October 2016 I-130 Filers

[vizthum 9]

2 minutes ago, mimi2017 said:

we dont have a good solution wating or calling uscis??

Calling or waiting probably makes no difference, but for me I need to be proactive and doing something. I'm really bad at waiting.

[Elleandeff 11]

12 minutes ago, Y&V6416 said:

I am honestly afraid of calling USCIS? I heard that it slows down your process?? Or is that just a myth in order to get you not to call lol... USCIS recieved my case 24th I got the physical letter NOA1 on the 26th of October.... How do I call?

I called uscis 3 times and we got approved at the 176 day mark. So I don't believe it slowed us down:)

[Lacosta 40]

2 minutes ago, vizthum said:

I doubt the myth that calling causes delays, I don't think that USCIS is vindictive like that. I've read too many stories of people getting approved after talking with a Tier 2, so I'm buying that myth . In the end, whether you have delays or not seems to be a combination of factors, but also a great deal of random chance.

To call dial 1 (800) 375-5283 then press 1 for English, then 2, then press 1 again. Then enter your receipt # and then press 1 to confirm. Press 3 to talk with a representative. The operator will ask you a few questions to confirm your case, and then they ask what they can do for you. Just say, "I have questions for a Tier 2." They'll transfer you and you'll set up a call back. After a few hours, a Tier 2 will call you back. If it is someone helpful, they tell you if there has been a background check, or if your case is with an officer. If you get someone unhelpful, they'll tell you the "current" processing time and not much else. Just keep calling back, you'll eventually get someone helpful.

I spoke today for a fisrt time with a tier 2 and said the same as tier 1. that is why i think they have not touched my case yet in 6.1 month. 

[brenthensarling 1]

I just called and talked to a tier2 person ( once I asked to talk to a tier2 person, it took about 20 seconds before they picked up, I was shocked!).

 

They received my case Oct 19th in Neb, and then it was transferred to Texas March 10th. The tier 2 person was very nice, but he said that they had not assigned a case officer to my case as of yet. I asked him why there were some cases that were filed after mine have been approved, if it was a FIFO system, based on my understanding that the case officer is the first thing that happens ( that a case officer would trigger the background checks and whatnot), but he explained that that was not the case and that there are background checks and whatnot that happen before an officer gets assigned. Not sure if that is true or not, but he wasn't able to tell me if the background checks were happening on my case.

 

I guess I will call back in a few days and see what is happening.

[agripa 100]

7 minutes ago, brenthensarling said:

They received my case Oct 19th in Neb, and then it was transferred to Texas March 10th. The tier 2 person was very nice, but he said that they had not assigned a case officer to my case as of yet. I asked him why there were some cases that were filed after mine have been approved, if it was a FIFO system, based on my understanding that the case officer is the first thing that happens ( that a case officer would trigger the background checks and whatnot), but he explained that that was not the case and that there are background checks and whatnot that happen before an officer gets assigned. Not sure if that is true or not, but he wasn't able to tell me if the background checks were happening on my case.

 

Nope. Each case is subjected to background checks prior to it ever hitting an officer's desk. My lawyer used to work at USCIS and basically every petitioner and beneficiary is subject to cursory background checks. These usually last 2-4 days. A subset of applications fail this and are subject to additional background checks. These background checks are conducted at other agencies such as the FBI. What triggers these additional background checks appears to be somewhat of a mystery. The unfortunate thing is there's no set timetable for the checks and it's very difficult to get an update. The best you can hope for is that they at least admit that background checks are ongoing and what date they may have started. Hope you case gets approved quickly!

[vizthum 9]

Just now, agripa said:

Nope. Each case is subjected to background checks prior to it ever hitting an officer's desk. My lawyer used to work at USCIS and basically every petitioner and beneficiary is subject to cursory background checks. These usually last 2-4 days. A subset of applications fail this and are subject to additional background checks. These background checks are conducted at other agencies such as the FBI. What triggers these additional background checks appears to be somewhat of a mystery. The unfortunate thing is there's no set timetable for the checks and it's very difficult to get an update. The best you can hope for is that they at least admit that background checks are ongoing and what date they may have started. Hope you case gets approved quickly!

