5-7 Months is too long!

[Leigh&Antonio 2]

The 5-7 months wait at the USCIS is a really long time.  I have the app on my phone and I check it everyday.  My application has been waiting for 88 days now (accepted April 24, 2018). The application check date is only on December 17, 2017 (today is July 15, 2018).   ITs so long!  Has the process gotten longer since Trump has been in Office?  Also is the USCIS processing times include the NVC or is that time frame separate from the USCIS processing times?   I really wish that he could visit me here instead of me flying to Dominican Republic.  I am a school teacher and I cannot take off days at a time to visit but he could from his job.   I really miss him and we do talk every night but I really miss hugging him.   I have not had to get a lawyer and it is my impression that you only reach out to one if you have had a problem with the application and I have heard that they cannot make the process go any faster.  

 

Does anyone else feel like their application is in Limbo or collecting dust on top of a shelf somewhere?

 

 

[Crazy Cat 41,661]

1.  Processing times were increasing before President Trump was elected.  I think they have leveled out a little over the last few months.

2.  USCIS processing times do not include NVC times.

 

Yes, we have all felt like our case is just gathering dust........just requires a lot of patience, planning, and money.

Is your profile correct?  F-1 visa?

 

 

[Loren Y 2,755]

My application was just approved on July 3, 2018. It was a long 189 day wait for approval, and that was a fast one with no RFE'S. 190 to 200 days seems to be the norm now. There are people that have been waiting over 200 days. NVC is my next step, and after your NOA 2 everything is supposed to be faster. Of course after 189 days just about anything is faster. You just have to hang in there. The wait is tough, but the price you pay to be together. Just stay strong and know that if you make it thru this, the rest is easy.... Well, maybe not easy, but tolerable because you are together. Mine is a K1 Visa, not sure if yours is, since you posted in the I129 area, I think it is.

Edited July 15, 2018 by Loren Y

[Loren Y 2,755]

Also make sure to check and use the new USCIS site.

 

https://my.uscis.gov/account

 

It updated long before the older one that's linked to the app did.

Edited July 15, 2018 by Loren Y

[Leigh&Antonio 2]

Really, Thank you I appreciate the quick response.  I will definitely check it out.  It does not seem like anyone has been updating the Timelines webpage on this site.  

[Leigh&Antonio 2]

14 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

My application was just approved on July 3, 2018. It was a long 189 day wait for approval, and that was a fast one with no RFE'S. 190 to 200 days seems to be the norm now. There are people that have been waiting over 200 days. NVC is my next step, and after your NOA 2 everything is supposed to be faster. Of course after 189 days just about anything is faster. You just have to hang in there. The wait is tough, but the price you pay to be together. Just stay strong and know that if you make it thru this, the rest is easy.... Well, maybe not easy, but tolerable because you are together. Mine is a K1 Visa, not sure if yours is, since you posted in the I129 area, I think it is.

Yes it is an I-129 Fiance Visa, I had forgotten their legal term of K1Visa.  Thank you.   However, if they could do less time in the past then they could do it again if ....... (hiring takes place).  Or is it because Trump came into office and everyone Panicked.  jjj  I was just hoping he would be here by Christmas, I always wanted to get married in December. 

[Loren Y 2,755]

4 minutes ago, Leigh&Antonio said:

Yes it is an I-129 Fiance Visa, I had forgotten their legal term of K1Visa.  Thank you.   However, if they could do less time in the past then they could do it again if ....... (hiring takes place).  Or is it because Trump came into office and everyone Panicked.  jjj  I was just hoping he would be here by Christmas, I always wanted to get married in December. 

Yes, I'm hoping to have my fiancee here in November. I feel the pain. If he doesn't make it in December, you can do a small courthouse ceremony, then do a big renewal of your vows or big wedding in December. I just checked my app for USCIS and it says they still only received my application, so the app is not very reliable.

[Dave_and_Jessa 212]

I have been through this process twice now (and never again! lol) And I know several couples who have also been through the process over the period of the last 10-15 years.  From my knowledge, processing times have never been as long as they are right now.  I could be wrong, but that's just from the data I see.  And the wait times are not caused by an increase in the number of petitions.  So take that for what it's worth...

Edited July 15, 2018 by Dave_and_Jessa

[britishandusa 446]

5 - 7 months is very short.  My husband (fiancé then) took 9 months until he finally got here and that was WITHOUT an RFE. There are still a few people from last June (when we filed) waiting for NOA 2. You gotta have patience, this isn’t process isn’t easy nor short. Try to spend time building evidence and making plans in the mean time.

