February 2015 filers - Texas Service Center

[Pennycat 880]

Oh, I understand, you mean the more times the foreign national visits the U.S., the more checks are needed, well by my logic that would prove a genuine relationship more than a fiancée who has never visited or only once. But like you say, that may involve more checks. Who knows really, I'm feeling really low now that I've gone past 6 months and heard nothing. I suppose I can at least say I've been with my Fiancée for the last 3 months, only got back last week, probably why I'm feeling low.

Yeah...or sort of. I don't think that his inability to get a B2 makes us any less legit. He'd have visited several times over, and have spent months here waiting on this visa if it was in any way possible.

But, they don't tend to give B2s to people in serious relationships with US citizens for the suspicion that they'll just marry and stay, bypassing the whole system. If he had gotten the B2, the plan was to come over for Christmas (last year), see what he thought about life in the US (and winter lol), then proceed with the K1, using most or all of the 6 months to wait for it here together.

Instead, I've just been back there 3 (and soon 4) times in that same span of time, the last time with half my family and a handful of friends in tow for an engagement party. While literally no one in an international relationship waiting on USCIS is in an ideal situation, folks from non VWP countries have a different set of logistic issues to contend with. It's not fun at all.

The irony of course is that it "looks" less real because he's never been here. But the reason he hasn't been here is because they think we're at risk of marrying.... Plus, I've heard other folks petitioning for fiances from less developed countries (which is all non VWP countries ) say that their fiancé who HAS been here on a B2 or student or au pair visa...they get accused of using the US citizen for marriage because they know what it's like and want to stay. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, if you're not in the top 10% (or less if ypu count population ) of privileged citizenship, I suppose.

I simply mean that if the answer to question 15 ("has your fiancé ever been in the US) is "yes", then maybe they have to ask Customs and Border Protection for a report of your comings and goings. CPB probably doesn't do this overnight. If the answer is "no", they can move along. You and I could be in the same pile on thr same desk, already looked at, and our 5 busniess day difference is just them waiting for CBP for you and not me. Seeing as how it will take my employer (the US government ) 5 business days to get me a letter verifying that I'm employed by them. ...this is not outside the realm of my imagination.

Of course there are examples that go directly against this, TaBeck being one. Again, just a thought.

All that said, I know the pain of airport goodbyes very well and the utter frustration that comes with this process. I'm sorry you're at a low point now. I was there recently, too (just look back a few pages and you'll see). Just know that there IS an end to this. It kills me that we're all in a position of worrying over weeks. If the CSC thing hadn't gotten so pronounced, I think most of us could accept a two or three week margin of error within a service center. As it is, it's like we're fighting for scraps of what is rightfully ours to begin with

Edited August 20, 2015 by CatherineA

[redstripe54 42]

Hi again CatherineA, it was great reading what you just said, sorry I wasn't thinking that people who hadn't visited were any less legit, I might have put that wrong, but I didn't realise it was hard for people from countries that are not non VWP, to get a visa, I think you mentioned B2. I'm learning all the time and yes that can be very hard if the fiancée can't visit the U.S.

So yes it's hard for ANY couple in a international relationship, it's like a game of snakes and ladders! I'm just hoping I will get approved soon, then we can be one step closer to being together, thanks for your support. ?

BTW, when you reckon I can make an enquiry on my case?

[dmaven 7]

No, I should have clarified. I mean if the foreign national *has* been to the US, perhaps that is an additional check that needs to be done. Like getting records from CBP. Maybe that takes time. My fiancé has never been to the US. Was unable to get a tourist visa. But no entries/exits to check.

In terms of proof of relationship being real....that's for the embassy. USCIS you just need to describe how you've seen each other at least once in the past 2 years. All additional evidence provided is "just in case" and to front load for the embassy stage.

Again, ZERO clue if this is right or not. Just clearing up my idea.

The lawyer who helped me prepare our application asked us to submit evidence of my fiance's I94s (US arrival records) from CBP, though this was not mentioned in any instructions from USCIS. They probably wanna see that if you've traveled to the US before that you have a good record, no overstays, etc. So, it's a good theory, because if you don't submit them USCIS would have to type your passport number into the CBP website (anyone can do this) to view your arrival records.

[Pennycat 880]

Hi again CatherineA, it was great reading what you just said, sorry I wasn't thinking that people who hadn't visited were any less legit, I might have put that wrong, but I didn't realise it was hard for people from countries that are not non VWP, to get a visa, I think you mentioned B2. I'm learning all the time and yes that can be very hard if the fiancée can't visit the U.S.

So yes it's hard for ANY couple in a international relationship, it's like a game of snakes and ladders! I'm just hoping I will get approved soon, then we can be one step closer to being together, thanks for your support. ?

BTW, when you reckon I can make an enquiry on my case?

No worries, I knew it wasn't personal just probably didn't know. But yes. There are 38 countries whose citizens can travel (to visit for tourism of business) visa-free to the US. They are, for the vast majority, wealthy industrialized nations 30 of them are European). Everyone else needs a tourist visa (B2) to visit. You pay $160, travel to the embassy for an interview (for my fiance this is a 4 hour drive over difficult mountain roads so it's actually an overnight trip) to have an "interview" at basically a DMV counter for 2 or 3 minutes during which you need to prove the negative that you do not intend to move to the US.

