The wait.

[jingo 38]

Mollygos, NOA2s can be approved faster than 5 months (for us it was around 3), the CSC tends to be faster that VSC and I think it also depends on the time of the year. For example, people who filed in January get approved faster than those who file around Christmas time/holiday season. You have to get lucky, and just be patient. Some couples get approved in a matter of weeks. You might like to keep up with this site which states the approvals made each day: http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/igor/vjdata/default.aspx

Sadly, even after you guys get the NOA2 it will be about 2-3 months before your fiance will get his interview date and visa approval.

Surely he could make a trip sometime in between? My fiance is 22 so its been hard for us to travel also but I recently used all my flyer miles to get an extremely cheap flight to the US for my POE. Do either of you have flyer miles or family that can share theirs? Its expensive but spending that money really is worth it to keep the relationship alive during such a long period of separation. Just a matter of finding the cheapest possible flight ticket and living on a hyperbudget whilst together.

I'm luckily at the end of my k1 wait but I remember every depressing day of it. Its hard but before you know it, it'll all be over. In the meantime you can always work on aquiring documents you'll need for the interview stage. Feel free to message me if you need any help or have questions.

Good luck!

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

We sent our I-129F packet back in June and got the first NOA on June 28. Now we're waiting on our NOA2. This topic's just going to sound like whining, I'm sure, but has it ever taken less than 5 months (the apparent average) for any of you to get your second NOA?

I say this because I just got back from visiting my fiance a couple days ago after staying in the UK for two months on a visitor's visa. We can't reasonably see each other again until this goes through because we both need some steady employment for the time being, and this last visit was pretty expensive. We're 20 & 21 years old so paying for trips across the Atlantic takes quite a bit of saving up. Basically, the prospect of waiting over 5 months to see each other (yet again) is really sad to think about.

Of course we're willing to wait as long as it takes, but I'm just looking for a little hope that maybe the USCIS will be extra-efficient. (I know that's a little naive, because lol bureaucracy.)

My question is pretty much: how long did it take for you?

108 days for me.. so 3.5 months. I was very happy when I got the NOA2 but then everyone else was also getting their NOA2 done in that time-frame (CSC really sped up starting around April this year) so it created a logjam waiting to get through NVC. If you have zero problems and are not one of the outliers (10 percent on either side - 10 percent of people get hosed for some reason, 10 percent go through fast for no reason that you can control) then assume an interview at 6.5 to 8 months from NOA1.

Edited August 20, 2011 by OnMyWayID

[CarlaByron 0]

Hello! 5 months seems to be the average for sure --

Shop on-line for for good calling cards. Nobel.com has one that is reasonable for my guy's country.

We call each other ALOT during the day -- stay in touch about the little things.....

lunch menu, unusual animal you saw on the way to work, how much petro you purchased -- the more you do that the more it will almost feel like you are there!

Come up with a mini-projects -- example: both of you decide that you are going to do something unexpected for a mean person within the next 48 hours -- OR, watch the same "educational" video or internet stream and then ask each other 3 questions related to the topic.

These are the things that have helped us really maintain close close relationship. Plus, I know more about Soccer, Warner Bros. cartoons, and hurricanes than ever! LOL My guy has learned about hurricanes, Lady Gaga (Iloveher!),and US Motorcycle requirements.

Our last 50 days before the interview we have named, "50 days of fabulous" -- we try to do something that makes our normal, boring, "can't wait until I can kiss you" days into FABULOUS - example: I ate sushi 3 days in a row! Fabulous! -- We ordered flowers for a sick friend! Fabulous!

The moral of my typing this.... Dont' stop being who the two of you really are while you are waiting. Try your best to talk and focus on things other than the VISA! My fiance says this....

"Everyone is exhausted and tired at the end of a race or goal, that is why we call it finish."

lovely, eh? OR, maybe even FABULOUS! LOL

Edited August 20, 2011 by CarlaByron

[molly_ 1]

Oh we keep in touch a lot. We both play video games and we like all the same tv shows, so we make a point of watching things at the same time and playing co-op and multiplayer games together. We have plenty to talk about and we do talk pretty much constantly, so keeping the relationship going really has never been an issue for us.

But not being around each other physically is still a bit depressing, especially when you've been living like you're already married for the past two months, and there's nothing we can really do about that. It's hard to plan another visit anytime soon because we're both recently unemployed and it's been difficult to find even the crappiest of jobs. So when we do find new jobs, we can't exactly go taking off across the Atlantic again.

