I129F April 2017 filers

[spike198 506]

Hey all, I'm sure I can find this somewhere, but you are all so knowledgeable about this stuff I figured I would just ask here instead!   When can our SO apply for a green card?  Is it after we marry or after they arrive? 

[JayMar2019 2,741]

2 minutes ago, spike198 said:

Hey all, I'm sure I can find this somewhere, but you are all so knowledgeable about this stuff I figured I would just ask here instead!   When can our SO apply for a green card?  Is it after we marry or after they arrive? 

After you marry. You need proof of marriage in order to apply.

[Estibaliz 3,037]

Just now, spike198 said:

Hey all, I'm sure I can find this somewhere, but you are all so knowledgeable about this stuff I figured I would just ask here instead!   When can our SO apply for a green card?  Is it after we marry or after they arrive? 

After you get married, as he can apply for AOS as the spouse of a US citizen. 

Still not really super informed about that part of the process, since I rather go "pasito a pasito" , but I think you get a 2 years provisional green card with AOS. Then you have to do ROC (Removal of Conditions) to get the permanent resident condition.

[Jeff and Alina 178]

38 minutes ago, kat.caprio said:

This is the last thing everyone patiently (not really) waiting on NOA2's needs to worry about! I believe USICS is backlogged and NOA2's require around 3.5 months to send out - so we're on track! I've worked with the US and Canadian Gov't for years and the summer months are brutal…things move extremely slowly as the majority of staff use holidays in these months making it harder for things to move along (short staff, lack of overtime pay, etc.). As frustrating as the 100+ day wait is.. it is a reasonable time frame.

 

I'm new to this group and sadly a late April filer! I absolutely love the positivity of this group and how optimistic everyone continues to be, as its so easy to get discouraged on a daily basis. I'm hoping to see lots of approvals soon - we all deserve it!!!

Thank you Kat, today has been a prodigiously difficult day and the support of this forum has been more than welcome. I cannot possibly express how much I have valued the kind and supportive thoughts of everyone here, thank you, thank you and thank you.

[Mike & Tuyen 598]

It might be a shot in the dark, but I wrote a quick email to my congresswoman to see if she could get an update of my status.  I stated the receipt number, and how long the wait has been.  Also stated that the online status checks are useless.  I know the USCIS has a special office for congressional requests, so we'll see if it bears any fruit.  I will of course update everyone IF I get a response.

[kat.cap13 233]

6 minutes ago, Jeff and Alina said:

Thank you Kat, today has been a prodigiously difficult day and the support of this forum has been more than welcome. I cannot possibly express how much I have valued the kind and supportive thoughts of everyone here, thank you, thank you and thank you.

Anytime!! I agree this website is a great outlet - its wonderful to be surrounded by others who are in the exact same position. This process is a whirlwind, filled with lots of emotion (good and bad) - but we're half way there!! This time next year you and your fiancé will be laughing about it! 

[Mike & Tuyen 598]

59 minutes ago, kat.caprio said:

This is the last thing everyone patiently (not really) waiting on NOA2's needs to worry about! I believe USICS is backlogged and NOA2's require around 3.5 months to send out - so we're on track! I've worked with the US and Canadian Gov't for years and the summer months are brutal…things move extremely slowly as the majority of staff use holidays in these months making it harder for things to move along (short staff, lack of overtime pay, etc.). As frustrating as the 100+ day wait is.. it is a reasonable time frame.

 

I'm new to this group and sadly a late April filer! I absolutely love the positivity of this group and how optimistic everyone continues to be, as its so easy to get discouraged on a daily basis. I'm hoping to see lots of approvals soon - we all deserve it!!!

First off, welcome to the group!!! I understand the lack of staffing, workload, etc.  But what drives me crazy, is the uncertainty.  Tell me I have to wait 120 days, ok I can plan around that, but it's the not knowing that is the hardest.  Do I plan a trip, or wait for the interview?  Plan a wedding? I don't mind waiting, but at least give me a reasonable and measurable timeframe.  OK, Rant Off...

[Estibaliz 3,037]

4 minutes ago, Mike & Tuyen said:

First off, welcome to the group!!! I understand the lack of staffing, workload, etc.  But what drives me crazy, is the uncertainty.  Tell me I have to wait 120 days, ok I can plan around that, but it's the not knowing that is the hardest.  Do I plan a trip, or wait for the interview?  Plan a wedding? I don't mind waiting, but at least give me a reasonable and measurable timeframe.  OK, Rant Off...

