NVC Filers - June 2014

[NikLR 13,230]

Well said Sukie.

My husband and I started this process in April 2013, also expecting the published USCIS processing time frame of 5-9 months. We had no idea that we'd be approaching 16 months and still have no case complete.

It has been a wholly frustrating experience. Unfortunately it seems that there is no authority that watches over NVC/USCIS (aka border patrol), -- that we can lodge complaints with. I personally filed a complaint with the NVC, but I know it's internal and therefore the ranks are always protected. And so this process and the way the government employees treat us will continue to go unmitigated.

Hopefully, there will be change.

For the filers who are currently going through this process and are enjoying faster processing, -- that is great. You are fortunate...But keep in mind when you are complaining about time, -- that many of us here are yet to be processed and many cases have even surpassed my current timeframe of almost 16 months.

Good luck to you and Julie! I will be thinking of you 3 couples on July 1st.

And let me know how long it takes to get your Visa Package sent back to you after your interview. Many thanks.

Just to let everyone know:

The NVC is part of the Department of State. This department of the US government is also in charge of the embassies and consulates around the world.

The USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security. That department also is in charge of the CBP which is Customs and Border Patrol.

The NVC has nothing to do with border patrol.

There are higher authorities that obviously look after BOTH sections and Departments. The backlog at the USCIS has now created a backlog at the NVC. It really sucks for everyone who was stuck at one and now at the other. But you can always contact your congressman or senator with complaints. Even ask them who you can complain to higher up so that the word is spread about unreasonable wait times.

Also keep in mind that the call center employees are NOT government employees. They cannot actually see your cases and read off of computer screens.

[AustinCanada 681]

My husband and I started this process in April 2013, also expecting the published USCIS processing time frame of 5-9 months. We had no idea that we'd be approaching 16 months and still have no case complete.

Well, I think it's been 14 months (not 16 months) in your case since your NOA1 is April 23, 2013 and today is June 29, 2014.

I was like, "16 MONTHS and still have no case complete!!??"

However, it may end up 16 months by the time you have your interview and get the visa (maybe that's what you meant?).

[Soloenta 2,218]

guys i have a question!

got case complete last Tuesday, don't have my interview date yet, my papers are still at NVC.

my husband got back to the US, how can we update his residence address? do i have to contact NVC to open my case or what? i dont want to go through this bs again

I would wait until your papers arrive at the Embassy and then e-mail them with the new address. I think if you go through NVC they will delay you the regular 30 day. Good luck to you.

[kenanna 39]

My 2013 tax transcript FINALLY became available today. It will arrive in my mailbox in probably 3 weeks.

I was going to send out AOS paperwork tomorrow just using hte 2013 return, with a note that I hoped to have the transcript in time for interview.

Do you think I should *wait* for the transcript to come in? I file self-employed and wonder if it's better to wait for the transcript now.

Thank you for opinions

savagechair,

I think you should definitely send in your 2013 transcript as part of your support documents. If you have access to a printer you can download to your computer and print it at home. Or maybe even email to a family member or friend who can print it for you. When we filed our paperwork, we sent in only the return and a W-2. But my wife will take a copy of my 2013 transcript to her interview. Just remember the W-2 or whatever is used for self-emplyed workers if you decide to use only the return!

[Soloenta 2,218]

I dont think so samreen, if u havevattched the originals/ certified by the ministry then take copies of those original docs and attch them.

Correct me if im wrong.

Shizasaad, on 28 Jun 2014 - 12:45 PM, said:

samreen23, on 28 Jun 2014 - 07:11 AM, said:

Guys in the IV package the original and it's copies are reuqired. So do the copies have to be attested as well? My originals are already certified by the ministry of foreign affairs over here.

They ask for Originals and copies the copies do NOT have to be attested. I for one would do it but it's really up to you what you want to do. Good luck.

[savagechair 38]

savagechair,

I think you should definitely send in your 2013 transcript as part of your support documents. If you have access to a printer you can download to your computer and print it at home. Or maybe even email to a family member or friend who can print it for you. When we filed our paperwork, we sent in only the return and a W-2. But my wife will take a copy of my 2013 transcript to her interview. Just remember the W-2 or whatever is used for self-emplyed workers if you decide to use only the return!

Thank you! I wish I could do the pront out (online version) but my non-US address kills thr online system, so I have to wait for mail, to the country I'm in now.

I can definitely bring it to thr interview. Just musing if a return only plus all schedules, etc will checklist me at nvc. Sounds like it did not for you

[observatorka 197]

I would wait until your papers arrive at the Embassy and then e-mail them with the new address. I think if you go through NVC they will delay you the regular 30 day. Good luck to you.

thank you for your response.

another stress

[kenanna 39]

Thank you! I wish I could do the pront out (online version) but my non-US address kills thr online system, so I have to wait for mail, to the country I'm in now.

