January 2018 I-129F Filers, Part II

[LuFlolady 881]

15 minutes ago, D&B said:

Without a doubt crazy. The information we look for on our online accounts is far too important for there to be glitches that may or may not give us accurate information. People who are relying only on their online account information may or may not be receiving accurate data. It's a toss of the coin whether you are getting the right information or not. Thank God I have my NOA2 in hand or I'd still be doubting if I actually had an approval.

 

But remember after the NOA2 all those still waiting may play a little catch up in the process as I understand from information posted on visa journey that NVC only sends batches to the consulates. The next batch is apparently September 4 and it is probably unlikely mine will be received and sent in that batch. So mine most likely won't get sent until the September 18th batch. Which means many of you just a couple of weeks behind me will play catch up and we'll be sent to our embassies at the same time. Hope that makes sense and puts a little glimmer of sunshine into this excruciating wait.

make lots of sense thanks for sharing... I am hope I'm in the 18th batch too

[LuFlolady 881]

16 minutes ago, Adam Zollinger said:

maybe USCIS just finally got their sh*t together and started pumping out progress. Either way, It means we are close to the end! 

 

YAAAAASSSS! closer to the end rather than the beginning

[PaddyH 17]

I am at day 222 mark since NOA1. My timeline is: 

 

Advised that case in background checks 8/9

Outside Normal Processing Time 8/18

Filed Inquiry 8/20

Assigned to another agent 8/21

Congress Rep Requested Update 8/24

 

After calling and being transferred to a Tier 2 agent twice today and being disconnected, the third time was a charm. The update I got was that the last day my case was touched was when it was assigned to an agent 8/21. They were unable to provide any additional detail around if the background checks were complete and it was in adjudication. 

 

Has anybody else had any joy with figuring out where in the process the case is from talking to Tier 2 (especially those that call every day) ?

Edited August 29, 2018 by PaddyH

[SilverMonk 194]

13 minutes ago, PaddyH said:

I am at day 222 mark since NOA1. My timeline is: 

 

Advised that case in background checks 8/9

Outside Normal Processing Time 8/18

Filed Inquiry 8/20

Assigned to another agent 8/21

Congress Rep Requested Update 8/24

 

After calling and being transferred to a Tier 2 agent twice today and being disconnected, the third time was a charm. The update I got was that the last day my case was touched was when it was assigned to an agent 8/21. They were unable to provide any additional detail around if the background checks were complete and it was in adjudication. 

 

Has anybody else had any joy with figuring out where in the process the case is from talking to Tier 2 (especially those that call every day) ?

If you read my post from yesterday you'll see that were in the same situation "security checks" and we have more or less the same dates (day 225 old site).

 

And about your question, some seem lucky and are able to get an agent that goes the extra mile to help them and others get agents that just tell them the first thing that shows up on their screen. Which is that are case is still processing lol.

 

If on 8/9 you found out that your case was in background checks that's already a good sign because I had to make an official inquiry to find that out. But how were you able to find that out btw?

[Samursa 16]

2 hours ago, LuFlolady said:

yep I had to dial up an extra dose of patience myself but now that I have booked travel to see my BOO! lol I am easy peasy lol

That will definitely ease the pain of waiting! I just spent a week in Budapest with mine. It’s a shame we couldn’t celebrate the approval last week but we’ll take what we can get.

[PaddyH 17]

7 minutes ago, SilverMonk said:

If you read my post from yesterday you'll see that were in the same situation "security checks" and we have more or less the same dates (day 225 old site).

 

And about your question, some seem lucky and are able to get an agent that goes the extra mile to help them and others get agents that just tell them the first thing that shows up on their screen. Which is that are case is still processing lol.

 

If on 8/9 you found out that your case was in background checks that's already a good sign because I had to make an official inquiry to find that out. But how were you able to find that out btw?

I have been ringing and asking to talk to a Tier 2 nearly every day. Most days you get the usual scripted story but if you get someone that seems helpful i always try to push them on where exactly in the process my case is:

 

Is it still in background checks?

Is it at the adjudication step? 

Is there an RFE?

When was the last activity on my case?

When should i expect to hear from someone?

 

Sometimes they give you a little more insight, previously an agent told me that i had passed all initial background checks (8/9) and that it should be smooth sailing from there but that it was still in background processing, he did however have to pull up some separate database to view this. I think after today a good idea is to ask what exact date your case was last updated, they definitely have that information available to them.

[SilverMonk 194]

25 minutes ago, PaddyH said:

I have been ringing and asking to talk to a Tier 2 nearly every day. Most days you get the usual scripted story but if you get someone that seems helpful i always try to push them on where exactly in the process my case is:

 

Is it still in background checks?

