September 2016 I-130 filers

[Bendite 26]

I will say this, VJ timelines said March 28-April 6 and I was notified today according to my timeline! thanks everyone!!! It's better than not hearing anything I guess at this point

[misshepburn 52]

On 3/27/2017 at 8:54 PM, David-Liss said:

So I felt the same way, it seems that if you were transferred from Nebraska you were lucky.  I have a PD of 26 Sept.  I called USCIS today, for those of you in the military, they have a special number that we can call and it made a big difference.  I was connected immediately.  I was first told that it was still in process so I responded that I was told that if it was longer than 6 months there was a problem and I should call to find out what it is.  She put me on hold for about 5 minutes when she came back she told me that my packet was still in Nebraska and that they were currently working on packets from the 9th of August.  It was going to be another 3-4 weeks.  If I do not hear anything after 5 weeks to call back.  She said there was a lot of issues with weather and were behind quite a bit.

 

Not the information I wanted to hear but at least it was information.

@David-Liss - that's really interesting! I didn't know they had a separate line for military folks. You should post this info somewhere else on VJ and spread the word  

 

On 3/27/2017 at 9:25 PM, Karen & Carlos said:

Hello Guys.. I wanted to Share i just GOT APPROVED  I received official letter in the mail today!!!

NOA2 03/22/2017

PD 09/15/2016

SERVICE CENTER NEBRASKA 

TRANSFERRED TO POTOMAC SERVICE CENTER ON 02/09/2017.

 

** NO EMAIL , NO TEXT , NO APP**

Check mail approvals are coming

I am still in Shock... have been approved since 03/22 almost a whole week without knowing...  I confess almost had a heart attack when i received envelop  

@Karen & Carlos - Congratulations!!!! 

 

3 hours ago, H&T said:

So just for clarification: my income not enough(full time student), so my sister will be the join sponsor. However, me and my sister lived at the same house( same address). So i864 for me, and i864A for my sister?

@H&T - You are correct! I-864 for you, and I-864A for your sister. If your sister is married, and files her taxes jointly, that person would also need to fill an I-864A.

 

1 hour ago, Trinbago said:

Hello Everyone, 

 

I am happy to announce that I was FINALLY approved today. For everyone who says that their case was assigned to a specific service center but the USCIS automated case status when you call says Nebraska, do not be alarmed. This was happening to me and no one could explain it until today. Basically their system is flawed and they are trying to improve it. The tier 2 supervisor I spoke to today informed me that it can sometimes take up to 30-45 days for any updates made to a case to actually reflect correctly on the basic system (go figure....). 

 

Although I was approved on 3/24 I have not received any notifications up until this point. The only way I knew I was approved was by calling, speaking to a tier 2 supervisor, and then refreshing the app which confirmed that I was approved on 3/24. I am now waiting on the hard copy in the mail. I know how stressful and upsetting this process can be but, for everyone who is still waiting on an approval, please know that approvals are increasing and I hope that everyone is approved soon. Hang in there!

 

PD: 9/21

SC: Nebraska 

Transferred to Potomac: 2/16

Approved: 3/24

@Trinbago - Great news!!!! I know you've been a loyal September member for months - thanks for keeping us all posted  CONGRATULATIONS! 

12 minutes ago, agripa said:

A constant question on VisaJourney. And the real answer is: nobody knows! More seriously, there are a whole host of reasons why some applications get processed faster than others, my lawyer (who used to work at one of these service centers) told me the following:

1. Your application required additional security checks, which will slow down your application.
2. The service centers aren't some kind of assembly line. Applications don't move in a single straight line, rather there are different distinct groups within each service center and incoming applications are spread amongst the groups. Some groups will work faster than others.
3. The country you're beneficiary is from. Although the official policy of USCIS is that the country doesn't matter, documents from certain countries are scrutinized more thoroughly and of course some countries are prone to additional security checks (see point 1 above). 
4. The length of your marriage; more recent marriages are given slightly more scrutiny.

These are only some of the reasons why you might have been "skipped" over.

@agripa Great list! Thanks for posting!

[agripa 100]

4 minutes ago, Bendite said:

How soon after one submits their RFE are people hearing back?? So tough....

It's hard to say for sure and will depend a great deal on what they're asking for. An RFE at Nebraska usually meant an additional 1 month prior to approval; however, given current delays it may be longer. 

 

3 minutes ago, Bendite said:

I am curious if they want proof of income because I am a single parent? 

There is no proof of income required at the I-130 application stage. This comes later on in the process. The only thing they check now is that (1) the petitioner is a US citizen, (2) your marriage certificate, (3) all forms are filled out properly, and (4) you provided sufficient evidence for a bonafide marriage.

