January 2011 Filers!!!

[James And Oksana 19]

The embassy logged in our case and sent out packet 3.

How do you know this? I know you get the case # from NVC, but from there how do you know when the Embassy receives the package from NVC?

[TwoCats 55]

How do you know this? I know you get the case # from NVC, but from there how do you know when the Embassy receives the package from NVC?

You call the DOS number instead of the NVC number.

They can tell you.

[Sarah&Michael 2]

You call the DOS number instead of the NVC number.

They can tell you.

What is the DOS number? What is DOS?

[TwoCats 55]

What is the DOS number? What is DOS?

DOS = Department of State

Call (202) 663-1225. Press 1, then 0 to speak to a person.

You need to have your case# from NVC before you call. They can tell you when the case is logged in by the embassy, when packet 3 is sent out, when packet 3 is checked in, when packet 4 is sent out, what your interview date is.

At least, they are able to do that for the UK. I assume (but I'm not sure) that it works for other countries as well.

[JustJanis 2]

Updated the group timelines for anyone who posted here.

Congratulations to those who have gotten NOA2s recently.

The embassy logged in our case and sent out packet 3. So we're working through that. He still has to fill out most of the forms and get them printed/signed. He wants to send them in before he goes back, but I don't know that it'll save us much time. His friend sent away the police certificate form on Saturday, with expedited processing, so hopefully it'll get here soon. And, he's booked a medical for a few days after getting back. He needs to see his normal doctor for the vaccinations first, but that shouldn't be too bad, I hope.

I've completed my I-134 with far, far too much information/proof. I've read that they only require two of these when interviewing in the UK, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to have some things around for later. I'm giving Kata:

- Tax transcript

- Pay stubs

- Employer letter

- Bank statements

- Insurance statement

Woo hoo... well on your way!!!

Quick questions... How long do you have before having to send in your NOA2? And how long before sending in NOA2 does the Packet 3 get sent to my address (although I have moved and am trying now to figure out when and where to put in my address change so that the Packet 3 gets mailed to my new address). Of course we still have to send in our RFE info and wait for the NOA2 but things are happening quicker than expected and we want to schedule my return trip to Vancouver so I'm only there for a couple weeks at the most.

Coordinating timing of appointments and travel arrangements is going to make me crazy, especially since I'm off to Japan in 2 days for a whole month!

[Jay and Tin 0]

Anyone here w/ a "Notice Date" of 5/9 or later from VSC know if NVC got their case yet?

I tried calling today since it's exacly one week (am I jumping the gun here?) and the guy (rude) only asked me for my notice date. When I told him he said don't call until 15 business days after the notice date. Doh!

Should I call back later and hope I get someone else or am I really jumping the gun here?

[TwoCats 55]

Woo hoo... well on your way!!!

Quick questions... How long do you have before having to send in your NOA2? And how long before sending in NOA2 does the Packet 3 get sent to my address (although I have moved and am trying now to figure out when and where to put in my address change so that the Packet 3 gets mailed to my new address). Of course we still have to send in our RFE info and wait for the NOA2 but things are happening quicker than expected and we want to schedule my return trip to Vancouver so I'm only there for a couple weeks at the most.

Coordinating timing of appointments and travel arrangements is going to make me crazy, especially since I'm off to Japan in 2 days for a whole month!

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but hopefully I can clear up a few things. Your NOA2 is just a notice that says you are approved. You don't send ANYTHING in regarding it. All it does is tell you that your case has been sent on to NVC/The Embassy. Once your case is logged in at the embassy (which will take a few weeks after your NOA2), you will get sent packet 3. You then must return packet 3 to the embassy. The NOA2 is good for 4 months (I believe?), and the embassy can extend it if you need. So there is no real rush to get packet 3 turned back in. You should have /plenty/ of time.

Timing (roughly):

- E-mail/text NOA2

- Hardcopy NOA2

- (optional: call NVC to find out when they check in your case and what your new case# is)

- NVC Letter with your new case#

- (optional: call DOS to find out if the embassy has received your case and sent packet 3)

- Embassy receives the case

- Embassy sends out packet 3

- You return packet 3

- Medical

- Embassy sends out packet 4

- Interview

Changing your address:

We tried to do this at NVC and ended up missing it. The case was in/out of NVC within 24-hours so we had no time to update it. We had to update it at the embassy, which ended up being /after/ packet 3 was sent. Luckily for the UK, you don't need the physical packet 3 to continue. I'd suggest making sure you have mail-forwarding from your old address if you can. If not, you may have to get it changed/resent out.

