I-129f June 2017 filers (merged)

[Gtuf22 76]

1 minute ago, John & Rose said:

I’m from the Chicago area but don’t worry, I’m a White Sox fan and a fan of any team that plays the Cubs!! 

Hahaha...of course im a Cards fan! I don't give the Cubs that hard of a time. Was happy to see them win the WS, but now they've done...they need to go back to being in last place.

[Dee28 119]

55 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

No need to apologize. This wait is truly having a terrible impact on our lives. We will get through this. We have to separate the process from the reason for the process. We are all frustrated but that should make your resolve to be with our loved ones even stronger. Don’t give the process the satisfaction of knowing it is winning. Stay strong and love deeper. True love will ALWAYS win!

  Thank you @John& Rose you have such kind and positive words that only make me more hopeful. We are almost there everyone, let our love be our beacon 

[John & Rose 7,239]

34 minutes ago, Gtuf22 said:

 

Do you by chance happen to know of these NOA2 to Interview processing time for Vietnam? Or do you know a good site that might help point me in the right direction? I am trying to know if Ho Chi Minh Embassy is a busy one (like Manila).

Here is the link to the Vietnam reviews...

 

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Vietnam&cty=&dfilter=5&topic=

[daleguthery 305]

23 minutes ago, Gtuf22 said:

If you happen to find the link, please let me know. I don't believe I've heard anyone reference it, and I check this forum everyday.

 

Yes, I completely agree. I think Vietnam is a hidden gem. So many people go to Thailand. Thailand is great, but personally Vietnam is WAY more beautiful. Although, I've heard amazing things about the Philippines....just haven't been there yet. I am actually currently living in Vietnam with my fiancé during this whole process. I'm lucky enough that my job lets me work remote because I do tech consulting. Sucks working overnight, but worth it to be with her. Although, it doesn't add to my frustrating that this process is taking so long. I really want to head back to the US so we can build our life.

P.S. I see you're in IL? Whereabouts? I'm originally from STL, but moved to Seattle about 2.5 years ago. I'm a midwestern guy at heart...not really digging the west coast as much as I thought I would. I guess it's just because I was raised around a certain culture in the midwest whereas culture on the west coast is very different in some ways...

I'm just north of STL in Beardstown, Illinois. It's about halfway between Springfield and Hannibal, MO. And I'm a Cards fan 

Edited November 25, 2017 by daleguthery

[John & Rose 7,239]

2 minutes ago, daleguthery said:

I'm just north of STL in Beardstown, Illinois. It's about halfway between Springfield and Hannibal, MO. And I'm a Cards fan 

I know Beardstown!  I went to WIU so there were a lot of Beardstown people there.  I'm a huge Cards fan who they play the Cubs!

Edited November 25, 2017 by John & Rose

[Kari & Atti 411]

We got an update form USCIS for the inquiry made in Nov 9,  staying that our case was pending security check. Can someone shed some light here for us please. 

Technically our case is not out of processing time (June 27th NOA1). Should I be worried about this? I have been researching and they said things like this could take years to get resolved. I have not slept over this! This whole process is cruel to say the least. My fiancée is talking about getting a tourist visa at this point. Maybe we should get married and the file the married petition and start all over again. But at least we would be together. 😭😭😭😭 this so frustrating!

[John & Rose 7,239]

Just now, Kari & Atti said:

We got an update form USCIS for the inquiry made in Nov 9,  staying that our case was pending security check. Can someone shed some light here for us please. 

Technically our case is not out of processing time (June 27th NOA1). Should I be worried about this? I have been researching and they said things like this could take years to get resolved. I have not slept over this! This whole process is cruel to say the least. My fiancée is talking about getting a tourist visa at this point. Maybe we should get married and the file the married petition and start all over again. But at least we would be together. 😭😭😭😭 this so frustrating!

No worries!  That was the standard answer they gave after they got inundated with inquiries after they did the September 1st debacle.  Hang in there.  Don't start over.  The CR visa is 12 to 14 months.  Just hang in there and this will be over soon!

