Guangzhou sends NOA-1/NOA-2??

[MeAndMrD 0]

Hi all,

I dropped off my petition for i-130 dcf (spouse) in Guangzhou on 07/05 but haven't received anything from them yet!! Are they going to mail me a NOA-1?

I didn't get a receipt number when I gave them the petition - they said they don't give receipts. I called just now and got the same operator twice, who started playing the recorded message about IV's while I was still talking! So no help on that end.

I saw on another forum someone said DCFs don't get NOA-1/NOA-2 but I see it listed on other people's timelines! And they all got within 10 days. It's been 20 days and I haven't heard anything yet.

I'm so confused - "waiting is the hardest part!" Help...

Thanks!!!

[RandyW 149]

There is a lot of confusion around the move - I see their phone number is listed as 'TBD'

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=44248875d714d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=1ac900c262197210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/435102-consulate-in-guangzhou-relocating/page-2.

Apparently, as of July 11, they stopped processing (or at least started accepting new) applications. But this came from the City of Guangzhou (NOT the Consulate) -

http://english.gz.go...07/2505133.html

Quote

Starting on July 10, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing handles applications for the CITIC drop-box service on behalf of the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou. The time needed for processing applications for renewed visa delivery is extended from the previous seven to ten days to about three weeks until the relocation is completed. According to an executive of a travel agency, in mid-June, the U.S. Consulate General began reducing the number of visa interviews for mid-July, although the visa suspension notice was only officially released on July 9.

You might get on the horn with them as soon as you can find their number on the USCIS link above - they (USCIS) re-open at the new location on Monday the 29th (other units are already open there)

[MeAndMrD 0]

I called the old number and it gave me the new one = (020)38145000 but the operator would only put me through to the recorded message!!! I have found it VERY useless and frustrating to try to contact any US embassies in China...

The news article you linked to states - "The U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou started moving on July 10 to a new facility in Zhujiang New Town. As a result, there will be no interviews of visa applicants from July 15 through July 22.

Starting on July 10, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing handles applications for the CITIC drop-box service on behalf of the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou. The time needed for processing applications for renewed visa delivery is extended from the previous seven to ten days to about three weeks until the relocation is completed."

Didn't state that applications are not being processed. I'm not at the interview stage yet...

Also re: CITIC drop-box service - I don't know what that is but I think I'm again not at that stage yet. Anybody have more info on that?

Re-stating original question...does anybody know if guangzhou will send NOA-1/NOA-2 or will you hear nothing until approval?

[RandyW 149]

I called the old number and it gave me the new one = (020)38145000 but the operator would only put me through to the recorded message!!! I have found it VERY useless and frustrating to try to contact any US embassies in China...

The news article you linked to states - "The U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou started moving on July 10 to a new facility in Zhujiang New Town. As a result, there will be no interviews of visa applicants from July 15 through July 22.

Starting on July 10, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing handles applications for the CITIC drop-box service on behalf of the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou. The time needed for processing applications for renewed visa delivery is extended from the previous seven to ten days to about three weeks until the relocation is completed."

Didn't state that applications are not being processed. I'm not at the interview stage yet...

Also re: CITIC drop-box service - I don't know what that is but I think I'm again not at that stage yet. Anybody have more info on that?

Re-stating original question...does anybody know if guangzhou will send NOA-1/NOA-2 or will you hear nothing until approval?

Again - the USCIS Guangzhou is CLOSED until July 29. The OTHER units are opening this week, but USCIS will not. They (USCIS) will re-open at the new location on July 29. By the News article, USCIS processing apparently was shut down on July 11 - yes, I'm reading that into what they actually did say. But it sounds like a 3 week delay (minimum) one way or another due to the move.

Others may have a better answer for you regarding NOA1/NOA2.

[Darnell 8,478]

2 things...

1. you can email USCIS Guangzhou at CIS.Guangzhou@uscis.dhs.gov

2. best to get an account set up over at ustraveldocs.com - most of the movement is handled there for DCF'd casefiles.

[MeAndMrD 0]

Thanks I set up the account. still haven't gotten an answer to my email...

anyways, if what the phone operator said is true they don't send notifications? I don't want it to be true.

but I filed almost 4 weeks ago and no noa-1?

how can I check on this, any ideas? I'm already obsessively checking the mail. will they notify by mail first?

thanks again...

