You are wonderful James..

I'm glad you added that bit about editing the barcode in another program as my practise one (I'm now waiting for my case number) wasn't copying into the AOS fee bill word document but it works if I copy the whole page and open it in picture manager then crop and then copy and paste.

Fingers crossed all goes well when the time does come.....

Cheers,

Pris.

I'm glad we've got the cropping thing down! And don't worry -- all WILL go well for you, seeing as you're making sure you're on top of it all.
BTW, attached is the latest version (2.2) of the DS-230 coversheet. All others are obsolete!!! Click to view attachment

may be a stupid question, but what's the format for entering the AGENT and BENEFICIARY names? last name, first, middle ? last name, first name, initial? etc....

which is the correct way?

also, is the smaller barcode above the agent name generated using the barcode program, or do we just shrink down the larger one from the bottom and paste it in?

thanks

HI...can you give me an idea of how long the NVC process normally takes..
it's parents I130 and the consulate is Mumbai, India.
thanks.

may be a stupid question, but what's the format for entering the AGENT and BENEFICIARY names? last name, first, middle ? last name, first name, initial? etc....

which is the correct way?

also, is the smaller barcode above the agent name generated using the barcode program, or do we just shrink down the larger one from the bottom and paste it in?

thanks

This is odd. I just tried to call the NVC and put in the NVC case number, but it asked me to enter the first 3 letters to the left of my number using my touchtone phone. I did this, and then it told me it couldn't understand my input and to put it in again. I did so, and then it told me to try again and then said that I had entered "ABJ" and if this is correct, press 1, incorrect, press 2...I pressed two but it never gave me an opportunity to re-enter these numbers. Instead it just kept repeating ABJ as the letters I had entered. How am I supposed to enter these letters??

The NVC's automated system is whacked some times. I've called before and no matter how many times I push one button, it doesn't read it. So I have to hang up and call again. It can take up to 4 calls before it can read what I'm pushing.

Geist, for me (AMS) I pushed 267. I'd guess HLS (for Helsinki, right?) would be 457.

Shut up honey

Anyway, still no Choice of Agent form for us...

Is there any shortcut for IV fee bill? or do we have to wait for letter to arrive in the "snail mail"?

You have to wait for the IV bill to arrive, the shortcut doesn't work for that unfortunately.

You have to wait it out. There is a randomly generated piece of information on it that can't be generated ahead of time

Erica, is that your interview date??????!!!

August 9th, yes!!!
I didn't get anything official in the mail yet, but my husband send the consulate an email yesterday (well, I told him to ) and they replied today telling him they scheduled me in (130pm) and that they've sent me instructions.
*dances again*

August 9th, yes!!!
I didn't get anything official in the mail yet, but my husband send the consulate an email yesterday (well, I told him to ) and they replied today telling him they scheduled me in (130pm) and that they've sent me instructions.
*dances again*

James,
I've been generating barcodes all day to prepare myself, and I'm loving it
So, a BIG thank you! I'm hoping for an extra speedy NVC process
Timeline:
I-130 sent - 2007/01/16
CSC:
01/24/2007 - NOA1
04/06/2007 - NOA2
NVC:
04/19/2007 - NVC received/Case # assigned
05/14/2007 - DS-3032 & AoS Bill generated
05/15/2007 - AoS paid/DS-3032 email sent
05/18/2007 - DS-3032 email accepted
05/21/2007 - IV fee bill generated
05/23/2007 - NVC received payment AoS
05/28/2007 - I-864 generated
05/31/2007 - IV bill arrived, paid, send ... and
06/07/2007 - entered into the system.
06/07/2007 - I-864 sent
06/11/2007 - DS-230 generated
06/12/2007 - sent DS-230
06/15/2007 - NVC is done with I-864
06/22/2007 - CASE COMPLETE!
06/26/2007 - NVC forwards case to Amsterdam
07/03/2007 - Adatadatedateadatedatedate! August 9th! OH MY!
07/05/2007 - medical scheduled for August 2nd

Erica, is that your interview date??????!!!
NVC
05/10/07 - NVC receives petition, case # assigned.
05/28/07 - Form DS-3032 (choice of agent) & AOS bill generated.
05/30/07 - E-mailed choice of agent & mailed AOS bill (as per shortcuts).
06/04/07 - NVC e-mails back acknowledging receipt of DS-3032 & enters AOS bill payment in system.
06/11/07 - I-864 & IV bill generated.
06/11/07 - Mailed I-864 Priority Mail (used James' shortcuts).
06/22/07 - Received and mailed back IV bill (via overnight delivery).
06/28/07 - NVC is done reviewing I-864 (automated system says I'm missing info).

Hi Erica,
Did you follow James Shortcut A-Z and didn't have any problem?? by looking at your timeline I have 2 question, How did you pay 3032 (by pone??) and email it (By scanning your generated 3032 with coversheet??). Please let me know. My I-130 is just approved (onJuly 3 2007) while I-129F is still pending. I have already lost so much time!! due to USCIS delay therefore, in order to reduce any further delay,I planned to follow your path. Please let me know if any extra caution you think I should take what you have learned through your experience. By the way when you download the template of DS 3032 I see at the begining there is a date at upper right hand corner, is this date is the date of generation or date of notice?? if I am generating it my self which date I should put, the date that the doc was generated?(as you can get the info from automated system). Thanks in advance and I wish a successfull interview on August and also a pleasant entry and runion with your spouse.
Sumon

To find out if the AOS payment has been processed, you need to call the automated number and follow the prompts to speak to an operator. If it has, as per Jame's instructions you can then call back the following Monday, again speak to an operator and find out if the I-864 has been generated. If so you can then forward your self generated I-864, bar coded cover sheet and accompanying documents . Neither the processing of the AOS payment nor the generation of the I-864 can be confirmed via the Automated Voice Response Service.

