drbilldc

We sent our petition on July 27th and did not receive an NOA1 until September 27th. However, USCIS did acknowledge that we sent the application in earlier.

There are two dates on the NOA1; 'notice date' which acknowledges when USCIS processed the receipt and 'received date' which acknowledges actual receipt of your petition into their mailroom.

USCIS state they adjudicate petitions in order of 'received date' (although you should allow for some deviation on this - they cannot process them perfectly in order) so if yours says January and not November then you need to have some harsh words with your lawyer. I doubt you will be able to change the date to November though.

Luckily, you are with VSC and so your application will probably get adjudicated within 3 months of the NOA1 received date. CSC are currently processing around the six month mark.

Hang in there. We're all used to waiting It's not ideal but definitely worth it in the long run. Good luck!

Happened to our K-3 also. received in mail room November 12, Received NOA February 7 dated the 4th. and they claim it was received December 23. Who knows? at that point was just THANKFUL to get the notice!!

but still feel a little robbed of time.

Dr. Bill

Does anybody have any experience with getting a tourist visa for Great Britain if sponsor? Here is the situation: I have to go to London for my continuing education credits, i will be there 4 days. I am thinking of having my wife meet me in London for the 4 days then flying to her country of Ukraine.

what is the likelihood of sponsoring her visa successfully? of course we have reams of proof we are married and have filed and received NOA. Etc.

any insights into this would be appreciated.

Dr. Bill

The "Last Updated" date will change.

So you were last touched on the 7th of Feb.

That means that someone scanned your file. They did something to it, looked at it, moved it, filed it somewhere, etc.

Every time that date changes, you have been "touched"

Based on your time line, your approval could be coming soon!!!

Best of luck!!!

I have a question along these lines. If you call does it create a touch? i called on the 7th also to get my wife's case number after only receiving my step son's NOA, and now it shows an "update" on the 7th.

Yes, I've seen many people call and they were touched, because simply, the adjudicator got the information for you that you requested

well then. it is conceivably possible that by calling ....i touched myself. lol lol ahhh jokes before coffee, they are usually bad!! when will i learn?

Dr. Bill

The "Last Updated" date will change.

So you were last touched on the 7th of Feb.

That means that someone scanned your file. They did something to it, looked at it, moved it, filed it somewhere, etc.

Every time that date changes, you have been "touched"

Based on your time line, your approval could be coming soon!!!

Best of luck!!!

I have a question along these lines. If you call does it create a touch? i called on the 7th also to get my wife's case number after only receiving my step son's NOA, and now it shows an "update" on the 7th.

Thanks for the comment. i have read your posts and you are always positive!!!. Thank you for that. yes i am using an attorney, if you notice in my post she doesn't want me to waste the $200. imagine that a thrifty lawyer!!..lol. she is saying hang loose all is fine. and you just stated the same thing. so that is cool. yeah you are right, right now i would LOVE for my money order to be cashed. the first one will expire in March, i bought the first money order in September but did'nt mail the packet until November. the second money order for my step son is safe it was purchased in November and they have an expiration date of 6 months.

Side note: doesn't the printing on the back of the check show you the service center? isn't it part of the case number somewere?

Keep positive!!

Dr. Bill

Not really, our I-130 sent through Nebraska started with a WAC and the I-129f sent through Chicago started with an MSC. Both petitions were forwarded to CSC.

You should get an I-797c (NOA) or email notification, if you sign up for it, stating your petition was forwarded to CSC or VSC.

how can you sign up fro e-mail updates if you do not have a case number?

Dr. Bill

Hey there Dr.,

I went and looked my check up online with my bank and yes it does give the service center it was cashed for. Its says it within the "Pay to the Order of" text. So that is some good news. I did not understand EDP333's post so I am unsure how to respond. You don't need to sign up to receive your I797. This should be automatic as it is supposed to be your receipt for the amount of money you paid and confirmation that your petition is now on file. However to receive emails you do need to sign online you will need to get that WAC number. So here's to getting that money order cleared or that NOA1 in the mail.

I gotta say I have a cleared check, but no movement online. I can get online but I think the only reason why the status would change online is if i was being touched. And thats a touch for either and RFE/RFI or a touch cause someone is working on the case. This USCIS process is so unorganized there's no telling when i'll start getting processed. i see some people getting NOA2's from July and even a September one, but no August? Its very confusing the order that they are going in.

This is an important Thread. a lot of NOA'S have been received in the last 2 weeks. if we update our timelines the website can get a good idea on processing times. especially for California and Vermont.

Dr. Bill

My check was just cashed! Yay!!!

They received my petition on 12/26/2007

Check cashed 2/7/2008

I hope to see my NOA1 soon!

HEY HEY HEY!!!! we got an NOA!!!!!!!!

Dr. Bill

It has been 99 days since my i130 was received (nov. 1)

anyone else near this time? i mean, no noa1 and no check cashed?

i just think i'll feel a little better if i know others are in the same boat.

Hang in there. I filed 10/5 and received NOA1 1/9.

But sometimes having to be patient sucks.

Over 80 people have read this post thus far. and only 2 people have offered emotional support?? thought this whole website was based on support!!!!!!

it is like seeing a car accident and nobody stops to help..come on people positive, insightful words for these people who need support.

Dr. Bill

OK.....so apparently only my step son will be arriving late this summer, got his NOA1. lol so i guess first question is. is this common, to receive 1 NOA and not the other? anyone think my wife's will arrive tomorrow or soon? if you applied for 2 I-130's does it remain 2 I-130;s? oh so many questions and i am simply manic to find out they did not lose our case. and to the liars at USCIS, they told me YESTERDAY i was nowhere in the system!!

Dr. Bill

It appears the two petitions got separated during the adjudication process.

yeah let me clarify. it was an noa 1 and they just got separated in the mail. mailed on same day arriving different days. all is cool.

Dr. Bill

It has been 99 days since my i130 was received (nov. 1)

anyone else near this time? i mean, no noa1 and no check cashed?

i just think i'll feel a little better if i know others are in the same boat.

hi , we were received November 12. just now did we get a noa and it is for my step son and not my wife...lol man i felt the same way you did last night. i was angry at people on here that received their noa i thought we were lost in the pile up was feeling hopeless and cynical. i got Alexci's noa and things DO get better!!!! i know everyone and their mother tells you to be patient but it is just USCIS they are SOOOOO screwed !!!

Dr. Bill

OK.....so apparently only my step son will be arriving late this summer, got his NOA1. lol so i guess first question is. is this common, to receive 1 NOA and not the other? anyone think my wife's will arrive tomorrow or soon? if you applied for 2 I-130's does it remain 2 I-130;s? oh so many questions and i am simply manic to find out they did not lose our case. and to the liars at USCIS, they told me YESTERDAY i was nowhere in the system!!

Dr. Bill

I received my NOA1 today (Feb.5, 2008).

My envelope showed it was mailed out Jan.31, 2008.

Also, for everyone wondering, I got sent to Vermont Service Center from the Chicago Lockbox. I'm in Georgia.

Also, they have a received date of Dec.11, 2007 (the date they received it at the lockbox) and Jan.31, 2008 as the notice date (I assume the date it was entered in the system).

Hope this helps everyone.

I am going to send off my I-129F tomorrow (hey, it's free,...why not. lol)

congrats!!!!! i wonder how they are dividing up between California and Vermont. The receipting page on USCIS is USELESS!! we were received November 11th and still no NOA. gee, i am no Doctor but i think November 11 comes before the posted date of December 27th.....oh wait i am a doctor!!! [expletive], useless, lazy government employees!!

Dr. Bill

WOW!!!!!!!! Chicago lock box is up to 1/11/08. wish we could believe this lie, ruse, propaganda.

as of 2/6/08 still not in the system, received 11/11/07..still nothing!!!

Dr. Bill

just curious if anyone else has fallen out of the stated time lines? Still haven't recieved anything, but my package was dated as being recieved on the 7th of december. I will call them soon. Just wondering if I'm alone or not.

we are in the "November boat" also. received November 11. still no money order cashed and still no receipt. and not even "in the system"

Dr. Bill

I received my NOA1 today (Feb.5, 2008).

My envelope showed it was mailed out Jan.31, 2008.

Also, for everyone wondering, I got sent to Vermont Service Center from the Chicago Lockbox. I'm in Georgia.

Also, they have a received date of Dec.11, 2007 (the date they received it at the lockbox) and Jan.31, 2008 as the notice date (I assume the date it was entered in the system).

Hope this helps everyone.

I am going to send off my I-129F tomorrow (hey, it's free,...why not. lol)

congrats!!!!! i wonder how they are dividing up between California and Vermont. The receipting page on USCIS is USELESS!! we were received November 11th and still no NOA. gee, i am no Doctor but i think November 11 comes before the posted date of December 27th.....oh wait i am a doctor!!! [expletive], useless, lazy government employees!!

Dr. Bill

Thanks for the comment. i have read your posts and you are always positive!!!. Thank you for that. yes i am using an attorney, if you notice in my post she doesn't want me to waste the $200. imagine that a thrifty lawyer!!..lol. she is saying hang loose all is fine. and you just stated the same thing. so that is cool. yeah you are right, right now i would LOVE for my money order to be cashed. the first one will expire in March, i bought the first money order in September but did'nt mail the packet until November. the second money order for my step son is safe it was purchased in November and they have an expiration date of 6 months.

Side note: doesn't the printing on the back of the check show you the service center? isn't it part of the case number somewere?

Keep positive!!

Dr. Bill

Not really, our I-130 sent through Nebraska started with a WAC and the I-129f sent through Chicago started with an MSC. Both petitions were forwarded to CSC.

You should get an I-797c (NOA) or email notification, if you sign up for it, stating your petition was forwarded to CSC or VSC.

how can you sign up fro e-mail updates if you do not have a case number?

Dr. Bill

Oh boy! $200! Dr. Bill are you using a lawyer for this?!

Anyway, I have seen it happen on VJ many times...no NOA1 but months later NOA2. But if you have a cashed check without ever receiving a hardcopy NOA1 then you are fine. I wouldn't really panic until months and months (6) go by and no cashed check AND no NOA1. I know that won't let you know which service center you are in, but at least it gives you peace of mind that USCIS has received your packet. Good luck to you.

~Walk Good

Thanks for the comment. i have read your posts and you are always positive!!!. Thank you for that. yes i am using an attorney, if you notice in my post she doesn't want me to waste the $200. imagine that a thrifty lawyer!!..lol. she is saying hang loose all is fine. and you just stated the same thing. so that is cool. yeah you are right, right now i would LOVE for my money order to be cashed. the first one will expire in March, i bought the first money order in September but did'nt mail the packet until November. the second money order for my step son is safe it was purchased in November and they have an expiration date of 6 months.

Side note: doesn't the printing on the back of the check show you the service center? isn't it part of the case number somewere?

Keep positive!!

Dr. Bill

Hi there! Yes I realize many of you who orginally filed at Texas or CSC or Chicago, will not know where your petition is until NOA1. So once you know the service center you can update your timeline. Its just that I have noticed people who do have NOA1 who are still listing they are being filed at NSC, or TSC, and that would be incorrect.

~Walk Good!

yeah when i was experimenting with the timelines, i liked the results better from the Vermont Center. i received an e-mail Thursday from My attorney saying that some of her cases are not receiving NOA 1, they simply go to approval. That is cruel and unusual punishment in my opinion, to make us wait not knowing anything. here is a copy of the letter:

"Bill,

Your package was sent out on Monday, 11/10/2007 and arrived 11/12/2007. We may not even get our receipt. This has been happening to me recently. I get an approval notice without getting a receipt. No one there can give you any good information and I feel that spending nearly $200.00 to request a notice of action - (i.e. get a copy of the receipt that we don't have) is a total waste. We are moving along as scheduled. They have all of our paperwork and things are progressing."

crazy is'nt it?

Dr. Bill

Hello All!

I've been noticing lots of I-130 filers have not updated their timelines with the correct service center they are being processed through. Currently the ONLY service centers processing I-130 immigrant petitions are California(CSC) of Vermont (VSC). If you are not listing either one of these service centers in your official timeline (not your signature timeline), then your timeline is incorrect.

I understand that many of you originally sent your files to Nebraska or Texas, but be aware that those service centers are NOT processing your petition. Only CSC or VSC. Many of the newer filers have sent their petition directly to Chicago Lockbox so we are slowly not having this confusion of incorrect timelines.

However, there are still a lot of you out there with incorrect info in your timeline. The timelines are very important becasue they allow Visa Journey to calculate estimations on an adjucation date. It also helps the immigration timelines. It helps those of us who use the timelines for our own personal tracking and timelines give an overall averaging history, which can be ver helpful and beneficial.

It is fine to keep your signature timeline stating that you originally filed at Chicago, Nebraska, or Texas, but please update your official VJ timeline to help keeps things a little more accurate.

Thank you kindly.

yes i was just experimenting with the timelines. csc and vsc, however if you do not have a NOA how do you know where you were sent? my original file was sent to Nebraska then forwarded to Chicago this is all i know.

Dr. Bill

Congrats and happy be lated birthday!!!!

Good luck, but the road has just started hasn't it?

yeah but these days that first NOA and the check being cashed is a HUGE MILESTONE!!!

