Approval emails - are they being sent?

[Firstenburg 0]

I've read that many of you VJ'ers received your NOA2 for your I-130 and/or I-129F via snail-mail, without ever receiving an email or an update to your case on the USCIS website. I'd like to get a feel for if this is the exception to the rule, or the norm. It seems like many aspects of the USCIS website are unreliable, and my case has been touched all 4 of the last 4 business days, with no touches before that. So I'm worried that my case is close to approval and I won't know it without calling. I've called the CSC every day for the last 4 days and the representatives are starting to get snooty with me because of it.

If you read this, please drop in a reply to let me know what your experience was.

Thanks!

[Credzba 0]

There is an easier way for your I-130.

Just call the automated phone at NVC 603-334-0700 then 1-1-1 (I think) enter your USCIS number.

If your I-130 has made it to NVC, then you will have a NVC number assigned, if it hasn't then it wont know you exist.

As for the K3, they sometimes go though NVC so fast that it never even registers on the phone system. So I don't know how to help you for it.

[KGSodie 0]

Although I was signed up for email updates, I never received any from the USCIS - only the snail mail NOAs.

[Firstenburg 0]

There is an easier way for your I-130.

Just call the automated phone at NVC 603-334-0700 then 1-1-1 (I think) enter your USCIS number.

If your I-130 has made it to NVC, then you will have a NVC number assigned, if it hasn't then it wont know you exist.

As for the K3, they sometimes go though NVC so fast that it never even registers on the phone system. So I don't know how to help you for it.

But from what I've seen there can be up to a 6 week delay before my approved I-130 reaches the NVC. So I want to know, like, as 'immediately' as possible, when my approval happens.

[ose_n_me 0]

Hello

I received my NOA2 via email first. (January 15) It actually came at 7:30pm which I thought was strange. I then went to check the online status and it had changed as well. But I didnt get the NOA2 snail mail until January 19. My case was transferred to NVC on January 25, and then on to the Lagos consolate January 29. I am fortunate that things went fast once it got approved.

Good luck. Hoping you get approval soon.

God Bless

[steve&mary 1]

Hi Firstenburg,

We are in the exact same situation as you. (see signature) We were touched every day, and then no chance since the 30th. I was getting excited thinking an approval was coming, but my online case status still says "Case Recieved and Pending".

I was also curious about your question, as I've read on VJ that folks in similar situations call the hotline to ask about their case only to recieve the surprise that they've been approved...or recieve the surprise in the mail (either surprise approval or surprise RFE). My husband said he would call yet again today, but I'm starting to get nervous that they'll "get mad" because of his frecuent calls.

I guess this doesn't respond your question at all. Just know we are in the same boat!

Oh, and one more thing. My husband never recieves any 'CRIS' emails either. I thought people recieved emails for every touch, but we've never recieved a single one. (I've checked the settings several times and we do have email notifications activated)

[Firstenburg 0]

Hi Firstenburg,

We are in the exact same situation as you. (see signature) We were touched every day, and then no chance since the 30th. I was getting excited thinking an approval was coming, but my online case status still says "Case Recieved and Pending".

I was also curious about your question, as I've read on VJ that folks in similar situations call the hotline to ask about their case only to recieve the surprise that they've been approved...or recieve the surprise in the mail (either surprise approval or surprise RFE). My husband said he would call yet again today, but I'm starting to get nervous that they'll "get mad" because of his frecuent calls.

I guess this doesn't respond your question at all. Just know we are in the same boat!

Oh, and one more thing. My husband never recieves any 'CRIS' emails either. I thought people recieved emails for every touch, but we've never recieved a single one. (I've checked the settings several times and we do have email notifications activated)

I have the same concern because the reps I talk to have started mentioning it when I call and making remarks like "What was the answer the last time you called?". They don't have a clue how painful this process can be without information. If they did, they would bend over backward to give whatever info and encouragement they could.

[steve&mary 1]

Yep...I guess my husband's frecuent calls weren't good or it was bad luck we got a rude person on the phone. Today they told my husband that he's already called twice this month and to not call back till another 2 weeks. Then first they said that they couldn't give him information because the system was down, and then said that 'it was still pending'. My husband doesn't care about their 'warnings' and will call again next Wednesday if there isn't an approval or RFE...I'm worried that this could backfire!? Anyways, yeah, they seem to get pissed with frecuent calls (are 3 calls frecuent?!)

