Running Out of Options and Patience

[R&J2310 0]

Hey everyone willing to read this... My name is Jordan. I think I'm writing this post partly out of frustration and out of a need to get feedback about our situation. Rick is from London...the cliffs notes version of our story is...we met randomly online, wrote letters to one another for months, skyped, met in person, spent the holidays together, he proposed AND we are head over heels for each other<3 He is my match in every way...we set a date for September 14th, thinking that since we submitted our paperwork in November that we would have plenty of time. WE ARE STILL WAITING...we had an RFE for a passport photo over a month ago, but we fixed it and sent it back the next day. I tried to expedite our case in a frantic state to make our wedding day since it is fast approaching. It was denied. Yesterday I called to ask if someone was able to give me answers as to why it was taking so long to process when I'm hearing that people from February are starting to get there NOA2...I was told that our case is past our estimated quote and that a service request would be made. We will here something in 30-45 DAYS???!!! What the heck...I have been doing all I can to plan a wedding for a contingent date that may or may not happen at this point....I don't know who else to call or where to turn. I know my case doesn't take priority over others, but it doesn't make sense about the order of approval...All I want is to call the service center directly and ask for someone to put their hands on my case just to know it hasn't been lost...Any suggestions? Words of wisdom to keep me sane?

I'm missing him like crazy and losing my mind because I can't plan a wedding.

Sincerely, Jordan (& Rick) xoxo

[Bugs 455]

Well you got an RFE a month ago, so expect an approval any day now - sometimes that takes a couple months though, sometimes faster. Your September date still looks attainable, but I do hope that you didn't make reservations or send out invites yet, as it is always highly advisable not to do so until you actually have the visa in your hand. And yes, they will never approve an expedite request based on that, or everyone would be doing it.

Edited July 3, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[Azsara 110]

Hey Jordan,

Im sorry to hear you are still waiting since November - that really sucks. September is definitely still doable and it really should be any day now. what was the rfe for? Passport pics too small?

EDIT: Also would just like to add, dont stress too much over it, and dont let the immigration process dictate your life and marriage together. If worst case scenario, your wedding day comes around and you still dont have your visa, then go ahead and get married and have the happiest day of the beginning of your new life together.

Yes you'll have to start the process again but if there really is no going back from the wedding day you have planned then your relationship should be the priority not the immigrations process

Edited July 3, 2013 by Azsara

[R&J2310 0]

Well you got an RFE a month ago, so expect an approval any day now - sometimes that takes a couple months though, sometimes faster. Your September date still looks attainable, but I do hope that you didn't make reservations or send out invites yet, as it is always highly advisable not to do so until you actually have the visa in your hand. And yes, they will never approve an expedite request based on that, or everyone would be doing it.

Thanks for the response...It's nice to think it still might happen in September...just a disclaimer, I made a case for expedition based on a financial loss regarding what we had already invested in the wedding, not just because the date was creeping up on us...but it was a long shot and we knew it...Just waiting on someone to say go so that I can finish up details, like invitations, party favors, etc ya know? Thanks again and good luck with your own case<3

[R&J2310 0]

Hey Jordan,

Im sorry to hear you are still waiting since November - that really sucks. September is definitely still doable and it really should be any day now. what was the rfe for? Passport pics too small?

EDIT: Also would just like to add, dont stress too much over it, and dont let the immigration process dictate your life and marriage together. If worst case scenario, your wedding day comes around and you still dont have your visa, then go ahead and get married and have the happiest day of the beginning of your new life together.

Yes you'll have to start the process again but if there really is no going back from the wedding day you have planned then your relationship should be the priority not the immigrations process

Thank you for the response. It's nice to hear from another couple from the UK:) So in regards to your question, it was my photo, Not Rick's, that had to be resubmitted. Mine was too big apparently...but I think the real reason might have been that I sent more than I needed to. I sent my passport photo AND an updated one. My passport photo was taken in high school and was still good, but I labeled a more up to date pic and included it in our paperwork. I thought it would be helpful, but when they say 1 photo, I guess they really do mean 1. But we sent it back the next day...I'm just getting nervous. We gave ourselves until next Wednesday before we decide to postpone the wedding because we want our out of town guests to have plenty of time to find flights and what not. Do you think that if we have a date set and we get our NOA2 that the embassy might push to get stuff done faster???

And thank you again for the sweet proactive message- We are trying not to let this get to us. We have our bad days, but we know that it's worth every tear and all the frustration because we get to spend the rest of our lives together. Waiting is the hardest part...Good luck with your case! Sincerely, R & J

[Azsara 110]

The embassy is a lot quicker so after NOA2 it can speed up. They will also consider your wedding date when assigning interview dates. The problem at the moment is people are experiencing huge delays at NVC stage. Its so difficult to estimate whats going to happen by September with this process

[C-ma'am 684]

**Post moved to K1 Progress Reports

[ameribrit 37]

