Date of when DS-230 is generated

[Mononoke28 134]

Alan,

I'm so glad you got someone to tell you that they will mail you the DS-230. The people I talked to wouldn't confirm that with me at all so that's why I was really confused. If they said they're going to mail it out this week it means you can put yesterday's date on the DS-230 coversheet. The only difference I saw between the real coversheet and the one from James' shortcuts is that the letters that go on the very top (U.S. Department of State) and the IMMIGRATION word under the Statue of Liberty are dark blue. Everything else looks exactly the same so no big deal.

Also, the automated message has not changed at all. It's been saying that they're missing documents for almost a month. Very annoying actually, so I'm glad Erica just said it will change as soon as the case is completed. Thanks girl!

We're almost there Alan!!!

Diana

[Mononoke28 134]

Deleted.

Edited July 24, 2007 by Mononoke28

[Captain Oates 910]

sure thing Diana !!!!

You have lost a couple of weeks through it and that's a shame but there is no telling how the stages pan out so you might make it up later in the process...

They might send my fake form back while your genuine one sails through - who knows..

anyway yes we are absolutely on the same time line now...

I reckon 'case complete ' a week on Friday for you and I ....(guessing)

We are having a special bottle of wine as soon as we get that message. This is the THIRD time through for us (2 K1's before), so I am absolutely exhausted and sick of it. At least I have done the medical/immunisation/photos/interview before so I know the ropes and where to go and where to stay. Most important part is to ram your elbow into people's faces as you run for the front door at the embassy and grab your priority number when they release the queue - that was done to me 10.30am and i had to wait to 4.20pm for my interview...

I hope our discussion on this NVC message thing is read by lots of people and it will help them a lot when they are trying to make sense of the sequence of messages on the NVC and what to say when asking for the ds-230 generation (is the letter on its way to me ?)...

PHEW !!!!!! I expect a letter from London in say 3 weeks time (ish) - it's feet up and relax from now until then...

[vylex 0]

Alan,

I'm so glad you got someone to tell you that they will mail you the DS-230. The people I talked to wouldn't confirm that with me at all so that's why I was really confused. If they said they're going to mail it out this week it means you can put yesterday's date on the DS-230 coversheet. The only difference I saw between the real coversheet and the one from James' shortcuts is that the letters that go on the very top (U.S. Department of State) and the IMMIGRATION word under the Statue of Liberty are dark blue. Everything else looks exactly the same so no big deal.

Also, the automated message has not changed at all. It's been saying that they're missing documents for almost a month. Very annoying actually, so I'm glad Erica just said it will change as soon as the case is completed. Thanks girl!

We're almost there Alan!!!

Diana

Thanks for the confirmation Diana! Good Luck to you and Alan! You're almost there!

I am hoping the IV Bill and I-864 packet is in my mailbox when I get home today. *CROSSES FINGERS*.

In retrospect, I do think that the DS-230 generation message was trumped by the "Missing Documents" message. Anyway, I know what to expect now. The only variable for me is the DS-230 online form which expires at the end of this month. I hope they delay the update. I know people here have stated that it will most likely be accepted. I hope so because I don't want to have my wife fill out another form and then wait again for the mail.

[Mononoke28 134]

If they had planned for us to use a new form it should've been on the USCIS web site but the only one I found is the one with the 07/31/07 expiration date.

[Captain Oates 910]

Alan,

I'm so glad you got someone to tell you that they will mail you the DS-230. The people I talked to wouldn't confirm that with me at all so that's why I was really confused. If they said they're going to mail it out this week it means you can put yesterday's date on the DS-230 coversheet. The only difference I saw between the real coversheet and the one from James' shortcuts is that the letters that go on the very top (U.S. Department of State) and the IMMIGRATION word under the Statue of Liberty are dark blue. Everything else looks exactly the same so no big deal.

Also, the automated message has not changed at all. It's been saying that they're missing documents for almost a month. Very annoying actually, so I'm glad Erica just said it will change as soon as the case is completed. Thanks girl!

We're almost there Alan!!!

Diana

Thanks for the confirmation Diana! Good Luck to you and Alan! You're almost there!

I am hoping the IV Bill and I-864 packet is in my mailbox when I get home today. *CROSSES FINGERS*.

In retrospect, I do think that the DS-230 generation message was trumped by the "Missing Documents" message. Anyway, I know what to expect now. The only variable for me is the DS-230 online form which expires at the end of this month. I hope they delay the update. I know people here have stated that it will most likely be accepted. I hope so because I don't want to have my wife fill out another form and then wait again for the mail.

Jeepers! there is always something to worry about !

I think most superceding forms say the old one is valid for x months after

Good for you keeping your eye on it and I am sure you will figure it....perhaps an email to NVC to say have they any plans to replace the form when it expires might put your mind at rest - they are not quick at responding just now but might be worth it...

Future folk need to watch the fees too and make sure they don't miss any changes... I emailed nvc a while since on that and they confirmed nothing was imminent

Yes they are really cagey about the 'generation word' so 'when will the ds-230 letter be sent out' seems to work... and as you say 'this week' means yesterday if you call on a tuesday...

I would love to get my hands on their system and sort it out for them ...all events would have a message and press 4 to hear the previous message...press 5 to hear the next message..then you could hear all the past messages with non being covered over like the i-864 monster...

actually it should all be on line and accessed by a case password....oh don't let me get started on it !

anyway at 8am today UK time I was in serious despair and now I am elated and the last form to the US has GONE !!!! We have done it all from the UK and it was tough... but not as tough as some and I feel so sorry for those who's cases go on ice for weeks and months and nobody knows where the file is or what is happening...

It must be almost unbearable....thank goodness for VJ.. I will certainly stay on VJ after its all over and try and help out - pay my dues the best way that anyone can...

[vylex 0]

Jeepers! there is always something to worry about !

I think most superceding forms say the old one is valid for x months after

Good for you keeping your eye on it and I am sure you will figure it....perhaps an email to NVC to say have they any plans to replace the form when it expires might put your mind at rest - they are not quick at responding just now but might be worth it...

Future folk need to watch the fees too and make sure they don't miss any changes... I emailed nvc a while since on that and they confirmed nothing was imminent

Yes they are really cagey about the 'generation word' so 'when will the ds-230 letter be sent out' seems to work... and as you say 'this week' means yesterday if you call on a tuesday...

LOL, you are totally correct in that there is always something to worry about! I think you're right about it having some extension. Also, if the only thing that changes is the expiration date, they would have to be pretty cruel people to screw me on that. I'll be sure to contact them come DS-230 generation or "produced" time.

I would love to get my hands on their system and sort it out for them ...all events would have a message and press 4 to hear the previous message...press 5 to hear the next message..then you could hear all the past messages with non being covered over like the i-864 monster...

actually it should all be on line and accessed by a case password....oh don't let me get started on it !

LOL!!! I am totally picturing Kramer on the other end of phone asking, "Please SAY the form you'd like to see!!!" (Sorry...Seinfeld MoviePhone episode reference).

anyway at 8am today UK time I was in serious despair and now I am elated and the last form to the US has GONE !!!! We have done it all from the UK and it was tough... but not as tough as some and I feel so sorry for those who's cases go on ice for weeks and months and nobody knows where the file is or what is happening...

Great to hear your final form has set sail. Now just wait for that automated response to give that coveted "Case Complete!" message.

It must be almost unbearable....thank goodness for VJ.. I will certainly stay on VJ after its all over and try and help out - pay my dues the best way that anyone can...

Toast to that! I also plan on staying here afterwards to try and help others out based on my learning and experience. It's such a perplexing process at times. If it wasn't for the VJ guides and it's members, I would be pulling my hair out trying to figure some of these items out.

Good Luck to everyone on their journeys!

[Erica 0]

Alan,

CONGRATS!

I was all kinds of worried when I saw your posts earlier.

Anyway, I'm glad I could be of (some)help!

And I'm already sending good vibes for two friday the 3rd's 'Case Complete's'

[Mononoke28 134]

You think??? That would be too much for me, I was thinking more like the 7th. Any bets?

Alan,

You are so right about doing this online instead of calling that NVC number. It would be so much easier but beggars can't be choosers, huh?

Diana

[Captain Oates 910]

You think??? That would be too much for me, I was thinking more like the 7th. Any bets?

Alan,

You are so right about doing this online instead of calling that NVC number. It would be so much easier but beggars can't be choosers, huh?

Diana

I think the 'case complete' happens when it happens rather than a monday night (like forms generation)

more like I-864 when they stick it on the system when they are happy

So fingers crossed for the 3rd !

I am checking train times to London/hotels/medicals/inoculations and last but not least 'moral turpitude' that you can be deported for !

No end to the things to worry about !

only one I havent figured is where to hide my mobile phone while i am in the embassy as they wont allow one in ... possibly that lion's mouth in trafalgar square ?

[dejima 1]

Hi Vylex,

We have the same timeline. Hope we both receive the IV Bill soon. I have a question.

Will your wife use James' shortcuts to fill out and send DS230 or just wait for the NVC's letter?

