BINATIONAL SAME SEX COUPLES !! Show up!

[Frankie19 1]

Green Card received

[Nikkosan 127]

Green Card received

Congratulations!!!

[neska2 3]

Hi,

We are a same sex couple from Texas as well. We filed on July 12th and were interviewed on October 3rd and approved. We got the card production email this morning. Interview went very well. Our approval is from Houston. I know a couple of Dallas cases where they were interviewed 9-10 days back and have not seen a change in status. A lot of folks are not using a lawyer. We did but I dont think its necessary. Gather a lot of evidence to show its a genuine marriage. Take copies of everything to the interview including two sets of photos as they are retaining one set for the file. Good luck.

Google "trackitt same sex" and you will happen upon another forum where a lot of same sex binational couples have been posting timelines and interview experiences.

Thanks a lot for the info. I hope the evidence we sent is enough. First time that I've heard about them retaining photos but good to know.

How long did it take for your whole process?

[kmiami15 8]

Exactly!

He said adjudicators should not expect anything beyond "intent to marry", stating that couples (straight or gay) are NOT required to have a clear idea of where they're going to marry when they file for a K-1 petition.

Again, all that needs to be stated is the "intent to marry". Of course, guidance (for either straight or gay) is to be as specific as possible (hence enhancing the credibility of the statement), however, it should not result in any RFEs.

Feeling much better about this now!

Here's to getting our NOA2 real soon!

Cheers!!!! haha.... we filed around the same time.... keep me posted... I will add you as a friend and follow your timeline..

[Nikkosan 127]

Cheers!!!! haha.... we filed around the same time.... keep me posted... I will add you as a friend and follow your timeline..

Sure!

I was already following your timeline!

Suerte!

[luckyinluv 1]

Thanks a lot for the info. I hope the evidence we sent is enough. First time that I've heard about them retaining photos but good to know.

How long did it take for your whole process?

Past interviews I read they took a few photos. For us they took all 50 4x6 prints!! My wife made a photobook with dates, places, comments. The IO completely looked through it and then asked if we had copies which we gave. In our original application we only sent my wife's tax returns, pay stubs, naturalization certificate, employment letter etc. We took lots of other stuff when we went for the interview. I am pasting below my experience that I had posted in trackitt so you know how it went. In addition to what we gave we took retirement accounts beneficiary designations, life insurance beneficiary designations as well but officer said we had submitted enough. Here is our time line:

Filed: July 11th 2013

Receipt Date: July 12th 2013

Biometrics Notice Received: July 22nd 2013

Biometrics Date: August 13th 2013 (not aware that you can do walk-in)

Interview Notice Received: September 3rd 2013

EAD Approval: September 10th 2013

EAD Received: September 18th 2013

Interview Date: October 3rd 2013. Approved and Passport Stamped.

I-130 Approved: October 3rd 2013

GC Card Production Ordered: October 8th 2013

EAD it took 60 days for approval. GC it took 84 days for approval.

Our Experience:

We had a 10 am appointment in Houston. We arrived at 9:00 and the waiting area was pretty empty. Had some tense moments navigating the heavy Houston traffic but made it on time nonetheless. Waited for our lawyer who showed up promptly at 9:30 (a note: I really loved the fact that we had a lawyer as it gave some modicum of assurance). We submitted our interview letter and sat chatting. At 10:05 we were called in by the immigration officer (Mrs.P.J). She was pleasant but not smiling exactly. Our lawyer conversed with her when navigating the maze of rooms to her office whilst my wife and I mutely followed with our suitcase looking divided folder binders, one with originals and one with copies. Have to compliment my wife as she took care of organizing the originals and copies. We were sworn in and then we sat down and the IO started looking through the file. She asked for our Drivers's License and my immigration documents (H1B,I94). She then asked me to state my wife's name, address, DOB, our wedding date. Repeated the same with her with regards to me. Then she started on the application. Asked me about any criminal record, out of status situations etc and I answered in the negative to all. She then casually asked where we met and my wife jumped in and gave her a short history to which she smiled. She then asked about previous marriages and we both gave her a short account of our previous hetero marriages. My wife delved into her previous arranged marriage and said she knew her ex-husband only 5 days before they were hitched and the IO said wow and became more involved in the interview. She asked my wife for her naturalization certification and when she said she would make a copy we immediately jumped in and said that we had copies of everything and gave it to her (please make copies of everything). That made things even better. She then asked us for something to show we had a bonafide marriage and we gave her copies of the following: bank accounts, estate planning documents, car loan document, car insurance with both vehicles and both names, county appraisal district house information with both names, joint tenancy, water bill, cable bill. We offered more, but she said that was enough. My wife put the nice photo book she created on the table and the IO wanted to see it. She went through all the pics. Asked us if we had copies and we gave her 50 4x6 prints of what was in the photo book that also had pencil written notes of place and time and event at the back. She gladly took the entire bundle. Asked how our families were handling the situation and we explained that it was not easy but my wife's parents were fine and were currently visiting us. She said that was sweet. She then said interview was complete unless we had questions. We were at the 20 minute point. Our lawyer at that point jumped in as asked what would happen next. She said she would approve and that it would be two weeks. We looked disappointed and she then said she would approve the next day and that they had Same Sex Case training at 1PM (guys, I think its a Texas thing). I interjected and said that my grandmother was sick and that I had not seen her since 2008 when I last came in and also had a plane ticket (all this is true and I would have shown here the ticket if she had asked). She seemed sympathetic and said that if we waited for her to complete two other interviews she would see what she could do. She asked for my current passport which I handed over. We went out and waited. Surprisingly by 11:05 she called us and congratulated us and gave me my stamped passport!! My wife said "We are so grateful" to which the IO broke into a smile and told us she would order card production latest by the next day. Anyways, it ended well for us and I wish the same for each of you.

