Paper application but receipt number with IOE

[zappyrun 2]

Hello - my lawyer submitted my paper form/application for N-400, but for some reason, I got a receipt number starting with IOE. I thought IOE is only assigned to the forms submitted online.

Is this an error and should I be worried about it? Is this something that might delay my application?

[Stuff2447 32]

Same thing with me. Wasn't a problem at all.  You should also receive instructions on how to set up an online account so you can track your case and view documents, notices, etc. online.  

[zappyrun 2]

Thanks for the reply. The says "Case is being actively reviewed by USCIS." 

 

Did this slow down the process for you? 

[Timona 4,207]

He submitted it online.

You know you could have done this yourself? It is simple and gives your step by step and even tells you what to submit based on the answer you provide on page 1.

 

How much did you pay him? Just curious

[bing10 114]

25 minutes ago, Timona said:

He submitted it online.

You know you could have done this yourself? It is simple and gives your step by step and even tells you what to submit based on the answer you provide on page 1.

 

How much did you pay him? Just curious

 

Mine was also submitted in paper form, but has an IOE receipt number.

 

[Timona 4,207]

 

12 minutes ago, bing10 said:

 

Mine was also submitted in paper form, but has an IOE receipt number.

 

Who submitted in paper? You or attorney?

[bing10 114]

3 minutes ago, Timona said:

 

Who submitted in paper? You or attorney?

 

Attorney... Now you're making me second guess this!

[Timona 4,207]

1 minute ago, bing10 said:

 

Attorney... Now you're making me second guess this!

 

Honestly, I think your attorney took whatever you gave him/ her and transferred it online. I really do not understand how you get IOE yet you paper filed. 

Even by Googling, IOE means "electronic." 

I may be wrong and will stand corrected by other experienced members. But I doubt if I am wrong. I just went through N400 AND oathed August 14th. I submitted online July 2020.

[bing10 114]

6 minutes ago, Timona said:

 

Honestly, I think your attorney took whatever you gave him/ her and transferred it online. I really do not understand how you get IOE yet you paper filed. 

Even by Googling, IOE means "electronic." 

I may be wrong and will stand corrected by other experienced members. But I doubt if I am wrong. I just went through N400 AND oathed August 14th. I submitted online July 2020.

 

Yes, you've made me think. I'm going to go through my records, as I seem to remember the attorney even gave me a tracking number for the package he sent.

 

It would be interesting to hear of some other data points on this though. (I filed June 2019 FYI, and due to take Oath next week).

 

[zappyrun 2]

2 hours ago, Timona said:

He submitted it online.

You know you could have done this yourself? It is simple and gives your step by step and even tells you what to submit based on the answer you provide on page 1.

 

How much did you pay him? Just curious

He actually gave me a tracking number and that does show the package delivered to the Texas dropbox location. 

 

I paid him $800 for case filing, consultation, and in-person representation during the interview since my case is slightly complicated with multiple longer absences. 

[Timona 4,207]

5 minutes ago, zappyrun said:

He actually gave me a tracking number and that does show the package delivered to the Texas dropbox location. 

 

I paid him $800 for case filing, consultation, and in-person representation during the interview since my case is slightly complicated with multiple longer absences. 

 

Okay. Then maybe you get IOE for paper too.

You know he cannot help you if you are ineligible due to longer absences, right? Infact, he cannot even file if you are ineligible due to longer absences. 

You should be good.

[nastra30 2,287]

USCIS began (I believe a two years ago) converting some paper applications into their Electronic Immigration System, which will have receipts numbers starting with IOE (same as online filings).

[HRQX 4,145]

4 hours ago, Timona said:

Even by Googling, IOE means "electronic." 

I may be wrong and will stand corrected by other experienced members. But I doubt if I am wrong. I just went through N400 AND oathed August 14th. I submitted online July 2020.

See nastra30's post above ^^

 

Even some I-485 cases are getting IOE numbers and that form cannot even be filed online: "Even files recently submitted in the traditional paper and ink method have been uploaded to the USCIS system as E-files"

[Verrou 1,962]

My I-130 was paper filed and I also received IOE receipt 

[Scandi 4,166]

When the form is AVAILABLE for online filing your receipt number will start with IOE, it doesn't matter if you file online or via regular mail. 

 

The people at the lockbox has to do the job you didn't do - ie they scan everything into the system (you could help them out by doing this yourself by online filing). They also do this with forms that aren't even available to file online. 

Edited August 19, 2021 by Scandi