NVC Filers - March 2013

[champi 13]

OMG NVC got my fileeee!!! I screamed on the phone, the lady started laughing at me hahah! This call was my 4th one today, and the lady told me that it was received yesterday! lol so I guess the other people didn't see it?? I even called USCIS today and a tier-2 said it was not even shipped! lol .. What a messed up system! Anyways, I am happy phew!

:thumbs:

Congrats Sarsoor

[aprice138 16]

It's definitely good because at least I can save the money on sending the packets separately and looks like it worked for you. But I am just wondering if is an accepted practice.

I have three envelopes right now

Packet IV - one envelope with all the originals and one envelope with all the photocopies

AOS - one envelope with the related documents.

If I were to send both the packets together then I can put the original and photocopy set in one envelope (I hope it doesn't get too confusing for them)

What photocopies? I think you should just have two envelopes. One for the AOS and one for the IV. Everything they need should be in there.

[X Factor 1,112]

Thanks Mr Smiley

Welcome

[akingandqueen 0]

If I understand your question right, the signature on DS-230 Part I has to be original. Also, the civil documents that are part of IV packages needs to be original or certified copied issued by the same authority that issued original.

Do you mean the form DS-230 (Part I and Part II)? You cannot send a photocopy of DS-230 because it has to have original signature and date on it (for Part I).

Thanks champi & Mina90! Yes, I was referring to the signature on DS-230 Part I.

My spouse already signed and sent me the original DS-230 Part I in January... but I'm afraid NVC might reject it because the signature date (in January) is much earlier than when they will issue the IV package to me (I'm still waiting for IV package!).

So is it OK if the signature date on DS-230 Part I is earlier than when I will receive the IV package from NVC?

[floyd 0]

What photocopies? I think you should just have two envelopes. One for the AOS and one for the IV. Everything they need should be in there.

By photocopy I mean the following that is in the cover letter in the DS-230 guide

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/How_to_bring_your_foreign_spouse_to_live_in_the_US#Attachment_4_.E2.80.93_DS-230_Cover_Sheet

I, <Petitioner’s Full Name>, a citizen of the United States, acting as the Agent of this petition, would like to file the Immigrant Visa Application DS-230 completed by my spouse <Beneficiary’s full name>, who is the beneficiary of the immediate relative petition I-130 filed by me at <Service Center>. My spouse is the intending immigrant to the United States.

Please find enclosed the following documents:

Bar-coded cover sheet

2 Passport-sized photographs of the beneficiary

Completed and signed form DS-230, Part 1, by the beneficiary

Completed and unsigned form DS-230, Part 2

Photocopy of the biographic data page of the beneficiary's passport

Certified birth certificate of the beneficiary

Certified marriage certificate of the beneficiary and the petitioner

Certified divorce decree or death certificate for beneficiary's prior marriage(s)

Original police certificate(s) of the beneficiary

Original military certificate of the beneficiary

Also enclosed are photocopies of the following documents:

Photocopy of the biographic data page of the beneficiary's passport

Certified birth certificate of the beneficiary

Certified marriage certificate of the beneficiary and the petitioner

Certified divorce decree or death certificate for beneficiary's prior marriage(s)

Original police certificate(s) of the beneficiary

Original military certificate of the beneficiary

[Saylin 1,605]

Saylin, I have a question for you I think I might have asked it before, but I really can't settle for a decision.

Okay, so I am about to request an expedite due to medical conditions as soon as my case # is assigned. I have some questions about that. If the embassy approves it, all my papers will be sent to the embassy right? okay, will we bring all the papers to the interview or will they ask for packet 3, packet 4, or is that thru DCF only? Also, if we bring everything on the interview date, when is the interview decided? How are we notified? Does the embassy contact the petitioner or the beneficiary? I think I am mixing between DCF and expediting right? Can you please help me out by clarifying the general process. I did so many research about it, but I am still confused.

Thanks for your help

Yes, if the expedite is approved, then NVC closes your case and sends everything they have from you and from USCIS onto the embassy. The embassy will then contact you and tell you what to do. Some places have you mail the remaining documents to the embassy or they'll simply request you bring it all to the interview. And if you contact them once they have received your case, they'll tell you if they'll schedule the interview or if you have to sign up somewhere. All your answers basically will come once you contact the embassy after they have received your case (upon a successful expedite approval).

Does the DS-230 (part of IV package) need to be an original? Can I send a photocopy to NVC and later have my spouse bring the original to the embassy interview?

Yes, the form has to be the original, with the original signature. The certificates also have to be the originals/certified copies.

That's true.

So one more question. The two packets go separately the same address?

NVC, 31 Rochester Ave Suite 100, Portsmouth , NH 03801-2914

The only difference is one is ATTN: CMR (for the Packet IV) and the other is ATTN: CMR - AOS (for the AOS Packet)

Just go by what's on the cover sheet. I never mailed my packages, so I don't know the address

OMG NVC got my fileeee!!! I screamed on the phone, the lady started laughing at me hahah! This call was my 4th one today, and the lady told me that it was received yesterday! lol so I guess the other people didn't see it?? I even called USCIS today and a tier-2 said it was not even shipped! lol .. What a messed up system! Anyways, I am happy phew!

Woohoo! One step closer!

It's definitely good because at least I can save the money on sending the packets separately and looks like it worked for you. But I am just wondering if is an accepted practice.

I have three envelopes right now

Packet IV - one envelope with all the originals and one envelope with all the photocopies

AOS - one envelope with the related documents.

If I were to send both the packets together then I can put the original and photocopy set in one envelope (I hope it doesn't get too confusing for them)

Keep the photocopies in the same package as the originals, so you only have two envelopes: AOS and IV. Either put the photocopies behind or put them all together at the back. Make sure you clearly label (through sticky notes would be a good idea) that one is the original and one is a copy. For example, on the original birth certificate, on a sticky, write:

Original Birth Certificate of BENEFICIARY'S NAME

Case Number MTL2011######

And then on the photocopy, write:

Photocopy of the Birth Certificate of BENEFICIARY'S NAME

Case Number MTL2011######

This way, it makes it clear to the reviewing officer which is which and that they don't confuse the two.

What photocopies? I think you should just have two envelopes. One for the AOS and one for the IV. Everything they need should be in there.

You have to include photocopies of the certificates (birth, marriage, divorce, military). This is so they can return the originals/certified copies back to you at the time of the interview.

Thanks champi & Mina90! Yes, I was referring to the signature on DS-230 Part I.

My spouse already signed and sent me the original DS-230 Part I in January... but I'm afraid NVC might reject it because the signature date (in January) is much earlier than when they will issue the IV package to me (I'm still waiting for IV package!).

So is it OK if the signature date on DS-230 Part I is earlier than when I will receive the IV package from NVC?

A signature from January should be fine. They don't really care when it was signed. They know that some people prepare ahead of time, especially with beneficiaries living abroad who mail packages that take a long time to get here.

[aprice138 16]

You have to include photocopies of the certificates (birth, marriage, divorce, military). This is so they can return the originals/certified copies back to you at the time of the interview.

Somehow I completely spaced that tidbit of info on the guides. Ill just make sure the husband has a copy of everything and maybe he can exchange it at the interview?

[Saylin 1,605]

Somehow I completely spaced that tidbit of info on the guides. Ill just make sure the husband has a copy of everything and maybe he can exchange it at the interview?

Yes, definitely make sure he brings a copy of the certificates to hand over, so he can get his originals/certified copies back at that time.

[EmilyMary 5]

I just called to see if I had a case number yet although I know it is early and was informed by the operator my case was received which I was aware of and that it takes 10-20 business days for a case number. I asked if he could tell me the exact date so I could know 10-20 business days and he said the case was received March 4th. This is funny because it took until March 8th for them to tell me my case was received when I called every day. There is a lag between when the case was received and when it is showing in the system.

[floyd 0]

Keep the photocopies in the same package as the originals, so you only have two envelopes: AOS and IV. Either put the photocopies behind or put them all together at the back. Make sure you clearly label (through sticky notes would be a good idea) that one is the original and one is a copy. For example, on the original birth certificate, on a sticky, write:

Original Birth Certificate of BENEFICIARY'S NAME

Case Number MTL2011######

And then on the photocopy, write:

Photocopy of the Birth Certificate of BENEFICIARY'S NAME

Case Number MTL2011######

This way, it makes it clear to the reviewing officer which is which and that they don't confuse the two.

You have to include photocopies of the certificates (birth, marriage, divorce, military). This is so they can return the originals/certified copies back to you at the time of the interview.

Thank you

Good idea of labeling the photocopies. I have two envelopes now - AOS and Packet IV (has the originals and a set of photocopies) and spent the last two hours writing case numbers on sticky notes and putting them on each page.

I am now heading out to FedEx and will overnight it.

[Saylin 1,605]

Thank you

Good idea of labeling the photocopies. I have two envelopes now - AOS and Packet IV (has the originals and a set of photocopies) and spent the last two hours writing case numbers on sticky notes and putting them on each page.

I am now heading out to FedEx and will overnight it.

[NCChina 21]

OMG NVC got my fileeee!!! I screamed on the phone, the lady started laughing at me hahah! This call was my 4th one today, and the lady told me that it was received yesterday! lol so I guess the other people didn't see it?? I even called USCIS today and a tier-2 said it was not even shipped! lol .. What a messed up system! Anyways, I am happy phew!

:thumbs:

I tried calling NVC today (I-130 approval just showed up in the USCIS status check system yesterday. Yes, I am that impatient.) The lady who answered told me to wait 15 business days and call again. I'm pretty sure she just made that up.

[aprice138 16]

Of course two hours after I call I get a false checklist for my IV checklist response (arrived yesterday). Hoping this means my AOS packet is officially accepted.

Might call later. Sick of being on hold today. Was on hold for 1.5 hours for the IRS because they needed "more information" about my 2012 taxes.

[Sarsoor 8]

I tried calling NVC today (I-130 approval just showed up in the USCIS status check system yesterday. Yes, I am that impatient.) The lady who answered told me to wait 15 business days and call again. I'm pretty sure she just made that up.

Yeah they sometimes make things up!! It is horrible!

[DenMar_S 7]

Yeah they sometimes make things up!! It is horrible!

I've read your post, sorry to hear that...

I had my mom's case expedited 'cause I had twins and need my mom so bad. I emailed the supervisor with an attachment of medical certificate. I got an approval to expedite in 4 business day. The case was completed by NVC right away and send to the Embassy. My mom will be bringing the IV documents on her interview..

Good luck on your case, hopefully it will be expedited..(",)