Why is the NVC taking so long to send cases to the Embassy?

[Buttercup94 4]

Hello everyone!

 

For context, my fiancé (U.S. citizen) and I (French citizen) are trying to get me a K-1 visa. Our I-129F petition was approved last month and the NVC assigned us our case number on April 9. Based on what I read on the forum, for K-1 applications, the NVC doesn't do anything besides assigning a case number and then forwarding the case to the Embassy. While some embassies have to request new cases for the NVC to send them, my Embassy (Paris) told me that they don't need to request cases and that the NVC just sends them as they arrive. So why hasn't the NVC shipped my case yet? Is there a limit to the number of cases that can be shipped every two weeks and therefore a waiting line for those ready to ship? I am in desperate search of a rationale here...

 

Thank you in advance for any insights!

[Bob in Boston 759]

2 hours ago, Buttercup94 said:

I am in desperate search of a rationale here...

I dont think you will find it. Embassys march to the beat of their own drum and will blame each other if you go looking for answers. Patience is the key.

Edited April 27 by Bob in Boston

[Buttercup94 4]

Thank you for your reply! I guess it's in the nature of administrative institutions to be impenetrable. Hopefully the wait won't be as long as for the I-129F...

[PokuPoku 24]

We've been waiting since March 11th. I have no clue why it's taking so long for us. 3 times longer than the average of 20 days.

[hplusj 142]

Same here.  We were issued our NOA2 the first week of March.  Coming up on two months now.  Deep breaths, we'll get through this!

[Jared_0002 0]

On 4/27/2024 at 6:13 AM, Buttercup94 said:

Hello everyone!

 

For context, my fiancé (U.S. citizen) and I (French citizen) are trying to get me a K-1 visa. Our I-129F petition was approved last month and the NVC assigned us our case number on April 9. Based on what I read on the forum, for K-1 applications, the NVC doesn't do anything besides assigning a case number and then forwarding the case to the Embassy. While some embassies have to request new cases for the NVC to send them, my Embassy (Paris) told me that they don't need to request cases and that the NVC just sends them as they arrive. So why hasn't the NVC shipped my case yet? Is there a limit to the number of cases that can be shipped every two weeks and therefore a waiting line for those ready to ship? I am in desperate search of a rationale here...

 

Thank you in advance for any insights!

Hello, my fiance is also French and we had our I-129F petition approved at the end of March. The NVC took 4 weeks to ship our case and we received notice from the US embassy in Paris today to schedule the interview. The earliest interview was the end of October though so expect it to be in November for you. 

[Buttercup94 4]

21 minutes ago, Jared_0002 said:

Hello, my fiance is also French and we had our I-129F petition approved at the end of March. The NVC took 4 weeks to ship our case and we received notice from the US embassy in Paris today to schedule the interview. The earliest interview was the end of October though so expect it to be in November for you. 

 

That's such a long wait 😔 I really hope the NVC ships our case this week or it will take even longer...

In any case thank you for this precious information!!! And good luck for the rest of the process 🙂

[AndiB 677]

On 4/27/2024 at 6:13 AM, Buttercup94 said:

Hello everyone!

 

For context, my fiancé (U.S. citizen) and I (French citizen) are trying to get me a K-1 visa. Our I-129F petition was approved last month and the NVC assigned us our case number on April 9. Based on what I read on the forum, for K-1 applications, the NVC doesn't do anything besides assigning a case number and then forwarding the case to the Embassy. While some embassies have to request new cases for the NVC to send them, my Embassy (Paris) told me that they don't need to request cases and that the NVC just sends them as they arrive. So why hasn't the NVC shipped my case yet? Is there a limit to the number of cases that can be shipped every two weeks and therefore a waiting line for those ready to ship? I am in desperate search of a rationale here...

 

Thank you in advance for any insights!

They also review the case to check USCIS included everything and there were no errors in their adjudication. I imagine they also need to enter things into their system and then liase with embassys. It is entirely the embassy who decides if and when a case comes to them. NVC can't ship without the go-ahead from embassy. They are also handeling numerous other case types which are more intensive. K1 is a drop in the bucket to them, they have more going on that looking after your case. You're in a queue, it takes the time it takes. 

