January 2011 Filers!!!

[lgarris 2]

sooooo, im new here..how do i do this? i do not know how to make timelines..but we filed 1/03/2011.. already got our NOA1 hardcopy 1/13/2011..notice date on it was 1/06/2011.. waiting for NOA2 now, hoping it will come super soon..i wish anyway hello to all!!

Welcome to VJ...let's all support one another as we endure this agonizing process.

[Diana and Chris 25]

Well it's official our packet was sent Jan 26, 2011 to Lewisville Texas.....now the waiting game begins

Welcome!! =)

They cashed my check yesterday!!!

And last night (this morning really) at 1:15am I got the text & email notification of NOA1!!!

Yay!!!

Ahh, what a relief. Now...the real waiting & process begins!

Thanks to all who support

Congratz!!! =)

Just got the hard copy of my NOA1... dated January 12, 2011... so good to have it in hand now!!!

Haha, im glad you got it!! =)

[new1 2]

Ok everyone. I was talking to Edouardo this morning about my upcoming trip. I went to see if we could finally see our case status online. Well, much to my surprise......We are in Post Decision Activity and our I129f has been approved! This is such a blessing to our family. Honestly, I didnt want to post anything on here because I feel bad. I love that we got approved but I dont like the fact that others have been waiting up to 7 months for the same process. I know for timeline purposes I have to update mine, but I decided to tell you all first. I pray that everyone's process is smooth and as speedy as possible. Now to wrap my head around all this stuff I wasn't expecting to do until Spring/Summer. God Bless.

wow!!!! congratulations!! get to be with the one you love already!! happy for you!

[Misha&Lena 1]

Ok everyone. I was talking to Edouardo this morning about my upcoming trip. I went to see if we could finally see our case status online. Well, much to my surprise......We are in Post Decision Activity and our I129f has been approved! This is such a blessing to our family. Honestly, I didnt want to post anything on here because I feel bad. I love that we got approved but I dont like the fact that others have been waiting up to 7 months for the same process. I know for timeline purposes I have to update mine, but I decided to tell you all first. I pray that everyone's process is smooth and as speedy as possible. Now to wrap my head around all this stuff I wasn't expecting to do until Spring/Summer. God Bless.

Congrads! Eexelent news and hope 4 all of us

[MochiKamo 93]

Ok everyone. I was talking to Edouardo this morning about my upcoming trip. I went to see if we could finally see our case status online. Well, much to my surprise......We are in Post Decision Activity and our I129f has been approved! This is such a blessing to our family. Honestly, I didnt want to post anything on here because I feel bad. I love that we got approved but I dont like the fact that others have been waiting up to 7 months for the same process. I know for timeline purposes I have to update mine, but I decided to tell you all first. I pray that everyone's process is smooth and as speedy as possible. Now to wrap my head around all this stuff I wasn't expecting to do until Spring/Summer. God Bless.

15 days!!! That's freakin awesome. I love it !!!!

[Eve&Josh 5]

I don't know much about countries where a visa is required to travel to/from the United States, however I do know of many people who were in VWP countries who have managed to come visit without too much of a problem. Finland, from what this site shows, is a VWP country, so unless you have some other thing excluding you from using the VWP program, that's probably better than actually trying for a visa. My first time through the process (back some four years ago for my ex-husband), he managed to come over to visit just fine on VWP over Christmas through Chicago without any troubles.

The best thing to do is to have a return ticket, have all your evidence of ties to your country, and be honest. Never misrepresent yourself. Have documents showing you have a job and when you're expected to return, lease/property information, and anything else to show that you're likely to return. At the POE, don't get nervous or flustered. If they ask questions, just answer honestly and have information to prove this is just a visit. Getting denied at POE would suck, but it isn't the end of the world.

Alternately, could the U.S. side of your relationship come to visit Finland instead? That's what Kata and I plan on doing if I'm able to get time off of work. I'm hoping to come visit him in London for a week or so, just to break up the long waiting period.

