ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
USCIS Service CentersHow do USCIS select what file to process next?

 

 

aww what a guy. taking time out of his personal life to answer (in great length) all of our questions. makes me feel a bit bad for hating on USCIS so often. i guess not everyone is like him! 

 

It's quite sweet.  I especially liked the part where the former employee said they called K-1 applicants "hunny bunnies" wub.png


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-11 18:21:00
USCIS Service CentersHow do USCIS select what file to process next?

A few years ago a former USCIS who was also a vj member, answered your question. He said basically depends on 3 things: who arrive first, the person who is processing you (some staff members process petitions faster or slower than others) and how easy/difficult is for this staff member, to check your background. Normally if your package is not complete, or you have some criminal background etc your petition will need to wait longer. That topic was back from 2011 but I think stills apply

 

 

Is this it?

 

http://www.visajourn...dicator-q-and-a

 

It's been a little while since I read it, but I believe the former employee said something about it only taking 15 minutes to actually process the file ohmy.png


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-11 16:03:00
USCIS Service Centershow many march 2013 filers who got approved this days?

 

Ok thanks a lot. I'm going to call and speak to a tier 2 person first. Hopefully they will help. But they probably wont. I just know they have misplaced my file somewhere.

 

Good luck! :)

 

Yes, you, JBForever, and a third (can't remember the username) all from July 2012 have been waiting like this. I do think the box containing your files was misplaced somewhere or (heaven forbid) destroyed when CSC had flooding and they had to move many of their boxes.

What I would suggest is to find the local field office and make an appointment with them. Some who have tried every other recourse, including infopass, ombudsman, and their congressmen, and haven't had any luck, have seemingly had better information given to them via a local field office appointment. It's worth a shot.

Thanks for jumping in and helping out.  I felt bad that I couldn't give more solid info!  Hopefully nufcfc will be set now :)


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-02 16:16:00
USCIS Service Centershow many march 2013 filers who got approved this days?

 

 Thank you for all of that.  I made an account. My NOA1 date is July 26. It says last updated 30 July 2012. So it hasn't been touched since they got it really. I will call infopass. Is their number on the USCIS site?

 

 

I'm really not too sure as I'm not that far into the process, so hopefully someone else can chime in here? 

 

If you haven't tried the Tier 2 thing, I think that is probably your next recourse:  To call up and ask for a Tier 2 officer.

 

I'm not sure if the InfoPass thing applies to you or not so you might want to use that "Google Custom Search" box at the top right corner and research it a bit more.  Here's a link to start with, though: http://www.immigrati...c-none-infopass

 

 

Again, I'm not on very familiar territory here so you might be better off spending some time looking around the forums to see if other peoples' files have gotten "stuck" and what they did about it.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-02 15:26:00
USCIS Service Centershow many march 2013 filers who got approved this days?

 

I've been on to the USCIS site to check my case status. I didn't know you could see when it was last touched? How do I do that? We have been in touch with Congressman but nothing has happened so far.

 

Go to the USCIS website and enter your WAC number like normal.  On the left, second link down, click on "Sign-in to My Account".  At the bottom, click on "Want to Register?" and create an account.

Once that's done, your case number should show here, and you can turn on email and mobile alerts from this spot.  

There is also a column that says "Last Updated" which shows the last time your file was touched (for me, this is my NOA1 date).  

I haven't gotten this far yet, but I do believe if you have an RFE issued or something like that, it would also show up here, possibly where it says "Form Number" or "Form Title" (I'm sure someone who's gotten an RFE can provide better information, but this should at least get you started).

 

You may want to investigate things like Tier 2 or InfoPass.  I've seen these mentioned by other people who were having issues but as I haven't gotten that far in my process yet, I don't know much about them.  Again, perhaps other people can jump in here and give you more advice about that.  But you're nearly at 12 months, which is about double the average processing time, so you're well within your right to be asking for help now!


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-02 12:25:00
USCIS Service Centershow many march 2013 filers who got approved this days?

 

I have done everything possible. All they say its call back in 90 days if you hear nothing. Its a disgrace!

JKS is right, that's way over the current processing time!  When you log into the website, what date does it say your file was touched last?  When you call, do they give you any other information besides "wait 90 days"?  Have you tried contacting your representative to see if they can't push it through for you?  What about asking to speak to a Tier 2 officer?


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-02 10:31:00
USCIS Service Centershow many march 2013 filers who got approved this days?

