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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

The fees for all interviews went up as of June 1, gag man (see multiple threads in, for one, the K-1 forum). Sorry that I can't help with your Certificate question just above.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Filed: Country:
Timeline
Posted (edited)

The fees for all interviews went up as of June 1, gag man (see multiple threads in, for one, the K-1 forum). Sorry that I can't help with your Certificate question just above.

Yeah I knew that fees were going up, I just didn't realize that the interview fees would increase as well, or by that much. It seems like they should also give a warning of several months as well. $131 to $400? Oh well, all the more reason to make sure we get everything right on the first interview so we don't have to shell out $400, plus airfare, plus pay loss from taking time off of my work for the interview, twice.

Edited by Indy90
  • 1 month later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Hi,

I'm a little confused when it comes to the fees. I just started the NVC stage right now.. hoping to get an interview before the end of the year.

I know i have to pay $404 to the NVC but i also read here that some people pay $400 at the interview en el consulado?

Can someone please explain to me what is it that we pay during our interview in Guayaquil? :help:

Thanks in advance!

Filed: Country:
Timeline
Posted

Hi,

I'm a little confused when it comes to the fees. I just started the NVC stage right now.. hoping to get an interview before the end of the year.

I know i have to pay $404 to the NVC but i also read here that some people pay $400 at the interview en el consulado?

Can someone please explain to me what is it that we pay during our interview in Guayaquil? :help:

Thanks in advance!

That is exactly what I am confused about too. For some reason I was always under the impression that I would have to pay a substantial fee at the interview outside of the DHL cost. But everything that I have read since seems to indicate that NVC is the one that collects that fee. I emailed the consulate and they did not give me a direct answer, only that I would be informed of the fees at the interview.

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

That is exactly what I am confused about too. For some reason I was always under the impression that I would have to pay a substantial fee at the interview outside of the DHL cost. But everything that I have read since seems to indicate that NVC is the one that collects that fee. I emailed the consulate and they did not give me a direct answer, only that I would be informed of the fees at the interview.

Yes, its confusing.. if you find out anything about the fees, please let me know!

Thanks

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Hey everyone! Well, I'm back in the US. I went to live with my husband in Ecuador for 3 months after the CO denied his visa at his interview on 02/17/10. The case was being sent back to USCIS and there was nothing any lawyer or my congressman could do about it.. I stayed in Ecuador from April 2nd to June 26th. I Recieved a NOA from USCIS on July 1st that they recieved our i-130 and they are currently reviewing the case and that they would contact us when they finish the review with an answer. But that can take a minimum of 4 months according to a uscis operator i spoke to on the phone last week. So I have a question for who ever on here can help me with. I have gone to visit my husband a lot this year and just spent over 3 months already in Ecuador with him. I can't afford to keep going back and forth because I have to work & go to school now. Is there any way that my husband can come visit me in the us with a visitor visa while his i-130 is being reviewed by the USCIS? We just miss eachother so much and I have done everything I could to be with him. I am working now so i can't leave my job to go to Ecuador again. I would love it if he could come visit me here in the US. In no way are we trying to cheat the system. He will stay with me for only 1 month because he also has to return to work and school and we do not want to jeapordize the i-130 that we have been waiting for so long.(OVER 1 YEAR NOW) We just want to be with eachother as much as possible while we wait for our decision on the i-130.. Someone please help me with this question... :help:

NVC JOURNEY:

09/21/09: AOS Fee ($70)Requested, And DS3032 Copy Sent To Me By Mail

09/28/09: Emailed Husband DS3032 For Him To Fill Out And Mail

10/01/09: Husband Sent DS3032 To NVC Via Express Mail

10/05/09: Paid AOS Fee Online

10/06/09: Status Shows Paid on Payment Site

10/14/09: DS3032 Aproved and IV Fee Bill Recieved by mail

10/15/09: Paid IV Fee Online

10/16/09: Status shows paid on payment site

10/17/09: Emailed Husband DS230 Part 1 & 2 Along With All Required Info for him to fill out/and send

10/23/09: I864 Sent Via USPS Regular Mail (Took a long time to find sponsors :(

10/26/09: Husband Sent DS230 Along With All Documents To NVC Via EXPRESS MAIL

11/06/09: NVC Recieved All Our Documents & Case is in review

11/10/09: Case still being reviewed as per AVR..

