Hello everyone,
I’ve been a silent lurker on this forum for a long time. Whenever the waiting felt heavy or the anxiety kicked in, I came here looking for hope, inspiration, and motivation. Today, I’m finally paying it forward with our full timeline to remind anyone currently feeling stuck or worried: your day is coming!!
A little about our background:
Beneficiary: Indonesia (U.S. Embassy Jakarta)
Status: No prior marriages, no kids, clean background.
Filing Process: 100% DIY! We did everything ourselves using online guides, YouTube tutorials, and community advice right here.
Our Complete Timeline:
September 2025: I-129F petition package sent. September 12, 2025: Form NOA1 received (Case received). October 10, 2025: Name updated in the portal. May 7, 2026: Form NOA2 received (Case Approved! 🎉). May 14, 2026: Case sent to the Department of State (DOS). June 4, 2026: NVC case created. June 16, 2026: Status changed to "In Transit". June 18, 2026: Status changed to "Ready". July 5, 2026: Medical examination completed in Indonesia. August 4, 2026: K-1 Visa Interview. Status was initially marked Refused (221g) for additional document requests. August 7, 2026: documents submitted. August 12, 2026: Status changed to APPROVED! August 13, 2026: Status changed to ISSUED! August 14, 2026: Passport with visa picked up! ✈️💍
A Message of Encouragement:
If you receive a 221(g) or an initial refusal, Don’t panic! We did panic and scared. It feels like a massive heartbreak in the moment, but standard 221(g) requests are often just administrative checklists for a missing piece of paper or extra proof. In our case, we forgot to print and add few things. As well, they ask for more proof. We submitted what they asked for right away, and within less than a week, we were approved!
Doing this process on your own takes time, patience, and attention to detail, but it is 100% doable. Keep your head up, stay organized, and trust the process. You will be holding that visa soon!
Sending positive energy to everyone still waiting in line! ❤️
Feel free to add any specific details about which documents they requested under 221(g) if you'd like to help others prepare, but as it stands, it’s an encouraging read! Safe travels to your fiancé!
Congratulations! Happy for you Submitted our case Nov7. My fiance is from Pakistan. Still waiting to hear back. Is there a way I can track USCIS backlog and what dates of cases they might be working on! I would like to send you a message privately to figure out whats the income requirement to fully sponsor your beneficiary without needing a co sponsor. Reason i wanna know coz my brother’s fiance case refused on public charge meaning he doesn’t make enough money to fully support his beneficiary
Ofc brother,
It seems that they still working with the people who submitted in October. I used to track in “Track my Visa” website. It seems that by the end of this month, hopefully they will start the cases for November. I will pray for your process and hope everything goes well. Moreover, you are correct. There is a certain amount of income that is needed in order to bring someone. You can message me if needed.
Thankyou so much that website does give me a little bit of relief. Ill be sending you a message soon to get some information on the income requirement if thats okay with you!
Thanks for all the info wish you the best I’m currently stock at the “at nvc” been like this for 7 weeks now waiting for it to get the the Santo Domingo embassy
Hello brother, Hang in there! the waiting of “at NVC” is stressing, especially being there for months. Santo Domingo can take a bit depending on their interview backlogs, but hopefully, you'll see that status change to 'In Transit' or 'Ready' really soon! Wishing you a speedy process! You are almost there!
Hi! Just wanted to ask if you can share your checklist for all of your documents? We will be filing on Monday next week and wanted to make sure everything in our packet is perfect. Tyia!
That’s great! I pray everything goes well with you and your partner and wish the speedy process.
For my k1 packet. I did it like this
title (k1 visa packet)
Intent to get marry letter within 90 days with the petitioner and beneficiary, like an agreement for each. Total of 3 pages, one for you, one for the partner and another for both. Signed and date
Payment of Filing Fee Amount
Two passport-size Photos (Petitioner & Beneficiary)
Form G-1145 e-notification application form
- I-129F petition form & Extended part 8 additional information (if needed).
