling our papers? it must be in one box or something. please keep in touch with me.

God bless you. ~ liza

I just read a post from another Feb filer who is also patiently waiting for an NOA2:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry2151982

I sent mine in March and am untouched, so I think I made the right decision to go home and forget about it for a few months. For some strange reason, a certain percentage of us get shuffled to the bottom of the pile. Calling doesn't help, as they'll tell you it takes a year to 18 months. Of course that's BS, as you can see people here being approved right-and-left.

Just pick a date 3 months from now and tell yourself you won't fret over things until that time. If you're lucky enough, you can make a trip to be with your loved one before that time. I'm doing just that, but I do sort of regret that due to the (in)action of a handful of inept government hacks, we won't spend our first summer in California together until next year.

You tax dollars at work...

Yeah, I've been waiting for my NOA2 from VSC since Feb 29 and I was say definitely don't check your status everyday. It doesn't help. I'm lucky because I travel for work so I've been able to stay with my fiance in Cambodia quite a bit while we wait. Nevertheless, it's not fun not having control of what you want in life.

But.....We stay positive because any other way would be too frustrating. Good luck, it'll come.

Nice to see another Cambodia expat here. Sorry to hear about the slow progress of your case. I've had it and I'm heading home for a time. I was hoping I could have my wife here before the cold weather came on, but it looks like she'll be here for ski season if we're lucky.

We might know each other from around town or at least on the Cambodia discussion boards. Do you live in Phnom Penh while in Cambodia?

Just wanted to add that our NOA1 date is early February, and we are still waiting as well, so as others have mentioned, you're not alone.

As a side note, our application was received at the end of November, 2007, and we didn't get our NOA1 until February 2008. After looking at other people's timelines, that seems way too long. Anyone know why that would be?

(SORRY - DOUBLE POST)

That is strange. 10 months for you now. I was feeling down because I filed in mid-March and have heard nothing. After reading of your delays, I'm glad I decided to give up and go back to my fiance in Cambodia and see what happens over the next few months. I think a year is possible for those who "fall between the cracks" and after our change of plans, we don't plan to return to the States until then (March 2009), if we get our K1 visa by that time.

Just wanted to add that our NOA1 date is early February, and we are still waiting as well, so as others have mentioned, you're not alone.

As a side note, our application was received at the end of November, 2007, and we didn't get our NOA1 until February 2008. After looking at other people's timelines, that seems way too long. Anyone know why that would be?

Im thinkin im going we're going to get an RFE because we didnt send all 4 forms of the biographical forms..hmm I hope not but at the mment any news would be good!! Im making all my friends and family wish really really hard that this week we get our approval...if i dont ill blame them hahah

you did not send 4 forms? Then how many of them did you send? I don't know much what will happen but let's keep positive, and if ever you will get RFE just comply promptly... Best of luck! (hoping you wont get RFE)...

That has me thinking. I wonder how long an RFE prolongs the approval process. I guess I could go to the spreadsheet and figure it out, but that feels too much like work to me.

OK, time to add my good news. I filed my I-129F on April 11 at CSC, it was approved August 11, and as of August 20, the NVC sent a letter stating the petition will be forwarded within a week. Woo hoo!

:dance:

That's great!

I was beginning to think CSC had taken the rest of the month off! Congratulations!

Troy and I are patiently waiting for our NOA 2. When we first started our journey K1 cases were being approved 80 to 90 days. Now it seems that things have slipped about two to three weeks, 14 to 21 days. Now on the site cases are being approved with 100+ days. Well know it is in Gods hands, and hopefully Troy will call me soon with some good news. Do anyone know why VSC been processing cases very slowly? They were on a role in the past.

There's no real rhyme or reason with the approval rates, and some filers do seem to fall between the cracks, but you're probably better off at VSC. As for me and my fiance', we're still waiting after almost 150 days since our NOA1 out of CSC and our USCIS profile shows our case as untouched since April 1. I fully do not expect a NOA2 before November or December. We decided to forget about it for a time and have a contingency plan in place that will allow us to continue our lives together uninterrupted. My advice to anyone would be to plan on AT LEAST 6 months and to not fall into the habit of checking your USCIS profile and emails/snail mail every day (several time a day :{) for that NOA2. Nobody disappoints better than the US Government.

I've actually moved backwards on Igor's list, from 59th to 60th. Obviously another March/April filer just updated their time line for the first time, but all of this obsessive checking of emails, mail boxes and USCIS status pages has me questioning my sanity. I think I might actually be moving towards borderline Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I'm going to stop this OCD behavior and schedule a flight back to Cambodia where I can wait in the company of my loved ones. Being separated from my family at the whims of some lazy government hacks is something I'm no longer willing to endure.

