trdc3lica

My fiance received and returned packet 3 to the embassy several weeks ago and we haven't heard anything from the

embassy since then. I ended up calling the Visa office (202-663-1225) two days ago and they told me that my fiancee isn't eligible for

her visa interview yet. The reason they gave me was that although the embassy received the packet from beneficiary (fiancee), they haven't

received the packet from the petitioner (me) yet. Then they transferred me to the NVC, who said they had no information on our case since

it's been forwarded to the embassy already (on Oct 16th).

So now to my question. Does the embassy actually send out packets to both parties? And if so, what documents are sent specifically to the

petitioner? I've submitted everything from my side (affidavit, evidence of assets, etc). Is there anything else that is required?

Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

I got a NOA1 from CSC on May 15th but there is no word on NOA2 and only one week left before the 5 month processing time deadline. A few questions for you all:

1 - Is there anyone else in a similar situation?

2- Can the NOA2 be delayed past the 5 month processing time?

3 - I see that some people have "touch" in their timelines, what does that mean?

many thanks in advance...

Hi,

I also received my NOA1 around may 15 or so. On the advice of some great people (Starlight95 mostly) I contacted my representative about a week ago. Today I got an email from the representative saying that I was approved for the NOA2. I'm sure that the congressional inquiry played a part in getting the approval. So,... my thoughts to you is to contact your Representative today.

Hi everybody,

I wanted to share the great news with everybody, and thank you all for all your support through this process. I finally got the approval and now I am ready to move on with rest of the journey. I think we all need lots and lots of patience, and without VJ I think I would have been completely lost. Thank you VJ members, and for those of you that are waiting I am positive that the wait will not be too long. Just hang in there, as their is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Star

Hey!!! Congratulations! You've waited long enough! I'm glad to see you're finally through! Good luck with the rest of the process,... keep us updated!

Still not a single touch on our case. Starting to lose hope. If America doesn't want us, It might be time to look into other countries to settle me and my fiance in.

I just found out I could possibly be denied since my divorce decree had a recent date of my divorce. I am going insane.

My attorney did not mention this, but another one I just randomly asked for advice told me that there is a possibility. Please keep me in your prayers.

I'm sorry to hear that. Man this whole process is so stressful... but hopefully everything will work out for all of us!

Keep your head up, and try not to worry to much!

You will probably have to wait. USCIS will just tell your representative you are within processing times. Unfortunately, people from countries like your fiance's can take a while with background checks. Heck, we are from a peaceful country and our NOA2 took 6 1/2 months.

I can sort of understand how Pakistan has a bad rep in the world. But what sort of background check would they be running on her right now? I could be wrong, but doesn't the background check on her begin after NOA2? That's when they ask for the police certificates and what not. I thought that at this point they'd be running background checks on me.

Hi guys,

I was wondering whether it would be worth it to contact my representative at this point. I filed for K1 in mid May and the 5 month time-frame

is almost over. If I hadn't been following Igor's list and VJ I'd wait until the 5 months were up. But seeing so many people who applied after me getting their NOA2's before me is disconcerting. If you check Igors list for CSC, of the last 20 approvals 14 have been from June filers. I haven't so much as received a touch since the initial NOA1 mid-may.

So, is it a good idea to get the congressman involved this early?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

hello it was 4 months for me and every one was pasting me, i called uscis in cali two times and getting no where with them, i called my congressman, she called me back right away and had me fill out that same form, i gave my wac.........# as soon as she got it she called and emailed them that same day, i was touch that day and them touch the next day which turn out they gave me my approvel, so my congress person help, i did explain to her that ppl after me were getting approved and i wasnt even touch, she was upset about this so make sure u tell them about how many ppl after u got approvel letter, i pick this congress person cause i voted for him and i made sure she new i voted for him and i fully support him , the lady i was talking to, work in his office and she only deals with immg. so let them know that u r going threw cali give them all information u can cause that will help. so my advise is go for it, whats there to lose. they tell u to wait 5 months point well u will have a head start, good luck

That's awesome. I've written the letter (actually just modified Starlight95's), and plan on sending it out tomorrow. What's the worst that could happen? If anything, maybe I'll be as fortunate as you!

Thanks

They wont talk about it until the 5 months has transpired. calling Congressman or senator will not help yet..

It really depends on your representative, as some are ready to help you when they know that others around the same timeline have gotten approved and you are still waiting.

Okay thanks guys. I guess I will mail him in the morning.

