Time after NO2

[Ryan&Rain 1]

Hi, VJs!!! I am new here and found information on this forum is pretty helpful toward visa application. My fiance and i just received our p2 or NOA2 approval message when we checked through the uscis website yesterday. i wonder if anyone know how long will it take for the process from p2 to p3 and to p4 respectively? the consulate country is at China. and do anyone know when should be a good time to buy our flight ticket? thanks for sharing your experience and help.

[DeeDee&Sam 68]

i dont know how much it takes for china but it depends on the numbers of interviews processed at the respective consulate in that time period. after nvc sends that documents to uscis and your partener calls fast she might be lucky and get a sport. when i called they scheduled me for interview 3 days later (which was too fast and had to cancel)

most important of all, DO NOT by a ticket before having the visa in hand, under any circumstances. there are always unpredictible things that can delay the visa

Edited July 19, 2012 by DeeDee&Sam

[Ryan&Rain 1]

thank you for your kindly response. This is interesting, i didn't know that you can reserve or make an appointment for interview spot... when do you do that? after receival of P3 or when?

i dont know how much it takes for china but it depends on the numbers of interviews processed at the respective consulate in that time period. after nvc sends that documents to uscis and your partener calls fast she might be lucky and get a sport. when i called they scheduled me for interview 3 days later (which was too fast and had to cancel)

most important of all, DO NOT by a ticket before having the visa in hand, under any circumstances. there are always unpredictible things that can delay the visa

Edited July 19, 2012 by Ryan&Rain

[Moomin 292]

thank you for your kindly response. This is interesting, i didn't know that you can reserve or make an appointment for interview spot... when do you do that? after receival of P3 or when?

According to http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/47024/IV/K%20Instruction%20-May2012.pdf

"After you have sent this form to the consular office, the office will schedule you for a visa interview at the earliest possible date"

(the link was found through http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/forms_and_packets.htm )

[Ryan&Rain 1]

right, this is OF-169, which we will receive at P3 package together with DS-230 form and must be returned to the consulate. but someone proclaimed that the appointment can be reserved by phone or simply calling in advance, which i have never heard of before.

According to http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/47024/IV/K%20Instruction%20-May2012.pdf

"After you have sent this form to the consular office, the office will schedule you for a visa interview at the earliest possible date"

(the link was found through http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/forms_and_packets.htm )

[Darnell 8,478]

not for China.

The P3 packet must be returned. GUZ IV then schedules the interview, sends out an interview letter.

GUZ IV doesn't do telephone. Ever. (Well, you can't call them, but they do call you if someone's in a helpful mood, which is exceptionally rare)

Some things you gotta do...

1. call NVC and ask for GUZ Casefile Number. Call every three days until you get this from NVC.

2. Call DoS Hotline and ask for casefile status, every week. When you here 'casefile opened' or 'Packet 3 Sent' then it's time to use my GUZ IV P3 shortcut, up at GUZ P3 shortcut - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/GUZ_P3_Shortcut

3. Read this post, #1 and #7 - Dodi - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/264972-shortcuts-when-checking-for-updates-from-the-nvc-and-dos/

4. Review for red flags - GUZ IV red flags - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/234971-red-flag-list-for-visa-denial/page__hl__appointment

5. Get some white books - white books - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/228853-notarial-birth-certificate/

[Ryan&Rain 1]

Thanks alot, I have gathered most of your information prior your response. I just wonder about the timing... I need an approximated time for the process to calm my excited heart. We all know everyone here has or will share this kind of feeling.

not for China.

The P3 packet must be returned. GUZ IV then schedules the interview, sends out an interview letter.

GUZ IV doesn't do telephone. Ever. (Well, you can't call them, but they do call you if someone's in a helpful mood, which is exceptionally rare)

Some things you gotta do...

1. call NVC and ask for GUZ Casefile Number. Call every three days until you get this from NVC.

2. Call DoS Hotline and ask for casefile status, every week. When you here 'casefile opened' or 'Packet 3 Sent' then it's time to use my GUZ IV P3 shortcut, up at GUZ P3 shortcut - http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/GUZ_P3_Shortcut

3. Read this post, #1 and #7 - Dodi - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/264972-shortcuts-when-checking-for-updates-from-the-nvc-and-dos/

4. Review for red flags - GUZ IV red flags - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/234971-red-flag-list-for-visa-denial/page__hl__appointment

5. Get some white books - white books - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/228853-notarial-birth-certificate/

[Darnell 8,478]

time and timing is useless for forecast for Guangzhou IV at this stage, because ...

A Human at GUZ IV can decide to use the SAFEFILE version of yer casefile, or wait till the paper casefile clears out of the China Customs Bonded warehouse.

If SAFEFILE solely, then expect another 6 weeks from NOA-2 date to the time GUZ IV has it open, as the casefile still has to get into NVC, some internal processing occurs, then sent out to GUZ IV.

If GUZ IV human decides to wait on the physical casefile, expect a 'dead zone ' time lag between 'NVC OUT' and GUZ IV casefile opened' timeticks of 2 to 5 months.

Calling DoS Hotline is useful, the timeticks for case file status are posted in the 'Dodi' link, post #7. Knowing 'where you are' helps you to pull the trigger on the P3 shortcut, always.

