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Anyone in the Fiancee Visa process?
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Posted by: GoingToRussia

For those of you that don't know, I submitted a fiancee visa last May.

I was wondering if anyone out there is in the visa process from the USA. As far as I can tell, only 2 of the 4 processing centers are doing K-1 visas. The website has changed the way it is reporting. It only says it is processing
I-129Fs and they will be completed within 6 months, no other information.

I called the USCIS today and they said they were processing K-1s submitted in January 2007 ... that's 8 months ago so they are missing their 6 month target.

Does anyone have more up to date information or news? At this rate my visa won't be approved until January 2008, then there is about a 2 month wait for the interview which would make it March at the earlist. Needless to say, this news upset me and my girl.

Any news is appreciated.

Posted by: royalpalace774

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoingToRussia

For those of you that don't know, I submitted a fiancee visa last May.

I was wondering if anyone out there is in the visa process from the USA. As far as I can tell, only 2 of the 4 processing centers are doing K-1 visas. The website has changed the way it is reporting. It only says it is processing
I-129Fs and they will be completed within 6 months, no other information.

I called the USCIS today and they said they were processing K-1s submitted in January 2007 ... that's 8 months ago so they are missing their 6 month target.

Does anyone have more up to date information or news? At this rate my visa won't be approved until January 2008, then there is about a 2 month wait for the interview which would make it March at the earlist. Needless to say, this news upset me and my girl.

Any news is appreciated.

Hi GTR,
As you know me & my girl are in the process and I hired a lawyer and she said it is taking 4 months for approval at this time. She does about 20 k1's a week. I also told her I went on the web and checked the time frame and she said it is still taking 4 months even when it looks like 6.

Also my attorney thought we would be handled by the Texas branch and it is Vermont. She is very confident about the time frame because she does this every week.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Thanks RP, I guess this means we have 1 more month to go.

Posted by: Lanny

I don't know about your attorney, but no one has given me a figure of 4 months. The service that is handling mine (just submitted) said that only two of the four centers are processing K-1's, the recent increase in fees to $455 was theoretically to add personnel, but it is impossible to say right now how things will shake out (fewer centers, supposedly more personnel). I'm an attorney myself, and this service seems very experienced, with minimal BS. I consistently got a figure of 6 months from experienced attorneys whom I spoke with. I was also told that there is no way to speed up this process, even if you have an influential Senator or Congressman in your corner. This was disappointing to me, because Arizona Congressman Shadegg really helped with my passport. Only if it bogs down at the local embassy (Warsaw, in my case) may a Senator or Congressman be able to do any good -- or so I was told. Anyway, I will be happy if my fiance is actually here in anything under a year.

Posted by: royalpalace774

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny

I don't know about your attorney, but no one has given me a figure of 4 months. The service that is handling mine (just submitted) said that only two of the four centers are processing K-1's, the recent increase in fees to $455 was theoretically to add personnel, but it is impossible to say right now how things will shake out (fewer centers, supposedly more personnel). I'm an attorney myself, and this service seems very experienced, with minimal BS. I consistently got a figure of 6 months from experienced attorneys whom I spoke with. I was also told that there is no way to speed up this process, even if you have an influential Senator or Congressman in your corner. This was disappointing to me, because Arizona Congressman Shadegg really helped with my passport. Only if it bogs down at the local embassy (Warsaw, in my case) may a Senator or Congressman be able to do any good -- or so I was told. Anyway, I will be happy if my fiance is actually here in anything under a year.

As far as I'm concerned if it takes 4 months or 6 months I am OK with that. I just hope things aren't going longer than that.

But you never know what comes up in these situations. I just hope my situation goes smooth with no setbacks.

Posted by: Longfellow

Quote:

Originally Posted by royalpalace774

If it matters, I share your hope with you...

Posted by: Lanny

I'm being a little pessimistic because the guy who is handling mine said there were a flood of applications just before the fee jumped to $455. I'm praying for 5-8 months and will be getting close to suicidal if she isn't here in a year -- particularly since I've promised to visit Belarus every 3 months until she is here (next visit, November 29).

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Maybe I'll meet you someday on a flight over. I'm hoping for a November - February timeframe so maybe I'll see you in February when I pick he up.

Best of luck to all of us waiting for our government to approve our visas!

Be patient and keep smiling!

