MARCH 2019 I-129F FILERS

[nosleep 130]

I checked case tracker app this morning for cases received on March 25 and I'm hoping it is just bad data but it shows an unusually high number of RFEs issued on June 26.  There were 17 cases shown, 2 were approved and 15 showed RFE.  I hope this is just bad data from the app and not a trend.

[Elif_and_Greg 164]

6 minutes ago, nosleep said:

I checked case tracker app this morning for cases received on March 25 and I'm hoping it is just bad data but it shows an unusually high number of RFEs issued on June 26.  There were 17 cases shown, 2 were approved and 15 showed RFE.  I hope this is just bad data from the app and not a trend.

Well, I'm one of those RFEs, and both the old and new websites are stating the same thing. I don't reckon it's a glitch. 

[nosleep 130]

It is just strange how approvals were moving along very well until this week.  There has been very little activity and now suddenly a large proportion of the cases reviewed have an RFE.  Is anyone aware of any potential changes that have happened?

[Elif_and_Greg 164]

17 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

Here is a good explanation of what they maybe looking for as far as additional information as outlined in the so to be received RFE.

 

https://www.visatutor.com/i-129f-evidence-of-meeting/

Thank you, that is pretty good information. I'm thinking I can start with making copies of my Turkish tourist visas for each of my trip's there. Getting a receipt from the hotel of my first trip (I stayed with her family the second trip) could be tricky but I'll give it a shot. 

 

I'll make letters for Elif and I for each of us to sign. I'm not sure what else I can show about my flights. I've submitted what I had about them already. Past receipts were surprisingly hard to find and I didn't save all my boarding passes cause I lacked the foresight. 

 

So it seems likely that it's the dates that are in question. I'd like to think my Turkish tourist visa stamps with signed letters would be the best way to verify that. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

8 minutes ago, Elif_and_Greg said:

Thank you, that is pretty good information. I'm thinking I can start with making copies of my Turkish tourist visas for each of my trip's there. Getting a receipt from the hotel of my first trip (I stayed with her family the second trip) could be tricky but I'll give it a shot. 

 

I'll make letters for Elif and I for each of us to sign. I'm not sure what else I can show about my flights. I've submitted what I had about them already. Past receipts were surprisingly hard to find and I didn't save all my boarding passes cause I lacked the foresight. 

 

So it seems likely that it's the dates that are in question. I'd like to think my Turkish tourist visa stamps with signed letters would be the best way to verify that. 

Your plan sound good. I'd add wait for the letter. Here is what my experience is with RFE's from others.

 

When you receive an RFE (Request For Evidence) the best way to handle the RFE is to read it carefully. Do ONLY what it says. DON"T add tons and tons of unnecessary documents. It's not needed and will NOT help your case. The adjudicator has already made up their mind about your case and if you do what they ask then they are going to approve your case. Of course if something in your past is hanging up the approval, hence the RFE then what you return will answer the question(s) that the Adjudicator has.

[rita&vinnie 24]

41 minutes ago, Elif_and_Greg said:

So I got an RFE today. I've read enough on these forums to know not to panic. But I'm also imagining what possible evidence they could be asking for and I won't know until I receive the letter in the mail which was mailed out yesterday.

 

The CaseTracker app showed me this morning about the RFE and both the old and new websites state the RFE was mailed out June 26th.

 

My application packet had pictures from two separate trips of me and my fiance in Turkey. The second trip included photos of our engagement ceremony. I had proof of both my flights there. And we both had signed letters stating our intent to marry each other within the 90 days. 

 

It's just hard to imagine what could be so lacking about my application. It seems others get approved for having much less, but I know that's just an emotional reaction. I don't really know that. And yeah, I know I shouldn't compare my case with other people's, but it really seems just my luck overall.

 

So I'm seeking any advice you're all willing to give me. What types of things do they ask for in an RFE? When they receive the evidence again, does it take a long time to get the wheels spinning back up? Or is the case primed for approval pending acceptable evidence that they requested? Do people tend to get approve as long as they provide the evidence requested? Like, we weren't denied. So I'm thinking, is it all hinging on that RFE then? 

