August 2017 I-129F Filers

[shalyn 48]

AFTER 202 DAYS FINALY APPROVED!!!! What a long wait smh

[Afrobeat 0]

Hello guys, 

I have been lurking here for 3 weeks, given that the USCIS costumer service wasn't really helpful. It seems to me that the operators are only trained to read a long script, like cops when they take their precious time to read you your Miranda rights, before they take you to you know where😁. 

 

Anyway, first I'd like to extend my gratitude to all the active members. Seriously your reactions helps me battle anxiety and depression. For instance 4 days ago I called USCIS to inquire about my pending case, the operator, who was, it seems to me, very condescending, told me after all the routines questions ( how many have you called, etc...) that they are working on August 1st cases and asked me to check back after 6 weeks, since my NOA1 is dated August 8th. What a huge setback that was. Once again I sought refuge here, and once again my hope was rebooted. It works everytime. 

 

Yesterday I checked my mail and finally i got a response from the USCIS, an RFE (to me this is better than no response). They are requesting that i provide a traditional wedding certificate. This is because i mentioned on the application and also on some of the pictures, that we had a traditional wedding. Why on earth did I mention it knowing well that it is such a foreign concept  in the U.S ?? In my opinion that was unnecessary details. 

Just in case you are wondering about what is a traditional marriage: well, in most part of Africa, especially sub saharan, a traditional or a customary marriage is a ceremony wherein prominent members of the couple would meet, usually at the house of the girl's father, to "discuss" the prospect of joining both family by allowing the couple to get married. Briefly, it is during this ceremony that the couple officially become engaged. 

Unfortunately,  it is not formalized. And so there aren't any documentations to back it up. 

 

I don't know what to do. any advice will be very appreciated. 

[Sean&Lailane 31]

6 minutes ago, shalyn said:

AFTER 202 DAYS FINALY APPROVED!!!! What a long wait smh

Wow, nice!!! I'm very happy for you two  . Fyi to others USCIS site still shows us as Received. 

[Jeffreyyu 303]

11 minutes ago, shalyn said:

AFTER 202 DAYS FINALY APPROVED!!!! What a long wait smh

Congratulations may  god guide you on the rest of your journey 

Edited February 26, 2018 by Jeffreyyu

[Mrsjackson 300]

16 minutes ago, Afrobeat said:

Hello guys, 

I have been lurking here for 3 weeks, given that the USCIS costumer service wasn't really helpful. It seems to me that the operators are only trained to read a long script, like cops when they take their precious time to read you your Miranda rights, before they take you to you know where😁. 

 

Anyway, first I'd like to extend my gratitude to all the active members. Seriously your reactions helps me battle anxiety and depression. For instance 4 days ago I called USCIS to inquire about my pending case, the operator, who was, it seems to me, very condescending, told me after all the routines questions ( how many have you called, etc...) that they are working on August 1st cases and asked me to check back after 6 weeks, since my NOA1 is dated August 8th. What a huge setback that was. Once again I sought refuge here, and once again my hope was rebooted. It works everytime. 

 

Yesterday I checked my mail and finally i got a response from the USCIS, an RFE (to me this is better than no response). They are requesting that i provide a traditional wedding certificate. This is because i mentioned on the application and also on some of the pictures, that we had a traditional wedding. Why on earth did I mention it knowing well that it is such a foreign concept  in the U.S ?? In my opinion that was unnecessary details. 

Just in case you are wondering about what is a traditional marriage: well, in most part of Africa, especially sub saharan, a traditional or a customary marriage is a ceremony wherein prominent members of the couple would meet, usually at the house of the girl's father, to "discuss" the prospect of joining both family by allowing the couple to get married. Briefly, it is during this ceremony that the couple officially become engaged. 

Unfortunately,  it is not formalized. And so there aren't any documentations to back it up. 

 

I don't know what to do. any advice will be very appreciated. 

Can you write a letter explaining that in your culture this is the tradition followed by engaged couples but does not render you a legally married couple? It sounds like they’re confused by the ceremony and thinking it was a wedding instead of more of an engagement celebration. I hope someone else can add to this. Good luck!

[LuFlolady 881]

40 minutes ago, Sean&Lailane said:

I'm actually crying... I just went to the mail box. I was shaking when I saw the letter, I was afraid to open it! I was worriyng that it would be a RFE......We finally got approval> NOA2 dated 02/21. We were received on Aug. 22, with a notice date of the 24th. I'll update my timeline. Thank you everyone and especially @Naes. 

congrats!

[Afrobeat 0]

2 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

Can you write a letter explaining that in your culture this is the tradition followed by engaged couples but does not render you a legally married couple? It sounds like they’re confused by the ceremony and thinking it was a wedding instead of more of an engagement celebration. I hope someone else can add to this. Good luck!

Thank you very much for your advice. I think that is what I'm going to do, I hope that they are going to be easily persuaded .

[MandW 310]

yeah one thing NOT to mention when filing is the word "marriage" unless its in the intent to marry letter both of you write, but other than that best to keep all that info off the petition. like ceremonies , taking pictures at a ceremony and all that especially keep those ceremony pics offline as well. like FB and that stuff.

[Mrsjackson 300]

3 minutes ago, Afrobeat said:

Thank you very much for your advice. I think that is what I'm going to do, I hope that they are going to be easily persuaded .

No problem. Try not to worry too much as this actually happens quite often. In some countries, a religious ceremony is a legally binding ceremony. USCIS just wants to hear that this was not the case. You should be fine. 

[Afrobeat 0]

Plus my fiancé and I have a 2 years son. I including that too. You think they are suspecting that we are actually married?? 

[NICK & PAULA 1,097]

56 minutes ago, Sean&Lailane said:

I'm actually crying... I just went to the mail box. I was shaking when I saw the letter, I was afraid to open it! I was worriyng that it would be a RFE......We finally got approval> NOA2 dated 02/21. We were received on Aug. 22, with a notice date of the 24th. I'll update my timeline. Thank you everyone and especially @Naes. 

Congratulations!!!!!

38 minutes ago, shalyn said:

AFTER 202 DAYS FINALY APPROVED!!!! What a long wait smh

Congratulations, dears!! So happy for you!

[Afrobeat 0]

3 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

No problem. Try not to worry too much as this actually happens quite often. In some countries, a religious ceremony is a legally binding ceremony. USCIS just wants to hear that this was not the case. You should be fine. 

I will write the letter, i might actually use some of your verbatim 😁😁

[MandW 310]

OK, now I'm waiting for a case number from NVC, should I go ahead and complete my 134 form and get my bank statements now? already did my taxes so I have that return, no need for letter of employment I'm self employed which is why I did my taxes already because I knew I needed the most recent return.

[NICK & PAULA 1,097]

Just now, MandW said:

OK, now I'm waiting for a case number from NVC, should I go ahead and complete my 134 form and get my bank statements now? already did my taxes so I have that return, no need for letter of employment I'm self employed which is why I did my taxes already because I knew I needed the most recent return.

Yes! You can fill out your i-134 as early as now and maybe your fiancee can start filling out the DS 160 too while waiting for the case number. You're almost at the end of the race so keep going & good luck. 

[shalyn 48]

Where do I look for the nvc wait time?