ATTENTION JULY FILERS!

[Courtney 1]

Ok, i just saw something a little bothersome... I have a lawyer for our K-1 visa, and there's a place on the lawyer's site to look at the progress of everyone at the law firm's K-1 visas through the VSC... Since my application was submitted towards the end of July, the law firm estimates a 60-90 waiting period for my NOA2. Anyone who's submitted an application in August has a waiting date of 150-180 days... YIKES! I never actually did receive a paper copy of my NOA1, does it say on there an "estimated waiting time"? I'm just wondering where my lawyer is getting these estimated waiting times....

There is no estimated waiting time on the hard copy of the NOA1.

I think either your lawyer has some contacts at USCIS who are giving him/her the inside scoop or he/she is assuming that a big rush of pre increase petitions will slow things down quite a bit.

Why don't you ask your lawyer and then let us know what you find out?

My ever helpful ( ) lawyer responds to my request as follows:

"It used to take Vermont 30 – 60 days to make a decision on a K-1 visa petition. In light of the recent administrative and organizational changes, we are expecting their processing times to increase dramatically. "

So I guess the numbers they're talking about (60-90 days for July filers, 150-180 days for August filers) are just estimates based on ... well, based on predictions? Sorry, my lawyer is no help. But they must have an idea of how backed up the service centers are now, compared to how they were before the crazy price increase....

[Jason-Sasha 1]

It seems there are about half as many filers in August as there were in July. Maybe this will help decrease some of that estimated time. Wishful thinking...

[Bill y Bella 0]

My ever helpful ( ) lawyer responds to my request as follows:

"It used to take Vermont 30 – 60 days to make a decision on a K-1 visa petition. In light of the recent administrative and organizational changes, we are expecting their processing times to increase dramatically. "

So I guess the numbers they're talking about (60-90 days for July filers, 150-180 days for August filers) are just estimates based on ... well, based on predictions? Sorry, my lawyer is no help. But they must have an idea of how backed up the service centers are now, compared to how they were before the crazy price increase....

Thanks for taking the time to try to get some more information! It sounds like your attorney is just guessing like the rest of us.

[weedebz 0]

Tucson chick and jeraly...your dresses look great. I've seen a few possibilities but still unsure what to go for. I can't wear white as I'm really pale (scottish blue skin) but with natural almost black hair so if I wear white I look like a ghost with hair. I can't tan....the sun either reflects off me blinding everyone in the near vacinity or I go scarlett.

The commonwealth angle I mentioned before is that if a UK citizen files to immigrate to canada there is a separate fast track way due to old commonwealth ties.

I really really want to be able to head over in march...I'll be happy with that. Of course I'd love sooner!

I have a totally unrelated question.....what can I expect from a US courthouse wedding? anyone been to one or planning one themselves?

[Jeraly 4]

Tucson chick and jeraly...your dresses look great. I've seen a few possibilities but still unsure what to go for. I can't wear white as I'm really pale (scottish blue skin) but with natural almost black hair so if I wear white I look like a ghost with hair. I can't tan....the sun either reflects off me blinding everyone in the near vacinity or I go scarlett.

The commonwealth angle I mentioned before is that if a UK citizen files to immigrate to canada there is a separate fast track way due to old commonwealth ties.

I really really want to be able to head over in march...I'll be happy with that. Of course I'd love sooner!

I have a totally unrelated question.....what can I expect from a US courthouse wedding? anyone been to one or planning one themselves?

Aww Debz - you'll look great in whatever you wear I am sure! Just like Snow White!! My dress is ivory but there are some gorgeous reds and things out there specifically for brides rather than bridesmaids so I am sure you will find something

As for weddings - not too sure what to expect but we're just doing our own thing - getting married across a river (the guests have to climb across stepping stones ) near a wood with a red rock backdrop - I think it all just depends on what you want so don't feel you have to do things a specific way! Oh wow - isn't this so exciting?! We're all getting married guys!!!

[weedebz 0]

hahaha Jeraly, have you told your guests that they need to cross a river!?!?....You might have people turning up in waders or even worse....auntie could fall in and spoil her nice new suit!!!.....Hold on...you said feb.....what if it's frozen....you could do it on iceskates!!!!!!

