February 2016 I-130 filers

[Marrienne 113]

I am worried if the i-130 is so hard to get approved, then what will happen with the rest?

This was supposed to be the easy part right?

There is a long list of documents after this to be submitted and if we have stumbled on something so straightforward as a divorce decree, I dread the I-864!!!

There are just so many steps to stumble on from here on out... he does not want to leave me alone with 3 children and go ahead but we can't wait another 6 months here without his medicine in a country that is bankrupt plus our lease is running out!! Ugh!!

Thanks so much for letting me vent!

[Hoosiers 0]

There's no question that this whole process can be stressful.

The approach that works best for me is to focus on what I can control. So whether it's the medical, police background or I864, I just focus on making sure that the paperwork is accurately and completely finished ASAP. When the paperwork is with the embassy/Potomac, you cannot do anything. Worrying will just add to stress and make you less productive.

Hope that helps & best of luck.

[gradtaai 8]

I am worried if the i-130 is so hard to get approved, then what will happen with the rest?

This was supposed to be the easy part right?

There is a long list of documents after this to be submitted and if we have stumbled on something so straightforward as a divorce decree, I dread the I-864!!!

There are just so many steps to stumble on from here on out... he does not want to leave me alone with 3 children and go ahead but we can't wait another 6 months here without his medicine in a country that is bankrupt plus our lease is running out!! Ugh!!

Thanks so much for letting me vent!

All I can tell you is get started on the packet 3 early. You had a bit of bad luck but it doesn't mean you will have more. Read what they want, get it together, go over it several times and send it off as soon as you can. Then take a deep breath and sit back. There is nothing more you can do at this point but wait until you hear from them. I too am wanting to move at the end of May but am held up by the police certificate that the police are taking 5 to 6 weeks to do. They tell me I will have it by Apr 28th. I sent my packet in two days ago, Mar 28, and asked for an early May interview. Fingers crossed I get the report in time.

[Marrienne 113]

Well we just got yet another email saying yes we got the divorce in the original language (German) and the translation in Englisg but how come you didn't translate it into Greek also?

Now we want the Greek translation too.

WHY??? why do they need the Greek translation too? The Foreign Ministry translated it from German to English as requested. Pulling hair out!!

The RFE clearly stated "translated into English". Ugh!

[gradtaai 8]

Well we just got yet another email saying yes we got the divorce in the original language (German) and the translation in English but how come you didn't translate it into Greek also?

Now we want the Greek translation too.

WHY??? why do they need the Greek translation too? The Foreign Ministry translated it from German to English as requested. Pulling hair out!!

The RFE clearly stated "translated into English". Ugh!

That stinks. I think I would complain somehow. You did what they asked, and then they move the goal post. To the question of why you didn't translate to Greek, I would say "Where does it say in anything you sent me that says I was suppose to?" Sorry Marrienne, again, That ready stinks!!!!!

[happiestoflives 17]

So, I'm trying to be patient, but at the same time, I am wondering how certain things work. I thought if you file from another country because both live there and DCF is an option, the paperwork is taken care of there, but apparently not. Is that correct?

And I wish we had more info on Potomax, to be honest, because it's a bit stressful to not be able to plan anything.

[Dal&Rose 45]

I read in Jan or Dec threads a Potomac I130 form was approved recently. Though it appeared random chance.

Those who are DCF have it lucky at least, they get to be with their spouse during the wait. The rest of us do not. So count the bonus you have and know anything before 6 months at a service center is fast. Now if the Embassy has a USCIS in country it's even easier and faster.

Just 4 more months of no updates. Meh.

[Marrienne 113]

From what I have been told, when you are doing DCF, all your paperwork and any decision is made WITHIN THE EMBASSY of the country where an USCIS office is. Nothing leaves the country.
We are doing that here in Greece.

[happiestoflives 17]

Thanks!

I read in Jan or Dec threads a Potomac I130 form was approved recently. Though it appeared random chance.

Those who are DCF have it lucky at least, they get to be with their spouse during the wait. The rest of us do not. So count the bonus you have and know anything before 6 months at a service center is fast. Now if the Embassy has a USCIS in country it's even easier and faster.

Just 4 more months of no updates. Meh.

