No Billy, I have already filed I-129F. Waiting for them to respond to either one of the applications. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Please post when you hear from them.

I called USCIS customer service today. It turns out that one of the numbers on the back of that check that starts with a WAC is the actual case number. The customer service was very helpful. The first lady who answered the phone simply transferred me over to another guy. She said she does not have access to search by name since I don't have a case number. She transferred me to this other guy in some other department (I was on hold for about 4 minutes) was very knowledgeable. He took down my wife's full name and date of birth and was able to pull up the case number.

What's ironic is that when I put that case number in the case status site, it shows that the I-130 is APPROVED and a notice was sent on April 27. However, he said that a notice was not generated and sent yet and asked me to wait.

He also told me that I-130 notice is required for I-129F application and that my application may be denied or they may send it back with an RFE. (Got me worried) But he said that I shouldn't worry about it and if that happens, I should just send it back with I-130 notice and it will be processed with the original processing date.

Billyk, you should take a take a closer look at the back of the check and there should be a printed (not handwritten) number starting with three letters. That is your case number. Once you are able to figure that out, then put that case number on the case search site at USCIS.gov and it will give you status.

Good luck!!

Hello Trent, I found the number on the check start with WAC, thanks for the tip. My case is still in process and it shows they mailed the receipt when received on May 1st at California Center. When I called the center, I had to go thru the same chanel but she told me there was not any file number then. Anyway, I still have not gotten my NOA so will see what happens to the I-129F.

Are you planning to pursue for K-3 or want to stick with IV now? Do you think it will be a good idea to send the copy of I-797 upon receipt to the Chicago Center or should wait for the response first? I don't have extra notarized copies to file again. You think they will send the packet back or ask to reapply? I am afraid the amnesty people will come in front of us and we will never see our families united. You should be getting the IV date in July and your K-3 will be in that neighbourhood as they plan. I beleive the majority of the consulates schedule interviews for the cases they get by the middle of month to the next month. Good Luck!

Hi Trent,

I think you can apply for the Pilot Program if your I-129 is approved. If so you can apply to this program.
You have to have all the forms wiht you and the payement.Yes it is D.O.R.A program.
For sure all I-130 can apply petioning for the spouses or parents who are already in the USA.

quote:

Originally posted by Billyk:
...
Are you planning to pursue for K-3 or want to stick with IV now? Do you think it will be a good idea to send the copy of I-797 upon receipt to the Chicago Center or should wait for the response first?

Billy,

I think I will still pursue K3 because it is too early to say whether IV is fast enough. If they are taking this long just to send receipt notices for I-130, I'm not sure how long the whole thing will take. Unless they send me an I-130 approval before the K3 interview, I think it is wise to continue K3 route because it already includes I-130 anyway.

Whether you should wait for them to ask you if you should send a copy of the receipt as soon as you receive - well, I'd just send a copy of the I-797 the next day I receive it with a "photocopy" of the entire I-129F and a letter stating that this is for the existing I-129F. I would not wait for the slow USCIS to ask me. I'd rather just send it twice if I have to because all it is going to cost me is the 10 bucks or less to mail the packet. I'm not sending the notarized copies again because I have already mailed the original I-129F and this is just additional information. That's my personal opinion.

Also, I think I may call their customer service and ask their opinion. Just a get a second opinion. I am not going to rely entirely on the phone reps suggestion because most times they are just as clueless. For example, when I asked them what will happen, let say, if I never receive any receipt or the receipt is lost in the mail. He had no idea at all. All he told me was to just "wait for another month" and then call back if I still don't receive. Well, since my application was received on April 12, I am not waiting for another month but only until first week of June and if I don't get anything in mail, I will give them a follow-up call to see if they have anything new for me.

I'll keep you posted. Good luck with your case!

Hello Trent,

Thanks! My check for I-129F is cleared. I tried to punch in the receipt number but it is not going thru. I am not sure if we will be able to check status for this kind of case. Are you able to check status for your I-129F?

I was under the impression that K-3 and IV get processed same way. AS your I-130 is approved then you should get the interview for IV before K-3 if everything goes well as they say. After the approvals from USCIS these cases get shipped to NVC within a week or two. The way my understanding is NVC electronically forward the case to the consulate that might cut little time versus IV packet get shipped. Adios!

