KiwiBird

As an update... still haven't heard anything. I was told to call them back if I didn't hear anything within a month. I did, but that was no help either. Still unsure if I'll get an RFE or just flat out denied.

Holidays were great! A little overshadowed by the fact I'm worried about my I-129F petition being denied. But overall, great! Hoping 2011 is better than 2010!

Isn't it true they don't have a 'timeline' or 'goal' of how long an appeal would take? That's what I've heard. No idea if it's true or not.

Depends on what state you're in. Like I know California has a gov't sponsored insurance that is only for pregnant women without insurance or insurance that doesn't cover pregnancy. Its called AIM. Access for Infants and Mothers. It was $15/mo for everything. Its a little known program so if your state has one, it may not be advertised everywhere. Its worth getting insurance but finding a program like that should a little 'surprise' happen.

I'm also kind of wondering this... I didn't file my taxes in 2009 considering I wasn't working. I make enough now, but only started this job halfway through the year. I'm assuming file for 2010 and then use those. That's what I'm going to do. (Going to file for 2010 as soon as possible since it shows me making a wage that is sufficient.)

I wish I had answers for you.. All I have to say is that being apart will not feel like actually 'living'. It will be simply 'existing'. At least that is what it is for me. Webcam and Skype are great, but nothing will ever compare to being with her. You just gotta make the best of it. As for me, I just try to stay real busy. But even then it is unbearable.

I wish you a speedy solution so you can be reunited.

So in September, I sent off the I-129F form and the file fee. And that's it. Being uneducated about the process, I thought they would just ask for all evidence. I wasn't aware you had to submit everything with the original I-129F form. (Yes, my mistake. I know.)

Since discovering my mistake, I have compiled everything I will need to submit. I have heard of people doing this mistake and just getting outright denied. No RFE. Just denied. And then being forced to start all over and refile.

Which leads me to think I will have two possible outcomes. 1) I will get an RFE for all documentation. Or 2) I will get denied and have to refile. One of those two options will happen. My question is... since I have all the paperwork ready now, it is dated between Nov 1st and Dec 1st of this year. If I get an RFE in February, will they want more recent papers? Or will the dates matter? If I have to refile in February .. can I use these papers I already have here? I am thinking the G-325 (that's the biographical one, right? I don't have it in front of me) and the signed Letter of Intent from my fiance...

Will I have to get new copies of those papers with 'more recent' dates? (Closer to February dates?) Or will Nov 1 to Dec 1 dated papers be okay? I just want to make sure everything is in order so I can respond to the RFE or denial the same day I'm notified of which one!

Thanks in advance to any answers! And please no lecturing me on an incomplete packet the first time... I know. I feel stupid enough as it is!

Nice positive attitude! It's that attitude that makes the waiting a little bit more bearable. Happy holidays everyone!

Sept filer here... patiently waiting

I don't believe she was referring completely to you, Patty. I believe only the part about waiting for 5months was to you. The rest of her post seems to be for the conversation on page 1 of this thread.

I'm at CVS.

Live in South Yorkshire, England.

Good luck to those before us.

Strength and determination to the rest of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CVS? That's a pharmacy in America.

CSC or VSC is what you might be thinking of.

Same with the poster above you. "CSV"?

Hey! I think I see mine!!

Not sure. I tried it and had an appointment. Though, I canceled it since I got the information elsewhere. Good luck!

You don't have to be referred for an appointment with an Immigration Officer. Make an INFOPASS appointment at your local USCIS office.

http://infopass.uscis.gov/

Very good question. Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you. Fortunately, someone else will!

(And on a completely non-helpful, unrelated note... I will be honeymooning at home! I've been away from him long enough, I don't think I'll want to travel anywhere for a while!)

I'm hoping for the end of January, early bit of February. Hopeful! I'm still going to call them end of Dec/early Jan since they told me to "call back if I haven't heard anything for a month".

My advice would be to speak with an Immigration lawyer. I'm betting you'll probably have to start the process of a Spouse visa, but yes, that can take months. A long 5 months or so... just for the first part of the approval! (K3 visa) Find an Immigration Lawyer because they would know more about your options.

Even if you end up having to wait months just to come back... just remember, it's for him, so it's worth it! I hope for the best for you!

I went from $23/hr in AUS to $9/hr here in Colorado... lolol...

Although my benefits include a free season pass, and free entry to like 15 ski resorts across CO/USA.

PARTY ON!

Hahaha! It's all about your perspective on things, right? Right on!

Like everyone has said, you don't really have to 'legally' change your name since a marriage certificate is sufficient.

HOWEVER, if you are the USC (which I'm not sure if you are or if you were the beneficiary), you'll need to change your name on things like bank accounts, DMV records, and get a new SSN with your married name on it. (You don't need to apply for a new number or anything, but just get a new card.) There is something you can order from online called the "Name Change Kit" for brides. It gives some common forms and checklists of places you might want to change your name with. It's extremely helpful.

If you're not the UCS, then you don't have to worry about all that. A copy of the marriage certificate should be enough for just about every place you would want to update your records with. (And if you don't have a record yet, like when you go in to open a new account at a bank or something, you just give them your married name from the start.)

And congrats!!

That is a great story. Holds a lot of truth, and gives food for thought.

And on another note, CSC filers should update their timelines, too, when they get the chance!

Oh man, Terri! An ER visit? Yea, the health care system isn't as bad as people make it out to be. The care is great. It's the price tag that's awful.

Ugh, I really can't wait for the holidays to be over. Being so strapped for money is making it worse... And I'm just so bored! Even though I'm working all the time... I'm just really awfully bored! I need a project.

sorry but i dont think i even need your opinion

That's fine. Don't read it then! Problem solved!

Hey, when the holidays get you down, just imagine how great it'll be just to be able to spend some time with your husbands. I'm envious, but I'll be there next year! Despite missing him this Christmas, I'm very thankful I'll get him next year, and I'm at peace with this process. (5 months kinda sucks... but it's a lot better than a year, right?)

As for Christmas traditions, are any of you starting new ones? I can't wait to mesh his Christmas traditions with mine. We'll probably have a funny holiday then!

Awww... the holidays can do that. I'm not even thinking about the holidays. My 'Christmas' is in February!

And snow.. Snow is great for a while. But if you're prone to being real cold.. it's not that fun! That, and how the salt they put on the ground to melt the ice ends up rusting the undercarriage of your car. I always hated that. It is fun though when you're inside a warm house, with your love, and a cup of hot chocolate. That sounds like the perfect way to spend the holidays, no?

Can't see the video... it won't let me due to privacy settings. But I'll bet it's way cute! Should post some pictures for us!

And the trip in Feb... he's the one from Aus. I'm from the US. I've been there before. It's not a long trip... so we're not going to do too much. I just remember that every time I leave Aus, I feel like I'm leaving my heart there. He's always lived there, though. So yea.. going to visit him while we wait for our NOA2. And by accident... our 5 month mark is the day I leave. That was unintended! But I am beyond excited!

is there a way to boycot or rally against this discrimination from USCIS???

Different people are processed at different rates because some people have 'less complicated' cases. Also, not every worker at the Service Centers processes cases at the same pace. Some work faster than others.

I'm not sure how this is discrimination. Maybe if they looked at your names and said, "Ick! I don't like people from that country... I'll put this one at the bottom of the stack!" But processing people at different paces because each worker is different, or each couple having different 'issues' in their cases... That's not really discrimination.

It's similar to standing in line at a grocery mart. If there are two lines, and you get in one of them, is it discrimination that the people in the other line (who haven't been waiting as long as you) get through faster?