IV application RFE

[jaycali 415]

Iʻm a Norwegian citizen, interviewing in Sweden like all Norwegian, Swedish and Danish citizens do. Sent in my birth certificate as well as color-copy of my passport biographic page last week. Today I got an email checklist stating the following:

"You must submit proof establishing your eligibility to be processed for an immigrant visa in Sierra

Leone. Sierra Leonean citizens can meet this requirement with a photocopy of Sierra Leonean Passports

showing the biographic data page, or a birth certificate showing birth in Sierra Leone. Non-Sierra

Leonean residents of Sierra Leone must include a copy of the passport page with their Sierra Leonean

residence stamp."

I have never been to Sierra Leone in my life. Can someone please tell me this RFE is a mistake?

Edited September 14, 2012 by jaejayC

[jaycali 415]

Called NVC, after 45 minutes on hold, the operator says it must be an error, and that all required docs are in. But she says "Iʻll have a supervisor look into it." Of course this happens on a Friday afternoon.. Anyone have something similar happen? Iʻm waiting anxiously for a case closed and interview date here.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

It must be a mistake. SI typed instead of SW of something. I don't know if you can fix it before Monday though.

[rarasantiago 3]

Iʻm a Norwegian citizen, interviewing in Sweden like all Norwegian, Swedish and Danish citizens do. Sent in my birth certificate as well as color-copy of my passport biographic page last week. Today I got an email checklist stating the following:

"You must submit proof establishing your eligibility to be processed for an immigrant visa in Sierra

Leone. Sierra Leonean citizens can meet this requirement with a photocopy of Sierra Leonean Passports

showing the biographic data page, or a birth certificate showing birth in Sierra Leone. Non-Sierra

Leonean residents of Sierra Leone must include a copy of the passport page with their Sierra Leonean

residence stamp."

I have never been to Sierra Leone in my life. Can someone please tell me this RFE is a mistake?

This is so odd. Today when I called the NVC they said that the IV checklist would be emailed because they need my husband's Swedish passport and Swedish police clearance, he's a Danish citizen. Wonder what's going on between the NVC workers and the Stockholm embassy cases.

[jaycali 415]

This is so odd. Today when I called the NVC they said that the IV checklist would be emailed because they need my husband's Swedish passport and Swedish police clearance, he's a Danish citizen. Wonder what's going on between the NVC workers and the Stockholm embassy cases.

I finally got a response from NVC today. They now want my Swedish passport and bc. Called them again, they said the supervisor hasnʻt reviewed the case yet, and that my case was somehow "run through an automated review" in which the computer couldnʻt link Norway and Stockholm. Which in turn generated an automated RFE.

The operator told me to rest assured that they had everything I needed and that my case would be in line for interview scheduling as soon as a supervisor look at it - in 10 - 15 business days of course..

[rarasantiago 3]

I finally got a response from NVC today. They now want my Swedish passport and bc. Called them again, they said the supervisor hasnʻt reviewed the case yet, and that my case was somehow "run through an automated review" in which the computer couldnʻt link Norway and Stockholm. Which in turn generated an automated RFE.

The operator told me to rest assured that they had everything I needed and that my case would be in line for interview scheduling as soon as a supervisor look at it - in 10 - 15 business days of course..

This is so absurd! I hope your case gets settled soon. Have you tried talking directly with a supervisor? I was finally was able to speak to a supervisor (after repeatedly telling the operator that I've gotten conflicting information from operators and the checklists and that Danish citizens go through Stockholm) to look at our case. The supervisor acknowledged that the Danish passport is what is needed. But since she couldn't actually physically see our file (to see if the expiration date is legible, smudged (according to her sometimes they smudged them when they move papers around), or maybe the passport photocopy had fallen out (again according to her they sometimes fall out when they move papers around, so it's good to put your case number on each page)), and after a few times being put on hold she told me she requested our case files from the reviewing office (which is in another building) to be sent to her. She said she'd get it tomorrow and will look to see why they are asking for the passport (if it's not readable, missing, smudged, etc.) and tell me exactly what's in there. Fingers crossed it's only a clerical mistake and she can get the case moving.

