NVC Filers - March 2013

[champi 13]

Usually I get nice reps too, but I've been mostly calling in the morning/afternoon. I find the NVC reps much friendlier and more personable overall than the folks over at the USCIS.

This NVC rep today told me to wait another 2 weeks. I haven't seen anyone take that long to receive a case number. That would make 6-7 weeks for us from NOA2 date

Actually, mine took 3 full weeks to get NVC case #. Our case arrived at NVC on 18th Feb and we just got a case number today. But still continue calling, you never know, might get a nice early surprise

Edited March 12, 2013 by champi

[AKSinghSingh79 143]

Actually, mine took 3 full weeks to get NVC case #. Our case arrived at NVC on 18th Feb and we just got a case number today. But still continue calling, you never know, might get a nice early surprise

By 3 weeks, you are referring to the date the NVC received your case, correct?

[champi 13]

By 3 weeks, you are referring to the date the NVC received your case, correct?

Yep But I've seen someone recently getting a case # in 9 days. So keep calling..

Edited March 12, 2013 by champi

[X Factor 1,112]

Actually, mine took 3 full weeks to get NVC case #. Our case arrived at NVC on 18th Feb and we just got a case number today. But still continue calling, you never know, might get a nice early surprise

ConGraTuLaTions

[champi 13]

ConGraTuLaTions

Thanks Mr Smiley

[floyd 0]

I wouldn't recommend stapling any documents. Use paperclips. Much faster and easier for an officer to remove a paperclip than to remove a staple.

Yes, I recommend writing the case number on the top right of everything. There's only TWO documents where you don't write it: the bar-coded cover sheet and the cover letter. Everything else, yes. The purpose of writing a case number on each page is so that in case one page gets misplaced, it can easily be reunited to the case.

And depending, you might only need one recent paycheck. If it has a year to date (YTD) column, then you can just submit one. We submitted 6 months worth, but looking back, I would have just submitted the most recent one.

Thanks again Saylin - I will put the case number on every page on the I-864 packet.

I was reading Jame's shortcuts, and he too says to put case number on every page on the I-864 but he does not mention anything about adding case number on all the pages of the DS-230 packet? Should I do that too?

And one more question, I have marriage certificate (from the registrar's office) that I am sending the original of. Should I also send the religious marriage document?

[Mina90 134]

OMG. I am obsessed with this thread and I keep checking it constantly. I think the immigration process has taken a toll on me.

[Saylin 1,605]

Thanks again Saylin - I will put the case number on every page on the I-864 packet.

I was reading Jame's shortcuts, and he too says to put case number on every page on the I-864 but he does not mention anything about adding case number on all the pages of the DS-230 packet? Should I do that too?

And one more question, I have marriage certificate (from the registrar's office) that I am sending the original of. Should I also send the religious marriage document?

Yup, IV package too. It's probably even more important as you'll be sending in originals/certified copies of important documents. You don't want NVC misplacing those! If you don't want to write on them in either pen or pencil (I definitely wouldn't blame you!), I always suggest instead to write the case number on a sticky note and attach that to the certificates. Make sure it's stuck on well

It might be a good idea. Heck, it might even be required. You should go to the first post and check out the country-specific documents.

[champi 13]

Thanks again Saylin - I will put the case number on every page on the I-864 packet.

Be sure not to put NVC # on original documents. I was just preparing for this tonight. What I've done in past and what I will do this time around, is, writing Name/DOB/NVC#/FormType on sticky notes and then putting stick notes slightly below the top right corner. You're certainly not required to do the sticky notes. I just use sticky notes so its easy to remove.

And yes, I do plan to do this for both I-864 and DS-230 packages.

[NepaliDreamer 8]

Keep in mind, 2012 tax information WILL be needed at the interview as it'll likely be after April 15, the tax deadline.

Those sneaky *&**#!s… Really? Have people been required to show their latest tax return if their interview date falls on/after "April 15th" ? Would a tax transcript do? I had never imagined they would do this, I just assumed once they accepted the paperwork at NVC and the case was forwarded that meant you had met the requirements and the case was "Complete". I wonder if they would ask you to re-file a form if they'd updated it in the meantime and the one you used had expired before the interview too. Thank you Saylin.

[champi 13]

Yup, IV package too. It's probably even more important as you'll be sending in originals/certified copies of important documents. You don't want NVC misplacing those! If you don't want to write on them in either pen or pencil (I definitely wouldn't blame you!), I always suggest instead to write the case number on a sticky note and attach that to the certificates. Make sure it's stuck on well

And here I thought I was the only crazy one using sticky notes Glad to know I am not alone in this craziness

[champi 13]

Hi Saylin,

how do you recommend sending the passport size photos? In past, I've used zip lock bag but wondering if there is better/clever way.

[NepaliDreamer 8]

Be sure not to put NVC # on original documents.

I put the NVC number on our originals. They are our documents and it helps them keep the case together. Where have you read that this is forbidden?

Hi Saylin,

how do you recommend sending the passport size photos? In past, I've used zip lock bag but wondering if there is better/clever way.

I put our photos in an envelope and taped the envelope to a sheet of A4 paper. I also put the case number and beneficiary's name on the back of the photos.

[champi 13]

I put the NVC number on our originals. They are our documents and it helps them keep the case together. Where have you read that this is forbidden?

Sorry, I meant to say, use sticky notes on originals, not physically write NVC # on it. But at the end, it's individual choice whether to write on it directly or use sticky notes. I personally don't want to put any handwritten text on any original documents.

I put our photos in an envelope and taped the envelope to a sheet of A4 paper. I also put the case number and beneficiary's name on the back of the photos.

That's an excellent idea, thanks ImmigrationReform

[Saylin 1,605]

Those sneaky *&**#!s… Really? Have people been required to show their latest tax return if their interview date falls on/after "April 15th" ? Would a tax transcript do? I had never imagined they would do this, I just assumed once they accepted the paperwork at NVC and the case was forwarded that meant you had met the requirements and the case was "Complete". I wonder if they would ask you to re-file a form if they'd updated it in the meantime and the one you used had expired before the interview too. Thank you Saylin.

Well, of course after the tax deadline 2012 will be required as that then becomes the latest tax year. I went through NVC in February/March, my interview was in May, so I was required to bring in that new year's tax information.

And for NVC, transcripts > entire tax returns. It's the same for most embassies/consulates, but it'd be a good idea to have both transcripts as well as the entire tax return on hand in case they want to see it.

And being accepted at NVC doesn't mean it'll be accepted at the embassy. There's two stages where you need to get through. Typically, getting through NVC means you'll get through the interview, but that's not 100%. Plus, you have to prove it's a legitimate relationship at the interview. NVC doesn't care about that part of the case. They just request documents to make sure legally one can apply for a visa and one can support the beneficiary. That's all NVC's job is (along with gathering fees).

And here I thought I was the only crazy one using sticky notes Glad to know I am not alone in this craziness

Nope, not crazy! If I had to mail things at NVC, I would have used sticky notes on my certified copies

Hi Saylin,

how do you recommend sending the passport size photos? In past, I've used zip lock bag but wondering if there is better/clever way.

For passport photos, this is my recommendation: put the two photos in a small Ziploc bag (with the beneficiary's full name, birth date, and case number on the back of both), and then staple the bag to a plain white paper. Might be a good idea to then write the case number on the paper as well.