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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: India
Timeline
Posted

So, I just made my first call to NVC and was on hold for 15 minutes. Probably the norm, eh? Are there any better times of day to call that anyone has noticed? Just thought I'd ask incase...

Also, the operator told me to wait 8 weeks to call back. 8 WEEKS!?! This seems contrary to what I'm reading from you guys on here who have said call every week and then 2-3 times a week. What's your feedback, folks? I'm probably going to call again on Friday or Monday. Are they really processing on an 8-week timeline?

Every operator tells you different story. Some told you 8 weeks and some tell you to wait 15 days. But I saw that approved files from California local field office to NVC takes around 5-6 weeks. I would try to make an info pass appointment and go see them personally at your local USCIS office. And also contact your congressman and Senator to do an inquiry on this.

I was having same issue as your and did Senator/Congressman inquiry which help me get my file to NVC but I waited almost 15-20 days before I contact and open an inquiry with Senator/Congressman.

USCIS (114 days)
2013-01-25 - Sent I-130
2013-01-28 - NOA1 (case at MSC)
2013-05-22 - NOA2

NVC (92 days)
2013-07-02 - NVC received case
2013-07-02 - IIN assigned
2013-07-09 - DS3032 email sent
2013-07-15 - AOS bill invoiced and paid
2013-07-16 - AOS packet sent

2013-07-23 - DS3032 accepted
2013-07-24 - IV bill invoiced and paid
2013-07-24 - IV packet sent

2013-08-09 - AOS Packet Checklist

2013-08-14 - AOS Packet Checklist Received by NVC

2013-08-19 - IV Package Accepted

2013-09-11 - AOS Package accepted
2013-09-11 - Case complete

2013-09-18 - Case complete Status Email from NVC
2013-10-01 - Interview scheduled


Consulate
2013-10-07 - Medical
2013-11-06 - Interview (Approved)
2013-11-08 - Visa in hand
2013-11-15 - POE (California)

Posted

So, I just made my first call to NVC and was on hold for 15 minutes. Probably the norm, eh? Are there any better times of day to call that anyone has noticed? Just thought I'd ask incase...

Also, the operator told me to wait 8 weeks to call back. 8 WEEKS!?! This seems contrary to what I'm reading from you guys on here who have said call every week and then 2-3 times a week. What's your feedback, folks? I'm probably going to call again on Friday or Monday. Are they really processing on an 8-week timeline?

My file was at the Santa Ana USCIS office initially - but got approved at the LA office (no idea why - Santa Ana is the closest office to my home). LA then held on to the approved file for 10 weeks (NOA2 - May 31st, NVC received the file on August 12th). I called every few days. When I was calling I think they're standard response was 15 business days - I elevated after 15 business days (inquiries at NVC and USCIS - congress/senators). Elevating didn't seem to make a difference in my case. Good luck!

12/27/2012 Married in Sri Lanka


USCIS

1/13/2013 Mail I-130

1/14/2013 NOA 1 Date - case at National Benefits Center

2/27/2013 - File transferred from NBC to my local field office in Santa Ana

5/23/2013 - File transferred from Santa Ana field office to the Los Angeles field office (not sure why)

5/31/2013 NOA 2 Date


Time for transfer from USCIS Field office to NVC = 73 days!!! (No idea why)


NVC (57 days; 42 business days)

8/12/2013 NVC Receives Case

8/26/2013 Case Number, INN, BIN Assigned (10 business days after receipt)

8/26/2013 DS 3032 (Choice of Agent) emailed by beneficiary

8/28/2013 Received emails with AOS Invoice and DS 3032

8/28/2013 AOS Fee invoiced online and paid.

8/29/2013 AOS Documents mailed via fed ex overnight

8/29/2013 AOS Fee shows as "Paid"

8/30/2013 AOS documents received by NVC

9/3/2013 NVC substitutes DS 261 for DS 3032

9/4/2013 Filed DS 261 online

9/6/2013 NVC accepts DS-261

9/11/2013 Received email with IV Fee invoice. No ability to pay online. (5 business days after DS-261)

9/12/2013 Pay invoice as soon as it is a possibility.

9/12/2013 Mail IV Package

9/13/2013 Fed Ex. confirms delivery of IV package to NVC

9/14/2013 IV Fee shows as "Paid" and DS 260 is available for completion.

