Only EB1/EB2 update on NVC (DQ, IL)

[HillB 15]

On 10/6/2024 at 5:47 AM, DDON said:

I am moving without a job in hand, but I have only recently completed an expatriate assignment and therefore moving with plenty savings that’ll last for 1-2 years! As @appleblossom keep recommending, it’s very important to move with plenty savings, I’m recommending moving with at least a year’s salary ‘due to expensive accommodation, private medical, car, etc. Cost of living is quite scary right now.

 

Adding US number and address and adding your permanent resident status does not really make a difference since they can tell you’re outside the US from your computer’s IP address, and even applications via LinkedIn the recruiters and hiring managers can tell you’re applying from outside the US.

 

Best thing is to contact your network in the US in addition to submitting your applications. My previous employer has the HQ in the US so we are discussing open positions in the US office. 
 

It’s not easy securing a job offer whilst you’re still outside the US, most recruiters and hiring managers want you to be in the US with your perm resid status before they can offer you anything. May be they are also trying to avoid responsibility for your relocation, not sure, it almost looks as if they don’t believe you are a perm resident, lol.

 

Finally, keep all hope alive, network, network, keep applying, and may be after the elections, things will get better. Also, location in the US matters a lot. Where do you plan to live in the US? If you’re into tech, software, AI etc (San Francisco), if you’re into oil and gas, energy then Texas, Colorado, Delaware, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma. If you’re into Pharma then go to states that are pharma hub like Boston, New Jersey etc. if you’re into Agriculture etc, go to Bakersfield in California. Location matters a lot. Be flexible, don’t try to force yourself to live in a particular location. Go to where you’ll have loads of opportunities and where your area of expertise is highly sought after. Best wishes!

100 percent! But I want to add that - you can change your LinkedIn location to the US state you want to move to and indicate that you are open to work, also use a US address and cell number on your resume. This is what I did even before I was DQ'd and had multiple interviews even before I arrived the US. The job market is not the best, but there are lots of incredible opportunities and these days everyone interviews online and will only ask you to come in-person at the very final stage - if needed. Goodluck!

[Jumboeggs 3]

17 hours ago, dabursot2 said:

Hi all,

After a month in AP my visa has been issued.

I just want to say this forum is amazingly useful to follow up the entire visa process, I am sure we can all agree that it can be brutally excrutiating.

Thanks all for the advice, wise words, tips, and best of luck on this process.

Congrats!!!

Was the one month in AP because of the quota being exhausted(ie waiting for new FY)? Or were you from a country that usually does more background check?

[dabursot2 24]

35 minutes ago, Jumboeggs said:

Congrats!!!

Was the one month in AP because of the quota being exhausted(ie waiting for new FY)? Or were you from a country that usually does more background check?

Thanks,

My interview was on the 04-Sept, and was put in AP, I think someone in the consulate put it in the backburner because of the visa quota being out for the FY and they only picked it up after I sent an email on the 09-Oct asking about the status of my application since I sent everything they needed.

After that email it was issued in 2 days.

Good luck to all.

[pebb1ee 3]

IR1 (in UK) just got Interview Letters today around 12:22 PM. Did anyone from EB1/2 Category got their Interview letters as well?

[Jumboeggs 3]

I got my police clearance certificates finally, and can proceed to start my ds260 and so on. I have a question, i never got my online access code for the uscis account. I asked a live person via Emma, and they told me " 

The I-140 is not compatible with the USCIS online account. You will not get an access code for it".  I created my uscis account last year for another petition that i withdrew back then.

Is it important to have a uscis account or have my approved petition on that?

i will rehire my lawyer to handle this part too as there is too much at stake.

Edited October 18 by Jumboeggs

[appleblossom 2,803]

1 hour ago, Jumboeggs said:

I got my police clearance certificates finally, and can proceed to start my ds260 and so on. I have a question, i never got my online access code for the uscis account. I asked a live person via Emma, and they told me " 

The I-140 is not compatible with the USCIS online account. You will not get an access code for it".  I created my uscis account last year for another petition that i withdrew back then.

Is it important to have a uscis account or have my approved petition on that?

i will rehire my lawyer to handle this part too as there is too much at stake.

 

I had a USCIS account, it was utterly pointless though. I really wouldn't worry about it, particularly as you've passed the USCIS stage now anyway. 

