Approved - how long until sent to state?

[apnzz 224]

16 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Thought I'd share info here as I recently sent an enquiry to NVC and then contacted their NVCResearch address directly with a copy of my NOA2 as (to me) it looked like they should have received ours, but hadn't:

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

As of 9-Sept-24, we are working on cases that were received from USCIS on 14-Aug-24. The National Visa Center (NVC) has not yet received your petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

 

Although the Form I-797 approval notice mentions a delay of up to 30 days for cases to be delivered to NVC from USCIS, current shipping times may be longer. If you have not received a communication from NVC about this case within 60 days from the I-797 approval notice, please contact us again.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

So was basically told to wait another month and then contact again if still no updates.

 

It seems like approvals dated early August likely were shipped out towards the end of the month. Hopefully we will hear something soon.  

just asking you personally just for advice since we're the same country too - because it's taking so long currently I'm just torn - some context; we booked a flight for me to visit my fiance in the U.S. for thanksgiving and christmas, literally a day after we booked the trip, we got the approval. My birthday falls on thanksgiving this year and naturally I knew we probably wouldn't make the visa in hand by that time, so I was hoping for visa in hand before christmas so I could enjoy that at least, but now hearing the times are increasing I'm just thinking it's less and less likely; even with the delays waiting to be received by NVC, there's also delays at people at NVC waiting for their case numbers and waiting to go to embassy. Just want your opinion on what you think I should do? The plan me and my fiance discussed was to just do a visit (like we initially booked and planned before we got approved) for november and december to spend the holidays together, then just come back in Jan for visa medical and interivew. I'm just thinking it's just clearly taking so long and I'd had to miss the holidays just to get stuck and have no progress made. My friend said if it was her she'd just do the visit especially since there's people waiting over 6 weeks to go to NVC, then according to NVC website, they're still working on cases received Aug 14 which is basically another month behind. Then there's the wait to be ready at embassy, then once ready, UK interviews are currently 4-5 weeks away, then add 1-2 weeks (that the embassy recommends) for the visa to be delivered after approval, I just don't really know if it'll happen before christmas at that rate lol. Sorry for the ramble, just feeling quite anxious. We filed March 4 and I've seen so many people with visa in hand in under 90 days some even under 65 and I just was hoping to be there before christmas and it's becoming less and less likely (hence why we booked the trip, but the approval came legit the day after flight booking so I've just been like in limbo lol) @smilingstone thanks for listening to me blabber ❤️ 

[smilingstone 164]

22 hours ago, callifrances said:

Case needs to show as Sent to Department of state on USCIS site or tracker.

 

Thank you so much, I didn't even know this was a thing! I thought that after NOA2, USCIS didn't update their tracker any further!

 

I just checked mine and it says it was sent to DOS on 28th August.

 

Fantastic to have a little more insight as to where we're at!  

[smilingstone 164]

8 hours ago, apnzz said:

we booked a flight for me to visit my fiance in the U.S. for thanksgiving and christmas, literally a day after we booked the trip, we got the approval.

 

Unfortunate timing, but still a very positive outcome to get the approval! Congrats!

 

8 hours ago, apnzz said:

My birthday falls on thanksgiving this year and naturally I knew we probably wouldn't make the visa in hand by that time, so I was hoping for visa in hand before christmas so I could enjoy that at least, but now hearing the times are increasing I'm just thinking it's less and less likely; even with the delays waiting to be received by NVC, there's also delays at people at NVC waiting for their case numbers and waiting to go to embassy. Just want your opinion on what you think I should do?

 

What is the expiry date on your NOA2? Generally speaking, you should have your medical and interview done before that expiry, but of course, there's a good chance this not happening but London can (and should) extend your expiry if, for example, there are no available slots before then. My expiry is 30th November, so I am genuinely anticipating being able to schedule things for in advance of then. Whether this is actually the case is yet to be seen...

 

We received approval on 3rd August, but USCIS only sent our petition to DOS on 28th August. For you and your approval on 4th Sept, you could be looking at them sending it on to DOS towards the back end of Sept. Then you have to factor in the further weeks of waiting for NVC to process and London to get in touch with you.

