FJinSD

IIRC it's generally been at the end of the following month, i.e. August stats published at the end of September.

Thanks for clarifying that.

On 10/12/2022 at 6:30 AM, JeanneAdil said:

best to go to the portal for Russia and also Poland /u can see poland if u don't sign in but go to the word portal above and choose Poland

 

on the portal sites there (hopefully) is a list on right side of interviews scheduled and approved 

look at the timelines of those VJ members

that is the best source for info for particular embassy 

also read the posts there /  there will be multiple questions on  wait times 

 

wishing u 2 the best

Can you clarify what you mean when you refer to the 'portal for Russia and Poland' > 'don't sign in but go to the word portal above and choose Poland' ?  What portal?  Sign in for what?  Are you referring to the data matrix timelines here on VisaJourney?  Thanks

8 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Who has done this?  What was the outcome?

I've written/called two United States senators and my local congressional representative.  Same answer from all - basically: "take it up with the NVC/State Department"

On 9/8/2022 at 9:28 AM, millefleur said:

This is the glaringly obvious choice. No doubt Kazakhstan also has Russian speaking staff on hand.

Requested transfer from Warsaw to Almaty two days ago.  Fastest correspondence chain since I've been in the process - only took a few hours.

The answer was generally polite but in BOLD type it was denied: 

"Greetings,

Thank you for contacting the Consular Section of the U.S. Mission in Kazakhstan.

In response to significant challenges related to staff shortages and huge backlog of immigrant visa applications, the U.S. Mission in Kazakhstan is limited in its resources to process visa services. We provide visa services on a limited appointment basis as resources and local conditions allow. Therefore, given current space, capacity constraints and Consular section’s limited resources and huge backlog we are unable to accept your case transfer request."

For StevenInAtlanta:

Any updates on the sh*tshow you've been forced to endure? 

Have you crossed paths with any other couples with similar cases while there?

Hoping the BEST outcome for you guys - and encourage you to hang with it. 

*side note - with the 'September 19th' policy looming it looks like you may be one of the final few who are processed through Warsaw in the foreseeable future.

32 minutes ago, Simplytex said:

Just out of curiosity - your timeline shows that you were DQ'ed July 22, and since then you haven't heard anything from the embassy about scheduling?

That is correct.

I hate reading stories like this.  My Russian wife and I are in a queue SOMEWHERE in time behind you - awaiting an interview date - and this just gets my blood boiling.  I honestly think you COULD NOT design or create a system or experience that is more frustrating and demoralizing.  For example - would it have been so difficult to inform you AHEAD of time that only the spouse would be allowed to be inside the embassy?  As you wrote - couldn't the C.O. just say "hang on a moment. I can scan that directly into your case files at CEAC"?  Why defer to the administrative blood clot at the NVC? No way to contact?  I understand the need to screen but why not give someone like you a PIN or password in order to bypass the phone bot and talk to a REAL person?

Friends, relatives, etc. keep saying "be patient" "it will all work out", etc.  Yes - but (for example) while you've been waiting in Warsaw - at least 1000 illegals PER DAY have crossed into the USA.  Highly doubt anyone hassled them about a slight change in the appearance of a birth certificate.

After almost two years in this process (yes many have been here longer) - I've learned one thing.  The federal government (and many state/locals) care MUCH more for non-citizens who enter the U.S. illegally than the trials and tribulations of any U.S. citizen and those pursuing legal immigration. Not even close.

That is all.

Of course if you ask politely they' MAY answer you by late October 🤦‍♂️

Great question to ask.  Unfortunately I can see no incentive or pressure whatsoever to do so from within or outside of the State Department.

Rather disappointing news (as if there's not enough already) - it appears that the number of CR-1/IR-1 visas issued in Warsaw has dropped dramatically in both June and July when compared to the welcomed surge in March - May. 

March had a high of 63 issued and a backlog of 122 (roughly two months at that rate).  May had 54 and a backlog of 188 (roughly three months backlog) and July showed only 18 issued with a backlog of 200 - representing 11 months at that pace.

Source: The U.S. Department of State’s Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuance Statistics.

re submitted documents 

Not being a wise@ss - but are you absolutely sure that you actually submitted them? 

It's a two stage process. Easy to overlook the second. I've done it - even though I've correctly submitted them in the past. I didn't catch it for almost two weeks. 

