Hello,

I have a question regarding the NVC.

I have noticed that some people send in their forms DS-3032, I-864 and DS-230 without having a NOA2 yet. Unless they didn't mention they had it.

My question is, can we move forward and send those forms in even if we don't have a NVC case number assigned yet?

Also, why is it taking so long (6 months and more) just to get a case number assigned? Is there anyways we can call and request a case number to be assigned or would that be rude and not conventional? Because even though we called several times to check if a RFE was needed we have always been told no... then why not moving forward?

I have also noticed that the only times our cases seem to be "touched" are when we call in for informations. Does this mean they really look at them and work on them or just that they mention we called?

Thank you for your help,
Christine (the overseas wife...).

Looking at your time line, you are very close to the same as me.
I mailed mine 5/31 and received NOA1 June 19. You don't say what service center your NOA1 came from, mine is from california.
I review other peoples timelines, and these days it is taking about 4 months from NOA1 to NOA2, so based on that you still have a couple of weeks till NOA2.

At NOA2 "technically" the petition is approved, and the application process starts. This process is different for I-130 and for I-129F.
You filed the I-129F so long after the NOA1 of the I-130 that it is really just a waste of money I think. Your I-130 will be approved first, and it is the better visa anyways.

After NOA2 is issued your petition is sent to the Visa Service Center, who (for I-130) will handle your application process.
There are a number of forms and fees to be paid to the VSC. The general process is:
1) They mail you a bill.
2) you mail in the fee
3) They mail you the form
4) You mail in the filled in form

You can see this is a very slow way to get anything done.
There is a automated phone service at the VSC you can call (once your NOA2 has been assigned a VSC number. This is different from your petition number). This phone service will tell you something like "We are waiting on I-864 from petitioner".

What you see SOME people do is they download the appropriate forms, fill them in and mail them the day the answering machine says its ready. All they are really doing is reducing the mail time, but it saves 2 - 3 weeks total if you do everything properly.
They have to do this for each form, and should be very knowledgeable about the process (look in the forms area I think for a detailed list of the order to send in the forms). There is a post somewhere called "James shortcut" that details how to do this VSC speedup.

As for when to estimate you get your visa, it depends on how fast you can return the forms to VSC, but in general if you make no mistakes it is about 1 year. Since your from France, it will probably be quicker. My wife is in China, so the US drags the process out.

I hope this long explanation helps.
The truth is you should make up your mind it will take 1 year. Work to get the forms and fees back as quickly as possible, and then just live your lives the best you can.
If you worry over this every day, you will wreck your marriage before you ever start

All of us here know that 1 year is ridiculous, and we all hate it, and we are all in this situation together.
So, come here to chat or get information, but go on with your life.
The 1 year wait will be nothing compared to your lifetime together.

Best Wishes,
Credzba