Is it at the adjudication step? 

Is there an RFE?

When was the last activity on my case?

When should i expect to hear from someone?

 

Sometimes they give you a little more insight, previously an agent told me that i had passed all initial background checks (8/9) and that it should be smooth sailing from there but that it was still in background processing, he did however have to pull up some separate database to view this. I think after today a good idea is to ask what exact date your case was last updated, they definitely have that information available to them.

Yeah I wished my fiancee did that too but she's more of the type "Ok. Thank you. Bye"

 

Have you gotten answers to any of those 5 questions you used as an example because I'd like to know the answer to all of them too lol.

 

Maybe from calling you know if the adjudication step is after the background check or before?

 

Yeah I'll pass onto my fiancee all the information you just gave me. It's a little frustrating talking to her about this tho because I'm the type that does what is needed to get things moving and she's more the type that waits it out and says calling wont do anything and that it's "wasting her time".

[PaddyH 17]

48 minutes ago, SilverMonk said:

Yeah I wished my fiancee did that too but she's more of the type "Ok. Thank you. Bye"

 

Have you gotten answers to any of those 5 questions you used as an example because I'd like to know the answer to all of them too lol.

 

Maybe from calling you know if the adjudication step is after the background check or before?

 

Yeah I'll pass onto my fiancee all the information you just gave me. It's a little frustrating talking to her about this tho because I'm the type that does what is needed to get things moving and she's more the type that waits it out and says calling wont do anything and that it's "wasting her time".

To be honest most times you don't get any specific answers. But I have previously found out that i was in background checks and it seems that the adjudication step occurs once backgrounds checks clear. For the background checks they definitely send them somewhere else or some other department but i have no clue where. Finding out when the last activity on your case is something i was provided today (even though it only advised it was assigned to another officer). At the very least this much information will tell you if you are still in background. If it is in July i would definitely say still background, while if it's recent then highly unlikely to be in background.

Don't worry about your fiancee not being the pushy type, if I am being honest, like everyone else here I don't think it makes any difference either way. At the end of the day they'll get to it when they get to it. Having more information in the meantime is nice but won't have any impact on USCIS timelines.

[midwinterrose 263]

Submitted inquiry online for being outside of normal processing times today, says I should get a response by September 20th.  I haven't called them yet...I haven't decided if misinformation is better or worse than no information. 

[V&R2018 12]

On 8/27/2018 at 6:28 PM, Greenbaum said:

To answer the "signature" question I offer this. This debate has been going back for a number of years. I have not found anything other then what is in the instructions. USCIS does require a wet signature but does require a handwritten signature (so copy would be fine) but the Embassy can be different. I haven't heard anyone get an RFE for not having a wet signature but again some say yes others say no. Now, if you read the "instructions" below it just says "signed" AOS from the petitioner but it goes on to say Applicants (beneficiary's) may bring blah blah which I believe allows you to not have to present the "wet" signature. So I can't say without doubt that a wet signature is required. It's up to your Embassy to be factual. If you have time and email address contact your Embassy and see what they say. Couldn't hurt. Please let me know what you find out.

 

- A signed Affidavit of Support from your petitioner and any additional financial sponsors who submitted a Form I-864 on behalf of your visa application.  Applicants may bring photocopies and scanned versions of signed Forms I-864 and associated documents. (Please note that the form must still be signed; typed names and electronic signatures will not be accepted.)

Thank you! I’ll consider this and let you know ☺️

On 8/28/2018 at 8:01 AM, vickacy2002 said:

NOA1 Jan 5,2018

Case Inquiry Aug 8, 2018
RFE notice Aug 15,2018
RFE letter received Aug 21,2018 (My fiancee intent to Marry)
RFE sent back Aug 23, 2018 (Fiancee emailed me scanned copy of her intent to marry)
RFE mail arrived the CA center Aug 27,2018
RFE received notice of action notification via email and text.  New site  updated to Evidence was received Aug 28,2018 at 5:14 am CDT
NOA 2 XXXXXX

 

Round two wait game begins. Hope it does not last long this time. My 30 days case inquiry ends on Sep 8, 2018. Hope I get approved before that date. I will be hitting 8 months on Sep 5, 2018. Not a good feeling.

•  

Mine took 5 days to be approved after they received my RFE. Hopefully yours too ☺️

[Greenbaum 12,258]

4 hours ago, PaddyH said:

I have been ringing and asking to talk to a Tier 2 nearly every day. Most days you get the usual scripted story but if you get someone that seems helpful i always try to push them on where exactly in the process my case is:

 

Is it still in background checks?

Is it at the adjudication step? 

Is there an RFE?

When was the last activity on my case?

