NVC Filers - August 2014

[EOC 440]

I'm pretty sure I left it blank also that part I don't think matters and my AOS was approved, someone correct me please if I'm wrong.

You are right I left mine blank too.

[Soloenta 2,218]

Well maybe the increase will be used to speed up service??

Don't hold your breath unless you look good in blue. Money well spent

[Soloenta 2,218]

I don't think its right. Because if you put 1 in part 5 qs 3, that means your part 5 qs 8 will be 3 when you add up part 5 qs 1 to 7.

I remember I put nothing for married but put 1 for person sponsoring and one for me = 2 left all others blank now that I remember.

Edited August 29, 2014 by Soloenta

[Soloenta 2,218]

Seeing these increased fees, I was hoping to go back to usaspending.gov and find some new contract with Serco that would hint at more workers to clear this backlog. Instead I found they lost their contract. A company called FCi Federal will be providing support at NVC, but I haven't found when the change happens. Serco's contract has a completion date of Jan 31 2015, but who knows. Anyway, just a point of interest: http://fcifederal.com/news/fci-federal-wins-department-state-visa-support-services-vss-contract

Very interesting ty very much but I hope they don't change until we are way out of here. Can you imagine the mess in teaching these new people the ropes? I think the first weeks will be a disaster.

[Soloenta 2,218]

Thank you!

I just called and yes, it is case complete since yesterday What a relief!

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. I don't know what I would have done without you

Congratulations again so happy for you well deserved you should get a medal for all the c r a p you had to go through and the time you had to wait.

Edited August 29, 2014 by Soloenta

[Soloenta 2,218]

Thank you!

I've loved Egyptian history ever since I could read, since my Grandma, who was a homemaker, had a ton of history books she let me read as a kid. I've been super-lucky to have been able to study something I love, but unfortunately career prospects are pretty non-existant Maybe I can teach hieroglyphics at a community college or something

Same with me I was always fasinated by it and would day dream in class one of the books had a picture of an Egyptian market on it hahahaaa. Who would have guessed I would marry an Egyptian.

[Soloenta 2,218]

Congratulations to everyone who got a CC !!!

Hope, how are you my dear haven't seen you post much is everything ok or just staying away to keep sane?

Edited August 29, 2014 by Soloenta

[AustinCanada 681]

Wow all they worked on was July 11, the whole week!! If this goes on then Nvc is gonna continue to get horrible!!

Well, it was yet another typical NVC work week. We continue to get screwed again!

[Soloenta 2,218]

Sharing more random NVC facts because it's a slow day at work.

NVC operates from 7:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m., Monday through Friday on two shifts in two buildings. There are several units:

• Unit to process incoming correspondence.
• Unit to send instructions, status updates, and further processing requirements to applicants.
• Unit to prescreen immigrant visa and fiancée cases. The FPU uses internet searches and other techniques to identify potential fraud indicators.
• Unit to review photographs from passport applications, along with immigrant and non-immigrant visas to screen for potential fraud.

The NVC buidling has the following areas:

• Fraud Prevention Unit
• Loading Dock, Shredder
• Mail Insertion, Mail Out
• Case Processing
• Document Review
• IT
• Facial Recognition
• Scanning
• Main File Room
• Executive Offices

The consular affair building has the following areas:

• Training/Conference Room
• Written Correspondence
• Telephone Inquiries
• Loading Dock, Mail Opening
• Fitness Area
• Additional File Storage

The call management software used is called Basic Call Management System (BCMS). NVC uses Avaya Conversant to route calls and provide pre-recorded messages to callers, such as when the Center is closed. The Avaya Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system ceased working properly in late April 2012. Right now the IVR is deactivated and, due to a PBX modification, calls are coming straight into the Automated Call Distribution System (ACD). The PBX has been programmed to begin sending calls at 7:00 AM and stop sending calls at midnight Monday through Friday. It has also been programmed to air certain specially recorded PBX messages as required. The total public calls handled by NVC for 2011 was 2,089,657. Future plans are uncertain and dependent on the new software development currently underway.

