Lynxyonok

Thank you for that - can you fill out your timeline though? That would help more people.

So, let's see where we are. The first wave of case updates is around November 1 - 2, 2021. Essentially, the current USCIS posted 15,5-month case-close timeframe, but there's a caveat. Nearly half of newly-examined cases get RFEs. That's a 2+ week delay. I expect USCIS to resign to state 16+ processing timeframe sometime this month. In the meantime: how do we get more evidence to USCIS before they even ask about it? That's definitely something I'm thinking about in January of this year.

A lot of "approved" expedites have essentially been bogged down lately. Be patient.

I've been trying for quite some time to figure out what does this status mean. I genuinely hope this update is positive for you. Please let us know when you receive their mailed answer. Aren't those e-mailed?

Thank you. I was just puzzled as to why US Sanctions were applied on a European trip.

So, heads up. If you take a Russian beneficiary on a trip, you may run into a case where US trade sanctions kick in. This specific itinerary involved going on a cruise ship registered in Bahamas, with the cruise company having physical presence in United States. The itinerary did not include any US ports. TRADE SANCTION NOTIFICATION Dear <...> Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International. We hope this email finds you well. We’re reaching out today with regards to booking <...> sailing on <...> departing on <...>. Our records show that <...> in this reservation is a citizen of RUSSIA. Due to current United States trade sanctions against the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk, we are required to verify this guest's residency. Please provide the residency address of the guest in the following format: Full Name Street Address and House/Building Number City/Town and Postal Code Oblast/Krai (administrative region) Country In addition, please provide a copy of at least two of the following government issued documents, that reflect the guest’s current residence address. These items are required to keep this booking active. Passport National Identity Card Driver's License Permanent Resident Alien Card Permanent Resident Alien Application with an adjustment of status application pending Please send all documentation necessary to RoyalGSR@rccl.com with the following booking number included in your email: <...> Once you send the documents, there is nothing left for you to do! We'll only reach out if we need further information. If in the meantime, you have any questions, please contact us at 1-888-281-9344. Important Note: You may require a Visa, passport, or other travel documents based on our itinerary. Please be sure to check their travel requirements with a Visa service or a local consulate before their sailing. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support. We look forward to seeing you onboard in the near future! Sincerely, Royal Caribbean International

I am believing more and more firmly that cases are being given out in batches to individual officers. For example, have mercy on whoever gets this one's next set(s)... 😳 2290000491 Initial RFE Sent 12/16/22 1/10/23 2290000487 Initial RFE Sent 1/10/23 1/10/23 2290000484 Initial RFE Sent 12/14/22 1/10/23 2290000482 Initial RFE Sent 1/10/23 1/10/23 2290000481 Name Was Updated 10/25/21 1/10/23 2290000475 Initial RFE Sent 12/16/22 1/10/23 2290000474 Case Was Received 9/29/21 1/10/23 2290000472 Initial RFE Sent 12/13/22 1/10/23 2290000471 Initial RFE Sent 12/16/22 1/10/23 2290000465 Initial RFE Sent 12/13/22 1/10/23 2290000464 Case Was Received 9/29/21 1/10/23 2290000463 Initial RFE Sent 12/8/22 1/10/23 2290000462 Initial RFE Sent 12/8/22 1/10/23 2290000461 Initial RFE Sent 12/20/22 1/10/23 2290000460 Initial RFE Sent 1/9/23 1/10/23 2290000456 Initial RFE Sent 12/19/22 1/10/23 2290000454 Initial RFE Sent 12/16/22 1/10/23 2290000453 Initial RFE Sent 1/10/23 1/10/23 2290000450 Initial RFE Sent 12/20/22 1/10/23

Something to consider: the same error message is keyed when users forget to print out the barcode at the bottom of the pages. Their form may be current, but it's still flagged as unaccepted.

Yeah, this one is quite something. To almost break apart a 25-year Russian-Armenian alliance - that's a feat. It'd be fascinating to observe her first months in office.

