Jump to content
Army_Wife

US Military Spouses

 Share

700 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline
We tried that and we rung the military helpline and they said we weren't eligable, even though Tom is technicaly 'deployed'. We thought we weren't anyway but it doesn't hurt to try.

Did you just call and ask them or did you actually file for an expedite either through mail or via fax? Just wondering...

He called the number, he gave them his situation and asked if he was eligable for a expedite. They told him no.

Hello all.... Im a US navy wife.... just got married december 2008 and sent my I-130 on the 7th January but still didnt receive the NOA1.... my husband is on deployment right now while im back to my home country... and so maybe that is why its taking so long since we are using an FPO address.... did anyone use an FPO address on any USCIS forms before?

and its the most difficult task ever to be a military wife.... this is our second deployment and it hurts so much seeing your loved one leave again.... May God be with all the Military Personnel no matter where they are!!

Just wanted to say,...if Malta is indeed your home country, it is BEAUTIFUL!

I booked a holiday for hubby and I there in August 2007, when he was on R and R from his second deployment.

We loved it so much we want to go back,..:)

Edited by jodee

"When a man is educated, an individual is educated; when a woman is educated, a family and a country are educated."

— Mahatma Gandhi

The timeline... (Frankfurt) for the kids visas

10/22/2007 Filed I-130 x 2 in person + paid 710 USD (355 each )

10/22/2007 Filed DS-230 part 1 x 2

10/22/2007 Received the document checklist and FRN (case) numbers

12/18/2007 I-130 petition approved, but I didn't know. I was away at the time, didn't get confirmation letters til I got back from the states.

12/20/2007 Notice of Approval arrives in tha mail. According to the date received stamp on back of envelope at my post box.

Will now wait til hubby is back from Iraq to fax in checklist readiness, even though, I have been ready since day of lodging I-130's. all except medical.

02/18/2008 Faxed the "checklist" back to the consulate.

02/25/2008 Medicals completed.

02/25/2008 Appt letters in mail for appt on March 7th. Cant go due to prior military commitments. Emailed consulate and received an amended appt date of March 12th 2008.

03/12/2008 Visa interview - APPROVED x 2

03/27/2008 Visa's finally generated. I emailed the consulate. they apologised for the delay. They forgot to issue the visas after approval.

03/31/2008 Received visas

04/26/2008 Flying out of Frankfurt to next duty station on orders.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: United Kingdom
Timeline

Hi guys! Air Force wife here! We met while he was stationed in England! We are in Tucson right now and have been for about 2 years, but we're about to PCS to Louisiana and I'm not looking forward to it :(

OUR K-1 VISA JOURNEY

K1 Application

12-01-2006 I-129F sent priority USPS to CSC ... the real journey begins! (Day 1)

12-06-2006 NOA1 (Day 4)

03-05-2007 NOA2 - YAY!! (Day 89))

05-04-2007 INTERVIEW!!!!!! - APPROVED! (Day 149)

05-10-2007 Visa received (Day 155)

05-17-2007 ARRIVED IN PHOENIX (Day 162)

05-25-2007 Applied SSN

06-04-2007 Received SSN in the mail

06-14-2007 Passed driving test and now have my license

07-12-2007 MARRIED

07-24-2007 Changed name with SSA

AOS

05-31-2007 Appointment with Civil Surgeon for I-693A

07-16-2007 AOS sent to Chicago (received 07-18) (Day 1)

07-27-2007 NOA1 date (received 8/1) (Day 9)

07-30-2007 Check cashed (Day 12)

08-14-2007 Biometrics (Day 28)

11-29-2007 INTERVIEW DATE!!!!!! (Day 131) APPROVED

12-11-2007 Greencard Received

ROC

09-01-2009 I-751 sent to VSC (received 09-03) (Day 1)

09-04-2009 NOA Date (received 09-14) (Day 4)

09-08-2009 Check Cashed (Day 8)

10-05-2009 Biometrics @ Jackson MS (received 09-24) (Day 35)

01-08-2010 10 Year Greencard approved

01-19-2010 10 Year Greencard received

glitterfy011155737dkj7.gif glitterfy011545702wxh7.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Malta
Timeline
We tried that and we rung the military helpline and they said we weren't eligable, even though Tom is technicaly 'deployed'. We thought we weren't anyway but it doesn't hurt to try.

Did you just call and ask them or did you actually file for an expedite either through mail or via fax? Just wondering...

He called the number, he gave them his situation and asked if he was eligable for a expedite. They told him no.

