Approved past USCIS but SKIP NVC

[mjaye65 5]

Greetings All,

I received a form I-797 notice of action in the mail notice dated April 26, 2011 stating that my petition has been approved and forwarded to the listed consulate (Manila).

The Notice Type: Approval Notice / Valid from 04/26/2011 to 08/26/2011 / Consulate: Manila Philippines.

The text I received on April 26 from USCIS said my petition had been approved and was forwarded to NVC for further processing.

I called the NVC and they said it sounds like this is true my Visa went to Manila but they did not see me listed in their system. The only reference I had when I called them was the same receipt number from the USCIS and they said that was good enough for them to see my records.

I called the Manila Visa office today and they do not have any record of my file either so I guess I will try again on Friday.

Anyone had this happen before?

Any advice on how I can get the MNL number they are talking about?

I am headed over there for my five month visit and it would be great if we could track all this down and arrange one of the open appointments when I am there in May.

BPI said that all they needed to accept the Visa payment was a copy of the NOA 2 and the passport. Is this correct I want to make sure they money does not go out the back door.

[Tyeger87 10]

the NOA2 always says sent to the consulate

but it always goes to NVC first

give them at least a week after you receive your NOA2 to let them get the case in their system at NVC

once the case is in their system you can call and get your MNL number and also find out when they send your case to the Manila Embassy

your case will go to NVC first, it just has not been updated into their system yet

[Charles-n-Erica 2]

It took our case 14 days to be received by NVC and entered into their system. Don't worry all NOA2's say straight to consulate now...but it still has to go through NVC to get the new case # (MNL##########) You can wait for a letter from them, or just give a few more days and start calling. They are actually open until 1200 midnight eastern time. So, I called them once in the morning and once in the late evening until I found out they had received our case and then got my new case number.

[mjaye65 5]

Thanks everyone.

I called the NVC today and they have located my file and said it will be processing it soon.

I appreciate the information and best wishes to all of us navigating the process.

Thanks Again,