Iranian hubby living in Guangzhou

[Hasib 2]

We’re currently at the NVC stage but our expedite request was just granted. Our file should be forwarded to Guangzhou very soon. My husband doesn’t speak much Chinese and his English is a little shaky. I’m nervous he might misunderstand instructions given to him by the Guangzhou Consulate, so I thought I’d better ask here.

We’re enrolled in EP. Will he receive anything in the mail? Email?

I know normally the interview date is about a month from NVC complete date. But since our case is expedited, will we get an earlier interview?

I downloaded Packet 4 which says a resume is required, in both English and Chinese. Does he really need to provide a Chinese resume? He can’t read or write Chinese; I grew up in China but my Chinese is not very good anymore.

What to expect after the interview assuming he passes? Since our case is expedited, will the “after interview” process be quicker as well? Can he pick up the passport in person?

Do you guys foresee any other issues?

[Ryan H 3,812]

We’re enrolled in EP. Will he receive anything in the mail? Email?

He will receive nothing in the mail. If the NVC has both of your email addresses on record, they will send messages to the both of you via email.

I downloaded Packet 4 which says a resume is required, in both English and Chinese. Does he really need to provide a Chinese resume? He can’t read or write Chinese; I grew up in China but my Chinese is not very good anymore.

My wife wasn't required to submit one and I haven't heard of others needing this as well.

Can he pick up the passport in person?

No, if he is approved, the passport will be sent to the address that he writes on the EMS waybill that he will be given the day before the interview at document intake.

[unlockingsky 94]

advice - do not attempt to pickup at local post office at guangzhou. i have read numerous issues with "passports mailed to guangzhou post office / local pickup" option. it is best to mail to his home address in china.

Edited April 8, 2013 by unlockingsky

[Darnell 8,478]

oh. expedite but have EP ? That's a new one, I would be concerned if NVC is actually shipping the physical casefile to GUZ IV and if GUZ IV is gonna wait on it before setting the interview date

or

If GUZ IV is gonna take what's already stored in SAFEFILE and go forth.

Interesting dilemma, I think so !

For expedited casefiles, GUZ IV sets the interview date, not NVC.

Usually the interview appointment letter arrives via post, but he may get lucky and get an email, instead.

IMO, could have 'gone fast' at NVC with EP, then get an interview date set from NVC

then ask for earlier interview date with GUZ IV .

Edited April 8, 2013 by Darnell

[Hasib 2]

Ryan and Unlockingsky , thank you for your advice.

Darnell,

We really have a deadline to meet. We just sent in the IV package, and waiting 20 business days at the NVC is just not an option. Without an expedite, we may get lucky and get a fast case complete and an early interview, but it’s not a situation where we’re willing to take chances.

You brought up a very good question though, whether they’re going to send the file physically. I didn't think of that. Everything we sent to them was by email, there’s no physical file unless they print it, but I wouldn't be too surprised if they did just that.

I called NVC just now and was told the embassy has access to all electronic files. I know, I know, it doesn't mean much. I’ll follow up until I know for sure the embassy has our case.

Thanks for your insight.

[Darnell 8,478]

Ya, sorry, you're gonna be the lab rat on this one. I wish you GodSpeed, truly, but

It's on Guangzhou IV to use the SAFEFILE version of the casefile. I pray they do.

Pointed question for NVC, the next time you call:

Now that the expedite is granted, will Guangzhou IV accept just what's in SAFEFILE, or will they want to see the physical casefile ?

I say ask 3 times, throughout the day, record the answers.

[unlockingsky 94]

..................

I say ask 3 times, throughout the day, record the answers.

some operators will let you know of your previous calls. just ignore it and pretend you made a fresh call of the day

[Hasib 2]

Two calls so far. At first I was told the physical file was shipped last week, which is impossible based on the timing of my expedite request. Then I spoke to a supervisor who told me both of my packages have been scanned and will be reviewed by NVC this week. They will then send the file to the consulate electronically by Friday.

