ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
USCIS Service CentersI Cannot Believe It!!
Yep my fiance was hung up on when he asked to speak to a tier 2. Seems customer service is just about non existent at USCIS.

No you do not have to just sit and wait it out. Be as pro active as you feel you wish to be but do be prepared for let downs from most people that you think might be able to help e.g congressman, senator, media etc. Every so often, someone gets lucky with their congressman or senator. You may be one of the lucky ones but you will not know until you try.

Good luck in your journey.
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-13 23:22:00
USCIS Service CentersWhy are the k1's so out of sequence
The whole system stinks for us right now. August 7th filer here and stuck in the black hole too :(
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-13 15:32:00
USCIS Service Centerswhat is going on with CSC

i cannot believe CSC is apprving all these december filers. What's up with jult, august sept and october? Does anyone knows whats going on?


Fiddling the figures is what's going on. Getting processing times to closer to national goal of 5 months by processing petitions that are at 4 months and ignoring the 6-9 month old ones.

It stinks!
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-15 22:28:00
USCIS Service CentersNew info regarding CSC

Ya they are definitely pumping them out at a rate more rapid than we have witnessed in the last 6 months! that is for sure!

Over 16 NOA2s in the last 48 hours on VJ, that has to be a record-breaker for the last 8 months
0


We just need to see more of the July onwards petitions coming through. Anyone notice Vermont has slowed down? I think they have one office and they just change the name from Vermont to california from time to time when the backlog gets too much :rofl:
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-16 22:44:00
USCIS Service CentersVSC slowed down

Thanks,. :thumbs: we'll try and do some push. Since the start of the petition, i remember my fiance called only once that was Nov. 2012, after that we just wait and wait and wait. When we got the RFE, t'was a good sign , we did no follow up. Maybe now, we need to do something, even though i know, there are still behind me. :blink:


I have a feeling that the slow down has affected your rfe but it is now over a month since they received it so I see no reason why you can't follow it up with a phone call. Please let us all know how you get on. Good luck :)
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-17 05:22:00
USCIS Service CentersVSC slowed down
Maybe your fiance could chase up your rfe?
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-17 00:46:00
USCIS Service Centers2nd Quick Response from Ombudsman

NOOOO ???? Really??? He had this privilege?
How come they just called him and not other people???

It's not that I don't believe you but It's soooo weird!!


I was on Skype with him when they called. They actually called and asked for me! lol

Here are the emails that we sent to the ombudsman

Dear Sir

I write with concern in regards to the current delays at the California Service Center.

We filed out I-129F on August 7th 2012 and were given the reference number : WAC12904XXXXX

At the time, processing was taking under 5 months. Just after 5 months we called and were told to call back in 2 weeks if we hadn't heard anything. When we did call back we were told we were no longer outside processing times and they had changed the date to July 18th, therefore unable to do a service request. This was back in January.

We are now in April and still we have the processing time of July 18th. How can this be? Is nobody at CSC working on our petitions? I am a member of Visajourney.com and collectively we have been given every excuse in the book. The latest we here now is 48,000 files got damaged when the pipe burst a few weeks ago yet USCIS state that there isn't expected to be any delays due to the burst pipe and the center being closed for 2 days.

It seems the only I-129F's being processed are the ones that have automatic expedite or the few that have been lucky enough to get their senator or congressman to intervene on their behalf. It doesn't seem very fair when USCIS says that petitions are dealt with in the order they are received yet we see CSC filers from September, October and beyond being processed when they have had intervention from their senator or congressman.

Vermont seems to be currently moving into processing October petitions yet here we are, stuck in July since January!

We would greatly appreciate if you could look into this situation. We are all anxious to be with our loved ones and starting new lives. For us that means getting my fiancee's children settled into new schools in the US and my fiancee and I building up the family ranch.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

RESPONSE:

The Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) processing time at the California Service Center (CSC) has slipped based on competing agency priorities. The CSC is realigning resources to address the processing times for certain forms to include the Form I-129F. As additional officers are assigned to this workload, the center expects to reduce the current processing time for Form I-129F. Although the center was closed for 2 days, there was minimal down time and all files affected by water are available for staff to work in date order.

2nd email:

hat is good that all files are available for staff to work on but when are staff going to be assigned to work on I-129f petitions? The customer service centre is still quoting that CSC is working on July 18th. They have been quoting that date since January. When are we likely to see a change?

No Response received

3rd email:

Dear Sir

Ref: WAC12904XXXXX I-129f petition for alien fiance(e)

As I received no reply from my email dated 3rd April, I will ask again. That is good that all files are available for staff to work on but when are staff going to be assigned to work on I-129f petitions? The customer service centre is still quoting that CSC is working on July 18th. They have been quoting that date since January. When are we likely to see a change?