Hello all.... Im a US navy wife.... just got married december 2008 and sent my I-130 on the 7th January but still didnt receive the NOA1.... my husband is on deployment right now while im back to my home country... and so maybe that is why its taking so long since we are using an FPO address.... did anyone use an FPO address on any USCIS forms before?

and its the most difficult task ever to be a military wife.... this is our second deployment and it hurts so much seeing your loved one leave again.... May God be with all the Military Personnel no matter where they are!!

Just wanted to say,...if Malta is indeed your home country, it is BEAUTIFUL!

I booked a holiday for hubby and I there in August 2007, when he was on R and R from his second deployment.

We loved it so much we want to go back,..:)

Yep im Maltese :) born and raised here..... and im in malta right now.... and my husband is deployed but hes stationed in Hawaii... was in Hawaii till 2 weeks ago.... coz since he left for deployment i came back home and we filed for my I-130 before he left but he still didnt receive anything yet and im getting worried.....is there a way to check about it it?

N400 sent : 2012-10-27

Check Cashed : 2012-11-05

Bio Appointment : 2012-11-23

Walk-In Biometrics : 2012-11-14

Interview Appointment : 2013-04-12

Approved : 2013-04-12

Oath Ceremony : 2013-06-28

as1cCET0g410010MjA0MDk1c3wwMTMxbHxTaW5jZ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Denmark
Timeline

Woooo just found out our I-130 was approved January 30th!

They never emailed us and let us know and on the case status page it still says pending hmmmm... :angry:

I just called the NVC and they gave me our case number and said they received the case yesterday. The guy I talked to said to email an expedite request to nvcinquiry@state.gov so I just did that :thumbs:

Have a great weekend y'all! :luv:

Edited by Joggie

I-130 Sent - 12/10/2008

I-130 NOA1 - 12/16/2008

**Found VisaJourney.com and found out you can apply for expedite**

Request for expedite - 01/30/2009

I-130 Approved - 01/30/2009

NVC received - 02/05/2009

Request for expedite - 02/06/2009

Expedite approved - 02/20/2009

Case completed at NVC - 02/20/2009

Consulate received - 02/26/2009

Interview date - 03/13/2009

Visa received - 03/20/09

US entry - 04/13/2009

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Thailand
Timeline
I just wanted to say a quick hi to all of you fellow spouses. My husband is deployed right now and we got married on his R&R about 2 months ago. He just found out they're cutting his orders short so he'll more than likely be home in May or June already instead of the end of July.

We just found out about the expedite processing so I got all of our papers ready today and will be faxing them to the USCIS first thing tomorrow. It's so great to hear that it's actually possible. Thank you! :thumbs:

Too many pages to read lol, anyways, someone may have already posted this but I was told if you can get a strong enough letter from your commanders, you can get the visa petition expedited whether your spouse is deploying or not, I know your spouse is deployed but it may help with a speedy process when he returns. I am in the process of trying to get a letter from my Commanders, if it works for me, I'll send you a template. Good luck to you and hope your husband returns to you safely and sooner than what his orders say.

jurod16

We tried that and we rung the military helpline and they said we weren't eligable, even though Tom is technicaly 'deployed'. We thought we weren't anyway but it doesn't hurt to try.

I don't care to use that helpline number, they just give me the same info I can read off of USCIS website. However, I did use them with my change of address. I did get my letters signed from my Squadron Commander as well as one from my Group Commander. We submitted the paperwork last Friday and we were approved within a week as far as USCIS, don't know if it was just our time or if it was the letters. We'll see how it goes through the NVC stage. Since your spouse is deployed, I don't know how it works but I know if your spouse is about to deploy (they have to go to either Afghanistan or Iraq), don't know how tyou should have no problems getting an expedite. I know you'll need a copy of your deployment orders but I don't know what else you'd need. There's also AILA MAPS, free immigration lawyers for military members-my lawyer instructed me to get those letters. Good luck to you and your spouse, and hope he returns safely!

jurod16

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Denmark
Timeline

I need advice on who to put on our DS-3032 please!

Does anyone know why they need an agent and what kind of paperwork they are going to receive? Or are they even going to be involved in the process?

My husband is deployed in Iraq right now so putting him would prolong the process because of the time it takes to mail stuff.

I'm in Denmark which is pretty much the same when it comes to receiving and sending mail.

My mother-in-law is in the States and I'm sure she'll be more than happy to be our agent but she doesn't know anything about our case.

