UK VJers Progress Update Thread

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Okay cool, thank you for sharing! Did the officers have a way of knowing that he was going through the K-1 process before Tim told them? I read somewhere else not to mention it unless they ask...

I asked the immigration officer at Houston airport if he could tell on his computer anything about visa applications in progress and he said no. However if you ever told them at entry, I suppose a note could be added to your travel record and they would see the note the next time.

[chipmunk92 11]

I asked the immigration officer at Houston airport if he could tell on his computer anything about visa applications in progress and he said no. However if you ever told them at entry, I suppose a note could be added to your travel record and they would see the note the next time.

Good to know! I guess there is not need to bring it up if they don't ask

[Sunya and Tim 55]

Good to know! I guess there is not need to bring it up if they don't ask

Nich-Nick is correct. Tim also asked and they told him they could not see anything regarding the I-129F. He was asked because he was traveling here so much. He said he was visiting his fiancé and mentioned the K-1 process. From then on they asked how it was moving along.

Use your best judgement. We have found that honesty was the easiest way to handle everything with this process.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My husband visited a lot. He always said he was on holiday. Once they said "you come here a lot", and he said "yes, I like it here and always have a good time."

I had a long conversation with CBP on the phone once at the 1-800 info line. The guy was very candid and chatty...like 20 minutes of just gabbing. He said if somebody comes through the line that looks like a creepy bum who doesn't look like he could buy a cup of coffee, much less fund a holiday, they will more likely ask questions. If they have no job, funds with them, or a credit card...even more suspicious. So take that into account when wondering why some get through easily and others may be questioned. My husband was a proper looking/speaking gray haired gentleman who worked for the police, so didn't look suspicious enough to question other than "Where do you work?" once.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

Hi Everyone! My name is Sarah and I am the petitioner from NY and my fiance, Michael is from England. I sent my I-129F packet to lockbox yesterday and got a shipping confirmation that it was received first thing this morning!

I was hoping to get some insight from others who are currently going through this process on the timing of everything... just about every website I have looked at has said that the timing of this process is highly dependent on your situation, but some of the numbers I have seen scare me (ex. 5 months between NOA1 and NOA2!) I have seen some timelines on here though that seem to show that the process can actually go much faster which gives me some hope...

I am going into this with an "expecting the worst but hoping for the best" approach, but I was hoping that some of you who have also started this process recently could share some of your experiences with the timing of each step, or tips on how to be ready for the next step before it happens. Thank you so much!

Welcome! I also have a fiance named Michael from England aha.

As mentioned before, your petition will most likely be routed to the California Service Center so other I-129Fs have been. I have heard reports of "slow down" from petitioners recently, and looking at timelines it seems like most people are within a 30-60 day range. Back in earlier 2015 they were churning out acceptances in under a month is some cases, which I have not seen as much as now.

Still, much quicker than the estimated time you are given of 5-6 months. Our total time from mailing the packet to getting the visa in the mail was almost exactly 5 months (late October-late February) and that was WITH some heel dragging. We made our estimates based on the 5-6 month NOA1-NOA2 time, and because of that ended up having to put off having the medical so it wouldn't expire before he was able to get here (6 months). He also had to cancel a trip to see me on my birthday he had planned as he had his visa and couldn't "activate" it early since he had to get back to England to finish the school year.

[JFH 12,190]

CBP at POE can be hit or miss. I have visited over 40 times and 10 since we got married. Never had a problem until last week. I am convinced it was down to the officer having a bad day and nothing to do with my appearance, behaviour or anything within my control. Just like any job, they have good days and bad days. They have good employees and bad employees like any other workplace. I am planning to go again in June but last week's experience put me off for a bit. But now I'm going back to my original plan and thinking I will go and hope I get someone who is having a better day.

We even got married during a VWP visit and there was not even an eyebrow raised at POE on that occasion.

[chipmunk92 11]

Welcome! I also have a fiance named Michael from England aha.

As mentioned before, your petition will most likely be routed to the California Service Center so other I-129Fs have been. I have heard reports of "slow down" from petitioners recently, and looking at timelines it seems like most people are within a 30-60 day range. Back in earlier 2015 they were churning out acceptances in under a month is some cases, which I have not seen as much as now.

Still, much quicker than the estimated time you are given of 5-6 months. Our total time from mailing the packet to getting the visa in the mail was almost exactly 5 months (late October-late February) and that was WITH some heel dragging. We made our estimates based on the 5-6 month NOA1-NOA2 time, and because of that ended up having to put off having the medical so it wouldn't expire before he was able to get here (6 months). He also had to cancel a trip to see me on my birthday he had planned as he had his visa and couldn't "activate" it early since he had to get back to England to finish the school year.

Thank you so much for sharing! That must have been so disappointing to have had to cancel Michael's trip for your birthday. I think the hardest part with all of this is not knowing and not being able to plan things like that.

It is definitely reassuring to hear that many people have been having a much faster experience than what I have been told. We spoke to an immigration lawyer before we sent our application just to make sure we were not missing anything and when we asked him how long the entire process could take he was reluctant to give us an estimate but ended up saying "probably 6 moths but could be a year..." My heart sank when he said that but looking at people's timelines it seems like that isn't the case for many people which gives me hope!

Anyway... congratulations on getting your visa and never having to spend another birthday without Michael again

[chipmunk92 11]

Nich-Nick is correct. Tim also asked and they told him they could not see anything regarding the I-129F. He was asked because he was traveling here so much. He said he was visiting his fiancé and mentioned the K-1 process. From then on they asked how it was moving along.

Use your best judgement. We have found that honesty was the easiest way to handle everything with this process.

Okay, good to know! I guess my fiancé will just see what happens when gets there and will be prepared to show any paperwork they might ask for

[Tricked 33]

Medical done, now killing time at Heathrow till the return flight.

17 hour day, 4am start

[simonschus 58]

Medical done, now killing time at Heathrow till the return flight.

17 hour day, 4am start

4am start... but you're getting closer :) Congratulations and onto the next milestone!!!

Edited April 15, 2016 by simonschus

[chipmunk92 11]

Hi everyone, I have just realized that my finance's passport photo is slightly smaller than mine was in our I-129F packet (I guess the UK standard size is slightly smaller than the US?) Did anyone else do this/ did anyone receive and RFE for doing so?

[yuna628 9,676]

They are supposed to be US size photos at 2x2 for the I-129F. Hard to say if there will be an RFE, it's possible but I doubt it honestly. Personally, the ones we sent in had to be hand cut and my fiancé cut them all lopsided... the USCIS did not complain. I would not worry about this too much, and it's an easy fix if an RFE happened anyway.

[AMZJ 61]

It took 95 days, but I finally got my NOA2 I am really really happy that I am onto the next bit now. I know I have to wait for NVC before I can get my medical. But hopefully I should be able to do that in May. I've got everything ready for the next bit including the interview so I'm good to go. I'm currently in the process of getting my daughter ready for enrolling at school. I have a few bits of medical paperwork I need to do here in the UK.

[Laurajc1984 8]

It took 95 days, but I finally got my NOA2 I am really really happy that I am onto the next bit now. I know I have to wait for NVC before I can get my medical. But hopefully I should be able to do that in May. I've got everything ready for the next bit including the interview so I'm good to go. I'm currently in the process of getting my daughter ready for enrolling at school. I have a few bits of medical paperwork I need to do here in the UK.

Woo hooo!!!! Great news!

[Tricked 33]

Waiting for CEAC to update post Medical

I keep telling myself, I made it through USCIS, so I can make it through this... But now being able to check for people 'touching' my case, is not helping...