Upgrade from F2A to IR1

[qrish n gita 1]

Yes I did talk to one on my last call but he said the same thing

[ChrisNina27 3]

Hello all , new to the site. My wife is in Italy and I am in Maryland. We filed form I-130 and it was received August 19th 2014 with the Vermont offices. Now it's january 2015 and they are processing forms for May 2013 , this is ridiculous.
I am also in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen , they received my N-400 October 27th 2014 and I have not received an interview date yet. I have called numerous times and they only say to wait longer. Today I called and the Baltimore offices are delayed 182 days. I am in the process of writing the president , the senator and the representative just because I can not sit here with my hands tied and continue to tell my wife to be patient. Does anyone know the email address where I can send a copy of my citizenship whenever I get that ? I will also send one certified mail. Does anyone know how long they take to update the petition from F2A to IR1? I know the processing times for different offices in different states vary but I'm assuming the entire country is backed up. I checked the fb page for VJ and people leave their stories there but hardly anyone comments. I would appreciate any advice , comment , suggestion from anyone . I know how hard it is for all of us to be far away from our loved ones and just because the government can not hire more people to help with the work to bring the processing times to actual time instead of being backed up we continue to suffer on a daily basis.
Thanks all

Chris and Nina

[ritbiv 95]

Check out this thread regarding upgrading the petition from F2A to IR1/CR1 at NVC stage (if your petition gets approved by USCIS and sent to NVC by the time you get your citizenship). http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/524609-upgrading-f2a-to-ir-1cr-1/

If your petition reaches at NVC then after your naturalization ceremony you have to send a copy of your naturalization certificate by email to NVC. Emailing them is the safest option because most of the times they do not care about the mail and they get lost.

If your petition is not approved by USCIS by the time you be a citizen then I think the approval will come soon after your citizenship. I do not say that for sure because I did not undergo the same process. Others with similar experiences can give more insights.

My husband filed N400 for his citizenship on Early FEbruary 2014 and he took the naturalization oath on NOV 26. Passport arrived mid of December. His interview was on Oct 14 at Federal Plaza NYC. NYC office is backlogged and it took almost a year to get citizenship.

So overall the situation is far from being good. The whole process is really hard and unbearable. My I130 petition was approved but it is now pending at NVC. 50 days have passed and our petition has not been upgraded yet from F2A to IR1/CR1. The reps just say to wait for 60 days.

Edited January 14, 2015 by ritbiv

[ritbiv 95]

Upgrading F2A petition at USCIS stage:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/435456-how-to-upgrade-file-from-f2a-to-ir1/

This thread is about upgrading petition at USCIS. The best option is to call the National Customer service center and follow their instructions to upgrade your case.

Here is contact info of NSCS

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/contact-us/national-customer-service-center

Here is service center specific contact information

http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/contact-us#USCIS%20Service%20Centers

Upgrading F2A petition at NVC stage:

Send a scanned copy of your naturalization certificate to asknvc@state.gov and also call NVC at
(603) 334-0700. Customer Service Representatives can speak with you Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight EST, excluding holidays.

Here is a sample email that my husband sent to NVC after getting his naturalization certificate.

(Subject line)

Case # XXXXXXXXXXXXX Request for Upgrading the Preference Category from F2A to IR1/CR1

(Email body)

Ref:

Petitioner: XXXX XXXX / Date of Birth: X/X/XXXX

Beneficiary: XXXX XXXX / Date of Birth : X/X/XXXX

USCIS Receipt number: XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Petitioner A #: XXXXXXXXXXX

NVC case number: XXXXXXXXXXXXX

NVC IIN XXXXXXXX

Dear Officer,

I am writing to kindly inform you that I, XXXX XXXX (Petitioner of I130 petition) have become US Citizen.

I am attaching: naturalization certificate, and state Id with this email.

I sincerely request your kind self to please update the immigration status of the beneficiary, my wife XXXX XXXX from F2A to IR1/CR1. I will be grateful for your attention to this matter.

Thanking you,

Sincerely,

XXXX XXXX

MOBILE Number

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask if you need more information. I will try to help you if I know the answers.

Edited January 14, 2015 by ritbiv

[qrish n gita 1]

Thank god

I just got email to start the process

Choice of agent and paying fees and submitting docs

Happy happy

[ritbiv 95]

Thank god

I just got email to start the process

Choice of agent and paying fees and submitting docs

Happy happy

Congratulations!!!! Happy for you. Are you able to fill up ds261?

Edited January 15, 2015 by ritbiv

[qrish n gita 1]

Yes I'm able to proceed further .

Good luck for u to ritiv

[ritbiv 95]

Yes I'm able to proceed further .

Good luck for u to ritiv

Thank you.

[ritbiv 95]

My case has been upgraded to IR1/CR1. Thank God!!! Atlast I am able to move... No welcome email recieved yet but I am able to fill up DS261. So happy. It took total 50 days to update my case.

Edited January 16, 2015 by ritbiv

[qrish n gita 1]

Did u paid the fees too

[ritbiv 95]

Did u paid the fees too

No I am not able to pay the fees yet. Are you able to pay the fees? I chose my husband as choice of agent. Do you have a attorney?

[qrish n gita 1]

No I don't have attorney.

I paid the AOS FEE only and it showed paid after 2 days now I m waiting my w2 to file tax and only after filing tax this year I will submit the documents

What about u were u at

[ritbiv 95]

No I don't have attorney.

I paid the AOS FEE only and it showed paid after 2 days now I m waiting my w2 to file tax and only after filing tax this year I will submit the documents

What about u were u at

We did not get any formal welcome email from NVC till now. I think the AOS fee link will be available after that. I hope your IV fee link opens up soon. Keep me updated about your case. I will do the same. Can we submit the documents (AOS and IV) before paying IV fees?

Edited January 17, 2015 by ritbiv

[qrish n gita 1]

I'm waiting for my w2 to file tax then only I will submit documents

[ritbiv 95]

I'm waiting for my w2 to file tax then only I will submit documents

Ok.