What should I expect after i-130 approval notice? Call NVC or wait for instruction?

[johhnie 2]

Hello everyone,

 

I have got my i-130 approved on 24th July 2017. I got the email notification ( I had signed up for electronic notification while filling i-130 and enable email notification on USCIS check status page as well) and a physical letter/mail on Friday where it says wait at least 30 days before contacting NVC.

 

So now, should I expect the call/email from NVC to have my case number?

Or,

Should I call the NVC in few days and check if they have my case number ready?

 

If they happen to have my case number ready and give me over a phone, what is the next step? When do I get the detail instruction of "what next" like what to do with this case number without any detail instruction.

 

When I read online and forums, everyone mentioned only about to call NVC for case number but no one has mentioned/explained what to do after getting case number or what happens from there?

 

Regardless, I am going to call and ask the NVC operator the same questions. 

 

I am starting this topic here on VJ because the answer/discussion will be helpful for many other people like me. Anyone with i-130 just approved definitely have this questions on mind and want to be prepare time ahead. 

 

Thank you

[SabRob 154]

It will take a while for USCIS to forward your petition to the NVC. When this happens, your online status will change to "My case was sent to the Department of State". It takes about 2 weeks from when the NVC receives it until a case number is assigned. Since your case was approved about a week ago it's highly unlikely that the NVC even received it, let alone assigned a case number. 

 

After you get your case number and IIN (Invoice ID number) you will have to complete DS-261 - Choice of Agent. Call the NVC and ask them to review this for you over the phone. 

 

After completing the DS-261 you will receive the NVC welcome letter and the AOS fee will unlock and you will be able to pay it online. This takes about 2 business days to process. The IV fee will unlock a few days after the AOS fee shows as PAID.

 

After the IV fee shows as PAID (again, it takes 2 business days to process), you may complete and submit the DS-260 form. 

 

In the meanwhile, you may start gathering all the required documents: financial documents and civil documents and send them to the NVC along with the barcode sheet that they provided in the welcome letter, then send them to the NVC. Call them to confirm your scan date and then the waiting begins. 

 

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!

[fcl 42]

In my case it took 8 days from when USCIS sent my case to DOS, to getting a Case number only over the phone(they asked for our emails), a couple of days later we got emails from NVC with all our info, AOS fee and Welcome letter. 

Go ahead and call them every day, when you get your case number make sure they have on file both your emails.