Bunninuts

I wish we could use historical timelines but I stress to you that the timelines cannot be trusted. This year has been so very different from one month to another. The beginning of the year there was a big backlog. Then they hired a bunch of temporary staff to help with the backlog, but what happened was new cases submitted were approved in record time. They have since let go all of the temps and processing times are slowing way down. They do not process in order as well. As OldUser above noted, some that were submitted at the same time are quicker then others. Another important note is the new administration can change how things are currently done. USCIS is not funded by the government but by their fees but are told what to do by our government. They can be told to stand on their heads and they will do it while it makes all of us wait longer while they practice for the feat. If you want a real possible timeline, I would say it could be 1-3 years because of so much uncertainty. Best wishes on your journey 💜

Based on reading feedback from a previous USCIS worker on Reddit, it probably isn't that they are trying to make their numbers look better. They also had a move from one building to another this year (I think in June?). All of the files are real paper, not electronic. This can lead to all sorts of organization problems where files are in a box/s and put in a place out of sight or on the bottom when they should have been on the top. They do not go in order. I've watched numerous around my number be approved while mine still sits waiting. Do they separate by country? By difficulty of case? Mine is very straight forward with no criminal background or conflicts yet is still waiting 6 months now. Some that submitted their request this month have been approved while others from Feb are still waiting. They also have a high turnover rate while it is very difficult and takes a lot of time to hire new workers. There are so many variable that we don't know about how this agency operates other than they give approvals, denials, and RFEs. We can speculate why these things happen but truly, they are a rogue, on their own type of agency where not any outside entity like congress, governors, senators, can urge them to do anything. They are a necessary agency that is very important while also treated as subpar without resources to do what they need to. We are all stuck in the middle just hoping to be with someone we love. Try to keep your spirits positive and hope for the best so we are all putting positive energy out. Wishing all their happily ever after 💜

Thank you so much for sharing! You are very organized. This will be helpful for myself and others that want to do this in future, assuming the process doesn't change when I am able to apply for my partner 😁 @OldUser Thank you for mentioning about paying with a check over a cc. Although my first payment was handled well, I won't risk it for future payments. 💜

Although the timeline I have been following is for a k-1, the time from when NVC received it and the interview scheduled and embassy received it was a little over 2 months. This timeline was updated just a week ago and for the Embassy in Panama. The time to wait for having interviews scheduled and NVC sending it on is getting longer. I'm sorry you are having to wait longer. I hope you get this through before the process might change. Keep an eye on any changes and documents that may be needed if the interview lands after Jan 20, 2025. Best wishes to you and your partner 💜

@Dashinka Thank you for sharing how many times you had spent time in person! @yulia g Many say more time is better, and it is, but so many are approved with only a couple visits. You passed the first approval so there is a good chance of passing the second. The time spent together seems to have a bigger impact on how many visits. Wishing you and your partner good luck and wonderful future 💜

I wish I had gone the CR1 route. I am already deep into the K-1 and wish I could switch but time is already invested. There isn't a reason to do the K-1 when you both live in Brazil. The CR1 is a better avenue as you both are living together currently. Thoroughly read what is necessary paperwork wise for the CR1 and have a translator chosen to translate any documents into english. There are some online translators that are inexpensive and all electronic. The timeline someone else gave regarding the K-1 isn't reasonable. All have to have an embassy interview before coming to the US. I'm 4 months into a K-1 without the first approval. There are multiple approvals with the K-1 and touches many hands before they are given the ability to come to the US. A couple on here that I follow their timeline because they too are going through Panama, had their K-1 approved 2.5 months ago and the NVC only just now received it. They are suppose to receive the file within approx 2 weeks. That isn't happening. The wait times are getting longer every day and the backlog is growing exponentially as they have more requests submitted than they process. This couple will have to wait for the NVC to transfer the file to the Panamanian Embassy where they will then review and schedule an interview with the beneficiary. This process can take months if not longer. Side note: The process may change after the US President changes in Jan. This may alter how the process is completed and what is necessary document wise. It can also make the processing times longer. Consider if it would be possible and in your situations best interest to get the request filed before Jan 1. Best wishes to you and your partner 💜