What kind of petition did you filed?and where service center you filed? Its take 2 to 4 weeks in nvc

 

Helpful hint: You can find this information on the left, just under the poster's profile picture.  Unless they haven't updated it, this little "blurb" of info will tell you what type of visa they're going for and, often, which service center it's being processed through as well as where they are from.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-02 10:19:00
USCIS Service CentersVSC left over just got transferred to Texas!!

Ever since I started working on the I129-F packet I have had levels of stress and anxiety higher than anytime in my life. 

 

Glad I'm not the only one.

 

Well, not really glad, but... you know...


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-06-21 20:20:00
USCIS Service CentersAre VJ K-1 Guidelines Complete?

 

First, CONGRATULATIONS on getting your visa approved!!!

 

So a question for you - what if she takes the I-864 with her but they don't ask for it?  Wouldn't they then deny us based on the fact that our I-134 wouldn't show enough income?

 

Thanks :)

 

Okay, I had a brainfart on this one.  For some reason I thought the I-864 was a supplement for co-sponsors, but I should've known better because I just spent three days putting together notes for Adjustment of Status laughing.gif Too many forms!!!

 

 

 

The major difference between these two documents is the fact that an I-864 is filed in connection with an immigrant spouse visa application and an I-134 is filed in connection with a non-immigrant dual intent fiancee visa application (commonly referred to a K1 visa application).

 

So as a K-1, you will be filling out the I-864 later, during the AoS period.

 

I don't know too much about co-sponsorship (since I'm sponsoring my fiance by myself) but from what I'm reading it sounds like you and the co-sponsor would both fill out one copy of the I-134, both of which would then be presented at the interview if/when asked.

 

Here's another thread on that:

http://www.visajourn...-134-and-i-864/


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-11-22 17:52:00
USCIS Service CentersAre VJ K-1 Guidelines Complete?

Also, I've noticed that some embassies and government websites confuse K-1 visas a LOT.  Sometimes, they are considered "immigrant" visas and sometimes they are considered "non-immigrant". 

 

While we were going through this (just got visa approval yesterday!) our philosophy was that it was always, always, always better to bring too much than not enough.  If they don't ask for it during the interview, then don't give it to them... but when in doubt, have it just in case you are asked!


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-11-22 13:36:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

 

 

If your spouse has held a job with the same employer for the previous six months at the required income level plus has a firm job offer starting within 3 months of return to the UK I think you are okay to return without separation 

 

Plus there are various ways of making the money up with assets (if they are going to continue in the UK) and / or cash savings (as long as you have held them for six months)

 

If your return is a long way in the future then you have the chance to plan how to fulfill all the requirements - start saving now!

 

It's tough if you want to go back quickly for a family emergency though. 

 

 

Yeah, I vaguely remember that from my research.  Those aren't likely options for us, though.  The chance of my SO getting a job offer in advance is next to nil (especially without having an exact move date), and any money we will have saved up will a) be needed for the move and getting his house back and b) probably not enough anyways.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-27 10:58:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

Not to mention, as I understand it, it's six months of holding a job before you can even apply.  From what I can tell the process doesn't look as long as the US one has been, but it's still at least another few months, I believe.  (I could be wrong... I was looking into this a couple months ago and I'm going off of memory here.)

 

My SO and I are planning to move back one day and we're expecting about a year of separation, assuming he can find a job that pays enough to meet the requirements.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-09-27 10:16:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

 

Huff seems to be more focussed on people who would read those papers.

 

HuffPo is definitely geared more towards those type of readers.  It's also a magnet for conservative commenters, though.  


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-20 18:12:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

Yeah, I'm sure the people talking about how the rules aren't strict enough and immigration should be stopped completely are avid Guardian readers dry.png


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-20 13:57:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

 

You and I are both American.  Because of that, we've got a different societal perspective towards family than that of a British citizen.  And that's because American society and law are structured differently towards the family than in the UK. 

 

Does that sound nuts?  It took me a length of time in my knowledge of life "over there" to realize the difference.  Family units in the UK can be just as fractured as they are in the US.  The difference between them and us (I believe anyway) is the view towards the protections of children.  The view that "mum" is still very important to the development of a child. That society has a duty to step in and help families, especially where children are involved.  And that strong family life is important to the country as a whole.

 

As such, British citizens have something we American's don't.  They actually have a legal right to family life in the UK.  It's enshrined in the EU directives and other British law. 

 

Interesting to think about.  And about what these rules really mean to UK families.

 

Thank you for that interesting perspective.  My fiance is from one of those "fractured" families so that was an education (if you will) I haven't gotten.  It does change the dynamic.

