March 2021 K1 I-129F filers

[slavaskii 886]

53 minutes ago, CJPinEcuador said:

I almost feel like it’s a way to stop us from contacting the ombudsman to report our case being out of processing time. It has to be 60 days past to ask for their assistance and if we have an answer from USCIS saying to wait 3 more months then they probably wouldn’t help us until those 90 days have passed. 

My confusion is just what's precisely happening with I-129F adjudication that they *know* the delays won't be resolved... is the K1 going to be phased out, or something? The filer here is March 1 NOA1, and I just ran the Case Tracker tonight - more March 1sts were being approved today, though not many. I feel awful for the people in April and beyond, at this point, you almost have to wonder if their adjudication would be faster with the spousal visa. I think 9 months was always realistic for NOA2 during COVID, but this is pretty firmly looking like a solid year if we indeed have to wait 90 days... something is very suspect that this all started collapsing at once.

 

Edit: Too, I just can't fathom these times, unless they're just not going to be processing I-129F at all. February filers are down to roughly 500 people, and from my understanding some of those have already received RFEs. March has 3400 applicants, around 150 of which have a March 1 NOA1. If it truly will take up to 90 days to get to a March 1 filer at this point, shouldn't this be a significant alarm for us all? 

 

Edit2: Apparently there were 18 March status updates, 13 of which being approvals from the beginning March block. Not sure if any other areas were touched. If only 15 cases were to be approved a day, that's still 150 in 10 days, which would clearly cover the above poster. And that's assuming it stays at 15, which is, of course, highly unlikely unless something did indeed change with processing in general. 

Edited December 7, 2021 by slavaskii

[Ivan&Maja 27]

7 hours ago, MarkPajr said:

Interesting that yours says 45 days. I just received the result of our inquiry today saying almost the exact same words except 90 days. "Your case is currently being adjudicated. You should receive a notice of action* within 90 days."
NOA1 = March 1st
Inquiry 1 = Nov 20th

Response = Dec 6th

Mine didn't have a date at all...

We regret we are not able to give you a timeframe for when we will review your case but the California Service Center is committed to processing this workload. We will be making every effort to adjudicate your case in the most efficient manner based on our available resources. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

What You Can Do
Please see the "Online Services" below to check the status of your case in the near future. We apologize for the delay.

We hope this information is helpful to you.

[slavaskii 886]

7 hours ago, Ivan&Maja said:

Mine didn't have a date at all...

We regret we are not able to give you a timeframe for when we will review your case but the California Service Center is committed to processing this workload. We will be making every effort to adjudicate your case in the most efficient manner based on our available resources. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

What You Can Do
Please see the "Online Services" below to check the status of your case in the near future. We apologize for the delay.

We hope this information is helpful to you.

Hmm. Does anyone know if the generic responses mean anything or if they’re just randomly assigned? I feel like “pending adjudication” just means they’ve received it, no? Or does it actually indicate it’s been assigned to an officer charged with reviewing it?

 

Perhaps if there’s a time frame specifically given, the adjudication is pending some sort of additional verification out of their control? Grasping at straws here, but I’m starting to think these responses don’t mean anything too concrete. 

[LemonLemonade 64]

14 hours ago, MarkPajr said:

Interesting that yours says 45 days. I just received the result of our inquiry today saying almost the exact same words except 90 days. "Your case is currently being adjudicated. You should receive a notice of action* within 90 days."
NOA1 = March 1st
Inquiry 1 = Nov 20th

Response = Dec 6th

Oh wow... yea like others said I feel that would be something to stop us from inquiring... 

I don't understand how the approval works. Some file in April or even May got approved already. I wonder if they are all the expedited case or just some were luckier or different processing center... 

I recently realized from NOA2 to NVC will take around 8 more month for Canada. 

So honestly at this point, not trying to be negative, I don't really see the NOA2 approval much of a hope lol 

I hope it is better to the rest of you 

[slavaskii 886]

43 minutes ago, LemonLemonade said:

Oh wow... yea like others said I feel that would be something to stop us from inquiring... 

I don't understand how the approval works. Some file in April or even May got approved already. I wonder if they are all the expedited case or just some were luckier or different processing center... 

I recently realized from NOA2 to NVC will take around 8 more month for Canada. 

