NVC Filers - April 2011

[kim11 2]

Still waiting for NVC to finish the "re-qualification review" (like the operator said) after my husband's case was upgraded to IR-1. It's been 16 days since I got the approval in the e-mail.

[Sarah101 5]

waiting for NVC case number , maybe next week *fingers crossed*

[kimsue 3]

Just got another RFE. My husband lived in the UK (Scotland) for more than 6 months but less than 12 months. We did consider getting a police certificate a while back, but the State Department website said the following (and the certificate is not cheap):

An applicant must obtain a police certificate from the local police authority:

IF you lived in a different part of your country of nationality for more than 6 months

IF you lived in a different country for more than 12 months

So, if you lived in a different part of your country of nationality for longer than six months, you need a certificate. Also, if you lived in another country for longer than 12 months you need one. I'm guessing this is actually not correct and you need a police certificate from everywhere you lived longer than 6 months, or this is a UK specific rule? I would love to hear to that they made a mistake, but I have a feeling they just give totally misleading instructions.

My RFE said this:

Immigrant visa applicants who have resided in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland,

Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) for six months or more since the age of

sixteen are required to obtain a statement from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)

Criminal Records Office.

One thing is for sure, being well-traveled complicates the hell out of your visa application...

[kimsue 3]

The Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual also says:

9 FAM 42.65 N4.1 From Country of Current

Residence or Country of Nationality

(CT:VISA-914; 11-26-2007)

An applicant must present a police certificate, if obtainable, from his or her

country of current residence and country of nationality, if residence in such

country exceeds six months.

9 FAM 42.65 N4.2 From Country of Previous

Residence

(TL:VISA-185; 02-26-1999)

Police certificates are required from countries of previous residence, if residence there was for more than one year

Foreign Affairs Manual

My husband's country of nationality and current residence is France. The UK was a country of previous residence. I guess I won't have any real answers on this until Monday, but I'm just posting in case anyone has any experience with the nuances of 6/12 month residence and police clearances.

[Saylin 1,605]

kimsue,

I would suggest talking to an operator asap on Monday, and perhaps a supervisor. According to the statement's on DOS's website, you shouldn't need a police certificate since it was under 12 months and it was another country. Make sure you have the above statements ready so you can read it to them if necessary. NVC needs to learn their stuff and stop giving out RFEs when they're not right

[Amy and Nick 37]

Sounds like a tough one kimsue. Logically he shouldnt need a police cert.

The only way I could imagine it being 'right' is something to with EU passports? Are the somehow classing the UK as a different part of his country of nationality?

Definitely speak to someone on Monday (I hope its not a bank holiday there like it is in England?)

[jennie ann 15]

Just got another RFE. My husband lived in the UK (Scotland) for more than 6 months but less than 12 months. We did consider getting a police certificate a while back, but the State Department website said the following (and the certificate is not cheap):

An applicant must obtain a police certificate from the local police authority:

IF you lived in a different part of your country of nationality for more than 6 months

IF you lived in a different country for more than 12 months

So, if you lived in a different part of your country of nationality for longer than six months, you need a certificate. Also, if you lived in another country for longer than 12 months you need one. I'm guessing this is actually not correct and you need a police certificate from everywhere you lived longer than 6 months, or this is a UK specific rule? I would love to hear to that they made a mistake, but I have a feeling they just give totally misleading instructions.

My RFE said this:

Immigrant visa applicants who have resided in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland,

Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) for six months or more since the age of

sixteen are required to obtain a statement from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)

Criminal Records Office.

One thing is for sure, being well-traveled complicates the hell out of your visa application...

Wow, what a pain. We got an RFE requesting police certificates for two countries (China and Taiwan) that my husband had lived in for more than six months but less than 12. We responded with a letter explaining that according to their instructions (which I printed out and highlighted for them), the police certificates should not be required, and we included copies of his passport stamps for those countries. We had no problems after that. I think sometimes they either don't know their own rules or they're just not paying close enough attention to the dates on your application (annoying!).

This does sound like it could be a UK-specific thing though (which seems really unfair, considering that there is no way you could have known that in advance, and now it's costing you this extra time). Follow Saylin's advice and speak to an operator and/or supervisor ASAP, although you may have to respond in writing either way. Hopefully you won't have to get the police certificate though – it's quite expensive at £35 for 10-day service or $70 for 2-day service. Here's the link in case you don't have it:

ACPO Police Certificates

Good luck!