Edited September 19, 2012 by rarasantiago

[jaycali 415]

This is so absurd! I hope your case gets settled soon. Have you tried talking directly with a supervisor? I was finally was able to speak to a supervisor (after repeatedly telling the operator that I've gotten conflicting information from operators and the checklists and that Danish citizens go through Stockholm) to look at our case. The supervisor acknowledged that the Danish passport is what is needed. But since she couldn't actually physically see our file (to see if the expiration date is legible, smudged (according to her sometimes they smudged them when they move papers around), or maybe the passport photocopy had fallen out (again according to her they sometimes fall out when they move papers around, so it's good to put your case number on each page)), and after a few times being put on hold she told me she requested our case files from the reviewing office (which is in another building) to be sent to her. She said she'd get it tomorrow and will look to see why they are asking for the passport (if it's not readable, missing, smudged, etc.) and tell me exactly what's in there. Fingers crossed it's only a clerical mistake and she can get the case moving.

At what time did you call east coast time? Iʻm in Hawaii, 6 hours behind the east coast, so every time I get these RFE emails itʻs already late afternoon/evening on the east coast. According to one operator, there were no supervisors available to talk to.

[rarasantiago 3]

At what time did you call east coast time? Iʻm in Hawaii, 6 hours behind the east coast, so every time I get these RFE emails itʻs already late afternoon/evening on the east coast. According to one operator, there were no supervisors available to talk to.

I called at 2 pm east coast time. The first operator said that what he had on the screen was current and a supervisor wouldn't give me more information, he was short and sounded irritated by my asking. So I said thanks, hung up and called right back. With the second operator I told her off the bat that I wanted to speak to a supervisor because I was getting conflicting information from the checklists and the different operators and I needed someone to look at the file to verify what was really going on with the case. She seemed reluctant to route the call to a supervisor and I repeated the conflicting information. I also told her that my husband is Danish and that Danish citizens go through Stockholm, which seems to be the sticking point for the operators (and apparently computers from your last post). Hope this helps!

[rarasantiago 3]

I called at 2 pm east coast time. The first operator said that what he had on the screen was current and a supervisor wouldn't give me more information, he was short and sounded irritated by my asking. So I said thanks, hung up and called right back. With the second operator I told her off the bat that I wanted to speak to a supervisor because I was getting conflicting information from the checklists and the different operators and I needed someone to look at the file to verify what was really going on with the case. She seemed reluctant to route the call to a supervisor and I repeated the conflicting information. I also told her that my husband is Danish and that Danish citizens go through Stockholm, which seems to be the sticking point for the operators (and apparently computers from your last post). Hope this helps!

Still haven't heard from the supervisor. Called back today and was told supervisors are in a meeting, she'll call back... But got another email with the checklist for the passport. Wondering if I should just send the copy again. But that doesn't resolve the issue that they want a Swedish one. Have you heard anything about your passport issue?

[jaycali 415]

Still haven't heard from the supervisor. Called back today and was told supervisors are in a meeting, she'll call back... But got another email with the checklist for the passport. Wondering if I should just send the copy again. But that doesn't resolve the issue that they want a Swedish one. Have you heard anything about your passport issue?

Today I was able to ask for a supervisor. The supervisor couldnʻt talk to me personally (??), but the operator told me that she spoke to a supervisor and that the supervisor would look at it, and took my phone number down to call me back. The operator told me to mail a new copy of my passport and said the part where it says itʻs a Norwegian passport might be smudged.

So for you itʻs the expiration date and for me itʻs the issuing state.. I call BS.

Norwegian passport biographic data pages say "NORWAY" on top in big, bold letters. "code of issuing state: NOR" right underneath, and "Nationality: NORWEGIAN" right underneath my name. To top it off it says place of birth "Oslo, Norway" and "Issued by Oslo Police District." If all those, including my birth certificate are smudged, Iʻm suing FedEx.

[jaycali 415]

Latest from NVC. Received this email an hour after calling:

Dear Sir,

In response to your recent telephone call, your case has been escalated to a supervisor for review. National Visa Center (NVC) records indicate that you are a national of Norway and have supplied a photocopy of your Norwegian passport. However, to updated your case an NVC supervisor must review your case file to confirm the electronic records before updating your case status. Please allow several days for this review to be conducted.

Please feel free to contact the NVC at any time by mail or email for the latest status on your case. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

Signed by "Written Inquiry Unit, Serco, Support Contractor"

Rarasantiago:

Iʻm guessing they know they screwed up, but only a supervisor can update. I wonder how long it takes a supervisor to look at this and put 2 and 2 together.

I had an idea the other day. Why not relieve 100 phone operators of their jobs, and hire 75 new adjudicators. Then they wouldnʻt need so many phone operators.