 

In my opinion, a visa in hand before Christmas is possible, but it really is hard to say. From what I understand of London, they don't release interview slots that far in advance (maybe only within the current month?). Your timeline suggests you're approx. 1 month behind me in terms of approval and for me personally, I am anticipating receiving NVC updates and embassy welcome letter sometime in October. So for you, potentially November? This is purely my own speculation so please do not make any arrangements based on my response, but that might mean that you can schedule things November/December.

 

8 hours ago, apnzz said:

The plan me and my fiance discussed was to just do a visit (like we initially booked and planned before we got approved) for november and december to spend the holidays together, then just come back in Jan for visa medical and interivew. I'm just thinking it's just clearly taking so long and I'd had to miss the holidays just to get stuck and have no progress made. My friend said if it was her she'd just do the visit especially since there's people waiting over 6 weeks to go to NVC, then according to NVC website, they're still working on cases received Aug 14 which is basically another month behind. Then there's the wait to be ready at embassy, then once ready, UK interviews are currently 4-5 weeks away, then add 1-2 weeks (that the embassy recommends) for the visa to be delivered after approval, I just don't really know if it'll happen before christmas at that rate lol.

 

Me and my fiancé planned a visit that would have me there for Christmas, but once we received NOA2 with an expiry of before then, we had to come to terms with the fact that I simply cannot risk arranging travel for after that date as ideally any travel after that point would be me travelling under a K1 and therefore unable to return before AOS. I really couldn't bare to wait yet another 6+ months so we brought it forward to October, feeling safe that I wouldn't be in a position to schedule anything before then. I'll be returning early November which seems, to me, to be good timing with being able to schedule things with London (although I am secretly hoping for an opportunity to extend to December, just to give me more breathing room due to work commitments).

 

Are you in a position to bring your trip forward? It is a shame to miss your birthday and holidays, but something is better than nothing, and travel will be infinitely easier for you if it's done well before the time you're anticipating being required to go to London. Again, this is purely my own speculation so please do not make any arrangements based on my response, but it does sound like you could do a trip in October (finances permitting) and then return to move forward with everything else.

 

8 hours ago, apnzz said:

Sorry for the ramble, just feeling quite anxious. We filed March 4 and I've seen so many people with visa in hand in under 90 days some even under 65 and I just was hoping to be there before christmas and it's becoming less and less likely (hence why we booked the trip, but the approval came legit the day after flight booking so I've just been like in limbo lol) @smilingstone thanks for listening to me blabber ❤️ 

 

No need to apologise. This is an incredibly stressful time where our lives and future are taken out of our hands. We're just left to speculate and if you're someone who tends to do a lot of forward planning, it can feel like you have zero control.

 

My only advice to you would be to plan any trips for times when you feel comfortable. In the sense that, I would not feel comfortable booking flights for any time after October because I feel that it would be such a scramble and too high of a risk/close to expiry.

 

Are your flights refundable, or can you change the dates?

 

I hope the above helps you in some way. As I say, it's a really difficult position to be in, but you don't want to make your life any harder due to poor timing of travel. It may be a case of focussing on the bigger picture, and, as much as it hurts to not be with your partner, to remember that every day brings you one step closer to being together.

Edited September 12 by smilingstone

[apnzz 224]

14 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Unfortunate timing, but still a very positive outcome to get the approval! Congrats!

Thank you!! You too!

 

14 hours ago, smilingstone said:

What is the expiry date on your NOA2? Generally speaking, you should have your medical and interview done before that expiry, but of course, there's a good chance this not happening but London can (and should) extend your expiry if, for example, there are no available slots before then. My expiry is 30th November, so I am genuinely anticipating being able to schedule things for in advance of then. Whether this is actually the case is yet to be seen.

It expires 21 Dec 2024, waiting to see what happens I think.

 

14 hours ago, smilingstone said:

We received approval on 3rd August, but USCIS only sent our petition to DOS on 28th August. For you and your approval on 4th Sept, you could be looking at them sending it on to DOS towards the back end of Sept. Then you have to factor in the further weeks of waiting for NVC to process and London to get in touch with you.

I was approved on 23 August. It hasn't been sent to state yet.

