February 2015 IR-1 / CR-1 Filers

[BHSMama 4]

HELP my fellow Feb filers!!!!!!! I called NVC and was told for some strange reason my case is locked!!!!!!! He then told me to pay the AOS fee and full out the form, i told him i did that already and its still showing paid. He then suggested that i summit some form online choose my agent, state my reason etc and the IV will be available to be paidetc..... help I'm so confused!!!!!!! Could it be the reason for my case being lock the result of them releasing the IV to be paid hence my 15 day to review is on Monday? Thanks in advanced.

[MsJC 5]

HELP my fellow Feb filers!!!!!!! I called NVC and was told for some strange reason my case is locked!!!!!!! He then told me to pay the AOS fee and full out the form, i told him i did that already and its still showing paid. He then suggested that i summit some form online choose my agent, state my reason etc and the IV will be available to be paidetc..... help I'm so confused!!!!!!! Could it be the reason for my case being lock the result of them releasing the IV to be paid hence my 15 day to review is on Monday? Thanks in advanced.

Hi BHSMama, by looking at your timeline, I noticed that you paid your AOS Fee, and you already filled out your agent form (DS-261). It could be your case is "locked' for the reason that the IV fee is to be release on your CEAC website to be paid, therefore, giving you access to the DS-260. Try logging in at a later time to see if it shows to be able to pay it. Please don't get worried.

If I were you, I would get ready to get all the documents to fill out the DS-260. http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Submit_Visa_Application.html Here is a link to download a sample of the application, it really helps downloading it, and pre fill it out so you can quickly do it, when it is available to you. Best of Luck!

[FabtheFab 67]

HELP my fellow Feb filers!!!!!!! I called NVC and was told for some strange reason my case is locked!!!!!!! He then told me to pay the AOS fee and full out the form, i told him i did that already and its still showing paid. He then suggested that i summit some form online choose my agent, state my reason etc and the IV will be available to be paidetc..... help I'm so confused!!!!!!! Could it be the reason for my case being lock the result of them releasing the IV to be paid hence my 15 day to review is on Monday? Thanks in advanced.

Your case being locked for 2-3 days is normal, but more than that it's not. My daughter's was locked for 15 days, and we only got ahead by being sent to a supervisor review. But there is no reason to panic yet.

Call them every day starting from Monday. Ask them politely if they can review your DS-261 - if they say no, keep your calm and ask them why they can't do it. Write down the reason - they'll probably say "it's locked" or "someone else is working on it".

After some four days if it's still locked, call back and say "May I please speak to a supervisor - I understand that someone has been working on my case, but the DS-261 is a very simple form and it should not take 3-4 days for someone to review it". The NVC rep may say no, but always be kind and insist politely - and if you still can't get it, call again and try it with someone else.

This is not a big reason to panic - kamw and I got our cases locked and we both are CC right now. Everything will be fine!

Please let us know how it went, good luck!

PS - By the way, they will only release the IV fee after you review your DS-261, so you don't need to worry about that. For now, try to concentrate to get them to review your DS-261 so you can get ahead.

Edited September 19, 2015 by BRlove

[kamw 93]

Your case being locked for 2-3 days is normal, but more than that it's not. My daughter's was locked for 15 days, and we only got ahead by being sent to a supervisor review. But there is no reason to panic yet.

Call them every day starting from Monday. Ask them politely if they can review your DS-261 - if they say no, keep your calm and ask them why they can't do it. Write down the reason - they'll probably say "it's locked" or "someone else is working on it".

After some four days if it's still locked, call back and say "May I please speak to a supervisor - I understand that someone has been working on my case, but the DS-261 is a very simple form and it should not take 3-4 days for someone to review it". The NVC rep may say no, but always be kind and insist politely - and if you still can't get it, call again and try it with someone else.

This is not a big reason to panic - kamw and I got our cases locked and we both are CC right now. Everything will be fine!

Please let us know how it went, good luck!

PS - By the way, they will only release the IV fee after you review your DS-261, so you don't need to worry about that. For now, try to concentrate to get them to review your DS-261 so you can get ahead.

I consign with everything said. Try to call everyday. Be nice and just ask questions so you sound like you know what's going on. They will give you more info if you sound like someone already told the details. Ask why is it locked? How much longer do they anticipated it being locked? Are they updating something and is that why they pulled it back? Can a supervisor get it unlocked today? What can you do to get it unlocked and move to the next step? Just various questions. Stay polite and friendly-as much as you can.

Once they tell you a sup will call you back a few times call and ask to be transferred to one asap. Remain polite but insistent. Once you get to a supervisor it literally takes 2-3 minutes before you can be on your way.

