NVC April 2010 Edition!

[TatyanaR 6]

Just curious how you found this out, if you find out by e-mail from an embassy, or if you were just able to ask someone.

I tried pinging the Russia forum, but nobody could answer this particular question for Moscow. So I'm hoping we'll find out via e-mail or something from the embassy.

Anyway, I agree that it seems to vary a little based on country. The only thing that seems consistent is the passport and medical. Then each country seems to have a slightly different combination of other things you may need to bring. But at least it's not the whole packet with the DS-230 and what not.

I'm thinking documents submitted to the NVC will not be required to be brought to the interview.

Of course I'm sure there's always an exception to prove the rule somewhere.

Are you Russian or? Are you going to be the one interviewing in Moscow or your SO?

Hello folks

here in the same game waiting for my interview date !!!! But possibly they assign this week the Nvc operator told my husband to call back on Friday .... Please God !!!

Fingers crossed! I hope you get some great news soon!!!

Ok, so here we go. I'm about to go mail DS-230 packet.

Good luck!

[TatyanaR 6]

Miss you too I am off from work because I fell and dislocate my ankle

Poor thing! Hope you heal fast!

[Cixelsyd 1]

Are you Russian or? Are you going to be the one interviewing in Moscow or your SO?

Well, my wife says I'm Russian. I just say I'm human.

But no, I'm the USC, so she'll be the one interviewing. Being that trying to acquire documents in Russia is notoriously difficult, I'm always trying to stay one step ahead so we don't fall behind.

[TheBears 9]

Hello again everyone, i have a quick question, hopefully you can help me. Is it okay that i mark that i assited my husband on his DS230 form, or does that look bad, and i should put that he did it?

Thanks in advance, sweetcitywife

P.S. I chose the sticky notes, going to make tons of copies today, Inshallah.

I disagree with other posts. I think if you helped then you should put it on there. I can't see how it would look bad. Especially if his English is great. To me, it's one more example of a couple working together and being involved together in the immigration process. I also think honesty is super important in dealing with these people. If he gets asked a question about the DS-230 (a very real possibility at any embassy) and he absently includes that "my wife helped me fill it out" and there's no record of that, that could be viewed poorly. In the end, it's up to you and your husband.

Me: Husby's English is good. On the DS-230, we put my name and address down where it asks if anyone helped you. Husby likes to talk; it's likely he'll be nervous and add unnecessary details like "Wifey helped fill out the forms" during the interview. Even if he didn't though, we both agree that honesty is the best policy.

Miss you too I am off from work because I fell and dislocate my ankle

Oh no! Hope you feel better soon!

...........

No visa-related updates for us. I'll call on Friday to see if we're scheduled for an interview. I'm worrying that if we don't get an interview this week, that it's not certain that we'll get one during the second week of May. The political situation in Thailand is bad right now. Who knows how much worse it will be in two weeks.

[TheBears 9]

Just curious how you found this out, if you find out by e-mail from an embassy, or if you were just able to ask someone.

I tried pinging the Russia forum, but nobody could answer this particular question for Moscow. So I'm hoping we'll find out via e-mail or something from the embassy.

Anyway, I agree that it seems to vary a little based on country. The only thing that seems consistent is the passport and medical. Then each country seems to have a slightly different combination of other things you may need to bring. But at least it's not the whole packet with the DS-230 and what not.

I'm thinking documents submitted to the NVC will not be required to be brought to the interview.

Of course I'm sure there's always an exception to prove the rule somewhere.

Minor Note: You might want to bring a copy of all the forms/document packages you sent to USCIS and NVC, just in case. Possibly new forms if there has been a change. Notably the I-864. If you sent it in before filing your 2009 taxes and have since filed, then it needs to be updated accordingly. I've seen a few girls at Bangkok being issued 221g for this.

[TatyanaR 6]

That's actually not too shabby at all. I think the average I was reading was about 6 months and longer.

If he didnt bribe them & wasn't in India to do the running around, I am sure it would of been more then 6mo

[TatyanaR 6]

Well, my wife says I'm Russian. I just say I'm human.

But no, I'm the USC, so she'll be the one interviewing. Being that trying to acquire documents in Russia is notoriously difficult, I'm always trying to stay one step ahead so we don't fall behind.

The reason I asked is because (sorry to say which I am sure you are aware of) Russia got the whole mail order bride thing (don't know how active is still is) so when it comes to evidence I think you would be required a lot (that also is if you wore to be American)

[aneudyn 2]

reverse account started ... Three days to May

[TatyanaR 6]

No visa-related updates for us. I'll call on Friday to see if we're scheduled for an interview. I'm worrying that if we don't get an interview this week, that it's not certain that we'll get one during the second week of May. The political situation in Thailand is bad right now. Who knows how much worse it will be in two weeks.

Hope you hear something soon!!!