[Cometz 0]

I felt lost. I got a REF for my I-129F. I received my NOA1 on 08/07 and waited...and waited, until today when I received a text/email requesting for evidence. I followed the VJ guidelines and sent in alot of info/evidences. I don't understand what they would need. I just have to wait for the letter in the mail. My sister did say that they might want to see a receipt of the ring I bought for my fiance. We exchanged the rings 6 years ago and tossed the receipt long time ago. If that's what they are asking for, I am in trouble.

[wornoutcowboy 6]

I felt lost. I got a REF for my I-129F. I received my NOA1 on 08/07 and waited...and waited, until today when I received a text/email requesting for evidence. I followed the VJ guidelines and sent in alot of info/evidences. I don't understand what they would need. I just have to wait for the letter in the mail. My sister did say that they might want to see a receipt of the ring I bought for my fiance. We exchanged the rings 6 years ago and tossed the receipt long time ago. If that's what they are asking for, I am in trouble.

There could be a number of reasons for the REF.

You will be notified shortly by mail. Just relax and wait and see. Once you get it you can go about fixing the problem with the petition and continue on.

I am happy to see some one else with a fiance/fiancee in Laos.

[Cometz 0]

There could be a number of reasons for the REF.

You will be notified shortly by mail. Just relax and wait and see. Once you get it you can go about fixing the problem with the petition and continue on.

I am happy to see some one else with a fiance/fiancee in Laos.

Thank you wornoutcowboy. I happy too. Let's keep each other posted. I'll add you as a friend. I let you know what USCIS need from my REF.

[kmiami15 8]

Thank you wornoutcowboy. I happy too. Let's keep each other posted. I'll add you as a friend. I let you know what USCIS need from my REF.

at least that means your case is moving along... no worries... it could be anything, really... maybe they lost the passport-style picture to they need an updated statement of intent to marry.... who knows.... I have seen lots of people who sent in everything and they still get an RFE for something they had already submitted... remember the files are moving all the time and maybe something got lost along the way... let us know what the RFE is for... good luck!!!

[Susan53011 14]

Finally received our case number from NVC. Already have docs ready for packet 3 so soon will sched interview. So excitied!!!

[rjbntsk 5]

Finally received our case number from NVC. Already have docs ready for packet 3 so soon will sched interview. So excitied!!!

Yay!!!! Finally - it's a relief to see after your initial disappointment that it came through.

All the best for the next step and hopefully will go swiftly for you two now.

[Nikkosan 127]

Finally received our case number from NVC. Already have docs ready for packet 3 so soon will sched interview. So excitied!!!

Happy news!!!

Congrats!!!

[Sarah---Nichelle 1]

I'm curious if any of you are bringing anything extra to the interviews due to being in a same-sex relationship.

We just got our NOA2 last week - and I do live in Massachusetts, but did not include anywhere that we intend to marry in Massachusetts. Obviously that was fine for us so far because we got approved with no RFE - However, I'm wondering if its best to bring something to the interview, such as MA state marriage laws or something?

[kmiami15 8]

I'm curious if any of you are bringing anything extra to the interviews due to being in a same-sex relationship.

We just got our NOA2 last week - and I do live in Massachusetts, but did not include anywhere that we intend to marry in Massachusetts. Obviously that was fine for us so far because we got approved with no RFE - However, I'm wondering if its best to bring something to the interview, such as MA state marriage laws or something?

I do not think it would be an issue, but just take it in case they ask for it...