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Congratulations!

So, he paid $131 USD, but in the packet 3, the lit said $350 (I guess they're eager to get that money, so they're already changing all the paper work). Also, he had to pay the fee at the embassy, which is a change from the status quo of the visa process in NZ (people used to pay the fee at a post office and take the receipt to the interview).

Thanks for coming back and giving us the update!

... man cave...

I'm having a great time too cleaning out the lioness's den. In preparation of my 32-yr old male fiance, I've bought a nice razor, shaving gel, Axe deodarant and body wash and the Scarface DVD. I've been a vegetarian all my life so I'm also getting cookbooks on how to cook with chicken, fish, meat and eggs. He'll have to quit smoking cold turkey though... I'll have none of that... but I'll also have to get some lingerie and ditch the single-girl granny mu-mus...

Anyone have any good news to share? Medical exams passed? Vaccinations done? Passports acquired? Interviews approved?

Oh, but what about that fancy print job and paper on the visa? (just kidding....)

I talked to the folks over at the Dept. of State a couple of weeks ago, and specifically asked them if they knew when the fee increase would be in place, but they said no. Even so, my fiance was told the $350 in his packet 3... We'll see what he actually ends up having to pay...

Hey congratulations on your fiancé getting approved! So --- how much did he end up paying?

WooooHooo....! My fiancee passed her medical exam today!!! Thank You Lord!!!

Hey Johnny that's fantastic!! Isn't that such a huge gust of relief when you pass each of these hurdles? Whew!!

If you (or anyone) does not mind a silly question, what would have to happen for someone not to pass their medical exam? I was under the impression that the medical exam was simply a physical that wasn't pass nor fail. Can anyone elaborate? Does the attending physician have the authority to pass judgement if she or he deems the person "unfit"? I ask because my fiance has tattoos and piercings, something that is immediately associated with gang activity where he lives, but he just likes the look -- definitely not associated with any crime organization!

Thanks!

Alan this is just wonderful news. My fiance *finally* got word today that his passport is ready for pick-up (just 28 days, 21 hours before the interview) but I won't be satisfied until he has it in his hands. It doesn't help that the passport agency is a 12 hour bus-ride, round trip. All he has to do now is get his medical (another 12 hour trip) and then jump the interview hoop (another 12-hour trip) and then pick up the visa (another 12-hour trip). WHY does the gov't make this so stressful on couples in love. I'm just glad that there are people here with whom to bear all this. So Alan -- you're meeting Vanessa and Miranda in Orlando... isn't there a theme park there or two?

Mornin'!!

Yes, I was given the heads up about the fee from an Embassy friend last year, but I figured meh, I've already started the application process so therefore I'll be exempt from any fee increase. Boy was I ever wrong as I soon found out. And then when you mentioned that the fee will go up the day before Vanessa's interview, I thought hmmm.... I wonder if Alan knows something... My interview, well, my fiance's interview, is in 29 days and 22 1/2 hours. I'm *really* hoping that the fees don't triple before then

I know -- $350 for 10-15 minute interview seems like a lot. If they must increase the fee then I hope they can at least let those of us who have already started the process pay the current fee. Gosh, every day I check one-way airfare from Guatemala and the price just goes up and up... when will it stop

Does anyone have any current information as to when it may be enacted? This is the only information I've been able to find but I don't know how current it is:

The new application fee for K visas for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens would be $350.

When will the new fee be in effect?The Department is proposing these new fees in a Federal Register notice, but will not implement them until it reviews and considers any comments received from the public and publishes a final rule. Applicants must start paying the new processing fees once the Department publishes that second, final rule.

It mentions that comments from the public are being reviewed... hmmm...

IT FINALLY HAPPENED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NVC received Olga and I's petition on the 9th of April !!!!!!!

I have the Moscow embassy case number !!!!!!!!!!

Hey Hey!!!! That's fantastic news!!! How does your interview process work -- do you call to make your interview date or do they tell you when it is with a letter? I'm so happy for you!

I'm seconding what Johnny has said, Miranda and Vanessa are quite fortunate to have you in their lives, as I've told you before. I had no idea people would have the nerve to PM you to suggest that you wait your turn. If you want to go after what you think is fair, why would individuals suggest that no, you should hold back? I feel bad for you because of that; people should be more encouraging. Or maybe their intentions were good and they didn't want to see it backfire on you, who's to say... but I'm so happy that the situation is looking up and that by the end of next month, you'll have your whole beautiful family. Gosh, what did people do 30 years ago without the help of internet support groups like this, where people from all over the world could share and compare experiences?

I just read a post in which the OP said "Newark is an easy POE". Of course all POEs are supposed to be equal in terms of procedure and I'm not looking for a handout of the "easy" POEs, I was just curious as to individuals' personal experience. Not hearsay ("well, I heard that so-and-so was good...") just personal experience.

Thanks!

Well I checked the USCIS site yet again today and of course - no action. I finally had enough and called my Congressman and spoke to one of his aides. In a nutshell I told her what the situation is and she said the congressman has a full time employee that strictly deals with federal Governmental issues (ie: USCIS, IRS, etc). She said she would send me a privacy form authorizing the release of private information (which I received 10 minutes later).

I cited on my form the inequity of this system and that folks were recieving their NOA2's within 3 weeks of their application while I've been sitting in initial review since January 8th.

We shall see what happens...

"As the stomach turns, so are the days of our lives dealing with USCIS"...

Alan

Oh my that's fantastic!!! You GO Alan! I can't wait to hear the result of this.

