March 2018 filers: let's share our experience!!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Same here.PD March 14th. NOA March 24th. Biometrics walk-in April 10th. Courtesy letter received on April 17th. No updates in any of the cases. When I check the uscis tracker app I see that there should be a new weekly review wave on today tomorrow and the day after if I am not mistaken. Hold on tight and hopefully we will have good news. Best regards.

Look at Legoslab talking about review weekly review waves. Love it! LOL, the case tracker app is addictive. I made the mistake of adding some cases with receipt numbers not far from mine. One of them got an interview update. I got the notification. And there we were -the fools- celebrating getting our interview, only to realize a few minutes later, it was not our interview.

[longee94]

Could someone please explain the review waves? Do updates only post during a certian timeframe?

[hopeanddream]

Hey! I read my initial posting and I do not see why you think I am stressed..I am just "waiting". As someone else here in the forum I have H1B and I can legally work for the next 2 years :-).

The person I answered was wondering what is the next step since there are several March 2018 fillers who already got updates in the system. I wanted to share my timeline with this person to show that we only have to wait since although my case is not complicated I am in the same situation as he/she --- waiting for an update.

Sorry, my bad, I thought you were stressed because you have pointed out my positive points in your application and stressed on the point that you are still waiting. which made me think that you are trying to imply having best lawyers and simply avoiding RFE is enough for getting quick interview, which certainly is not the case, as many other factors like FBI background check / and even mood of the person reviewing your application etc, also impact the application timeline. hence I only want to say it is hard to judge how uscis deal with each application.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

I might have not explained myself correctly.
Please, allow me to clarify:
1. I am not expecting USCIS to process applications that fast, but there are several cases of March 2018 filers getting interviews for this month. Given said this, I wonder why my case is not going that fast :-).
2. When I started my interactions with lawyers they mentioned that every case is different and the more complicated the case is, the longer it takes for the USCIS to process. Is this wrong? yes, probably but this is what i was told. I have not found data or studies to support this statement.
3. I also was told that my case is not difficult since I have not been out of status and have a lot of evidence that show that my husband and I have been together for the last 3 years.
4. I agree with you that this is a lawful process and eveyone is treated the same, but if an applicant didnt submit some evidence they will get a RFE and this will extend the process timeline. By having one of the best firms in NYC as my lawyers, I do not expect my case to go faster, but I DO expect my case to not get RFEs since we (lawyers, my husband, and I) spent quite a long time reviewing the application and evidence we sent.

- - - Updated - - -




Thanks! I can see you got my point. Also, in previous posts I asked you why do you think your case is going faster. Your answer is pretty aligned to what I thought. But I just wondered why my case is not as fast as your since we have similar situation :-). good luck with your process and keep sharing your updates. It gives me hope!

B_Andie,

I think our timeline is also similar. PD - 03/16/18; "Case is ready to be scheduled for interview" 04/23/18. It reached that stage in 39 days. Truth is that unless I move to a zip code that is serviced by a field office with faster processing times, my case will remain at that stage until the Minneapolis Field Office gives the green light to schedule the interview. Files are kept at the National Benefits Center until then. Once they're moved to your field office, you get a notification informing you of that and once received by your field office, you also get another notification.

Most cases will move at the same relative speed up from the priority date until the biometrics appointment - all other variables equal. There are many variables. The mail room is one big wild card. It's all contractors, and it has high turnover. Most of the time, there aren't enough people who know what they're doing. That's the first rate-determining step right there. Background checks are the next rate-determining step. They are a lot more complex than we are led to believe. See for yourself. Just skim through this document and you will see. https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/...scis_ibbcs.pdf In a nutshell, USCIS performs 4 checks and uses 5 different information technology electronic systems to performs those checks.

