EllaC

Update: Embassy are still closed to visa application processing for the general populace to include K-1 and CR-1 visas. Some embassies have opened their interview scheduling calendars but very few. The embassy is giving a warning that the schedules could be canceled if the pandemic is ongoing. "your mileage may vary" 

Made it to this thread, approved on 24th of March! Surreal! 🥰 We still have some waiting ahead of us because our consulate is Naples, Italy.

We are still waiting on our case to get to NVC... 😐  It's been 5 weeks. They responded to my email yesterday saying it may take up to 6 weeks at least. I guess I'll wait another week. My fiance said not to email them again this week because they are short-staffed so instead of processing petitions, they are responding to emails from impatient people like us. 😄 oops, he does have a point.

If it makes you feel better, the staff member my fiance talked to last week told him to call back again this week and to call every week. They've been wonderful to deal with, but things are going a bit slower than normal, it seems. We did get confirmation that our case was received (NOA2: 26 Mar) just yesterday.

Thank you for reporting back! If all goes well, I’ll probably be moving in a couple of weeks. If I got pulled into secondary without your story I would probably freak out. I feel a lot better about my move after reading your account.

Hi All, 
 
I said I'd update you on my move to the US. So I moved on Sunday, this was pulled forward a couple of weeks as we didn't know if Trump would continue to change the Executive Order.
 
I flew from London Heathrow to Newark and then on to Denver, Colorado. At first I wasn't sure if they were going to let me fly as I had to wait for IPS (Inspection of Passport Services) to check my Visa. Note I flew on an IR1 category visa. That took half an hour, there were three people on Visa's and two of us were authorised. I learned the other person was travelling to work on a ship so his visa qualified. The check in staff are told to refer anyone who isn't already a Green Card Holder or US Citizen so don't panic. Overall, took me two hours to check in but the desk computers had also gone down!
 
At Heathrow, everything was closed! Except Boots and WH Smiths. There was only about 20 of us on the flight. The airlines were not serving alcohol either lol. Trolley's not being used, they just handed meals, drinks etc... out plus no ice was provided. I'm not fussy though! They also removed the pillows but they are gross anyway lol.
 
Landed into Newark, the Centre of Disease Controls held us onboard. We had to complete a form called the COVID-19 report, this has to be done to be let off the plane. They advise that you self isolate for 14 days, along with any household members, also if you have any symptoms to call the doctor. When you disembark, they give you a mask, if you don't have one, they will give you a medical mask when you get off the plane. The CDC take your temperature then, if it's OK, you will head to immigration.
 
At immigration, all the guards are wearing masks, they will ask you to take off your mask so they can ID you. I'm not sure if this next bit was normal but you may get seconded. This means taking into the back basically. I was sat there will 7 other British Citizens. My passport was given to the immigration officers behind the desk and I waited to be called. Make sure you leaving enough time to do this, it took me about 30 minutes then I had to get my luggage and re-check in etc.... I have 3 hours 40 min lay-over and had to wait a couple of hours after this, immigration won't care if you only had an hour layover. They asked me to confirm my husbands name, our wedding date and where we got married. I was processed and released.
 
Now, domestic flights don't seem to have many restrictions. It was a full flight from Newark to Denver. It seems the general consensus to wear your mask when you aren't eating or drinking. I popped to the bathroom to remove mine periodically as I get pretty claustrophobic in mine! I think I saw one person without a mask. Again, only non-alcoholic drinks on board! 

 
Landed in Denver, this was pretty normal, no checks for domestic flights. Denver was pretty closed as well except for the necessary shops. My husband wanted to plan a group at the airport but due to the pandemic, it was just him which is fine. 
 
I think this will be a story for our kids how mummy moved during a world crisis.

Good luck everyone! want to post this so you knew first hand what it was like if you are in a position to move.

We have our Case # and Invoice #! On to the DS-160! Baby steps.

Can I share somethings with you that I learned long ago about this process?
 
