After USCIS the papers go to NVC and after that NVC sends them to the embassy. Then the embassy requires some additional forms (for the visa itself+Affidavt of Support+medical) and only then you can get the interview. At least that's what I understood from all the reading on the forum and guides . I'm estimating 1.5 to 2 months till this is all ready . My birthday is June 26 and I hope from the bottom of my heart I'll be blowing my candles in Cleveland!!! God help!

man now i'm really confused. i know you have to take proof and certain applications with you to the interview but i was under the impression that you only did the medical for the i-130 not for the i-129f. i think i need to go and do a little more research cause im hopelessly lost now.

yes and luckily you can make payments online now, which speeds up the nvc process a little bit

Okay so I found the information I would have to take to the embassy.
Thanks to another person who is going through the same thing, except she's getting ready for her interview and I'm still dreaming about it.

Folder 1

Forms: DS230, DS156 X2
Medical Results
Birth certificates: Originals (mine & his) + certified copies
Marriage certificate: Original + certified copy
Police clearance: Original + certified copy
Divorce documents: original + certified copies
Affidavit of Support: notarized
2005 + 2006 tax documents
2007 tax documents: joint filing
Pay stubs last 6 months: certified
Employment letter: notarized
Bank Statements: joint bank accounts
Original correspondence: USCIS + NVC

Folder 2

I130 complete pack (copy)
I129F complete pack (copy)
Affidavit: pension to joint estate + confirm his my beneficiary
Affidavits: family + friends
Phone records: mine
Phone records: his
Emails: before + after marriage
Emails: his family to me + my family to him
Receipts of packages sent to each other
Receipts: July 2007 (wedding + honeymoon)
Receipts: October 2007 (vacation)
Receipts: January 2008 (vacation)
Passport: certified copy of his - proof of times visited SA

Folder 3

Photos: wedding
Photos: honeymoon
Photos: October & January vacations
Wedding CD
Cards sent to each other before + after marriage
Cards from friends + family to us

Other

Passport
Visa Photos X3
Visa fee (to be paid)


.....but of course it would be suited for Cody and I obviously. So there is step one taken care of.

Now explain the fees associated with the NVC please?

From what I know NVC is only a transit location for us with K-3 before our papers reach the embassy and only for IR1/CR1 you have to pay processing fees to NVC.

I'm still waiting for the hardcopy of NOA2 and then my husband and the lawyer can send me the Affidavit of Support. Meanwhile I'm getting papers together: e-mails, cards, phone bills, photos and sorting through my 1,500 pages of messenger conversations to see what I'm taking as proof. Since we are both Romanians (my husband became US citizen 3 years ago) all our papers are in Romanian and I'm wondering in what language do they need them at the embassy. Translating all of my docs into English will take longer than USCIS....
Also, lately we've been talking mostly through Y messenger calls and I don't know how to take that as proof.... Anyone knows?

QUOTE(Ralu&Doru @ May 10 2008, 03:07 AM)

From what I know NVC is only a transit location for us with K-3 before our papers reach the embassy and only for IR1/CR1 you have to pay processing fees to NVC.

I'm still waiting for the hardcopy of NOA2 and then my husband and the lawyer can send me the Affidavit of Support. Meanwhile I'm getting papers together: e-mails, cards, phone bills, photos and sorting through my 1,500 pages of messenger conversations to see what I'm taking as proof. Since we are both Romanians (my husband became US citizen 3 years ago) all our papers are in Romanian and I'm wondering in what language do they need them at the embassy. Translating all of my docs into English will take longer than USCIS....
Also, lately we've been talking mostly through Y messenger calls and I don't know how to take that as proof.... Anyone knows?

I have no idea about the Romanian embassy but I know the South African one requires all documents to be in English. So you may want to consider having some of them changed over to use as proof. I have no idea about Yahoo messenger calls either, can you not print a list of numbers you have called somehow? I know I started tracking our AIM chats so that I could use that as proof, however I don't want them reading them seeing as they are private conversations. Good luck and keep us updated on when you get the hard copy of your NOA2 and how long it takes to go through the NVC.