@vivian57 Have you canceled the I-129 already? If not, when did your fiance file? If you haven't withdrawn the application yet, don't. You can lengthen the time to be perfect with your school completion. It would be in your best interest to lengthen the application time within each of the steps over canceling and reapplying. The cost alone should encourage you to not cancel. The fees are not refunded and would have to be repaid. I also must echo what Marieke H said above. You both should know how this process works by researching on the USCIS website and read through everything. Also research how long it actually takes from start to finish without lengthening the time. The timelines for others currently is a year from submitting the first application to their fiance coming to the US to finally be married. Side note: I don't blame your fiance for being a bit upset. Waiting to start your life isn't comfortable or desirable for most folks. We don't know how much time we are given to live and so much can change month to month, let alone year to year. I wish you the best outcome for your and your partner 💜

I found the easiest way for my partner and I to choose a new last name is for me to change my last name before we get married. When we marry, he takes my last name which is an option in the US. I'm not sure how this would work in Panama and finding information on name changes in Panama is proving challenging 🙃

@Lemonslice To make sure I am understanding you correctly, it doesn't matter if the person is here from another country, we can still change both of our last names in your states example? @Family Do you mean it went well for everything after their marriage and obtaining a green card but couldn't renew because of the name change? Did they change names before applying for the green card? @Dashinka Naturalization is not the same as a green card, right? I'm in Oregon and will sleuth what is needed in my state and then of course for the green card process/consulate. Thank you everyone for your helpful input. I'm hoping someone that has done this themselves may surface for more questions answered 😁 I have read that it can be different for a male to change their last name during marriage than the female so being sure this can really happen for my partner and I. 🥰

Has anyone changed their last name after marriage that were male and from a country other than the US? What does that process look like? My fiance and I have considered choosing a new last name that we can share. This process is easy in the US with two citizens however unsure the process for the other country and the US to change a last name for a male. Thank you for helpful guidance 💜

@appleblossom Thank you for seeing what I am experiencing. I wish it weren't political but my family member literally echoed the need to get the legal migrants out of here too. It won't matter how warm my fiance will be, he won't be seen as anything further than an immigrant ruining this nation to that family member. @EmilyW Thank you for your comment. I'm sorry you experienced that and am glad there has been a positive outcome. I kind of hope your kids do lick their knife, carefully This has been impactful because I have limited family. The friend can be replaced easily. I'm a strong believer that not everyone deserves a place at your table. The family member though, it's hard to radically accept that this is how this will be. We all have dreams and desires for how we hope life goes. This was not part of my dreams. Knowing that others have dealt with similar, or in some cases worse, at minimum lets me know that I'm not alone. My advice to anyone considering dating outside of your country, know it is very difficult for so many reasons.

I live in the US and my fiance will be joining me here. Maybe the question of where to move was for Appleblossom. The change in how immigrants are treated has intensified this year with politicians commentary. The judgment against immigrants is why one family member and one friend are not supportive. One thinks my fiance is using me for a green card and the other thinks they should stay in their own country. I'm not sure if country of origin have an impact for others but spanish being a first language always has had negative judgment.

Most of my family and friends have been very supportive however one important family member and one friend have not been. The politically climate in the US is sticky with judgement around anyone migrating here. Have you dealt with this? Recommendations? I never imagined I would experience this around something that is meant to bring family and friends together. Having finally found a person I want to spend my life with, I wanted to share that joy with people closest to me. It's a heartbreaking experience. I haven't told my fiance yet. Has anyone had to have that talk? Thanks for any support you can offer 💜

I don't know any of the details of this option but thought I would offer it up. Is there any way he can come as a refugee?