 

 

 

We got a RFE because there was an issue with filling some of the questions on the form. Fixed, sent back on the 18th, got a notification on the old site that they received on the 19th and now we are waiting to hear back from them...

[Elif_and_Greg 164]

4 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

Your plan sound good. I'd add wait for the letter. Here is what my experience is with RFE's from others.

 

When you receive an RFE (Request For Evidence) the best way to handle the RFE is to read it carefully. Do ONLY what it says. DON"T add tons and tons of unnecessary documents. It's not needed and will NOT help your case. The adjudicator has already made up their mind about your case and if you do what they ask then they are going to approve your case. Of course if something in your past is hanging up the approval, hence the RFE then what you return will answer the question(s) that the Adjudicator has.

I'm glad you told me that. My instincts were indeed to pile on more evidence in addition to what they request from me. I'm sure my lawyer would've eventually said the same thing to me you are now. LOL 

Just now, rita&vinnie said:

We got a RFE because there was an issue with filling some of the questions on the form. Fixed, sent back on the 18th, got a notification on the old site that they received on the 19th and now we are waiting to hear back from them...

Ah okay. Hopefully mine's as simple as that. Cause I really did present a LOT of evidence in my initial application packet. 

[rita&vinnie 24]

2 minutes ago, Elif_and_Greg said:

I'm glad you told me that. My instincts were indeed to pile on more evidence in addition to what they request from me. I'm sure my lawyer would've eventually said the same thing to me you are now. LOL 

Ah okay. Hopefully mine's as simple as that. Cause I really did present a LOT of evidence in my initial application packet. 

Yeah we sent a lot of things too hahaha. The letter should take 5-7 days to get to your address. Then follow @Greenbaum's tips and you're good

[Elif_and_Greg 164]

8 minutes ago, rita&vinnie said:

Yeah we sent a lot of things too hahaha. The letter should take 5-7 days to get to your address. Then follow @Greenbaum's tips and you're good

Your timeline says something about an RFE reply. Was that them basically just saying, "We got your evidence, now you can wait again."

 

I'm just curious how often people send in the new evidence per the RFE and then still get denied. Like, I'd like to believe that once they satisfy the RFE then everything else is good to go. Or else they would've already denied the application, right?

Edited June 27, 2019 by Elif_and_Greg

[Elif_and_Greg 164]

9 hours ago, Habever said:

Sooo Happy!!! 

We just get approved!!!! 🙏🏻🎉🎊

The old site says that our case was approved on June 25, no updates yet on the new site.

 

NOA1 : March 25

NOA2 : June 25

 

Good luck to everyone!

 

7 hours ago, Moxman said:

NOA1: April 1 2019

NOA2: June 26 2019

I'm so happy for us and everyone else!!! Congratulations!!!

Congrats to both of you guys by the way!

 

Sorry, I meant to say that sooner, but was distracted with my own case. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

7 minutes ago, Elif_and_Greg said:

Your timeline says something about an RFE reply. Was that them basically just saying, "We got your evidence, now you can wait again."

 

I'm just curious how often people send in the new evidence per the RFE and then still get denied. Like, I'd like to believe that once they satisfy the RFE then everything else is good to go. Or else they would've already denied the application, right?

I'm trying to think of the many ways that I can advise you on this topic but I keep coming back to what I have already said - So I'll just say it again:

 

"The adjudicator has already made up their mind about your case and if you do what they ask then they are going to approve your case. Of course if something in your past is hanging up the approval, hence the RFE then what you return will answer the question(s) that the Adjudicator has."

[Elif_and_Greg 164]

1 minute ago, Greenbaum said:

I'm trying to think of the many ways that I can advise you on this topic but I keep coming back to what I have already said - So I'll just say it again:

 

"The adjudicator has already made up their mind about your case and if you do what they ask then they are going to approve your case. Of course if something in your past is hanging up the approval, hence the RFE then what you return will answer the question(s) that the Adjudicator has."

You're right, you did say that already. My typing speed far exceeds my reading comprehension and I'm in a bit of a flurry over this. So now I'll continue to wait for the RFE. Thank you and the rest of you for your support!