Yes, by tourist visa I meant the VWP - I wasnt sure if everyone here knew the program so I used the term tourist visa instead (sorry..). the VWP allows you to go and visit for the maximum length of 90 days during which you cannot work, get married, the usual stuff. Im sorry if I didnt explain myself very well :-( I am actually flying over to visit in three weeks (YEEEY!!!!) for a vacation, and I don't have any concerns about going through the POE for my visit. The thing is that we have talked about me going over for the three months that I can stay on the VWP to wait for NOA2 with him in the US. then I would just fly back here to go to the interview and get my K1 Visa before flying back over on the K1 to get married. In that case, I would give up my job and apartment before having the K1, therefore wouldn't have those documents proving that I have ties back in Finland. Which is true, I wouldnt really have any ties, other than my will to do things the legal and the right way (Josh works for the Air Force (as a civilian though) so it is extremely important to do everything by the book). He can't really take a 3-month vacation from his work to come here to wait it out with me, so that option is excluded... I dont know, Im just going through whatever options there are to make the insanely long wait a little more doable... We planned on my moving over late this spring (which would've been the timeline if they got the approval out in 5 months tops and we hadnt had the problem with the petition fee) and I have sorta kinda given an unofficial notice at work already I have so many projects going on right now that a month's notice would just leave all my dear co-workers in a lot of trouble, so Ive promised to give them a heads-up as much beforehand as possible. My immediate boss knows what's going on and has been EXTREMELY supportive, giving me time off when Ive asked, and I thinks she deserves this.

Anyway, thank you for your advice!!! Eve

[Eve&Josh 5]

I don't know much about countries where a visa is required to travel to/from the United States, however I do know of many people who were in VWP countries who have managed to come visit without too much of a problem. Finland, from what this site shows, is a VWP country, so unless you have some other thing excluding you from using the VWP program, that's probably better than actually trying for a visa. My first time through the process (back some four years ago for my ex-husband), he managed to come over to visit just fine on VWP over Christmas through Chicago without any troubles.

The best thing to do is to have a return ticket, have all your evidence of ties to your country, and be honest. Never misrepresent yourself. Have documents showing you have a job and when you're expected to return, lease/property information, and anything else to show that you're likely to return. At the POE, don't get nervous or flustered. If they ask questions, just answer honestly and have information to prove this is just a visit. Getting denied at POE would suck, but it isn't the end of the world.

Alternately, could the U.S. side of your relationship come to visit Finland instead? That's what Kata and I plan on doing if I'm able to get time off of work. I'm hoping to come visit him in London for a week or so, just to break up the long waiting period.

Yes, by tourist visa I meant the VWP - I wasnt sure if everyone here knew the program so I used the term tourist visa instead (sorry..). the VWP allows you to go and visit for the maximum length of 90 days during which you cannot work, get married, the usual stuff. Im sorry if I didnt explain myself very well :-( I am actually flying over to visit in three weeks (YEEEY!!!!) for a vacation, and I don't have any concerns about going through the POE for my visit. The thing is that we have talked about me going over for the three months that I can stay on the VWP to wait for NOA2 with him in the US. then I would just fly back here to go to the interview and get my K1 Visa before flying back over on the K1 to get married. In that case, I would give up my job and apartment before having the K1, therefore wouldn't have those documents proving that I have ties back in Finland. Which is true, I wouldnt really have any ties, other than my will to do things the legal and the right way (Josh works for the Air Force (as a civilian though) so it is extremely important to do everything by the book). He can't really take a 3-month vacation from his work to come here to wait it out with me, so that option is excluded... I dont know, Im just going through whatever options there are to make the insanely long wait a little more doable... We planned on my moving over late this spring (which would've been the timeline if they got the approval out in 5 months tops and we hadnt had the problem with the petition fee) and I have sorta kinda given an unofficial notice at work already I have so many projects going on right now that a month's notice would just leave all my dear co-workers in a lot of trouble, so Ive promised to give them a heads-up as much beforehand as possible. My immediate boss knows what's going on and has been EXTREMELY supportive, giving me time off when Ive asked, and I thinks she deserves this.