You do this by owning homes, businesses, having strong ties (like a wife and kids) etc. My fiance doesn't have any of that. Heck, *I* don't have any of that *here*. Some people can prove that they'll return because of a "serious" job....my fiance was working for his step-father's business (aka, easy to abandon). And having a US girlfriend is a point in the *other* column. That you have reason to stay. In some countries they have an 80% denial rate. You don't get your money back if they deny you. There's no way to "sponsor" someone for a visitor's visa. Nothing. So we had to make a pretty difficult choice-- I didn't like being in the position of basically insisting that he move to a country he's never even seen, but I was also not willing to move there at this point in my life (it is a definite possibility in the future though). It's a really tough spot.

He's totally game for this. Starting to get a bit nervous, but I'd be worried if he wasn't. We both have pretty adventurous spirits (which is basically how we got together in the first place) and he's easygoing and should be pretty adaptable. But I don't know. He doesn't know. For all I know he *hates* it here and wants to move home in 6 months. I'd have liked to have had to opportunity to find out before getting married. I'd also liked to have spent more than 12 consecutive days together at any point in our relationship. But that's not how it is for us, and many many others. At least for us, Costa Rica is a 4.5 hour flight and I can usually get tickets for under $500 and I can pretty much go at-will. The only limitation is time off work, and even then I work in an office that has a comparatively generous vacation day policy (for the US....anything more than 10 days per year is considered generous).

As for the inquiry---you just need to find someone who is willing to do an inquiry because you've hit the 6 month mark, rather than go by the "official processing times" posted on their site. Those cutoff dates are published with 6 weeks lag time and I think they're made up anyway. Call around to your congressman's and/or senator's offices (their local offices, not DC) and see what they say. Most people will tell you that they can't help you until your outside normal processing time (because that's what USCIS tells them when they call), but some folks seem to have gotten through based on passing 6 months. You can call USCIS at any time, just expect to be given the standard line. However, again, some people wind up actually getting real information out of that call. Never hurts to try.

[AirConditioner515 15]

My congressman's office got back to me yesterday and said they spoke with TSC. Told me the app is with an officer and that "it should hopefully be completed in 2-3 weeks."

Does this mean: A) It'll be completed in 2-3 weeks. B) Very aggressive estimate and more like a couple of months. C) Very conservative estimate and more like within a week?

Have no idea what to think.

Edited August 20, 2015 by AirConditioner515

[desi123 21]

My senators response last week was TSC replied that'my case is pending review with an officer'

No idea what that means and how long they will review a less complicated case like ours. I'll wait another week and contact my senator again if we don't see an approval sooner. This is madness.

[AirConditioner515 15]

My senators response last week was TSC replied that'my case is pending review with an officer'

No idea what that means and how long they will review a less complicated case like ours. I'll wait another week and contact my senator again if we don't see an approval sooner. This is madness.

I think because we're right around the corner, we're going even more nuts now.

This is like the "moment of truth". If favorable, we'll be approved in the coming week. If not favorable and unlucky, another couple of months.

This is the trend that's been happening for TSC. You still have some Nov people waiting for their NOA2 while March people are already getting their NOA2. That's the part that drives someone insane.

[redstripe54 42]

No the really insane bit is the Californian filers who are getting 14-21 day approvals, just saying.....good luck to them they are so lucky, we are not!

[redstripe54 42]

It seems to have gone quiet on this Texas thread, anybody out there getting approved?

[ch3john 308]

It seems to have gone quiet on this Texas thread, anybody out there getting approved?

TSC had a very slow day yesterday. Let's hope they were a little more energetic today.

[estoyconestupido 4]

TSC had a very slow day yesterday. Let's hope they were a little more energetic today.

Its not that they had a slow day looks like they worked on a good amount of cases, they just had to send out alot of RFE.

[desi123 21]

I'll send a whole box of 5 hour energy drink ?

[dza 46]

now i am feeling what Jan fillers felt, when Feb filler having their approvals while Jan are still waiting, how this whole process so unfair and like a lottery , my God i am so tired, i had such a very difficult week for me, i am in so much pain, sometimes i cant deal with it

[estoyconestupido 4]

now i am feeling what Jan fillers felt, when Feb filler having their approvals while Jan are still waiting, how this whole process so unfair and like a lottery , my God i am so tired, i had such a very difficult week for me, i am in so much pain, sometimes i cant deal with it

Just this morning my Fiance and I got into a terrible fight, we both said some horrible things to each other. This process has created monsters out of us. Contact your senators and see if there is anything they can do. I did contact my senators 2 weeks ago, I have no idea of it did something but who knows.

Don't loose hope and don't loose your mind. I really hope you all get your notice soon.

[dza 46]

Just this morning my Fiance and I got into a terrible fight, we both said some horrible things to each other. This process has created monsters out of us. Contact your senators and see if there is anything they can do. I did contact my senators 2 weeks ago, I have no idea of it did something but who knows.

Don't loose hope and don't loose your mind. I really hope you all get your notice soon.

since yesterday we are not well, i would say me, i am losing my mind, i am so hurt, knowing i am the only person cant be with him and others can, its killing me, and i have nooooo idea when is my time, today is my 176 days, we hired a lawyer, i have no idea why she says she will make inquiry only after 185 days, so this is why my fiancee sees it will not work with senator as long as we have an attorney, i pray for all of us truly to get through this nightmare and be with our soulmates