 

Going back and re-reading what I wrote, I should probably clarify that I was only speaking about my personal situation.  It wasn't meant to belittle or dismiss anyones' concerns, and I guess it was spoken from more of a natural assumption of "red tape" than anything else.  It certainly wasn't meant to justify the government's position, but I can see how it might have been read that way.  Apologies for any confusion.  I don't like it any more than anyone else, because we do want to move back someday and I really don't want to have to go through this all over again, but I've been a Navy brat since I was four years old so to me bureaucracy is just a fact of life.  What I'm not used to is the assumption that I'm a moocher, especially when the very opposite is true, so being on the receiving end of that really took me aback.  


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-15 07:09:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

Maybe it's amazing because we're used to being blamed for everything laughing.gif


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-13 13:28:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

It was always our plan to move back to the UK eventually.  The rules are more strict than they need to be, IMO, but they're not very different from what we'd assumed they would be before we began researching.  Not fun, but hardly unexpected for us, so we're kind of just rolling with it and hoping it changes.  If it doesn't, oh well.

 

What's making me a little worried is the anti-immigrant sentiment.  As an example, my fiance mentioned to a friend that we'd pushed up our plans to move back to England after I'd had to visit a hospital while on vacation there and we had a real discussion about it. The friends response was that he was very much against immigrants coming to this country "for the benefits".  I don't understand this mentality; I'll be paying taxes (and as I understand it, paying extra for NHS access until I'm a citizen) so it's not like I wouldn't be paying for it like everyone else.  I can't imagine what I would be treated like by someone who is more vociferous in their opposition and who isn't a friend.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-08-13 11:37:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

 

1)  I believe the bit you have cited about 1 year of residency doesn't apply to the job/income stuff.  It applies to how UKBA determines if the British citizen is "ordinarily resident".   Because they aren't going to grant a visa to a foreign spouse if the BritCit spouse isn't even going to live in the UK. 

 

2)  As for the NHS stuff - I don't think anyone can tell you precisely how this is all shaking down.  Reports are surfacing in other communities of people being denied visas because they accessed the NHS when they were not legally resident.  Part of the "anecdotal learning curve" is going to be whether or not people get sussed out only by their own admission of guilt.  The visa application itself asks a few questions about NHS usage.  It asks the applicant if they have ever used the NHS; it asks when and what for; it asks for your NHS number if you were given one.  We don't know yet if this is the only way they are going to be able to tell about improper use of the NHS by applicants. 

 

Emergency room care is suppose to be free at point of service for anyone - resident or not.  And most people (like you) who ever visited casualty in the UK report never having been given an NHS number.  Participants in other communities are suggesting that one could write the hospital you used to see if they still have any records of your visit. 

 

I do think your drug "co-pay" is odd.  I don't know what the cost of a prescription, for a UK resident, would have been at the time you got it, and in the part of the UK you obtained it.  I thought a scrip was 6 quid on the mainland...............  perhaps you paid full price?  Don't take my word for it.

 

 

 

1)  So there is no requirement that the UK resident return and live in the country for one year before applying?  The 6 months employment should be sufficient?  I guess this question is ultimately academic; it'll probably take him longer than 6 months to find a job that pays that much anyways, considering he's from the north dry.png

 

2) I did see the question on the application and was wondering about the NHS number.  Like the others, I wasn't issued one.

I think I found one of the communities you may have been thinking of.  The general consensus seems to be that as long as you received treatment in A&E, you're okay.  

The legalese worries me, though.  It says "non accident and emergency services provided in a walk-in centre are not under the exemption".  I went to A&E but was referred to Urgent Care to see the doctor.  Does this now classify it as a "non accident and emergency service"?  Is Urgent Care technically a "walk-in centre"?  (What I was treated for ended up not being an emergency, per se, but I certainly wouldn't have been able to get back on a plane if I hadn't been treated.)

I don't expect you to know the answers; I'm mostly speaking out of frustration at this point.  This all seems a bit ridiculous to me.  I made no misrepresentation of my nationality or why I was in the UK, but a short visit to a London hospital may end up derailing a visa application, though it appears we won't know for sure until my fiance (the UKC) abandons his path in the US (assuming he doesn't have citizenship yet), moves back, secures a job, holds it for six months, and pays the fee?  Surely one can't be expected to look up NHS law while in the middle of a medical episode?  I will try writing to the hospital as you recommended, but from the forums it sounds like even a letter saying I owe nothing might not clear it up due to common misunderstandings within the NHS over who gets billed what.  I would think that if it comes up during your application process (and you are honest on your application) that you do owe the NHS, you should be given the opportunity to simply pay it, but from the looks of it, people are just getting denied.  Very worrying.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-10 07:14:00
United KingdomBefore you permanently move to the US

Okay, here's a question.

