No NOA1 yet - getting dejected already!

[KristiAnn 0]

Ugh....I hate this already, and we haven't even technically started yet

So we sent our package USPS priority on Feb. 3/10, and had delivery confirmation for it arriving in Chicago on Feb 5/10. I was assuming that likely meant they would start reviewing it/working on it in some way the following Monday, and I was sort of expecting NOA1 maybe like a week or so later or something. This just seemed like the timeframe that a lot of people were dealing with, so I was hopeful. We still have seen no movement at all on it - our cheque hasn't been cashed yet....and no mail at all from them. I'm just kind of feeling bummed about it, as I thought this was almost the instant gratification part of the whole thing, as most people received theirs really fast! So it's been exactly 2 weeks now since I assumed they started working on it, and nothing yet. I know that's nothing really, in the whole scheme of things, but it seems like it to me right now! Ugh.

I guess I just wanted to vent for a minute - I'm just bummed. All I want is to get going on this!!

[yohino 22]

Ugh....I hate this already, and we haven't even technically started yet

So we sent our package USPS priority on Feb. 3/10, and had delivery confirmation for it arriving in Chicago on Feb 5/10. I was assuming that likely meant they would start reviewing it/working on it in some way the following Monday, and I was sort of expecting NOA1 maybe like a week or so later or something. This just seemed like the timeframe that a lot of people were dealing with, so I was hopeful. We still have seen no movement at all on it - our cheque hasn't been cashed yet....and no mail at all from them. I'm just kind of feeling bummed about it, as I thought this was almost the instant gratification part of the whole thing, as most people received theirs really fast! So it's been exactly 2 weeks now since I assumed they started working on it, and nothing yet. I know that's nothing really, in the whole scheme of things, but it seems like it to me right now! Ugh.

I guess I just wanted to vent for a minute - I'm just bummed. All I want is to get going on this!!

Just give it another couple of days, I was feeling the same way before we got our NOA1.

The thing is, all these NOA1 dates you see on peoples timelines is the date that they recived and "started" your application, it then takes a while to get it in the mail. So the NOA1-date in you NOA1 will be earlier then when you actually recieve it.

I'm not sure if that made any sense at all...I hope you get my drift!

Just hang in there and I'm sure it'll come soon!

[sachinky 465]

Give them a couple of days and then call them. We had the same problem. We sent in our petition on 9/3 and didn't get our NOA1 till 9/29 because some idiot had cancelled our petition due to incorrect filing even though we had filed it in the correct place. Took a lot of yelling and THEN they issued it in a day. Don't sit around and wait and lose nearly a month like we did.

[Married2009 32]

Have they cashed the check yet?

[KristiAnn 0]

Thanks for the replies everyone - this can be such a draining process, so it's nice to know I have people who understand! And it's only just begun! ugh!

So my husband (the USC) called USCIS yesterday and spoke with someone there. They told him that this timeframe was still within the "normal" time for the NOA1, and if we haven't heard anything within a week, to call back and they will figure out what's going on. They told him they're doing things a little differently lately....instead of sending out NOA1's as soon as they receive the package, they do a very quick and basic background check beforehand to make sure the applicants aren't inadmissable for some reason. He said this is cutting down on costs as well as giving people a false sense of hope. If they find something, it's usually now at the beginning stages of the process and not months down the line. He also said that once the applications get to the office they get assigned to someone, and it could be just as simple as that someone who has our application has been sick for a couple of days and now has a backlog of work. So he seemed to think we should be hearing something anytime, and if we haven't within a week, to call back.

I don't know how accurate any of this info really is, seeing as these are mainly just people working at the call center, but I just wanted to pass along the info. I guess we just wait some more!!!

Thanks once again for the replies - I appreciate it!