I-130 Filers March 2019

[Vvee 8]

2 hours ago, bird&bear said:

Looking at the guides again, you're absolutely right! Agh, I'm a doofus (the g1145 itself said it should be placed on top of "the first page of your immigration forms" which I presumed to mean the i-130 form itself!). Definitely going to ask the community here to check all my next steps, as I could have sworn I had the order right... It's such a shame that a tiny switch makes such a huge difference. 😣

 

Wellp, the wait continues! 

It could be interpreted that way as well 😁 They could be more specific, I think! I am already preparing for the next steps, we are currently reading about filing taxes and it is so frustrating. So many forms, so much mixed information, so many exceptions, and many things do not apply with a foreign spouse... After all the reading I've done, I feel like I should be on my way becoming an expert on immigration and taxation, yet I feel so confused and discouraged when I glimpse at the forms in the next stage.

 

53 minutes ago, afortunada said:

EDIT: Additionally, you can call in about one month after your petition was delivered to get your case number. Trust me, it feels "exciting" to have it, but it makes NO difference! Your petition is still just sitting... and sitting... and sitting... Along with the rest of ours So don't fret, dear!

 

Well said! Feels exciting to get it, but the excitement quickly fades away when you realize you won't be hearing from them in a loooooong looong time  I installed the case tracker app and played around for a while but realized it won't be too informative until we are getting closer to getting the NOA2.

[bird&bear 43]

2 hours ago, afortunada said:

 

You should still get e-notification! I also put my cover letter first, but I did indicate on the cover letter that the G-1145 form was attached. I then had my check payment as tab 2, and tab 3 contained G-1145 + I-130. So there is still hope! I didn't receive a text until a day or more after the withdrawal hit my bank account.

 

EDIT: Additionally, you can call in about one month after your petition was delivered to get your case number. Trust me, it feels "exciting" to have it, but it makes NO difference! Your petition is still just sitting... and sitting... and sitting... Along with the rest of ours So don't fret, dear!

Thank you so much! It sounds like we have the same set-up for our package, so fingers crossed I receive a text today or Monday!

 

1 hour ago, Vvee said:

It could be interpreted that way as well 😁 They could be more specific, I think! I am already preparing for the next steps, we are currently reading about filing taxes and it is so frustrating. So many forms, so much mixed information, so many exceptions, and many things do not apply with a foreign spouse... After all the reading I've done, I feel like I should be on my way becoming an expert on immigration and taxation, yet I feel so confused and discouraged when I glimpse at the forms in the next stage.

 

Well said! Feels exciting to get it, but the excitement quickly fades away when you realize you won't be hearing from them in a loooooong looong time  I installed the case tracker app and played around for a while but realized it won't be too informative until we are getting closer to getting the NOA2.

Logically I know it's a whole lot of waiting either way, but I'm dying to know which service center we'll be processed at... I'm a naturally anxious person and this process is my worst nightmare lol (I've got spreadsheets and spreadsheets of checklists, timelines, etc... They both help and worsen my anxiety hahaha). I know it sucks for all of us, but at the same time it's so comforting to know that I'm not alone and we're along for the same ride!

 

Thank you both for your kind words. ❤️ I'll do my best to breathe and be patient!

[afortunada 182]

3 hours ago, bird&bear said:

Thank you so much! It sounds like we have the same set-up for our package, so fingers crossed I receive a text today or Monday!

 

Logically I know it's a whole lot of waiting either way, but I'm dying to know which service center we'll be processed at... I'm a naturally anxious person and this process is my worst nightmare lol (I've got spreadsheets and spreadsheets of checklists, timelines, etc... They both help and worsen my anxiety hahaha). I know it sucks for all of us, but at the same time it's so comforting to know that I'm not alone and we're along for the same ride!

 

Thank you both for your kind words. ❤️ I'll do my best to breathe and be patient!

 

During this process for my hubby, patience was NOT my strong suit... I was one of those people who literally refreshed webpages probably 60 to 70 times a day waiting for things to happen. I think it was almost slightly helpful that I didn't find this website until about four months in to our USCIS wait, though, because once I joined here is when I learned a ton more info and learned about new ways to obsess about every little part of the process haha. Everything you're feeling is perfectly normal! 