[Ash&Ham 0]

Hi everyone. I have a question that I am having a hard time getting answered. When I called USCIS they told me that I would have to hire a lawyer to answer that question and could not provide it themself.

My fiance's father is not listed on his birth certificate, however some of the forms ask for his mother and fathers names. Even though he is not on the birth certificates, my fiance does know who his father is.... how should he fill in these spaces?

Ashley

[TwoCats 55]

Anyone here w/ a "Notice Date" of 5/9 or later from VSC know if NVC got their case yet?

I tried calling today since it's exacly one week (am I jumping the gun here?) and the guy (rude) only asked me for my notice date. When I told him he said don't call until 15 business days after the notice date. Doh!

Should I call back later and hope I get someone else or am I really jumping the gun here?

Some of them are pretty rude.

We had the same experience.

I'd just suggest calling back tomorrow.

[TwoCats 55]

Hi everyone. I have a question that I am having a hard time getting answered. When I called USCIS they told me that I would have to hire a lawyer to answer that question and could not provide it themself.

My fiance's father is not listed on his birth certificate, however some of the forms ask for his mother and fathers names. Even though he is not on the birth certificates, my fiance does know who his father is.... how should he fill in these spaces?

Ashley

I wouldn't think you'd need a lawyer for this, honestly.

I think the best option is just to list the father's name and what information you know (if you don't know it, just put 'unknown'). Then make a notation somewhere in pen that the father is not listed on the birth certificate.

That way, you provided all the information you have.

[Jay and Tin 0]

Some of them are pretty rude.

We had the same experience.

I'd just suggest calling back tomorrow.

Thanks for the fast reply... I'll give it a shot. I guess it can't hurt anything if I call back everyday until I find out ha

[Ash&Ham 0]

I wouldn't think you'd need a lawyer for this, honestly.

I think the best option is just to list the father's name and what information you know (if you don't know it, just put 'unknown'). Then make a notation somewhere in pen that the father is not listed on the birth certificate.

That way, you provided all the information you have.

Thank you for your feedback. I ended up seeing a post earlier about the Department of State (DOS). We decided to give them a call and see what information we could get. The lady on the phone was sooo very helpful!! She was able to answer all my questions. She said that it wouldnt matter either way, just as long as everything is consistent; so if we dont list him on one form we shouldnt on any of the others. She said if we list him on everything even though he is not on the birth certificate that is just fine; just to explain when they ask about it.

The lady was also able to let us know that they most likely wont send an RFE over not sending in original signed forms, but we could go ahead and send them if we would like to our service center if we are worried about it. She said it should not slow down the case. Also, the lady was able to give a lot of information regarding questions we had about bringing his daughter up.

Ashley

[JustJanis 2]

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, but hopefully I can clear up a few things. Your NOA2 is just a notice that says you are approved. You don't send ANYTHING in regarding it. All it does is tell you that your case has been sent on to NVC/The Embassy. Once your case is logged in at the embassy (which will take a few weeks after your NOA2), you will get sent packet 3. You then must return packet 3 to the embassy. The NOA2 is good for 4 months (I believe?), and the embassy can extend it if you need. So there is no real rush to get packet 3 turned back in. You should have /plenty/ of time.

Timing (roughly):

- E-mail/text NOA2

- Hardcopy NOA2

- (optional: call NVC to find out when they check in your case and what your new case# is)

- NVC Letter with your new case#

- (optional: call DOS to find out if the embassy has received your case and sent packet 3)

- Embassy receives the case

- Embassy sends out packet 3

- You return packet 3

- Medical

- Embassy sends out packet 4

- Interview

Changing your address:

We tried to do this at NVC and ended up missing it. The case was in/out of NVC within 24-hours so we had no time to update it. We had to update it at the embassy, which ended up being /after/ packet 3 was sent. Luckily for the UK, you don't need the physical packet 3 to continue. I'd suggest making sure you have mail-forwarding from your old address if you can. If not, you may have to get it changed/resent out.

Thank you for the clarification. I thought it was the NOA 2 that had the checklist to return... but I see it's Packet 3, that's the one I was hoping we had time with.

I did put in for mail forwarding to my mom's before I left Canada but regardless I'll try and catch them at the Embassy to update the address before it gets sent out.

[katkout 0]

Wohoooooooooooooooooooooooo NVC finally got our packet hopefully they will forward it to the embassy very soon.... :)

[Sarah&Michael 2]

We received packet 3. Does it mean our file is at the consulate already? Thanks!