are I-129F acceptance and approval the same?

[sydney.reed]

Hello -
I sent the inital I-129f package last Monday (Sept 28th, 2015). It was delivered 3 days later on the 1st of October, 2015. After 2 days my check was cashed and on October 6, 2015 I got an email and text message saying that my case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS for processing. I have a number for a receipt and they will be mailing the I-797. My question is what does this mean? Does it mean that they just received my form and the USCIS will decide what to do with it? Or does it mean that I have been approved?
Thank you in advance for any help!

[PKumar01]

it's being processed (not approved yet)

Sydney.reed

Hey, congrats on the engagement. The I-797C just means (like you mentioned) that your petition has been accepted by the USCIS to begin processing. It doesn't mean that you're approved yet. That'll come later when they're all done looking over it (maybe in a few months). Now, if there are any problems in your petition then you'll get a notice back asking questions. Hopefully that doesn't happen

But, use your Receipt # and go onto the USCIS website to sign up for "case status updates" so you're informed exactly when you're approved.

Good luck and congrats!

[wils]

Just be aware that approval of the I-129f can take at least 5 months. Checking your case status unfortunately does not tell you a lot, the best it ever told me was "Currently at NVC" which did get annoying after a while.
Be patient, it will happen. Good Luck.