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ColombianoGringo

Clarification about direct filing and fees

By ColombianoGringo in K-3 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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ColombianoGringo Collaborator

ColombianoGringo   0

Posted
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Colombia
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

I just spoke to a few people at USCIS regarding my questions about fees and direct filing.

The customer service rep who first answered was basically clueless. She was not aware of the direct filing changes. After about 10 minutes of her trying to get the information, she transferred me to an officer. The officer was a lot more knowledgeable and provided some concrete advice.

First off, she said to send the I-130 and I-129F together. I had not yet asked her about that before she suggested it. She said that the California Service Center has been really slow at sending out NOAs. Consequently, if I don't send my I-129F at the same time, I will be waiting forever for the NOA1 receipt.

She said that this would also avoid any problems with the changing fees. If I send the I-130 now and then I-129F after July 30 , it could cause major delays while they figure out what and how to charge me. I was told to pay the current $190 for the I-130 and $170 for the I-129F.

She suggested I simply put both packets in one envelope and send them to the Texas Service Center with an additional explanation in the cover letter. They will forward both to California SC. She claims that due to all the changes and known delays in California, the various service centers are being pretty flexible these days.

I think that is everything.

Peace,

CG

Edited by ColombianoGringo

Married: June 11, 2007 - San Andres Isla, Colombia

I-130

7/27/2007 - Sent I-130 Package to TSC*

7/30/2007 - Received by TSC

8/28/2007 - NOA-1 date - CSC

3/19/2008 - NOA2 date -CSC

I-130 held by USCIS for future AOS

I-129F

7/27/2007 - Sent I-129F Package to TSC*

7/30/2007 - Received by TSC

8/30/2007 - NOA-1 - Fee waived

3/19/2008 - NOA2

4/3/2008 - Received by NVC

4/10/2008 - Received by embassy

4/11/2008 - Faxed packet 3 forms to embassy

4/30/2008 - Appointment date assigned

6/19/2008 - Appointment at Bogota Embassy - APPROVED!!!

No touches except when I called CSC directly to inquire.

8/28/2008 - POE Houston

Still being lazy and waiting to do AOS.

*I-130 and I-129F sent together to TSC per USCIS instructions.

The-wait-is-on Apprentice

The-wait-is-on   0

Posted
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: India
 Timeline
Posted
I just spoke to a few people at USCIS regarding my questions about fees and direct filing.

The customer service rep who first answered was basically clueless. She was not aware of the direct filing changes. After about 10 minutes of her trying to get the information, she transferred me to an officer. The officer was a lot more knowledgeable and provided some concrete advice.

First off, she said to send the I-130 and I-129F together. I had not yet asked her about that before she suggested it. She said that the California Service Center has been really slow at sending out NOAs. Consequently, if I don't send my I-129F at the same time, I will be waiting forever for the NOA1 receipt.

She said that this would also avoid any problems with the changing fees. If I send the I-130 now and then I-129F after July 30 , it could cause major delays while they figure out what and how to charge me. I was told to pay the current $190 for the I-130 and $170 for the I-129F.

She suggested I simply put both packets in one envelope and send them to the Texas Service Center with an additional explanation in the cover letter. They will forward both to California SC. She claims that due to all the changes and known delays in California, the various service centers are being pretty flexible these days.

I think that is everything.

Peace,

CG

Thanks so much for that info !!! Will send ours to Vermont.

Visa Journey so far:

Married: July 09, 2007 in India

I-130

7/16/2007 - Sent I-130 Package to NSC*

7/17/2007 - Received at NSC

7/25/2007 - Case transferred to CSC

7/26/2007 - NOA1 sent

7/31/2007 - Check encashed

2/12/2008 - Approval email received

2/16/2008 - NOA2 Hardcopy received

I-129F

7/16/2007 - Sent I-129F Package to NSC*

7/17/2007 - Received at NSC

7/31/2007 - Check encashed

8/25/2007 - NOA1 received

2/12/2008 - Approval email received

2/16/2008 - NOA2 Hardcopy received

2/26/2008 - Petition left NVC

2/28/2008 - Petition reaches Mumbai consulate

3/12/2008 - Packet 3 submitted at Mumbai consulate (after downloading the same from the website)

3/26/2008 - Packet 4 received

5/06/2008 - Interview-Visa granted !!!

5/07/2008 - Visa received by courier

5/21/2008 - POE at JFK

AOS/EAD

5/27/2008 - Applied for AOS/EAD

6/28/2008 - Biometrics-DONE

9/20/2008 - EAD card received in the mail

1/20/2009 - AOS Interview at San Antonio-Approved

1/20/2009 - Card production ordered

10/20/2011 - Note to self: Removal of Conditions Filing

1/23/2009 - Welcome to the Unites States letter received

1/30/2009 - Greencard Received in the Mail !!! Yay !!!