I'm think either a red or I've seensome nice silvery dresses too. I don't like gold so thats out too. We have chosen our rings though....they are both the same but nicks will be tad wider, titanium efforts!

[Jeraly 4]

hahaha Jeraly, have you told your guests that they need to cross a river!?!?....You might have people turning up in waders or even worse....auntie could fall in and spoil her nice new suit!!!.....Hold on...you said feb.....what if it's frozen....you could do it on iceskates!!!!!!

I'm think either a red or I've seensome nice silvery dresses too. I don't like gold so thats out too. We have chosen our rings though....they are both the same but nicks will be tad wider, titanium efforts!

Yeah - I've put a dress code in with the invitations for Jeremy's family (I don't trust them!) and shoe advice in with the invites for my side! Along with the map, directions, parking costs etc I have created a mini wedding guide for each invitee!!! Doubt it would be frozen in Feb - it is AZ after all but that would be rather cool - an ice skating bride! I'd look like one of those ballet dancers you get in kids' jewellery boxes!

Silver would be nice. I'm not much of a gold person either - engagement ring is white gold so our wedding bands will be white gold too - sound similar to yours - matching although Jeremy's will be a bit wider Haven't bought them yet though - I've been to his aunt's house and there is no way they would survive without getting lost, covered in grime, corroded beyond repair or eaten by dogs!!! I told him maybe we should wait a little longer

[weedebz 0]

hahaha Jeraly, have you told your guests that they need to cross a river!?!?....You might have people turning up in waders or even worse....auntie could fall in and spoil her nice new suit!!!.....Hold on...you said feb.....what if it's frozen....you could do it on iceskates!!!!!!

I'm think either a red or I've seensome nice silvery dresses too. I don't like gold so thats out too. We have chosen our rings though....they are both the same but nicks will be tad wider, titanium efforts!

Yeah - I've put a dress code in with the invitations for Jeremy's family (I don't trust them!) and shoe advice in with the invites for my side! Along with the map, directions, parking costs etc I have created a mini wedding guide for each invitee!!! Doubt it would be frozen in Feb - it is AZ after all but that would be rather cool - an ice skating bride! I'd look like one of those ballet dancers you get in kids' jewellery boxes!

Silver would be nice. I'm not much of a gold person either - engagement ring is white gold so our wedding bands will be white gold too - sound similar to yours - matching although Jeremy's will be a bit wider Haven't bought them yet though - I've been to his aunt's house and there is no way they would survive without getting lost, covered in grime, corroded beyond repair or eaten by dogs!!! I told him maybe we should wait a little longer

I've been warned about NE weather.....FREEZING in winter (same as scotland then).....ROASTING in summer (not good as I shut down at 75F max and it goes over 100F)......then tornados inbetween (not looking forward to my first tornado experience)

AZ for you....isn't that desert???.......oooooo ####### that.....my scottish blood couldn't cope.....I don't do heat well!

NOW Alaska......that I could do!!!!!!

[Jeraly 4]

I've been warned about NE weather.....FREEZING in winter (same as scotland then).....ROASTING in summer (not good as I shut down at 75F max and it goes over 100F)......then tornados inbetween (not looking forward to my first tornado experience)

AZ for you....isn't that desert???.......oooooo ####### that.....my scottish blood couldn't cope.....I don't do heat well!

NOW Alaska......that I could do!!!!!!

We're getting married in AZ and I'll be living in CA so all pretty warm - beats the crappy English summer though!! Tornadoes I am sure you will be fine with - I have earthquakes to contend with so between us we could perhaps develop unnatural skills in weather-stunts and get jobs as stunt people in Hollywood... or something... ;? Only experienced one earthquake but it was little. There was a massive wildfire a few miles from us as well (100sq miles or so) last summer so it is all very exciting(!)

AZ is kinda desert but where we are getting married is beautiful It has trees and everything!!! You can see pics on my facebook - look up my Sedona album.. or I could stop being lazy and find it...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=7736...mp;id=739675434

It really is very beautiful

Alaska... I think I would get a bit too cold - will def visit there someday though! Have to visit every State!