[LBeachey 44]

You have already gotten some good advice. Additionally,

On the resume, this is typically needed in China if the beneficiary is a member of the Chinese Communist Party which triggers an additional background check. They also sometimes request it if the person has a science or engineering background again for an additional background check. My belief is they request it in Chinese and English to eliminate any potential for the beneficiary to come back later and say there was a misunderstanding due to proficiency in English.

In your husband's case this does not apply. They will ask if he is a member of the Chinese Communist Party because they ask everyone, just let him know this and he presumably ( ) should say No. If he has a Science and Engineering background, being prepared with an English resume would be reasonable and possibly in his native language (Farsi?) might be advisable.

Your husband lives in Chinese without speaking Chinese and limited English, how does he communicate?

[Hasib 2]

He can speak some Chinese and his English is good enough for daily conversations. But for something as important as an immigration interview where guessing the meaning of an unfamiliar word is not a good idea, I have to prepare him :-)

[Hasib 2]

Looked up status on DOS' website. Yesterday it said "processing at NVC" but today it says "your search did not return any data." Is it good news or a cause for concern?

[unlockingsky 94]

Looked up status on DOS' website. Yesterday it said "processing at NVC" but today it says "your search did not return any data." Is it good news or a cause for concern?

ignore the website, they are slow to update. best to call a human.

[LBeachey 44]

The Guagzhou Consulate will answer questions in a timely manner here:

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/immigrant-visa-unit-question.html

[Hasib 2]

I just got off the phone with NVC, and woohoo, our case has left NVC! We're overjoyed! As long as we can skip the "up to 20 business days" wait, we should be able to meet our deadline.

When do you guys think I should start bugging the IV unit about interview date?

Darnell, I took your advice and called them three times. It really helped. I'm typing on my phone now, but when I get home tonight I'll post my detailed experience. Thanks for suggesting it.

[Hasib 2]

Since I'm the lab rat, here's my detailed NVC Expedite + China EP experience:

1/10/13 - I-130 approved by USCIS field office (without expedite)

2/18/13 - File arrived at NVC

3/8/13 - GUZ number assigned

3/12/13 - DS-3032 email received, AOS invoiced; sent OPTIN email with signed DS-3032, paid AOS bill

3/27/13 - DS-3032 accepted, GZO number assigned; emailed AOS package

3/28/13 - IV invoiced; paid IV bill, emailed IV package

4/2/13

- Emailed expedite request to NVCINQUIRY

4/4/13

- Received email that AOS package has been received, would take up to 20 business days to scan/upload/review

- Received a separate email, “Your request for the expeditious processing of this immigrant visa petition is currently under review. You will be informed of the results when the review is completed.”

4/5/13

- Called NVC, was told the expedite request was approved by GUZ today, should call back on Monday night or Tuesday (4/8 or 4/9) to check if the file has been sent

4/8/13

- Called NVC, was told it would take 2-3 business days to process an expedited case

4/9/13

- Called NVC, was told "something" was sent to GUZ last week, she speculated it was our physical case file, but it was probably the expedite request

- Called NVC again & talked to a supervisor, was told our packages had been scanned and were awaiting review, the electronic file should be forwarded to GUZ by 4/12

4/10/13

- Received email that IV package has been received, would take up to 20 business days to scan/upload/review

- Emailed and received reply from GUZ, said they didn't have my electronic file yet (I take it to mean they're not looking for a physical file)

- Called NVC & talked to a different supervisor, reaffirmed no physical file would be involved, told me the review would not be necessary because they didn't have any of the originals, then said she would look into my case and call me back; no call back (to be fair, it was pretty late in the evening when I called, so she didn't have a lot of time)

- Up till now, status on the DOS website has been "Processing at NVC"

4/11/13

- In the morning, status changed to "your search did not return any data"

- Called NVC, was told they no longer had my case file, it had been sent to GUZ

- Received a letter in the mail dated 4/9, “The U.S. Embassy/Consulate General has accepted this case for expedited processing. This file will be immediately forwarded to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General. Any further questions concerning the processing or the interview appointment date should be directed to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General.” No email notification.

- In the evening (a little after 8 am in China), status changed to “Ready”