NVC Filers - September 2015

[NickAndGeraldine 6]

Just got off the phone with NVC to see why we still don't have a case complete after we got a checklist for the DS260 when it's been over 30 days. Oh it's taking 45 days now to review cases, don't call back until it's been 45 days. But your website and all the info says 30 days?? I asked about people getting case completes in 20 days or less and the rep basically said I was lying because she had never heard of that happening to anyone. Then I asked well what about us getting a checklist after 11 days. Oh you must have gotten really lucky because that never happens. I asked a million different ways trying to understand why it's taking so freaking long and each time was told it's perfectly normal and everything is taking 45 days now. They're about to hate me... I'll be calling morning and night now until it gets reviewed.

Are you doing EP? You can scan and email them then.

My 30-day timeline ends tomorrow, I got off the phone with NVC earlier tonight and they told me to give them a call if I don't hear anything within 35 days, not 30 anymore. This is ridiculous.

[katze101 4]

My 30-day timeline ends tomorrow, I got off the phone with NVC earlier tonight and they told me to give them a call if I don't hear anything within 35 days, not 30 anymore. This is ridiculous.

So 35 days for you and 45 days for me.... That makes soooo much sense *sarcasm*

I'm at 33 days... And each day that goes by I'm getting angrier and more stressed out.

[Sekhvaruli 74]

For those, who files expedite requests - I got the answer in 2 days, and they say I have to provide more information:

Dear Sir/Madam:

The Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC) is committed to the protection of personal information of visa applicants and their petitioners. To ensure the confidentiality of visa files and to prevent the unauthorized release of personal information, the NVC requires that the following information be provided with each inquiry:

Name of the person submitting the inquiry

NVC case number or USCIS receipt number

Petitioner's name

Principal Applicant's name and date of birth

By the way, who is the principal applicant - me (the petitioner) or my husband, the beneficiary?

Edited September 10, 2015 by Sekhvaruli

[IonelaC. 32]

For those, who files expedite requests - I got the answer in 2 days, and they say I have to provide more information:

Dear Sir/Madam:

The Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC) is committed to the protection of personal information of visa applicants and their petitioners. To ensure the confidentiality of visa files and to prevent the unauthorized release of personal information, the NVC requires that the following information be provided with each inquiry:

Name of the person submitting the inquiry

NVC case number or USCIS receipt number

Petitioner's name

Principal Applicant's name and date of birth

By the way, who is the principal applicant - me (the petitioner) or my husband, the beneficiary?

Hi there!

The principal applicant is actually the beneficiary, so in this case, your husband

[FabtheFab 67]

Thank God! The case got off the ground finally! Received on September 2nd - 20 days since the approval date...

Do you think it makes sense now to call every day asking for the case # assigned?

Hi Sekvavaruli,

It took me 11 days from the NVC receiving the case until they gave me a case number. I would wait at least some five working days before calling - at least you won't get stressed with it.

[FabtheFab 67]

Just got off the phone with NVC to see why we still don't have a case complete after we got a checklist for the DS260 when it's been over 30 days. Oh it's taking 45 days now to review cases, don't call back until it's been 45 days. But your website and all the info says 30 days?? I asked about people getting case completes in 20 days or less and the rep basically said I was lying because she had never heard of that happening to anyone. Then I asked well what about us getting a checklist after 11 days. Oh you must have gotten really lucky because that never happens. I asked a million different ways trying to understand why it's taking so freaking long and each time was told it's perfectly normal and everything is taking 45 days now. They're about to hate me... I'll be calling morning and night now until it gets reviewed.

Are you doing EP? You can scan and email them then.

Hi katze101,

I was in a similar case and managed to get my DS-260 reviewed on the phone on Monday. It took me three attempts. The key is to ask to speak to a supervisor. No matter how grumpy the NVC rep is, try to be extremely kind to them. Write their name and always address them by it. Do not question them, unfortunately you don't have any bargaining power. When they start giving stupid deadlines say "On the official message the NVC has sent me, it says it's only 30 days, would you know why this is happening then?", "Is it possible to speak to a supervisor?", if they say they're not available tell them that you need a supervisor to call you back. Insist firmly but politely. Supervisors do call back.

If it doesn't work, try again and again and again. It took me two failed attempts, but it's possible. Just be patient and do not give up easily.

I'm very sorry you had to wait so long.

PS - The supervisor reviewed my DS-260 in two minutes and I got CC immediately.

Edited September 10, 2015 by BRlove

[katze101 4]

Hi katze101,

I was in a similar case and managed to get my DS-260 reviewed on the phone on Monday. It took me three attempts. The key is to ask to speak to a supervisor. No matter how grumpy the NVC rep is, try to be extremely kind to them. Write their name and always address them by it. Do not question them, unfortunately you don't have any bargaining power. When they start giving stupid deadlines say "On the official message the NVC has sent me, it says it's only 30 days, would you know why this is happening then?", "Is it possible to speak to a supervisor?", if they say they're not available tell them that you need a supervisor to call you back. Insist firmly but politely. Supervisors do call back.

