Natureza

We finally received a notice saying our case was "Transferred to another office" today... what in the world could that mean? Any advice on this is welcome!

Joining this thread because we sent our packet in the mail on Feb 16th and received notice of receipt on the 18th at the Vermont Processing center.

On "Removing Conditions" - Personally I think this is a ridiculous process only created to generate more money. I've been together longer with more history and even children together and have seen fellow applicants who were only dating a few months before going through this process fly on through straight to a 10-year. Sorry to sound extremely bitter, but I feel like there is no end to the paperwork and filing fees and the way things have gone down at every turn has caused a great amount of unnecessary stress on our marriage. If I could do it all over again, I would have more seriously considered his request to just move to his country instead.

Again, best of luck to everyone...

We have a friend who is also going through AOS just like us and their appointment is only days after ours. They mentioned that they are scared because about two months ago they had an argument, cops were called, and the husband was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor and was mandated to undergo alcohol treatment. Apparently he still has a temporary order of protection against him that she hasn't been able to remove and she doesn't know what to do about it. It seems that everything has been fine since and she said nothing like this has ever happened before. I thought it might be wise to post here since there seems to be a lot of experience. I have both gotten alot of advise along the way and have helped whenever I can. In this case, I just didn't know what to tell her. Any advise on this would be helpful! We have literally all gone through this whole process together and I'd hate not to see their dream realized. Thank you for your feedback!

Still waiting since Dec 19th when we initially filed AOS - they transferred our case in February 2012 to CSC and literally just transferred it back yesterday (Jan 15th 2013)to our "local office" for processing. So basically our case went on a vacation for more than a year! Since his work and travel permit will expire next month and we were planning to travel in February for winter break, we have now resorted to refiling all of that madness. This is quite a disheartening process from start to finish. If I could do it all over again knowing that it would be like this I would have absolutely considered moving to BRAZIL more seriously...

Does any one have any advice on speeding this thing up?

I don't know how many inquiries I have already filed just to get the same form letter response... really don't have the interest of looking at the words "INITIAL REVIEW" yet again.

Having the EAD/AP sure helps alot, atleast that's how I see it. I don't check case status every day waiting around for the greencard. Even though it would be awesome to have immigration related stuff out of the way, I'm more "free" now, being able to work, re-taking driver's license and so forth.

Yes, Ironically it takes longer time for faster processing

Good luck, and glad to see you're getting the best out of the waiting.

Thank you for replying and you are absolutely right! We have had the time to take care of more logistics... SS card, bank accounts, drivers lis, health insurance and of course preparing for baby's arrival. Keeping fingers crossed that if there is going to be an interview... it happens before the baby comes or well after! Best of luck to you as well... its great to see some movement on here.

Thank you for running this thread! We filed for AOS on Dec 19th and our case was transferred to CSC on Feb 15th. Now we're playing the good ole' waiting game. At least he already received his EAD and AP documents. They are saying its backed up about 6 months as they are only processing June from last year at this time and yet they said they transferred our case there to speed up processing. Kind of ironic to get two conflicting types of feedback but who cares right? At this stage in the game we are at least all happily married and living with the one we fought for ages to be next to. We are also expecting our son and I have to say there is no greater luck than to have him by my side... makes the waiting less of an issue. Good luck to everyone here and please keep us posted as your final approvals come rolling in. It will at least give us a heads up to start paying attention again.

So send everything as is plus new checks? They put a white envelop in the back. Do I have to put it in that envelop?

Not sure about the envelope, but the same thing happened to me. Unless it is clearly marked I would simply follow the instructions in making out the right check amount for what you are submitting and include all of the paperwork in order including a photocopy of the form they sent you and put it on top so there is no delay in processing. Any doubts, just call the number on the paperwork, give the representative your case number, tell them what you are filing and ask them the exact fee. Also, I would suggest sending it back priority mail - its a quick turn around that way! Good luck!

VERY IMPORTANT - make sure you and your fiancee are fully aware of your past and what happened and make sure you have all the paperwork to support it including divorce decrees and perhaps even a notarized letter from a close family member confirming your word. We are stuck in AP because of this... I couldn't prove that I have had no contact with my ex in months nor do I know where he is currently living at the time. Its better to have way more than you can ever need than to go in there and be completely shocked at how much they do care about your past as the sponsor. Good luck!

