CIA checks now mandatory under new policy.

[LAYOFFBABA]

INS will institute CIA background checks for all applications now. I just talked to my lawyer and he got it confirmed from IIO. They will start background searches in a week or two. But these searches take anywhere from 15-16 months. So we can now expect additional wait of 15-16 months now.

 

[helge]

Your lawyer/IIO confirmed CIA background checks, but did the INS tell him that this check would take 15-16 months or is this time frame your estimate?

From that I have read the check is merely to see if the CIA has a record or not (The CIA/FBI have to confirm that there is a record or not) - for this they install the new software. Before it it was if there is no news from the CIA/FBI then it was considered good news and the INS went ahead and approved the I485 application, but now the INS needs to get the 'yes/no' from the CIA/FBI.

 

[dengdeng]

Yes, and unless there's a name hit, it will causes delay. If no name hit, then you're fine.