I can work remotely, and with Fedex at my disposal, do I even need to be present in California to finish this process? I'm keeping my house in San Francisco and I can have a relative forward any mail that comes. At least I can be with my wife and son when we finally fly to SFO.

can i join the group? i really dont know anymore, but all i want to ask is " where and where is our NOA2?" im a feb filer, its already 165 days now, yet no news after the touched last 8-6-8. im really down now, and i want to shout so loud so USCIS will hear my burden. please give our NOA2 for those u been waiting so long.

Don't worry too much. I'm just a few weeks behind you (filed march 21, got NOA1 April 1) and haven't even been touched yet. I think we might have the same person processing our files. You know, the one with the messy desk who seems to always be calling in sick or perpetually away on vacation. Every office has at least one of these types and USCIS is no exception.

I have to admit that I worry and feel a little helpless when I see a constant stream of folks who filed after me getting approval, but that's life, and government work. I find myself checking my online case status several times each day and racing home to check my mailbox every night, but at least I've got something to look forward to.

It won't be long now.

I hate to break it to some people, but life in America is no longer viewed as the end-all be-all of existence.

Spread the word. It might reduce the hordes of people seeking visas.

I think some people reach these conclusions because many are still stuck with the old notion that everyone in the world wants to come to America more than anything else in the world. That simply isn't true now, nor was it true years ago.

A lot of people are attached to their homeland but to say foreigners aren't coming to America is bunk and doesn't square with the immigration numbers for at least the last 20 years.

Don't forget that the percentage of foreign born residents (12%) in America is close to the level of the 1920 census.

That's not my point and I never said foreigners are not coming to America. Didn't you notice the K1 filer status next to my name? duh... and of course migrant workers are coming in droves, just as they are to many other developed countries. I'm simply saying that many people assume a woman only wants a ticket to America when she marries a USC, when in fact, many are perfectly happy in their country of origin and marry out of love and not just to get a green card. That should go without saying on this board, but it needs to be said outside of these pages too.

I've lived in Asia for 16 years. I've had a lot of friends from many different walks of life and rarely met a one who was dying to come to the US at any cost. Some friends wanted an education here, but I never met a one who was willing to go so far as to marry someone under false pretenses to get here. The shine is off the apple and this is not the destination everyone is dying to reach. My wife has a number of family members in the US who have had enough and are returning to Cambodia as new economic opportunities and democracy spreads there. Most of them report that they are happier to be back. The same holds true in many developing countries. Some Americans are too ignorant of the rest of the world to know that a good lifestyle can be attained in the developing world, That people love their own countries and are happy there without some of the drawbacks that come from life in the US. I'll point out the lack of respect towards the extended family as one example where America falls short of many places. It's considered shameful to live amongst an extended family here. What's up with that? Lack of child care, no sense of community, sky-high medical costs and general isolation are a few other drawbacks that come to mind.

If more people knew that yes, it is possible to have a decent lifestyle with plenty of opportunities in the developing world, they would stop assuming that everyone wants to escape and come here and will marry just for a green card. Some will, but most will not.

I, like Emancipation; was sitting in a Mexican cornfield, barefoot and illiterate, and I prayed to the Virgen de Guadalupe to please send me a gringo to take me out of that place where me and my 19 brothers and sisters ate beans and tortillas when it was a good day. I then moved to Acapulco and worked as a hooker and a drug mule, and then I met my husband--- the Virgin had heard my pleas!!!! Now of course I want to bring all my family here to eat and live properly.

Sheesh... this thread is as moronic as they come. Again, assumptions about "American women" and "Foreign women". Get a life.

ha ha ha! I like your style!

I think some people reach these conclusions because many are still stuck with the old notion that everyone in the world wants to come to America more than anything else in the world. That simply isn't true now, nor was it true years ago. I know that my One would prefer if we could remain in her country of origin, but I need to be in the US for a certain amount of time each year because of my career. She'll experience a lower standard of living and endure some amount of hardship by coming here. I hate to break it to some people, but life in America is no longer viewed as the end-all be-all of existence.

Yes!

I'm pleased to hear that "touches" are not a reliable indicator of forward progress and that I can stop clicking obsessively on my USCIS status page.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Hmmmm.... April K-1 filers at CSC must be very shy about posting

Thought I'd post again and see if any movement has begun for anyone. I have noticed that the K-3's seem to be moving much faster than K-1's. Maybe the pace will start to pickup

robertjay

CSC filer here!

