F2A Guide for NVC similar to the one pasted in the link below?

[vkrishn 97]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum. I did go through some of the link on this website and i was able to find NVC documents for only IR/CR-1 etc. Is there a similar page for F2A?

Thanks much in advance.

Thanks,

Vijay

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/James%27s_Shortcuts

[f2aforconsular 11]

Hi Vijay,

Almost all guides on VJ pertain to IR/CR etc, but the procedures are almost similar for F2A too. Most important changes applicable from recently to F2A are the newly introduced DS3032 and DS230.

Here are a couple of other NVC guides:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/LingChe_NVC_ShortCut

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

Good luck in your journey

[vkrishn 97]

Hi F2Aforconsular,

I visited the NVc website but form 230 is only for diversity visa holders. Form 260 is completely online. I am using the help of an attorney to get the NVC process going.

The website does not even mention DS3032. Do i need to fill it out even if i use an Attorney?

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1339.html

Another fundamental question is Lets say NVC assigns a case number and IID number, will they assign me a VISA then and i don't have to worry about Priority dates anymore? VISA bulletin is so fluky now that i am not sure if it will be current for my case in say November/December time frame assuming USCIS approves I-130 and sends it to NVC.

Thanks,

Vijay

[f2aforconsular 11]

Right, F2A category no longer has DS3032 and DS230. They have been replaced by DS 261 and DS 260 respectively. Please check the item 'Department of State transitions to online immigrant visa application' in the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/news/news_4413.html

Both forms are mandatory for everybody.

Only difference for choice of agent form (in earlier cases like me it was hard copy DS3032) is that: if we have an attorney at the time of filing our I130 application, the beneficiary assigns attorney as choice of agent (by filing G-28) at that stage itself instead of assigning choice of agent after receiving NOA2 (which is the case when there is no attorney)

In case attorney is assigned as choice of agent already, once NVC issues case number and IIN, both AOS and IV fees are generated simultaneously (there will be a wait period from the time NVC issues case number to the time bills are generated). After both fees are paid, relevant documents should be sent to NVC (count some days again). The NVC reviews the documents (count a minimum of 20 or 30 working days here) and schedules interview at respective embassy when all our documents are fine (else, it sends out a checklist which again increases the waiting period). For an interview to be scheduled, our PD should be before the cut-off date in the most recent Visa Bulletin at the time NVC completes review of our documents (case complete stage). ONLY after we clear the interview at the local embassy, visa is issued.

In short, visa is NOT issued when we get a case number. Priority dates in the Visa Bulletin do matter until an interview is scheduled and also until interview is held.

Hope this helps. Good luck

The Visa Bulletin is quite unpredictable and depends on the load at USCIS and NVC, hence it is important to track it constantly.

[happywife_08 8]

Right, F2A category no longer has DS3032 and DS230. They have been replaced by DS 261 and DS 260 respectively. Please check the item 'Department of State transitions to online immigrant visa application' in the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/news/news_4413.html

Both forms are mandatory for everybody.

Only difference for choice of agent form (in earlier cases like me it was hard copy DS3032) is that: if we have an attorney at the time of filing our I130 application, the beneficiary assigns attorney as choice of agent (by filing G-28) at that stage itself instead of assigning choice of agent after receiving NOA2 (which is the case when there is no attorney)

In case attorney is assigned as choice of agent already, once NVC issues case number and IIN, both AOS and IV fees are generated simultaneously (there will be a wait period from the time NVC issues case number to the time bills are generated). After both fees are paid, relevant documents should be sent to NVC (count some days again). The NVC reviews the documents (count a minimum of 20 or 30 working days here) and schedules interview at respective embassy when all our documents are fine (else, it sends out a checklist which again increases the waiting period). For an interview to be scheduled, our PD should be before the cut-off date in the most recent Visa Bulletin at the time NVC completes review of our documents (case complete stage). ONLY after we clear the interview at the local embassy, visa is issued.

In short, visa is NOT issued when we get a case number. Priority dates in the Visa Bulletin do matter until an interview is scheduled and also until interview is held.