I guess I was lucky. The Tier 2 told me that our background check started on April 11, 2017.

[Y&V6416 51]

34 minutes ago, vizthum said:

I doubt the myth that calling causes delays, I don't think that USCIS is vindictive like that. I've read too many stories of people getting approved after talking with a Tier 2, so I'm buying that myth . In the end, whether you have delays or not seems to be a combination of factors, but also a great deal of random chance.

To call dial 1 (800) 375-5283 then press 1 for English, then 2, then press 1 again. Then enter your receipt # and then press 1 to confirm. Press 3 to talk with a representative. The operator will ask you a few questions to confirm your case, and then they ask what they can do for you. Just say, "I have questions for a Tier 2." They'll transfer you and you'll set up a call back. After a few hours, a Tier 2 will call you back. If it is someone helpful, they tell you if there has been a background check, or if your case is with an officer. If you get someone unhelpful, they'll tell you the "current" processing time and not much else. Just keep calling back, you'll eventually get someone helpful.

Thank you so much! I actually just got off the phone with a regular tier1 and they said I have to call back in one to two hours to speak to a tier2 because due to the high volume of calls they are not taking calls at the moment... She was nice and as helpful as she can be but she told me that the Nebraska Service center is processing cases from August 30th and she said it could take two more months! I almost had a heartattack right then and there... I asked her why others from the same service center are getting approved and she said they have nothing to do with me and that I might have to wait the full two months... I am so stressed now and confused . I dont even know what to ask the tier 2 whdn i call!

[agripa 100]

2 minutes ago, Y&V6416 said:

I am so stressed now and confused . I dont even know what to ask the tier 2 whdn i call!

I have generally found calling USCIS to be a complete waste of time. 99.9% of the time they're just going to say "Sorry sir/ma'am, you're still within normal processing deadlines". Nevertheless, I completely understand the need to keep calling them. This entire process sucks and it helped me a lot stay pro-active. Here's the script I used to follow --

 

1. Ask about the status of your applicaton.
2. You'll likely be given the standard spiel that your application is still within normal processing deadlines.
3. Push back a bit firmly stating that you've seen that XX application submitted on the same day as you have already been approved. Ask why yours might be delayed.
4. They'll try to waffle and not give you a firm answer.
5. Push back with specifics; has it reached an officer's desk? is is it subject to background checks? when did these checks start?

You have to be a bit realistic with these phone calls. 99% of the time I called, I got nowhere. The best you can hope for is some small kernel of extra information (i.e., it's in background checks, it just reached an officer's desk). These phone calls are unlikely to speed up your case. Best of luck!

[Beatriz and Luis 46]

Would they give me a call back even if im outside the USA? 

[Djodrey 1]

I am so excited to say that today i opened up my mail and had an approval letter inside! My online status still says that my case was transferred and does not show approved. 

 

Have to say it feels unreal, having waited for this for 6 months now. There is hope!

 

My PD was October 28th and i was transferred to Texas on March 15th. My wife is from Colombia. 

 

Question for those that have been approved; has any one else got the packet from NVC yet? Does it really take up to 30 days to hear something from them?

[agripa 100]

13 minutes ago, Djodrey said:

Question for those that have been approved; has any one else got the packet from NVC yet? Does it really take up to 30 days to hear something from them?

Possibly. It may take up to 4 weeks for the NVC to send you a welcome letter/email. But you shouldn't wait for this. Take the following steps:

1. Within ~1-2 weeks your application should arrive at the NVC. Wait 1 week or so and then start calling the NVC, ask to find out when your application has been received by them.
2. Sometimes, for whatever reason, USCIS will take longer to send your application to the NVC. If the NVC still hasn't received your application in 2 weeks, call USCIS, ask to speak to a Tier 2 representative and try to find out why they haven't sent your application to the NVC yet.
3. <1 week after the NVC receives your application, they will enter it into the system and assign you a case number and an invoice number. Keep calling until you get these numbers. At the same time, give your email address to the NVC. This will ensure that all communication happens via email. 
4. <1 week later, the DS-261 application should unlock on the NVC website (https://ceac.state.gov/). Login using your case number and invoice number and fill it out. Call the NVC again to get it reviewed. You can also pay your AOS fee at this point.
5. <1 week later, the IV fee becomes available. Pay it.
6. <1 week later, the DS-260 application becomes available, fill it out and submit it.

