Shouldn't my case be complete by now?

[RandyandRina 2]

Hello ALL,

I appreciate that you are all proactive on this. I will provide you my information, however it will be posted as soon as I get back to work as I left it in the office.

Keep up the good work. This is great team work!

~ Rina

[Chris Parker 10]

I've made some minor updates to the I-864 RFE shortcut file, based on some comments I received and my own usage.

The revised file for the I-864 RFE shortcut is attached to this message. The instructions to use it remain here for the time being. The attachment of the old file has been deleted.

I used this myself today, and once my RFE is entered received on my case, I will post the instructions on the pinned James' shortcuts thread and delete the attachments from here.

The IV fee bill is now also available to use in a separate topic, per your requests, which you can jump to by clicking here. Maybe someone will try that one day and let us know what happens.

I got my actual RFE today; much faster than expected! (just 4 days from issue!) Why don't all NVC documents come that fast? (or maybe RFE's have highest priority in the mailroom?)

Some minor changes I will be making to the document and instructions... (I don't think these blemishes will affect my submission, but I don't know)

• The word 'CHECKLIST' on the front page is supposed to be bolded.
• They did remove my staple and detach and retain the supporting evidence. I only got the I-864A form which needed correction. Sponsor really did forget to sign the I-864A.
• The letters in the footer before the date are different; Trailmix's were A2D, mine are AMV. I wonder if these are the reviewer's initials or ID number?

Based on this experience, this shortcut hasn't saved me more than a few days. At best, it could have saved 2 days. If the file gets forwarded to the wrong reviewer, I may have caused myself even an additional delay, and even if not, for that reason I'm thinking I should just put *'s in there or leave it out entirely if someone else uses this. Of course, my case is IR5 visa and the RFE involves an I-864A, and I suppose the letters could also an indicator of that condition. Why would 2 appear for someone's middle initial if they didn't have one? Any thoughts? Edited September 29, 2007 by Chris Parker

[trailmix 77]

Why would 2 appear for someone's middle initial if they didn't have one? Any thoughts?

Hi Chris,

I guess it depends where you live, in terms of time saved. My first checklist took 9 days to reach Canada. The second one, which is on the way now, was mailed on the 22nd, so far 9 days.

Interesting question about the possible initials. If this is correct, when I receive the Checklist for my DS-230, it should have the same code (initials) as my Checklist for the I-864 - possibly anyway - if A2D is the one with our file. Then again - guess that wouldn't really 'prove' it.

Remember that Husker guy who was a former adjudicator at USCIS. He said when they would get a file and send out an RFE they would keep the file on their desk and when the additional information came back they would continue with the file.

Anyway, I will be interested to see what the code is when I receive it.

Edited September 30, 2007 by trailmix

[Chris Parker 10]

Interesting question about the possible initials. If this is correct, when I receive the Checklist for my DS-230, it should have the same code (initials) as my Checklist for the I-864 - possibly anyway - if A2D is the one with our file. Then again - guess that wouldn't really 'prove' it.

Remember that Husker guy who was a former adjudicator at USCIS. He said when they would get a file and send out an RFE they would keep the file on their desk and when the additional information came back they would continue with the file.

Anyway, I will be interested to see what the code is when I receive it.

The only thing that suggests that the code is not initials is that both codes we got began with an 'A'. Maybe it is just a code to identify the main reason why an RFE was sent ('A' for Affidavit of Support). Would be interesting to know if anyone got an I-864 RFE without an 'A' at the beginning of the footer? (The initials are also on page 3, which doesn't get returned) Every adjudicator's name can't start with 'A' (although 'Adjudicator' always starts with 'A')!

Also, there is no country shown if USA is the country of the mailing address.

In any case, I hope that the computers automatically locate the right person to forward the RFE response to at the time of the barcode scan. Otherwise, seems kind of silly to have a barcode scan at all, if you are then just going to manually direct the file to someone's initials.

Edited September 30, 2007 by Chris Parker

[trailmix 77]

In any case, I hope that the computers automatically locate the right person to forward the RFE response to at the time of the barcode scan. Otherwise, seems kind of silly to have a barcode scan at all, if you are then just going to manually direct the file to someone's initials.

I sure hope so and I agree.

[RandyandRina 2]

Believe it or not, this is the 18th day and still no update on my DS230 ...not even an RFE

[trailmix 77]

In any case, I hope that the computers automatically locate the right person to forward the RFE response to at the time of the barcode scan. Otherwise, seems kind of silly to have a barcode scan at all, if you are then just going to manually direct the file to someone's initials.

I sure hope so and I agree.

Well I received my DS-230 RFE checklist in the mail today.

Two things

- first of all the code is still A2D.

Secondly, they want a copy of my Husband's Canadian PR record, which:

- they did not ask for originally (is not in the instructions for the DS-230)

- the NVC operator did not tell me about. So the caution here is, if you are going to use the RFE shortcut, you will have to be very very specific with the NVC operator to give you ALL of the information they are going to request. I actually was and she still didn't mention it - so proceed with caution.

This is the second time they have asked me for information that is not in their instructions - first my Canadian tax return for 2006 and now this.

Rina - sorry to hear you still don't have an update.

[trailmix 77]

In any case, I hope that the computers automatically locate the right person to forward the RFE response to at the time of the barcode scan. Otherwise, seems kind of silly to have a barcode scan at all, if you are then just going to manually direct the file to someone's initials.

I sure hope so and I agree.

Well I received my DS-230 RFE checklist in the mail today.

