Vulpis

I-485 approved today!

On May 2nd, we got an email from USCIS that says an action was taken on the case. Looking at the USCIS API for our case (screenshot posted), it says it was last updated on that day. However, there's no update on myUSCIS as of right now - no case status change or new documents uploaded. Speaking with an Ask Emma agent, there's no update on the case, but the interview was waived 2 weeks after NOA1 and it was transferred to the local FO in late April.

Standalone EAD card approval notice showed up on the Documents tab.

We received the paper copies by mail yesterday with the online access code and ASC appointment information. No surprise, they’re exactly the same as the documents provided online. Correct person, correct address, correct IOE case numbers but a different A number.

How would it mistakenly connect to us? Using the code requires you to input the I-485 case number we got on the receipt notice. All the scanned documents we can access are documents which we have prepared and signed. The PDF notices that show biometrics appointment notice and the document with the access code show our address and my spouse's name.

The receipt notice took its sweet time making its way to my home, nearly three weeks. On the advice of people on this forum and other places, I reached out to USCIS via online chat to obtain the online access code that would have been mailed to us to link the IOE case number to my partner's USCIS account. We were able to see a copy of the letter USCIS sent us (and we'll receive eventually) with that access code along with the appointment notice. My partner has an A# that was assigned to them and shows on the I129F approval notice. We used that number to fill out AOS forms, and that number showed on the AOS receipt notices. The online account notice and the appointment notice have a different number than the first number.

New USCIS account set up.

Just wondering if this is common or a discrepancy that I should have corrected. On the I-129F approval, USCIS assigned an A# to my partner. I used that number to fill out the AOS forms and that showed up on the receipt notices. I messaged a USCIS representative to get the online access code, and on the biometric appointment notice, it says my spouse's married name and address correctly, but the A# is completely different.

Good to know. Our NOA1 was dated 3/12, but we just received the paper notices yesterday (3/19)

Our packet was received on March 8th, and the money was removed from my bank account on the 12th. No receipt notice sent to email or text yet...

Hopefully you got answers before, but. You're looking at the wrong place. You want to file for a DS-160 on ceac.state.gov. You're looking at instructions for the immigrant CR1/IR1/IR2/IR5 visa. Then you'll need to go to ustraveldocs for your appropriate country where you'll be interviewing, then make an account and follow the process to file the form and pay the visa fee.

Status updated. In transit as of today, and it has been 43 days since NOA2

Received case # from NVC inquiry today.

NOA2: 20 November NVC research says they have not received the case yet. Looks like NOA2 -> NVC times are once again increasing.

NOA2: 20 November (per I-797) November 29: sent public inquiry regarding a name change of the beneficiary and what procedures/documentation needed to be done. WAC# provided as required in form. December 1: NVC responds with generic "we have not received your case number yet". Seems they're unable/unwilling to answer my question until case is at NVC 😕

OP may want to take the USCIS estimate with a grain of salt as it’s being quite generous. Fair amount of people from November 2022 all the way to February 2023 are getting approvals this month.

NOA1: 26 January 2023 NOA2: 21 November 2023 Was honestly expecting an RFE because of some slip ups I made in the form, but alls well that ends well.

I'm not familiar with US consulate in Indonesia's procedures, but usually the consulate will accept documents in the dominant local language or English. If only English, translation by anyone who certifies that they are competent in translating between both languages is acceptable. Birth certificate is not required to submit to USCIS with I-129F. I'm aware of a few attorneys and document preparation services that want beneficiary documents like their passport and birth certificate with the packet to front load the application.

Medical exam cost is variable, and only other people from the same consulate as the beneficiary is going through can provide a clear answer Visa fee is $265. This is the last fee for immigration you'll be paying until beneficiary is in the US, married and applying for I-485.

Please update your VJ timeline for everyone's benefit of more accurate estimates. Thanks!

A minority of January 2023 filers will be lucky to hear something back from USCIS before end of year. I still expect the holiday season slowdown + likely government shutdown to make it so most filers will not hear back until past the New Year.

USCIS is not approving 1500 per week. They're approving on average 220/day which means that we should NOT expect anything until late November. Holiday call outs and the holiday slow down means that we should be expecting RFEs/NOA2s to trickle in starting Thanksgiving to beyond the New Year. Additionally, if the government does have a shut down, it will slow down the process even more with DOJ potentially not performing background checks on petitioners.

I-130 is a more important document in USCIS’s eyes no? IIRC I remember reading that fiancée visas are lower priority over immediate relative and employment based visas

Beneficiary is the one changing name. The honest answer to whether we think the name change will be done by end of year is “we do not know”. It’s near 100% certain that it will be done by interview date

Don’t expect anything until November at the earliest.