I-129F petition delayed by 3 extra months :( please help!

[tealeaf 0]

I sent my petition in Sep 2014. About 7 months after they received it I get a letter that I am missing the letter of intent to marry. I did have a letter of intent but I guess it wasn't what the government was looking for and I know what I did wrong. I just simply followed the vague instructions without looking to find more information elsewhere. I already sent the letter of intent and I know for sure it is correct this time as I consulted with people from this forum this time. Thank you for the help visajourney!

What really frustrates me is that it took them 7 months to realise I was missing a document. These people received my petition and didn't even open it to make sure I have everything in it. They could have easily just reviewed my documents and told me about the missing document way back in September or October. What's even more frustrating is that after I sent them the letter they told me that I have to wait extra 60 days. So they further delayed to process my petition. It really seems to me that these guys really do not care about people who want to marry a person from a different country. I believe it's in their best interest to not issue any visas and they make the process as complex and as slow as possible. Maybe they are hoping that all the wait will make the foreign fiance decide not to marry the US citizen after all.

Well, I'm in a similar situation. My fiance has been so frustrated of this whole process that she is even considering leaving me because it takes too long and we don't even know for sure if the petition will get approved or if she will pass the interview. That makes me really frustrated as well because I really love her and I don't wanna lose her because the US gov just doesn't care.

I should get an answer within the next 6 weeks, but that will be already 3 months past the 6-7 month period that it usually takes. I don't want to be unprepared again for the next step of the procedure. So I want to ask you guys, what can I do to prepare for the step after the petition approval? Are there any documents I can start gathering or forms I can start filling right now so I am ready for the next step as soon as I get the approval. Also what is actually the next step of the process? I know the interview is the last step but there are things I need to do before that.

[Marco&Bettina 502]

I sent my petition in Sep 2014. About 7 months after they received it I get a letter that I am missing the letter of intent to marry. I did have a letter of intent but I guess it wasn't what the government was looking for and I know what I did wrong. I just simply followed the vague instructions without looking to find more information elsewhere. I already sent the letter of intent and I know for sure it is correct this time as I consulted with people from this forum this time. Thank you for the help visajourney!

What really frustrates me is that it took them 7 months to realise I was missing a document. These people received my petition and didn't even open it to make sure I have everything in it. (It's not their job to ensure you have everything you're supposed to.) They could have easily just reviewed my documents and told me about the missing document way back in September or October. What's even more frustrating is that after I sent them the letter they told me that I have to wait extra 60 days. So they further delayed to process my petition. It really seems to me that these guys really do not care about people who want to marry a person from a different country. (They don't care. And they don't have to.) I believe it's in their best interest to not issue any visas and they make the process as complex and as slow as possible. Maybe they are hoping that all the wait will make the foreign fiance decide not to marry the US citizen after all.

Well, I'm in a similar situation. My fiance has been so frustrated of this whole process that she is even considering leaving me because it takes too long and we don't even know for sure if the petition will get approved or if she will pass the interview. (Then you should not marry your fiancee. She is obviously the wrong person if the consideration you mention she's making is true.) That makes me really frustrated as well because I really love her and I don't wanna lose her because the US gov just doesn't care.

I should get an answer within the next 6 weeks, but that will be already 3 months past the 6-7 month period that it usually takes. I don't want to be unprepared again for the next step of the procedure. So I want to ask you guys, what can I do to prepare for the step after the petition approval? Are there any documents I can start gathering or forms I can start filling right now so I am ready for the next step as soon as I get the approval. Also what is actually the next step of the process? I know the interview is the last step but there are things I need to do before that. (http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide section entitled "what to send your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved")

[Boiler 45,488]

You can read the guides.

But you misunderstood the process, the 7 months wait was for them to review the documents, there is no we will instert a 7 month delay in there.

Once they are reviewed and OK you go to the next step.

[Pennycat 880]

I sent my petition in Sep 2014. About 7 months after they received it I get a letter that I am missing the letter of intent to marry. I did have a letter of intent but I guess it wasn't what the government was looking for and I know what I did wrong. I just simply followed the vague instructions without looking to find more information elsewhere. I already sent the letter of intent and I know for sure it is correct this time as I consulted with people from this forum this time. Thank you for the help visajourney!

