MarcieYG

42 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

Yes you can file as married separately without an ITIN, just write "NRA" for non-resident alien.  ITIN or SSN are only needed for married filing jointly.  You can file as married jointly but you would need to include either SSN for your alien spouse or a completed W-7 and the 1040 would have to be sent via paper which is taking a very long time right now because of the virus and backlog.  I suggest you file as married separately and do it electronically as digital returns are being processed, so faster to get your refund if any.  You can always file an amended return for 2019 later as married jointly after your spouse enters the US and gets an SSN to get an additional refund if applicable.  More good advice and posts are on the finances and tax area of VJ.  Good luck!

How/where did you file it electronically using NRA?  Will turbotax allow it?

Hello,

Due to the income tax filing extension I am filing my 2019 taxes this week.  My husband is not in the US.  We are in the NVC stage right now.  My accountant said that since he is not in the US we cannot get an ITIN or SSN yet.  Has anyone filed Married Filing Separately without an ITIN for their foreign spouse?  Accountant said he needs to have one.  I thought I read in other threads I could leave that blank and provide a letter of explanation why there is no ITIN or SSN.  Is that true? Much appreciated!!

Hello,

Due to the income tax filing extension I am filing my 2019 taxes this week.  My husband is not in the US.  We are in the NVC stage right now.  My accountant said that since he is not in the US we cannot get an ITIN or SSN yet.  Has anyone filed Married Filing Separately without an ITIN for their foreign spouse?  Accountant said he needs to have one.  I thought I read in other threads I could leave that blank and provide a letter of explanation why there is no ITIN or SSN.  Much appreciated!!

Has anyone seen any movement on cases transferred to Vermont? 

4 hours ago, MrCosgrove said:

How do you get from Emma to live chat with someone? I cant figure out how you did that.

I just asked to speak to a live representative and she transferred me, no issue.

I contacted USCIS through Emma and spoke with a live person.  The info I got was not very encouraging.  My case was transferred to Vermont.  Interesting though what they said.  I am upset the time just got extended by months!  Anyone seeing approvals out of VT?

12 minutes ago, B&C2017 said:

You can see it when you log on to your USCIS Account where your case is listed. It says the status “processing” and there is a date (in orange) above the status. 

Is this the site you are using?  I don't see anything in orange or anything that says processing.

https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/

On 2/24/2020 at 2:07 PM, B&C2017 said:

It was posted in the October 2019 Nebraska Filers Group on VJ as well. And yes, our status date changed as well. The status is still the same as before (processing), but the date has changed to February 23rd, no clue why 🤔

 

@AMS13 any guess from your side? 😊

 

What date is this that changed to Feb 23rd? 

On 11/21/2019 at 2:04 AM, Patricia Owuh said:

What service center was your petition at?  How long did they have your petition, because Nebraska has had our I-130 almost 6 months now and our I-129f for 38 days and nothing? It's so frustrating and it does put a strain on relationships. 

Nebraska unfortunately.  It seems they are only expediting I-129F if your I-130 starts with LIN#

2 hours ago, geowrian said:

No such thing as an I-129F visa. I-129F is a petition.

That said, I wouldn't hold my breath on congressional intervention on a process that is being used to try to speed up the I-130 processing (notably, ahead of other I-130 filers). If any speed enhancement existed, it was outside the intended pathway.

I'm just talking about congress looking into why NSC takes so much longer in general than the other SC.  Not for them to look into the I-129F petition "flow"  

Just thinking if they will ever review I-129F visas that start with IOE?  What is everyone's toughts? They can't/shouldn't just ignore them.  Would it do any good for us at NSC to contact our representative and request they look into the delay in Nebraska verses the other SC that take 1/2 the time?  Venting just a bit...lol  

18 hours ago, geowrian said:

Correct. That was the practice years ago.

Do you know how they determine which SC your case goes to now?  

1 hour ago, TBoneTX said:

Determination of workload at the various centers, is my understanding.  In "my" day, it was according to which state the petitioner lived in.

I don't think that is the case anymore.  I live in TX and mine was sent to Nebraska. 😖

2 minutes ago, B&C2017 said:

Agree! I wonder what’s the difference between the service centers. E.g. Potomac and Nebraska - what can possibly cause a variance of processing tomes of 9+ months? 
I wonder if they’re just terribly understaffed... 😒🤷🏼‍♀️

2 minutes ago, B&C2017 said:

Agree! I wonder what’s the difference between the service centers. E.g. Potomac and Nebraska - what can possibly cause a variance of processing tomes of 9+ months? 
I wonder if they’re just terribly understaffed... 😒🤷🏼‍♀️

Right!  I would like to know how they determine which case gets submitted to what location?  Is it based upon the country of the immigrant, etc?

I-130 - 9/10/19

I-129F - 9/27/19

I wish they would do something about Nebraska SC to reduce the time for everyone! 

