FINALLY...NOA2 after 55(!!!) days post-RFE. Have hope!!!:)

[bublik 26]

Just wanted to share and give hope to those in similar situation...

I just got NOA2 on day 55 after CSC received my RFE. I lost all hope, was thinking all the bad thoughts, preparing mentally to the denial.

Just like that... NO reasons whatsoever, no criminal history, no funny business, no problems. All long waits like this usually resulted in denial (from my research on the subject), and the long review process was usually due to some complicated circumstances...

My RFE was to prove that the site we met was not IMB- and I did everything recommended here, wrote a detailed letter, attached printouts from the site, our communication- everything others did who got approved within 1-2 weeks after RFE. I have been in a state of 'every day now' for 7 weeks, and it is exhausting!!!

So, sometimes things are just like that- unpredictable. I imagine my adjudicator has some system going on when the RFE responses go to the end of a pile, and he has a backlog of cases, and then went on vacation... and there you go, 8 weeks of waiting for me...

I was watching cases in CSC get approved that were submitted 2 months after us, I watched RFEs getting approved within a week for the same IMB reason. I lost all the hope...

and look, 4 days before the 'due date' they generously give themselves to reply (60 days), I got it.

Bottom line, and this is the result of me reading on the topic extensively: if you have all docs, met all criteria, didn't lie about criminal history- YOU WILL GET APPROVED. At this step it is rather simple.

Main reasons for denials (from reading up on USCIS site- all public records):

1) not having met within 2 years PRIOR to filing or not being able to prove they did even after RFE or during appeal process

2) not being legally able to marry AT THE MOMENT OF FILING. Yes, I have seen cases when people got their divorces finalized after I-129F was submitted.

3) having criminal history or lying about it- they do run background checks, fingerprint checks, Dept of Justice database, interpol- so even when people have criminal history from years before and from different countries, NEVER LIE ABOUT CRIMINAL HISTORY. There are a bunch of waivers in place, they give you chances to submit (RFE) even if you missed something. But lying is the only thing that results in automatic denial with no appeals possible.

I also connected via private messages with few members of VJ in a similar situation- very helpful! It was a lot easier to wait together and support each other through this stressful process. One person even had to visit a hospital with high blood pressure... This process takes a huge toll. The worst is the uncertainty and not being able to find any information. Even Tier 2 officers, while being helpful in explaining the details of the process, do not have much more info about a particular case.

Another lesson learned- DO NOT put much weight into timelines of other members here. Every case is unique, every adjudicator has his own way of processing petitions. I see here people start freaking out very early in the process because 'petitions before mine get approved...'.

Look at me- in CSC, simple RFE- and it took me almost 4 months to get my NOA2! We fell into the same trap, 'expecting' to be approved quickly and planning on reuniting in the US in April. Big mistake, lots of failed hopes and unnecessary disappointments.

So, the advice you hear here from more mature members that have seen it all- expect 5 months- is a very wise thing to do. Do not measure yourself by the quickest timelines. I think the quickest I have seen in CSC is 9 days between NOAs.

Good luck everyone! This process is not for the weak, and it will test your relationship in the ways that you will be grateful at the end for all the delays. If the relationship is real and strong, you will only get a chance to test your partner in a highly stressful situation, and this is not a bad thing before committing to a life together.

[gtessier 17]

Thanks for this post. It gives me some hope - sort of....

I also got an RFE for the same exact thing. Well known dating site with literally hundereds of prior approvals and got RFE to prove it is not an IMB.

There were several like mine in the March 2015 filers post. I was the first to get the RFE fo rthis and it seems I am the last to move to the NOA2 status. Others got the same dating site/IMB RFE and some even from the same dating site. It seems that a few have been approved (from posts and looking at timelines) withing 7-10 days of recieving the needed documents, but ours is still not yet approved and it is almost 30 days now.

Like you, I have the "any day now" stress and we were hoping she could be here for our 3rd anniversary on July 4th. With a 7-10 delay it would have been doable. But now its looking bleak. There are some March 2015 posters with I-129F submitted about the same time as our and have already had their interviews in Manila. Very frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch...

[TBoneTX 45,267]

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

[Pennycat 880]

Just wanted to share and give hope to those in similar situation...

I just got NOA2 on day 55 after CSC received my RFE. I lost all hope, was thinking all the bad thoughts, preparing mentally to the denial.

Just like that... NO reasons whatsoever, no criminal history, no funny business, no problems. All long waits like this usually resulted in denial (from my research on the subject), and the long review process was usually due to some complicated circumstances...

