it's been 2 months....

[eav123 0]

I filed the CR-I/I 130 for my husband who is patiently waiting in Portugal for the paperwork to start rolling...and we got our receipt via text and mail that it was received on Dec. 14 (sent it all in on the 9th of Dec 2012), and it says on the website that biometrics are usually scheduled within 30 days... WELL....it's been nearly 60 DAYS and NO WORD about ANYTHING?? Is this normal? He and I have no criminal history, and are doing everything by the book, and are hopeful that the gov will stick to its word and timeline they give you, but this is ridiculous. What is the next step? SHouldn't they have contacted us by now? What is the hold-up? Anyone else experience this?

Also, I tried filling out the timeline on the visajourney site, but when it asked for filing location, Chicago wasn't one of them, and that's where I sent in my application. Why isn't Chicago one of the choices when you're filling out a timeline? What should I put?

Thanks

[oohpartiv 484]

I filed the CR-I/I 130 for my husband who is patiently waiting in Portugal for the paperwork to start rolling...and we got our receipt via text and mail that it was received on Dec. 14 (sent it all in on the 9th of Dec 2012), and it says on the website that biometrics are usually scheduled within 30 days... WELL....it's been nearly 60 DAYS and NO WORD about ANYTHING?? Is this normal? He and I have no criminal history, and are doing everything by the book, and are hopeful that the gov will stick to its word and timeline they give you, but this is ridiculous. What is the next step? SHouldn't they have contacted us by now? What is the hold-up? Anyone else experience this?

Also, I tried filling out the timeline on the visajourney site, but when it asked for filing location, Chicago wasn't one of them, and that's where I sent in my application. Why isn't Chicago one of the choices when you're filling out a timeline? What should I put?

Thanks

If you're just now filing the I130, biometrics has nothing to do with it. You have to wait until they approve your case, and then it gets sent to NVC where you have a whole new set of paperwork to get ready. Only after that do you get an interview and (hopefully) your visa. Biometrics would come into play if, for example, you'd done a K1 visa and were going through the AOS after getting married in the States. Also, if you've only waited two months, you might want to relax. Members have been waiting an average of at least six months to get I130 approval lately - some even longer. It really depends on where your I130 got filed.

While you wait, you can go here and read up on the process a bit. It might answer some of your questions.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Edited February 11, 2013 by oohpartiv

[bestofboston 36]

You need to go to timelines for Portugal in Visa Journey and see how long it typically takes before his interview.

Usually you will wait upto 6 months to get your NOA2 and then another 5 months to process the paperwork at the NVC and to get an interview scheduled. Again please look at the timeline for Portugal to get a better idea on how long between NOA2 and Interview.

It is a long wait and you are in the early stages. Think 10 months to 1 year.

[eav123 0]

THIS SUCKS. I was told it would be an average of 6-8 months complete process...meaning he could be here ideally by August. Also, where do I go to see Portugal's timeline? Looking everywhere but don't see it.--Thanks.

You need to go to timelines for Portugal in Visa Journey and see how long it typically takes before his interview.

Usually you will wait upto 6 months to get your NOA2 and then another 5 months to process the paperwork at the NVC and to get an interview scheduled. Again please look at the timeline for Portugal to get a better idea on how long between NOA2 and Interview.

It is a long wait and you are in the early stages. Think 10 months to 1 year.

Edited February 11, 2013 by eav123

[oohpartiv 484]

THIS SUCKS. I was told it would be an average of 6-8 months complete process...meaning he could be here ideally by August.

Someone lied to you. If you filed in December, he might be in the States by Halloween. It really all depends on your consulate (how busy they are in the interview department), and how proactive you at in the NVC stage. Waiting for an NOA2 is totally up to USCIS, though - unfortunately there's nothing you can do until then.

Put in your info here to see timelines similar to yours.

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/filterlist.php?cfl=

Edited February 11, 2013 by oohpartiv

[Ms Hogan 295]

You've got lots of studying to do. Read the guides up top and understand the process. Then you will have a better idea of the process. 6-8 months is not completely unattainable. But there are many variables including a lot of luck as well in terms of WHERE your case is processed. I looked at your timeline and you only got your NOA1 on January 14th so expect at least a couple months (but probably longer) before you get your NOA2.

I wouldn't say anyone LIED to you, but they are possibly a little out of touch with current processing times. Do NOT look at my timeline as an example because mine is not the norm as of late. When I mentioned luck above, that definitely came into play with mine as I landed in a good spot on someone's desk at some point.

There is a TON of information here to help you better understand timelines. Take some time, poke around, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of knowledge and support available.

ETA: You say "it's been two months" but really it has only been 28 days since your NOA1. That is when you entered the system.

Edited February 11, 2013 by MsHogan

[Michiham72 1]

I filed the CR-I/I 130 for my husband who is patiently waiting in Portugal for the paperwork to start rolling...and we got our receipt via text and mail that it was received on Dec. 14 (sent it all in on the 9th of Dec 2012), and it says on the website that biometrics are usually scheduled within 30 days... WELL....it's been nearly 60 DAYS and NO WORD about ANYTHING?? Is this normal? He and I have no criminal history, and are doing everything by the book, and are hopeful that the gov will stick to its word and timeline they give you, but this is ridiculous. What is the next step? SHouldn't they have contacted us by now? What is the hold-up? Anyone else experience this?

Also, I tried filling out the timeline on the visajourney site, but when it asked for filing location, Chicago wasn't one of them, and that's where I sent in my application. Why isn't Chicago one of the choices when you're filling out a timeline? What should I put?

Thanks

The biometrics is not set up 30 days from petition, it is general 30 days from the time you send in your DS 230 and it is approved. I was under that assumption as well when I first started. Your petition has be received, now it has to go through approval process which takes the long period of time. I filed the end of August and it was approved end of Nov, so 3 months (for my case) then It was Jan when NVC received the petition and sent me the AOS bill and his DS 3032. It takes about 2 weeks for them to review the ds 3032 then send you the ds 230 bill (Just received mine today and paid it). Now have to send the completed ds 230 in, just waiting on his documents to get here. Have you gotten all the documents together that you are going to need for the AOS and IV? You can be working on that if not. Once the NVC has it things seem to get quicker...so hold one and keep positive

[NikLR 13,227]

The biometrics is not set up 30 days from petition, it is general 30 days from the time you send in your DS 230 and it is approved. I was under that assumption as well when I first started. Your petition has be received, now it has to go through approval process which takes the long period of time. I filed the end of August and it was approved end of Nov, so 3 months (for my case) then It was Jan when NVC received the petition and sent me the AOS bill and his DS 3032. It takes about 2 weeks for them to review the ds 3032 then send you the ds 230 bill (Just received mine today and paid it). Now have to send the completed ds 230 in, just waiting on his documents to get here. Have you gotten all the documents together that you are going to need for the AOS and IV? You can be working on that if not. Once the NVC has it things seem to get quicker...so hold one and keep positive

I think you mean a medical, not biometrics.

[Michiham72 1]

I think you mean a medical, not biometrics.

My mistake, I did mean medical.