 

There was one mention several pages ago that in addition to the six-month work requirement, the UK resident must have been physically present in the UK for at least a year.  I can't find any reference to this.  The closest thing I found was "As now, the sponsor must remain ordinarily resident in the UK (broadly, here more of the year than not and subject to UK taxation)".  Wouldn't six months + 1 day satisfy that requirement, though?  Does anyone know if the 1 year residency requirement is correct?

 

 

Also, I had a visit to an NHS hospital in London when I was in the country once (as a tourist).   It was very simple, just a quick visit with the doctor who wrote one prescription for me.  

One of the requirements appears to be that you have "no NHS debt of £1,000 or more".  

a) Under what circumstances would you hold a debt to the NHS?  Does any use of the NHS mean you have a debt with them, or is just "co-pay" type payments that accrue towards this?  For example, I paid £7-something for the prescription: Would my £7-something count toward my "debt" (if I hadn't paid it then and there), or is it the rest of the cost of that prescription as well as the doctors visit that counts?

b) How do you find out whether or not you have a debt and how much it is?

c) Are you given the opportunity to simply pay that debt before applying?

 


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-09 20:44:00
United KingdomYour British humour for the day...

good.gif 


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-04 12:29:00
United KingdomWhat do you miss most about the UK?

 

I know it sucks! Raises another oddity though... Chicago is only 3-4 hours drive from me (depending on traffic). In Australia I lived 3 hours from Melbourne. Driving there wasn't a big deal and we did it often (every other month if not more) but for some odd reason we've only been to Chicago three times in the 3 years we've lived in Iowa (honeymoon, visit my BIL who was visiting, and when mum visited). I could get all sorts of Aussie goodies in Chicago I'm sure. There's got to be international food stores all over the place there... I still don't have the inclination to drive to chicago though... gas mileage? Stupid drivers? Tolls? I should do it some day... maybe...

 

Thank goodness there are online shops that will ship it for my convenience biggrin.png I miss blackcurrant juice. Apple blackcurrant... mmmm.

 

If it makes you feel any better you've probably been to Chicago more times in 3 years than most people in the Chicago suburbs have ;)


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-08 19:22:00
United KingdomWhat do you miss most about the UK?

 

Yep!! Check the world foods aisle! They also have weetabix and treacle (which I love)

 

Mariano's has it too, fellow suburbanite ;)

Along with a pretty good selection of English cheeses and various other stuff (blackcurrant biscuits, spotted #######, devon custard, etc.)

Don't want to be taking business away from good 'ol Jolly Posh, though... although Nick and co. seem to be doing very well with business, and they're unlikely to go the way of British Accents (RIP - still miss that place!), it's still a good idea to support them when you can.


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-02 13:36:00
United KingdomWhat do you miss most about the UK?

I think I'll end up missing quite a few things when I move to the US. My family, of course. The humour, the general Britishyness. I remember when I was there last time and we all were watching TV, Bridget Jones came on and I was explaining the various Britishisms in it.

 

My fiance tells me there are also a lot of things that will be harder to come by in the US. Ribena, Robinsons, any blackcurrant flavoured drink in general really. He'd never even heard of them before he saw me drinking Ribena once. Also he says it is not very common out there to put brown gravy over lots of things. Like no Shepherd's Pies. Or nice meaty pies with gravy all over it. I like gravy. He says they have white gravy more often out there. I'm like.. white.. gravy? D=. Not sure if it's the same thing as our white wine sauce. We decided we may have to order in some Bisto from time to time.

 

It will also be a big culture change for me really as I'm a massive LGBT supporter and have been since I was 13, and I will be moving to the deep South and it is not as liberal there as it is in England. Plus I live in a big city so everything is close by, and in Aiken, you have to get in the car to drive to get anywhere. All very spread out. That was the main thing my baby noticed when living with me for a while.

 

However, America has Dairylea Lunchable pizzas >:0). They had them in the UK for ages then they suddenly stopped, and I wrote a strongly worded letter to them asking why the US got them and we didn't. When we did our shopping in Walmart, I was like .... D= Wow.. and stuffed the trolley full of them XD. I also developed a love for Hot Pockets out there. OH! And Red Lobster. I must go to Red Lobster again for their garlic shrimp scampi. Delicious. And the unlimited refills of drinks. The meal portions are huge.

