Info for those K-1s waiting on NOA2, esp from VSC

[Faith & Andz 3]

Hi Everyone,

We hit 5 months of waiting for our NOA2 yesterday so I called USCIS today. They were way nicer than I expected, gave me some info that I wanted to pass on to all of you. May or may not be the truth.

The first person I spoke to was very nice but yes, clearly reading off her script. She acknowledged that my case was outside the 5 month waiting period for a reply and said she couldn't access any more information on her computer so she was going to "escalate my call". The next guy I got was not reading off a script and was also very nice. He said that what I see on the USCIS website (check your case status, etc.) actually has some fine print on the bottom that has the "last updated" date and it was currently 10/31/10 so more than likely he had more current info in his system. (Who knew?) Then he told me that USCIS (perhaps he was just referring to VSC) is currently processing K-1s that were filed on 7/10 and that mine was filed on 7/16 (my NOA1 was actually 7/21, but maybe 7/16 is when they received it???) So he said they are scheduled to give me a decision in 6 days. I told him I would be calling back in 6 days if I had no new info and he told me to please go ahead and do that but that I should have a decision in 6 days. He said he was an immigration officer.

Then I asked him about the information that is floating around that USCIS (specifically VSC) is backed up processing Temp Status Protection visas for Haitian refugees and that K-1s have been put on hold for that. He was like "where on earth did you get a story like that?" I told him someone who called USCIS was told that. He said no way would USCIS ever say or do that because the first thing that would happen in response would be that everyone who had filed before the Haitians would start complaining that things were happening out of order.

What do you all think? Anyone hear a story like this when they called USCIS? Do you think there's any truth in it?

Mari

NOA1 - 7/21 (VSC)

NOA2 - hoping for something in 6 days

I actually had a similar experience today! I called USCIS 3 times, and the 3rd time was the charm. Today, I got to talk to someone higher up. The customer rep acknowledged that I am out of the processing time but said the system would not allow her to put in a request to check the status at the VSC, so she would have to transfer me higher up the chain. The next lady I talked to was very nice and asked for my email to give to the VSC. She put in a request to see why no action has been taken on my case since July 17 (my NOA1 date) and said I should hear something back on January 6th by email. She then gave me a reference # so that if I don't get a response by that date, I can call USCIS and give them that number. When I called yesterday, the lady did not offer to put in a request, but she did verify what the officer told you. She said that they are working on July 10 petitions and for me to call back in 7 days. Hope this means good news!

[Faith & Andz 3]

Thank you for posting your conversation with the USCIS officer. It feels good to hear something very relevant and realistic rather than simply waiting and waiting and reading speculation and rumors from various posts on this site that turn out to be false.

I have just crossed the 4-month waiting mark, and I'm expecting my fiancee's visa will surpass the 5-month mark next month. But I would like to know one thing. How did you reach a USCIS officer on the phone? Which numbers did you dial in their automated system to reach an actual person? Your information is much appreciated.

Type 1, 2, 6. I think it's 1 for English, 2 for case status, and 6 for problem w/ the case. Wait time for me was only 1 or 2 mins.

[Ann&wes 1]

We got the same information when we called them last Friday Dec. 17, 2010. Our NOA1 was dated July 12 2010. The case officer said that we will hear from our case by Monday and if we don't we should call them back. Hopefully this will be the good news we've been waiting for. ;-)

[Fofochinho73 8]

This whole process is a joke! How is it possible that in the year 2010 in one of the greatest countries in the world it can take months to marry the person you love? Take down my address, verify all my information and come after me if something goes wrong, but this 5 month if your lucky thing is just torture! Thanks for the vent, lets storm the borders! hehe

[On the Road Again 2]

Hi Everyone,

We hit 5 months of waiting for our NOA2 yesterday so I called USCIS today. They were way nicer than I expected, gave me some info that I wanted to pass on to all of you. May or may not be the truth.

The first person I spoke to was very nice but yes, clearly reading off her script. She acknowledged that my case was outside the 5 month waiting period for a reply and said she couldn't access any more information on her computer so she was going to "escalate my call". The next guy I got was not reading off a script and was also very nice. He said that what I see on the USCIS website (check your case status, etc.) actually has some fine print on the bottom that has the "last updated" date and it was currently 10/31/10 so more than likely he had more current info in his system. (Who knew?) Then he told me that USCIS (perhaps he was just referring to VSC) is currently processing K-1s that were filed on 7/10 and that mine was filed on 7/16 (my NOA1 was actually 7/21, but maybe 7/16 is when they received it???) So he said they are scheduled to give me a decision in 6 days. I told him I would be calling back in 6 days if I had no new info and he told me to please go ahead and do that but that I should have a decision in 6 days. He said he was an immigration officer.

Then I asked him about the information that is floating around that USCIS (specifically VSC) is backed up processing Temp Status Protection visas for Haitian refugees and that K-1s have been put on hold for that. He was like "where on earth did you get a story like that?" I told him someone who called USCIS was told that. He said no way would USCIS ever say or do that because the first thing that would happen in response would be that everyone who had filed before the Haitians would start complaining that things were happening out of order.

What do you all think? Anyone hear a story like this when they called USCIS? Do you think there's any truth in it?

Mari

NOA1 - 7/21 (VSC)

NOA2 - hoping for something in 6 days

Thanks for information... I have been through this K-1 process more the once and I can tell you the same thing happens from year to year. People get crazy waiting. I remember one time they pickketed the TSC and some people actually were processed because of their protest. All you can do is wait. This K-1 ordeal is the same year after year so don't sweat it. Enjoy the ride it's what makes it all worth while. At one time VSC was doing K-1 visas in 3 months or less and I waited 9 months at the TSC.

