Jen and Mario

Hi everyone,

Congrats to all newly weds and recent K1 approvals.

Recently filed for our AOS in Oct. and today a I-797C notice was in mail stating our case was sent to USCIS Office in California for processing to speed up processing. Its says under notice type: TRANSFER NOTICE. Has anyone else had this. Also we live in Ohio and to have an interview that far is going to cost a fortune for traveling/lodging ect. and is maybe not possible to do interview if its scheduled in Dec./Jan. because my due date is Jan 17, 2012 but my doctors have put me on bedrest already and expect me to deliver in late dec. I really hope we dont have to travel or that we are processed without an interview.

K1 visa: Trying to check in early for my flight today online. Not sure how to answer questions that are asked when trying to check in. Question is "Do you have a permanent resident permit or alien resident card. Yes/No. If answered no then states you can not check in because ESTA was not done. If marked yes then asking for a number but the K1 visa number does not fit in entry area. Can anyone tell me what to answer on this or do I have to check in at the counter at the airport? As far as I understood a ESTA was not needed cause k1 visa approved and in hand.

Thanks for any informaiton asap.

VISA APPROVED!!!

I was very anxious untill I heard the news. Mario said it was the easiest part thus far. He got there early and didnt bring electronics that way they let them in ahead of the others with electronics. Once inside he spoke with a very nice lady who took his birth certificate and copy along with the I-134 and all supporting documents for that. Gave all originals back after looking at copies. Then he was asked to sit and wait to be called again. A nice gentlemen called his name, he went to window and was asked only 2 questions: 1) When did you meet. 2) When did you last see eachother. That was it he looked at pictures that were sent in with proof for I-129F and did not look at one piece of evidence Mario had prepared not even new pictures of our last meeting in April. He then told Mario he was approved and would get his visa in the mail. THAT WAS IT, WOW!!

Nok received her appointment date! August 1.

Biometrics July 26

Bangkok expedited our request on account of Nok is 10 WEEKS PREGNANT!!!!

YAY!!!!!

Dance

Phil

CONGRATS ON THE PREGNANCY!! Also congrats with you case being expedited, I didnt know they did that for pregnancy.

Good luck Diana (Diana and Chris) and Mario (Jen and Mario) for their interviews today! As I see the third interview today (new1) already went well and got approved! It's my turn a week from today...

Thanks so much!! I just hung up with Mario on Skype and he is on his way to Amsterdam for the interview. We have been checking in every now and then these past months and are more confident each time we see approvals. I am so happy for all that are approved and cant wait till we are today! (positive thinking) Its very nerve racking and exciting all together. I'm13 weeks pregnant and have had complications along the way. So for me to remain calm and rest is really hard right now. I can't wait for the results today, fingers crossed...when approved and after the Visa arrives he is leaving the next day. FINALLY THE BEGINNING OF THE REST OF OUR LIVES!! BEST OF LUCK TO BOTH OF YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE WAITING FOR THEIR INTERVIEWS.

I went to my interview alone, and it really isn't much of an interview, so I don't think having the USC present would make much of a difference. As long as all the papers are in order there really isn't much they do (the actual time I spent interacting with a CO was probably less than 5 minutes in total, after the first hour of waiting a few minutes to hand them my papers, and after another hour to answer the couple of easy questions). I had my interview on a thursday and had my visa in hand on tuesday (so 3 working days later).

Thats awesome, I hope Mario's interview is just as simple. Best of luck to the both of you!!

I am. (female USC)

He got it in the mail, yay!

Congrats on the interview!! Our interview is on July 14th also in the Netherlands, I am the older one in our relationship too (female, USC) . I wonder if we will get the same questions. I'm feeling really positive about the interview and just praying that all goes as I hope. Did you go to the interview with him? I am unable to attend the interview but if it makes a huge difference I will do what ever it takes to be there. Do you think it makes a difference if I attend or not? Also how long did it take for him to get the visa in hand after the interview?

Jen

Hello everyone and congrats to all that have NOA2.

I was just checking in to let everyone know that my vacation to the Netherlands went great. Once in Europe and at the customs desk, I expected at least one question but he just looked at me then my passport and then a quick stamp. So easy!! Also after getting back and again going through customs no questions, not one!! He just looked at me and passport then again a stamp. Easiest travel ever!!

ALSO.....we got our appoval notice (NOA2) via text message. Just after I landed I got the text stating we had recent activity on our account at the uscis site. So I was excited and then nervous not sure what that meant. Once I got home I checked my email and it confirmed an appoval for the K1 petition. What a way to feel better after leaving Mario. Now I know it wont be much longer and soon we will be able to set a wedding date.