9/14/2013 Submit DS 260

9/16/2013 NVC records receipt of IV Package

9/24/2013 - AOS Accepted (16 business days)

10/8/2013 - Case Complete (IV Package and DS 260 Accepted in 17 business days)

10/15/2013 - Interview Scheduled


11/21/2013 - Interview Date


Posted

15 minutes is actually pretty good. I found the best time though to be around 5pm EST. I was typically on hold for 5 minutes or less. I've also heard right at opening is pretty quick at well.

And don't listen to the operator about waiting 8 weeks. Just keep calling 1-3 times a week.

Saylin, thanks for the feedback. I will try to call around 5PM EST. I'm in California, so that might be hard during the workday, but will try to! I doubt I'll be awake for their opening hour, to be honest. I will take your advice and keep calling 1-3 times per week.

Every operator tells you different story. Some told you 8 weeks and some tell you to wait 15 days. But I saw that approved files from California local field office to NVC takes around 5-6 weeks. I would try to make an info pass appointment and go see them personally at your local USCIS office. And also contact your congressman and Senator to do an inquiry on this.

I was having same issue as your and did Senator/Congressman inquiry which help me get my file to NVC but I waited almost 15-20 days before I contact and open an inquiry with Senator/Congressman.

Thanks Nick. I don't know what an info pass appointment is...can you tell me more? My understanding is that my file has been sent from the CSC to the NVC. Would my local office have any further info? The CSC is the California Service Center and is less than an hour from me. But, in the NOA2, they said it has been sent already. I can do a Senator/Congresswoman inquiry--but do you think I should wait another week or two to initiate that?

My file was at the Santa Ana USCIS office initially - but got approved at the LA office (no idea why - Santa Ana is the closest office to my home). LA then held on to the approved file for 10 weeks (NOA2 - May 31st, NVC received the file on August 12th). I called every few days. When I was calling I think they're standard response was 15 business days - I elevated after 15 business days (inquiries at NVC and USCIS - congress/senators). Elevating didn't seem to make a difference in my case. Good luck!

Rand, were you in Santa Ana, Orange County? My NOA2 notice came from Laguna Niguel, at the CSC. How did you find out where your file was? I already got the NOA2 from the Laguna Niguel facility. I saw your signature...looks like it took 3 months from NOA2 to NVC number? WOW. I'm worried that elevating to Congress won't help right now with the government shutdown.... *sigh*

APPROVED 2/13/2014! dancin5hr.gif Day before heart.gif day. rose.gif

Posted

Saylin, thanks for the feedback. I will try to call around 5PM EST. I'm in California, so that might be hard during the workday, but will try to! I doubt I'll be awake for their opening hour, to be honest. I will take your advice and keep calling 1-3 times per week.

[...]

You can also try nearer to closing at midnight EST. I heard that's a pretty good time as well.

Posted

Saylin, thanks for the feedback. I will try to call around 5PM EST. I'm in California, so that might be hard during the workday, but will try to! I doubt I'll be awake for their opening hour, to be honest. I will take your advice and keep calling 1-3 times per week.

Thanks Nick. I don't know what an info pass appointment is...can you tell me more? My understanding is that my file has been sent from the CSC to the NVC. Would my local office have any further info? The CSC is the California Service Center and is less than an hour from me. But, in the NOA2, they said it has been sent already. I can do a Senator/Congresswoman inquiry--but do you think I should wait another week or two to initiate that?

Rand, were you in Santa Ana, Orange County? My NOA2 notice came from Laguna Niguel, at the CSC. How did you find out where your file was? I already got the NOA2 from the Laguna Niguel facility. I saw your signature...looks like it took 3 months from NOA2 to NVC number? WOW. I'm worried that elevating to Congress won't help right now with the government shutdown.... *sigh*

Yes, we were in Santa Ana, Orange County - until we were moved to LA (started off at NBC). I found out where my file was by calling USCIS incessantly during the 3 month period.. they can tell where the file is... and when it leaves. Hoping you won't have the delay we did - the CSC should be better than the LA office. Good luck!