I still have my letter saved. Let me know if you need ideas to type it, or want to know the format.

Hehehe... Sure! I was just about to start writing it when I checked this forum again. It'll save me a lot of time if I have a template which I can use. I'll pm you. Thanks

They wont talk about it until the 5 months has transpired. calling Congressman or senator will not help yet..

It really depends on your representative, as some are ready to help you when they know that others around the same timeline have gotten approved and you are still waiting.

Okay thanks guys. I guess I will mail him in the morning.

Also, the congressman requires I submit a Privacy Act Release form. On this form it asks for my case number. So far I've only received the NOA1 and there is no case number listed. Should I put the Receipt Number (WAC----) as my case number?

Hi guys,

I was wondering whether it would be worth it to contact my representative at this point. I filed for K1 in mid May and the 5 month time-frame

is almost over. If I hadn't been following Igor's list and VJ I'd wait until the 5 months were up. But seeing so many people who applied after me getting their NOA2's before me is disconcerting. If you check Igors list for CSC, of the last 20 approvals 14 have been from June filers. I haven't so much as received a touch since the initial NOA1 mid-may.

So, is it a good idea to get the congressman involved this early?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

What is wrong with CSC? I haven't gotten a single touch or anything since the original receipt of documents.... which was way back in mid may. This is getting so annoying.

Does it have to do with the fact that my wife is coming from Pakistan? Are different countries treated differently?

Your file may have ended up in a different pile or they sent it in for extra background checks...

On October 15th you can call them about it though, since it's been 5 months.

When you do, don't take that "Your file hasn't been here for whatever # of months" blah blah #######.

You've been waiting 5 months and because that's the time listed on their website, you should demand to talk to someone higher up if they wont answer you.

It's pretty unfair that you havn't seen any progress at all.

Thanks... yea it's just frustrating to keep checking the uscis.gov site hoping to see any change. At what point should one get their representative involved?

What is wrong with CSC? I haven't gotten a single touch or anything since the original receipt of documents.... which was way back in mid may. This is getting so annoying.

Does it have to do with the fact that my wife is coming from Pakistan? Are different countries treated differently?

So.... still waiting. Not a single touch since 5/26.

This is starting to get really frustrating. All these people who applied before and after me are already getting approved or RFE's. We got our NOA1 on May 19, and haven't gotten a single touch since then. I have a feeling that on the last day before the 5 month target, they'll send an RFE.

We are in the same boat. Our NOA 1 dat was May 11 and we have not got a single touch or update.

This is frustrating that everyone who applied before and after me have got there NOA 2 /

They are working on May 2009 applicants right now and most likely yours are next in line. Hang in there! Let us all be glad that the CSC is waaaay ahead of VSC lol! and hopefully the wont send an RFE on the last day before the 5month target

Also, the online thing from USCIS isn't always updated! Hang in there and let's hope that you are next in line!

*whispering* (starlight and rhiann, finally! a man who worries as much as we do! wow, my XX theory failed, or maybe he has high XX chromosomes jk)

Good luck everyone!

Heheh ... actually my fiancee is the one that's been nagging me about it. I don't mind the wait so much. I just don't like her constantly worrying, saying she wont get the visa... cuz then i start worrying.

Afternoon everyone!

I have a question what are Civil Surgeons?

How do u know if we need to see one?

Thx

I always thought that they were just very polite doctors.

Your first step is to contact your local representative and request that they talk to the consulate, and to try to convince them to look at your case again. Send letters of support of your relationship to them, and push like no other to keep it there. If this is not successful I suggest you read the thread that Jenn posted. This thread is filled with tons of advice on how to go forward with this. At one time however they were not canceling the I-129f's, but from what I understand they are now. If that is what happens I think the next logical step would be to fly there and get married. Have a big wedding and invite lots of family and friends. Take tons of pictures of you and him, as well as with family. Make sure to save proof of an ongoing relationship.

Just so you know many of us has had this happen. I know of one couple who split up, one that was denied on the second interview, but the rest of us has been approved. This is not a process for the weak. There was many times that my husband and I were ready to give up. He wanted me to move there, but I wouldn't. So we stuck it out and we won.

OK. So this is the plan we are working on. I am going to Jordan in about 4-5 weeks and we will marry. However there will not be a big wedding or anything because it is not what we want and his family is not behind this 100% and we are not of the same religion. So its just too hard. There still will not be ALOT of wedding pics, but we will get pics of us and with his family at other times.

