October 08 K1 Filers

[Cacerez 19]

Hi every one,

I registered on VJ last month and only just discovered the October thread! We received our NOA1 on 10/14/08, so I'm getting slightly excited. I hope we hear something soon, but I'm also worried we'll be on of those couples that are kept waiting for months, without any particular reason. Fingers crossed for everyone, we all know how awful it is to be apart from the one you love and you don't even know for how long.

I also have a question, or would like to hear your thoughts about something: I would really like to go and visit my fiance in the States. Is that possible while you have a visa application pending? I have studied in the States on a student visa (during which time I met my boyfriend/now fiance). After the studies were over, I returned on a visa waiver, for just under 90 days. I went back home for 2 weeks and then returned on a visa waiver again. I was already nervous about that, because eventhough there's no official rule about how many times you can visit on a waiver, you obviously can't keep traveling in and out of the country all of the time. So, my fear was a little justified, as the officer saw I was returning on a visa waiver for the second time after only being out of the country for two weeks. I was sent to secondary inspection (a horrible place, I felt like a criminal almost) and they just ran a check on me and then said it was ok and I could travel on (phew). However, they told me to stay out of the country for as long as I had been in it, before returning on a waiver.

I left the USA on July 12th 2008, so more than 7 months ago. I would like to go back over there early April for a week or two, to have a look at wedding venues, apartments, etc., and of course to see my guy, who I miss terribly. I've never overstayed any visa or anything like that, but somehow (after my last experience) I'm a little worried about going back while the K1 is pending. What do you say when they ask you what you're doing there? Do they see you have a visa pending? I've read stories about people being refused if they say they're visiting their boyfriend/fiance.

Is a return ticket enough proof that you're not there to stay (yet)? I also have a job I need to be back for, maybe that helps?

What you said at first about being one of those couples that gets overlooked, I get scared about that too! But hopefully we'll all have smooth sailing.

I know this is not new as the other comments have been made about the same, but I'm sure with the time since your last visit you will be fine and as others have recommended it would be good to have the return ticket as well as a letter from your employer stating what date you are expected back at work. I wish my man lived in a country that participates with VWP!

[Lizz 0]

Thanks to all for your input! I'm going to wait a few more weeks, see if we hear any good news from uscis... I saw a really cheap ticket and was inclinded to just go ahead and book it, but this whole process has made me nervous, I don't want anything to go wrong. But I think I should be ok, maybe I'll go over in April, it will make the whole waiting process that much easier.

I hope at least one of us in this thread will get the good news this week!!

[RBAL_TN 0]

Thanks to all for your input! I'm going to wait a few more weeks, see if we hear any good news from uscis... I saw a really cheap ticket and was inclinded to just go ahead and book it, but this whole process has made me nervous, I don't want anything to go wrong. But I think I should be ok, maybe I'll go over in April, it will make the whole waiting process that much easier.

I hope at least one of us in this thread will get the good news this week!!

By April, I'm hoping some of us will be having interviews (or at least have them scheduled) You might be too.

I've been watching flights for the past few weeks and there are some real bargains to/from Europe right now with just a 7+ day advance purchase. It's easily half of what it was in December so I'm taking advantage and going to the UK in early March for less than $500. I'm hoping the prices stay this way for the interview as I am planning on going back for that as well (and to help pack ).

I have a feeling we'll see a fair amount of approvals this week and next. Like others, I am SO ready for this waiting game to be over.

[Kirsten UK 2]

Me too...please don't forget me USCIS!!

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Thanks to all for your input! I'm going to wait a few more weeks, see if we hear any good news from uscis... I saw a really cheap ticket and was inclinded to just go ahead and book it, but this whole process has made me nervous, I don't want anything to go wrong. But I think I should be ok, maybe I'll go over in April, it will make the whole waiting process that much easier.

I hope at least one of us in this thread will get the good news this week!!

By April, I'm hoping some of us will be having interviews (or at least have them scheduled) You might be too.

I've been watching flights for the past few weeks and there are some real bargains to/from Europe right now with just a 7+ day advance purchase. It's easily half of what it was in December so I'm taking advantage and going to the UK in early March for less than $500. I'm hoping the prices stay this way for the interview as I am planning on going back for that as well (and to help pack ).

I have a feeling we'll see a fair amount of approvals this week and next. Like others, I am SO ready for this waiting game to be over.

Less than $500? Which airline websites do you search? Thanks! B)

[Johan & Anne 0]

Thanks to all for your input! I'm going to wait a few more weeks, see if we hear any good news from uscis... I saw a really cheap ticket and was inclinded to just go ahead and book it, but this whole process has made me nervous, I don't want anything to go wrong. But I think I should be ok, maybe I'll go over in April, it will make the whole waiting process that much easier.

I hope at least one of us in this thread will get the good news this week!!

By April, I'm hoping some of us will be having interviews (or at least have them scheduled) You might be too.

I've been watching flights for the past few weeks and there are some real bargains to/from Europe right now with just a 7+ day advance purchase. It's easily half of what it was in December so I'm taking advantage and going to the UK in early March for less than $500. I'm hoping the prices stay this way for the interview as I am planning on going back for that as well (and to help pack ).

I have a feeling we'll see a fair amount of approvals this week and next. Like others, I am SO ready for this waiting game to be over.

I know!! I found a ticket from sweden to atlanta for $607 on expedia dot com whereas last summer it was $1200! I hope the prices hold through the spring/summer.

I hope there are many oct approvals this week!!

