Beginner's jitters and nervous questions

[darbyoshea 0]

Hi all - am much appreciating all the information you've posted here. It's a great comfort to know that we're not the only ones going through this.

I filed I-129F this past Wednesday and received confirmation of delivery (tracking on usps.com) on Thursday and am already anxiously awaiting NOA 1. Just a couple questions:

-- How does one know when one has been "touched?" Is this a mail notification? Or something you can see online somewhere? In general, how can I track the progress the application is hopefully making?

-- The USCIS reported processing times are FRIGHTENING. Right now it says that they're processing applications filed in July, 2007. Is that for real? I didn't count on this taking *quite* that long and the data on visajouney doesn't seem to look quite that bad.

Anyway, I'm mostly just looking for reassurance. Congrats to all of you who have your visas in hand. We hope to join you soon!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Hi and welcome to VJ!!!

I hope you get your NOA1 soon!!!

When you receive your NOA1 there will be a receipt number that starts with EAC. This is your case number.

You can go to USCIS.gov and create an account (Check case online, the link is on the left)

Add your case to your profile.

You will see a "Last Updated" date, if that date changes, you know you've been touched, which simply means that someone has done something to your file. They have moved it, looked at it, etc.

They will not email you when you have been touched. They will email you if you receive an RFE (request further evidence) or they have approved your petition.

Don't even worry about the date on the USCIS website....they give themselves a 6 month cushion. We have seen November filers from Vermont being approved just this past week!!!

Don't worry, you are looking at 4 to 6 months (Closer to the 4 month mark though) They seem to have worked their way through the huge amount of files that were sent before the fee increase in July.

You have come to a great place!!!

Hugs

~Laura

Edited February 10, 2008 by ~Laura and Nick~

[yassmine2878 1]

As mentioned above, you can check for touches on the USCIS website. You can wait for NOA1 to get your rcpt number, or if you used a personal check, you can get the number off the back of it after its cashed. Mind you, checking the website gets pretty addictive You'll find yourself checking for touches 5 times a day.

Dont worry too much about the processing times USCIS has posted. There usually off-base. Although they are starting to catch up from the summer overload, so Im hoping your wait wont be too long. Keep an eyeball on other folks who filed the same time you did (timelines) and your peers in the regional forum. IMO thats a much better guide than USCIS little ersatz spreadsheet.

Good luck for a speedy approval!

ETA: linkie for status https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp

Edited February 10, 2008 by yassmine2878