SumonLopa,

I believe it's the DS-230 that they still haven't generated and I'm waiting for. I've also used James' shortcuts and found them to be very, very helpful. So I highly recommend them if you feel confortable using them.

Diana

Posted: Jan 10 2006, 08:05 PM Aussiewench

We didnt use Jame's Shortcuts out of choice and definately not begrudging anyone that does....just want to share/show that there are also ways of saving time without using those shortcuts as not everyone is confident in self generating, or simply choose not to use them

Suggestions
* Once the USC receive the AOS (I-864) Bill and the copy of the DS-3032 one can save time by emailing or faxing a copy of the DS-3032 Choice of Agent form to the beneficiary overseas who then selects the agent, signs the form and returns it to the address on the form. Doesn't save much but it saves the mailing time from NVC to the spouse.

* Have the beneficiary (now the applicant) fill out the DS-230 and send it to the USC if they are to be the agent....this can be done at any time before the DS-230 is generated at NVC. Once it is generated it will be sent to the agent, the signed copy with the cover sheet (that the agent will receive) which has the barcode can then be mailed to NVC.

* Have the beneficiary (now the applicant) forward any documents, photocopies etc that may be required to be submitted with the DS-230 to you ahead of time. Check out the Department of State website HERE
and select the Instructions for Visa Immigrant Applicant appropriate for the country of your spouse.

* Complete the I-864 which is also available in the above link for download. When NVC generates this form it comes to you with a barcode cover sheet which you will then need to return along with your completed I-864 form.

All the above do not save as much time as Jame's Shortcuts but they do save time.


IMPORTANT
Familiarise yourself with the NVC Flowchart so you know the order in which forms will be generated and what is sent to the USC (petitioner) and your spouse (beneficiary/applicant) to be completed.
NVC Flowchart for I-130/CR-1

NVC Automated Voice Response Service
So your I-130 petition has been approved and forwarded to NVC
Now you are wanting to know if it has been received and a case number assigned
You can use your CIS (NOA) receipt number from your approval to find out.
On calling the NVC automated voice response number (603) 334-0700 you will.... press 1 for English press 2 for Spanish
press 1 for information about your immigrant visa
It will then ask you if you know your CIS receipt number.....press 1
(Once you have a case number you can use this.....press 2)
You then follow the instructions to key in your number.
If will then tell you if NVC has received the petition, and assigned a number.

This automated service is available 24/7.
Once you have your case number you can call them at any time to hear any updates on your case, using either the NVC case number or your CIS (NOA) receipt number.

Hope this all assists some.

Lorelle aka wench

Those wishing to use Jame's Shortcuts, they are now available a couple of posts below.


Choice of Agent
Many members are having success in emailing the NVC to choose their agent in place of sending in the DS-3032. They usually send a confirmation email within a couple of days. If not you will need to call to confirm that it has been accepted. Below is an example email posted by AMarina.

Posted: Jan 11 2006, 12:20 AM AMarina

Thank you for sharing these. They are indeed useful. Here is one more: I read about it at another forum, and successfully used it myself:

As soon as you know (from the answering service or talking with an operator at the NVC) that the Choice of Agent form has been sent out, the beneficiary can EMAIL their choice of agent to NVC. Apparently, there is a rule that if you cannot locate your form (due to bad mail service in your country), you are entitled to appoint your agent by e-mail. We did it on a second day after the form was mailed, and received a response from NVC two days later that they accepted choice of agent (by the way, we still have not received that letter from them yet, lol).


Here is a sample of my correspondence with them:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

The NVC has updated the petitioner's address. Please continue to notify the NVC of any change of address or change in personal situation, which may affect the beneficiary's entitlement to a visa.

We have received the Agent of Choice selection.═ The Immigrant Visa Application (DS 230) processing fee bill will be sent to the petitioner.═ The fee must be paid according to the instructions before that form will be sent. Please allow two to four weeks for the petitioner to receive this fee bill.

Regards,
National Visa Center
ACB/tkm



-----Original Message-----

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is ....., my visa case number is #......

Unfortunately I cannot locate my ds-3032 and would like to appoint my
husband as my agent of choice to receive all the correspondence from NVC.
His name and address is:

......

All mail from the U.S. Department of State concerning my immigration visa
application should be send to the address above. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely yours,

Hey Thanks! I created mine last night! Now my question is - I sent my DS-3032 (through the above outlined process) via email (my spouse did) and got a response that it was received and changed. Since the AOS is supposedly sent out roughly the same time that the DS-3032 was sent would it be okay to generate the AOS with a general bill date versus a specific bill date (just don't know what that is)?

[Agent Name}
123 Main Street
Anytown, USA 12345

Where can I find my Case # status CDJ1996804447 pleaseeeeeeeeeeee some help me please, please