MARCH 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's 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 have to 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:

 

NOTE: It will take 24 hours before the shipment will show any results using this hack. DHL and NVC will need time to update their systems.

 

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

 

13. Calling USCIS - You'll need your receipt number, DOB for both of you and full names. Beneficiary or the petitioner can call.

 

1 (800) 375-5283 8:00 am

 

Option 1:

Call USCIS. Do not press anything. Do not choose a language. If someone who picked up the phone cannot answer your question, ask them to transfer you to TIER 2.

 

Option 2:

Dial 1-866-953-7684

 

Option 3:

Call 1-800-375-5283

Press 1 to continue to English

Press 2 for case status

Press 1 if you know your receipt number

Press your receipt number 922(followed by your WAC#).

They will tell you to visit the website for the answer but press 3 or wait and you will be connected to a live agent.

 

Option 4:

Dial 1-800-375-5283 then press 1,2,2,4,2,1 then enter receipt number then press 1.

 

14. Get to know your sub-forum. Each country is divided to sub-forums here on VJ. This is where you go during your wait at this stage to get familiar with those who have gone before you and those who are currently processing. There is a wealth of information there in those threads. It's a better place to ask then someone in this thread from Germany, Spain or Norway who may not know the "steps" that must be taken for approval in your Country's Embassy.

 

To get there go  up to the blue ribbon at the top of the page, select "forums" and scroll down about 3/4 of the page for the link to your region/embassy.

[Catherine6 118]

Hiiii

Hoping for good news this week and ship out on the 19th! 🙏🏾

Edited March 2, 2019 by Catherine6

[Gyyomme 273]

Got NOA2 on the 27th. Hoping for a smooth process. Good luck to everyone on their journey 

[Fjsiodn 16]

Replying just to let others know that may be in the same boat: We have a NVC case receive date of 02/28. We have not received an email or had our CEAC status updated. Since ours would be going to Mumbai, India, A DHL shippers reference of EXP 05 MAR 2019A has not brought up anything yet. 

[estomacsurpattes 2]

Okay, I apologize if this is really obvious/stupid question but my google-fu is not strong today. 

I JUST received an email today from the NVC with a PDF attached statuing the NVC received my fiance's approved I-129F from the USCIS. The letter goes on to say they will now forward the petition to the US Embassy in Paris, France. 

 

Does this mean they just received the I-129F application today? I have a case number now and I just used the CEAC site to check my fiance's visa status and it says IN TRANSIT. But I can't seem to login because it asks for an invoice number I don't have. 

 

Furthermore, I'm not sure how to update my timeline, since it's asking for 

NVC Received :
Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned

 

Where do I find this information? 

 

Sorry if this is covered somewhere else, I just couldn't find it and I'm overly excited/stressed out! 

 

Thanks in advance!

[Medical0014 54]

Our NOA2 date is 2/28! Goodluck to all of us ❤️

[Prizm123 1,086]

6 hours ago, estomacsurpattes said:

Okay, I apologize if this is really obvious/stupid question but my google-fu is not strong today. 

I JUST received an email today from the NVC with a PDF attached statuing the NVC received my fiance's approved I-129F from the USCIS. The letter goes on to say they will now forward the petition to the US Embassy in Paris, France. 

 

Does this mean they just received the I-129F application today? I have a case number now and I just used the CEAC site to check my fiance's visa status and it says IN TRANSIT. But I can't seem to login because it asks for an invoice number I don't have. 

 

Furthermore, I'm not sure how to update my timeline, since it's asking for 

NVC Received :
Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned

 

Where do I find this information? 

 

Sorry if this is covered somewhere else, I just couldn't find it and I'm overly excited/stressed out! 

 

Thanks in advance!

those are from the NVC, if you get an email, it should tell you, if not, give it a few weeks then call the NVC, and they can provide this information

does the email have the consulate it is going to as a 3 letter code with a bunch of numbers? if so, that is the code it wants.... for example, mine is going to Kyiv, so my code starts with KEVxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

18 hours ago, estomacsurpattes said:

Okay, I apologize if this is really obvious/stupid question but my google-fu is not strong today. 

I JUST received an email today from the NVC with a PDF attached statuing the NVC received my fiance's approved I-129F from the USCIS. The letter goes on to say they will now forward the petition to the US Embassy in Paris, France. 

 

Does this mean they just received the I-129F application today? I have a case number now and I just used the CEAC site to check my fiance's visa status and it says IN TRANSIT. But I can't seem to login because it asks for an invoice number I don't have. 

 

Furthermore, I'm not sure how to update my timeline, since it's asking for 

NVC Received :
Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned

 

Where do I find this information? 