Anyway, thank you for your advice!!! Eve

[Eve&Josh 5]

Good luck to everyone! I see a lot of diverse filers here x] which is awesome, any Swedes? I see Finland 8D I went there last summer with Johan, it's a beautiful country and last year was the record high in summer temperatures lol even a Maynard like me was sweating. *cough straying off topic* anyways I hope things go well for everyone. I'm prepared for the wait though. The good thing about VJ is it prepares you for both the worst and best based on the posts from everyone. I sent my petition out this past Friday. I just got my acceptance confirmation e-mail today that it was forwarded to VSC. :]

hi there and Welcome!!! that's funny that you guys visited Finland last summer, because me too I took Josh to Stockholm just last summer when he was visiting for two weeks - luckily that was before we got hit by that massive heat wave :-) Did you guys do the whole ferry experience or did you fly over?

Ive been to Maine a couple of times and it is absolutely gorgeous there! Anyway good luck with your Journey!!

[Eve&Josh 5]

ackk, sorry for the doublepost, VJ froze on me so I had to close the browser and of couse I went and reposted it

[MelandDavid 0]

Welcome to the party MelandDavid !

Best wishes!

E&R4EVER

Thanks for the warm welcome!! Glad to be joining the party!

[JustJanis 2]

Yes, by tourist visa I meant the VWP - I wasnt sure if everyone here knew the program so I used the term tourist visa instead (sorry..). the VWP allows you to go and visit for the maximum length of 90 days during which you cannot work, get married, the usual stuff. Im sorry if I didnt explain myself very well :-( I am actually flying over to visit in three weeks (YEEEY!!!!) for a vacation, and I don't have any concerns about going through the POE for my visit. The thing is that we have talked about me going over for the three months that I can stay on the VWP to wait for NOA2 with him in the US. then I would just fly back here to go to the interview and get my K1 Visa before flying back over on the K1 to get married. In that case, I would give up my job and apartment before having the K1, therefore wouldn't have those documents proving that I have ties back in Finland. Which is true, I wouldnt really have any ties, other than my will to do things the legal and the right way (Josh works for the Air Force (as a civilian though) so it is extremely important to do everything by the book). He can't really take a 3-month vacation from his work to come here to wait it out with me, so that option is excluded... I dont know, Im just going through whatever options there are to make the insanely long wait a little more doable... We planned on my moving over late this spring (which would've been the timeline if they got the approval out in 5 months tops and we hadnt had the problem with the petition fee) and I have sorta kinda given an unofficial notice at work already I have so many projects going on right now that a month's notice would just leave all my dear co-workers in a lot of trouble, so Ive promised to give them a heads-up as much beforehand as possible. My immediate boss knows what's going on and has been EXTREMELY supportive, giving me time off when Ive asked, and I thinks she deserves this.

Anyway, thank you for your advice!!! Eve

I'm doing exactly the same thing Eve and our stories are very similar. I talked to my boss about getting a leave of absence so I can still work when I get back for the appointments but they can't do that so I'll be quitting mid April and am giving up my apartment for April 1st and moving to mom's (when I'm not in Japan or the US) until the big move. Mark is working overseas and luckily I don't need a visa if I stay 90 days or less, so I'll stay until we get news from VSC - now my worry is that he will be in Japan when our RFE and or NOA2 comes and we will be delayed. Always something to worry about during this process it seems. Good luck with everything and have a wonderful visit (I'm visiting my honey in 3 weeks too!!!).

Now to do a bit more reading about the process of RFE and NOA2 and what happens when the petitioner is out of country, although we will be on a US Navy base so it's kind of American soil - he's a civilian too, Navy contractor.

Does anyone know how long you have to provide the info after you get an RFE? If anyone has links or info on this please post or send them to me. Thx

[TwoCats 55]