On 9/28/2019 at 4:28 AM, LOUHAMILTON said:

Oh my gosh! We've been approved! Only 90 days after NOA1, we received yesterday's I-130 approval.  I would like to thank the JMPM who gave me the tip to send the I-129F. I confess that I am shocked. I didn't expect it so soon.  It's 7 months away from my husband and I know how much it hurts. Unlike most, first I received the approval of the I-130 and after a few hours I received the denial of the I-129F. Stay firm and have faith!!! Good luck to all

Did your receipt start with IOE?

On 11/7/2019 at 2:47 PM, Christine1 said:

OMG congratulations I have just checked your timeline it is very similar to mine, I got married just couple months before yours. I have filed form130 in July, and tonight I am going to fill out 129F. Do I need to add all the same documents like children birth certificates, lease papers, bills etc, or only passport pictures and receipt 797? thanks for your help

Was your receipt starting with IOE?

2 hours ago, S&J2013 said:

Yes.... That’s what it seems like. No one that has received an IOE receipt number since it became common and that has also filed for the k3 has had any movement on either of their cases (that I’ve seen on here or on fb groups) our PD for I-130 is 07/09/19 and our date for I-129f is 08/16/19 and we’ve had no updates on either

What is the difference from IOE and those that are getting their I-129F approved? 

10 hours ago, S&J2013 said:

Doesn’t appear to be as yet. The ones who did have it earlier this year as part of the pilot programme got fast approval but are all stuck at NVC 🤷🏼‍♀️

Once they start on end of June / July filers we will see if it’s a difference 

Trying to make sure I understand your comment.  My I-130 was received on 9/10/19 with IOE number and my I-129F was received on 9/27/19 with LIN number.  Does that mean the I-129F trick will not help me since I have an IOE number?  Also, anyone else here been approved who submitted I-129F around my date?

30 minutes ago, Jacob_Malik said:

My wife’s I-130 petition was approved 🥰

 

NOA1: 06/06/2019

NOA2: 10/23/2019

 

I did file a I-129f K3 and believe it sped up the process. Thank you all for help and support 🙂 onto NVC!

Congrats!  When did you file the I-129F?

4 minutes ago, JMPM said:

The normal processing time for Nebraska is 12.5 to 15 months. 
There is some evidence that filing a I-129f (K3) visa on top of the I-130 gets your petition to be looked at sooner and approved. (30-45 days after K3 receipt) Is it still working? Maybe. Does it work with IOE receipt numbers? Not sure too early to tell. Does it hurt to try nope. Will you end up getting a K-3 visa? Nope not likely.   Look at the K-3 for instructions. 

So that's why you might see some 4-5 months.  In about 10-15 days they will update the processing time for all the service centers. 

4 minutes ago, JMPM said:

The normal processing time for Nebraska is 12.5 to 15 months. 
There is some evidence that filing a I-129f (K3) visa on top of the I-130 gets your petition to be looked at sooner and approved. (30-45 days after K3 receipt) Is it still working? Maybe. Does it work with IOE receipt numbers? Not sure too early to tell. Does it hurt to try nope. Will you end up getting a K-3 visa? Nope not likely.   Look at the K-3 for instructions. 

So that's why you might see some 4-5 months.  In about 10-15 days they will update the processing time for all the service centers. 

Thanks for the info. So I can file for fiancé visa even though we are already married to get the I-130 looked at sooner? AAm I understanding that correct? 

It shows Nebraska center. I’m looking at some of the other people’s timelines for Nebraska center. It looks like some are talking at little as 4-5 months and some 12 months. My estimated time is next Sept. why would there be such differences in processing times for some people?  And curious why my file would go to Nebraska instead of TX center when I live in TX?  

I just received my NOA1 letter and is it supposed to tell me which visa processing center it was sent to or will that be later? 

hello,  if someone could please review the cover letter for my I-130.  Anything I need to add or take remove?  Also I'm thinking of putting together a separate table of contents with corresponding page numbers to help the officer.  Would that be advisable?  Do I also need to write a letter explaining how we met and a little bit about our relationship?

USCIS

Attn: I-130

PO Box 21700

Phoenix, AZ 85036

RE:     I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

Petitioner:      XXX

Relative:         XXX

To Whom It May Concern:

I am filing the enclosed Form I-130, Petition on behalf of XXX, the beneficiary. I, XXX, am a U.S. citizen petitioner, and XXX is my spouse.

The following documents accompany and support this petition:

1.      A check for the amount of $535.00 to cover the filing fee

2.      Form G-1145

3.      Form I-130

4.      Form I-130A

5.      Two (2) passport style photos of the petitioner and two (2) passport style photos of the beneficiary

6.      Petitioner’s U.S. birth certificate

7.      Marriage certificate of petitioner and beneficiary

8.      Evidence of bona fide marriage.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at xxxx.  Thank you for your prompt consideration of this I-130 Petition.

Sincerely,

Hello,

I'm a little bit confused on how to complete the I-130A.  I (petitioner) and filling in my husband's (beneficiary) information, correct?  I understand he won't sign it but I will put my info in section 6 as the preparer?