Hope this helps. Good luck

The Visa Bulletin is quite unpredictable and depends on the load at USCIS and NVC, hence it is important to track it constantly.

hi... can i just clarify? bec we also have atty... so meaning, no need for us to send coa or ds 261? am i right? how about ds-260? thanks

[f2aforconsular 11]

hi... can i just clarify? bec we also have atty... so meaning, no need for us to send coa or ds 261? am i right? how about ds-260? thanks

hi, depends on whether you have filled the G-28 form earlier. If you have filled that, there will be no coa now. Please check this:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1306.html

For family preference immigrant visa cases, when an applicant’s priority date meets the most recent qualifying date, the NVC will send the Choice of Address and Agent form to the applicant, if an attorney or agent will be used. (NOTE: If you already have an attorney, the NVC will not send you this form.)

DS 260 is mandatory for ALL APPLICANTS (except Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applicants) effective Sep 1, 2013. In case an attorney is our choice of agent, before signing and submitting the form, we need to fill the attorney's details in the 'Preparer Information' section.

Good luck!

[happywife_08 8]

hi, depends on whether you have filled the G-28 form earlier. If you have filled that, there will be no coa now. Please check this:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1306.html

For family preference immigrant visa cases, when an applicants priority date meets the most recent qualifying date, the NVC will send the Choice of Address and Agent form to the applicant, if an attorney or agent will be used. (NOTE: If you already have an attorney, the NVC will not send you this form.)

DS 260 is mandatory for ALL APPLICANTS (except Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applicants) effective Sep 1, 2013. In case an attorney is our choice of agent, before signing and submitting the form, we need to fill the attorney's details in the 'Preparer Information' section.

Good luck!

thank you

[happywife_08 8]

hi, depends on whether you have filled the G-28 form earlier. If you have filled that, there will be no coa now. Please check this:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1306.html

For family preference immigrant visa cases, when an applicants priority date meets the most recent qualifying date, the NVC will send the Choice of Address and Agent form to the applicant, if an attorney or agent will be used. (NOTE: If you already have an attorney, the NVC will not send you this form.)

DS 260 is mandatory for ALL APPLICANTS (except Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applicants) effective Sep 1, 2013. In case an attorney is our choice of agent, before signing and submitting the form, we need to fill the attorney's details in the 'Preparer Information' section.

Good luck!

thank you

[vkrishn 97]

hi, depends on whether you have filled the G-28 form earlier. If you have filled that, there will be no coa now. Please check this:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1306.html

For family preference immigrant visa cases, when an applicant’s priority date meets the most recent qualifying date, the NVC will send the Choice of Address and Agent form to the applicant, if an attorney or agent will be used. (NOTE: If you already have an attorney, the NVC will not send you this form.)

DS 260 is mandatory for ALL APPLICANTS (except Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applicants) effective Sep 1, 2013. In case an attorney is our choice of agent, before signing and submitting the form, we need to fill the attorney's details in the 'Preparer Information' section.

Good luck!

Hi F2aforconsular,

I am little confused. so NVC will start the process when the PD meets the Qualifying date. And if PD retrogresses after they start the process does it mean NVC won't do anything? If that is the case that really sucks. I thought once NVC starts working on your case and even if PD retrogresses you are still OK.

[f2aforconsular 11]

Once NVC starts working on our case, the process will go until we are case complete. But, even if we are case complete (i.e., NVC finishes reviewing all our documents), what is important is that our PD should be before the cut-off date in the VB published after our case complete for an interview to be scheduled. Else, our documents unfortunately will lie in cold storage at NVC. Hence, it is important that our PD should be before the retrogressed date (as of now, the retrogressed date for F2A is Sep 8, 2013 for the month of October. We should just hope it does not go anymore backward than that.)

[vkrishn 97]

Ah. This sucks. Had to wait 5yrs in line under EB2 to get a green card and then when you get married you can't bring your spouse over and have to watch VB all over again. I thought i was done with VB when i got my GC in Sep 2010.

