New Review Period

[VolcarSS 2]

Hi VJ members, can anyone shine some light on why NVC has recently extended their review period from 20 days to 30 days (working days).

[Jamaica10 13]

Their workload had increased drastically. The fiscal year is coming to an end and in hopes that the Obama Immigration law is passed things will become more strict as far as petitioning for a loved one so many people are trying to start the process in hopes that things will work out in their favor before the law is officially passed. NVC has been sending out extension letters to a lot of people and a lot more are currently waiting. I hope you get some good news soon. Good Luck!

[VolcarSS 2]

Hi Jmaica10, thanks for the input it is greatly appreciated. Your explanation makes sense, however, the move from 20 (working) days, approximately 1 month to 30 (working) days, approximately 11/2 month is quite dramatic and will have a significant impact on visa applicants and their families. I read somewhere some time where NVC's motto is "It is not a file it is family" however, it appears that they have discarded this motto and I say this based on my personal experience. The process has been so arbitrary, unfair, frustrating and time consuming that honestly if was not for the love of my daughter & our (my wife & I) two Grandchieldren, in addition, to the monies expended to date I would cancel the entire process

[trixiechick75 2]

It's ridiculous and VERY FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!

[Jamaica10 13]

I understand your frustrations, a lot of the service are approving petitions at a faster rate. I've seen petitions approved within weeks to a few months and once approved they go to NVC so as you can see NVC's workload has increased drastically. A few months back when the service centers were behind NVC was moving at a fast pace so it all makes sense. They should hire more people but they may use the budget as an excuse to not do so which may explain why they extended the time frame. Had they not done so many people would tie up their lines or write a higher authority with complaints. I'm sorry you have to suffer but keep the faith and remain patient. Stressing yourself out won't do you or the situation any good. I been there done that. I waited 8 months for my NOA2, 2 months for my fiances interview date, and an additional 7 weeks plus to get approved and issuef so I definately understand. Good luck...

[MRS.MONTILLA 4]

Jamaica10 u said that it will be harder to petition for a relative later on due to obama immigration reform. What's going to be different or do u have a link to where I can read up on it?

[Pitaya 2,577]

DACA may be a major factor.....

http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/Reports%20and%20Studies/Immigration%20Forms%20Data/All%20Form%20Types/DACA/daca-13-7-12.pdf

Edited September 12, 2013 by A&B

[Jettechfsr 5]

You think going online would reduce workload for them but I bet they print easy and review just my two cents

[stevie b 141]

folks

DACA started august, 2012

2012 nvc processed over 40 million visa applications.. add DACA to the mess plus the needs for two filings for spouse visas (visa app + aos), and you are talking about hundreds of millions of documents going through that center

when you look at it like this.. how is adding two weeks to their processing anything other than telling folks the reality of what they are dealing with.

IMO.. nvc is much more reliable about time frames and response times.. would you rather be told 30 days and it take 20 or told 20 days and it takes 30?

[FlyCal 0]

I spoke to them today as well. The very nice agent said that they really were "slammed" right now, and they have actually started hiring dozens more agents in light of the workload. It just takes time to screen and train them. I've got a a verbal case complete for my file and it's being held due to my daughters final approval being delayed. They wont give me an interview date until both are done. Imagine how I feel right now!

[VolcarSS 2]

Hi Folks, thanks for all the comments/suggestions it is greatly appreciated. However, for further clarity & to give a better picture of our experience with NVC I have decided to chronicle our process to date & ask for your further comments.

In November 2012 our daughter filed separate I-130 petition for my wife & I (her biological parents) with USCIS along with the requisite fees of US$840.00. On November 17, 2013 our daughter received (via mail) a Notice from USCIS acknowledging receipt of both application & on March 12, 2013 she received (via mail) a further notice advising that both petitions had been approved & forwarded to NVC for further processing. The second notice also stated the following: “You should allow a minimum of 30 days for Department of State processing before contacting NVC. If you have not received any correspondence from the NVC within 30 days, you may contact the NVC by e-mail at NVCINQUIRY@state.gov.”

