sonnyboy0323

it really is such a joke. we just heard about someone's case getting approved in barely over a month. all the while those of us from this super specific timeframe are stuck waiting while they just ignore our piles of cases and fast track everyone else. i'm not sure if i should assume incompetence or just malice. either seems likely. while these people get approved in barely over 30 days, we're expected to what, wait 2 years?
and i'm not allowed to submit an inquiry until MAY of 2025? what a joke. take the money and then look the other way it seems. 
 
"Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between May 27, 2024 and June 20, 2024*."
well that came and went, didn't it?

Unfortunately I'm in the same situation! Filed February 26th and received my NOA1 by the 29th...now silenced. It helps to know I'm not alone in being skipped but doesn't make the waiting easier. If anyone from this batch receives their next notification can you let us know? 

in the exact same frustrating spot. filed a day after you (Feb 29th), case received a day later, and got our NOA1 about a week after. then absolutely nothing. we were expecting and ready for the wait, but then seeing people who filed after us get approved before us has been incredibly disheartening. like literally, what possible reason could there be to skip such a large batch of filers? they take our money then sit on their hands. sad.

Same filing date as you (Feb 28). They process less of February and only few for January. I’ve heard that they’re now processing May filers now ☹️☹️☹️

I also filed on the same day as you . My hopes were high because before the holidays It was moving fast and I got to the front of the line . Next thing you know , A STAND STILL , showing the same results you have . It’s discouraging because you see people filing after us getting approved. I understand the feeling , our time will come soon . 

I’m in the same boat, late Jan 2024 filer. As of now, nothing. I think whoever was working on our pile went on a 3 week vacation. 😢

I-129F NOA1 dated February 28th, 2024; Somewhat disheartening that April filers are getting approvals, but there haven't been any indications of progress on our end.
***removed due to spam*** seems to indicate hardly any cases from the two weeks or so spanning our NOA1 date have been processed, even though the majority of cases before and after have been approved, and casestatusext.com says that relatively few cases from our batch (WAC-249-005) are being processed now.
 

 
I imagine that they do this because of some internal metrics for time to case approval that they're trying to reach, and processing more recently filed cases will improve their median time to case approval.
I suppose there's nothing that can be done other than to keep waiting and hope they eventually pick ours up from the pile, and I just wanted to vent my frustrations, but I suppose it would be nice if anyone had any useful experiences to share.
 
Obviously many people have waited much longer, but it seems we've gotten at least somewhat unlucky...

When you look at the CFO website, it mentions a police clearance but it does not state it is for the petitioner. I think this causes some confusion for them. What I did was just did an online background check so I can send her with that. They obviously checked our backgrounds front to back when we applied and without us having a clean record, there would be no CFO appointment. I think this is where a lot of the confusion comes from. I have seen on this site on a few other threads that one was needed lol. You would think if it is necessary it would say SOMEWHERE that its needed, USCIS, Dept of State website etc. 

for beneficiaries in the Philippines, I believe it's mentioned that it's possible they will ask for police or fbi clearance for the CFO counseling interview, which by my understanding is the last step of the process for those going through the process from PH.
i'm not completely read-up on what the CFO process is, but my fiancée was also asking me about clearance because she's being told its needed by other filers on various FB Messenger groups.

You do not need an FBI check.  USCIS and the State Department do their own background checks. Visa Journey is the best source for immigration info....not group chats.  Challenge them to provide an official written requirement.
 
This is the pre-interview checklist for the Philippines consulate:
 
U.S. Embassy Manila, Philippines - MNL (state.gov)

Some get faster IOs and some get slow ones or their background checks take longer. It’s like standing in line in a supermarket, some people just get lucky and are out faster than others. There are many factors. I wouldn’t compare my case to another. They can process completely differently due to possible factors I mentioned. 

100% normal.  Your next communication from USCIS will be either an approval notice or a Request For Information.  Patience is the key.

