Received NOA2, No NVC Case Number

[SM84 6]

Hi All,

We received our NOA2 on 29 December 2014 but we still haven't received contact from NVC with our case number. We have tried contacting NVC but we got the message that they are closed due to bad weather and when we tried today they were busy.

Can someone please advise what we need to do to get our case number? and what are the next steps? Do we need to wait till NVC replies or do we need to keep contacting them over the phone or email?

If I am immigrating from India after filing I-130 where would the consulate likely be Mumbai or Delhi?

Thanks.

[blabrada05 7]

The best thing is to call really early as soon as they open and if is busy you have to hang up and keep trying, I had to call like 20 times one time to get threw

[SM84 6]

I tried calling and keep getting the message that due to high call volume all representatives are busy. Is that the same message you got?

[blabrada05 7]

Yea same message I just kept pressing redial until I got threw

I tried calling and keep getting the message that due to high call volume all representatives are busy. Is that the same message you got?

[spousewaitingvisa 39]

Hi All,

We received our NOA2 on 29 December 2014 but we still haven't received contact from NVC with our case number. We have tried contacting NVC but we got the message that they are closed due to bad weather and when we tried today they were busy.

Can someone please advise what we need to do to get our case number? and what are the next steps? Do we need to wait till NVC replies or do we need to keep contacting them over the phone or email?

If I am immigrating from India after filing I-130 where would the consulate likely be Mumbai or Delhi?

Thanks.

I would keep redialing.

Are you a beneficary? If so, didn't your petitioner mention city/country on your petitioner's I-130 form petitioning you (beneficary)? If you have a copy of your I130 that your petitoner filed to USCIS, see question 22 on Part C of your petitioner's I-130. That would be your answer. After your petitoner calls NVC and gets your case number, you will see 3 letters of your case number (NWDxxxxxxxxx or BMBxxxxxxxxx). NWD stands for New Delhi. BMB stands for Mumbai (Bombay).

Edited February 5, 2015 by spousewaitingvisa

[C and S 9]

Keep calling NVC. and yes you will be put on hold for very long time and you have to hit redial before you could get thru.

We got our case number 38 days from NOA2.

[SM84 6]

@spousewaitingvisa: I checked the form and Q22 on Part C was left blank because the question in bold was

Complete the information below if your relative is in the United States and will be applying for adjustment of status.

Its only until you mentioned it that I saw the sub point below.

So your saying we could basically apply to any US embassy/consulate in India? By that it would mean I could choose from Chennai, NWD or BMB.

Considering that this was not mentioned on the I-130, what do you reckon we should do?

Please advise. Thanks.

[spousewaitingvisa 39]

@spousewaitingvisa: I checked the form and Q22 on Part C was left blank because the question in bold was

Complete the information below if your relative is in the United States and will be applying for adjustment of status.

Its only until you mentioned it that I saw the sub point below.

So your saying we could basically apply to any US embassy/consulate in India? By that it would mean I could choose from Chennai, NWD or BMB.

Considering that this was not mentioned on the I-130, what do you reckon we should do?

Please advise. Thanks.

uh-oh!! You should have answered on Question 22 of Part C:

If your relative is not eligible for adjustment of status, he or she will apply for a

visa abroad at the American consular post in: City __________ / Country ___________

1. If your beneficiary is in US on non-immigrant visa (like H-1, F-1, J-1 visas except visitor visa or non-dual intent visa), then you can apply for I-485.

2. If your beneficiary is not in US and is in Chennai or closer to Chennai (jurisdiction over your state), you should call USCIS with your USCIS case number, tell them that you didn't indicate city/country on Question 22 part C on your I-130 and that your beneficiary is in Chennai and your beneficiary would like to apply for a visa aboard at Chennai (Madras). Also, ask how much time it will reach NVC and you would like to receive the acknowledgment notice indicating Chennai or Madras. so that NVC will generate a new case number. Your code for Madras/Chennai's US Embasssy would be MDR. (new NVC case number will be like this: MDRxxxxxxxx). also, you will recieve invoice number. Both NVC case number and invoice number are very important! Tell them where your US embassy that your beneficiary lives near is (MDR, NWD, BMB) Case number can be explained on http://dictionary.findlaw.com/definition/case-number.html or look for code on the dropdownlist of pdf on http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare.html

I think it will not go to NVC if the answer on Q22 on Part C is blank. They will assume that your beneficiary is in US and let you apply for I-485. If your beneficiary is in US, just let USCIS know.

Don't panic because your petition was approved (you have NOA2), but don't wait and just call USCIS so your case can be sent to NVC and they can send you the acknowledgement notice.

Edited February 5, 2015 by spousewaitingvisa

[SM84 6]

That doesn't make sense cos we filled in N/A for all fields under that question. Like i said, our case has apparently reached NVC. Therefore should we ask NVC to have the consular post corrected? If we contact USCIS and have to wait for a new receipt number wouldn't that add to the delay?

I checked the NVC enquiry form and there is a drop down for Change Processing Post on the below URL

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/contact/ask-nvc.html

Was wondering if this is a better bet?

[spousewaitingvisa 39]

That doesn't make sense cos we filled in N/A for all fields under that question. Like i said, our case has apparently reached NVC. Therefore should we ask NVC to have the consular post corrected? If we contact USCIS and have to wait for a new receipt number wouldn't that add to the delay?

I checked the NVC enquiry form and there is a drop down for Change Processing Post on the below URL

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/contact/ask-nvc.html

Was wondering if this is a better bet?

Did your NOA2 say it has been sent to NVC? If so, maybe USCIS already determined by looking at your beneficiary's address (of India) and indicated your consulate on I-130 for you.

no, It won't delay if you contact USCIS because it is already approved. NVC will generate a new NVC number after NVC receives your approved I-130 petition along with evidences from USCIS service center.

See page 5 of http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Outreach/Notes%20from%20Previous%20Engagements/2013/AILA-USCIS-FOps-102313.pdf

[SM84 6]

So Madras or Chennai is not an option for Immigrant Visas, here's the link:

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/immigrantstous.html

So my nearest is BMB and I would actually prefer it there as well. I dont know if USCIS confused my N/A for NWD

Also, the reason for my concern to contact USCIS is cos it took 30 days to reach NVC and yes NOA2 said it was being sent to NVC. Have u had a chance to check that link where I mentioned that you could change your processing post by sending NVC an email?

[spousewaitingvisa 39]

So Madras or Chennai is not an option for Immigrant Visas, here's the link:

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/immigrantstous.html

So my nearest is BMB and I would actually prefer it there as well. I dont know if USCIS confused my N/A for NWD

Also, the reason for my concern to contact USCIS is cos it took 30 days to reach NVC and yes NOA2 said it was being sent to NVC. Have u had a chance to check that link where I mentioned that you could change your processing post by sending NVC an email?

Yes, I had chance to check the link that you mentioned. I haven't seen "ASK NVC" form before. I know that it will take a long time for NVC to respond to your online form of "ASK NVC". Also, about other link that you gave me, yeah I see that the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai no longer processes Immigrant Visa petitions. It would be best if you call NVC and ask for case number. If you encounter the case number begins with non-BMB, then you may tell them that your beneficiary would like to apply for IR-1/CR-1 visa in Mumbai (BMB) that you prefer and then they should generate a new NVC number begins with BMB. but not sure if they can change NVC number because your beneficiary's address must be closer to US Consulate jurisdiction based on US consulate/embassy rules. If it is BMB, then you are good to go!

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I tried calling and keep getting the message that due to high call volume all representatives are busy. Is that the same message you got?

Was there music playing too? If so you were in the queue to be talked to and by hanging up you lost your place. This is usually how a typical call to NVC goes:

1) Dial the number. It automatically hangs up because all lines are engaged

2) Repeat #1 anywhere from 1 to 500 times

3) Finally get through, press 1 for English or whatever number it is for Spanish

4) Music starts playing and automated voices tell you they're all busy and someone will answer your call. Don't hang up at this point.

5) After about 10 minutes to even possibly over an hour, someone will answer the phone and you can get your case number if it's ready.

Use Google Voice if you can, calls to the US are free if you call from within the US. Otherwise Skype is pretty cheap.

[SM84 6]

It says on the NOA2 that NVC determines which consular post is suitable and then forwards the application to that consulate?

Does that help?

[Ketsuban 1,034]

It says on the NOA2 that NVC determines which consular post is suitable and then forwards the application to that consulate?

Does that help?

If it says these words:

The above petition has been approved. We have sent the original visa petition to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC)

That means you're fine.

If it says:

The above petition has been approved. The petition indicates that the person for whom you are petitioning is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status. he or she should contact the local USCIS office to obtain For I-485, Application for Permanent Residence. A copy of this notice should be submitted with the application.

If the person for whom you are petitioning decides to apply for a visa outside the United States based on this petition, the petitioner should file Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, to request that we send the petition to the Department of State National Visa Center

Then you are not fine.