question about timeline

[bd08 0]

I-130 submitted October 2022. 

Nebraska service center.  Assuming because receipt letter came from there.

Japan Tokyo Embassy

married (living together) for 5 years, with kids. kids have CRBA and US passports.

 

Money is saved and any fees can be payed as soon as its possible. 

Sister with husband will be joint sponsor.  All paperwork is filled out, signed and scanned to pdf, along with supporting documents.  they'll send their paystubs when I-130 is approved.    

will take time off work as soon as possible to fill out online forms, and get Japanese Police certificate.

All documents, supporting documents, and any translations are scanned into pdf and ready.

 

using visajourney timeline

NOA1>NOA2 = 381

NVC = 207

Tokyo Embassy = 124

receive paperwork= 30

Total =  724

 

this puts me at around September/Ocotober 2024.

 

Questions:

 

At what point is it safe to buy tickets to the US?    I have family that want to come visit so they can return with us to the states, and help with our kids flight.  

 

Does it really take 207 days for NVC?  I have all the paperwork, translated by professional, with any possible supporting documents. 

Is it possible to request an earlier Interview date at the Embassy?

Ive seen people have issues with NVC accepting the Japanese Police certificate because it comes in a sealed envelope.  would it be a good idea to include a letter about it being acceptable?

Im assuming that the I-130 will be approved this year, and I can submit the I-864 soon after.  will I have to re-submit a new I-864 for the new tax year in 2024?

 

any other advice?

Im check visajourney topics regularly.

[Caro1 78]

It’s safe to buy the tickets when you have the passport with the visa in your hand. 
 

it does not usually take 207 days for NVC. You can find the current NVC times here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/nvc-timeframes.html
Current case review time: As of 24-Apr-23, we are reviewing documents submitted to us on 10-Apr-23.

Timelines can vary a lot. And I would not recommend making any specific plans based on VJ timeline or estimate. 

[Loren Y 2,755]

2 options for you, wait until Visa is in your possession, or make sure you buy refundable, or flexible tickets. There are a lot of variables that come into play that can end up ruining even the best plans.

[bd08 0]

1 hour ago, Loren Y said:

2 options for you, wait until Visa is in your possession, or make sure you buy refundable, or flexible tickets. There are a lot of variables that come into play that can end up ruining even the best plans.

I will be getting flexible tickets.  

trying to figure out at what point or date would be ok to pick dates.

I'm assuming either when it goes to NVC, or the Consulate.  

 

I know is risky, but buying tickets on short notice costs nearly 2x as much as buying in advance.

Edited April 27, 2023 by bd08

[BLC 112]

You’re are really jumping the gun here. There’s no way to even guess when you will receive an approval from USCIS, let alone getting into NVC, DQ, book medical, book interview. It may not even be this year that you’re looking at (hopefully it will be though). There’s no way to accurately guess when you should buy you and your family plane tickets. 

[Chancy 6,241]

8 hours ago, bd08 said:

I will be getting flexible tickets.  

 

I still recommend booking flights only after getting the visa on hand.  You have 6 months (maximum) from the date of the medical anyway to travel to the US, so you will likely have time to look for good deals on flights, even after waiting until you have the visa.  If you still want to book before getting the visa, check only after you get the interview schedule from the consulate.