Honestly, that might be a problem. I mean if they think your relationship was a sham to begin with, why would getting married change anything? And also, why would you not have a lot of pics? You should have many pictures together, as well as pics with his family.

This is starting to get really frustrating. All these people who applied before and after me are already getting approved or RFE's. We got our NOA1 on May 19, and haven't gotten a single touch since then. I have a feeling that on the last day before the 5 month target, they'll send an RFE.

There's so many people who get approved without an email or touch, maybe yours is in the mail right now!

I hope so... My fiance is getting all worried. She has board exams she needs to take, and i mean without a concrete date, she just cant focus on her books. I check the stupid uscis sight every 30 mins hoping somethings changed... but so far I've been disappointed.

She has a pic in her profile.

Oops, sorry about that. I don't see much wrong with the pic (if that's the one you sent). But I saw that you're 40 y/o Female, making him 25 y/o Male.... that is kind of suspicious. I don't think the age difference would be a problem if he was the 40 y/o and you were 25. I suggest you go and visit him as much as you can and take many pics. I mean, you just have to prove that it's a legitimate relationship.

good luck with everything, i hope it all works out.

I'm sorry to hear that. But I'd like to see the pic... it's hard to believe that they'd base their decision on a picture. How many pics did you send? Did she comment on only one pic, or did she comment on all of them?

This is starting to get really frustrating. All these people who applied before and after me are already getting approved or RFE's. We got our NOA1 on May 19, and haven't gotten a single touch since then. I have a feeling that on the last day before the 5 month target, they'll send an RFE.

Sara, Perviz is a cardiologist from what you told me. Can he try to take the USMLE (American medical boards) in India and then try to get sponsored to work here? I'm not sure how much cardiologists are in demand, but that's definitely a high-skilled career and there quite a few foreign docs at my hospital.

Then he could come here and you could get married and try for the marriage visa and it wouldn't matter how long it would take since he'd have work authorization to stay.

I will do some research on this tonight--that is if my patients don't crash

we have started looking into it, i think that he can take the first two in delhi but the last one has to be done here in the states thats were the sticky part is. gotta have a visa to take the test but we are trying anything at this point

any and all information is greatly appreciated.

sara

Yeah, it seems right that you have to take it in the U.S. I remember reading that Perviz was denied a tourist visa to the US, right? Do you think it was because of the K1 application?

I'm sure you guys have already done a bunch of research, but here's a good sticky on doctor forum that I used to go on about foreign graduates taking USMLE and tips on it:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=248031

If he can, I think he should try to take steps 1&2 in India now while you're trying other ways to get him here through campaigns or whatever, since he has to take them anyway in order to get licensed as a doctor here.

Then you can really push to get a visa for him to come here to take the test. Maybe the US consulate would be more inviting at this point if he shows that he has already passed steps 1&2. Or maybe a children's hospital would be willing to get the paperwork done for him to be able to work here and then letting him work once he passes step 3, since steps 1&2 are more about medical school knowledge and step 3 would be his cardio specialty.

Oh, and the purposes of you two lovely people seeing each other, like someone else asked before, can you travel to Canada with your health and would he be able to get a visa to go there? It makes me a little heart sick (no pun intended!) knowing that you guys haven't seen each other in so long!

Hi Sara, I've been reading your case and my heart goes out to you.

I've been through the USMLE process, and just thought I'd chime in.

There are 3 (actually 4) Usmle exams he must take. Step 1 and Step 2 CK (which can both be done in India), then Step 2 CS which must be done in America. It is very difficult to get a date for the Step 2 CS (i had to register like 6 months in advance, and results take anywhere from 2-3 months to be released). These 3 are required to become certified by the ECFMG. Certification is required prior to starting any residency. And residency is required in order to practice medicine in America. Meaning he can't just take the exams, come here, and expect to start working right away. Apps for residency start going out Sept 1, interviews are conducted between Oct and Jan and residency begins around early July for most programs. So it will be next to impossible for him to match this year, and wont be able to start a residency until July 2011.

Step 3 is not cardio specific, it's similar to Step 2 CK, but has more to do with management of cases instead of diagnosis. Most people take Step 3 during their first year of residency, as it's not required to begin a residency. That is, unless he wants to apply for a H1B visa... in that case Step 3 prior to the residency beginning is required.

