NVC Filers - August 2013

[dwheels76 5,468]

Case complete today, AND interview date given today as well! Sept 11. All this waiting, and now it hardly seems like there is enough time.

Congratulations. Double blessing WOW.

Added you to the case complete interview thread.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/445361-september-2013-interviews/page-12#entry6438181

[Saylin 1,605]

Thanks, Saylin. I'll have to read up some more on the embassy website. But any new evidence could be new pictures, Skype records, emails, etc?

For the passport photos, she still has an extra set of the ones that were submitted with the DS-230. Could she use those for one of them? Or is it better to get new photos taken?

FYI, just got the email confirmation from NVC! Everything seems to be happening so fast now!

[...]

Yup, any new evidence. I'd suggest looking at this thread (read all pages): http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/284203-evidences-of-bona-fide-marriage-relationship/

As long as the photos were taken within 6 months, they're generally accepted, but verify that this is correct with Tokyo, as they may have different requirements. Remember, the pictures submitted at the interview will be the picture on the green card, so make sure she likes the picture

I have soooo much joy in my heart!!! Got interview date for september 16th!!!!! huraaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Congrats!

Case complete today, AND interview date given today as well! Sept 11. All this waiting, and now it hardly seems like there is enough time.

Woohoo, congrats!

[Jughead 3]

Yup, any new evidence. I'd suggest looking at this thread (read all pages): http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/284203-evidences-of-bona-fide-marriage-relationship/

As long as the photos were taken within 6 months, they're generally accepted, but verify that this is correct with Tokyo, as they may have different requirements. Remember, the pictures submitted at the interview will be the picture on the green card, so make sure she likes the picture

I checked the Tokyo embassy's website and they point to the DOS site's photo requirements, which are two taken within the last 6 months. It also says that if you already provided photos to the NVC you don't need to bring them to the interview...but I'm going to tell my wife to bring them anyway.

Also, is there somewhere in VJ that has a list of questions to expect during the interview?

Edited August 13, 2013 by Jughead

[Jughead 3]

Sorry for all the questions, but on the visa interview confirmation letter in the Required Documents section what does "Adoption" refer to? On my wife's letter I noticed it has a "Y" listed next to it indicating the NVC sent this to the Consulate. My wife and I don't have any children, which I think this refers to. Could this be for another document?

[calygirl75 12]

2 areas that I find helpful as I wait for a case complete and look toward preparing for an interview is the National Visa Center (Dept of State) thread and the Embassy Reviews that are country specific. Very good stuff.

Also Saylin's first post has links to:

-General Medical Information
-Country-Specific Medical Information (choose three letter embassy/consulate code from drop-down list)
-Age-Specific Vaccination Requirements (choose age first at top of page)
-Country-Specific Interview Information (choose three letter embassy/consulate code from drop-down list)
-Sample List of Interview Questions
-Thread of Proof of Relationship Evidence Ideas
-Ideas on How to Organize Your Interview Documents

[Saylin 1,605]

I checked the Tokyo embassy's website and they point to the DOS site's photo requirements, which are two taken within the last 6 months. It also says that if you already provided photos to the NVC you don't need to bring them to the interview...but I'm going to tell my wife to bring them anyway.

Also, is there somewhere in VJ that has a list of questions to expect during the interview?

Yeah, I'd definitely suggest bringing an extra 2 to the interview, just in case.

There's a link to sample questions in the first post, near the bottom.

Sorry for all the questions, but on the visa interview confirmation letter in the Required Documents section what does "Adoption" refer to? On my wife's letter I noticed it has a "Y" listed next to it indicating the NVC sent this to the Consulate. My wife and I don't have any children, which I think this refers to. Could this be for another document?

Adoption refers to adoption of children. If it doesn't apply to your case, just ignore it. Probably just an error and should have had the code for not being applicable. Nothing to worry about though.

[Jughead 3]

Yeah, I'd definitely suggest bringing an extra 2 to the interview, just in case.

There's a link to sample questions in the first post, near the bottom.

Adoption refers to adoption of children. If it doesn't apply to your case, just ignore it. Probably just an error and should have had the code for not being applicable. Nothing to worry about though.

Whew...glad I don't need to worry about that.

Thanks again, Saylin!

[EAA 6]

Our case has been approved August 1st in a local office, i called NVC yesterday and didn't have a case number yet, i spoke with a USCIS CS rep today with not avail, I didn't understand her at all she said that I'm on the Post Decision Activity stage and there is another stage remains which after it the case will be transferred to NVC!!! and it may take 90 days to be arrived!!