Edited September 21, 2015 by kamw

[BHSMama 4]

Thanks for responding, i called back that every same day and spoke to a lady, she didn't mention anything about the case being locked, she said its being worked on and by the end of this week call back every thing should be in the system by then. So fingers crossed this week will be the week for me to be able to pay the IV fee and submit the DS-260.

[24KGEM 1]

I have been trying to reach the NVC to get my case number for several days. I have been unable to get through. The message "due to the large number of calls .... please call back later". What is the best time to call? My case was approved Sept. 8 at CSC. Thanks!

[A-square 31]

I have been trying to reach the NVC to get my case number for several days. I have been unable to get through. The message "due to the large number of calls .... please call back later". What is the best time to call? My case was approved Sept. 8 at CSC. Thanks!

It's better to call as early as possible, around 7:30 or 8 AM. Or, close to closing time, around 11PM EST. My husband liked calling them at night.

[IonelaC. 32]

I have been trying to reach the NVC to get my case number for several days. I have been unable to get through. The message "due to the large number of calls .... please call back later". What is the best time to call? My case was approved Sept. 8 at CSC. Thanks!

Hey! I think it depends... for example, for me I got through easier when I called them around 10-10:30 am than when I called at 7:00 am. I also had couple of times when I redialed 40x till I got through... So, just keep on calling and redial as many times as you can.

When you do get through and get a rep to answer, make sure you get the case number and also IIN. You will need both to login on ceac.state.gov

Good luck!

[brentos 53]

I have been trying to reach the NVC to get my case number for several days. I have been unable to get through. The message "due to the large number of calls .... please call back later". What is the best time to call? My case was approved Sept. 8 at CSC. Thanks!

Sometimes you just need to redial over and over. You will hear that message and then on one call what he said is a bit different and it means you got through. But yeah just redial. I find night time after like 9:30est to be the best time. Or early morning.

[24KGEM 1]

So I finally got through to NVC and the representative said it will take 35 days from the approval date for them to get the files in their office and that it was not there yet. How do I determine if my file has left CSC yet?

[MsJC 5]

So I finally got through to NVC and the representative said it will take 35 days from the approval date for them to get the files in their office and that it was not there yet. How do I determine if my file has left CSC yet?

Hi, normally the USCIS.gov website states on there when the file has been sent to NVC, Go in there and click on "check your case status" (if there are no glitches) it should say "Case sent to Dept of State (NVC)" and it should give you a date when the case was sent. There have been people say that their status never changes on there, if that is the case, I suggest calling USCIS to know when it got sent over to NVC. Hope this helps!

[BHSMama 4]

Hello Feb filers...... Just a little up date, I finally got my DS-261 review on the phone. I pray that the IV fee and DS-260 become available soon for payment and filing. Have a bless and provocative day/week.

[jrgequisetum 0]

Hi, first time I encounter this post. I filed i1-30 in February, received AO1 FEB13. I barely sent my package to NVC SEP 14, they received it the 15. Didn't send police certificate till yesterday, but good news is they will receive it later today SEP 24 at around 10:00am. I didn't send a translation for it.. Thought that would have taken two extra days to get one, so I just sent it without it, Ima take my chances and wish on luck that they have someone who reads freaggin Spanish! Besides, the country being applied from is Mexico! I did send translations for birth certificate and wedding certificate. I wish all of you the best of luck with everything. My timeline is updated for everyone's sake. I just wish I had know about this thread along time ago.

Edited September 24, 2015 by jrgequisetum

[jrgequisetum 0]

Hi, first time I encounter this post. I filed i1-30 in February, received AO1 FEB13. I barely sent my package to NVC SEP 14, they received it the 15. Didn't send police certificate till yesterday, but good news is they will receive it later today SEP 24 at around 10:00am. I didn't send a translation for it.. Thought that would have taken two extra days to get one, so I just sent it without it, Ima take my chances and wish on luck that they have someone who reads freaggin Spanish! Besides, the country being applied from is Mexico! I did send translations for birth certificate and wedding certificate. I wish all of you the best of luck with everything. My timeline is updated for everyone's sake. I just wish I had know about this thread along time ago.

Original and photocopy of petitioners long form birth certificate (not an abstract) and applicants birth certificate. Applicants with non-English or non-Spanish birth certificates must submit a notarized translation with the original and a photocopy.

[lbreal1 16]

Today makes it 22 days since my document scanned date at NVC. Still waiting for my CC. Are any more February filers waiting for their CC and it has been more than 22 days?