Processing times....

[holly87 2]

Hello All,

I hope I have put this in the correct forum. (I apologise if I have not!)

Anyway, My Husband is a U.S Citizen and I am English, He filed the petition for the I - 130 On November 16th 2011. It went to the California service centre. All the tables I have looked at say we should get a decision in about 5 months. I have been told that it will then go to the NVC for re processing, does anyone know how long we can expect to wait for that? Then, as I am still in the U.K, it goes to the London Embassy, again, does anyone know when we can expect to hear from them? How long do they have it for before I can book my medical etc?

I know I have asked a few questions but I have rang the London embassy a few times and can never really get an answer from them at this stage as our application is still in inital review. Has anyone else gone the way we've had to?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

[Saylin 1,605]

Hello All,

I hope I have put this in the correct forum. (I apologise if I have not!)

Anyway, My Husband is a U.S Citizen and I am English, He filed the petition for the I - 130 On November 16th 2011. It went to the California service centre. All the tables I have looked at say we should get a decision in about 5 months. I have been told that it will then go to the NVC for re processing, does anyone know how long we can expect to wait for that? Then, as I am still in the U.K, it goes to the London Embassy, again, does anyone know when we can expect to hear from them? How long do they have it for before I can book my medical etc?

I know I have asked a few questions but I have rang the London embassy a few times and can never really get an answer from them at this stage as our application is still in inital review. Has anyone else gone the way we've had to?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

As you know, it's currently around 5 months for I-130 approval.

It then takes CURRENTLY three weeks to get a case number assigned at NVC. This time frame is always fluctuating between 1 week to 4 weeks, so it might be different once you get to NVC.

The time it takes in NVC after you get your case number is completely up to YOU. If you have everything prepared ahead of time, you can fly through NVC within 2 weeks! So, in total, about 2 months at NVC, including case number wait times.

After you get a case complete at NVC, it's then roughly 2 months till your interview date.

So, it's roughly 9 months for the entire process. If you filed mid-November, you should roughly be done with this process around August of this year.

[trojam227 18]

Yup, Saylin knows the deal! You should be hearing soon if your petition is approved. Things move fast at the NVC stage IF you're on top of things. And, when the time comes, if you have any london specific questions I would be glad to help.

Edited April 11, 2012 by trojam227

[holly87 2]

Thank you for you help there!

We apprciate that! It's so annoying! He left the U.K in August and Iv'e only seen him once in that time...The joys of military life...

[cathy2904 97]

My signature and timeline will give you an idea of processing times for a CR1 through London. As Saylin said times do vary up and down at different periods (when we got our NOA2 it was taking over a month to get an NVC case number) but it should be a good indication.

Once your case is with NVC and they give you your new case number (LND number), you can call the Knightsbridge clinic and book your medical. In the meantime I would recommend checking the vaccinations required and if you need any then get your GP to do them. They will probably do them for free but if they do charge it will probably be less than the clinic.

Edited April 11, 2012 by cathy2904

[holly87 2]

You both say if we are on top of things for the NVC, What more do we need for the NVC? Do you mean if our I 130 has all the correct documentation and fees?

Trojam227 - Did you find that the Embassy in London were speedy? Is there a long wait between having the medical and Interview? Also, How scary is the medical? I'm dreading it! I don't have any health problems or anything I'm just nervous about them, how can I put this? Poking around!!

Thank you both!!

[Saylin 1,605]

Yeah, I can only answer general time frame questions (especially NVC). Once it comes to London time frames and questions, the above posters are your best bet OP

[trojam227 18]

Oh, and don't keep calling the embassy...costs too much money! All they really do is book & cancel appts. Soon, you (or your husband) can call and bug the NVC for free! You will know when your entire package is sent to london..nothing gets forwarded there until you have Case Complete at NVC.

[Saylin 1,605]

You both say if we are on top of things for the NVC, What more do we need for the NVC? Do you mean if our I 130 has all the correct documentation and fees?

Trojam227 - Did you find that the Embassy in London were speedy? Is there a long wait between having the medical and Interview? Also, How scary is the medical? I'm dreading it! I don't have any health problems or anything I'm just nervous about them, how can I put this? Poking around!!

Thank you both!!

When we mean on top of things, we mean having the AOS and IV packages ready to go so once you're able to mail them out, you can do so asap.

Remember, you schedule your own medical. No one does it for you.

[holly87 2]

The AOS is the I 485 right? We still have to do that? I thought we only did that if I was in the U.S while the I-130 was pending?!

[Saylin 1,605]

The AOS is the I 485 right? We still have to do that? I thought we only did that if I was in the U.S while the I-130 was pending?!

No, in this case, the AOS stands for Affidavit of Support, the I-864 form, which the petitioner fills out and sends in the AOS package.

The one you're referring to is Adjustment of Status, and like you said, is when the beneficiary is within the US.

[holly87 2]

Oh panic over there! Thanks, We were told that I had to take the Aff. of Support to the interview with me! So, it's on it's way here in the mail!!!!! And that was someone at the London Embassy telling us that!

[Saylin 1,605]

Oh panic over there! Thanks, We were told that I had to take the Aff. of Support to the interview with me! So, it's on it's way here in the mail!!!!! And that was someone at the London Embassy telling us that!

Nope, the AOS gets sent to NVC. And once your case is complete there, your case is sent to the embassy where they'll have it on them for your interview.

You should review some guides. I made a post linking a few, which you can find linked to in my signature below. I'd suggest reading them to get a better idea of NVC. Seems like you've been getting misinformed, and by the embassy no less

[cathy2904 97]

Make sure you have checked these links:

http://www.visajourney.com/examples/NVC_Process_Flowchart_v1-2.pdf

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/LingChe_NVC_ShortCut

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/8321-london-medical-knightsbridge-doctors/

And the official medical information for London: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv018a_medical.pdf

The medical is fine. They will have a quick look in your knickers (!) to confirm your gender and a general check of your boobs for lumps but that is as 'probing' as it gets. I take it you haven't had any babies yet!

And definitely join Saylin's NVC thread for the appropriate month. Here is the link to the current one: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/360415-nvc-filers-april-2012/

[trojam227 18]

You both say if we are on top of things for the NVC, What more do we need for the NVC? Do you mean if our I 130 has all the correct documentation and fees?

Trojam227 - Did you find that the Embassy in London were speedy? Is there a long wait between having the medical and Interview? Also, How scary is the medical? I'm dreading it! I don't have any health problems or anything I'm just nervous about them, how can I put this? Poking around!!

Thank you both!!

Well, speedy compared to some other embassies, Yes. NVC sets up the interview for you and will send an email with some basic instructions. When you get Case Complete at NVC you should call for a Medical Exam at Knightsbridge. As far as being on top of things at NVC, just start collecting everything now. Here's some links to print & study, and remember that all of these documents sent to NVC are for you, the applicant. Not your husband, the petitioner...except the I864 Affidavit of Support which is his job.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/nvc/nvc_1335.html

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv018a_medical.pdf