Does Jame's Shortcuts still work? Anyone tried this lately

[Gigli2008 70]

Please note that the post below was initiated Jan 2006. Does anyone know if Jame's Short Cuts still works? And can Beneficiary still email NVC with choice of Agent? Does the email NVCinquiry@uscis.gov still receive Choice of Agent emails.

Thanks

Gigli

Posted: Jan 10 2006, 08:05 PM Aussiewench

We didnt use Jame's Shortcuts out of choice and definately not begrudging anyone that does....just want to share/show that there are also ways of saving time without using those shortcuts as not everyone is confident in self generating, or simply choose not to use them

Suggestions

* Once the USC receive the AOS (I-864) Bill and the copy of the DS-3032 one can save time by emailing or faxing a copy of the DS-3032 Choice of Agent form to the beneficiary overseas who then selects the agent, signs the form and returns it to the address on the form. Doesn't save much but it saves the mailing time from NVC to the spouse.

* Have the beneficiary (now the applicant) fill out the DS-230 and send it to the USC if they are to be the agent....this can be done at any time before the DS-230 is generated at NVC. Once it is generated it will be sent to the agent, the signed copy with the cover sheet (that the agent will receive) which has the barcode can then be mailed to NVC.

* Have the beneficiary (now the applicant) forward any documents, photocopies etc that may be required to be submitted with the DS-230 to you ahead of time. Check out the Department of State website HERE

and select the Instructions for Visa Immigrant Applicant appropriate for the country of your spouse.

* Complete the I-864 which is also available in the above link for download. When NVC generates this form it comes to you with a barcode cover sheet which you will then need to return along with your completed I-864 form.

All the above do not save as much time as Jame's Shortcuts but they do save time.

IMPORTANT

Familiarise yourself with the NVC Flowchart so you know the order in which forms will be generated and what is sent to the USC (petitioner) and your spouse (beneficiary/applicant) to be completed.

NVC Flowchart for I-130/CR-1

NVC Automated Voice Response Service

So your I-130 petition has been approved and forwarded to NVC

Now you are wanting to know if it has been received and a case number assigned

You can use your CIS (NOA) receipt number from your approval to find out.

On calling the NVC automated voice response number (603) 334-0700 you will.... press 1 for English press 2 for Spanish

press 1 for information about your immigrant visa

It will then ask you if you know your CIS receipt number.....press 1

(Once you have a case number you can use this.....press 2)

You then follow the instructions to key in your number.

If will then tell you if NVC has received the petition, and assigned a number.

This automated service is available 24/7.

Once you have your case number you can call them at any time to hear any updates on your case, using either the NVC case number or your CIS (NOA) receipt number.

Hope this all assists some.

Lorelle aka wench

Those wishing to use Jame's Shortcuts, they are now available a couple of posts below.

Choice of Agent

Many members are having success in emailing the NVC to choose their agent in place of sending in the DS-3032. They usually send a confirmation email within a couple of days. If not you will need to call to confirm that it has been accepted. Below is an example email posted by AMarina.

Posted: Jan 11 2006, 12:20 AM AMarina

Thank you for sharing these. They are indeed useful. Here is one more: I read about it at another forum, and successfully used it myself:

As soon as you know (from the answering service or talking with an operator at the NVC) that the Choice of Agent form has been sent out, the beneficiary can EMAIL their choice of agent to NVC. Apparently, there is a rule that if you cannot locate your form (due to bad mail service in your country), you are entitled to appoint your agent by e-mail. We did it on a second day after the form was mailed, and received a response from NVC two days later that they accepted choice of agent (by the way, we still have not received that letter from them yet, lol).

Here is a sample of my correspondence with them:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

The NVC has updated the petitioner's address. Please continue to notify the NVC of any change of address or change in personal situation, which may affect the beneficiary's entitlement to a visa.

We have received the Agent of Choice selection.═ The Immigrant Visa Application (DS 230) processing fee bill will be sent to the petitioner.═ The fee must be paid according to the instructions before that form will be sent. Please allow two to four weeks for the petitioner to receive this fee bill.

Regards,

National Visa Center

ACB/tkm

-----Original Message-----

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is ....., my visa case number is #......

Unfortunately I cannot locate my ds-3032 and would like to appoint my

husband as my agent of choice to receive all the correspondence from NVC.

His name and address is:

......

All mail from the U.S. Department of State concerning my immigration visa

application should be send to the address above. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely yours,

[ROCA 0]

I believe that people are still using them, and they are still working. Although many people are opting to use Lotto's guide, now that you can pay online.It is much quicker than James short cut.

I just saw yesterday someone who was successful emailing their choice of agent.

ROCA

[Mononoke28 135]

Yes, James' shortcuts still work and you have the option to follow them or get your IIN from the NVC so you can pay and download the coversheets needed online. This is a new process that moves along faster and seems to be working for everybody.

Diana

[Gigli2008 70]

Thanks for your responses.

