misshepburn

On 6/21/2017 at 11:29 PM, Frustrated74 said:

Yay!!

 

I'm arriving in the US in two days. So glad for it all to be finally over. Looking forward to seeing my fancy green card soon. 

Congrats @Frustrated74 !! You must be here by now

On 6/26/2017 at 9:12 PM, Lacosta said:

Why did you case was that fast?

@Lacosta everyone goes through at different speeds... I can attribute our relative speediness to plain luck in getting sent to Texas first and then getting our NOA2 very fast (within 1 month). We were also lucky that we could do electronic processing at the NVC which made that go significantly faster (2 weeks processed including a checklist). We were very thorough with all the documents and I helped speed things along by calling NVC frequently and staying on top of the process. That being said you can only make it go so fast. Set yourself up for success, and then hope your package goes through in a timely fashion. VJ is a great resource for various questions - good luck!

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've logged on here, but I just wanted to say hello and update everyone that we received my husband's physical (plastic) green card in the mail about 2 weeks ago. It looks very "official" and has lots of cool security features (like tiny silhouettes of all the US presidents on the back). 

I know lots of folks are still waiting at NVC or going through interviews...keep supporting each other, you got this!

Good luck to everyone and have a nice summer!  

On 4/28/2017 at 3:40 AM, Pat&Vince said:

 

Isn't DCF (Direct Consular) for couples who both live outside of the US?

 

I was mentionning the peeps with petitions sent to the Texas Service center. As impredictable as they are, there "seems" to be a pattern with big western Euro countries...

 

Nebraska for you? Awe chucks... I feel your pain, hang in there !

 

 

 

You're right @Pat&Vince DCF is only for couples where both reside outside the US.

As someone who's husband is from Germany and got through Texas in about 20 days, I wondered the same thing. I can tell you that in my group (and across VJ) there are a number of other Germans who got sent to other service centers who didn't get through very fast. Some just got to NVC in fact, after waiting 7+ months. I don't think country of origin plays a huge factor, unless you're from a country where they require extra security checks (like Iraq for example) at the USCIS stage. 

On that note, people from the Philippines seem to get through at lightening fast speeds... not entirely sure why. The whole process is definitely a bit of a black box, I'm afraid. Stay strong guys!!

2 hours ago, rahill said:

I'm sooooo irritated. I've been waiting in the hellhole that is Nebraska and then was transferred to Texas. I got five (!!!) email notifications saying this:

 

On April 20, 2017, the Post Office returned a notice we sent you for your Form I130, PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE, Receipt Number ________, because they could not deliver it. This could have a serious effect on your case. Please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice immediately. 

 

It says nothing else. I have tried calling and the representative on the phone only reads me the same thing I have in my email (smh) The online system says the same thing. The automated phone system says the same thing. 

 

Also, unable to be delivered??? Why? I updated my address months ago and it was confirmed and everything and there is no problem with my mail. And what is the notice? I'm guessing it's not an approval or else it would just say approved in the status, right? Now I'm waiting for a tier 2 representative to call me back which will only take 150 hours. No lie. 150 hours!!!! 

Oh Rahill I'm sorry -- keep the faith!

39 minutes ago, vbjohn said:

Its been almost 200 days and I am still waiting for approval. Here is the response which i got from Senator when they contacted USCIS

""USCIS records confirms that the case is in pending background check clearance. USCIS is committed to adjudicating these cases in a timely manner while also ensuring public safety and national security. A small percentage of cases have unresolved background check issues that temporarily delay adjudication. Although USCIS makes every effort to resolve such cases promptly, USCIS is unable to speculate when the background check will be completed"" 

I read somehwere in VJ that it can take upto several months just to complete this background check. We are totally devastated to hear this news after waiting already for such a long time. If anybody has gone through similar experience, How long does it took to clear such background check? please share. It would be really helpful!!!

vbjohn - Ugh... at least you have some update.. but that really sucks. 

I agree with SabRob - however I will add that in my case it took over 3 weeks for our file to be sent to NVC. Some people have reported USCIS waiting 6 weeks (!) to send the case to NVC. Lesson - it varies.

Stay on top of your case. Call NVC in 2 weeks time and see if they have received it. If not, wait another week and call them back. Once NVC has received your case, they will tell you they have up to 2 weeks to assign your NVC case number. Good luck!

Hi September crew -- Happy belated Easter to those celebrating!

I've been slammed with work, but wanted to give the group a quick update. My husband got his passport with his visa inside several weeks ago (issued March 22).

He arrives this Friday - April 21st!! POE will be Philadelphia - I'm hoping he has a smooth experience coming in as an immigrant there. I will let you all know how it goes. 

For those still waiting -- hang in there! You will make it - lot's of September and October people are getting approved now - even the transfers! 

On 4/10/2017 at 10:48 AM, GBD said:

Stuck in Nebraska since September 8th. No news no update nothing. Its been more than 7 months. Never imagined it'd be that long. I'm about to give up:(

@GBD Hang in there!! Have you tried contacting congressman/Senator or ombudsman? You are outside normal processing times which means you have these options... 

On 4/10/2017 at 11:08 AM, cleon86 said:

It has been forever. We paid for a lawyer thinking that would be the best route and that they'd help make sure all the paperwork was correct the first go round. They originally told it would be about 5 months and now we are quickly approaching 7. It's very disheartening. I know everyone is in the same boat, but it's hard for me not to be jealous seeing the timelines of others and how they were received the same day, transferred to Texas from Nebraska the same day and they have an answer and we don't. I'm happy for everyone who is on to the next step in the process. I know it's case by case, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. 

@cleon86 Stay strong!! I know it sucks waiting, but you're doing everything right...

On 4/10/2017 at 5:08 PM, Iffat Nizu said:

I got NOA 2 few days before. NOA 2 notice date is March 31, 2017.

But there is nothing on online USCIS case status. I called USCIS this morning. They tried to transfer me to different department. But they couldn't. Because other department is too busy, can't accept transfer call. I tired to contact USCIS to when they sent my file to NVC. I called NVC too. They haven't received yet. They told me to wait till 6 Weeks. Any advice on this?

@Iffat Nizu Transfers are not immediate -- you will need to wait a few weeks for USCIS to send the file to NVC and then possibly another 2 weeks once NVC receives it to get an NVC number assigned. In the meantime you can prep all the documents you will need to submit to NVC (if you haven't already).

On 4/11/2017 at 8:19 AM, branjo said:

For those of you who have done the interview, does the USC have to be present?

@branjo - No. It varies by country, but generally people on VJ will say that it's better if the USC can be present. Some countries with higher rates of fraud it's imperative that the USC be present. Since it looks like you're in Canada - you should be ok with or without your spouse.

15 hours ago, Phillygirl said:

Guys Case completed just checked online (3 n/a).  Scan date Feb 3 (10 weeks and 3 days)..and also they changed my visa class from CR1 to IR1. God is good always!!!!

 

Guys can you tell me what is my next step?

 

God bless you all:)

@Phillygirl Congratulations!!! 

13 hours ago, Doug and Silke said:

Why do the current  processing times on the Visa Journey page greatly differ from the official Government USCIS pages? Why does the Visa Journey page not list Potomoc. Even if it is an overflow location, why not list it? You can always update it when the Govt no longer sends 130's there. Visa Journey lists the NSC in current processing times but when you go to the drop down menu in the USCIS site it does not have the NSC selection there it's kind of funny really.

Visa Journey is only as good as the member's actively on it, at any given time. All of VJ data is self-reported by members.... obviously the number of people using VJ and actually maintaining their timelines (which is where VJ is getting the info to give you processing estimates) is significantly smaller than the universe of applications held by USCIS. 

Also, USCIS website is not always updated or in sync with what is really going on. It can be a bit of a black box. I have found that VJ data was closer to my experience than what USCIS "officially" predicted.

19 hours ago, heyusa said:

What about if I live with my husband here (I am the beneficiary), BUT currently his US address it registered at the same address as his parents? His dad will be the co-sponsor.... Should the dad file an I 864A then?? what about his wife? My father-in-law's income is sufficient alone, so I am not sure if she has to file one still..? Because of joint taxes maybe/probably?

 

Anyway, my question is... if the address is the same even though their (my husband's and father-in-laws) incomes/taxes have nothing to do with eachother, does the co-sponsor still file an I864A?

In a nutshell.... YES.

If the address for the joint sponsor is the same as the US address the petitioner gave NVC - you need to do I-864A for the joint sponsor.

I-864 for the petitioner always. You are also correct that your mother in law will need to file I-864A too -- because she and your father in law file jointly. 

I was in the same situation and NVC gave us a checklist because the first time I did I-864 for me, I-864 for my dad and I-864A for my mother. I had to re-submit an I-864A for my dad and update 1 thing on the I-864A for my mother. Then we got CC.

3 hours ago, Erin&Alex said:

I believe this would be correct.  If she is your sister and you both live together at the same address and same residence, she would be considered a "household relative" which the I-864A is based on.  The form I-864A must be filed together with the I-864.  Have you read the instructions for form I-864A on the USCIS website?  If not already, you should do so.  It explains further details and qualifications for filing.  Regardless, I think you are on the right track.

This IS correct. If you live in the same household (same address) as one of your relative's and they are going to be a co-sponsor - they need to fill the I-864A and the petitioner will fill the I-864. 

5 hours ago, branjo said:

I just got off the phone with NVC, they say it will take 6 weeks for the NVC to receive a case.  This seems crazy!  Anyone had their case received before them?

@branjo -- based off of people on VJ, it takes anywhere from a few days after you get the NOA2 to a few weeks for your USCIS service center to physically mail your package to the NVC. I would wait a week or 2 after you get the NOA2 and then call NVC weekly to see if they have received the case. It took mine like 3 weeks to get delivered. Other people have had theirs transferred much faster. It's not scientific (like most of USCIS processes!) 

2 hours ago, MOMO_SLZ said:

Hi Guys. I was approved on the 3rd and ok the 14 it was sent to NVC. I have not received a Welcome Letter or Anything so I'm getting worried. 

Just call them

7 minutes ago, Bendite said:

Could it be more evidence of our marriage?I didn't send copies of texts or correspondence but have been to see him twice since we filed and going again in 3 weeks....

It could even be something as benign as you didn't fill out a box with someone's name spelled right...(or missed filling in a box) or they lost a document you sent them.... 

Hey Krysten -

Are you asking how fast you could potentially get through NVC? If your case has already been sent there -- it is taking about 2 weeks + to get the case number assigned. After that it seems like people have been taking around 3 months (11-12 weeks) to get through everything with mail applications and without a checklist. Some have gone faster and others slower - but that seems to be the new norm for the time being.

Unfortunately, after you clear NVC you have to wait another month or more (depending on your embassy's interview load and when you get case complete) to get assigned an interview... then you must wait another week to get the passport back. I am totally guesstimating here but I would assume an August or September POE for someone just entering NVC at the beginning of April.

Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think a job offer is enough of a reason to get an expedite on an IR-1 or CR-1.

Good luck! Plan for the worst and hope for the best! 

On 3/27/2017 at 8:54 PM, David-Liss said:

So I felt the same way, it seems that if you were transferred from Nebraska you were lucky.  I have a PD of 26 Sept.  I called USCIS today, for those of you in the military, they have a special number that we can call and it made a big difference.  I was connected immediately.  I was first told that it was still in process so I responded that I was told that if it was longer than 6 months there was a problem and I should call to find out what it is.  She put me on hold for about 5 minutes when she came back she told me that my packet was still in Nebraska and that they were currently working on packets from the 9th of August.  It was going to be another 3-4 weeks.  If I do not hear anything after 5 weeks to call back.  She said there was a lot of issues with weather and were behind quite a bit.

 

Not the information I wanted to hear but at least it was information.

@David-Liss - that's really interesting! I didn't know they had a separate line for military folks. You should post this info somewhere else on VJ and spread the word  

On 3/27/2017 at 9:25 PM, Karen & Carlos said:

Hello Guys.. I wanted to Share i just GOT APPROVED  I received official letter in the mail today!!!

NOA2 03/22/2017

PD 09/15/2016

SERVICE CENTER NEBRASKA 

TRANSFERRED TO POTOMAC SERVICE CENTER ON 02/09/2017.

 

** NO EMAIL , NO TEXT , NO APP**

Check mail approvals are coming

I am still in Shock... have been approved since 03/22 almost a whole week without knowing...  I confess almost had a heart attack when i received envelop  

@Karen & Carlos - Congratulations!!!! 

3 hours ago, H&T said:

So just for clarification: my income not enough(full time student), so my sister will be the join sponsor. However, me and my sister lived at the same house( same address). So i864 for me, and i864A for my sister?

@H&T - You are correct! I-864 for you, and I-864A for your sister. If your sister is married, and files her taxes jointly, that person would also need to fill an I-864A.

1 hour ago, Trinbago said:

Hello Everyone, 

 

I am happy to announce that I was FINALLY approved today. For everyone who says that their case was assigned to a specific service center but the USCIS automated case status when you call says Nebraska, do not be alarmed. This was happening to me and no one could explain it until today. Basically their system is flawed and they are trying to improve it. The tier 2 supervisor I spoke to today informed me that it can sometimes take up to 30-45 days for any updates made to a case to actually reflect correctly on the basic system (go figure....). 

 

Although I was approved on 3/24 I have not received any notifications up until this point. The only way I knew I was approved was by calling, speaking to a tier 2 supervisor, and then refreshing the app which confirmed that I was approved on 3/24. I am now waiting on the hard copy in the mail. I know how stressful and upsetting this process can be but, for everyone who is still waiting on an approval, please know that approvals are increasing and I hope that everyone is approved soon. Hang in there!

 

PD: 9/21

SC: Nebraska 

Transferred to Potomac: 2/16

Approved: 3/24

@Trinbago - Great news!!!! I know you've been a loyal September member for months - thanks for keeping us all posted  CONGRATULATIONS! 

12 minutes ago, agripa said:

A constant question on VisaJourney. And the real answer is: nobody knows! More seriously, there are a whole host of reasons why some applications get processed faster than others, my lawyer (who used to work at one of these service centers) told me the following:

1. Your application required additional security checks, which will slow down your application.
2. The service centers aren't some kind of assembly line. Applications don't move in a single straight line, rather there are different distinct groups within each service center and incoming applications are spread amongst the groups. Some groups will work faster than others.
3. The country you're beneficiary is from. Although the official policy of USCIS is that the country doesn't matter, documents from certain countries are scrutinized more thoroughly and of course some countries are prone to additional security checks (see point 1 above). 
4. The length of your marriage; more recent marriages are given slightly more scrutiny.

These are only some of the reasons why you might have been "skipped" over.

@agripa Great list! Thanks for posting!

Just now, Ulrica&Jesse said:

Thank you and yes,I really think more approvals are coming this week for sure! 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Texas Service Center rocks

5 minutes ago, Ulrica&Jesse said:

Guys, any idea if co sponsor has to be currently employed or not? Thanks !

The co-sponsor can be retired, but they have to prove a sustained income (like from a pension or social security, or interest from investments). 

Both your husband and the joint sponsor will fill out I-864's. If your father in-law is going to be the joint sponsor and he files taxes jointly with his wife, your mother in law will also need to fill out an I-864A -- mostly to show that she is aware of the decision to joint sponsor you.

You can PM me if you have more specific questions.

7 minutes ago, vjjmember111 said:

Guys,

I submitted I-130 for my wife and daughter (separately)  in Sept 12 (receipt date) 2016 as LPR to CSC (california service center). I became naturalized US citizen in feb 24th of 2017. The same day (Feb 24th) called USCIS to upgrade both petitions from F2A to Immediate relative of USC. The lady in USCIS opened two cases for my petitions. USCIS sent me an e-mail on March 7th asking to send my naturalization certificate for my wife's case and the same day i send my certificate. I didn't hear anything from USCIS for my daughter's case so i kept calling until March 20th when i met a nice lady who told me that the request to send Naturalization certificate was sent out (via e-mail) on March 10th. I never received that e-mail so l wrote a cover letter and faxed the naturalization letter in March 20th for my daughter's case as well. 

March 21st, i called USCIS again to confirm if they have received my naturalization certificate for both cases and if both my cases were upgraded to F2A to Immediate relative of USC. USCIS confirmed that both the cases were upgraded to Immediate relative of USC. 

Now the most frustrating part is, i hear conflicting information while i call USCIS for the receipt date of my petitions. 

One lady at USCIS told me that the Receipt date for both of my cases will change to Feb 24th since i upgrade my petitions from F2A to immediate relative to the date when i naturalized. Other lady at the same institution said it takes 4-6 weeks to action on your petition after the petitions were upgraded. Not sure which one to Believe. 

I am wondering if anyone has similar experience in the past? I am trying to figure out if indeed my wife's and daughter's receipt date will change to the date when i naturalize after they are upgraded and the petitions go back to queue? California Service center as of Jan 31st is processing october 15th 2016 cases, if upgrading the petitions reset the receipt date, mine will pushed few months back at least by 3-4 months and i am really worried if this is the case. Otherwise CSC has already processed petitions way beyond my wife's and dauther's receipt date so how long does it take them to action on my cases?

 

I would ask this question in a separate thread in the appropriate forum so that you will get broader responses. I could be wrong, but I doubt many people here have had this exact experience.

Good luck with your case  

13 hours ago, donkorandlinda said:

I am sure they picked up my case on 3/23/2017 and worked on it. Sometimes they do not go by the priority date like some case get approved earlier than others. This is my 3rd time filing for my wife. I filed i-129F twice last year.The first one was denied because i send the file to uscis before i met my fiancee and the second one was approved and she was denied visas at the usa embassy in Ghana and they wanted to send the case back so NVC for correction so we can file i-130 for them to give he visas but they said the petition would expire by the time NVC gets it back so they closed the case and ask as to file i-130. This is the third time they had received our documents so i think it will go faster as we included the letter for denial from the embassy that explain why the 2nd I-129f was denied for visas aT the interview to the documents we send out

Hey guys.... a couple things

1) Please know that Potomac (in general) is processing early September cases right now -- yes, there are exceptions -- however, people in my group with PD's from the first week or two of September have JUST been approved this past week. We also have September filers reporting that they were transferred from Potomac or Nebraska to Texas who have recently been approved OR are still waiting....

take away --> USCIS is BEHIND

2) Also know that many of these same people that were recently APPROVED got their NOA2 in the mail before anything was updated online. I think something is going on with their computer system because people have been checking it religiously, with no updates, and then they get the NOA2 in the mail!! Others have gotten approval texts from USCIS... and the computer system was still not updated. 

take away --> USCIS computer system is all over the place (yes, this is disheartening)

3) It's true that some people go faster through this process and others go slower -- it's just something you have to accept. There is no rhyme or reason for it though, just because you are from a certain country or because you have "done this before" does not matter to them. I know people from Germany (like my husband) who are still waiting at a USCIS service center (for over 6 months). Then you have people like my husband who are completely done with their interview and visa in hand in 6 months. I have no explanation for you except that USCIS is an imperfect system run by regular people. 

My advice is to hope for the best, but prepare for a long wait. The averages right now are pretty long, waits are 5-6 months for USCIS and 3 months at NVC. That means most people are waiting a year or more before they are reunited with their spouse in the US. Yes, you might be a lucky one and get through faster, but don't assume this will be the case. I advise a monthly check-in with your status on USCIS and use the wait time to familiarize yourself with the NVC process and prep necessary documents. Also, keep maintaining your call/chat logs and save any related travel documents from trips to see one another. You're going to drive yourself crazy trying to see if they've "touched" your documents based on whether the USCIS computer system has been updated. 

I wish you all the best --- good luck!

1 hour ago, MD11PILOT said:

Hello all. Its 0830 on the East Coast and my phone started going nuts. Two texts said to check my Case Status.... the text was from 505 area code.. which is New Mexico. I also have no less than 8 emails about the case status. Its the weekend as well which surprised me.

 

My two of three petitions have been approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The other still has the bla bla we received your petition on 09/09/2017. I also checked my email no less than 8 emails for two approvals. I will never understand these people. Hopefully the third petition will follow suit shortly.

 

For those of you who are interested  it is for my wife and two step children. Phoenix was the lock box and Nebraska was the Service Center with no transfer. 

Congratulations!!! 

It's great to hear that Nebraska is starting to move into early September!

12 hours ago, raiser said:

Well that's a relief! Montreal is on the list! Is there anything more than the wiki instructions that I should know? I will probably take you up on your PM offer.

Yep! I think Montreal is one of the places that's had this service the longest. You can find VJ posts about doing EP for Montreal from several years ago. The main thing to know is that you should stick to their strict naming convention for file names -- send PDFs and don't send attachments larger than 5MB. You might need to send everything over in 2 emails (I did). It's totally fine to do that.

12 hours ago, Frustrated74 said:

OMG you have no idea how good this has made me feel reading this. Now I'm almost going on 7 months waiting for my petition, if I can get through the NVC stage much faster with EP it would be amazing. 

Yep! It's pretty awesome.

11 hours ago, Erin&Alex said:

When you say checklist what exactly does that mean?  I assume everyone gets one? 

It just means NVC is asking you for more information. At the USCIS stage it's called RFE. In my case, they wanted my joint sponsor to fill out a different I-864 form and wanted some old W2's of mine. 

53 minutes ago, raiser said:

Is the 3-6 month wait for electronic processing also? Or just paper?

Paper, as @JessieABC said.

I did electronic processing in January and we got through in 2 weeks -- and that included a checklist. It's around 3-5 business days with EP for them to review. I feel like EP is a completely different system. Definitely use it if you can. You can PM me if you have specific questions about EP.  

6 minutes ago, Frustrated74 said:

Do you happen to have a link to the Dept of State as to which countries do electronics processing. I'm really hoping Australia is one. 

You're in luck, mate! Australia is one of them  (SYD = Sydney)

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Submit_documents.html

8 minutes ago, JessieABC said:

Wow that is the most timely processing I have ever seen.  6 months from beginning to end.  Whatever special privileges your case had, please do share!

 

Congratulations and hope your hubby joins you soon!

Thank you!!  

Honestly no special anything....I spent about 1 month on VJ and reading online before prepping & mailing our I-130 package. I probably have spent several hundred (no kidding) hours reading VJ boards about the process, tips, issues, etc. We got lucky with Texas, somehow we got through the first part in like 20 days or something. With NVC the fact that we had electronic processing significantly sped up the process (2 weeks with a checklist vs. 8-12+ weeks).

A lot of people have asked me about doing electronic/email processing - and unfortunately it's only available for 19 different consulates as of now. You have to check State Dept website to see if you are one of the countries (most aren't). We also got a very fast interview -- scheduled 3 weeks from our CC. Being super prepared combined with a bunch of luck...that's the only way I can explain the speed.

Essentially, I stayed on top of the process from start to finish, I followed everything on VJ to a tee... I called NVC A LOT to make sure things were moving. I also took breaks from it, because it does tend to drive you nuts after awhile. We went into it assuming it would take around 8 months to 1 year... and ended up done in 6 months. 

5 minutes ago, Bendite said:

Congratulations!!! What was your PD date and which office? So excited for everyone!!!

Thanks -- in my signature -- PD 9-19-2016 and Texas Service Center

Hi all -- I know that I'm further along than a bunch of folks here, but I just wanted to update everyone -- my husband received his passport back from the consulate today with his visa inside!!! He received an email from them a couple days ago when it was being mailed out. I can't believe how much money, time and effort that little sticker cost!

He also received the sealed envelope with the other documents that he will need to submit when he crosses the border for the first time. He just bought plane tickets for end of April arrival date. I will let everyone know how his POE experience goes!  

Unfortunately, due to work contract and needing to tie up loose ends, he won't be joining me until June for good. We went through the process a bit faster than we were expecting... either way, I'm very relieved to be towards the end, until we have to remove conditions in 1.5 years.. hehehe 

Hang in there everyone -- you will make it!!!

3 hours ago, JessieABC said:

It's official!! Approval Notice I-797 received and dated 3/16

 

 

Congratulations, @JessieABC!! 

1 hour ago, JessieABC said:

Summary of ways to escalate via phone/email/ombuds:  Link

• Email: Submit an E-Request via:https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do

• Phone: Call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. You can call them whether or not you have a receipt number. Depending on how busy they are, you can be placed on hold anywhere from two minutes to two hours.  See link for details:
• Contact ombudsmen
• Contact congressman

Ditto to what Jessie said.