NVC Filers - January 2012

[Saylin 1,605]

I saw that Cairo caught up with the backlog on interviews. If that's the case, is there anything wrong with taking the medical now, getting it out of the way, then just waiting a couple months till NVC finishes up and then the interview? I mean would we be breaking any rules?

The only reason most people can't do advance medicals is that the panel physicians REQUIRE the interview letter. That's why most people have to wait for their CC and then the interview letter. You can try calling the panel physician in Egypt and asking, but I would highly suggest you wait. If for some reason you get a RFE, get delayed, wait for your CC, the backlog returns to Egypt and by the time your interview comes around and it's more than 6 months from your medical, you'll have to take another one, paying yet again. If you have money to throw away, then that's fine, but I urge you to wait.

[GoingCrazy2012 16]

It only took you 2 months and change to get your NOA2 from your NOA1? That was quick! Did you file for an expedite? or is it because of the country?

[Saylin 1,605]

It only took you 2 months and change to get your NOA2 from your NOA1? That was quick! Did you file for an expedite? or is it because of the country?

Who are you talking to?

[Rujby 23]

It only took you 2 months and change to get your NOA2 from your NOA1? That was quick! Did you file for an expedite? or is it because of the country?

I requested an expedite they denied it a few days later we received a mail saying we are approved

[Laure&Colin 558]

OK all scream with me know. Arrrrrrrrgh!!!!!!!!

We still haven't received tax transcripts. When I tried to request them again last weekend through the website I couldn't because they said they had been requested within the last two weeks. So I asked hubby to phone to see when they sent them. After going through phone options that died he was put in a queue that said 15 minute wait not something he could do as he is working. So I decided to phone from home. Even though we are in Canada the 800 number doesn't work so I'm paying for this call. Just over 6 minutes to speak to a live person. Both our names and SSN given twice. She said she couldn't find any requests so she'd put in a request, I'll just put you on hold. Then she came back to me, I didn't see how long I was on hold but it wasn't quick and said system had gone down and to call back in about 15 minutes. What? I've just given them 17 minutes of my life and they want me to do it again?

Frustrated? Me? I need the bashing the head on a brick wall icon.

I heard you can get tax transcripts immediately if you go to an IRS office. They just print them out for you. You might want to have your husband go pick his.

If you don't like waiting on the phone then definetily leave calling the NVC to your husband... there's usually a good amount of waiting involved!

[Clark--Kent 4]

If you don't like waiting on the phone then definetily leave calling the NVC to your husband... there's usually a good amount of waiting involved!

You know, everyone keeps saying this but I've never waited more than 5 minutes to talk to someone at NVC. Most of the time I get someone on the line within 1 minute.

I usually call around 7:00 a.m. Japan time, which is 5:00 p.m. Eastern (the day before).

[Saylin 1,605]

You know, everyone keeps saying this but I've never waited more than 5 minutes to talk to someone at NVC. Most of the time I get someone on the line within 1 minute.

I usually call around 7:00 a.m. Japan time, which is 5:00 p.m. Eastern (the day before).

When I was at NVC, that was the time I called too (5pm EST), and I usually waited 5 minutes or less. Took me a couple days to find a "sweet spot" for calling, and 5pm was it. Most people that call are probably the petitioners, and most of them finish work at 5pm, so are commuting home. Thus the shorter wait time. My hypothesis anyways!

[tuvaty 3]

My update to the NVC process:

IV Fee received today. And paid today.

Now, my understanding is that I print out two cover sheets (one for AOS and one for IV). Then mail these two packages together. Correct?

And we have to get my wife's police certificate translated [to English]? I am assuming so, right?

Thank you VJ.

Edited February 2, 2012 by tuvaty

[gad33 47]

I heard you can get tax transcripts immediately if you go to an IRS office. They just print them out for you. You might want to have your husband go pick his.

If you don't like waiting on the phone then definetily leave calling the NVC to your husband... there's usually a good amount of waiting involved!

We're both in Canada so no local IRS office. It's not the waiting on the phone I mind. I can do other things while waiting - I have a headset - it's what you get the other end.

Anyway I bit the bullet and phoned IRS again and got a completely different person, obviously a different person but this was a nice person, said please and thank you and had a smile in her voice. Still couldn't tell me when the transcripts were mailed but she ordered them again so hope we get one set.

In fact she was so nice, polite and helpful that I asked to be put through to her supervisor so I could tell him. He appreciated that I gave positive feedback I'm sure the IRS have to deal with plenty of angry people.

[tuvaty 3]

In fact she was so nice, polite and helpful that I asked to be put through to her supervisor so I could tell him. He appreciated that I gave positive feedback I'm sure the IRS have to deal with plenty of angry people.

That was nice of you.

[Saylin 1,605]

My update to the NVC process:

IV Fee received today. And paid today.

Now, my understanding is that I print out two cover sheets (one for AOS and one for IV). Then mail these two packages together. Correct?

And we have to get my wife's police certificate translated [to English]? I am assuming so, right?

Thank you VJ.

Yup, you have to print both out and attach each one as the FIRST page of each package.

If you're going to send both in the same package, then I'd suggest putting each one in their own envelope (like a manila envelope). And then put the two envelopes into the bigger envelope to mail out.

As for the translation, NVC's site says that documents don't need to be translated if it's in the official language where the interview will take place. BUT, I have seen lots of cases where a checklist was issued since documents weren't in English. So, because of this, I would highly suggest you get everything translated to English.

Edited February 3, 2012 by Saylin

[tuvaty 3]

Yup, you have to print both out and attach each one as the FIRST page of each package.

If you're going to send both in the same package, then I'd suggest putting each one in their own envelope (like a manila envelope). And then put the two envelopes into the bigger envelope to mail out.

As for the translation, NVC's site says that documents don't need to be translated if it's in the official language where the interview will take place. BUT, I have seen lots of cases where a checklist was issued since documents weren't in English. So, because of this, I would highly suggest you get everything translated to English.

Thanks Saylin. Everything's in their place. Two big envelopes in another big envelope ready to get shipped. As soon as I see that the bills are PAID, it's going straight to the USPS.

[Saylin 1,605]

Thanks Saylin. Everything's in their place. Two big envelopes in another big envelope ready to get shipped. As soon as I see that the bills are PAID, it's going straight to the USPS.

Excellent

While you're waiting, make sure you're going over the forms like once a day to make sure there's no errors. And if possible, get someone else to look it over and make sure everything's filled out, signed, and dated (except for part 2 on the DS-230, that's not signed or dated).

[gad33 47]

That was nice of you.

I thought she deserved to be recognised for being nice plus if enough people pass on feedback about good experiences perhaps that will become the norm instead of the grumpy, plus I didn't want this person to stop being nice to callers.

[Laure&Colin 558]

Well I didn't have a choice but to call NVC when I got home from work, so it was about 1PM Eastern time.