Then it makes sense why some people are cleared within 24 hours and in other cases, it takes months for others to be cleared. Now - RFEs are the next delay. They do not only delay their own case BUT they delay everyone else's. It takes longer to issue an RFE than it takes to review and adjudicate a case. In order to issue a RFE, the adjudicator is required to review the entire file to ensure the adjudicator identifies any other missing items. So that case receives extra attention. Then the response to the RFE is received and the adjudicator has to review everything again.

Have you looked at the case tracker app? I will post some screenshots down below for you. About 1/3 of applications are flat out rejected, 1/3 are issued RFEs and only 1/3 move forward. What does that tell you? Sure, USCIS may not be the fastest of all federal agencies, but their staff spends the majority of their time handling submissions they can't process. I'll just say it. They spend most of their time handling junk. Numbers and stats do not lie. WE are slowing them down.

That's why we all need to do our part -and you did- and send error free application packages that are complete in all ways and include all evidence required as stated on page 3/12 of form I-130 instructions. We also need to lend a helping hand to whoever comes to this forum and sounds like they need a little direction. No question is dumb. This is a confusing process.

So then if all these things are equal, we can all get to the "Case is ready to be scheduled for interview" stage at around the same time. From that point, it can take a few weeks or a year or longer. It all depends upon your field office. So whether you filed in March 2018 or whenever, there is always someone who has been waiting longer than you. And there is always someone who will get their green card faster than you. It does not help anyone when we start wondering why that's the case.

Here's the timeline of someone I know, who also has the Minneapolis Field Office:
09/28/2017: Package delivered to USCIS
10/04/2017: Priority Date
10/05/2017: SMS/Email Confirmation at 11:34pm CST
10/10/2017: 4 NOA's received in Mail
10/16/2017: Received Biometrics Appointment Letter
10/26/2017: Biometrics Appointment
11/01/2017: I-485 Case Status 'Ready to be scheduled for an interview'
12/28/2017: Inquiry for EAD (via attorney)
01/08/2018: EAD/AP Approval in 102 Days
01/12/2018: EAD/AP Card & Approval Notice Received in Mail

This person filed a completely error-free AOS package, front-loaded evidence - everything. It took her case 29 days from her priority date to reach the "Case is ready to be scheduled for interview". She is STILL waiting for her interview. It's been 210 days from her priority date. The Minneapolis field office serves MN, South Dakota, North Dakota and 1/2 of Wisconsin. It has 6000 applications pending at all times.
So in order to avoid mixed reactions, it's best to ask and volunteer what your field office is. That's the last and most influential rate-determining step. This is all, of course, in my humble non-legal opinion.

Here you can see a total of 198 applications. Those are I-130, I-485, I-765, I-131. There is a I-601 but let's ignore that.
So of those 198, 48 were flat out rejected, 5 RFEs
I-130; total 34 filed and 5 rejected.
I-485; total 52 filed; 10 rejected, 5 RFEs.
I-765; total 80 filed; 30 rejected.
I-131; total 26 filed; 2 rejected

This is actually not even a terrible batch of applications. I have seen way worse on the case tracker. See for yourself some time.

All the best.

[legolasb]

Look at Legoslab talking about review weekly review waves. Love it! LOL, the case tracker app is addictive. I made the mistake of adding some cases with receipt numbers not far from mine. One of them got an interview update. I got the notification. And there we were -the fools- celebrating getting our interview, only to realize a few minutes later, it was not our interview.

Addictive and looking forward to receiving the updates. As far as I see not many updates as of April 30th, I have seen a few activities around my case numbers but good news is that my last CoA is finalized as of yesterday. Now hopefully my status will be updated soon as I presume that mine were waiting for all of my cases to be approved. Keeping the hopes high. Wishing luck to everyone.

[flyforever85]

In a nutshell, USCIS performs 4 checks and uses 5 different information technology electronic systems to performs those checks.

Then it makes sense why some people are cleared within 24 hours and in other cases, it takes months for others to be cleared.

