Understanding all of the steps

[abarnes 0]

Hello. I apologize if this has been covered somewhere on this site. I've looked around and didn't find anything on this, so I hope someone might be able to explain things here.

I am American and my husband is Australian. We submitted an I-130 form and received an I-797 on November 13, 2012 that the petition had been received. This week, I received an email stating that my case is in Initial Review, and that the case was approved and sent to the appropriate appellate body for review.

I find the whole process a bit confusing. I'm not sure what exactly this message means. I'm not sure if I am supposed to do anything. I'm not even sure what all of the steps are and where we are in the process.

If anyone can explain the process to me, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

Anne

[Kazulie 132]

A few things so you can get better help....

Please fill in your timelime so we know what country you are from and what you are petitioning for, etc.

Please use exact wording from your email. It sounds to me like your I-130 has been approved and you are now moving on to NVC. You should have been preparing for this step for the past 5 months while your I-130 was waiting to be approved. If you HAVE been approved, you should go join this thread... http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/417050-nvc-filers-march-2013/ ... this is for those who are at NVC now (which I suspect you are). You should study, study, study the first 2 posts on that thread and then ask questions.

Inbox me if you need more help.

Edited March 21, 2013 by Kazulie

[Darnell 8,479]

ya, sorry - is some data error with USCIS for the wording of that email - blame it on lowest bidder IT Services.

However - yer in the 'whats next' question mode, right ?

Here's all the steps (but do study the link above, also, aye?):

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

Go Get Em !

[abarnes 0]

Thanks for the replies. I find all of this confusing, mostly because there are all kinds of numbers and names and yet nothing seems to match up. I fill out an I-130 but it is an IR1/CR1. On my timeline (which I filled out) it says there is a NOA1 and a NOA2, but my letter just says Notice of Action. I'm trying to match up the jargon with the documentation.

Here is the exact email I received this week. So what does this mean? And is there an estimated timeline from here?

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Your Case Status: Initial Review

On March 17, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we certified our approval of this case and sent it to the appropriate appellate body for review. They will notify you directly when they make a final decision. If you move while this case is pending, follow the instructions provided in the notice and use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators.

If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.

[Darnell 8,479]

in essence, it's a data error with the email system.

However, that's an approval for an I-130 petition.

Please call into USCIS for confirmation. (use a telephone)

Good Luck !

[abarnes 0]

Thanks. Is there an average amount of time it takes from this point? I'm just looking for a general idea.

[Tegeras 5]

I got this same email from them on the 21st of March. I called the USCIS and spoke with a supervisor and she assured me it is a glitch in the system. She said if I received the official notice (NOA2) stating we were approved then that's what we go by and not their website.

[Robinhood 13]

Thanks for the replies. I find all of this confusing, mostly because there are all kinds of numbers and names and yet nothing seems to match up. I fill out an I-130 but it is an IR1/CR1. On my timeline (which I filled out) it says there is a NOA1 and a NOA2, but my letter just says Notice of Action. I'm trying to match up the jargon with the documentation.

Here is the exact email I received this week. So what does this mean? And is there an estimated timeline from here?

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Your Case Status: Initial Review

On March 17, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we certified our approval of this case and sent it to the appropriate appellate body for review. They will notify you directly when they make a final decision. If you move while this case is pending, follow the instructions provided in the notice and use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators.

If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.

Looks like case was approved from Local office and sent to NBC.

I suggest you call USCIS, when you get to ISO, ask to be transfer to Tier2 officer who can dig in to the system and provide you with more detail. You probably never received any notification on Transfer to Local office, (usually doesn't get updated online or notified). Local office may have certified your approval and sent back to NBC or NVC. If you do not get much clarity by talking with T2 officer, you can take an info pass appointment and visit your Local field office.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Robinhood

[dwheels76 5,468]

Thanks for the replies. I find all of this confusing, mostly because there are all kinds of numbers and names and yet nothing seems to match up. I fill out an I-130 but it is an IR1/CR1. On my timeline (which I filled out) it says there is a NOA1 and a NOA2, but my letter just says Notice of Action. I'm trying to match up the jargon with the documentation.

Here is the exact email I received this week. So what does this mean? And is there an estimated timeline from here?

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Your Case Status: Initial Review

On March 17, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we certified our approval of this case and sent it to the appropriate appellate body for review. They will notify you directly when they make a final decision. If you move while this case is pending, follow the instructions provided in the notice and use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators.

If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.

Actually you did file a I-130 Petitioner. The IR1/CR1 comes later at NVC.

The NOA1 is the receipt date on your I-797C form

NOA2 is the approval date and NOA=Notice of Action

It is okay. Most of our heads spend.