Greeting all,

Just by analyzing timelines I haven't been able to detect an advantage to using usps express.

Consider the following options:

USPS 1st class
USPS 1st class electronic tracking
USPS 1st class return receipt
USPS Express (potentially overnight)

Since 1st class mail generally arrives within 2-4 days, and express usually no less than 2 days. I am wondering waht the particular adavantage of going espress mail is, particularly if there is any delay at the PO Box because of the way express mail is handled.

Concerning return receipt, I think that the disadvantage to the return receipt is that a person must sign it before is can be delivered. This make take add an extra day or two over the mail pickup as a batch without retrun receipts.

To me at this point it seems that mailing USPS 1st class and using the USPS electronic tracking is the best method.

Please provide comment/opinion on these options.

i agre. Use USPS. Also, using a return signature card did not slow the process in my case

G&A,

I am curious.

How did you send your I-129f if you have not yet received your NOA-1 from your I-130?

If this works, I am extremely interested in knowing how to do it.

As I understand from everything I have read so far, the I-130 NOA-1 will have instructions on it on where to file the I-129f.

Correct me if I am wrong.

I prefer "Priority Mail" with delivery confirmation. It is two-day delivery and you can print a delivery confirmation from the USPS website.

I've had some problems with USPS lately. I used both the Priority Mail (with signature confirmation) and Registered Mail to send stuff to CSC. The Priority Mail took 21 days to get there (from Indiana) and the Registered Delivery took 10 days. I've not yet had the return card back in my mail box, well over 5 weeks after the fact, for either.

I'm not the greatest fan of theirs at the moment, so all I can say it cover your backside when using them!

When I sent my combined I-130/1-129F package, I was told it was either too large or too heavy to go first class. I would recommend Priority Mail with an email return receipt. It sent it on a friday and they tried to deliver it the next day but the package was received that monday.

The MSC took the USPS receipt with a signature from the INS office in Mesquite, and a front and back copy of the cancelled check as evidence that the I-130 was filed. If you can get the cancelled check, your future receipt number is on the back. They told me that this would suffice as evidence after I waited a month for the I-797 from California while they were having problems with their receipting system. My I-129F petition was received, recepted on July 20 and I just got the I-130 NOA 1 dated August 7th.

G&A,

I am curious.

How did you send your I-129f if you have not yet received your NOA-1 from your I-130?

If this works, I am extremely interested in knowing how to do it.

As I understand from everything I have read so far, the I-130 NOA-1 will have instructions on it on where to file the I-129f.

Correct me if I am wrong.
[/quote]

happy, as d&n mentioned, you can file your 129F without the 130 NOA1 since USCIS is have technical difficulties with getting the NOA1 out (CSC at least..) i got the case number from the cashed check and printed my case status from the USCIS website. Included both and the USPS signature receipt with my 129F petition.

good luck

You guys are great,

I have gained some insight in that the the advantage from using return receipt and getting a jump on filing the I-129f far outweighs a small one or two day delay that the may be caused by the signature requirement.

I sill have one question though. What guidlines are you using for where to file the I-129f. I was under the assumption the the I-130 NOA-1 would list instructions on where to send the I-129f? If the I-129f is sent to the wrong location and has to be fowarded to another processing center (at their pace and level of motivation) then I may actually be causing more delay to my case than just simply waiting for the I-130 NOA-1.

Read the new direct filing instructions.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/Up...iling062107.pdf

Things have changed. Since both petitions are to be mailed to the same service center there is no reason to wait for a receipt for the I-130. Just put it in the same envelope as your I-129F. That serves as proof you filed an I-130.

There has been quite a bit of discussion on this lately. I would also recommend you read some of the discussion about whether to even file the I-129F. For many, it is no longer to their advantage to do so. If you want both petitions to continue processing after NOA2, you'll need to clearly indicate your desire for Consular processing of the I-130 or kiss the possibility of CR1 goodbye.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/PN_i-129f.pdf

Push,

I think that I am still misunderstanding something.

I took this quote from the first pdf:



Sentince two is what led me to belive that I need to wait on the I-130 NOA-1 in the first place.

Living in FL my first I-130 will go out to the TSC.

I have seen other timelines tranferring other FL petitioners to the CSC.

Also the K-1 petitioners are discretely directed to VCS or CSC. But there is no specific address listed for the K-3 petitoners.

I will still file for the K-3, reason being that which ever is approved first K-3 or CR-1 will allow us to be together sooner. Work authorization is not an issue for us at this point and is much overshadowed by the desire to be togther as soon as possible.