Saylin, can you tell me what should i do please? and what is the similar normal estimate time to get a NVC's case number after approval

[DnE 0]

Hi,

long time lurker...

Finally at NVC since June, after a long delay, due to USCIS first giving us the run around and then admitting they "misplaced" our package after we received NOA2 and requested a NVC Research investigation. Finally on May 28 we got a "Case Received" from NVC and our case numbers two weeks later. And if I say we, I mean my wife (Portuguese) and me (U.S. Citizen)

Now after everything is paid and filed we seem again to encounter problems as we just received an IV checklist that claims we didn't supply an original birth certificate!

I already called and requested a supervisor review because it is the same original birth certificate we used to get our marriage license in the U.S. and the birth certificate is from the civil registry office that is stated in the Country Reciprocity Schedule for Portugal (Registo Civil) and has an embossed seal imprint and signature of the officer. So we really don't understand what the issue is other then that someone at NVC didn't review the package and documents properly, and yes we also included a certified translation of said birth certificate.

The operators at NVC also are not very helpful cause the only thing I hear from them is to wait another 10-15 workdays (why don't they just say wait another month?) and wanting to convince me that the document is not an original. Apparently tier 2 also isn't available to talk to and they want to call back, which I highly doubt that they will, so I will check back everyday myself as I have no trust in this agency.

If we send them another birth certificate it will be exactly like the one they have already. So apart from the additional time to get and mail it and the 10-15 workdays before they review it, what if they then still don't accept it?

Just doesn't make sense. I feel now for their mistakes we have to suffer even more waiting time without any other way of recourse or is there a way to register a formal complaint? We now have a three month old baby boy and my wife has little to no support right now as I cannot stay with her for months due to my job in the U.S. and this ever extending waiting time to get this case completed is starting to create an unnecessary hardship. Oh yeah and because she is Portuguese she also has to go to Paris for her interview since they don't do permanent immigrant processing anymore at the embassy in Portugal. I mean seriously #######...

Sorry for the ranting, I am just of of my wits, just feeling helpless and having to rely on inefficient and incompetent services. Not to mention how my wife feel and what she is going through.

Would it make any differrence at this point to ask my congress representative office for help? Last time when I called them, it didn't seem to have made much of a difference.

Thank for reading.

[Saylin 1,605]

Our case has been approved August 1st in a local office, i called NVC yesterday and didn't have a case number yet, i spoke with a USCIS CS rep today with not avail, I didn't understand her at all she said that I'm on the Post Decision Activity stage and there is another stage remains which after it the case will be transferred to NVC!!! and it may take 90 days to be arrived!!

Saylin, can you tell me what should i do please? and what is the similar normal estimate time to get a NVC's case number after approval

It's only been 12 days and these things do take time. I'd suggest calling USCIS every day and seeing if the case has been sent out to NVC yet. Once you've confirmed with at least 5 operators that the case has indeed been sent out, then start calling NVC to find out when they receive it. Then once they do, it's only a matter of time before a case number is assigned.

While you're waiting, make sure you go over all the information in posts 1 and 2 for the NVC process.

Hi,

long time lurker...

Finally at NVC since June, after a long delay, due to USCIS first giving us the run around and then admitting they "misplaced" our package after we received NOA2 and requested a NVC Research investigation. Finally on May 28 we got a "Case Received" from NVC and our case numbers two weeks later. And if I say we, I mean my wife (Portuguese) and me (U.S. Citizen)

Now after everything is paid and filed we seem again to encounter problems as we just received an IV checklist that claims we didn't supply an original birth certificate!

I already called and requested a supervisor review because it is the same original birth certificate we used to get our marriage license in the U.S. and the birth certificate is from the civil registry office that is stated in the Country Reciprocity Schedule for Portugal (Registo Civil) and has an embossed seal imprint and signature of the officer. So we really don't understand what the issue is other then that someone at NVC didn't review the package and documents properly, and yes we also included a certified translation of said birth certificate.

The operators at NVC also are not very helpful cause the only thing I hear from them is to wait another 10-15 workdays (why don't they just say wait another month?) and wanting to convince me that the document is not an original. Apparently tier 2 also isn't available to talk to and they want to call back, which I highly doubt that they will, so I will check back everyday myself as I have no trust in this agency.