So does it make isense that someone who hasn't been at all in USA before the application actually move faster the someone who has been for a longer period? Or it is just a coincidence? Because if you have never been in USA you do't have any kind of background so what they would check? I wonder if they check your past in other countries. I read now three different stories of people who arrived in USA, got married after a month, applied after 2 months from their arrival and got the green card after 4-5 months (at least in Ohio).

Oh well, we all knew that this is a long and frustrating process. But at the end we will all have a GC so we have to learn how to be patient.

P.s. I won't follow any other case but mine.... I don't want to have an heart failure

[kd2008]

Folks, I received the "we scheduled your interview" case status update by email, txt and on egov website yesterday. We are waiting to receive the paper notice to know the date of the interview.

We have collected the following documents: statements for joint bank accounts, credit card, joint deed on condo (not our residence), beneficiaries for each other's retirement accounts and life insurance, joint health, auto, umbrella, home insurance, tax transcripts for past 4 years, pictures documenting 10 years relationship, joint donation receipts, wedding related stuff - ceremony booklet, pictures, cards etc, and of course certified copies of the marriage license.

Plus all the typical originals of passport, driver's license, my immigration docs, a photocopy of the whole application packet we sent.

Please advice if we are missing anything.

[flyforever85]

Folks, I received the "we scheduled your interview" case status update by email, txt and on egov website yesterday. We are waiting to receive the paper notice to know the date of the interview.

We have collected the following documents: statements for joint bank accounts, credit card, joint deed on condo (not our residence), beneficiaries for each other's retirement accounts and life insurance, joint health, auto, umbrella, home insurance, tax transcripts for past 4 years, pictures documenting 10 years relationship, joint donation receipts, wedding related stuff - ceremony booklet, pictures, cards etc, and of course certified copies of the marriage license.

Plus all the typical originals of passport, driver's license, my immigration docs, a photocopy of the whole application packet we sent.

Please advice if we are missing anything.

Super wow!! Congrats!!! Looking forward to know the questions!!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

So does it make isense that someone who hasn't been at all in USA before the application actually move faster the someone who has been for a longer period? Or it is just a coincidence? Because if you have never been in USA you do't have any kind of background so what they would check? I wonder if they check your past in other countries. I read now three different stories of people who arrived in USA, got married after a month, applied after 2 months from their arrival and got the green card after 4-5 months (at least in Ohio).

Oh well, we all knew that this is a long and frustrating process. But at the end we will all have a GC so we have to learn how to be patient.

P.s. I won't follow any other case but mine.... I don't want to have an heart failure

LOL, heart failure. Everyone take a deep breath!
I see that Immihelp blocked the link I posted on the background checks. To answer your question, it all depends on a zillion variables. If what you are saying is - someone who is brand new to the US and has never lived anywhere but their country of origin and have a passport with blank pages because they've never visited anywhere? Yeah, probably.
My spouse's biometrics were cleared basically by the time we drove back home - I swear. It was fast. What I was trying to explain on my previous entry is that, up until the "Case is ready to be scheduled for interview" stage, most cases that were properly filed and have no issues, will move at the same relative speed. Right at that point, it's all about the Field office.
Ohio is just fast. There are 3 field offices and each one gets around the same number of applications and it's not even that many applications.
This whole "I filed before you did, why did you get an interview already and I haven't?" thing that's going around is not productive. It's about quality of the cases and about the volume that a field office is handling. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/...y2017_qtr4.pdf

There are people who got lucky and for x y or z were classified as employment based even though they filed for marriage based AOS. Well, that's that. They got lucky. And if they continue to call USCIS asking why, eventually USCIS will rescind those appointments. I would not be surprised. As Paul Brown said "When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less."

Now Ohio, seems to be processing applications fast and it makes sense to do so. If the Green Card is conditional, then Jesus, just hand it out already, and let us live our lives for 2 years. We have to file for removal of conditions anyway. Per some USCIS study, 67% of I-751 applications are denied. So if the majority of people are going to get denied or given Notice of Intent to Deny, well, then just let us have the conditional right away. That's my humble 2 cents.

