NVC

[J&C2527 6]

Hello

Im a bit confused how this process works. So once the petition is approved and sent to the NVC is it the NVC that sets up the interview? Or is it the consulate that schedules it when they recieve the paperwork?

[Kevin&Kanyanat 172]

From what I understand the NVC is under the auspices of the DoS (Dept of State). While there the NVC does the vetting on the foreign fiance. Maybe they also run checks on the USC too. Once completed it's sent to the embassy with whom you schedule the appointment for the interview. 

[Scandi 4,166]

The only thing you get from NVC is your case number and maybe a letter stating that the petition has been sent to the American embassy in the beneficiary's country. The embassy will then contact the beneficary or US citizen to let you know about the next step.

[PedroDaGr8 245]

The nvc handles converting The USCIS case into an Embassy case, including routing the documents to the right embassy and assigning a case number. That's it. 

 

When it reaches the embassy, the embassy will send out the Packet 3. This packet is basically a list of documents you need to get together for your interview. Each embassy can have their own list of documents required to be submitted or required for the interview. They can also have slightly different procedures, so what follows might vary slightly but is a good general outline. When you have completed the packet 3, you basically indicate you are ready for the interview, pay your interview fee and the consulate schedules it by sending you the pocket 4. You use this packet to do your health checkup before the interview, then go do your interview. 

[J&C2527 6]

What is in the packet 3 just everything you need to gather to take for interview? 

[Scandi 4,166]

1 hour ago, J&C2527 said:

What is in the packet 3 just everything you need to gather to take for interview? 

It's country specific how that works, but usually it's a checklist from the embassy sent via email. It will tell you what you need to do next and what you need to bring to the interview. The US citizen can receive this email as well, so both should keep an eye out for it, even in the spam folders.

 

In Sweden the checklist email also contains info on how to schedule and pay for the interview as we do that ourselves. It also mentions the medical and so on.

[KimchiLumpia 315]

We are in the same Canadian boat so to speak.  My approved petition arrived at the NVC yesterday and was told my case number will be assigned at the end of next week.

So how it works, once the USCIS approves your petition, it will be sent to the NVC for processing.  The NVC will assign you a case number, and will send your file to the US Embassy in Montreal.  Your case number will start with the letters MTL.  This can take 2-6 weeks.  

 

Once processed, your Canadian fiance will receive a packet called "Packet 3" in the mail.  In Packet 3, your fiance will have a checklist of things to prepare for.  Some people say they waited several weeks to receive Packet 3, and others say they never even received Packet 3 in the mail.

So instead of waiting, people call the NVC asking if their case was received, and if a case number has been assigned.  If the NVC has a case number ready, you can write your case number down and download Packet 3 from the US/Canadian Embassy website yourself here:
https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/
 

If you read the Packet 3 instructions: you will complete a DS160 online and keep the confirmation receipt with barcode number, provide a scan of the completed and signed Packet 3 check-list, and provide a color scanned page of your Canadian fiance's biographical data page of their passport.  This information will be sent to the email provided in Packet 3.

After you email the requested Packet 3 information, you will receive an reply email in 3-5 days called "Packet 4".

In Packet 4, you will receive information on scheduling your medical and interview.

Hope this helps clarify things a bit.  And good luck!

Edited March 4, 2017 by KimchiLumpia

[J&C2527 6]

Thank You soooo much, this really helps out and we can get ahead of things and be prepared.

Good Luck to You to!!

[KimchiLumpia 315]

On 3/4/2017 at 10:40 PM, J&C2527 said:

Thank You soooo much, this really helps out and we can get ahead of things and be prepared.

Good Luck to You to!!

Just a little update.  

 

I called the NVC this morning, and received our MTL# and was told not to send our Packet 3 forms until the visa status shows as "Ready" in the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.  The CEAC website that tracks your case via your MTL# is here:

  https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

I checked our case, and it is set to "Ready".  I will be completing the Packet 3 paperwork this week and hopefully will have it sent out by this weekend.  Since we're only a few steps ahead of you in this process, I'll keep you updated on the Packet 4 information once I receive it.

Good luck to us all!  

[KimchiLumpia 315]

Wow that was fast!  Emailed our Packet 3 information to the Montreal Consulate on 3/8/2017 at around 11:30pm PST.  We received a return email with Packet 4 literally about 12 hours later on 3/9/217 at 12pm PST.  Packet 4 has the instructions for scheduling our interview and medical exam.  

 

Hope this helps 

[J&C2527 6]

I'm so sorry didn't see your last two messages tell right now. I came on to ask you a question and saw these. Congrats on your moving forward with this stuff. I called today and got our MTL# they said it would either be sent to embassy today or tomorrow. I looked on the tracker and I got this. 

Does that mean it's not ready yet? I'm a little confused by this. 

 

Thank You 

[Scandi 4,166]

46 minutes ago, J&C2527 said:

I'm so sorry didn't see your last two messages tell right now. I came on to ask you a question and saw these. Congrats on your moving forward with this stuff. I called today and got our MTL# they said it would either be sent to embassy today or tomorrow. I looked on the tracker and I got this. 

Does that mean it's not ready yet? I'm a little confused by this. 

 

Thank You 

Since you check your status under "immigrant visa" you see the message for those who applied for immigrant visas. Since the K-1 is a non-immigrant visa that message doesn't apply to you.

 

Above that message it should say "At NVC", "In Transit" or "Ready".

Edited March 16, 2017 by Scandi

[KimchiLumpia 315]

1 hour ago, J&C2527 said:

I'm so sorry didn't see your last two messages tell right now. I came on to ask you a question and saw these. Congrats on your moving forward with this stuff. I called today and got our MTL# they said it would either be sent to embassy today or tomorrow. I looked on the tracker and I got this. 

Does that mean it's not ready yet? I'm a little confused by this. 

 

Thank You 

First, I recommend using a laptop or desktop computer.  Viewing this stuff on cell phone makes the information jumbled in my opinion.  It looks like part of the message was cut off.  As Scandi said, above that message it should say "At NVC", "In Transit" or "Ready".

When you're at your computer, take your MTL# and check your status on the CEAC website again here:
https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

Visa Application Type should be set under "Immigrant Visa". 

Once the CEAC says your case is "Ready", then you will be able to submit your completed Packet 3 forms.  Download Packet 3 from the US/Canadian Embassy website here:
https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/

After you submit Packet 3 via the email provided in Packet 3, you will receive a return email called Packet 4 that has information on scheduling your interview and medical exam.

Hope this helps!

Edited March 16, 2017 by KimchiLumpia
Edited for clarification

[J&C2527 6]

Hey there I have a question, when I go on the DS-160 before it will let me pull up packet 3 it says I need a photo. Does he use his passport photo for this or should take a more recent photo? It's very confusing

 

Thank You so much for your help

[M3chwarrior 63]

Hello fellow Canada lovers...

I just got off the pone with the NVC, and they received my case this morning. Yeah! I was told it could take two weeks to process. Is the two weeks the time they assign the case number and barcode, or will that be assigned separately? I didn't get a case number or barcode when I spoke to them this morning.

 

Thank you!