I'm a U.S. citizen. Born and raised in California. I just wanted to ask-- if you are going to file for an over-seas spouse, while you yourself are living here in the USA-- does immigration really obsess over YOUR past? I guess I'm just being overly paranoid, maybe (which is my nature, haha). See, I just tend to like Indian guys, they are simply "my type" you could say. I'm not sure why, that's just how I am. I've dated some Indian guys-- like one in high school, and one in college.

Then several years ago, I got married to an Indian guy. But sadly, there was an issue where he cheated on me! So I quickly got the marriage was annulled, it was very short.

So anyway, right now, there is another Indian guy I have started a relationship with. I put the story down below. I plan to stay in his country for a few months before we get married. Then come back to the USA and file for him.

But... I guess I'm just paranoid it might look bad, or strange, that I was already married to another Indian guy a few years ago... Does immigration even look at the U.S. citizen's past marriages, or ask about them? Do I even have to tell them? Will they find out, and question me about it? I guess what I'm really asking is... How deep can I expect them to dig on ME? lol.

I'm clean of course, I've never been in trouble with the law or anything like that. I just don't want them jumping to conclusions about me, that's all. Like thinking I'm just marrying foreigners for green cards, or something! lol.

I am glad that you have made it out of AP but that is ridiculous that you had to wait that long. I have been sending email correspondence since our interview on June 28th when they kept his passport but said that some AP was needed in our case because of my past marriage (i had filed an affidavit of support for my ex husband when he processed his greencard in the US). We just got an email confirming they are returning his passport but no mention of whether or not there will be an actual visa in it. Our interview was all about my past marriage and the man even asked for proof that I had no idea where my ex lived nor had I spoken to him in months... How in the hell do you prove that?! I had my mom write and notarize a letter which was the only possible thing I could think of and also an email from his lawyer about the accident that happened when we were together. My 7 year old daughter from my first marriage was even with us at the interview... but somehow the man still had doubts about that being a valid marriage!!! I had never been so insulted and frustrated in my life. I didn't even want to remember my first marriage let alone have it be the main topic of discussion in the interview with my FIANCEE!

They didn't even look at the three years of photos, flight itineraries etc that my fiancee and I have together... I have emailed them first saying they had no valid reason not to approve our case, and even got my senator to email inquiry (to which they sent a form letter in reply without even changing one of the names of the prior person they sent it to on the letter). I've been sending emails to the consulate on a regular basis ever since. The man said two weeks and the email reply said up to 60 days... I plan on staying on top of this. We have been waiting for an entire year for this process to come to a happy end and I refuse to allow the "SYSTEM" to destroy that. I will be keeping this "Mandamus" option in my back pocket but I hope it doesn't get to this point... what a completely defeating process just to be with the one you love.

I received the best email of my life today. I got the approval of my visa, after 4 months and 3 days stuck in AP.

I want to share something with all of you guys who are in AP status.

I sent an email to the U.S Consulate in Rio de Janeiro last Sunday (March 7, 2010), stating that I intent to file a Mandamus against the Consulate.

It was a pretty big (significant) email that I told them of my intention and I talked about my case a little bit.

So, I got the approval today!

What I want to tell you guys who have been stuck in AP for a long time is that all you need to try to do something, send them an email, file a Mandamus... I dont know. If you are like me, I dont accept "WAITING" as an answer.

The Mandamus said that for a consular processing...

C. Consular Nonreviewability

If a person is seeking to compel a consular officer to process an application or petition abroad, the government likely will claim that such a claim is barred under the doctrine of consular nonreviewability. The courts generally have held that they lack authority to review consular decisions. See, e.g., Saavedra Bruno v. Albright, 197 F.3d 1153, 1159-60 (D.C. Cir. 1999).

However, the law is not firmly settled regarding the applicability of the consular nonreviewability doctrine to mandamus cases. See Ahmed v. DHS, 328 F.3d 383, 388 (7th Cir. 2003). And, in fact, the Ninth Circuit has found that it has authority to grant mandamus relief to compel a consular officer to act on a visa petition. In Patel v. Reno, 134 F.3d 929 (9th Cir. 1997), the court ordered the U.S. Consulate in Bombay, India to act on the plaintiff’s visa petition. Although the court acknowledged that "[n]ormally, a consular official’s discretionary decision to grant or deny a visa petition is not subject to review," the court found mandamus jurisdiction when the consul "fail to take an action." Id. at 931-32.