[visagreenhorn 4]

There is a lot of confusion around the move - I see their phone number is listed as 'TBD'

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=44248875d714d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=1ac900c262197210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/435102-consulate-in-guangzhou-relocating/page-2.

Apparently, as of July 11, they stopped processing (or at least started accepting new) applications. But this came from the City of Guangzhou (NOT the Consulate) -

http://english.gz.go...07/2505133.html

Quote

You might get on the horn with them as soon as you can find their number on the USCIS link above - they (USCIS) re-open at the new location on Monday the 29th (other units are already open there)

My fiance currently lives in Beijing. When she applies for the K-1 visa...can she just apply at the branch in Beijing and then do the interview there or will she have to apply and have the interview in Guangzhou? She is willing to go to Guangzhou, but it would be a lot more convenient if she doesn´t need to.

[Darnell 8,478]

all k-1 visa interviews occur in Guangzhou, no other city.

Thanks I set up the account. still haven't gotten an answer to my email...
anyways, if what the phone operator said is true they don't send notifications? I don't want it to be true.
but I filed almost 4 weeks ago and no noa-1?
how can I check on this, any ideas? I'm already obsessively checking the mail. will they notify by mail first?
thanks again...

There will be an approval notice - of that you can rely.

However, there won't be any Consular casefile # in the approval notice - there will be ANOTHER letter afterwards, that contains it and the instructions for how to submit the paperwork for the visa.

Edited July 31, 2013 by Darnell

[MeAndMrD 0]

Finally called CGI Stanley just for the hell of it and they were more helpful...

You can use your usatraveldocs account to send "feedback" - so now I have one email and one 'feedback' waiting to be answered.

I'm just stressed that everyone else on the site got NOA-1 within a few days, but somehow mine has been 4 weeks...even if you include their moving time, that's a little too long, amirite?

Is there a thread just for Guangzhou DCF ? I feel like with all the changes in procedure and the move it should have its' own topic...

[MeAndMrD 0]

Finally got the NOA-2. FYI they don't call/e-mail for NOA-1 but they will mail you a letter snail mail...which if you're in China takes like 2 weeks. Explains why I got the express Packet 3 from the consulate faster than the NOA-2 from USCIS.

[Darnell 8,478]

Anything contain a number sequence starting with 'GUZ' ? if so, that's your consular casefile number.

[MeAndMrD 0]

Yes, got the GUZ#!!! thanks. although every time I check the status it's in administrative processing, one would think they could update it with what actual stage it's at (ex. Packet 3, 4 etc....)

[Darnell 8,478]

bah.

ceac.state.gov thingie - that's mostly troublesome for status ...

ustraveldocs.com - status not really 'useful' except to track the passport shipping after interview date.

BUT - you need to do stuff, like pay a visa fee of 230 USD somewhere. I think, since you got instructions, those instructions should have some info about what's next or even how to pay at CITIC. IMO, posting the receipt # from CITIC inside of ustraveldocs.com website jumps you to the next step, scheduling.

YMMV, greatly.

[MeAndMrD 0]

Unfortunately it was just a one-page instruction sheet on how to send the docs to GZ IV Unit. Print out coversheet and drop packet off at CITIC. Include 2 pics and passport copy. Nothing about payments In the old process, was Packet 2 the step at which one pays?

I sent an email to ustraveldocs on how to pay so hopefully they will know the new process...

FML I just noticed the letter says "submit blah blah ALONG WITH THIS LETTER" It's not an official letter or anything so I hope that doesn't cause a problem....definitely have to call them in the morning.

[Darnell 8,478]

ya, there should be payment instructions on the ustraveldocs.com website.

and (I think) a payment sheet to bring to CITIC bank as well. referenced as a MRV coversheet/receipt page.

There's some scant info here:

http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/cn-iv-visaapplyinfo.asp

http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/cn-iv-visaapplyinfo.asp

http://ustraveldocs.com/cn/cn-iv-visaapplyinfo.asp

I wish, earnestly, they'd actually give all of the instructions for DCF, in one big page on that site.

Wankers.

Edited August 18, 2013 by Darnell