NOA1 Wait Time

[Tee and Megan 10]

My fiance and I just submitted our I-129F to the Dallas Lockbox on Thursday, March 27.

I know this is all on the guides, and probably in a myriad of discussions across the site, but would anyone please explain to us how long we may expect to wait until we receive an NOA1? Or what happens after that? I've read the guides and searched the site, and I still don't really get it.

Thanks so much!

[allende 5]

Hi!

the NOA1 is pretty fast. It'll just tell you that they received your petition and tell you where it has been sent (they mostly send them to California or Texas) In our case it took about 14 days to get the text/e-mail (you'll get that only if you included a signed form G-1145) and 7 more days to get the hard copy through regular mail. From what I saw on the timelines, this is longer than usual because there were all the Christmas and New Year holidays in between.

Keep in mind that the NOA1 does not mean much other than they received your package and that they sent it to one of the service centers. Also, they give you a case number and you can track progress at:

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard/CaseStatus.do

You can also sign up for a mailing list in this same USCIS webpage so you get notified if there are any updates. It's not 100% reliable (sometimes they don't update the case status online) but it's something! The "official" time to get approved is 5 months so you can't really contact them before that as they'll just tell you to wait the 5 months. However, it often goes faster than that, just prepare yourself for that waiting time just in case.

The process, as far as I know is:

- NOA1 with your case number

- (sometimes a RFE if there's anything missing or any mistakes; hopefully not your case!)

- Petition approved - NOA2

- Case is sent to NVC; there'll be a new case number that you can track here: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

- NVC will forward your case to your embassy in your home country

After that you should look at your country's portal because the process is country-specific. Each embassy continues with the process a little differently!

I can't give you estimate times because they're all different as well. Look at the Timelines in this website to get more information. You can track other cases from your country or get a general overview of other VJ members.

Good luck with your process!

[Loveherforever49 4]

The response above is pretty much spot on. I've been through the process once already. Expect 2-3 months to receive an interview date after the embassy receives your petition. But this is wayyy down the road. Really you should be all set. Time to play the waiting game. good luck

[Tee and Megan 10]

Thanks so much!! Goodness, it sure is hard to wait though. But we've all got to get through it, right? Sure wish tickets to the Kingdom weren't $1,500.

Did you both sign up for the E-notifications? I've heard they're not terribly reliable, but we signed up anyway.

[allende 5]

Yes, it is very hard to wait, specially when you have no idea when the wait would be over!

We did send that form to be notified by USCIS; we got a text and e-mail for NOA1 but not for NOA2 or arrival to NVC or anything else... We did get the hard copy of both NOA1 and NOA2 through regular mail (it's important to keep NOA2 as it is needed later on, for the Adjustment of Status after you get married)

As for the USCIS mailing list, it worked for me! I did get an e-mail when my petition was approved! (it was very unexpected! It only took them 24 days) I've read on this forum that people get RFEs and don't get notified, though, or nothing for NOA2. But it's free, so it can't hurt to sign up for it!

If you're lucky they'll send your case to the California Service Center. They're MUCH faster than Texas! I'm in touch with two girls also from Spain who both got almost the same NOA1 dates than me. My case was sent to California and I'm in the last step (awaiting the interview) and they don't even have their NOA2 yet because they're in the Texas Service Center. It's unfair and it seems random but that's the way it has been, at least recently! You'll know where they sent it when you get either the e-mail or the hard copy.

If it's the TSC it's not a tragedy either, some cases still go fast! You just don't know...

Edited April 2, 2014 by allende

[Tee and Megan 10]

This is so good to know! I just got our NOA1 via text, but it didn't mention a service center! I guess I have to wait for the hard copy to arrive in the mail. Thank so much for the solidarity. I am gonna pray for the CSC. And sending positive thoughts and blessings to your process as well!!!

[allende 5]

They don't tell you the SC in the text. You'll find it either in the e-mail (your fiance will most likely have gotten it already; ask him/her to check! Sorry, not sure if you're the petitioner or beneficiary! And who is the "he" or "she" ) or in the hard copy, which shouldn't take very long to arrive through the mail.

I'll keep my fingers crossed you get the CSC! But even if you get the TSC don't despair, you'll get there!

Thanks to you too! And good luck!

Edited April 2, 2014 by allende