Posted by: redhawk

i hired holmes and lolly after quite a bit of research into this, i have a business, and i dont have time to play secretary.
a few months ago,i was told 5 months and 2 weeks,but after they changed from california to vermont for processing,even though they thought it would be faster,due to reasons mentioned above, and i also was told 2 days ago 6 months from time petition is filed.
this 6 months average has been quoted to me time and time again by different law firms.
2 more weeks isnt that big of a deal i guess.
i havent posted my story abot my elena and i on here yet, but i will later.
so far,holmes and lolly have been very good, and keep in constant communication with myself in florida, and my fiancee in moscow,they even do some "damage control"on the moscow side if u ask..for those of u waiting,with your future spouse still in moscow or abroad,you know what i mean by damage control-"when i recieve documents?" when we will be together?" seems like i answer this every day.
as we all know,this is a grueling process, and being a disabled veteran,one i myself, lose patience with very quickly. i am no stranger to government agencies i can assure you,but i hate burecratic bull malarky,in my worthless opinion, they should do the background check,on your tax paying self and her future tax paying self, then let her in for the 90 days.
its ridiculous we have to participate in this circus,for gods sake,america is not an ethnic group, were from a group of immigrants! but,we as future spouses of fsu women,must endure,as an old friend used to tell me,"we knew this job was dangerous when we took it."drive on soldiers,drive on.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I hear you about government red tape redhawk. I work for the feds and trying to get something done takes 3 times as long then the private sector.

Posted by: dagpop

Any news about you visa. I would keep on their case.

Posted by: dagpop

Redhawk, I used Holmes and Lolly too. We petitioned in January 2006 and she sets foot in America in July 2006.
It took about 6 month to go through all the process. I hate that it is taking longer now. I am sure it is hard with the wait. Good Luck

Posted by: GoingToRussia

It's been 4 months now since they received my visa papers. No word yet. I called them a week ago and they said they were processing visa request received in January. I will call again in about 4 months and keep you posted.

Any one else have any news about the processing times of their visa?

Posted by: redhawk

thanks,dagpop! i appreciate that. and good fortune to you my friend,GTR- im sure they will soon hear the "popping sound" created by sudden cranial removal from a certain orifice!

isnt it ironic for us both....
i went to see mine back in april 2007, and we had to wait for my divorce to be final from my previous wife, and i do use the term "wife" like her-VERY LOOSELY

on aug 2nd.
say- do any of you guys get ultimatums?? i know its off the topic, please forgive me
my RW has given me ultimatums on time before,but then she says, "oh i love you,who am i kidding, i have waited this long to find you, i can wait more,sorry dear. i only want to be with you very much!"

she is very ignorant of our governments system,a bit naieve,(she has yet to be ruined by the big bad world)and gets lots of negative hearsay from others in moscow, so i try to keep her informed. example of what one of her colleagues said-"i know this girl, she lives with american husband in Tampa,he is rich, they have a daughter,everything...BUT-she wants to come back to russia because it rains in tampa everyday, all day in summer!"- what a joke! but her parents whom i met in her native Elista,Kalmykia,and stayed with for 10 days love me,and they run interference for me on some issues.
we do always work it out ourselves,its very important that we do so,but her familys opinion of me helps alot! (i love them also,WONDERFUL people!)
im going back in late december, after i have christmas here with my daughter,and then im going to have christmas with my RW at her brother in laws and her sisters in rostov. (they like me too!!) after reading around here,and watching the videos, i am very very thankful for the woman i have. thank you god,amen.
no more strange phone calls and sms messages at 3 am.(the ex)

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I only receive 1 ultimatum and it was for my own good. I was sick with strep throat last month in Bulgaria. It also affected my ear which was a little sore. Being from the USA, I like cold drinks, exspecially when it's hot ... as it was in Bulgaria. She told me if I drink something cold, she would not take care of me, RW turn into mothers when you are sick. According to her cold drinks are bad when you have an ear ache. I'm sure she's right but it never bothered me before. Anyway, I didnt drink anything cold just to keep the peace.

Posted by: redhawk

ya punimayo my friend!
once you get these ladies "riled" watch out! it just goes to show you,their thinking is like this"i take care of the man that takes care of me/us."
personally, i LOVE this. my ex loved to starve me.
right or wrong,my family was very traditional,and i was raised by my ww2 era grandparents. so the only time men cook in my house is on the weekends,or special occasions. if the wife asks for help,or we see that she needs a break,that becomes a special occasion

you know,mine told me about something similar to yours,"always drink hot drink after meal!" i asked why,she said it "helps with digestion".
then,strangely enough,someone emailed me a medical article saying this was true,something to do with breaking up the grease in your digestive tract or something. but knowing digestion takes a few hours,im skeptical,but you can bet i wont mention that part to her brother!
also,i am very thin,not sickly,just thin.5'9 150. i was once a lightweight boxer. nice chest,skinny little chicken legs

you should have seen the food THROWN at me to eat! eat !eat !every second i was over there,"dear!you look like skelet!,you have to eat,cmon please!" i gained 10 pounds in 2 weeks!
i think the seperation anxiety from waiting, and all the other anxietys really come out over time, its how we all work through them that counts i think.
mine is jealous of me,but i love it in a sick masochistic way..... for example,she wont take my last name when we marry because my ex still carries it! (she wants to after my ex changes her name) if you knew my ex,youd probably understand.(everyone else does

Posted by: firemansam

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhawk

snip....
she wont take my last name when we marry because my ex still carries it! (she wants to after my ex changes her name) if you knew my ex,youd probably understand.(everyone else does

Mine can't wait to take my surname and the same goes for her daughter!

