APRIL FILERS AFTER NOA2 - NVC (CSC)

[ccmerwin 1]

yep! it has to be on company letterhead, it has to have your name (obviously lol) your job title and duties (my job was not able to put my duties in the letter so i printed out my job description from our internal website and attached it), your start date, whether you're full or part time and your salary. make sure they sign it! and make sure you include recent pay stubs (closer to the date of the interview) to prove that you're still employed there.

Thank you shellymarie!!

[marriedtothesea 1]

Hi fellow canadians! I'm still waiting for case # from NVC but getting things ready in the meantime!

Just wanted to confirm a few things with you guys as you might know more specifically! I'm probably going to Montreal as I live in Toronto.

1) Did you submit the DS-160 form just prior to sending off your Packet 3 by email to the consulate? Or can you submit this before?

2) When you email the packet 3 back to Montreal, you just included the confirmation receipt, the checklist, passport page? Did you send the actual DS-160 PDF or the documents in the checklist (police clearance, birth certificate etc..?) as a scanned document as well?

3) I read something about paying! and we could either pay at NVC or at consulate? Is that applicable to Montreal as well?

Thanks for all your help!!

all of this is what we did for vancouver, so while it might be the same as montreal i don't want to give you any information that would be wrong for you.

1) my fiancé started filling out the DS-160 before our case was even at the consulate, but didn't submit it until he had received packet 3. i don't see why you couldn't submit it sooner though.

2) when he emailed packet 3 back to them, he just printed out the checklist, completed it, scanned it back in as a pdf and sent it. the other stuff isn't needed until the interview.

3) he paid when he scheduled his interview.

[CD2015 6]

all of this is what we did for vancouver, so while it might be the same as montreal i don't want to give you any information that would be wrong for you.

1) my fiancé started filling out the DS-160 before our case was even at the consulate, but didn't submit it until he had received packet 3. i don't see why you couldn't submit it sooner though.

2) when he emailed packet 3 back to them, he just printed out the checklist, completed it, scanned it back in as a pdf and sent it. the other stuff isn't needed until the interview.

3) he paid when he scheduled his interview.

Awesome!! Thanks so much!! Good luck with the interview!

Edited July 10, 2015 by CD2015

[clarkthegiraffe 10]

Hi everyone,

It's been a month since we received the NOA2 and I got sick of seeing an empty mailbox - so I called the NVC today and was transferred (after a 25 minute wait) and received my case number. The guy on the phone said it was still at the NVC. I still haven't received any instructions in the mail, and I feel like I'm not doing enough. What should I have done besides what I'm going to send to the embassy? Also, nothing shows up on the CEAC tracker. Should I be worried?

Sorry if my question isn't well worded, I'm at work and the stress here on top of the visa is making it really hard to keep everything in order. I keep telling myself to breathe, we already have the NOA2 and should be happy about it, but... I can't even see the light at the end of the tunnel!

[shellymarie 24]

you got your case number...so you're on the right track. did they say when the case number was assigned? chances are you may not receive anything in the mail from NVC.

the next step from NVC is for them to send it to the embassy (which should be a few days from the date the case number was assigned...thats why i asked if they gave you a date). if the case number was just assigned within the last few days, then it could be on it's way to the embassy now.

as far as the CEAC website, (i'm not 100% sure on this because i didn't even check the CEAC website prior to filling out my DS160) BUT *i believe* filling out the DS160 would initiate your case showing up on the CEAC tracker thing? (can someone clarify that)? but it won't say "ready" until the embassy receives it. at that point, you would get instructions from the embassy (time for receiving that information varies by country). also, for the CEAC tracker, make sure you're using the immigrant visa status checker, not the non immigrant one, or else nothing will show up.

i'm going through brazil embassy too, feel free to message me with any questions. i've gotten a TON of good information from someone who just recently went through the process and is in america since april.

Hi everyone,

It's been a month since we received the NOA2 and I got sick of seeing an empty mailbox - so I called the NVC today and was transferred (after a 25 minute wait) and received my case number. The guy on the phone said it was still at the NVC. I still haven't received any instructions in the mail, and I feel like I'm not doing enough. What should I have done besides what I'm going to send to the embassy? Also, nothing shows up on the CEAC tracker. Should I be worried?

