K-1 Past 5 Months, Should We Contact Senator?

[cellardoor10 0]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been perusing VisaJourney for some time, and I’m grateful that a supportive community like this exists.

It’s been over five months since I mailed out my K-1 application (before May 1st). Under the advice of my lawyer, about 3 months into the processing time, I submitted an expedite request based on an emergent situation. Two months have passed since my expedite request was received by the Vermont Service Center, and I have heard nothing back yet(not even a denial.) Furthermore, the last two times I called the NSC, they told me that normal processing time was 5 months. When I called again yesterday to find out the status of my expedite request, (which they still had no answer for), I was informed that the processing time was now 7 months. They are still working on Feb. 28th applications!

I’m not sure what else I can do. My SO and I really don’t want to needlessly wait 2 more months, when we definitely know that some couples who submitted at the same time as us have already had their application approved. Is it worth asking a senator for a letter at this point? Could a senator’s letter possibly annoy anyone at the service center and cause more harm than good? Some insight would be deeply appreciated. I don’t want to rock the boat if there is the risk of it tipping over.

[Anh map 2,098]

Hello everyone,

I've been perusing VisaJourney for some time, and I'm grateful that a supportive community like this exists.

It's been over five months since I mailed out my K-1 application (before May 1st). Under the advice of my lawyer, about 3 months into the processing time, I submitted an expedite request based on an emergent situation. Two months have passed since my expedite request was received by the Vermont Service Center, and I have heard nothing back yet(not even a denial.) Furthermore, the last two times I called the NSC, they told me that normal processing time was 5 months. When I called again yesterday to find out the status of my expedite request, (which they still had no answer for), I was informed that the processing time was now 7 months. They are still working on Feb. 28th applications!

I'm not sure what else I can do. My SO and I really don't want to needlessly wait 2 more months, when we definitely know that some couples who submitted at the same time as us have already had their application approved. Is it worth asking a senator for a letter at this point? Could a senator's letter possibly annoy anyone at the service center and cause more harm than good? Some insight would be deeply appreciated. I don't want to rock the boat if there is the risk of it tipping over.

Processing is backlogged across the board. You may have seen several posts here on VJ about USCIS moving files to other offices to get things moving along. There is little that a Senator's office can do.

[maladose 0]

hello its normal to feel like that.like you dont know whats going on to your papers. the normal time is 5 to 8 months befor you get your approval from the NVC,, nothing to do just wait...it would come im sure you can get from them..gudluck to you

[Bokke 0]

Hello everyone,

I’ve been perusing VisaJourney for some time, and I’m grateful that a supportive community like this exists.

It’s been over five months since I mailed out my K-1 application (before May 1st). Under the advice of my lawyer, about 3 months into the processing time, I submitted an expedite request based on an emergent situation. Two months have passed since my expedite request was received by the Vermont Service Center, and I have heard nothing back yet(not even a denial.) Furthermore, the last two times I called the NSC, they told me that normal processing time was 5 months. When I called again yesterday to find out the status of my expedite request, (which they still had no answer for), I was informed that the processing time was now 7 months. They are still working on Feb. 28th applications!

I’m not sure what else I can do. My SO and I really don’t want to needlessly wait 2 more months, when we definitely know that some couples who submitted at the same time as us have already had their application approved. Is it worth asking a senator for a letter at this point? Could a senator’s letter possibly annoy anyone at the service center and cause more harm than good? Some insight would be deeply appreciated. I don’t want to rock the boat if there is the risk of it tipping over.

I literally received my response from my senator this week and the response was basically that the USCIS still allows for 30 days even after your five months processing time before you're considered out of normal processing time. It's effectively a USCIS C.Y.A move. Only thing I can tell you is be patient. I don't think a senatorial letter will do much good unless you know the senator personally.

[TnJ 131]

There are some of us April filers here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/361055-i-129f-april-2012-filers/page__pid__5732033__st__285#entry5732033

As you will see, you are not alone, and there is nothing we can do about it until the time span reaches a certain point. USCIS updated the processing times page on Sept. 13th. It shows February 27th rather than 5 months now. This date only affirms that there is a backlog. It is not reliable for much else. If you look at VSC approvals for I-129F in Igor's List, you will see it's a bag of mixed nuts. Some late February filers ARE just getting approved. However, the majority of the current approvals on Visa Journey alone have been March filers with several April filers thrown into the mix. It is moving forward in some form or fashion. The only thing we can really do is wait at this point.