My case is not at NVC yet, I am trying to anticipate the next steps. I've heard a lot mentioned of an IV bill. Is this with reference to CR1 or K3? How much should I expect to spend while K3 is at NVC? The guides do not have fee structures.

Thanks

Gigli

[ROCA 0]

The IV bill is for the CR1. The K3 does'nt cost you anything at the NVC, it pretty much gets sent right to the embassy in your country. Then there is a fee to pay at the Embassy on the day of the interview, i cant remember how much that is. I think it is around the 130 dollar mark, but dont quote me on that.

ROCA

[Gigli2008 70]

The IV bill is for the CR1. The K3 does'nt cost you anything at the NVC, it pretty much gets sent right to the embassy in your country. Then there is a fee to pay at the Embassy on the day of the interview, i cant remember how much that is. I think it is around the 130 dollar mark, but dont quote me on that.

ROCA

Thank you ROCA. So, I understand the K3 won't cost anything until at the Embassy. How much do the CR1 paths cost at NVC Level?

[ROCA 0]

The IV bill is for the CR1. The K3 does'nt cost you anything at the NVC, it pretty much gets sent right to the embassy in your country. Then there is a fee to pay at the Embassy on the day of the interview, i cant remember how much that is. I think it is around the 130 dollar mark, but dont quote me on that.

ROCA

Thank you ROCA. So, I understand the K3 won't cost anything until at the Embassy. How much do the CR1 paths cost at NVC Level?

At the NVC the petitoner needs to pay a $70 fee for the I-864, and the benificiary needs to pay.....erm... trying to rack my mind, i really cant remember the cost of that..... i think it's $355.

i also believe that there is no cost when you get to the embassy except the cost of them mailing your passport back to you.

Maybe someone else will reply and either confirm what i ahev told you or correct me.

The best thing to do is get everything ready to go, and also tripple check for little mistakes, and you could be out of there really quick.

ROCA

[Mononoke28 135]

Once both forms, I-130 and I-129F are approved, the K3 petition is automatically sent to the embassy for processing and interview. The beneficiary then has to pay a visa fee which is either $130 or $131, I can't remember. Then, once they enter the US they have two years to apply for AOS which has a cost of $1,010. The beneficiary will also have to file for EAD if he/she wants to work legally.

With the CR1/IR1 visa, the NVC processes everything and there two bills involved, the AOS which is $70 and the IV bill which is $400. Once they beneficiary enters the US they receive their green card in the mail a few weeks later and they are able to start work right away. Nothing is done until Removal of Conditions if a CR1 visa was issued. If an IR1 visa was issued instead, they're set for 10 years.

Diana

[Fedup 0]

Please note that the post below was initiated Jan 2006. Does anyone know if Jame's Short Cuts still works? And can Beneficiary still email NVC with choice of Agent? Does the email NVCinquiry@uscis.gov still receive Choice of Agent emails.

Thanks

Gigli

James' shortcuts is the older version, when NVC did not have the online payment system.

Now with the online payment and cover page print option the process is faster using Loto guide.

The only thing I noticed is that mailing 3032 is faster than e-mail. So probably one still useful step is the one regarding mailing 3032 using generated barcode. By mail it takes about 3 days (express usps), e-mail takes 10 days to process.

All other steps are faster and easier if done via online payment, printing cover pages from online payment page, etc.

If you do choose to e-mail 3032, make sure you put case#, beneficiary name and date of birth in e-mail subject. Per Loto guide. And e-mail it AFTER it was generated in NVC system.

Also very useful guide is NVC Automated messages guide. Some messages changed over time, new and more detailed messages appeared, but still very useful in understanding the process flow.

[Ling Ling 22]

Please note that the post below was initiated Jan 2006. Does anyone know if Jame's Short Cuts still works? And can Beneficiary still email NVC with choice of Agent? Does the email NVCinquiry@uscis.gov still receive Choice of Agent emails.

Thanks

Gigli

James' shortcuts is the older version, when NVC did not have the online payment system.

Now with the online payment and cover page print option the process is faster using Loto guide.

The only thing I noticed is that mailing 3032 is faster than e-mail. So probably one still useful step is the one regarding mailing 3032 using generated barcode. By mail it takes about 3 days (express usps), e-mail takes 10 days to process.

All other steps are faster and easier if done via online payment, printing cover pages from online payment page, etc.

If you do choose to e-mail 3032, make sure you put case#, beneficiary name and date of birth in e-mail subject. Per Loto guide. And e-mail it AFTER it was generated in NVC system.

Also very useful guide is NVC Automated messages guide. Some messages changed over time, new and more detailed messages appeared, but still very useful in understanding the process flow.

I think a lot of people email their DS-3032 too soon.

It only took me 12 hours to get an email confirmation...(2 minutes for the auto response) and it was in the system same day.

But as they say, "Your Mileage May Vary", and "Better Safe than Sorry". So if I had it to do over again...I'd probably do both.

The key to moving through NVC fast is not just in the shortcuts, but YOU and YOUR SPOUSE having all your ISH together.

It's like having a fast car, but not enough gas for the race. The pit-stops are what gets you in the end.