November 2015 I-130 Filers

[gryphon 20]

So, my wife's I-130 was apparently approved 3/29 - I found this out on 3/30 because I checked every morning by going to the USCIS Case Tracker, and it said:

"On March 29, 2016, we approved your Form I-130, Immigrant Petition for Relative, Fiance(E), or Orphan, Receipt Number LINXXXX. We will mail your approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address."

And, of course, I was super excited. I was so excited, I was in a bit of disbelief a few hours later and checked it and it said something different:

"On March 30, 2016, we sent your case, Receipt Number LINXXXX, to the Department of State for visa processing. Please visit our website for general information on Consular Processing. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address."

So... does that mean that they've officially sent it to the NVC? Just the one day later? Or is that just boilerplate information?

Edited April 1, 2016 by gryphon

[Rahuleshaa87 2]

any march approved got their case number then please post it as it would be easy for others to have a judgement.

[mlucasva 1]

I just wanted to pop in and let everyone know my experiences with NVC so far. I've been very fortunate to have a case that's moved faster than normal, so I think I can shed some light on what those of us getting approved I-130's will experience in the near future. I'll also update my signature block after this post, but my timeline has remained updated throughout if you want to reference that as well.

My case was approved at the California Service Center and I got the text letting me know, followed by the official NOA2 letter in the mail about a week later. That was the last correspondence I received from USCIS, there was no "we sent your case to the State Department" for me. I called the NVC about a week later hoping to get my case number, and first and foremost the reps at NVC seem tremendously better so far. They didn't have anything at my first phone call and advised me to wait 30 days before calling back. I called back on exactly 30 days from the date my I-130 was approved and they had received it 2 days earlier. They provided me my invoice and case numbers, accepted both email addresses over the phone, and were very congratulatory and wished me luck in my continuing journey. I got a letter in the mail from them the next day.

From that point I was able to access CEAC and complete the DS 261 and pay the AOS fee. It took about a week, iirc, for it to show the IV fee and I paid it immediately. At that point I had already assembled my packets (both AOS and IV) but I was waiting, per the instructions, to complete the DS 260 before submitting them. Once the IV fee showed paid I was able to process the DS 260, and it actually took me 2 days as I wasn't prepared for documenting my wife's work for the past 10 years (I assumed 5 years since that's what we put in the G 325a).

At this point all fees show as paid and the DS 260 shows as completed. I mailed both packets last week and according to USPS they were delivered Friday. I'm now just waiting for confirmation they've received them, and the subsequent "scan date" that starts the clock. They claim they should process it within 30 days, and so far they've met every deadline they've proposed. The NVC group threads are currently saying it's running around 30-35 days for those of us who have to snail mail our packets. I'm secretly hoping for a birthday present of an interview date assigned by my birthday on April 30th. Feel free to comment with questions and I'd be happy to offer up my experiences.

[gryphon 20]

Thanks for that info, mlucasva - very informative! Here's hoping your get your birthday wish =D

[Japryor1 0]

Thanks for sharing ur vj. Happy birthday

[Rahuleshaa87 2]

gryphon seems our both petition is going simultaneously...the nvc received our case yesterday..would be following guidelines by mlucasva and calling them frequently..

[gryphon 20]

Yes, I'll probably be a bit more impatient and call at least once a week. I want to try to lose as few days as possible! Good luck with yours as well!

[rami84 0]

Anyone knows how long after the application priority date should I call USCIS? next Wednesday would be 5 months of waiting and it seems like now people with December priority date are getting approved in Nebraska?

Thanks

[Japryor1 0]

I'm in the same boat, I just call uscis the young lady was very nice she said that csc is a month behind. to give them another 30-45 days and rite knw they are still approving October case file. I explain to her that I'm see other case files that a being approve from December and January she told me that each case file is different. Which I completely agree with her. I hope this helps

[gryphon 20]

Anyone knows how long after the application priority date should I call USCIS? next Wednesday would be 5 months of waiting and it seems like now people with December priority date are getting approved in Nebraska?

Thanks

If you check your own timeline, even VJ suggests you call - even if you get the standard response, it wouldn't hurt to try!

"Based on timeline data, your I130 may be adjudicated between March 25, 2016 and April 1, 2016*.

If this date range has passed or your application is past due per USCIS processing times then you should consider calling the USCIS to inquire on your petition. If you have been approved please update your timeline."

[rami84 0]

If you check your own timeline, even VJ suggests you call - even if you get the standard response, it wouldn't hurt to try!

"Based on timeline data, your I130 may be adjudicated between March 25, 2016 and April 1, 2016*.

If this date range has passed or your application is past due per USCIS processing times then you should consider calling the USCIS to inquire on your petition. If you have been approved please update your timeline."

Thank you, should I ask to speak to tier 2 supervisor immediately? and if so do I just say that I want to know the status on my case... I read in other places that it says don't mention others getting approved.

I'm in the same boat, I just call uscis the young lady was very nice she said that csc is a month behind. to give them another 30-45 days and rite knw they are still approving October case file. I explain to her that I'm see other case files that a being approve from December and January she told me that each case file is different. Which I completely agree with her. I hope this helps

yes thats what I thought, but the thing that is very frustrating they are very inconsistent.

[Japryor1 0]

Last week wen I check the vj time the date change from march 23-April 5 to April 1-20 not sure why.

[Rahuleshaa87 2]

any one got their case number ??

[Rahuleshaa87 2]

Guys my case number has been assigned..so november flier start calling and get your case number

[angela_garcia23 3]

Guys my case number has been assigned..so november flier start calling and get your case number

When was your case sent to NVC? My husband's was just sent yesterday. They notified me that it was send to the department of state.