Amyyduck

klocks,

I can see that you've already started filling out your timeline, which is awesome. Once you get your NOA1 and you enter it onto your timeline, it'll spit out a projected adjudication date based on the information entered by other VJ members into their timelines. These dates are by no means 100% reliable and they change all the time based on who is updating but they're still fun to look at.

You can check out more information about processing times under the "Immigration Timelines" section (located on the dark blue bar at the top of any VJ page, or click this link http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/ ). Check out Igors list ( http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?cfl= ) to see who has been approved recently and who is still waiting. You can choose VSC or CSC from the drop down menu to compare. On the right hand of the page as well it will estimate which dates VSC and CSC are currently processing.

None of these things are 100% reliable of course, some people get their NOA2's SUPER fast, for others, it takes many months. Only time will tell. Welcome to the waiting stage, and good luck!

Gina,

It couldn't hurt. I doubt you'll get too much trouble but it never hurts to be prepared. Take a copy of your lease (make sure its signed by your landlord) have a copy of your return itinerary, and bring a copy of your NOA1 or NOA2 or whatever you have a that point. That should be way more than enough proof that you've no intention on staying in the UK.

Ghanagal,

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles with CBP officers. "Is your husband a terrorist?" Thats awful! And what do they expect you to say? Why yes, yes he is. Psh, NO! Ridiculous.

I've also noticed the trend that big POE's like JFK and SFO tend to be much easier whereas smaller ones like Boston Logan (the POE my Fiance always flies into) give you a much harder time. Napoleon complex, perhaps?

Definitely check out that thread that GAP linked. It is, indeed, very helpful. Also just make a mental note that under the VWP you are allowed to stay up to 90 days at a time which you haven't exceeded but I believe you're also limited to a total of 180 days within a 1 year period. You didn't mention how long you were planning on staying when you come back in November so just be aware of the limits and make sure not to overstay. Good luck!

How much time are you thinking you'll need? If you filed the I-129F today, as an extremely conservative and rough estimate lets say it took 3 months for your NOA2,and lets estimate another month or so to go from USCIS to NVC to your embassy. (I'm not saying these numbers are accurate, this is just a hypothetical situation) Thats 4 months already, then you mentioned that he'll be given 4 months to collect all the paperwork he'll need to send in to the embassy. I'm don't know how you came up with this number or whether its accurate but I'll take you at your word and for the purposes of this hypothetical situation, assume that it is. So assuming he waits until the end of those 4 months to send in his stuff, we're now 8 months in from the initial filing. It'll take them at least around a month to get his paperwork, process it, and then issue an interview date. Your interview date would likely be around a month or more out from that time. We're now at 10 months from filing. Lets assume that his visa gets approved at the interview, you have 6 months to wait until he enters the US. From that time you then have another 30 days to get married. That's a potential 19 months from your original filing date to the wedding date.

Are you saying you'll need MORE time than that? If so, your best course of action would likely be to delay filing.

So everyone who applies sends it to Texas USCIS centre? Thanks so much for the help. I was asking because my finace's dad's wife sent her spousal visa to the embassy in Ireland. Anyway thanks alot. Any advice on the affidavit question?

Not EVERYONE, no. Your fiance's dad's wife may have sent her spousal visa to the embassy in Ireland because she was doing a direct consular filing. (DCF) I don't know a lot about them but if you're already married and have been living abroad for a certain minimum amount of time, some countries will let you file directly to the embassy in your country. This does not apply to K-1. K-1 goes to TX.

As per the I-134 instructions http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134instr.pdf you will need at least 2 of the following 4 pieces of evidence:

Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institution stating the date the account was opened, the current balance and total amount deposited for the past year.

Statement from your employer on company letterhead stating the date and nature of your employment, salary paid, and whether the position is permanent, temporary, full-time or part-time.

(If self employed) Copy of last income tax return filed or report of commercial rating concern

A list of serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner.

These are some helpful tips as well: http://www.visajourney.com/content/support

Edit: That advice is probably sound for when you go through AOS but I did a quick re-read of the I-134 instructions http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-134instr.pdf as well as the affidavit of support tips http://www.visajourney.com/content/support and I'm no longer convinced that a copy of your tax return is actually required.

Ok, so here is my understanding of the situation:

The I-134 doesn't technically require you to have a copy of your most recent tax return. That requirement is actually tied to the I-864 which is a similar form but you file it during AOS rather than during K-1. They use the I-134 to pre-evaluate whether or not you would qualify under the I-864 requirements. Definitely you can also use a couple of other things as proof of income such as a few recent paystubs, a letter from your employer and a letter from your bank stating that you make a regular deposit of $X (your paycheck). I did a little bit of searching as well and someone else was recommended to write a letter stating that because they received no income for the years x - y they were not required to file a tax return, hence the lack of return. The thread can be found here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/268909-sponsor-did-not-file-tax-returns-in-all-of-the-last-3-years/

Hopefully someone else will come along who has done it before and can give you better advice. For now though, hopefully that helps.

