March 2009 k-1 people

[Arabella 4]

11 approvals on friday... wow.. I think that is a record since I have been on VJ... alas only 4 were from march

No kidding! Now if that guy who punched out 7 Aprils on Friday would grab a box of Marches next, we'd be getting somewhere!

YES... Although I am happy that VSC is on crack... and pumping approvals out at record pace and certainly happy for the April couples... there are 65 March couples waiting in agony and that really sucks...

I read somewhere and now I can't find it, that at 5 months 1 day we can call and submit a service request... tomorrow is that day for me... and I am prepared for it not to be a very pleasant call... Because I don't want to hear that ####### they gave Arabella that they are working on march 5th! I can read that on the website... so I had better get someone helpful or get bumped up to someone that knows SOMETHING!

lol Well give 'em hell and let us know how it goes!

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Five months and a day is what I was told when I called this past week. Until then, you're still considered to be within the "normal processing time" and they won't do a service request. Friday will be 5 months + 1 day for me, and you'd better believe I'm gonna be on the phone to USCIS and my congressman's office if I don't have my NOA2 --- and no more Mr. Nice Guy this time.

[Richard-Joanna 1]

lol Well give 'em hell and let us know how it goes!

Well.... I am going to do EVERYTHING I can in order to get at least some satisfaction... I am not holding my breath, since the call center people dont have any info to give... so I have to get bumped upstairs to someone that does.... we'll see if that is even a possibility.

Five months and a day is what I was told when I called this past week. Until then, you're still considered to be within the "normal processing time" and they won't do a service request. Friday will be 5 months + 1 day for me, and you'd better believe I'm gonna be on the phone to USCIS and my congressman's office if I don't have my NOA2 --- and no more Mr. Nice Guy this time.

AMEN... go git'm TIGER!

[missmissy 38]

lol Well give 'em hell and let us know how it goes!

Well.... I am going to do EVERYTHING I can in order to get at least some satisfaction... I am not holding my breath, since the call center people dont have any info to give... so I have to get bumped upstairs to someone that does.... we'll see if that is even a possibility.

Five months and a day is what I was told when I called this past week. Until then, you're still considered to be within the "normal processing time" and they won't do a service request. Friday will be 5 months + 1 day for me, and you'd better believe I'm gonna be on the phone to USCIS and my congressman's office if I don't have my NOA2 --- and no more Mr. Nice Guy this time.

AMEN... go git'm TIGER!

I don't understand what happened to yours anyway. You were MILES ahead of me on the lists. I know we speculate a lot on how it works up there but could it really be as simple as the luck of the draw? I got someone on the ball and ya'll didn't? That is so random and unfair!

[Richard-Joanna 1]

I don't understand what happened to yours anyway. You were MILES ahead of me on the lists. I know we speculate a lot on how it works up there but could it really be as simple as the luck of the draw? I got someone on the ball and ya'll didn't? That is so random and unfair!

I really see it as someone gets a box... someone else gets another... the approvals and RFEs are very close together and dated close as well... but, you're right... who knows

[Dgard 0]

I don't understand what happened to yours anyway. You were MILES ahead of me on the lists. I know we speculate a lot on how it works up there but could it really be as simple as the luck of the draw? I got someone on the ball and ya'll didn't? That is so random and unfair!

I really see it as someone gets a box... someone else gets another... the approvals and RFEs are very close together and dated close as well... but, you're right... who knows

I think that's exactly how it works. Unfortunately, April seems to be getting most of the attention right now...Or those with April "boxes" are just more "efficient", however you want to look at it.

I can't see it being much longer for either of you though! The process sucks, but they WILL approve you all. Let's have a good week ahead for our March Family! :thumbs:

162 Days for my Approval. You guys are right there (Arabella is past it now! :angry: )

It's coming

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

I don't understand what happened to yours anyway. You were MILES ahead of me on the lists. I know we speculate a lot on how it works up there but could it really be as simple as the luck of the draw? I got someone on the ball and ya'll didn't? That is so random and unfair!

I really see it as someone gets a box... someone else gets another... the approvals and RFEs are very close together and dated close as well... but, you're right... who knows

It certainly looks that way... here's hoping someone pulls the 3/27 box off the shelf Monday morning!

