Part 14 is here: http://immigrate2us.net/forum/showth...on-Thread-(14)
Please post your timeline in this thread: I-601 LOCKBOX/NSC TIMELINES
Please see the timeline spreadsheet here: I-601 LOCKBOX/NSC SPREADSHEET
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is the lockbox?
It's a nickname for centralized waiver filing.
Foreign consulates no longer adjudicate I-601 waivers. Most waivers from all over the world will now be adjudicated in the US at the Nebraska Service Center (NSC). The waiver is first sent to a lockbox in Phoenix and then sent to the NSC for waiver processing. Please continue reading for filing directions and information.
OFFICIAL USCIS LOCKBOX FILING INSTRUCTIONS
OFFICIAL USCIS LOCKBOX FILING TIPS
NOTE:
This lockbox thread is not for the provisional waiver process. Please see provisional waiver discussion here.
FAQ:
- NSC EMAIL: ncscfollowup.nsc@dhs.gov
- NOTIFICATION RECEIPT TIMES/CASE UPDATE TIMES:
It may take up to 2-4 business weeks for cases to update officially online and/or receive something by mail.
If you sent a G-1145 to receive electronic case updates, please allow 2-4 weeks for the first case update. Most updates happen more quickly than this, but it can take some time before the most recent case information is available online.
To view what notification updates may looks like, please click here and scroll down to the notification section.
- ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIME: 3-4 months officially.
Unofficially, many I2US cases are taking 4-5 months.
USCIS NSC PROCESSING TIME WEBSITE
Please note that only recently the NSC replied to a processing time email that says to allow 90-120 days of processing time for I-601 waivers.
On the stakeholder's call on 11/13/12, USCIS still maintained that their processing time goal is 3 months. The goal remains the same despite the expected workload increase starting in December. Please monitor the spreadsheet for what is going on with I2US users.
- HOW TO CHECK VISA ISSUANCE STATUS AFTER WAIVER APPROVAL:
PLEASE CLICK HERE
- WHY SOME CASES SEEM TO BE ADJUDICATED OUT OF ORDER:
Possible reasons for faster case decisions:
- expedited case decision (fast case decision) or,
- adjudicator has everything needed to make a case decision / case was easily approvable upon review
Possible reasons for slower case processing:
- RFE
- USCIS needs the alien file that may be archived
- USCIS needs background check information from outside agency
- USCIS needs something from DOS
If none of the above, frustratingly, no one knows why cases are adjudicated out of order. The NSC may not be forthcoming about this information.
- REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE (RFE):
Please do not panic if your receive a RFE. It is not a case denial.
A RFE means the NSC adjudicator (or the lockbox official) needs evidence to continue processing your case. The NSC may do this to avoid denying your case without warning, as was common with many consulates in the past
Your RFE will be very specific and unique to your case. Your RFE may be similar to someone else's RFE, but is not going to be an automatic/generalized request and should not match someone else's RFE. Please do not rely on someone else's RFE to "get ahead" in an effort to anticipate what your RFE requests. Please try to wait for your RFE so you know exactly what you need for your case. Usually you have 30-60 days to provide additional evidence, but please wait for your personal RFE to inform you. Do your best to provide exactly what the RFE says within the time given.
Most common reasons for RFEs:
missing signatures - (may come from either the lockbox or NSC)
missing fees - (will only come from the lockbox)
evidence is too old - (applies especially to medical evidence)
missing hardship evidence
missing police reports for cases with criminal history
missing I-212 waiver - (if applicable)
- I-601 DECISIONS:
These will be sent electronically on a spreadsheet weekly to consulates and multiple times a week for Juarez cases.
- CONSULAR VISA INTERVIEW AND VISA ISSUANCE AFTER WAIVER APPROVAL:
BEFORE WAIVER CAN BE SENT - DOS processes will not change. The applicant must be found ineligible by DOS officer before I-601 can be filed. If no inadmissibility has been found/applicant has not interviewed, the I-601 waiver cannot be filed.
AFTER WAIVER DECISION (APPROVAL) - How quickly the visa is issued after approval depends on case loads at the consulates.
According the March 2012 stakeholder's call, visa issuance may take 6-10 weeks.
This processing time is a DOS issue, not a USCIS issue as long as USCIS sends the case updates promptly.
- USCIS IMMIGRANT VISA FEE:
Submit your payment after receiving your visa package from DOS and before you depart for the United States.
Please see full instructions HERE.
- DO NOT FILE I-130 CONCURRENTLY WITH I-601 WAIVER:
The I-130 must be processed as usual per the usual instructions and lockbox. The I-601 will be rejected if the consulate has not found the applicant inadmissible yet.
EXPEDITES:
Expedites will be filed through the lockbox or NSC.
WHAT QUALIFIES AS AN EXPEDITE? PLEASE CLICK.
NOTE:
Urgent I-601 expedite may still be filed through a foreign consulate ONLY WHERE USCIS HAS AN OFFICE at the discretion of USCIS officer at consulate.
EXAMPLE OF WHEN AN EXPEDITE MAY STILL BE FILED AT A CONSULATE:
The consulate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil does not have a USCIS office. Expedites from Brazil need to be filed through the lockbox.
The consulate in Lima, Peru has a USCIS office and may accept an expedite request at the officer's discretion. This is only an option for people who go to the Lima office in person.
LOCKBOX INFORMATION:
- LOCKBOX WILL ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING FORMS:
- I-601
- I-212 (if associated with I-601)
- I-290B (if associated with I-601 and denied by NSC)
- Use forms online because those are most recent forms
- G-1145 should be included with I-601 or I-212 and text/email updates should be provided
- Please send a G-325A, even if the USCIS directions don't officially include that.
- Forms are requested to be organized in this order: 1) G-28, 2) I-601, 3) supporting documents
- Lockbox filing is not required for residents of Cuba, just optional due to mail service problems.
- 80% of applications are processed within 48 hours.
- Before sending a waiver, please make sure your case is still active at the consulate if it has been over 12 months since your last visa interview.
- Main rejection or RFE reasons: incorrect or missing fees, lack of signatures, missing required information (e.g. name, address, DOB)
NOTE: Please consider sending the visa rejection form the applicant receives after a visa interview. Some people have received a RFE for it, but this has not been consistent.
- Lockboxsupport@dhs.gov for problems. Please include receipt number in email.
NSC FACTS:
- An article by CLIN shared by I2US member When describes a recent experience with the NSC here. It may be helpful to read about how the NSC and adjudicators are working.
- According to the stakeholder's call, the NSC will be hiring more adjudicators. The number from May's call was 18, but no number was said to be announced in November's call, or when the new adjudicators may be starting.
- Follow received RFE instructions. Do not send evidence to NSC if not instructed to do so.
- I-290B has to be filed with office that denied waiver.
- MTR processing time goal has always been 45 days.
NSC email: ncscfollowup.nsc@dhs.gov
National Customer Service Number: 1-800-375-5283
UPCOMING THREAD UPDATES:
- Additional NSC contact information.
We are working on adding email addresses and other contact information. If you have contact information not available from the USCIS website, please post it here so we can add it to this post.
- Additional notification update information.
We are also working on gathering notifications updates and what they say or look like. If you have one you would like to share, please post it in this thread. There is a list of notifications in the timelines thread.