The one major thing I noticed was the quality of water was really affecting the way my hair felt, looked, was managed...

I'm the USC and I've noticed that too depending on where I go within the country. It has to do with how hard/soft the water is in your area. Soft water makes shampoo and soap lather up and get sudsy really easily and sometimes it feels like it takes forever to get all the soap rinsed out. Hard water makes it really difficult to get a good lather which makes it hard to get your hair completely clean unless you use a TON of shampoo. Ideally you want a balance between the two but if you were used to one at home and you came to the US and it was different then that could explain why it made your hair difficult to manage.

adams.michelle,

If you click on my tracker it'll take you to the website where you can make one. About halfway down the page under where it lists Wedding, Birthday, Anniversary there are four choices. I chose "event" and from there it should be pretty simple.

Hope that helps!

Have they cashed your check yet? 8/28 wasn't that long ago. Keep in mind that the 6th of September was Labor Day, a holiday, so that will have slowed things down a bit temporarily. I'm sure you'll be hearing soon.

lol thanks! early congrats to you too! Its not like its a big deal or anything but at this point, I'm counting any milestone as a step in the right direction. Small victories, right?

Today is exactly 1 month from my NOA1 date.

Ocella? I'm on that. I used to take Yasmin until I moved to the US & it cost double the price, even with insurance!

Yea Ocella is what I take. before I switched though, Yasmin used to cost me $60 a month. thats $2 a pill and 7 of those pills don't even have any drugs or hormones in them! yikes! luckily that was only for about a year and it was back when I was still on my parents insurance so my mom just paid for it. Now that I'm on the generic its $15/month, which is much more reasonable.

Have you called them?

Amy. You are mighty useful to have around. Thanks!

thanks! I do try

Gina,

Have your fiance check out this link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/8321-london-medical-knightsbridge-doctors/

Its pinned at the top of the UK forum and its all about the medical.

Check out your embassy page: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Canada&cty=Vancouver

It lists a couple of doctors that are used for the medical exams about halfway down the page. Also reposting this question in the Canada forum might help you get a more clear-cut answer.

Hope that helps. Good lucK!

Try Sephora! They have a TON of different product brands as well as their own line. Some of their stuff can get a bit pricey but not all of it. They also sell perfume, beauty tools and other skin and hair care products. I looooooooove Sephora.

So I was super bored surfing the net today and I came across this article called "7 ways to survive a long distance relationship." So I quietly laughed to myself and decided to read it. Most of the stuff listed was pretty average stuff we're all way too familiar with (visit regularly, trust each other, set up boundaries, etc) but then they wrote this:

3. Avoid excessive communicating.

While speaking to your partner every day may feel like the best way to stay close, Lorraine actually cautions against such frequent chat-fests. “I recommend having only one scheduled hour (or longer) phone call a week,” she explains. “By doing this, you’ll have more exciting updates to share and you’ll be much more excited and enthusiastic to talk to each other because you’ve been anticipating that phone date all week.” Additionally, she emphasizes that less-frequent communication will not only keep you from growing dependent on each other, but also will provide you both with the freedom to grow independently and have your own lives and hobbies.

Ha! yea right! If I only talked to my Fiance once a week I think I'd go absolutely INSANE. (As if I'm not enough already) This article was clearly written by someone who has NO idea what its actually like to be in an LDR. No one knows better than we do that this is awful advice, so I just thought I'd share!

Oh wow! You sound super prepared! Sounds like you don't even need our help at all! Congrats on sending your packet soon! It's an exciting step!

Ah sorry about that. Thanks for posting the working link Amy!

Np! I got your back, anytime!

Well I'm glad I could relieve some of your anxiety. Just to be certain I went and checked out the Ecuador Embassy Info page. I copy/pasted this information:

UPDATED June 8, 2009: The packet 4 takes months to arrive in the mail, it´s ridiculous. So you should email the consulate as soon as it´s reasonable (based on the date it left the NVC) and they should send an email saying you can download Packet 4 and present the email rather than wait for the letter in the mail. That way your process will go 1-2 months faster!

So it sounds like you're not the only one who is/was worried about the mail service there and according to this you won't need the physical packet in the mail anyway.

I'm not sure how it works in Ecuador but in England when they send packet 3 you don't actually really need it. A list of all the forms you need and links to download them are all online and you can call the embassy to get the new case #. Some people never actually end up getting packet 3 from the London consulate and it works out just fine. Perhaps you should try reposting this in your regional forum and/or checking out your country portal. Someone there might have some better advice for you.

Good luck!