Processing hold due to pending security checks

[Wait4ever? 50]

Still waiting for NOA2 and received email from USCIS:

"We have placed your case on a processing hold because the required security checks remain pending. Until we receive the results of these security checks, we cannot move forward on your case. We require the results of security checks before we make a decision on any pending case.

We cannot predict when we will receive the results of these security checks. Please be assured that we will make every effort to make a decision in your case as soon as the security checks are complete.

We hope this information is helpful to you."

Has anyone been in this situation? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[ashleyphilly 70]

I have seen people in this situation. Usually they check the petitioner. If you are the petitioner, have you made international travels to places that US deems threatening like Middle East? Or do you hold a job which requires security clearance. Those are the reasons that come to my mind. But usually people receive a response in a month or so.

[jens_prodigy 13]

We got the same thing and it caused our process to drag on resulting in us not receiving our approval until 8mths later. Yes, I've also heard that they are checking the petitioner but in our case, although I can't be sure of course, I think they were checking me..the beneficiary since I've lived and worked in the states before and have a SSN and all that. Who knows? I do know that it was a very frustrating time for us and a little scary wondering what they could possibly be finding :/. Even if you knowwwww you have nothing to hide,just knowing someone is scrutinizing you so hard is very nerve wracking. Be patient I'm sure it will all turn out okay like ours did.

[Wait4ever? 50]

I have seen people in this situation. Usually they check the petitioner. If you are the petitioner, have you made international travels to places that US deems threatening like Middle East? Or do you hold a job which requires security clearance. Those are the reasons that come to my mind. But usually people receive a response in a month or so.

Thank you for your response. I traveled last year to Turkey but that shouldn't matter...also my job doesn't require security clearance...

[Wait4ever? 50]

We got the same thing and it caused our process to drag on resulting in us not receiving our approval until 8mths later. Yes, I've also heard that they are checking the petitioner but in our case, although I can't be sure of course, I think they were checking me..the beneficiary since I've lived and worked in the states before and have a SSN and all that. Who knows? I do know that it was a very frustrating time for us and a little scary wondering what they could possibly be finding :/. Even if you knowwwww you have nothing to hide,just knowing someone is scrutinizing you so hard is very nerve wracking. Be patient I'm sure it will all turn out okay like ours did.

Thank you for your reply. I have the same feeling too that they are checking my fiance since he lived in US previously and also had a SSN. Also thank you for your encouragement - it is indeed very frustrating waiting without knowing what's going on....

[ashleyphilly 70]

That means im gonna be in check too. I lived in US under f1 and h1b visas for 8 years. But my h1bs were always approved with no problem by USCIS. My fiancee also sent all my h1b approvals to prove my legit stay in US in our fiancee petition. I hope we wont stay long in USCIS. We r already past the 5 months

[Megan & Luke 93]

Now I've added another stressor to this already stressful process! My job requires security clearance - we get it every year and they are usually very in depth FBI security clearance checks. At first I thought it may speed the process up (I mean, it's an FBI check.. surely it was done in the last year USCIS would just let it go) now it's concerning that it may slow it down even further (especially since we're with TSC)! Yikes.

Good luck to you! It's heartening to know it may be answered within a month

[hopeful 4 XMas 19]

Now I've added another stressor to this already stressful process! My job requires security clearance - we get it every year and they are usually very in depth FBI security clearance checks. At first I thought it may speed the process up (I mean, it's an FBI check.. surely it was done in the last year USCIS would just let it go) now it's concerning that it may slow it down even further (especially since we're with TSC)! Yikes.

Good luck to you! It's heartening to know it may be answered within a month

So am I to understand it right that if you have a security clearance and hold a job that requires financial reporting annually and such where we have had every orifice of our lives looked into many times. And they have everything there is to know about us in front of them. And we file all of the documents like required and are interviewed by our security folks when we return from overseas travel. That we get scrutinized not the average person who they know very little about?

[johnmcgraw49 15]

Still waiting for NOA2 and received email from USCIS:

"We have placed your case on a processing hold because the required security checks remain pending. Until we receive the results of these security checks, we cannot move forward on your case. We require the results of security checks before we make a decision on any pending case.

We cannot predict when we will receive the results of these security checks. Please be assured that we will make every effort to make a decision in your case as soon as the security checks are complete.

We hope this information is helpful to you."

Has anyone been in this situation? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I was in this situation just recently and was finally approved....our NOA2 took over 8 months. I don't have a security clearance job and my girl has never been to the US. I tried to find out what the holdup was, but noone wanted to tell me any info. BUT the good news is...we did finally get approved.

[Megan & Luke 93]

So am I to understand it right that if you have a security clearance and hold a job that requires financial reporting annually and such where we have had every orifice of our lives looked into many times. And they have everything there is to know about us in front of them. And we file all of the documents like required and are interviewed by our security folks when we return from overseas travel. That we get scrutinized not the average person who they know very little about?

I don't believe USCIS will say one way or the other - it's the luck of the draw. The only reason I can see why they would scrutinize those that, in their private lives or career, require a background or security check at government level - is to definitely ensure the relationship is valid. They probably want to ensure that the petitioners fiance is actually in it for the relationship and not to get into the USA and be close to someone who works with possibly sensitive information. In my case I didn't hold this job which requires security clearance until about four years into our relationship.. though I'm sure they won't try to add it up.

No idea though - on one hand I hoped it would help it speed up. On the other hand, I can see how it could slow it down. So much of this process is up in the air!

Edited September 4, 2014 by MeganLuke

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

I had to have additional security checks done as well as I work for the State Government and have certain security clearances with my job.

[Megan & Luke 93]

I had to have additional security checks done as well as I work for the State Government and have certain security clearances with my job.

Do you know if you were still within your 5 months or did it push it longer? I'm sorry I didn't get to look at your timeline I am on mobile and it never works right.

[johnmcgraw49 15]

Do you know if you were still within your 5 months or did it push it longer? I'm sorry I didn't get to look at your timeline I am on mobile and it never works right.

Mine took over 8 months

[Lenny&Sanna 114]

Do you know if you were still within your 5 months or did it push it longer? I'm sorry I didn't get to look at your timeline I am on mobile and it never works right.

apparently I was supposed to be approved 3 weeks earlier if it wasn't for those additional checks, according to my senator.

[Megan & Luke 93]

apparently I was supposed to be approved 3 weeks earlier if it wasn't for those additional checks, according to my senator.

Oh fantastic =/ The only reason I can guess is because our jobs have a certain level of clearance that our future spouses may be privvy to in some ways.. so they want to ensure the relationship is legit. I can't imagine it would be for any other reason. Seriously - our background checks at my job are unscrupulous. I recall an interview with an FBI agent for over an hour when I got my first one.