    • "the man with the gold makes the rules"
    • it will take as long as it will take 
    • no one with any certainty can tell you when some process will be completed
    • Your sense of urgency will never be equaled to what USCIS, NVC or your embassy demonstrates
    • Your journey is not going to mirror someone else's experience - yours and theirs are not the same
    • They only promised you a YES or NO answer. Never an exact time that their decision would be completed
    • Lowering your expectations will make you a much more relaxed individual
 
Good luck on your journey 
 

I sent my 129F on 12-17-2019 and still have not received my NOA2. I am sure I will hear something someday. I am taking a different approach than some I see on here, I have never checked my status, I figure it will happen when it happens...... by checking many time a day just adds stress and drama in my opinion.  Of course I want my  beautiful lady here ASAP, but worrying about it won't speed up the process in my book. A friend of mine who went through the immigration process years ago said it best, " petitioning someone into this country is not for wimps" LOL

He follows his case on case tracker, you can search up to 500 cases I believe. Anyways, his case is bunched up with others around the same date. I myself followed 5 random petitions without knowing who they are. It’s pretty handy actually. 

I'm on day 143...
We've been waiting since December 2, 2019 and while it's discouraging to see many January and some February approvals, I still have hope that ours will come soon. 🙏

Still waiting. I got my text with receipt number (noa1) on dec. 10th but my received date on USCIS case status checker is dec. 4th. Still not sure which one I should go by but either way it will be 5 months soon 😔 I follow more than 50 cases on my case tracker app and there have been no approvals since April 8th. There have been a lot of RFEs tho. I feel like they are sending those out to buy them more time or something 🤦🏽‍♀️ it would be nice if I could atleast visit my fiancé while this takes forever but the borders are closed in his country. It’s stressful when I think of how long it’s gonna be till I can see him again 😩

Can I share somethings with you that I learned long ago about this process?

    • "the man with the gold makes the rules"
    • it will take as long as it will take 
    • no one with any certainty can tell you when some process will be completed
    • Your sense of urgency will never be equaled to what USCIS, NVC or your embassy demonstrates
    • Your journey is not going to mirror someone else's experience - yours and theirs are not the same
    • They only promised you a YES or NO answer. Never an exact time that their decision would be completed
    • Lowering your expectations will make you a much more relaxed individual

Good luck on your journey 
 

My status finally updated to READY at the Sydney consulate! I am stoked. I am going to pay the fee for K1 and K2 now and see where that leaves me. I wonder if they will give me an interview date and when it will be. I think going ahead is the right thing to do right now.. I did my DS-160s about a month ago but nothing has changed so they should still be ok, right?

I check in with this topic and others to offer support and kind words.  Dont give up.  The long wait is worth it.  Dont compare cases and keep your mind on other things.

I agree. But It always makes sense to at the least add in spouses and kids of citizens and LPRs. In this current situation of not having immediate family with you is unfair. 

I-129F submitted the end of December 2019 was approved last month, still waiting on the NVC case number. 
 
Best of luck to everyone, even the small wins are victories right now. 

I'm one of those people who are waiting as well, congratulations to everyone who has been approved. CSC received my paperwork on DEC 13. and the wait continues...

Let's create a group chat on WhatsApp, okay? 

I agree. In the end everyone here simply wants to be with their spouses or soon to be spouses. I’m praying for good news today, because I’m honestly already struggling enough to stay positive and receiving bad news would be kind of devastating. 

@Reyess absolutely. I’m still waiting for NOA2, but eventually after approval I feel like I will be waiting for the interview like the rest of you. I’m happy with anything you guys decide. I think a group here it’s the best option so other people can benefit from our information and eventually join us. 

Maybe we can start here, because any information we share is crucial. Eventually we can join some social media groups or whatever helps; only those involved in this situation know how others feel.
Every day I wake up and I am thankful because my husband is safe and sound...I just cannot deal with the event he needs me and I cannot reach him out. This is the reason why people make families together!

Yes a group would be helpful for me

I honestly believe it would be great to create a group or something similar. It’s a difficult time for everyone that is waiting to finally be with their significant others. Now more than ever it’s important and crucial to support each other and be understood. 
As far as my knowledge goes, there are a few people that currently in the waiting list for the US Consulate in Naples. 
@Manu8915 @Ali&Ed @anna.us @Sara1102 @EllaC would you guys want to eventually create a group, or even simply discuss the situation and keep each other updated here? 
 

Hello,
I am Italian and I am waiting for my interview at the US Consulate in Naples. My husband and I started out CR1 petition on April 3rd, 2019.
Visajourney has published a very helpful Megathread regarding the latest announcement from President Trump and the immigration suspension order.
Since this website represents a great support for us, while we are waiting to join our beloved ones, I was wondering whether other Italians are in the same situation as mine.
My first appointment (April 21st, 2020) has been cancelled and I'm (hopefully) waiting for another one. 
How about you? Feel free to send me a message, maybe we can create a group and stay up to date regarding this incredible situation.
 
Thank you,
Mirna