I have been one of the people unable to track our K3 spousal visa since receiving the NOA1 in July so I have been calling and enduring the hold times to get a status updates from an immigration officer every week. Most of the time the officer just finds my case and assures me that it is processing but today I spoke with a very helpful officer who has been through the process himself and he gave a lot more information and insight into what is going on.
The office I spoke with today says my file was last worked July 24 and that everything looked fine and that I should see an approval soon. I asked him about the IMBRA and RFE's. He advised that although that was still at the descretion of the officer processing the petition that the new forms were cutting a lot of those out and that he is starting to see the petitions a lot sooner now. He said unless an officer found an error he said I should see an approval soon. He also mentioned that the regular K1 fiance petitions are more closely monitored for fraud than if the petition is used for spouses already married as long as documentation is provided because the USCIS defers the security checks to the embassy level where the petition lands after the NVC.
The officer told me when I call for status updates, to always tell the customer rep that answers that you want to talk to an immigration officer, he said and officer has access to more information and your case and is in a better position to help you with information.
He was very familiar with the embassy in Manila and told me his own wife immigrated from there. He also advised me that as long as I follow the instructions through the rest of the process that is was reasonable to expect to have the wife here for Christmas.
He was explaining that several years ago, before President Bush signed legislation into law it had taken some petitioners up to 7 years to process their visas and that the process has been streamlined in recent years. Anyone else heard of this?
When I asked why I am unable to track the petition online or via the automated system on phone he said it must be a data entry error to get the receipt into the system but that it would in no way hold up the process, that the petition is moving forward as it should. At least I have my first touch date ha...July 24th
I know a lot of this is wishful thinking on my part but it does give me a bit of hope that the process is moving forward for us. I just wanted to share my conversation with this officer with you all and get your feedback on it.
I say a small prayer when I check my mail everyday ha.
