January 2015 - TSC Filers

[bloopygirl 20]

I'm going to run the risk of going against the grain here and maybe upsetting some of you. Comparing your cases to other people's in an exercise in futility if not frustration. No two cases are alike. It's no secret that the processes aren't always in perfect order. In fact there are STILL September files trickling in. While I don't think there is some huge processes going on when it comes to reviewing a petition, I do know that a background and criminal check is done on each petitioner and who knows how long that may take coupled with an obvious backlog? It makes sense that many come out of order. When I'm working on projects in my office, I don't sit on my hands while I wait for information from a client, I move on to the next project.

They are obviously approving January cases at the moment. They are obviously going in some semblance of monthly order even if picking cases here and there. Some cases may be more difficult than others due to a myriad of reasons. What doesn't make sense to me is why people call the centers when this method has been proven fruitless time and time again. Last I checked statistics, over 1000 cases were received in January (TSC). July marked the month where approvals really started to come in for January cases. That's 6 months. It seems they are averaging 20 petition approvals a day for January while simultaneously approving other months prior. December and January filers have actually had the shortest approval times when comparing to months prior. I'm sure that's no consolation, but keeping things in perspective may save a great deal of heartache and annoyance in the long run.

I agree with you, you can't compare two cases really. I consider myself lucky to get approval when there are people from like October still waiting for theirs, but who knows, maybe I'll be one of the unlucky people who get stuck in AP for four months lol. There's no sense worrying about what we can't control.

Overseas people might be more anxious than me though, understandably so. Some people have probably not even seen their fiancé since they sent the packet off... I think that when people are depressed and anxious they want to feel like they're doing something in case there's a chance it helps. So, I have lots of sympathy for those people. But who ever said "expect 10 months, be happy with 5" was right.

[CharlieTanger 76]

Are the beneficiaries background checked at this stage as well or just the petitioner?

I assume they run the social security number of the petitioner.

Edited July 15, 2015 by CharlieTanger

[sea-shtick 2]

Man... January 5th here... just saw case status updated to RFE today on USCIS.gov. I will have to wait for the paper notice to see why, to be honest I'm totally stunned to get an RFE... I thought our case was pretty straightforward (been together almost 4 years, lived together for 1 year and have been visiting each other for the past two etc etc etc) so I have no idea what they want. I'm so disappointed. If they finally touched our case today, it could have been approved. I wish I knew what it is they want, it's going to be impossible to concentrate until I get that letter!

[StephanieC 43]

Are the beneficiaries background checked at this stage as well or just the petitioner?

I assume they run the social security number of the petitioner.

The beneficiaries are handled by the consulate post NVC stage.

Man... January 5th here... just saw case status updated to RFE today on USCIS.gov. I will have to wait for the paper notice to see why, to be honest I'm totally stunned to get an RFE... I thought our case was pretty straightforward (been together almost 4 years, lived together for 1 year and have been visiting each other for the past two etc etc etc) so I have no idea what they want. I'm so disappointed. If they finally touched our case today, it could have been approved. I wish I knew what it is they want, it's going to be impossible to concentrate until I get that letter!

Did you and your fiance send a letter of intent to marry within 90 days?

[sea-shtick 2]

The beneficiaries are handled by the consulate post NVC stage.

Did you and your fiance send a letter of intent to marry within 90 days?

Yeah, we definitely both sent letters of intent. I was just reading through the RFE master list and it looks like some of the reasons are pretty trivial (missing a check box, etc). I'm hoping it's something like that - still pretty frustrating. My suspicion is that I didn't provide enough information on my past residence/employment because I'd been registered as living in the same place forever (while temporarily living in other states) and also working a lot of part time jobs while I was a student (so just listed "student" as employment). There were no gaps in the time periods but I wouldn't be surprised if they want my temporary addresses and employment info. So that's a pain but at least it would just mean filling out a form.

[Clawren86 5]

Got approved tonight, finally!!!

Congratulations to all!!!

Lol,I'm so happy!!!

