My EP experience

[Saylin 1,605]

It's quite possible I'm inappropriately interchanging "accepted" and "received." I used the term "accepted" in previous posts because they were not rejected. The email itself from the NVC used the term "received."

Well if it's anything but the auto-response, then I haven't seen it. Other than the auto-response emails I got after sending the packages, the only email I got from NVC was the case complete email. Never had any received or accepted email. I'm glad NVC is doing that though cause you used to never know if NVC actually got your file. Hence why I had to send my two packages for a second time after 3 weeks of not hearing anything.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Well if it's anything but the auto-response, then I haven't seen it. Other than the auto-response emails I got after sending the packages, the only email I got from NVC was the case complete email.

I believe it's the auto-response.

[Saylin 1,605]

I believe it's the auto-response.

The auto-response should have happened within a few minutes of sending your packages though.

[Ryan H 3,812]

The auto-response should have happened within a few minutes of sending your packages though.

I double checked and I did get the quick auto-response after I sent the packages. So the package received emails that the NVC emailed to me may be a recent development.

[Saylin 1,605]

I double checked and I did get the quick auto-response after I sent the packages. So the package received emails that the NVC emailed to me may be a recent development.

Yes, must be a recent development. And I'm glad about that. Before, when you sent them, sure you got an auto-response, but you don't know if it got to an officer or not. That's why I had to re-send mine after not hearing anything for 3 weeks. EP is looking better

[FoundNanning 0]

Few quick questions:

1) I may have a slight delay getting AOS Documentation together. Does the AOS always have to be filed before the DS-260, or can DS-260 be sent in if it's ready first?

2) How long after case number is assigned do you have to get everything in? (is there a time limit)?

3) In plan to be with my wife in Guangzhou when she gets her interview. If the interview is scheduled for an inconvenient time, is it possible ton ask GUZ for a later date?

[Ryan H 3,812]

1) I may have a slight delay getting AOS Documentation together. Does the AOS always have to be filed before the DS-260, or can DS-260 be sent in if it's ready first?

Firstly, you won't be using the DS-260, that's an online form that is only used at specific Embassies and Consulates (GZ is not one of them). A DS-230 is to be completed and then scanned into an electronic file. DS-260 now universally required.

To answer your question, the AOS does not need to be sent first. If you have the completed DS-230 DS-260 and appropriate documents scanned into a file AND the IV bill shows "PAID" then you can email the IV package.

2) How long after case number is assigned do you have to get everything in? (is there a time limit)?

1 year. If a year passes and the NVC does not hear anything from you, they will consider the file abandoned. A file deemed abandoned by the NVC could be sent back to USCIS with a recommendation to withdraw the approval or it will gather dust at the NVC as they work on active files.

3) In plan to be with my wife in Guangzhou when she gets her interview. If the interview is scheduled for an inconvenient time, is it possible ton ask GUZ for a later date?

Yes, a different date can be requested, however, it will be on the Consulate's timetable and not yours.

Edited January 19, 2014 by Ryan H

[Palladin 18]

How is your progress, Ryan?

I thought I emailed everything of the DS-230 package to them. Today I called and they say everything is there except for TWO passport ID photos of the beneficiary.

That's just incredible. I had the photo included as one separate page in the long PDF file I sent in, and I had a checklist listing the photo. They can not miss it. Or maybe they require TWO photo instead of just one? Rather silly having to send in two separate files of the same photo.

But anyway I just re-sent the photo alone, in two separate files. I directly convert the JPG file to PDF file so when you open it up, the page size is the photo size: 2 inch by 2 inch. There is no white margin.

Ryan how did you send in the photos?

[Ryan H 3,812]

How is your progress, Ryan?

Waiting for a case complete.

Ryan how did you send in the photos?

I scanned the front and back sides of the photo twice and placed the scans onto a page. The way it was arranged by my software it was centered and one on top of the other, like this:

front

back

front

back

[Ryan H 3,812]

I got a bogus RFE email from NVC last night. This "checklist" that was sent to me asked for the following: Immigrant Visa Application Part 1

I already sent all required paperwork and accompany documents, no need to do it again.

Note, this email was generated by NVCInquiry and not NVCElectronic. NVCElectronic had generated the emails indicating they had received my packages.

[FoundNanning 0]

Ryan:

Did you scan an actual DS-3032 or did you type in an email template?

If am actual one, did you use a stock one or the one they sent you with your wifes name and case number pre-printed?

If stock, did you add barcode (how/from where)? And, you had your wife sign it?

[Ryan H 3,812]

Ryan:

Did you scan an actual DS-3032 or did you type in an email template?

If am actual one, did you use a stock one or the one they sent you with your wifes name and case number pre-printed?

If stock, did you add barcode (how/from where)? And, you had your wife sign it?

I had my wife sign a stock form and I scanned it and attached it to the OPTIN email. I did not add a barcode to the stock form.

[FoundNanning 0]

I'm confused. My AOS Payment has been accepted, and my EP Optin was accepted today. But, if I try to print a coversheet, I get a blank page. Fuurthermore, on the AOS Fee Payment Receipt Page, it says "Unless this case has joined the Electronic Processing Program you will need a Document Cover Sheet". This implies I don't need one, and I can't print one. Has something changed?

A coversheet from the payment portal will need to accompany the scanned documents.

[Ryan H 3,812]

I'm confused. My AOS Payment has been accepted, and my EP Optin was accepted today. But, if I try to print a coversheet, I get a blank page.

You are probably getting a blank page because your OPTIN was just accepted, so it is taking some time for a coversheet to appear that reflects the GZO number.

Fuurthermore, on the AOS Fee Payment Receipt Page, it says "Unless this case has joined the Electronic Processing Program you will need a Document Cover Sheet". This implies I don't need one, and I can't print one. Has something changed?

I saw that too and disregarded it. I included the coversheet because that's what others who have done EP before me had done.

[Ryan H 3,812]

It has been two weeks since I emailed the DS-230 package to the NVC, 9 days since they sent me an email acknowledging receipt of the package. Now it seems my file has come to a screeching halt. I decided to call the AVR (did so using the old GUZ number as the AVR does not recognize GZO) and the AVR tells me they have reviewed the documents I sent and they have missing information.........#######

I will be calling an operator tomorrow morning and if I don't like the answer they give me, I will speak to a supervisor. Right now I'm thinking I may end up having to resubmit what I already sent them. Such BS. If I do end up resubmitting, I'm not putting a case number on the upper right corner of documents, I stand by my assertion that is an unnecessary thing to do.