K1 Status "At NVC" What Are Next Steps?

[JJtheJetPlane 2]

I have received my fiancee's case number from the NVC about 2 weeks ago. Is there anything we can do now while we wait for the HCMC Consulate to receive the case? I've read conflicting reports on whether we can file the DS-160, pay the fees and schedule an interview now. Some say to wait and others say you can go ahead and file it now. Also, can we have the medical and immunizations done now? What other things can we do to prepare?

 

Thanks so much to everyone on this site for all your great information! I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without your great information!

[Alabamak1 688]

13 minutes ago, JJtheJetPlane said:

I have received my fiancee's case number from the NVC about 2 weeks ago. Is there anything we can do now while we wait for the HCMC Consulate to receive the case? I've read conflicting reports on whether we can file the DS-160, pay the fees and schedule an interview now. Some say to wait and others say you can go ahead and file it now. Also, can we have the medical and immunizations done now? What other things can we do to prepare?

 

Thanks so much to everyone on this site for all your great information! I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without your great information!

Read your assigned embassy website. The best source for up to date and actual information

[JJtheJetPlane 2]

4 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

Read your assigned embassy website. The best source for up to date and actual information

I have but they don't say anything about any of that. They just say wait until you get packet 3 from them but I'm trying to see if anyone has gone through this recently that would know what can be done right now as to make sure we can get the earliest appointment available and have everything ready to go.

 

I'm seeing other threads saying that the medical and immunizations can take a very long time to finish so if we could start the process now, it would help us finish the whole K1 process faster.

Edited June 11, 2018 by JJtheJetPlane

[Alabamak1 688]

3 minutes ago, JJtheJetPlane said:

I have but they don't say anything about any of that. They just say wait until you get packet 3 from them but I'm trying to see if anyone has gone through this recently that would know what can be done right now as to make sure we can get the earliest appointment available and have everything ready to go.

 

I'm seeing other threads saying that the medical and immunizations can take a very long time to finish so if we could start the process now, it would help us finish the whole K1 process faster.

Find others that have been or are going through the process in VJ. There is a subforum for your country  in VJ. I made friends there also and pretty much everyone here is willing to comment and help you out. I wish I could help you, but we filed k-1 in Ukraine. I have no specifics about Vietnam. Suggestion: PM other VJ, be kind and respectful. I did it and even get off and on PM from others in Ukraine looking for assistance

[JJtheJetPlane 2]

10 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

Find others that have been or are going through the process in VJ. There is a subforum for your country  in VJ. I made friends there also and pretty much everyone here is willing to comment and help you out. I wish I could help you, but we filed k-1 in Ukraine. I have no specifics about Vietnam. Suggestion: PM other VJ, be kind and respectful. I did it and even get off and on PM from others in Ukraine looking for assistance

This is the Vietnam subforum that I posted this in. 

[Alabamak1 688]

1 minute ago, JJtheJetPlane said:

This is the Vietnam subforum that I posted this in. 

My bad. just noticed it

[JJtheJetPlane 2]

13 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

My bad. just noticed it

No problem, I appreciate your suggestions. 

[Alabamak1 688]

1 minute ago, JJtheJetPlane said:

No problem, I appreciate your suggestions. 

Anything else K-1 i can help. Sorry for the confussion. PM me anytime. I usually answer pretty quick. We are doing AOS now and got our NOA-1 already

[frontgear 194]

What you can do is watch your status on the CEAC website. When it says READY, it means the file has been sent off to the US Consulate in Saigon.

 

What you can also do is contact the US Consulate in Saigon (via their online inquiry page -- link below) with your HCM-XXXXXX number, asking if they have received your physical file. The Consulate normally receives the electronic version first and the physical comes a week or two later. Once they have your physical file, they will mail your Packet 3 within 3-4 weeks of receiving the physical file. If you have not heard from them after 3-4 weeks, go back to the Online Inquiry page and ask them to email you a copy of the Packet 3.

 

I would wait until the Consulate has received your physical file before trying to fill out the DS160, pay Visa fee, and schedule the interview.

 

Vaccination and panel medical exam cannot be done until you have received a copy of Packet 3 letter. 

 

Online inquiry page:

https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/

 

Here is the link to the CEAC website to check your case status:

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

 

You want to select NON-IMMIGRANT VISA and VIETNAM, HO CHI MINH CITY on that CEAC page.

Edited June 11, 2018 by frontgear

[JJtheJetPlane 2]

3 minutes ago, frontgear said:

What you can do is watch your status on the CEAC website. When it says READY, it means the file has been sent off to the US Consulate in Saigon.

 

What you can also do is contact the US Consulate in Saigon (via their online inquiry page -- link below) with your HCM-XXXXXX number, asking if they have received your physical file. The Consulate normally receives the electronic version first and the physical comes a week or two later. Once they have your physical file, they will mail your Packet 3 within 3-4 weeks of receiving the physical file. If you have not heard from them after 3-4 weeks, go back to the Online Inquiry page and ask them to email you a copy of the Packet 3.

 

I would wait until the Consulate has received your physical file before trying to fill out the DS160, pay Visa fee, and schedule the interview.

 

Vaccination and panel medical exam cannot be done until you have received a copy of Packet 3 letter. 

 

Online inquiry page:

https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/

Thanks frontgear! Just what I needed to know. Also my fiancee doesn't have her immunization records. Is there a way she can do the vaccinations now instead of waiting for the exam?