12/27/2012 Married in Sri Lanka


USCIS

1/13/2013 Mail I-130

1/14/2013 NOA 1 Date - case at National Benefits Center

2/27/2013 - File transferred from NBC to my local field office in Santa Ana

5/23/2013 - File transferred from Santa Ana field office to the Los Angeles field office (not sure why)

5/31/2013 NOA 2 Date


Time for transfer from USCIS Field office to NVC = 73 days!!! (No idea why)


NVC (57 days; 42 business days)

8/12/2013 NVC Receives Case

8/26/2013 Case Number, INN, BIN Assigned (10 business days after receipt)

8/26/2013 DS 3032 (Choice of Agent) emailed by beneficiary

8/28/2013 Received emails with AOS Invoice and DS 3032

8/28/2013 AOS Fee invoiced online and paid.

8/29/2013 AOS Documents mailed via fed ex overnight

8/29/2013 AOS Fee shows as "Paid"

8/30/2013 AOS documents received by NVC

9/3/2013 NVC substitutes DS 261 for DS 3032

9/4/2013 Filed DS 261 online

9/6/2013 NVC accepts DS-261

9/11/2013 Received email with IV Fee invoice. No ability to pay online. (5 business days after DS-261)

9/12/2013 Pay invoice as soon as it is a possibility.

9/12/2013 Mail IV Package

9/13/2013 Fed Ex. confirms delivery of IV package to NVC

9/14/2013 IV Fee shows as "Paid" and DS 260 is available for completion.

9/14/2013 Submit DS 260

9/16/2013 NVC records receipt of IV Package

9/24/2013 - AOS Accepted (16 business days)

10/8/2013 - Case Complete (IV Package and DS 260 Accepted in 17 business days)

10/15/2013 - Interview Scheduled


11/21/2013 - Interview Date


Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: India
Timeline
Posted

Saylin, thanks for the feedback. I will try to call around 5PM EST. I'm in California, so that might be hard during the workday, but will try to! I doubt I'll be awake for their opening hour, to be honest. I will take your advice and keep calling 1-3 times per week.

Thanks Nick. I don't know what an info pass appointment is...can you tell me more? My understanding is that my file has been sent from the CSC to the NVC. Would my local office have any further info? The CSC is the California Service Center and is less than an hour from me. But, in the NOA2, they said it has been sent already. I can do a Senator/Congresswoman inquiry--but do you think I should wait another week or two to initiate that?

Rand, were you in Santa Ana, Orange County? My NOA2 notice came from Laguna Niguel, at the CSC. How did you find out where your file was? I already got the NOA2 from the Laguna Niguel facility. I saw your signature...looks like it took 3 months from NOA2 to NVC number? WOW. I'm worried that elevating to Congress won't help right now with the government shutdown.... *sigh*

Here is a link to book an appointment for info pass. http://infopass.uscis.gov/ . You can look for USCIS office that shows within your zip code and book an appointment. It's hard to get appointment via info pass. You might need to check few times to see if there is an open slot.

I would recommend to contact senator/Congresswoman as early as possible because inquiry itself takes around 3-4 weeks to get you an answer from them. Try to do both your local congressman/congresswoman and as well as Senator(Dianne Finestien for california i think)

Thanks!

USCIS (114 days)
2013-01-25 - Sent I-130
2013-01-28 - NOA1 (case at MSC)
2013-05-22 - NOA2

NVC (92 days)
2013-07-02 - NVC received case
2013-07-02 - IIN assigned
2013-07-09 - DS3032 email sent
2013-07-15 - AOS bill invoiced and paid
2013-07-16 - AOS packet sent

2013-07-23 - DS3032 accepted
2013-07-24 - IV bill invoiced and paid
2013-07-24 - IV packet sent

2013-08-09 - AOS Packet Checklist

2013-08-14 - AOS Packet Checklist Received by NVC

2013-08-19 - IV Package Accepted

2013-09-11 - AOS Package accepted
2013-09-11 - Case complete

2013-09-18 - Case complete Status Email from NVC
2013-10-01 - Interview scheduled


Consulate
2013-10-07 - Medical
2013-11-06 - Interview (Approved)
2013-11-08 - Visa in hand
2013-11-15 - POE (California)

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Morocco
Timeline
Posted

You can also try nearer to closing at midnight EST. I heard that's a pretty good time as well.

I tried once at 11:45pm EST.... the line cut at 11:57pm EST... so anyone calling late, give yourself more than 15 mins.

