Thanks greatly!

Yes, we have developed such a thing, and now I'm officially posting it here in the pinned thead as a technique which has been tested and should be safe to use. Bear in mind, however, this shortcut was not at all developed by James, but it works in the very same way as his main shortcuts also provided in this thread. Basically, because I got an RFE for the I-864, I decided to do the James thing myself and create another coversheet using his grand style and rhetoric, and this shortcut has now been used by several people (including myself) and worked great for everyone. This shortcut may be used to reply early to RFE's for both I-864 and DS-230 submissions.

The RFE coversheet
When NVC reviews the I-864 Affidavit of Support or the DS-230 Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, the person reviewing may decide you need to make a correction to the form or provide additional information. If this happens, NVC will send you what they call a "checklist" of the changes and/or additional information needed, along with a barcode coversheet to use to return this information to NVC for re-review. As soon as this happens, the IVR will indicate it, and you should speak with an operator to determine exactly what information is needed (make sure you find out everything!). In some cases, you may not be absolutely sure what was wrong or how to fix the problem, and if so, do not use this shortcut, but instead wait to receive the actual notice from NVC describing in detail what needs to be done. However, if you are sure you know what NVC needs you to do, and you've double-checked this completely with another NVC operator, then you can use this shortcut instead to re-submit the DS-230, I-864 and/or I-864A form or supply additional supporting documentation before actually receiving the notice from NVC.

Note, during I-864 Affidavit of Support review, it is common when using the James' shortcuts for an RFE to be announced for a missing Form DS-230, because NVC is still processing or just processed the IV fee bill and has not yet requested the DS-230, and if this is all that happened, the RFE is harmless and you should not send an RFE reply (that said, however, do not automatically assume this is what the RFE announcement is for, still check with an operator, because it could be a real I-864 RFE also). The operator will be able to tell you exactly what was wrong and what they want you to do. If a form needs to be corrected, it will be unstapled and detached from the supporting documentation and sent back to you alone (if you are using this shortcut in that case, you will be sending in a new copy of the form instead, and NVC will not have the original "Received CMR" date stamped on the submission anymore, if that matters to you).

First, you will need the RFE coversheet as a MS-Word file, which is attached at the bottom of this post. This same cover sheet can be used for responding to both I-864 and DS-230 RFE's. The coversheet file has two pages, both of which must be returned to NVC. Note, this MS-Word doc file contains embedded comment text on the fields that need to be changed with your specific case information, but if you do not see these comments when you open the document, select View | Comments or View | Markup in Microsoft Word to make them visible (similarly, before making a final printout of the filled out coversheet, be sure to hide the comments by re-selecting that same menu item).

Page 1: Change the BGT1234567890 in the table at the bottom of the page to your case number, enter the "Received Date" shown on both your USCIS NOA1 and NOA2 as the Priority Date (assuming Priority Date is blank on those same notices, as it should be for CR1/IR1, CR2/IR2, and IR5 cases), and replace the names and addresses as appropriate with ALL CAPS. Remember to use the Agent's name & address at the very top, remove country if USA, enter the addressee's name for the DEAR clause, and specify the Beneficiary's name at the bottom. Change CR1 to IR1 if appropriate. Then go to View | Header & Footer on the menu, click on FOOTER, and replace the date with the date NVC announced the RFE on the IVR, and also replace the case number there too. Also, change the date at the top of the letter to the date that the RFE was announced on the IVR.

Finally, you need to generate the barcode at the top of Page 1 for your case number by using http://www.idautomation.com/java/linearservlet.html. To generate the barcode and put it in at the top of page 1 of the sample coversheet, type in the case number under "Data to encode." Under "Barcode symbology," select CODE 39. Select "No" for the "Add check digit," "Add check digit to text," and "Show text below barcode" options. Change the "X dimension" (bar width) to 0.05 and the "Barcode bar height" to 0.4. Click on "Create Barcode."