[weedebz 0]

I remember the first time Nick told me he had to go offline and go into basement because of tornados...I was like..."what as in toto I don't think we're in kansas anymore!?" his whole family still laugh at this comment. I mean here on west coast scotland we get hammered with all sorts (blizzards and hailstorms in July, a 95F summer 2006, 80-90MPH winds....still waiting for summer 2007) we don't seem to have distinct seasons anymore...infact you can often get all 4 in one day....you can even get torrential bursts of rain whilst the sun is shining...fantastic rainbows!

So far I've been in/passed thru....6 states...not too bad for someone thats only been twice! This time next year hopefully I'll be sitting beside a big aircon unit with some iced tea!!

sorry forgot to add...those pics look great!!!!

Edited August 22, 2007 by weedebz

[Jeraly 4]

Hehe! I love the fact that we can be as naive as the next person! I got all excited at the earthquake cause the plates in the kitchen rattled like in the movies

I've been to seven States so far but I've been... four times? Five sorry. I've been to NY, FL, OR, CA, NV, UT, AZ - will soon be adding HI to that list!!!

So how is Nick coping sitting around all day?! Jeremy was here for three months last summer before he had to leave early and he was going mad not having anything to do!

[weedebz 0]

Hehe! I love the fact that we can be as naive as the next person! I got all excited at the earthquake cause the plates in the kitchen rattled like in the movies

I've been to seven States so far but I've been... four times? Five sorry. I've been to NY, FL, OR, CA, NV, UT, AZ - will soon be adding HI to that list!!!

So how is Nick coping sitting around all day?! Jeremy was here for three months last summer before he had to leave early and he was going mad not having anything to do!

well I only work away from home 8am-1pm mon-fri and then if I have a location shoot or a wedding to photograph. The rest I either work from home or he comes with me. I'm winding down my own business now due to...well leaving the country! He's not here alone too much and he has my PC/laptop/his guitar and my piano to keep him amused. He's a musical genius...I think he should go into teaching but he's not sure!!! I have found out that once I can work I potentially have a photographic job over there....it's the same guy who offered me a job when I was over in summer but obviously there were visa complications with that too which prevented it. Apparently he's impressed with my work! He understands the visa stuff and the problems me and nick have as his daughter is married to a man from India and they had to do all of this!

[Jeraly 4]

That's fantastic! Sounds like you have it made! I want to set up my own jewellery making business making bespoke jewellery for weddings but I haven't had the time or money to really branch out and experiment - it would start out really small but we have bunches of materials already and are in profit a little bit so it's a start I'd love to just be my own boss and work the hours I choose because I am doing something I love - will be amazing!

I feel like moving away is giving me the opportunity to do what I want with my life and it is really exciting

[thejoz 0]

As far as I'm concerned, even 60-90 days would be great. I mean, it will have been one month as of tomorrow since my NOA1 was issued...so that's 30 days...

If they were to make a decision by September 23rd or even October 23rd, I'd be beating my predicted timeline thing that VJ has given me. November 13th? #######?

[lisalu100 0]

Girls, this forum just got better!!!! I have been floating between theknot.com and here, but if we're gonna talk weddings here, that's fab!!! We've got a lot of time to kill and not too much time fooling around with our fiances!! Having said that, I won't be around for the next 2 weeks because in 13 hours time, I FLY TO AMERICA! Errrm, I'm just a little bit excited... As well as getting re-aquainted(!!!) I have some wedding stuff to accomplish - Meeting with the potential florist on friday, with the potential caterer on monday, and then a potential dj next week. It's all go! I am very indecisive, but I've done my research, so if I don't like these guys, I'll carry on searching, but I'm pretty sure I'll just book them all. I can't hack it any more - there's just too much choice. I'm kinda done looking around now. I'm bored, I want to move onto looking at honeymoons! We are having our "white wedding" in May 08, but the "official" wedding will be... Hopefully before the white wedding! Your guess is as good as mine. It's gonna be tough, because my family want me to wait until the white wedding until we get married officially. One husband, one wedding. This is great in an ideal world, but I am getting married in front of all my friends and family in a white dress with a big party, and I really couldn't give two hoots whether I have already been to the courthouse and gone through the motions, in order to be with FI a few months earlier. Although, the way it looks at the moment, the two dates will tie together. STILL, if I get off by butt now and go pack, I can get to bed, sleep away the next few hours, and I'll be back in the arms of my gorgeous hubbie-to-be before I know it!. G'night everyone! Visa aproval dust to all!