waiting in Phil for NOA2 after 129F submit ?

[lbounds 16]

I think I will have a break between jobs and I was wondering if I could go to the Philippines for a month or so while I'm waiting for our NOA2.

My first question would be is there a way to check my NOA2 status online since I will be in Phil not getting my mail for a month or so if I do this ?

Second question would be, would I have to show the NOA2 if we went to the interview while I was still there in Phil and it became NOA2 time or would I miss any important mail I would need to present at interview ?

I'm just thinking it will be happier for me to spend some time with my girl rather than watching the mailbox especially if I have a break between jobs.

Thanks for your helpful comments

Edited December 16, 2009 by lbounds

[Chris and Rosalie 0]

You don't need the actual paper in hand for anything up until your fiancee enters the country - its listed as a required document at entry but I don't know that the immigration's officer actually asks for it. Still your fiancee should have it.

If you provided your email address on your I-129F, the USCIS will email you when the I-129F is approved. I received the email about a day or two before the NOA2 arrived in the mail. So that may suffice for you to know when it is sent to the NVC.

After that point you need to wait for the letter from the NVC because you need the MNL number on it. Their email inquiry is useless. I sent the inquiry the day after I got the NOA2 in the mail and didn't receive a response until after my fiancee had taken her medical exam at SLMEC. So you would need to call them to get the MNL number and to find out when it is forwarded to the embassy.

Once it is sent to the embassy, you need to wait at least a few days for them to process it before you can make your appointment. To make the appointment you need the MNL number and info from the I-129F: full names, date of births and addresses.

I'm not sure I'd worry too much about it. Unless you received it in the mail the week after you leave, you would likely be back home before you could make the appointment anyways if you are only gone about a month.

[lbounds 16]

That's cool. Thanks very much for your reply that makes me feel better. I hope I can go to stay for a month soon. I'm missing my girl very much. People here can relate I'm sure

[Chris and Rosalie 0]

Actually, I think I received the approval email from the USCIS because I signed up for updates here at this site:

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do

Click on the link on the left side that says, "Sign-up for Case Updates". You need the receipt number from the NOA1.

[tallcoolone 102]

That's cool. Thanks very much for your reply that makes me feel better. I hope I can go to stay for a month soon. I'm missing my girl very much. People here can relate I'm sure

You can pretty much do anything and everything you need online.

If your gonna stay over long enough, might as take all your supporting documents for your girl to go to the Interview. Sounds like there is a chance you might get your approval and be able to schedule her interview during your visit to PI.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Take it from me...DO NOT depend on them to update the online status!!!!!!!!

My last online status "touch" was 24 November. I called the USCIS trying to get more information on my case...requested expediting again on 15 Dec...within a couple of hours I got an email saying they sent out a RFE on 1 December. I called again after about 2 hours and talked to them again...trying to find out what the RFE was for and how long I needed to send it. (they dont have that information) Well, I had to have my friend look through all my mail (I am deployed right now) and he finally found the RFE. I have until Christmas to send my stuff back. The date on the RFE was 25 November. So, I am hoping they will give me an extension...i did tell the USCIS that I didnt get the notice and that they were going to send another one. Hopefully that extends me out some. I will call them anyway tonight to get it documented that i sent the information out today. The Post Office said 7-10 days for delivery...so that will put me past the 25th.

[FrombeachParadise 0]

I think I will have a break between jobs and I was wondering if I could go to the Philippines for a month or so while I'm waiting for our NOA2.

My first question would be is there a way to check my NOA2 status online since I will be in Phil not getting my mail for a month or so if I do this ?

Second question would be, would I have to show the NOA2 if we went to the interview while I was still there in Phil and it became NOA2 time or would I miss any important mail I would need to present at interview ?

I'm just thinking it will be happier for me to spend some time with my girl rather than watching the mailbox especially if I have a break between jobs.

Thanks for your helpful comments

1. yes you can check your status anywhere you are...You can register to the site of USCIS of checking your status online...

2. During the interview, they need the hard copy of the NOA2 and a letter from the National Visa Center (NVC) too that will be sent to your mailbox not the letter that they will be sending in your e-mail...

It's a good idea to spent time with your fiancee while waiting for the approval...but remember there are some documents that you are going to gather here that she will be needing for the interview...

Good luck!!!

[tallcoolone 102]

Take it from me...DO NOT depend on them to update the online status!!!!!!!!

My last online status "touch" was 24 November. I called the USCIS trying to get more information on my case...requested expediting again on 15 Dec...within a couple of hours I got an email saying they sent out a RFE on 1 December. I called again after about 2 hours and talked to them again...trying to find out what the RFE was for and how long I needed to send it. (they dont have that information) Well, I had to have my friend look through all my mail (I am deployed right now) and he finally found the RFE. I have until Christmas to send my stuff back. The date on the RFE was 25 November. So, I am hoping they will give me an extension...i did tell the USCIS that I didnt get the notice and that they were going to send another one. Hopefully that extends me out some. I will call them anyway tonight to get it documented that i sent the information out today. The Post Office said 7-10 days for delivery...so that will put me past the 25th.

That suxs, I am pretty sure they will cut you any and all breaks since you are on active duty.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

I hope so. I am getting ready to call them again in about an hour. I didnt want to have any of the information sent here because i will be leaving in about a month and it takes at least a week to get anything here. Oh well...all i can do is wait and see. I will also call them the monday after xmas.