JUNE 2020 K-1 NOA2 to NVC to EMBASSY

[NoMansLand2020 298]

@petridza

 

This is from the Serbian embassy:

 

As of August 3, 2020, the United States Embassy in Belgrade is resuming certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services, including: IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2 immigrant categories, as well as F (student), M, and J (alien physician, government visitor, international visitor, professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, specialist, secondary school student or college/university student categories that qualify for an exception to the COVID-19 Presidential Proclamations) nonimmigrant visa categories. 

 

They aren't processing K1 

Edited August 25, 2020 by NoMansLand2020

[petridza 4]

34 minutes ago, petridza said:

Thank you! 
I'm on the call with them right now, this is the first time calling. It's been 70days since we got NOA2 approval and I'm getting anxious. 
 

After an hour on hold I finally got our case number and invoice. The lady at NVC said it's currently processing... 
When tracking the case it says the next step is DS-160 but isn't that required after the embassy reaches out to the beneficiary? 

I know I'm probably overthinking it, but I just want this waiting game to be over with  

[NoMansLand2020 298]

2 minutes ago, petridza said:

After an hour on hold I finally got our case number and invoice. The lady at NVC said it's currently processing... 
When tracking the case it says the next step is DS-160 but isn't that required after the embassy reaches out to the beneficiary? 

I know I'm probably overthinking it, but I just want this waiting game to be over with  

You can fill out the DS-160 and pay the fee any time. 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

2 hours ago, petridza said:

After an hour on hold I finally got our case number and invoice. The lady at NVC said it's currently processing... 
When tracking the case it says the next step is DS-160 but isn't that required after the embassy reaches out to the beneficiary? 

I know I'm probably overthinking it, but I just want this waiting game to be over with  

Overthinking is what most do here so you are not alone. If you go to the first page and the first post I have a PDF that answers all your questions. At the top of the PDF it list the "next steps". It would help you to get a copy and use it as your bible.

 

Yes, you can complete the DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and pay your interview fee. But if it were me, I wouldn't pay the fee till such time as your embassy begins to process K-1's. Then you can get on the schedule.

 

We need a little housekeeping on your end. 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. Our answers will sometimes be tailored to a specific Embassy hence the reason for you to complete your profile. 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 their Embassy. The country that should be used is the country where the interview will take place.
 
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.

 
Timeline: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RTx4pIFfcIXyW15L-nyLuBGzwqYRx5lI/view?usp=sharing

Country and Visa Type: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RyJiLo_7WTmqvkzXXqLuOlVHm9oyhAES/view?usp=sharing

 
Once you finish that then return and you will see a flag in your profile. Select it and see what wonderful information will open up for you.
 
Thanks 

[Reicheru 0]

Hello. We our NOA 2 was dated July 22, 2020. Haven’t heard anything from NVC. Sorry i’m posting on this thread, I can’t seem to find a thread for JULY 2020 NOA 2 NVC.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

11 hours ago, Reicheru said:

Hello. We our NOA 2 was dated July 22, 2020. Haven’t heard anything from NVC. Sorry i’m posting on this thread, I can’t seem to find a thread for JULY 2020 NOA 2 NVC.

 It takes 30-40 days from NOA2/USCIS to the NVC and then another 5-10 business days before a case number is available. "your mileage may vary" As I see it, you're too early to be concerned as you just past the 30-day mark from your NOA2.

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/742311-july-2020-k-1-noa2-to-nvc-to-embassy/page/4/#comments

 

[liv&ren 18]

About a month ago i reached out to a Senator from my state to see if they could assist us in trying to expedite our case. They contacted the embassy for us and this is what the embassy responded with. I am confused what they mean by administrative processing. If we already have our case number what else would they be doing with our case since we are k1?

[ML4279 22]

2 minutes ago, liv&ren said:

About a month ago i reached out to a Senator from my state to see if they could assist us in trying to expedite our case. They contacted the embassy for us and this is what the embassy responded with. I am confused what they mean by administrative processing. If we already have our case number what else would they be doing with our case since we are k1?

I believe administrative processing is a catch-all term to explain the process is on hold. Unless the beneficiary’s home country is currently processing K1 visas all applications that have been approved and assigned a case number are sitting waiting to be mailed to the embassies. That can’t be done until the embassies begin processing K1 visas. It’s very frustrating but likely each embassy is dealing with limited staffing and a large backlog of visas and other items. 

 

Others may be able to explain or go into more detail. 

[foreverchris2020 26]

1 hour ago, liv&ren said:

About a month ago i reached out to a Senator from my state to see if they could assist us in trying to expedite our case. They contacted the embassy for us and this is what the embassy responded with. I am confused what they mean by administrative processing. If we already have our case number what else would they be doing with our case since we are k1?

I was planning on doing the same thing for our case but I decided not to since Nigeria’s U.S. consulate “hasn’t resumed regular visa services” & their international airport is still closed. However, the email to my congresswoman has been drafted out & saved lol 

 

Is your beneficiary’s US Embassy open in their country? 
 

I’m hoping September brings better news for all K1’s! 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

13 hours ago, liv&ren said:

About a month ago i reached out to a Senator from my state to see if they could assist us in trying to expedite our case. They contacted the embassy for us and this is what the embassy responded with. I am confused what they mean by administrative processing. If we already have our case number what else would they be doing with our case since we are k1?

Your case cannot be expedited from a contact made by a lawyer or a Senator. Neither has any influence with USCIS, NVC or your embassy. 

 

Anyone can ask for their case to be expedited but must follow certain criteria. https://www.uscis.gov/forms/expedite-criteria.  If accepted or denied neither have an impact on any other process toward a visa. 