In the resulting window, right click on the barcode and click on Copy. Paste the image into a graphics editing program such as IrfanView (either by selecting Paste under the Edit menu or hitting Ctrl + V on the keyboard) and crop out the gray text "Powered by IDAutomation.com (i.e., draw a box around the barcode only and, e.g., in IrfanView, select Crop selection under the Edit menu). Copy the image from the graphics program either by selecting Copy under the Edit Menu or by hitting Ctrl+C on the keyboard. Then go to the MS Word copy of the RFE coversheet and left click on the old barcode that's already at the top, to the left of the words "CHECKLIST." Hit the Delete key. Then click on Paste under the Edit menu (or hit Ctrl + V on the keyboard). The barcode may be underlined -- left click on it again and then de-select the "U" underline button in the MS Word Toolbar. You then need to further adjust the size of the barcode by double-clicking on it. Select the "Size" tab in the box that pops up. De-select "Lock Aspect ratio" if it is selected, leave the height alone, and change the width to 1.75". Click on OK.

Page 2: Now, go to page 2. Enter the case number, beneficiary's name, and change the visa category if necessary. To generate the barcode to put onto page 2, go back to http://www.idautomation.com/java/linearservlet.html. Type in the case number under "Data to encode." Under "Barcode symbology," select CODE 39. Select "No" for the "Add check digit," "Add check digit to text," and "Show text below barcode" options. Change the "X dimension" (bar width) to 0.05 and the "Barcode bar height" to 0.6. Click on "Create Barcode."

In the resulting window, right click on the barcode and click on Copy. Paste the image into a graphics editing program such as IrfanView (either by selecting Paste under the Edit menu or hitting Ctrl + V on the keyboard) and crop out the gray text "Powered by IDAutomation.com (i.e., draw a box around the barcode only and, e.g., in IrfanView, select Crop selection under the Edit menu). Copy the image from the graphics program either by selecting Copy under the Edit Menu or by hitting Ctrl+C on the keyboard. Then go to the MS Word copy of the RFE coversheet, select the old barcode that's already there and hit the Delete key. Then click on Paste under the Edit menu (or hit Ctrl + V on the keyboard). You need to further adjust the size of the barcode by right-clicking on it and clicking on "Format Picture," clicking on the "Size" tab, de-selecting "Lock aspect ratio," leave the height alone but change the width to 2.75" and click on "OK."

Final comments:

As always, remember to write your case number on the top right of any forms or documents you send to NVC. Also, be sure to turn off comment display in MS-Word before printing. Mail both the RFE coversheet and barcode pages to NVC at the address shown on the barcode sheet, with the corrected form(s) and/or any additional documents that NVC requested. Finally, it cannot be reiterated enough, "If you are going to use the RFE shortcut, you will have to be very very specific with the NVC operator to give you ALL of the information they are going to request. I actually was and they still didn't mention everything - so proceed with caution." Speak with more than one operator on separate calls if you can, as you most certainly want to avoid getting another RFE from NVC because of an incomplete RFE response when using this shortcut. If you learn when you receive the actual RFE that you did omit something, do not send in the form you received with the remaining document(s), as it will be lost! You must wait for the IVR to announce another RFE before you can send in the remaining documents, sorry. For the DS-230 only, NVC is not supposed to issue more than 2 RFE's, so if your in that kind of situation, don't be surprised if the case goes NVC Complete even though a requested supporting document for the DS-230 was still missing, the consulate will still require it at the interview. Please check the RFE documents you receive with the shortcut version used, and post to this thread any major discrepancies you might find, so that we can keep this shortcut up-to-date in the event that NVC changes the RFE coversheet in the future. The attachment at the bottom of this message will be removed and added again to another post later in this thread in the event that it needs to be revised. Be sure to read through this entire thread before using this shortcut or the James' shortcuts!


DISCLAIMER: None of this is legal advice, and you may only use this shortcut at your own sole risk!
The attached document comes without warranty of any kind!

Click to view attachment

It seems the phone line is backlogged last few days, no luck getting through. Any tips on this? just get a all operators are busy, transfering back to Automated system.. etc.
I also have a RFE on the system but doesnt say what its related to, I am assuming its for my I864 because tahts what I submitted last, what is the common mistake that the RFE is sent/requested for?

Call 7:30AM EST or 11:45PM EST or around those times and you'll probably get through. The rest of the day can be very difficult.

You got real close... the current version is on PAGE 10 of this this topic!

You can jump there real fast by clicking below:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...st&p=885374

Be sure to read this whole thread (which is pinned for an important reason) to gain full understanding and the lastest updates.

Hello everyone, we had our NOA-2 approved on 12/7, and I found this forum, the directions are great, but I have to read it a few times b/c I have to admit I feel a little overwhelmed at all of this.....but one question, as I was readong, i noticed that this was for the "CR" type of visa? I filed the K-1 fiance visa petition, do all of these instructions apply? If not, where can I find info about what to do next as my file gets transferred to NVC? Any help is truly and greatly appreciated, Thanks!

CR-1 or IR-1 visas are immigrant visa for foreign alien spouse, but K-1 or K-3 visas are non-immigrant type visas for foreign alien spouse to enter into USA. The shortcut instructions that you are referring to are for CR type visa.

when i click on this link for the ds 230 cover sheet it gives me an board error

You need to click on the link found in post# 151. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=117&st=150 That has the updated DS-230 coversheet version.

Diana

K type visas go through NVC in about 2 - 6 weeks, because they do very little processing on them. This is where the K visas are faster than the IR/1 visas.

Your K visa will have additional processing in the country of your spouse, but they spend very little time in NVC, and NVC will require no input from you.

Hi all. It looks like the links to various files, steps, and other items are spread across several posts and pages. If you would like we can collect and group this all back into a single page again for ease of reading by both new and old members. Thoughts? Can anyone help if so (that is familiar with the shortcuts and what posts need to be wrapped up together)?

Very good idea!!!

Dumb but important question - In terms of emailing the NVC to save time with the "appointing an agent" issue - how soon can the email be sent?? Could it be sent as soon as we see online that the NVC has received the case???

Similar question with the DS-230 for the SS# ... Can my wife print it out and sign it now when I go get married and I just hold on to it and soon as NVC has the case in hand, send out her completed DS-230??? Since it has to have her John Hancock on it and she's in India, that could save like 10 days ...

A question of legality?

I am about to finish up my NVC process (I hope) and I was telling a friend about how I thought James shortcuts would reduce time through NVC a lot, but many people don't feel computer confident enough to do the forms.

I suggested that people might pay someone to fill out all their NVC forms ahead of time for them, and then track and tell them when to mail each package.

My friend said, "yes, but isn't it illegal to forge federal documents?".

I was shocked, I had never even thought of that possibility.

I realize that most of the documents are available from the government web site, but certainly the cover letters with the bar codes are hand fabricated..

Is it illegal to make your own NVC documents?

Did anyone volunteer to do this Capt'n?
I am just about finished with my NVC process, and I can take a crack at the re-org if no one else is doing it.

Credzba, please do. I would appreciate a single post with the most up-to-date James' shortcut including the correct files, links, bar codes instructions.

Question every who has used james short cut v2.....in the thread after u generate the I-864 barcoded cover sheet ...i think it looks really close to the example....so why are we formating the picture in MS again....I understand why it may be done for the latest version of DS-230...but not the I-864......any one who has used the JSC V2 please help

Okay, I made a first attempt at consolidating "Jame's Shortcut" information on the wiki.

Here is a link.

Let me know what needs improvement, or if your wiki competent fix it yourself.

Please try to keep the shortcut generic, and if you need to add country specific information, add a link for that section and make a new wiki page.

Best of luck to all.

Where's the link? I can't see it.

Diana

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Jame%27s_Shortcut

Sorry I must a forgot to paste it

If you go to the wiki tab, then select NVC, then at the bottom are lots of good links.
Or.. just use the one I pasted on this one .. maybe I better paste it twice to be sure.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Jame%27s_Shortcut

i have a query?

what is the correct way to generate barcodes?

what is the correct way to generate barcodes? do i type my NVC case number as *NWD-2008528028* or *NWD2008528028* or just NWD2008528028 without a hyphen in the middle. pleas advice

thanks!

If you're going to create your own barcode, you need to follow James' shorcuts carefully. The NVC case # should be as he explains it, first three letters of your embassy followed by the #s. Exactly the same way the NVC has it on file.

Diana

Thank you for your response Diana. your response matches responses from others too.

I asked the same question on general discussion IR/CR1 too and most people answered saying that per the james shortcuts the case number should be entered with the three lettersfollowed by #s without any hyphen in the middle and without asterix on either side.

Good Luck to all!

Avneesh

First of all, you are considering official forms to be the same thing as official documents. Forging a U.S. passport, visa, permit or license, sure that is forging a federal document and is illegal. But, is "forging" an official form equilivilant? Some federal forms like tax forms W-2, W-9, and 1099 are commonly and openly "forged" by generating a similar form with the same information and describing it as a "substitute form."

Second, the barcode sheets aren't even official forms. In fact, NVC isn't even a government agency, rather it is a government contract facility. NVC generates and uses barcoded forms just to more efficiently process incoming fee and document submissions; the barcode sheets themselves are not part of the immigrant visa case.

So, of course you have to be the final judge, but I think taking that leap and saying that merely generating substitute cover sheets with barcodes on them to accompany document & payment submissions to NVC is equivilant to forging an official document seems a bit far-fetched.

hi there i am about to send my husband the ds3230 (choice of agent) i know i have to print it and sign it how about the date can my husband write the date can he use a blankpen for it..and how about the forms expiration date will it matter?thanks a lot..

sorry here i am again..it seems that emailing the Choice of Agent would be more easier does it apply to CR-1 applicants like me?is this the correct email add of NVC NVCINQUIRY@state.gov ? thank's again!

Diana, hola, veo que eres una experta por este proceso que ya pasaron y que ayudas mucho, mira mi duda es que ya pagué elm IV bill y estoy esperando la forma 230.... cuando me llega esta forma, la lleno y mando otra vez a NVC o la llevo a la embajada? algun tip? Te lo agradezco mucho!
Meta

Yes, NVCINQUIRY@state.gov is the correct email address. We plan to email the Choice of Agent to NVC, too. Good luck!

Just wanted to add that there's a way you can call the NVC AVR for free. Here's how:

Call 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411)
The system will ask "What city and state?" Speak, "Newington, New Hampshire"
The system will then ask "What business or category?" Speak, "National Visa Center"

Your call will then be connected for free to the NVC AVR. If you find that the system has a hard time understanding you, you can tell it the listing you want with the buttons on your phone as follows:

After you call the 800 number, when the system asks you for a city and state, press 03801 (the zip code for Newington, NH). When the system asks for the listing, press 1 VISA (1 8472). The NVC AVR is the second listing so press number 2 and you will be connected to the NVC AVR.

I find using this is great for checking up on our case while at work or somewhere we don't have a phone with free long distance and don't want to use up cellular daytime minutes. Also, this works from Canada, too. If you're overseas, you can dial this way with Skype without using SkypeOut minutes as well. Hope someone else finds this information useful.

I have been trying to generate an Authorization of Release of Federal Tax Data, but the barcode won´t copy. I copy it and then try to paste and nothing happens. Any ideas?

That form is no longer needed, so don't worry about it.

Diana

Thanks Diana. It's good to know that Authorization of Release of Federal Tax Data is no longer need for I-864 Package. I'm also preparing that form, but now I know it's not needed.

Im putting together my documents for DS-230....following your instructions carefully i was able to print the Barcode Cover Sheet...but im not so sure what barcode im to change???? at the bottom of the sheet here is a code begining with MNL2006.... Is this what im suppose to be changing?

Thanks

PS Im the beneficicary living in JA i was told this morning by NVC that they mailed the instructions to my husband (agent) regarding me filling out the DS-230 so i decided to go ahead and fill it out to try and save some time. (Im following your steps cause im not so sure how to use James' shortcut)

On DS-230, you need to change that MNL2006... to your NVC case number. Then you need to replace 2 barcodes on this form: One at the bottom and one right next to "INSTRUCTIONAL PACKET AGENT".

Go to Free Barcode Image Generator to create your barcodes. After getting the barcode generated, right click it and save the image in your preferred graphic program. I used the good ole Paint. After that, crop "Powered by IDAutomation.com" out and paste the barcode into your downloaded DS-230 Barcode Cover Sheet.

For details on setting size after you paste the barcode into the cover sheet, check VJ Wilki topic on James's Shortcuts.

so, two years later, do all these shortcuts still apply and work correctly?? No big changes to the NVC system that would make these not work anymore?

Yes, James's Shortcuts still work as of March, 2008. Several cases using James's Shortcuts are just successfully finished. Check it out here.

