What happens at the NVC step?

[JD & Coconut 35]

We received our NOA2 yesteday, just wondering what exactly happens when the NVC receives the package from the service center. Do they just forward it on to the embassy? Do they set up the interview date? Just curious what goes on at this step.

Thanks!

[Jeffrey S 5]

I can tell you that in my exprience the NVC received the file one week after the NOA2, I called them about 10 days after the NOA2 and got the case # from them, at that time they said the case would be sent out by the end of the week. It was a vey quick process. They do not set the interview date. I can only speak for the process at the Russian Embassy, I waited a couple more weeks to let the Embassy get the case then I was able to get on the Embassy website, and pay the fee and schedule the interview with the case # from the NVC. it may not be quite that fast in other counties.

[Pitaya 2,576]

More bureaucratic checking and assignment of a case file number.

[Takeo 6]

We received our NOA2 yesteday, just wondering what exactly happens when the NVC receives the package from the service center. Do they just forward it on to the embassy? Do they set up the interview date? Just curious what goes on at this step.

Thanks!

Your petition will be assigned a case number. You can call the NVC number, make sure you have your receipt number and your fiancee's birthdate. By the time I called, my case number had been assigned and was mailed out to the embassy that day. With that date, I was able to go to the DHL website and track the case using tricks that others figured out. There is a thread about it. I found my case by the ship date from NVC and knew when it arrived at the embassy, two days later my fiancee got her Packet 3.

[Darnell 8,478]

1. casefile is scanned and stored in SAFEFILE system.

2. consular casefile number is assigned

3. quick review done , make sure nothing is missing.

4. another background check performed

5. casefile pegged for shipping out

6. casefile bundled up with other casefiles headed to same IV unit

7. casefile sent out

---

specifically for Guangzhou IV - you've some wait ahead of you. By treaty, all consular paperwork coming INTO China must sit in a China Customs warehouse for sometime. This duration varies, from 1 month to 3 months. Once the casefile has 'finished sitting ' in the warehouse, then it's picked up by Consular staff and trucked over to the IV Unit.

Even with the known wait - the IV staff does play 'fairy godmother' about half the time with K-1 visa chasers - NOT waiting on the physical casefile itself, but instead, relying solely on the SAFEFILE version of the casefile, and uses the SAFEFILE version of the casefile to get things going on the casefile in Guangzhou.

hth ! Good Luck !

[JustFred 0]

We received our NOA2 yesteday, just wondering what exactly happens when the NVC receives the package from the service center. Do they just forward it on to the embassy? Do they set up the interview date? Just curious what goes on at this step.

Thanks!

Congrats! I have been helped so much by the members here, I wanted to give back. So here's my experience so far.

1. Trust Darnell - seems to have a great handle on all thing visa/china related.

2. Call these numbers for status (NVC first, then when you have GUZ case number can cal DOS) There are some great pages about how to get a human at DOS if you search this site:

DOS Phone Number

202-663-1225

NVC Phone Number

603-334-0700

3. Book mark this website: https://ceac.state.g...er/Status.aspx?

It hasn't been to helpful vs. call DOS, but still good to have.

4. Pray they use the safe file version, makes things much faster.

SO here is what I have done after NOA2.

One week after NOA2 called NVC which said file has been forwarded to Guangzhou (But I was told my VJ members that it goes to DOS first) and given a GUZ case number.

Two weeks after NOA2 called DOS said filed forwarded to Guangzhou.

Three weeks after NOA2 looked at web site and it said Administration Processing please be patient. Got nervous! Called DOS said P3 has been sent (so thinking that admin proc might just mean it is "in the middle of things, like going to mail room for sending".

One month from date DOS said P3 has been sent, it arrived at my fiancee address.

Returned P3 next day.

At about week three after NOA2, we went to https://cgifederal.secure.force.com and signed up. Paid (at bank in person, after playing around with online payments for two hours. She does have two china bank cards but China is not the easiest place in the world to try to make payments online.) By the time she got home from bank the website was already updated with payment info.

Tried to schedule appoint, no appointments available. Finally yesterday July 8 and 9 opened up for appointments, but she would like last week in July so waiting and checking daily to see what appointments open up.

Hope this helps a little. Trying to pay if forward as I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

- Justfred

[JD & Coconut 35]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful information, it really helps.

[JD & Coconut 35]

On the cgifederal.secure.force.com website they ask for Priority Date, is that the date they received our petition?

Also, my fiancee is convinced that she has to pay at a bank for the visa (the amount was over 2000 RMB I believe), but I told her that I can pay for it through this website (I think it is $265), am I correct in my assumption?

Thanks!

[JD & Coconut 35]

Just talked to DOS, they told me to call back in 2 to 3 weeks! Does this sound correct?

Also, the person I talked to said that Guangzhou will schedule the interview appointment and that I was not responsible for this; is this also correct information?

Thanks!

[Darnell 8,478]

sounds like DoS Hotline human totally unaware of the ustraveldocs website and why to use it.