Step one is to "add a document". Your account will show that you have added it but then you MUST hit/press the red "SUBMIT DOCUMENTS" prompt. 

Again - it's an easy mistake to make - I did it after over a year into the process. Cheers 

Not exactly the same situation but close. After 75 days, NVC asked for 1099's and a marriage certificate on my step daughter's CEAC account page (she's 13 BTW) but not on her mom's. 

Also said that mom is DQ but added that I don't qualify and need a joint sponsor. 

I make MANY times the 125% threshold and have - let's just say - assets. It's like they are paying the interns go to happy hour and then start sending rfe's. 

Makes no sense whatsoever. 

Yes,

Both a U.S. representative and a U.S. senator

Leaning toward intentional anti-Russian bias.  Look at the decision to move the consular process to Poland - WITHOUT special assurances or a 'carve out' type visa for Russian citizens to attend the interview.  It's obvious to anyone with a brain that the process is intentionally difficult.  Add to that the seemingly sudden spate of administrative "#######?" type of questions and requests that many applicants and petitioners are receiving.

Although anecdotal in nature I've read of numerous accounts of requests for misc. documents while at the same time telling someone that their case is "DQ".  Additionally - there seems to be a spate of determining ex-post facto that an petitioner/applicant doesn't meet the financial guidelines for support, etc.

Specifically in our case (I'm a U.S. citizen petitioning for wife/step-daughter - both Russian citizens - child is 13).  Wife's CEAC account listed as her as "DQ" on July 22nd 2022.  Follow up e-mail stated that the case would be sent to the embassy for admin. processing. CEAC shows that it is still at NVC.  Along with that came the infamous "FE" note stating that we don't meet the financial criteria.  Not flexing but I meet that criteria X 5+.  In addition on 13's case notes they asked for copies of my 1099's AND a copy of our marriage certificate but not on the wife's.  ####### is that about?  If they accept the FULL 1040 - the 1099's are included.  Additionally - why in the WORLD would that ask via my step-daughter's account to show a copy of a marriage license?  After all - would the case EVER get to the NVC for processing if USCIS had questions about this?  If nothing else this seems like deniable harassment.  Responding to an FE essentially resets the clock at least 60 and usually 75 days due to the mind numbing way in which cases are processed.  Again - I see this as 'deniable' harassment - disguised as incompetence.

Regarding the suggestion that Russian citizen interviews are being not being scheduled for CR/IR-1 in Warsaw - it's difficult to day.  The report is anecdotal from one small group. Nevertheless I find it SIGNIFICANT.  I've determined that this slow processing is apparently WORLDWIDE.   But where's the evidence you ask?  Look here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/immigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-immigrant-visa-issuances.html

Look for Foreign State of Chargeability Visa Class Issuances  >>> Immigrant Visa Issuances >>> by Foreign State of Chargeability June 2022 (FY 2022)

I've found this site to be somewhat useful regarding issuance of visas worldwide. The data can be seen by two methods. One is by place of birth and the other is by which "post" issued them.  Unfortunately the first is NOT consulate specific for the place of birth (i.e. unknown which post handled which nationality). 

As with most government agencies the data is stale (only through June 2022) but it shows trends.  In the screenshot example you can see that in June there were only a total of SEVEN CR-1's issued worldwide for Russian citizens, ONE CR--2 , 17 IR-1's and 12 IR-2's.  The Philippines in contrast issued over 400 of the previously cited categories in the same month.

Finally - we will pass the 500 day milestone next week re: submission of our petition - and as with many on this forum - there is NO end in sight.  Not to dilute the above points - but approximately 2.5 million illegals have entered the United States in the 500 days since we submitted out petition - and as a group we're being nitpicked over 'stale' documents and already submitted tax returns and marriage certificates - and people wonder why we are frustrated and angry at the process.

That is all.

NVC docs submitted May 12 2022

DQ July 22 2022*

Total time required 72 days

This fell right in line with the predictions shown on the Visa When website.

The current predicted processing time is 74 days. https://visawhen.com/

*Case sent to consulate for scheduling (WRW). Had no RFE but DID have a series of head-scratching FE 'case review notes' re: income, etc. Indicated that I 'may need' a joint sponsor.  WTH?  Last 3 years (last 30 actually) income has been 5x + the '125% poverty' line.  Seems like they are doing this almost by default for some unk. reason.

FE note also requested submission of marriage cert on my wife's daughter's CEAC account page as well as financial info NOT requested on my spouse's page.

Seems like a hot mess.

From an inside source (state department - very high level) - do not expect any immigration visa services from the U. S. embassy in Moscow (or any consulate in Russia) for the foreseeable future. 

Some chatter about moving cases to adjacent countries. Nothing official. 

I expect years of delays. 

We are likely going to a third country to live as a family. I don't like it but it is the reality of the world now. 

Although we are in the CR-1 process, we will face a similar challenge. One concern is the fact that a Schengen visa is required for a Russian citizen to travel to Poland. As I understand the current embargo on issuance of the Schengen visas began to be lifted for some cases beginning June of this year.  According to the website link below...

"... on June 24, the Polish Visa Application Centres in Moscow have also reopened, but they are only admitting applications for long-stay student & work visas, resident permits and exceptional case applications." 

I hope that immigration interviews will be included in the "exceptional cases". 

In any case I wish you all the best and success in your journey. 

Cheers. 

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/poland-starts-reopening-its-visa-application-centres-abroad/

Thanks to the moderators for trying to keep this thread on topic. 

Just now, JeanneAdil said:

IOE would mean electronic filing 

and Nebraska handles spouse visas 

 

Thank you for the reply - but I filed using a third party service and it was mailed in (not electronically filed). From what I've gathered since posting - they're converting all petitions to digital and it may simply be that this process is done in Harrisonburg.  That's why I appreciate these forums - LOTS of experience here.  FWIW - I'll create a timeline when I have more info re: have received actual I-797. Cheers.

I am an American citizen petitioning on behalf of my alien spouse/stepdaughter. Despite the incompetence of RapidVisa having initially mailed it to the WRONG service center (as noted in an earlier thread) - my I-130 is FINALLY being processed.  The USPS showed that it was delivered to that incorrect facility (Dallas vs Phoenix) on the 29th of March, 2021.
Strangely enough - yesterday (Sunday) evening (April 18, 2021) - I received not one but FOUR text messages (identical) saying that my case was received.  I was given a receipt number.
I used the USCIS mobile app and logged in then added the receipt number.  The app says it was received on the 29th of March and that I was mailed a receipt notice or acceptance notice.  Yesterday was the 18th and no notice received - but as I understand that is not unusual and could take up to 30 days.  So far - so good.  Furthermore - the app notice states:  "It is being processed at our Nebraska Service Center Location".

Here is where it gets confusing - almost simultaneously I received FOUR identical emails.  These state "Your case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS Harrisonburg Storage Center for processing. Within 7-10 days by standard mail you will receive your official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) with your Receipt Number IOEXXXXXXXXXX"
I know it may be asking a lot - but could anyone design a more confusing system of communicating?  I think not...
In any case - I am hoping for two outcomes.  1) That someone out there can decipher this for me (i.e., which of these two messages likely reflect the real location in real time?) and 2) That someone else who receives similar information can understand that it is either usual or unusual as the facts may eventually show.
Thanks for any pertinent info.

6 hours ago, JKLSemicolon said:

Sorry to hear that this happened.

 

Just one clarification, this part of your post is not entirely correct:

 

 

The instructions on the form say to visit the current USCIS Direct Filing Addresses page to see where to file. Dallas does accept I-130 petitions, but only for petitioners living in certain states (and who are not also concurrently filing the I-485 to adjust status from within the U.S.). Petitioners living in other states, like yours, send the petition to Phoenix.

 

Confusing for sure for those who do not file online.

Not in this case with this company. It is an internally generated "cover letter" and the ONLY address listed is the Phoenix lockbox. They screwed up and they fail to own it. PERIOD.

3 hours ago, Sarge2155 said:

I agree totally, did they offer you any reduction in rate or refund for their error? I would use this screw-up to dump them and do the rest yourself. If your packet gets returned run, don't walk away from "Rapid Visa"!!!!! Yes they have added much more time to your journey!!!!!

No they didn't. Quite the opposite in fact. They accused me of "threatening them" because I said that other than a refund I would (and will) sue them in the Las Vegas, NV small claims court.  Not a "threat" - a fact.  I'm done with communicating with them. I've already written the demand letter and am in the process of filing.  It's $86 and a few hours of my time - but worth EVERY cent and second - just to make them take the time to respond.  Failure to respond to a demand letter has its own consequences...