 

Sorry if this is covered somewhere else, I just couldn't find it and I'm overly excited/stressed out! 

 

Thanks in advance!

Where are you trying to log in because it sounds like you have the answer to the status of your case file and it is "in transit". You can try the DHL hack to follow your case as it travels to your embassy. Keep in mind it will only show total applicants on that flight of which you are one. Instructions are on the first page of this thread.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

21 hours ago, Fjsiodn said:

Replying just to let others know that may be in the same boat: We have a NVC case receive date of 02/28. We have not received an email or had our CEAC status updated. Since ours would be going to Mumbai, India, A DHL shippers reference of EXP 05 MAR 2019A has not brought up anything yet. 

DHL has been slow in posting anything. Keep trying.

[estomacsurpattes 2]

14 hours ago, Prizm123 said:

those are from the NVC, if you get an email, it should tell you, if not, give it a few weeks then call the NVC, and they can provide this information

does the email have the consulate it is going to as a 3 letter code with a bunch of numbers? if so, that is the code it wants.... for example, mine is going to Kyiv, so my code starts with KEVxxxxxxxxxx

 

I have the case number, that starts with PRS, which I assume is for Paris. Is the IIN and BIN the same number? I want to fill out my timeline correctly and I just don't have the date my case was received at the NVC or when it left.

[estomacsurpattes 2]

3 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

Where are you trying to log in because it sounds like you have the answer to the status of your case file and it is "in transit". You can try the DHL hack to follow your case as it travels to your embassy. Keep in mind it will only show total applicants on that flight of which you are one. Instructions are on the first page of this thread.

I was trying to log in on the CEAC website (https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx) so my fiance and I could start filling out the D-form. (Is it the 160 or 261?) Unless, is that form and fees paid offline? Everything I read online was saying to login to do that on the link I mention earlier, but when it asks for the invoice number, it's not the same as the case number and I don't have an invoice number.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

15 minutes ago, estomacsurpattes said:

I was trying to log in on the CEAC website (https://ceac.state.gov/IV/Login.aspx) so my fiance and I could start filling out the D-form. (Is it the 160 or 261?) Unless, is that form and fees paid offline? Everything I read online was saying to login to do that on the link I mention earlier, but when it asks for the invoice number, it's not the same as the case number and I don't have an invoice number.

My illustration below is what you have just described. Let's see if we can sort this out for you.

 

1. Call NVC and ask for your case number and invoice number unless you have a hardcopy in a letter sent to the petitioner, then it will be located there.

2. Complete form (DS-160) Online Immigrant Visa Application at https://travel.state...pplication.html -- mandatory for each visa applicant. The PRS201. number provided by the National Visa Center (NVC) will be needed. You should PRINT out the Confirmation page that contains the bar code and BRING IT with you to the interview.

3. Use these links for further information:

https://fr.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/iv-dv-supplemental/PRS-Paris.pdf

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g3Kap3mdru6wVgE95v0aLDs7kCvUk3BP/view?usp=sharing

 

I hope this helps.

 

[estomacsurpattes 2]

10 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

My illustration below is what you have just described. Let's see if we can sort this out for you.

 

1. Call NVC and ask for your case number and invoice number unless you have a hardcopy in a letter sent to the petitioner, then it will be located there.

2. Complete form (DS-160) Online Immigrant Visa Application at https://travel.state...pplication.html -- mandatory for each visa applicant. The PRS201. number provided by the National Visa Center (NVC) will be needed. You should PRINT out the Confirmation page that contains the bar code and BRING IT with you to the interview.

3. Use these links for further information:

https://fr.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/iv-dv-supplemental/PRS-Paris.pdf

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g3Kap3mdru6wVgE95v0aLDs7kCvUk3BP/view?usp=sharing

 

I hope this helps.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! By searching the Visajourney forums for 'NVC invoice number," I did see I need to call them. I'm the petitioner, but haven't received a hardcopy letter in the mail; just an email with a PDF that does NOT contain it. I will be calling the NVC and then proceeding as you so kindly outlined. 

Seriously, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'd buy you a drink if I could.

Edited March 6, 2019 by estomacsurpattes

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 minute ago, estomacsurpattes said:

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! By searching the Visajourney forums for 'NVC invoice number," I did see I need to call them. I'm the petitioner, but haven't received a hardcopy letter in the mail; just an email with a PDF that does NOT contain it. I will be calling the proceeding as you so kindly outlined. 

Seriously, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'd buy you a drink if I could.

I'd have one with you but I am too old to drink.  Read the other links and if you have question come on back and will help you.

[Mousey 80]

NOA2 Feb 13

Called NVC today and they still don't have our case...

Wondering why it takes so long to send it🙄