I can definitely bring it to thr interview. Just musing if a return only plus all schedules, etc will checklist me at nvc. Sounds like it did not for you

You will be fine. You have plenty of time before the interview. Good luck!

[Amanda4964 202]

I'll share my post to Facebook yesterday...my "immiversary"...

One year ago today, one day after Section 3 of DOMA was repealed, Julie and I started on what was supposed to be a 5-month journey through the US Green Card process for a spousal visa. Due to bureaucratic ineptitude, 365 days later, Julie is still in Australia without a Green Card. During this year, we've endured two major health scares, the death of a parent, the death of a dear pet, the costs of multiple trans-Pacific airline flights - and have spent more days apart in our separate countries than we have together.

It has been a long, frustrating process. I have never felt as impotent or as helpless or as angry as I have during this past year. The system appears to punish those of us who try to follow the rules and do things by the book. Who knew that every government department we've had to deal with has a different book of rules??? Who knew that one set of rules is out-of-date by five years, and still hasn't been corrected, and that it would cost us yet another month of being apart? Who knew that the thousands of dollars necessary to move through this process give you no assurance of ANY customer service?

The year has been a terrible one - but for those bi-national couples where one member is from a high-risk or high-fraud country such as Nigeria, Pakistan or Egypt, the wait could be far worse than 365 days. The process is so very broken.

The light is at the end of the tunnel. Julie and I will be at the US Consulate in Sydney next week for the visa interview. We hope that within another month, we will be able to walk through immigration at JFK together - and that we never have to worry about Julie being turned away again.

Prayers and good thoughts for a positive outcome on July 1st are welcomed!

Beautifully written. I will be thinking of you on July 1st during your interview, I am sure your outcome will be positive. I know you will have an extra reason to celebrate the 4th of July this year, (am I pushing it to try calling it "Immi-pendence Day"?) lol

[mmaarreekk 45]

I hope this is the last Sunday before my CC

[PCOZ 32]

Well, I think it's been 14 months (not 16 months) in your case since your NOA1 is April 23, 2013 and today is June 29, 2014.

I was like, "16 MONTHS and still have no case complete!!??"

However, it may end up 16 months by the time you have your interview and get the visa (maybe that's what you meant?).

Precisely, -- our timeframe will be 16 months by the time we have a CC and then the prerequisite month wait for the interview. Hence, the "going on 16 months" for our application process to be complete.

And as the processing at the NVC seems to adhere to the 30 day rule, I'm fairly confident in my declaration of 16 months to completion.

Would be such a nice surprise if we were a bit earlier.

Thanks for keeping me in check tho!

[PCOZ 32]

Just to let everyone know:

The NVC is part of the Department of State. This department of the US government is also in charge of the embassies and consulates around the world.

The USCIS is part of the Department of Homeland Security. That department also is in charge of the CBP which is Customs and Border Patrol.

The NVC has nothing to do with border patrol.

There are higher authorities that obviously look after BOTH sections and Departments. The backlog at the USCIS has now created a backlog at the NVC. It really sucks for everyone who was stuck at one and now at the other. But you can always contact your congressman or senator with complaints. Even ask them who you can complain to higher up so that the word is spread about unreasonable wait times.

Also keep in mind that the call center employees are NOT government employees. They cannot actually see your cases and read off of computer screens.

Hi NLR,

"Border Patrol", was listed paranthetically after USCIS. And is in fact under the umbrella of the USCIS. Perhaps I needed to separate the two agencies in that sentence for clarity.

The phone agents are contract employees. The higher-ups are indeed federal employees.

And yes, with enough complaints from all of us to our local Senators and Congress people, you can effect change...maybe. I'm planning on it.

Thanks for taking the time to read.

[PCOZ 32]

I hope this is the last Sunday before my CC

good luck...hope you get it!

[PCOZ 32]

I got AOS checklist on 24Jun, but we realised before, then automatically resent and it was scanned in 29May. Do I need to send again or just wait for nvc ti review our updated aos scanned on 29May?

I think this can only be answered by an NVC phone agent.

[Soloenta 2,218]

thank you for your response.

another stress

No Observatorka no stress at all, I have dealt with the Embassy and mine is a nasty one. They are good at responding and changing

things quickly without the 30 day c r a p, so just take a deep breath it's not NVC you wont have to wait at all. I would e-mail them when they get your files and then send them a hard copy of the change. And your very welcome it's been my pleasure.