DCF Manila - case number wait time

[Arkitekt-GS 19]

Hi All,

 

i was wondering if anyone has any current info on average waiting time from I-130 approval to receive the MNL case number. I did a search of the forums and most info seemed to be for a few years ago. 

 

I-130 was approved on 5/17/18 and now we are at 10 days waiting for the case number, when I know of a few people that received them in just a couple days. Our case should be pretty straightforward, although I did include a lot of evidence so I don’t know if that takes longer to input or something. (Side note, no one seems to be able to tell me what they are actually doing between the petition approval and issuing the case number, so perhaps it is a lot of work that I’m not aware of).

 

I confirmed with Manila USCIS that they did deliver the file downstairs to the IV unit on 5/17, so it’s out of their hands now. I’ve been contacting the visa call center and they did an escalation case which hasn’t resulted in anything yet (other than each time they say they will follow it up and to just wait). I’ve emailed the IV direct email at the embassy and followed up with no response, and finally I went to the embassy today to try and talk to someone, but apparently they don’t deal with inquiries...the person did say to pester the email address and not to worry about contacting the call center for help.

 

Just curious if anyone has some current info, or some other creative way of getting an update or action from the embassy?  Would it help to contact my senator and have them make an inquiry on my behalf?

 

I know the short answer is to suck it up and be patient...unfortunately we need to get back to the US ASAP both for my work and because our apartment lease here in Manila ended today so now we’re on borrowed time unfortunately.  

 

Ok, I’ll end my rant now . Thanks in advance if anyone has any info or suggestions!

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

35 minutes ago, Arkitekt-GS said:

Hi All,

 

i was wondering if anyone has any current info on average waiting time from I-130 approval to receive the MNL case number. I did a search of the forums and most info seemed to be for a few years ago. 

 

I-130 was approved on 5/17/18 and now we are at 10 days waiting for the case number, when I know of a few people that received them in just a couple days. Our case should be pretty straightforward, although I did include a lot of evidence so I don’t know if that takes longer to input or something. (Side note, no one seems to be able to tell me what they are actually doing between the petition approval and issuing the case number, so perhaps it is a lot of work that I’m not aware of).

 

I confirmed with Manila USCIS that they did deliver the file downstairs to the IV unit on 5/17, so it’s out of their hands now. I’ve been contacting the visa call center and they did an escalation case which hasn’t resulted in anything yet (other than each time they say they will follow it up and to just wait). I’ve emailed the IV direct email at the embassy and followed up with no response, and finally I went to the embassy today to try and talk to someone, but apparently they don’t deal with inquiries...the person did say to pester the email address and not to worry about contacting the call center for help.

 

Just curious if anyone has some current info, or some other creative way of getting an update or action from the embassy?  Would it help to contact my senator and have them make an inquiry on my behalf?

 

I know the short answer is to suck it up and be patient...unfortunately we need to get back to the US ASAP both for my work and because our apartment lease here in Manila ended today so now we’re on borrowed time unfortunately.  

 

Ok, I’ll end my rant now . Thanks in advance if anyone has any info or suggestions!

You know it can still be 2 months before your approved right through DCF in the USEM? So you trying to rush them really will not help anything.

[Arkitekt-GS 19]

1 hour ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

You know it can still be 2 months before your approved right through DCF in the USEM? So you trying to rush them really will not help anything.

Hi, yes I’m aware it’s no guarantee that the state dept / IV portion will go quickly, but we are at a standstill until they issue the case number which is really all I’m trying to get. Given that others received their case number in just a few days it doesn’t seem I’m trying to rush this step too much. 

 

Even a better understanding of what they’re doing between receiving our file from USCIS Manila and issuing the case number would be helpful...maybe there is a bunch of pre-processing the IV department does, but no one there seems to know. 

[Arkitekt-GS 19]

Fortunately we got the case number email today! Not sure if being annoying helped or not, but just happy to have that step out of the way. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

14 minutes ago, Arkitekt-GS said:

Fortunately we got the case number email today! Not sure if being annoying helped or not, but just happy to have that step out of the way. 

YAY!!!!! So you know what to do next or do you need some pointers?

[Arkitekt-GS 19]

4 hours ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

YAY!!!!! So you know what to do next or do you need some pointers?

Thanks much!

 

i think we’ve got a good handle on the next steps...but if I’ve missed anything or you have some pointers that would be great!

 

Interview appointment scheduled for June 7...fortunately by checking every couple hours we went from June 25, to June 18, to now June 7!

 

we will do the DS-260 this weekend. 

 

My wife will do medical on Monday. 

 

Already got all the paperwork together and the AOS info completed. We’ve got the NBI for her with AKA so both married and maiden names are included. 

 

I know there’s the immigrant visa fee I think it’s called for getting the greencard ordered upon POE, but I’m unclear if we pay that at the embassy interview or online?

 

anything else I’m missing? Thanks!