please help me understand the i129f processing timeline

[Wade&Carito 0]

I got the I-797C NOA letter stating the I-129 has been received. I was excited thinking it will start to go quickly and hoping that within 6 months I will be bringing my fiancee here to the US. I just looked at the USCIS processing times and if I am reading it correctly it says 5 months to process!!! Is that correct?

If I understand it correctly all that has happened so far is that the acknowledged they have my I-129 packet. They gave me a receipt number to check at USCIS and it shows these grey round dots and one is blue, the one that says "initial review" is blue. So do I understand that they are going to review that packet for 5 months before deciding if we can move forward through the process?

This is very discouraging if it takes 5 months just to say "hey the packet looks good now we can continue the process".

So I do absolutely nothing until I hear form them 5 months from now? I am not good at just doing nothing, I need to feel like I am doing something to help this process.

Anyway, I am just seeking some clarification. Thanks!!! Wade

Edited November 3, 2012 by Wade&Carito

[srey 12]

That's correct, 5 months processing time. Lately there's a backlog and its taking more than 5 months. you can start reading up on the process and be prepared for the post NOA2. Best of luck on your journey

[Adrian_Trischa 6]

I got the I-797C NOA letter stating the I-129 has been received. I was excited thinking it will start to go quickly and hoping that within 6 months I will be bringing my fiancee here to the US. I just looked at the USCIS processing times and if I am reading it correctly it says 5 months to process!!! Is that correct?

If I understand it correctly all that has happened so far is that the acknowledged they have my I-129 packet. They gave me a receipt number to check at USCIS and it shows these grey round dots and one is blue, the one that says "initial review" is blue. So do I understand that they are going to review that packet for 5 months before deciding if we can move forward through the process?

This is very discouraging if it takes 5 months just to say "hey the packet looks good now we can continue the process".

So I do absolutely nothing until I hear form them 5 months from now? I am not good at just doing nothing, I need to feel like I am doing something to help this process.

Anyway, I am just seeking some clarification. Thanks!!! Wade

Hi Wade,

It is what it is.

The packet you send through is actually a petition for the beneficiary to apply for a visa. There is a couple more months of waiting on top of that.

You can not do anything at this stage at all except look towards the next stage and see what supporting documents you will need to collect in anticipation of Packet 3.

Best of luck and if you need any questions answered, feel free to PM me.

[bigdog 377]

The whole fiancee process is about 7 months. See some similar time lines to give you a better picture.

[Wade&Carito 0]

ok, thanks for the replies, this whole thing is a little confusing for me and I am very glad to have this group as a resource or I would be totally lost!!

I think I might be able to survive 7 months to get through the process.

One thing I noticed on the I-797C form is that in the section stating the petition was received for the following beneficiaries... it states name, date of birth and then under "Country of Birth" it says "UNKNOWN" do I need to call and to get that corrected? Or is it really a non-issue? The petition has all the details in it anyway.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

From your timeline:

Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between February 18, 2013 and February 20, 2013*.

If this date range has passed or your application is past due per USCIS processing times then you should consider calling the USCIS to inquire on your petition. If you have been approved please update your timeline.

From this point, you can't do much until you're passed the adjudication date. Hope and pray that you're application will get approved.

Good luck on your journey!

[Wade&Carito 0]

ok thanks again for the responses. So lets say the processing takes 5 months from when they received it, that would be March 24, once that gets approved what might be an estimate of total time before she would arrive into the US?

I am just trying to get an idea of the 90 day window for marriage once she gets here. The place for the wedding gets booked usually a year in advance and I need to try to reserve something now if possible.

thank you!!

[LeftCoastLady 441]

If you opt to make any wedding reservations before the visa is in hand, make sure you are able to make changes to them. There have been many -- too many -- who book a venue with a non-refundable contract or even send out invitations with a specific date and then they're scrambling because their fiancé(e) doesn't have their visa yet. One thing to remember, you do not have much control over the petition and visa process. The USCIS, NVC, and embassy/consulate where the interview will take place dictate about 90% of what happens.

The timeline date provided on VJ is based on a mere fraction of the petitions received by USCIS, so I wouldn't use it as gospel to predict exactly when you will have the NOA2 and definitely don't use it to try to figure out wedding plans.

Many people do a small ceremony shortly after POE and then do a larger party for friends and family as they'll have more time to plan.

ok thanks again for the responses. So lets say the processing takes 5 months from when they received it, that would be March 24, once that gets approved what might be an estimate of total time before she would arrive into the US?

I am just trying to get an idea of the 90 day window for marriage once she gets here. The place for the wedding gets booked usually a year in advance and I need to try to reserve something now if possible.

thank you!!

[AnalajiaAbdeen 5]

I got the I-797C NOA letter stating the I-129 has been received. I was excited thinking it will start to go quickly and hoping that within 6 months I will be bringing my fiancee here to the US. I just looked at the USCIS processing times and if I am reading it correctly it says 5 months to process!!! Is that correct?

