Shortcuts when checking for updates from the NVC and DOS

[creativeliza 0]

I am confused by all the abreviations. I figure that NVC must be National Visa Center but what is AVR and DOS (Department of State?)?

[Dodi 69]

NVC = National Visa Center

DOS = Dept. of State (alternatively: Death of Sanity)

Edited August 10, 2010 by Dodi

[missicy 87]

How does one get through to an operator? Every time my fiance calls the line is busy and doesn't even get a recorded message let alone speak to a human.

[Melissa Garcia 0]

Thanks alot!!!! Going to try that. Ok now two questions for ya. What does NVC and DOS mean? hehe thanks.

National Visa Center (NVC), Department of State (DOS)

[Shorah 2]

Just keep calling...........over and over again

[cutie bear 2]

My fiance called more than 15 times yesterday starting 9am in the morning. All he got is a busy tone! Finally late in the afternoon or maybe evening US time, he was able to get through. He got the case number but I am not sure if he was able to asked when it was shipped to our embassy here. Is there a way to track packet if I dont have the dates when it was shipped out?

[Lari & Jhona 0]

have not received my noa2 yet ..(HOPEFULLY SOON) but thanks for the info.

[Qais 0]

Once your NOA2 has been processed at the USCIS level, the NVC and DOS are the only way to really find out when/where your case was accepted until you (maybe) get a letter from the NVC or Packet 3 arrives. As one of my favorite vjer's likes to say "Humans^TM" are hard to reach at the NVC and DOS helplines. ESPECIALLY at the DOS. I clocked half an hour of waiting through recorded messages and being disconnected for pressing the wrong option or trying to surf my way through it before I finally wrote down all of the RIGHT options and made myself a road map.

Someone just pm'ed me about calling for a case update at the NVC, so I thought I'd share my "road map" with the rest of you, in case you're tired of getting lost as well.

For the NVC:

K1's are not tracked through the AVR, EVER. They are processed like an immigrant visa, but they are NOT immigrant visas, so they fall into a completely different class of their own. Therefore you need an operator. To get there:

1-603-334-0700

Press 2 for Non-Haiti-Related issue (Please note that this will probably change after some time)

Press 1 for English

Press 5 for an operator

For DOS:

This is where you will be able to find out if your case was received at the Embassy/Consulate. They will not see your case in their system until the NVC has logged it in and applied a case number to it.

202-485-7600

Press 1 then 0 for a live operator.

I hope this helps everyone else who has to wade through the red tape to get to someone (hopefully) with answers. Please be aware that not all of them have the correct information, and you can call back and ask for someone else or request a supervisor if you feel you're being given misinformation (SOMETIMES this helps, sometimes not).

Thanks for sharing this, I recently got approved on March 7, and was looking for exactly what you posted. I'm going to print it out, and use it. I already called once on March 11, and they said they haven't received my application yet (or my receipt number is not coming up), I know I was probably hurrying it, they told me to wait between 2 to 4 weeks. Does it really take that long for them to assign a number to it?

Edited October 17, 2013 by Kathryn41

[LookyWhatIFound 38]

Thanks so much!!! The last time I went thru this in 2007. It was like a total nightmare cause once your I-129F is approved they are supposed to send it to NVC but instead it went to an "off site storage facility" somewhere.

So trying to verify that NVC didn't get it was ridiculous and of course all USCIS says we approved it and its out of our hands. Fortunately my congressman was able to sort it out pretty quickly.

So its definitely useful info if we need it after I-129F approval.

By the way someone asked: NVC is National Visa Center and DOS is Department Of State.

[Jay & Cici 3]

sorry for this question, feel kinda stupid. Can i call them today? I know its Sunday.. but just wondering..

[Richie Rich 70]

Appreciate the information --I will need soon

Edited October 17, 2013 by Kathryn41

[neko 6]

Very helpful information:) Thank you so much! I am calling DOS tonight (which will be their Monday morning;))

[neko 6]

Very helpful information:) Thank you so much! I am calling DOS tonight (which will be their Monday morning;))

I called DOS around 8:30 to 9:30 am eastern time, and I pressed 1 and then 0, then I got connected to an operator - a human! - right away!

He said packet 3 has been sent to me yesterday so I can expect to receive it very soon! wooohooooo

[elingeniero 0]

When you call in, they won't tell you squat until you tell them your Fiance's name and birthday. They are really strict about this. You're majorly hozered if they entered it wrong, I guess.

Edited October 17, 2013 by Kathryn41

[Stuart and Thea 95]