Sorry if my question isn't well worded, I'm at work and the stress here on top of the visa is making it really hard to keep everything in order. I keep telling myself to breathe, we already have the NOA2 and should be happy about it, but... I can't even see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Edited July 10, 2015 by shellymarie

[kikibozu 24]

you got your case number...so you're on the right track. did they say when the case number was assigned? chances are you may not receive anything in the mail from NVC.

the next step from NVC is for them to send it to the embassy (which should be a few days from the date the case number was assigned...thats why i asked if they gave you a date). if the case number was just assigned within the last few days, then it could be on it's way to the embassy now.

as far as the CEAC website, (i'm not 100% sure on this because i didn't even check the CEAC website prior to filling out my DS160) BUT *i believe* filling out the DS160 would initiate your case showing up on the CEAC tracker thing? (can someone clarify that)? but it won't say "ready" until the embassy receives it. at that point, you would get instructions from the embassy (time for receiving that information varies by country). also, for the CEAC tracker, make sure you're using the immigrant visa status checker, not the non immigrant one, or else nothing will show up.

i'm going through brazil embassy too, feel free to message me with any questions. i've gotten a TON of good information from someone who just recently went through the process and is in america since april.

No, you just need a case number in order for your case to show up at CEAC.

Also, DO NOT fill out the DS-160 until you receive packet 3/instructions from the embassy to do so. You don't want to end up like this filer, who went all the way to the embassy only to be turned away because they filled it out and scheduled too early: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/556240-refused-entry-at-embassy-even-w-interview-confirmation/

[kikibozu 24]

Also, has anyone scheduled their interview through usvisa-info? We're having issues and the Paris embassy isn't answering. I'm not sure if the problems are country-specific, or if it has something to do with the US govt's recent technical problems with the visa/passport system.

[shellymarie 24]

thanks for clarifying that!!

i read that story too. unfortunately, i did already do my DS160 (before the incident with the other vj-er took place). but before i did, i checked with a fellow vj-er who i mentioned above, who already went through the process for brazil, and was told that the ds-160 could be filled out at any time, as long as i dont schedule anything. which i didn't, and won't until i get the "ok" from the embassy. hopefully that won't cause a problem! i think the problem with the case you referenced is that he actually scheduled the interview before getting packet 3 "Mr. XXXXXXX arranged an appointment by himself via our appointment system –without having received instructions from us to do so." Either way, if i could go back in time, i would have waited just so i wouldnt stress myself out lol!

Regarding your newest post: what kind of problems are you having with the interview scheduling site? did you only email them or did you try calling too? i'll let you know if i hear or read anything!

No, you just need a case number in order for your case to show up at CEAC.

Also, DO NOT fill out the DS-160 until you receive packet 3/instructions from the embassy to do so. You don't want to end up like this filer, who went all the way to the embassy only to be turned away because they filled it out and scheduled too early: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/556240-refused-entry-at-embassy-even-w-interview-confirmation/

[kikibozu 24]

thanks for clarifying that!!

i read that story too. unfortunately, i did already do my DS160 (before the incident with the other vj-er took place). but before i did, i checked with a fellow vj-er who i mentioned above, who already went through the process for brazil, and was told that the ds-160 could be filled out at any time, as long as i dont schedule anything. which i didn't, and won't until i get the "ok" from the embassy. hopefully that won't cause a problem! i think the problem with the case you referenced is that he actually scheduled the interview before getting packet 3 "Mr. XXXXXXX arranged an appointment by himself via our appointment system –without having received instructions from us to do so." Either way, if i could go back in time, i would have waited just so i wouldnt stress myself out lol!

Regarding your newest post: what kind of problems are you having with the interview scheduling site? did you only email them or did you try calling too? i'll let you know if i hear or read anything!

Ah. Well I hope that doesn't cause issues for you! I wish they would provide a link to the DS-160 only in packet 3 (and not before) to avoid all this confusion.

As for us, we received packet 3/filled out the DS-160/prepared all the paperwork/scheduled the medical about 1 month ago, but didn't schedule the interview yet because usvisa-info was only scheduling July dates, and we wanted a date in August when we'll both be in Paris and can do the interview together. We didn't worry about it and assumed we'd get that date because we check the available spots every day. However, 1 month later, August dates are still not available on usvisa-info, and we're getting anxious. The Paris embassy is not reachable by phone, only e-mail, and even there they aren't responding. The only thing they've done is post a message on their contact page saying that they've been affected by the recent technical problems.

Edit: I should also add that I took this up in the regional forum, and they assured me I'd be able to schedule August dates by now. Ugh.

Edited July 10, 2015 by kikibozu

[shellymarie 24]

oh no

I'm sure you've already done all your research and everything, and i'm probably misunderstanding...but if you go to the embassy page, click on contact like you said, i see the message you referred to...but if you click on the "If you are experiencing problems with the appointment process, please visit here: NIV Appointments" link...it brings you to another page that says "The call center CAN help you with the following: Schedule or reschedule your appointment as an alternative to doing this online. Local Number: +33-1-82-88-29-57 If you are calling from within the United States, please dial +1.703.543.9342." i know for this process we are considered "immigrant visas" but.......maybe it wouldn't hurt to try? just play dumb and say you didn't know lol and MAYBE they can just give you some information as to what's going on? like i said, i'm sure you've already considered or done this! but just in case, thought it might help

please let us know what happens! good luck!