 

14 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Me and my fiancé planned a visit that would have me there for Christmas, but once we received NOA2 with an expiry of before then, we had to come to terms with the fact that I simply cannot risk arranging travel for after that date as ideally any travel after that point would be me travelling under a K1 and therefore unable to return before AOS. I really couldn't bare to wait yet another 6+ months so we brought it forward to October, feeling safe that I wouldn't be in a position to schedule anything before then. I'll be returning early November which seems, to me, to be good timing with being able to schedule things with London (although I am secretly hoping for an opportunity to extend to December, just to give me more breathing room due to work commitments).

We're kind of similar, my fiancé and my friend (who has her visa already) both say that due to the unknown length of the delays people are experiencing between noa2 and embassy (specifically NVC) and how far behind NVC are working, that a visa before Christmas is possible, but isn't guaranteed. My friend specifically said if she was in my position she'd do a visit in October for thanksgiving, then play it by ear on coming back, if things change once I am there, I can always look into coming back early. 

 

14 hours ago, smilingstone said:

Are you in a position to bring your trip forward? It is a shame to miss your birthday and holidays

Yea! We talked about this, and I think we're going to look into late October to Thanksgiving - and look at "flexible" tickets.

 

14 hours ago, smilingstone said:

you could do a trip in October (finances permitting) and then return to move forward with everything else.

Okay thank you!! I'm glad I'm not delusional haha! I was thinking to do the trip in October, get some much needed time with my fiance, then just play it by ear - if things progress whilst I am there - great, I can just book my medical and interview and then come back to London accordingly. Then there is still hope for Christmas haha.

 

14 hours ago, smilingstone said:

No need to apologise. This is an incredibly stressful time where our lives and future are taken out of our hands. We're just left to speculate and if you're someone who tends to do a lot of forward planning, it can feel like you have zero control.

Thank you for being so kind and taking the time to provide such a lovely response, this process has definitely brought out the "anxious" and "worrying" side of me, I think it's just because it is so important to us, I just want to be able to start my life without any pauses and goodbyes, finally! Haha!

 

14 hours ago, smilingstone said:

you don't want to make your life any harder due to poor timing of travel

Yeah that was my only reservation, but I think a trip starting in October would allow me more flexibility, so that if it does go smoother and faster, I can always come back accordingly, and then if it doesn't - for whatever reason, I don't miss out on time with my fiancé (because that would really suck since the next time we would see each other would be after the visa is issued and naturally if it doesn't go fast, that could potentially be next year haha )!

 

Thank you so so so much, again. I think we are going to wait until October 1st to make a full decision, but the plan is to do the trip in October and see how things progress. Coming back to London early to do my medical and interview is extremely do-able that way, and I'd get time with my fiancé! Thank you for your kindness ❤️ 

[apnzz 224]

Update: as of 5th Oct 2024, we are still waiting to get sent to the Department of State. It has been 43 days. 

 

(6 weeks 1 day)

Edited October 5 by apnzz

[apnzz 224]

Update: OCT 7, Case Sent to the Department of State!! 

 

Exactly 6 weeks and 3 days!! 

 

[callifrances 1]

9 minutes ago, apnzz said:

Update: OCT 7, Case Sent to the Department of State!! 

 

Exactly 6 weeks and 3 days!! 

 

Congratulations!!! Such wonderful news ! Thank you for updating!

I'm 60days past noa2 and still not sent. 

[apnzz 224]

26 minutes ago, callifrances said:

Congratulations!!! Such wonderful news ! Thank you for updating!

I'm 60days past noa2 and still not sent. 

I'm so sorry I hope you get the news soon - have you tried contacting a congressman? I've heard from others that this can be helpful, I am not sure personally though.

[KJ2024 8]

Our petition was approved on Aug 20th and sent to NVC on Sep 25 . We inquired twice and finally NVC has received it on Oct 10th . We have received our case # through email . Hope that helps . 

[Spicy Chickenjoy 14]

On 10/12/2024 at 7:23 PM, KJ2024 said:

Our petition was approved on Aug 20th and sent to NVC on Sep 25 . We inquired twice and finally NVC has received it on Oct 10th . We have received our case # through email . Hope that helps . 

Thanks for the update! Ours was approved on Sept 10. We've been waiting 34 days and are hoping it's sent within the next few weeks.

