We Are Considering Pulling Our I-129F Petition

[llaz 232]

We've been waiting now over 130 days for a NOA2, I know we are still in "normal processing time" per USCIS' website as our received date is November 3rd and they are "working on" October 15th cases. We are trying to keep positive but we've decided that if we do not hear anything, that I will move down to Chile just before my birthday June 3rd and we will get married and pursue the IR1/CR1 route. Both him and I would love for him to come up to the United States and visit but its hard when you want to get the most out of your time if he is to visit (thinking 1 month) but then again we don't know if today could be the day that we receive our NOA2 notification.

Just FYI too, we haven't been in each others presence since July 2016, I went there to visit for 2 weeks in January 2017 which obviously is not enough time in comparison to however many months.

Has anyone else decided this, how did it go for you? Just looking for previous experiences. 

Edited March 16, 2017 by llaz

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Impatience is not a characteristic for dealing with US immigration. Getting married won't speed up anything (it might even raise some red flags, who knows), and that you would waste all times and money you've spent so far.

[Scandi 4,166]

I haven't made that decision but I understand where you're coming from. When "everyone else" was approved for their i-129f in 2-3 months, we were still waiting.. and waiting.. That's the hardest part of it all. Eventually on day 177 (6 months) we were finally approved and now when I'm here with him I don't think about that wait anymore.

 

However, had I known how long it would take I would definitely have gone for the CR-1 instead, hands down. Then I wouldn't have to deal with the AOS process I'm currently going through where I can't work or travel back home until I have the necessary documents. CR-1 would have been so much easier and a bit cheaper, and probably wouldn't have been a much longer process than our K-1 was. 

 

But we stuck it out anyway, quitting in the middle of the process wasn't for us I guess. And we wouldn't have wanted to lose the money for the i-129f either, so. 

 

Whatever you decide I wish you good luck and that it works out the best for you.

Edited March 17, 2017 by Scandi

[TheSkywalkers 143]

38 minutes ago, llaz said:

We've been waiting now over 130 days for a NOA2, I know we are still in "normal processing time" per USCIS' website as our received date is November 3rd and they are "working on" October 15th cases. We are trying to keep positive but we've decided that if we do not hear anything, that I will move down to Chile just before my birthday June 3rd and we will get married and pursue the IR1/CR1 route. Both him and I would love for him to come up to the United States and visit but its hard when you want to get the most out of your time if he is to visit (thinking 1 month) but then again we don't know if today could be the day that we receive our NOA2 notification.

Just FYI too, we haven't been in each others presence since July 2016, I went there to visit for 2 weeks in January 2017 which obviously is not enough time in comparison to however many months.

Has anyone else decided this, how did it go for you? Just looking for previous experiences. 

When we filed for ours we haven't seen each other for a year and the process took 4 months to complete. So it took us 1 yr and 4 mos to close the distance. The last time we saw each other, we were together for only 2weeks too. Point is, this is all about PATIENCE. Just to let you know, IR1/CR1 takes a LOT LONGER than K1. If you do not have the patience right now for K1, I doubt you will have the patience for spousal visa. The ball is already rolling for you guys. WIth CR1, NOA2 could take as long 214 days OR more. So think twice before withdrawing your current petition. 

[llaz 232]

@NancyNguyen and @missushabes Thank you both for your responses. For us its not about being able to be in the United States or for him to be able to work or whatever, its just about us being able to be TOGETHER in the same place. If it were about us saving money and being able to get on with our lives once the process is over then I would never even think about pulling the petition and leaving my comfortable 9-5 job as a manger. The CR1/IR1 allows us to be together at least while we are waiting and then come back together. 

[llaz 232]

10 minutes ago, Scandi said:

I haven't made that decision but I understand where you're coming from. When "everyone else" was approved for their i-129f in 2-3 months, we were still waiting.. and waiting.. That's the hardest part of it all. Eventually on day 177 (6 months) we were finally approved and now when I'm here with him I don't think about that wait anymore.

 

However, had I known how long it would take I would definitely have gone for the CR-1 instead, hands down. Then I wouldn't have to deal with the AOS process I'm currently going through where I can't work or travel back home until I have the necessary documents. CR-1 would have been so much easier and a bit cheaper, and probably wouldn't have been a longer process than our K-1 was. 

 

But we stuck it out anyway, quitting in the middle of the process wasn't for us I guess. And we wouldn't have wanted to lose the money for the i-129f either, so. 

