Next steps after NOA2

[Nywoek 14]

I know that it will take a few weeks or more for the papers to be sent to state and get the case number and all that, but is there a timeline for when you /should/ send in the DS-160 and schedule medical/interview? We seem to be closing in on them getting to the application (i know something might delay this, but all signs point to things happening within the next month or so). The reason I ask is that I have a trip coming up early in april, and I wonder if maybe I should wait to schedule things until after? Or maybe I am being silly, I dont know. I wish there was more data on how fast I will be able to get an interview in sweden, but there are not a lot of scandis on this site. 😅

[Edward and Jaycel 679]

I know it's from a different country, but Jaycel and I did not fill out the DS-160 or schedule her medical until the status of our NVC Case showed "Ready" at the embassy. Note that the expiration date of the visa when it is issued will be 6 months from the date of the medical exam, not the date the visa was issued so you do not want to do the medical too early.

[EatBulaga 383]

3 hours ago, Nywoek said:

I know that it will take a few weeks or more for the papers to be sent to state and get the case number and all that, but is there a timeline for when you /should/ send in the DS-160 and schedule medical/interview? We seem to be closing in on them getting to the application (i know something might delay this, but all signs point to things happening within the next month or so). The reason I ask is that I have a trip coming up early in april, and I wonder if maybe I should wait to schedule things until after? Or maybe I am being silly, I dont know. I wish there was more data on how fast I will be able to get an interview in sweden, but there are not a lot of scandis on this site. 😅

 

From your Timeline, you have been waiting about 5 months or about 150 days.

 

VJ has some data you can look at that can give you ballpark estimates.

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/stats.php

Texas Service Center average is about 161 days to approval.

NVC can vary depending on which consulate/embassy it sends to.

Sweden's average day from receiving from NVC to interview is 54 days.

 

So if all goes well, you should be getting approval in the next 2-3 weeks from the Texas Service Center.

So adding (10 to 15 days at TSC) + (10 to 30 days at NVC) + (54 days at Sweden) = (74 days to 100 days more wait).

 

Sweden consulate sends out the Packet 3 notice. So you really have nothing to do but wait and prepare the I-134 till you receive the Packet 3 email.

https://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Sweden&cty=Stockholm

 

You can check other Sweden members at

https://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=Sweden

 

As the disclaimer goes: past performances does not guarantee future results.

Edited January 31 by EatBulaga

[Ciaaling 2]

I just had my visa interview in Sweden. From our NOA2 date it took USCIS 1,5 months to even send the case to Department of State, so I would advice you to not count on anything happening until the status says "Sent to the Department of State". After that it took almost another 1,5 months until my fiance got the checklist from the embassy with everything we needed to do. This e-mail will include the case ID you need to have in order to even start the DS-160.

 

We finished the DS-160 about a week after that, and only when you're done with the DS-160 and have paid the fee you'll be able to schedule the interview. My earliest date was 2 months out, I'm not sure if Christmas had anything to do with it since I scheduled in end on November and the earliest time was end of January. I think Sweden started taking on cases for a bunch of other countries since December so the timeline might have changed. Also, I didn't schedule my medical exam until I had a interview date, since the medical exam is only valid for 6 months from the exam date, and it has to be valid at the time of entry. I had my medical exam a week before my interview, it was not enough time for the embassy to receive it before my interview. I got told my visa got refused but only because they didn't have the exam yet and if it shows no ineligibility they will approve it. The doctor e-mailed me my copy of the vaccination sheet the same day as my interview so I think if I had left a little more time between the medical exam and the interview I'd have an approval on the spot.

 

Also, good thing to know about Packet 3. It was not sent to my e-mail, it was sent to my fiances e-mail and said to forward it to me.

Edited January 31 by Ciaaling

[2022 8]

You can start on collecting the police clearance certificates from all countries beneficiary has lived in as a resident except US. Some countries procedure are easy, others can be a delaying mess and take weeks. My home country's embassy was a headache to deal with when I had to do it.

[Nywoek 14]

Thank you guys for your input, that is very helpful!

Our case got approved today, but the estimates sound like they will work out the way we want them to, so I guess we will just see how long it takes to get to Sweden. XD