INS -- Approval!

[MarkInTx]

Just called the INS automated system, and got the news that we were approved, and a letter is being mailed today.

That's actually ahead of schedule.

I cost us 30 days, actually. Otherwise we would have been in and out of the INS in about 5 weeks -- which surely would be a record for Texas, eh?

When I submitted my application, I did not include a divorce decree for my first marriage.

Even though they specifically did say that they needed proof of each divorce. So... why didn't I do this?

Silly me... I thought the fact that I got married a second time PROVED I was divorced the first time (since we have laws against polygamy and all...)

But... that's what I get for not thinking like a bureaucrat! They wanted BOTH divorce decrees (and certified.) So, that cost us 20 some days. First, I had to wait for the letter to reach me telling me what was missing (when I called them, they simply said they needed more information, and that I would find out when the letter arrived... They couldn't tell me on the phone...) That took ten days. Three days to turn around the request and get it back to them. And then 21 more days for them to process the new information due to the shutdown last week.

So... deduct all of that, and I would have been in and out in four to five weeks. My fault.

So... guys... how do I get Warsaw to open the provisional file now?

[tfcrew]

... in response to INS -- Approval!, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 8, 2002

MkinTx...
Great!! Think Vika can make it for Christmas?
Karl

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Years end..., posted by tfcrew on Oct 10, 2002

I'm hoping she will..

For many reasons. For one thing, I get a tax break if I marry her this year :-)

But, she REALLY wants to be here for my birthday (mid December) since I flew to Kiev for hers.

We keep hopnig and praying. Still waiting for the official letter to get here from the INS so I can open a provisional file at Warsaw.

[BURKE89]

... in response to INS -- Approval!, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 8, 2002

Mark,

I hope, this winter, I find: the obvious smile implanted on your mug.

Best of luck & congrats,

Vaughn

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: INS -- Approval!, posted by BURKE89 on Oct 9, 2002

Thanks.

Actually, I had a pretty good smile going yesterday!

I had originally hoped that I would have them here by Thanksgiving... That looks like a pretty tall order right now.

But hopefully they'll be here by Chirstmas, anyway...

[MarkInTx]

... in response to INS -- Approval!, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 8, 2002

Yesterday I called the telephone information line and got the news that I was approved.

I was approved the same day I called, so the phone system must be update pretty darn quickly.

Prior to calling, I checked the web page at:

https://egov.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/cris/jsps/caseStat.jsp

It still showed the case pending.

Today, however, just for grins I checked it again and it now shows the application approved.

So, it looks like (at least in my case) there was a one day lag.

FWIW

[amerikanka99]

... in response to INS -- Approval!, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 8, 2002

Now you shouldn't have that much longer to wait.  We had all of the info (pks 3 & 4) ready to go at this point so that there was no hold up with police reports.  I noted that in my fax to the embassy so they could schedule the interview ASAP.  It still took a while to get on the schedule.  As I recall, we had just missed the cutoff for scheduling the next month.  They used to put the schedule on their web-site.  Maybe its still there.  So I knew when he was going to have his interview before they actually contacted us with the date.  He flew out to the US the day after the interview from Warsaw.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Congratulations, posted by amerikanka99 on Oct 9, 2002

Thanks.

Well, I hope I don't miss a month cut-off... or the holidays might really mess me up...

[Charles]

... in response to INS -- Approval!, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 8, 2002

Congratulations, Mark!  Go to the Warsaw embassy website and they will have the Packet 3 and 4 forms to download.  Deal with them by e-mail.  You open the provisional file by faxing a copy of the approval notice from INS along with some basic information about your fiance.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: INS -- Approval!, posted by Charles on Oct 9, 2002

Thanks, Charles. I'm looking into it now...

[Tom40]

... in response to INS -- Approval!, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 8, 2002

[This message has been edited by Tom40]

Congratulation my fellow Texan, my understand for opening a provisional file is once you get the letter from INS, you fax a copy or e-mail them a request for a provisional file to be opened, they should mail out packet 3 to your lady.

When I met my lady, I gave her pack 3 in English and in Russian so she could be prepared, that’s just me thinking ahead.

Congratulations again
Tom_Tx

PS: Oh' Mark just some FYI, never assume anything when it comes to government.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: INS -- Approval!, posted by Tom40 on Oct 8, 2002

Thanks Fellow Texan.

Where do you stand in things... Do you know yet?

[Tom40]

... in response to Re: Re: INS -- Approval!, posted by MarkInTx on Oct 9, 2002

I received 1st NOA, dated 8/26. So I am hopefull that I will follow your time frame of 5 weeks, I checked the status and it says nothing, but it's still early. I kind of made a mistake also, a bad one, not bad, stupied. When I mail in all my information in early Sept. I forgot to include the I-129F, they sent everything back alone with my money order. I looked around and saw it sitting on my desk filled out, so I put it in with all the other paper work and went to the post office and sent it again, I got my notice 3 days later. Thing about it, I checked and checked to make sure all was in order. I kicked myself for about 30 min, then starting laughing, then went to the post office. I was surprised to get the notice of action so quickly, maybe this is a sign.

Have a good one
Tom_Tx

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: INS -- Approval!, posted by Tom40 on Oct 9, 2002

I can't remember if I have your address...

I am at: markjoel60@hotmail.com

[Tom40]

... in response to Hey Tom... email me..., posted by MarkInTx on Oct 9, 2002

You Got Mail: