February 2015 IR-1 / CR-1 Filers

[jayisis 13]

I have no idea. Ever since I've been at NVC they have been saying it's locked. There explanation is it's new and they are still putting our info into the system. i just don't know if i need to just keep calling and trying to get different people or if they really just can't. I'm going to call again today and hope I get somewhere.

How long does it typically take for them to review the DS260 if they can't do it over the phone?

I don't know what option you are selecting but personally i have had luck with selecting no option. Instead, I just wait for the next available person, who always seems to be more capable than the ones who are tied to certain tasks.

Just my personal suggestion.. then ask what you can do to get it unlocked. Is the system waiting some input from you? Suggest to them that the system is not "locked," it's just waiting for your ds261 to be reviewed!! Try keywords like can you "help" me "go over" the ds261..?

Edited August 28, 2015 by jayisis

[kamw 93]

I don't know what option you are selecting but personally i have had luck with selecting no option. Instead, I just wait for the next available person, who always seems to be more capable than the ones who are tied to certain tasks.

Just my personal suggestion.. then ask what you can do to get it unlocked. Is the system waiting some input from you? Suggest to them that the system is not "locked," it's just waiting for your ds261 to be reviewed!! Try keywords like can you "help" me "go over" the ds261..?

Just got off the phone...again.

I've selected no option previously and pressed 5 today-same result.

Yesterday when I called I just said I wanted to add my email and the lady said it was locked. This was after they verified my phone number and my husband's email address. She was very dismissive and just wanted me off the phone.

Today I told the rep that the person I spoke with Tuesday told me that she was putting in a supervisor review to get it unlocked and I wanted to see if it would be unlocked so I could add my email. She told me it was still locked then put me on hold to see if she could unlock it. I could clearly hear her in the background discussing how to get it unlocked with someone else. Then she actually put me on hold for a few minutes, came back and said she can't unlock it. Asked her how long should i wait to call back and how long does it take for them to review the DS 261- she sd 42 days but she's going to send another request to unlock it and then maybe they can review it quicker.

Some of them just don't want to help but a couple I've spoken to genuinely seemed to not know how to get it unlocked, I'm going to call in the evening just in case she did get someone to unlock it. This is really frustrating.

[IonelaC. 32]

Just got off the phone...again.

I've selected no option previously and pressed 5 today-same result.

Yesterday when I called I just said I wanted to add my email and the lady said it was locked. This was after they verified my phone number and my husband's email address. She was very dismissive and just wanted me off the phone.

Today I told the rep that the person I spoke with Tuesday told me that she was putting in a supervisor review to get it unlocked and I wanted to see if it would be unlocked so I could add my email. She told me it was still locked then put me on hold to see if she could unlock it. I could clearly hear her in the background discussing how to get it unlocked with someone else. Then she actually put me on hold for a few minutes, came back and said she can't unlock it. Asked her how long should i wait to call back and how long does it take for them to review the DS 261- she sd 42 days but she's going to send another request to unlock it and then maybe they can review it quicker.

Some of them just don't want to help but a couple I've spoken to genuinely seemed to not know how to get it unlocked, I'm going to call in the evening just in case she did get someone to unlock it. This is really frustrating.

Ummm :/ Are you calling from the US? Whenever I call the NVC, i just press 1 - for English, 1 - for "yes, got an approved case, bla bla bla" (not really listening to all of what the machine says) and then again 1 - for I agree to wait until a rep can help me. That's how I got my DS-261 reviewed over the phone :/ and that's how I did today when calling to ask about some "financial" stuff.

On another note, on their website is saying that it takes 15 days for them to review the DS-261: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/approved/Step_1_Choose_an_agent.html

I know it gets pretty frustrating.. I actually had an argue with my hubby today, about this exhausting and so confusing process. But hang in there! You've waited for 5 month for USCIS to approve the case and you're so close now to the finish line. Don't lose hope! Just keep on calling NVC!

