11 questions (7.4) Notices / Receipts

These are official notices and receipts that an applicant gets from an issuing agency and/or government body.

My I-129F Petition has been approved for more than a month now and I still don’t have a Case Number. My petition expires in 3 months. What do I do?

Approved I-129F Petitions are forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC) for case number assignments. This process usually takes anywhere from a week of I-797 approval (NOA2) to 8 weeks. These approved I-129F petitions usually have 4 months of validity, which in normal cases, petitioners and beneficiaries shouldn’t be alarmed about. This means that approved…

Can I still file for Adjustment of Status (AOS) even after my I-94 expires?

Yes you can. But that doesn’t mean you should delay your Adjustment of Status (AOS) process. You must apply as soon as possible. Preferably, K1 Visa Holders must adjust their status immediately before the I-94 expires. Why? Because, technically, that would be your only document of your legal presence here in the U.S. after entering on…

What is a Notice of Potential Interview Waiver Case? Does that mean I don’t get to be interviewed for AOS?

    It is a notice sent by USCIS’ National Benefits Center (NBC) to Adjustment of Status Applicants that have a potential to have their interviews with Immigration Officers at the field office waived. No, it’s not automatic that your interview is waived. From the name itself, “Potential”, means it’s a possibility. It means that…

The CBP Officer did not give me an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. Where do I get my I-94?

CBP used to have physical I-94 cards/papers that they attach to passports upon U.S. entry, but these all changed in 2013. The I-94 is now automated and can be accessed online by the admitted alien/visitor. Give it 4 to 7 days from your arrival before checking your I-94.   Sources: CBP.gov – I-94 Automation Fact…

What is Form I-94?

Form I-94 is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Arrival/Departure Record that is issued to aliens at Port of Entry (POE) as proof of admission to the U.S. These are issued by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Officers at Immigration Areas at the airport. Found on the I-94 is the departure date as noted/allowed by…

I’m a K1 Applicant, What is my Priority Date?

If you are a K1 Applicant and you’re trying to schedule your appointment online, You will be asked for your K1 Visa Priority Date. When you look at your NOA 2 (I-797) Approval Receipt, the Priority Date is blank. Don’t worry, it is usually the NOA1 (I-797C) Date or the NOA2 (I-797) Receipt Date. It doesn’t…

Where do I track my I-129F Petition after submission?

When you get your NOA1 (I-797C, Notice of Acceptance), USCIS will provide you with a 13-character receipt number that you’re going to use on their Online USCIS My Case Status Tracker.   Please read: USCIS My Case Status Tracker Related Posts:I’m a K1 Applicant, What is my Priority Date? If you are a K1 Applicant…

We are having a hard time getting an interview appointment online but we want to move forward with the Medical Exam. What can we use in lieu of the Appointment Confirmation?

There are no guarantees but you may use any of the following in lieu of the interview appointment confirmation for your K1 Visa Medical Exam at SLEC: A copy of the NVC Letter sent to your U.S. Citizen fiancé(e) An email confirmation of the NVC Case Number from NVCInquiry@state.gov The U.S. Embassy Eligibility Letter you got…

What is an RFE?

An “RFE” is short for “Request for Evidence”. This is a notice from USCIS sent to the petitioner / applicant requesting for more documents to support their application and/or to correct necessary information that was submitted previously. This is known as the I-797E, Notice of Action. An “RFE” may seem like a little bump on…

What is a 221G Request for Additional Document?

In order for the Consular Officer to make a decision / adjudicate your case, they must be presented all the necessary forms and supporting documents that they need from you, the visa applicant. Failure to present the documents needed would result to a 221G Request for Additional Document. This means you have one (1) year…