I-130 "Normal Processing Time" According to the USCIS

[cleon86 244]

It took 7.5 months to get our approval from USCIS. Just when you think it will never come, it will. I gave up on calling USCIS because literally all the customer service reps can tell you is exactly what you can see for yourself on the website for the Texas Service Center. It's ridiculous. I'm sorry you're still waiting, but try to be patient (easier said than done) because your approval is coming. 

Edited June 28, 2017 by cleon86

[DILAW 94]

23 minutes ago, cleon86 said:

It took 7.5 months to get our approval from USCIS. Just when you think it will never come, it will. I gave up on calling USCIS because literally all the customer service reps can tell you is exactly what you can see for yourself on the website for the Texas Service Center. It's ridiculous. I'm sorry you're still waiting, but try to be patient (easier said than done) because your approval is coming. 

You are correct, they look at the same site the public has access to.  Its funny when they put you on hold to "Look more into the matter" then come back on the phone and tell you what is on USCIS.GOV

[cleon86 244]

7 minutes ago, DILAW said:

You are correct, they look at the same site the public has access to.  Its funny when they put you on hold to "Look more into the matter" then come back on the phone and tell you what is on USCIS.GOV

Exactly, and when you ask for a supervisor and then wait 3+ hours for a call back it's really no different. It was extremely difficult waiting and knowing nothing, but our date finally arrived and now we are chugging along at the NVC and the end is in sight thank God. It's coming soon  

[DILAW 94]

1 minute ago, cleon86 said:

Exactly, and when you ask for a supervisor and then wait 3+ hours for a call back it's really no different. It was extremely difficult waiting and knowing nothing, but our date finally arrived and now we are chugging along at the NVC and the end is in sight thank God. It's coming soon  

Congrats to you.  My friend told me when he completed his 9th week at the NVC, they sent him a checklist for missing police certificate and he swore he sent it.  So, his 11 week period resets

[cleon86 244]

Just now, DILAW said:

Congrats to you.  My friend told me when he completed his 9th week at the NVC, they sent him a checklist for missing police certificate and he swore he sent it.  So, his 11 week period resets

Unfortunately that happens to a LOT of people. I'm in a group for NVC filers and we are all on a spreadsheet where you can see everyone's scan date and who all received a checklist. It's about half. HALF of the people who send in their docs get a checklist. Some are fortunate enough that they just have to take the missing documentation to their interview but others, like your friend, have to resend them and their wait period starts all over again. I think that's absolutely bonkers. I'm praying SO very hard that we don't receive a checklist. 

[DILAW 94]

1 minute ago, cleon86 said:

Unfortunately that happens to a LOT of people. I'm in a group for NVC filers and we are all on a spreadsheet where you can see everyone's scan date and who all received a checklist. It's about half. HALF of the people who send in their docs get a checklist. Some are fortunate enough that they just have to take the missing documentation to their interview but others, like your friend, have to resend them and their wait period starts all over again. I think that's absolutely bonkers. I'm praying SO very hard that we don't receive a checklist. 

I think and this is my opinion based on feelings not facts that they do this on purpose to slow the process down.  He said he attached all the documents together and 3 people went through his package before he sent it. 

[cleon86 244]

Just now, DILAW said:

I think and this is my opinion based on feelings not facts that they do this on purpose to slow the process down.  He said he attached all the documents together and 3 people went through his package before he sent it. 

I've had this very same thought. Maybe we're the conspiracy theorists in the bunch but I have had that same feeling. Like, oops we accidentally lost this document. If they're all received and scanned in together how on earth can they lose so many? There are a lot of people who received checklists for missing documents that they're sure then sent and NVC lost.  

[DILAW 94]

Just now, cleon86 said:

I've had this very same thought. Maybe we're the conspiracy theorists in the bunch but I have had that same feeling. Like, oops we accidentally lost this document. If they're all received and scanned in together how on earth can they lose so many? There are a lot of people who received checklists for missing documents that they're sure then sent and NVC lost.  

According to my friend, no way they lost 1 document the way he sent them.  He said if they would've lost the whole package OK, but not one document.  I guess he stapled them or something

[cleon86 244]

7 minutes ago, DILAW said:

According to my friend, no way they lost 1 document the way he sent them.  He said if they would've lost the whole package OK, but not one document.  I guess he stapled them or something

We have a lawyer and they assembled everything into a packet. The legal assistant put the packet together and the attorney reviewed and signed off that everything was there PLUS I went over everything with the legal assistant as well just to be safe. I don't see how it's possible either. Someone else I spoke with who has a lawyer as well said NVC lost her entire Affidavit of Support and financial documents. 