We are told that files are worked on in date order but yet again, to my dismay, on the website Visajourney.com I see petitions being approved from November with no expedite and no intervention from congressman or senator.

I urge you to look into this situation for the many of us that have been stuck in the system for many, many months now. The USCIS goal is 5 months for this kind of petition yet California states they are running at 7.9 months. We are about to hit the 8 month mark yet our petition remains untouched.


It was a few days after this email that my fiance got a call from an Officer Bond at USCIS who assured us that the files were ok and we should hear something in 20 days. If not, we should call back as we will be well over the processing time by then.

Sooooooooooooo, yep we wait like everyone else lol
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-17 10:25:00
USCIS Service Centers2nd Quick Response from Ombudsman
Last week, my fiance got a call from USCIS who rang to re assure him that the burst pipe had caused no delay whatsoever.
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-17 00:49:00
USCIS Service CentersVSC?
It seems they prioratise different types of applications in preference to others. I guess vermont more or less got to the USCIS target for I-129f petitions and prioratised something else.

I don't know how many staff they have working at these places but it seems kinda like the say, "ok, you can work on 1-129f's on your own for now while the rest of us do the others"

Either that or California and vermont are the same people. They just tell the staff they are California this week :rofl:
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-17 23:10:00
USCIS Service CentersJust met with my Senator

Thanks for leading on this issue. I have also contacted one of my Senators. (Oregon). I should send my letter to the second Senator.


Which Senators are you contacting? We are also in Oregon.
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-15 22:31:00
USCIS Service CentersUnfair random approvals. What is wrong with you CSC people?

But realy, how we handle things is our own personal issue and nobody is right or wrong for having the feelings they have. The BIG issue here is how the service centres handle our petitions.  A call for more transparency in their operations so we can understand better why some wait longer than others and why some seem to be approved very early in the process would be enough  to satisfy many people.


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-17 04:54:00
USCIS Service CentersUnfair random approvals. What is wrong with you CSC people?

 

Oh I don't think I still have to call CSC, I have been approved since MAy 9 devil.gif  and I am very happy but not that happy for the others who are still waiting. You might feel glad for now because of January and February approvals and you just feel that yours might come very soon, but if not I'll check every post you make to see how frustrated and disappointed you are. devil.gif devil.gif devil.gif devil.gif devil.gif

I remember feeling glad when I saw petitions getting approved that were near mine, we all get a little excited when we see approvals happening not too far from our own.  Well we do if we realy want to be with the one we love.  I remember feeling bad too when approvals came in for those that filed after me.  We called congressmen, Senators, emailed USCIS and radio stations with the facts about the delays.

 

Eventualy I got my NOA2 after an April RFE.  That does not mean I have forgotten anyone waiting or that I can not empathise with their situation but remember we all have different ways of handling stress and all have different levels of tolerance to stress.  While some rant, some stay calm and wait.  Whether your a ranter or a stay calm person, there is no oy to be founded in the misfortune of others.


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-17 01:18:00
USCIS Service CentersGetting ready to call The California Service Center
I think it would be more accurate to say mid July to mid November filers in the black hole while CSC brings it's processing times closer to the USCIS national goal of 5 months. Unfair? Definately!
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-04-15 22:25:00
USCIS Service CentersA Guide to Writing Your Elected Representative(s) About the I-129F Slowdown at the CSC
As a beneficiary, is there anything I can do to help our case? My fiance's congressman has a note on his website saying that his office will not respond to anyone outside his constituency
Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-03-29 23:55:00
United KingdomRecent interviewees - do you have your passport yet??

 

Yes I was at the reception when they were having all of the problems.  I do think I remember you from the day!! smile.png

 

Out of interest, what number / dept did you speak to at the consulate?  I have called DX Secure and also the DOS, but neither offered any help.  I was not sure who to call / ask for at the London embassy!?

 

Thanks

 

Chris

smile.png

 

I just called the number and just asked for help.  I asked the lady to not make me call anywhere else because I had been trying for weeks to get answers.  She must have felt sorry for me because she did help :)


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-12 06:10:00
United KingdomRecent interviewees - do you have your passport yet??

 

That is great news, congratulations!!!  

 

Yes, I recall that the system was down in the early part of the day too!  As of yet, I have not had any form of notification from DX secure that they have my passport.  I am starting to wonder if maybe I should call them just in case they have screwed up and sent it to a depot.

 

I was I002!!! 

wow were you stood at that first reception just through the doors when we learned the computer system wasn't working and the woman eventually issued us with numbers by hand?  I was the short lady with a teenage daughter with me.