When should i expect to hear from someone?

 

Sometimes they give you a little more insight, previously an agent told me that i had passed all initial background checks (8/9) and that it should be smooth sailing from there but that it was still in background processing, he did however have to pull up some separate database to view this. I think after today a good idea is to ask what exact date your case was last updated, they definitely have that information available to them.

 

4 hours ago, SilverMonk said:

Yeah I wished my fiancee did that too but she's more of the type "Ok. Thank you. Bye"

 

Have you gotten answers to any of those 5 questions you used as an example because I'd like to know the answer to all of them too lol.

 

Maybe from calling you know if the adjudication step is after the background check or before?

 

Yeah I'll pass onto my fiancee all the information you just gave me. It's a little frustrating talking to her about this tho because I'm the type that does what is needed to get things moving and she's more the type that waits it out and says calling wont do anything and that it's "wasting her time".

 

3 hours ago, PaddyH said:

To be honest most times you don't get any specific answers. But I have previously found out that i was in background checks and it seems that the adjudication step occurs once backgrounds checks clear. For the background checks they definitely send them somewhere else or some other department but i have no clue where. Finding out when the last activity on your case is something i was provided today (even though it only advised it was assigned to another officer). At the very least this much information will tell you if you are still in background. If it is in July i would definitely say still background, while if it's recent then highly unlikely to be in background.

Don't worry about your fiancee not being the pushy type, if I am being honest, like everyone else here I don't think it makes any difference either way. At the end of the day they'll get to it when they get to it. Having more information in the meantime is nice but won't have any impact on USCIS timelines.

It's your lucky day. Greenbaum has information that may set you free. Just leave a nickel in the cup.

 

https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy_pia_uscis_ibbcs.pdf

 

As part of its benefits adjudication process and as required by law, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts background checks on petitioners and applicants who seek certain immigration benefits. These background checks consist of four separate checks against systems within Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In order to facilitate the collection and transmission of information necessary to complete background check processes, USCIS maintains five information technology electronic systems: the Fingerprint Masthead Notification System (FMNS), the Customer Identity Capture System (CICS), the FD-258 Tracking System - Mainframe (FD-258 MF), the Benefits Biometrics Support System (BBSS), and the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) Manifest. USCIS is conducting this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because FMNS, CICS, FD-258 MF, BBSS, and IBIS Manifest collect, use, and share personally identifiable information (PII). This PIA replaces the previously published USCIS PIA for the "Background Check Service (BCS)" which describes planned background check-related systems that were never implemented. Upon publication of this PIA, the BCS PIA will be retired.

 

And two days ago I posted an interview that was taken from an XUSICS agent who spoke about his job as adjudicator and what steps they took to come to a conclusion. Go back a few tabs and you may find the link.

Edited August 29, 2018 by Greenbaum

[Inna2404 8]

Hello all, after 7 months and an inquary we took an answer: RFE

Please I’m so worried, do you know what that means?

[GP1977 288]

6 hours ago, D&B said:

 

 

But remember after the NOA2 all those still waiting may play a little catch up in the process as I understand from information posted on visa journey that NVC only sends batches to the consulates. The next batch is apparently September 4 and it is probably unlikely mine will be received and sent in that batch. So mine most likely won't get sent until the September 18th batch. Which means many of you just a couple of weeks behind me will play catch up and we'll be sent to our embassies at the same time. Hope that makes sense and puts a little glimmer of sunshine into this excruciating wait.

Yes that is correct. It’s taking anywhere from 10-15 business days after noa2 to get your case number from nvc and it’s also my understanding they send out cases every 2 weeks. The last batch went out Aug 21 but there were people who got their case number aug 17 and didn’t get sent out in that batch. I am 11 business days waiting and should get any day now but recognize I might not get sent out sept 4 and then have to wait another 2 weeks. Patience patience patience 

[Adam Zollinger 130]

39 minutes ago, Inna2404 said:

Hello all, after 7 months and an inquary we took an answer: RFE

Please I’m so worried, do you know what that means?

Me too. Don't worry. It is usually something simple, and once you return the requested info then your case will get approved shortly after. At least that is what everyone is saying... My RFE was sent out on 8/28 and I should get it in a few days. I have no idea what it is for. 

 

Don't worry  

[GP1977 288]

39 minutes ago, Inna2404 said:

Hello all, after 7 months and an inquary we took an answer: RFE

Please I’m so worried, do you know what that means?

It means a request for evidence.

 

It’s good it means they touched your case and you have left some information out of your petition and they are requesting that evidence. You will be getting a letter from uscis over the next week or two explaining what they are asking for. Follow the instructions carefully and you will get noa2 by replying with what they are asking for.