Thank you everyone for your very generous help and information. We've continued on in the process and are closing in on getting everything organized to finally mail in the packet.
Quick question, so, I know I ignore the questions regarding the I-94 on the form itself since she is not currently here in the states, but do I still need to include her I-94 documents and passport/visa in my packet? or is that for her to have to bring to her interview?
thanks again.

Thank you very much for the information. Most of what you said my partner and I knew already, we're doing our best to do our due diligence, research and prepare because we both know this can be a painstaking process and a big step forward for both of us.
I was vaguely aware that it might be somehow possible for her to work while we wait for her greencard to arrive and the whole AOS process, but I'm unsure on the specifics of it, because the places I've checked (and even the USCIS site, if i'm not mistaken) don't really mention the work permission factor, just skip to AOS and the greencard.
do you know what the Work Permission filing is called and maybe a brief explanation on how it might work?
I'm in California if that helps at all. 
thanks so much.

Work permission document is called EAD= employment work authorization and you file form I-765 with the I485.  The cost will be an additional $260 on top of the $1540. 
Basically, GC can take up to a year or more to be issued. EAD gives your wife the ability to work and a SSN (unless you applied for one when she enters). In preparation for the next part of your journey. I suggest you read the AOS from K1 visa for any potential pitfalls and current timelines so you know what to expect… while still reading K1 forum for updates on current processing times. Finally the Philippines forum for updates on what’s happening out of Manila… 

How a K1 process usually works: get K1 and arrive to US. Marry as soon as possible.
You can go to the SSA before marriage and get an SSN this is very helpful. The SSN will have restrictions on it. Start planning to do other things such as adding new spouse to health insurance or bank.
When you file for AOS you will also file for an EAD (work authorization) and advanced parole (travel). The question always becomes though how long will it take the EAD to arrive before the green card and will prospective employers understand one to begin with? That is the problem we ran into ultimately and this problem will increase with longer wait times to receive it. With the long wait time growing it can certainly increase the burdens of needing to rely on savings if the spouse cannot work and that problem is compounded since you cannot get proper ID/DL without the card.
With the SSN and an EAD will make it much easier for the new spouse to obtain things like a state ID or DL. 
When you receive the green card you will need to head back to the DMV to update license/ID and the SSA to remove restrictions off the card.

EAD
File for it along with adjustment.
Currently on average takes about 6 months.

@sonnyboy0323 
K1 vs Spousal is a personal choice.
But, be aware after April 1 fees are going to increase. 
You should also educate yourself on what will happen after you file the K1. I believe processing times have sped up for K1 (which is a positive).
But once your fiancé arrives in the US you will have 90 days to marry and file adjustment. 
The cost for the green card will be $1540. If you want your partner to have the ability to work (and in some states drive)  or leave the country while waiting for the green card (which can take up to a year or even longer) you will have to pay a separate fee: $260 and $630. 
But, some people receive the green card before they receive work permission or ability to travel while AOS is pending so you will have to once again deal with USCIS and their inconsistent and capricious processing times. 
If you don’t have any plans to see your fiancée in the next couple of months though I would personally file K1… just prepare yourself for every step of the process and it can be exhausting and very expensive. 

Good luck with everything. 

I would date them with the date they were written.
If you are not financially responsible for your housemates, it should not impact anything.
Good Luck!

For my now wife and I when we were going through the K1 process, we mentioned how we met in our personal statements.
 
Good Luck!

Use the address associated with your method of transmitting the form (USPS vs the private couriers), don't confuse entities like USCIS.
 
The key here is the first statement.  If she is not here currently, ignore this section.
Not that I know of, this is similar to how I found my now wife, we started on a website, and used its system for about 2 messages and quickly transitioned to private email and video chats.
I agree with @Boiler, have you considered a spousal visa?
 
Good Luck!

Because K1s and spousal visas are taking about the same amount of time, and a spousal visa is much more superior than the K1 particularly when it comes to the beneficiary, but also cost.