Basically, by the time the NVC sends you a welcome email (<4 weeks on average), you can be done with most of the things you have to do at the NVC. You don't want to send your AOS and IV packages into the NVC prior to receiving the welcome email, but as you can see there are a lot of steps you need to finish in the meantime.

 

For reference, here was my timeline (I had a lawyer so things were slightly different for me) --

Approval: April 10, 2017

NOA2 Hardcopy: April 14, 2017 (no online notifications)

USCIS Case Status Changed to "Sent to Department of State": April 18, 2017

Received by NVC: April 26, 2017

Case Number and Invoice Number Assigned: April 27, 2017

Welcome Email Received: April 28, 2017

AOS and IV Fee Invoiced: April 28, 2017

AOS and IV Fees Paid: April 29, 2017.

 

By having a lawyer I didn't need to fill out DS-261, which also I think meant that I received my welcome email super quick and both AOS and IV fees were invoiced simulatenously.

Edited May 2, 2017 by agripa
Additional Information

[Djodrey 1]

Agripa- that is awesome thank you so much for this. I will start calling next week. How soon after all of this do we get our interview scheduled? Is it only her that gets interviewed? Is there anything I need to start getting together now to help me? I have the original birth certificates, original marriage certificate, copies of everything I sent in for my I 130 packet. I heard I will need my tax statements and possibly pay stubs? 

[agripa 100]

11 minutes ago, Djodrey said:

Agripa- that is awesome thank you so much for this. I will start calling next week. How soon after all of this do we get our interview scheduled?

Unfortunately, there's still more waiting to be done. It will likely be between 2-4 weeks before you'll be able to send in your IV and AOS packets. Once you send your packets in it's taking the NVC up to 11 weeks to review all the materials*. After this it'll take anywhere from 1-3 months before an interview is  finally scheduled. You're looking at at least another 3+ months prior to an interview.

 

*NOTE: if your embassy allows electronic processing then your review process will go much faster. A list of embassies/consulates which allow electronic processing is listed here.

 

Quote

 Is it only her that gets interviewed?

Yes, only your wife is interviewed. In very rare circumstances, they may ask you to attend the interview as well (this is very rare).

 

Quote

 Is there anything I need to start getting together now to help me? I have the original birth certificates, original marriage certificate, copies of everything I sent in for my I 130 packet. I heard I will need my tax statements and possibly pay stubs? 

Yes. See the guides for what you should start gathering.

 

Quote

I heard I will need my tax statements and possibly pay stubs? 

Yes, this is correct. I hope you've filed your taxes for this year. You will need to provide tax returns + W2 statement for this year. You can OPTIONALLY (although highly recommended) provide the following:

• Tax returns + W2 statements for the last two years OR IRS Tax Transcripts.
• Pay stubs for the last 6 months.
• A letter from your employer stating how long you've been employed there and what your current salary is.

 

You will also need to provide a signed copy of the I-864 form. You may also need to provide evidence of domicile, if you're currently residing abroad with your wife.

Edited May 2, 2017 by agripa
Typo

[netri7 7]

On 4/29/2017 at 11:53 AM, mimi2017 said:

Hi netri7 My I130 27/10/2016 california centre, my I130 was transferred to  texas on 15/03 but not approved yet 

hi mimi2017, how were you able to find out about the service centre transfer? via online case check?

[mimi2017 1]

Thank you, God... …for my faith when in trouble, which always helps me to keep up my hope. …
Case approved :04/26/2017
Case  transferred: 03/15/2017
Case sent: 27/10/2016