Does $355 credit card charge = NOA?

[gatsbygirl8 0]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I've came across it via UK Yankee and Dive Into America. I'm a USC married to a British Citizen living in the UK (been here four years next month). We've now decided that the best place to raise our family is in the USA, and so I've started the DCF process in London.

However, I'm now getting a bit worried. I sent in my I-130 petition at the end of May. On June 4, I received an email telling me my petition had been received and had "entered processing". My credit card was also charged $355 on the same day. Since then though, I've heard absolutely nothing. No Request for Further Evidence, no Notice of Approval letter, no SASE returned. Nothing. I'm now starting to worry they've charged my credit card even though an RFE is on the way, or worse, a denial letter. I noticed on the US Embassy website that they're only now processing applications received on June 1. Does that mean I-130s or DS-230s? I'm so confused!

I've noticed a couple of people on here mention that you shouldn't worry if your credit card has been charged. I was under the impression that they charged the fee regardless. Is that correct? Or should I take it as a good sign my card was charged right away? Any advice that could put my mind at ease would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

[txladykat 1]

Correct, your credit card is charged, regardless of whether you are approved or not. That is the "filing" fee, not an approval fee I didn't file London, but I am pretty sure that processing time means the I-130

[gatsbygirl8 0]

Thank you! That's what I needed to know.

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

Hi gatsbygirl8. Our timeline in my signature - we only filed a few weeks before you

We didn't get a notice, letter or otherwise stating "NOA1" but we did get this document. Does it look like the email you received? If so, the date shown is your filing date.

The processing information on the website tells us which I-130 cases they're dealing with according to the filing dates. It is at this stage that they'll issue RFEs or NOA2s (seemingly this depends on what mood they're in), so you don't have anything to worry about yet. As soon as those dates cover June 4th it means that they'll be dealing with your case and you should hear from them shortly

Edited July 13, 2009 by Yvie_and_Brett

[gatsbygirl8 0]

Yes, that's the email I received. Thanks for replying. I guess things have really slowed down since May. The waiting is just so frustrating. Sigh. I just wish the embassy would update its website. At least then I'd know whether or not to keep rushing down the stairs every time the post arrives!

[Yvie_and_Brett 0]

Yes, that's the email I received. Thanks for replying. I guess things have really slowed down since May. The waiting is just so frustrating. Sigh. I just wish the embassy would update its website. At least then I'd know whether or not to keep rushing down the stairs every time the post arrives!

When I was waiting for NOA2 I checked that damned page at least once a day, lol. As it was, we received our NOA2 before the website even showed our dates. They only update that page once every couple of weeks, so they're probably already processing yours and you should hear from them soon.

At least you know you're waiting and what those dates are, it makes it easier when you at least know you haven't fallen down the back of a filing cabinet somewhere

[gatsbygirl8 0]

At least you know you're waiting and what those dates are, it makes it easier when you at least know you haven't fallen down the back of a filing cabinet somewhere

Very true! Fingers crossed.

BTW, your interview day is the same as our wedding anniversary. It's bound to bring good luck!

[sharpies 0]

I filed over 3 weeks ago and just got the NOA1 email today. I was beginning to get worried. They filed it just four days after I posted it, but took all this time to email me.

gatsbygirl8 - the waiting is so frustrating. I just keep wondering if they are going to send us a RFE. I hope not! Good luck with the whole process!