MSC : An October 2002 Update
Posted Nov 08, 2002

The Missouri Service Center (MSC) has exclusive jurisdiction over certain, special types of cases. These include the “V” Visa and K-3/K-4 petitions, as well as a specialized program known as LIFE Act Late Legalization. That Center also processes a limited number of other types of filings. The AILA liaison to the MSC recently held a teleconference concerning current procedures and policies at that Service Center.

Payment

The MSC clarified that it will accept payment in the form of personal, business, cashier's, and certified checks, as well as money orders. There was apparently an earlier misunderstanding regarding forms of payment with the contractor handling the filing fees.

Address Changes

The best way to advise MSC of an address change is by mailing a notification regarding only the change, with no other correspondence enclosed. The notice must contain the person’s name, Alien number, and all MSC tracking numbers. If all tracking numbers are not listed, then MSC may be unable to update all of the applications on file for the particular person.

I-129F Processing Times

There has been some confusion regarding the accurate dates of I-129F (Fiancée / Fiancé) petitions, used in connection with K-3 cases. The K-3 is for spouses of U.S. citizens who are outside the U.S. Though these people are not fiancé/es, the process is similar to the K-1 visa for a fiancé/e and uses the same form.

MSC states that their processing reports are accurate “to a point.” The cases that have been pending beyond 60 days are almost all being delayed due to positive “hits” received during the IBIS background check. The date on the process report means that cases received prior to that date are all now ready to be reviewed and adjudicated. This date does not mean that all cases filed earlier than that time have been completed and adjudicated, only that they are in the final stages of review. Final decisions take between one and two weeks from that point. IBIS “hits” can cause additional delays in processing.