Initial review

[ATexanandanAussie 0]

Does anyone know... do they do background checks on both the petitioner AND the beneficiary during this time? Sorry if this has been answered. If it hasn't, Gary and Alla could you ask your friend?

Thanks!!

[Leenie 15]

When you check your case status online and hover your mouse over the "initial review" circle, it does say that background checks are initiated during this time for the petitioner, but I don't know about the beneficiary. I don't think they can check your background unless you are a US citizen. That's part of the reason why our foreign fiance(e)s will have to spend time collecting police certificates and what have you later down the line, I imagine.

[slider100 8]

Here's the scoop: During the "Initial Review" phase, it says that background checks are initiated on the applicant/petitioner. However, I think they conduct background checks on both, the petitioner as well as the beneficiary as these are just preliminary background checks.

On the other hands, after the I-129F is approved, it is sent to NVC (National Visa Center). At this time, the background checks are conducted on both, the applicant and the beneficiary.

I hope this helps !!!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Does anyone know... do they do background checks on both the petitioner AND the beneficiary during this time? Sorry if this has been answered. If it hasn't, Gary and Alla could you ask your friend?

Thanks!!

Don't need to. He already answered that one in the pinned topic above when he described the petition procedure. YES, background checks are done in the initial review and by NVC and by the consulate and by the police in your SOs country when she gets her police certificate.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

When you check your case status online and hover your mouse over the "initial review" circle, it does say that background checks are initiated during this time for the petitioner, but I don't know about the beneficiary. I don't think they can check your background unless you are a US citizen. That's part of the reason why our foreign fiance(e)s will have to spend time collecting police certificates and what have you later down the line, I imagine.

Yes they can check background on anyone. USCIS has different sources that they use, NVC uses those plus more, etc. USCIs is basically checking US records, so if the beneficiary has never been here there is nothing for them to find. This is why the backgorund checks are done at each level and at each level you are subject to additional processing.