If you are using YM ver 9.0 (BETA) click contacts > call history > press the print screen > paste it in MS paint > save then print. If your not using the ver 9.0 then just try to look for the call history and follow the next steps

I hope that will work

I also got some good news today.

I got e-mail from CRIS with having both of my applications being approved.


Application Type: I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On May 9, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.


Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On May 9, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.


My timeline was similar to Ralu & Doru, and it looks like we also got our approval notice around same time frame.

Hopefully, all other February filers will start receiving same news as Ralu&Doru and I.

The next step begins for us and GOOD LUCK to rest of you in getting your NOA 2.

AzJigs

Wow congrats to you thats great news!!!

Although on USCIS site my I-130 appears as pending, my huband received today NOA's for both of them : )) I don't understand anything... does this mean anything or are we still going the K3 route ?!
Now we are waiting for the letter from NVC but I think on Monday next week my husband will call NVC to see if they have our case and when they'll send it to the embassy.

CONGRATULATIONS JIGS !!!!! COME ON FEBRUARY.... WE ALL NEED APROVALS!!! LET THEM COME SOONER!

Jigs - congratulations that's awesome news!!

Ralu&Doru - sounds like you guy have had a really lucky week!!!



Alrighty, two down...twenty-three to go. Who is gonne be the next lucky couple??

Can anyone help me with something? If both petitions were approved at the same time, do I go K3 or IR1/CR1??

i believe they hold your I-130 and move the k-3 through to nvc.

Well it depends on how quickly you're wanting to be together. The I-130 requires money paid to the NVC and will take a little longer going through them than the K-3 will. However, you will enter the country on a green card and won't have as many hurdles to jump through once you're in the states.

Aren't you guys using a lawyer? If so, what did they tell you would be the best course of action?

I'm not sure what happens when both application are approved at same time but, I'm going to start gatthering all my other documents in the meantime.

I'll also start doing some research this week and find out what exactly needs to be done.

I want to say our next step is to wait for our spouse to receive documents from the embassy.

Here is mine...
http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profil...l=&id=48523

As of 5/09/2008, my I-129F and I-130 were both approved.
Event Date
Service Center : California Service Center
Consulate : Taipei, Taiwan
Marriage : 2007-08-18
I-130 Sent : 2008-02-29
I-130 NOA1 : 2008-03-07
I-129F Sent : 2008-03-13
I-129F NOA1 : 2008-03-17
I-129F RFE(s) :
RFE Reply(s) :
I-129F NOA2 : 2008-05-09
NVC Received :
NVC Left :
Consulate Received :
Packet 3 Received :
Packet 3 Sent :
Packet 4 Received :
Interview Date :
Visa Received :
US Entry :
I-130 Approval : 2008-05-09
Comments :
Processing Estimates/Stats : Your I-129f was approved in 57 days from your filing date.
Your I-130 was approved in 70 days from your filing date.

pbellrichard - congratulations on your approval!! we need to have danyel add you to our group time line so that others can track your progress and compare it with their own.



Alrighty so now it is three down...twenty-three to go.

Can we get four approvals in one day?

congratulations!!





congratulations!!

