Ilovemypinoy

Hello VJ,

I contacted my congressman's office regarding the delay on K1 approvals at VSC. The answer she received is that they are currently processing May 28 applications. I explained that was the processing date as of Oct 30 as per their website. She told me that they don't lie about these things and they process them in order. I told her that I'm part of a forum and I know others that got approved that are after my NOA1 date of June 4. She responded that if I could get names and case IDs (after June 4) then she would ask USCIS to explain why others are approved but I'm not. I understand that others may not be comfortable sharing their info. I'm kind of upset at my congressman at this point... Since their representative said they believe USCIS over me, a registered voter. I will remember this next election.

I thought about just checking case IDs after mine and sending without names... Not sure if she will accept that though? Any thoughts? Should I drop this witch hunt or see if anyone is willing to send the info?

Thanks for suggestions!

My NOA1 is June 4 and I haven't heard a thing. Tier 1 and 2 can't seem to help because the last posted processing date is May 28. I wouldn't worry yet, I've been checking case IDs online close to my number and many are still waiting from June 4.

Expect to wait forever..... VERMONT is sooooo slowwwww

My NOA1 was June 5th. I'm still waiting..........

Agreed. I'm June 4th K1 Visa at VSC. No RFE... No updates since NOA1. I've called the service center and they can't help me. They say just to keep waiting. So I would not assume approval within 6 months... Maybe yes or maybe not...

I stayed at the Picasso hotel in Makati last month. I really liked it. The room was large, had everything we needed and was very clean. It had a small kitchen area which we did not end up needing. The staff were helpful and nice. The shower area was nice and large.

Cons: the taxi drivers had a hard time finding it and the security gave my fiancé a hard time about parking his scooter in their parking lot. Had trouble accessing the wifi in the room. Pro: There was a small lounge area on our floor. Wifi picked up there and they had two computers with Skype for their guests.

Most likely I will stay at Picasso again. It was one of the less expensive places in Makati area, probably more for business travelers but had everything this westerner needed.

I also stayed at Hotel Kimberly. I would consider it a budget hotel and prices were inexpensive. They upgraded me to a suite, I think because they were almost booked up. The room had everything we needed and was plenty big. All in all, a good deal. It is an older building and within walking to the mall. I liked the breakfast at the restaurant attached to the lobby. Walking to the mall was not pleasant since I hate the smog and litter on the streets of manila. Mostly for this reason I probably won't stay in this area again.

Congrats!!

I'm June 4th, I'm losing patience... I hope soon...

One more thing to add, Officer Bilbo instructed me to send the letter to Deputy Director. Not sure if that's different than district?

Lol!! I got officer Bilbo last week. She got an attitude with me from the start. She was very adament that there was nothing the call center could do for me... I did not accept this info and she suggested I could write a letter to the Director. I was still unhappy and she agreed to have her supervisor call me back the next day but instead she called me back. She gave me a service request # but explained it was not for an update on my case... It's a request to receive the current processing time for I129F.

I have called back a few times since then. Twice the customer service at Tier 1 suggested I set up an infopass appointment and speak to an USCIS officer.

It sux, the infopass office is an hour from my home and only have working business hours... I guess I will have to take off work. Hope it's fruitful.

Thanks

I have NOA1 on June 4. Since the update for October 30 did not reach my date, USCIS still refuses to help me. I spoke to a Tier 2 officer and have called a few times. I am happy for all that are approved but very frustrated I still must wait.

June 4 NOA1, waiting (impatiently lol).

I just came back from the Philippines, first time I've seen him in a year... Can't believe it's been so long... Feels even longer. The travel time is about 24 hours each way and I was only there 8 days. I miss him already, really wish I'd get to be one of the first approved... I'm still seeing early May approvals so I won't get too excited just yet.

He will come in March so even late approval shouldn't affect our plans (I hope). This way the pending visa approval shouldn't be controlling our lives. However, I find myself checking daily...