Dr, Bill

hi, in the bottom of every G-325A form there a sentence : Submit all copies of this form . what that means?

if you downloaded the g-325 it had 4 identical pages, all must be filled out and submitted, they will be identical.

Dr. Bill

does anyone know what are the advantages and disadvantages to the CR-1 visa as opposed to the K3 visa which is what i have filed to date,just got my I-130 NOA1 receipt, I notice from time to time people suggesting to go the CR-1 route,but I am unsure what the differences are .thanks !!!!

JIMI

Frankly, at the moment we don't know whether the K3 visa even remains viable. It seems the USCIS policy has changed from holding the I-130 petition for AOS to cancelling the I-129F petition and forwarding the I-130. If it were me today, I wouldn't file the I-129F at all.

not sending the I-129,does that in essence,change my k3 to a CR-1 ,or is there something eles i need to do,which changes my k3 to CR-1 ?

thanks

jimi

It doesn't change anything. Refraining from filing the I-129F keeps you on the CR1 path you started by filing the I-130. With no I-129F the CR1 process will proceed.

is the CR-1 path longer? shorter? no difference?

Dr. Bill

Yeah, I called today with my hubby on the phone (imagine patching a 3-way cellphone call through West Africa, here..and wherever USCIS is routing their calls). lol.

Anyway, I promptly asked to be transferred to an officer.

This guy gets on the phone with a "whadda ya want..i'm busy doing nothing" tone of voice..

I tell him that I was entered into the system (according to the website) and I was trying to get my receipt number.

He asked for my name. I proceed to spell it out for him using phonetic letters (a for apple).

He cuts me off to tell me "WHAT IS YOUR NAME!!?!"

I tell him.

Then he says "Spell it".

(You NITWIT!! I DID IN THE FIRST PLACE!!

casually says "Your not in the system...have you waited the required 90 days to receive it???!!??"

I'm thinking "what is the deal with this 90 day #######? Do they just get a rise out of simply SAYING the words 90 DAYS?!?

I tell him when I filed, that the WEBSITE SAID they were PROCESSING applications and my date was already past,....so I SHOULD be in the system by now.

He proceeds to tell me that the website has conflicting information.

I say " so what happens to my petition if it's not in the system? It said that apps were scanned in and receipts were being sent out. If the website says it is past my app, then my app should be already in the system,...RIGHT?!?".

Bored Officer "I didn't SAY THAT!!!".

Me "So, what happened to my application? This is not right. "

Pissed By The Moment Bored Officer "I guess you will just have to wait the 90 days. I don't know".

At this point, I was MADDER than a female prostitute at a gay mens convention!!!

This guy was so syrupy snide that I had to hang up, collect myself and explain the "Strange American System" to my husband. He can't understand why everything is so bureaucratic. Frankly, even I couldn't explain it and I can debate just about ANYTHING and put a reason on it.

So folks, this is an actual conversation from USCIS. Love it or leave.

Leedah

Now,...

Back to your regularly scheduled Seinfeld Re-Run.

OMG spit me coffee out at the compute screen AGAIN - but so believe this story-

Good Luck with these peeps, sighs

yeah i have gone through a couple monitors myself sitting here, and the "official journey" didn't start until November for me. the guys at best buy will get to know me well buying monitors. viva la geek squad!!!

so this begs the question, if this is true, we are left to limbo for 6 months until approval? that is cruel and unusual punishment!!!

Dr. Bill

observation,pontification, side note: This may be why we are seeing RANDOM receipts for some people and hearing nothing for others for the exact same filing dates.

Dr. Bill

Yeah, I called today with my hubby on the phone (imagine patching a 3-way cellphone call through West Africa, here..and wherever USCIS is routing their calls). lol.

Anyway, I promptly asked to be transferred to an officer.

This guy gets on the phone with a "whadda ya want..i'm busy doing nothing" tone of voice..

I tell him that I was entered into the system (according to the website) and I was trying to get my receipt number.

He asked for my name. I proceed to spell it out for him using phonetic letters (a for apple).

He cuts me off to tell me "WHAT IS YOUR NAME!!?!"

I tell him.

Then he says "Spell it".

(You NITWIT!! I DID IN THE FIRST PLACE!!

He casually says "Your not in the system...have you waited the required 90 days to receive it???!!??"

I'm thinking "what is the deal with this 90 day #######? Do they just get a rise out of simply SAYING the words 90 DAYS?!?

I tell him when I filed, that the WEBSITE SAID they were PROCESSING applications and my date was already past,....so I SHOULD be in the system by now.

