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Posted by: M&ME Nov 3 2009, 03:35 PM

I just mailed my I130 to Chicago today. Who else is filing this month? Good luck to all of us.

Posted by: sachinky Nov 3 2009, 03:55 PM

Good luck on your visa journey. I'm sure other November filers will be piling in soon.

Posted by: mclayto Nov 3 2009, 05:35 PM

I'm putting mine together today and hoping to send it off tomorrow. I'm suddenly worried about little things like how to put it together.
Do I really need to use ACCO fasteners? Can I just use a paper clip if it isn't too big?
Is there any reason sending all pages of my passport is better than just a single page birth certificate (smaller, related to the previous question)?
Should I include pictures with the application? In fact, how do I know if I have enough evidence?
I have statements from my bank accounts she was recently added to and a copy of the cards my medical insurance sent. I made an affidavit explaining our relationship. I got 3 other affidavits. Is that enough? We don't have many things that are on the list (children, bills, etc)

Anyone else scrambling as they try to pull it all together?

Posted by: sachinky Nov 3 2009, 07:34 PM

Hey, I sent in 6 pictures (3 from wedding, 3 non-wedding), 3 affidavits -- my mom, his dad, my uncle. A joint bank account statement, wedding invitation and marriage certificate.

Posted by: M&ME Nov 3 2009, 07:48 PM

I was really nervous about all the little things too, but I felt good enough about it. I'm sure everything I need is there. I sent the birth cert rather than the passport. I thought I read "no acco clips" in the instructions. I had 3 wedding pictures and 3 non-wedding. I had the joint bank statement and a list of my benefits from work that she's listed as a beneficiary of. I have phone records and 3 affidavits, Best Man, Maid of Honor, my Pastor.

The things that I was most worried about was checking all the dates on all of the forms, name spellings, all of the really small things. Wondering if, I had all the correct "none" and "N/A" in the right spots. It's off now, and such a great relief, for now it's out of my hands, and I'm diving into Fly Through the NVC.

Posted by: M&ME Nov 6 2009, 09:51 AM

Is the cover sheet supposed to specifically say "CR-1" on it somewhere? I don't think I specified, I just said I-130 petition.

Posted by: flironman Nov 10 2009, 07:07 PM

Hi guys also a November Filer here. I sent it yesterday, God willing we'll all get our wish of having our loved ones by our side as soon as possible. Good luck everybody!!!!!!!

Posted by: Terca Nov 11 2009, 02:55 AM

I helped my sister with hers, Sent it off last week , still no NOA 1 will let u know when we get one

Posted by: Scott and Mhay Nov 11 2009, 05:56 AM

I sent mine in on Nov 5th from Kuwait. I dont think it is there yet. I keep on checking to see if my check got cashed. Of course i sent it return receipt....so i probably wont see that receipt for another week or 2 depending on how the mail service goes. I am wanting to get the case number so i can call the military line to see if i can get it expedited at all. What's the worst that can happen..they tell me no? Anyway, good luck.

Posted by: M&ME Nov 11 2009, 10:54 AM

I got my return receipt after 6 days, though the USPS website confirmed Delivery after only 2 days., they haven't cashed my check yet as of last night, but I believe my bank is closed today for Veteran's Day so I'll have to wait to check until tomorrow.

Posted by: Scott and Mhay Nov 11 2009, 12:14 PM

Yeah i just checked my tracking number and they say it wasnt entered or i entered it wrong. So, i am in suspense on if it has made it there or not. Hopefully in the next day or so it will. I think there is no info because i mailed from an APO and not a normal postal site.

Posted by: M&ME Nov 11 2009, 06:52 PM

When I first checked mine it told me the same thing, but then when I checked it on the second screen that came up it worked.

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 11 2009, 07:22 PM

Mine was received on November 3rd, and my check was cashed yesterday, the 10th. Still waiting on the NOA1.

Good luck everyone!

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 13 2009, 04:56 PM

Got my NOA1 today, dated Nov 9!

Posted by: M&ME Nov 13 2009, 05:51 PM

Woot! Congrats!

After reading your first post I checked my account for about the 200th time since mailing the package and it looks like they cashed my check this afternoon! I can't wait for my NOA1 to show up.

Posted by: Scott and Mhay Nov 13 2009, 06:04 PM

Yeah, i keep on checking to see if they cashed my check yet...nope. I also check usps.com on my receipt, but it isnt loaded online.....i dont think i will see mine loaded as it says something about only in the US...i send from the APO in kuwait....so gov't mail from here to the US.

