6 weeks later...still no I-130 receipt number!

[Zin-Zin 21]

My package was received at the Chicago Lockbox on 9/21. As of today, I still have received nothing. 

I sent a money order so I can't check my bank account to see if it has been cashed. 

What happened? Does this mean my petition has been rejected? I've sent an email to the Chicago Lockbox "help desk" but the autoresponder says to expect a 15 business day wait for a response. 

I think I did a good job including everything...completed and signed documents, correct fee, ample proof of bonafide marriage. 

[debbiedoo 2,339]

did you make a photocopy of the money order (you SHOULD Have) if so, you can take it to where you obtained the MO and find out if its been cashed

 

[Going through 5,671]

Or if you have the receipt of the money order (the tear-off portion) take that to the bank.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[John & Rose 7,239]

On 11/5/2018 at 2:09 AM, Zin-Zin said:

My package was received at the Chicago Lockbox on 9/21. As of today, I still have received nothing. 

I sent a money order so I can't check my bank account to see if it has been cashed. 

What happened? Does this mean my petition has been rejected? I've sent an email to the Chicago Lockbox "help desk" but the autoresponder says to expect a 15 business day wait for a response. 

I think I did a good job including everything...completed and signed documents, correct fee, ample proof of bonafide marriage. 

You should be able to track the check from where you got it.  They should be able to tell you if it was cashed.  Did you send form G-1145 (e_notification)?  That seems strange to take that long.  Was your address correct?  If there was no G-1145 everything will come via snail mail.  If that address was wrong then there is no easy way to track the file.  You can call USCIS and tell them your name and birthdate and the beneficiaries name and birthdate and they may be able to get you some information.

[Zin-Zin 21]

Thanks to everyone. I called USCIS and they were able to give me my receipt number. 

My next question...since I have no paperwork...how do I know which processing center is going to handle my application? I'm applying from outside the country, but we provided a TX address, my state of origin, where we will live upon approval. Does that mean my petition will go to TX? 

. 

[Action1 2]

The first three letters of your receipt number indicate the USCIS service center which is processing the petition, as follows:

– EAC – Vermont Service Center;
– VSC – Vermont Service Center;
– WAC – California Service Center;
– CSC – California Service Center;
– LIN – Nebraska Service Center;
– NSC – Nebraska Service Center;
– SRC – Texas Service Center;
– TSC – Texas Service Center;
– MSC – National Benefits Center;
– NBC – National Benefits Center;
– IOE – ELIS (e-Filing); and
– YSC – Potomac Service Center.

Edited November 9, 2018 by Dil2020

[Zin-Zin 21]

1 minute ago, Dil2020 said:

The first three letters indicate the USCIS service center which is processing the petition, as follows:

– EAC – Vermont Service Center;
– VSC – Vermont Service Center;
– WAC – California Service Center;
– CSC – California Service Center;
– LIN – Nebraska Service Center;
– NSC – Nebraska Service Center;
– SRC – Texas Service Center;
– TSC – Texas Service Center;
– MSC – National Benefits Center;
– NBC – National Benefits Center;
– IOE – ELIS (e-Filing); and
– YSC – Potomac Service Center.

Ahhh...Ok, that makes sense. Thank you! Is there anyway to get it moved to TX? Because I'm from there and it's only a ~6 month wait vs a ~9month wait? I read in someone's status that they petitioned their congressman to have it moved.  

[Action1 2]

2 minutes ago, Zin-Zin said:

Ahhh...Ok, that makes sense. Thank you! Is there anyway to get it moved to TX? Because I'm from there and it's only a ~6 month wait vs a ~9month wait? I read in someone's status that they petitioned their congressman to have it moved.  

I think Its on to USCIS where they want to route application . Its not under our control. 

[John & Rose 7,239]

10 hours ago, Dil2020 said:

I think Its on to USCIS where they want to route application . Its not under our control. 

When you call you only talk to the east coast somewhere.  They have a central inquiry phone bank.  You don't call the individual service center.  

 

USCIS assigns the service center by their load.  They try to spread things a bit for CR-1.  Most K-1s end up in California and Vermont is mainly for a more intense background check.  It doesn't matter which service center has the petition, the timeline is the timeline.  Having it closer doesn't help.

 

There was a CR-1 yesterday that received NOA2 from Potomac in 5 months.  That is VERY rare but it is also good to see that some are moving pretty quickly.  They had approval in 156 days.

[Zin-Zin 21]

21 hours ago, John & Rose said:

When you call you only talk to the east coast somewhere.  They have a central inquiry phone bank.  You don't call the individual service center.  

 

USCIS assigns the service center by their load.  They try to spread things a bit for CR-1.  Most K-1s end up in California and Vermont is mainly for a more intense background check.  It doesn't matter which service center has the petition, the timeline is the timeline.  Having it closer doesn't help.

 

There was a CR-1 yesterday that received NOA2 from Potomac in 5 months.  That is VERY rare but it is also good to see that some are moving pretty quickly.  They had approval in 156 days.

Ok, thanks for that. 

The reason I wanted to move it is b/c the waiting for approval on an I-130 is nearly 3 months shorter in TX. 

[John & Rose 7,239]

1 hour ago, Zin-Zin said:

Ok, thanks for that. 

The reason I wanted to move it is b/c the waiting for approval on an I-130 is nearly 3 months shorter in TX. 

Where did you see that?  3 months is a huge difference.  I looked at Igor's list and Texas is approving March filers now while Potomac is approving May filers.  I know it is a flawed sample but it does reflect real approvals.

Edited November 10, 2018 by John & Rose

[Zin-Zin 21]

On 11/10/2018 at 10:26 PM, John & Rose said:

Where did you see that?  3 months is a huge difference.  I looked at Igor's list and Texas is approving March filers now while Potomac is approving May filers.  I know it is a flawed sample but it does reflect real approvals.

Sorry for the delay. I missed this notification. 

So i had a look on Igor's list. Texas is currently approving mostly May filers, with a few April filers. 

Nebraska is currently approving mostly March filers, with a few April, and even some from December! 

I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle, but I'm going to get in touch with Ted Cruz and see if I can have it moved or otherwise expedited. 

[John & Rose 7,239]

2 hours ago, Zin-Zin said:

Sorry for the delay. I missed this notification. 

So i had a look on Igor's list. Texas is currently approving mostly May filers, with a few April filers. 

Nebraska is currently approving mostly March filers, with a few April, and even some from December! 

I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle, but I'm going to get in touch with Ted Cruz and see if I can have it moved or otherwise expedited. 

Good luck. It doesn’t hurt to try.