NVC have lost our file - any advice hugely welcome

[jen2198 5]

Oh no. I can't believe this. Am lost for words. And, in shock.

USCIS gave us our NOA and passed our file to NVC 10 weeks ago, but we've not heard from NVC - despite repeatedly emailing them on their suggested contact form, and trying to get through on the phone.

Finally got through to them on the phone today...

They HAVE LOST OUR FILE??? Oh no. can this really be true? And, what can we do about it?

(Am hoping the person answering the call made a mistake, and our case is actually being processed - hoping.... but, guess unlikely...)

Does anyone have any advice, or similar experience we can learn from. Not sure what to do next. Do we need to start again, from the beginning? Feel like crying and giving up. But, won't. We'll get through it, no matter how long it takes. But what do we do now?

thanks x

[Ning 619]

Oh no. I can't believe this. Am lost for words. And, in shock.

USCIS gave us our NOA and passed our file to NVC 10 weeks ago, but we've not heard from NVC - despite repeatedly emailing them on their suggested contact form, and trying to get through on the phone.

Finally got through to them on the phone today...

They HAVE LOST OUR FILE??? Oh no. can this really be true? And, what can we do about it?

(Am hoping the person answering the call made a mistake, and our case is actually being processed - hoping.... but, guess unlikely...)

Does anyone have any advice, or similar experience we can learn from. Not sure what to do next. Do we need to start again, from the beginning? Feel like crying and giving up. But, won't. We'll get through it, no matter how long it takes. But what do we do now?

thanks x

Your case is not lost. It appears to be but is not. Here is what experience taught me.

The last step at USCIS is to assign a bar code to the case file. The case is bundled with others forwarded to NVC. Until that bar code is scanned into the system the case doesn't exist. Could it possibly take 10 weeks? Yes.

Call USCIS asking them to call NVC. Ask if they have the bar code entered into the system at either or both places. You could also set Info Pass appointment with USCIS to sit down with them which you can not do with NVC.

[jen2198 5]

Am so very very happy to hear that. THANK YOU for sharing your experience - will contact USCIS xxx

[cdneh 3,112]

We were told our case was 'lost' as well. In actuality, we were in AP on our K1, at NVC. Give USCIS a call. All is not lost

[jen2198 5]

Oh good. More encouraging news. So glad yours was all ok. Will check with USCIS. THANK YOU!!!

Oh good. More encouraging news. So glad yours was all ok. Will check with USCIS. THANK YOU!!!

[ForgottenNotes 12]

Loosing a file is grounds for dismissal aka someone loses their job - Per former USCIS adjuctor employee. Your case will make it through my friend

[Bebe2014 5]

you can go to thread : " NVC - STAGE " .

There are many people have the same status as you.

Some were approved in Sep, but still did not get case number.

[jen2198 5]

Thanks so much for all the replies and help.

We called USCIS as suggested - and really lucky we did - they checked and found that our file had, somehow got overlooked, and they'd not passed it over to NVC.

So, Great news that we don't have to start the application again from the beginning - but bad news that our case has sat 'lost' for the past 10 weeks. Oh my...

Guess the learning from this is the need to keep tracking and following the status of our application. And that, even if we've been told something (e.g. we'd spoken to USCIS weeks ago and they told us our file had been passed on) to still double-check.

Good luck to everyone with their own applications, hope they go well.

And, welcome to a whole HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[Ning 619]

Thanks so much for all the replies and help.

We called USCIS as suggested - and really lucky we did - they checked and found that our file had, somehow got overlooked, and they'd not passed it over to NVC.

So, Great news that we don't have to start the application again from the beginning - but bad news that our case has sat 'lost' for the past 10 weeks. Oh my...

Guess the learning from this is the need to keep tracking and following the status of our application. And that, even if we've been told something (e.g. we'd spoken to USCIS weeks ago and they told us our file had been passed on) to still double-check.

Good luck to everyone with their own applications, hope they go well.

And, welcome to a whole HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I suggest you use the situation to ask USCIS to now request expedite of case due to their error. There is a provision for this. Its meant to be applied at USCIS but they may be able to push NVC some.

I know from what my husband did that some time can be made up even at this point. My husband for example got the duty officer at the embassy to request the case from NVC.

