foobaz123

For the information of all hands... SUE GOT THE VISA!!!!!!
That is all.

For the information of all hands... SUE GOT THE VISA!!!!!!
That is all.

Government fees decreasing??? What fevered dream be this?!?
Also...
T-Minus 17 days and counting...

Government fees decreasing??? What fevered dream be this?!?
Also...
T-Minus 17 days and counting...

****UPDATE****
INTERVIEW SCHEDULED: 17APRIL2012 AT 1230
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
****END UPDATE****

****UPDATE****
INTERVIEW SCHEDULED: 17APRIL2012 AT 1230
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
****END UPDATE****

****UPDATE****
INTERVIEW SCHEDULED: 17APRIL2012 AT 1230
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
****END UPDATE****

****UPDATE****
INTERVIEW SCHEDULED: 17APRIL2012 AT 1230
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
****END UPDATE****

****UPDATE****
INTERVIEW SCHEDULED: 17APRIL2012 AT 1230
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
****END UPDATE****

I'm not entirely certain about that though. During the slog through CSC there were some definite patterns to who tended to fly through CSC faster than others and there did seem to be a possible link to the beneficiaries country. Of course, we all know that correlation doesn't necessarily equal causation. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the service centers are generally organized into groups who do certain regions. It would only make sense to avoid endless "Is this really a marriage document from country X?" type questions. Such organization alone could lead to patterns of speed and/or slowness.

Just got off the phone with NVC. They confirmed that the case is complete and awaiting interview scheduling. They apologized that it won't be scheduled for March (no kidding.. ) and said they're scheduling interviews for April this week. They said to call back next week...
Like hell... I'll call back later today and again tomorrow... and the next day.. and the next day....

:D

Define Irony.....
Calling the NVC to request status update on documents and being told by the call center that they have no new documents....
And then.....
And then..........
Wait for it..........
Wait for it.........
A few minutes later getting this in email:
Dear Sir/Madam:
All documentation necessary to complete the National Visa Center's processing of your case has been received. As soon as an interview date has been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner and attorney (if applicable) will be notified.
The applicant should NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment until the US Embassy or Consulate General has issued a visa.
The US Embassy or Consulate General may require additional documentation at the time of the interview.
Regards,
NVC Document Review Team
National Visa Center
Serco Inc, Support Contractor
CASE COMPLETE!!!!!!!
Time to completion (not counting errors): 3 Days (6March - 9March)
Time to completion (counting errors) 10 Days (28Feb - 9March)
Of course, none of that counts the massive delay caused by doing the OPTIN too soon. That puts the time at over 30 days.
:dance: :dance: :dance:
:dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :dancing: :dancing:

NVC called back.. yay!
The supervisor told me that they did definitely receive my updated/corrected I-864EZ (she had to ask someone to go check their email system for it). She also confirmed receipt of the DS-230 package I sent early day before.
And.....
She confirmed our evidence made it from USCIS to NVC and in the SAFEFILE!!!!!!!!!!!
w00t!!!!

NVC called back.. yay!
The supervisor told me that they did definitely receive my updated/corrected I-864EZ (she had to ask someone to go check their email system for it). She also confirmed receipt of the DS-230 package I sent early day before.
And.....
She confirmed our evidence made it from USCIS to NVC and in the SAFEFILE!!!!!!!!!!!
w00t!!!!

Hahaha....
I'll be cool as a cucumber until she goes up those stairs...

Well... I can always walk out on the back porch and pop a deer for that.

True. Though, I was thinking more along the lines of FAQ in addition to the links. Of course, that presumes people will read it instead of just jumping to the end of the thread with questions..

This seems pretty typical of most people's experience. The lawyer ends up costing hundreds and hundreds of dollars and just slows the process down. After all, no one on Earth cares about your case like you do. So, people pay lots of money and then end up often having to fill out most of the paper work and do most of the leg work themselves.
In my opinion, the only point where it makes sense to hire a lawyer is if you have to fight a consulate's bad decision.