Two things

- first of all the code is still A2D.

Secondly, they want a copy of my Husband's Canadian PR record, which:

- they did not ask for originally (is not in the instructions for the DS-230)

- the NVC operator did not tell me about. So the caution here is, if you are going to use the RFE shortcut, you will have to be very very specific with the NVC operator to give you ALL of the information they are going to request. I actually was and she still didn't mention it - so proceed with caution.

This is the second time they have asked me for information that is not in their instructions - first my Canadian tax return for 2006 (in fact is says NOT to include it - "Do not submit any tax returns that you filed with any foreign government") and now this.

Rina - sorry to hear you still don't have an update.

Edited October 1, 2007 by trailmix

[LadyJane 1]

In any case, I hope that the computers automatically locate the right person to forward the RFE response to at the time of the barcode scan. Otherwise, seems kind of silly to have a barcode scan at all, if you are then just going to manually direct the file to someone's initials.

I sure hope so and I agree.

Well I received my DS-230 RFE checklist in the mail today.

Two things

- first of all the code is still A2D.

Secondly, they want a copy of my Husband's Canadian PR record, which:

- they did not ask for originally (is not in the instructions for the DS-230)

- the NVC operator did not tell me about. So the caution here is, if you are going to use the RFE shortcut, you will have to be very very specific with the NVC operator to give you ALL of the information they are going to request. I actually was and she still didn't mention it - so proceed with caution.

This is the second time they have asked me for information that is not in their instructions - first my Canadian tax return for 2006 (in fact is says NOT to include it - "Do not submit any tax returns that you filed with any foreign government") and now this.

Rina - sorry to hear you still don't have an update.

Rina, My fingers are crossed for you!

So, trailmix, they RFE-ed you for your 2006 tax forms even though they said they didn't need them in the instructions? Odd. I guess I'll include them with hubby's DS230. Did they mention in the instructions that photocopies are OK?

Thanks!

[Medieval 0]

In any case, I hope that the computers automatically locate the right person to forward the RFE response to at the time of the barcode scan. Otherwise, seems kind of silly to have a barcode scan at all, if you are then just going to manually direct the file to someone's initials.

I sure hope so and I agree.

Well I received my DS-230 RFE checklist in the mail today.

Two things

- first of all the code is still A2D.

Secondly, they want a copy of my Husband's Canadian PR record, which:

- they did not ask for originally (is not in the instructions for the DS-230)

- the NVC operator did not tell me about. So the caution here is, if you are going to use the RFE shortcut, you will have to be very very specific with the NVC operator to give you ALL of the information they are going to request. I actually was and she still didn't mention it - so proceed with caution.

This is the second time they have asked me for information that is not in their instructions - first my Canadian tax return for 2006 (in fact is says NOT to include it - "Do not submit any tax returns that you filed with any foreign government") and now this.

Rina - sorry to hear you still don't have an update.

Trailmix,

Did they RFE'ed you for forgetting to add 'Present' on the work and residence date fields among with the other stuff you mentioned above?

[trailmix 77]

Rina, My fingers are crossed for you!

So, trailmix, they RFE-ed you for your 2006 tax forms even though they said they didn't need them in the instructions? Odd. I guess I'll include them with hubby's DS230. Did they mention in the instructions that photocopies are OK?

Thanks!

That RFE (for the Canadian Tax Returns) was actually for the I-864 affidavit of support. I sent them a copy of the four pages of the return (printed it out as I have it in a .pdf file as I e-filed), originals of the T4's (as I had extras and a photo copy of the assessment.

I'm sure photo copies are fine.

I just got off the phone with the NVC and she told me (re: nothing in the instructions about the proof of Canadian Residency for my Husband) that it isn't required in all cases so they just put generic instructions up - I mean really

Edited October 1, 2007 by trailmix

[MegDan 0]

Rina, my fingers are crossed for you too! I'm praying for you VERY hard to get SOME answer!

I got the checklist letter today everyone. ABOUT TIME lol! The wait was driving me nuts!

[jayzar 1]

Got same thing here Rina..

its been 12 days already..

No update, no reviews, not even an RFE..

not funny anymore..

-jyz

[trailmix 77]

Hey Rina,

Maybe that fact that you haven't heard anything is good news, if they were going to send you an RFE they probably would have done it by now? Hope you get an approval today.

I sent in some documents last Thursday and the message still hasn't been updated to say they have received them, so I need to try to get through to an operator, that's always fun on a Tuesday

[RandyandRina 2]

Hi Trailmix,

I would like to think that that's the case here, that its really good news, that everything with the DS230 forms and documents are all good. However, with the amount of time they have my DS230 seems to be odd than norm. Then, the question arises "What would happen if there is an RFE?". It's not funny to get any additional documents from Philippines local offices as it takes at least 3 days, plus the mailing system is not reliable. It actually cost a fortune to do all that, plus the agonizing waiting game and red tape with government agencies.

I just called DOS, not that I thought they will give more details, however I was still referred to NVC for more information on the case. I am not in the mood really to talk to any NVC as it will just cause heartache and headache if i hear the same thing again. I'll tie myself on the chair until tomorrow, then give them a call to get status.

Hope you get an update with yours, too.

Thanks again!

~ Rina

Hey Rina,

Maybe that fact that you haven't heard anything is good news, if they were going to send you an RFE they probably would have done it by now? Hope you get an approval today.

I sent in some documents last Thursday and the message still hasn't been updated to say they have received them, so I need to try to get through to an operator, that's always fun on a Tuesday