I am soooo really confused right now with both these petitions approved...
on the I-130 it says the following: "the petition indicates that the person for whom you are petitioning is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status. He or she should contact the local USCIS office to obtain Form I-485 Application for Permanent Residence.
If the person you are petitioning for decides to apply for a visa outside the United States based on this petition, the petitioner should file Form I-824, Appplication for Action on Approved Application or petition, with this office to request that we send the petition to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC)".
What the hell does this mean?!
My lawyer understood (misunderstood I think) that something's wrong because of this sentence the petition indicates that the person for whom you are petitioning is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status
I am so scared that she should know this better than us...... and clearly she's misunderstanding.
From what I know this I-130 remains at USCIS for further Adjustment of Status, while I-129F goes to NVC and then to the embassy.... We are both so panicked right now.... Don't know what to do next!!! The lawyer yesterday started giving my husband instructions as if we were pursuing CR1. She says that if I-130 was approved it should go first!
The embassy on the other hand says it's up to us whether to choose K3 or IR1/CR1 up to our needs because Ir1/Cr1 is longer.
What on earth am I supposed to do????

Hi All


Both I-130 and I-129F pettions got touched today. I havenot made any calls to USCIS


2/12/2008 I-130 & 129F mailed together to CSC
2/19/2008 NOA1 recieved for I-130
2/23/2008 NOA1 recved for I-129F
3/14/2008 I-129F touched due to request to fix the Typographical error. Recieved an email that they will fix the error during adjucting the case.
5/12/2008 Both I-129F and I-130 are touched.


Any idea, how many days after the touch?.

Thanks
Venkat

Venkat - sorry to be the messenger of bad news but a touch doesn't mean they are going to approve your applications within (x) amount of days. it just means someone some where for some reason has looked at your case. hopefully your case is being worked on so that they can approve it shortly but that's not always the case. my case was touched about six times in march and never since. good luck to you.

Ralu&Doru - im not 100% sure about the i-130 but i would assume they say you're spouse is in the country because they probably see that your k-3 visa had been approved already. my advice would be to call the uscis and ask them what you should do, maybe even get a second opinion from another lawyer if you don't trust what yours is tell you. good luck!!

I know many will dispute this, but I bet your approval is going to come REAL soon! Keep us posted and good luck!

Congrats to all the approvals. Im starting to get worried I havent had a single touch since 3/26 when mine were paired up. I hope mine isnt lost somewhere.

I know it's hard because we're all thinking it but don't worry just yet. I looked at the January filers and only about ten of them have been approved so far. So the simple fact that some are already being approved in February is just luck of the draw. Your turn will come around too, I promise!! Until then we just have to wait and be supportive of each other =)

Hi

Another touch today for both petitions.

2/12/2008 I-130 & 129F mailed together to CSC
2/19/2008 NOA1 recieved for I-130
2/23/2008 NOA1 recved for I-129F
3/14/2008 I-129F touched due to request to fix the Typographical error. Recieved an email that they will fix the error during adjucting the case.
5/12/2008 Both I-129F and I-130 are touched.
5/13/2008 Both I-129F and I-130 are touched.

Thanks
Venkat

Hi, Feb Filers

I filed K3 on 2/13 and got approved on 05/08, so i know many of your approval will come soon!! Good luck!

congratulations!!! you must be so excited =)

wow congrats!!!

looks like the k-3s are flying this month! hopefully they remember the rest of us soon

p.s i updated our febuary list. but i didnt add you missing you, cause you filed your I-130 in november, and your I-129 in febuary. sorry..

Hy,

I just want to tell you that we've approved both petitions:

I-129F sent 03/07/2008
NOA2 for I-130 and I-129F: 05/05/2008.

Our petitions (I129F and I130) got approved on May 08, 2008. Received the hard copies in mail today.
I was expecting this much later... Is this considered pretty fast?
Is this same as NOA2?
Whats the process now?

Good luck all..

Hi

Another touch today for both petitions.

2/12/2008 I-130 & 129F mailed together to CSC
2/19/2008 NOA1 recieved for I-130
2/23/2008 NOA1 recved for I-129F
3/14/2008 I-129F touched due to request to fix the Typographical error. Recieved an email that they will fix the error during adjucting the case.
5/12/2008 Both I-129F and I-130 are touched.
5/13/2008 Both I-129F and I-130 are touched.
5/14/2008 Both I-129F and I-130 are touched

Thanks
Venkat

wow thats 5 approvals for our month now.... all of them are k-3! Congrats again to you all!

hopefully they'll start on us CR-1/IR-1's soon!!!