Congratulations to you!!! My Fiance is also in Vietnam. I am hoping for some good news one day. But again Congratulations. Happy for the both of you

[StephanieC 43]

Yeah, we definitely both sent letters of intent. I was just reading through the RFE master list and it looks like some of the reasons are pretty trivial (missing a check box, etc). I'm hoping it's something like that - still pretty frustrating. My suspicion is that I didn't provide enough information on my past residence/employment because I'd been registered as living in the same place forever (while temporarily living in other states) and also working a lot of part time jobs while I was a student (so just listed "student" as employment). There were no gaps in the time periods but I wouldn't be surprised if they want my temporary addresses and employment info. So that's a pain but at least it would just mean filling out a form.

Ah yea that's really frustrating I reckon for younger filers. The good news(hopefully) is that it's just an RFE and not an outright decline.

[Scott And Vina 2]

Yeah, we definitely both sent letters of intent. I was just reading through the RFE master list and it looks like some of the reasons are pretty trivial (missing a check box, etc). I'm hoping it's something like that - still pretty frustrating. My suspicion is that I didn't provide enough information on my past residence/employment because I'd been registered as living in the same place forever (while temporarily living in other states) and also working a lot of part time jobs while I was a student (so just listed "student" as employment). There were no gaps in the time periods but I wouldn't be surprised if they want my temporary addresses and employment info. So that's a pain but at least it would just mean filling out a form.

Its frustrating after wait for couple of months and got RFE I'm sorry you get RFE. If i may ask are you using a lawyer cause its makes me worried too about my case even i used a laywer

[sea-shtick 2]

Ah yea that's really frustrating I reckon for younger filers. The good news(hopefully) is that it's just an RFE and not an outright decline.

True! Trying to be optimistic now that the initial shock has worn off. We're not especially young, ages 31 & 26 (I was in grad school for the "student" time period). I'm just hoping the letter arrives quickly and they process our files right after.

Its frustrating after wait for couple of months and got RFE I'm sorry you get RFE. If i may ask are you using a lawyer cause its makes me worried too about my case even i used a laywer

No, we didn't use a lawyer. Just filled the forms out very carefully with 3 different people checking each, ha ha. I'll update once we know what went wrong.

You know what is curious, is that there were some other case numbers near ours which also were not touched until today, and they ALL got RFE. (Most of the others numbers around ours were approved a couple weeks ago.) Seems like a weird coincidence?

[StephanieC 43]

True! Trying to be optimistic now that the initial shock has worn off. We're not especially young, ages 31 & 26 (I was in grad school for the "student" time period). I'm just hoping the letter arrives quickly and they process our files right after.

No, we didn't use a lawyer. Just filled the forms out very carefully with 3 different people checking each, ha ha. I'll update once we know what went wrong.

You know what is curious, is that there were some other case numbers near ours which also were not touched until today, and they ALL got RFE. (Most of the others numbers around ours were approved a couple weeks ago.) Seems like a weird coincidence?

Congrats on grad school!

I wonder sometimes if the first tier adjudicators (assuming that is a thing) reviews the petitions and ones that may need an RFE go to second tier. Then if they still need evidence they all get RFE'd together. I saw a few months back a handful of November 10-15s once with that same thing.

[racheal&david 108]

January 7th filer here...approved early this morning (BST) - 02:31 to be exact! Couldn't be more relieved. I sincerely hope a speedy approval for all my fellow TSCers! 188 days!

[xvixiiex 8]

January 7th filer here...approved early this morning (BST) - 02:31 to be exact! Couldn't be more relieved. I sincerely hope a speedy approval for all my fellow TSCers! 188 days!

Congratulations!! Yay!!

[Scott And Vina 2]

Approved this morning at 10.15 total waiting 185 days Sooooo happy. Good luck for all fillers you'll get it soon too

[dza 46]

Approved this morning at 10.15 total waiting 185 days Sooooo happy. Good luck for all fillers you'll get it soon too

congrats, cant wait for mine feb filler

[CharlieTanger 76]

Approved this morning at 10.15 total waiting 185 days Sooooo happy. Good luck for all fillers you'll get it soon too

Congrats, Scott and Vina!!

Did you get an email, text, or just check your case status? I'm quite surprised they approved in the morning...or did you just check in the morning?