 

If the courier still doesn't have your passports then try the embassy.  explain you have flights booked and when for and see if they can help.  I was asked at my interview when I was travelling.  I said I hoped to go on 16th as my fiance's son was graduating that week from Army basic training.  Maybe that helped speed my passport through.  who knows?  Good luck, hope you get it soon :)


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-11 23:40:00
United KingdomRecent interviewees - do you have your passport yet??

 

Hey There,

 

I was wondering if you had any update on your status?  I think we had our interviews on the same date (30th August), which was unfortunately right before the Public Holiday.

 

My status has been "Issued" for a few days, but I have heard nothing regarding delivery.

 

I am still holding out that I can make the flights I have booked for next week, but it is becoming less likely I think.

 

Chris

 

Not only that but their systems weren't working!  I paid twice for home delivery, once online and once at the embassy.  I got an email notification the other day saying that the courier was booked to pick up the paperwork from the embassy.  Yesterday I called DX only to find my passports were at the depot and were not down for home delivery.  I drove the ten miles to collect them, came home, booked flights and I leave on Monday 16th!!!!!!

 

Just out of interest, what ticket number were you at the embassy?  I was I004


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-11 10:19:00
United KingdomRecent interviewees - do you have your passport yet??

Still no passports :(  Still hoping they may get here this week.  I hope so.  My belongings are being picked up for shipping on Wednesday and we are having a leaving party on Sunday, hopefully flying out Monday.  The tracking number I put in for the passport still shows no record :(


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-09 08:27:00
United KingdomRecent interviewees - do you have your passport yet??

my interview was 30th August, told the embassy I wanted to travel on 16th September so am still hoping for that :)


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-05 15:26:00
United KingdomRecent interviewees - do you have your passport yet??

My CEAC status has changed to ISSUED today.  Hopefully I will hear from the courier just after the weekend.  I am soooooo excited!


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-05 14:58:00
United Kingdommarriage and divorce certificates needed for K1 visa

I couldn't work that out either!  I take it you have your NOA2?  I gave up my copy of the marriage certificate to the solicitor when I divorced so I have ordered one online for £9.25 I think it was. That way I am covered.  Just waiting for it to come through the snail mail!

 

Might be helpful to fill in your timeline then people know where you are in the process


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-24 01:39:00
United KingdomUK Vaccination Records

Same problem here.  They have records but not all of them :(  My childhood records would have been paper and despite attempts, nobody has them they say :(  Had the tetanus polio shot the other day but my surgery won't give the MMR, says I have to go to a travel clinic for that and for the kids to have the Hep B.  No clinic in my town so may just get them done at Knightsbridge Doctors


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-05-24 01:19:00
United KingdomApproved Visa but having problems with new visa system!

Ring the consulate and explain.  If your lucky you may get someone who will actually try to help.


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-08 05:18:00
United KingdomHep needed. No payment option for K Visa

The interview letter tells you to read IV19 Fiancé(e) Visa Appointment Letter http://photos.state....appt_letter.pdf

There are step by step instructions on where and how to pay at the end

 

 

Yep but in my case, the instructions didn't work :(  


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-09 00:13:00
United KingdomHep needed. No payment option for K Visa

The number for the London embassy is 020 7499 9000  Press O for operator assistance.  

 

Good luck sorting it out.  It's a nightmare!


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-08 05:56:00
United KingdomHep needed. No payment option for K Visa

Time for an update me thinks!

 

I Got an email reply telling me to register on the new site as a K1 visa applicant and follow the link.  If it didn't work to contact them again by resending the email.  I did this and received a response that my email had been deleted without being read :(

 

So today I call the help line again!  first attempt I get cut off as they try and connect me through

 

2nd attempt they put me through to an automated line wanting DS260 number?????

 

3rd attempt, they tell me that because i am a transitional K applicant they can not help me!!!!

 

Soooooo call embassy in London (this is now the 3rd time)

 

VERY helpful lady on phone who went backwards and forwards and over everything.  Have i tried this, yes, have i tried that, yes then off she goes to speak to a supervisor and comes back and tells me....................

 

turn up on the 30th for your appointment and we will just take your payment then!

 

I don't know whether to be happy or panic that when i get there i will be turned away because the fees are not paid!  


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-08 05:34:00
United KingdomHep needed. No payment option for K Visa

Interview August 30th.  The first post is everything  have done so far to try and sort things out :(


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-04 10:46:00
United KingdomHep needed. No payment option for K Visa

Tried a new account with a different email but now won't let me put in my applicant details!  Fill it all in, press submit and nothing at all happens :(  I am realy panicking now over paying my fees :(


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-04 01:36:00
United KingdomHep needed. No payment option for K Visa

Well here is my story so far.