Wish all of you best of luck or divine intervention

Does anyone know about accessing WiFi for someone that already has Internet at home? My fiancé is using an old laptop at home and the connection has been poor lately. I am bringing him an iPad next month so we can communicate on apps (I have an iPhone). He mentioned he doesn't have WiFi at home and connects the laptop through USB. I'm no techie but I had assumed he used Ethernet and could just hook up a Wireless Router?

The next option would be wifi hotspots I guess.

Thanks!

It takes between 4-6 weeks for my fiancé to receive the post cards. Out of about 8, there are a couple he never received.

I would suggest including your voter Registration # when you send the letter.

It is a request to investigate the delay. They should assign a number and confirm if there is a service request put in.

Here is the process per USCIS website:

USCIS Update: Case Status Inquiries with the Service Centers

WASHINGTON - U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued instructions on making inquiries with the agency's four Service Centers. Customers, community-based organizations and liaison groups should follow this guidance when inquiring about case related issues. This new process standardizes customer service and streamlines processing of customer inquiries at USCIS Service Centers. The step-by-step instructions are as follows:

Step 1: Contact the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. The NCSC can assist customers, community-based organizations and liaison groups with case related inquiries. Before calling the NCSC please have available your receipt number, alien registration number, type of application filed and date filed. During your call we recommend that you take note of the following information:

-The name and/or id number of the NCSC representative

-The date and time of the call

-Any service request referral number, if a service referral on a pending case is taken

Step 2: If more than 15 days have passed since you contacted the NCSC and the issue has not been resolved or explained you can email the proper USCIS Service Center to check the status of your case.

-California Service Center: csc-ncsc-followup@dhs.gov

-Vermont Service Center: vsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov

-Nebraska Service Center: ncscfollowup.nsc@dhs.gov

-Texas Service Center: tsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov

Please note: Emails should be sent to the Service Center that has jurisdiction over your case. The receipt notice will indicate EAC for the Vermont Service Center, SRC for the Texas Service Center, LIN for the Nebraska Service Center, and WAC for the California Service Center.

When contacting the Service Centers by email you will need to provide the information outlined in Step 1. If the NCSC did not issue a service request after your call, please indicate the reason the NCSC representative did not issue the request.

Step 3: In the event you do not receive a response within 21 days of contacting the appropriate Service Center, you may email the USCIS Headquarters Office of Service Center Operations by email at: SCOPSSCATA@dhs.gov. You will receive a response from this email address within ten days.

hi,

would you please explain more?

how did you know about the update ? i have just checked my case and dont find any changes.

my husband applied for me in February,29,2012, in the website the processing time for the from I-130 is 5 months(VSC), and it is now mors than 6 months and we still havent received anything yet!

The website was updated today: https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processingTimesDisplay.do

You are right, still showing 5 months for I30. Do you have a service request? Suggest you call and speak to Tier 2 if they won't give you a service request.

I just got off the phone with USCIS (1-800-375-5283) and after not finding the current correct number sequence anywhere, I patiently went through the menu and got it. It is... 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2. BUT PLEASE REMEMBER!!! When you do get your agent on the phone, be polite!!! If you aren't, don't expect any help. They're there to help you and they will if they are able. But remember they are bound by restrictions and what the system lets them do. They can't magically get you a NOA2. So be patient with them, and they'll be with you. I was lucky and the guy I got was really helpful. And I didn't have to ask for a Tier 2 rep or anything like that. I thought about that as I was calling and figured, just because that's how it used to be, doesn't mean it is now. And it worked out for me!

I was able to get a Service Request put in because my case (NOA1 on 2/24/2012... they said 2/23/2012) is outside the "normal processing times." They looked up the Vermont Service Center and said that they are currently processing February 27th (as of 9/13/2012). I haven't seen that anywhere else either, so I figured it would be helpful for some. If you're after that date and already got your NOA2, congrats! Yes, all the rest of us are jealous, lol. But anyone before the 27th with their NOA1, if you want, put in a service request if you haven't done so yet. And good luck everyone.

They updated the processing times today... https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processingTimesDisplay.do

What they told you is definitely not true. I would call back again and speak to someone else. I called this very morning and was told that they are up to February 27th. Mine is the 23rd and I was able to file a service request.

