After I-130 approval, confused

[godlyatheist 0]

I'm an USC and my dad got his I-130 approval in 03/2014. I received the notice from the NVC earlier this month. I have since logged onto the Consular Electronic Application Center and filled out DS-261 and paid the AOS fee. Now I have to send in the AOS along with documentation and wait for further instruction I guess. I'm sorry if this was a duplicate but I'm really new to this.

So now I'm suppose to send in I-864 AOS of support along with supporting documentation. What happens next? The payment option for the Immigrant Visa is blocked out so I can't pay it yet. What does my dad have to do on his end?

Thanks in advance

[J3MJ3M 2]

If you do not have your father's civil documents on hand. He can start gathering those while you wait for next step.

Meanwhile, call the NVC for updates and if they receive your packet. If so, wait few days and they will email you an IV invoice. You'll have to wait a day or two again before it's ready to pay on CEAC. In my case, invoice was ready the same day I got the email.

NVC process guide here --> http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process#Useful_Information

Edited May 19, 2014 by J3MJ3M

[godlyatheist 0]

Thank you for the quick response. I'm relieved I didn't mess up anything so far. I will send the AOS after the payment is processed. Two more questions: 1)At what point does my father receive an A number? The AOS form asks for it but I can't find one on the I-130 communications I received. 2)I assume the documents I need are the same as listed in DS-230 instruction? For the police certificates, it just needs to state where the person is living correct? In China it's a called a hukou I believe, a notarized copy of that should be sufficient I presume.

[J3MJ3M 2]

A number is Alien Registration Number or green card. If your father visited US with a tourist visa he will basically use the same A number. Leave that blank if he has not entered US yet.

I'm not quite sure what are the stated requirements on DS-230. I'm sure it's pretty much the same. Civil documents required for IR5 category is on this website http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/submit/documents-to-submit-to-nvc.html

For police/NBI certificates, I believe it's for background purposes. Like for instance, if your father has a record back to your country that is not legally dismiss or if he is on wanted list or if he was a member of a terrorist group LOL? I may be wrong but I assume that's what it is for.

Keep in mind that all documents you will be sending to support DS-260 MUST be certified/original copy.

Edited May 19, 2014 by J3MJ3M

[godlyatheist 0]

I checked the Tourist Visa he used 2 years ago, it does not have a registration number on it. I guess I will leave it blank

[J3MJ3M 2]

I'm not familiar with tourist visa processing. I thought they'll get alien card as well. So yes, it's best to leave it blank.

There's a thread for IR5 category if you have any more questions or just refer to the NVC guide link above. That will really help you get on top of things.

Anyhow, best of luck!

Edited May 19, 2014 by J3MJ3M

[Darnell 8,478]

you are USCitizen?

I suggest you stop a bit,

and enroll in the optional NVC Electronic Processing for Guangzhou,

then start up again after the consular casefile # is converted from GUZ to GZO.

Why? Shaves 2 to 5 months off of waiting, between NVC and GUZ IV.

[godlyatheist 0]

you are USCitizen?

I suggest you stop a bit,

and enroll in the optional NVC Electronic Processing for Guangzhou,

then start up again after the consular casefile # is converted from GUZ to GZO.

Why? Shaves 2 to 5 months off of waiting, between NVC and GUZ IV.

Saving time is definitely good. How do I convert the casefile from GUZ to GZO? Do I follow this link http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/submit/how-to-submit-documents-to-the-nvc.html#GroupB?

Edited May 19, 2014 by godlyatheist

[Darnell 8,478]

Yup. Note it's OK to pay things when the invoice is available to pay,

but

do not send out anything till you get the GZO #

and

practice making PDF files whilst yer waiting.

[godlyatheist 0]

Yup. Note it's OK to pay things when the invoice is available to pay,

but

do not send out anything till you get the GZO #

and

practice making PDF files whilst yer waiting.

So I have a GUZ # right now. After the AOS payment has been processed will the number change from GUZ to GZO? Following the "normal" directions I'm suppose to send the AOS documents after the payment is approved, so I should hold off on that?

[Darnell 8,478]

yes, hold off, as the normal directions are for paper casefiles.

send nothing in till you have a GZO #.

is ok to sling the DS-261 that is dee-ess two six one... it won't effect anything...

online payment is ok to do whilst waiting, if the IV fee comes in, can pay it.

all is 're-homed' when the GZO number is issued. It's a back-room thing, you not have to do anything.

as to your question of 'After the AOS payment has been processed will the number change from GUZ to GZO?' please note conversion is an event in and of itself, payment status has no bearing on the conversion.

[godlyatheist 0]

yes, hold off, as the normal directions are for paper casefiles.

send nothing in till you have a GZO #.

is ok to sling the DS-261 that is dee-ess two six one... it won't effect anything...

online payment is ok to do whilst waiting, if the IV fee comes in, can pay it.

all is 're-homed' when the GZO number is issued. It's a back-room thing, you not have to do anything.

as to your question of 'After the AOS payment has been processed will the number change from GUZ to GZO?' please note conversion is an event in and of itself, payment status has no bearing on the conversion.

Ok I won't send any documents in then and I will still pay for all the fees. Do you now typically how long the conversion process is?

yes, hold off, as the normal directions are for paper casefiles.

send nothing in till you have a GZO #.

is ok to sling the DS-261 that is dee-ess two six one... it won't effect anything...

online payment is ok to do whilst waiting, if the IV fee comes in, can pay it.

all is 're-homed' when the GZO number is issued. It's a back-room thing, you not have to do anything.

as to your question of 'After the AOS payment has been processed will the number change from GUZ to GZO?' please note conversion is an event in and of itself, payment status has no bearing on the conversion.

Ok I won't send any documents in then and I will still pay for all the fees. Do you know typically how long the conversion process is?

[Darnell 8,478]

varies. could be a week, could be 30 days, could be ming tian.

NVC is lopsided-screwy with their email thingies this quarter and last...

[godlyatheist 0]

varies. could be a week, could be 30 days, could be ming tian.

NVC is lopsided-screwy with their email thingies this quarter and last...

Ok thank you very much.

[Ming 1]

My wife also bring her parent to the state. If we chose Group A: Email processing. How do we submit two identical color photographs? Do we scan the color photographs into a pdf file?