August 2018 I-129F Filers

[Nafis8 115]

Guys, how do you all deal with distance?😭 I've seen my fiance 8 months ago😭 and sometimes we can't even hangout, because some calling apps and Facebook got blocked in my country and sometimes even VPN apps don't help😭 plus this time difference..and now the RFE makes the waiting time longer..

[Mer and Matt 36]

1 minute ago, Nafisa Zaripova said:

Guys, how do you all deal with distance?😭 I've seen my fiance 8 months ago😭 and sometimes we can't even hangout, because some calling apps and Facebook got blocked in my country and sometimes even VPN apps don't help😭 plus this time difference..and now the RFE makes the waiting time longer..

We can call each other every day.

I'm an August 16 filer and still nothing so I booked two tickets (for me and my son) to see him in 3 weeks. Haven’t seen him for 6 months and my son is so sad.

[Isabel&Will 113]

3 minutes ago, Nafisa Zaripova said:

Guys, how do you all deal with distance?😭 I've seen my fiance 8 months ago😭 and sometimes we can't even hangout, because some calling apps and Facebook got blocked in my country and sometimes even VPN apps don't help😭 plus this time difference..and now the RFE makes the waiting time longer..

A few of us shared some of the things we do together a few posts up, though I think a lot of them won't help with things being blocked in your country.. that adds a whole other level of difficulty. 😥 To be honest I don't think I handle it very well, I've just sort of been dealing with it for so long that it's just become part of life. I try my best to just keep living life, I'm working full time and trying to save up money since I know I won't be able to work for a while once I get there. I'm also spending time with family since it will be hard to do so once I move and I find it helps the days pass quicker if I stay busy. The hard part is choosing whether I want to do those things or spend time with my fiance, so I do find that a lot of my scheduling revolves around him 😅I find that sharing activities you both enjoy can be really helpful, even if you have to do it on your own sometimes, being able to talk about it later is comforting. For example, both reading the same book and stuff like that.

[Nafis8 115]

1 minute ago, Mer and Matt said:

We can call each other every day.

I'm an August 16 filer and still nothing so I booked two tickets (for me and my son) to see him in 3 weeks. Haven’t seen him for 6 months and my son is so sad.

Lucky!!!!!

 

Can't even dream about that..it's very expensive for me to fly somewhere, and I need visa for most of the countries) our passport is very weak) and my fiancé can't come to my country because of his job restrictions..

[Mer and Matt 36]

6 minutes ago, Nafisa Zaripova said:

Lucky!!!!!

 

Can't even dream about that..it's very expensive for me to fly somewhere, and I need visa for most of the countries) our passport is very weak) and my fiancé can't come to my country because of his job restrictions..

My fiancé can’t come over either and it’s very expensive but I’m not moving before June cause he’s transferring to Florida after that (military) so this is a break in the waiting time. We’ve been doing this for years now so I’m kinda used to it ( he's at sea often) I really hope everyone gets approved fast! 

[Mer and Matt 36]

10 minutes ago, Brylie said:

Remember how it feels to be with your someone... remember their smell and the happiness you share. There is no one else in the world I’d rather be with, it makes this worth every hour and every minute of missing him. Find as many ways to connect as you can. And no matter what,  don’t forget the happiness you’ll have at the end of all of this.

Thank you! Totally right. For my son it’s really hard. He’s only 6 and wants to see his dad 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 hour ago, Mer and Matt said:

My fiancé can’t come over either and it’s very expensive but I’m not moving before June cause he’s transferring to Florida after that (military) so this is a break in the waiting time. We’ve been doing this for years now so I’m kinda used to it ( he's at sea often) I really hope everyone gets approved fast! 

I have known some who have used the military expedite process and have been in contact with the military helpline at USCIS. I'd recommend that you do a little research on the topic and see what you come up with. You may find you can cut your time waiting in half. I've included some links below to start researching. I have not used those websites nor am I knowledgeable to be able to help you. If you could keep me posted on your progress it would help to learn and maybe the next military family that applies I can share this topic with them. From and old Salty, thank your husband for me for is service.

 

USCIS has established a toll-free military help line exclusively for members of the military and their families. USCIS customer service specialists are available to answer calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (CST), excluding federal holidays. After-hours callers receive an email address that they can use to contact USCIS for assistance.

•Military Help Line: 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645)

 

https://www.uscis.gov/military

https://www.uscis.gov/archive/archive-news/questions-and-answers-members-military

https://www.uscis.gov/military/citizenship-family-members

https://immigrationroad.com/blog/tips-on-expediting-uscis-processing-for-military-personnel/

[JMEngland 438]

4 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

I have known some who have used the military expedite process and have been in contact with the military helpline at USCIS. I'd recommend that you do a little research on the topic and see what you come up with. You may find you can cut your time waiting in half. I've included some links below to start researching. I have not used those websites nor am I knowledgeable to be able to help you. If you could keep me posted on your progress it would help to learn and maybe the next military family that applies I can share this topic with them. From and old Salty, thank your husband for me for is service.

