Check hasn't been cashed yet

[tinichka 0]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this topic but I couldn't find a better place.

This is my first post so please forgive me if this is a question asked a million times before.

My fiance and I filed our I129f papers last December, received NOA1 on December 9th. My check still hasn't been cashed. Is that bad?

[KimandRuss 0]

Interesting. As long as you've received your NOA1, I wouldn't worry about the delay in cashing your check.

You may want to call uscis if it goes much longer.

[tinichka 0]

Interesting. As long as you've received your NOA1, I wouldn't worry about the delay in cashing your check.

You may want to call uscis if it goes much longer.

From what I've read so far, in most cases the check is withdrawn immediately after the I129f has been received. I thought that maybe they would cash the check once they start working on the case but it seems I was wrong.

Also, my other concern is, seems a lot of people are being touch more than once before their final decision. I haven't been touched even once. Should I be worried?

I've never called USCIS before, could someone give me pointers on that to do and what to say?

[KimandRuss 0]

All cases vary. People have reported checks being cashed the very next day to sometimes a month later. Your case seems unique in that they have not cashed the check yet you've received your NOA1. Does your online status say 'received and pending'? 3 months seems like an awful long time to me, never heard of it taking that long. If it were me, I would call. Chances are there is nothing wrong with your processing (because you have received NOA1) but still....

As explained by a former adjuticator... once the petition arrives at uscis, the check is seperated from your package and processed for payment. NOA1 / I-797 is issued and the petition is put into a standard format. A barcode is put on it (for scanning..aka 'touches')... and then it's stored away until an adjuticator is ready to work on your case.

A touch can mean anything or nothing. It simply means that someone, somewhere has scanned your file in for some reason. Perhaps to start the adjutication process...or just to move it from one box to another. Some people go the entire process without a single touch. Not being touched means nothing.

btw.. welcome to VJ. You'll be glad you found it!

[tinichka 0]

All cases vary. People have reported checks being cashed the very next day to sometimes a month later. Your case seems unique in that they have not cashed the check yet you've received your NOA1. Does your online status say 'received and pending'? 3 months seems like an awful long time to me, never heard of it taking that long. If it were me, I would call. Chances are there is nothing wrong with your processing (because you have received NOA1) but still....

As explained by a former adjuticator... once the petition arrives at uscis, the check is seperated from your package and processed for payment. NOA1 / I-797 is issued and the petition is put into a standard format. A barcode is put on it (for scanning..aka 'touches')... and then it's stored away until an adjuticator is ready to work on your case.

A touch can mean anything or nothing. It simply means that someone, somewhere has scanned your file in for some reason. Perhaps to start the adjutication process...or just to move it from one box to another. Some people go the entire process without a single touch. Not being touched means nothing.

btw.. welcome to VJ. You'll be glad you found it!

Believe me, I already am.

Thank you so much for your response! I've been checking my bank account every day for the past 3 months and this whole check thing is driving me crazy. Makes me think something is wrong.

My online status does say "received and pending"... I don't know what to think. I just don't want to find out nothing has been done so far and I have to wait another billion months

Edited March 7, 2009 by tinichka

[KimandRuss 0]

I can't imagine having to wait that long.

The NOA1 / I-797 is your proof that your case was received so I assume they plan on processing it. Maybe someone forgot to seperate your check from your package or somehow lost it before processing it? It wouldn't be the first time a mistake was made. In any case, I would try to resolve it.

On a brighter note.. you must be getting close!

[tallcoolone 102]

You sure they didn't convert it to an electronic withdrawl

If your sure the check has not cleared, then get on the phone with the USCIS and find out what's going on.........................

[tinichka 0]

I can't imagine having to wait that long.

The NOA1 / I-797 is your proof that your case was received so I assume they plan on processing it. Maybe someone forgot to seperate your check from your package or somehow lost it before processing it? It wouldn't be the first time a mistake was made. In any case, I would try to resolve it.

On a brighter note.. you must be getting close!

I would definitely call on Monday. Hope this won't slow down the process.

Thank you so much for the support and advice

You sure they didn't convert it to an electronic withdrawl

If your sure the check has not cleared, then get on the phone with the USCIS and find out what's going on.........................

I'm sure, I would nice that big of an amount leaving my account. :(

[KimandRuss 0]

If you don't get the answer you need then ask to talk to someone else or call back and try again. There are a lot of standard responses and misinformation when you call USCIS so you really can't stop until you get the answer you need.

I can't imagine this would slow your case any... but anything is possible with this journey. There is actually a procedure to expedite when there is a uscis error so if you fine they're trying to move your dates around do have a look at the uscis expedite criteria. You have proof they've received it.