FEBRUARY 2020 K-1 NOA2 to NVC to Embassy

[Greenbaum 12,259]

35 minutes ago, tris&kris said:

@Greenbaum

 

Should my fiancé complete his DS-160 now even though the London embassy is closed?  We have our case number and our case status is listed as "Ready" on CEAC; however, we never received the Packet 3 letter from the embassy.  Anything else we can be doing in the meantime to ensure we are ready for interview once the embassy re-opens?  

 

Thank you so much

Yes, you can complete the DS-160. 

 

Head over to the London sub-forum on VJ

There are experts over in the sub-forum for your country located here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/99-united-kingdom/  This is where others from your country who are processing or those who have completed their interview and they can guide you on their experience. A TON of information and help there.

[NewYorkLover 38]

On 4/24/2020 at 11:54 AM, Ryceryce said:

@Greenbaum Unfortunately, we have been 'in transit' for 24 days now (NVC to embassy) and we escalated the issue to the supervisor at NVC. And we found out that the case is still in the country (but out of NVC) and they have no idea where it is. All they know is it hasn't left the US. It is not reflecting in their tracking system. But in ceac is still shows 'in transit'. The embassy also told us that it is not with them (we escalated to find out where it is). No one has any idea where it is. Fearing for the worst as we may have to prepare the documents all over again? This is a mess and stressful.

Hi, How were you able to escalate your case? Ours was shipped in March 31st as well and it still says in transit. 

[noname_no 38]

Just now, NewYorker14 said:

Hi, How were you able to escalate your case? Ours was shipped in March 31st as well and it still says in transit. 

@NewYorker14 Yes we did. It turns out that our case is still in NVC, it hasn't left despite it states "In Transit". There are other filers I stay in touch with had her case sent out the following shipment (17 Apr) and her case is READY after about a week.

I emailed the US embassy to check (they said that they don't have our case) and we called the NVC and escalated the issue. It is noted down in their system and noted to the supervisor. They have up to 6 weeks to investigate. Check with your US embassy, and check with NVC. 

If US embassy in your country says they don't have it, try the DHL hack document by Greenbaum. Call DHL to verify the shipment to your country - this will work especially if your country has low number of K1 visa applicants. Call NVC, if they tell you that is it shipped out, tell them that it is still 'In Transit'. Ask to speak to the supervisor, take it to the next tier. Let them investigate this. Follow up with an email, make sure you have your paper trial. 

Keep me posted.

[NewYorkLover 38]

6 minutes ago, Ryceryce said:

@NewYorker14 Yes we did. It turns out that our case is still in NVC, it hasn't left despite it states "In Transit". There are other filers I stay in touch with had her case sent out the following shipment (17 Apr) and her case is READY after about a week.

I emailed the US embassy to check (they said that they don't have our case) and we called the NVC and escalated the issue. It is noted down in their system and noted to the supervisor. They have up to 6 weeks to investigate. Check with your US embassy, and check with NVC. 

If US embassy in your country says they don't have it, try the DHL hack document by Greenbaum. Call DHL to verify the shipment to your country - this will work especially if your country has low number of K1 visa applicants. Call NVC, if they tell you that is it shipped out, tell them that it is still 'In Transit'. Ask to speak to the supervisor, take it to the next tier. Let them investigate this. Follow up with an email, make sure you have your paper trial. 

Keep me posted.

Thank you for the very detailed response. I will definitely keep you in the loop. We will call them all this week. I actually emailed the US embassy in our country last week, I am waiting for a response. 

[Cilllah 476]

Did packet 3 for Australia - replied with payment info, DS-160 info etc and they responded with a nice email saying they put us on a list for an interview when they can open again and to stay safe. So that's something at least.

[Chad&Thalia 49]

We're still being told they don't have the physical copy at the embassy even though the CEAC shows a ready status.  It also shows a case update yesterday.  I never got the DHL hack to work and have asked the NVC to track the package.  It went to in transit on 31 March and the embassy identified having received the electronic version on 1 April.  Until they have the physical copy we are on hold, everything else is done including the medical as of yesterday/today(?).  Now we wait, with any luck the physical copy will arrive and we will receive a notification very soon.

[arae 81]

Hi, I know I've seen it before but now I can't find it. Does anyone have a link to the passport photo editor/resizer tool? The few that I've tried just on Google don't seem to be working well.