He proceeds to tell me that the website has conflicting information.

I say " so what happens to my petition if it's not in the system? It said that apps were scanned in and receipts were being sent out. If the website says it is past my app, then my app should be already in the system,...RIGHT?!?".

Bored Officer "I didn't SAY THAT!!!".

Me "So, what happened to my application? This is not right. "

Pissed By The Moment Bored Officer "I guess you will just have to wait the 90 days. I don't know".

At this point, I was MADDER than a female prostitute at a gay mens convention!!!

This guy was so syrupy snide that I had to hang up, collect myself and explain the "Strange American System" to my husband. He can't understand why everything is so bureaucratic. Frankly, even I couldn't explain it and I can debate just about ANYTHING and put a reason on it.

So folks, this is an actual conversation from USCIS. Love it or leave.

Leedah

Now,...

Back to your regularly scheduled Seinfeld Re-Run.

OMG spit me coffee out at the compute screen AGAIN - but so believe this story-

Good Luck with these peeps, sighs

yeah i have gone through a couple monitors myself sitting here, and the "official journey" didn't start until November for me. the guys at best buy will get to know me well buying monitors. viva la geek squad!!!

so this begs the question, if this is true, we are left to limbo for 6 months until approval? that is cruel and unusual punishment!!!

Dr. Bill

Yeah, I called today with my hubby on the phone (imagine patching a 3-way cellphone call through West Africa, here..and wherever USCIS is routing their calls). lol.

Anyway, I promptly asked to be transferred to an officer.

This guy gets on the phone with a "whadda ya want..i'm busy doing nothing" tone of voice..

I tell him that I was entered into the system (according to the website) and I was trying to get my receipt number.

He asked for my name. I proceed to spell it out for him using phonetic letters (a for apple).

He cuts me off to tell me "WHAT IS YOUR NAME!!?!"

I tell him.

Then he says "Spell it".

(You NITWIT!! I DID IN THE FIRST PLACE!!

He casually says "Your not in the system...have you waited the required 90 days to receive it???!!??"

I'm thinking "what is the deal with this 90 day #######? Do they just get a rise out of simply SAYING the words 90 DAYS?!?

I tell him when I filed, that the WEBSITE SAID they were PROCESSING applications and my date was already past,....so I SHOULD be in the system by now.

He proceeds to tell me that the website has conflicting information.

I say " so what happens to my petition if it's not in the system? It said that apps were scanned in and receipts were being sent out. If the website says it is past my app, then my app should be already in the system,...RIGHT?!?".

Bored Officer "I didn't SAY THAT!!!".

Me "So, what happened to my application? This is not right. "

Pissed By The Moment Bored Officer "I guess you will just have to wait the 90 days. I don't know".

At this point, I was MADDER than a female prostitute at a gay mens convention!!!

This guy was so syrupy snide that I had to hang up, collect myself and explain the "Strange American System" to my husband. He can't understand why everything is so bureaucratic. Frankly, even I couldn't explain it and I can debate just about ANYTHING and put a reason on it.

So folks, this is an actual conversation from USCIS. Love it or leave.

Leedah

Now,...

Back to your regularly scheduled Seinfeld Re-Run.

Ok Peeps, for what it is worth i spoke to my attorney today, she states that some of her cases are not even getting NOA's and the first response she has been getting is the actually approval, without the receipt.

Dr. Bill

Oh why did your attorney filed 129-f without the copy of NOA from IR-130? it's important that it should be enclosed.. is why many are waiting for NOA from their filing IR-130 coz its a PREQUISITE in filing 129- F (K3 SPOUSE NON-IMMIGRANT VISA)..

you can send I-129f without NOA 1 from I-130. you place a cover page, or our attorney did saying we will follow up with the case number after receipt. they will hold it.

Dr. Bill

My application was received on nov. 1, 2007. USCIS.gov says that as of 1/23 they have issued receipts to 11/26.

I was wondering if anyone has received the receipt as of that time period. i called again today as the 90 day point has passed (which they told me over and over to do) only to be told they have no information on my name. she said that some agents might be slower, so the website date listed is for some cases only.

and not to sound rude, but if your only comment is 'just wait a bit longer' or even worse 'i've been waiting longer than you so just wait some more' then please don't reply to this post. i've heard that enough.

Thanks, and good luck to all

Actually the lock box now says 12/14/07 as of 1/29/08. i filed on or around 11/16/07 no NOA however Annie and Tim have received an NOA and they are around similar time frame.

Dr. Bill