[TatyanaR 6]

The reason I asked is because (sorry to say which I am sure you are aware of) Russia got the whole mail order bride thing (don't know how active is still is) so when it comes to evidence I think you would be required a lot (that also is if you wore to be American)

But then I think it applies to other countries too when 2 different cultures involved. I think India also is pretty hard on everyone when SO other is from a different culture/country.

[complicatedmuch 0]

TheBears, Sandra/Ahmed, sachinky, tokyo.lovers, TatyanaR, Aneudy Martinez, Wife of Mohammed, Vanessa1, LovaRani:

Thanks! I just called the AVR, and case was completed on April 26.. I'm so happy! Thanks VJ! No true RFEs (only one false) and it took only a month since NVC received our case. I'm an OC nut, and I had so many issues to think about like my AOS-I only started work Sept 2009 and had a W2 income below poverty guidelines, but an annual income above that--I still went without a co-sponsor. I got so much info from the forum and the shortcuts, and followed them to the letter. And I went through hassle-free.. well almost, I did the psychological torture myself. Goodluck to those still waiting! And thanks to those who helped us through!

BTW, does the NVC send the petitioner a copy of the interview letter via mail, or do they give us an e-mail? I'm scared that if they send it to the PI, it'll get lost. Or do I have to call and get the interview sched myself?

[sachinky 465]

Here's the part we've all been waiting for. Your sign in fails! What happens AFTER you get a SIGN IN FAILED?

Check the AVR/confirm with an operator that your case has indeed completed processing at NVC.

CR-1 interviews are scheduled by NVC. The interview letter will be e-mailed to both the beneficiary and the petitioner.

You can track the DHL packages sent out from Portsmouth, NH to your consulate.

Keep bugging NVC till they assign your date. Not too much, though.

You can check the US Consulate's website for updates on interviews. Most consulate's have an interview schedule updated bi-weekly.

You can also call your consulate for regular updates on how busy the consulate is that month.

Get your medical out of the way. The medical is country specific, so check out your regional forums.

Usually, you need 2-3 photographs, passport, interview letter, and your medical records but I'm sure requirements differ.

[sachinky 465]

Generally interviews are scheduled during the second week of the month. While interviews are scheduled during the other weeks of the month as well--we received our appointment letter the last week of the month--those are usually for dates for the following month, not the next. For example, we received notice end of March for an interview in mid-May. Remember, some consulates do this. Not all.

[TheBears 9]

But then I think it applies to other countries too when 2 different cultures involved. I think India also is pretty hard on everyone when SO other is from a different culture/country.

Agreed.

Or if your relationship goes against the cultural norms. American man with a Thai woman, no problem. American woman with a Thai man, more questions. Or if there's a large age difference where it's not common for that culture. Or if the age difference is reversed. MIL is just 2 years older than FIL. Eyebrows were raised when they were dating.

Look at other couples in your SO's culture. How do you compare and contrast to them? You might find some "yellow flags" to prepare answers for in case asked. You never know when the CO is going to play hard or if you're going to be sent to FPU for a Stokes interview. We all hope and pray that we don't, but it can't hurt to be prepared anyway.

[TheBears 9]

TheBears, Sandra/Ahmed, sachinky, tokyo.lovers, TatyanaR, Aneudy Martinez, Wife of Mohammed, Vanessa1, LovaRani:

Thanks! I just called the AVR, and case was completed on April 26.. I'm so happy! Thanks VJ! No true RFEs (only one false) and it took only a month since NVC received our case. I'm an OC nut, and I had so many issues to think about like my AOS-I only started work Sept 2009 and had a W2 income below poverty guidelines, but an annual income above that--I still went without a co-sponsor. I got so much info from the forum and the shortcuts, and followed them to the letter. And I went through hassle-free.. well almost, I did the psychological torture myself. Goodluck to those still waiting! And thanks to those who helped us through!

BTW, does the NVC send the petitioner a copy of the interview letter via mail, or do they give us an e-mail? I'm scared that if they send it to the PI, it'll get lost. Or do I have to call and get the interview sched myself?

E-mails should be sent to both the petitioner and beneficiary.

Here's the part we've all been waiting for. Your sign in fails! What happens AFTER you get a SIGN IN FAILED?

Check the AVR/confirm with an operator that your case has indeed completed processing at NVC.

CR-1 interviews are scheduled by NVC. The interview letter will be e-mailed to both the beneficiary and the petitioner.

You can track the DHL packages sent out from Portsmouth, NH to your consulate.

Keep bugging NVC till they assign your date. Not too much, though.

You can check the US Consulate's website for updates on interviews. Most consulate's have an interview schedule updated bi-weekly.

You can also call your consulate for regular updates on how busy the consulate is that month.

Get your medical out of the way. The medical is country specific, so check out your regional forums.

Usually, you need 2-3 photographs, passport, interview letter, and your medical records but I'm sure requirements differ.

You're the best, Sachi. I was just thinking about what else could be done while waiting.