Have any of you petitioners done this??

[Rani&Raja 0]

I have a friend who has three friends, including me, who have married foreigners oversea's all in this last year. One gals husband is Ethiopian, she met him and dated him while working as a missionary in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia. Their whole deal took less than a year! I don't know the exact specifics of their situation, but I know her husband was here less than a year later. Another friend of my friend, met an Ecuadorian guy online, they had their online romance for sometime then she went there and met him and MARRIED him during their first meeting in Ecuador!! When she came back to the States, she sent in an I-130 petition, not having nearly as much supporting evidence as I, however sufficient enough. She also didn't have a job here nor there. About 3 months later it went on from initial review and she sent the next wave of documents, went back to Ecuador to visit her husband. She sent in her petition in October-November of 2012 and he was granted entry this past July. Their whole process of getting him here took just about 8 months from start to finish, even without her working and their very hasty marriage. That is amazing and when I heard these stories from my friend, I was greatly encouraged. However, not so encouraged anymore. I am a newly wed and was with my husband less than 2 months before returning to the States. Wondering if I can/should just go back to Mumbai and be with my husband while we continue this waiting game??? That is honestly what I would prefer to do but I don't know if that would cause problems with our case. Only pending now in Initial Review. I understand they have a huge overload, being patient as I can be, but being with my husband and waiting India would be my dream come true at this point. At least we could be together! Any thoughts or advice??

[Boggy1974 124]

If you have the means to go live with your husband, sure by all means do that. It won't affect your process in my view. Living with him there will even help you gather documents that will be vital down the road at nvc and come interview time. Just make sure you are able to keep 'track' of your mails back in the States in case uscis send you anything.

Also, I would say do not compare the timing of your filing with others who filed last year. In addition, do not compare your case to anyone's case as each case is unique and different. Right now, it is taking almost a year just to get a decision with uscis alone. Best of luck!

[stevie b 141]

personally, going to be with your spouse is a good idea, but... if you have the patience.. I would give it 6-8 weeks and see what happens when the division 8 comes online at the end of this month.. I am confident you will see an immediate downward trend for approval times

[Rani&Raja 0]

personally, going to be with your spouse is a good idea, but... if you have the patience.. I would give it 6-8 weeks and see what happens when the division 8 comes online at the end of this month.. I am confident you will see an immediate downward trend for approval times

Thanks guys!!!!

[Darnell 8,478]

We weren't in a hurry for her immigration, only filing almost 5 years after we married. Of course, I would go to China for a month, every 3 months or so, working remotely .

As to your friends and then you - it's just a concept of queues. Queues at USCIS, NVC, and the Embassy.

[Rani&Raja 0]

Thanks guys!!!!

Wondering if I should even call uscis and asking them or if I should go back to Mumbai.... So confusing.

[Darnell 8,478]

That would be a great phone call.

Why? You'd be wasting your time, and I'm a big fan of doing things to waste time with SERCO contractors, those fellas that answer the phone at USCIS.

[Rani&Raja 0]

That would be a great phone call.

Why? You'd be wasting your time, and I'm a big fan of doing things to waste time with SERCO contractors, those fellas that answer the phone at USCIS.

LOL! That's how I feel in regards to calling them! WASTE OF TIME! However, I have never been through this before and don't know what to expect... Just want to go back to India. Think perhaps I will try to stick it out until NOA2 and send my documents then go back... Just not sure.

[Darnell 8,478]

why not study the timelines at your portal ?

click 'portals' above,

then once that page loads,

click the visa type in the left panel.

Once the timeline page loads, pick a sort carat , click on it.

I like clicking on interview date sort carat, that gives me some idea of who was approved recently, and how long their process took.

Best done on a PC, though.

Edited September 18, 2013 by Darnell

[Rani&Raja 0]

why not study the timelines at your portal ?

click 'portals' above,

then once that page loads,

click the visa type in the left panel.

Once the timeline page loads, pick a sort carat , click on it.

I like clicking on interview date sort carat, that gives me some idea of who was approved recently, and how long their process took.

Best done on a PC, though.

Ok. Thanks will do that now!

[TBoneTX 45,090]

What happens in Ecuador has nothing to do with you or with the rest of the world. That couple lucked out considerably, and their experience cannot expect to be repeated.

"Face time" always counts heavily in the eyes of consular officers.

Read "Embassy Info" and "Reviews: Embassy" for your consulate (Mumbai) via the links atop every VJ page, and thoroughly study what's said in the India regional subforum here.

[Rani&Raja 0]

I understand that what happened in Ecuador isn't going to be the same case with every case. I guess I was just making mention of those because they seem to be miraculous! Also, I am familiar with how the Embassy works in Mumbai! IT IS SO SAD! My husband has dealt with them a couple times before. They actually let you know ahead of time that basically because you're Indian they will treat you as if you're trying to illegally come and stay here. They don't even bother looking at his proofs and documents! Grrr!!!! Well, I am sure it will go better this time around as he won't be applying for visitor visa.

[NikLR 13,227]

Your husband will have a harder time because he's from a high fraud country. Living with him will help that immensely IMHO.