I wanted to know if there are any changes in JAMES' Shortcuts...as far as the generation of barcode...someone PM me with a different instruction as far as the barcode height and x dimension?? pls give me the link for the most updated version..thanks

also i wanted to know what to put in the first box where is says DATA TO ENCODE...is it the case number that NVC assigns?

Check here for the most updated, working version of James's Shortcut. It also has the detailed instructions on how to generate the barcodes.

Yes, on DATA TO ENCODE you should put in your NVC assigned case number as exact letter by letter and number by number.

Good luck!

Hi,

I have received approval for both I-130 and I-129F for my wife. I called NVC and got the case #'s for both cases. I was told that they mailed a packet to Guangzhou consolate and they will send something to my wife. This was done only for the I-129F. The operator said it will take 2-4 wks before any paperwork is sent for the I-130. The case #'s were created this week.

I noticed that the James' shortcut VJwiki link says it only applies to I-130. Why is this?

Since NVC has sent docs for the I-129F I was thinking that I should try the shortcut for this case # but now have 2nd thoughts after seeing the note on the wiki site.

Should I go ahead and try the shortcut method only for the I-130 case #? What will this buy me if they have sent docs to Guangzhou for the I-129F?

I asked the NVC operator if I could have both the I-129F and the I-130 processed and she said that I could do this but will be paying double the fees. I just want to do what is the fastest. Our lives can't go forward until we are together.

Thanks,
Jim

First of all, congrats on your recent approvals. K-3 doesn't stay long at NVC before they forward it to consulate. On the other hand, it would take around 3 months to process all the requirements for CR-1 at NVC before the case gets transfered to consulate level. James Shortcut only helps in reducing the mailing time sending back and forth between petitioner/beneficiary and NVC for CR1/IR1 cases only.

Since your case already forwards to Guangzhou you should stick to K-3, as you originally intended when you file I-129F, if you want to get done faster.

Congrats Tyrobe for the successful interview

Thank you! Cheer!

Is it normal that after several weeks (our process at NVC is almost over, we are waiting for approval or for a RFE) we only got the DS3032 (my husband and I), not another single paper...we used james shortcut, we have talked to the operator and everything is ok... but we have not a single paper, not a single prove!!!!

According to your timeline, the NVC received your paperwork on 08/06/08, that's only 3 business days. It usually takes them about 2 weeks to process most forms, so you have to give it more time.

Diana

Question about DS-3032. I am the benificary, who is suppose to fill this form out and who's address is suppose to go on the form if you are not using an attorney. The benificary's address (out-of-country) or the petitioner's (in the US)?

Thanks for the answer

You have to sent that to the address that appears ob the form... from now on pls use james's shortcut or Loto's guide to save time in your NVC journey!!!!

The DS-3032 is to choose who you want all correspondence from the NVC to go to. It can be anybody, not necessarily the beneficiary or petitioner, but anybody you choose. Most people choose the petitioner because the mail system in other countries is not very reliable.

If you want you can read pages 1, 10 & 11 of this thread to get an idea of how the NVC works and what the process will be like.

Diana

There's a New NVC Guide in town.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=153429

PLEASE do not use the above link...use the Wiki link in my signature.

[quote name='aussiewench' date='Feb 16 2006, 05:17 AM' post='31097']
I have corrected all the links in James Shortcuts (below) and highlighted them for easier use. Any links that you do find still broken can you let me know please.



Posted: May 14 2005, 05:34 AM James

Version 1.1 -- I've amended the shortcut instructions slightly to accomodate suggestions and the like.

Jame's NVC Shortcuts

The following NVC shortcuts are obviously not sanctioned by NVC but they have been proven to work without fail if you follow them to the "tee." If you are not good at comprehending instructions and/or English, you are probably better off not using these shortcuts.

A Bit of Background


In addition to the I-864, you must generate and fill out an Authorization for Release of Federal Tax Data. Download the MS Word copy of the Authorization for Release of Federal Tax Data (available by clicking HERE). Under the barcode, type in your case number. At the bottom of the page, replace the entire phrase "XXX City" with the name of the city in which the embassy interview will take place (i.e., the "post" in Department of State parlance). So if the embassy interview is to take place in Caracas, Venezuela, delete "XXX City" and type in "CARACAS" (all caps).


Is this information current? Authorization for Release of Federal Tax Data is still required? thanks