[afortunada 182]

4 hours ago, Vvee said:

 

Well said! Feels exciting to get it, but the excitement quickly fades away when you realize you won't be hearing from them in a loooooong looong time  I installed the case tracker app and played around for a while but realized it won't be too informative until we are getting closer to getting the NOA2.

 

I love that app! The only other bit I found slightly helpful is to search as far back to find large groups that still say "Case Has Been Received" so that I have an idea of realistically how long things are being processed. For example, even though it says Potomac (where we are) is "super fast," I see large chunks of cases from five + months ago that still haven't been touched. So I think it's honestly more like six months? Who knows though.

[bird&bear 43]

1 hour ago, afortunada said:

 

During this process for my hubby, patience was NOT my strong suit... I was one of those people who literally refreshed webpages probably 60 to 70 times a day waiting for things to happen. I think it was almost slightly helpful that I didn't find this website until about four months in to our USCIS wait, though, because once I joined here is when I learned a ton more info and learned about new ways to obsess about every little part of the process haha. Everything you're feeling is perfectly normal! 

omg are you me?  I'm exactly the same--checking VJ all the time, adding to my notes constantly...

 

In other news, you were totally right--it's been a day since they charged my card, and I just got the text! Yay! Texas Service Center, if this place is right. Now to settle in for the long wait.

[jimfleurieee 22]

13 hours ago, bird&bear said:

They finally charged my credit card at about 6am PDT on 3/14, but who knows how much time actually elapsed between them having our petition in hand and then charging the card. 

 

Still no notification, though... Maybe it's because I put my cover letter on top of my enotification form? 😭

It doesn’t matter where you put your e-Notification form (G-1145). I actually put mine after my I-130A form. Key thing is have your payment (Check or G-1450) first at the top of your package. I put mine after my cover letter. 

 

Package was sent via USPS on March 4, USPS Delivered on March 6, my card went pending March 8 and cleared March 10. I received my notification via text on March 12 twice lol...

Edited March 15, 2019 by jimfleurieee

[Vvee 8]

7 hours ago, afortunada said:

 

I love that app! The only other bit I found slightly helpful is to search as far back to find large groups that still say "Case Has Been Received" so that I have an idea of realistically how long things are being processed. For example, even though it says Potomac (where we are) is "super fast," I see large chunks of cases from five + months ago that still haven't been touched. So I think it's honestly more like six months? Who knows though.

Ooh! That's interesting! And I try to keep in mind that the processing times change, for example, TSC just updated the estimated processing times and it moved (for USC filing for a spouse) from being between 6.5 and 8 to 7 and 9. I hope next month and the months after they'll be picking up the pace... 😊

 

6 hours ago, bird&bear said:

In other news, you were totally right--it's been a day since they charged my card, and I just got the text! Yay! Texas Service Center, if this place is right. Now to settle in for the long wait.

 

Yay!! ☺️ That's good news, I am happy for you! Yes, if it says SRC it is Texas! 

[Vvee 8]

6 hours ago, jimfleurieee said:

It doesn’t matter where you put your e-Notification form (G-1145). I actually put mine after my I-130A form. Key thing is have your payment (Check or G-1450) first at the top of your package. I put mine after my cover letter. 

 

Package was sent via USPS on March 4, USPS Delivered on March 6, my card went pending March 8 and cleared March 10. I received my notification via text on March 12 twice lol...

Good to know it doesn't matter 😊 Haha wow, you got two texts! Which service center?

[jimfleurieee 22]

24 minutes ago, Vvee said:

Good to know it doesn't matter 😊 Haha wow, you got two texts! Which service center?

I was hoping to get potomac but it seems like Californias arent so lucky and we are sent to Texas (SRC). Hopefully they speed things up like potomac.

[Vvee 8]

56 minutes ago, jimfleurieee said:

I was hoping to get potomac but it seems like Californias arent so lucky and we are sent to Texas (SRC). Hopefully they speed things up like potomac.

We were hoping for Potomac too, but luckily Texas is not the longest wait.

 

I was just talking to someone about the processing times and they said 3-4 years ago it didn't take this long at all. I am stressing over the long wait, especially since my husband will probably not be able to visit me and I won't get any guarantees about visiting him, as they could deny entry. I am trying to figure out how to get enough proof of ties to Finland (currently a student, just moved in with a family member so no lease). I'd rather not fly across the Atlantic just to be turned away 😅Is anyone else planning visits? What are you going to do?