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 13 2009, 06:16 PM

Thanks. I bet you will get yours between now and Monday. Do you live in the east or the west? It seems like California is much faster than Vermont.

Posted by: Angie'nMark Nov 13 2009, 07:14 PM

I am a November filer for I-130....I am waiting patiently to hear something. Good luck to all of us for sure. I miss my husband so much.

Posted by: M&ME Nov 14 2009, 11:42 AM

Wisconsin, so it'll be heading to Vermont I suppose.



Welcome!

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 14 2009, 01:36 PM

I think I may be totally wrong about the service centers. I got that from seeing the cases of people who were *transferred* to CSC, and then got approved in less than a month. So in actuality, I have no idea.

Posted by: sachinky Nov 14 2009, 01:41 PM

I don't think you can predict based on place of residence/birth which Service Center you will end up in. Luck of the draw.

Posted by: M&ME Nov 14 2009, 03:05 PM

Sweet, I didn't realize it was chance, I just assumed it was East/West...

Posted by: Scott and Mhay Nov 14 2009, 05:04 PM

Well i just checked the tracking number again. The package was signed for 853 on the 14th in Chicago. Now to see how long it takes to get the NOA1 and my return receipt.

Posted by: sachinky Nov 14 2009, 05:08 PM

Who knows, my husband was born in CA but lives in MI. We ended up in CSC.

Posted by: M&ME Nov 16 2009, 06:28 PM

I just received my NOA1 from the California Processing center dated 11/12. YAY!

Posted by: Pappillon Nov 16 2009, 10:38 PM

Hi everybody!

We are getting ready to send I-485 and I-130 on the 18th of this month. And we've got a couple of questions.

My I-94 doesn't have an expiration date. What do I do?

In the I-485, part 1, very last question: Expires on (mm/dd/yyyy) - what expires? status? I-94? what do I write?

Also, I came here 2,5 years ago on J-1 visa, and before it expired we got married, though it has been 2 years since my visa expired. But only now we can apply for I-485 and !-130, cause they cost sooo much money. Do you think it's gonna matter too much?

Please, I really need the answers!!!

Posted by: mclayto Nov 17 2009, 02:13 AM

Got the NOA1 dated Nov 12 from CSC
Good luck to everyone

Posted by: bila-n-javi Nov 17 2009, 10:11 PM

Hello everyone they received mine on Nov 8 and the NOA date is nov 13 ... Just got it in the mail!!



and im also in CSC !

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 17 2009, 11:12 PM

Congrats.

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 17 2009, 11:16 PM

You might want to try asking this in the: "Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas" forum because all of us are filing for a relative who is currently outside of the US so it's a lot different.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=130

Posted by: Pappillon Nov 18 2009, 01:06 AM

ok, i'll try, thanks!!!

Posted by: JeNiaz Nov 18 2009, 04:47 PM

We also finally sent out our packets today.

I130 and G325a Hopefully everything is alright. We stapled the g325a together I hope that does not end up to be a problem....such picky people...

Posted by: truckerlove Nov 18 2009, 06:02 PM

I'm getting a little anxious...mailed my package on 11/06, they received it on 11/09 (verified by USPS online) and I haven't received my NOA1 yet ...it's been over a week... average seemed to be taking less than that. I hope it's a good sign that everything was perfect and they're moving right on to the processing center!

I put it all together with tabs at the bottom, two hole punched, proper payment and all supporting evidence. I pained over the entire package for weeks before sending it in. Now, time seems to be standing still. Waiting is so hard.

truckerlove

Posted by: M&ME Nov 18 2009, 09:31 PM

Maybe I skipped over it, but I didn't see anything on the instructions about how to fasten the the package together, I thought I read not to use ACCO clips, that's the only thing I remember reading. I didn't fasten anything together, except to paperclip the check to the cover sheet and paperclip the picture that are inside plastic bags to the 325a. But I got my NOA1 so they must be willing to accept it.

Posted by: Terca Nov 18 2009, 09:35 PM

Don't worry sometimes it takes more than a week, in the meantime you can always check to see if your check was cashed even if there's no NOA1. At least it will ease the wait ...