So, DONT BE AFRAID GUYS!

God love you all...

Administrative Processing/Advanced Processing (one in the same meaning). Basically means more needs to be done before a decision can be made on the visa.

I am scared to ask how long this may take but I can't help to want to have some kind of idea... they said that we should be contacted within 2 weeks and the flight we are hoping to be on together leaves Salvador on July 24th just under a month away which also just happens to fall on our 3 year anniversary. My daughter and I already have the flight but THANK GOD I didn't buy his reservation yet. Still I am praying that they stick to their word and that two weeks will actually only be 2 weeks and not turn into longer as it has in the past during NVC and USCIS processing.... trying to function but the truth is that it is hard to enjoy the time we have together now that we know it may be again limited to this small window of time.

Looks like you're in AP. Pretty rare for the Rio consulate. I'd wait the 2 weeks as they said and then start calling if you hear nothing by then.

Also who interviewed you? Was it a young (looked mid 20's) black male as I got him for my fiancee's interview and he kept trying to act intimidating and asking the same question numerous times when I told him my father works for State Department. Don't think he believed me until I got fed up and told him to go look it up XXX on his database...he didn't like that and ended the interview right away saying "approved"

What is AP exactly??? It was that very same guy and I found out later that day that they called my apartment 3 times asking for my ex. They spoke with my brand new interns who have no idea who he is at all and accordingly said they must have the wrong number but how would they know- they are just getting to know all of the artists we represent...they didn't even know who my ex-husband is or his name until yesterday! One of the times they tried to say "then why is his name on the caller I'd"- can you believe this??? Talk about trying to manipultate and lie just to try to find some reason not to approve our case. I am Sooo pissed right now. I have been in a long distance relationship for 3 years and we waited for yesterday for 11 months...it was bad enough I waited standing online for an hour on crutches and then they didn't even have a working elevator. The guy kept saying that so many people try to trick the system but who in their right mind would chose to have to go though all of this for anything but LOV E??!

1) Are you beneficiary or petitioner? Did they question marriage of petitioner or beneficiary?

2) If they questioned marriage of the petitioner:

a) Has petitioner received GC/USC based on the previous marriage?

I am the petitioner and an american citizen born and raised - they questioned my past marriage because apparently since I sponsored the change of his status from permanent resident to green card its considered a similar process. I didn't realize that or even remember doing it at the time because he did all the paperwork between his lawyer and the only thing I remember signing was an affidavit of support. Still we have been separated since 2005 and divorced since 2009 only because it took that long to locate and get him to agree to process. Then they wanted proof that my ex wasn't still living with me and of details that happened in my first marriage. They didn't give us any paperwork there at all. They just said pending further investigation we will be back in touch regarding our reply in 2 weeks. It was so odd. On one hand the interviewer wanted proof that I haven't had contact with my ex nor do I know where he currently is (not sure how I could ever provide proof other than my word) and then on the otherhand that my first marriage was even a valid marriage (as if my 7 year old standing in front of him wasn't enough proof).

I'm still in shock. The interview focused almost entirely on my past marriage which they apparently needed proof of what I was saying!! He kept my fiancee's passport and sent us to pay the fee for sending it back to his house but not before he said they needed to do more internal investigation before they can finalize the case. After all of this waiting I need to know what this can possibly mean. He didn't even mention if there was something specific I could send in to help expedite their request. After all of this I have to say that I am completely depressed and this trip which was supposed to be a "honeymoon" with our friends and family here before returning to the US has so quickly turned into an extended nightmare. Please if any of you have any useful insight into this specifically- I am anxiously awaiting ur reply.

I think its a great idea and makes sense with the new "economic" partnership. I hope it happens so that it will be easier to have our family visit us in the US too and vice versa... fingers crossed!

Hoping you can help me with this. My fiancee is asking about whether he needs a "cartão de vacinação international" international Vaccination Card and if he also needs something special to be able to drive here in the US. I have been looking for answers and asking around but so far it seems unclear. Knowing this beforehand will save a lot of headaches especially with the possible job opportunities waiting for him. I know if he has to get any special licenses that he would eventually have to do that here, but to start off I need to know if his drivers license from Brazil is enough to start.

Any help is appreciated... we are so close that I would hate for some small details to stop our life from moving forward as smoothly as possible from here on...

Hello fellow Brazillian k-1's... I am hoping someone has the answer to this.