This route might be difficult anyways. I'm a US Citizen and my fiance is Pakistani citizen. She's a dentist back home. For her to practice here, she needs to take a few board exams (similar to the USMLEs). So we applied for her K1 visa in May 09 and applied for a B1 visa (so that she could take her board exams) in June. They rejected her flat-out saying that since she intends to immigrate (even though K1 is non-immigrant visa) they can't issue a B1.

I don't know how much that helped, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

So, we had applied for my fiancee's K1 visa and received NOA1 on the 25th of may. My fiancee is a dentist in her home country

and in order to practice dentistry here she needs to take her Dental Board Exams. International graduate dentists are

required to go to dental school in America for 2 years before they are able to practice here.

Anyways, I am a medical doctor hoping to start residency next July. Since there are very few dental schools, this limits

the choice of cities. And, a lot of the dental schools here in California have deadlines for applications coming up soon.

I will apply for residencies in August, have interviews in december, and will be matched to a residency program in March (based

on my rank list). Once you match, you're bound to that residency program.

So we were hoping she'd be able to take her board exams, and apply for dental school. That way we'd know before I submitted

my rank list where she had received admission, so I could rank programs accordingly. Otherwise I could match in like LA and she

might only get admission to a school in SF. And that wouldn't work too well.

So she applied for a B1 visa to take her exams. Had her interview a few hours ago, and was flat out rejected. The woman at the embassy

says that she has no case/business applying for a B1 visa, since she's already applied for a K1. So is this a valid reason for rejection?

I mean if we had lied, and not mentioned the pending K1 she probably would have received the B1.

Now my whole future and her future is in jeopardy. So my question is, can we do anything else? Is there any other way (not illegal )

for her to come here to take these exams???

Thanks in advance for reading such a long post, and thanks for any replies.

You think that was a long post? You should see me when I get on a roll! I can type faster than I can think!

I don't think there's much of anything you can do, but I think it's a bit of an exaggeration to say that your futures are jeopardy. In the worst case, one of you might might have to put your professional plans on hold while the other finishes their professional requirements. Eventually, you'll finish your residency and she'll finish her exams and school, and you'll both settle into your lives and professional careers together. One of the sad lessons you'll get from spending any time on this site is that the US government doesn't really care how this process affects your personal plans. In their myopic view, the visa application is the only thing going on in your life right now. Also, one of the bits of advice you'll see often quoted here is not to make any concrete plans until you have the visa in hand.

In this regard, the US government isn't much different from doctors who have no problem leaving patients waiting for hours because they can't comprehend how the patients time could be any more valuable than their own.

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Hehehe.... on behalf of all doctors I apologize for keeping you waiting in the waiting room. But usually, the reason for keeping you

waiting so long is that we're in there counting our money. Can you suggest a better time for us to count our money? You

couldn't possibly be suggesting we do it at home on OUR OWN time??? I mean our personal time is used for bathing in diamonds...

you don't actually expect us to put that on hold, do you ???? heheheh.....

Anyways thanks for all the replies. I guess we'll just wait till our K1 comes through, and just hope she gets into dental school in the same

city as my residency.

So, we had applied for my fiancee's K1 visa and received NOA1 on the 25th of may. My fiancee is a dentist in her home country

and in order to practice dentistry here she needs to take her Dental Board Exams. International graduate dentists are

required to go to dental school in America for 2 years before they are able to practice here.

Anyways, I am a medical doctor hoping to start residency next July. Since there are very few dental schools, this limits

the choice of cities. And, a lot of the dental schools here in California have deadlines for applications coming up soon.

I will apply for residencies in August, have interviews in december, and will be matched to a residency program in March (based

on my rank list). Once you match, you're bound to that residency program.

So we were hoping she'd be able to take her board exams, and apply for dental school. That way we'd know before I submitted

my rank list where she had received admission, so I could rank programs accordingly. Otherwise I could match in like LA and she

might only get admission to a school in SF. And that wouldn't work too well.

So she applied for a B1 visa to take her exams. Had her interview a few hours ago, and was flat out rejected. The woman at the embassy

says that she has no case/business applying for a B1 visa, since she's already applied for a K1. So is this a valid reason for rejection?

I mean if we had lied, and not mentioned the pending K1 she probably would have received the B1.

Now my whole future and her future is in jeopardy. So my question is, can we do anything else? Is there any other way (not illegal )

for her to come here to take these exams???

Thanks in advance for reading such a long post, and thanks for any replies.

Sent in I-129f on May 15th.

CSC Received it on May 18th

Notice date - May 19th

Received NOA1 in mail on May 26.