Anyone refile a lost application?

[ludakrishna 2]

Has anyone experienced the NVC losing the application and then having to refile? My case was approved February 1st and today, March 25 the NVC contacted stating the file cannot be tracked down. I am waiting for my congressman liaison to send me the contact information for the USCIS to send my new application to. Has anyone heard or experienced this? Can't the USCIS send a copy of my application that I'm hoping they made? No answers being provided by the government. Hopefully someone on this site can guide. Absolutely feeling hopeless and failed right now.

[Inky 1,110]

They actually don't make copys of your stuff, they just put it in a huge folder and keep adding everything to it. They mark directly on your forms with their pens and such. By the end of the process you have a GIANT folder. Thats why the VJ guides say to make an extra copy of your petition is in case something like this happens.

I would keep pressing them to locate your file. Its got to be there somewhere, USCIS or NVC stuck in a mail room somewhere.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Different situation, but we did file a whole new I-130 after Hartford sent ours to Denmark. However, it was to a foreign field office, approved next day, and then shipped directly to the embassy for IV processing. Due to the errors in your case, you might want to try contacting the USCIS field office in charge of India and see if they can help you. I would also get the ombudsman involved. Don't be afraid to beg for and demand help with this.

[speedwell 224]

On the other hand, one of Senator Cornyn's immigration staffers told me the file could be reconstructed if it was actually lost. I think they scan things in now. Don't panic.

[ndu26 114]

Your case has been approved so refiling a new I-130 is not an option unless ypu are told exactly where and when it was sent. Having read few experiences from people here, I would suggest you bombard USCIS with calls ( speak witha tier 2 to give specific date when your file was sent to NVC. and also keep pestering NVC as the file may just be sitting in the mail room. people have had their files retrieved at NVC after more than one month.

[Roosha 51]

I just woke up so I'm not coherent yet, so I can't offer any good advice except to tell you how sorry I am. This sucks and I can't believe that files can still get lost in this day and age. Your senator's office seems to be really helping, so that's a plus! Try to see if they can forward the case straight to India with explicit instructions to expedite, like Nola said don't be afraid to use all avenues that might help and I just want to add don't be afraid to demand that you get special treatment, ie expedited and stuffs. After this run around, you deserve it!

[Deep2009 18]

There are number of options that OP can follow -

Calling USCIS

Calling NVC

Involving ombudsman

but we need to look at OPs timelines

-----------file delivered to NVC 3/8/2013 but NVC doesn't show receipt of receiving it as of 3/15/2013.

-----------NVC

-----------3/21/2013 - NVC stated in a email forwarded by my senator they cannot track the case down in the building

It may be the timing issue, some times, it takes NVC couple of weeks to put all the system and issue a visa number.

Today is 26th, it is only 12 working days since NVC received the file.

Hold it for 2 weeks "ludakrishna"..... the file is there.... Please give NVC sometimes to track it down and enter in system

And also, whenever a senator office makes an inquiry to a file.... things don't move, it shakes all the way to the foundation.

And every time, anyone pulls the case..... "congressional inquiry" flag flashes on the case....

Please give it 2 more weeks and see.

[ludakrishna 2]

Your case has been approved so refiling a new I-130 is not an option unless ypu are told exactly where and when it was sent. Having read few experiences from people here, I would suggest you bombard USCIS with calls ( speak witha tier 2 to give specific date when your file was sent to NVC. and also keep pestering NVC as the file may just be sitting in the mail room. people have had their files retrieved at NVC after more than one month.

I actually did talk to a Tier 2. They indicated that the file was shipped out to the NVC. The Congressman liaison was provided tracking and it showed being delivered on 3/8/2013 and signed for by Desmond. 3/25/2013 Congressman liaison was told the file cannot be located at the NVC. I'm in a catch 22. USCIS says they shipped it, provided tracking and showed it was signed for. NVC says they don't have the case in the building. Both sides don't want to take responsibility. Sent an email to the Ombudsman for help.

[MeredythB 38]

I can't offer any better advice than what's already been posted here, but I can tell you that I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I agree with Nola and Roosha that you should demand everything that you can to expedite your case once a solution has been found to your situation. Keep us posted as to what's going on.

[ludakrishna 2]

The liaison was out sick today. So I just called and spoke to a Tier-2 at the USCIS. They state that the case was shipped and the tracking shows signed for by the NVC. They essentially wiped their hands clean and said, "The State Department lost it, it's their fault, not the USCIS". I was told to refile, repay and start from the beginning. I'll wait until tomorrow to hear back from the liaison. This is just getting me more and more furious.

[Roosha 51]

I think that since USCIS can prove that they've sent the file and it was signed by NVC, then it is on NVC to find your file and deal with it. Or DOS, have you tried calling DOS, they might be more help than NVC, def more than USCIS.

[ludakrishna 2]

I think that since USCIS can prove that they've sent the file and it was signed by NVC, then it is on NVC to find your file and deal with it. Or DOS, have you tried calling DOS, they might be more help than NVC, def more than USCIS.

I will contact the DOS tomorrow after I talk to the liaison.

[ludakrishna 2]

Just heard back from the congressman liaison. The CIS provided the batch of applications sent with mine. NVC is researching to see whether it was stuck with any of them. In addition, her USCIS liaison is getting with her supervisor to see if she can reconstruct my application from her system and send it again in case it can't be found. Friday I will know more.

[speedwell 224]

Just heard back from the congressman liaison. The CIS provided the batch of applications sent with mine. NVC is researching to see whether it was stuck with any of them. In addition, her USCIS liaison is getting with her supervisor to see if she can reconstruct my application from her system and send it again in case it can't be found. Friday I will know more.

Excellent work. I think this will be resolved for you soon!