APRIL 2019 K-1 NOA2 ----> NVC

[Greenbaum 12,259]

This thread was created for those who are waiting from their NOA2 K-1 to the case assignment from NVC.

 

These are items that everyone asks for, so I thought I just post them here for you to refer to when it's necessary.

 

1. How do I update my email address with NVC Once you receive your NOA2 approval then contact NVC via https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html to update your email address as well as your beneficiary's email address. This will give you an email alert when your file arrives at NVC, your case is assigned and when the file leaves for your Embassy. Enter the petitioner's information as well as the beneficiary's in the "box". Full name, Date of Birth, NOA2 receipt number and WAC number. We have found in some cases that email's are never sent and in other cases this works well. So, your mileage may vary.

 

2. Checking on your embassy case number from NVC:

It will take 7 - 10 business days for NVC to receive your file from USCIS after you receive the NOA2, then another 2 - 5 business days for NVC to get your file in their system and produce your case number. Call 7:00 am eastern time for shorter wait times.

 

1-603-334-0700 or 603-334-0888. Operator assistance is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Eastern Time) 1 for English, then 7 (or 5, but I would go 7 as they would tell you if you should call 5 instead after they receive your case.)

 

Best time to call:

Right after they open which is around 7:00am US Eastern Time, Mon-Fri. Most have had luck getting the phone answered after the first ring if they called right at 7am.

 

3. How long to assign a Case # from NOA2

It's been taking about 2-3 weeks for NVC to assign the case number. Then it's taking another 2-4 weeks depending on the Embassy to receive your case. Your mileage may vary!

 

4. Follow Similar VJ members timelines. Use the tools here in VJ to answer "when I am going to get etc. etc." question. Near your picture there is a link for your timeline. Select it and once you're on the next page near your picture you will see "follow similar timelines" and it will populate 12 other couples who are near your dates. Scroll down and you will see a "spreadsheet" style page showing all the variables for measurement for when others from your Embassy are getting the same notice of approval or action. Try it. It really works!

 

5. Follow similar VJ members timelines from other countries. And if you want to follow those from other countries that have similar timelines as yours there are several tools available to you. Go up to Immigration Timelines on the blue ribbon above and select it. Once you are on the next page looked to your left and you will see a box that states, "find similar timelines" and select it. A list will populate with those who are processing close to your timeline. When they start to change you will soon be behind them.

I followed those that were in my group to give me an idea where they were in processing, so I could judge if I was ahead or behind. It's accurate, maybe within a day or so.

If you choose to follow those twelve members then you will get an email every time their status updates.

 

6. Be sure your profile is complete so that we can determine your Embassy. Many of our answers are predicated on the information you supply in your profile. When we look at the left column and can't determine your timeline OR your Embassy it's hard for us to give you a factual answer. If you look at the profile of others here, they have a flag for their country, so it makes it easy for us to reply as we can quickly determine your Embassy. Our answers will sometimes be tailored to a specific Embassy hence the reason for you to complete your profile.

 

So, if you could help yourself out and complete your profile that sure would help us out when we want to reply to your question with factual information.

 

Go to the top right of this page select your name (it's on the upper right-hand corner)>my profile>[below your picture on the right column] edit my profile. Scroll to the bottom and fill in "Immigration Info". There now we can better serve you.

Thanks

 

7. Timelines. Complete your timeline. In your profile to the left of the page you will see the word "timeline" toward the bottom. Select it and it will take you to the page that has the link for you to complete your timeline. This to can help us to answer some of your questions.

 

8. Tracking your case. As a K1, when checking your case online at CEAC.state.gov you have to select "immigrant visa" as it is treated as such even though it is a "non-immigrant visa".  Technically the K-1 is a non-immigrant visa with intent to immigrate, but it is treated like an immigrant visa because of the AOS. It is kind of a ba$tard. Non-immigrant case treated like an immigrant case. The K-1 on its own is a single entry, with a short time limited visa that expires within 90 days after POE. That is why it is a non-immigrant visa treated like an immigrant visa.

 

USICS states If you have a pending I-129f, I-90, I-485, I-751 or N-400, we’ve recently changed the way we’re displaying processing times online to give you a more realistic date range. To check these times, visit https://t.co/ho3dfC5KCA

 

9. Tracking your case file that's in transit to your Embassy. Go to http://www.dhl.com/en/express/tracking/shippers_reference.html on this page you add your search information. You change the day and month to what you think your package might have left NVC or call NVC to get the date your package had left NVC in route to your Embassy then go to the DHL website and enter the following information:

 

NOTE: It will take 24 hours before the shipment will show any results using this hack. DHL and NVC will need time to update their systems.

 

EXAMPLE:

* Shipper´s Reference : EXP 24 MAR 2011A　 (This is the date you think it left NVC, just substitute the date and　leave everything else as is)

* Date range for shipment - From: 23 - 03 - 2011

* Date range for shipment - To: 26 - 03 - 2011

Account Number - Leave this blank

Shipment Destination: Philippines (Works for any country Just replace your country where the Embassy is located using the drop down box).