If we send them another birth certificate it will be exactly like the one they have already. So apart from the additional time to get and mail it and the 10-15 workdays before they review it, what if they then still don't accept it?

Just doesn't make sense. I feel now for their mistakes we have to suffer even more waiting time without any other way of recourse or is there a way to register a formal complaint? We now have a three month old baby boy and my wife has little to no support right now as I cannot stay with her for months due to my job in the U.S. and this ever extending waiting time to get this case completed is starting to create an unnecessary hardship. Oh yeah and because she is Portuguese she also has to go to Paris for her interview since they don't do permanent immigrant processing anymore at the embassy in Portugal. I mean seriously #######...

Sorry for the ranting, I am just of of my wits, just feeling helpless and having to rely on inefficient and incompetent services. Not to mention how my wife feel and what she is going through.

Would it make any differrence at this point to ask my congress representative office for help? Last time when I called them, it didn't seem to have made much of a difference.

Thank for reading.

I'd suggest calling NVC and requesting to speak with a supervisor. It's during the day and there should be one available. If the operator refuses to connect you or they say there isn't one available, then call back every 30 minutes until you get a supervisor on the phone. Once you do, explain that you did indeed send the original birth certificate and ask for a supervisor review. This should take a week or so (possibly less). Good luck.

[DnE 0]

I'd suggest calling NVC and requesting to speak with a supervisor. It's during the day and there should be one available. If the operator refuses to connect you or they say there isn't one available, then call back every 30 minutes until you get a supervisor on the phone. Once you do, explain that you did indeed send the original birth certificate and ask for a supervisor review. This should take a week or so (possibly less). Good luck.

Thank you Saylin,

I did that already I requested supervisor review and called several times to talk to a supervisor also, but apparently today they are all busy, I did ask for a supervisor to call me back, but I am not holding my breath on that one. The operators tell me the review request is in the system, but I am also thinking of writing them an email requesting the supervisor review and stating that in the subject line also, just to cover my bases.

The thing that strikes me is that this is the same document we used to get our marriage license here in the States and there is another document, her previous marriage certificate which is from the same civil registry and looks quite similar. Also those documents are the only ones which were once before folded (since the registry office sent my wife the documents), while all other documents are straight, so it would be hard to miss.

Both USCIS and NVC just feel like such a mess, and worse then, (I can't believe I say this) DMV to deal with.

I so hope you are right that it only takes a week or less to get the supervisor review.

[a1188323 0]

Wife just got a thing in the mail entitled "instructions for immigrant visa applicants"

On this form it says first we must send form OF-230 part 1. We sent in our DS-230 part 1 and 2, does this fulfill this requirement? Or do we need to send this OF-230 straight to the embassy?

And also, does she need to bring another certified copy of her birth certificate to the interview? We submitted one to the NVC and she has a copy to take with her to the interview, is this enough?

Edited August 13, 2013 by a1188323

[NikLR 13,228]

Wife just got a thing in the mail entitled "instructions for immigrant visa applicants"

On this form it says first we must send form OF-230 part 1. We sent in our DS-230 part 1 and 2, does this fulfill this requirement? Or do we need to send this OF-230 straight to the embassy?

And also, does she need to bring another certified copy of her birth certificate to the interview? We submitted one to the NVC and she has a copy to take with her to the interview, is this enough?

OF-230 and DS-230 is the same form, well the DS version is a much updated one. You can see the OF reference in the "guides" section. Everything that was sent to the NVC should make it to the embassy.

[Lingladyinred19 13]

I got the case Number today what is next?

[i miss u 6]

Dear Sir/Madam:

Reminder: To Avoid Delay All Forms, Documents and Inquiries Should Be Sent To: NVCELECTRONIC@STATE.GOV.

We received electronic documentation for this case. Please allow up to 20 business days from the day the email was sent for the scanned attachments to be uploaded to the electronic case file and reviewed.

IMPORTANT:

Do not let more than one year pass without contacting the NVC concerning this visa petition. If a period of one year passes from the last date of contact (by telephone, mail, or e-mail) with the NVC, all submitted fees and documents expire. If this occurs, the fees must be paid again and documents must be resubmitted in order to continue the immigration process.

As this case is processing electronically, all forms and documents must be sent via email as scanned attachments to NVCElectronic@state.gov. Sending physical documents to the NVC will delay the processing of your case.

I just got this do I need to worry about it