It should be noted that we heard nothing from NVC within the aforementioned stated 30 days & when we made contact with NVC we were told that they had not received any application for my wife & I from USCIS. Our daughter subsequently contacted USCIS only for them to reiterate that both petitions were forwarded to NVC. A second call to NVC resulted in the same response they had not received any petitions on our behalf from USCIS. As a consequence, we were left in limbo for approximately four (4) months, as it was not until June 6, 2013 before we received an e-mail form NVC indicating that they were in receipt of the petitions’ & that the Affidavit of Support (AOS) fee of US$88.00 should be paid in order for the process to go forward.

The AOS fee was paid online on June 8, 2013 and on June 11, 2013 our daughter received payment confirmation from NVC via e-mail along with instructions for preparing and submitting the requisite AOS’s. The AOS’s (I-864 & I-864A) were subsequently prepared & delivered to NVC on July 1, 2013. On June 14, 2013 we received an e-mail from NVC regarding the payment of the fees (US$230.00 ea.) for the Application for Immigrant Visa & Allen Registration (IV) the payment was made & confirmed by NVC on June 21, 2013 along with instructions for submitting the required IV forms & documents. The IV was completed by my wife & I and delivered to NVC July 9, 2013.

On July 24, 2013 we received our first checklist from NVC concerning the AOS (I-864) and revised AOS were prepared by our daughter & submitted to NVC and was delivered on July 26, 2013. A subsequent telephone call was placed to NVC & they confirmed receipt of the revised AOS & advised that they were placed on their system for review on July 31, 2013 & that the review would take 20 days to complete. On August 1, we received a second checklist e-mail from NVC which acknowledged receipt of our DS-230 & further requested the submission of required AOS (I-864) forms, despite the fact that the revised forms were delivered to their offices on July 29, 2013 & placed on their on July 31, 2013.

On August 22, 2013 we received a second checklist from NVC, however, this one was in relation to AOS (I-864A). Revised AOS’s (I-864A) were again prepared & submitted to NVC & delivered on August 26, 2013 & NVC confirmed receipt & advised that they were placed on their on August 28, 2013 for review & will require 30 days (up from 20) for completion.

On September 5, 2013 while conducting my daily visit to Visa Journey (VJ) web site I came across the news regarding the required use of D-260 in replacement of DS-230. Based on what I found on VJ I conducted a check on ceac.state.gov only to discover that both petitions required the completion of the new DS-260 & both forms were completed on September 5, 2013. And during a follow up call to NVC in order to ascertain whether we were required to resubmit the documents previously sent with the DS-230 forms we were advised that the review of the DS-260 would take 30 (working) days.

Based on the above we have concluded that NVC is doing everything possible to delay the completion of our Visa petitions & in order to be dissuaded that this is not so we would like the following questions answered.

1. Why doesn’t USCIS & NVC establish a system where petitions can be tracked between agencies instead of falling into a void with USCIS stating that it has been sent to NVC & NVC stating that they have not received it leaving families in limbo.

2. Why would NVC send two separate checklists for AOS I-864 & I-864A when both forms were submitted stapled tougher as instructed by NVC and

3. Why does NVC have to reset the clock for every checklist i.e. for each checklist the 20 days review starts anew & why does the response from NVC as to be close to the end of the 20 days period. Would it not be more favorable & suitable to every involved for NVC to respond within 10 of the allotted 20 days then stop the clock & give applicants time to respond & if the response goes beyond the remaining 10 days then the clock would be reset for another 20 days.

Unless someone can provide me with reasonable answers to the questions above I will remain convinced that NVC not committed to the fair & expeditious processing of Visa petitions but is focused on delaying the process & frustrating the efforts of families et.al from being toughter.