February 2017 I-129F Filers

[swalker 137]

We also were thinking Sept or October. Seems about right, given what earlier filers have reported. 

[TexasHeartsIndia 371]

We set a tentative wedding date for December 16th. We are hoping he can be here by the end of October and use the time to finish our wedding preparations. But... after looking at these comments, I'm wondering if we can move the date up??

[HoneyMar 12]

16 hours ago, RaptureSongbird said:

 

I think we all have those same worries, that if we forgot to check a box correctly or answer a certain question correctly or didn't provide enough evidence, that we will get denied.  I've been following these forums for about 9 months.  I ended up here when I was first thinking of proposing to my fiance and wondering about how to get him to the states if I did.  These forums are amazing and a wealth of knowledge and, I've noticed, that each month's filing group does become like a family, helping and supporting each other through all the ups and downs of this process.  It can sometimes feel like such a long journey and process but we are all here to support each other through it.  In the end, I think it helps to maintain focus on the end goal, I am in this for love and for the opportunity to finally have my love here with me and, to me, that makes all of this worth it.

Thanks for reaching out and your kind words.   I am definitely in this for love!   Best wishes!

[cjh11 17]

6 hours ago, RaptureSongbird said:

I agree that September is totally possible.  As long as your fiance is starting to get his paperwork together in the next couple of months (medical records, vaccinations records, long form birth certificate, police certificates, etc.) to be ready for his medical exam once your petition reaches his embassy, you'll be fine.  You'll also need to pull some more paperwork together to send to him (updated letter of intent to marry, I-134, pay stubs, etc.).  I'm not 100% sure if you need to mail those items to him so they have wet signatures or if you can scan them and he can print them.  In any case, as long as you have your ducks in a row, I would think based on what I've seen of timelines on these forums that September should be doable.

Thanks, that's encouraging - we'll be sure to start collecting all the next paperwork! He is planning to renew his ESTA to visit me soon, and then returning to his home country. Anyone know if there would be any issues with that? He wouldn't overstay the legal limit of days and would return in time for the embassy interview... I thought part of the second step is to provide newer proof (if any) of meeting since the time  I-129F was submitted, so that makes me think it's totally fine for him to temporarily enter the US on a regular travel visa

[RaptureSongbird 533]

8 hours ago, TexasHeartsIndia said:

We set a tentative wedding date for December 16th. We are hoping he can be here by the end of October and use the time to finish our wedding preparations. But... after looking at these comments, I'm wondering if we can move the date up??

I would hope that he's able to make it by the end of October.  From what I've seen on this site, you are going through one of the more difficult embassies in India so that might cause some delays.  Of course I've also seen other posts where people have had no problems with the interview and getting the visa in India as well.  I understand that each case is unique and has to be judged by the complete application and interview process but sometimes it seems there are major inconsistencies, and not just from embassy to embassy but also within the same embassy as well.

[RaptureSongbird 533]

6 hours ago, cjh11 said:

Thanks, that's encouraging - we'll be sure to start collecting all the next paperwork! He is planning to renew his ESTA to visit me soon, and then returning to his home country. Anyone know if there would be any issues with that? He wouldn't overstay the legal limit of days and would return in time for the embassy interview... I thought part of the second step is to provide newer proof (if any) of meeting since the time  I-129F was submitted, so that makes me think it's totally fine for him to temporarily enter the US on a regular travel visa

A visit while in process is possible, although it can be a little more difficult.  I would suggest reading through this topic if you haven't already:

 

It's basically going to be up to the officer at the border to decide once he arrives.  I did receive advice from another forum member to bring copies of whatever you have received (NOA1, NOA2, etc.) when you are trying to enter for a visit.  From what I was told this can help to show the CBP officer that you are trying to go about the process the right way and wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize that.  Also, if he could bring any documentation to show ties back to his country (letter from employer stating that a vacation has been approved and when he is expected back at work, proof of return ticket, lease, etc.) that would further help to show that while he's coming to visit his fiancee, he is still planning on returning to his country to finish the process in the right way.  I hope that helps!

[mighty836 87]

Just received my Text/Email  NOA1. So happy !!!!

[Alex2017 34]

Hi everyone,

we filed on the 27th of February but haven't got our NOA1 yet.

I hope for the end of this week.....