USCIS screwed up my case by entering the wrong PD (my EB2) at that time and had to request my congresswoman and Senator's help to fix the problem. Infopass was a total waste as USCIS did not even bother to check if everything in their system was OK.

I don't have too much confidence in USCIS (unless a miracle happens) with respect to processing cases and especially ones under F2A.

[f2aforconsular 11]

Oh, that must have been a hard time getting things fixed for your own GC.

At the moment, USCIS seems to be approving F2A applications pretty fast (of course it is random and there are people from 2012 still waiting for NOA2), so just be optimistic and hope to get your spouse's application approved soon by USCIS first so that you can enter the NVC stage and start your NVC journey. Good luck!

[iloveme 0]

hi all,

I just want to join this forum because i was inspired knowing that things are getting better at the USCIS and NVC and just want to share you my case as well...

I-130 (California Service Center)

Category: F2A (Philippines)

Priority Date: Sep 3rd, 2013

2013-08-30 : I-130 Sent

2013-09-03: I-130 Received

2013-09-05: NOA1

2013-10-03: NOA2

NVC

2013-11-01: NVC assigned case number

2013-11-05: Received Case number, Beneficiary number, AOS Invoice and Instruction for the DS-261

[Papaya07 3]

Right, F2A category no longer has DS3032 and DS230. They have been replaced by DS 261 and DS 260 respectively. Please check the item 'Department of State transitions to online immigrant visa application' in the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions/news/news_4413.html

Both forms are mandatory for everybody.

Only difference for choice of agent form (in earlier cases like me it was hard copy DS3032) is that: if we have an attorney at the time of filing our I130 application, the beneficiary assigns attorney as choice of agent (by filing G-28) at that stage itself instead of assigning choice of agent after receiving NOA2 (which is the case when there is no attorney)

In case attorney is assigned as choice of agent already, once NVC issues case number and IIN, both AOS and IV fees are generated simultaneously (there will be a wait period from the time NVC issues case number to the time bills are generated). After both fees are paid, relevant documents should be sent to NVC (count some days again). The NVC reviews the documents (count a minimum of 20 or 30 working days here) and schedules interview at respective embassy when all our documents are fine (else, it sends out a checklist which again increases the waiting period). For an interview to be scheduled, our PD should be before the cut-off date in the most recent Visa Bulletin at the time NVC completes review of our documents (case complete stage). ONLY after we clear the interview at the local embassy, visa is issued.

In short, visa is NOT issued when we get a case number. Priority dates in the Visa Bulletin do matter until an interview is scheduled and also until interview is held.

Hope this helps. Good luck

The Visa Bulletin is quite unpredictable and depends on the load at USCIS and NVC, hence it is important to track it constantly.

Thank you for these details. So even if interview is scheduled at the consulate and VB retrogresses a visa wont be issued after the interview? I just hope the VB stays as it is or moves forward during next 3-4 months. Or our congressmen use some common sense and pass the comprehensive

immigration reform.

[Papaya07 3]

Oh, that must have been a hard time getting things fixed for your own GC.

At the moment, USCIS seems to be approving F2A applications pretty fast (of course it is random and there are people from 2012 still waiting for NOA2), so just be optimistic and hope to get your spouse's application approved soon by USCIS first so that you can enter the NVC stage and start your NVC journey. Good luck!

Hi f2aforconsular,

In their Sep'13 VB, they explicitly stated "F2A: This category was made “Current” in an effort to generate new demand for the upcoming fiscal year. Information received during discussions with the National Visa Center and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services indicates that this action is already having the intended result. Therefore, it is likely that a cut-off will be imposed for October. This cut-off is unlikely to have any negative impact on those who have already initiated action on their case prior to the announcement of the October cut-off dates."

This suggests that we won't have any negative impact (hopefully), and VB for F2A category will most likely not retrogress. For EB2 it is a different case because lots of EB3 cases get converted to EB2 after gaining years of work experience hence it retrogresses. Fortunately we don't have anything like that in F2A, it is painful that your earn your GC very fast under EB1 category for exceptional talent only to leave your better half behind and suffer alone....I hope and pray for the best for all the families that are separated to be united ASAP.