JANUARY 2019 K-1 NOA2 ----> NVC

[Greenbaum 12,259]

This thread was created for those who are waiting from their NOA2 K-1 to the case assignment from NVC.

 

These are items that everyone asks for, so I thought I just post them here for you to refer to when it's necessary.

 

1. How do I update my email address with NVC Once you receive your NOA2 approval then contact NVC via https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html to update your email address as well as your beneficiary's email address. This will give you an email alert when your file arrives at NVC, your case is assigned and when the file leaves for your Embassy. Enter the petitioner's information as well as the beneficiary's in the "box". Full name, Date of Birth, NOA2 receipt number and WAC number. We have found in some cases that email are never sent and in other cases this works well. So, your mileage may vary.

 

2. Checking on your embassy case number from NVC:

It will take 7 - 10 business days for NVC to receive your file from USCIS after you receive the NOA2, then another 2 - 5 business days for NVC to get your file in their system and produce your case number. Call 7:00 am eastern time for shorter wait times.

1-603-334-0700 or 603-334-0888. Operator assistance is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Eastern Time)

1 for English, then 7 (or 5, but I would go 7 as they would tell you if you should call 5 instead after they receive your case.)

 

Best time to call:

Right after they open which is around 7:00am US Eastern Time, Mon-Fri. Most have had luck getting the phone answered after the first ring if they called right at 7am.

 

3. How long to assign a Case # from NOA2

It's been taking about 2-3 weeks for NVC to assign the case number. Then it's taking another 2-4 weeks depending on the Embassy to receive your case. Your mileage may vary!

 

4. Follow Similar VJ members timelines. Use the tools here in VJ to answer "when I am going to get etc. etc." question. Near your picture there is a link for your timeline. Select it and once you're on the next page near your picture you will see "follow similar timelines" and it will populate 12 other couples who are near your dates. Scroll down and you will see a "spreadsheet" style page showing all the variables for measurement for when others from your Embassy are getting the same notice of approval or action. Try it. It really works!

 

5. Follow similar VJ members timelines from other countries. And if you want to follow those from other countries that have similar timelines as yours there are several tools available to you. Go up to Immigration Timelines on the blue ribbon above and select it. Once you are on the next page looked to your left and you will see a box that states, "find similar timelines" and select it. A list will populate with those who are processing close to your timeline. When they start to change you will soon be behind them.

I followed those that were in my group to give me an idea where they were in processing, so I could judge if I was ahead or behind. It's accurate, maybe within a day or so.

If you choose to follow those twelve members then you will get an email every time their status updates.

 

6. Be sure your profile is complete so that we can determine your Embassy. Many of our answers are predicated on the information you supply in your profile. When we look at the left column and can't determine your timeline or your Embassy it's hard for us to give you a factual answer. If you look at the profile of others here, they have a flag for their country, so it makes it easy for us to reply as we can quickly determine your Embassy. Our answers will sometimes be tailored to a specific Embassy hence the reason for you to complete your profile.

 

So, if you could help yourself out and complete your profile that sure would help us out when we want to reply to your question with factual information.

 

Go to the top right of this page select your name (it's on the upper right-hand corner)>my profile>[below your picture on the right column] edit my profile. Scroll to the bottom and fill in "Immigration Info". There now we can better serve you.

Thanks

 

7. Timelines. Complete your timeline. In your profile to the left of the page you will see the word "timeline" toward the bottom. Select it and it will take you to the page that has the link for you to complete your timeline. This to can help us to answer some of your questions.

 

8. Tracking your case. As a K1, when checking your case online at CEAC.state.gov you must select "immigrant visa" as it is treated as such even though it is a "non-immigrant visa".  Technically the K-1 is a non-immigrant visa with intent to immigrate, but it is treated like an immigrant visa because of the AOS. It is kind of a ba$tard. Non-immigrant case treated like an immigrant case. The K-1 on its own is a single entry, with a short time limited visa that expires within 90 days after POE. That is why it is a non-immigrant visa treated like an immigrant visa.