Things seem to be moving faster these days so i'm hoping it wont be long for the rest of you. Fingers Crossed

Jen

Hello everyone and congrats to all that have NOA2.

I was just checking in to let everyone know that my vacation to the Netherlands went great. Once in Europe and at the customs desk, I expected at least one question but he just looked at me then my passport and then a quick stamp. So easy!! Also after getting back and again going through customs no questions, not one!! He just looked at me and passport then again a stamp. Easiest travel ever!!

ALSO.....we got our appoval notice (NOA2) via text message. Just after I landed I got the text stating we had recent activity on our account at the uscis site. So I was excited and then nervous not sure what that ment. Once I got home I checked my email and it confirmed an appoval for the K1 petition. What a way to feel better after leaving Mario. Now I know it wont be much longer and soon we will be able to set a wedding date.

Things seem to be moving faster these days so i'm hoping it wont be long for the rest of you. Fingers Cossed

Jen

WOOHOO! Just got a "Post Decision Activity" email from the USCIS this afternoon!! Two and a half months earlier than expected!

I am SO busy with work and packing up my house in the next few months, I don't know how I'm going to squeeze the next round of paperwork in there too, but I'm so excited about being able to get married sooner than we planned!

Called my fiance, called my mom -- wanted you all to be the third to know.

Hope it happens to more of you soon!

R

Congrats!!!

I'm so happy for you guys. Maybe we (Jan. filers) will be getting our NOA2 earlier then expected. Good Luck with the rest, time should really fly by now.

Jen

I have read that if a shut down that all visas and passport processing will be stopped. I don't think for long tho...many more important people (unlike us) need to renew passports after 10 years and if this is shut down then noone will be able to renew a passport which in turn is going to eventually affect tourism for both us and other countries. At least these are things I would think the government would not want to put off for to long. I should hope!! I dont want any more postponing. I'm tired of waiting and spending all kinds of money just traveling back and forth ***because they want to argue over where to cut cost. I personally think they should cut out some of their paycheck for not being able to do their job and make these decisions on time. Anyway, enough of the rant. lol Lets just cross our fingers and pray that they can make these decisions by the end of the day today if not the latest on Monday.

***and now possibly longer

I could not edit for some reason so this is the best I could do to fix what I had typed.

Thank you both Janis and Jen for sharing your experiences, it was definitely very interesting to read them! Now that Ive read your posts it seems more than obvious that they would have all that info on their computers. And yes it is definitely better to be safe than sorry, so being prepared for anything is the way to go It's funny though that neither of us has been questioned at all (meaning me and Josh) on our multiple visits - especially me of course. Id imagine that the POE officer would've said something when I told her I was just there for a vacation if she saw that I'm in the process of immigrating to the country. Maybe I just look so innocent or maybe she was tired and didn't feel like giving anyone a third degree that day.

I'm really hoping I'll continue to be just as lucky when I next cross the border. It's going to be a 2-month visit this time so I'm going to prepare with a letter from my employer as well as a bank statement of sufficient funds to support myself and a copy of the whole I-129f package.

On another note, do you guys know what all this talk about a government shutdown is? And that possibly postponing the progress of all pending applications even further? Im thinking this is all just talk and won't have a real effect on K1's but who knows... I hope Im not just freaking myself out here for no reason

I have read that if a shut down that all visas and passport processing will be stopped. I don't think for long tho...many more important people (unlike us) need to renew passports after 10 years and if this is shut down then noone will be able to renew a passport which in turn is going to eventually affect tourism for both us and other countries. At least these are things I would think the government would not want to put off for to long. I should hope!! I dont want any more postponing. I'm tired of waiting and spending all kinds of money just traveling back and forth because they want to argue over where to cut cost. I personally think they should cut out some of their paycheck for not being able to do their job and make these decisions on time. Anyway, enough of the rant. lol Lets just cross our fingers and pray that they can make these decisions by the end of the day today if not the latest on Monday.

The officer asked what the purpose of my visit was... I said I was going to spend some time with my fiancee and he asked when we were getting married and I told him when our K1 is approved. He seemed familiar with the process when he asked how it was going... my response... longer than I'd like, we both laughed. While he was typing and checking out his screen he asked a bit more about how we met and what my fiancee does but not as if he was grilling me, more curious and congratualtory.

Also, in response to some of the other posts... I was lead to believe that once your I-129f has been filed Homeland Security has the info in the system and it pops up when they run your name on anything... I can't confirm that but when they did my security clearance check for the Navy base in Japan Mark said it seemed like they had all my info already.

Your experience doesn't sound so bad. Hope I have the about the same. And I agree with what you said above, that Homeland Security has the info....and in short was what I was trying to explain in my experience. lol

Hey everyone... just checking in... been without internet access for over a week, kinda nice to be unplugged.

