Security Clearance Certificate nightmare - Changes in format

[Azuredrak0 0]

Hello everyone,

My wife and I were married last year in the US when she came on a fiance visa, but unfortunately she needed to return to Ukraine shortly after since her mom got very sick.

Since then, we submitted I-130 and got approved. Our IR-1 case was moved to the NVC (National Visa Center), where it is stuck due to Police or Security Clearance certificate issues.

As we found out, the format of the certificate in Ukraine changed in August 2012. NVC demands the old IP-1 format, and is even telling us to go to the wrong agency, Office of Visas and Registration (OVIR), to aquire it. OVIR is the agency that issues internationl passports, but does not issue security clearance certificates, those are issued by the local police (miliziya) offices and Ministry of Internal Affairs....

Just to be sure I had my wife check again, and return with the same information, which is "as of August 2012, IP-1 format police clerance certificates are no longer issued, intead the the new certificate, extract from registry (vityag z reyestru), is used.

This is confirmed by multiple ukrainian media sites, work-visa issuing sites, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs site.

Is anyone else in the same boat as me? More importantly, what can I do to move my case along to the Interview process?

The reply from NVC has consistantly been "You are missing a Security Clearance document... go to blah blah blah to get it..." Basically it's the same exact copy/pasted prepackaged response that doesn't help. And calling their phone service does not help either.

Thanks so much for your help!

[Darnell 8,480]

call into NVC, use a telephone,

and ask for a Supervisor.

Explain all to a Supervisor, and ask the Supervisor to tell the person reviewing the DS-230 to use the UPDATED PCC requirements. Also suggest to the Supervisor that the REVIEWER is using the outdated version of the manual, and to see the 'updated memo' about Ukrainian PCCs.

Use a Telephone!.

[Azuredrak0 0]

call into NVC, use a telephone,

and ask for a Supervisor.

Explain all to a Supervisor, and ask the Supervisor to tell the person reviewing the DS-230 to use the UPDATED PCC requirements. Also suggest to the Supervisor that the REVIEWER is using the outdated version of the manual, and to see the 'updated memo' about Ukrainian PCCs.

Use a Telephone!.

Darnel, thanks so much for your reply. Early in my dealings with NVC, I already learned that calling is the best way to go. I've called them at least a dozen times in the past 2 months.

Just so I understand, could you tell me what acronym above PCC stands for? I'd hate for someone on the phone to play dumb and catch me off guard by asking what "PCC" is.

Quick update - I called and sited all the research that I've done about the new format of the Security Clearance document. NVC asked me to send the document one more time with explanation and all the sited references attached.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Azuredrak0

[Darnell 8,480]

PCC - Police Clearance Certificate.

[Darnell 8,480]

Did you talk with a supervisor ? Based on what you said, I am thinking no.

Did you ask for a supervisor ?

Seriously...

Yer not the first person this quarter or prior to have issues with a Ukrainian PCC -

something is really wonky at NVC.

If you follow what I've written, exactly, you should get a different result.

Edited December 7, 2012 by Darnell

[Gary and Alla 3,696]

Darnel, thanks so much for your reply. Early in my dealings with NVC, I already learned that calling is the best way to go. I've called them at least a dozen times in the past 2 months.

Just so I understand, could you tell me what acronym above PCC stands for? I'd hate for someone on the phone to play dumb and catch me off guard by asking what "PCC" is.

Quick update - I called and sited all the research that I've done about the new format of the Security Clearance document. NVC asked me to send the document one more time with explanation and all the sited references attached.

Darnell's advice is good. You are stuck by an incompetent clerk. You are certainly not the only I-130 to be processed out of Ukraine since August. Seriously? I suggest doing what he advised and get the Police Certificate as usual.

[Azuredrak0 0]

Thanks everyone,

I will do that. Unfortunately I called before I got the answer from Darnell. I will call again and will let you know the results.

Meanwhile I'm sending a copy of a security clearance document one more time, as they requested last time.

Included I'm attaching references to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs website where this change is listed. Don't know if they'll care to read it.

Also attached is a letter requesting that the reviewer updates Ukrainian PCC information prior to reviewing the document.

[pushbrk 14,078]

Thanks everyone,

I will do that. Unfortunately I called before I got the answer from Darnell. I will call again and will let you know the results.

Meanwhile I'm sending a copy of a security clearance document one more time, as they requested last time.

Included I'm attaching references to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs website where this change is listed. Don't know if they'll care to read it.

Also attached is a letter requesting that the reviewer updates Ukrainian PCC information prior to reviewing the document.

Sounds like you're on the right track but since you only married last year, that track is for a CR1, not IR1 visa. IR1 is for folks married more than two years.