I-129f June 2017 filers (merged)

[John & Rose 7,239]

3 minutes ago, KBA said:

My timeline has been heading backwards for the past week or so...maybe I’ll just stop looking at it 🙈 Yes the CR1 might be the better option now since the processing times are starting to be about the same! 

Actually, the CR 1 is much quicker and cheaper considering you have the green card is 12 to 14 months.  With the K-1 12 months is just the interview or possibly POE.  Then you have AOD/EAD and green card...

 

If I wasn't this far along I would just go to the Philippines and get married.

[John & Rose 7,239]

10 minutes ago, Swissmiss82 said:

is the CR1 the same as K3? what is the difference?

CR1 is a spousal visa that is permanent and ends with a green card.  K-3 is a temporary non-immigrant visa that expires in 30 days (I believe).  The K-3 would have to apply for AOS/EAD and green card.  The CR1 can work right away.  The K3 would have to wait for work authorization.

Edited October 12, 2017 by John & Rose

[Hadassah123 523]

9 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

Actually, the CR 1 is much quicker and cheaper considering you have the green card is 12 to 14 months.  With the K-1 12 months is just the interview or possibly POE.  Then you have AOD/EAD and green card...

 

If I wasn't this far along I would just go to the Philippines and get married.

Same. If we'd known about this beforehand, or weren't as far like you said - we'd just get married asap.

 

*Sigh.....

[John & Rose 7,239]

1 minute ago, Hadassah123 said:

Same. If we'd known about this beforehand, or weren't as far like you said - we'd just get married asap.

 

*Sigh.....

We need to help the October filers and at least let them know about that option.  

[Hadassah123 523]

1 minute ago, John & Rose said:

We need to help the October filers and at least let them know about that option.  

Yes!

[DandY 134]

1 hour ago, John & Rose said:

We need to help the October filers and at least let them know about that option.  

Unfortunately, I think most people come here after they have filed. I did.

[John & Rose 7,239]

2 minutes ago, DandY said:

Unfortunately, I think most people come here after they have filed. I did.

True. Me too. Hopefully we can at least get the info to a few just starting the journey. 

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

3 hours ago, John & Rose said:

Actually, the CR 1 is much quicker and cheaper considering you have the green card is 12 to 14 months.  With the K-1 12 months is just the interview or possibly POE.  Then you have AOD/EAD and green card...

 

If I wasn't this far along I would just go to the Philippines and get married.

This makes me feel incredibly hopeless. I know that's a tad dramatic, but....it does. Because like you said - at this point, this far along, this invested in the process...it wouldn't help to give up and try another way. This is the most frustrating thing I've ever experienced in my life.

[George & Roth 1,485]

Spousal visa- longer to get in USA, faster to get citizenship 

 

Fiance visa- faster to get in country, longer to get citizenship 

 

Personall I'm happy to get my fiancé here faster and worry about the rest after she is here. 

[John & Rose 7,239]

40 minutes ago, George & Roth said:

Spousal visa- longer to get in USA, faster to get citizenship 

 

Fiance visa- faster to get in country, longer to get citizenship 

 

Personall I'm happy to get my fiancé here faster and worry about the rest after she is here. 

But now that the K-1 visa process is close to 10 months (without AOS...) and the CR-1 is at 12, the cost difference and the ability to have the green card and work immediately upon arrival makes for a great argument. 

[DandY 134]

1 hour ago, Paul & Mallory said:

This makes me feel incredibly hopeless.

Only just now?!?!? I hit hopeless weeks ago!

[George & Roth 1,485]

1 hour ago, John & Rose said:

But now that the K-1 visa process is close to 10 months (without AOS...) and the CR-1 is at 12, the cost difference and the ability to have the green card and work immediately upon arrival makes for a great argument. 

Hmm, maybe I missed something. I have NOA 2 target date mid-November so I was hoping she can come in January. That is 7 months. 

 

Has something changed which results in it being longer? 

 

I have been quite busy, hope I did not miss something. 