 

USICS states If you have a pending I-129f, I-90, I-485, I-751 or N-400, we’ve recently changed the way we’re displaying processing times online to give you a more realistic date range. To check these times, visit https://t.co/ho3dfC5KCA

 

9. Tracking your case file that's in transit to your Embassy. Go to www.dhl.com click Express then Tracking, then Track by Shipper's Reference, and on this page you add your search information. You change the day and month to what you think your package might have left NVC or call NVC to get the date your package had left NVC in route to your Embassy then go to the DHL website and enter the following information:

 

EXAMPLE:

* Shipper´s Reference : EXP 24 MAR 2011A　 (This is the date you think it left NVC, just substitute the date and　leave everything else as is)

* Date range for shipment - From: 23 - 03 - 2011

* Date range for shipment - To: 26 - 03 - 2011

Account Number - Leave this blank

Shipment Destination: Philippines (Works for any country Just replace your country where the Embassy is located using the drop down box)

I hope these tips help you along your Journey. So, let’s share our experiences, our tips and ask questions.

 

 

 

 

10.  Track your case with USCIS:

Old site (also the data source for all 'USCIS case tracker' apps): https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do

New: https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/ (you have to create an account and add your case # to it)

Neither is more reliable (and it's very possible you won't see anything on either and will have to just wait for the physical mail). For a while it looked like they were phasing out the "old" site, but that trend seems to have reversed itself and there are still lots of cases that show up on only one (or much earlier on one than the other).

 

11. How long will it take to NOA2. Once your case has been received from NVC by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that will process it, the length of time varies from case to case according to its circumstances. Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully or supply incomplete information. (It is important to give us correct postal addresses and telephone numbers.) Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a Consular Officer.

 

12. USPS Informed Delivery Service. There is a service provided by the USPS (US Postal Service) whereby each morning USPS will scan your incoming mail (just the address side of the envelope) and email you an update. It's very convenient these days to have advance notice that an important piece of mail is being delivered.

 

The service is available to most communities, but some are still being rolling out so not all areas are available. Check the website with your zip code to verify your location is available for the service. A person in the USA can sign up for this free service here: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

Edited December 28, 2018 by Greenbaum

[Greenbaum 12,259]

bump

[allie1290 0]

Hello all January people!

We received our NOA2 a couple hours ago! It was addressed on Dec. 31, 2018.

Feeling very excited and thankful, but a bit wary with the government shut down. Anyone have any insight as to whether the NVC is being affected by the shutdown?

 

Many thanks and best of luck to all. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

9 minutes ago, allie1290 said:

Hello all January people!

We received our NOA2 a couple hours ago! It was addressed on Dec. 31, 2018.

Feeling very excited and thankful, but a bit wary with the government shut down. Anyone have any insight as to whether the NVC is being affected by the shutdown?

 

Many thanks and best of luck to all. 

Welcome. From your question seems you have missed the majority of the conversation in the varied threads through out VJ. As it stands now, the GSD is not affecting anything in the process currently. At least nothing has been reported. So you should plan to keep moving forward.

[ErickandLeo 61]

Hi to all that still waiting for NVC case assignment. got approved last December 18th based on the letter and 19th on the new site, the old site is still received 😀. thanks @Greenbaum for these guide i might start completing the documents listed in P3 especially the Police Certificate I read on the Canada sub-forum that it takes time to have it. Goodluck to all of us!

Edited January 7, 2019 by ErickandLeo

[Shiran 1,134]

3 hours ago, ErickandLeo said:

Hi to all that still waiting for NVC case assignment. got approved last December 18th based on the letter and 19th on the new site, the old site is still received 😀. thanks @Greenbaum for these guide i might start completing the documents listed in P3 especially the Police Certificate I read on the Canada sub-forum that it takes time to have it. Goodluck to all of us!

You haven't tried calling to check if your case was received by NVC yet? 

[Sandford010 50]

Just recieved our NOA 2 last night.  We went from NOA 1 - NOA 2 about a month faster than expected, so happy we’re ahead of schedule!

