Electronic Processing

[ValerieA 350]

I think the process got a little 'broke' when they went to one email address. Overall, I think EP is going to be a good thing, and will speed up NVC processing overall - when it is rolled out to everybody. Or else they will lay off some of their workers and it will take the same amount of time. Either way, the convenience was good, being able to just email everything. The communication totally sucked, and they need to fix that in a big way. And I REALLY like that I did not have to send out all these important original documents and then stress that they had lost them. I prefer to keep stuff like that in my dirty little hands.

And I truly hated the length of time it took them to send the EP confirmation email.

[zenaxe 22]

Thanks for starting that discussion Fireray, I was going to do that so now I'll just add my two cents, for what it's worth.

Overall, I still recommend electronic processing. Some of what all of us went through thinking NVC's EP program was confusing/left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing etc, is probably inaccurate. I thought so to and accused them of that but have reflected on this and given what I learned, I don't necessarily agree with my earlier comments.

The biggest problem with the entire EP process is the lack of direction and meaningful assistance from NVC - the Wiki pages were very helpful and mostly the biggest help was from prior filers and the support we all got from each other on VJ. It's very much a self directed way to go. I don't know if there really any difference in terms of help when you file in hard copy format. Something to think about because you are sending off documents and still waiting in the dark and likely when you call NVC you get the same information.

Initially I was concerned because I did follow the direction given here so I called the obtain the NVC case number and then immediately sent off the OPTIN with the attached DS3032. I was somewhat impatient with the two weeks of getting the OPTIN confirmation and the fact that I got emails saying they didn't have my DS3032 despite my sending it. The same was true of the I 864 and DS230. In each case I paid the AOS and IV bills respectively and sent off the corresponding package, only to get emails asking for the very same documents I sent.

However, I also learned that the emails generated by NVC asking for those documents did NOT mean they didn't have the documents but rather that they are generated as a result of opting into EP. I wish NVC could have explained that so I was prepared.

For those about to go through this process, note: don't worry about those emails asking for the DS3032, I 864 and DS230 if you've sent them. They will get them. I had a bit of a rant because I ended up sending the OPTIN and Ds3032 a few times but really , looking back, it was my impatience and lack of solid information from NVC. Knowing what I know now, I would not even worry about it - I would expect a few weeks for confirmation and that they DO receive the documents despite the auto generated request for those documents.

NVC can improve this by sending proper emails advising of receipt of those documents rather than just sending out more auto emails. By auto I don't mean autoresponse. That's different.

An other advantage, as others have written, is that you get to keep your originals so if anything is lost, you can readily send again without worry of your original police certificate or birth cerfticate and, if required, certified translations etc. All documents that would be harder to obtain in some cases ie birth certificates from countries. Moreover, any potential RFE can be resolved quicker by emailing the documents rather than using postal or courier services.

Our case took about 25 days to process so overall that is a very quick journey through NVC (Mar 30 - Apr 23) - that also included a statutory holiday. I'm pleased with the speed of this processing.

The biggest issue is being somewhat in the dark, having little to no suppport from NVC and the confusing emails that seem to contradict but once you understand what is happening and why, they are benign and not reflective of them being confused or of not getting documents etc.

I would use EP and am glad I went through it despite some rantings and general anxiety.

I hope that those of us that have gone through have provided some light on a somewhat less than illuminated path, although I greatly thank Darnell and many others that have done the WIKI pages and offered advise and encouragement along the way.

VJ is tremendous for support and expertise.

Anyway, I'm rarely brief lol so I'll close. But in my view anyway, I think EP is a good process and to get through in a month or less is great. When you think of those before us spending literally months in NVC - in fact some still are unfortunately.

Of course now it's more hurry up and wait for the interview and it's entirely now up to the respective consulates and its own backlog. In our cases in Canada, we have Montreal - they have been sluggish but hopefully they've moved through the cases and are able to handle many more.

Good luck to all...

