After 157 days.....

[d0n_the_dragon 0]

After 5 months and 4 days, dozens of call to USCIS, call to a congressman (although I'm not sure if it had anything to do with it). My freaking NOA 2 is finally here!!!!!!! I can now experience the feeling of relief and satisfaction of knowing I'm a couple of steps closer to getting my fiance here to be with me. So this is how it feels...It's very overwhelming! Now I know there are still a lot of people waiting for their noa2's, I'm sure that your time will come...soon...I know waiting is really hard (I'm sure every who has gone through this whole process and had gotten their approval can attest to this) but it's definitely a niiiiiiiiice feeling once you get your noa2. Next stop is NVC. I do hope that it's just going to be a quick stop there and then to the consulate in Manila. Good luck to everyone who's still waiting! I will now enjoy the weekend! 'Til the next post.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Congratz! A long time waiting for something to happen, and it did!

Can you fill us in on why it took so long for the NOA2? Any exceptional facts to your case that delayed you?

Thanks, we all learn from others' experiences here!

[tomae 1]

Congrats!

[OBX 51]

After 5 months and 4 days, dozens of call to USCIS, call to a congressman (although I'm not sure if it had anything to do with it). My freaking NOA 2 is finally here!!!!!!! I can now experience the feeling of relief and satisfaction of knowing I'm a couple of steps closer to getting my fiance here to be with me. So this is how it feels...It's very overwhelming! Now I know there are still a lot of people waiting for their noa2's, I'm sure that your time will come...soon...I know waiting is really hard (I'm sure every who has gone through this whole process and had gotten their approval can attest to this) but it's definitely a niiiiiiiiice feeling once you get your noa2. Next stop is NVC. I do hope that it's just going to be a quick stop there and then to the consulate in Manila. Good luck to everyone who's still waiting! I will now enjoy the weekend! 'Til the next post.

Congratulations on your NOA2, hope the next stages go more quickly for you.

[jrmejia 31]

Congrat

[d0n_the_dragon 0]

Congratz! A long time waiting for something to happen, and it did!

Can you fill us in on why it took so long for the NOA2? Any exceptional facts to your case that delayed you?

Thanks, we all learn from others' experiences here!

A long time indeed! As for why it took so long? I have no clue whatsoever! I didn't get any RFE's or anything. My name is actually a unique name and would think that I wouldn't get a "hit" with the same name as mine. I submitted a normal amount of evidence (photos, plane tickets-went to Manila about 4 times in a span of 2years, me and my fiance's diploma to show we went to the same school, and a couple of receipts from sending flowers)and did not front load a lot. The only thing I can think of is that my consulate is the Philippines (I'm not even sure if that has anything to do with it).

I guess they're just either slow or they're really doing extensive scrutiny of your papers before they approve it? Not really sure. One thing I'm sure of though, I'm going to be stalking NVC soon. LOL.

Cheers!

[Obama 2012 1,714]

It took us 7 months for our NOA2..... so I know how you feel lol....

Sometimes USCIS is a pain in the #######!

Congrats!

[Tanoushka 7]

Congratulations! I can't believe it took so long! Now I'm scared

[Veronique 0]

Tanouhska - How long it takes really varies from case to case and from the workload the USCIS or the individual embassies have (which was certainly the case of d0n_the_dragon).

Don't start planning your wedding yet and just be patient. As long you love each other, nothing will stop you. Yes, I know, it's infuriating having a country holding you from being with the loved one, but just be patient.

It took over a year for my K1 to be approved and after that a year and half to get the temporary green card. But don't worry, it's not the standard - we filed at the worst time possible, right before USCIS decided to increase the fees. In one month, the USCIS got the same amount of applications then in one year and they had back then to hire 2.000 additional agents to handle the volume.

Yes, for us, this waiting, specifically in the US, was a nightmare and this is no euphemism. Just make sure to directly apply for a temporary work permit when you are applying for the green card. Back then the SS office had refused to issue me a SS# (which was not that legal) and having no rights for that period of time was no fun. A work permit gives you the right to get a SS# - which is essential. We thought back then, that the process would be fast(er) (having applied for a work permit for the time of the K1 visa, which is 1 month, needless to say a waste of money), and we didn't want to spend the extra money (not with a wedding to finance), but trust me, it would have made our life much easier. It seems that nowadays, it's anyway included in the fees for the Adjustment of condition, so DO it.

And again, for other people I know, the waiting time was waaaay less. One friend of mine finished the entire process (K1 to green card) within a year.

Another friend got his K3 and his green card within 3 months, while it took 2 years for another friend of mine (who actually filed approximately at the same time I did). There is no pattern.

Just be patient and give 'exactly' what the USCIS asks for - no more, no less, even if it sounds silly or absurd.

No need to be scared - be excited, prepare your life for the new start. And just cross the bridge when you come to it. Being married is a journey on his own.