I-130 petition in "initial review" - Please Help!

[SmokeD 0]

Hello Everyone!

 

I have the following question: 

 

Our petition (I-130 for an unmarried son over 21 years old) was approved in December 2019,

then we received an I-797 which indicated that we must fill out a form (I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition). 

We filled out and submitted. This form was approved in September 2020. A week later, we received I 797, which said that our case was sent to NVC (National Visa Center)

 

 

And today 10/19/2020  I received an email from USCIS-CaseStatus@uscis.dhs.gov stating that the status has changed to 

 

Application Type: I130, PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE
Your Case Status: Initial Review

 

Here is a email:

 

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

There has been a recent processing action taken on your case.

Receipt Number: EAC**********

Application Type: I130, PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE

Your Case Status: Initial Review

On October 19, 2020, we transferred your Form I130, PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE, Receipt Number EAC**********, to another office for processing and sent you a transfer notice. The notice explains why we transferred your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your notice by November 18, 2020, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators. If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.
 

Please tell me, what this means???? 

 

Thank you All!

Sincerely,

Pavel S

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

29 minutes ago, SmokeD said:

Please tell me, what this means???? 

Perhaps you could be more specific about what part of the letter you are looking for clarification on? (It seems to explain the process they are undertaking pretty well, what bit do you not understand what it means?)

[SmokeD 0]

ok, why did the Case status change after the case was already sent to NVC? And how long should we wait now?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

8 minutes ago, SmokeD said:

ok, why did the Case status change after the case was already sent to NVC? And how long should we wait now?

It says “during this step...” and explains what they do now. 
It also discusses the timing in general terms, no one can give you a specific on your case.

 

Is your son in the US currently?
 

 

Edited October 19, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[SmokeD 0]

SusieQQQ - Thank you for the answer!
I am the Son and I am writing to you. I'm currently in Russia.
According to the idea, they had to transfer the case to NVC for further processing and interview.

But I do not understand why the case status changed when everything was already approved.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

The petition had been approved (which means they got round to its place in line and were satisfied that the required family relationship for the petition exists), and then the i824 was approved (which means that form was acceptable). This does not mean “everything” is approved, you still need to establish that you qualify for a visa. As the letter you got shows, the next step is now background checks to see if there is anything in there that disqualifies you for a visa. Later on you will go for a medical to check that there is not any medical ineligibility for a visa. And then finally the interview.

[SmokeD 0]

SusieQQQ - Thank you very much for your answers!

[SmokeD 0]

OK I'll wait,

I asked on other forums,

they said that you need to wait for an available visa.

On visa bulletin my priority day was already 1.5 years ago.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

6 minutes ago, SmokeD said:

OK I'll wait,

I asked on other forums,

they said that you need to wait for an available visa.

On visa bulletin my priority day was already 1.5 years ago.

1. Your priority date needs to be current and the petition approved for a visa to be available. Something obviously happened with your petition that delayed it hence the need to file an I824. What is your priority date by the way?

2. F2 visa issuance (along with most other family based visa issuance) is currently banned under the presidential proclamations of April and June, the ban is currently supposed to expire 31 Dec, so the earliest an interview could happen anyway is January. 
 

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by SusieQQQ

[SmokeD 0]

Priority date - July 2014