[frontgear 194]

4 minutes ago, JJtheJetPlane said:

Thanks frontgear! Just what I needed to know. Also my fiancee doesn't have her immunization records. Is there a way she can do the vaccinations now instead of waiting for the exam?

 

You will need the confirmation page of the interview appointment in addition to the Packet 3 letter for both vaccination and medical exam, which cannot happen until you filled out DS160, paid Visa fee, and scheduled your appointment.

 

Btw, I've just updated my earlier post with links to the CEAC website.

 

Here is the K1 instructions in case you have not seen it already. Packet 3 is just a single letter with your HCM-XXXXXX number and a link to this same document.

 

Edited June 11, 2018 by frontgear

[JJtheJetPlane 2]

21 minutes ago, frontgear said:

 

You will need the confirmation page of the interview appointment in addition to the Packet 3 letter for both vaccination and medical exam, which cannot happen until you filled out DS160, paid Visa fee, and scheduled your appointment.

 

Btw, I've just updated my earlier post with links to the CEAC website.

 

Here is the K1 instructions in case you have not seen it already. Packet 3 is just a single letter with your HCM-XXXXXX number and a link to this same document.

 

Great, thanks again frontgear!

[Nle 16]

17 hours ago, frontgear said:

What you can do is watch your status on the CEAC website. When it says READY, it means the file has been sent off to the US Consulate in Saigon.

 

What you can also do is contact the US Consulate in Saigon (via their online inquiry page -- link below) with your HCM-XXXXXX number, asking if they have received your physical file. The Consulate normally receives the electronic version first and the physical comes a week or two later. Once they have your physical file, they will mail your Packet 3 within 3-4 weeks of receiving the physical file. If you have not heard from them after 3-4 weeks, go back to the Online Inquiry page and ask them to email you a copy of the Packet 3.

 

I would wait until the Consulate has received your physical file before trying to fill out the DS160, pay Visa fee, and schedule the interview.

 

Vaccination and panel medical exam cannot be done until you have received a copy of Packet 3 letter. 

 

Online inquiry page:

https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/

 

Here is the link to the CEAC website to check your case status:

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

 

You want to select NON-IMMIGRANT VISA and VIETNAM, HO CHI MINH CITY on that CEAC page.

For checking the status of your visa, you should select IMMIGRANT VISA (IV) and not NON-IMMIGRANT VISA.

We just recently completed the interview on June 8, 2018. Below is my timeline for your reference.

Prior to receiving the email with the one page invitation letter (Packet 3) from the U.S. Consulate General , I completed the DS-160 and I-134; registered an account at http://ustraveldocs.com/vn/index.html?firstTime=No, paid the visa fee and scheduled the interview. Please note that interview can only be rescheduled one time without incurring additional fee. I did not encounter any visa processing issues with completing these items before receiving the invitation letter.  

 

Consulate :Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

I-129F Sent :2017-09-01

I-129F NOA1 :2017-09-06

I-129F RFE(s) :2018-03-16

RFE Reply(s) :2018-03-26

I-129F NOA2 :2018-04-11

NVC Received :2018-04-27

Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned :2018-04-30

NVC Left :2018-05-09

Consulate Received :2018-05-11

Packet 3 Received :2018-05-14

Packet 3 Sent :2018-05-15

Packet 4 Received :

Interview Date :2018-06-08  Submit Review

Interview Result :Approved

[frontgear 194]

@Nle Unless I'm mistaken, prior to being approved at the interview, your case is a NON-IMMIGRANT VISA. This is to monitor your case status BEFORE the interview.

 

After you got approved, it will change to IMMIGRANT VISA if you want to find out whether your Visa has been printed and sent on its way.

 

Never mind, I got it backward. It is IMMIGRANT VISA (IV) and after approval, it becomes NON-IMMIGRANT VISA.

Edited June 12, 2018 by frontgear

[JJtheJetPlane 2]

3 hours ago, Nle said:

For checking the status of your visa, you should select IMMIGRANT VISA (IV) and not NON-IMMIGRANT VISA.

We just recently completed the interview on June 8, 2018. Below is my timeline for your reference.

Prior to receiving the email with the one page invitation letter (Packet 3) from the U.S. Consulate General , I completed the DS-160 and I-134; registered an account at http://ustraveldocs.com/vn/index.html?firstTime=No, paid the visa fee and scheduled the interview. Please note that interview can only be rescheduled one time without incurring additional fee. I did not encounter any visa processing issues with completing these items before receiving the invitation letter.  

 

Consulate :Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

I-129F Sent :2017-09-01

I-129F NOA1 :2017-09-06

I-129F RFE(s) :2018-03-16

RFE Reply(s) :2018-03-26

I-129F NOA2 :2018-04-11

NVC Received :2018-04-27

Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned :2018-04-30

NVC Left :2018-05-09

Consulate Received :2018-05-11

Packet 3 Received :2018-05-14

Packet 3 Sent :2018-05-15

Packet 4 Received :

Interview Date :2018-06-08  Submit Review

Interview Result :Approved

Great info! I have received notification that the case is "In Transit" to HCMC! Thanks so much, I will submit the DS-160 tonight and schedule the interview. Were you able to get a medical check appointment right away? Where did you have it done, IOM or Cho Ray? How was the experience? My fiancee does not have any immunization records unfortunately.