My RFE was to prove that the site we met was not IMB- and I did everything recommended here, wrote a detailed letter, attached printouts from the site, our communication- everything others did who got approved within 1-2 weeks after RFE. I have been in a state of 'every day now' for 7 weeks, and it is exhausting!!!

So, sometimes things are just like that- unpredictable. I imagine my adjudicator has some system going on when the RFE responses go to the end of a pile, and he has a backlog of cases, and then went on vacation... and there you go, 8 weeks of waiting for me...

I was watching cases in CSC get approved that were submitted 2 months after us, I watched RFEs getting approved within a week for the same IMB reason. I lost all the hope...

and look, 4 days before the 'due date' they generously give themselves to reply (60 days), I got it.

Bottom line, and this is the result of me reading on the topic extensively: if you have all docs, met all criteria, didn't lie about criminal history- YOU WILL GET APPROVED. At this step it is rather simple.

Main reasons for denials (from reading up on USCIS site- all public records):

1) not having met within 2 years PRIOR to filing or not being able to prove they did even after RFE or during appeal process

2) not being legally able to marry AT THE MOMENT OF FILING. Yes, I have seen cases when people got their divorces finalized after I-129F was submitted.

3) having criminal history or lying about it- they do run background checks, fingerprint checks, Dept of Justice database, interpol- so even when people have criminal history from years before and from different countries, NEVER LIE ABOUT CRIMINAL HISTORY. There are a bunch of waivers in place, they give you chances to submit (RFE) even if you missed something. But lying is the only thing that results in automatic denial with no appeals possible.

I also connected via private messages with few members of VJ in a similar situation- very helpful! It was a lot easier to wait together and support each other through this stressful process. One person even had to visit a hospital with high blood pressure... This process takes a huge toll. The worst is the uncertainty and not being able to find any information. Even Tier 2 officers, while being helpful in explaining the details of the process, do not have much more info about a particular case.

Another lesson learned- DO NOT put much weight into timelines of other members here. Every case is unique, every adjudicator has his own way of processing petitions. I see here people start freaking out very early in the process because 'petitions before mine get approved...'.

Look at me- in CSC, simple RFE- and it took me almost 4 months to get my NOA2! We fell into the same trap, 'expecting' to be approved quickly and planning on reuniting in the US in April. Big mistake, lots of failed hopes and unnecessary disappointments.

So, the advice you hear here from more mature members that have seen it all- expect 5 months- is a very wise thing to do. Do not measure yourself by the quickest timelines. I think the quickest I have seen in CSC is 9 days between NOAs.

Good luck everyone! This process is not for the weak, and it will test your relationship in the ways that you will be grateful at the end for all the delays. If the relationship is real and strong, you will only get a chance to test your partner in a highly stressful situation, and this is not a bad thing before committing to a life together.

The advice is to expect 10 months and be happy with 5. It looks like you'll get through in 3.5 or 4. The quickest CSC turnaround has been 4 days. Texas Service Center is *averaging* 218 days just for NOA2 (see here: CSC is averaging 31, so 55 isn't really all too far off when you factor in the RFE http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1historical).There are still September 2014 folks waiting for NOA2, and nothing after November 2014 has been touched yet. I'd be counting my blessings, all 55 of them, in your shoes.

[bublik 26]

Of course, how can anything go by without a bitter post from TCS sufferer...

I wasn't approved in 55 days.

It was 110 days from NOA1.

And comparing TSC and CSC makes no logical sense to those who are waiting. In both directions.

[bublik 26]

Thanks for this post. It gives me some hope - sort of....

I also got an RFE for the same exact thing. Well known dating site with literally hundereds of prior approvals and got RFE to prove it is not an IMB.

There were several like mine in the March 2015 filers post. I was the first to get the RFE fo rthis and it seems I am the last to move to the NOA2 status. Others got the same dating site/IMB RFE and some even from the same dating site. It seems that a few have been approved (from posts and looking at timelines) withing 7-10 days of recieving the needed documents, but ours is still not yet approved and it is almost 30 days now.

Like you, I have the "any day now" stress and we were hoping she could be here for our 3rd anniversary on July 4th. With a 7-10 delay it would have been doable. But now its looking bleak. There are some March 2015 posters with I-129F submitted about the same time as our and have already had their interviews in Manila. Very frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch...

And this is exactly the point of my post. I was in your shoes just yesterday, closing on 60 days with no hope. And one of the VJ members told me something similar and shared their situation just a day before. And yesterday- bam! NOA2!!

That member also said: if I knew, I wouldn't stress myself so much and relax more.

So, here goes- do not stress yourself, it will come. Relax:). You have nothing to worry about. I was you just yesterday:)

[gtessier 17]

Of course, how can anything go by without a bitter post from TCS sufferer...

I wasn't approved in 55 days.

