[Lizee]

Hi everyone-

I am feeling very good today. I have all my documents gathered and notarized for dossier. Just need homestudy updated and 171. We have our appointments set up for 10/13/05 and 10/21/2005 to have updated homestudy visits completed. The sw said the update could be done the first week in November. Our I-1600A is going in the mail tomorrow. We would like to LID in Jan 2006. Well, this might be pushing it, but if 171 comes quickly, still possible.

[knadlersachs]

It sounds like it's smooth sailing ahead for you!

[Tsmom]

If you use couriers you might be able to get LID faster, but it may not be worth the money if you I-171h is going to take a long tme. How long does your INS office usualy take after they receive your home study? have you been fingerprinted yet?
Nona

[Lizee]

We have not been finger printed yet, I am just sending in I-1600A tomorrow. I wished I had mailed it two weeks ago, but I was waiting for local homestudy agency to give me info regarding sending copies vs certified copies and if you could be fingerprinted prior to h/s being submitted. They weren't any help at all. So I am sending in certified copies and they think we can be fingerprinted before h/s is submitted. I am in ND. I don't quite understand this process. I have to send to MN USCIS and I get fingerprinted at an ACS office in Fargo, ND. So when you ask about local INS do you mean Fargo office or MN? Do you know how long it takes to get your documents authenticated? We have to go through the US Depart. of State Authentication Office and then Chinese Embassy in Washington DC. How does a courier service work?

[Tsmom]

Your local INS should have a web site that will give you time lines (mine did California) on how long it is taking. If you ever have any questions, post them here as well, you'll probably get your answers faster.
As for which agency, I only had to deal with INS agency so you will have to call them unless someone else posts.

Authentication: I used a courier. How they work - you send them all of your documents and they hand carry them to the US dept of State and then to the Chinese embassy (Consulate in some states). They pick them up and then send them back to you. I highly recommend Assisstant Stork. She handled all of my documents! I overnighted my docs to her and she had them back to me in 5 days! (I paid for expidited service at the Embassy)

Nona