Any advice? :unsure:

I-130 Sent - 12/10/2008

I-130 NOA1 - 12/16/2008

**Found VisaJourney.com and found out you can apply for expedite**

Request for expedite - 01/30/2009

I-130 Approved - 01/30/2009

NVC received - 02/05/2009

Request for expedite - 02/06/2009

Expedite approved - 02/20/2009

Case completed at NVC - 02/20/2009

Consulate received - 02/26/2009

Interview date - 03/13/2009

Visa received - 03/20/09

US entry - 04/13/2009

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Thailand
Timeline
I need advice on who to put on our DS-3032 please!

Does anyone know why they need an agent and what kind of paperwork they are going to receive? Or are they even going to be involved in the process?

My husband is deployed in Iraq right now so putting him would prolong the process because of the time it takes to mail stuff.

I'm in Denmark which is pretty much the same when it comes to receiving and sending mail.

My mother-in-law is in the States and I'm sure she'll be more than happy to be our agent but she doesn't know anything about our case.

Any advice? :unsure:

make your self the agent, they need the DS3032 to proceed with the case.

USCIS

08/21/2008- Mailed I-130 today

08/23/2008- I-130 recieved at chicago lock box

08/27/2008- NOA1 notice date

01/05/2009- recieved NOA2 approval e-mail from CRIS

NVC

2009-01-16 : NVC Received and Case Number Assigned (don't know exact date)

2009-01-16 : DS-3032 and AOS bill generated

2009-01-25 : DS-3032 sent (by e-mail)

2009-01-28 : AOS bill invoiced (paid online)

2009-02-02 : AOS bill PAID and cover sheet printed

2009-02-02 : AOS package sent to NVC (sent overnight)

2009-01-29 : DS-3032 Choice of Agent accepted

2??? : AOS entered into NVC system (NVC recieved AOS 03-feb-2009)

2009-02-01 : IV bill invoiced(paid online)

2009-02-03 : IV bill PAID and cover sheet printed

2009-02-23 : Medical completed

2009-03-13: DS-230 and Packet 3 sent to NVC

2009-03-17: DS-230 and packet 3 recieved by NVC

2009-03-27: RFE to correct a date on DS-230

2009-03-30: Corrected DS-230 recieved by NVC

2009-04-06 : case complete at NVC

Embassy

2009-05-01 : Forward the case to Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand

2009-06-03 : Interview at Embassy APPROVED!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I need advice on who to put on our DS-3032 please!

Does anyone know why they need an agent and what kind of paperwork they are going to receive? Or are they even going to be involved in the process?

My husband is deployed in Iraq right now so putting him would prolong the process because of the time it takes to mail stuff.

I'm in Denmark which is pretty much the same when it comes to receiving and sending mail.

My mother-in-law is in the States and I'm sure she'll be more than happy to be our agent but she doesn't know anything about our case.

Any advice? :unsure:

make your husband an agent,, they only accept US account for payment,, im sure your husband can still pay them online using his account...

email them your choice of agent, we use my mother in law address in the states because my husband was also deployed when we started the process..

id like to add: that my case was also expedited on the NVC stage so i end up paying the IV fee in USEM manila during my interview..

Edited by ruby_jade
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Thailand
Timeline

My husband is also military, but not active duty. He's retired and a veteran of the Gulf War.

My support and prayers go to the military folks and their spouses, whether or not they are deployed at the moment. :)

 --------------

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Malta
Timeline
Woooo just found out our I-130 was approved January 30th!

They never emailed us and let us know and on the case status page it still says pending hmmmm... :angry:

I just called the NVC and they gave me our case number and said they received the case yesterday. The guy I talked to said to email an expedite request to nvcinquiry@state.gov so I just did that :thumbs:

Have a great weekend y'all! :luv:

Hi there.... have you received and NOA1 before doing all this? coz we havent received that either...we got the receipt from UPS that the they got it at the chicago lockbox on the 12th january.... but no receipts yet... and can i ask what is an expedite? im in my homecountry right now

N400 sent : 2012-10-27

Check Cashed : 2012-11-05

Bio Appointment : 2012-11-23

Walk-In Biometrics : 2012-11-14

Interview Appointment : 2013-04-12

Approved : 2013-04-12

Oath Ceremony : 2013-06-28

as1cCET0g410010MjA0MDk1c3wwMTMxbHxTaW5jZ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I need advice on who to put on our DS-3032 please!

Does anyone know why they need an agent and what kind of paperwork they are going to receive? Or are they even going to be involved in the process?

My husband is deployed in Iraq right now so putting him would prolong the process because of the time it takes to mail stuff.

I'm in Denmark which is pretty much the same when it comes to receiving and sending mail.

My mother-in-law is in the States and I'm sure she'll be more than happy to be our agent but she doesn't know anything about our case.