[Gtuf22 76]

12 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Here is the link to the Vietnam reviews...

 

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Vietnam&cty=&dfilter=5&topic=

Thanks so much @John & Rose!! Looks like the reviews for Ho Chi Minh have all been very good. Everyone says they ask a few questions and don't hassle too much. This makes me feel less nervous for my fiancé.

 

12 minutes ago, daleguthery said:

I'm just north of STL in Beardstown, Illinois. It's about halfway between Springfield and Hannibal, MO. And I'm a Cards fan 

Yess!! Happy to find another Missourian and Cards fan. My sister still lives in STL and my Dad lives in Camdenton (Lake of the Ozarks). 

[Gtuf22 76]

1 hour ago, John & Rose said:

Slightly. From 2weeks to around 6 weeks right now. I believe 6 weeks is their current “normal processing time”. 

@John & Rose...forgot to ask about this...

 

When you say 6 weeks, is this from NVC receive date to sent to Embassy date?

[John & Rose 7,239]

Just now, Gtuf22 said:

@John & Rose...forgot to ask about this...

 

When you say 6 weeks, is this from NVC receive date to sent to Embassy date?

Yes.  You can do the DS-160 and book the interview and medical once you get the embassy number.  Start calling NVC about 2 weeks after NOA2 to get the number ASAP.

[Gtuf22 76]

1 minute ago, John & Rose said:

Yes.  You can do the DS-160 and book the interview and medical once you get the embassy number.  Start calling NVC about 2 weeks after NOA2 to get the number ASAP.

Awesome. Thanks for the advice. When you say embassy number, how will I get this? Is this a number given at the NOA2 approval?

[John & Rose 7,239]

Just now, Gtuf22 said:

Awesome. Thanks for the advice. When you say embassy number, how will I get this? Is this a number given at the NOA2 approval?

The NVC assigns a number. That is what you need. I’m not sure what Vietnam’s looks like but for Manila is is MNL#. Each embassy has a code. It gets assigned by NVC and it is needed for the interview and medical. Don’t get frustrated if NVC keeps saying they don’t have the file. Just call everyday once you hit 2 weeks from NOA2. Eventually they will give you the number. 

[Gtuf22 76]

2 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

The NVC assigns a number. That is what you need. I’m not sure what Vietnam’s looks like but for Manila is is MNL#. Each embassy has a code. It gets assigned by NVC and it is needed for the interview and medical. Don’t get frustrated if NVC keeps saying they don’t have the file. Just call everyday once you hit 2 weeks from NOA2. Eventually they will give you the number. 

Awesome. One last question...

 

Do you (or anybody on this forum) know how long it typically takes to get the visa in-hand after the interview?

[John & Rose 7,239]

Just now, Gtuf22 said:

Awesome. One last question...

 

Do you (or anybody on this forum) know how long it typically takes to get the visa in-hand after the interview?

In Manila they say 1 week to 10 days. I think a lot depends on how the passport will be delivered. If it gets mailed to a small province it can take a while. In Manila we can opt to pick it up at a 2Go office in the Mall of Asia. Some people have gotten stuck in AP (Administrative Processing) for a while. I believe the rule is don’t buy any tickets until the visa is in hand. It can go quick and it can go slow. 

[Gtuf22 76]

2 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

In Manila they say 1 week to 10 days. I think a lot depends on how the passport will be delivered. If it gets mailed to a small province it can take a while. In Manila we can opt to pick it up at a 2Go office in the Mall of Asia. Some people have gotten stuck in AP (Administrative Processing) for a while. I believe the rule is don’t buy any tickets until the visa is in hand. It can go quick and it can go slow. 

Ok, phew! Most forums I read online say that it takes 2-6 weeks to get a visa in hand...which is CRAZY! I was under the impression it only took about a week (according to Rapid Visa). So this helps confirm what I originally heard.

 

I hope HCM has an option to pick up somewhere. I do not trust VN mail...so unstructured compared to the US.