Ken & Yana

Just wanted to let you guys know we just got NOA for AOS and EAD (in the mail), but still waiting on AP.  50+ days

I also haven’t received mine yet.  50 days since the application was delivered.  Not too worried because we called and got our receipt numbers though.  Ridiculous 

9 minutes ago, Mikittk said:

Hello Ken and Yana. I would like to ask you one question. I filed my AOS pretty close to when you filed, but still not heard back from USCIS. The check has not even been cashed out.

My husband and I started worrying about our case and thinking about contacting them. Could you tell me which phone number did you use to call USCIS?

My husband tried to call but we couldn't talk since we don't have receipt number or case numbers yet. I would appreciate if you can help us with the number you called!

Call 1-800-375-5283.  As you discovered, the automated system will not allow you to proceed without a receipt number.  Unfortunately you need to fib to get past the automated system.  When the automated system prompts you, simply say "I would like to reschedule by biometrics appointment."  When it asks you if your appointment date has already passed, answer "No."  The agent who ultimately picks up the phone doesn't really care how or why you reached them.  Just explain you would like to obtain your receipt number and have the A number ready.

I wouldn't worry too much.  It seems that the backlog is incredibly large right now.  When that check clears your account, that'll be your indication that the application is in the system.

15 minutes ago, Ermehgerdd said:

When did they cash the check relative to when you received the NOA? We filed two weeks ago and the check still hasn't been cashed 😬

I should clarify that we didn't receive anything in the mail yet.  I actually saw the check debit from my account and I called USCIS the same day and received the receipt numbers over the phone.  I'll update here when we actually get the notice in the mail. 

I appreciate the advice, but we achieved a K1 visa in the middle of a pandemic and are now married.   You don't get this far without patience.  My concern is that our time to NOA seems to be an outlier compared to other recent timelines.

27 minutes ago, Duke & Marie said:

Mine took 6 weeks... no news is good news 😊

Thanks.  Appreciate the feedback. 

What's an expected amount of time to wait for a NOA correspondence when filing AOS?  Looking at the AOS timelines here, it seems like most people recently got their NOA within 2-3 weeks.  We're now on week 5 and beginning to wonder if we need to take additional action.  Anyone else in the same boat or have information to share?  Thanks in advance!

Ken

40 minutes ago, S & V said:

Just a guess, but schools have a set schedule and most are starting soon so it would make some sense to try to get student visas processed in time for them to make the start of school.  K1 visas technically can wait, especially in the minds of uninvested parties.  For us it is the most important thing of course, but sadly we have to wait with no clarity in sight for when we will be prioritized. 

That might make sense.  From what I've been able to discern, however, it doesn't seem like the embassies are asking applicants to show that they actually have a school to attend.  Most schools have moved to online-only this semester which diminishes the urgency of processing J1's in my opinion.  I still strongly feel that K1's lack of priority is a poor decision.  K1 is as much a family based visa as are spousal visas.  Spousals simply have a marriage certificate.  

I know, I know, I should just shut up and take it according to the recommendations here.  😂

Please don't mistake my calling out his misjudgments for not understanding that he's a wealth of knowledge. 

The US Embassy in Ukraine has so far resumed: 

• CR-1 / IR-1 spousal visas
• And now Student visas

How can they be prioritizing student visas over K1 visas?  How does it make any more sense for them to say they're prioritizing family based visa services and then turn around and start processing student visas? 

I am generally laid back in this process, thinking 'it is what it is', but this is insulting.

@Greenbaum I'm not sure if this exact topic has been covered before but my Ukrainian fiance and I are very confused on where our actual physical file is currently.

- NVC Case # Assigned: March 6, 2020

- Status: "In Transit": March 31, 2020 (letter also received dated March 31, 2020 that the case left NVC)

- Status: "Ready": April 13, 2020

Our 4 month validity was set to expire on June 23, 2020.  When I contacted the US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, I was told the extension was granted, but that they have not received my paper file.  They also told me to contact NVC.

Upon contacting NVC, the agent assured me that the case left NVC on March 31, 2020.  I keep getting bounced back and forth between NVC and the Embassy when I ask to locate the paper file.  

Do you have any idea where it might actually be?  I read through your tips and tricks and you mentioned that there can be two "Ready" conditions.  How do I tell which Ready condition I'm looking at on the CEAC site?  Is it possible that the current status shows "Ready" only because the electronic file has been received?  How would I know when "Ready" means the paper file has been received? 

I appreciate any help because we're beginning to think the paper file is actually lost since nobody can tell me where it is. 🙁

1 hour ago, Aly123 said:

The US Embassy in Paris told me that it’s not the travel ban that’s causing them to not process K1’s because if you research other places not affected by the travel ban are also not processing K1’s. The reason they are not being processed is due to the fact that “routine visa services have been suspended”. Recently certain visas have been updated to be classified as mission critical.( For example spousal visas) K1’s however were left off the list as mission critical. So one of two things need to happen. Either routine services must be resumed, or K1 visas must be moved on the list of mission critical visas by the Department of State. Once that happens then they can finally start processing K1 visas.

I was specifically referring to the London Embassy’s statement that they are not processing K1’s in addition to work related visas.  

1 hour ago, spikes746 said:

Thats not what the proclamation says, it says:

 

"restrict and suspend the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the United Kingdom during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. "

 

So it doesn't ban you for being British. It restricts your entry if you are a national of ANY country (except US) who has been in the UK (or Schengen area) in the last 14 days. This means that it is perfectly ok to spend 15+ days in any other country (Canada, Colombia etc.) before entering the US and then you will be allowed entry. Banning UK nationals doesnt make sense because if you were a UK citizen who is a tourist but you are a Panamanian permanent resident for example then there would be no reason to exclude.

Ah yes, thanks for the correction about nationality not being relevant.  
 

It still seems like they’re choosing not to process K1’s because of the travel ban (9996).  And I agree with the sentiments here that this isn’t right.  

2 hours ago, Ermehgerdd said:

I spent some time researching why the London Embassy is not processing K1 visas currently.  The email cited in that Twitter exchange shows that the London Embassy is sending a boilerplate email response which covers many inquiries, including K1.  The language is indeed unclear, but it is referring to Proclamation 10014 only because that is what people are commonly emailing about right now.  It also mentions K1 (confusingly) in the same sentence as an type of visa that is not currently being processed.  The reason that K1's are not being processed at the London Embassy is because entry into the United States by nationals of the UK is still prohibited by Proclamation 9996 (issued on March 13).  In essence, the Embassy has decided not to issue K1 visas to UK nationals who cannot use the visa.  They will resume K1 processing as soon as the ban on UK nationals is lifted.  

Wow - that is absolutely crushing to be so close and to have to fly home alone.  1 day away! 

I was also just in Kyiv for two weeks and I left late on Sunday.  We are still in the NVC processing phase but I suppose we're all in the same boat now.  Please let us know if you hear anything about appointment rescheduling - and best of luck to you both.

How'd it gooooo?  Is the Embassy still processing appointments given the current pandemic?