What really frustrates me is that it took them 7 months to realise I was missing a document. These people received my petition and didn't even open it to make sure I have everything in it. They could have easily just reviewed my documents and told me about the missing document way back in September or October. What's even more frustrating is that after I sent them the letter they told me that I have to wait extra 60 days. So they further delayed to process my petition. It really seems to me that these guys really do not care about people who want to marry a person from a different country. I believe it's in their best interest to not issue any visas and they make the process as complex and as slow as possible. Maybe they are hoping that all the wait will make the foreign fiance decide not to marry the US citizen after all.

Well, I'm in a similar situation. My fiance has been so frustrated of this whole process that she is even considering leaving me because it takes too long and we don't even know for sure if the petition will get approved or if she will pass the interview. That makes me really frustrated as well because I really love her and I don't wanna lose her because the US gov just doesn't care.

I should get an answer within the next 6 weeks, but that will be already 3 months past the 6-7 month period that it usually takes. I don't want to be unprepared again for the next step of the procedure. So I want to ask you guys, what can I do to prepare for the step after the petition approval? Are there any documents I can start gathering or forms I can start filling right now so I am ready for the next step as soon as I get the approval. Also what is actually the next step of the process? I know the interview is the last step but there are things I need to do before that.

RFEs are usually handled in about 2 weeks--you're nearly at the end.

In terms of how it took them 7 months to notice that you're missing a document? That's the process, and it stinks. When you send it it, they make sure that you paid and that you signed it. That's it. Then it goes into a line for someone to look at for 15-20 minutes. *That* is the person who would notice missing documents--it's the first time anyone actually looks at the file. Right now, the "line" (I'm assuming you're at Texas Service Center) is about 7.5 months long.

Either way, an RFE is a good thing. It means they're working on your case. They'll probably have you approved in a few weeks.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

1. Fill out your timeline.

2. Here is what comes next : http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide study the guide.

3. If your fiance is getting frustrated with waiting after only a few months then perhaps her motivation is in the wrong place.

We waited 5 years for each other. You need to ask yourself what kind of commitment does she show complaining and talking about

leaving you ? I would say good riddance and don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out.

Cheers !

[TBoneTX 45,288]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the K-1 Case Progress subforum. ***

[StephanieC 43]

People say a lot of things when they are frustrated or angry and even more when they are married. Don't be quick to pass judgement on whether or not their relationship is passing the bar for you.

OP, chill out; you're almost there.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

People say a lot of things when they are frustrated or angry and even more when they are married. Don't be quick to pass judgement on whether or not their relationship is passing the bar for you.

OP, chill out; you're almost there.

Threatening to leave the relationship because the visa process is not going fast enough has nothing to do with passing MY bar, it is plain bizarre !

It is not ok to spew this just because she is frustrated and mad like a spoiled child, needs to be supportive instead.

That's my opinion. Period. Crying, tears yes.... but threatening to leave ? Seriously ?

[Wooderz 314]

Did your fiancé also send a letter of intent? They need one from both of you.

[Marco&Bettina 502]

Threatening to leave the relationship because the visa process is not going fast enough has nothing to do with passing MY bar, it is plain bizarre !

It is not ok to spew this just because she is frustrated and mad like a spoiled child, needs to be supportive instead.

That's my opinion. Period. Crying, tears yes.... but threatening to leave ? Seriously ?

I completely agree with your statement. To me, such a response by the beneficiary is plain ludicrous.

[Gera & Rocio 22]

I completely agree with your statement. To me, such a response by the beneficiary is plain ludicrous.

+2 ^

Edited May 15, 2015 by Gera & Rocio

[muhkoo 12]

Did your fiancé also send a letter of intent? They need one from both of you.

This. If you didn't send two seperate letters of intent, one signed by you and the other by your fiance, then prepare for another RFE.