 

On 10/7/2024 at 10:25 AM, callifrances said:

Congratulations!!! Such wonderful news ! Thank you for updating!

I'm 60days past noa2 and still not sent. 

Have you tried escalating your case to your local representative as @apnzz suggested? You can also submit a new inquiry. I've submitted two so far and they always include this verbiage: "If you have not received a communication from NVC about this case within 60 days from the I-797 approval notice, please contact us again."

[apnzz 224]

5 minutes ago, Spicy Chickenjoy said:

Thanks for the update! Ours was approved on Sept 10. We've been waiting 34 days and are hoping it's sent within the next few weeks.

 

Have you tried escalating your case to your local representative as @apnzz suggested? You can also submit a new inquiry. I've submitted two so far and they always include this verbiage: "If you have not received a communication from NVC about this case within 60 days from the I-797 approval notice, please contact us again."

The 60 days they refer to is 60 days from the point of which your case status updates from "case was sent to the Department of State". Because USCIS hasn't sent it yet. This is because USCIS is currently stating that it can take "up to 90 days for an approved i-129f case to be sent to the Department of State"; whereas the actual i-797 states 30 days; this isn't always accurate. (you can call or use the EMMA chat to contact USCIS and ask what the current times are and to see whether they have changed)

 

So unless your case status has updated as "case was sent to the department of state" NVC won't have it and there isn't really much point in submitting inquiries to them because the case is still with USCIS.

 

On average the wait from noa2 approval to "case was sent to the department of state" is around 6-8 weeks currently.

 

& until that case status update, the case remains in USCIS possession. NVC can't do anything.

 

For me:

Case Approved; 23rd August

Case was sent to the Department of State: 07th October 2024.

(Took 6 weeks and 3 days)

Edited October 14 by apnzz

[Spicy Chickenjoy 14]

Just now, apnzz said:

The 60 days they refer to is 60 days from the point of which your case status updates from "case was sent to the Department of State". Because USCIS hasn't sent it yet.

 

So unless your case status has updated as "case was sent to the department of state" NVC won't have it and there isn't really much point in submitting inquiries to them because the case is still with USCIS.

 

On average the wait from noa2 approval to "case was sent to the department of state" is around 6-8 weeks currently.

 

& until that case status update, the case remains in USCIS possession. NVC can't do anything.

 

For me:

Case Approved; 23rd August

Case was sent to the Department of State: 07th October 2024.

(Took 6 weeks and 3 days)

Thanks for the clarification.

[apnzz 224]

2 minutes ago, Spicy Chickenjoy said:

Thanks for the clarification.

Of course!  

Hopefully you get an update soon!

The most recent cases I saw that were "sent to the department of state" on Oct 11, were cases approved on Aug 28.   

Edited October 14 by apnzz

[Spicy Chickenjoy 14]

14 minutes ago, apnzz said:

Of course!  

Hopefully you get an update soon!

The most recent cases I saw that were "sent to the department of state" on Oct 11, were cases approved on Aug 28.   

Thank you so much 😊 I'm crossing my fingers! That's good to know - things are moving along at least.

 

Next month, I'm heading to the Philippines to visit my fiancé, as well as my grandparents and friends, for about a month. I don't expect we'll have an interview date by that time, and I'm at peace with that. My plan is to fly out again before the interview and stay until she has her visa in hand. Afterward, we'll fly back to Chicago together.

Edited October 14 by Spicy Chickenjoy

[apnzz 224]

19 minutes ago, Spicy Chickenjoy said:

Thank you so much 😊 I'm crossing my fingers! That's good to know - things are moving along at least.

 

Next month, I'm heading to the Philippines to visit my fiancé, as well as my grandparents and friends, for about a month. I don't expect we'll have an interview date by that time, and I'm at peace with that. My plan is to fly out again before the interview and stay until she has her visa in hand. Afterward, we'll fly back to Chicago together.

That sounds like such a lovely plan!

 

I have a trip to see my fiance on saturday!! so so excited!! our plan is, that my visit will be until just after thanksgiving, and then come back for interview. I'm currently waiting for my NVC case number so probably before thanksgiving I'll potentially have my case in transit or ready haha. praying I'll have everything figured out and get my visa before christmas but we will wait and see lol!