The RFE Master List

[Slay0r 1]

It's a good sign that we've reached the end of the initial wait, but seeing as we're being dealt with by the Texas Service Centre I hold out no hope of getting a quick approval after we respond to the RFE. It's amazing that in 2014/15 it will take almost a year for two law abiding citizens in the US and UK to be granted the right to get married.

[francais_usa 74]

If I originally sent my form to the texas service center, and I'm expecting them to send it back to me without processing anything, can I start over and send it to the California center instead of Texas? Or do I have to stick with Texas? It seems like everyone is saying CA is faster

Edited February 10, 2015 by francais_usa

[TabeaK 517]

You are not picking the Service Center. Everyone sends their application to the Dallas lockbox, assignment to a SC happens there based on the state of the petitioner.

[francais_usa 74]

Ok gotcha, thank you!

[Ksenia1985 37]

I thought I should share our RFE reasons for future filers' use:

We got RFE electronic notice Jan 26 2015. Hard copy of RFE notice Jan 31 2015.

RFE for:

1. We originally sent in my fiancé's (USC) birth certificate as a proof of citizenship, but it was a certificate issued by the hospital, not the vital records office, so in the letter we got from USCIS they specifically stated it is not accepted and that they need a long form. His US passport had expired recently, so we went for the long form which cost us additional $56 to order online and we received it by ups 2 days after placing an order.

2. Fiancé's court records. I've read originally that they want certified copies, but my fiancé just printed out information from court web site and signed it. So we paid another $25 for obtaining copies from courthouse and certifying it.

Mailed RFE response Feb 05 2015. Feb 09 2015 status had changed into RFE response received.

Now the wait.

[Slay0r 1]

To save me reading through 111 pages of this thread, is there a generally accepted (rough) timeline in terms of how long RFE's take to get approved? Weeks/months/millenia?

I've done all sorts of searches to try and get an idea of how long our RFE through the Texas Service Centre will be delayed, but I'm still kinda clueless. Our RFE is relatively straight forward, and we comprehensively addressed all the points we were asked to provide extra evidence for, but having applied over 7 months ago my faith in TSC isn't exactly at an all time high.

[TabeaK 517]

2-3 weeks, give or take, in most cases.

[bhjameson15 0]

I received a RFE today it states the following

" You filed a benefit request which was not properly completed. Please complete the marked sections on the enclosed photocopy of the benefits request"

I am sure it is a simple fix but its just overwhelming because I still don't understand what needs to be fixed. I am thinking it could be as simple as a missing check box? Anyone else experience this?

Also there was nothing additional enclosed?

Edited February 20, 2015 by bhjameson15

[Slay0r 1]

  On 2/8/2015 at 12:54 PM, Slay0r said:

This is the RFE me and my fiancee were issued.

Firstly, it's great that they can take as long as they damn well please with our application, but there's a very strict deadline that we have to comply to their request by.

Secondly, it doesn't make sense that what they need is a) Something they never asked for, and b) Something we wouldn't have been able to provide at the time of the application, so how can it stall our case that we didn't provide it at the time?

We fell in love, we got engaged, we filed for the right to get married and live together in the USA. Was the expectation that we guessed our wedding date, booked a wedding, kept all the receipts and then applied?

I wouldn't have minded if they wanted more proof of the relationship or something, but this nonsense is just borderline offensive. Luckily we have plenty of evidence to satisfy their request but, hooray, our wedding is delayed by another couple of months.

Just an update; it took little more than a week after posting our RFE packet for the Texas Service Centre to approve our application. They didn't even acknowledge receipt, just approved the I-129F on the spot. Much quicker than expected.

[Ksenia1985 37]

  On 2/20/2015 at 6:06 AM, bhjameson15 said:

I received a RFE today it states the following

" You filed a benefit request which was not properly completed. Please complete the marked sections on the enclosed photocopy of the benefits request"

I am sure it is a simple fix but its just overwhelming because I still don't understand what needs to be fixed. I am thinking it could be as simple as a missing check box? Anyone else experience this?

Also there was nothing additional enclosed?

To me it sounds like you forgot to check some boxes on your petition. It says something about photocopy - is it there?

[bhjameson15 0]

  On 2/20/2015 at 3:56 PM, Ksenia1985 said:

To me it sounds like you forgot to check some boxes on your petition. It says something about photocopy - is it there?

no photo copy. Going to the immigration office in hopes of clarification. I might be over thinking ?

[Ksenia1985 37]

  On 2/20/2015 at 4:25 PM, bhjameson15 said:

no photo copy. Going to the immigration office in hopes of clarification. I might be over thinking ?

You can also call USCIS and ask them. My RFE looked like a blue piece of paper(that we returned to USCIS on top of the needed papers) and an attached sheet that listed what they need from us.

If you want a better advice scan the letter, just erase your personal info and I am sure many people here would be able to help you understand.

[bhjameson15 0]

  On 2/20/2015 at 4:31 PM, Ksenia1985 said:

You can also call USCIS and ask them. My RFE looked like a blue piece of paper(that we returned to USCIS on top of the needed papers) and an attached sheet that listed what they need from us.

If you want a better advice scan the letter, just erase your personal info and I am sure many people here would be able to help you understand.

I actually walked in to the local immigration office. They reviewed it. For some reason all they want me to do is check a box stating I did not use an attorney to file. Really odd? I guess I left it blank because I was told leave it blank if it does not apply. Hard to believe I had an RFE over something so simple. I am having an attorney look over it today too just to be 100 percent. I do not want any more delays.

thanks for the advice btw I love the support from people

[TabeaK 517]

Huh? Is there even such a box on the I-129F? At the end there is a section for the attorney to fill if he files the form (part 5) - but I do not remember any box for the petitioner to fill.

[bhjameson15 0]

There is not. That's the crazy thing?? It really strange!