[Leigh&Antonio 2]

6 minutes ago, britishandusa said:

5 - 7 months is very short.  My husband (fiancé then) took 9 months until he finally got here and that was WITHOUT an RFE. There are still a few people from last June (when we filed) waiting for NOA 2. You gotta have patience, this isn’t process isn’t easy nor short. Try to spend time building evidence and making plans in the mean time.

What other evidence needs to be done?  We video chat every night, I have been to DR three times since we met I always stay with his family there. I have a Facebook with our pictures posted and linked to his & his family.  Every time I go there I take a lot of pictures.  I am looking into wedding venues but OMG in NJ they are so expensive.  I am thinking Vegas where it is cheaper or St. Thomas (VI).  I am not quite sure what other evidence is needed.  Please let me know.

[Leigh&Antonio 2]

17 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

Yes, I'm hoping to have my fiancee here in November. I feel the pain. If he doesn't make it in December, you can do a small courthouse ceremony, then do a big renewal of your vows or big wedding in December. I just checked my app for USCIS and it says they still only received my application, so the app is not very reliable.

Hi if your case has been active for 206 days you should file a case inquiry just to make sure they did not misplace it.  Thanks for the information.

[Loren Y 2,755]

9 minutes ago, Leigh&Antonio said:

Hi if your case has been active for 206 days you should file a case inquiry just to make sure they did not misplace it.  Thanks for the information.

That's the thing, I got approval on July 3rd, I have my NOA2 in hand, but the app hasn't updated yet. That is why you don't trust the app or the old USCIS website. Also, if you haven't signed up for Informed delivery at USPS make sure you do that. You will get scanned images of your mail before it arrives. It is a free service if available in your zip code, and will help you not miss any mail sent by USCIS.

Edited July 15, 2018 by Loren Y

[Leigh&Antonio 2]

31 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

That's the thing, I got approval on July 3rd, I have my NOA2 in hand, but the app hasn't updated yet. That is why you don't trust the app or the old USCIS website. Also, if you haven't signed up for Informed delivery at USPS make sure you do that. You will get scanned images of your mail before it arrives. It is a free service if available in your zip code, and will help you not miss any mail sent by USCIS.

Hi again,

I went to the USCIS website and logged in but I do not see any timelines on the page.  Where did you find the timeline on that page?

[Loren Y 2,755]

8 minutes ago, Leigh&Antonio said:

Hi again,

I went to the USCIS website and logged in but I do not see any timelines on the page.  Where did you find the timeline on that page?

The site doesn't have any timelines, it is just more accurate than the old site. If you log in you should be able to see your complete case status from the beginning. Should look like this or something similar, they have different views. Processing times are available here on VJ, and right now it says they are doing December 30th I129 cases at the CSC. Keep your timeline here updated and you can see the estimated approval prediction. My approval was 7 days before VJ said it would happen, so in my case it was pretty accurate.

 

July 3, 2018

We approved your case

Read the notice we mailed you for more information

If you do not receive your notice by August 02, 2018, send us a case inquiry and select that you did not receive your notice by mail.

If your mailing address changes, update your address with us.

 

 

December 26, 2017

We received your case

Read the notice we mailed you for more information about how we will process your case

We will begin processing your case and will review it to make sure you have submitted all of the required information and documents. We will let you know if we need anything else from you.

If you do not receive your notice by January 25, 2018, send us a case inquiry and select that you did not receive your notice by mail.

If your mailing address changes, update your address with us.

 

Edited July 16, 2018 by Loren Y

[Loren Y 2,755]

1 hour ago, Leigh&Antonio said:

What other evidence needs to be done?  We video chat every night, I have been to DR three times since we met I always stay with his family there. I have a Facebook with our pictures posted and linked to his & his family.  Every time I go there I take a lot of pictures.  I am looking into wedding venues but OMG in NJ they are so expensive.  I am thinking Vegas where it is cheaper or St. Thomas (VI).  I am not quite sure what other evidence is needed.  Please let me know.

Come out to Vegas!! get married by Elvis... LOL, do a drive thru wedding ( That's what I might do) granted I live here sooooo. But I think St.Thomas is out for you as a wedding destination because only USC are allowed travel without a passport there ( Though it is recommended). So if you go there with your fiance, he would technically be leaving the United States and abandoning his K1 visa. He could leave but not get back in without starting all over again. So be careful where you get married, keep it in the Continental US to be safe. I wanted to get married on a cruise out of California or Florida maybe, but both leave the United States, so I would be in the same boat, no pun intended.

 

For other evidence keep your boarding passes, maybe some credit card statements showing you were there. Copies of your entry and exit stamps. Since you stay with his family you don't have hotel receipts, but they are not so important. Boarding passes and passport stamps are some of the best evidence.

Edited July 16, 2018 by Loren Y