*i am also makin sure to update the first post for our group with each approval

WAY TO GO, FEBRUARY FILERS!!!! Congratulations to all those approved! And hang in there for those with close dates!!! I see that all of us have been approved on both petitons the same day.. so, how are you guys going next? Everybody K3?

Yesterday my papers left NVC for the embassy in Bucharest, Romania
I also got the case # from NVC and it starts with BCH **********

How are you guys doing?

Hi,

My I-129F & I-130 were approved and sent on May 9, 2008 but, still haven't received the NOA 2 hard copy as of today.

Ralu&Doru,

My questions was how did you find out that your file was received by the NVC and it had left the embassy. And how did you get the case# from NVC.

Did you get an e-mail or did you call the NVC?

Regarding the going K3 or CR-1.

Don't you have to go the K3 route? I thought the CR-1 file just sits at NVC until you file for the adjustment of status after your spouse gets in the U.S.

At least thats what I thought.

Jigs

Hey Jigs! For NVC info I called (my husband actually) and they gave us case# and they also said our petition was sent to the embassy yesterday. So now it's just a matter of waiting for the embassy envelope that I (the beneficiary) will receive.

About K3/CR1 there have been cases in which I130 was sent forward, but only exceptions. K3 ususally goes to the embassy.

So keep me posted about that NOA2 of yours!
All the best of luck!

Congratulations to the newly approved!! I bet you're over the moon.


For everyone else, is anyone planning a trip to see their significant others any time soon?


Ralu&Doru - have you figured out yet what the average time between your embassy receiving the papers from NVC and the interview date is?

Vernon, on VJ the aproximate time from embassy receiving papers to interview is 15 days in Bucharest, Romania, but I'd say closer to 1 month. I'm calling on Monday to try and get some info about it. Anyway I'm trying to think what's next. I guess I just have to wait for the wonderful envelope.

How are mother and soon-to-be-born baby feeling?

Hi,

Received hard copy of I-129F & I-130 approval yesterday.

Ralu&Doru

I'm reading the I-130 approval letters and its states

"The above petition has been approved. The petition indicates that the peson for whom you are petitioning is in the United States and will apply for adjustment of status. He or she should contact the local USCIS office to obtain Form I-485, Application for Permanet Residence. A copy of this notice should be submitted with the appliation."

"If the person for whom you are petitioning decides to apply for a visa outside the United States based on this petition, the petitioner should file Form I-824, Application fo Action on an Approved Application or Petition, whith this office to request that we send the petition to the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC)."

"The NVC processes all approved immigrant visa petitions that require consular action. The NVC also determines which consular post is the appropriate consulate to complete visa processing. It will then forward the approved petition tot that consulate."

Did you get letter similar to this, correct?

#1) In which case it is saying my wife is in the United States or I need to apply I-485 after she gets in the United States.

#2) It it also saying if I want to apply for I-130 at this time, I should contact NVC and let them know and I should file I-824 to forward the file to embassy in foreign country.

Is this what you understand to be?

Jigs

Ralu&Doru - I guess that's the smarter way to do things, plan for a longer wait and then when it comes sooner it won't seem so bad. Your embassy send packet 3 to you? We have to pick up the packet from ours and if you don't live near it (like me I live 5 hours away) you have to have it picked up by courier. Once you have submitted packet 3, they will mail you packet 4 and give you an interview date. I don't know if South Africa is just more stuck up than other places or what but it seems to be even more hoops to jump through.

We're doing fine thanks! I can't believe she's almost here and that I'm going to see Cody within a couple weeks. It breaks my heart that he's going to have 15 days with his daughter and then not see her again till who knows when. Hopefully we'll get some good news soon and be able to go home but right now we're just hoping to be together for Christmas.

