I-130 Online Filers

[kiwi2426 12]

Hi, I wanted to start a new topic for those of us who applied using the new online application given that little is known about how this process will work. For those who are debating, the online process was super simple. You fill out an online form that basically auto-populates the I-130 PDF form that we all are familiar with and you get a download-able PDF version all filled out at the end. You are allowed to upload all you evidence as pdf or jpeg files. I did pdfs. I didn't have an issue with page/file limits as some others are mentioning but my longest file (relationship timeline) was only 9 pages long. We had the paper application all ready to go but I liked the idea of security in knowing that all the materials that were sent had arrived and I wouldn't have to stress about that.

 

We filed and received an IOE number and notification that our case had be accepted for review the very next day. On the case status, it says that our case is "being processed at our Integrated Operating Env location". Not sure what this means but have reached out for clarification. Will let you know what I hear.

[Quarknase 1,072]

Hello,

 

Great Idea! We filed online today, received an IOE number and within a couple of hours it stated "Your benefit request has been accepted and is under review." so I am assuming we're in the queue

[Austin 25]

22 hours ago, Quarknase said:

Hello,

 

Great Idea! We filed online today, received an IOE number and within a couple of hours it stated "Your benefit request has been accepted and is under review." so I am assuming we're in the queue

Looks like online filing will be faster

[Quarknase 1,072]

2 hours ago, Austin said:

Looks like online filing will be faster

Is this confirmed - do you have a source for this? All I was able to find is that there was a pilot project expediting the first batch of IOE numbers, but not the current actual online filings.

 

We're F-2A (technically wrong forum, but part of the currently small online filer group that's why I'm here), so I don't expect to be processed faster in any way hehe...

[LilyJ 1,258]

18 minutes ago, Quarknase said:

Is this confirmed - do you have a source for this? All I was able to find is that there was a pilot project expediting the first batch of IOE numbers, but not the current actual online filings.

 

We're F-2A (technically wrong forum, but part of the currently small online filer group that's why I'm here), so I don't expect to be processed faster in any way hehe...

Online is faster to be received, not faster to be processed. That would require a shorter queue with less petitions. Processing time stays the same, theyre just able to get the petition maybe a few days to a week sooner. Only way processing times will go down is if there’s less petitions, but there’s more and more petitions every year, so I don’t think it’s going to go down any time soon for anyone. Saves paper, though 

[Quarknase 1,072]

12 minutes ago, LilyJ said:

Online is faster to be received, not faster to be processed. That would require a shorter queue with less petitions. Processing time stays the same, theyre just able to get the petition maybe a few days to a week sooner. Only way processing times will go down is if there’s less petitions, but there’s more and more petitions every year, so I don’t think it’s going to go down any time soon for anyone. Saves paper, though 

that's what I thought. Thanks.

 

So there's growing backlog in I-130 approvals for F-2A while visas are available (PD current)? That's so strange. It used to be the opposite. I found some sources that stated no backlog in I-130 processing at the moment, but when I look at the wait times it's hard to believe

 

Time will tell...

[LilyJ 1,258]

38 minutes ago, Quarknase said:

that's what I thought. Thanks.

 

So there's growing backlog in I-130 approvals for F-2A while visas are available (PD current)? That's so strange. It used to be the opposite. I found some sources that stated no backlog in I-130 processing at the moment, but when I look at the wait times it's hard to believe

 

Time will tell...

Not sure about F2A, but CR1/IR1 petitions are extremely backlogged and the amount of petitions people are sending in is only growing, but the fact that F2A visas do have to wait to become current also means that online filing won’t help much to speed up the visa process either since a visa can’t be had until PD is current either way. As for CR1/IR1, the backlog is ever growing and the only way processing time will be faster is if the backlog is lessened. But since more and more people are sending petitions, and USCIS doesn’t seem to be hiring any additional personnel, online filing doesn’t save anything but paper unfortunately, since the backlog is still there

[Ryan H 3,790]

**Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports; non-English posts removed.**

[AlexTragedy 20]

Hi!

If you file online how do you attach your fee payment confirmation / how do you pay if not via check?

When mailing your application the traditional way you obviously attach the payment via check, what about online?

 

Thank you!

 

[Skaur0609 145]

Maybe they will review your online file sooner compare to other to make sure form is working correctly. You never know. Good luck to you all. 

[Skaur0609 145]

On 11/12/2019 at 4:04 AM, kiwi2426 said:

 On the case status, it says that our case is "being processed at our Integrated Operating Env location". Not sure what this means but have reached out for clarification. Will let you know what I hear.

I had the same thing on my status when I filed in July. Now you just wait for it get approved. I have question do the online file get center assigned. My assumption is that with online applications, you won't be assigned center anymore since they dont have to send physical files anymore. It will eventually be same processing time for everyone. 

[Quarknase 1,072]

22 hours ago, LilyJ said:

Not sure about F2A, but CR1/IR1 petitions are extremely backlogged and the amount of petitions people are sending in is only growing, but the fact that F2A visas do have to wait to become current also means that online filing won’t help much to speed up the visa process either since a visa can’t be had until PD is current either way. As for CR1/IR1, the backlog is ever growing and the only way processing time will be faster is if the backlog is lessened. But since more and more people are sending petitions, and USCIS doesn’t seem to be hiring any additional personnel, online filing doesn’t save anything but paper unfortunately, since the backlog is still there

F2A visa bulletin has been current since July - there is no wait at the moment. That's why I was curious.

[Quarknase 1,072]

10 hours ago, AlexTragedy said:

Hi!

If you file online how do you attach your fee payment confirmation / how do you pay if not via check?

When mailing your application the traditional way you obviously attach the payment via check, what about online?

 

Thank you!

 

At the end of the form, after reviewing and clicking "submit", you'll be re-directed to online payment. I paid via credit card, got charged within minutes and received our case number momentarily.

[Quarknase 1,072]

6 hours ago, Skaur0609 said:

I had the same thing on my status when I filed in July. Now you just wait for it get approved. I have question do the online file get center assigned. My assumption is that with online applications, you won't be assigned center anymore since they dont have to send physical files anymore. It will eventually be same processing time for everyone. 

Interesting question. Some research here showed that folks filing via mail have been assigned IOE numbers since July (after an earlier pilot in March) and with those numbers they were assigned to any of the centers. Sounds like you were one of them? Maybe worth noticing that centers that have been assigned as per notice of action seemed to be inaccurate (hotline told callers that Texas had their case, even though paper notice stated California).

I assume this process was a "test" before the full online rollout, in which USCIS scanned the documents and entered in the system where we now file online directly.

 

For efficiency purposes, I hope that your assumption is right and all IOE petitions end up in one online queue and centers claim in the order received, once they have capacity to review/process the petition. 

[cbro 58]

On 11/14/2019 at 9:46 AM, LilyJ said:

Only way processing times will go down

I would hope/assume that as paper forms are processed and cleared from the queues, and the percentage of electronic forms turns the majority/only form of the 130, that the processing times should balance out across all the centers... The waiting time would then I assume be only related to the form itself and not the service center too.  

 

EDIT - just realized this was said by the guys above, obviously not rocket science 😉 (you'd think)

Edited November 15, 2019 by cbro
just realized this was said by the guys above