[Firstenburg 0]

Yep...I guess my husband's frecuent calls weren't good or it was bad luck we got a rude person on the phone. Today they told my husband that he's already called twice this month and to not call back till another 2 weeks. Then first they said that they couldn't give him information because the system was down, and then said that 'it was still pending'. My husband doesn't care about their 'warnings' and will call again next Wednesday if there isn't an approval or RFE...I'm worried that this could backfire!? Anyways, yeah, they seem to get pissed with frecuent calls (are 3 calls frecuent?!)

Well, I've called the RFE line every day for the last four days. So I'm like your hubby in that respect. I didn't call today, though, because I know they will say the same thing they've been saying: "Your case is pending and has not been assigned to an adjudicator yet". I know that's not correct, though. Why else would I get so many touches. It has to be because someone is working on it. Also, Friday when I called the RFE line, the officer told me that my app would be processed according to the I-129F (K3) date. I got mad and said that is unfair. His response totally surprised me. He said "Okay, I'll get your app right now and assign it to an officer." (You can read the whole post here) I couldn't believe my ears! That same day is when I started getting touches. But everyone I've talked to since then continues to tell me my case is sitting on the filing shelf.

Approval is coming that's all I know.

[socalwaiter 0]

I've read that many of you VJ'ers received your NOA2 for your I-130 and/or I-129F via snail-mail, without ever receiving an email or an update to your case on the USCIS website. I'd like to get a feel for if this is the exception to the rule, or the norm. It seems like many aspects of the USCIS website are unreliable, and my case has been touched all 4 of the last 4 business days, with no touches before that. So I'm worried that my case is close to approval and I won't know it without calling. I've called the CSC every day for the last 4 days and the representatives are starting to get snooty with me because of it.

If you read this, please drop in a reply to let me know what your experience was.

Thanks!

Hello Firstenburg,

I did not get an email about my approval 8 days ago. I got it through snail-mail. My case has been forwarded to NVC, but the case status on the website still says that it is pending. But the touches on the case were real. The last touch on the website was the day my case got approved. Hope this helps.

[Firstenburg 0]

Hello Firstenburg,

I did not get an email about my approval 8 days ago. I got it through snail-mail. My case has been forwarded to NVC, but the case status on the website still says that it is pending. But the touches on the case were real. The last touch on the website was the day my case got approved. Hope this helps.

Dude! It does help, alot!! Thanks for the heads up.

[vbtbmrt 2]

well i maybe the exception to what your all talking about. i got my approval letter in the snail mail and as of today my uscis web page still say received and pending. there was no touches nothing just one day my noa-2 was in the mail. i had one touch the whole time i was in uscis and that was when i call one time. so calling them will create touches considered false touches. but if you had 4 touches before you called it means there working on it and it wont belong till approval so good luck in your journey

as you can see from my time line i am just waiting for interview date

also if your 129 f is approved calling nvc line wont give you any answers they are send right through nvc and on to embassy you wont get nvc case number unless you 130 is aproved first and that is transfered to nvc before 129 f is approved you will get case number

[Firstenburg 0]

well i maybe the exception to what your all talking about. i got my approval letter in the snail mail and as of today my uscis web page still say received and pending. there was no touches nothing just one day my noa-2 was in the mail. i had one touch the whole time i was in uscis and that was when i call one time. so calling them will create touches considered false touches. but if you had 4 touches before you called it means there working on it and it wont belong till approval so good luck in your journey

as you can see from my time line i am just waiting for interview date

also if your 129 f is approved calling nvc line wont give you any answers they are send right through nvc and on to embassy you wont get nvc case number unless you 130 is aproved first and that is transfered to nvc before 129 f is approved you will get case number

Thanks for the heads up vbtbmrt. I can't believe how fast you were processed. Your case illustrates that FIFO IS NOT WORKING!!! There are still lots of June filers who haven't been approved. There are July filers that were approved as early as November. One of my biggest complaints with the process is that FIFO is not enforced. But USCIS flatly denies it! I used a phone number I got from another post to talk to Greg Richardson, Chief of (I think) USCIS Operations, who wouldn't believe me when I told him that applications are not processed in FIFO order (First In, First Out). I told him that the facts are available for all the world to see on VJ and other forums. He said he had no way of knowing if the information is "credible"... (*uhg*). SEVERE DENIAL.