We need to know if my fiancee has to get his "cartão de vacinação international" aka International Vaccination Card prior to the interview and (fingers crossed) departure... AND if he also needs something special to be able to drive here in the US. I heard about an international drivers license from AAA but when I looked at the site it said that this doesn't actually give you permission to drive but instead just translates your current drivers license and something about it being good for only up to 6 months. Apparently after that point he will have to apply locally for have been looking for answers and asking around but so far no one seems to know for sure.

Thank you all in advance for your replies and help along this way... finally starting to see the light at the end of this tunnel.

COngratulations!! :)

ABSOLUTELY best present ever... hope the celebrations continue with a swift NVC passage - good luck to you and yours!

I hope someone may have an answer to this... My fiancee and I want to know if we can go from Rio directly to the US, instead of having to return to Bahia - is that possible?

Would the consulate allow us to come back and pick up the passport and anything else directly or do they only allow completed visa approval paperwork to be returned via mail it to his address?

Thank you for your reply on this!

Sorry the last post went up prematurely and it wouldn't let me edit it... so here is what I meant to write.

So let me just say THANKS to one of our fellow VJ members, I found out how to track packages from NVC to our Consulate and just confirmed with NVC that this one is indeed our case!!! It felt empowering to finally be able to see our PROGRESS unfold! Its one of those little things you can do before you call NVC again the next day to help fill in the time we spend waiting...

The search result looks like this via www.dhl.com:

Waybill: 8771708820

Departed Facility in MIAMI GATEWAY - USA

Friday, April 15, 2011 at 09:00

Origin Service Area: BOSTON, MA - USA

Destination Service Area: RIO DE JANEIRO - BRAZIL

Friday, April 15, 2011 Location Time

9 Departed Facility in MIAMI GATEWAY - USA MIAMI GATEWAY, FL - USA 09:00

8 Processed at MIAMI GATEWAY - USA MIAMI GATEWAY, FL - USA 08:30

7 Arrived at Sort Facility MIAMI GATEWAY - USA MIAMI GATEWAY, FL - USA 07:03

6 Departed Facility in CINCINNATI HUB - USA CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA 05:09

5 Processed at CINCINNATI HUB - USA CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA 04:34

4 Arrived at Sort Facility CINCINNATI HUB - USA CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA 01:41

3 Departed Facility in BOSTON - USA BOSTON, MA - USA 00:01

Thursday, April 14, 2011 Location Time

2 Processed at BOSTON - USA BOSTON, MA - USA 23:56

1 Shipment picked up BOSTON, MA - USA 17:58

YOU TOO can track your case by following the directions listed - I'm glad I did:

Go to www.dhl.com

Click on Track by other methods

Select Track by Shipper's Reference - on this page you add your search info..

You change the day and month to what you think your's might have left NVC

EXAMPLE:

* Shipper´s Reference : EXP 14 APR 2011A

* Date range for shipment - From: 12 - 04 - 2011

* Date range for shipment - To: 15 - 04 - 2011

Account Number - Leave this blank

Shipment Destination: Brazil - here is where you select the Country of your consulate

This is the original post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302190-dhl-tracking-from-nvc-to-us-embassy/page__p__4568670__fromsearch__1#entry4568670

So let me just say THANKS to one of our fellow VJ members, I found out how to track packages from NVC to our Consulate and just confirmed with NVC that this one is indeed our case!!! Its kind of just a way to The search result looks like this via www.dhl.com:

Waybill: 8771708820

Departed Facility in MIAMI GATEWAY - USA

Friday, April 15, 2011 at 09:00

Origin Service Area: BOSTON, MA - USA

Destination Service Area: RIO DE JANEIRO - BRAZIL

Friday, April 15, 2011 Location Time

9 Departed Facility in MIAMI GATEWAY - USA MIAMI GATEWAY, FL - USA 09:00

8 Processed at MIAMI GATEWAY - USA MIAMI GATEWAY, FL - USA 08:30

7 Arrived at Sort Facility MIAMI GATEWAY - USA MIAMI GATEWAY, FL - USA 07:03

6 Departed Facility in CINCINNATI HUB - USA CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA 05:09

5 Processed at CINCINNATI HUB - USA CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA 04:34

4 Arrived at Sort Facility CINCINNATI HUB - USA CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA 01:41

3 Departed Facility in BOSTON - USA BOSTON, MA - USA 00:01

Thursday, April 14, 2011 Location Time

2 Processed at BOSTON - USA BOSTON, MA - USA 23:56

1 Shipment picked up BOSTON, MA - USA 17:58

YOU TOO can track your case by following the directions listed - I'm glad I did:

Go to www.dhl.com

Click on Track by other methods

Select Track by Shipper's Reference - on this page you add your search info..