[zenaxe 22]

And another thing...in my opinion, given the nature of EP, I think the DS3032 is functionally obselete and should be removed for EP filers. It's a creature of the hardcopy system but it's usefullness it outlived in the cyber world. I identified my wife as the agent of choice and then I proceeded to send all the emails, documents, paid all the bills etc etc....so what was the point of identifying another person as the agent. It makes much more sense if people are processing via postal service or courier but has very little merit when using EP.

Just a thought.

[cndwife 0]

I didn't communicate with the operators at NVC except at the very begining when I gave our email address...I only gave ONE email for both of us. We began this process when both of us were living together in Canada. (Hubs is back in the US)I followed the wiki instructions and found them to be extremely helpful and would recommend if you're going to EP then follow instructions and you will get through NVC within a month if you have no issues. We did have one problem..somehow they lost the first I 864 that we sent and it wasn't noticed until I sent the DS230, then they sent an email requesting the documents that we had already sent. So we resent and it delayed us a couple days maybe...but all in all it was pretty smooth and we got through in less than a month. But as we are all finding out...we're speeding through NVC only to come to a screeching halt awaiting out MTL interview. Come on MTL give us our appointments!!!!!

[ValerieA 350]

My AVR says I have an RFE.

No email yet, my theory is that it is only going to my lawyer and I have to wait until she gets in the office.

[FireRay 1]

My AVR says I have an RFE.

No email yet, my theory is that it is only going to my lawyer and I have to wait until she gets in the office.

Aww, sorry to hear that. Hopefully you get it cleared up fast! Can't you call the NVC tomorrow and get an idea of what it is?

[ValerieA 350]

That's what I'm going to do. I think I know what it is. I wish I had seen this site before I hired a lawyer, I would have known about stuff I needed to get while I was still in Canada (I am visiting in Houston right now) that I am sure caused this RFE. I let the lawyer do the research (which she didn't do) and I found out while here that I was going to need an RCMP criminal record check, not just the police certificate thingy. I had to tell her this. We decided to submit with just my court records, and see if we got an RFE or not. Well, we got one, and I am going to have to go back to Canada early to get my fingerprints done. I'm positive that's the RFE.

[FireRay 1]

That's what I'm going to do. I think I know what it is. I wish I had seen this site before I hired a lawyer, I would have known about stuff I needed to get while I was still in Canada (I am visiting in Houston right now) that I am sure caused this RFE. I let the lawyer do the research (which she didn't do) and I found out while here that I was going to need an RCMP criminal record check, not just the police certificate thingy. I had to tell her this. We decided to submit with just my court records, and see if we got an RFE or not. Well, we got one, and I am going to have to go back to Canada early to get my fingerprints done. I'm positive that's the RFE.

Ah, well that sucks. Doesnt that RCMP check take a while to get?(Lets hope not!)

I didnt use a laywer at all. I called USCIS quite a few times to understand what to do, then I stumbled accross this site when I googled immigration stuff. Yeah, this site has been a life saver. I read over the Stupid-RFE thread and followed the advice of quite a few folks on here. I too am glad I found this site

[zenaxe 22]

The RCMP criminal record search ie CPIC or the Police Certificate are easy and quick. However if you have a criminal record, you require those records to be produced plus fingerprint issues with that police check and that I've read on here can take up to 120 days to obtain. That might be a really conservative timeframe.

Sorry to hear about the RFE and hopefully you can can this resolved asap.

As for the legal beagles, I was in consultation with a few and ultimately decided against hiring lawyers and handling the case myself after finding visa journey. This site has provided me with everything I needed to make the decision and to keep on track.

Good luck Valerie

[ValerieA 350]

Thanks, Zenaxe. Yeah, I have a criminal record, a DUI that is the reason I consulted a lawyer in the first place. My understanding is, if you are in Canada and do the electronic fingerprinting, it can be only 72 hours. To get your fingerprints done outside Canada, they are the ink & paper ones, and take up to 6 months. So, back to Canada I go! We just have to figure out when. Sigh. I will survive. Maybe that isn't the reason for the RFE, but I am a betting woman, and am 99.2% sure that is it.