So, sorry, it's one or the other, for 'how much more time' ; I strongly suggest you not purchase tickets until you know of the interview date,

and even then - make them for 30 days out , past the appointment date.

Sorry, I wish I had other news/info for you. It is what it is - There's that treaty between China and USA, where consular documents sit in a bonded warehouse for a period of time.

The fork in the decision tree here, is whether or not a GUZ IV human decides to use the SAFEFILE version of the casefile, solely, or not. If they do decide to use the SAFEFILE version of the casefile, you'll get some speed.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

My fiancee and her son had their interviews (K-1 and K-2) at the GUZ consulate on 13 June. It ended up being a 3 day affair (that spanned 4 days), with the medical exams, document intake and interviews. Darnell is right-on with ALL of his information. I jokingly thought that I would see him in the park across the street from the consulate, keeping a watchful eye on the place.

As far as the consulate is concerned, they schedule the appointment, not you. We received the appointment letter vial email, approximately one month before the actual date. Here is the link to the consulate email form, use it to contact them.

The SAFEFILE is the the way to go, if that is how they decide to proceed. It is kind of nerve-racking, but that is the game that the two governments play with each other's diplomatic mail, all done by bilateral treaty. Follow Darnell's information and links and you will be okay. I flew over for the interview, I couldn't attend (their policy), but to provide support and to deliver my documents. You should really consider reviewing recent pertinent threads and recent reviews at the China regional forum and the Guangzhou consulate info page, there is a lot of useful information there too.

Good luck in Guangzhou, hopefully it will be cooler when your interview is scheduled....

Edited July 19, 2012 by A&B

[Ryan&Rain 1]

Thanks for your information. I will just hope we will be done with the whole process before "GuoQing" on Oct 1. That's a long holiday for the office!!!

time and timing is useless for forecast for Guangzhou IV at this stage, because ...

A Human at GUZ IV can decide to use the SAFEFILE version of yer casefile, or wait till the paper casefile clears out of the China Customs Bonded warehouse.

If SAFEFILE solely, then expect another 6 weeks from NOA-2 date to the time GUZ IV has it open, as the casefile still has to get into NVC, some internal processing occurs, then sent out to GUZ IV.

If GUZ IV human decides to wait on the physical casefile, expect a 'dead zone ' time lag between 'NVC OUT' and GUZ IV casefile opened' timeticks of 2 to 5 months.

Calling DoS Hotline is useful, the timeticks for case file status are posted in the 'Dodi' link, post #7. Knowing 'where you are' helps you to pull the trigger on the P3 shortcut, always.

So, sorry, it's one or the other, for 'how much more time' ; I strongly suggest you not purchase tickets until you know of the interview date,

and even then - make them for 30 days out , past the appointment date.

Sorry, I wish I had other news/info for you. It is what it is - There's that treaty between China and USA, where consular documents sit in a bonded warehouse for a period of time.

The fork in the decision tree here, is whether or not a GUZ IV human decides to use the SAFEFILE version of the casefile, solely, or not. If they do decide to use the SAFEFILE version of the casefile, you'll get some speed.

[stevo222 18]

I used the GUZ consulate e-mail form to ask them if they had received our file from NVC yet, and the very next day, got this response from them...

Thank you for your email.

We have already received your beneficiary's file and have sent Packet 3 to her address.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou

1 Shamian South Street

Guangzhou, Guangdong 510133

PRC

WooHoo! :dance: :dance:

Best darn e-mail I've gotten in a while!!! (excluding one's from my sweetie, of course).

Busy time now making sure we have all our Ducks are in a row (And a big thanks goes out to Darnell for the various lists supplied, to help)...

[Ryan&Rain 1]

I think your interview will be hold in Auguest, seems like CSC is doing pretty good job these months.

I smiled when i saw your "Ganbei" part in your signature.

I used the GUZ consulate e-mail form to ask them if they had received our file from NVC yet, and the very next day, got this response from them...

Thank you for your email.

We have already received your beneficiary's file and have sent Packet 3 to her address.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou

1 Shamian South Street

Guangzhou, Guangdong 510133

PRC

WooHoo! :dance: :dance:

Best darn e-mail I've gotten in a while!!! (excluding one's from my sweetie, of course).

Busy time now making sure we have all our Ducks are in a row (And a big thanks goes out to Darnell for the various lists supplied, to help)...

Edited July 19, 2012 by Ryan&Rain

[stevo222 18]

Thanks, perfect timing for us would be the last week of August or first week of September. Flight prices drop a lot then. Like A&B, I plan on being there for the interview (even though can't go in), for moral support, and to deliver some of the Docs she needs.

[Ryan&Rain 1]

Go ahead and ask her to shortcut the P3. Based on all data i have collected, it will be before Sep. Haha, I believe you can go in but you can't go in when you are in the building before another security check and interview counters. By the way, you may want to keep her electronics and etc. because they won't be allowed in.

Best wishes to you!

Thanks, perfect timing for us would be the last week of August or first week of September. Flight prices drop a lot then. Like A&B, I plan on being there for the interview (even though can't go in), for moral support, and to deliver some of the Docs she needs.

[stevo222 18]

Thanks again, and best wishes to you. Hope your wait for the packet 3 is as short as possible.