 

On the 24th July I was scheduled a visa appointment in London for 30th August

 

26th July I received letter telling me this.  

 

I phoned the extortionate payment line and it was disconnected but gave me a new number.  I called the new number and was told to set up an account on there and I would be able to pay my fees and re schedule my appointment.

 

I set up the account and was given the option to pay the $30 courier fee which I did.  I could not find a payment option to pay the visa fees.  Called the helpline number again and was told to contact the consulate direct.

 

Phoned the consulate direct and was told I was a transition applicant and to go back on to the website and follow the directions for that and I could send an email from there.

 

Followed the instructions on there, filled in my name, hopeful travel date, pressed submit expecting a form to put in my details and got a message saying I would receive a reply in two days!

 

Reply came giving me a NON IMMIGRANT appointment for 8th August!  

 

Again rang the consulate to try and explain.  This time was given instructions to yet another email form.  Sent this one off yesterday and it came up saying I would receive a reply in 5 working days!!!!!!

 

Also the website is now again giving me the option to pay courier fees which I have paid already :(

 

I am so stressed!  I can find no way to pay for the visas for me and the kids.  Anybody any ideas?


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-03 00:34:00
United KingdomCourier. Contacts. Changes. Confusion.

Well I paid for the courier but couldn't get a link to pay for the visa!  Now it is asking for me to pay the courier fee even though I have done that.  What a mess this is!!!!


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-04 01:32:00
United KingdomInfo on paying at london embassy

Yea don't bank on it being fixed.  On my interview day, the computers weren't working at all, we were manually isued with numbers after waiting probably just under an hour at reception.


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-05 22:50:00
United KingdomInfo on paying at london embassy

We were directed to another window to pay, then back to the first window with the receipt.


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-05 22:08:00
United KingdomInfo on paying at london embassy

They will take his money at the embassy.  They did not check before I went into the embassy whether I had paid or not, they just wanted the appointment letter.  I did call before hand, not sure if that was necessary or not but they said they had noted it on my file so I would have no problems getting in the embassy on the day.


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-05 14:55:00
United KingdomInfo on paying at london embassy

I had my visa interview yesterday and we hit a major hiccup.  I wasn't able to pay online for the visa processing so was told to pay by debit card on the day.  The lady tried to take my payment and my bank denied it.  I later found out they had flagged it as possibly fraudulent.  This resulted in two options.  One...reschedule appointment or two, find a bank and withdraw cash.  Just thinking, if anyone else is in same boat, take your bank card and the cash just in case!  we were number 4 in the immigration Q but we didn't get out of embassy till after 11.30 with the messing around.

 

Oh Visa was approved by the way :D

 


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-31 11:15:00
United KingdomVisa's in hand!!!

Congratulations :)


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-05 14:50:00
United KingdomLondon K applicants to pay MRV fees through new system if interview 26th July+

They never gave me the option to pay, just told me to do it all on-line.  I will give it a few days and see what happens


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-26 08:11:00
United KingdomLondon K applicants to pay MRV fees through new system if interview 26th July+

It is scheduled for 30th August.  Gonna have to call the number again to try find out to pay coz I can not see any way of paying online :(


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-26 06:48:00
United KingdomLondon K applicants to pay MRV fees through new system if interview 26th July+

I just received my appointment letter.  I called the new number for London 020 3608 6998 and after going through a lot of menu's I finally got to speak with a person who told me that I can pay online and also cancel, re-schedule my appointment on line by making an account on the website.

 

I have just spent the last half hour doing this, found I could pay courier fees (which I have done) but could not find a way to pay for the visa's, change my appointment or get any information.  Frustrating!


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-26 06:24:00
United KingdomLondon 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

Just wondering if anyone can help me.

I have my interview at 8.30am in the morning and I checked the coach timetable and the earliest I can get to London Victoria is 7.20am, Im worried I'll be rushing if I got there at 7.20am. Does anyone know if there are any cheap hotels near by?

Thanks 

 

I stayed at Lincoln House Hotel on 29th August.  Was basic but had tv and coffee making facilities and staff were helpful. Various rooms available and is in EASY walking distance of embassy.

 

http://www.lincolnhousehotel.co.uk/

 

My appointment was at 8.30, I gottot embassy at about 7.40 and there was already a small queue


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-06 07:51:00
United KingdomLondon 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

They also check kids genitalia too.  My son was checked to make sure his testicles had dropped.  The look on his face was priceless! rofl.gif


Oregon BoundFemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-05 15:01:00