You change the day and month to what you think your's might have left NVC

EXAMPLE:

* Shipper´s Reference : EXP 14 APR 2011A

* Date range for shipment - From: 12 - 04 - 2011

* Date range for shipment - To: 15 - 04 - 2011

Account Number - Leave this blank

Shipment Destination: Brazil - here is where you select the Country of your consulate

This is the original post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302190-dhl-tracking-from-nvc-to-us-embassy/page__p__4568670__fromsearch__1#entry4568670

I am still in the middle of this process (waiting for NVC to send to Consulate in Rio) but I've been thinking a lot lately about what the options are if my fiancee wants to bring his kids over eventually. Our kids are close in ages and really enjoy one another during all the time we have spent together over the past 3 years, but they do still primarily live with their Mother's family at this point.

We have already received the NOA2 and we did list them on all of the forms since the beginning, but we also had decided that they wouldn't be coming at this point. If down the road they want to come over and live with us, I would like to know if there are specific time limits on this? Do we need to file any additional paperwork at this stage in the game? Any feedback is much appreciated!

I called USCIS today and got hung up on twice. The first one I think may have been a mistake...he was in mid-sentance. But the 2nd time the lady said, "I can't discuss this futher"...click. #######!!!!

She did tell me that the on-line tracking tool for the USCIS is broken. It has not worked or been updated for months. That makes since because my last "touch" was October 3rd.

I called today (and will call everyday until we get our NOA2) and my tier 2 person sucked. Last week I requested and got a service request. Well the lady today said that person whom created the service request for us did so prematurely. That we were still in the normal processing times. I asked what that time frame was and got the standard 5 months. I explained that 5 months has long passed (we filed 9/23/10). She just said that service request is in but that no one will pay attention to it. Again....#######....what is it for then damn it?! I was told to call back in 11 days. Again..again...#######?! I asked why 11 days? That is an odd number and that would be a Saturday. So she just said, "Oh...I guess it is...then call the newt business day." This is proof she just pulled that number out of the air. I asked why 11....what happens in 11 days. That's when I got the hang up. I mean....this IS MY LIFE. Not just some file on her desk. They won't tell me anything...no good news no bad news nothing....just wait more. We are almost at 7 months...how long does it take?

BTW....do not mention the speed of the California Service Center. That just pissed her off more. But facts are facts lady and ya'll aren't cutting the mustard! Think the VSC is hiring? I want a job that I can treat people like garbage, get all holidays off, and not perform my work in the time designated.

The ONLY thing that seemed to work for us (we filed only a couple days earlier than you) was to call my Congressman AND my senator. They literally called on my behalf at different times and got back to me the next day max 2 days every time and I know they had everything to do with my case finally being processed. I understand your frustration. Hate to say that even after you get the NOA2 there is more waiting ahead albeit less... I would also file the complaint regarding your experience even if it only helps others to not have to go through what you did. They should be way more sensitive to what we are going through and this whole process should be more transparent. Unfortunately getting mad isn't going to make your case go faster... stay involved, call back, and be persistent with whatever routes you take because in the end - we are the only ones who give a ###### about getting out of the system and into our fiancee's arms.

Use the immigrationrio address. I had no problem getting a response within 2 days. They sent me the date in the reply email. It seems like it is taking about 2 months to get an interview right now. Good luck to you!

Muito obrigada Menina! I will use that one once I get my new case number from NVC... This wed will be a week since the NOA2 so I'll start calling then - who knows perhaps I'll get lucky and it will go faster...

Use the immigrationrio address. I had no problem getting a response within 2 days. They sent me the date in the reply email. It seems like it is taking about 2 months to get an interview right now. Good luck to you!

Thank you for this info. I will try to be patient then until I get the number from NVC and go from there. Good luck on your interview!

Sometimes this process can be disheartening until of course we remember how lucky we are to have actually found someone we are willing to go through all of this for!!! Just got my NOA2 last wed so i'm at that stage of waiting from NVC to confirm receipt. Very happy to hear the success stories so thank you for sharing!