Fill in your Timeline and get the Reporting you need

[thongd4me 69]

Prompt & accurate timeline entries help current and future VJers evaluate their progress.

Info on timelines and how you can find your status online and select optional USCIS reporting by email (underlined links work):

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/intro.php

All you have to do to start is fill in your complete email address that you log into VJ with.

On the Timeline entry page, fill in the dates (according to the template model) and other data as required.

For your first names you can use an initial if you don't want to put your exact names.

On your first entry, don't forget to put the country, visa type, service center and Embassy city.

You can do this even if you haven't taken the first step (sending in your initial application/petition) yet.

Go to the BOTTOM of the form, click Submit Changes.

If you get an NOA actions, put the date that you find on the certificate you received,* not the date you received the certificate,

because that's the date when the servicing agency took action on your case. If anyone with more experience wants to correct me

or elaborate, please do.

*That's the I-797C form for NOA1 and NOA2 - there is a received date and a notice date. The notice date is what you put on your timeline.

The Receipt Number (upper left hand corner) is used on the USCIS site to track your progress literally as it happens

(enter that on the STATUS PAGE with NO hyphens).

For even more immediate notification, AFTER you log in with your case number, you can select email notification.

This is what the status page looks like:

Receipt Number: EAC99999999999

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Case received and pending.

On August 27, 2009, we received this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E), and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when yours will be done. This case is at our VERMONT SERVICE CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

You can choose to receive automatic case status updates, which will be sent via email. Please click HERE to create an account online.

If you would like to see our current Processing Dates for Applications and Petitions, click here.

Note: Case Status is available for Applications and Petitions which were filed at USCIS Service Centers. If you filed at a USCIS Local Office, your case status may not be reviewable online but for processing times on forms filed at that Office please, click here.

If you have a question about case status information provided via this site, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed, please contact the USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375 – 5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TTY).

Edited September 6, 2009 by thongd4me

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Prompt & accurate timeline entries help current and future VJers evaluate their progress.

Info on timelines and how you can find your status online and select optional USCIS reporting by email (underlined links work):

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/intro.php

All you have to do to start is fill in your complete email address that you log into VJ with.

On the Timeline entry page, fill in the dates (according to the template model) and other data as required.

For your first names you can use an initial if you don't want to put your exact names.

On your first entry, don't forget to put the country, visa type, service center and Embassy city.

You can do this even if you haven't taken the first step (sending in your initial application/petition) yet.

Go to the BOTTOM of the form, click Submit Changes.

If you get an NOA actions, put the date that you find on the certificate you received,* not the date you received the certificate,

because that's the date when the servicing agency took action on your case. If anyone with more experience wants to correct me

or elaborate, please do.

*That's the I-797C form for NOA1 and NOA2 - there is a received date and a notice date. The notice date is what you put on your timeline.

The Receipt Number (upper left hand corner) is used on the USCIS site to track your progress literally as it happens

(enter that on the STATUS PAGE with NO hyphens).

For even more immediate notification, AFTER you log in with your case number, you can select email notification.

This is what the status page looks like:

Receipt Number: EAC99999999999

Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Case received and pending.

On August 27, 2009, we received this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E), and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when yours will be done. This case is at our VERMONT SERVICE CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

You can choose to receive automatic case status updates, which will be sent via email. Please click HERE to create an account online.

If you would like to see our current Processing Dates for Applications and Petitions, click here.

Note: Case Status is available for Applications and Petitions which were filed at USCIS Service Centers. If you filed at a USCIS Local Office, your case status may not be reviewable online but for processing times on forms filed at that Office please, click here.

If you have a question about case status information provided via this site, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current processing time listed, please contact the USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375 – 5283 or 1-800-767-1833 (TTY).

Yep. Did that. My wife was issued her visa more than one year ago and our "update" still shows our petition to be pending. Good thing I never paid any attention to the that system. There was a survey here at VJ recently (you can find it in the forums) 18% of approved petitions were NEVER updated and still show pending and 67% were inaccurately reported in one way or another. the system is completely worthless except as bubble gum to chew on while you wait

[thongd4me 69]

Thanks for the heads up Gary, you do have more experience than I, but do you have any problem with us filling in our VJ timelines?

That's my main complaint here.

The reporting tools I mentioned may have defects as you pointed out, but if they can be of any use in a case where snail mail fails, they may be a benefit in the end.

It also doesn't hurt to pick up the telephone, as mentioned by many other posters.

