February 2018 I-129F Filers, Part II

[Greenbaum 12,259]

6 hours ago, June1990 said:

Hey guys so just an update, we finally got the RFE faxed. They need the proof of citizenship from my fiancée. 

 

They need a birth certificate registered and issued by a civil authority and not an abstract one.

 

an unexpired passport issued initially for a full ten/ five year period. Etc etc. - he had put the passport but it got expired recently. 

 

Im assuming it’s just one of the documents right ? 

There are many varying degrees of RFE's. Some as simple as not "ticking" off a question. Others forgot the fiancé(e) letter and then others who met on a website and now need to prove that it wasn't a marriage arrangement website.

 

Once you get your RFE, read over very carefully as you only have one chance to reply accurately without causing undue harm. Once you know what it is set out to correct and to include "everything" they are asking for. Then reread the RFE to ensure you are compliant. Make copies of everything for your record and send back using their instructions which are contained within the RFE. If the RFE requires a signature, PLEASE don't forget this. Once received at USCIS your case will begin adjudication where the agent had left off. No one can tell you how long it will take so be patient.

[zahraa 21]

7 minutes ago, americaninlove said:

I was told when I called that past 7.5 months from NOA1 date was outside normal processing time. I would call again!

This was today and they told my attorney that I am within normal processing times they mean the 60 days after they received our response. 

Thanks for your response I need it because you went through similar situation.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

22 minutes ago, zahraa said:

@Greenbaum could you please answer my question.  I filled on Feb 8 and got RFE and they received my response 33 days ago. My attorney called them today and they said I am within normal processing times. So I have to wait 60 days after they received our response!  Is this normal?  It's been 8 months and two weeks since I filled won't this be considered out of normal processing times?

 

Thank you. 

I forgot to answer your last question. Once you get an RFE the restarts and now they have additional 84 days with which to reply. Normal turnaround when you receive a RFE and you return it is about 2-4 weeks. If they have asked for an RFE then chances are that if it's the answer that will put you over the top with an approval then you will have one forthcoming. This is usually the last stop before you see the approval. Just hang in there.

[americaninlove 381]

6 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

I forgot to answer your last question. Once you get an RFE the restarts and now they have additional 84 days with which to reply. Normal turnaround when you receive a RFE and you return it is about 2-4 weeks. If they have asked for an RFE then chances are that if it's the answer that will put you over the top with an approval then you will have one forthcoming. This is usually the last stop before you see the approval. Just hang in there.

They told me that the “normal processing times” are calculated from the day you file. There are normal processing times for an RFE but that they calculate the entire process from day one and currently after 7.5 months you can submit a service request for outside normal processing times. When they submitted it my application was approved about 12 hours later. No idea who makes this decision lol. They were very annoyed and hesistant to file the service claim until I pushed and pushed. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 minute ago, americaninlove said:

They told me that the “normal processing times” are calculated from the day you file. There are normal processing times for an RFE but that they calculate the entire process from day one and currently after 7.5 months you can submit a service request for outside normal processing times. When they submitted it my application was approved about 12 hours later. No idea who makes this decision lol. They were very annoyed and hesistant to file the service claim until I pushed and pushed. 

You may have misunderstood my post. Normal process is right 7.5 months. This I agree with you. But once you have an RFE then the clock starts clicking off time and they have up to 84 days to respond. So we do the math and 7.5 months plus 3 months then we are at a "normal processing time" of 10.5 months. Of course this is the extreme and rarely happens but just the same I like to give the worst with the best case analysis.

[zahraa 21]

11 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

I forgot to answer your last question. Once you get an RFE the restarts and now they have additional 84 days with which to reply. Normal turnaround when you receive a RFE and you return it is about 2-4 weeks. If they have asked for an RFE then chances are that if it's the answer that will put you over the top with an approval then you will have one forthcoming. This is usually the last stop before you see the approval. Just hang in there.

The RFE was dated August 30 and I replied after 15 days and they received my response on September 19. So I have to wait 84 days starting from August 30?

Thanks a lot Greenbaum I appreciate your time to help us.

[zahraa 21]

3 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

You may have misunderstood my post. Normal process is right 7.5 months. This I agree with you. But once you have an RFE then the clock starts clicking off time and they have up to 84 days to respond. So we do the math and 7.5 months plus 3 months then we are at a "normal processing time" of 10.5 months. Of course this is the extreme and rarely happens but just the same I like to give the worst with the best case analysis.

Ok I understand now I hope I didn't ask because i thought i have to wait 60 days but now I know it's 84 days lol just kidding. 

Thanks again for your time.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

4 minutes ago, zahraa said:

The RFE was dated August 30 and I replied after 15 days and they received my response on September 19. So I have to wait 84 days starting from August 30?