I'm in Virginia with Mark and enjoying it so much, playing house and being normal while we wait for our forever day to come (no touches or news for us yet). Feeling very fortunate to be able to be with him.

FYI... Had NO issues at the YVR POE, actually the customs officer I got was so nice and didn't ask about employment or to see any paperwork, just confirmed my return ticket date and asked about my fiancee and how the K1 process was going.

Hope this finds you all well.

Hi there,

I have a quick question for you....as I read your post I saw that you said the officer asked how your K1 process was going. Did you tell him you appied for the K1 or did he just ask?

Also its great to hear there was no issues at POE.

Thanks,

Jen

Hi Jen!

So Im wondering, where did you read that it shows your NOA1 on the computer at POE? Everywhere Ive read Ive seen that it in fact does not even though people think otherwise. My understanding is that all that pops up on the screen when they read your passport is previous entries to the country (or anywhere) and anything to do with those, but no pending petitions. I imagine there will be something after you get your NOA2? Or maybe not even then, as you don't need to go forward and apply for the K1 Visa. Anyway, Ive read about several visits (both ways, US and the beneficiary's home country) and mostly everything goes fine and no additional questioning anywhere only due to I-129F. The rare occasions Ive read about have been because there have been multiple visits within a rather short perios of time, and/or the traveller has said that they are visiting boyfriend/girl friend (or rather fiancé(e), a little to that :-))

There's a lot of mixed info about these things on VJ, does anyone in our January thread know these things for a fact? I know that my visit to the US in February was no hassle, just the usual "Business or pleasure". And Josh has visited me in Finland, no questions asked. Im absolutely sure everything will go fine Jen, but I do understand all the worrying. Anyway good luck with your Journey!!

Eve

Hi Eve,

I'm not sure where I read the information about the K1 visa application being on the computers at POE . All I know is that I did read that anything that you apply for or have applied for in the past will show up on the POE computer because its information that they need to know to make their decision on weather you are allowed to enter.

When Mario had visited me in the past he was interviewed before we even got engaged and they even questioned me. They had asked if I was going to apply or had applied for the fiance visa with in the last month or at the current time. At that point I answered no of course, we were just dating. I took it as they take time to enter you into the system. While interviewing me the officer also told me that she would put in her report that I had denied that we had applied at that time. She was very nice but went on to tell me that every time his name is ran in their system that I am going to pop up along with all my information (address and other records they have on me) on their computers as linked to him and vice versa. (I was not concerned because I'm sure they dont have much. lol I am a nurse so I know they have my finger prints but otherwise I would think nothing ). Anyway, she said because we are involved and he stayed with me numerous times that we will always be linked together in the system. How true any of this is, I dont know. But I take this informaiton and just stay prepared for anything. Also, when they say people are only allowed to visit 6 months in a rotating year on VWP 90 days at a time...we know first hand it just depends on the POE and situation. Mario had stayed with me 7 months out of this last year (As you can read in my profile). So again dont know what is true and what is not ....I just try to be prepared, take all the information I have come acrossed and try to use it to my advantage. lol I'm not worried I wont get in. I'm just was not sure if it was even an issue to get questioned or that any proof was needed.

Sorry I dont have the site where I found this information....as for my experience thats all it was, my experience. I just read all night, do research, only document what I feel I need for future reference. Wish I could be more of help.

Jen

Thanks for telling me about your experiences. I'm a little more prepared now that I hear it is possible to get questioned. It sounds more then likely that they will question me a bit considering it shows our NOA1 on the computer (so i've read). I plan to take my name badge from my job and my mortgage along with my custody papers for my kids. I think that will be plenty...well I hope so. Oh and of course my return ticket.

If anyone goes before me in the next 3 weeks...please let me know how it goes. I will let you all know how my experience goes, if you are interested.

Thanks again,

Jen

Hi everyone,

Happy Half way point this month.

How is everyone?

Its been a while since I have been on to check how everyone is doing and to see any updates. Anyway, as I was reading a question came to me so I thought I'd ask you all about it. I'm heading to the Netherlands at the end of the month. Does anyone think I should take something with me as far a proof to return? Or maybe our NOA1? I know its a big deal for everyone coming here to the US to have all their proof but is it the same the other way around?

Jen

Ahh Mondays.

Welcome to another week in the wait!

I'll only start worrying about the online access at CSC if someone /after/ us starts being able to. At that point, I might get a little bit irked.