[TexasHeartsIndia 371]

15 hours ago, RaptureSongbird said:

I would hope that he's able to make it by the end of October.  From what I've seen on this site, you are going through one of the more difficult embassies in India so that might cause some delays.  Of course I've also seen other posts where people have had no problems with the interview and getting the visa in India as well.  I understand that each case is unique and has to be judged by the complete application and interview process but sometimes it seems there are major inconsistencies, and not just from embassy to embassy but also within the same embassy as well.

How is New Delhi a more difficult embassy? In what way?

[doggieandsam 765]

Hello everybody!

 

Also a Feb-2017 filer here! We received our NOA1 last Feb 24. =D

 

Psyching myself now for the long wait ahead!

[RaptureSongbird 533]

7 hours ago, TexasHeartsIndia said:

How is New Delhi a more difficult embassy? In what way?

Here is a recent topic on that embassy:

And I've seen a few others around the forums as well.  You can also check out the reviews of the embassies in India here:

 

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?trim=no&cty=&cnty=India&page=1&dfilter=5&topic=

 

If you scroll down a bit, you will see a pie chart of the ratings for the New Delhi embassy on a 5 point scale.  While it still has plenty of 5 point ratings (58%), that is lower than some of the so called "easier" embassies.  However, I just mention this with the caveat that all cases are unique and that the experience of one petitioner can be very different than the other.  Sometimes it depends on the CO they get that day and that CO's attitude/interpretation of their job in the process.  Even though the petitioner is requesting to marry and move to the United States, sometimes the societal norms of the petitioner's home country, and the CO, become a part of the interview process from what I have read from others experiences.  From religion to a spouse being of child bearing age to the sexuality of the petitioner, while in my opinion these should not be considered, they sometimes are and can lead to some difficulties in certain embassies.  This is a small factor in why my partner is currently living in London.  He moved to London for many reasons but one of them was because we both felt like if we were going to move forward in our relationship, it would be easier to get a visa at an embassy in a country where same-sex marriage is allowed than in his home country where there is still no recognition and the possibility, while small, would exist that the CO's societal viewpoints may impact his interview and approval.

[HoneyMar 12]

On 3/1/2017 at 11:44 AM, mighty836 said:

Just received my Text/Email  NOA1. So happy !!!!

Got mine yesterday.   Feeling stoked also!

[sammyp 0]

On 2/1/2017 at 2:14 PM, Brandon y Nadia said:

Well the pace has picked up lately with the CSC so I would think from the time you actually file to having your K-1 visa in hand ( assuming CSC keeps at the current pace ) likely 4-6 month window. That also assumes you don't get hit with an RFE. 

What is an RFE?

[Brandon y Nadia 66]

18 minutes ago, sammyp said:

What is an RFE?

A request for more evidence. 

[TexasHeartsIndia 371]

11 hours ago, RaptureSongbird said:

Here is a recent topic on that embassy:

And I've seen a few others around the forums as well.  You can also check out the reviews of the embassies in India here:

 

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?trim=no&cty=&cnty=India&page=1&dfilter=5&topic=

 

If you scroll down a bit, you will see a pie chart of the ratings for the New Delhi embassy on a 5 point scale.  While it still has plenty of 5 point ratings (58%), that is lower than some of the so called "easier" embassies.  However, I just mention this with the caveat that all cases are unique and that the experience of one petitioner can be very different than the other.  Sometimes it depends on the CO they get that day and that CO's attitude/interpretation of their job in the process.  Even though the petitioner is requesting to marry and move to the United States, sometimes the societal norms of the petitioner's home country, and the CO, become a part of the interview process from what I have read from others experiences.  From religion to a spouse being of child bearing age to the sexuality of the petitioner, while in my opinion these should not be considered, they sometimes are and can lead to some difficulties in certain embassies.  This is a small factor in why my partner is currently living in London.  He moved to London for many reasons but one of them was because we both felt like if we were going to move forward in our relationship, it would be easier to get a visa at an embassy in a country where same-sex marriage is allowed than in his home country where there is still no recognition and the possibility, while small, would exist that the CO's societal viewpoints may impact his interview and approval.

Well, fortunately none of those points are an issue for us... we're both Catholic, in a hetero relationship, he speaks English (sometimes better than I do), I'm young enough to have children and he's only 8 years older. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing!