NOA2 Approval Thread - June 2014 TSC Filers

[Ashli&Alonso 6]

Hey guys! This is the first time I have come to this forum so forgive me if I am asking something that others have already asked.

Quick question: we got an RFE yesterday. Those of you who are now approved but got an RFE first, how long did it take to get an approval after you sent in the evidence they wanted?

Also - how long does it seem to be taking NVC to get our papers out of there? I'm asking because we have planned our whole wedding (paid vendors and all) for April 11. But now, with an RFE in the picture, it seems almost impossible. I've been crying all night and this morning. I'm so sick of this. This is people's LIVES they are dealing with. It's so discouraging to know that there is NOTHING we can do.

[chrismorrison 96]

Hey guys! This is the first time I have come to this forum so forgive me if I am asking something that others have already asked.

Quick question: we got an RFE yesterday. Those of you who are now approved but got an RFE first, how long did it take to get an approval after you sent in the evidence they wanted?

Also - how long does it seem to be taking NVC to get our papers out of there? I'm asking because we have planned our whole wedding (paid vendors and all) for April 11. But now, with an RFE in the picture, it seems almost impossible. I've been crying all night and this morning. I'm so sick of this. This is people's LIVES they are dealing with. It's so discouraging to know that there is NOTHING we can do.

Hi, I never received an RFE, but I have been browsing the forums for the past month. The trend with RFE's seems to be about 1-2 weeks (maybe quicker) once they've received your reply. I would say that an April wedding is pretty hasty, you would be better off shooting for a late summer wedding as you still have to wait for it to get to NVC, let them do what they need to do, and then having it sent off to the embassy. Once there, you need to get a medical done and schedule the interview and wait for the results of that... I don't think that will be doable in 3 months time.

You would be best to not schedule anything further until the visa is in hand. That way, you know there will be no tricks or surprises or bumps in the road. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately, that's kind of the deal with this process.

Edited January 29, 2015 by chrismorrison

[Dohan 133]

Hey guys! This is the first time I have come to this forum so forgive me if I am asking something that others have already asked.

Quick question: we got an RFE yesterday. Those of you who are now approved but got an RFE first, how long did it take to get an approval after you sent in the evidence they wanted?

Also - how long does it seem to be taking NVC to get our papers out of there? I'm asking because we have planned our whole wedding (paid vendors and all) for April 11. But now, with an RFE in the picture, it seems almost impossible. I've been crying all night and this morning. I'm so sick of this. This is people's LIVES they are dealing with. It's so discouraging to know that there is NOTHING we can do.

It also depends whether the US Embassy in your home country allows you to schedule your own appointments and the medical.

Once your case is approved everything goes A LOT quicker. Our NOA2 was Dec 16th. We had our case number January 8th, and January 9th it was at the embassy (3 weeks after approval). January 23rd my fiance did the medical. (1 month 1 week after approval). Results were in a week later (1 month 2 weeks after approval). Now there is DS 160, biometrics appointment and interview left to do. We are waiting to scheudle those because I have not done my 2014 income tax yet. Otherwise he could have done his interview in february (2 months after approval).

If you are able to schedule your own appointments then maybe it is possible but would be, very, very tight.

Check your contract with your vendors and see if there is a clause for urgent, unforseen circumstances and have a solid explanation why you need to re-schedule. Maybe you can move it for an extra fee. I know this is not ideal but these are some options I can think of, off the top of my head. We were hoping for April wedding as well but then we thought it would be pushing it so we agreed to leave the planning for later.

Most wedding vendors are nice people and they were probably aware one of you is coming from abroad so erring on the side of extreme positivity I think they will be willing to work with you to move it slightly.

I hope this helps and rooting for your speedy approval!

[TheAndies 50]

Hey guys! This is the first time I have come to this forum so forgive me if I am asking something that others have already asked.

Quick question: we got an RFE yesterday. Those of you who are now approved but got an RFE first, how long did it take to get an approval after you sent in the evidence they wanted?

Also - how long does it seem to be taking NVC to get our papers out of there? I'm asking because we have planned our whole wedding (paid vendors and all) for April 11. But now, with an RFE in the picture, it seems almost impossible. I've been crying all night and this morning. I'm so sick of this. This is people's LIVES they are dealing with. It's so discouraging to know that there is NOTHING we can do.

Hi there!

First of all, despite the RFE, congrats - it means they touched your file. We got our RFE in November, and fortunately it was something of a quick fix (I forgot to check the boxes about "have you ever been convicted of _____") which was so dumb of me, but again, an easy fix. So I was able to fix it and overnight it back to TSC the next day. It depends on what your RFE is for - if it's something your fiance needs to send you (i.e. letter of intent) then it'll add on a few more days. So here was our timeline, so you can get a basic gist:

RFE: 11/12

RFE Received (USCIS Status updated): 11/20

NOA2: 12/9

I know our respective beneficiaries are at different countries, so looking at my current timeline (or signature) might be different but I'm hoping my fiance will officially be here by April (but that's with resignation at work and preparing things to ship, etc. after the interview). Maybe check out timelines of people from Costa Rica - best bet would be to check out recent embassy reviews, you can see users full timelines and get a sense of how long it took for them post-NOA2:

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=Costa%20Rica

As for the NVC stage, it really depends - sometimes it's there for a couple of days then shipped to the embassy, sometimes it goes into AP while there or, in some rare and truly awful cases, it gets lost in transit (again, rare).

Where any of this leaves you in regards to your wedding that's already planned, I really have no idea. I hope it works out for you. Good luck and keep us posted!

Edited January 29, 2015 by TheAndies

[genr87 53]

Thank you all. We are extremely happy for the approval. Now we just have to wait on the passport.

[sam072113 19]

My fiances medical is next Friday. One step closer :-)

[HafsaJawwad 39]

My case is still not sent to NVC yet. I know it's not really that long and they had weather delays but I was hoping it would be sent after a couple days. Does that mean it's in AP?

[genr87 53]

My case is still not sent to NVC yet. I know it's not really that long and they had weather delays but I was hoping it would be sent after a couple days. Does that mean it's in AP?

No, it means it's just sitting there in TSC. When it gets sent, you case status will be updated and says something like SENT TO DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

[TabeaK 517]

I think he means his case is sitting AT NVC as his profile lists NVC received as 01/20/15.

[HafsaJawwad 39]

Oh sorry sorry! I meant to say that it is not yet sent to embassy. It's at NVC and I got my case number on the 20th.

[usmsbow 801]

Oh sorry sorry! I meant to say that it is not yet sent to embassy. It's at NVC and I got my case number on the 20th.

My case changed to "In Transit" after 7 days, and actually didn't leave NVC until this past Monday.

And yes, with them being closed all of Tuesday and a big chunk of Wednesday, I wouldn't be too worried yet.

[HafsaJawwad 39]

My case changed to "In Transit" after 7 days, and actually didn't leave NVC until this past Monday.

And yes, with them being closed all of Tuesday and a big chunk of Wednesday, I wouldn't be too worried yet.

Ah okay I'll just try and be more patient and see what happens in the next couple of weeks hopefully Thanks!

[ayla_42 39]

Yeayyy our case is in transit!!

Soo will i get a notice on the CEAC website saying consulate received it?

[TheAndies 50]

Yeayyy our case is in transit!!

Soo will i get a notice on the CEAC website saying consulate received it?

YAY! Yup - it'll say "Ready" when it makes it there Keep us posted!

[ayla_42 39]

YAY! Yup - it'll say "Ready" when it makes it there Keep us posted!

Thanks!! Its getting close now! I can't wait!

I can't believe yamens case still hasn't made it to the NVC