Posted by: Terca Nov 18 2009, 09:41 PM

M&ME on their website "USCIS.gov" they recommend using those fasteners, so i guess even if people do they wont get in trouble. I didnt use those either, I used paper clips and staples. And for my pics a black clip... I will post a picture of the whole packet when i have some time

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 18 2009, 09:57 PM

Don't worry. It took me 10 days from the day they received until I got the NOA1.

Did you check to see if the check was cashed?

Posted by: truckerlove Nov 19 2009, 11:52 AM

Hopefully it will come in today....I'll be waiting! As for the cheque (or check as they spell it here in the US), we used a bank draft so at this point there's no way to track it. Will just have to wait.

I recall reading somewhere that the best way to send in the documents is to two-hole punch them...here's the link that I found on the USCIS site: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextoid=ff053d146a7ee010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD

Keeping my fingers crossed that it will be in the mail today.

truckerlove

Posted by: truckerlove Nov 19 2009, 04:38 PM

YAY! I went home at lunch and the documents were there...all three NOA's for the I-130, I-485 & I-765! Now just have to wait for the biometrics appointment...

tick, tock, tick, tock...

truckerlove

Posted by: Scott and Mhay Nov 19 2009, 05:10 PM

Well, i got the e-mail saying they accepted the package and a case number. Now to wait for the hardcopy NOA. Check hasnt been cashed yet, but I'm sure that will happen really soon now.

Posted by: flironman Nov 19 2009, 05:38 PM

Well received my NOA1 receipt in the mail today and created my profile on the UCSIS.gov website. Now what happens. I see people's profiles stating applications for I-129 Visa petition being sent, is that correct? I thought those were obsolete since the I-130 processing times have been cut down. Any ideas everybody.


Good luck to all

Carlos J.

Posted by: M&ME Nov 19 2009, 06:55 PM

Is it recommended to create a profile on their page? Does it speed up the process or increase communication with them or just make it easy to check the status?

Posted by: sachinky Nov 19 2009, 07:03 PM

It's only so you can see if someone "touched" or last updated your file. I don't think they've been updating it lately.

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 19 2009, 07:16 PM

How did they get your email address? Did you put it in the cover letter or something?

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 19 2009, 07:20 PM

I'm not going to do the I-129 because it's cheaper to just go CR-1/IR-1 and they get work permission/greencard right away. I guess there might be some benefit to the other, I read someone say the other day that it would speed it up a couple weeks. But then I have seen so many timelines where the I-130 and I-129 were approved on the same day, so I'm not sure about that. Maybe it is faster processing at the consulate? I don't know. In any case, even if it added a month or maybe even two, I'd still go CR-1 because of the cost of adjusting later and of them not being able to work right away.

Posted by: flironman Nov 19 2009, 09:47 PM

From the research that I did when doing the packet I thought the same so I just think I'm going to stick to the CR-1/IR-1. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't misinterpreting what I had read and looked up.

Thanks

Carlos J.

Posted by: flironman Nov 19 2009, 09:49 PM

It's not a bad Idea, its free, and at least you can check when they touch your file, I like the fact that once you sign up there is a text message alert icon that you can activate and once there is activity on you file, they text you on you phone. I thought that was pretty nice.

Posted by: flironman Nov 19 2009, 09:52 PM

Hey Scott hope all is well, I noticed today when I was creating my profile on UCSIC.gov that there was a banner about USCIS MILITARY HELPLINE, from your APO mailing status I figure your in the military. I was in the service as well, its worth a try to call the number and see what happens. If I get any info I'll let you know. Here is the link.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=7d1f8430256b3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=7d1f8430256b3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

Good luck and stay safe.

Carlos J.

11B USA

Posted by: Safiya&Samir Nov 19 2009, 10:15 PM

Yeah, I think you can get it expedited if you are deployed. I found a thread last night for military people. They got done really quick! I think I saw from filing to visa in like 4 months. I'm sorry I didn't bookmark it, but just look around. You either have to call or send in an additional paper, and you'll probably get the NOA2 super quick.

Looks from your profile like your deployment is over in a couple months, so I would file the expedite before it's over! Then maybe she'll be home shortly after you.

Posted by: Scott and Mhay Nov 20 2009, 02:38 AM

Yes that is what i was planning on doing. I will call them today when i am at work. I know it was said here that it wouldnt matter much since i am already deployed, but there is no harm in trying right? I figure all they can do is tell me no and I am still in the same boat as i was in before.