You really want to get pissy with someone who waited just a hair bit less time than you when dozens of people are getting processed in a matter of a couple of weeks or no more than a month? I started hammering my people (congressmen and senators) and going to USCIS the day after it ticked past 150 days.
Should I feel bad that my people are, for whatever reason, more effective than others?
No, I shouldn't.
Do I feel bad that you, and others, are still waiting?
Damned right I do. Just yesterday I told my wife that I feel bad for everyone still waiting.
But, I can't do anything about that. What I suggest you do is pour your anger and angst into hammering your people for results. It may be far more productive and will certainly make more sense. Please remember, these people work for us.

Am I alone in feeling like they're bragging and rubbing salt in some pretty painful wounds?
It's nice that they got approved so quickly. Bully for them. But to post a thread dedicated to calling out that they got approved in 8 days when they have to down that there are people who have waited 10.. 20.. 30 times that long... just seems... wrong.

I admit I'm trying to come up with a response that is nice.. kind.. and congratulatory...
*Looks at 174 day timer*
....
I've got nothing nice to say...

The answer to both of your questions is the same. When you call the number and go through the automated process, after it reads you the useless status information it will give at least three options. One of them, number three I believe, is to report a problem. Hit that. You'll be taken to an operator who's primary job is to read you the same information the website has and the automated system has. No kidding, they will not admit to having any additional information.
At that point you're basically down to pleading with them to submit a service request. The reason is this: As long as the official processing date is before your NOA1 date, they won't submit a service request no matter how long it has actually been. They'll go through the motions, talk about looking up information... and then say "We're sorry sir/madam, as they are currently processing petitions from 16June you're within normal processing time. As such we're unable to put in a service request at this time. Please, call back within <some period of time>".
I had one conversation with them that went like this:
"Can I put in a service request to find out what is taking so long?"
"Sorry sir, you're within normal processing time"
"The processing time that CSC can define as whatever they want?"
"Yeah...."
"And you can't put in a service request or gather any additional information until that 16June date moves?"
"That's correct."
"And there is no way to get them to move it?"
"No... <Gives various lies and BS about volumes and how busy they are and how many petitions they must have received on that day>"
"They've been giving that day now for three months... You really want me to believe that they've been working on a single day's worth of petitions for three months?"
"<more BS>"
"Can I speak to a supervisor?"
<transfer>
<repeat all the lies and BS above>
"So there is nothing at all you can do for me?"
"Sorry sir."
<Fighting an urge to call them a waste of space and money>
That said, calling costs you nothing but time and frustration. Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky.
On the subject of expediting:
Are you or your SO in the military and about to be deployed?
Will the USC suffer severe financial hardship if the expedite isn't granted?
If the answer is no, then you won't get an expedite. You can try anyway, costs nothing, but don't be shocked when they summarily say no. I wish I had something more hopeful to say. Unfortunately, I'm out of hope and am fully convinced none of us will be getting out of USCIS any time soon.

CSC is still bloody "processing 16June"
"All you can do is keep waiting sir."
Take your "keep waiting" and die in a fire

That's probably infinitely more common in cases like ours where the foreign spouse is from Not-Europe/Not-Australia/Not-FancyCountry. I doubt the lady a couple of posts above get such comments about her guy from Australia
The biggest ignorance thing I have to deal with is the utter lack of knowledge people have about how arduous this process is. How slow it is. How prone to failure and problems it is. Everyone expects that now that we're married she can just hop on a plane and come over.
"Yeah, she could. If she was from a VWP country. But she isn't. So she can't. Can't even set foot on the plane"
"What's VWP?"
*Long explanation about how the US government says all countries are equal, but some are more equal than others. About how most people in the world will never have a chance to even visit here, let alone live here. About how tourist visas are denied routinely and how often it isn't even worth the trouble to apply for them*
*Get blank looks and statements of disbelief*
"When will she be here?" <-- usually asked early in the process, back in June/July for me
"Early or Mid 2012. No sooner. Not one single day sooner. Assuming the people at the Consulate don't decide to reject us because the sky isn't the right color of blue that day."
"Why so long?"
*face palm*