[Bendite 26]

I will say this, VJ timelines said March 28-April 6 and I was notified today according to my timeline! thanks everyone!!! It's better than not hearing anything I guess at this point

[Bendite 26]

2 minutes ago, agripa said:

It's hard to say for sure and will depend a great deal on what they're asking for. An RFE at Nebraska usually meant an additional 1 month prior to approval; however, given current delays it may be longer. 

 

There is no proof of income required at the I-130 application stage. This comes later on in the process. The only thing they check now is that (1) the petitioner is a US citizen, (2) your marriage certificate, (3) all forms are filled out properly, and (4) you provided sufficient evidence for a bonafide marriage.

I thought we did all of that! I will keep all posted! Thanks!!?

[Bendite 26]

2 minutes ago, agripa said:

It's hard to say for sure and will depend a great deal on what they're asking for. An RFE at Nebraska usually meant an additional 1 month prior to approval; however, given current delays it may be longer. 

 

There is no proof of income required at the I-130 application stage. This comes later on in the process. The only thing they check now is that (1) the petitioner is a US citizen, (2) your marriage certificate, (3) all forms are filled out properly, and (4) you provided sufficient evidence for a bonafide marriage.

I thought we did all of that! I will keep all posted! Thanks!!?

[Bendite 26]

Just now, Bendite said:

I thought we did all of that! I will keep all posted! Thanks!!?

Could it be more evidence of our marriage?I didn't send copies of texts or correspondence but have been to see him twice since we filed and going again in 3 weeks....

[misshepburn 52]

7 minutes ago, Bendite said:

Could it be more evidence of our marriage?I didn't send copies of texts or correspondence but have been to see him twice since we filed and going again in 3 weeks....

It could even be something as benign as you didn't fill out a box with someone's name spelled right...(or missed filling in a box) or they lost a document you sent them.... 

[Bendite 26]

6 minutes ago, misshepburn said:

It could even be something as benign as you didn't fill out a box with someone's name spelled right...(or missed filling in a box) or they lost a document you sent them.... 

Ok that helps!! I know I didn't send retirement info showing him as beneficiary  I'm in a 50/50 state. And followed standard beneficiary so if something were to happen to me it goes to him first... I will have to wait and see! Thank you Misshepburn!!!

[agripa 100]

5 minutes ago, Bendite said:

Ok that helps!! I know I didn't send retirement info showing him as beneficiary  I'm in a 50/50 state. And followed standard beneficiary so if something were to happen to me it goes to him first... I will have to wait and see!

It's not going to have anything to do with financial information. It'll either be something stupid (forgot to fill out a box or sign a form) or something more serious (more proof of bonafide marriage).

[Bendite 26]

18 minutes ago, agripa said:

It's not going to have anything to do with financial information. It'll either be something stupid (forgot to fill out a box or sign a form) or something more serious (more proof of bonafide marriage).

Thanks we've been married 11 months but have known each other since we were 8 hoping it's something small!!!

[Trinbago 2]

3 hours ago, misshepburn said:

@David-Liss - that's really interesting! I didn't know they had a separate line for military folks. You should post this info somewhere else on VJ and spread the word  

 

@Karen & Carlos - Congratulations!!!! 

 

@H&T - You are correct! I-864 for you, and I-864A for your sister. If your sister is married, and files her taxes jointly, that person would also need to fill an I-864A.

 

@Trinbago - Great news!!!! I know you've been a loyal September member for months - thanks for keeping us all posted  CONGRATULATIONS! 

@agripa Great list! Thanks for posting!

Thanks so much!

[zamcan 4]

19 hours ago, applerose said:

Congratulations 

U were transferred on the same day as me to Potomac  still waiting on an approval 

So I am seeing that many people who were transferred to Potomac only get their approval by mail.  Has anyone of the Potomac transfer group gotten electronic notification of their approval?  I'm getting a bit worried because it takes several months to get mail here (we currently live in Zambia).  

 

Maybe I will have to call USCIS and see if we have been approved.  

[Liam2021 583]

Well, I'm just check the tax information of my sister( she is single). Her income for 2016+2015 is good , but the income for 2014 not enough. So maybe I can get 2nd co-sponsor from my mom( same address and she is widow). I don't know included 2nd co-sponsor as my mom, then both of them filed i864A is the best way, or only my sister is good enough?

[Maritza rmz 0]

25 minutes ago, branjo said:

So I am seeing that many people who were transferred to Potomac only get their approval by mail.  Has anyone of the Potomac transfer group gotten electronic notification of their approval?  I'm getting a bit worried because it takes several months to get mail here (we currently live in Zambia).  

 

Maybe I will have to call USCIS and see if we have been approved.  

I got my i 130 approval letter first yesterday ...and my email today Morning

PD sept-22

Nebraska transfered to potomac 2/15