It was 110 days from NOA1.

And comparing TSC and CSC makes no logical sense to those who are waiting. In both directions.

Could not have said it better myself. Completely different circumstances. TSC and CSC not the same and this is an RFE delay rather than a TSC "black hole" situation.

Trolling posts to vent about TSC issues serves no one any benefit.

Apples v. Oranges

I was you just yesterday:)

And hopefully tomorrow I am you.

[Shauneg 762]

Congrats. Each case faces their own challenges, whether logistical, personal, professional, expedites, MENAs, and yes....which service center they get assigned to. Don't let anyone derail your journey, excitement, or story.

[Shauneg 762]

The advice is to expect 10 months and be happy with 5. It looks like you'll get through in 3.5 or 4. The quickest CSC turnaround has been 4 days. Texas Service Center is *averaging* 218 days just for NOA2 (see here: CSC is averaging 31, so 55 isn't really all too far off when you factor in the RFE http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1historical).There are still September 2014 folks waiting for NOA2, and nothing after November 2014 has been touched yet. I'd be counting my blessings, all 55 of them, in your shoes.

I think the discouraging thing was waiting 55 days after replying to the RFE, not whole journey. I'm sure they're more than aware of time differences between centers. 59 days after RFE is long no matter the center...

[bublik 26]

I think the discouraging thing was waiting 55 days after replying to the RFE, not whole journey. I'm sure they're more than aware of time differences between centers. 59 days after RFE is long no matter the center...

Exactly. People get so wrapped up in their anger against TSC, that whenever they see others daring to complain about anything below (200+ days wait), they don't even read the rest and feel compelled to share their misery.

I should have added that I haven't seen a wait of almost 60 days after RFE in ANY center, including TSC.

The total length of wait has no relevance.

And as much as I feel for TSC folks, those at CSC are not at fault. Form your own TSC support groups with people in similar situations and help each other.

One of the members I was emailing with is actually from TSC...

Oh, and being bitter will not help your journey or make it faster.

[Pennycat 880]

Of course, how can anything go by without a bitter post from TCS sufferer...

I wasn't approved in 55 days.

It was 110 days from NOA1.

And comparing TSC and CSC makes no logical sense to those who are waiting. In both directions.

Ah ok, I thought it was total including the RFE (wasn't clear to me). I'm not bitter (and I'd thank you to not take this to an attack on my personality, it's just ugly)-- I know full well this is no one at CSC's fault (although some people do stray into the insensitively clueless territory but I can just brush them aside these days), and I'm not angry. What I'd read included you repeating advice incorrectly, and yes I misunderstood your post about the 55 day RFE and that I've already apologized for.

I was correcting your repetition of the advice, stating the facts of the averages and the "records" because most people, and most especially CSC filers are completely clueless about it. And yes, I'd be totally cool with a 55 day total----and lookit that it sounds like you would be too! Oh, gee. You must be bitter, as well. Is that how that works? Or is that only if you're a TSC filer?

But yeah 2 months to reply to an RFE is really unusual--I wonder if your adjudicator went on leave or something? Did you contact the Ombudsman's office or your Congressman? One of the two of them should have been able to look into that on your behalf.

Edited May 19, 2015 by CatherineA

[Shauneg 762]

Ah ok, I thought it was total including the RFE (wasn't clear to me). I'm not bitter (and I'd thank you to not take this to an attack on my personality, it's just ugly).

I was correcting your repetition of the advice, stating the facts of the averages and the "records" because most people, and most especially CSC filers are completely clueless about it. And yes, I'd be totally cool with a 55 day total----and lookit that it sounds like you would be too! Oh, gee. You must be bitter, as well. Is that how that works? Or is that only if you're a TSC filer?

But yeah 2 months to reply to an RFE is really unusual--I wonder if your adjudicator went on leave or something? Did you contact the Ombudsman's office or your Congressman? One of the two of them should have been able to look into that on your behalf.

I've seen you on forums enough. You give good sound advice to people all the time. I know you're well intentioned.....

[Pennycat 880]

I've seen you on forums enough. You give good sound advice to people all the time. I know you're well intentioned.....

Thanks. I do try to help. And this person was misquoting oft-repeated advice and it's nice to clear that up (one of my biggest regrets in this whole process is not starting it much earlier because I did not have a grasp on what the actual wait times and expectations were).

And YES I misunderstood the 55 day thing. And instead of a kind correction, I get the RABID BITTER TSC FILER thing thrown at me. Ooook. Whatever you want to think. I'm prepared for this wait, have been for a good long time now. Just as long as we've immigrated in 2015, I'm cool. And hey, that means I'll have an even better excuse to spend some time this winter in the tropics (interview and all). But apparently you say anything about thinking shorter wait times are preferable and you get painted with the bitter brush.