 

Thanks!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 hour ago, arae said:

Hi, I know I've seen it before but now I can't find it. Does anyone have a link to the passport photo editor/resizer tool? The few that I've tried just on Google don't seem to be working well.

 

Thanks!

Here is a free Passport Photo Online Builder that will walk you through each step to completion. 

 

https://www.passportphotoapp.com/

 

And the official Passport Requirements

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html

 

There are apps for your phone that will help resize your passport photos to the size that you need for any occasion. After resizing and it is required to send them on to someone to print these apps make it easy.

 

https://www.phonearena.com/news/Best-apps-to-make-quick-passport-visa-and-ID-photos-on-the-cheap_id80517

 

For IPhone

https://www.ikream.com/2019/04/5-best-passport-photos-app-for-iphone-28665

 

For Android

https://thedroidguy.com/2019/03/7-best-passport-photo-apps-android-print-save-money-1073825

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 hour ago, Chad&Thalia said:

We're still being told they don't have the physical copy at the embassy even though the CEAC shows a ready status.  It also shows a case update yesterday.  You will see the date change twice under "ready status" which confirms that they are ready with the electronic and the paper copy.

 

I never got the DHL hack to work and have asked the NVC to track the package.  When the DHL hack doesn't work there is one more work around found in the PDF at the end of the DHL hack.

 

It went to in transit on 31 March and the embassy identified having received the electronic version on 1 April.  Until they have the physical copy we are on hold, everything else is done including the medical as of yesterday/today(?).  We advise you not to do your medical until the embassy has either scheduled your appointment or you have. The reason is your visa validity is based on the medical exam date. So, if you don't interview for another 2-3 months you just lost that time on your visa expiration. 

 

Now we wait, with any luck the physical copy will arrive and we will receive a notification very soon. 

Australia is still closed to interviews. Even if the physical copy arrives you will not be able to schedule and complete and interview till such time as the embassy "throws the switch". Just keeping it real.

[Chad&Thalia 49]

@Greenbaum we have been granted an expedited interview from the embassy.  Hence, my eagerness to get this sorted out.  Thx.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

4 minutes ago, Chad&Thalia said:

@Greenbaum we have been granted an expedited interview from the embassy.  Hence, my eagerness to get this sorted out.  Thx.

That does make a difference. At my age it's hard to keep track of everyone and where they are and why they are. If it's not in thier post, it's not on the front burner. I wish you luck. Stay engaged.

[Chad&Thalia 49]

@Greenbaum I get it, there is a lot going on here to keep track of.  As always appreciate the guidance.   The confusing part for me is that the CEAC status is ready but, the embassy is claiming they don't have the physical case.  I got ahold of a person at DHL that was very helpful and they have had 0 packages sent to Australia since 29 March through now.  Time will tell the story.  

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 hour ago, Chad&Thalia said:

@Greenbaum I get it, there is a lot going on here to keep track of.  As always appreciate the guidance.   The confusing part for me is that the CEAC status is ready but, the embassy is claiming they don't have the physical case.  I got ahold of a person at DHL that was very helpful and they have had 0 packages sent to Australia since 29 March through now.  Time will tell the story.  

Today is another NVC case shipping date. If cases are going out it will be today, but the system will not update till tomorrow. 

[arae 81]

Thanks @Greenbaum! I was able to get my fiance's photo resized and the DS-160 submitted 😊

[GigiG24 18]

5 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

Here is a free Passport Photo Online Builder that will walk you through each step to completion. 

 

https://www.passportphotoapp.com/

 

And the official Passport Requirements

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html

 

There are apps for your phone that will help resize your passport photos to the size that you need for any occasion. After resizing and it is required to send them on to someone to print these apps make it easy.

 

https://www.phonearena.com/news/Best-apps-to-make-quick-passport-visa-and-ID-photos-on-the-cheap_id80517

 

For IPhone

https://www.ikream.com/2019/04/5-best-passport-photos-app-for-iphone-28665

 

For Android

https://thedroidguy.com/2019/03/7-best-passport-photo-apps-android-print-save-money-1073825

@Greenbaum Hi, I was having a similar issue with trying to upload the passport photo with the DS - 160. I got the chance to resize it but then it mentioned something about the color settings of the photo. I'm not too sure how to work that, so my fiance & I thought we would just submit the application and just bring the physical copy of the passport photo to the interview since its required anyways. Do you think we should still try and upload the photo online?