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I am just about to receive my NOA letter (OK'd by the hot line).  Can I speed my process in any way?  It have been recomended that I cable Moscow (I-824).  How would I do this at this point.  Is it worth the $120?

... in response to Pros and Cons of cabling Moscow?, posted by slimjimco on Mar 1, 2002

Personally, I would avoid the I-824 if at all possible. It's not possible in California. It just gives the INS another opportunity to screw up. My I129F and I-824  were both approved on November 21st. The embassy in Warsaw has not received the file yet, at least they claim they haven't. I am now in the process of opening a provisional file to start the ball rolling until my file is located or reconstructed. I don't think I would have this problem if I could have avoided the I-824.

Before sending anything, make sure you have complete copies. Apparently lost paperwork is very common now after the anthrax scare, 9-11 and the normal government incompetence and indifference. The gal at the INS regional office told me that they are three months behind in opening their mail.

... in response to Pros and Cons of cabling Moscow?, posted by slimjimco on Mar 1, 2002

Depending on which INS center you used, the I-824 process can, indeed, speed things up by several weeks - but ONLY if you file it at the same time as the I-129.

Not quite sure what Mike's point (his response to you) was in connecting the cabling to the opening of a provisional file - as they are distinctly separate processes - but *if* you used Vermont, they automatically cable petitions. The other 3 must receive the 824 form along with the 129 form in order to send a cable. At your stage, it is too late. I am afraid that you will now need to wait for the diplomatic pouch - which can take several weeks to arrive.

- Dan

... in response to Doubtful, at Your Stage . . ., posted by Dan on Mar 2, 2002

As I understand it, a cable will only get them to do the name check and isn't any different then asking for a provisional file.( I may be wrong ) I was told by a knowledgable person that regardless of what they will or wont do, they will only give an interview date after they have the actual INS package in their hand regardless of a cable. As for Nebraska you only need to ask them to cable it to your desired Embassy (Which makes paying for the I-824 a rip-off) in your cover sheet letter that you submit. ( or at least should submit )My advice was aimed at getting the name check done manually so to speak. As for diplomatic pouches Nebraska uses regular mail to Moscow and not a pouch, the thing is who knows how long it will set in their mail room before they mail the dang thing out, but once it's sent it takes about 15 days to reach them. Texas on the other hand uses FedEx to send aprovals and Moscow and another country are the only 2 Embassies that they do this with, as Moscow has a FedEx office inside the Embassy.
Mike

... in response to Re: Doubtful, at Your Stage ... Maybe, posted by Mike on Mar 4, 2002

Mike,

I read another post from someone that states that NSC *always* sends cables. If true, that is radically different than it was last year. At that time, it was my Congressman's aide that phoned NSC and was explicitly told it would shave more than 3 weeks off the process if I filed an I-824. I promptly did so - and sure enough, within 2 or 3 days after I received notice of approval, the cabled petition arrived in Warsaw.

As for the provisional file, all that is needed *in Warsaw*, is a bonafide 'A' number - which is not provided until you receive an approved I-129. In my case, the lady at the NSC was kind enough to give me that over the telephone, in advance of my actually receiving the letter. I wrote an e-mail to Warsaw - and included the 'A' number and asked for the provisional file to be established - which they agreed to do. I later followed that with a fax of the actual letter, once received. Once again, the provisional file was a minor expedient - I would imagine it shaved a week or two off the overall process. The REAL benefit to the provisional file is it triggers the Embassy to send an official letter and accompanying forms to your fiance - Packet 3, IIRC. Depending on where she lives and the time of the postal system enroute, this can add up to more than a trivial amount of time.

So . . . to sum it up:

* I believe you are correct that the petition must be received BEFORE the Embassy will conduct the FBI name check. This, in turn, MUST be complete BEFORE the Embassy will schedule an interview. The FBI name check ended up being the 'long pole in the tent' in my specific case.

* A provisional file, if requested (and *if* that particular Embassy agrees to open provisional files), can be opened as soon as you have an Approved petition with accompanying 'A' number. It triggers the Embassy to initiate the flow of paperwork that is necessary to be completed by the date of the interview.

* As for the various Service Centers and their policies on cabling petitions - it *used* to be that VSC *always* cabled, but TSC and NSC required the I-824. I recall reading some time ago that CSC refuses to cable petitions. It may be now that NSC also always cables petitions. For me - the added cost of the I-824 was WELL WORTH the money spent.

The only 'constant' is that of constant change - and with fallout from 11 Sep and implementation of Bush's Family Act, I expect the changes will persist for a long while. It is always a good idea to call the SC and ask them for specifics.

And finally - if I were doing it over again, I had spent a long time with Olya and we were very certain about our future before ever processing the K-1 - I would have done the DCF (and possibly, K-3) route - and it would have been better for all concerned.

FWIW

- Dan

... in response to The Constancy of Change . . ., posted by Dan on Mar 4, 2002

Warsaw without question is 10 times easer to deal with then Moscow! For example now if you want to do the DCF you must prove that you lived in Russia for 6 months or more thanks to 911. As for NSC they and us both can Cable ( which is a fax of the approval )and they wont respond until they have a true approval in their hands. Another difference is the only time your fiancee will ever hear from the Moscow Embassy is when they send her a notice of interview and she is to take this to get the documents needed.( no more #3 packages mailed )But with an approval letter in hand they will give you these forms, and in our case they started the name check as well.
Mike

... in response to Pros and Cons of cabling Moscow?, posted by slimjimco on Mar 1, 2002

The I-824 is a rip-off! Don't waist your money. The only chance you have of speeding things up is once you receive your copy of the approval make copies for your records, then FedEx it to your Fiancee, and also fax it to the Embassy. ( their fax number is on their web page ) You will have a good chance of them starting the 16 day name check that they must do before giving out an interview date. Along with your fax and your Fiancee going to the Embassy with an original approval letter will you have any chance of them doing anything before they have the actual package in their hands from the INS. They no longer do provisional files, but this was also true when I did this but they still did the name check which saved me 16 days. Also tell her not to accidently allow the Embassy to keep the original approval letter, and tell her to guard it with her life. You'll need this letter later when you adjust after marriage. If she loses it you'll have a copy, but you gotta hope the officer here you're dealing with is in a good mood or he has the right not to except it and you'll have to request another copy.
Mike