Edited September 25, 2012 by jaejayC

[rarasantiago 3]

Latest from NVC. Received this email an hour after calling:

Signed by "Written Inquiry Unit, Serco, Support Contractor"

Rarasantiago:

Iʻm guessing they know they screwed up, but only a supervisor can update. I wonder how long it takes a supervisor to look at this and put 2 and 2 together.

I had an idea the other day. Why not relieve 100 phone operators of their jobs, and hire 75 new adjudicators. Then they wouldnʻt need so many phone operators.

I called back yesterday and asked to speak to the supervisor that requested my case file. I was told that the supervisor had forwarded it to another supervisor. The operator couldn't tell me more than that and the original supervisor was not available. I asked what the results of the original supervisors review were and couldn't get any information. I pressed the operator and told her that I needed to know in case I had to send another copy because this issue had already delayed us a week. She said "don't send anything until you hear from us." But I never heard back from the original supervisor I spoke with last week. The original supervisor did call me back about 10 minutes later and said the passport copy was fine and clear as day. She didn't know why it was not accepted the first time around. At least she apologized and for the NVC oversight. She was having it sent to the supervisor that does the updating, I'm guessing like your email supervisor reference. I asked how long that would take and she said should be done this week.

Obviously this is a systematic problem because we both got the same RFE at the same time for the same embassy. The reviewing person/office wasn't trained and caused a lot of extra work for the NVC and us a big delay to getting case closed.

Yep, they should get some automation at NVC, reduce operators and get more reviewers (who are well trained of course )

I'll let you know as soon as I get any information.

[jaycali 415]

I called back yesterday and asked to speak to the supervisor that requested my case file. I was told that the supervisor had forwarded it to another supervisor. The operator couldn't tell me more than that and the original supervisor was not available. I asked what the results of the original supervisors review were and couldn't get any information. I pressed the operator and told her that I needed to know in case I had to send another copy because this issue had already delayed us a week. She said "don't send anything until you hear from us." But I never heard back from the original supervisor I spoke with last week. The original supervisor did call me back about 10 minutes later and said the passport copy was fine and clear as day. She didn't know why it was not accepted the first time around. At least she apologized and for the NVC oversight. She was having it sent to the supervisor that does the updating, I'm guessing like your email supervisor reference. I asked how long that would take and she said should be done this week. Obviously this is a systematic problem because we both got the same RFE at the same time for the same embassy. The reviewing person/office wasn't trained and caused a lot of extra work for the NVC and us a big delay to getting case closed. Yep, they should get some automation at NVC, reduce operators and get more reviewers (who are well trained of course )I'll let you know as soon as I get any information.

At least now they said everything was fine!

I got an email today.. Look at this!

Dear Sir,

In response to your inquiry on Monday, September 24th, 2012, a supervisor has reviewed your case. The National Visa Center has verified the presence of a copy of your Norwegian passport in the case file; consequently, we no longer require proof of eligibility to interview in Sweden.

NVC processing of your case is complete. We are now working with the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, to arrange an interview date for your case. Once that date is available, we will contact you by email. Unfortunately, the NVC cannot predict when your interview will be scheduled; cases are scheduled when and as capacity at the Embassy allows.

Please do not hesitate to contact the NVC by telephone or email if you have any additional questions regarding your case.

Youʻll get yours soon!!

[rarasantiago 3]

At least now they said everything was fine!

I got an email today.. Look at this!

Dear Sir,

In response to your inquiry on Monday, September 24th, 2012, a supervisor has reviewed your case. The National Visa Center has verified the presence of a copy of your Norwegian passport in the case file; consequently, we no longer require proof of eligibility to interview in Sweden.

NVC processing of your case is complete. We are now working with the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, to arrange an interview date for your case. Once that date is available, we will contact you by email. Unfortunately, the NVC cannot predict when your interview will be scheduled; cases are scheduled when and as capacity at the Embassy allows.

Please do not hesitate to contact the NVC by telephone or email if you have any additional questions regarding your case.

Youʻll get yours soon!!

Awesome and congratulations! One step closer

[jaycali 415]

Yep, they should get some automation at NVC, reduce operators and get more reviewers (who are well trained of course )

Amen, would save us frustration and the NVC and US tax payers a lot of money.

I would still call every day if I were you!

I think the "smudged" part was just a standard excuse they use since I got the same response. Turns out mine was clear as day too. I think this is a screw up somewhere with some adjudicator simply not knowing that Danes and Norwegians interview in Sweden. Maybe we got the same adjudicator?

Edited September 26, 2012 by jaejayC