Storing our K-1 petitions...

[CharlieTanger 76]

So how does the TSC (and others) store our fiancé petitions while they are awaiting approval? Are they basically in hard copy file bins or do they electronically store them (like scan and upload them into files onto a computer)? Random question haha, but really curious.

[Dohan 133]

Brilliant question, we've all wondered this. Only someone working there would know, that's my best guess haha

[vicks5721 18]

yeah only someone working there will know and They wouldn't be allowed to tell anyone.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So how does the TSC (and others) store our fiancé petitions while they are awaiting approval? Are they basically in hard copy file bins or do they electronically store them (like scan and upload them into files onto a computer)? Random question haha, but really curious.

Both. Some forms are scanned into an electronic file. Also cardboard boxes full of files as far as the eye can see on shelves in a warehouse waiting for their day to be carried into the shelves in the office and make it to an adjudicator's desk. I saw a photo once and should have saved it. It puts Into perspective how many applications USCIS deals with and that you and a handful of people on VJ are not but a speck compared to all who are waiting for some decision on many kinds of applications.

If you make it as far as applying for US citizenship, the hard copies of everything you ever sent will be on the desk at the interview. That would include petition, London visa file, medical files and the applications/evidence for adjustment of status, work authorization, advance parole, removing conditions, and naturalization.

Edited February 21, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[CharlieTanger 76]

Both. Some forms are scanned into an electronic file. Also cardboard boxes full of files as far as the eye can see on shelves in a warehouse waiting for their day to be carried into the shelves in the office and make it to an adjudicator's desk. I saw a photo once and should have saved it. It puts Into perspective how many applications USCIS deals with and that you and a handful of people on VJ are not but a speck compared to all who are waiting for some decision on many kinds of applications.

If you make it as far as applying for US citizenship, the hard copies of everything you ever sent will be on the desk at the interview. That would include petition, London visa file, medical files and the applications/evidence for adjustment of status, work authorization, advance parole, removing conditions, and naturalization.

Wow! Well I really do give them props for keeping everything (like paperwork) organized. That is a lot of stuff. I couldn't even imagine the amount they deal with.

[Darnell 8,478]

As I recall -

scanning of the file is part of the process, at USCIS, but the paper file itself is the 'queue holder' , and it snakes its way throughout the building, slowly, until it hits an adjudicators desk.

Then on to NVC, more scanning work there,

then at the IV Unit at the Consulate/Embassy, more stuff is added to the casefile,

then after interview day,

that petition, plus visa application, plus all paper , is given over to the approved beneficiary, to be hand-carried by beneficiary back to the USA, given over to the CBP folk,

who then do a check on it, and then it goes to USCIS national records storage, for a bit.

Somewhere in this process, the A-File is created, and when AOS is filed, the A-file is pulled , added to, then put back into storage after approval.

Same for ROC and citizenship, that A-File is important.

I always found it funny that the beneficiary becomes a highly-paid personal courier for the Department of State and DHS. Sure, the pay isn't coming from DoS or DHS (that's why I find it funny) ...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Wow! Well I really do give them props for keeping everything (like paperwork) organized. That is a lot of stuff. I couldn't even imagine the amount they deal with.

Some would debate that it is organized, especially if one box got picked up by a slow adjudicator who happened to also get several huge files to hunt through and he had quite a few with RFE's to generate and he missed some days with the flu. Meanwhile the next box in date order got picked up by someone who zipped through his concise, easy files in a day and went on to the next. But that does explain how Feb 20 files could get approved before Feb 1. Yes there are people who get upset when they see any date after theirs, even by a few weeks, get approved. It happens.

They do scan each file to know it's latest whereabouts when moved to another shelf, desk, or town. It pings your online status with a date. That's what people on here call "touches". It doesn't mean a helluva lot, but worriers like yourself will brood over every touch trying to guess what it means until you go mad. Order your Prozac now.

Edited February 21, 2015 by Nich-Nick