NOA1 Not received, 3.5 months later.

[limejello 0]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forums and I'm kind of having a heart attack right now and I'm not sure whether I should or not.

My fiancee and I live together with our son here in Mexico, and the mail system is notoriously unreliable, so hopefully that's the cause, but I'm not sure. My mother was visiting in October and after I filled out all of the papers for my fiancee she took everything back to the U.S. to mail it. The address that I have on the forms is the address that I share here in Mexico with my fiancee. The problem is, I never received the NOA1, but after my mom sent the papers to the Vermont SC she received the return receipt dated October 28th, 2008. We have received absolutely nothing here. I also haven't received any emails or anything, which I thought I would if anything new happened with the application.

My uncle processed the exact same visa for my Aunt, who is from the Philippines, and she said that it took 3 months for her to receive the NOA1. The problem is, I don't even know where to begin with this, because without any sort of reference number, will they be able to look up the file so I can check to see where we are? Would it be a wise idea to change my mailing address on the app to my mom's address in the U.S. so that I can be more certain that any correspondence actually arrives?

I'm worried.

[Jasman0717 9]

Was the check cashed?

[limejello 0]

Yes, jasman, the check was cashed, I believe in November.

[daboyz 36]

Yes, jasman, the check was cashed, I believe in November.

If you have the canceled check it will have a number on the back starting with EAC or WAC. Once you get this number, you can call USCIS and ask them what is going on.

Yes, jasman, the check was cashed, I believe in November.

If you have the canceled check it will have a number on the back starting with EAC or WAC. This is your USCIS case number. Once you get this number, you can call USCIS and ask them what is going on.

[Matt-and-Annie 0]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forums and I'm kind of having a heart attack right now and I'm not sure whether I should or not.

My fiancee and I live together with our son here in Mexico, and the mail system is notoriously unreliable, so hopefully that's the cause, but I'm not sure. My mother was visiting in October and after I filled out all of the papers for my fiancee she took everything back to the U.S. to mail it. The address that I have on the forms is the address that I share here in Mexico with my fiancee. The problem is, I never received the NOA1, but after my mom sent the papers to the Vermont SC she received the return receipt dated October 28th, 2008. We have received absolutely nothing here. I also haven't received any emails or anything, which I thought I would if anything new happened with the application.

My uncle processed the exact same visa for my Aunt, who is from the Philippines, and she said that it took 3 months for her to receive the NOA1. The problem is, I don't even know where to begin with this, because without any sort of reference number, will they be able to look up the file so I can check to see where we are? Would it be a wise idea to change my mailing address on the app to my mom's address in the U.S. so that I can be more certain that any correspondence actually arrives?

I'm worried.

You mention your mother received the return receipt... I am assuming that means that they sign the forms showing they were received, like many posters already said check the cash check or call them they MIGHT just be able to help! you know the number? if not you can find it on the uscis.gov website...

[limejello 0]

Ok, I just double-checked with my mom and she said that the check was cashed in November. She was the one who made the check out. She is going to call tomorrow to ask about the case because currently for me to call the U.S. it works out at about a dollar a minute (cringe).

I'm just trying not to panic...

[Jasman0717 9]

If you have the canceled check it will have a number on the back starting with EAC or WAC. Once you get this number, you can call USCIS and ask them what is going on.

Yea, check the back of the check. Maybe the receipt NOA was lost in the mail. The important one, the approval NOA, is critical for future processes.

[Philosykos 0]

Sorry about your situation, it sucks not to know what's going on. Unfortunately, your mother will not be able to obtain information over the phone. The petitioner has to call, or at least be present. I know it because I tried it (I am the beneficiary), and all they could tell me was that the number I gave them (I had the case number) was valid.

Ok, I just double-checked with my mom and she said that the check was cashed in November. She was the one who made the check out. She is going to call tomorrow to ask about the case because currently for me to call the U.S. it works out at about a dollar a minute (cringe).

I'm just trying not to panic...

Edited February 6, 2009 by Philosykos

[Laura+Tom 2]

Is the return receipt the NOA1? Or was that something your mother got from the post office to say it had been delivered?

[limejello 0]

Hmmm... I'll have to try to figure out a way to call and find out what's going on. The return receipt that my mom got was from the post office saying that it had been received. I just don't know if my mom still has the check that was cashed or if maybe the bank has an image of the check.

[daboyz 36]

Hmmm... I'll have to try to figure out a way to call and find out what's going on. The return receipt that my mom got was from the post office saying that it had been received. I just don't know if my mom still has the check that was cashed or if maybe the bank has an image of the check.

Not sure which bank she uses. I use Bank of America, and I can see a copy of the front and back of the check online.

[limejello 0]

Ok, my mom sent me the check image and it DOES have a number after EAC stamped on the back, but the problem is that the very last digit is not readable (I don't know if it says 2 or 3 or 7). Zooming doesn't help! Do you think that if I call the INS and give them the other numbers they'll be able to figure out what the last digit is?

[Laura+Tom 2]

You could try and call your bank see if they can read the number off for you. Or try it here https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do changing the last number each time (hoping that no one else has a similar number!)

Edited February 6, 2009 by Laura+Tom

[limejello 0]

Awesome! Thanks, Laura + Tom! Ok, this is what it says:

On October 29, 2008, we received this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E), and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when yours will be done. This case is at our VERMONT SERVICE CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

Should I call them anyway and let them know that I never received the NOA1 or does it really matter?

[daboyz 36]

Awesome! Thanks, Laura + Tom! Ok, this is what it says:

On October 29, 2008, we received this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E), and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when yours will be done. This case is at our VERMONT SERVICE CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.

Should I call them anyway and let them know that I never received the NOA1 or does it really matter?

You can give it a shot. They're not very helpful there.