Edited September 6, 2009 by thongd4me

[thongd4me 69]

Timeline Video (recommended)

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for the heads up Gary, you do have more experience than I, but do you have any problem with us filling in our VJ timelines?

That's my main complaint here.

The reporting tools I mentioned may have defects as you pointed out, but if they can be of any use in a case where snail mail fails, they may be a benefit in the end.

It also doesn't hurt to pick up the telephone, as mentioned by many other posters.

`

Filling in the VJ timeline is very good, and the VJ estimates of processing times are about as accurate as any, maybe more so. Picking up the phone and calling USCIS will only frustrate you, they do not operate that way. You will get stock answers from a menu and nothing substanstial. I am not pessimistic or cynical, I am realistic.

I have seen you around the forums for some time, though I think you only recently filed. Just do not imagine any level of service or concern that does not exist. Your case will be adjudicated when it is adjudicated, there is really nothing you or I can do about that. Phone calls, emails, whatever, will make no difference. If the snail systems fails, so will your petition. Nothing done online is official, nor do they give any detailed information. For example, IF you get an RFE, and they update your case accurately (there is a 35% chance of that) they will not tell you what you need to provide, only that an RFE has been sent. If you do not receive the RFE you cannot respond. If you call them they will "open a service ticket" and tell you to wait for 30 days (I just saved you the hold time of a phone call) If you receive an approval and do not get it in the mail, you have problems. A copy of the email will do you no good at the interview. If I, or you, or anyone, did their job or operated as business the way the USCIS service centers do we would be fired or out of business immediately. Since they have no competition and no one else offers visas, there is no reason for them to improve.

I am only trying to inform you of the facts and there is good reason the USCIS customer service line is called the "misinformation hotline" Now that you have filed your petition, the best thing you can do is occupy yourself with plans for the future, preparations for the future (I can highly recommend buying an old house and trying to restore it within 6 months!) and studying what you will need for your next step, or the next. Are all your interview documents prepared? Does you fiancee have everything she needs for the interview? Is it all translated? Police certificates? Work on all that stuff and stay away from trying to get minute by minute updates, this is not a fedex package. The less time you spend chewing the government bubblegum and more you spend on your future needs, the better off you will be.

[thongd4me 69]

There was a survey here at VJ recently (you can find it in the forums) 18% of approved petitions were NEVER updated and still show pending and 67% were inaccurately reported in one way or another. the system is completely worthless except as bubble gum to chew on while you wait

I didn't find anything by searching. Your ability to remember precise statistics is amazing.

If you can show where that survey is, much appreciated.

I said in my original post that I welcome any additions, corrections, etc.

I'm sure you're right that the reporting system is flawed, but that's because it probably depends on humans to launch/update it.

We can also hope (but not assume) that in the future their electronic reporting will be completely automated,

so that a report in the mail will generate an email and electronic posting with no errors.

Don't hold your breath as we know how the government works...just pick up the telephone if you have data or time concerns.

[thongd4me 69]

Thanks for the heads up Gary, you do have more experience than I, but do you have any problem with us filling in our VJ timelines?

That's my main complaint here.

The reporting tools I mentioned may have defects as you pointed out, but if they can be of any use in a case where snail mail fails, they may be a benefit in the end.

It also doesn't hurt to pick up the telephone, as mentioned by many other posters.

`

Filling in the VJ timeline is very good, and the VJ estimates of processing times are about as accurate as any, maybe more so. Picking up the phone and calling USCIS will only frustrate you, they do not operate that way. You will get stock answers from a menu and nothing substanstial. I am not pessimistic or cynical, I am realistic.

I have seen you around the forums for some time, though I think you only recently filed. Just do not imagine any level of service or concern that does not exist. Your case will be adjudicated when it is adjudicated, there is really nothing you or I can do about that. Phone calls, emails, whatever, will make no difference. If the snail systems fails, so will your petition. Nothing done online is official, nor do they give any detailed information. For example, IF you get an RFE, and they update your case accurately (there is a 35% chance of that) they will not tell you what you need to provide, only that an RFE has been sent. If you do not receive the RFE you cannot respond. If you call them they will "open a service ticket" and tell you to wait for 30 days (I just saved you the hold time of a phone call) If you receive an approval and do not get it in the mail, you have problems. A copy of the email will do you no good at the interview. If I, or you, or anyone, did their job or operated as business the way the USCIS service centers do we would be fired or out of business immediately. Since they have no competition and no one else offers visas, there is no reason for them to improve.