[Him&me 71]

I’m on the phone with NVC to find out if they received my case. 

 Wish me luck 😊

and best luck to all of you! 

[Selina A 38]

16 hours ago, Him&me said:

I’m on the phone with NVC to find out if they received my case. 

 Wish me luck 😊

and best luck to all of you! 

what did they say ? when was your noa2 ? 

[Him&me 71]

1 hour ago, Selina A said:

what did they say ? when was your noa2 ? 

They haven’t got it yet. They said it may take up to 6 weeks before they can receive it. 

My NOA2 12/28 

[j.b. 56]

32 minutes ago, Him&me said:

They haven’t got it yet. They said it may take up to 6 weeks before they can receive it. 

My NOA2 12/28 

that is their standard answer. try to call again after 2 weeks.

[HP+IC 292]

I am not sure I can quite catch the idea. After you get approved the schedule becomes more or less clear. It seems that everyone gets anxious and starts calling the NVC at some point to get the case number. My fiance seems to be reluctant about calling and would prefer to email them if at all. Generally he thinks that we should wait till the embassy receives our file and notifies us accordingly  to schedule medical and the interview in one week. We are not in a hurry as all our paperwork (police clearance, I-134, photos, Viber logs etc) is 90% ready for the interview and my K2 kid must finish school by the end of May. Am I missing any important point? Shall I ask him to check with NVC in a few weeks? Nothing comes to my mind except for NOA2 being only valid for 4 months before the interview

Edited January 10, 2019 by HP+IC

[Shiran 1,134]

1 hour ago, HP+IC said:

I am not sure I can quite catch the idea. After you get approved the schedule becomes more or less clear. It seems that everyone gets anxious and starts calling the NVC at some point to get the case number. My fiance seems to be reluctant about calling and would prefer to email them if at all. Generally he thinks that we should wait till the embassy receives our file and notifies us accordingly  to schedule medical and the interview in one week. We are not in a hurry as all our paperwork (police clearance, I-134, photos, Viber logs etc) is 90% ready for the interview and my K2 kid must finish school by the end of May. Am I missing any important point? Shall I ask him to check with NVC in a few weeks? Nothing comes to my mind except for NOA2 being only valid for 4 months before the interview

I am pretty much of the same mind as your fiance. I have called USCIS exactly twice prior to our 129F approval, and it seems some folks call a lot. I called NVC first time today as it marks exactly 2 weeks since 129F approval. Somewhat challenging for me as I am on west coast, so 7 am for them is 4 am for me, time that normally doesn't exist in my life. Regardless, after a few attempts I actually got into a hold queue, 90 mins or so wait time, eventually got to life person, first question out of their mouth is case or receipt number, I have had my WAC number ready. He said they haven't received it yet, and "it might take up to 6 weeks worst case scenario, so up to 4 more weeks from today" I asked if they will send an e-mail and they said they should into e-mail address associated with original 129F. I will wait another week before calling back assuming I don't hear anything else, I see little merit in calling daily. My fiancee got her police clearances in the mean time, and getting on with gathering and translating vaccination records. 

Edited January 10, 2019 by Shiran

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,093]

55 minutes ago, Shiran said:

I am pretty much of the same mind as your fiance. I have called USCIS exactly twice prior to our 129F approval, and it seems some folks call a lot. I called NVC first time today as it marks exactly 2 weeks since 129F approval. Somewhat challenging for me as I am on west coast, so 7 am for them is 4 am for me, time that normally doesn't exist in my life.

I think they're open until 11 pm Eastern, so calling in the evening works. Though last month at 5 pm Pacific on a Friday I still was on hold for 30+ minutes (called NVC twice; once approximately 3 weeks after NOA2; got notification they had our case but no number assigned yet; again a week later, to get case #).

[Brazil/US2018 43]

Can someone please clarify for me when I am looking at some people's timeline, I notice that some say Packet 1, Packet 2, Packet 3? What are the different packets for? Some people only submit 1 packet?