As an aside.... I'm rooting for a flood of Case completes in the next couple of weeks! We just can't have another September.... kicking.gif (that's the closest to a cheerleader I saw LOL)

01/28/2013 I-130 package sent

01/31/2013 Notice of Action Date After POE
02/01/2013 Received e-mail and text notification of acceptance
11/26/2013 Applied for SS#
02/04/2013 Received hard copy NOA1 (case not found in on-line system) 12/02/2013 ELIS site still states "accepted"
03/12/2013 Transferred to the local office 12/27/2013 received green card
04/10/2013 Case still not found in on-line system
04/15/2013 INFO-PASS appointment

05/01/2013 NOA2 sent petition approved

NVC Stage...of course it has to be complicatedreading.gifrolleyes.gif

05/09/2013 Case received by NVC

05/23/2013 Received case #'s from NVC

05/23/2013 DS-3032 sent from husband's e-mail

06/03/2013 First day I can not access payment portal

06/04/2013 AOS Fee invoiced and payment made

06/04/2013 DS-3032 resent with Supervisor Review

06/05/2013 DS-3032 acceptance e-mail

06/05/2013 AOS Fee shows "PAID"

06/06/2013 AOS package express mailed

06/07/2013 IV bill invoiced and payment made (still waiting on documents from Hubby)

06/08/2013 IV package express mailed

06/25/2013 IV reviewed - Checklist (2 errors, Birth document & date on DS-230)

06/26/2013 Requested supervisor review by e-mail & verbal request for birth document (fingers crossed)

06/27/2013 AOS accepted

06/28/2013 Checklist response sent for corrected DS-230 (I had my husband sign extra's just in-case)

08/02/2013 NVC requested a supervisor review on the checklist item over 20 business day window

08/05/2013 Case Complete!!! kicking.gif

08/27/2013 Interview Assigned

10/30/2013 Interview

11/04/2013 Pick up Passport

11/12/2013 POE @ JFK

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Israel
Timeline
Posted

Thanks Saylin for helping us out with these NVC threads! I'm so bummed about this government nonsense. I ordered my tax transcripts almost 3 weeks ago now. Not going to get them anytime soon with IRS closed. I'm hoping my parents' accountant can send my tax returns with theirs. I am so antsy to get everything sent in!

12/30/2012 Got married!

02/01/2013 Sent I-130 via Priority Mail USPS

02/05/2013 NOA1 Priority Date

04/09/2013 Called USCIS-informed by Tier 2 officer that my case was transferred to Washington D.C. on March 13

09/05/2013 NOA2

09/27/2013 NVC received case

Submitted DS-261

Paid AOS bill

10/16/2013 Paid IV bill

10/19/2013 Submitted DS-260
10/21/2013 Mailed AOS and IV packages overnight

11/15/2013 IV package accepted/Checklist for AOS

11/26/2013 New AOS documents received at NVC

12/19/2013 Case Complete

12/27/2013-Received Interview letter

01/26/2014-Husband's Medical Exam

02/13/2014-Interview- Approved, but the consular officer did not see I-864 joint sponsor documents, and sent my husband home with the packet of all the original documents, and told him to mail it in when he gets it. My husband realized that the "missing" documents had been there all along. Husband immediately mailed it back.

02/26/2014-Consular office received "missing" documents and gave it to CO for review

03/17/2014-Visa Issued!

03/20/2014- Received Visa

03/21/2014- POE!

Posted

Thanks Saylin for helping us out with these NVC threads! I'm so bummed about this government nonsense. I ordered my tax transcripts almost 3 weeks ago now. Not going to get them anytime soon with IRS closed. I'm hoping my parents' accountant can send my tax returns with theirs. I am so antsy to get everything sent in!

Glad to help!

Sucks about the transcripts though. Hopefully they were mailed out before the shutdown, so they may possibly be in the mail. Otherwise, tax returns are the only option if you don't want to wait.

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline
Posted

Case Complete ! I received a checklist from NVC, so I called them. They send the checklist, because, I sent 2 pdf photos, and they don't accept photos through EP. The woman, looked through my case, and said, all the other papers are in order, and then said the 2 words, we all want to hear from NVC, Case Complete ! ^__^

It took 15 days, to get my case completed, after, I sent in all the papers. Now if they can send our case to the Embassy, in a timely manner, my wife, can be here, for the holidays ! I'm hoping for Thanksgiving .