Michelle

Lohninck that was beautiful and well-said. I had the same rant with a few of my friends. The whole process is incredibly stressful and unromantic on a couple, but I've heard that the Embassy calls this a test of the strength of a couple's relationship. I was minding my own business, doing research overseas, and I fell in love. I remember two weeks into the relationship when I knew it was getting serious, I was thinking "oh man, this is going to mean paperwork, money, waiting, money, paperwork, red tape, money..." Lucky are those who get to visit their other half during the process. I can't afford it and to make things worse, I was pricing airfares for shortly after my fiancé's interview and prices have gone up 100% since the last time I looked.

Thanks for that rant, I needed to hear (and say) all that.

and sorry about the terminology slip....I was a bit excited at the time...

Phhfft, we all know exactly what you meant, but in my experience some people feel better when they can point out others' slip-ups

Man, this really sucks...

Did my morning check of the USCIS site and of course, no touches yet again. I'm really happy for my fellow VJ'ers who have received their NOA2's, but this is getting a bit old...

Based on the recent flurry of Jan, Feb and even MARCH filers who have gotten their approvals I would have thought by now that I'd be joining their ranks. When I first filed I was mentally prepared for a 3-4 month wait but then I started seeing CSC really start pumping out NOA2's. I guess I set myself up for this anxiety because I figured my approval would be fourthcoming.

Anyway - just my daily USCIS vent...

Happy Easter to All...

Alan

Vent away, Alan! I come here daily to see your updates. I'm really pushing for you!

Still waiting for my NOA2... Not even a touch. Kind of difficult to see that a MARCH filer received their NOA2 and I'm still in initial review on the USCIS site.

Igor's CSC processing date keeps changing all over the place...

Sigh...

Anyway, best of luck to all you Jan filers.

Alan

It's strange, but I actually come back to this forum now and then to see if you've gotten your NOA2 yet! I'm pulling for you and your Tica!

How are all the January CSC filers doing? Anyone have news to share?

Congratulations!!! I cannot wait to say the same thing. Have a great time getting reacquainted!!!

My NOA2 says approved March 4 2010 and " we have sent your petition to NVC " NVC ain't got it, confirmed by numerous phone calls and sending an email and copy of notice to nvcresearch. ( heard from them this morning ... no record of arrival )

You may already know this, but when you called to confirm with NVC, did you speak to a person or did you enter your data into the Automated Voice Response system? I ask because I was calling and calling and putting my CIS Case # into the AVR and there was NOTHING. The voice said they had not received anything yet. Then someone here told me that K-1 Visa information is not entered into their AVR, you have to speak to someone personally. That's when I found out that not only had they received my application three weeks earlier, but they had already sent it to the foreign embassy two weeks earlier.

Hello everyone, Just wanted to let everyone know that my fiance is arriving on wendsday March 31st. Im so excited and stressed. We have planned to do a civil Marriage on April 12, 2010 to follow by a Famil/ church ceremony in 2011. This visa process has gone by so fast for me, it seems like i just met her yesturday and petitioned for her today. Im worried about alot of things right now. She is so excited that she has made herself sick. I want to thank everyone that posts to this forum, I ask for your prayers and I will continue to pray for all that is going through this long Journey.

God Bless

Oh my GOSH congratulations!!!! At the time of my writing this, you have about 48 hours. Have you started the count down? Are you having a Bienvenidos a los Estados party? Have you prepared the ají? What a wonderful day it'll be huh? You are so lucky, I still have to wait 47 days ( I am definitely counting down!). Have a wonderful reunion and don't worry about reporting back to us when your fiance arrives -- just have the time of your lives!

Congratulations to all you Jan filers who've received your NOA2's (and in some cases your interview dates already)!!!

Send sone of your good fortune my way. I'm a Jan 4th CSC filer, not even a touch - I wanna be touched - (I've seen Feb filers getting their NOA2's already). It's nice being 1st on Igor's list for CSC pending applications for Jan, but it'd be even better at the bottom of Igor's list for approved petitions...

Alan

Sending some love and good fortune your way, Costa Rica!

Is there a page on the National Visa Center site that has a list of the required vaccines for the K-1? I could have sworn I saw it before, but either I can't find it now or I never saw it and I'm going crazy. Should the Embassy website have this information, 'cause I can't seem to find it there either!

You're hilarious Sean, wanting someone to tell you to relax.

Well if it helps, here is my take: the timelines are filled in by humans, so it is possible that someone might have either made a honest mistake in putting in the date or it was done intentionally because someone might have been angry. My lawyer actually warned me about this site and told me to be quite careful ... well, that's another story.

I'm with you, I really hope it's a data entry error and that you won't have almost 2 years to wait. Best of luck to you!

OMG, We're approved!!!! NOA2 e-mail & Text received by Simone today.... VSC are showin' some love to the UK too, it seems.

Wow, we're so happy. Still a long way to go, but we're on our way - and I was expecting another 6-8 week wait!

Good luck everyone...will keep you updated as we progress

Congratulations, Mr. Strain. Isn't that fantastic news? You must be on top of the world!

Just out of curiosity, have any of the January filers here already had their interview?

Wow, Ukraine is just moving people along! They believe in love.... I received notice of my fiance's interview date today, it'll take place about 3 months and 3 weeks since I first mailed the file to USCIS. My fiance and I were sure we wouldn't see each other until October or November so we're especially .... nervous! I guess we'll be getting wed in the summer and not for Christmas like we thought! I too do not mean to offend anyone who is still waiting. As a matter of fact the excitement and tension has waned since finding out the interview date. It was like waiting for Christmas as a child! Besides, we still have the vaccinations, the medical exam, my fiance still must get his passport for heaven's sake and then, of course, the interview! Best of blessings to any of our January filers who are still waiting!

What wonderful news for you! Congratulations!