RECALLED PETITION - UPDATE

[Cigarovich 1]

Oh my - I'm really befuddled now. Just got off the phone with VSC - they DO NOT have my petition. NVC from yesterday said they DID NOT get my petition back. Ergo, my petition is still at the consulate or explicably still on its way, or, in the worst case, completely lost. So I ask, how can I get in touch with the consulate to find out when the case was sent back without paying $5/minute and getting no answers? Luckily, I'm in Moscow and can go directly to the US Embassy here, but who do I ask for - Head of CIS? I'd like to find out the info from the Embassy side before I contact DoS...

Cigarovich,

Last week, I was in the same boat as you, my petition having been lost somewhere between Moscow and Vermont. It had been mailed from the Embassy in late May and by the first week in July it was still not at the NVC. It took some time, but here is how I found it.

First, I called the Moscow embassy phone number and gave them my MOS#. I asked them if my petition had been sent back to the NVC yet. They responded that it had been sent.

Second, I sent an inquiry to state via email. nvcinquiry@state.gov. Give them your Receipt Number from the service center and ask them flat out: "Have you received my petition back from the Embassy yet?" Also ask them in the alternative if they sent it to the Service Center yet. They will respond in about 3 business days.

Third, call the state department. They have a visa inquiry phone number posted on their website. 202-663-1225. Go buy a phone card on the street for 10 cents a minute. Worked for me when I lived in the 'Scow.

These things are not "lost" as you and I know it. They are just "in transit" as the government knows it. That means that they are often sitting somewhere, waiting for someone to process the paperwork to move it from A to B. Eventually, they get where they are supposed to go, but the process is long and arbitrary.

I know you probably know all of this. But I was able to locate mine by using that process. Not so sure that it moved any faster, but it did put my mind at ease a bit.

Dowd,

As Ali G would say, big up yaself!

I asked my fiance who works for the US (yes, US) Consulate in St. Pete and is now hustling to pull off the G8 Summit to get with one of her colleagues and get to CIS in Moscow tomorrow. I'm skipping part 2 as NVC has said 4 times by phone and email that they don't have it.

But I will Skype DoS by Friday, hopefully armed with a bit of info.

Cheers!

[t&s 0]

Oh my - I'm really befuddled now. Just got off the phone with VSC - they DO NOT have my petition. NVC from yesterday said they DID NOT get my petition back. Ergo, my petition is still at the consulate or explicably still on its way, or, in the worst case, completely lost. So I ask, how can I get in touch with the consulate to find out when the case was sent back without paying $5/minute and getting no answers? Luckily, I'm in Moscow and can go directly to the US Embassy here, but who do I ask for - Head of CIS? I'd like to find out the info from the Embassy side before I contact DoS...

Cigarovich,

Last week, I was in the same boat as you, my petition having been lost somewhere between Moscow and Vermont. It had been mailed from the Embassy in late May and by the first week in July it was still not at the NVC. It took some time, but here is how I found it.

First, I called the Moscow embassy phone number and gave them my MOS#. I asked them if my petition had been sent back to the NVC yet. They responded that it had been sent.

Second, I sent an inquiry to state via email. nvcinquiry@state.gov. Give them your Receipt Number from the service center and ask them flat out: "Have you received my petition back from the Embassy yet?" Also ask them in the alternative if they sent it to the Service Center yet. They will respond in about 3 business days.

Third, call the state department. They have a visa inquiry phone number posted on their website. 202-663-1225. Go buy a phone card on the street for 10 cents a minute. Worked for me when I lived in the 'Scow.

These things are not "lost" as you and I know it. They are just "in transit" as the government knows it. That means that they are often sitting somewhere, waiting for someone to process the paperwork to move it from A to B. Eventually, they get where they are supposed to go, but the process is long and arbitrary.

I know you probably know all of this. But I was able to locate mine by using that process. Not so sure that it moved any faster, but it did put my mind at ease a bit.

Dowd,

As Ali G would say, big up yaself!

I asked my fiance who works for the US (yes, US) Consulate in St. Pete and is now hustling to pull off the G8 Summit to get with one of her colleagues and get to CIS in Moscow tomorrow. I'm skipping part 2 as NVC has said 4 times by phone and email that they don't have it.

But I will Skype DoS by Friday, hopefully armed with a bit of info.

Cheers!

Yet another useless update.

I received a response email from nvcinquiry@state.gov telling me about my case.

All it says is that the "your inquiry has been received by NVC, and that when the petition comes back from the US. Embassy or consulate they will forward to USCIS. All questions should be directed to the office which originally approved the request. They couldnt tell me if they received it or not. I replied to find out more information.

[Madison Man 0]

The hits just keep on coming. Finally got my expedite request response. Not only was I denied, they have no evidence of having recieved the back from the consulate to process it for IMBRA. I will call VSC and make sure they have their facts straight and it's the PETITION and not just my FILE they have in Vermont, and then probably call DoS. Then I will probably draft a letter to the USCIS Ombusman. AFter that I will look for a wall to punch. harumph.

