NVC received both K-3 and IR-1

[vips0901 0]

I was just approved a week ago. I confirmed today that NVC has both my cases.

I was able to find out the NVC Case# by punching in the CIS receipt number for the IR-1 application --- the K-3 case number was not available on their automated system. So i talked to a Rep. and she gave me my NVC Case# for the K-3 as well. So i have 2 NVC case numbers assigned for both of my applications...

i thought USCIS would forward only the I-129f application... wierd....

[SPSguy 18]

I have a freind that has had his I 130 stuck at NVC for almost a year now. He's been asked to send his wife's birth certificate, police clearance, photos and marriage certificates three times. Now they are requesting original documents which he's already sent. He had to keep asking his wife oversea to send more original docs. He's already paid for her VISA bill and other fees and NVC just has to get a few more docs that they apparently lost.

I would choose the option that you feel can bring the least hassle and headache.

Lesson Learned: Have multiple original copies if you can. Do not send originals unless they ask for originals. File nearest to orginal docs.

[Catt 6]

I have a freind that has had his I 130 stuck at NVC for almost a year now. He's been asked to send his wife's birth certificate, police clearance, photos and marriage certificates three times. Now they are requesting original documents which he's already sent. He had to keep asking his wife oversea to send more original docs. He's already paid for her VISA bill and other fees and NVC just has to get a few more docs that they apparently lost.

I would choose the option that you feel can bring the least hassle and headache.

Lesson Learned: Have multiple original copies if you can. Do not send originals unless they ask for originals. File nearest to orginal docs.

SPSguy, What happened/is happening to your friend is outrageous. But this does not seem to be representative of what happens with most cases at NVC. I thought NVC processes alot faster, at the very least for K-3 visa applications. We must not be overly naive about expected timelines, but on the other hand always assuming the worst isn't very realistic either.

As for the original documents, I agree that it's best to have a couple of originals in hand so you don't waste extra time mid process. We requested several originals to begin with, sent originals with both our I-130 and I-129F (we figured it would limit RFE) and still each have an original in hand just in case.

Vips, congrats on getting to NVC already!!

If you choose to go with K-3 (which I assume, why else would you have filed for K-3 to begin with) and prefer faster processing over immigrant visa, wouldn't it be prudent to call NVC and tell them you want them to handle your I-129F application?

I haven't got any personal experience with NVC yet, so what do the other visajourneymembers that already passed through NVC recommend: calling or just wait and see?

Edited April 2, 2008 by Catt

[SPSguy 18]

Catt, this is not really about assuming the worst. It's minimizing risk. I don't think NVC or USCIS has a policy that is representative of nightmares but they happen. Altho not negative it behooves to be one step ahead of the slip.

I thought NVC processes alot faster, at the very least for K-3 visa applications.

Yes I think the keyword here is "processes". Many documents are needed to facilitate this process. Another thing that many of us don't realize is that the NVC and USCIS are completely seperate departments of the U.S. government. It's almost part of a checks and balance system so certain things/documents may "pass" USCIS and not NVC. My understanding of NVC is that since they process immigrant visas only, non-immigrant visas do not get processed there which compensates for any delay. I guess until we have live through another person's nightmore, we really wont know. But I can tell you that that my freind's experience has been costly in terms of financial and inconvenience.

In some parts of the world, obtaining marriage documents require all sorts of other documents and can get expensive. Regardless of the vehicle you take to the final destination I would have spares just in case. That was the main point.

For those that have been following my posts, getting both petitions approved is the kind of problem I'd like to have. It's like having too much money to spend.

Edited April 2, 2008 by SPSguy

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Congrats vips. We were approved on 3/19 and NVC still does not have our case.

[Deeptarn 0]

how to find out NVC receive NVC left dates?

[ColombianoGringo 0]

You can call NVC at 603-334-0700 then press "1" and then "2". Do not choose the automated option ("1", then "1") as this is only for immigrant visas and will not give you info on K-3 petitions. You may get busy signals and sometimes the system will tell you it is too busy and will hang up on you. Just keep trying until you get through. You will need your USCIS receipt numbers until you know your NVC number.

On a positive note, I talked to USCIS and they said that our petitions were forwarded to NVC on the 28th, so they should get there any day.

Edited April 2, 2008 by ColombianoGringo

[vips0901 0]

Good luck Columbiano....

Do i need to tell the NVC to "begin processing K-3"? I was assuming that they will start processing them both separately... without me having to tell them to do one or the other.

If that is the case, then I will likely get requests for I-130 related documents... do i just ignore these? or keep replying to both processes in parallel?

[ColombianoGringo 0]

This is unclear right now. Those of us that recently were approved for both petitions will end up as "guinea pigs". Have you asked NVC about this?

[Catt 6]

OMG Vips was your K-3 appl. already sent to your Embassy by NVC that fast??

That's the kind of guinea pig I wanna be !

Edited April 4, 2008 by Catt

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Wow Vips. You did get turned around quickly at NVC.

I found out this morning that NVC received our petitions yesterday. If we get that kind of service, we might just get a May interview. Talk about going from an eternal wait to a major hurry. Still, we are really expecting a June interview. If it happens to be around our June 11 anniversary, then so much the better.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

I forgot to mention that, much to my relief, they will be forwarding the K-3 to the embassy. So the feared cancellation of the K-3 never happened. I was told that it would be in Bogota within two weeks.

Edited April 4, 2008 by ColombianoGringo