NVC customer service

[Operator 1,925]

I have talked to 6 different operators at NVC since 2 May and the only consistent things that I have heard them say are:

1. All we do here is assign a case number to your application and forward it to the embassy.

2. Give us a call back on Friday.

Two times I have been told that its in administrative processing and two times I have been told it isn't. I've asked twice to speak to a supervisor and have been told that "I will leave a message and have one call you", which never happened. Today I was told that a supervisor wouldn't be calling me and that they won't speak to me on the phone because they can't tell me anything about my case and when it will be sent out.

Two times I have been told that "NVC only assigns a case number and sends it to the embassy". Both times I asked the person on the phone if they were in fact NVC employees and both confirmed that they were. This morning I explained to the woman that the case number was assigned on April 29th which she confirmed to be true. I then asked her why if it has had a case number since April 29 has it not been sent out? She said she didn't know because "they" don't give her that information. I asked who "they" are and she said the people that process the approved petitions. I asked to speak to "the people that process the approved petitions" and was told that I couldn't. I asked again to speak to a supervisor and was told that they wouldn't speak to me.

I am a patient person and I have been completely courteous to everyone of the people I have spoken to at NVC. I spent 10 years serving this country so I have a pretty strong grasp of bureaucratic processing but to be honest I would be happier if NVC didn't even post a number to call because it is either useless or I'm not doing it right.

If anyone cares to comment about the goings on at NVC I'd love to hear their thoughts because the NVC employees say something very different than whats posted here on VJ about what they actually do.

[Que Saudade 284]

2-4 weeks to get out of NVC and to the embassy can be quite normal. Once it leaves NVC, it is difficult to track and then you will be dealing only with your specific consulate. It should be leaving this week. However, if it is indeed in AP (admin processing), it may take a little longer as they do "more investigational background checks" (whatever that is). Good luck and I hope the rest of your journey goes smoothly.

[Operator 1,925]

2-4 weeks to get out of NVC and to the embassy can be quite normal. Once it leaves NVC, it is difficult to track and then you will be dealing only with your specific consulate. It should be leaving this week. However, if it is indeed in AP (admin processing), it may take a little longer as they do "more investigational background checks" (whatever that is). Good luck and I hope the rest of your journey goes smoothly.

Thanks very much for the reply. I'm not so much worried about the time it is taking but more wondering what is actually taking place. I'm wondering why two NVC employees have told me that all approved petitions are processed the same way based on visa type. Two weeks ago I was told it's in administrative processing. Last week and today I'm told there is no administrative processing for any petition, they simply assign a case number and forward it on and the ammount of time it takes is based only on the volume of documents recieved of the particular visa category. So my comment really is more about the discrepancy between what NVC is telling me and what the VJ guides and timelines say. One of the operators told me that NVC doesn't do name or background checks. Which I seriously doubt is true but the discrepancy is still making me wonder: how much we really know about what is actually being done or is it even important that we know?

I wish you good luck as well!

[Done--Really 331]

Right from their website, here is their role--nothing about background checks--doesn't mean they don't do them, but their primary function is to act as a clearing house:

The National Visa Center (NVC) collects immigrant visa application forms, Affidavit of Support forms, and fee payments for US Embassies and US Consulates.

[Operator 1,925]

Right from their website, here is their role--nothing about background checks--doesn't mean they don't do them, but their primary function is to act as a clearing house:

The National Visa Center (NVC) collects immigrant visa application forms, Affidavit of Support forms, and fee payments for US Embassies and US Consulates.

Exactly! If you look further it says this:

The First Step: Filing the Petition

• <LI sizset="192" sizcache="29">You, the U.S. citizen sponsor, must file

Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e), with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live. See Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) for information on where to file the petition. Further information is available on the USCIS website under Fiancé(e) Visas. Note: Form I-129F cannot be filed at a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or USCIS office abroad. After USCIS approves the petition, it is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing, and NVC will send it to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your fiancé(e) will apply for a K-1 nonimmigrant visa.

The Second Step: Applying for a Visa

Once the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you, the foreign-citizen fiancé(e), will apply receives the petition from NVC, it will provide you with specific instructions, including where to go for the required medical examination. During your interview, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a Consular Officer.

This would make one think that "administrative processing" takes place after NVC sends the petition to the Embassy/Consulate and after the interview. So what is going on at NVC? What processing do they do?

This is also from the DOS website:

Administrative Processing Information

• Print
• Email

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visa, well in advance of the anticipated travel date.

Important Notice: Before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants or their representatives will need to wait at least 60 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.

This is all post interview stuff.

Edited May 16, 2011 by Operator

[Darnell 8,478]

coupla things:

1. namechecks occur at every stage of this process - see http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/SecurityNameChecksAndAdministrativeReview.html

2. review http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/264972-shortcuts-when-checking-for-updates-from-the-nvc-and-dos/ - Dodi's posted how to call, and further down, I've posted what you can get and when (for casefile status). IMO, if you have a GUZ # already, start calling DoS Hotline and get some casefile status from them, just as a check.

3. I'm actually sad you not get a supervisor, as a supervisor has 'extra access' on the computer system there, as compared to the first line person that you talk to.

Edited May 16, 2011 by Darnell

[Operator 1,925]

coupla things:

1. namechecks occur at every stage of this process - see http://www.usaimmigr...tiveReview.html

2. review http://www.visajourn...he-nvc-and-dos/ - Dodi's posted how to call, and further down, I've posted what you can get and when (for casefile status). IMO, if you have a GUZ # already, start calling DoS Hotline and get some casefile status from them, just as a check.

3. I'm actually sad you not get a supervisor, as a supervisor has 'extra access' on the computer system there, as compared to the first line person that you talk to.

Darnell it's alway great to get comment from you. It usually makes Jane and I very happy. I just called DOS and after 5 minutes of listening to the phone ring I hung up but I'll keep trying. I was a little concerned that they wont put me through to a supervisor as well. Lots of different answers coming out of NVC. I'm confident everything is fine but we'd just like to get some clear answers from them.

As always thank you!

[Lari & Jhona 0]

call the visa specialist.they are way more consistent with their story 202-663-1225

[Jane Huang 2]

I have talked to 6 different operators at NVC since 2 May and the only consistent things that I have heard them say are:

1. All we do here is assign a case number to your application and forward it to the embassy.

2. Give us a call back on Friday.

Two times I have been told that its in administrative processing and two times I have been told it isn't. I've asked twice to speak to a supervisor and have been told that "I will leave a message and have one call you", which never happened. Today I was told that a supervisor wouldn't be calling me and that they won't speak to me on the phone because they can't tell me anything about my case and when it will be sent out.

Two times I have been told that "NVC only assigns a case number and sends it to the embassy". Both times I asked the person on the phone if they were in fact NVC employees and both confirmed that they were. This morning I explained to the woman that the case number was assigned on April 29th which she confirmed to be true. I then asked her why if it has had a case number since April 29 has it not been sent out? She said she didn't know because "they" don't give her that information. I asked who "they" are and she said the people that process the approved petitions. I asked to speak to "the people that process the approved petitions" and was told that I couldn't. I asked again to speak to a supervisor and was told that they wouldn't speak to me.

I am a patient person and I have been completely courteous to everyone of the people I have spoken to at NVC. I spent 10 years serving this country so I have a pretty strong grasp of bureaucratic processing but to be honest I would be happier if NVC didn't even post a number to call because it is either useless or I'm not doing it right.

If anyone cares to comment about the goings on at NVC I'd love to hear their thoughts because the NVC employees say something very different than whats posted here on VJ about what they actually do.

Im amazed how unprofessional they are!! I have been dealing with Chinese government for a while, am never a fan of CCP, but to be honest, it is way more pleasant to deal with chinese government.