But they do have an answer, even if we don't like it... 5-7 months for NOA2  

Anyway, you just quoted another one of my sayings... "I don't deal well with uncertainty".

 

Still one day closer

 

Oh, and welcome @kat.caprio and anyone else I didn't welcome properly. Good to have you!

Edited July 20, 2017 by Estibaliz

[Jeff and Alina 178]

13 minutes ago, Mike & Tuyen said:

It might be a shot in the dark, but I wrote a quick email to my congresswoman to see if she could get an update of my status.  I stated the receipt number, and how long the wait has been.  Also stated that the online status checks are useless.  I know the USCIS has a special office for congressional requests, so we'll see if it bears any fruit.  I will of course update everyone IF I get a response.

I wrote my US Senator about a month ago and got a response within a week and my issue was assigned to someone. She was very helpful and emailed the USCIS that same day. I thought if anyone was going to have any leverage, a US Senator would. The USCIS pushed back with the same thing they tell us; they merely quoted the wait time.

[kat.cap13 233]

1 minute ago, Mike & Tuyen said:

First off, welcome to the group!!! I understand the lack of staffing, workload, etc.  But what drives me crazy, is the uncertainty.  Tell me I have to wait 120 days, ok I can plan around that, but it's the not knowing that is the hardest.  Do I plan a trip, or wait for the interview?  Plan a wedding? I don't mind waiting, but at least give me a reasonable and measurable timeframe.  OK, Rant Off...

 

 

3 minutes ago, Estibaliz said:

But they do have an answer, even if we don't like it... 5-7 months for NOA2  

Anyway, you just quoted another one of my sayings... "I don't deal well with uncertainty".

 

Still one day closer

 

Oh, and welcome @kat.caprio and anyone else I didn't welcome properly. Good to have you!

I completely agree!! Your life is in limbo during this process, its extremely frustrating and you feel helpless. Even a simple updated (and accurate) online tool that could have some visibility into where our cases are in the process (next to be reviewed by officer, pending background check, etc.). I wish I wasn't shocked at how slow things are moving, but thats the Gov't….sigh….

 

Sadly this is our reality, but its only temporary . We'll all be laughing about this next year!

 

And thank you for the welcome !! I'm excited for all of us to be with the ones we love very soon!

 

[tcovington 175]

2 hours ago, spike198 said:

If they actually answered the questions rather than just give a canned speech like a telemarketer then maybe they wouldn't be getting so many calls   I think it's the shear lack of info that has everyone on these forums slowly going crazy.  We submit the application and we know nothing until we get a letter in the mail.  Maybe Amazon can help them with their tracking system?  When I order something online, I can see the status of my order from the moment I place it to the time it gets delivered to my house!  And there are way more Amazon orders than visa applications!  ha ha!  sorry, I'm using humor and sarcasm to help me through this process

 

You say it's humor I say pass the message along. 

[spike198 506]

1 hour ago, Mike & Tuyen said:

First off, welcome to the group!!! I understand the lack of staffing, workload, etc.  But what drives me crazy, is the uncertainty.  Tell me I have to wait 120 days, ok I can plan around that, but it's the not knowing that is the hardest.  Do I plan a trip, or wait for the interview?  Plan a wedding? I don't mind waiting, but at least give me a reasonable and measurable timeframe.  OK, Rant Off...

The fact that we needed to put in our letters what our wedding plans are is so ironic to me.  Plans?!?!  How are we supposed to "plan" something when we don't know when it's going to be!  90 days from today is a completely different window of time than 90 days from October.  Oh the irony!

[Estibaliz 3,037]

I told to myself... "OK, let's check the timeline one last time for today". Not that I really check a gazillion times a day, normally just in the morning and night, and out of curiosity...

It got pushed back again, LOL. Crazy how it moved a whole week in less than a week.

Ignore that ugly think, or we'll get bonkers 

[kat.cap13 233]

4 minutes ago, Estibaliz said:

I told to myself... "OK, let's check the timeline one last time for today". Not that I really check a gazillion times a day, normally just in the morning and night, and out of curiosity...

It got pushed back again, LOL. Crazy how it moved a whole week in less than a week.

Ignore that ugly think, or we'll get bonkers 

Ugh I know! I swear mine moves on the hour! But I take those dates with a grain of salt. So many factors go into these approvals - and a lot of people don't update timelines/ use VJ. At least thats what I tell myself!!

[Chris2870 721]

Missing my Faye!