Edited April 23, 2011 by jennie ann

[CaliforniaGuy 2]

NVC is so slow on their responses. I am doing EP and sent my supporting documents for IV last Monday and 2 days later I get a reply that they received the e-mail. Well today, 5 days later, I receive a checklist letter (e-mail) wanting me to send the supporting doucments for the IV. I'm sure they haven't gone through the e-mail I sent them so they sent me this checklist. I should just ignore this e-mail but I will still call on Monday to make myself feel better.

[KarenB 0]

NVC is so slow on their responses. I am doing EP and sent my supporting documents for IV last Monday and 2 days later I get a reply that they received the e-mail. Well today, 5 days later, I receive a checklist letter (e-mail) wanting me to send the supporting doucments for the IV. I'm sure they haven't gone through the e-mail I sent them so they sent me this checklist. I should just ignore this e-mail but I will still call on Monday to make myself feel better.

I know what you mean. I got my first IV document checklist from NVC on Thursday over three weeks since i sent them. Then i get the right checklist for my RFE yesterday when i sent the required document on Tuesday. They are just too slow for VJers so expect to get everything weeks after they should have sent them. We have a secret weapon so use it. Always when in doubt do not hesitate to call an operator and if you are not sure about what one of them is telling you hang up and call back or ask to speak with a sup. they usually know what they are talking about. Good luck.

Edited April 23, 2011 by Happy User

[DFW-LHE 0]

Questions about sending in Form DS-230.

Looking at the NVC bible, it does not seem to me that I need to send in anything that proves that I am married to the beneficiary. Am I assuming correctly that my wife will need to do that at the embassy during the interview?

And, the bible is asking to send in a divorce decree if married before. As the petitioner, do I need to send in my divorce decree or are they only asking for a divorce decree from the beneficiary?

Thanks in advance to all that answer.

-Fahed

[Saylin 1,605]

Questions about sending in Form DS-230.

Looking at the NVC bible, it does not seem to me that I need to send in anything that proves that I am married to the beneficiary. Am I assuming correctly that my wife will need to do that at the embassy during the interview?

And, the bible is asking to send in a divorce decree if married before. As the petitioner, do I need to send in my divorce decree or are they only asking for a divorce decree from the beneficiary?

Thanks in advance to all that answer.

-Fahed

For the IV package, the beneficiary needs to send in your marriage certificate as well as a photocopy of it. You'll then get the original back at the interview.

And no, as the IV package is all about the beneficiary, your divorce documents won't be needed, only the beneficiary's if they have had a divorce.

[JerryA 1]

NVC is so slow on their responses. I am doing EP and sent my supporting documents for IV last Monday and 2 days later I get a reply that they received the e-mail. Well today, 5 days later, I receive a checklist letter (e-mail) wanting me to send the supporting doucments for the IV. I'm sure they haven't gone through the e-mail I sent them so they sent me this checklist. I should just ignore this e-mail but I will still call on Monday to make myself feel better.

I agree. NVC slow. Been waiting to pay IV fees. Keep getting this screen - see attached. Mebbe Easter time. Opens only on Tuesday.

NVC

[giamimigio 21]

I agree. NVC slow. Been waiting to pay IV fees. Keep getting this screen - see attached. Mebbe Easter time. Opens only on Tuesday.

NVC

same here. paid 2 days ago.

[Saylin 1,605]

I agree. NVC slow. Been waiting to pay IV fees. Keep getting this screen - see attached. Mebbe Easter time. Opens only on Tuesday.

NVC

NVC shouldn't be closed on Monday as apparently Easter isn't a federal holiday in the USA. http://www.opm.gov/operating_status_schedules/fedhol/2011.asp

Also, it appears that the IV bill has been invoiced for you. Are you able to click on 'pay'?

[CaliforniaGuy 2]

NVC shouldn't be closed on Monday as apparently Easter isn't a federal holiday in the USA. http://www.opm.gov/operating_status_schedules/fedhol/2011.asp

Also, it appears that the IV bill has been invoiced for you. Are you able to click on 'pay'?

Yes Saylin Monday is not a holiday here. NVC should be open.

As for the "pay" button, I was in the same situation before. The "pay" button seems as though you can click and pay but when you click it doesn't let you. You have to give it a day or two than you can pay.