Hey everyone willing to read this... My name is Jordan. I think I'm writing this post partly out of frustration and out of a need to get feedback about our situation. Rick is from London...the cliffs notes version of our story is...we met randomly online, wrote letters to one another for months, skyped, met in person, spent the holidays together, he proposed AND we are head over heels for each other<3 He is my match in every way...we set a date for September 14th, thinking that since we submitted our paperwork in November that we would have plenty of time. WE ARE STILL WAITING...we had an RFE for a passport photo over a month ago, but we fixed it and sent it back the next day. I tried to expedite our case in a frantic state to make our wedding day since it is fast approaching. It was denied. Yesterday I called to ask if someone was able to give me answers as to why it was taking so long to process when I'm hearing that people from February are starting to get there NOA2...I was told that our case is past our estimated quote and that a service request would be made. We will here something in 30-45 DAYS???!!! What the heck...I have been doing all I can to plan a wedding for a contingent date that may or may not happen at this point....I don't know who else to call or where to turn. I know my case doesn't take priority over others, but it doesn't make sense about the order of approval...All I want is to call the service center directly and ask for someone to put their hands on my case just to know it hasn't been lost...Any suggestions? Words of wisdom to keep me sane?

I'm missing him like crazy and losing my mind because I can't plan a wedding.

Sincerely, Jordan (& Rick) xoxo

Have you tried to get your congresspersons immigration department to contact USCIS on your behalf to see what is happening with your case. Thats what we did.

They will not need or want to know that you have planned your wedding in september, they could care less. But they should be willing to enquire for you if you emphasize that you are outside normal processing times.

The RFE didn't help with that and your NOA2 may be just around the corner, but it doesn't hurt to get the people who you vote into office to do their job.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

...Just waiting on someone to say go so that I can finish up details, like invitations, party favors, etc ya know?

Here's a list you can start working on right now if you haven't already. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

It's what you need in place ASAP if you want to get through London quickly. It can take a little over 2 months from NOA2 for those super prepared, who learn the London process before NOA2 and have everything done before they even get your case. Then you aren't the delay scrambling to get forms and documents ready. It's a long thread but has lots of information and tips if you really want to be proactive and learn ways to get it done.

[Lisa-O 8]

Hey Jordan,

I was in the same place as you, I had to move our wedding 3 times and it took nearly a year for the whole process?!?!? I can completely understand your frustration...talk to your wedding venue and explain the situation, our venue was amazing and moved the date for us. Also make sure you are one step ahead of the game, have your police cert and what not ready to go to the next step...best wishes, and remember it is frustrating, but you will get there :)

[rjm_cmyk 75]

Just a recent update in terms of UK dates/time-scales - it's taken us one month exactly to go from NOA2 email to letter from UK consulate. This was CSC>NVC>UK>Watford and I got the Embassy letter yesterday.

[R&J2310 0]

Have you tried to get your congresspersons immigration department to contact USCIS on your behalf to see what is happening with your case. Thats what we did.

They will not need or want to know that you have planned your wedding in september, they could care less. But they should be willing to enquire for you if you emphasize that you are outside normal processing times.

The RFE didn't help with that and your NOA2 may be just around the corner, but it doesn't hurt to get the people who you vote into office to do their job.

Thank you for the tidbit of advice. I may try to reach out tomorrow or maybe early next week if we haven't heard anything. It's worth a shot!

[R&J2310 0]

Hey Jordan,

I was in the same place as you, I had to move our wedding 3 times and it took nearly a year for the whole process?!?!? I can completely understand your frustration...talk to your wedding venue and explain the situation, our venue was amazing and moved the date for us. Also make sure you are one step ahead of the game, have your police cert and what not ready to go to the next step...best wishes, and remember it is frustrating, but you will get there

It's glad to have someone to relate to...We have probably changed our date 3 times too...we figured that we would be safe for September, but it's scary as each day continues to pass and we still haven't heard anything. As for the venue- we are doing a ceremony in my parents' backyard to avoid issues like this and losing out on deposits...I can't say the same for rental furniture and catering though...but thank you for the advice about being proactive...We are definitely on top of it...Rick has had all of his immunizations done, police background check and is aware of the forms to have ready; same with me and the tax documents for the affidavit of support since I'm still a student. Fingers crossed that we will hear something very soon! Best wishes to you!

[R&J2310 0]

Here's a list you can start working on right now if you haven't already. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

It's what you need in place ASAP if you want to get through London quickly. It can take a little over 2 months from NOA2 for those super prepared, who learn the London process before NOA2 and have everything done before they even get your case. Then you aren't the delay scrambling to get forms and documents ready. It's a long thread but has lots of information and tips if you really want to be proactive and learn ways to get it done.

Thank you so very much for the link! It was really helpful and Rick and I are starting to work on them. I think we are mostly prepared for the next step...but this helps us to feel comfortable with tying up any loose ends:)

Just a recent update in terms of UK dates/time-scales - it's taken us one month exactly to go from NOA2 email to letter from UK consulate. This was CSC>NVC>UK>Watford and I got the Embassy letter yesterday.

Thank You! I needed to read some good news. Given I realize that our case may not be as speedy as yours, but it gives me hope<3 Definitely put a smile on my face to think that this is still feasible.