Fee payment is handled by a separate contractor. Might explain why it takes time for fees to show as paid through CEAC and for the DS-260 to unlock.

Current visa processing automated systems do not provide the functionality to track the receipt and distribution of the types of mail (no surprise there). NVC has an automated mail tracking system that works with the Immigrant Visa Information System (IVIS). An Internal Tracking System (ITS) was developed by the incumbent IT staff onsite using Microsoft Visual Basic. The ITS tracks visa petitions and work conducted by employees onsite.

Processing statistics are only available under signed NDA. Why? USCIS publishes theirs monthly. Anyway, Q&A for the solicitation revealed NVC Basic Processing statistics for 2011 averaged about 714,000 per month. For quality assurance purposes, there is a cursory review of 5,400 cases and an in depth review of 1,000 cases every month.

There's a lot in here about service level agreements and processing standards in there that are blatantly never adhered to, and which I've never seen adhered to. Example: At NVC, the Contractor shall respond to urgent, special, and Congressional inquiries in no more than three (3) business days, and all other inquiries in no more than seven (7) business days. NVC is allowed an error rate of 1% for critical data fields and 3% non-critical fields, but the definitions of those fields are seemingly only available under NDA. IV petitions are supposed to be "completed in no more than 10 business days from receipt, not including the time spent reviewed by PASS." PASS is Pre-Adjudication Support Services, and they're responsible for fraud detection. "Antifraud and other pre-adjudication screening will be considered complete when the PASS unit has vetted the case against all fraud and screening indicators supplied by the USG and provided a report or, as appropriate, a short communication of the results of that vetting, and any other pertinent items of concern, for the adjudicating consular officer’s use."

Source: government solicitation for contractor to staff NVC.

Thank you so much, very interesting indeed!

[e&g12.05.13 176]

It will not delay your case if your expedite does not get approved. If I were you, I will request an expedite right away. I hope your health improves very very soon. Good luck!

Thank you! I hope that too...it's not easy to pass through all that and apart from the support of your beloved one. I have a document from my doctor, we'll send a request next Monday. I'll come back to tell what happened!

Thanks again.

[hope88 104]

Hope, how are you my dear haven't seen you post much is everything ok or just staying away to keep sane?

Hey dear I went to sharm el sheikh for a much needed vacation now back home trying to figure out the stupid checklist for my marriage certificate we sent an authorized one in English from the sharea court with the stamps and everything now they want the Arabic one I guess

[Amanda4964 202]

Thank you!

I just called and yes, it is case complete since yesterday What a relief!

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. I don't know what I would have done without you

Congratulations!!! You are one of the few people who had to wait longer than me, so I really am happy to see your CC!!!!

[ArthurandMarcela 249]

Hi VJ friends, a little update from my part. I am in Atlanta almost 3 weeks, enjoying my time with my husband, busy running around for SSN , drivers license etc. I finally read all 332 pages in here , I am happy for all the CC and amazed by the delays 60 days, #######? I wanted to let you know, you will forget this horror story that is NVC and you will enjoy a normal life (I promise you). To all my dear friends I wish you the best of luck and a prompt CC.

[newbie87 20]

I got a lot of question so please bare with me,

I've paid the AOS fees and today its marked as 'paid' now how long will i have to wait til i can pay the 'IV fee".

I already did my d-261 online how long will that take til NVC folks accept and review it?

Also, when will D-260 will be come available.

My case will probably got delayed since they got the embassy code mixed up, im assigned to embassy in Thailand even though we are living in Japan (i have no clue how they managed to mix it up when i send my husband military orders which clearly stated that I'm living with him in Japan). I have called and the operator told me to make a request to change consular by email with evidence by email which i did. But Anyone know how long thats going to take for them to change the consular?

thanks you all

[purpleblush 16]

It looked like nvc didnt work this whole week. Maybe they were soo excited for the long holiday. I was expecting my aos will be review this week but it didnt. July 17 here. Praying for no checklist