[rita&vinnie 24]

12 minutes ago, Elif_and_Greg said:

Your timeline says something about an RFE reply. Was that them basically just saying, "We got your evidence, now you can wait again."

Yes we replied on the 18th and got the notification on the 19th saying they received it. Still waiting for the Approval, which we think will happen soon. Also, listen to @Greenbaum

 

3 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

"The adjudicator has already made up their mind about your case and if you do what they ask then they are going to approve your case. Of course if something in your past is hanging up the approval, hence the RFE then what you return will answer the question(s) that the Adjudicator has."

 

I'm not an expert but since the beginning of this process for me and my fiance, I haven't seen a process get denied... 

 

Good luck and keep the faith!

[oflyingbunnyo 119]

1 hour ago, Elif_and_Greg said:

My application packet had pictures from two separate trips of me and my fiance in Turkey. The second trip included photos of our engagement ceremony.  This unfortunately is more detrimental than beneficial and it's strongly advise not to do with K-1's, nothing you can do now since you've already sent them but this has warranted enough for a denial of the visa to other users in the past because the CO either believes they got "married" or they look: "Too married"  Sure, you and your fiance know that this was an engagement ceremony and nothing more but this is not about what you think, it's about what they think.  If I were you, if her embassy permits it, I'd either accompany her to the interview or wait outside the premises and give her your passport so they know your there.

 

It's just hard to imagine what could be so lacking about my application. It seems others get approved for having much less, but I know that's just an emotional reaction. I don't really know that. And yeah, I know I shouldn't compare my case with other people's, but it really seems just my luck overall.

 

So I'm seeking any advice you're all willing to give me. What types of things do they ask for in an RFE? When they receive the evidence again, does it take a long time to get the wheels spinning back up? Or is the case primed for approval pending acceptable evidence that they requested? Do people tend to get approve as long as they provide the evidence requested? Like, we weren't denied. So I'm thinking, is it all hinging on that RFE then? 

I know a RFE is no reason to congratulate but at least your case has been touched and is being worked on in surprisingly a little bit more than 3 months in comparison to previous 6-8 months for an approval excluding any RFE's! This has the answers you seek.

 From your post history, a friendly advice from one worry wart to another, you need to relax. 

I know that it is not the easiest of things to do, specially since it seems like your bored out of your mind anxiously waiting at the edge of your seat to hear something from USCIS but, as one wise person told me over here, stop comparing your cases with others or this will eat you alive, this really can be like a drug and it's mind boggling how much of one's time being sucked dry by being here for hours, you might say to yourself: "Oh, let me just check the website, just a little peak for this and that" but this always spirals out of control and then you've spent here 3+ hours piling & piling more insecurities, fears, worries, etc. about the whole thing. 

It's hard but it's achievable to get this off one's mind, also, you need to start setting yourself healthy & realistic expectations. We all went into this knowing that it could take 6-8 months from official processing times. 

The moment I stopped thinking about this so and regained control of my life, the letter arrived. I know that we both have different experiences but honestly, inform yourself on what to do when a RFE happens & how to appropriately respond, let the letter come when it comes (which will be shortly) and then just respond to the RFE and wait 30 days to hear something back. If it takes less, awesome, if not, well, at least you knew it could take 30 days to finally get NOA2. 

 

In regards to your questions, well,  I finally understand why @Greenbaum usually gets mad when asked the same things that have been asked countless of times (I'm guilty haha) 

Not only does it help with spam, but VJ is an amazing website that contains tons & tons of information for pretty much any question you might have with even pinned threads (such as the above, which is right at the very beginning of the forums page) also, check out other month filers threads, February, January, etc. and you will find what you need plus more really. 

 

I only wish you the best of luck in the rest of this journey ! 

Congratulation to all the approvals this week so far! Seems like this week finally caught up ! 

Edited June 27, 2019 by oflyingbunnyo

[Elif_and_Greg 164]

Thank you for that, and for your support. That list is interesting. Lots of stuff about divorces. And I actually am divorced, so maybe my court documents are missing something. But obviously I could speculate about the RFE all day and instead I'll just take your advice and relax and wait for the letter.