Yes, by tourist visa I meant the VWP - I wasnt sure if everyone here knew the program so I used the term tourist visa instead (sorry..). the VWP allows you to go and visit for the maximum length of 90 days during which you cannot work, get married, the usual stuff. Im sorry if I didnt explain myself very well :-( I am actually flying over to visit in three weeks (YEEEY!!!!) for a vacation, and I don't have any concerns about going through the POE for my visit. The thing is that we have talked about me going over for the three months that I can stay on the VWP to wait for NOA2 with him in the US. then I would just fly back here to go to the interview and get my K1 Visa before flying back over on the K1 to get married. In that case, I would give up my job and apartment before having the K1, therefore wouldn't have those documents proving that I have ties back in Finland. Which is true, I wouldnt really have any ties, other than my will to do things the legal and the right way (Josh works for the Air Force (as a civilian though) so it is extremely important to do everything by the book). He can't really take a 3-month vacation from his work to come here to wait it out with me, so that option is excluded... I dont know, Im just going through whatever options there are to make the insanely long wait a little more doable... We planned on my moving over late this spring (which would've been the timeline if they got the approval out in 5 months tops and we hadnt had the problem with the petition fee) and I have sorta kinda given an unofficial notice at work already I have so many projects going on right now that a month's notice would just leave all my dear co-workers in a lot of trouble, so Ive promised to give them a heads-up as much beforehand as possible. My immediate boss knows what's going on and has been EXTREMELY supportive, giving me time off when Ive asked, and I thinks she deserves this.

Anyway, thank you for your advice!!! Eve

I'm not really sure what to suggest, then. You'll have the same issues at POE that you will with trying to convince someone to give you a visa (and then again at the POE more than likely). I'm by no means an expert when it comes to the VWP, but honesty tends to be the best policy. Even if you don't have direct ties, could you get letters from family who verify you are going to be returning on x-date? Just a thought.

-----

Just to clarify for some people since I was probably a little vague during my 'freak-out' session yesterday, there are a couple of 'red flags' with my case. Nothing on Kata's side, but things to do with me and my ex-husband. I don't think it's RFE worthy, but it could be the type of thing a person interviewing us might raise an eyebrow at.

Without getting too into details, this is my second K-1. I met Kata for the first time while still married (as a mutual friend of my ex-husband and I). Due to waiting period for separation in Illinois + lawyer issues, it took me nearly nine months to get the divorce finalized and the relationship with Kata developed during that time. And due to said issues, my divorce was only final about 35 days or so before Kata and I ended up filing. etc. You get the idea.

I tried to explain the timing of things up front. We sent six trips worth of itineraries, boarding passes, passport stamps, and photos as well as four months worth of Skype-out calls (we hadn't found the call-exporter yet). So I think we established a lot more proof of relationship than a lot of other cases might have. What mostly has us frightened is that Kata found the thread about NOIDs, and how it can lead to misrepresentation/fraud flags on the beneficiary and how those flags can lead to being inadmissable for life. So yeah, we kind of talked ourselves into freaking out with a lot of 'what ifs' that mostly come down to: what if the embassy doesn't believe our story?

After a very dramatic tear-filled spaz list night, we calmed down and decided to just do the best we can and try (eheh) not to worry too much until something actually comes up. It could be that they ask a few questions about it, or that it doesn't come up at all. Who knows, but we were scaring ourselves so much with the 'what ifs' of it. We're going to print out our skype call history from January-(whenever), include a few IMs/Skype-chats per month, any photographs we previously didn't include (some of them were silly, or I was making odd faces), our skype-out calls, continue with plans for a short visit for me to see him over my birthday (photos, boarding passes, itineraries, stamps, etc.), and then I'm going to go over there and attend the interview with him.

I'm hoping that this will be enough for us. I've heard London is an easy embassy to go through, but you never know.

[Eve&Josh 5]

I'm doing exactly the same thing Eve and our stories are very similar. I talked to my boss about getting a leave of absence so I can still work when I get back for the appointments but they can't do that so I'll be quitting mid April and am giving up my apartment for April 1st and moving to mom's (when I'm not in Japan or the US) until the big move. Mark is working overseas and luckily I don't need a visa if I stay 90 days or less, so I'll stay until we get news from VSC - now my worry is that he will be in Japan when our RFE and or NOA2 comes and we will be delayed. Always something to worry about during this process it seems. Good luck with everything and have a wonderful visit (I'm visiting my honey in 3 weeks too!!!).

Now to do a bit more reading about the process of RFE and NOA2 and what happens when the petitioner is out of country, although we will be on a US Navy base so it's kind of American soil - he's a civilian too, Navy contractor.