Agreed. The website has date February 27th (updated today).

Per USCIS:

"If the office is processing a particular type of application in less time than our processing goal, you will see the processing times expressed in months (for example, if the office is processing naturalization applications in less than our 5 month goal, the processing time will state "Five Months"). However, if that office is taking longer than our processing goal to handle the form type in question, you will see the filing date (e.g., "April 10, 2003") of the last case we processed on the date the website chart was last updated. The charts are updated on or about the 15th day of each month.

IMPORTANT: If your receipt notice date is earlier then the processing date shown, we suggest you call our USCIS Customer Service Office at 1-800-375-5283 for assistance."

Well... USCIS finally updated the Processing Time on their site.... No longer states 5 months, now it has February 27, 2012 listed. Updated today.

Field Office Processing Dates for Vermont Service Center as of: July 31, 2012

A suggestion... you could apply to take this up at the quarterly stakeholders meeting. If I am understanding correctly, you would not need to be in person at the meeting but could attend over the phone. To submit an agenda item, it would need to be drafted and sent by Sept. 10th.

More details: http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?bc=26284|41144

If anyone would like to to go the "extra mile" and push for answers on this topic, you could apply to take this up at the quarterly stakeholders meeting. If I am understanding correctly, you would not need to be in person at the meeting but could attend over the phone. To submit an agenda item, it would need to be drafted and sent by Sept. 10th.

More details: http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?bc=26284|41144

If anyone would like to to go the "extra mile" and push for answers on this topic, you could apply to take this up at the quarterly stakeholders meeting. If I am understanding correctly, you would not need to be in person at the meeting but could attend over the phone. To submit an agenda item, it would need to be drafted and sent by Sept. 10th.

More details: http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?bc=26284|41144

I met him on a business trip in Philippines. I went back a few months later to see him for a short trip... I knew by then I wanted to be with him... We tried calling and emailing... The long distance was difficult for us with our busy schedules and it took more time before we decided to be exclusive. Now we have adjusted to our schedules I guess bc we chat online regularly. Also I will see him in November. I read somewhere that if you spend everyday thinking about something then why would you want to spend your life without it? Something like that anyway. Some of my friends and family don't understand, they want me to marry an American. I don't care what anyone thinks, he's the only man for me.

Today is exactly one month since my K1 package arrived at USCIS. I only hope the next four months don't seem as slow... It helped to spend some time this month planning my trip to see him in November but we've already got the entire trip planned now lol. I work a lot but still every day I can't help but count down... I get through it by reminding myself that his family will miss him when he moves and he can use this as quality time with them...

If it were me and I was worried about the abuse accusation, I'd set up some nanny spy cams... Living apart would probably be better but just in case you are alone together, have a plan...

I sent three post cards in June, starting on the second of June... Not one of them has arrived to the destination yet and they were not returned. I checked the address and it is correct. Has anyone else had issues with the mail? Thanks

I've stayed at Eastwood Richmond in Quezon City, it was a great price and I would recommend. The staff is very friendly, the food is good and the rooftop pool and gym are great. Suggest getting a suite if you stay, much nicer than their regular room.

I stayed in a corner suite at Holiday Inn Galleria. The views of the city were amazing with windows floor to ceiling. It was attached to the mall so you didn't have to leave to get there. The room was expensive but very nice. I found that everything costs extra and is expensive, including wifi, so be prepared. The front desk staff were unfriendly. The rooms were large, shower was great, bed was awesome and the suite looked upscale.

I've stayed at the Go Hotel. It's a bargain hotel, can't beat their low prices. I added breakfast and airport transportation and it was still cheaply priced. The restaurant attached to the lobby was pretty good. The hotel stores your luggage in a locked room for cheap, this is great if you are traveling to other places. Negatives: the room was bare bones and no windows... The sheets were not cleaned to my satisfaction, the phone did not work and the safe was broken. Also the shower is great but you must wait a long time for the water to get warm. Free wifi but it didnt work in the room, which is alright because every floor has a lounging area that picked up the wifi signal. I don't plan on staying again.

I'm staying at Picasso on my next visit, will update with a review...