Posted

Case Complete ! I received a checklist from NVC, so I called them. They send the checklist, because, I sent 2 pdf photos, and they don't accept photos through EP. The woman, looked through my case, and said, all the other papers are in order, and then said the 2 words, we all want to hear from NVC, Case Complete ! ^__^

It took 15 days, to get my case completed, after, I sent in all the papers. Now if they can send our case to the Embassy, in a timely manner, my wife, can be here, for the holidays ! I'm hoping for Thanksgiving .

Woohoo, congrats! kicking.gif

Yes, they send that "checklist" about photos to all EP cases, starting the last few months. Completely normal!

Unless China is super fast, I'd say Christmas would be more realistic than Thanksgiving. But, you never know!

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline
Posted

Woohoo, congrats! kicking.gif

Yes, they send that "checklist" about photos to all EP cases, starting the last few months. Completely normal!

Unless China is super fast, I'd say Christmas would be more realistic than Thanksgiving. But, you never know!

Thanks Saylin, My wife, was VERY excited to hear the news . I was worried, when I saw the email, with Checklist in the title !!!

I don't think China is superfast, and you may be right, about Christmas, being more realistic. It just our birthday's are December 9th and 15th. It would be great to spent them together ., but I would gladly settle for a super X mas present !!! (my wife)

Posted

Thanks Saylin, My wife, was VERY excited to hear the news . I was worried, when I saw the email, with Checklist in the title !!!

I don't think China is superfast, and you may be right, about Christmas, being more realistic. It just our birthday's are December 9th and 15th. It would be great to spent them together ., but I would gladly settle for a super X mas present !!! (my wife)

I don't know Chinese time frames, so I can't really say much. Although arriving for your birthdays may be a possibility as well. Either way, just have a big party to celebrate both birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Not to mention finally getting to the US ;)

Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
Timeline
Posted

It took 15 days, to get my case completed, after, I sent in all the papers. Now if they can send our case to the Embassy, in a timely manner, my wife, can be here, for the holidays ! I'm hoping for Thanksgiving .

A November interview is a possibility.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

Filed: IR-5 Country: Dominican Republic
Timeline
Posted

Do i have to email choice of agent to nvc even though beneficiary is minor? Thanks in advance

USCIS Petition(s) Filed

Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative (mother)

Date I-130 Sent : (2012-02-14)

Date I-130 NOA1 (Receipt)via email : (2012-02-21)

Date I-130 NOA1 (hard copy Receipt)via mail : (2012-02-28)

Date I-130 NOA2 (Receipt)via email : (2012-06-11)

Date I-130 NOA2 (hard copy Receipt)via mail : (2012-06-14)

Date Package Received By NVC : (2012-07-02)

ds3032(Choice of Address and Agent for Immigrant Visa Applicants): sent from mother's email address on 8/3/12. Approved on 8/10/12

AOS paid 8/5/12, IV paid 8/23/12.

ds230,i864ez,aos and iv receipt,documents(6 last pay stubs,job letter,beneficiary's birth certificate(certified and legalized),2 2x2 photos,police report(certified),w2 and transcripts from 2009-2011,copy of beneficiary passport.8/23/12

checklist received from NVC on 8/30/12- missing petioner's documents(marriage certificate,birth certificate,2011 transcript).

checklist sent to NVC by air on 9/1/12 to arrive on 9/4/12.

check list recieved on email 9/13/12 ( petioner INEXTENSA birth certificate and 2011 taxes transcript directly from IRS).

2011 taxes transcript (directly from IRS) sent on 9/12/12.Arrived 9/14/12

petioner birth certificate (INEXTENSA)sent on 9/13/12. Arrived 9/14/12

CASE COMPLETE 09/25/12

10/03/12 INTERVIEW assigned for 11/19/12 received letter via email later on in the day.

Medical done 11/06/12

Visa approved 11/19/12

VISA ON HAND 11/29/12 ( DELIVERED HOME)

POE 12/08/12- SAN JUAN,PUERTO RICO

F2A LPR petitioning for minor children

PD 8/5/13 , NOA2 8/27/13, CASE COMPLETE 3/5/14

 
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