Does anyone know how long you have to provide the info after you get an RFE? If anyone has links or info on this please post or send them to me. Thx

Your plans sound so exciting, being able to stay together in Japan!! Yea, apart from you going to Japan and me to the US, our stories are very similar Hmm, about the possible RFE and the /certain/ NOA2, won't you be able to see all that online through opening an account on uscis website? I mean, the NOA2 will just wait for you until you get home (I think the beneficiary has 4 months to complete the Visa process after the US Consulate has received the package from NVC), so the only thing you should try to find info on is the RFE. Could you maybe have someone going over to pick up the mail and water the plants and whatnot back in the US? And if there was something there they could just fax it over to you or scan it and email it. Naturally you will not get any RFE's so no need to worry

Im so excited about going over to visit, and maybe I will just see how it goes at the POE now and work from there. It'll be so much easier to talk about these decisions together face to face anyways :-) Our plan is to do a little apartment hunting in D.C. while we're there, sooo exciting!!! Ive spent some time googleing for apartments in NW D.C. today and I feel like a slacker with the work piling up. oh well, it's Friday now and tons of time to Skype the next 2 days!

[Diana and Chris 25]

I'm not really sure what to suggest, then. You'll have the same issues at POE that you will with trying to convince someone to give you a visa (and then again at the POE more than likely). I'm by no means an expert when it comes to the VWP, but honesty tends to be the best policy. Even if you don't have direct ties, could you get letters from family who verify you are going to be returning on x-date? Just a thought.

-----

Just to clarify for some people since I was probably a little vague during my 'freak-out' session yesterday, there are a couple of 'red flags' with my case. Nothing on Kata's side, but things to do with me and my ex-husband. I don't think it's RFE worthy, but it could be the type of thing a person interviewing us might raise an eyebrow at.

Without getting too into details, this is my second K-1. I met Kata for the first time while still married (as a mutual friend of my ex-husband and I). Due to waiting period for separation in Illinois + lawyer issues, it took me nearly nine months to get the divorce finalized and the relationship with Kata developed during that time. And due to said issues, my divorce was only final about 35 days or so before Kata and I ended up filing. etc. You get the idea.

I tried to explain the timing of things up front. We sent six trips worth of itineraries, boarding passes, passport stamps, and photos as well as four months worth of Skype-out calls (we hadn't found the call-exporter yet). So I think we established a lot more proof of relationship than a lot of other cases might have. What mostly has us frightened is that Kata found the thread about NOIDs, and how it can lead to misrepresentation/fraud flags on the beneficiary and how those flags can lead to being inadmissable for life. So yeah, we kind of talked ourselves into freaking out with a lot of 'what ifs' that mostly come down to: what if the embassy doesn't believe our story?

After a very dramatic tear-filled spaz list night, we calmed down and decided to just do the best we can and try (eheh) not to worry too much until something actually comes up. It could be that they ask a few questions about it, or that it doesn't come up at all. Who knows, but we were scaring ourselves so much with the 'what ifs' of it. We're going to print out our skype call history from January-(whenever), include a few IMs/Skype-chats per month, any photographs we previously didn't include (some of them were silly, or I was making odd faces), our skype-out calls, continue with plans for a short visit for me to see him over my birthday (photos, boarding passes, itineraries, stamps, etc.), and then I'm going to go over there and attend the interview with him.

I'm hoping that this will be enough for us. I've heard London is an easy embassy to go through, but you never know.

Hello TwoCats, it's sick Diana here! LOL I'd be worried if it was a high fraud embassy, but the UK isin't. And if you have enough proof of an ongoing relationship I wouldn't worry about it at all. Have faith Who says that all love stories happen in the same paste or way... nobody, and you have proof of being inlove and a straight story of how things happened.

*hugs* I wish for you peace of mind and a happy smily friday!!

[TwoCats 55]

Hello TwoCats, it's sick Diana here! LOL I'd be worried if it was a high fraud embassy, but the UK isin't. And if you have enough proof of an ongoing relationship I wouldn't worry about it at all. Have faith Who says that all love stories happen in the same paste or way... nobody, and you have proof of being inlove and a straight story of how things happened.

*hugs* I wish for you peace of mind and a happy smily friday!!

I really do appreciate all the support of everyone on the forums. It's so easy to freak out over things sometimes, especially in this process, because you feel a bit like your life is hanging in the balance. We're doing better today, promise!

Now you just need to go get better! Get under a blanket, have a warm drink (tea/coffee) and get well soon!