Timeline has me freaking out

[S & I 0]

Ok so i have been following this site since before i even sent in my I-129f. But as of right now all the different responses have me somewhat scared. I sent the package in on 1/4/11 so i am just waiting on my NOA1 but my question is how long after the NOA1 do i get 2? And yes i am aware it can take up to 4 months if not more to receive the NOA2 but bare with me here we all would like to know before hand of how the all around process would look like. I know it varies but i would like to know some personal experience time lines. I sent in around 20 pictures, letters, emails and flight tickets proving we have met in person at least 3 times within the past two years. Were both eligible to get married so in that aspect i am quite confident (even tho everyone can get a surprise) i would like some support since i am doing this on my own and its a scary journey if not well educated on the process. Thank you for reading!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Your NOA2, if you don't receive any RFEs, will likely come 4-6 months after your NOA1. Sometimes shorter, sometimes longer.

After your NOA2, it all depends on how fast your embassy is. It'll be sent to NVC for a short time and then to the embassy in the beneficiary's home country. Every embassy is different, so how long it'll take from then to the interview is different.

I suggest looking at Igor's List to see how long things are taking right now. Also take a look at your regional forum to see how long Cuba is taking to book interviews as well.

[together4evr 360]

I looked up the immigraion timeline for cuba fiance

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op7=Cuba&op1=&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C10%2C11%2C13%2C14%2C15%2C16%2C17%2C18%2C20%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C26%2C27%2C28%2C108%2C110%2C111%2C208%2C210%2C211&cfl=

[Heather&Paul 7]

Like the previous person stated, the time to an NOA2 can take anywhere from 4-6 months if not longer. The service centers can have a tendency to get backed up with petitions. Once the petition is approved it can vary with how long it takes to get to the embassy. Mine took less than a week to get to NVC and was sent to the embassy in less than a week. But on the other hand, some people's files take a month at NVC. It really does appear to be luck of the draw. Also, some embassies are quicker than others. Some will schedule an interview very quickly form within a few weeks to a month, some schedule like 3 months out. Looking at Igor's list and just visa stats for people that have K1 visas from your country will help give you an idea for the whole process. There isn't any exact measure tho. It took us 139 days to get an NOA2 and after the date of the NOA2 about 2 months till when the interview is; my fiancé is from Ireland.

I hope this helps you a bit.

[Pitaya 2,577]

While you are doing what many of us are doing...waiting , consider acquainting yourself with the wealth of information on this site. There are numerous threads containing VJ members personal experiences, the "Guides" and "Timelines" tabs at the top of the forum page are your access to information about the various visa processes. I am certainly no expert on the fine points of the visa process, I am (like the majority of others on the forum) just like you, trudging through this very bureaucratic process.

Good luck.

[EminTX 131]

I am curious where you got that 4 month number stuck in your head. I think that is like winning a prize to get such a short time. Some do, but most (at this current time) do not. Reading through old threads (even just 4 years ago) seems to make it seem common. Be sure to keep in mind to check the dates on the posts you read on here.

<---- filed in early July. RFE'd in November. His job involves traveling to remote areas and he is not working since December only because of the waiting. It sucks to have your life on hold for bureaucrats, but it is a necessary evil. We all have to bear with them.

Besides, the NOA2 is not the same as the visa, the interview, the medical exam, the flight. Those all take time, too.

I sometimes find the things written here to be very discouraging. There are a few very vocal members who seem to relish demonstrating their superiority in the most biting way they can. Take the information they provide wile excusing the biting, hateful attitudes. For the people who brag, "It's so easy! I forgot to send evidence and I got approved in 2 months anyway. I'm just sooooo lucky! TeeHee!" Well, ignore them too. Stay focused on the goal the best you can. I know it is so difficult. Your other half is worth it.

Since you are beginning this process, I do have another recommendation that won't cost more than postage and could possibly be something to refer to in the future. My RFE demanded, among other things, that I provide letter evidence that cited a specific and location to prove that we had been together. WHAT? Nobody writes letters about things they already know! We write new information. Go ahead and write one and ask for a reply likewise. Just include in one of your letters a line or two about, "remember when we did such and such at blah blah location on the first weekend of December? That was great." or whatever. I posted a thread about that and some of the responses were really helpful in their advice. Well, I think they were helpful. We are still waiting, though-ha!

Here's the link if you care to see it:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/338728-k1-fiance-visa-do-this/

This site is the most incredible resource that exists, IMHO.

Good luck with your immigration adventures.

[DiZZyLoX 114]

Ok so i have been following this site since before i even sent in my I-129f. But as of right now all the different responses have me somewhat scared. I sent the package in on 1/4/11 so i am just waiting on my NOA1 but my question is how long after the NOA1 do i get 2? And yes i am aware it can take up to 4 months if not more to receive the NOA2 but bare with me here we all would like to know before hand of how the all around process would look like. I know it varies but i would like to know some personal experience time lines. I sent in around 20 pictures, letters, emails and flight tickets proving we have met in person at least 3 times within the past two years. Were both eligible to get married so in that aspect i am quite confident (even tho everyone can get a surprise) i would like some support since i am doing this on my own and its a scary journey if not well educated on the process. Thank you for reading!

Hi there. Have a look at my timeline. I wrote about each little step of the way. It took 4 1/2 months to get to noa2 and 7 months total for visa issuance. It's painful but it is doable!!

[bigdog 376]

AT our interview the other day, I told the IO as soon as we made plans they scheduled an interview, she said that how it is. Our K1 took about 7 months, 1 extra month because our attorney messed up. 7 months seem about average, you will have lots of time to Skype and chat here.

[sharpcar 4]

hello out there in visa journey land...one thing i learned in this process be patient that anything can happen and set backs are possible..we are in there hands..igors list is a great tool to look at but by no means accurate..i have seen people lucky that within 4 months there at the interview..i have seen some get rfe and from that point a mjor set back..get your mind prepared for a min time frame of 6 months from date sent of 129f..study this site its awesome you might wanna go to your country potral to get familiar with the embassy your gonna be going too and get all of that paperwork together start getting i-134 stuff together once u get the noa2 it goes much faster good luck in everybodys journey

[Moomin 292]

Igor's list and VJ timelines have a different approach than the service centers. VJ gets the aftermath of the service centers - expedites and faaast approvals mess the average NOA1-NOA2 timeline up, same with people filling out their timelines wrong or not updating it. You can go by the average if you want to but if I were you I'd stick to expecting nothing before you hit 5 months from your NOA1 date. Even at 5 months, look at USCIS' webpage. It doesn't mean they'll approve it within or before 5 months(when that's their goal).

I'm not trying to take away any optimism you might have - keep your hopes up but expectations down at this point. Preparation is good though. Knowing the next few steps and not only the first ones so things won't surprise you on-the-go. Vaccinations; having records of them vs. getting them in home country vs. in the states. How to get police records, tax transcripts etc. Anything to distract you from waiting impatiently for the next X to XX months.

What comes after NOA2 is a different matter, here you can track most of the process, be in charge and look at the timelines of foreign fiance(e)'s country. In my opinion, the process is more stabilized here when looking at VJ.

[RumbaBumba 4]

I got my noa 2 in 60 days (check my timeline)... NoA and actual interview date took about 6-7 months to complete. My Wife just came in July 2011. We're so happy Keep that in mind while you wait. Be fuerte because you are in for the long haul. Make plans to visit Cuba.

Un Abrazo Fuerte! I understand. I look forward to hearing amazing things on your journey!

I'll never forget checking on VJ from Habana Vieja. Such a magical and stressful time!! haha