[jimfleurieee 22]

1 hour ago, Vvee said:

We were hoping for Potomac too, but luckily Texas is not the longest wait.

 

I was just talking to someone about the processing times and they said 3-4 years ago it didn't take this long at all. I am stressing over the long wait, especially since my husband will probably not be able to visit me and I won't get any guarantees about visiting him, as they could deny entry. I am trying to figure out how to get enough proof of ties to Finland (currently a student, just moved in with a family member so no lease). I'd rather not fly across the Atlantic just to be turned away 😅Is anyone else planning visits? What are you going to do?

Is the NOA1 the text message or is it the physical mail you get in the mail? My wife and I is having a similar situation. She’s planning to visit me here in June also due to her one of her cousins wedding she would like to attend. She was debating changing her passport with her new surname. Who it be better she change it now or wait after she gets back. My only worry is if she gets her new passport will she lose the entry and depart stamps from her old passport. I think she has a strong enough reason to get denied for entry as she is an ofw in London and has a contract with her employer. In your case did you pay for your tuition already? Maybe that can be one of your proof, that you paid your tuition for the semester. Well good luck with trying to figure out other proof.

[RaLe 0]

Hi guys! 😊

We're in the process as well.

My husband is a us citizen and he is filing for me. We have been married for 5 years now. 

 

We are currently living in Finland and also filed from here. 

 

05/14/2018 - i-130 sent to USCIS 
05/23/2018 - recieved
05/29/2018 - accepted and routed to Nebraska Service Center

 

Now waiting for it to be approved. (10days late if we look at the estimated processing times on USCIS website..)

 

Fingers crossed! 🤞🏻

Edited March 16, 2019 by RaLe

[Scott001 119]

On 3/12/2019 at 3:59 PM, Scott001 said:

Guess I'll add to this thread so I'm not alone in waiting...

 

I-130 package mailed via USPS to Phoenix: 3/09/19

Package delivered (according to USPS website says): 3/12/19 

Payment cleared the bank: Not yet 😋

Processing Center: ????

 

Hope all goes well for everyone

Since I can't figure out how to edit a post here's my update:

 

I-130 package mailed via USPS to Phoenix: 3/09/19

Package delivered (according to USPS website says): 3/12/19 

USCIS confirmation text revived: 3/15/19 

 

Payment cleared the bank: Not yet 😋

Processing Center: ????

 

 

 

 

[jimfleurieee 22]

4 hours ago, RaLe said:

Hi guys! 😊

We're in the process as well.

My husband is a us citizen and he is filing for me. We have been married for 5 years now. 

 

We are currently living in Finland and also filed from here. 

 

05/14/2018 - i-130 sent to USCIS 
05/23/2018 - recieved
05/29/2018 - accepted and routed to Nebraska Service Center

 

Now waiting for it to be approved. (10days late if we look at the estimated processing times on USCIS website..)

 

Fingers crossed! 🤞🏻

Wow you been waiting awhile. If your outside the normal processing time i would strongly advise reach out to USCIS.

 

https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/displayONPTForm.do?sroPageType=onpt

 

USCIS Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283 or 1-800-767-1833(TTY).

 

Hopes everything works out for you.

[jimfleurieee 22]

3 hours ago, Scott001 said:

Since I can't figure out how to edit a post here's my update:

 

I-130 package mailed via USPS to Phoenix: 3/09/19

Package delivered (according to USPS website says): 3/12/19 

USCIS confirmation text revived: 3/15/19 

 

Payment cleared the bank: Not yet 😋

Processing Center: ????

 

 

 

 

Wow thats odd that you got the text and they haven’t taken your money lol.

As for the processing center (Service Center) its on the text message as your receipt information. The first 3 letters would tell you your service center.

 

– EAC – Vermont Service Center;
– VSC – Vermont Service Center;
– WAC – California Service Center;
– CSC – California Service Center;
– LIN – Nebraska Service Center;
– NSC – Nebraska Service Center;
– SRC – Texas Service Center;
– TSC – Texas Service Center;
– MSC – National Benefits Center;
– NBC – National Benefits Center;
– IOE – ELIS (e-Filing); and
– YSC – Potomac Service Center.

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 2019 by jimfleurieee