[lala64 93]

Just wanted to share and give hope to those in similar situation...

I just got NOA2 on day 55 after CSC received my RFE. I lost all hope, was thinking all the bad thoughts, preparing mentally to the denial.

Just like that... NO reasons whatsoever, no criminal history, no funny business, no problems. All long waits like this usually resulted in denial (from my research on the subject), and the long review process was usually due to some complicated circumstances...

My RFE was to prove that the site we met was not IMB- and I did everything recommended here, wrote a detailed letter, attached printouts from the site, our communication- everything others did who got approved within 1-2 weeks after RFE. I have been in a state of 'every day now' for 7 weeks, and it is exhausting!!!

So, sometimes things are just like that- unpredictable. I imagine my adjudicator has some system going on when the RFE responses go to the end of a pile, and he has a backlog of cases, and then went on vacation... and there you go, 8 weeks of waiting for me...

I was watching cases in CSC get approved that were submitted 2 months after us, I watched RFEs getting approved within a week for the same IMB reason. I lost all the hope...

and look, 4 days before the 'due date' they generously give themselves to reply (60 days), I got it.

Bottom line, and this is the result of me reading on the topic extensively: if you have all docs, met all criteria, didn't lie about criminal history- YOU WILL GET APPROVED. At this step it is rather simple.

Main reasons for denials (from reading up on USCIS site- all public records):

1) not having met within 2 years PRIOR to filing or not being able to prove they did even after RFE or during appeal process

2) not being legally able to marry AT THE MOMENT OF FILING. Yes, I have seen cases when people got their divorces finalized after I-129F was submitted.

3) having criminal history or lying about it- they do run background checks, fingerprint checks, Dept of Justice database, interpol- so even when people have criminal history from years before and from different countries, NEVER LIE ABOUT CRIMINAL HISTORY. There are a bunch of waivers in place, they give you chances to submit (RFE) even if you missed something. But lying is the only thing that results in automatic denial with no appeals possible.

I also connected via private messages with few members of VJ in a similar situation- very helpful! It was a lot easier to wait together and support each other through this stressful process. One person even had to visit a hospital with high blood pressure... This process takes a huge toll. The worst is the uncertainty and not being able to find any information. Even Tier 2 officers, while being helpful in explaining the details of the process, do not have much more info about a particular case.

Another lesson learned- DO NOT put much weight into timelines of other members here. Every case is unique, every adjudicator has his own way of processing petitions. I see here people start freaking out very early in the process because 'petitions before mine get approved...'.

Look at me- in CSC, simple RFE- and it took me almost 4 months to get my NOA2! We fell into the same trap, 'expecting' to be approved quickly and planning on reuniting in the US in April. Big mistake, lots of failed hopes and unnecessary disappointments.

So, the advice you hear here from more mature members that have seen it all- expect 5 months- is a very wise thing to do. Do not measure yourself by the quickest timelines. I think the quickest I have seen in CSC is 9 days between NOAs.

Good luck everyone! This process is not for the weak, and it will test your relationship in the ways that you will be grateful at the end for all the delays. If the relationship is real and strong, you will only get a chance to test your partner in a highly stressful situation, and this is not a bad thing before committing to a life together.

I am going through the same thing attempting to explain the IMB/Online sites and circumstances that led to our personal relationship. I am sending the paper work today over night mail. which sounds like it doesn't matter when they get it but when they get to it. thanks for sharing. I waited almost 2months for the RFE I am hoping for a quick turnaround but am starting to understand that the timelines on here are just predictions not factual. congrats and I will just pray for a short time before approval.

[lala64 93]

Thanks for this post. It gives me some hope - sort of....

I also got an RFE for the same exact thing. Well known dating site with literally hundereds of prior approvals and got RFE to prove it is not an IMB.

There were several like mine in the March 2015 filers post. I was the first to get the RFE fo rthis and it seems I am the last to move to the NOA2 status. Others got the same dating site/IMB RFE and some even from the same dating site. It seems that a few have been approved (from posts and looking at timelines) withing 7-10 days of recieving the needed documents, but ours is still not yet approved and it is almost 30 days now.

Like you, I have the "any day now" stress and we were hoping she could be here for our 3rd anniversary on July 4th. With a 7-10 delay it would have been doable. But now its looking bleak. There are some March 2015 posters with I-129F submitted about the same time as our and have already had their interviews in Manila. Very frustrating to sit on the sidelines and watch...

I am a March Filer (March 30th) and I am just receiving the RFE for the IMB thing. I will send in my paperwork today over night. and hope for a fast approval. 30 days would be great!