Thanks a lot Greenbaum I appreciate your time to help us.

NO NO NO NO NO NO That isn't what I said.  I said they had 84 days to respond. I gave you the official document with links and asked you share with your Lawyer. Then I followed up that they usually respond n 2-4 weeks. Now that is 30 days max NOT 84. Got it! Oy Vey!

[americaninlove 381]

25 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

You may have misunderstood my post. Normal process is right 7.5 months. This I agree with you. But once you have an RFE then the clock starts clicking off time and they have up to 84 days to respond. So we do the math and 7.5 months plus 3 months then we are at a "normal processing time" of 10.5 months. Of course this is the extreme and rarely happens but just the same I like to give the worst with the best case analysis.

That’s actually the opposite of what they told me on the phone. They specifically said the clock does NOT start again with an RFE. It goes by original file date. There is also a timeline for them to reply to the RFE, yes. But the outside of normal processing times comes from the original date. I also had an RFE so she was telling me exactly for this same scenario. And that was why they filed the service ticket, because I was outside of normal processing time despite them having received my RFE 30 days prior. That is what two separate people told me on the phone, but again I had to push them to file the claim. They were very annoyed by it but yet did it and I was approved 12 hours later. 

[zahraa 21]

19 minutes ago, americaninlove said:

That’s actually the opposite of what they told me on the phone. They specifically said the clock does NOT start again with an RFE. It goes by original file date. There is also a timeline for them to reply to the RFE, yes. But the outside of normal processing times comes from the original date. I also had an RFE so she was telling me exactly for this same scenario. And that was why they filed the service ticket, because I was outside of normal processing time despite them having received my RFE 30 days prior. That is what two separate people told me on the phone, but again I had to push them to file the claim. They were very annoyed by it but yet did it and I was approved 12 hours later. 

There is an inquiry form on their website can I just fill it out? do you think it is same thing you filed over the phone? 

Thanks. 

[Jen_1987 72]

Day 251 and finally got approved!

 

NOA1: Feb 14th 

NOA2: Oct 17th 

 

No updates on websites... we received a mail today. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 hour ago, americaninlove said:

That’s actually the opposite of what they told me on the phone. They specifically said the clock does NOT start again with an RFE. It goes by original file date. There is also a timeline for them to reply to the RFE, yes. But the outside of normal processing times comes from the original date. I also had an RFE so she was telling me exactly for this same scenario. And that was why they filed the service ticket, because I was outside of normal processing time despite them having received my RFE 30 days prior. That is what two separate people told me on the phone, but again I had to push them to file the claim. They were very annoyed by it but yet did it and I was approved 12 hours later. 

They had every right per there procedures to continue and use up the entire 84 days allocated. No one knows why all of a sudden your approval showed up. Could have been anything that prompted that action.  I'm sorry, but I am going to stick to the "rule book" that they wrote.

[americaninlove 381]

4 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

They had every right per there procedures to continue and use up the entire 84 days allocated. No one knows why all of a sudden your approval showed up. Could have been anything that prompted that action.  I'm sorry, but I am going to stick to the "rule book" that they wrote.

Of course I have no idea why I was approved. And yes they can take their allotted time regardless of being out of processing time. But I am telling you what two seaparate operators told me on the phone which disagrees with what you wrote. I have no idea how any of this works obviously, but just saying what I was told by two separate people. 

49 minutes ago, zahraa said:

There is an inquiry form on their website can I just fill it out? do you think it is same thing you filed over the phone? 

Thanks. 

They told me there was an online form but I pushed for them to do it and then they finally did. I wish I knew more but just telling you what they told me. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 minute ago, americaninlove said:

Of course I have no idea why I was approved. And yes they can take their allotted time regardless of being out of processing time. But I am telling you what two seaparate operators told me on the phone which disagrees with what you wrote. I have no idea how any of this works obviously, but just saying what I was told by two separate people. 

If I were to base my answers on what, and what not was heard from "operators" at USCIS I would not be doing a service to anyone and I should hang my keyboard up. But I read and I study and I learn from this board that I have been a part of for 5 some years. I don't know everything but I stick to what I know and what I can back up with in links to the "official" documents that spell it out. For now, you and I will have to agree to disagree as I will not be changing my position based on some hired phone operator. We get conflicting answer all the time from them, what makes you think they are telling you something that is "chiseled in stone"?

[alsf2611 9]

21 minutes ago, Jen_1987 said:

Day 251 and finally got approved!

 

NOA1: Feb 14th 

NOA2: Oct 17th 

 

No updates on websites... we received a mail today. 

So happy for you!!!! Congrats!!!