[kamw 93]

I called from within the US. in my experience pressing all most any option gets you to the same place. (I've pressed nothing, 1,4 and 5).

Yea I called back cause I got really frustrated and started looking up housing prices in different Caribbean islands(lol).

i called back to see if they got the packets I mailed mid week and right off the bat the lady (kinda rude) sd she can see my info but won't be able to do anything. She explained that sometimes they put in the info and "push it out" and then realize they need to ensure everything is in there so they "pull it back" and do a "folder review". She claimed that it was in the process of being pushed out again. It could be a bunch of baloney but she sounded experienced and truthful. NVC did receive my case within 4 day and gave me the case number really quickly so maybe it was rushed and they forgot something.Told me to call back next week instead of giving me the standard time frame of 42 days.

[Flaco 0]

Hi everyone. I filed my ds261 choose of agent 3 days ago. What do i do now?

[ssk2331 13]

Hahaha.. hmm how do you think it is better to wait? Is tax transcript better proof than w2 and return?

Tax transcripts plus current pay stubs for last few months, and a current employment letter kf possible is the best way to go. Good luck!

[IonelaC. 32]

Hi everyone. I filed my ds261 choose of agent 3 days ago. What do i do now?

Hi Flaco! Well, now you are supposed to wait for 15 days for them to review it. After that they will invoice you for the IV fee. BUT, what people have been doing, and what I've done as well, we called the NVC and got them to review it on the phone. I actually did that yesterday. So give it till next week and call them and ask them nicely to review your DS-261. Then you wait for the IV fee to be available for payment.

[BHSMama 4]

Congrats to everyone moving forward closer and closer to the finish line. To everyone one else waiting upon approvals etc. Hold firm nothing happens before its time! I know easier said than done. Have a bless and provocative weekend, I ask that you'll pray for us (Caribbean/Miami) that this hurricane to shall passed with out causing and major damages etc. You'll be bless and thank you in advance!

[jayisis 13]

Tax transcripts plus current pay stubs for last few months, and a current employment letter kf possible is the best way to go. Good luck!

I was told by a lady at nvc that most recent pay stub will suffice, so i sent that and previous 3 tax transcripts (they only care about 2014.) The wording on my employment letter did not read well to me so i didn't send it. Most recent pay stub has year to date information to show above poverty income and obvious employment when documents were sent. Logically speaking, that should be enough.

Edited August 28, 2015 by jayisis

[BHSMama 4]

Hey Feb filers! Just a little update, just got off the phone with Nvc spoke to a very nice lady who gave me my case number and Inn. Im so excited forgot what's next?

[jayisis 13]

Hey Feb filers! Just a little update, just got off the phone with Nvc spoke to a very nice lady who gave me my case number and Inn. Im so excited forgot what's next?

Very cool, you can login and check if your aos fee is available to pay yet. Sometimes it takes a day, or in my case it took until Monday

[kamw 93]

Hey Feb filers! Just a little update, just got off the phone with Nvc spoke to a very nice lady who gave me my case number and Inn. Im so excited forgot what's next?

LOL

ceac.state.gov

fill out the DS 261 and pay the AOS fee if possible.

Hurry up and do it before Erika show up and steal the electricity. Dominica seems to have been hit hard. It's been so long that I forgot what a hurricane feels like. Are you guys ready for it?

[jayisis 13]

Btw, natural disasters or threats to spouse can be cause for expediting case, or so i thought. .

But i hope there is no disaster and you all are safe

[MsJC 5]

I am so eager to call NVC to know if they scanned my Docs to the system, since I know they received them yesterday. But, I want to keep away and let a few days pass and just wait for the email from them to state the information. Gotta be patient!!!!! haha.

[kmurcia 0]

yesterday 8/27 send AOS & IV PACKAGE, send it overnight and usps Traking number shows delivery at 11:30 am, how long before they update it to the file?

its been 8 days since i paid AOS BILL and submit ds 261and i haven't seen any change on my file other than it shows "paid"

any suggestion? other than keep on waiting .....