 

As said up there ^ my phrases and stuff will need to adjust as well. Though my fiance has taken on a lot of my phrases. It always makes me giggle when something happens and he shouts "OH B*LLOCKS!", and a very Leicestershire phrase, "Stop being mardy"

 

It's getting easier and easier to access British TV, and more places seem to be stocking British foods.  Dunno about your area, but here, I can get Ribena and Robinsons from the grocery store two blocks away, and I live on the edge of civilization.  (Doesn't really help me, though... I'm a Vimto gal.)  But yeah, most people here don't even know what blackcurrant is, must less heard of blackcurrant-flavored drinks.

 

 

Wow, I just looked up Aiken SC.  I feel for ya, hun, I do.  Only saw one British restaurant in Augusta and all they had was pork pies and shepherds pie (or what we call shepherds pie, the one with beef).  Oof.  

 

 

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I haven't had a decent pie or pasty in the US, anyways... cray5ol.gif


Protocol417FemaleUnited Kingdom2013-07-02 13:21:00
USCIS Service CentersUSCIS Field visit for marriage based GC

I'm not sure I follow. Are you asking if USCIS pays a visit to couples applying for spouse visas? They don't do that.

It is not mandatory that couples live together. Many in this forum are currently separated while they await their spouse visa. If you are applying for an adjustment of status within the US and you do not live together for a good reason, you may need to explain why at the interview and show other evidence of a bona fide marriage (such as intermingled financials and assets).

What have you applied for?



 

I'll be applying my husband's GC after my oath ceremony and I might take up a travelling job, so I'm wondering whether it would be an issue if USCIS pays visit to our house, when I'm out of town, while my husband is alone for a week or so!


Actually, They do make home visits if they suspect anything like fraud.

 

Some examples:

 

http://www.visajourn...ation-officers/

 

http://www.visajourn...by-immigration/

 

http://www.visajourn...e-are-not-home/

 

 

Thank you! I think it's better to be cautious.


cashwindowsMaleIndia2014-01-06 13:51:00
USCIS Service CentersUSCIS Field visit for marriage based GC

Hi,

 

 I would like to know the current trends in USCIS field visit or Inspections during the Green Card process for spouse. Is it mandatory that both the spouse should live together?.Can one of the spouse live in a different city for work nature? How can this be mitigated? Any help is welcome.

 

Thanks!


cashwindowsMaleIndia2014-01-06 01:06:00
Thailandreceived case #.....

if you don't mind me asking can i know when did you received  your NOA2 and after how many days did you received your case number??


Blue roseFemaleCanada2013-11-07 17:22:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)212 (a) (7) ( A) (1) (I).

But they took my finger prints and my pic?? will I have to show them the form the gave me at the time of interview?? Iam confused and scared.huh2.gif cry.gif


Blue roseFemaleCanada2013-11-20 18:21:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)212 (a) (7) ( A) (1) (I).

Does this mean I will need a waiver? If so can anyone tell me which one please so tht i can be prepared.. ClockWatch2.gif if they ask me i can submit it direcltly


Blue roseFemaleCanada2013-11-20 17:54:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)212 (a) (7) ( A) (1) (I).
My husband had applied I130 this year and has been approved and gone to NVC. l'm a Canadian Citizen who stopped at the border last year on Aug 30th when I went to meet my husband they had stopped me and given application withdrawn I-275 and handed me  212 (a) (7) ( A) (1) (I)." since they thought i was planning to stay in USA. So my husband petitioned me for I130 it has been approved and send to NVC. My question is do I need a wavier? if so which one do I need I212 OR I601 Please tell me iam so confused.cray5ol.gif i dont want to wait till interview to get my visa denied.
Blue roseFemaleCanada2013-11-19 14:20:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Denied entry under 212a7AiI
Will they tell us to submit waiver I 212 or I 601? Or no waiver is required.
Blue roseFemaleCanada2013-11-24 22:04:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Denied entry under 212a7AiI
My case is also some what like yours. I'm Canadian Citizen who was stopped at the border last year on Aug 30th when I went to meet my husband they had stopped me and gave me application withdrawn I-275 and handed me 212 (a) (7) ( a) (i) (I)." since they thought i was planning to stay in USA as i told them i going to meet my spouse. So my husband petitioned me for I130 it has been approved and send to NVC.  Iam thinking I need a wavier either I212 OR I601 but many people said I dont need to apply for wavier at all. 

Blue roseFemaleCanada2013-11-23 17:36:00