Edited February 17, 2009 by Johan & Anne

[RBAL_TN 0]

Less than $500? Which airline websites do you search? Thanks! B)

I book directly with the airline (Delta) as they also have a price guarantee. Don't find it worth trying to use consolidators much of the time even though I do my homework too.

Two of my favorite flight search tools are ITA (ww.itasoftware.com) and Kayak (www.kayak.com) since these both can do a much broader search.

[Cacerez 19]

I got a pretty good deal in April - I also booked directly through Delta (I have Skymiles now!) and paid $473 but there is a layover in Atlanta (if I were flying directly from Atlanta I'm sure I would have got a much better deal!) Also, Delta gives 2 bags free with International flights, so I am flying with one full suitcase and one empty one and coming back with 2 full ones! I'm coming back April 19 and we're hoping that Josue will have his interview in May or June and will be able to come right away!!! We're keeping our fingers crossed at least!

The luggage sets that come are pretty neat since they all fit inside each other, so I'll take him a set (he has never flown before and does not have suitcases) as one piece and then just come back with one. He said he can get his hands on one down there, so he'll have a couple to come with in June (or maybe even May we hope!)

I hope it's not presumptuous to bring some of his stuff a month or two early from his "projected" interview date. We're hoping for at least approval by the time I'm down there and possibly even knowing the interview date.

Let's go VSC! Have a great day everyone!

edit to say I just looked at My Timeline and it says April 2-13 and the range has been starting at April 8th, 9th, or later for a while now! Any ideas why it would do that now after a 3 day weekend with only 1 approval????

Edited February 17, 2009 by DavChels

[kaye 0]

I got a pretty good deal in April - I also booked directly through Delta (I have Skymiles now!) and paid $473 but there is a layover in Atlanta (if I were flying directly from Atlanta I'm sure I would have got a much better deal!) Also, Delta gives 2 bags free with International flights, so I am flying with one full suitcase and one empty one and coming back with 2 full ones! I'm coming back April 19 and we're hoping that Josue will have his interview in May or June and will be able to come right away!!! We're keeping our fingers crossed at least!

The luggage sets that come are pretty neat since they all fit inside each other, so I'll take him a set (he has never flown before and does not have suitcases) as one piece and then just come back with one. He said he can get his hands on one down there, so he'll have a couple to come with in June (or maybe even May we hope!)

I hope it's not presumptuous to bring some of his stuff a month or two early from his "projected" interview date. We're hoping for at least approval by the time I'm down there and possibly even knowing the interview date.

Let's go VSC! Have a great day everyone!

edit to say I just looked at My Timeline and it says April 2-13 and the range has been starting at April 8th, 9th, or later for a while now! Any ideas why it would do that now after a 3 day weekend with only 1 approval????

it happened before that all our timeline moved way back but it moved earlier again..it just depends on how people update their timelines. anyways some people get early approval even if it says march they got it this february.

i envy you guys since your tickets are way cheaper...the cheapest i can find is $990 1 way thats why i cant visit my fiance even if i have a b1/b2 visa...just trying to save money.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Something to note is that several filers (Oct and pre-Oct.) received RFE's on Friday Feb. 13th, so although there was only one approval registered on the site, there was other work going on. As well, you can see a fairly large number of July filers who are left have RFE's, suggesting that their filers have already initially been reviewed and are awaiting the petitioner's action.

I think we're going to have some REALLY good news today and tomorrow! Just a feeling.

All the best!

[Cacerez 19]

Something to note is that several filers (Oct and pre-Oct.) received RFE's on Friday Feb. 13th, so although there was only one approval registered on the site, there was other work going on. As well, you can see a fairly large number of July filers who are left have RFE's, suggesting that their filers have already initially been reviewed and are awaiting the petitioner's action.

I think we're going to have some REALLY good news today and tomorrow! Just a feeling.

All the best!

I like that feeling!! I keep checking! I am a full-blown self-diagnosed 100% super mega VJ ADDICT! Anyone else?

[winifredbee 1]

Something to note is that several filers (Oct and pre-Oct.) received RFE's on Friday Feb. 13th, so although there was only one approval registered on the site, there was other work going on. As well, you can see a fairly large number of July filers who are left have RFE's, suggesting that their filers have already initially been reviewed and are awaiting the petitioner's action.

I think we're going to have some REALLY good news today and tomorrow! Just a feeling.

All the best!

I like that feeling!! I keep checking! I am a full-blown self-diagnosed 100% super mega VJ ADDICT! Anyone else?

After I write this I am going to try to step away from the computer very slowly. I am confused about the timeline. My dates have improved from late March to more mid March but I have moved down a few spots on the list. I hope to see action soon today...it always helps. Hope everyone is doing well.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

My fiancée did not receive her Valentine's Day package by Friday as I had anticipated!! She just got it this morning, and as it turns out, it had arrived at her school on Friday but some clerical error prevented it from being given to her. At least it was no fault of my own!

As a side note, she intends to bring her dog with her, as she loves the thing and realizes that no one in Thailand is going to take care of it like she has. Are any of you bringing pets along for the ride?

[Laura+Tom 2]

No pets at the moment but am gonna get plenty when I get to the US!

Like others earlier I too found some good prices with Delta, £278 return London Heathrow to Atlanta (direct). With Delta you can also book your seat when you book. That's a prerequisit of mine when I fly alone. I think that was the only flight to Atlanta that allowed me to do that.

[winifredbee 1]

There are now two October filers on the list for the 13th. One on the 14th and one on the 15th. Which one is new? That is exciting...my date is the 15th!