Things have been a little harder for me this past weekend. My SO's landlord is a <insert expletive for donkey here> and told him the place he lives had good internet. Apparently one of the superiors in the company that rents his flat informed him that he was never supposed to claim it had working internet, and it hasn't for over a year. The landlord also agreed to let him out of his contract due to the issues with being lied to about the internet, and the superior said he had no ability to promise that either. Bleh. So we've been going all weekend only able to talk on Skype via his phone, which disconnects randomly. We weren't really able to do anything together we would normally do so it ended up being /boring/.

When we started this process, the two of us decided to go on a diet together (since we both could stand to lose some weight). So far, since submitting the packet, I've lost 13lbs. He's lost a few kgs but not sure exactly how much (he only started counting last week). Might be a long wait for us, but at least we're doing something to better ourselves, I guess.

I'm really sorry to hear that! I dont know what I would do without skype!!! And if its just disconnecting in the middle of converstaion/activities I would become rather irritated quickly. I hope this can be solved some how for the both of you. Oh..... way to go on the 13 lbs Just remember men tend to lose faster then women but in time women do speed up to match them eventually. I personally would monitor inches rather then lbs considering if your working out you maybe gaining muscle which weighs more then fat. Good Luck!!

Been routed to VSC 4 days ago and not in the computer yet either. I hope it'll happen soon for all of us, both CSC and VSC.

Thats all we can do is hope....

I'm so happy someone else has some hope with me. I try to stay positive EVERYDAY!! I have a feeling when my fiance leaves (very soon) this process is going to be much more exausting knowing we are apart waiting to reunited. With kids and as a nurse its hard for me to leave to visit him in the netherlands. I have my own patients and there is noone to cover me for more then a few days. So we are going to be apart for most of this process. I'm sure its not an uncommon story but still I'm dreading it all together. Ok enough feeling sorry for myself just a few months......WE CAN DO THIS!!

Thanks. As a software developer I am not too concerned since I know the emails and text messages are generated from a computer. They just obviously do not have the data being feed into the system that we query. For me at this point it is better to keep an eye on those that are getting NOA2's and when was there NOA1 date. That will give us a better idea when our turn is.

Yeah, I agree on following the rest of Jan. filers timelines to see when it will be close to my turn in getting my NOA2. Unfortunately, its going to be a long wait not knowing even when your touched or if a RFE is sent until actually receive it in the mail. As fas as I know (I could be wrong) if you can look at your status on line you will know ahead of time when receiving a RFE before you get the actual request in the mail. I'm not worried about the case just would like to see progress instead of thinking progress (if you understand).

Received text and email around 1 AM last night. Paperwork is going to CSC, did not give a notice date and not in the computer yet, at least not the one we can query. I am assuming the notice date will be sometime last week since they do not work on the weekends. Yeah!!! Now comes the wait.

Hi there,

Congrats on your NOA1. A few of us have been routed to CSC but still not able to access our file yet even after NOA1 hard-copy is received. I wonder if they will even put it in the system at all during our wait for NOA2. I dont think it will be anytime soon but I will keep looking .

Added our two newest January filers to the list.

Just a reminder to everyone, you can check our 'group' timeline using the links in my signature.

You can also edit it whenever you want to add information like NOA1s, touches, etc.

I wish California would get off their butts and start putting applications in the online system.

I guess that's the trade off... VSC is taking longer in general, but California is lagging on inputting things.

Yeah I agree, I wish they would too. But if I had a choice I would take it the way it is if that means we will see our NOA2 faster . I'm going to keep checking once a week (or more if I get bored) if I know anything different I will be sure to tell you right away.

I don't mind answering questions on it.

Basically it works like any other spreadsheet.

You should be able to just use the edit button without logging in or anything, and just enter dates in the right columns.

The calculated fields are already set up, so once you enter dates, it should recalculate them.

Hey there,

We finally received our hardcopy NOA1 but when I tried to update your spreadsheet I was sent to a sign in page from google. I went to the speadsheet and pressed the edit button below but am not able to edit that sheet without signing in first. Of course I dont have account with google so either I can make one or is there some other way of just editing without having account?

Jen

I don't mind answering questions on it.

Basically it works like any other spreadsheet.

You should be able to just use the edit button without logging in or anything, and just enter dates in the right columns.

The calculated fields are already set up, so once you enter dates, it should recalculate them.

Ok sounds good!!! I think I can handle that. lol

Lol, don't have me worried now I really hope we will be able to check it soon and that our applications is not one of those who never show up online. And I hope all the CSC January filers will be able to check theirs soon as well.

I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you worry more. I'm sure it just takes a few days to get in their system and the initial letter does say to wait till you get the hardcopy so I'm pretty confident you will be able to check soon like everyone else from VSC. At least I hope I'm right.

If they only knew what we go through over the simplest of things they would definitely put it in their systems asap. haha