[John & Rose 7,239]

15 minutes ago, George & Roth said:

Hmm, maybe I missed something. I have NOA 2 target date mid-November so I was hoping she can come in January. That is 7 months. 

 

Has something changed which results in it being longer? 

 

I have been quite busy, hope I did not miss something. 

We estimate 60 to 75 days from NOA2 to VOH.  I think a little longer.  If the interview is around 50 to 60 days and another 10 for VOH, it adds up quickly.  I have seen interviews 45 days from NOA2 but that seems rare.

 

In my conservative estimation right now, mid November NOA2 means mid January interview.  From there you are pushing another 10 days to VOH and finally travel.  So late January early February POE.

 

The problem is that the estimates have pushed back far enough that I actually anticipate my June 6 NOA1 to be a December  NOA2.  I am at mid November now but it has dropped steadily and quickly (5 days in the last 4 days).  I anticipate a December NOA2 with February Interview and March VOH.  The wait looks even longer for July and more recent filers...

 

I am slightly skewed due to the mental stress of this wait and my numbers are conservative but I honestly don't expect my June 6 NOA1 to be much quicker than a December NOA2.  Add holidays and typical slowdowns and I believe POE in March or April  is a serious possibility.  So 10 to 11 months for us and longer for the July and newer filers is feasible.  

 

CR1 is 12 months with the green card and the ability to work immediately.  The CR1 also has a lower cost.  That makes the CR1 option look good for people filing now. 

Edited October 12, 2017 by John & Rose

[George & Roth 1,485]

37 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

We estimate 60 to 75 days from NOA2 to VOH.  I think a little longer.  If the interview is around 50 to 60 days and another 10 for VOH, it adds up quickly.  I have seen interviews 45 days from NOA2 but that seems rare.

 

In my conservative estimation right now, mid November NOA2 means mid January interview.  From there you are pushing another 10 days to VOH and finally travel.  So late January early February POE.

 

The problem is that the estimates have pushed back far enough that I actually anticipate my June 6 NOA1 to be a December  NOA2.  I am at mid November now but it has dropped steadily and quickly (5 days in the last 4 days).  I anticipate a December NOA2 with February Interview and March VOH.  The wait looks even longer for July and more recent filers...

 

I am slightly skewed due to the mental stress of this wait and my numbers are conservative but I honestly don't expect my June 6 NOA1 to be much quicker than a December NOA2.  Add holidays and typical slowdowns and I believe POE in March or April  is a serious possibility.  So 10 to 11 months for us and longer for the July and newer filers is feasible.  

 

CR1 is 12 months with the green card and the ability to work immediately.  The CR1 also has a lower cost.  That makes the CR1 option look good for people filing now. 

Thanks, mate. I understand why you are being conservative however my expectations are a bit tighter compared to yours. 

 

My biggest concern is the NOA2 date moving further out as has been the trend and as you pointed out. 

 

One thing I would have explored in more detail is how I could have begun the process overseas, or if I could have. I lived in Cambodia 5 years and mistakenly believed I could come to the USA and have her with me in 2-3 months. I miss her and our son so much, I still am prepared to sacrifice the extra pains even if the result is only 2 months benefit. I will be going for the interview and to spend some time there so that will help!

[John & Rose 7,239]

1 minute ago, George & Roth said:

Thanks, mate. I understand why you are being conservative however my expectations are a bit tighter compared to yours. 

 

My biggest concern is the NOA2 date moving further out as has been the trend and as you pointed out. 

 

One thing I would have explored in more detail is how I could have begun the process overseas, or if I could have. I lived in Cambodia 5 years and mistakenly believed I could come to the USA and have her with me in 2-3 months. I miss her and our son so much, I still am prepared to sacrifice the extra pains even if the result is only 2 months benefit. I will be going for the interview and to spend some time there so that will help!

I hear you!!!!  I am hoping that it goes quicker but reality doesn't seem to want to agree...  Imagine, it wasn't very long ago when the whole process only took a few months.  We still look at timelines where the NOA was around 30 days from NOA1.  I believe I even saw an entire process that only took 67 days!!!  The times they are a changin'