If I understand it correctly all that has happened so far is that the acknowledged they have my I-129 packet. They gave me a receipt number to check at USCIS and it shows these grey round dots and one is blue, the one that says "initial review" is blue. So do I understand that they are going to review that packet for 5 months before deciding if we can move forward through the process?

This is very discouraging if it takes 5 months just to say "hey the packet looks good now we can continue the process".

So I do absolutely nothing until I hear form them 5 months from now? I am not good at just doing nothing, I need to feel like I am doing something to help this process.

Anyway, I am just seeking some clarification. Thanks!!! Wade

Just to provide a little clarification...they are processing all kinds of petitions. And they do not spend 5 months on ours. The estimated time lines indicate how long it is taking them to get to our petitions. It's my understanding that the 'honey-bunny' petitions (that's what they call us, awww) actually only take a good 15-20 to process...if everything is complete.

I also read that someone scans through the files that are in the boxes to check for any needed RFE's. This helps to get those RFE's out so you can turn in the missing information and still have your case worked within those estimates time frames.

Hope this helps

[AnalajiaAbdeen 5]

ok, thanks for the replies, this whole thing is a little confusing for me and I am very glad to have this group as a resource or I would be totally lost!!

I think I might be able to survive 7 months to get through the process.

One thing I noticed on the I-797C form is that in the section stating the petition was received for the following beneficiaries... it states name, date of birth and then under "Country of Birth" it says "UNKNOWN" do I need to call and to get that corrected? Or is it really a non-issue? The petition has all the details in it anyway.

Definitely call them!!! That's a clear indication that you guys left something blank on one of the forms. The sooner you resolve this the better.

[TBoneTX 46,276]

If you opt to make any wedding reservations before the visa is in hand, make sure you are able to make changes to them. There have been many -- too many -- who book a venue with a non-refundable contract or even send out invitations with a specific date and then they're scrambling because their fiancé(e) doesn't have their visa yet. One thing to remember, you do not have much control over the petition and visa process. The USCIS, NVC, and embassy/consulate where the interview will take place dictate about 90% of what happens.

The timeline date provided on VJ is based on a mere fraction of the petitions received by USCIS, so I wouldn't use it as gospel to predict exactly when you will have the NOA2 and definitely don't use it to try to figure out wedding plans.

Many people do a small ceremony shortly after POE and then do a larger party for friends and family as they'll have more time to plan.

Amigo Wade -- good answer here, with the perfect solution in the last line.

Spend the intervening months building evidence (such as making more trips to Ecu) for the interview at the ####### consulate.

[Wade&Carito 0]

ok thanks again for all the responses. I will call and inquire about the "unknown" for country of birth on the form.

We are going to have a wedding at a friend of a friends beach house, no money to reserve or anything. We will not be out anything if the date changes but we want everyone we know to be able to plan on being here. the date is more to help the schedules of our friends.

[BenH 0]

Hi,

Sorry for hijacking this thread but this was the first one to pop up via a google search.

I filed a I129F petition for my fiancee back in the middle of Feb and was received at the California Service Center sometime closer to the end of Feb. Tonight I just got notification that the I129F petition has been approved; I received emails and text messages letting me know of this. It is stated on the site and in the email that a notice was mailed to me today so I'm assuming I should receive it by the end of this week. But until then I was wondering if people familiar with this process can help me figure out what's usually the next step in the process for myself and/or my fiancee? She's in Taiwan and I'm in California if that makes any difference.

Thanks

[TBoneTX 46,276]

Yes, this is a stale thread. It's OK to start a new one of your own, in these instances.

Read the advice above. Go atop any VJ page and click the links for "Embassy Info" and "Reviews: Embassy" and read everything pertinent to YOUR consulate. Pay particular attention to the "worst" stories so that you can avert similar trouble. Allocate the necessary funds for AOS (adjustment of status) in an otherwise-untouchable account. Help to acclimate your fiancee to life in the U.S. in advance, not only by introducing her to what to expect but by preparing for her goals. Search posts by the member "Gary and Alla" to see how he helped his then-fiancee hit the ground running from the instant she entered the U.S.

(Organizer hat on)

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Case Progress subforum. ***

Edited June 7, 2013 by TBoneTX

[BenH 0]

Yes, this is a stale thread. It's OK to start a new one of your own, in these instances.

Read the advice above. Go atop any VJ page and click the links for "Embassy Info" and "Reviews: Embassy" and read everything pertinent to YOUR consulate. Pay particular attention to the "worst" stories so that you can avert similar trouble. Allocate the necessary funds for AOS (adjustment of status) in an otherwise-untouchable account. Help to acclimate your fiancee to life in the U.S. in advance, not only by introducing her to what to expect but by preparing for her goals. Search posts by the member "Gary and Alla" to see how he helped his then-fiancee hit the ground running from the instant she entered the U.S.

(Organizer hat on)

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Case Progress subforum. ***

Thank you very much.