(The columns are #1 Received #2 Approved #3 Denied #4 Pending.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

After my walk-in for biometrics on April 10th to Tampa as mine was scheduled for 17th to NY due to my lawyer's address, I made the CoA online on the same day for all 4 cases. So far 2 (I-485 and I-130) are approved and received mails about them and the remaining 2 (I-765 and I-131) are being assigned to an officer but not being processed although days pass by. It is really making me nervous. Meanwhile although I did my biometrics walk-in on April 10th there are neither any updates on the websites nor any notifications regarding the biometrics. Just waiting and checking the website day by day. Another interesting thing is that my lawyer received a mail (I-693) regarding the medical exam reminder which was also sent on April 10th to him. Do you think that my file is is messed as it was being probably handled by NY and now it takes time to be transferred to Tampa? Not much to do I guess other than wait. Any ideas?

No, I was able to confirm with a Level 2 officer that files do not leave the National Benefits Center until an interview has been scheduled - not before that. You should be fine.

[SwathiNa]

If you receive the receipt notice before April 3 then he won't need to leave because his status will be AOS until you receive a final decision. The problem would be if your package gets returned for some reason. If you receive the notice a few days after April 3 but the application day in the receipt notice is before April 3 then he's fine too. Because the important thing is to be in legal status at the time of filing. I'm in a similar situation but my stay expires in 2 months so I have a bit more time.

I am in a similar situation , I submitted all my forms and awaiting for my i485 receipt notice ignorer to submit the travel document. My visitor visa is getting over in July and I am not sure what happens if the travel document comes later than that.Is it ok if we get to overstay the visa awaiting the travel document and travel once it comes

[mgc1986]

Changing address soon

No, I was able to confirm with a Level 2 officer that files do not leave the National Benefits Center until an interview has been scheduled - not before that. You should be fine.

So you mean that after you change address the case is not transferred to another processing center if you move but instead the national benefits center will continue to process it as if you hadn't move?

I am moving in one month to a different state and I'm wondering how it will affect my processing

[mgc1986]

Update

Priority date: March 21, 2018
RFE revived: April 27, 2018 (asking for marriage certificate which was already sent with original application :P)
RFE sent with evidence to USCIS: April 27, 2018
Received notification from USCIS that evidence was received and processing re-started: May 2, 2018

[hopeanddream]

Dumb question, but just curious

I see in the forums, every one is worried when they will have their green card interview, even after getting their EAD / Advanced Parole. So I was wondering why everyone is so eager to get the interview, when one can live / work / travel with EAD, and eventually when interview comes, they will also have the green card. Also in the process make more memories of their married life. just curios.

[flyforever85]

I see in the forums, every one is worried when they will have their green card interview, even after getting their EAD / Advanced Parole. So I was wondering why everyone is so eager to get the interview, when one can live / work / travel with EAD, and eventually when interview comes, they will also have the green card. Also in the process make more memories of their married life. just curios.

I can give you a personal answer to this topic: I'm with an H1B visa in America which means I can stay in America as long as I stay with the same employer who sponsored me.

1- even if so far my employer has been very happy with me, if tomorrow they fire me I have 24 hours to leave the country. No excuse, no grace time. By law they have to by me a one-way flight to my last residential address; (I own a house, i.e. 30 years mortgage and 2 cars, one finances one leased and my husband cannot afford even the financed car for $150 a month)
2- after 3 years with the same employer I would like to change but finding a new sponsor of H1B is becoming almost impossible and this takes me to 3
3- I want to work in the aerospace field which is the reason why I'm in America. NO ONE in America hires foreign nationals unless they have a green card.

So even though I can work and I can travel, I still would like to have the freedom to chose my future. This is just my personal experience of course!