Any advice? :unsure:

My son signed me on officially to help with my DIL's immigration process when he was leaving the country. With both of you not being in the US, it might be helpful to get your MIL involved and use her as choice of agent. It will be faster that way, with both of you overseas. I assume you'll be able to chat by phone or email with her as to what is needed.

I'm not sure that allows her to talk to the NVC if there are problems with your case or not.

It's worked out well for my kids, even though they didn't go through the NVC process. A stable US address in this process is one of the keys to smooth progress. My son is now at Naval OCS and can't conduct any business unless it is an emergency. Afterwards they'll be moving (provided he passes) and he'll be in for more intense training, so I expect I'm in this for the long haul, unless I convince my DIL that she can do it on her own. From reading many posts where people have missed their mail in this process, it's not a bad idea to get someone else signed on, especially if there are moves or overseas addresses involved. With the USCIS it's accomplished with the G-28 form In that case the mail is sent both to the petitioner/applicant and to the agent. Of course it needs to be someone you trust, has your best interests at heart and will communicate with you immediately when they receive correspondence.

Best wishes for your husband's safe return. We did Iraq X2. My son is ready for something other than sand.

Thai Mom

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Thailand
Timeline
Woooo just found out our I-130 was approved January 30th!

They never emailed us and let us know and on the case status page it still says pending hmmmm... :angry:

I just called the NVC and they gave me our case number and said they received the case yesterday. The guy I talked to said to email an expedite request to nvcinquiry@state.gov so I just did that :thumbs:

Have a great weekend y'all! :luv:

Hi there.... have you received and NOA1 before doing all this? coz we havent received that either...we got the receipt from UPS that the they got it at the chicago lockbox on the 12th january.... but no receipts yet... and can i ask what is an expedite? im in my homecountry right now

This may help you out-Immigration flow chart:

http://***removed***/foru...saflowchart.php

I never received my NOA1, I had to call the helpline number to get our receipt numbers. It helps if you paid the I-130 processing fee with a personal check cause you'll know if they cashed it.

Expedite basically means rushing the process, making it go quicker. Getting expedites approved isn't a guarantee, you have to fall under certain circumstances in order to get approved for an expedite. Even then doesn't mean you'll be approved for an expedite.

There's also AILA MAPS if your spouse is military. Immigration Attorney's who volunteer their services to military members free of charge. Here's the link if you're interested in the program.

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?bc=24108

Good luck to you!

jurod16

Woooo just found out our I-130 was approved January 30th!

They never emailed us and let us know and on the case status page it still says pending hmmmm... :angry:

I just called the NVC and they gave me our case number and said they received the case yesterday. The guy I talked to said to email an expedite request to nvcinquiry@state.gov so I just did that :thumbs:

Have a great weekend y'all! :luv:

Hi there.... have you received and NOA1 before doing all this? coz we havent received that either...we got the receipt from UPS that the they got it at the chicago lockbox on the 12th january.... but no receipts yet... and can i ask what is an expedite? im in my homecountry right now

This may help you out-Immigration flow chart:

http://***removed***/foru...saflowchart.php

I never received my NOA1, I had to call the helpline number to get our receipt numbers. It helps if you paid the I-130 processing fee with a personal check cause you'll know if they cashed it.

Expedite basically means rushing the process, making it go quicker. Getting expedites approved isn't a guarantee, you have to fall under certain circumstances in order to get approved for an expedite. Even then doesn't mean you'll be approved for an expedite.

There's also AILA MAPS if your spouse is military. Immigration Attorney's who volunteer their services to military members free of charge. Here's the link if you're interested in the program.

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?bc=24108

Good luck to you!

jurod16

Sorry that link for the flowchart isn't working, google may have the link, it's actually from visajourney.

jurod16

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
Hi guys! Air Force wife here! We met while he was stationed in England! We are in Tucson right now and have been for about 2 years, but we're about to PCS to Louisiana and I'm not looking forward to it :(

Cool, I met Tom when he was in the UK. Which base was your husband at?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Malta
Timeline
Woooo just found out our I-130 was approved January 30th!

They never emailed us and let us know and on the case status page it still says pending hmmmm... :angry:

I just called the NVC and they gave me our case number and said they received the case yesterday. The guy I talked to said to email an expedite request to nvcinquiry@state.gov so I just did that :thumbs:

Have a great weekend y'all! :luv:

Hi there.... have you received and NOA1 before doing all this? coz we havent received that either...we got the receipt from UPS that the they got it at the chicago lockbox on the 12th january.... but no receipts yet... and can i ask what is an expedite? im in my homecountry right now

This may help you out-Immigration flow chart:

http://***removed***/foru...saflowchart.php

I never received my NOA1, I had to call the helpline number to get our receipt numbers. It helps if you paid the I-130 processing fee with a personal check cause you'll know if they cashed it.

