What happens after I-130 approval?

[KLS2010 30]

Ok..so I am a little confused . My apologies in advance!

We are still waiting for our I-130 approval..but I've been thinking ahead and trying to be organised. My problems is with what exactly happens at the NVC and (Sydney) consulate.

My understanding was that after the petition is approved its then sent to the NVC, which processes the I-864 affadavit of support (and collects the $88 fee). Then it is sent to the consulate (Sydney) and they then send out the DS-230, DS-2001 and requirements (ie medical, police checks,etc), and then an interview date is given.

But I have been reading about these forms being returned and the Immigrant Visa fee being paid to the NVC. I thought that this was paid at the consulate? - see link

http://canberra.usembassy.gov/iv-fees.html

Also, like I said..I'm trying to be organised and have everythin ready to go, and have seen people recommending getting the police check and medicals done before they are notified by the consulate. But I was also looking at the US embassy site and read this...http://canberra.usembassy.gov/iv_faqs.html......any reason why they are telling people to not have them done until told to? I just don't want waste money on these things, but also want to be ahead of the game at the same time lol.

Any suggestions, comments etc would be very much appreciated!

Thanks

[Deb+Steve 13]

Hi - don't confuse the CR1 process with the K1. For CR1 no IV fees are paid at the Consulate. These are all paid at the NVC stage.

NVC sends the DS-230 packet for the beneficiary and the I-864 for the petitioner. These two run in conjunction so you do your bit and the petitioner does their bit. One doesn't have to wait for the other.

DS-230 once completed is submitted to NVC by the beneficiary. You will need a cover letter with the following:-

DS-230 Part 1 & 2 (only sign part 1 from memory. You will sign the other at the Consulate when you have your interview)

Original Australian Citizenship Cert + copy (if not born in Australia)

Police Clearance Cert + copy

Original Birth Cert + copy

Original Marriage Cert + copy

Copy of passport biographic page

2 x US passport style photos

*Include any evidence of previous marriages and divorces if applicable.

I used the Express International Courier at the Post Office. Not sure what state you are in but I waited until I had my interview date to schedule the medical because Brisbane did not have a wait for it. I did the titre blood testing while we waited for our I-130 approval and had all my shots before I did the medical. I waited for the DS-230 packet from NVC before I did my PCC but in Qld the clearance only takes about 10 days.

My husband requested all his tax transcripts while we waited for approval as well.

The Consulate does send the DS-2001 but that's just a checklist to make sure you bring whatever they request. Again, take 2 x US style passport photos. I forget them but had them done in the Food Court at Martin Place before my interview. I'm glad I did because that's the pic that ended up on my Green Card and it is so much better than the others I sent. You will also need a 5kg Platinum Express Post satchel. This wasn't on my checklist but thanks to VJ members I knew I needed one.

If you're wondering why they tell you to wait, it's because the PCC is only valid for 12 months and so is the medical. That's all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if I've not made sense.

Best of luck ....

[Deb+Steve 13]

Forgot to add:-

The only thing done at Consulate level for CR1 is the interview. NVC processes everything, completes your case, schedules your interview and only then sends your file to the Consulate. Once your file is at the Consulate and you're ready to go, you can request to change the date.

[KLS2010 30]

Hi - don't confuse the CR1 process with the K1. For CR1 no IV fees are paid at the Consulate. These are all paid at the NVC stage.

NVC sends the DS-230 packet for the beneficiary and the I-864 for the petitioner. These two run in conjunction so you do your bit and the petitioner does their bit. One doesn't have to wait for the other.

DS-230 once completed is submitted to NVC by the beneficiary. You will need a cover letter with the following:-

DS-230 Part 1 & 2 (only sign part 1 from memory. You will sign the other at the Consulate when you have your interview)

Original Australian Citizenship Cert + copy (if not born in Australia)

Police Clearance Cert + copy

Original Birth Cert + copy

Original Marriage Cert + copy

Copy of passport biographic page

2 x US passport style photos

*Include any evidence of previous marriages and divorces if applicable.

I used the Express International Courier at the Post Office. Not sure what state you are in but I waited until I had my interview date to schedule the medical because Brisbane did not have a wait for it. I did the titre blood testing while we waited for our I-130 approval and had all my shots before I did the medical. I waited for the DS-230 packet from NVC before I did my PCC but in Qld the clearance only takes about 10 days.

My husband requested all his tax transcripts while we waited for approval as well.

The Consulate does send the DS-2001 but that's just a checklist to make sure you bring whatever they request. Again, take 2 x US style passport photos. I forget them but had them done in the Food Court at Martin Place before my interview. I'm glad I did because that's the pic that ended up on my Green Card and it is so much better than the others I sent. You will also need a 5kg Platinum Express Post satchel. This wasn't on my checklist but thanks to VJ members I knew I needed one.

If you're wondering why they tell you to wait, it's because the PCC is only valid for 12 months and so is the medical. That's all I can think of at the moment. Let me know if I've not made sense.

Best of luck ....

Thank you! I really appreciate you clearing things up for me and for your suggestions.

I'm in NSW so I will look into how long the PCC takes here and the wait time on the medical. And also get those vaccinations I need.

Thanks again!

Oh and BTW - congratulations on your little one...hope everything goes well!