 

1. For USCIS refer to https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-information/how-make-expedite-request
2. For NVC they expedite K-1 visas already.
3. For Embassies, an expedited request requires you to contact them either through email or a phone call. Most embassy don't grant expedited visas but only in the case of an emergency. Check with your embassy's website for additional details.

 

Chapter 5 - Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions

 

Benefit requestors may request USCIS to expedite the adjudication of their applications or petitions. USCIS considers all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis and generally requires documentation to support such requests. The decision to grant or deny an expedite request is within the sole discretion of USCIS.

 

From <https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-1-part-a-chapter-5>

[AC_ 29]

Hi there,

 

Upcoming fees from NVC to interview phase are:

• non immigrant visa fee MRV ($265 USD)
• costs associated with medical examination

Correct? I saw some people saying you pay a fee at the embassy itself which confused me.

I have searched for an answer on VJ and it confused me further, hence my question.

Edited August 28, 2020 by AC_

[Greenbaum 12,259]

24 minutes ago, AC_ said:

Hi there,

 

Upcoming fees from NVC to interview phase are:

• non immigrant visa fee MRV ($265 USD)
• costs associated with medical examination

Correct? I saw some people saying you pay a fee at the embassy itself which confused me.

I have searched for an answer on VJ and it confused me further, hence my question.

The P3 letter from your embassy outlines the procedure for paying the visa interview fee (MRV). Each embassy can be different. Some require payment beforehand at a local bank and others in person on the day of the interview. Each medical facility has different fees so what the fee is for one country is not necessarily the fee for another.

 

If you followed the suggestions in the PDF found on the first page first post you would see the offer that I have most P3's but like most you skipped over that and now your confusion has set in. But just the same here are your P3 instructions.

 

P3 instructions for the UK

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M92AwztXRnkFw6xwUF0ZlntJ6D4-eK2E/view?usp=sharing

 

Embassy Page

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/required-documents/

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/medical-examination/

 

London Portal here on VJ

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=United Kingdom&cty=London

 

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.

 

A fellow VJ'r who just completed their visa interview

 

 

Medical prices including vaccination pricing

http://www.visamedicals.co.uk/us-price.htm

 

Medical questionnaire

https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2017/05/USA-MEDICAL-QUESTIONNAIRE_IV.pdf

 

 

[AC_ 29]

3 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

The P3 letter from your embassy outlines the procedure for paying the visa interview fee (MRV). Each embassy can be different. Some require payment beforehand at a local bank and others in person on the day of the interview. Each medical facility has different fees so what the fee is for one country is not necessarily the fee for another.

 

If you followed the suggestions in the PDF found on the first page first post you would see the offer that I have most P3's but like most you skipped over that and now your confusion has set in. But just the same here are your P3 instructions.

 

P3 instructions for the UK

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M92AwztXRnkFw6xwUF0ZlntJ6D4-eK2E/view?usp=sharing

 

Embassy Page

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/required-documents/

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/medical-examination/

 

London Portal here on VJ

http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=United Kingdom&cty=London

 

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.

 

A fellow VJ'r who just completed their visa interview

 

 

Medical prices including vaccination pricing

http://www.visamedicals.co.uk/us-price.htm

 

Medical questionnaire

https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2017/05/USA-MEDICAL-QUESTIONNAIRE_IV.pdf

 

 

Didn't skip it actually. Cheers!

[Dee Hambly 32]

Hi Friends,

After much consideration and some good advice, I have withdrawn my K1 application.  The reason is employment.  My fiance cannot quit his job nor take the time off until he gets a work permit.  We have decided to get married in the UK and then start over with a CR-1.  I have notified both the NVC and USCIS. 

 

The good news is I applied for their marriage Visa on July 23rd.  They require a biometic appt at a USCIS office which were closed at the time, but reopening a week later.  I took the first available appointment on August 7th.  I received my Visa today - 15 working days!!  (Normally they offer expedited processing in 24 hours or 5 days, both costly, but not available during COVID).  So next week I'm headed to the UK to give notice to marry.  Then home to Atlanta to wait the 30 days (I have kids in school) and then back again in November to get married! 

 

I hate that I wasted so much time and energy on the K1 but hope that since it was just approved in June, it may help with the CR-1 processing.  Maybe not, but here's hoping.  

 

I wish you all the best in your future marriages!! 

 

[ML4279 22]

32 minutes ago, Dee Lowrey said:

Hi Friends,

After much consideration and some good advice, I have withdrawn my K1 application.  The reason is employment.  My fiance cannot quit his job nor take the time off until he gets a work permit.  We have decided to get married in the UK and then start over with a CR-1.  I have notified both the NVC and USCIS. 

 

The good news is I applied for their marriage Visa on July 23rd.  They require a biometic appt at a USCIS office which were closed at the time, but reopening a week later.  I took the first available appointment on August 7th.  I received my Visa today - 15 working days!!  (Normally they offer expedited processing in 24 hours or 5 days, both costly, but not available during COVID).  So next week I'm headed to the UK to give notice to marry.  Then home to Atlanta to wait the 30 days (I have kids in school) and then back again in November to get married! 

 

I hate that I wasted so much time and energy on the K1 but hope that since it was just approved in June, it may help with the CR-1 processing.  Maybe not, but here's hoping.  

 

I wish you all the best in your future marriages!! 

 

Congratulations to you! Can you clarify if you are the beneficiary or the petitioner? I had read the marriage visa process is normally longer than K1 (up to 10mo or more) so which parts of the process were you able to get expedited?