So honestly at this point, not trying to be negative, I don't really see the NOA2 approval much of a hope lol 

I hope it is better to the rest of you 

Yes, that's why many people, when asking the difference between K1 and IR-1/CR-1, are being told on the forum the K1 isn't much of an advantage anymore. It's a lot more nuanced than that; it's entirely embassy specific. For Canada, you're right, NVC is a huge delay right now. Philippines, too, hasn't had movement in forever. For Slavic countries (going to Warsaw and Kyiv), the transfer from NVC seems more immediate. Check out the NOA2 - NVC - Interview thread to see what I mean. 

 

NOA2 times are roughly 9-11 months right now. The wait for the next stage is entirely embassy determinative and there's no guarantees there, unfortunately.

 

Also the April/May approvals are extreme outliers, no more of them are getting approved and it appears to just have been part of a batch randomly pulled. It's very clear the focus is now early March. 

Edited December 7, 2021 by slavaskii

[gna 10]

35 minutes ago, LemonLemonade said:

Oh wow... yea like others said I feel that would be something to stop us from inquiring... 

I don't understand how the approval works. Some file in April or even May got approved already. I wonder if they are all the expedited case or just some were luckier or different processing center... 

I recently realized from NOA2 to NVC will take around 8 more month for Canada. 

So honestly at this point, not trying to be negative, I don't really see the NOA2 approval much of a hope lol 

I hope it is better to the rest of you 

Hi, we're also processing from Canada! I gotta say (also trying to not be negative) but wow this sucks! A sucky situation lol. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and everything will go through eventually.

 

Quick question since you guys are in a similar boat as us: Have you been able to visit at all? I'm worried that my Canadian fiancé would be turned away at the US border if he tried visiting.

[Boy1988 36]

Hi anyone knows the times after NOA2 for the transfer to NVC or embassy in Bogota, Colombia ?

 

Edited December 7, 2021 by Boy1988

[slavaskii 886]

Update: at least 24 approvals came through for March filers yesterday, 19 of which were March 1st. I just ran the numbers for this column again and despite it being 9am in Cali there were already a couple more. 92 I-129F approvals in all (counting February/January as well). Here's hoping. 

[LemonLemonade 64]

43 minutes ago, slavaskii said:

Yes, that's why many people, when asking the difference between K1 and IR-1/CR-1, are being told on the forum the K1 isn't much of an advantage anymore. It's a lot more nuanced than that; it's entirely embassy specific. For Canada, you're right, NVC is a huge delay right now. Philippines, too, hasn't had movement in forever. For Slavic countries (going to Warsaw and Kyiv), the transfer from NVC seems more immediate. Check out the NOA2 - NVC - Interview thread to see what I mean. 

 

NOA2 times are roughly 9-11 months right now. The wait for the next stage is entirely embassy determinative and there's no guarantees there, unfortunately.

 

Also the April/May approvals are extreme outliers, no more of them are getting approved and it appears to just have been part of a batch randomly pulled. It's very clear the focus is now early March. 

Yea, if only we knew this before, we would have just apply with the other one.... I look forward to the NOA2, but I know we have a long way to go. It's so hard for everyone... 

 

43 minutes ago, gna said:

Hi, we're also processing from Canada! I gotta say (also trying to not be negative) but wow this sucks! A sucky situation lol. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and everything will go through eventually.

 

Quick question since you guys are in a similar boat as us: Have you been able to visit at all? I'm worried that my Canadian fiancé would be turned away at the US border if he tried visiting.

Oh yes lol it really really sucks. Like I was saying before, it was only recently I started to look into all these, and I learn so much from it and to see the shared experience everyone have. 

 

I did visit actually. I came back in Nov 2021 from 2 months being there. I am thinking of going back soon, but I am a bit confuse about the 182 days thing. 

They didn't give me any trouble at the boarder, but I was able to take some time off work, so I wasn't worry about providing proof I have strong tide with Canada, and will be coming back. They didn't end up asking me that. They are more worry if I am carrying enough cash on me lol. However, if I am going next time, I am not sure if my employer will be able to give me 3 months leave so I might have to quit and I will be worry they will ask me for proofs. 

I saw some people said to make sure you have proof to have strong tide with Canada and will be coming back (eg: rent, lease, mortgage, employment letter, etc) 

Honestly, even with that... I think I only have 3 or 3.5 months left being there in the last 12 months ( I don't know how to calculate the 182 days), and if the NOA to NVC takes 7 to 8 months at least... I don't know what else to do. It's so sad that we have to be away from our love ones and pause our life plans. 