[yuna628 9,676]

I sent my petition in Sep 2014. About 7 months after they received it I get a letter that I am missing the letter of intent to marry. I did have a letter of intent but I guess it wasn't what the government was looking for and I know what I did wrong. I just simply followed the vague instructions without looking to find more information elsewhere. I already sent the letter of intent and I know for sure it is correct this time as I consulted with people from this forum this time. Thank you for the help visajourney!

What really frustrates me is that it took them 7 months to realise I was missing a document. These people received my petition and didn't even open it to make sure I have everything in it. They could have easily just reviewed my documents and told me about the missing document way back in September or October. What's even more frustrating is that after I sent them the letter they told me that I have to wait extra 60 days. So they further delayed to process my petition. It really seems to me that these guys really do not care about people who want to marry a person from a different country. I believe it's in their best interest to not issue any visas and they make the process as complex and as slow as possible. Maybe they are hoping that all the wait will make the foreign fiance decide not to marry the US citizen after all.

Well, I'm in a similar situation. My fiance has been so frustrated of this whole process that she is even considering leaving me because it takes too long and we don't even know for sure if the petition will get approved or if she will pass the interview. That makes me really frustrated as well because I really love her and I don't wanna lose her because the US gov just doesn't care.

I should get an answer within the next 6 weeks, but that will be already 3 months past the 6-7 month period that it usually takes. I don't want to be unprepared again for the next step of the procedure. So I want to ask you guys, what can I do to prepare for the step after the petition approval? Are there any documents I can start gathering or forms I can start filling right now so I am ready for the next step as soon as I get the approval. Also what is actually the next step of the process? I know the interview is the last step but there are things I need to do before that.

It's hard to determine what your RFE was about exactly. A lot of people say they send a single letter of intent. But sometimes, what they should of sent was a letter of intent from both the American and the foreign fiancé. Sometimes they send both letters, but they are not a wet ink signature. Sometimes, the document(s) are lost in the sorting process. It's not always your fault, but it's not always their fault either.

The truth is, your petition I assume went to Texas Service Center, where most of us sat stuck, or continue to be stuck in limbo because of ''backlog''. You have to realize that the US government does not care about the person sending the documents in. We are just a case number in a file. And even though it hurts very much we can't take it personally. The system is complex and needs serious reforms, yes but it is not that they don't want you to come here. They would just like you to get in the line and not rock the boat too much about it. There are many other governments that make immigration extremely difficult to almost impossible. They'd rather their own citizens leave than let an immigrant in. The US isn't like that but, the officer holding your case file has a ton of files to go through, and they can't favour one over another. It's harsh but they do not care. They don't live in the bubble we do. They are merely doing a job. The process though rather annoying, isn't too difficult, it just takes a long time and additional hurdles because of backlog has increased hardships.

You have to make that clear to your fiancé. It's not your fault that it's taken a long time, and that it's nothing to do with not wanting you to be here. Being apart can cause strain on relationships, but if you love one another then you'll have to find a way to make it work. Getting an RFE means your case is extremely close to being completed, and what they requested was not even complex. Your fiancé will have the rest of the process to complete, and that will take a few more months - you should get her to understand that too. Communication is key, even when there is frustration. It's a frustrating process, but there is nothing you can do to change that.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

I agree with those people who say you need to check your fiances intentions. If you're aware of it, at the interview they'll be aware of it.

When my fiance and I thought we found something that might get us denied, our reaction wasn't "GOD THIS IS TO HARD". No we had a good cry and then we said, well if it happens then we try again when we can, even if it's a year or two from now, we will be together, we have to be patient to have the reward.

We've been together a couple of years already, we'd wait more years if we had too. If we get RFE's, we take a deep breath and we fix it together.

Granted everything worked out, but neither of our reactions were to just throw in the towel. This is a hard process.


Make sure your fiance is involved in the process, make sure she knows how it works. Sit down and have a conversation about the steps taken, how long the average time takes, what happens if you get an RFE. Her reactions could be a great signal for future reactions to things that don't work out well.

Edited May 15, 2015 by ash1101

[tealeaf 0]

Thanks for the replies. She is more calm now. She just got really frustrated when she heard she needs to wait extra 60 days. She just really wants to come to live with me asap. I am more patient than her, but I really hate the wait as well.