Does IMBRA make a difference in processing time?

[Kiwi & Me 0]

Kiwi found this site after seeing the depressing 2/23/06 Processing Date for the CSC on the USCIS page. It's nice to see such a supportive community forming around this process, and to feel like there are people who know exactly what we're going through.

I did have a couple questions about the process and specifically processing times. From the timelines I've seen, it looks like those applicants who are working through marriage brokers seem to have a longer wait time. Can I expect a quicker turnaround (and if so, how much quicker) on receiving my NOA 2 because we didn't meet through a marriage broker?

Also, I was wondering if anyone else was officially engaged after submitting their I-129F, and if this caused any problems. I'm travelling to visit Kiwi in 9 days to officially propose (getting her parents' blessing, giving her a ring, etc.), though she knows it's happening and we're basically doing this to both have a more memorable proposal, and to make sure this goes over well with her parents.

Anyway, any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Me

[Alex+R 0]

Kiwi found this site after seeing the depressing 2/23/06 Processing Date for the CSC on the USCIS page. It's nice to see such a supportive community forming around this process, and to feel like there are people who know exactly what we're going through.

Welcome to VJ.

I did have a couple questions about the process and specifically processing times. From the timelines I've seen, it looks like those applicants who are working through marriage brokers seem to have a longer wait time. Can I expect a quicker turnaround (and if so, how much quicker) on receiving my NOA 2 because we didn't meet through a marriage broker?

No. The delay is due to a bureaucratic Eff-up. We all have to wait now, and nobody gets special treatment.

Also, I was wondering if anyone else was officially engaged after submitting their I-129F, and if this caused any problems. I'm travelling to visit Kiwi in 9 days to officially propose (getting her parents' blessing, giving her a ring, etc.), though she knows it's happening and we're basically doing this to both have a more memorable proposal, and to make sure this goes over well with her parents.

Anyway, any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Me

The government cares that you both consented to submit the paperwork. They don't care if you had a party for your engagement or not. Don't get your undies in a bundle.

Edited September 6, 2006 by Alex+R

[Yodrak 7]

Me,

Define "officially engaged".

And note that the USCIS does not use either the phrase or the unadorned word 'engaged'.

Yodrak

Kiwi found this site after seeing the depressing 2/23/06 Processing Date for the CSC on the USCIS page. It's nice to see such a supportive community forming around this process, and to feel like there are people who know exactly what we're going through.

I did have a couple questions about the process and specifically processing times. From the timelines I've seen, it looks like those applicants who are working through marriage brokers seem to have a longer wait time. Can I expect a quicker turnaround (and if so, how much quicker) on receiving my NOA 2 because we didn't meet through a marriage broker?

Also, I was wondering if anyone else was officially engaged after submitting their I-129F, and if this caused any problems. I'm travelling to visit Kiwi in 9 days to officially propose (getting her parents' blessing, giving her a ring, etc.), though she knows it's happening and we're basically doing this to both have a more memorable proposal, and to make sure this goes over well with her parents.

Anyway, any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Me

Edited September 6, 2006 by Yodrak

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Me, I just got my engagement ring and had an "official" proposal this past weekend. Although, we submitted the K1 almost a month ago and have been gathering documents for months. As far as USCIS is concerned, we had intent to marry, and that's enough in their minds. As far as emotionally, we wanted to do something a little more memorable.

Cass (bebop the great)

Also, I was wondering if anyone else was officially engaged after submitting their I-129F, and if this caused any problems. I'm travelling to visit Kiwi in 9 days to officially propose (getting her parents' blessing, giving her a ring, etc.), though she knows it's happening and we're basically doing this to both have a more memorable proposal, and to make sure this goes over well with her parents.

Anyway, any advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Me

[heishe 2]

I'm planning a wedding and have submitted a K1, so I guess I'm officially engaged. I can't really tell you when it happened, though. I don't have a ring and there was no one moment when we decided to be engaged or he asked me to marry him or something. We kinda just developed that understanding over months. Maybe the moment we told my mom would qualify. Hmm. It was certainly scary.

[CarolineM 0]

Look into the DCF process for New Zealand .... if it's anything like Australia it's a breeze.

[YuAndDan 153]

"Don't get your undies in a bundle."

Yes the screw up happened this spring when they recalled cases for IMBRA, and while that mess happened they also reorganized and changed processing of Marriage Based petitions from the 4 centers to just 2 CSC and VSC, the petitions from TSC, and NSC are now being forwarded to CSC, causing CSC to have a back-log.

The I-129F forms have been updated since then and if you used the new 3 page I-129F you should not have any problems if you answered the questions on page 3 honestly.

CSC is still slow, and VSC seems to be nearly back to the speed they were at prior to the IMBRA recalls.

Also the February 23 date is their way of saying don't contact us for 6 months. Look at VSC, they also show 6 months but we all know VSC is moving along quickly.

Just hang in there you should have something in 2-3 months.

[Alex+R 0]

Just hang in there you should have something in 2-3 months.

I wouldn't tell someone that. Especially someone at CSC. I'm hoping to have something in 2-3 months, and I filed in June.

They will get to you when they get to you, and all there is to do now is wait.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

A better reply would probably be something like; "You should have something between now and...later."

Because guessing about timing is REALLY hard with all the backlog. Especially if you know nothing about case specifics.

Cass (bebop the great)

Just hang in there you should have something in 2-3 months.

I wouldn't tell someone that. Especially someone at CSC. I'm hoping to have something in 2-3 months, and I filed in June.

They will get to you when they get to you, and all there is to do now is wait.

Edited September 6, 2006 by bebop + rocksteady

[Kiwi & Me 0]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

I was just thinking/hoping that if I filled out everything correctly and don't get an RFE that things might go faster than they do for the IMBRA applications that (seemingly, again, I'm new ) require an RFE.

Look into the DCF process for New Zealand .... if it's anything like Australia it's a breeze.

DCF? Huh?

[Kiwi & Me 0]

Okay...found out what the DCF is, but can I file for that while already having an I-129F in process? Also, we weren't planning on getting married until Kiwi arrives here in the US. Guessing there's no getting around that, is there?

[Mew 0]

Okay...found out what the DCF is, but can I file for that while already having an I-129F in process? Also, we weren't planning on getting married until Kiwi arrives here in the US. Guessing there's no getting around that, is there?

See this thread to start: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=28753