Ah. Well I hope that doesn't cause issues for you! I wish they would provide a link to the DS-160 only in packet 3 (and not before) to avoid all this confusion.

As for us, we received packet 3/filled out the DS-160/prepared all the paperwork/scheduled the medical about 1 month ago, but didn't schedule the interview yet because usvisa-info was only scheduling July dates, and we wanted a date in August when we'll both be in Paris and can do the interview together. We didn't worry about it and assumed we'd get that date because we check the available spots every day. However, 1 month later, August dates are still not available on usvisa-info, and we're getting anxious. The Paris embassy is not reachable by phone, only e-mail, and even there they aren't responding. The only thing they've done is post a message on their contact page saying that they've been affected by the recent technical problems.

Edit: I should also add that I took this up in the regional forum, and they assured me I'd be able to schedule August dates by now. Ugh.

[shellymarie 24]

ps. kikibozu...i just checked the brazil embassy website and i don't see anything about the technical issues. maybe it is just country specific.

[kikibozu 24]

oh no

I'm sure you've already done all your research and everything, and i'm probably misunderstanding...but if you go to the embassy page, click on contact like you said, i see the message you referred to...but if you click on the "If you are experiencing problems with the appointment process, please visit here: NIV Appointments" link...it brings you to another page that says "The call center CAN help you with the following: Schedule or reschedule your appointment as an alternative to doing this online. Local Number: +33-1-82-88-29-57 If you are calling from within the United States, please dial +1.703.543.9342." i know for this process we are considered "immigrant visas" but.......maybe it wouldn't hurt to try? just play dumb and say you didn't know lol and MAYBE they can just give you some information as to what's going on? like i said, i'm sure you've already considered or done this! but just in case, thought it might help

please let us know what happens! good luck!

Whoa, I had no idea about that number! Gonna call ASAP. Thank you so much shellymarie, you're the best!

[Nataly222 0]

Ah. Well I hope that doesn't cause issues for you! I wish they would provide a link to the DS-160 only in packet 3 (and not before) to avoid all this confusion.

As for us, we received packet 3/filled out the DS-160/prepared all the paperwork/scheduled the medical about 1 month ago, but didn't schedule the interview yet because usvisa-info was only scheduling July dates, and we wanted a date in August when we'll both be in Paris and can do the interview together. We didn't worry about it and assumed we'd get that date because we check the available spots every day. However, 1 month later, August dates are still not available on usvisa-info, and we're getting anxious. The Paris embassy is not reachable by phone, only e-mail, and even there they aren't responding. The only thing they've done is post a message on their contact page saying that they've been affected by the recent technical problems.

Edit: I should also add that I took this up in the regional forum, and they assured me I'd be able to schedule August dates by now. Ugh.

Kikibozu, I thought we had the same interview date? August 13th.

Well I had no idea about this story it's frightening me a little because I have already filled out my ds-160 and scheduled my interview... I read around that this was okay to do. My embassy isn't paris its juarez, Mexico but regardless im a little worried now they should really specify better. Nowhere have I read that it isn't okay to go ahead with the process without recieving packet 3 because I've heard of people never even recieving packet 3.

maybe I'm doing things in a bit of a rush but if I were to wait for packet 3 my fiancé would probably risk not being able to be in the states in time for the birth of our baby... >_< slightly stressed out now

[kikibozu 24]

Kikibozu, I thought we had the same interview date? August 13th.

Well I had no idea about this story it's frightening me a little because I have already filled out my ds-160 and scheduled my interview... I read around that this was okay to do. My embassy isn't paris its juarez, Mexico but regardless im a little worried now they should really specify better. Nowhere have I read that it isn't okay to go ahead with the process without recieving packet 3 because I've heard of people never even recieving packet 3.

maybe I'm doing things in a bit of a rush but if I were to wait for packet 3 my fiancé would probably risk not being able to be in the states in time for the birth of our baby... >_< slightly stressed out now

I jumped the gun and assumed we'd be able to schedule it this week. I will be in France with my fiancé from August to December anyway, I was just hoping to get it out of the way ASAP. Anyway, hopefully we get this cleared up next week, and I learned my lesson: don't assume things will go as planned when it comes to immigration! Haha.

And that's the thing: nobody told any of us French/American filers either that it wasn't okay to schedule the interview prior to receiving packet 3. If you're at all unsure, please check with your embassy.

[bluebook14 32]

Hello to all of you! Finally glad to be here and out of USCIS limbo!

Edited July 11, 2015 by bluebook14