Hey at least they responded to you! They did not bother to respond to me. After all of this Nonsense THEY BETTER EXPEDITE AT THE EMBASSY IN MANILA! Otherwise I get to wait 4 to 6 months for another Freakin' appointment!!!!!!!!

[dowd001 0]

So I recall reading somewhere that the Service Centers have a 4 month timeframe for processing the petitions, between NOA1 and NOA2. Basically, if it takes longer than 4 months, even USCIS says that it is too long. It's the amount of time that they allow themselves to do the job, even though VSC was taking only a few weeks, back when the system actually worked. One of the many people that I called some time ago at USCIS told me that they had a 4 month window to process, and that I could not complain as long as it was in that 4 months.

So my 4 months is up on July 20 and my case has not been reviewed yet. Can I complain now?

[rlt 0]

So I recall reading somewhere that the Service Centers have a 4 month timeframe for processing the petitions, between NOA1 and NOA2. Basically, if it takes longer than 4 months, even USCIS says that it is too long. It's the amount of time that they allow themselves to do the job, even though VSC was taking only a few weeks, back when the system actually worked. One of the many people that I called some time ago at USCIS told me that they had a 4 month window to process, and that I could not complain as long as it was in that 4 months.

So my 4 months is up on July 20 and my case has not been reviewed yet. Can I complain now?

We were discussing it in another thread. I also wonder what´s gonna happen and yes, I think you can complain now...

Also, I think 6 of us got the "RFE was sent" update on July 6th. Did any of you receive the RFE in the mail yet?

Please let me know. Thanks

[amwo 0]

just called vermont inquiring why i haven't received my rfe.

case reopened 6/22

rfe ordered 6/23

BUT clerical didn't receive it until JULY 11

("we are a very large organization and it takes time for it to get from one building to the other")

19 DAYS???!!!

i asked if it were possible someone is on vacation - "no". she looked at the case and knew exactly where it is and on who's desk (she was sort of talking to herself while tracking it, but did not give name or anything) also said she couldn't call the person to ask for it to be sent.

and i broke down -all this conversation while crying.

[Mew 0]

just called vermont inquiring why i haven't received my rfe.

case reopened 6/22

rfe ordered 6/23

BUT clerical didn't receive it until JULY 11

("we are a very large organization and it takes time for it to get from one building to the other")

19 DAYS???!!!

i asked if it were possible someone is on vacation - "no". she looked at the case and knew exactly where it is and on who's desk (she was sort of talking to herself while tracking it, but did not give name or anything) also said she couldn't call the person to ask for it to be sent.

and i broke down -all this conversation while crying.

There's nothing I can say except: Oh. My. God.

But please, please, don't lose it. I know it's taking forever and it's hard to stay in control of our emotions, but things will get done eventually.

[Ladylethal 12]

I am very displeased to say VSC is still working fast, for those who JUST applied a month or less ago!!!! There are plenty of approvals for new petitions while we´re still waiting and waiting and waiting.

[Mew 0]

I am very displeased to say VSC is still working fast, for those who JUST applied a month or less ago!!!! There are plenty of approvals for new petitions while we´re still waiting and waiting and waiting.

Aren't we all? Augh.

* * *

For those of you who have had your petitions recalled, I'd like to remind you to check the thread (link below). We're compiling info in this thread, in hopes we will see some kind of pattern at some point.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20652

[Lemchan 0]

Also, I think 6 of us got the "RFE was sent" update on July 6th. Did any of you receive the RFE in the mail yet?

Please let me know. Thanks

Our attorney just called. Ours was sent on July 6 and arrived today.

[milestogo 0]

We also have recieved nothing, not even an email about an RFE. My fiance (wife) would be here now. I would take extreme action if I knew what that was. I feel like driving to Vermont and screaming at someone but who would I scream at and how would landing in jail be productive? I've never been this mad/dissapointed in my life.

If there were justice the folks at USCIS who made this msitake would have their families shipped abroad until everyone last one of us were united with our fiances.

[amwo 0]

If there were justice the folks at USCIS who made this msitake would have their families shipped abroad until everyone last one of us were united with our fiances.

just imagine how quickly our petitions would be approved!

let me know when you're going to vermont - i'm in!!!

[Aquelunya 0]

MY CASE WAS REOPENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OH MY GOD I DO NOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! going to the other thread to post todays date.

[Mew 0]

MY CASE WAS REOPENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OH MY GOD I DO NOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! going to the other thread to post todays date.

I'm very, very happy for you. And for everyone else with their cases not reopened yet: there's hope!

[Lewis 0]

MY CASE WAS REOPENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OH MY GOD I DO NOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! going to the other thread to post todays date.

I'm so happy for you! I know it has been tough and I remember how great I felt when I received the "reopened" message. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

My lawyer received the RFE today and I should be getting it either tommorow or sometime next week.