*I-130 and I-129F sent together to NSC per USCIS instructions.

pushbrk Grand Master

pushbrk   13,058

Posted
Filed: Other Country: China
 Timeline
Posted
I just spoke to a few people at USCIS regarding my questions about fees and direct filing.

The customer service rep who first answered was basically clueless. She was not aware of the direct filing changes. After about 10 minutes of her trying to get the information, she transferred me to an officer. The officer was a lot more knowledgeable and provided some concrete advice.

First off, she said to send the I-130 and I-129F together. I had not yet asked her about that before she suggested it. She said that the California Service Center has been really slow at sending out NOAs. Consequently, if I don't send my I-129F at the same time, I will be waiting forever for the NOA1 receipt.

She said that this would also avoid any problems with the changing fees. If I send the I-130 now and then I-129F after July 30 , it could cause major delays while they figure out what and how to charge me. I was told to pay the current $190 for the I-130 and $170 for the I-129F.

She suggested I simply put both packets in one envelope and send them to the Texas Service Center with an additional explanation in the cover letter. They will forward both to California SC. She claims that due to all the changes and known delays in California, the various service centers are being pretty flexible these days.

I think that is everything.

Peace,

CG

Kewl, so she told you to do what Yodrak and I suggested. Thanks. :yes: Her reasons were my reasons. I assume they were Yodrak's as well.

Facts are cheap...knowing how to use them is precious...
Understanding the big picture is priceless. Anonymous

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ColombianoGringo Collaborator

ColombianoGringo   0

Posted
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Colombia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Yep. You guys had the right idea. Thanks for all the help.

Peace,

CG

Married: June 11, 2007 - San Andres Isla, Colombia

I-130

7/27/2007 - Sent I-130 Package to TSC*

7/30/2007 - Received by TSC

8/28/2007 - NOA-1 date - CSC

3/19/2008 - NOA2 date -CSC

I-130 held by USCIS for future AOS

I-129F

7/27/2007 - Sent I-129F Package to TSC*

7/30/2007 - Received by TSC

8/30/2007 - NOA-1 - Fee waived

3/19/2008 - NOA2

4/3/2008 - Received by NVC

4/10/2008 - Received by embassy

4/11/2008 - Faxed packet 3 forms to embassy

4/30/2008 - Appointment date assigned

6/19/2008 - Appointment at Bogota Embassy - APPROVED!!!

No touches except when I called CSC directly to inquire.

8/28/2008 - POE Houston

Still being lazy and waiting to do AOS.

*I-130 and I-129F sent together to TSC per USCIS instructions.

ColombianoGringo Collaborator

ColombianoGringo   0

Posted
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Colombia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Hate to bump this, but I thought I would add this link to the USCIS direct filing bulletin, as it is relevant to this issue.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/Up...iling062107.pdf

Edited by ColombianoGringo

Married: June 11, 2007 - San Andres Isla, Colombia

I-130

7/27/2007 - Sent I-130 Package to TSC*

7/30/2007 - Received by TSC

8/28/2007 - NOA-1 date - CSC

3/19/2008 - NOA2 date -CSC

I-130 held by USCIS for future AOS

I-129F

7/27/2007 - Sent I-129F Package to TSC*

7/30/2007 - Received by TSC

8/30/2007 - NOA-1 - Fee waived

3/19/2008 - NOA2

4/3/2008 - Received by NVC

4/10/2008 - Received by embassy

4/11/2008 - Faxed packet 3 forms to embassy

4/30/2008 - Appointment date assigned

6/19/2008 - Appointment at Bogota Embassy - APPROVED!!!

No touches except when I called CSC directly to inquire.

8/28/2008 - POE Houston

Still being lazy and waiting to do AOS.

*I-130 and I-129F sent together to TSC per USCIS instructions.

Yodrak Veteran

Yodrak   7

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted

pushbrk,

Scary - makes one wonder if we were wrong when the misinformation line gives the same suggestions that we do.

Yodrak

Kewl, so she told you to do what Yodrak and I suggested. Thanks. Her reasons were my reasons. I assume they were Yodrak's as well.
edp333 Experienced

edp333   9

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted (edited)
pushbrk,

Scary - makes one wonder if we were wrong when the misinformation line gives the same suggestions that we do.

Yodrak

The customer service rep who first answered was basically clueless. She was not aware of the direct filing changes. After about 10 minutes of her trying to get the information, she transferred me to an officer. The officer was a lot more knowledgeable and provided some concrete advice.

No need to worry Yodrak, the misinformation line was clueless as stated by ColumbianoGringo. The call was transfered. :)

Edited by edp333

Naturalization

3/23/14 - N400 package sent to Phoenix

3/27/14 - N400 package delivered

4/3/14 - NOA1 receipt date

4/4/14 - check cashed

04/29/14 - biometrics date

07/01/14 - interview date

xx/xx/xx - Oath Ceremony

 
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