My InfoPass appt experience and calling the NVC

[hobokenworkingman 4]

For those who're interested in InfoPass:

My wife's I-130 and I-129F dates were Oct 13th and 22nd 2009 at the California Service Center. cases were married on Oct 27th but still no NOA2 (so we're now in our 5th month). I had an appt on Feb 18th with my local NYC InfoPass office. After going thru airline-like security and waiting for another hour (bright and early at 7 am), I finally was able to see one of the agents. Keep in mind that my last case update (according to the USCIS website) was Jan 27th 2010 (ie when it was touched). So approval should have been forthcoming, but still nothing.

The agent said, to my pleasant surprise, that the case(s) had been processed, according to her screen, as of Feb 3rd. Of course, no one bothered to update the case status website. I told them that I hadnt rec'd anything yet and reconfirmed my address and everything. I also asked her what "processed" meant? did it mean approved? She said that's what it generally meant. ALso told me to my pleasant surprise that she had been assigned an A# (alien # or basically her visa #). But apparently the 129F had been "processed" and the 130 was still in processing. This was confusing to both of us, of course, and so she went and asked her supervisor about it who seemed to know a lot more about it (wished I got his counter, but he was attending to another person). Basically from what I could overhear, he said that I just have to wait till they get the processing finished. Seems like CSC had processed the 129f, but were waiting till they finished the 130 processing to send out all the paperwork to the NVC, which I think is rubbish. If they had alraedy send out the 129F, then my wife's K3 would have been well on its way past the NVC and to the consulate in India by now. I know why they're waiting - so that the NVC would then recive both cases together, decline the 129f and only process the 130, as per their new rule effective feb 1st. but clearly inthis case, the 129f has ALREADY been processed and the A# already assigned. they should have sent it off...

Anyway, the lady came back and I reconfirmed the A# being assigend and the 129F being processed. She then echoed what her supervisor said. I asked if I can know what the A# is, but she declined and said I wasnt allowed to see the info (I dont know why, since I'll find out anyway). She then said "dont worry my wife will be here before I know it". Well I know it already and my wife is still not here.

Its funny how relative time is to these people - she said "Sir you JUST filed your application back in October" - I was like "we're in our 5 MONTH!!!!" they have no concept of time. That to her was like "just yesterday". she even said, "Sir your cases got processed as of feb 3rd, which is only 2 weeks ago. you'll get the paperwork in the mail. we cant gaurantee the workings of the US mail" what nonsense...

I was then told that if I didnt receive word of approval in the 30-60 days, to make another appt. I've already made another appt for march 4th. hopefully approval will come way before then.

ALl in all, this put mine and my wife's minds hugely at ease. It said that we passed all the security checks and other requirements. No RFEs. that we filed all out all the paperwork properly. just some fat slob in CSC who's not getting the 130 done.

Anyway, since i know an A# has already been assigned, I emailed NVC to see if they can tell me what the next steps in the process were, tell me possibly what the A# is, even though it may be just a little premature. Hoping that I can maybe get the 129f K3 process going. I emailed them last thursday and no reply so far. I've been calling incessantly and IT IS ALWAYS BUSY!!!! does anyone know a different # to this, or a different email???

ANyway, for those just as in the dark as I was, the infopass appt does help in being more informative. I was afraid that they would have told me to come back after the 5 month period was done, but they thankfully didnt do that. So the more infopass appts, who knows - maybe things will get processed faster. I thought that maybe CSC would get wind of the fact that I had an infopass appt and perhaps would have given approval on thursday via email/text, but no such luck so far. maybe today???

ANother piece of info - they do keep track of all of the calls and inquiries made. apparantely my senator or congressman did make the inquiries on my behalf and the records according to the infopass lady said - "customer query resolved" ie i was fed the same "within 5 months" nonsense. that's what they call resolved. whatever...

guess i have to thankful for the incremental info...hoping and praying for approval; i know its alraedy done, just need the CSC to get off its #### and fwd the cases to the NVC! Hope this is helpful to people.

[Amit-N-Melody 11]

wow... I am happy that atleast you recieved some news. I keep calling the NVC and I knw that it takes a long time to get through.. no more than 5 mins of calling getting busy signal, hanging up calling back... do this like 100 times and then you will get through I promise.. but then once you are through you will have to wait 15-30 for an operator...

[pushbrk 13,102]

wow... I am happy that atleast you recieved some news. I keep calling the NVC and I knw that it takes a long time to get through.. no more than 5 mins of calling getting busy signal, hanging up calling back... do this like 100 times and then you will get through I promise.. but then once you are through you will have to wait 15-30 for an operator...

It's a waste of time to call NVC about a petition not yet approved.

[hobokenworkingman 4]

It's a waste of time to call NVC about a petition not yet approved.

yup - i did get thru and spoke to an actual human. as suspected my cases hadnt gotten there yet. so back to the waiting game...frustrating to say the least...