[destinystrikes24 0]

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while - been pretty crazy. I've started to add a comment or two, but I feel almost guilty since we got our NOA2 and so many others are waiting. Crazy to feel that way, I know. Nevertheless....

Just an update on us and how post-NOA2 has been so far. NVC got our paperwork last Monday and sent it to the embassy on Tuesday (8/18). I waited to call until 8/19 and it was already through. Calling NVC was painless except the number was busy a lot so it took a while to get through. Once connected, very fast and efficient. They gave me the Case Number assigned (see below) but I also got a copy in the mail from NVC on Saturday with that information.

I've tracked what I believe is our package from NVC using the link http://track.dhl-usa.com/TrackByRef.asp?nav=TrackByRef I entered "EXP 18 AUG 2009A" as the reference and chose dates to/from of 8/17 and 8/19. It's documented elsewhere on how to do this, but if you need any assistance, send me a PM and I'd be happy to assist. Anyway, it looks like the package is in Manila now, but hasn't been signed for at the embassy.

Amy has her medical tomorrow. For Manila, it's first-come, first-serve. So all she needed was the print of the NOA2 notification email and the Case Number assigned by NVC (not the EAC number from VSC), along with passport photos.

We hope everyone from March gets approved soonest. My sprinklers are on right now and my pom-poms are out. Hang in there and let me know if I can be of any help. And be ready - as others have said, things happen fast once this step is done.

hello! stan, i just want to ask if you did the paper works by yourself or you paid an agency or a lawyer to do it for you??? is it true that its faster if you hire a lawyer or agency to do the paper works? we just did our papers on our own and could'nt help to feel depress at times coz we still did'nt have NOA2...

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

mayandtim, the approval process (and wait) is no different whether you prepare the paperwork yourself or hire a lawyer/agency to do it for you. If a lawyer/agency promises that they can get you approved faster, they're lying to try to get your money.

Just an aside regarding your timeline: if you mailed your I-129F package on March 10, March 24 seems awfully late for your NOA1. Remember, the NOA1 date is the date printed on the receipt notice, NOT the date it came in the mail. I sent our I-129F package on 3/25 and got NOA1 on 3/27, but the hardcopy didn't arrive for another week or so.

[missmissy 38]

Morning gang! Hope today is productive for all of us!

[Richard-Joanna 1]

Good morning March! A new day is upon us!

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Morning gang! Hope today is productive for all of us!

Amen to that!

At least it looks like they're keeping up the pace: people have already gotten emails from CRIS this morning showing NOA2 dates of 8/23 (Sunday? USCIS works weekends now?). Of course, one of them was another April... grrrr....

[Arabella 4]

Morning gang! Hope today is productive for all of us!

Amen to that!

At least it looks like they're keeping up the pace: people have already gotten emails from CRIS this morning showing NOA2 dates of 8/23 (Sunday? USCIS works weekends now?). Of course, one of them was another April... grrrr....

On my way to work I was thinking, "Today's the day!" I hope I get a touch or an email today!

Stephen and Richard- Let me know what happens when you call to have your cases looked into. Maybe I'll get some "balls" and call back too!

[Richard-Joanna 1]

Arabella... I will most certainly post what happens... I am not so sure you should grow 'balls' but, yes, you should probably call back... get the persons name, badge number or whatever they call it... and put in a service request... stay tuned and maybe I can better guide you in a few hours.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Richard and Arabella, definitely get on the phone to USCIS today. Light a fire under 'em!

First step is getting past the automated voice response system. Tell it you're outside of current processing times—pay no attention to that 30 days nonsense, if you're 1 day out of current processing time you're entitled to action.

Second, I'd suggest trying to escalate. The Level I CSRs are contractors, NOT USCIS employees. They're in a call center somewhere, and they can't see anything on their screen beyond what we can see on CRIS. Ask to speak to someone higher up—the Level II reps ARE USCIS officers, and from what I've read they often have access to more information than what the Level I reps can give you.

Be polite, but persistent. Don't take no for an answer. Good luck!