I am only trying to inform you of the facts and there is good reason the USCIS customer service line is called the "misinformation hotline" Now that you have filed your petition, the best thing you can do is occupy yourself with plans for the future, preparations for the future (I can highly recommend buying an old house and trying to restore it within 6 months!) and studying what you will need for your next step, or the next. Are all your interview documents prepared? Does you fiancee have everything she needs for the interview? Is it all translated? Police certificates? Work on all that stuff and stay away from trying to get minute by minute updates, this is not a fedex package. The less time you spend chewing the government bubblegum and more you spend on your future needs, the better off you will be.

Points well taken & no hard feelings. I did recently file and will follow your advice. We're here to help each other.

At my stage of the game (NOA1 approved) I'm looking forward and getting the paperwork needed following the NOA2 approval.

Edited September 6, 2009 by thongd4me

[daboyz 36]

Thanks for the heads up Gary, you do have more experience than I, but do you have any problem with us filling in our VJ timelines?

That's my main complaint here.

The reporting tools I mentioned may have defects as you pointed out, but if they can be of any use in a case where snail mail fails, they may be a benefit in the end.

It also doesn't hurt to pick up the telephone, as mentioned by many other posters.

`

Filling in the VJ timeline is very good, and the VJ estimates of processing times are about as accurate as any, maybe more so. Picking up the phone and calling USCIS will only frustrate you, they do not operate that way. You will get stock answers from a menu and nothing substanstial. I am not pessimistic or cynical, I am realistic.

I have seen you around the forums for some time, though I think you only recently filed. Just do not imagine any level of service or concern that does not exist. Your case will be adjudicated when it is adjudicated, there is really nothing you or I can do about that. Phone calls, emails, whatever, will make no difference. If the snail systems fails, so will your petition. Nothing done online is official, nor do they give any detailed information. For example, IF you get an RFE, and they update your case accurately (there is a 35% chance of that) they will not tell you what you need to provide, only that an RFE has been sent. If you do not receive the RFE you cannot respond. If you call them they will "open a service ticket" and tell you to wait for 30 days (I just saved you the hold time of a phone call) If you receive an approval and do not get it in the mail, you have problems. A copy of the email will do you no good at the interview. If I, or you, or anyone, did their job or operated as business the way the USCIS service centers do we would be fired or out of business immediately. Since they have no competition and no one else offers visas, there is no reason for them to improve.

I am only trying to inform you of the facts and there is good reason the USCIS customer service line is called the "misinformation hotline" Now that you have filed your petition, the best thing you can do is occupy yourself with plans for the future, preparations for the future (I can highly recommend buying an old house and trying to restore it within 6 months!) and studying what you will need for your next step, or the next. Are all your interview documents prepared? Does you fiancee have everything she needs for the interview? Is it all translated? Police certificates? Work on all that stuff and stay away from trying to get minute by minute updates, this is not a fedex package. The less time you spend chewing the government bubblegum and more you spend on your future needs, the better off you will be.

Good advice, as always.

[sara..... 371]

i think i could write a book on all the WRONG answers that were given to me at the call center, its useless.

also our case still shows received and pending

Gary and Alla are spot on with their advise

sara

[kike 0]

That is why I dont understand how some people want to trust the government burocrats with their healthcare.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

That is why I dont understand how some people want to trust the government burocrats with their healthcare.

[rsn 135]

That is why I dont understand how some people want to trust the government burocrats with their healthcare.

Not saying I don't agree, but how lame of you to hijack someone's non-off-topic thread to inject your totally irrelevant political opinion.

[deer 1]

That is why I dont understand how some people want to trust the government burocrats with their healthcare.

Amen to that!

[k.loveh 0]

Thanks for the heads up Gary, you do have more experience than I, but do you have any problem with us filling in our VJ timelines?

That's my main complaint here.

The reporting tools I mentioned may have defects as you pointed out, but if they can be of any use in a case where snail mail fails, they may be a benefit in the end.

It also doesn't hurt to pick up the telephone, as mentioned by many other posters.

Though I'm guilty of not filling one in last year the first time around, I did use it and it was 'right on'. So in my humble opinion, it does work or at the very least, it can help. Unfortunate that it may not for some, but for others....

[k.loveh 0]

the system is completely worthless except as bubble gum to chew on while you wait

The less time you spend chewing the government bubblegum and more you spend on your future needs, the better off you will be

Me thinks he likes bubblegum.