12/04/09: RFE!! DS230 Question about where he's lived since the age of 16 has a gap! Another setback!! :'(

12/05/09: Sent out completed DS230 EXPRESS MAIL!

12/10/09: AVR States DS230 Checklist recieved..

12/16/09: SIGN-IN FAILED!!!

12/17/09: CASE COMPLETE AT NVC!!

INTERVIEW DATE: 02/17/10!!! DENIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.. :'(

Filed: Country:
Timeline
Posted

Hey everyone! Well, I'm back in the US. I went to live with my husband in Ecuador for 3 months after the CO denied his visa at his interview on 02/17/10. The case was being sent back to USCIS and there was nothing any lawyer or my congressman could do about it.. I stayed in Ecuador from April 2nd to June 26th. I Recieved a NOA from USCIS on July 1st that they recieved our i-130 and they are currently reviewing the case and that they would contact us when they finish the review with an answer. But that can take a minimum of 4 months according to a uscis operator i spoke to on the phone last week. So I have a question for who ever on here can help me with. I have gone to visit my husband a lot this year and just spent over 3 months already in Ecuador with him. I can't afford to keep going back and forth because I have to work & go to school now. Is there any way that my husband can come visit me in the us with a visitor visa while his i-130 is being reviewed by the USCIS? We just miss eachother so much and I have done everything I could to be with him. I am working now so i can't leave my job to go to Ecuador again. I would love it if he could come visit me here in the US. In no way are we trying to cheat the system. He will stay with me for only 1 month because he also has to return to work and school and we do not want to jeapordize the i-130 that we have been waiting for so long.(OVER 1 YEAR NOW) We just want to be with eachother as much as possible while we wait for our decision on the i-130.. Someone please help me with this question... :help:

StephyDanny, it is nice to see you back here on vj! That is very disappointing to hear that you guys are still waiting, but hopefully the additional evidence of having spent the last three months living together will provide enough evidence in the future.

I really wish I could tell you to go ahead in apply for a visitor's visa, but the reality is that there is about a 99.9% chance that he would be denied a visitor's visa. While I am sure that he has no intention of staying the the US illegally (just like my wife would have no intention if we could get her a visitor's visa), millions of people in the United States are residing illegally because they initially came on tourist visas...this has made the US State Department very cautious.

The issuance of visitor's visa largely depends on an applicants ability to demonstrate ties to his/her home country, and the fact that your husband is planning on permanently moving to the United States soon indicates that there are not very many ties, at least in the eyes of the State Department. In my experience, people from Ecuador are almost always denied unless they own their own home, car, have family and usually own their own business and would lose to much if they moved to the United States. The fact that he has filed for a permanent visa and his wife lives in the US is simply too much to overcome, in my opinion. I really wish it would be different...my wife would be right here with my on a tourist visa if it were.

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted
there is about a 99.9% chance that he would be denied a visitor's visa [...] people from Ecuador are almost always denied unless they own their own home, car, have family and usually own their own business and would lose to much if they moved to the United States.
Mrs. T-B.'s parents & #5 sister traveled 14 hours by bus to Quito, paying 3 visa-interview fees, only to be kicked out (accompanied by supercilious sneers) after 2 minutes. Mrs. T-B.'s father is a successful self-employed architect. This was the second-most-enraged that I've been at any of my supposed "countrymen," behind only the K-1 treatment from Guayaquil.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Filed: Country:
Timeline
Posted

Mrs. T-B.'s parents & #5 sister traveled 14 hours by bus to Quito, paying 3 visa-interview fees, only to be kicked out (accompanied by supercilious sneers) after 2 minutes. Mrs. T-B.'s father is a successful self-employed architect. This was the second-most-enraged that I've been at any of my supposed "countrymen," behind only the K-1 treatment from Guayaquil.

I knew a professor at a private university who was invited by the University of Utah to attend a conference who was denied. His wife and children were going to stay behind, he owned two cars, a house and also had a successful side business that he owned, but all of that was not enough. He did, however, retry and was given a visa on the second try. If you own your own home, have immediate family that you are leaving behind, own your own business, your chances are decent in the long run, but you often will be denied once, twice or three times. If you do not meet certain criteria, your chances are essentially zilch no matter how many times you try.

