Transfer of U.S. Consulate at NVC stage from country of residence to country of citizenship

[Cookie88 88]

I wanted to know of any personal experiences and the details of having transferred your case during NVC stage from a country of residence to a country of citizenship for the sake of changing where you'd get interviewed.

 

For example, I have been living in Pakistan for almost 10 years, but I am a British citizen. Once I'm at the NVC stage, can I transfer it to the London U.S. Consulate to save myself from the 2-year interview waiting time in Islamabad U.S. embassy? 

 

Also, at what stage would it be the safest to do that? before getting DQ'd or after? And anything else I should be aware of? 

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

You should contact the new consulate and NVC after NVC receives the case (you need the DOS case number) to request a change. 

[appleblossom 2,479]

It's not usually possible unless you're resident there - here's an example…..

 

 

[Cookie88 88]

2 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

It's not usually possible unless you're resident there - here's an example…..

 

 

 

 

Oh no  Do you think there's harm in trying? Because of Islamabad this whole process is going to take like 4 years for me to be able to finally be with my husband and it's stressing me out. If I can change the consulate to London I can knock off 2 years, which is significant. 

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

1 minute ago, Cookie88 said:

 

 

Oh no  Do you think there's harm in trying? Because of Islamabad this whole process is going to take like 4 years for me to be able to finally be with my husband and it's stressing me out. If I can change the consulate to London I can knock off 2 years, which is significant. 

It costs nothing to ask.

[Boiler 45,467]

Reside has a million different definitions, just use your UK address.

[Cookie88 88]

Thanks guys. Does it come up in the interview at all? Do they question reasons behind transferring the consulate? I don't want to appear dishonest if they question where I live. Or have them use it to try to catch me out.

[appleblossom 2,479]

Not sure just an address will do it, have you got things like council tax bills to back it up? You've presumably already put your address as Pakistan on the forms?

 

I've seen some consulates that allow it (Turkey springs to mind), London seems to have a stricter policy. In their FAQ page it says "Immigrant and fiancé(e) visas should be processed by the embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence".

 

But absolutely worth trying, good luck. 

[Cookie88 88]

Thank you guys. If Islamabad wasn't as terrible as it is right now I would have probably just not bothered. But if there is a slither of chance even to knock 2 years off and can't harm the application then definitely worth trying! 

 

Yes, already put Pakistani address for the i-130 form. In terms of any documentation to prove address, the only thing I'd have is my UK bank account which still has a UK address. Can't think of anything else that may have it. Will try anyways and see how it fares!

[appleblossom 2,479]

Just now, Cookie88 said:

Thank you guys. If Islamabad wasn't as terrible as it is right now I would have probably just not bothered. But if there is a slither of chance even to knock 2 years off and can't harm the application then definitely worth trying! 

 

Yes, already put Pakistani address for the i-130 form. In terms of any documentation to prove address, the only thing I'd have is my UK bank account which still has a UK address. Can't think of anything else that may have it. Will try anyways and see how it fares!

 

Let us know how you get on, it would be good to see if you manage it, best of luck. 

[SalishSea 17,818]

9 hours ago, Cookie88 said:

Thanks guys. Does it come up in the interview at all? Do they question reasons behind transferring the consulate? I don't want to appear dishonest if they question where I live. Or have them use it to try to catch me out.

Even if approved, it will not eliminate the sometimes lengthy AP/background checks Pakistanis go through, just fyi.

[Cookie88 88]

2 hours ago, SalishSea said:

Even if approved, it will not eliminate the sometimes lengthy AP/background checks Pakistanis go through, just fyi.

 From what I've read it's mostly males who get put in AP, the same males that get pulled aside at any POE in the US as their names typically are flagged in the system.

 

But of course, always a risk in any case to be put in AP. That cannot be helped. There's potential negatives all over in this whole process. Trying to focus on a potential positive  

[SalishSea 17,818]

11 hours ago, Cookie88 said:

 From what I've read it's mostly males who get put in AP, the same males that get pulled aside at any POE in the US as their names typically are flagged in the system.

 

But of course, always a risk in any case to be put in AP. That cannot be helped. There's potential negatives all over in this whole process. Trying to focus on a potential positive  

It’s not the names, it’s the lack of centralized, accurate criminal record keeping in Pakistan.   Same reason the NVC does not require a PCC from Pakistan.

[Cookie88 88]

3 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

It’s not the names, it’s the lack of centralized, accurate criminal record keeping in Pakistan.   Same reason the NVC does not require a PCC from Pakistan.

Ok. But if I do get approved to transfer the London consulate, that still means the AP starts sooner if it's going to happen regardless whether in London or Islamabad. And the sooner it starts, the sooner it's over with. So either way, London consulate will still be a quicker process regardless.

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

22 hours ago, Cookie88 said:

If Islamabad wasn't as terrible as it is right now I would have probably just not bothered.

A lot can change in the next year.  Your I-130 was sent just a week ago.  This process is stressful.  Patience is key.

 

"Based on timeline data, your I130 may be adjudicated between August 9, 2024 and August 11, 2024*."

Edited September 29, 2023 by Crazy Cat