 

USCIS has established a toll-free military help line exclusively for members of the military and their families. USCIS customer service specialists are available to answer calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (CST), excluding federal holidays. After-hours callers receive an email address that they can use to contact USCIS for assistance.

•Military Help Line: 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645)

 

https://www.uscis.gov/military

https://www.uscis.gov/archive/archive-news/questions-and-answers-members-military

https://www.uscis.gov/military/citizenship-family-members

https://immigrationroad.com/blog/tips-on-expediting-uscis-processing-for-military-personnel/

I tried three times for an expedite due to military deployment, but they refused to give me one. they are being much more stringent now with military expedites. now they want to see a legitimate reason why it would be detrimental to the military itself, not to your family. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 minute ago, JMEngland said:

I tried three times for an expedite due to military deployment, but they refused to give me one. they are being much more stringent now with military expedites. now they want to see a legitimate reason why it would be detrimental to the military itself, not to your family. 

IC. Thanks for the update. My memory doesn't always advise me when I am posting something to someone that I had in the past. Thanks for your understanding.

 

[Robin Redemsky 32]

2 hours ago, Brylie said:

Remember how it feels to be with your someone... remember their smell and the happiness you share. There is no one else in the world I’d rather be with, it makes this worth every hour and every minute of missing him. Find as many ways to connect as you can. And no matter what,  don’t forget the happiness you’ll have at the end of all of this.

I teared up reading this. I have a sweater that he wore for me before I left on January 6th after being there two weeks for a visit with him for the holidays and it smells like him still. I wear it when I start feeling down about the distance or sometimes I cuddle with it. 

[JMEngland 438]

1 minute ago, Greenbaum said:

IC. Thanks for the update. My memory doesn't always advise me when I am posting something to someone that I had in the past. Thanks for your understanding.

 

Yea even with orders and a letter from my commander stating that her not getting in here in time could delay the mission and "would be detrimental to the military", they still rejected it. I eventually gave up. we restructured our companies and I'm off rotation now anyway, so no biggie. 

[Kowatti 189]

2 hours ago, Nafisa Zaripova said:

Guys, how do you all deal with distance?😭 I've seen my fiance 8 months ago😭 and sometimes we can't even hangout, because some calling apps and Facebook got blocked in my country and sometimes even VPN apps don't help😭 plus this time difference..and now the RFE makes the waiting time longer..

It's very difficult for all of us, especially when your loved one is in a country where the communication is limited.  It takes a lot of patience.  My fiancé is in a country where one day we might be able to video or audio chat or text each other & some days there is no reception at all.  Just like they lose electricity on a regular basis.  I get stressed out, but I try not to let him feel it when we are talking because he would only worry about me.  Days I cannot communicate with him, I get involved in art/craft projects.  We have our NOA2 & waiting for a case #.  Pretty soon he has to face a difficult embassy to deal with.  That is more stress.  I would advise to simply take advantage of the little time you may have when you connect online or via chats.  At the end of all this, we can all laugh about it & thank God for sending a wonderful partner to us.  I am so sorry about the RFE.  Sending hugs your way.

[Kowatti 189]

3 hours ago, Brylie said:

It’s how we met! We sing so well together that we became best friends and fell in love. 

Beautiful love story!  Very sweet.  If I try the singing thing, it would only hurt other people's ears 😩. 

[Mer and Matt 36]

18 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

I have known some who have used the military expedite process and have been in contact with the military helpline at USCIS. I'd recommend that you do a little research on the topic and see what you come up with. You may find you can cut your time waiting in half. I've included some links below to start researching. I have not used those websites nor am I knowledgeable to be able to help you. If you could keep me posted on your progress it would help to learn and maybe the next military family that applies I can share this topic with them.

 

 

From and old Salty, thank your husband for me for is service.

 

Definitely will Greenbaum! Thank you!

 

We tried to expedite our case with multiple good arguments but still the answer was no. Letter from the captain didn’t work either. It’s ok we have to take it as it is. We decided to wait until June to move, even when we have our k1 already. I can’t transfer with him anymore. With the government shutdown we are more busy trying to make sure families around us have food and money right now. 

[aclarant 8]

My parents just sent me a scan of our approval today! NOA1 August 13, NOA2 January 16, received today. We were so anxious reading these forums seeing all the approvals, but we made it!!!!