Official Receipt Notice (Form I-797)

[Saad Ali 0]

Hello all,

I filed for a K1 Visa on August 10th with G-1145 form attached to receive email notification of receipt. The email came within four days, which was great however I have not recieved the official form I-797 which was supposed to arrive within 7-10 business days (10 days on Aug 24th). I know I'm very early in the process, but want to ensure I'm not missing anything. My questions are:

• Will I receive an I-797 at all if attached a G-1145?
  
• If so, does I-797 frequently take longer than 7-10 business days?
  
• Should I update my timeline with NOA1 recevied according to the email date, or should I be waiting for the official form to update VJ timeline?
  
• Others have updated within a few days of filing, should I be worried?
  

Apologies if this is addressed elsewhere and I have missed it.

Thanks in advance, and Regards.

[jkelly07 120]

take it easy,its coming if your check was cashed you will be sent a receipt 797 letter,give it a few more days, the G-1145 is only for E.MAIL notification of application acceptance, look online uscis case status online, put in your case number in the box ,

[amberlynnloves 125]

You'll receive your NOA1. Sometimes it takes people a month to get it. Just relax. It just takes a little time.

Yes, go ahead and update your timeline to reflect NOA1 on the date you received your email.

Good luck with the rest of your journey!

[didopage 337]

The G-1145 has nothing to do with hardcopies updates. You will receive a I-797C (and not I-797) shortly.

As you received the first email update, you should now have your receipt number (starting by EAC if your case is at Vermont Service Center, or WAC if it's at California SC). Go to USCIS.gov and create an account, enter your # and subscribe for text and/or email updates.

[sn530 27]

The G-1145 has nothing to do with hardcopies updates. You will receive a I-797C (and not I-797) shortly.

As you received the first email update, you should now have your receipt number (starting by EAC if your case is at Vermont Service Center, or WAC if it's at California SC). Go to USCIS.gov and create an account, enter your # and subscribe for text and/or email updates.

Exactly as said above, I went through the same process started in December 2011 its a slow process so take it easy don't stress best thing to do from now till January is not think of this process . Then again in January you will be informed they did something to your file and get the approval hopefully then its wait again for another 2 months. Pm me if your in need of some advice or have a question.

[Saad Ali 0]

Thanks a lot everyone. I will try and relax

[Saad Ali 0]

Just an update now that it has been a month since I filed, the I-797C still has not arrived. However, the status on the USCIS has moved from 'Acceptance' to 'Initial Review'.

I hope the official notification hasn't been lost in the mail. If that is the case, how big of a deal is it? I don't want to get to a later stage and find out my fiancee and/or I need to show paperwork we never received.

Can I request another copy?

Thanks all.

[Saad Ali 0]

bump.. still no 797c. I think i'll set an appt to speak to someone.

[didopage 337]

It's not a big deal but the I-797 will be, so you should check that they have the correct address.

[testthomas 0]

bump.. still no 797c. I think i'll set an appt to speak to someone.

I am in the same situation. I received an email notification with my receipt number on 4th Sept 2012. It also stated that the I-797 official receipt notice will be sent to me in 7-10 days. It's been a month and I haven't received anything. I called USCIS and they said they cannot issue another receipt notice. They said the official notice only has the receipt number which I have in my email, so I am not sure how big a deal it is to not receive the notice. Did you receive yours or did you speak to anyone about it?

[didopage 337]

I am in the same situation. I received an email notification with my receipt number on 4th Sept 2012. It also stated that the I-797 official receipt notice will be sent to me in 7-10 days. It's been a month and I haven't received anything. I called USCIS and they said they cannot issue another receipt notice. They said the official notice only has the receipt number which I have in my email, so I am not sure how big a deal it is to not receive the notice. Did you receive yours or did you speak to anyone about it?

You didn't receive the I-797C (first Notice of Action, petition received) or I-797 (second Notice of Action, petition approved?

Not having the I-797C is not a big deal, as long as you know that they have your case and that a receipt number has been issued.

Not having the I-797 is a bigger deal, because it will be needed at a later stage (Adjustment of Status, once in the US and married).

[testthomas 0]

You didn't receive the I-797C (first Notice of Action, petition received) or I-797 (second Notice of Action, petition approved?

Not having the I-797C is not a big deal, as long as you know that they have your case and that a receipt number has been issued.

Not having the I-797 is a bigger deal, because it will be needed at a later stage (Adjustment of Status, once in the US and married).

I had submitted my I-130 based on sibling of US citizen in Aug 2012. I had signed up for e-notification (form G-1145) and in the email that I received on 4th Sept, it says, ‘Your case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS Vermont Service Center for processing. Within 7-10 days by standard mail you will receive your official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) with your Receipt Number.’

So should I be waiting for I-797C or I-797?

[didopage 337]

I had submitted my I-130 based on sibling of US citizen in Aug 2012. I had signed up for e-notification (form G-1145) and in the email that I received on 4th Sept, it says, ‘Your case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS Vermont Service Center for processing. Within 7-10 days by standard mail you will receive your official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) with your Receipt Number.’

So should I be waiting for I-797C or I-797?

They just didn't precise which type of I-797 it would be, but it should be I-797C. More infos:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9d4f068d9c456310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

I-797 is the actual approval of your petition. Your email update doesn't say it was approved and typically looks like a first NOA or I-797C (petition received, routed to a Service Center).

[testthomas 0]

They just didn't precise which type of I-797 it would be, but it should be I-797C. More infos:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9d4f068d9c456310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

I-797 is the actual approval of your petition. Your email update doesn't say it was approved and typically looks like a first NOA or I-797C (petition received, routed to a Service Center).

Thank you!

[Saad Ali 0]

I got in touch with USCIS General Support via telephone and navigated through the automated menu options to speak to a representative. I input my receipt number from the acceptance confirmation email when prompted without any issue. Surprisingly, there was minimal hold time and a friendly representative given I called around 1930ET, near close-of-business hours for them.

The representative immediately offered his first name and agent ID number. After answering a few verification questions, I stated my concern of not receiving the I-797C via postal mail... only email. He gave the same responses as testthomas's experience - they can't resend the notice or check to see if the correct mailing address is on file. As to the importance of having the notice, he also said that the I-797C only provides the receipt number and since he was able to locate my case I didn't need the official notice for any other step in the process. The online case status updates in real-time whenever action is taken, he suggested I just keep up with that.

For additional peace of mind, I also downloaded a mobile app called LUD and Status notifier which syncs with USCIS at adjustable intervals. Although I didn't get anything definitive from the call (they very well could have the wrong address on file), I'm satisfied with the consoling responses and am glad to know that the receipt number is indeed active/valid and does lead to my case in their system.

I guess it's back to the hardest part of this whole process - being patient. Nearing two months since petition acceptance date and I miss my woman! Thanks all for the responses.

Edited October 5, 2012 by Saad Ali