October 2014 Filers - Texas Service Center

[YamenWaad 45]

Again, your country of origin is Philippines, which is going VERY quickly right now. The latest you'll get your NOA2 is likely to be in February, if that. But most Philippines Oct filers have already gotten their NOA2. Steer clear of making too many official plans.... you may have wasted money on a plane ticket. Fortunately for you I think many appointments are going on right now at their consulate, so it may take a while to get an appointment, but it's very likely that she'll already have her visa before March (if there are no red flags or RFE for the application, of course).

and the others will wait at least more than 5 months

[SantyAndAllie 155]

and the others will wait at least more than 5 months

According to what the other poster gave in data, by 6 months all cases were transferred to NVC. So it wouldn't take more than 6 months. But regardless of that, Philippines is STILL being looked at over other applications. So they're likely in the percentage of people getting theirs within 1-4 months. Obviously that isn't always the case, as there was someone else from Philippines who filed in Sept and JUST got an RFE. But following others' experiences, it's not likely to have to wait too much longer!

[Lee 23 5]

I agree, do not make any plans.

We are just looking at one segment of time (in the past); and only have limited information. Things could go faster, or may perhaps slow during the holidays. But cases are moving forward, in a somewhat organized fashion.

[ForgottenNotes 12]

Yeah, I realized that I have no control over the timeline of this process so I just went ahead a booked a flight to spend time with her on her birthday. I'm there till March 18th so IF we have medical/interview around then all the better. If not upon approval, she can travel here on her own no problem.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Yeah, I realized that I have no control over the timeline of this process so I just went ahead a booked a flight to spend time with her on her birthday. I'm there till March 18th so IF we have medical/interview around then all the better. If not upon approval, she can travel here on her own no problem.

IF your case gets expedited & is done quickly, you both would have to marry & be in the US. It's possible for that to happen before March. And in case you want her to travel to her country in March because you already bought a ticket for you, that may not happen. You need government approval before leaving the US once you both have gotten married.

SO, all that being said- it's unpredictable, but you may have wasted your money on the ticket if she gets the approval now. If she happens to get the visa before March, you won't have much time to be there. She'll only have 3 months to get to the US & get married! If that makes sense..

[ForgottenNotes 12]

Ops sorry I wasn't clear enough, I am there for vacation March 1st - the 18th.

[curiosa 5]

Ops sorry I wasn't clear enough, I am there for vacation March 1st - the 18th.

Glad you are getting to spend time together! Bottom line is if you can, then do it.

My guy is coming next month for a two week visit and we are looking forward to that.

[JDWright 30]

I'm going for a 3 week visit, next month during christmas since it'll be a while

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Yeah, I was trying to plan to be there for the holidays, but I'm also trying to get a job. It all depends on the job I get and if they want me for December. It sucks because I was JUST there for FIVE months, and we thought he'd be here for Christmas & New Years. Clearly not, but we really don't want to spend the holidays apart... Ugh. And he can come on the VWP, too, but our lawyer recommended against it because of the K-1. :/

[JDWright 30]

I know the VJ estimate is just that an estimate, but geez it just keeps getting further and further down, it was at Dec 15th a few days ago now it's at the 26th.

[curiosa 5]

The reason why we went with a K-1 visa is because he can travel here to the US to visit. On a K-3, he wouldn't be able to do so. There's a whole thread about this.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

The reason why we went with a K-1 visa is because he can travel here to the US to visit. On a K-3, he wouldn't be able to do so. There's a whole thread about this.

Are you referring to visiting the US on a VWP? Because if youre waiting for a fiance visa, and you don't have VWP, you can't go to the US without the visa in your hand. You can't enter without a visa if your country doesnt have VWP.

As for coming on VWP while waiting on visa.. I've heard stories of a select few that got in, but it's VERY RISKY and entrance lies in the POE. Our lawyer highly recommended that we don't do it. He's seen too many disasters. Because of the "intent" issue that you're actually going to live there permanently, it can cause problems at POE and they have no hesitation to send you back to your country. So that means wasted money on plane ticket & getting to the airport, AND depression & disappointment if he gets turned away- lottttts of tears if he gets sent back. I'm not willing to take that chance.

You'd think they'd be okay with a visit because it shows more evidence of your relationship and that youre waiting to do it right on a K1, BUT nope. Since youre already showing intent to stay, it's risky... if you can't show many ties.

Edit: The reason it's difficult for us is because my fiance doesn't work on the books. He has no way to show proof of employment, school, etc. He has nothing other than showing that he's waiting for the K1, which isn't always great proof. It really depends on the POE, and New York & Newark arent exactly super great with immigrants. Newark already harrassed him last year when he came on the VWP before we were engaged.

Edited November 26, 2014 by lovecometruex

[curiosa 5]

Are you referring to visiting the US on a VWP? Because if youre waiting for a fiance visa, and you don't have VWP, you can't go to the US without the visa in your hand. You can't enter without a visa if your country doesnt have VWP.

As for coming on VWP while waiting on visa.. I've heard stories of a select few that got in, but it's VERY RISKY and entrance lies in the POE. Our lawyer highly recommended that we don't do it. He's seen too many disasters. Because of the "intent" issue that you're actually going to live there permanently, it can cause problems at POE and they have no hesitation to send you back to your country. So that means wasted money on plane ticket & getting to the airport, AND depression & disappointment if he gets turned away- lottttts of tears if he gets sent back. I'm not willing to take that chance.

You'd think they'd be okay with a visit because it shows more evidence of your relationship and that youre waiting to do it right on a K1, BUT nope. Since youre already showing intent to stay, it's risky... if you can't show many ties.

Edit: The reason it's difficult for us is because my fiance doesn't work on the books. He has no way to show proof of employment, school, etc. He has nothing other than showing that he's waiting for the K1, which isn't always great proof. It really depends on the POE, and New York & Newark arent exactly super great with immigrants. Newark already harrassed him last year when he came on the VWP before we were engaged.

Perhaps our situation is made easier because he has a 10 year US tourist visa and he has always left when he needed to. The referenced thread shows a lot of successful visits but I agree that it boils down with the intent to live here permanently. My guy was here in the US for many years as a student so that made getting a tourist visa much easier. He was enrolled in a doctorate degree program so that may have helped. I've seen experiences where sometimes people will come for a visit to the US and then stay while they wait for their embassy appointment. It's definitely a possibility to visit the US but depends case by case.

[SantyAndAllie 155]

UGH. Anyone have any ideas about how to contact GENERAL CUSTOMER SERVICE on USCIS?!?!? This dumb menu has no options that I need!! There's no general assistance!

[SantyAndAllie 155]

Nevermind. I got them to answer but they said "we don't handle that" even though our consulate told us to call.

Basically they keep telling me the same thing... It just depends on "the interview" at POE. I REALLY want my fiance to visit for Christmas. It kills us that this will be our first Christmas apart, but I don't want to waste money and then be in tears if he gets deported. I mean showing round trip plane ticket & the visa application SHOULD be enough, but I don't think it is! I'm too afraid that they'll deport him....

Anyone seen any threads with people coming in to JFK in NY??? (on VWP waiting for fiance visa, I mean). thats where hed be coming from

Edited November 26, 2014 by lovecometruex