Trent - I received I-797C for my I-129F petiton, at least they accepted it without I-797 for I-130. Now I will be waiting for the results. I will call the center tomorrow to check on the NOA for my I-130, just in case.

quote:

Originally posted by Billyk:
Trent - I received I-797C for my I-129F petiton, at least they accepted it without I-797 for I-130. Now I will be waiting for the results. I will call the center tomorrow to check on the NOA for my I-130, just in case.

Billy, any news about your I-130 or I-129F? I am going to call them up on Tuesday to get a status for my I-130. I have not received NOA for my I-129F either. They are painfully slow

Trent - no, both cases show received and pending. Since the I-130 was received on 1st, so I will call after 30 days. I don't think they are counting the days it was at Lincoln or filed before. This is the only office I don't want to miss with! Of course they are slow! First time I was going thru this my wife about to divorce me by these proceedings man. Good luck!

My I-129F have been transferred to California Service Center today as the web site shows. Are there any processes written to follow for these centers or just toss the file where ever somebody feels like it? Usually the administrations make changes to do better for their customers but this seems opposite to me. I sent my I-130 to Nebraska then after six weeks it showing in California. I-129F was sent to Chicago and it is transferred to California as well too. Does anybody know what will happen now? Thanks!

Billy,

All I-130/K3 are worked by CSC. When I called the customer service number, they transferred my call to California Service Center to answer my questions about the status of my app.

I had to call CSC again and they told me that I should be getting a duplicate I-797 for my I-130 by the end of this week. Did you hear about your I-130 yet?

Trent, Do you have a phone number for the California Service Center, ? We have an I130 there which was sent from Texas, but only have Texas phone #, and they never transfer us. By the way this I130 was sent to cis May 2000!!!

quote:

Originally posted by collie:
Trent, Do you have a phone number for the California Service Center, ? We have an I130 there which was sent from Texas, but only have Texas phone #, and they never transfer us. By the way this I130 was sent to cis May 2000!!!

I called the 800 customer service number and when I gave them my case number, the customer service lady told me that she will transfer me to someone who will assist me with that case. Then the hold music had a recording saying "Thank you for calling USCIS Calfornia Service Center" and the person I talked in fact worked at the CSC. She was able to pull up my records in their computer systems.

You should try calling that 800 number and tell them it is a I-130/K3 application and they will get you over to CSC.

This is the number I called: 1-800-375-5283

Trent - No, still have the same status 'received and pending' for now. There is no other alternative other than sit back and watch. Now I have three petitions at CSC for K-1, IV and K-3 visa. The way I look at the process, we are not welcome here anymore. The priorities are for new cheap workers over even immediate relatives. All the media have time for Paris Hilton or the other **** died in Bahamas but never spot light these things. Other thing they are good to spot light the narrow streets of third world countries but don't want to shoe New Orlean alot. If you underline or speak the truth then your file will never be found - trust me. Is this democracy or dictatorship? Later Trent! Thanks!

Agree with you 100%.

When I called USCIS last Friday, I was told that a duplicate of NOA for I-130 will be mailed to me and I should expect it within 5 days. It has been a week and I haven't received anything. I already confirmed that they have the correct address and I am getting other mail fine.

USCIS is the worst beauracracy I have dealt with.

I hope you hear something positive soon. I have also heard that the delay was caused by H-1B visa application - something they USCIS had to give priority to because congress passed some extension for it. Don't know the details but how the F is H-1B (work visa for non-US citizens) a higher priority than spouses of US citizens??? Makes no sense to me but I guess it does make sense to congress members because they take hefty compaign donations from companies that sponsor for such H-1B visas.

Talking about H-1B, what is so ironic is that an office colleage of mine who is in fact on an H-1B got his wife here within 3 weeks!! I am not kidding, from filing an application and all to her getting on a plane - literally 3 weeks!! Backlog my a$$.

I could not believe this and I am still baffled at how fast the government works for non-US citizens.

What is an HiB??

...and what country was she from?

quote:

Originally posted by NeedHelpFast:
What is an HiB??

Check this link for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H1B_visa

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Trent,

quote:

Originally posted by NeedHelpFast:
...and what country was she from?

Well, it does not matter what country she was from but I think she was from India (not 100% sure).