Zedayn

Good luck on the upcoming interview!

Ever wonder where your petition will go? CSC? TSC? Well, this question is asked by many new members here, and there are many mistakes made while filling out timelines. I decided to throw together a map that will help answer this question. Now, as with everything, there are exceptions to every rule and nothing is perfect (especially when dealing with the government), but after the research I have conducted and after comparing my data with a list recently provided from a immigration attorney's website, I believe the data is very accurate.
The map has two colors and applies to the home state that the petitioner lives in when the petition is filed. A red state will be processed at the CSC and a blue state will be processed at the TSC.
*** - Please understand that each petition is mailed to Texas. This is NOT NOT NOT the TSC. Understand? The lock box in Texas (NOT the TSC) will then screen the application for errors and ensure the payment is there and then "accept" the petition. They will then route (NOT TRANSFER) the petition to the service center that applies to the state you are a resident in. You will then receive a NOA1 which will include a file number which begins with 3 letters and has several numbers after them:
WAC = CSC
SRC = TSC
The NOA1 will also include a Notice Date and that is the date you begin counting from.
NOTE - This only applies to I-129F petitions for K-1 Visas. This also applies to NORMAL petitions and not expedites as far as I know. There may be a different process for determining where those are processed but I do not have any data to accurately support that.
I hope this helps clear up the where's and why's and if your particular situation is different, please don't kill the messenger. Like I said above, there are exceptions to every rule and only the USCIS (maybe) knows why.
If the mods determine this is accurate enough to sticky..please do. Thanks all and good luck on your journeys

This is a good point. In case you didn't know, that number in the beneficiary box on your NOA2--that is your Alien Registration number or A number.

You can start calling NVC every day. Sometimes you will get your case number quickly, other times it will take a while. My NOA2 was April 21, but I just received my case number yesterday--5 weeks after approval. Just be patient if it takes a while, because it will come. Don't worry about calling too much, I've called NVC every day for the last 4 weeks to get my case number.

Unlawful presence accumulates when the I-94 expires. While an AOS is in process...meaning from NOA1 date to a decision date...the accumulation of unlawful presence is put on hold. It will begin again, from the point it left off, when the AOS is denied. You do not accumulate days of unlawful presence while an AOS is in process.
Example:
You have 25 days of unlawful presence, and you receive your NOA1 from the AOS. To clarify, your 25 days is counted from the I-94 expiration until the NOA1 of the AOS.
When you receive the NOA1, you STILL HAVE 25 days of unlawful presence. BUT, you are no longer accumulating additional days.
During the entire time your AOS is pending, you STILL HAVE the same 25 days of unlawful presence.
Now, six months later (still only 25 days of unlawful presence), you receive a letter stating your pending AOS was denied. NOW you are accumulating days of unlawful presence again, ADDED TO the 25 you already have. So the next day, you will have 26 days...the day after that 27...etc.
Hope that clears things up a bit.

Hell and no, in that order. Members here owe you nothing. Either believe them or don't.
Additionally, people who've been members for eight days aren't really in a position to rewrite the rules.

You will need to include a final decree of annulment with the petition. You cannot file until you have it.

Putting UNKNOWN is not an issue for the G-325A, and no explanation is needed.

If your DS-3025 form was properly filled out, and your medical is less than 1 year, then all you need to include with your I-485 application is the DS-3025 form. Follow Jay-Kay's link to see if you have a properly filled out and complete DS-3025.

Ok, maybe you're not. Then again, maybe you are. Or maybe you aren't doing it at all.... which is still wrong.
Have you been looking at Igor's list trying to get an idea of how long your visa will take? That data is taken from the timelines other visa journey members take the time to fill out as their quest for a visa unfolds. This site is AMAZING and offers a lot of guidance and support that you won't get anywhere else, especially from USCIS. Don't just take, give back!
When you do update your timeline there are some things you can do to, well, not screw up.
For example:
When you send in your application, please note that just because it goes to a Texas address does not mean you sent it to the Texas Service Center. It means you sent it to the Lewisville, TX lockbox where it will be sorted out and then sent to the appropriate service center. THIS IS NOT A TRANSFER. The same would apply to other lockboxes as well. This is a mistake that is easy to make if you aren't familiar with the process but it does a lot of damage to the credibility of the timelines, especially for those at the Texas Service Center.
Also, pay attention to the consulate you select. I see a lot of people that have their consulate listed as "Armenia" when they are not anywhere near there.
Lastly, just update your timeline! When you enter in your dates for RFE, NOA2, Interviews, approvals and anything else, it gives people with similar circumstances an idea of what they are in for. You know this process is daunting, frustrating, time consuming, and confusing.... wouldn't you appreciate and guidance and help other than a "general processing time estimate" that is not necessarily taking your details into account?
Unfortunately due to data entry mistakes, Igor's List has become less of a reliable resource for some of us and the time frame estimates on our own completed timelines is not accurate at all. These are great resources if we can get people to participate AND put in details correctly.
If you have questions on how to do it please ask in this thread! Somebody will gladly answer.
If you have more suggestions on how to fill out the timeline correctly so we can all make better use of these free tools VJ gives us, please add!

You must have met each other in person within the last 2 years at the time of filing. If your petition was filed and the last time you met was 1 year 11 months ago, you are still within the time frame and you can file. This rule does not apply for the whole process, just at the time of filing the initial petition.

OMG! I think I'm dreaming! I never received a text or anything, but I checked my case status and it said:
On April 21, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E).
We were approved in 13 days!

Exactly this. When she decided to take up residency in the US, she at the same time decided to give up her residency in Australia.

In the link, replace Vermont with Texas Service Center (Vermont no longer processes I-129F petitions, TSC is processing them now).
Generally, the state you live in determines which service center you are processed at.

Yes WAC is California Service Center.

Yes original signatures are required. You can send him the documents by email, he can print them out and sign them, and just mail them back to you.

Yes original signatures are required. You can send him the documents by email, he can print them out and sign them, and just mail them back to you.

Yes original signatures are required. You can send him the documents by email, he can print them out and sign them, and just mail them back to you.

Just received our hard copy NOA1 in the mail!

I finally submitted my I-129F petition today April 3, 2014. And the waiting begins!
Any other April filers here?

Just got a text saying they received our case. Looks like I'm getting processed at CSC!

You becoming a US citizen is a VERY good reason why the visa was denied. It proves he has immigrant intent since he has a USC relative. He would actually need to work harder to prove he does not have immigrant intent.

The only thing that can be done to affect the speed of petition approval is to make sure your petition is well organized and everything required is included. Beyond that, there is nothing you can do.

The only thing that can be done to affect the speed of petition approval is to make sure your petition is well organized and everything required is included. Beyond that, there is nothing you can do.

Nope, can't do that. If you have a legitimate relationship, are serious about it, provide the proper documentation and have adequate financial sponsorship, then you WILL be approved. There is no luck involved.