Unlike Guayaquil's treatment of family based immigrants, Quito's treatment of tourist visa seekers is not out of the norm, in my opinion. I have friends from many Asian and African countries, plus other Latin American countries, and they are all about the same. A guy I know from Honduras told me today that he believes that 3/100 tourist visa applications were successful in his country...that figure might be a little low, but it does a good job of illustrating how difficult it can be. He himself was denied multiple times after extremely short interviews.

  • 2 weeks later...
Filed: Country:
Timeline
Posted

I know this is not exactly about the consulate in Guayaquil but I am a bit frustrated right now. We got a RFE from NVC because they said that my wife's blue birth certificate was not good enough and that they want a hand written copy from the civil registry. Maybe this will help someone in the future. I knew that we would need the hand written one for the interview but did not have one on hand when I sent the package to NVC.

However, what really frustrates me is that they want proof of my employment. Well, I was a student at the time! It was pretty clear on my application and I provided plenty of proof of my joint sponsors employment, which they had no problem with. Why do they want proof of my employment? Oh well, I have since started a job that pays considerably more than what is required, so maybe I wont have to use a joint sponsor after all...although I only started it a month ago, which might not be a long enough time.

I was originally hoping for a July interview, pushed it back to August and then September, but now we will be lucky to get our interview in October and very likely later, I think. My wife is going to have a fun time coming in the dead of winter.

Posted

The NVC wanted to know about your employment? Why would they be processing the I-134 and not the embassy? Is it different for the CR-1?

Angela & Peter

usa.gift4527.gifuk.gif

K-1 Process (Condensed)

02/01/10: Took atty's bad advice and applied for B2 visa

02/16/10: B2 Visa Interview: DENIED - K1 Required

05/07/10: Atty sent I-129F Petition to Chicago Lockbox

05/31/10: Atty rec'd Petition back due to wrong location

06/01/10: I-129F pkg sent to VSC

06/11/10: NOA1 Rec'd/Touch

09/17/10: INTERVIEW = APPROVED

10/22/10: Marriage in the US

AOS Process

11/13/10: Mailed Packet to CHI Lockbox

11/18/10: NOA1 Rec'd via Text

11/20/10: Soc. Sec. fixed mistake/Processed SSN

11/23/10: Rec'd SSN

11/23/10: Touch

12/09/10: RFE - Supposedly didn't sign I-864 when I KNOW I did. (Copies to prove it.)

12/20/10: Biometrics Appt

12/20/10: RFE Response Rec'd/Processing Resumed

12/27/10: Transferred to CSC

12/29/10: Contacted Senator re: EAD Expedite Request

12/30/10: AOS Touch

12/30/10: EAD & AP Approved (Card Production Ordered)

01/05/11: AOS Touch (Rec'd @ CSC)

01/06/11: AOS Touch/EAD Mailed

01/08/11: EAD & AP Rec'd

01/10/11: AOS Touch

01/14/11: EAD Touch

01/26/11: AOS APPROVED!!

02/02/11: Green Card Received

  • 2 weeks later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Good news... not about what has happened in an interview, but about cutting through the bologna at the $12 PIN line. See this thread...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/269947-bought-5-pin-at-12-ea-ecuador-consulate-and-still-no-appt/

...and keep your fingers crossed for S., si man!

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

I have a question and hopefully any of you can help me, :help: I just sent all my paperwork (DS230 & I-864) to the NVC and now i have to wait for them to review everything. I know they need the certificates handwritten and from the book, but I got married in the new registro civil de Guayaquil and they gave me a computer marriage certificate with all the stamps and stuff.. they dont have those from the books anymore like they do at el registro civil del sur. Do you think im going to have a problem with that? :unsure:

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted (edited)
they gave me a computer marriage certificate with all the stamps and stuff.
Well, if that's the new system down there, you have no say over it. The authorities here may or may not have learned about it right away. Perhaps call the NVC (after you're sure that your file has arrived there) and have them note your records. Give them contact info for the Guayaquil authorities (if you have this) for purposes of direct confirmation. Edited by TBoneTX

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ecuador
Timeline
Posted

Well, if that's the new system down there, you have no say over it. The authorities here may or may not have learned about it right away. Perhaps call the NVC (after you're sure that your file has arrived there) and have them note your records. Give them contact info for the Guayaquil authorities (if you have this) for purposes of direct confirmation.

Thanks for the advice, They received all my forms on august 11th so I just called them and they said that as long as it has all the official stamps then it shouldn't be a problem.. I hope so because I don't want to get an RFE because of that.. I want an interview date asap :(

 
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