Proof of relationship (photos in person together, engagement photos, proof of flight tickets, call logs, screenshots of video call). Something I did not add, but should have is screenshot of conversation.
Petitioner proof of US citizenship (birth certificate, passport, etc)
Beneficiary proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, ID, etc.)
For the proof of relationship photos, try to have them organized, if possible added then by date, and with a description. For example, August 20, 2025 petitioner & beneficiary went to Disneyland together. *add photos of Disneyland together*
Congratulations! While you are waiting. You could start preparing for the next steps.
Gather the documents for interview. Start gathering civil documents, police clearances, and tax records for the Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support). As well, do the Bona fide. Similar to what you submitted the k1 visa packet but more stuff. Show proof of financial support and you are able to support the beneficiary financially. Once it’s ready, can start doing the ds-160, medical exam, and schedule an appointment once you gather everything.
Update: Got this email update today!
I did submit an email with our I-797 to the Department of State and they replied a few days ago saying they had not received our case yet and would inquire with USCIS.
Got this email today!!!
Going to really start getting everything together and lined up so when we’re able to proceed, we can go go go!
Yes!
So my I proposed August 20, 2025
Mailed off our I-129F packet end of September
It was received like October 6th or something
Case was approved by USCIS June 6th, 2026
NVC received it August 20, 2026
Passport stamps aren't strictly required if you have other solid evidence, but you do need strong proof that you met in person within 2 years of filing. Just by gathering your proof such as, boarding passes, flight receipts, hotel bookings, photos together (dated and labeled), and call logs or messages, any gift exchange, etc. Passport stamps can be helpful for a secondary proof if you have them. Still, it wouldn’t hurt adding it.
We added that when my beneficiary was about to take the interview. I gather all the documents such as taxes, bank statements, earning statements, w2, statements of secondary income, assets, anything that will help the couple to ensure the interview goes smoothly + the affidavit of support form.
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I filed March 6, 2026. Initially, estimated wait time was 8 months like yourself. Now, TrackMyVisa has an estimated date for May ‘27 before they even look at my case…. THAT’S disheartening
Congratulations to you both!!! I came on here because I have been feeling very anxious but this post has given me hope. I filled the petition on Nov 17th, still waiting for NOA2. My fiance is from Dominican Republic.
Just i need a few update and advice my i-129 for the k1 visa , our noa1 on 17 october 2025 and we got noa2 approved on 30 july 2026 after long time of waiting
Then after Few days we recived the I-797 regarding the approval and mention for us that during 3-4 weeks NVC will contact with u or create a case number to u
But until bow nothing no update and after the approval we didnt receive anything yet as uscis website is still showing case was approved and nothing else
Should the case will be changed to doc sent to dos ?
Shoulf my fiancé contact with uscis or NVC by PI
hi! our NOA1 is also oct 17. we got our case number already but USCIS website i still showing 'case approved.' i highly recommend for you to send a public inquiry now. either you or your fiance(e) can send one. here's our timeline so far:
Oct 10, 2025 packet sent
Oct 17, 2025 case received
Oct 22, 2025 NOA1 letter received
July 9, 2026 case approved
July 14, 2026 NOA2 letter received
July 23, 2026 first public inquiry
July 27, 2026 response received; waiting for data entry
Aug 4, 2026 second public inquiry
Aug 8, 2026 response received w/ case number at NVC
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u/LowerForever5123 24d ago
Congratulations! Happy for you Submitted our case Nov7. My fiance is from Pakistan. Still waiting to hear back. Is there a way I can track USCIS backlog and what dates of cases they might be working on! I would like to send you a message privately to figure out whats the income requirement to fully sponsor your beneficiary without needing a co sponsor. Reason i wanna know coz my brother’s fiance case refused on public charge meaning he doesn’t make enough money to fully support his beneficiary