Horses for courses I guess......

Sam.

Posted by: OldFlak

IF (big, big IF) you have a good relationship with a U.S. Rep or Senator, it can be speeded up drastically.
When my wife and I went for the green-card interview about 20 months ahead of the norm (this was back in 2002 when it was taking up to 30 months to get one), the interviewer's first question was "How did you get here so fast? Who do you know?"
When I told him who might have helped me, his response was "Well, hell, why did we bother with an interview? We could have just mailed it to you."
A letter won't help. Your friend has to be pick up the phone and tell the service center director how the cow eats the cabbage.

Posted by: redhawk

old flak, YOU ARE MY HERO!!

so what service center? the vermont one, or the embassy? and Sam, thats great about your wife and her daughter wanting to take your name,mine wants the same,but as i said, not so long as my ex shares mine. but the ex will find another sucker very soon.
its like this,if i ask her to change her last name,she wont just to be difficult. if i dont ask her, she will change it to try and aggrivate me in some sick twisted way,so for now i say nothing

"brer rabbit, he say nothin, brer fox, he lay low."

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I just heard from someone that submit their I-129F in late May and received visa approval, NOA2, yesterday. I'm not sure I believe it because I submitted mine about 10 days before him ... but I guess it could be true. If it is true I should receive something next week.

Posted by: Lanny

No Congressman or Senator is going to speed up a K-1 application. I originally thought that this was going to be my ace in the hole, because I did indeed have two Congressman lined up to help me. There is NOTHING that a Congressman or Senator can do to move a K-1 through the process faster. One the fiance's interview has been scheduled, a Congressman or Senator might be able to prod the embassy if they are taking an inordinately long time. But no one is going to be able to move a K-1 through the application process faster. It just doesn't happen.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny

No Congressman or Senator is going to speed up a K-1 application. I originally thought that this was going to be my ace in the hole, because I did indeed have two Congressman lined up to help me. There is NOTHING that a Congressman or Senator can do to move a K-1 through the process faster. One the fiance's interview has been scheduled, a Congressman or Senator might be able to prod the embassy if they are taking an inordinately long time. But no one is going to be able to move a K-1 through the application process faster. It just doesn't happen.

Yes you are correct. I even tried calling the processing center a few times and it didn't help. I thought maybe if I "bug" them, they would process mine faster to get rid of me and my calls.

Posted by: dagpop

G, I hope you hear something soon. I know you want all this to be over and get on with your life.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagpop

G, I hope you hear something soon. I know you want all this to be over and get on with your life.

Yes it is so close now I can almost taste it. If I get an approval next week, she could be here for all the holidays!

Posted by: redhawk

gtr, i will pray for you,and everyone on this forum that is in waiting,i have just started my k-1 process, so god only knows when she will be here.
my gut never lies,gtr,and my gut tells me yours will be here before christmas.
watch and see. for some reason, i keep "seeing"the date november 15th"-when i concentrate. i am very hopeful for everyone, and thanks for the info on the political angle guys.
you wont think im nuts by this date.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Best of luck to you too Redhawk. When I started this process, I was hoping for a before Thanksgiving arrival. It would be great for her and her son to be here for the holidays!

Posted by: redhawk

i dont know if it will help you GTR, but sometimes when i feel VERY lonely for elena, when funds are available,maybe every month or so,ill go to the mall or clothing store and buy her something,it doesnt have to be expensive,but EXPRESSIVE of how you feel. (its what we "artist" types do when we are not writing songs for our woman or poetry)
or i will prepare my house for her,kind of like practice. cleaning, etc.
it makes ME feel better, to send her little suprises,even though she insists i stop. the whole situation seems more REAL and not like a dream,if you know what i mean.
maybe this will help you,but if i were you, id be hittin toys r us right about now, because ,as i said,i think she and her child will be here before you know it. i personally cant beleive it has been six months last week since i left russia, and in jan,2008,weve been together for 1 year. and oh, by the way, dont forgret yourself when you buy gifts!
flying model airplanes helps me relax. try it. buy a 100$ electric model plane, and go be a kid once in awhile,alone just you.
and i am a VERY nervous individual,panic attacks,etc. so i know where you come from on this subject. but after i kicked my ex out,they all stopped.
hope some of this helps you as it does me.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Funny you should say this redhawk but I was thinking about buying her some earrings to match the bracelet I gave her when I saw her last month.