Expedite basically means rushing the process, making it go quicker. Getting expedites approved isn't a guarantee, you have to fall under certain circumstances in order to get approved for an expedite. Even then doesn't mean you'll be approved for an expedite.

There's also AILA MAPS if your spouse is military. Immigration Attorney's who volunteer their services to military members free of charge. Here's the link if you're interested in the program.

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?bc=24108

Good luck to you!

jurod16

Woooo just found out our I-130 was approved January 30th!

They never emailed us and let us know and on the case status page it still says pending hmmmm... :angry:

I just called the NVC and they gave me our case number and said they received the case yesterday. The guy I talked to said to email an expedite request to nvcinquiry@state.gov so I just did that :thumbs:

Have a great weekend y'all! :luv:

Hi there.... have you received and NOA1 before doing all this? coz we havent received that either...we got the receipt from UPS that the they got it at the chicago lockbox on the 12th january.... but no receipts yet... and can i ask what is an expedite? im in my homecountry right now

This may help you out-Immigration flow chart:

http://***removed***/foru...saflowchart.php

I never received my NOA1, I had to call the helpline number to get our receipt numbers. It helps if you paid the I-130 processing fee with a personal check cause you'll know if they cashed it.

Expedite basically means rushing the process, making it go quicker. Getting expedites approved isn't a guarantee, you have to fall under certain circumstances in order to get approved for an expedite. Even then doesn't mean you'll be approved for an expedite.

There's also AILA MAPS if your spouse is military. Immigration Attorney's who volunteer their services to military members free of charge. Here's the link if you're interested in the program.

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?bc=24108

Good luck to you!

jurod16

Sorry that link for the flowchart isn't working, google may have the link, it's actually from visajourney.

jurod16

thanks jurod.... i would like to ask you also if you called the uscis military helpline number or the other uscis number? we used a money order so i dont know if it was cashed or not

N400 sent : 2012-10-27

Check Cashed : 2012-11-05

Bio Appointment : 2012-11-23

Walk-In Biometrics : 2012-11-14

Interview Appointment : 2013-04-12

Approved : 2013-04-12

Oath Ceremony : 2013-06-28

as1cCET0g410010MjA0MDk1c3wwMTMxbHxTaW5jZ

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Country: United Kingdom
Timeline
I just wanted to say a quick hi to all of you fellow spouses. My husband is deployed right now and we got married on his R&R about 2 months ago. He just found out they're cutting his orders short so he'll more than likely be home in May or June already instead of the end of July.

We just found out about the expedite processing so I got all of our papers ready today and will be faxing them to the USCIS first thing tomorrow. It's so great to hear that it's actually possible. Thank you! :thumbs:

Too many pages to read lol, anyways, someone may have already posted this but I was told if you can get a strong enough letter from your commanders, you can get the visa petition expedited whether your spouse is deploying or not, I know your spouse is deployed but it may help with a speedy process when he returns. I am in the process of trying to get a letter from my Commanders, if it works for me, I'll send you a template. Good luck to you and hope your husband returns to you safely and sooner than what his orders say.

jurod16

We tried that and we rung the military helpline and they said we weren't eligable, even though Tom is technicaly 'deployed'. We thought we weren't anyway but it doesn't hurt to try.

I don't care to use that helpline number, they just give me the same info I can read off of USCIS website. However, I did use them with my change of address. I did get my letters signed from my Squadron Commander as well as one from my Group Commander. We submitted the paperwork last Friday and we were approved within a week as far as USCIS, don't know if it was just our time or if it was the letters. We'll see how it goes through the NVC stage. Since your spouse is deployed, I don't know how it works but I know if your spouse is about to deploy (they have to go to either Afghanistan or Iraq), don't know how tyou should have no problems getting an expedite. I know you'll need a copy of your deployment orders but I don't know what else you'd need. There's also AILA MAPS, free immigration lawyers for military members-my lawyer instructed me to get those letters. Good luck to you and your spouse, and hope he returns safely!

jurod16

He is and he isn't deployed meaning he is in the same situation (for ex 12+ hour days, 6 days a week) as someone who is deployed but he is there for one year in a permanent post and he doesn't get the financial benefits of someone who is. However he returns in two weeks, and will not be getting deployed elsewhere. If there is no sign of our NOA2 in a couple of weeks I might get him to call the helpline.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...