 

And why do you think you need a lawyer? It is dead easy, nowhere near as complex as the petition, and you can ask here if anything isn't sure. Your call of course but I wouldn't say it's needed unless you have complicated circumstances. 

[Montreal-Oct22 2]

I got my interview for EB2-NIW yesterday in Montreal, Canada. I think Montreal mostly does immigrant visa. When I got there, there was one family ahead of me and they had like 4 huge bundles of documents. I only carried few documents so was worried I did not bring enough. 

 

The visa process took like 2 hours. First security and they gave a laminated small yellow sheet that states we need original marriage certificate, birth certificate, police certificate, and divorce certificate. It also states financial documents. This yellow sheet is for general IV so the financial document does not apply for EB1 or NIW. 

 

I had to wait like 30 minutes to first be called to the window. I thought that was the interview but the first session was for submitting original documents such as marriage certificates.... They did not ask for for finanical document. Then they told me to wait. 

 

After waiting for another 30-60 min, again called to a window and this time was for scanning finger print. Then again wait for 30-60 min. 

 

Then finally called for interview. The CO was very nice. Made me take an oath that I was telling the truth. Then asked few questions such as where I studied, my field of education, where I will go in USA, etc. He only asked for my CV. I had changed my job since I applied for NIW so I said my new CV has my new employer and asked if he needed my employment letter. He said not employment letter needed, only CV. I had printed most of my NIW but only CV needed. I got worried by seeing the first family with the 4 huge bundles of documents for nothing. The CO was impressed with my publications and amount of citation. I think since I had a PhD from US university, that made it easy for the NIW application. For my NIW application, I did not submit one reference letter. My lawyer said not needed and reference letter is the last thing they look at. The CO said he will process the visa and next sete is the administration process so he handed me back my passport and said to complete some forms online and again ship the passport to the consulate. I thought this was unusual as they are supposed to keep the passport.  

[Jumboeggs 3]

2 hours ago, Montreal-Oct22 said:

He only asked for my CV.

 

Yeah, i have heard that they usually ask for an updated cv to add to the file. 

 

  

2 hours ago, Montreal-Oct22 said:

The CO said he will process the visa and next sete is the administration process so he handed me back my passport and said to complete some forms online and again ship the passport to the consulate. I thought this was unusual as they are supposed to keep the passport.  

 

Was it DS-5535?

[Mahyar40 0]

Does anyone know the usual waiting time for EB2-NIW interview letter in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia? I transferred my case to Kuala Lumpur more than two months ago and I have not received the interview letter so far.

[Montreal-Oct22 2]

22 hours ago, Jumboeggs said:

 

Yeah, i have heard that they usually ask for an updated cv to add to the file. 

 

  

 

Was it DS-5535?

Yes it was DS-5535. 

[appleblossom 2,803]

1 hour ago, Montreal-Oct22 said:

Yes it was DS-5535. 

 

Then that's why you were given your passport back - you've probably got a lengthy wait ahead of you unfortunately. 

 

Good luck.

[Jumboeggs 3]

2 hours ago, Montreal-Oct22 said:

Yes it was DS-5535. 

Did you have anything in your background? eg. travel to any high scrutiny country etc?

[Montreal-Oct22 2]

4 hours ago, Jumboeggs said:

Did you have anything in your background? eg. travel to any high scrutiny country etc?

Was in Canada for 2 years due to Covid. Plus I do not come from a country that is black-listed by USA. Thus, I doubt this is the case. It could be just normal procedure. The DS-5535 wants list of all siblings and update any information since I filled up my application so I think its normal procedure. 

[Montreal-Oct22 2]

5 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

Then that's why you were given your passport back - you've probably got a lengthy wait ahead of you unfortunately. 

 

Good luck.

The CO was very nice and said since my visa category was EB2-NIW, which is needed for USA, he will prioritize my application so I hope I will get my passport stamped with the visa within 2 weeks. 

[appleblossom 2,803]

50 minutes ago, Montreal-Oct22 said:

The CO was very nice and said since my visa category was EB2-NIW, which is needed for USA, he will prioritize my application so I hope I will get my passport stamped with the visa within 2 weeks. 

 

It's nothing to do with him now unfortunately. It could only take a couple of weeks (depending on the reason for AP), but it could also be quite a bit longer. There's a long running thread about the DS-5535 in Montreal which may be worth a read - 

 

 

It's usually due to an occupation on the TAL list, or link with a high risk country (Middle East, Pakistan, etc). 

Edited October 20 by appleblossom