Average is 3-6 weeks with 5-6 weeks being most common. 

[Hyacinthesis 0]

I've filled IR1/CR1 so it might differ BUT today makes 2 months since I've been DQ'd and no interview date in sight. 

As it turns out, after deciding to email the embassy about it, they've said that the NVC as yet to send my case over and that I should resolve it with them while possibly requesting to expedite (which I have through the form inquiry). Will it result in anything? Probably not.

Whole thing's a headache and I reckon it's simply bad communication, bad management and delays.

[Buttercup94 4]

On 5/7/2024 at 7:31 AM, AndiB said:

It is entirely the embassy who decides if and when a case comes to them. NVC can't ship without the go-ahead from embassy.

 

As I mentioned in my initial message, while some embassies have to request new cases for the NVC to send them, my Embassy (Paris) told me that they don't need to request cases and that the NVC just sends them as they arrive. We haven't been shipped this week so it's going to be 8 weeks at the time of the next shipment. Another Franco-American couple on this thread with the same timeline had their case shipped in only 4 weeks so now I'm really worried  

 

On 5/7/2024 at 12:34 PM, João Jacinto said:

I've filled IR1/CR1 so it might differ BUT today makes 2 months since I've been DQ'd and no interview date in sight. 

 

Is there an option to contact your Congress representative? I think it's something people do when their case is outside of normal processing times. But then I don't see an indication of normal processing times (beyond the "timeframe" page) on the NVC's website, unlike the USCIS. I hope your situation gets resolved soon...

[hplusj 142]

15 hours ago, Buttercup94 said:

 

As I mentioned in my initial message, while some embassies have to request new cases for the NVC to send them, my Embassy (Paris) told me that they don't need to request cases and that the NVC just sends them as they arrive. 

The back and forth on this is absolutely maddening.  I was under the same impression, that embassies request cases be sent to them as their workload allows.

 

I messaged the embassy for a status on the embassy, as in when they expect to make more requests from NVC and was told "your case is not here, talk to the NVC". 

 

I can't even lol

 

Just going to sit tight and HOPE I'm not needed to poke anyone else with sticks.  We're at ten weeks since it was sent to DOS, by the way.

[PokuPoku 24]

I just got this email from the NVC, saying its been 60 days and

Quote

Where local conditions and restrictions allow, some embassies and consulates have resumed processing a limited visa workload, including K-1 nonimmigrant visa applications. For embassies and consulates that were unable to resume processing their visa workload, NVC is holding your approved Form I-129F. We cannot predict when routine visa services will resume, and we cannot guarantee or predict when your case will be sent to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in Kuala Lumpur. When NVC does forward your case, you will receive another notification.

Approved Forms I-129F have a 120-day expiration date from the date of approval by USCIS. Once your designated embassy or consulate resumes normal operations, a consular officer will revalidate your petition for another 120 days. You do not need to take any action for this revalidation to happen, though you may need to provide evidence that you still qualify for the K-1 nonimmigrant visa.

Well, its something. Thats good?

[PokuPoku 24]

IT WAS SHIPPED OUT TODAY!!!!! YAY!!!!

 

Isn't that weird though? I thought it only shipped out on tuesday and wednesdays?

[Buttercup94 4]

13 minutes ago, PokuPoku said:

IT WAS SHIPPED OUT TODAY!!!!! YAY!!!!

 

Isn't that weird though? I thought it only shipped out on tuesday and wednesdays?

 

Congratulations ☺️ It might just be a late "in transit" CEAC update? This forum is my only source on the Tuesday/Wednesday bi-monthly shipping pattern so no idea whether it's still accurate...

[PokuPoku 24]

2 minutes ago, Buttercup94 said:

 

Congratulations ☺️ It might just be a late "in transit" CEAC update? This forum is my only source on the Tuesday/Wednesday bi-monthly shipping pattern so no idea whether it's still accurate...

I don't think so. I did the "shipping hack" and there is nothing. I checked the website tracking ever day and it only updated today. The email they sent me had a document dated for today.