Thanks for reply.

KayArt

Alan,

I'm so glad you got someone to tell you that they will mail you the DS-230. The people I talked to wouldn't confirm that with me at all so that's why I was really confused. If they said they're going to mail it out this week it means you can put yesterday's date on the DS-230 coversheet. The only difference I saw between the real coversheet and the one from James' shortcuts is that the letters that go on the very top (U.S. Department of State) and the IMMIGRATION word under the Statue of Liberty are dark blue. Everything else looks exactly the same so no big deal.

Also, the automated message has not changed at all. It's been saying that they're missing documents for almost a month. Very annoying actually, so I'm glad Erica just said it will change as soon as the case is completed. Thanks girl!

We're almost there Alan!!!

Diana

Thanks for the confirmation Diana! Good Luck to you and Alan! You're almost there!

I am hoping the IV Bill and I-864 packet is in my mailbox when I get home today. *CROSSES FINGERS*.

In retrospect, I do think that the DS-230 generation message was trumped by the "Missing Documents" message. Anyway, I know what to expect now. The only variable for me is the DS-230 online form which expires at the end of this month. I hope they delay the update. I know people here have stated that it will most likely be accepted. I hope so because I don't want to have my wife fill out another form and then wait again for the mail.

[vylex 0]

Hi Vylex,

We have the same timeline. Hope we both receive the IV Bill soon. I have a question.

Will your wife use James' shortcuts to fill out and send DS230 or just wait for the NVC's letter?

Thanks for reply.

KayArt

I'll toast to that! Any day now I hope...

As for the DS-230 / I-864(EZ) forms, this is my strategy:

1) Pay the IV Bill and send via Overnight mail.

2) Wait for the automated message on the phone and then send the pre-filled DS-230 and SELF-GENERATED DS-230 barcode cover sheet using Overnight mail.

In parallel, dealing with the I-864 AoS Package

1) Wait for the I-864 package (should arrive around the same time as the IV Bill).

2) Send in the ORIGINAL I-864 barcode cover sheet via Priority Mail with sig confirmation (if possible).

Based on Mononoke's experience, I will overnight the IV Bill so it gets into the system first and send the I-864 AoS package around the same time but just priority mail so there is a slight lag in receipt.

I don't want to go through the hassle of guessing games with the NVC operators if possible. My thought is once the IV Bill is processed I will get the message saying the DS-230 is generated vs. the "Missing Documents" message. Once I know the generation date, off the pre-filled DS-230 goes.

Anyway, that's my plan. Whether or not it works out...I'll just have to wait and see.

Good Luck on your journey!

-Alex

[Mononoke28 134]

I think that's a very good plan. BUT if you do get a funky message like that, don't hesitate to call them.

[Captain Oates 910]

we just received the I-864 pack yesterday - even though it has been sent in to NVC and and approved for ages now (via James short cuts)

But yes the IV is the main thing so basically the whole thing boils down to

A do the agent form with an email (saved me 3 weeks)

B do the ds-230 with James - saved me 3 weeks...

We are doing ours from uk so big savings - 6 weeks is super...

The I-864 would have got there one day later than the DS-230 if we had not used short cuts - so not really worth it...

I used fedex on tuesday for the IV form but the driver came 30 mins late so it missed the plane

but it arrived at NVC 1 hour 5 minutes ago

So I agree that just doing A and B above is all that is needed- having said that, as James says, if there had been a problem with the I-864 then we would have had time to sort it without holding the whole thing up and in retrospect, the I-864 is therefore worth doing with James SC

[trailmix 77]

Maybe everyone has seen this, gets this email - but it's new to me and I did a search and didn't find anything similar.

Some background: I sent the choice of agent via email - didn't hear anything for 10 days so sent it again and received a reply the next day - thanks, we got it we accepted it - all good.

Yesterday, a couple of weeks later - I get this email as well -

Good afternoon,

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

A packet containing the Immigrant Visa Processing Fee Bill has been sent to

the designated agent or attorney of record. The payment due amount listed on

the fee bill must be paid according to the instructions before the DS-230

will be accepted.

The NVC is waiting for form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) to be completed by

the petitioner. The petitioner must complete a Form I-864, regardless of the

petitioner's income level. Please have the petitioner complete this form and

return it according to the instructions so that we may continue processing

this file.

Please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1335.html to

download a copy of the I-864 and/or the instructions. If you do not have

access to the internet, you may wish to visit your local library or an

internet café.

Regards,

National Visa Center

So does everyone receive instructions to download the I-864 (I'm sending ours today, I haven't been too concerned about rushing to get it in).