[DeeJess 53]

Hey guys,

 

Still waiting; but let's continue the faith!!

 

Just wondering if anyone had any idea how long roughly the London embassy is taking once the NOA2 is recieved?

 

 

[slavaskii 886]

40 minutes ago, DeeJess said:

Hey guys,

 

Still waiting; but let's continue the faith!!

 

Just wondering if anyone had any idea how long roughly the London embassy is taking once the NOA2 is recieved?

 

 

VisaJourney has a little chart of all the embassies' waiting times (you have to go into the Processing Times section), but I recall someone telling me London was 55 days from consulate received (that is, the petition still must cross NVC first, but my understanding is a lower time from consulate received indicates a quicker NVC time, London included).

[DeeJess 53]

2 hours ago, slavaskii said:

VisaJourney has a little chart of all the embassies' waiting times (you have to go into the Processing Times section), but I recall someone telling me London was 55 days from consulate received (that is, the petition still must cross NVC first, but my understanding is a lower time from consulate received indicates a quicker NVC time, London included).

Oh god, I used to worry about the interview (the stress) but now I can't wait until that day! 

 

This has been such a stressful and upsetting situation for everyone. We can only hope that things improve for us all.

 

Thank you for letting me know, I'll be sure to check that part of VisaJourney

[Allison12 1]

Hi Friends! I am an April 5 filer but thought I would come over here to see if I can get some answers. 

 

I am a 33 (f) waiting to bring my 34 (m) Fiancé from Tanzania to Washington, DC. on the K1. I received my NOA1 on April 5, 2021. Has anyone from late March- early April received word? Also does anyone think working with an attorney speeds things up? I self filed but was very thorough. I have submitted an inquiry, and still nothing. I am outside of the timelines on the website.

 

I am a Department of Homeland Security employee (not USCIS). Think I can leverage this somehow? I also have a contact (foreign service officer) at the U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam where he will have his interview. I'm traveling to Tanzania over the holidays. You think there is anything I can do?? Willing to try ANYTHING at this point. 

 

Also does anyone know how long from NOA 2 to interview for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania? reading this forum is making me depressed  

[gjd2017 12]

20 minutes ago, Allison12 said:

 

Hi Friends! I am an April 5 filer but thought I would come over here to see if I can get some answers. 

 

I am a 33 (f) waiting to bring my 34 (m) Fiancé from Tanzania to Washington, DC. on the K1. I received my NOA1 on April 5, 2021. Has anyone from late March- early April received word? Also does anyone think working with an attorney speeds things up? I self filed but was very thorough. I have submitted an inquiry, and still nothing. I am outside of the timelines on the website.

 

I am a Department of Homeland Security employee (not USCIS). Think I can leverage this somehow? I also have a contact (foreign service officer) at the U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam where he will have his interview. I'm traveling to Tanzania over the holidays. You think there is anything I can do?? Willing to try ANYTHING at this point. 

 

Also does anyone know how long from NOA 2 to interview for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania? reading this forum is making me depressed  

Aww, so nice that you posted a photo! I am also an April 5 NOA1 filer! Very unfortunately, I don't expect that we will get a reply about our application until mid or late February. 

 

As for your other questions, I am really not sure. However, I imagine that talking to a lawyer would not speed it up. I think talking to your state's congressperson is the best you can do.

 

I also sent an inquiry. So we just need to wait, stay busy, and hope for the best when our time comes. I'm really getting the understanding that undertaking this (applying for a visa for someone to live in the US) is a long and challenging process. A lot of people get depressed or compare their timeline to others who sporadically get approved, etc. More seasoned individuals who have gone through this seem to understand better that it's a waiting game, so just take it easy and wait. At least, that's the philosophy I am taking since we really don't have any control over it. While the USCIS is moving SLOWLY, the important thing is that cases are being processed, so I chose to celebrate that fact and wait for my time. But, I do have my days too.

Edited December 8, 2021 by gjd2017

[Allison12 1]

Hi @gjd2017! So good to talk to to another April 5 filer:) I sometimes feel like I'm all alone in this boat. Your fiancé is from Japan? I spent 6 months in Tokyo! Can I ask where you get your February time frame? It seems like March folks are getting reviewed now. Don't you think that puts us in the beginning January category?