[DILAW 94]

1 minute ago, cleon86 said:

We have a lawyer and they assembled everything into a packet. The legal assistant put the packet together and the attorney reviewed and signed off that everything was there PLUS I went over everything with the legal assistant as well just to be safe. I don't see how it's possible either. Someone else I spoke with who has a lawyer as well said NVC lost her entire Affidavit of Support and financial documents. 

Maybe the NVC officers are working so hard that they are taking the packets to review them when they go to the bathroom.  If a document gets dirty, the policy says to discard the document and send a checklist. 

If you dont mind me asking, how much did the lawyer take for just putting the packages together for you?  And, did you ask your lawyer since their office is putting it together what advantages or pros to them doing it for you?  For example, if a checklist is sent for a missing document which was sent, can the office appeal or challenge the checklist because they sent the documents?

Although I am still at the USCIS stage, I actually have prepped both packages for the NVC and I have them on my desk.  Every now and then I look at them to make sure nothing is wrong and everything is there.  I almost have them memorized lol

[fcl 42]

I am a little over 8 months waiting for NOA 2 (P.D. Oct 24). So we are out of "normal processing times" (nothing normal about Nebraska). It turns out were stuck at background checks.

If you got your NOA 1 before December 2, you are out of normal processing time.

It really helps you and others if you fill out your timeline.   

[cleon86 244]

27 minutes ago, DILAW said:

Maybe the NVC officers are working so hard that they are taking the packets to review them when they go to the bathroom.  If a document gets dirty, the policy says to discard the document and send a checklist. 

If you dont mind me asking, how much did the lawyer take for just putting the packages together for you?  And, did you ask your lawyer since their office is putting it together what advantages or pros to them doing it for you?  For example, if a checklist is sent for a missing document which was sent, can the office appeal or challenge the checklist because they sent the documents?

Although I am still at the USCIS stage, I actually have prepped both packages for the NVC and I have them on my desk.  Every now and then I look at them to make sure nothing is wrong and everything is there.  I almost have them memorized lol

Hahahahahahaha I'm dying  That's probably about right though.

 

When we first started this process we had no idea what it all entailed and decided together we'd prefer to hire an immigration lawyer who knew what they were doing rather than guess at everything ourselves and potentially delay our case due to missing documents, etc. which I'm not seeing really makes a difference if you have a lawyer or not since they're losing people's documents right and left. We paid $2000 to initially hire the lawyer, then $1000 before the NVC process and will pay another $750 before the interview. I know every case/country is different but I'd be more than happy to send you the checklist of items they told me to put together if you'd like. 

Edited June 28, 2017 by cleon86

[DILAW 94]

9 minutes ago, fcl said:

I am a little over 8 months waiting for NOA 2 (P.D. Oct 24). So we are out of "normal processing times" (nothing normal about Nebraska). It turns out were stuck at background checks.

If you got your NOA 1 before December 2, you are out of normal processing time.

It really helps you and others if you fill out your timeline.   

I know you are talking about NSC, but for TSC I called 2 days ago because I hit the end of my 6th month and I was told it's now 9 month for normal processing time

[DILAW 94]

5 minutes ago, cleon86 said:

Hahahahahahaha I'm dying  That's probably about right though.

 

When we first started this process we had no idea what it all entailed and decided together we'd prefer to hire an immigration lawyer who knew what they were doing rather than guess at everything ourselves and potentially delay our case due to missing documents, etc. which I'm not seeing really makes a difference if you have a lawyer or not since they're losing people's documents right and left. We paid $2000 to initially hire the lawyer, then $1000 before the NVC process and will pay another $750 before the interview. I know every case/country is different but I'd be more than happy to send you the checklist of items they told me to put together if you'd like. 

If you don't mind just the checklist to give to the NVC.  I went on the NVC site and collected all the documents they clearly request (Wife's BC, Marriage License, Divorce papers, Police report and Passport Biographic Photo.  AOS package:  IRS Tax Transcripts for 3 previous years, will supply 3 last month of check stubs, I-864).

 

So, you will end up paying around $4K.  I personally hate to deal with lawyers.  They are never clear and honest.  The words they love to use is "IT DEPENDS"

[cleon86 244]

Yes, we're already $3000 deep. I'll post here my checklist from NVC. 

 

I did a lot of research ahead of time to find the right lawyer and I haven't been disappointed thus far. Fingers crossed for the remainder of the process! You'll have your own cover sheet of course that you'll have to include as the cover page for your documents. It will have your case number and a barcode. 

 

 

Edited June 28, 2017 by cleon86