Please help me stay sane

[Vholde346 351]

2 hours ago, Dutchster said:

If this already stresses you out, then you won't like the AOS stage where it takes nearly 5-6 months before people receive their work permit and advance parole and where it takes for a lot of people over a year to adjust status successfully and you just sit in the dark. 

It's a really frustrating process. I found myself checking CEAC too many times, too, before and after approval. Same in the AOS stage, which I really hated. The key really is to keep yourself occupied and try not to stress about the process. If anything is wrong, they will contact you ASAP. If not, no news is good news, is how I try to think. 

I am aware that the next stage is going to be hard too but manageable because I will be with my family. It’s hard being apart and not having your confidant to lean on during times like this.

[NovaDC 270]

Exactly! The wait for the AOS is much more insane compared to the  wait for visa. Ive been waiting for EAD and AP for 4 months and i have been desperate and now in the 5th month  that i have been caring less and getting use to life  i just saw that my case is ready for the interview! Some Things really come up in the most unexpected time!

[Dutchster 1,107]

32 minutes ago, Vholde346 said:

I am aware that the next stage is going to be hard too but manageable because I will be with my family. It’s hard being apart and not having your confidant to lean on during times like this.

I definitely understand --I wasn't attacking you or anything. Even with support and being with my new family, I felt like I was going insane during the AOS process. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, Vholde346 said:

I am aware that the next stage is going to be hard too but manageable because I will be with my family. It’s hard being apart and not having your confidant to lean on during times like this.

I agree. We abandoned all the checking status on USCIS for AOS. Did not join a "monthly filers group" that kept a progress list. Had enough of that trap for a lifetime doing the K1.  We just got on with our lives together.  You will be limited to no job, no driver license, no travel out of US until that EAD comes through. Find a hobby or volunteer somewhere because it can get boring. 

 If you find a job, you can ask to expedite the work authorization. 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

8 hours ago, Vholde346 said:

It has been 11 months since we started this process and I still don’t have my visa. I am near the end but my anxiety and stress over this is worse than ever! 

 

I had my interview on the 21st and it was in AP pending my medical results, which arrived on the 3rd. It changed from AP to Ready (for interview????) on the 6th. Do I need to get in touch with them since I’ve already had my interview? 

Hang in there.  It will be worth the wait.  God Bless and Aloha, david

[InLoveWithABrit 12]

9 hours ago, Vholde346 said:

It has been 11 months since we started this process and I still don’t have my visa. I am near the end but my anxiety and stress over this is worse than ever! 

 

I had my interview on the 21st and it was in AP pending my medical results, which arrived on the 3rd. It changed from AP to Ready (for interview????) on the 6th. Do I need to get in touch with them since I’ve already had my interview? 

How do you know when they received your medical? And when was your medical apt? Our medical was June 27th and interview was last Friday, approved pending medical results. Not sure when they will receive it.

[FamousJerry 47]

Our k1 noa1 was on March of 2017 and we got our visa in March of 2018 its a long process and it will drive you crazy.

[Rocko20 159]

I'm about to be in my 8th month of waiting just for the NOA2. In hindsight, I think we all would've just did the CR1 Visa, which still takes 10-14 months.

 

Perhaps the government sees it as a "game" of how long you can "wait." To prove again once more that the relationship is truly bona fide.

 

One thing that keeps my sanity is that there are folks who have waited much longer and that giving up does nothing. Hell, I've seen folks get denied, start the process all over again, then get accepted. I'm frustrated but I refuse to lose my sanity over it.

[Alabamak1 688]

@Vholde346 OMG, i thought you would be stateside by now. Sorry to hear this. Hang in there, the wait is worth it. 

[mysticdolphin95 431]

6 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

You will be limited to no job, no driver license, no travel out of US until that EAD comes through.

This is not necessarily true - it depends on the state.  My now-husband was able to get his license essentially immediately after arrival (the only thing that slowed him down was waiting for a driving test spot).  No EAD or GC required; he just had to show a valid I-94.  

[TNJ17 1,329]

Yeah, the waiting game sucks but it’s only a matter of days now for you so hang in there. The AOS phase is another waiting game too but it’s much easier because you’re together. Good luck. 

[Dianalorena 1,153]

We started the process (CR1) in early February 2017, which means we've been waiting for a year and 5 months so far, with a month and a half to go before the interview, and we've been a total of two years long distance so far. I had to see how other people made it in half the time, how most just adjust status together. *Sarcastic yay* 

Of course this process drives you crazy! there's nothing cool about having to wait this long away from your loved ones  it sounds like the ''worst'' part (long distance wise, I mean) is almost over, and although getting married and starting a life together will have its own challenges, at least you'll be able to work it together like you said, which it's what we're looking forward to. The good news is, all of these has prepared you both,  made you stronger to be able to withstand whatever comes your way. In any moment of doubt or struggle, just remember how hard you fought to be together and how crazy you felt. <3 And you're literally at the end of it! 

I'm sending you a big hug and wishing you both the best 

 

 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

30 minutes ago, mysticdolphin95 said:

This is not necessarily true - it depends on the state.  My now-husband was able to get his license essentially immediately after arrival (the only thing that slowed him down was waiting for a driving test spot).  No EAD or GC required; he just had to show a valid I-94.  

Did they expire his license when his 90 days expired since his legal entry ended? 

[ramesesthe2nd 149]

14 hours ago, little immigrant said:

I know the waiting is crazy but find something to do. I used to play online games with my spouse to pass time 

Finding a game playing spouse is even harder than immigration visa. At least my wife doesn't think I shouldn't be playing video games at this age. 

[acidrain 325]

It's tough when you can see the finish line but aren't quite there yet. It took us 13 months in total to have our IR1. I was put into AP for a couple of weeks. The most stressful part was when Canada Post lost my passport with the visa stamp. Fortunately it turned up but it was the most stressful week of my life.

 

All of your plans are on hold until you know how it pans out. You can't move or plan a future until you get the visa. It doesn't help it's hard to get a hold of anyone who can help you. The customer service aspect of the whole thing is negligent. Thank goodness for groups like VJ because I would've lost my mind if I had to go through it alone.

 

As hard as it is try to remember there will be an ending. You may not know exactly when but it will happen.

Edited July 10, 2018 by acidrain