What has happened is nothing new nor your fault. The system is badly flawed and only matters to those of us that end up in this black hole. You did well searching out some rational to the events. You were lucky to have had USCIS figure out where the case was.

[JRF 117]

Thanks so much for all the replies and help.

We called USCIS as suggested - and really lucky we did - they checked and found that our file had, somehow got overlooked, and they'd not passed it over to NVC.

So, Great news that we don't have to start the application again from the beginning - but bad news that our case has sat 'lost' for the past 10 weeks. Oh my...

Guess the learning from this is the need to keep tracking and following the status of our application. And that, even if we've been told something (e.g. we'd spoken to USCIS weeks ago and they told us our file had been passed on) to still double-check.

Good luck to everyone with their own applications, hope they go well.

And, welcome to a whole HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Same general sort of thing happened to us - USCIS lost track of the file, NVC never got the file, two or so months of back and forth. Not suprising given the antiquated nature of their computer systems, systems that don't "talk" with each other, an increasingly large workload, etc. Never forget that you are responsible for owning the case and seeing it through - and you'll make it through.

Best of luck and happy new year.

[jen2198 5]

Thanks Ning & JRF, for the advice and support!

USCIS have agreed to expedite the case, and given us an expedition number. Will follow this up with a call to the NVC when they open next week, and then also call the Embassy.

So happy that the file is moving again... will keep a very close eye on it.

[usmsbow 801]

Not to be cynical, but be mentally prepared to deal with more drama. I've put in 2 requests for USCIS to send my case to NVC, and it has yet to arrive there. The last request was an expedite one, and USCIS responded they'd be sending it to NVC "soon". Thanks for that vague answer USCIS!

Anyway, follow your case on USCIS' website to make sure your service request has been responded to. Honestly, I would not call NVC until about 2 weeks after USCIS has answered your service request.

I would also recommend e-mailing nvcresearch@state.gov and attaching a copy of your NOA2. They won't respond promptly, but they might e-mail you when they've received your NOA2 (that's happened for a few people on this board).

edit to add: you're one of about half a dozen people with mid-October NOA2 dates in your situation. You were lucky that USCIS admitted its mistake. For others, USCIS hasn't been that open. Hopefully we all will get this resolved ASAP.

Edited January 5, 2015 by usmsbow

[usmsbow 801]

Here is another thread on this topic:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/526480-noa2-to-nvc-have-you-been-waiting-more-than-a-month/

[jen2198 5]

Hiya - thanks for posting, emailing NVC research is a good idea.

And, you're absolutely right - there will be more drama. So not cynical at all.... just realistic!!! We're still chasing absolute confirmation that the USCIS are doing 'something' with our file, everyone we speak to there seems to have a different answer...

Thanks also for the link to the thread - will plug into it. Do hope your application also gets unstuck soon - sending many many good luck thoughts.

[JohnandAmy 7]

Oh no. I can't believe this. Am lost for words. And, in shock.

USCIS gave us our NOA and passed our file to NVC 10 weeks ago, but we've not heard from NVC - despite repeatedly emailing them on their suggested contact form, and trying to get through on the phone.

Finally got through to them on the phone today...

They HAVE LOST OUR FILE??? Oh no. can this really be true? And, what can we do about it?

(Am hoping the person answering the call made a mistake, and our case is actually being processed - hoping.... but, guess unlikely...)

Does anyone have any advice, or similar experience we can learn from. Not sure what to do next. Do we need to start again, from the beginning? Feel like crying and giving up. But, won't. We'll get through it, no matter how long it takes. But what do we do now?

thanks x

Our issue was similiar but different. In our situation, it took over 3 months to find out what happened to our paperwork. This was MANY phone calls to the NVC, being told our file had not been received and a few calls to the USCIS I had to contact my Senator's office for help. Turns out USCIS sent our paperwork to the wrong place. They sent our paperwork to the National Records Center instead of the National Visa Center. It was FINALLY found and the USCIS mailed it to the NVC. Our paperwork is finally at the Embassy.

Trust me, we felt just as gutted as you do. Felt so helpless and absolutely nothing he or I could do. We did not know if we would need to start over or what. It finally worked itself out but he could have already been here in the states by now if the paperwork had not been 'lost'.

Please keep us updated. I hope yours is found much faster than ours was.

Edited January 6, 2015 by JohnandAmy