NoWhereWill

Hey there everyone,

I sent my package for I-751 to CSC on 4/17/17, they received it on 4/19, and my CRI-89 form is dated 4/17, but I-751 was formally received on 5/2. So I will post this in both May 2017 and April 2017 threads.

Just got my status changed on the old USCIS web-site to "We ordered your card". New website uscis.dhs.gov still showing "Case was transferred..."

So, here's my story

Got married and filed I-130 and I-485 concurrently. Didn't even file EAD and travel permit. Received my GC in 4 months - got scheduled for an interview for the date less than 3 months after applying, but my interview was re-scheduled one month later due to inclement weather. Got approved some 10 days after the interview. That happened in the very end of February 2016

In February 2017, even less than a year after my GC date filed for a divorce. Got my divorce finalized two months later, in mid-April 2017, and filed for I-751 immediately with a divorce waiver.

My documents were quite scarce. I did file required minimum for each category listed at USCIS web-site, and I didn't have many docs confirming our co-mingling in financial aspects, nor many pictures. I also attached a couple of postcards from friends addressing both of us, two affidavits. But what I did additionally I wrote a VERY DETAILED letter to the USCIS describing our short-lived marriage and the problems leading to divorce + why I had not too many documents. My situation was  quite severe as my other part turned out to be highly irresponsible financially - I attached documents from IRS + some Facebook screenshots as proofs of very lavish spending habits with quite scarce means for that lifestyle. 

I did read all the horrible stories about the problems/troubles/need to hire a lawyer. But in my understanding I didn't really need a lawyer at that stage since I could explain my situation myself clearly - I do believe my detailed letter went a long way. 

I received a one-year extension to my original GC (the old one without the direct statement "from the end date on your GC" yet, and that made a few airline employees confused - but never raised a brow of any CBP officer) at once, and started to wait.

I have been traveling extensively all the time, and never ever my extension letter with the expired GC was a problem. 

Throughout my wait I moved from CSC area to VSC area, but even though I had my fingers crossed they'd move my case with me as VSC was much quicker at that point nothing happened.

Then on 2/26/2018 I got my very first message about a "Local office transfer" - the glitch lots of people here got.

On 7/19/2018 I received a notice of transfer to VSC. Nice. And then VSC slowed down.

I really didn't bother calling/inquiring as online inquiry wouldn't be accepted by the web-site (my receipt was from CSC, even though in my transfer note they explicitly said my new processing times should be from VSC). 

And, today I've gotten my status change! I am really glad it's over, and my next step is - N400 in 2 years, exactly when my 5-years term as LPR ends. 

I honestly believe that writing a detailed letter explaining the situation helps process your case and eliminates a need for an interview. Immigration officers get the cases from tons of people from all over the world, each of them having a different background and different story, different circumstances and absolutely different style. They receive tons of documents (often unsorted) of various origins, in different languages, etc. I do believe should you want your case go smoothly - give it an effort and write a detailed explanations of your particular situation. 

I would like to thank everyone at this forum - your insights and experiences did help me navigate through the process and avoid some mistakes. I wish everyone success, and good luck and staunch patience with this exhausting wait!