21. October 2009 by admin.

I-129f petitions for fiance(e) visas are submitted to the USCIS. They are not submitted to the U.S. consulate or embassy where the foreign fiance(e) resides. I-129f petitions are directed to either the California Service Center or the Vermont Service Center for processing.

For Fall 2009, processing times at the service centers are as follows:

• California Service Center: 5 months
• Vermont Service Center: 5 months

Previously, the Vermont Service Center processed I-129f petitions faster than the CSC. Unfortunately, processing at the VSC has now slowed so that there is no discernable advantage.

Both service centers are processing at a slower rate than in the past. At one point, the CSC was processing I-129f petitions in 3 months and the VSC in under one month! Larger volume of K-1 petitions as well as budget cuts has resulted in increased processing times.

To avoid delaying the process further, it is important that filers prepare their petitions completely and thoroughly. Applications should be organized and easy to follow. Inadequate preparation will lead to either an outright denial or a request for additional evidence (RFE). While RFEs still give the petitioner to answer and can lead to the petition being approved, it can easily delay processing by an additional few months.

If you’d like assistance with the preparation of your K-1 fiancee visa petition, talk to an experienced immigration attorney now by calling 626-771-1078 or visit us at www.myfianceevisa.com

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13. October 2009 by admin.

Atlanta USCIS office is currently trying to process adjustment of status applications and grant interviews within 6 months. Interview notices are typically sent within 2 months.

Decisions on applications are often made at the time of the interview. In happy situations, the applicant will be informed that he or she has been granted permanent resident status. Such a notification letter is provided at the conclusion of the interview.

In other instances, the interviewing officer will inform the applicant that a decision will be made within 30 or 90 days. Therefore, applicants should be this in mind when they go in for their interview and not assume that a notification letter will be provided at the end of the interview. The officer may require more time to spend after the interview to review an application before rendering a decision.

If you need assistance, please contact our law office at 626-771-1078 or visit our website at www.myfianceevisa.com

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13. October 2009 by admin.

One way USCIS is improving service to its customers is by launching its E-Notification initiative for immigration applications and petitions filed at one of three USCIS Lockbox facilities. If you file your USCIS applications and/or petitions at one of these facilities, you will have the option to receive an e-mail and/or text message informing you that USCIS has accepted your application or petition. 

A lockbox is an entity used by organizations to accelerate the collection of fees. In addition to processing fees more efficiently and timely, the USCIS Lockbox operation is improving data collection by electronically capturing and transmitting information from immigration forms to USCIS systems. 

Forms that are currently processed through the USCIS Lockbox facilities include family based forms  

One e-mail and/or text message will be sent per accepted immigration form. USCIS will send an E-Notification to the person requesting the benefit. If you provide an e-mail address and a cell phone number, you will receive both types of E-Notification messages. USCIS will notify you within 24 hours of accepting your immigration form(s).  

The e-mail or text message will provide a receipt number for each immigration form. The e-mail notice will also provide a brief statement on how to get additional information about the status of your case. The E-Notification will not constitute official notice of application acceptance.

If you need assistance preparing a K-1 fiancee or K-3 spousal visa, please call us at 626-771-1078 and speak with an experienced immigration attorney or visit us at www.myfianceevisa.com.  

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