 

Whatever you decide I wish you good luck and that it works out the best for you.

Yes, very very frustrating while they are working on December 15th cases more or less right now and we are still waiting. Did you guys ever call USCIS or send a letter to your congressman/woman? 

Glad to hear that the pain of the time having spent separated dissipates quickly. Sometimes I just wonder, we've been through so much to just to get married and this just seems like the cherry on the top, are we are supposed to wait all this time? Or maybe since our case is just one of the 21 left out of 219 if we are meant to be in Chile instead of the United States. 

I know, AOS takes such a long time too, but at least you get to be with your hubs during the process. 

Thank you very much

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

You know it takes on average about 5 months for a NOA2. I understand it's tough but you need to stick it and be strong.

[fibelbs 31]

Hey there, ugh I totally agree, it sucks having to wait such a long time, I am still waiting on my NOA 2 as well, 91 days already waiting. it is weird though that you needed to wait for such a long time, What do they say when you call them? Did you try also sending them an email?

Hope we get an approval soon

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

So your plan is to quit your job and live in Chile for a year or more? ... and then going back to the states establishing domicile, finding job, sponsor etc? When in fact you might have 1 month tops left on a K1, that will let you guys get the ball rolling in the US already?

I really get that it's about being together... I was going insane being apart... but you are so close to the finish line... I see no sense in starting over...

 

Ofc that's up to you two... but idk...seems like you've sort of made up your mind.  Good luck to you.

Edited March 17, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Scandi 4,166]

28 minutes ago, llaz said:

Yes, very very frustrating while they are working on December 15th cases more or less right now and we are still waiting. Did you guys ever call USCIS or send a letter to your congressman/woman? 

We called immediately right after the 5 month mark and tier 2 made a service request for us. We were supposed to hear something within 30 days but never did, so we contacted our senator and had her contact them. The day before she managed to contact them we got our approval. 

[SparklePony 238]

If you can stay in Chile while waiting for the CR1, why can't you do the same while waiting for the K1?

[TheSkywalkers 143]

39 minutes ago, SparklePony said:

If you can stay in Chile while waiting for the CR1, why can't you do the same while waiting for the K1?

They want to be together while waiting. That's how I understood his answer to me.  

 

But still, it would be a total waste of time to change routes from K1 to CR1. Waste of time and money. Just my two cents.

[Dianalorena 1,153]

Even though I understand the struggle (Been away from my husband since august  2016 , he left the day after our wedding so I haven't even had a honeymoon) This process is about learning to be patient which will make you stronger as a person and a couple as well. The K1 takes around half as long as CR1's, which as you already know means we are waiting for a year+ while already being married to our SOs, many times while being in different countries. Of course it's incredibly rough, but try to think about about the next step since sure, you might gain a few months by his side, but make your life more complicated by moving to Chile for a year or more while the CR1 is processed. My personal suggestion is, don't let emotions cloud your judgment. Talk about your options, call USCIS, wait for the NOA2 a little bit longer. If you guys see it's taking forever/outside the normal processing times, you can go for plan B.

 

 

[myheart0628 30]

I waited almost 8 months to get my I-130. The k1 is a much faster route I know it seems long for uscis but once it hits the NVC things will move much faster. A spouse visa will take even longer 5-7 at the uscis phase and then another 2-3 or 4 months for processing at that stage. Try to stick it out. You can still live with your fiancé while you are waiting for things. 

[KimchiLumpia 315]

One of the biggest things that detracts from this process is comparing your timeline with other VJer's timelines.

 

Sometimes you need to tune-out what everyone else is doing, and focus on your own thing.  Yes, many people's cases got approved faster than yours.  But in the grand scheme of things,  an extra month or two of waiting will easily be outweighed by a lifetime of marriage together.

You've already come this far.  Think about it.  You plan to move down to Chile?  Think about the time and expense it will take just planning to move: selling your house/ending your lease, selling your car, selling your furniture, leaving your job, finding a new job, finding healthcare in Chile.  Moving to a new country takes weeks if not months to plan properly.  By the time you said you plan to move on June 3rd, your K1 Visa will already be approved!  

Just take a deep breath, call/video chat with your fiance, talk, laugh, love - and know that this situation will pass.  Maybe stay away from VJ for a moment so not to compare your situation with others.  When it happens, it will happen. 

 

Edited March 17, 2017 by KimchiLumpia