Are you guys planning on seeing each other before the big move to the states or you just going to wait?

Okay so I tried to edit my post but for some reason it said I didn't have permission to edit my own post **shrugs shoulders**

Apparently, Cody and I haven't been totally forgotten because our I-130 application was touched today. So maybe FINALLY we'll see our NOA1 from our I-129F sometime soon or maybe even some better news!!

Hey there. Jigs!
Yeah, I got the same thing! Looks like it is indeed a standard formula they are using...

for your first question ( which put my lawyer in difficulty I don't know why ) because most of K3 filers go through adjustment of status after the arrive to the US, I 130 will be used for that purpose. After your spouse comes to US you can start AOS and yes I think by Form I-485.

If however at this point you choose to change to IR1/CR1 you can request USCIS (where you've been processed) to send I-130 to NVC by filing Form I-824.

My husband just sent me the NVC letter scan. Apparently I will be receiving Packet 3 soon. On Monday I'm gonna try and call the embassy and find out more.

Good luck everyone! Keep us posted

Fingers crossed for you especially! Your situation is heartbreaking and nervewrecking but God help us, we'll all be fine soon! Give us some good news these days! I've seen many K3 approved from CSC lately and your turn is coming!

I have almost everything ready so bring it ooonnn embassy!!! I'm ready for my visa now!
Romania is said to be quite ok and fast when it comes to the embassy process. Yet I hope I won't be disappointed... I'm gonna try and get an appointment ASAP and be with my husband... I haven't seen him for 4 months and most probably I won't see him until the BIG move

Enjoy your time with Cody and Nikole. I wish you all the best! Kisses

Thank you Ralu&Doru you have no idea how much this meant to me!

Apparently, it went straight from your mouth / post to God's ears because I got an email today from the USCIS that our I-130 application has been approved as of May 16! We're so excited about the news as I'm sure most of you were too when you heard.

I'm not exactly sure what happens from here on because our case is going forward with the I-130 and who knows what happened to the I-129F.

Guess I better start doing some research and see what our next steps are.

OMG HILKKA!! CONGRATS HONEY!!! This is Wonderful to hear!!! omg yeahhhhh

Thanks so much Danyel!! Now I'm just waiting to hear the same news from you =)

I have no idea how the I-130 process at the NVC works cause I have tried to find an official NVC site and I couldn't find one. I found something that said you pay fees, they send you something, you pay more fees and they send you something else. Then your case is moved from the NVC to the embassy and you do more papers there. However, I have no idea about fees and time lines so I'm a little stuck. Someone wanna help me please =)

The guides here on VJ are great and you'll find a link and phone number for the NVC on each of the flowcharts. Good luck.



Congratulations!! I hope the rest of your approvals go as quickly as this one.

Thanks for the help!!

I found information that is for the NVC process, first one being option one and the second one being option two

However, I am now horribly confused as to which one I'm supposed to follow or how much it's going to cost. Either the closer I get to labor the stupider I get or this is just getting more complicated =) Like for example, when calculating the poverty line we're supposed to meet we go by 3 correct because when my interview comes about Nikki will be around. I have a million questions and the more I read the more questions I have.

Help please!!

I KNEW IT!!! Congrats Vernon. I'm sooo happy for you! You deserve it.. What happened to me the first days after NOA2 is that I panicked so badly... had no idea what to do next and it seemed I was stuck.. A piece of advice? The guides are indeed very hepful and there are also James' shortcuts which make it faster a bit. It's worth a try..

PS: Take it easy or you'll be in labour from all the stress

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!!! And for anything we're here for you!

To all those still waiting: Danyel? Wanna be next? You are all in my prayers.. I am praying hardest for me and my husband to get packet 3 and an interview date as soon as possible

yes it seems you have the power of prayer running through you, i want to be next so badly it hurts lol

seriously i hope they start on us CR-1/IR-1's soon!