Yes, I saw that as well and as of today, VJ is giving me an estimate of when to expect the next info on my case from Potomac. But let's be real, I don't think we'll know by the end of April... It seems August 2015 through October 2015 there are some I-130 filers that still wait, but they must have been transferred there, from what I can see. Then November is completely taken care off (based on the few cases posted in the timelines here). January has 2 NOA2a and 7 more waiting (or not updating), and February is still relatively quiet.

I admit, what is most difficult for me at the moment is not knowing what to do regarding my job. I can either find someone to take over starting in October/November, or I have to work until March/April. By general timelines, March/April would not be unusual, but if the paperwork is complete before, it would mean losing money if I stayed longer.

From what I have been told, when you are doing DCF, all your paperwork and any decision is made WITHIN THE EMBASSY of the country where an USCIS office is. Nothing leaves the country.
We are doing that here in Greece.

Thanks, that's how I understood it. But then I must have misunderstood some other people here, as they said their case is handled in a service center in the US, but both partners are in a different country together. That's what confuses me about some people's timelines.

I wish we could have done that, but importing my significant other just to hit the 6 months in country for DCF would have been crazy, IMHO...

[JFH 12,191]

I'm not sure I understand your situation? If you both live in Germany lawfully then you can do DCF at Frankfurt at the embassy. You don't send anything out of the country. Now, not all countries have this option. Not every US embassy has a USCIS field office. I notice you have the German flag on your profile but I can't work out where you live.

There was recently a January filer who was approved by Potomac. I believe the US citizen is living overseas with the foreign spouse in that case (Belgium). Such cases tend to work through the system faster.

[happiestoflives 17]

I'm not sure I understand your situation? If you both live in Germany lawfully then you can do DCF at Frankfurt at the embassy. You don't send anything out of the country. Now, not all countries have this option. Not every US embassy has a USCIS field office. I notice you have the German flag on your profile but I can't work out where you live.

There was recently a January filer who was approved by Potomac. I believe the US citizen is living overseas with the foreign spouse in that case (Belgium). Such cases tend to work through the system faster.

No, we don't both live in Germany. We'd probably be close to done then My significant other lives in the US.

I saw that filer (and there's another Jan filer at Potomac with an approval, btw), it's just that, as Marrienne and I had "discussed" right before, that from how we understand it, usually DCF cases are being handled by the embassy / consulate of the country, and not sent to the US for handling. That means, the dates for these filers are confusing and mess with the timelines for other filers.

[JFH 12,191]

Oh I see now. I blame the jet lag...

Yes, I always ignore Filipino cases and DCF cases when I look at timelines. At the moment I am focusing on Nebraska approval timelines so DCF doesn't come into that equation but some of them are overseas filers and that does throw the figures off track.

I'm sceptical of the other Potomac approval because their timeline is also showing an AOS path. Not all timelines are accurate. Certainly there are people still at Potomac who filed last August and September.

Then there are the trolls...

[happiestoflives 17]

Oh I see now. I blame the jet lag...

Yes, I always ignore Filipino cases and DCF cases when I look at timelines. At the moment I am focusing on Nebraska approval timelines so DCF doesn't come into that equation but some of them are overseas filers and that does throw the figures off track.

I'm sceptical of the other Potomac approval because their timeline is also showing an AOS path. Not all timelines are accurate. Certainly there are people still at Potomac who filed last August and September.

Then there are the trolls...

No worries, jet lag sucks :/

Yes, I ignore those myself, but I don't understand why the DCF cases even pop up in the Potomac timeline, you know? I am only looking at that myself, so DCF should not figure in at all. (Here, this is the link I use: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?form=2&visa=3&scenter=6&option=3&sortby=2 Am I mistaken, I thought it should not include DCF etc pp???)

As for August and September (and October) filers, from what I remember all of them were actually transfered from other service centers, so I'm not sure if they truly figure into the equation of "potomac right away" filers!? I think the first cases that went directly to Potomac were in November or so, and the few filers who set up a timeline here from then on are all approved.

Oh, and yes, let's not talk about the trolls! XD

[Marrienne 113]

Lol! Guys I am now having nightmares hahahaha.
I am such a worrier! I just had a dream that I was getting in the car and the postman came with a letter from the Embassy saying my application was denied because I bothered them too much!! And then it said "had you left us alone, the answer would have been yes".
I should head the warning I think :)

How is everyone else doing??

[Marrienne 113]

Oh gosh!!
I am about to spend a small fortune in photocopies!! SO.MUCH.PAPERWORK!!!!!
I hope I don't forget anything!!