I watch sports and that is my release.

Posted by: redhawk

in a joe dirt tone-"do it to it mountain dew!" great idea man.
it will make you both feel better.
i find that this seperation stuff is kind of like when i was on deployments in the Army.
being a sociable person,i never really get used to being away from everyone,but it helps me alot now.
i think missing your woman comes in waves,like craving an addictive drug.and our woman are a drug my friend! it is at its worst point when you have been together recently. but gets slowly better after this. (like within 60 days)and actually,when you speak everyday,it makes it worse,but for me i have to speak to her everyday

i couldnt have done this whole deal without my previous experience courtesy of uncle sam.
being a military spouse is the hardest job in the world i think. (at least for the good ones

)
but for those women and men who stick it out, and make it,after all the seperations are through,like our situation(s) now with RW,you two can make it through anything TOGETHER.

Im trying to save up to buy my ticket now for dec28th to svo.
we are supposed to go to by train from moscow to rostov to visit her family at her sisters house. man i cant wait! its been 6 months

my man parts are so tired of me,they dont even want to salute anymore.

and women i know here always ask me the SAME question-"ARE YOU NUTS? WHY a russian woman?? we are not good enough for you?- i always smile and say "nope"
ps-GO BUCS! GO GATORS!

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Yes I agree with everything you say redhawk ... " you are wise young jedi"!

The waiting reminds me of jury duty. Something I never want to do again!

Yes my girl is like a drug to me also and I speak to her everyday for at least 1 hour. The problem is with every day that passes ... I miss her more. I left her in Bulgaria 24 day ago but it seems much longer.

i couldnt have done this whole deal without my previous experience courtesy of uncle sam.
being a military spouse is the hardest job in the world i think. (at least for the good ones

and militarily speaking,my privates are so tired of me,they dont even want to salute anymore.

(i actually heard my commander say this to the colonel once-MORON) colonel replied-really,have you tried viagara?
and women i know here always ask me the SAME question-"ARE YOU NUTS?!! so and so told me that you have been to russia,and you are engaged to one of those foreign chicks you find on the internet!!! WHY a russian woman?? we are not good enough for you?- i always smile and say "nope!" they dont ever call me traitor though,because that would be a painful mistake. one girl about 22 wants to come over and "clean my house" for me. i told her no thank you.
ps-GO BUCS! GO GATORS!

Posted by: AkMike

Make a sticky note and staple it to your forehead..

Christmas is January 7th... Bring gifts for everyone! They don't need to be fancy or spendy just stuff from the local area to show that your thought about each one.

Posted by: dagpop

Hi Redhawk, the waiting is very tough. The process will work and your love will be with you in time. I have been through the divorce and it is a tough feeling inside. You just have to keep going and try not to think about it.

Posted by: redhawk

ak mike,thanks,thats exactly what i plan on doing for my new russian family. my rw neices call me uncle. i wont let them down!

and dagpop,thanks for the advice,i really appreciate it.
and dagpop,when i was stationed at fort riley kansas, i drove all the way from there to greene,iowa,to buy a 1972 chevelle nonstop. i was AMAZED at how beautiful your state is. there is a classic car dealership there in the middle of a cornfield! people come from all over to buy cars there,and the little town cafe seves the BEST burger i have ever eaten,just like mama makes em'

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhawk

ak mike,thanks,thats exactly what i plan on doing for my new russian family. my rw neices call me uncle. i wont let them down!

and dagpop,thanks for the advice,i really appreciate it.
and dagpop,when i was stationed at fort riley kansas, i drove all the way from there to greene,iowa,to buy a 1972 chevelle nonstop. i was AMAZED at how beautiful your state is. there is a classic car dealership there in the middle of a cornfield! people come from all over to buy cars there,and the little town cafe seves the BEST burger i have ever eaten,just like mama makes em'

Yes Iowa is scenic but everyone has the same last name!!! Don't be surprised if your introduced to someone who is their step father, uncle, 1st cousin, and secound cousin by marriage!!!

It's all in the family ... so to speak!

Posted by: redhawk

OUCH

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Dagpop knows I'm kidding and he really isn't from Iowa ... he just lives there!

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhawk

congratulations big wheel! i have been following your journey all along,as i am on my own journey with my RW now as gtr knows(by the way thanks alot GTR for the advice gtr should mean-gtrdone! i am really happy for you and sveta,a little jealous, heh heh but seriously,good luck to you brother.

No problem Redhawk, I wish you the best. So when did you mail your visa documents. You probably mailed them to California?

Posted by: AkMike

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoingToRussia

Yes Iowa is scenic but everyone has the same last name!!! Don't be surprised if your introduced to someone who is their step father, uncle, 1st cousin, and secound cousin by marriage!!!

It's all in the family ... so to speak!

I thought that was Arkansas??