Edited October 3, 2012 by ToddnJessa

[mik2012 17]

220 days and counting and no NoA2 from VCS. But life still goes on. I am sending my loved one to Japan for 2 months to visit her sisters there. That way I do not have to listen to where is the approval where is the approval. Plus the weather is changing there and she will see what it feels like and she will be able to buy winter clothes for her and the little one because it looks as though it could be early March before they get here.

I did write to my Senator and did get a prompt reply back stating that their office has received a number of complaints about VCS in regards to the delays. I wrote to my Senator mainly about the directive that was issued end of August and the fact that Illegals were getting there U Visas approved in only 3 weeks and our applications are taking months after months and we are the ones going about it the correct way.

I am very glad that I have a very strong relationship with my loved one and we have survived every test that we have come up against. We just past our 6th year anniversary of going out with each other and this is just another bump in the road. If you truly have a strong committed relationship and you love each other then you should be able to survive the wait.

No it is not easy and it does take an emotional and financial toll on you and it is a hard pill to swallow when you see others getting there K1 applications approved before you but in the end the wait will have been well worth it.

So hang in there for there are thousands of other folks in the same boat as we are.

In a few months CVS folks will be complaining that VCS is ahead and the vicious circle of the K1 process continues.......

Edited October 3, 2012 by mik2012

[mik2012 17]

correction VSC not VCS and CSC not CVS my bad.

[djricky4 67]

VSC is a mess right now. i really feel sorry for all those peeps still waiting in there. i thought they would have gotten their act together by now but i was wrong. good luck to you all

[baron555 934]

Processing is backlogged across the board. You may have seen several posts here on VJ about USCIS moving files to other offices to get things moving along. There is little that a Senator's office can do.

Roger that....keep waiting. Good friends took 10 months, no RFEs, just took that long.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Although I agree that USCIS probably won't move faster because of an inquiry, that really isn't the main reason to ask. Each congressional office has a staffer that specializes in immigration issues, and they USCIS has special liasons to deal with these staffers (and others no doubt). If you have a conversation with the staffer, and your visa application is past due, they can quickly make sure that it is on track, and not lost in transit or on the desk of an adjudicator that is taking leave or something.

I went to my Congressman when we went past the USCIS projected time, and got a prompt response and some email follow up from the staffer who helped us out. She seemed professionally interested in the USCIS meeting the projected time they gave her. I did not ask for a letter or anything, just to have them check on the file.

[Darnell 8,478]

there are several ways to push the intake on an expedite request:

1. submit via seperate letter with the I-129F

2. call into USCIS Hotline, get a Tier 2, follow instructions for intake exactly or

3. send off a a seperate letter and pray.

Which method did you use, 2 or 3 ?

Do This Today -> IMO, you really should chase down the expedite request with an ISO, a Tier 2 Human - NOT the first person that answers the phone.

Describe, exactly, how the expedite request intake was handled by yer attorney.

[Removed-02242014 19]

Just 5 months? That's all ... Just hang tight

[Removed-02242014 19]

220 days and counting and no NoA2 from VCS. But life still goes on. I am sending my loved one to Japan for 2 months to visit her sisters there. That way I do not have to listen to where is the approval where is the approval. Plus the weather is changing there and she will see what it feels like and she will be able to buy winter clothes for her and the little one because it looks as though it could be early March before they get here.

I agree with you ... nice job on finding other things to help her out. I sent my fiancee to some dental appointments to get her and her daughters teeth taken care of

[feli114 65]

You will get there. Patience is learned through this process. Good luck.

[JoBri 545]

This is copied out of my timeline through VSC:

Processing

Estimates/Stats :Your I-129f was approved in 251 days from your NOA1 date.

Your I-130 was approved in 265 days from your NOA1 date.

Your interview took 314 days from your I-130 NOA1 date.