I received the NOA1 on April 1, some 120 days ago. My USCIS status page shows my I29f is still untouched. I'm guessing at an early September NOA2, but I won't be surprised if it takes a bit longer. I'll post here if anything develops.

I never saw a touch until the day we were approved (7/31). My NOA1 was also April 1. I am sure you will be hearing very soon!

I haven't posted before, but I can't help but vent my frustration to hopefully understanding ears. I filed on 3/20/08 and have been sitting here watching other people who filed as recently as April already getting thier NOA2's and we are still sitting here waiting. Does anyone have any words of advice on how to handle this waiting period when it is so incredibly frustrating? Does anyone by chance understand the real order that CSC goes in? Because it obviously isn't really by date.

I know I sound really whiney right now, but it's hard not to when I am so frustrated with this system. Thank you guys for reading!

I filed with CSC on March 23, but I always go off of my NOA1 date as the first meaningful milestone, which for me is April 1. As of today, my USCIS status page shows my petition as untouched, but I'm not too worried about that. I called last week and was told it could take 6 months to 3 years!!?!?! The guy was nice enough, but his analogy of "riding in the folds of an Elephant's hide" was neither comforting or encouraging. I don't want to guess at how many times each day he springs that tired saying on his befuddled callers. I don't envy him the job of placating frustrated petitioners, but his "analogy" was not helpful. Could it have been some kind of veiled telegraphing of his displeasure with the Republican administration? hmmm...

I'm guessing an early-to-mid-September NOA2 for me. In the meantime, I can always comfort my One by telling her that the US government says we're stuck in an elephant's skin.

Hmmmm.... April K-1 filers at CSC must be very shy about posting

Thought I'd post again and see if any movement has begun for anyone. I have noticed that the K-3's seem to be moving much faster than K-1's. Maybe the pace will start to pickup

robertjay

CSC filer here!

I received the NOA1 on April 1, some 120 days ago. My USCIS status page shows my I29f is still untouched. I'm guessing at an early September NOA2, but I won't be surprised if it takes a bit longer. I'll post here if anything develops.

Filed through the California Service Center in March and received the first NOA on April 1.

120 days and my application is still "untouched" but that doesn't indicate that we're in for an unreasonable delay. I understand it's possible to get to NOA2 without seeing any "touches" on your USCIS case status page. I'm looking forward to late August or early September for the NOA2, but I won't hold my breath.

BTW, if your tag is correct and you are applying for a K1, and thus the mother is your fiancee, not wife, that might also affect the answer? I don't know.

Yes, we are on the K1 visa track, but I've just learned that marital status has no bearing on the child's citizenship, as long as the USC parent signs an acknowledgment of paternity and an Affidavit of Support. I did both and after reading the article below, I'm assuming that my son is in fact a Citizen at Birth and not a naturalized citizen.

http://immigration.findlaw.com/immigration...ou-know(1).html

5. November 14, 1986 to Present

If at the time of your birth, both your parents were U.S. citizens, and at least one had a prior residence in the United States, you automatically acquired U.S. citizenship with no conditions for retaining it.

If only one parent was a U.S. citizen at the time of your birth, that parent must have resided in the United States for at least five years, at least two of which must have been after the age of 14. You don't need to do anything special to keep this type of citizenship. If your one U.S. citizen parent is your father and you were born outside of marriage, the same rules apply if your father established paternity prior to your 18th birthday, either by acknowledgment or by court order, and stated in writing that he would support you financially until your 18th birthday.

I do recall submitting an Affidavit of Support to the embassy when we got his passport.

Is my son a naturalized citizen, or is he a citizen at birth under 301g of the Immigration and Naturalization Act?

I am an American born US citizen and my wife is a Cambodian citizen. Our son was born in Cambodia and when we got his US passport, we were told that he is a naturalized citizen of the United States. I was told that he would be considered a citizen at birth only if my wife was also an American citizen, or if I was in the Armed Forces or an employee of the US government.

Acquaintances argue otherwise, that my son is indeed an American at birth and not a naturalized citizen. I don't have the paperwork or passport with me, as he's with my wife in Cambodia while I'm in California on business, but I recall being told at the US embassy in Phnom Penh that our son is a naturalized US citizen because he was born outside of the US to an American citizen and a foreign national.