[zenaxe 22]

Thanks, Zenaxe. Yeah, I have a criminal record, a DUI that is the reason I consulted a lawyer in the first place. My understanding is, if you are in Canada and do the electronic fingerprinting, it can be only 72 hours. To get your fingerprints done outside Canada, they are the ink & paper ones, and take up to 6 months. So, back to Canada I go! We just have to figure out when. Sigh. I will survive. Maybe that isn't the reason for the RFE, but I am a betting woman, and am 99.2% sure that is it.

It has to be if you've disclosed it. There is another Canadian here in the same boat - she disclosed it and now they want the documents etc so she ended up with an RFE - that's what hers was so she'll be dealing with it.

Pain in the butt to be sure. I hope you pass through this quickly.

[kaya541 1]

Grrrrr, RFE's. And no email or request or anything from the NVC. Only found out because my hubby called in this morning and spoke to a supervisor. I hadn't done my 2009 taxes when I sent in the I-864 package so I sent in my W-2 for the year with tax transcripts for the previous 2 years. Now they want my 2009 tax transcript. And my hubby was in the South African Navy and they want his military record, not just the military certificate. So that may take a while to get.

So question: if the tax transcript is for the I-864 package and the military record is for the DS-230 package, can we just send them in together in the same email stating they are the request for evidence?

Darn it, just want to cry....

Edited April 27, 2010 by kaya541

[FireRay 1]

Grrrrr, RFE's. And no email or request or anything from the NVC. Only found out because my hubby called in this morning and spoke to a supervisor. I hadn't done my 2009 taxes when I sent in the I-864 package so I sent in my W-2 for the year with tax transcripts for the previous 2 years. Now they want my 2009 tax transcript. And my hubby was in the South African Navy and they want his military record, not just the military certificate. So that may take a while to get.

So question: if the tax transcript is for the I-864 package and the military record is for the DS-230 package, can we just send them in together in the same email stating they are the request for evidence?

Darn it, just want to cry....

Awww sorry to hear about that. I am not sure about the whole sending one e-mail thing, But I know my military record is huge, it would take like 50 e-mails for me to send mine....wow..I cant belive that they want the whole thing..Thats alot of papers. I hope you are able to get ahold of his record very quickly. If they want everything in his record, I imagine that sending one e-mail wouldnt even be an option.

[CAN2US 0]

Awww sorry to hear about that. I am not sure about the whole sending one e-mail thing, But I know my military record is huge, it would take like 50 e-mails for me to send mine....wow..I cant belive that they want the whole thing..Thats alot of papers. I hope you are able to get ahold of his record very quickly. If they want everything in his record, I imagine that sending one e-mail wouldnt even be an option.

Just my 2 cents...this is what the operator of NVC told me...

2010 Apr 27-- Email Addresses of Petitioner & Beneficiary given to Operator- he already had it- he told us to email the OPTIN but still wait a couple of weeks to get the DS-3032 form!??!

Not sure what's that supposed to mean...I will send in the OPTIN with the attached DS-3032 form...lets see what happens...

[FireRay 1]

Just my 2 cents...this is what the operator of NVC told me...

2010 Apr 27-- Email Addresses of Petitioner & Beneficiary given to Operator- he already had it- he told us to email the OPTIN but still wait a couple of weeks to get the DS-3032 form!??!

Not sure what's that supposed to mean...I will send in the OPTIN with the attached DS-3032 form...lets see what happens...

I e-mailed the OPTIN With the DS-3032 Attached to it. After two weeks I got the Optin confirm and DS-3032 accepted message.

It didnt take me two weeks to get the ds-3032 e-mail from them, it took two days. And even then, they sent me the wrong ds-3032, I used the one from the site that was current.