So really, the only thing we can do for now is hope that our case goes through quickly.

Also, OnMyWay, I'm sure the USCIS has to fill some sort of quota as far as 10% of people getting denied or being given a hard time.

[Anginafrica 12]

79 days from NOA1 to NOA2. We were approved quickly, but got heldup between CSC and NVC for over a month. Overall, we've had a speedy timeline and can't complain one bit. Best of luck to you both!

[Ahema 0]

We sent our I-129F packet back in June and got the first NOA on June 28. Now we're waiting on our NOA2. This topic's just going to sound like whining, I'm sure, but has it ever taken less than 5 months (the apparent average) for any of you to get your second NOA?

I say this because I just got back from visiting my fiance a couple days ago after staying in the UK for two months on a visitor's visa. We can't reasonably see each other again until this goes through because we both need some steady employment for the time being, and this last visit was pretty expensive. We're 20 & 21 years old so paying for trips across the Atlantic takes quite a bit of saving up. Basically, the prospect of waiting over 5 months to see each other (yet again) is really sad to think about.

Of course we're willing to wait as long as it takes, but I'm just looking for a little hope that maybe the USCIS will be extra-efficient. (I know that's a little naive, because lol bureaucracy.)

My question is pretty much: how long did it take for you?

hello dear im also waiting for the NOA2 and is not easy to wait we are the same age as u , it will come to our hands very soon ok , but i know it takes 4 to 5 month to get so hopely u might get it on October very soon. thanks so much and bless u

[In a tizzy 7]

The wait was HORRIBLE. But it only took us 4 months 7 days. I filed NOA1 in Feb. 2011 and got NOA2 in June 2011. My case went to VSC. I had no RFE's and etc. I did EVERYTHING to the I and T. Be patient. These are hard times.

Emily

[JudyKCski 12]

I read in your profile that you made lots of 3-month trips to Norway-- I don't want to be nosy, but was just wondering if you had trouble with immigration getting into the country for visits? Because I've been to the UK three times (2 weeks, 1 month and 2 months)and each time they've basically interrogated me for details on why I'm there, what I do for a living, what my fiance does, what his mother does, how much money I have, how I saved up that much money at a part-time job, how we met, etc. Just to get into the country. I like to think I'm not the only person in the world that happens to. Maybe Norway's more lax?

Actually I was never really interrogated. First time was asked who I was there to visit I said, "Some friends I met on the internet." After that it was "I am here to visit my boyfriend and friends." This last trip was, "I am happy to be back and I am here to visit my fiance." Guess they could see just by looking at my passport that I had never overstayed I honestly do know know why they did not ask me more questions. But, perhaps me being in my late 40's to early 50's(now) they figured I would have money to do this? I do not know. Anyway come Monday I am back to full time work and my honey will be coming to the US for his first time. There is just so much of my country I want to share with him just like he shared his country with me. I am SO looking forward to his first trip into a grocery store with me and seeing like 15 different types of margarines is going to blow his mind.

[tyrismagoo 0]

93 days for us.

I was prepared for a 5 month wait.

Then I got lulled into thinking the worst wait was over.

As NOA2 to interview is a longer and a more painful wait.

all I can say is I'm glad that we stayed ahead of things on the paper work and requirements. It seems like every day one delays or falls behind could end up costing you weeks down the road.

Visa Journey is truly the best resource one could hope for. I thank my lucky stars that I found this page before starting my paper work!

[Manda_Uk 2]

We were March filers at the CSC and ours came through 2 1/2 months after NoA1. We thought the process after that would be quick but it still takes a while, we were over a month at NVC and now waiting patiently for interview date. I would estimate you will have your interview 3 - 3.5 months after your NoA2 through London. Also remember to take into account you have to leave at least 2 weeks after the interview as you have to wait for them to deliver your passport back to you before travelling! Best of luck on your journey!

We were March filers at the CSC and ours came through 2 1/2 months after NoA1. We thought the process after that would be quick but it still takes a while, we were over a month at NVC and now waiting patiently for interview date. I would estimate you will have your interview 3 - 3.5 months after your NoA2 through London. Also remember to take into account you have to leave at least 2 weeks after the interview as you have to wait for them to deliver your passport back to you before travelling! Best of luck on your journey!

[CarlaByron 0]

I agree with you regarding things like Grocery store trips and Target trips! My fiance is going to be so impressed with the wide streets and clean sidewalks and...on, and on, huh?! Only 52 days until the interview at Embassy -- we have SO almost made it!