[Yellowhead 12]

This whole process is a joke! How is it possible that in the year 2010 in one of the greatest countries in the world it can take months to marry the person you love? Take down my address, verify all my information and come after me if something goes wrong, but this 5 month if your lucky thing is just torture! Thanks for the vent, lets storm the borders! hehe

Who said it was one of the greatest countries in the world???

I think that is a major misconception. It is a different type of country. Great for some, not so great for others. Personally, I would rather stay in Canada than move to the USA, but we have no choice if my fiance and I have any chance in being together right now.

Opportunity is endless in the USA, but so are the wait times with government agencies

[jrmejia 31]

Since I filed August 2, based on what I read, I should be getting my NOA2 by mid Feb. Who knows.

[Sra Gomez 9]

Interesting information! Thanks for posting, and keep us updated on your NOA2 =)

[Peter&Nut 1]

Hi Everyone,

We hit 5 months of waiting for our NOA2 yesterday so I called USCIS today. They were way nicer than I expected, gave me some info that I wanted to pass on to all of you. May or may not be the truth.

The first person I spoke to was very nice but yes, clearly reading off her script. She acknowledged that my case was outside the 5 month waiting period for a reply and said she couldn't access any more information on her computer so she was going to "escalate my call". The next guy I got was not reading off a script and was also very nice. He said that what I see on the USCIS website (check your case status, etc.) actually has some fine print on the bottom that has the "last updated" date and it was currently 10/31/10 so more than likely he had more current info in his system. (Who knew?) Then he told me that USCIS (perhaps he was just referring to VSC) is currently processing K-1s that were filed on 7/10 and that mine was filed on 7/16 (my NOA1 was actually 7/21, but maybe 7/16 is when they received it???) So he said they are scheduled to give me a decision in 6 days. I told him I would be calling back in 6 days if I had no new info and he told me to please go ahead and do that but that I should have a decision in 6 days. He said he was an immigration officer.

Then I asked him about the information that is floating around that USCIS (specifically VSC) is backed up processing Temp Status Protection visas for Haitian refugees and that K-1s have been put on hold for that. He was like "where on earth did you get a story like that?" I told him someone who called USCIS was told that. He said no way would USCIS ever say or do that because the first thing that would happen in response would be that everyone who had filed before the Haitians would start complaining that things were happening out of order.

What do you all think? Anyone hear a story like this when they called USCIS? Do you think there's any truth in it?

Mari

NOA1 - 7/21 (VSC)

NOA2 - hoping for something in 6 days

[Peter&Nut 1]

Hi. I call December 17, when it was 5 months from my NOA1 July 17, and they told me, i am going to hear from them in 2 days. Today i call again but they told me to call in 15-30 days, because my i didnt hit the 5 months. Today is my 158th day. I told them that is 5 months and 6 days, but the computer do not accept that[158 days is less than 5 months].I dont know if we can believe what the say to us. Good luck. Thank you.

[Faith & Andz 3]

Hi. I call December 17, when it was 5 months from my NOA1 July 17, and they told me, i am going to hear from them in 2 days. Today i call again but they told me to call in 15-30 days, because my i didnt hit the 5 months. Today is my 158th day. I told them that is 5 months and 6 days, but the computer do not accept that[158 days is less than 5 months].I dont know if we can believe what the say to us. Good luck. Thank you.

Call them back; that's what happened to me, too. The rep said the computer wouldn't accept it based on the number of days, but she transferred me to an officer who put in a request to VSC.

[Adry&Edue 0]

Thank you Mari for sharing and best of luck!! Please keep us posted....6 days!!!!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi Everyone,

We hit 5 months of waiting for our NOA2 yesterday so I called USCIS today. They were way nicer than I expected, gave me some info that I wanted to pass on to all of you. May or may not be the truth.

The first person I spoke to was very nice but yes, clearly reading off her script. She acknowledged that my case was outside the 5 month waiting period for a reply and said she couldn't access any more information on her computer so she was going to "escalate my call". The next guy I got was not reading off a script and was also very nice. He said that what I see on the USCIS website (check your case status, etc.) actually has some fine print on the bottom that has the "last updated" date and it was currently 10/31/10 so more than likely he had more current info in his system. (Who knew?) Then he told me that USCIS (perhaps he was just referring to VSC) is currently processing K-1s that were filed on 7/10 and that mine was filed on 7/16 (my NOA1 was actually 7/21, but maybe 7/16 is when they received it???) So he said they are scheduled to give me a decision in 6 days. I told him I would be calling back in 6 days if I had no new info and he told me to please go ahead and do that but that I should have a decision in 6 days. He said he was an immigration officer.

Then I asked him about the information that is floating around that USCIS (specifically VSC) is backed up processing Temp Status Protection visas for Haitian refugees and that K-1s have been put on hold for that. He was like "where on earth did you get a story like that?" I told him someone who called USCIS was told that. He said no way would USCIS ever say or do that because the first thing that would happen in response would be that everyone who had filed before the Haitians would start complaining that things were happening out of order.

What do you all think? Anyone hear a story like this when they called USCIS? Do you think there's any truth in it?

Mari

NOA1 - 7/21 (VSC)

NOA2 - hoping for something in 6 days

There is no schedule at VSC. They are not "scheduled" to give you a decision. They are not backed up by Haitian applications any more than by any other applications. They MAY be "backed up" but trying to "blame it" on one type of application or another is silly. Neither what the USCIS person told you, or what you read about Haitians is correct. VSC and perhaps other Service Centers often change the focus of what they are working on or can be affected by such things as office changes and relocations. They got way behind when they moved most of the adjudicators to Essex, VT from St. Albans in late 2008.

The ONLY information you got from him that is accurate is that USCIS would never tell someone they were "backed up" by Haitian applications.

[I & JJ <3 9]

Hey,

So did you hear anything from VSC after the 6 days?