Probably you are right. I did note that both of my petitions were actually picked up and signed for next day. Days apart are an eternity to us, if a few days difference doesn't matter. The only difference is cost, and that difference is insignificant (laughing a little) compared to overseas flights, processing fees, phone calls, and generally trying to maintain (2) separate households. Some are saying file both petitions together, if that is true that's a pretty good deal, I waited a MONTH for a NOA1 before I figured out that the cancelled check (by calling and raising hell at the customer service line - they wont even bother to check until 30 days are up) will suffice for a receipt. The signed USPS receipt, obtainable online, sort of establishes the flow of the petition, even if it doesn't show up on the other end for awhile. IF: I knew what I know now, I would have mailed my 129F as soon as the check cleared, would have saved 3 weeks in processing time - bleh.

Just by analyzing timelines I haven't been able to detect an advantage to using usps express.

Consider the following options:

USPS 1st class
USPS 1st class electronic tracking
USPS 1st class return receipt
USPS Express (potentially overnight)

Since 1st class mail generally arrives within 2-4 days, and express usually no less than 2 days. I am wondering waht the particular adavantage of going espress mail is, particularly if there is any delay at the PO Box because of the way express mail is handled.

Concerning return receipt, I think that the disadvantage to the return receipt is that a person must sign it before is can be delivered. This make take add an extra day or two over the mail pickup as a batch without retrun receipts.

To me at this point it seems that mailing USPS 1st class and using the USPS electronic tracking is the best method.

Please provide comment/opinion on these options.
[/quote]

I know that's what the instructions currently state. However, we've had members advise by USCIS to send the petitions together and others who sent them together and they were accepted. If you know whether to file your I-130 at California or Vermont, then you know where to file your I-129F.

CAUTION[color="#FF0000"][/color]

If you do not clearly indicate on your I-130 that you want Consular service, you will not see which route is faster. You will be locked into the K3 route.

Push,

Is block 22 on the 2nd page of the I-130 what you are referring to when you mention indication that you want Counsular service (see attatchment).

Also, looking back through the post I see that ColumbianoGringo, has filed both I-129f and I-130 concurrently as previsouly mentioned. It appears that he filed through the TSC, which is the same location the I-130 states for me being a FL resident. Contrarily the K-3 instructions do not list a location although I am pretty certain that the location would be CSC or VSC because those locations are listed for the K-1 (129f).

Looking at some other recent timelines I have seen a couple FL petitioners listing there petitions being rerouted from TSC to CSC. Would it be a safe bet just to send both I-130 and I-129f directly to CSC or shuold I go through TSC and let USCIS do the rerouting?

I would take a red pen and write "Consular Processing Please" near that spot but also bold it perhaps in red in the cover letter, then put a sticky note on the face of the petition again asking for Consular Service.

That section asks for the name of the Consulate whether you file an I-129F or not. I think it needs something more clear in this case.

Push, I think that you have made me as prepared as I am ever going to get, egarding these petitions. KUDOS!

My only issue now is the 50-50 gamble of which processing center to use, CSC or VSC. Based on a couple prior posts I read I see that TSC petitions have been rerouted through CSC so that is I which way I am going. Unfortunately I have also seen some post stating that CSC has been having problems, ie computer glitch, late notifications, etc.

Filing instructions for your State are in a link in side the direct filing press release. You do not get to choose which service center processes your petitions. If you send it to the wrong one it will be delayed while they transfer it.

OK let me inject another thought here.... I have been known for not reading the guidelines compleatly as bushbark knows well. What if there is something wrong with the paperwork? We file both at same time... Do we loose the money we send also??? AND by the way... HOW much is the cost of the I-129F now if we filed before the July deadline??????????????

This is the most complicated forum in correcting mistakes I have ever been on.. and trust me I have made a few.... sorry pushbrk for mistake on your username....

I think I will start a new thread.... What does your user name mean???? lol Kinda like the custom plates on a car.... shishhhhhhhhhh Anyway... sorry pushbrk!!!

[quote name='jlscott201' date='Aug 19 2007, 09:04 PM' post='1133108']
OK let me inject another thought here.... I have been known for not reading the guidelines compleatly as pushbrk knows well. What if there is something wrong with the paperwork? We file both at same time... Do we loose the money we send also??? AND by the way... HOW much is the cost of the I-129F now if we filed before the July deadline??????????????

If you send an I-129F now, there is no fee, regardless of when you sent your I-130. Filing both together now requires one fee only, the I-130 fee.

Pushbrk is, in fact, a 7 letter license plate abreviation for "Push Break", a popular basic pattern name used in West Coast Swing dancing. I never got the license plate.

Really???? Cool! Every little bit helps!



Interesting!!! hmmmm Swing dancing I never really learn to dance, but we did get some dance lessons before the wedding.
I play music all my life and never really learn to dance.

Thanks again!!!