There was a massive rush of Russian expedites in early spring to mid-summer with beneficiaries booking up interview dates for months and months out, then rescheduling them as those expedites were shut down. If I had a nickel for every interview window I saw desperately abandoned too shortly in time for anyone to retake it... Only three reschedule attempts are possible prior to having to pay anew; as more people realized they'd have to wait the entire 15+ months, interview appointment windows started to be more prominent. I think nowadays it's easy to catch one within 6 months whereas last summer it was nigh impossible. People became more cautious. (Yes, this revolved around K1 interviews, but overall resource drain had to roll over to CR1 ones too).

No, it was not Covid-related. The U.S. and Europe have jointly expelled more than 400 Russian diplomats and embassy workers since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine in late February, according to an Axios count. Russia must have responded in kind. Now US embassy in Moscow must be toothless. Now, I'm all for my fiancée not having to jump 3 countries for what could have been a Zoom call. I just don't see this happening without a mirroring action benefitting Russia.

I remain hopeful about the situation although a bit skeptical. This is an attempt to increase embassy staff which would not be possible without an equal expansion of staff of Russian embassy in USA. And that one just got cut by a number of personnel last year. So, to me this looks like a PR campaign at best. "Hey, we want to offer services to Russian citizens, but Russian government won't let us."

Those 6 photos*

Never give up, never surrender. Have you watched "Galaxy Quest?" Silly. Prophetic. Russians say (Kaverin, Two Captains): Strive - and search Find it - and don't let it go.

That's the perfect way to do so. Russians believe you will spend the year with those you meet it with. Needless to say, I did the same thing you did P.S. We've got to exchange New Year food recipes.

I'm back! So, without further ado, a small review: First of all, I've been very pleased with Serbs, their airline, and the airport. People are kind and hard-working. Sure, you get an occasional lazy bone or a grumpy pie, but overall, they are willing to go to the extra step even for a stranger. Especially if the stranger is equally kind in return. They are growing their airline. They are moving from a helter-skelter patchwork flight schedule (today this route leaves in the morning, two days later - at night) to a more predictable system - flights to JFK are now leaving the same time every day. And now that they've brought the second long-range airbus out of storage, they aren't even late as much! Oh, did I mention that they are leg cramp-free due to not having squeezed their seats like, well, every other competitor? They are building up their airport. Sure, it's incomplete: bring power banks. Sure, it's only got one currency exchange location, and it's a machine at that which gives 1,000-dinar notes inadmissible in vending machines. Sure, just like in the days of good old USSR most things close down at 10pm, no matter how many passengers are roaming the halls. But it's clean. Very, very clean. And there's staff roaming around the clock. And there's even a section with soft seats. They care about your protection. Yes, you will go through no fewer than three layers of security checks - even during transfer, even right as you are about to board the aircraft - and you will even have to send your passport and boarding pass through the x-ray machine at times. I will say though that travelling on Air Serbia via Belgrad (Beograd) felt like going back to USSR. Those of you old enough to know what that was like, would you agree? Anyways - I know I will be back. Questions?

If your application goes to California center or one of the other 4, no. But if it goes to a local USCIS center, yes. Some forms can take 3 years.

Some people wandered for 40 years for their promised one. I get it: it sucks. But we can prevail.

Right there: The most important part of it all.

Thank you for providing hard data for this scenario. I've been talking about the backlog for half a year, only to be labeled a pessimist 😜

Then you are already a mile ahead of so many others. At least you can visit at will

uscis.gov --> Tools (top right corner) --> Reports and Studies (left side) --> Immigration and Citizenship data (left side) --> Filter by Category - Change to "Processing Times" I'm sure you will get your turn. Have you filled out your timeline yet?

It's actually the best numbers for 2022...

Roughly 475 a week, +/-

Thank you. What did she think about Belgrade airport? I have lo-o-ong layovers and I was considering getting out into town for a bit.