If it doesn't work, try again and again and again. It took me two failed attempts, but it's possible. Just be patient and do not give up easily.

I'm very sorry you had to wait so long.

PS - The supervisor reviewed my DS-260 in two minutes and I got CC immediately.

Thanks. I was being polite, but towards the end I'm sure my annoyance was starting to show, mainly because she couldn't answer my questions other than it takes 45 days and imply I was a liar. I did ask to speak to a supervisor but one wasn't available, will ask for a call back next time. My only concern is I currently live in Australia and I don't want them calling while I'm asleep.

[FabtheFab 67]

Thanks. I was being polite, but towards the end I'm sure my annoyance was starting to show, mainly because she couldn't answer my questions other than it takes 45 days and imply I was a liar. I did ask to speak to a supervisor but one wasn't available, will ask for a call back next time. My only concern is I currently live in Australia and I don't want them calling while I'm asleep.

Is your spouse with you in Australia? If not, can they call them instead?

My case got CC fast, but my daughter's case got stuck twice (for DS-261 and DS-260) and it was hell. In both cases, we had to speak to supervisors to get it done. What I noticed is that usually the NVC reps treat my husband a lot better than me. I don't know if it's simply because he is an USC - I don't have much of an accent and I think I'm very polite.

Maybe it's my Latin blood, but I never managed to get a NVC rep to do anything for me, lol.

Edited September 10, 2015 by BRlove

[katze101 4]

Is your spouse with you in Australia? If not, can they call them instead?

My case got CC fast, but my daughter's case got stuck twice (for DS-261 and DS-260) and it was hell. In both cases, we had to speak to supervisors to get it done. What I noticed is that usually the NVC reps treat my husband a lot better than me. I don't know if it's simply because he is an USC - I don't have much of an accent and I think I'm very polite.

Maybe it's my Latin blood, but I never managed to get a NVC rep to do anything for me, lol.

I'm the USC and for the next 5 weeks I'm still living here in Australia with my hubby. I know he won't be able to move with my 2.5yr old and me, but I was at least hoping he'd be able to join us before Christmas. Now I'm not so sure...

[FabtheFab 67]

I'm the USC and for the next 5 weeks I'm still living here in Australia with my hubby. I know he won't be able to move with my 2.5yr old and me, but I was at least hoping he'd be able to join us before Christmas. Now I'm not so sure...

I see. I'm very sorry.

[theskeets 10]

Is your spouse with you in Australia? If not, can they call them instead?

My case got CC fast, but my daughter's case got stuck twice (for DS-261 and DS-260) and it was hell. In both cases, we had to speak to supervisors to get it done. What I noticed is that usually the NVC reps treat my husband a lot better than me. I don't know if it's simply because he is an USC - I don't have much of an accent and I think I'm very polite.

Maybe it's my Latin blood, but I never managed to get a NVC rep to do anything for me, lol.

So you got case complete for your daughter's case as well?

[theskeets 10]

Is your spouse with you in Australia? If not, can they call them instead?

My case got CC fast, but my daughter's case got stuck twice (for DS-261 and DS-260) and it was hell. In both cases, we had to speak to supervisors to get it done. What I noticed is that usually the NVC reps treat my husband a lot better than me. I don't know if it's simply because he is an USC - I don't have much of an accent and I think I'm very polite.

Maybe it's my Latin blood, but I never managed to get a NVC rep to do anything for me, lol.

So you got case complete for your daughter's case as well?

[FabtheFab 67]

So you got case complete for your daughter's case as well?

Yes!

On Tuesday, they said all it was needed in her case was to review the DS-260, but of course we had to wait for 30 days. So we tried three different NVC reps, and at the end we did manage to talk to a supervisor and they reviewed it in a couple of minutes. We are both CC now, I'm so happy

[theskeets 10]

Yes!

On Tuesday, they said all it was needed in her case was to review the DS-260, but of course we had to wait for 30 days. So we tried three different NVC reps, and at the end we did manage to talk to a supervisor and they reviewed it in a couple of minutes. We are both CC now, I'm so happy

That's fantastic news! Really one of the strangest stories I've read in here, considering your daughter is only 8...

Best of luck for everything else!

[fatimanazir92 5]

I got my DS 261 reviewed on call yesterday as soon as their lines were open around 7:10 am but my IV fee is still unavailable...what should I do? It has been more than 24 hours now and I read here that IV fee is available usually after 24 hours of DS 261 review :-|