noa - notice of action NOA 1 and NOA2

[Kimberlia 4]

I have only received 1 NOA that says Approved and Action to Take.  Is the NOA 2 required before proceeding in paying fees and scheduling an interview?  My fiance paid the fee and already scheduled his interview?????? It sounds like we are getting ahead of ourselves.  Would you agree? Should we cancel the interview?

Edited June 8, 2017 by Kimberlia

[EandH0904 1,184]

Yes. NOA1 just means they have accepted your packet. NOA2 means it was approved. You have to wait. 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

On the USCIS web site you can track your case and it will say again "Approved I-129f petition", that is the NOA2, as well as receive that NOA in the mail stating the case has been forwarded after approval.

[geowrian 22,337]

Yes, the I-129F's NOA2 (and an NVC case number after they pass it along to them) is necessary before doing anything at all with the actual K-1 visa. Expect 3-4 months on average for a NOA2, then about a month from then to get it to NVC, processed, and then to the embassy. These are estimates based on current processing times...some people are a little sooner and others have taken much longer. The average time is about 6-8 months from filing to interview.

Edited June 8, 2017 by geowrian