It's been 50/50 for the past 4 years due to job constraints. I was promised a full-time position in Phnom Penh from my employer in her country, but with the economy being as it is, things just haven't happened as we'd hoped and I still have to work in the US for 4-6 months per year. I've managed more time at home in Phnom Penh with my wife since our son was born, but still not nearly enough, so we're working on getting her visa.

If given the choice, we'd both prefer to reside full-time in her native Cambodia. There's a lot to be said for having a huge, supportive extended family when you have a child together and we'll miss that while we live in the US.

May I ask, if your life is such that you live 6 months here/6 months there, and have a child, why didn't you just marry in her home country, and apply for an immigrant (IR/CR-1) visa? That would make your wife a resident upon entereing the US, and not subject to as many restrictions.

-P

Sure

We had no intention of ever residing in the US before our son was born. We'd had religious ceremonies for both our engagement and wedding, but no official marriage license or engagement permits because our shyster Cambodian lawyer provided fake documents (and for 3 time the going rate).

My employer has been promising me a full-time posting in Cambodia for years, but it looks like that's not going to happen either, so we've decided to stay together while I work and for that we need to get my fiancee's("wife's") visa and the K1 seemed like the fastest route.

Before anyone shouts FRAUD because I was married but am applying for a fiancee visa, know that, because of our poor choice in legal representation, in the eyes of the Cambodian government, we are not married and that our ceremonies were spiritual but do not constitute a legal marriage.

Because of the amount of fraud from marriage brokers and legal representatives who help to process paperwork, Cambodia currently has a ban in place against it's citizens marrying foreigners ( http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/200...TOKEN=74434520), so an official marriage is not possible now anyways, until we reach US shores.

Thanks Diana!

Another question: You said She only needs to apply for AP before she leaves the US if she's planning to stay overseas for more than 12 months.

It sounds like you're saying AP is required for more than 12 months overseas, but that it is not necessary at all if we plan to go outside the US for just 6 months at a time.

I think I need to get better informed, as it seems I've been completely off the track on this whole issue. Do you have a link to a page that can help me to clear up any of my misperceptions?

According to the K1 FAQs:

5. Immediately after marriage, you must apply for an Adjustment of Status, Form I-485, to become a permanent resident. You may also apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to work (required until your I-485 is approved) and "advance parole" in case you want to travel outside the United States and re-enter before getting your green card (I-485 approval).

I'm under the Impression that I-485 (green card application) takes a couple of years to obtain approval and my hope is that we can spend time overseas before obtaining the green card. At this point in time, we don't even have our NOA-2 for the I-29F petition for a K1 visa, so a green card feels like it's a long way off.

So I think I'm clear that we can travel a reasonable amount before the green-card is issued, but I'm confused now about the AP. My intreptretation of the FAQ above is that we'll need to apply for the AP every time we travel outside the US before a green card is obtained.

Thanks again

Scott

She needs to reside in the US; however, she is allowed to be outside of the country for about 6 months or so. The Immigration officers at POE may give her a hard time coming back if they see that she's been doing this for a while but as long as it's justifiable she'll be ok.

She only needs to apply for AP before she leaves the US if she's planning to stay overseas for more than 12 months. The AP will allow her to stay outside of the US for up to two years.

The best thing is to try to get her US citizenship if she wishes, that way she can stay outside of the US as long as she wants and come back without any issues.

Diana

Hello everyone. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate this place, the great advice and support of the wonderful members here, and the loads of hard work the operators must have put into creating such a well put-together and helpful web site.

I've been living in Cambodia with my fiancee while maintaining a home in California for the past 4 years. I work 6 months per year in Cambodia and 6 months per year in the US, which means long periods away from my fiancee and our two-and-a-half year old son.

After receiving her visa (still waiting for NOA2 --GRRR!), we plan to reside in the US, but ideally only half of the time. I'll still need to spend at least 6 months of each year working in Cambodia and I'd like my wife to accompany me while I'm there. I understand my wife will need to apply for Advance Parole before leaving the US with me after our marriage, but I'm not clear if there isn't some sort of minimum time per year that she must spend in the US before receiving her green card. For some reason I have it in my head that we have to spend at least 6 months per year State-side, but I don't remember where I read this and now I can't find any reference to this requirement.

Is there some set minimum time that she must spend living in the US? If so, I hope it's not too severe, as we've already spent more than enough time apart because of my work and I'd hate to think that I'll still have to endure time away from her and our child when I do my work in Cambodia while she sits in California due to some minimum residency requirements.

Her having the ability to live in Cambodia for 5 or 6 months per year while I work there is all I ask. Is this possible, or should I find a new job that keeps me in the US 365 days per year?

Thanks