 

Sign up for SMS tracking alerts on the DHL website.   Once you find your waybill, check for the "sign up for shipment notifications". When there are any changes to the shipment you will get a SMS message to your phone. How awesome is that!

 

I hope these tips help you along your Journey. So, let’s share our experiences, our tips and ask questions.

 

 

10.  Track your case with USCIS:

 

Old site (also the data source for all 'USCIS case tracker' apps): https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do

New : https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/ (you have to create an account and add your case # to it)

Neither is more reliable (and it's very possible you won't see anything on either, and will have to just wait for the physical mail). For a while it looked like they were phasing out the "old" site, but that trend seems to have reversed itself and there are still lots of cases that show up on only one (or much earlier on one than the other).

 

11. How long will it take to NOA2. Once your case has been received from NVC by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that will process it, the length of time varies from case to case according to its circumstances. Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully or supply incomplete information. (It is important to give us correct postal addresses and telephone numbers.) Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant's interview by a Consular Officer.

 

12. USPS Informed Delivery Service. There is a service provided by the USPS (US Postal Service) whereby each morning USPS will scan your incoming mail (just the address side of the envelope) and email you an update. It's very convenient these days to have advance notice that an important piece of mail is being delivered.

 

The service is available to most communities but some are still being rolling out so not all areas are available. Check the website with your zip code to verify your location is available for the service. A person in the USA can sign up for this free service here: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

 

13. Calling USCIS - You'll need your receipt number, DOB for both of you and full names. Beneficiary or the petitioner can call.

 

1 (800) 375-5283 8:00 am

 

Option 1:

Call USCIS. Do not press anything. Do not choose a language. If someone who picked up the phone cannot answer your question, ask them to transfer you to TIER 2.

 

Option 2:

Dial 1-866-953-7684

 

Option 3:

Call 1-800-375-5283

Press 1 to continue to English

Press 2 for case status

Press 1 if you know your receipt number

Press your receipt number 922(followed by your WAC#).

They will tell you to visit the website for the answer but press 3 or wait and you will be connected to a live agent.

 

Option 4:

Dial 1-800-375-5283 then press 1,2,2,4,2,1 then enter receipt number then press 1.

 

14. Get to know your sub-forum. Each country is divided to sub-forums here on VJ. This is where you go during your wait at this stage to get familiar with those who have gone before you and those who are currently processing. There is a wealth of information there in those threads. It's a better place to ask then someone in this thread from Germany, Spain or Norway who may not know the "steps" that must be taken for approval in your Country's Embassy.

 

To get there go up to the blue ribbon at the top of the page, select "forums" and scroll down about 3/4 of the page for the link to your region/embassy.

[Kika&Ed 4]

Thanks SOOO much for taking the time to post this. To be able to get a lot of questions answered like this in one place is truly a timesaver. May all go well with you and your loved one, and the same for all of us who have chosen to love someone from another country.

[Symphonyx2 49]

Hello there!  NOA2 approved today!  No letter yet, just a message from Case Tracker   I cant stop smiling.

 

I am so grateful for all the information I get from this site, you guys are the best!

[Mo&I 25]

Also Approved today ! ❤️❤️! 

Awaiting for the paper approval! So excited ! 

[Sarge2155 4,589]

On 3/29/2019 at 3:15 PM, Kika&Ed said:

Thanks SOOO much for taking the time to post this. To be able to get a lot of questions answered like this in one place is truly a timesaver. May all go well with you and your loved one, and the same for all of us who have chosen to love someone from another country.

Have you called NVC to see if you could get your number yet? They should be close to assigning yours now. Try calling them.

[Sarge2155 4,589]

3 hours ago, Symphonyx2 said:

Hello there!  NOA2 approved today!  No letter yet, just a message from Case Tracker   I cant stop smiling.

 

I am so grateful for all the information I get from this site, you guys are the best!

Congrats December filers should really be moving this new month. don't forget to update your email address with the NVC even if you have no changes!

[Sarge2155 4,589]

Everyone once you arrive here in the thread make sure you fire off an email to NVC to update your email address and that of your beneficiary. Follow the instructions in the first post of this thread. It worked for me and NVC sent me an email once my case was approved and also once they assigned my case number. It only takes a few minutes and you only have to gain. Be sure to provide the information NVC request each time you email them. Put your USCIS receipt number in the subject line.

[Zeebubs 22]

Approved today as well!  Checked the old site, did a double take wondering if it was some cruel April fools joke.  Had deliberately not had my hopes up in case we took a while longer than others to get approved.  So excited.

[TheLedgerFiles 78]

 

20 minutes ago, Zeebubs said:

Approved today as well!  Checked the old site, did a double take wondering if it was some cruel April fools joke.  Had deliberately not had my hopes up in case we took a while longer than others to get approved.  So excited.

Haha! I saw my approval online today as well and was thinking the same thing about April fools!! Congrats! 

[Sarge2155 4,589]

9 hours ago, TheLedgerFiles said:

 

Haha! I saw my approval online today as well and was thinking the same thing about April fools!! Congrats! 

If it would make you feel better I could always yell APRIL FOOLS!!!!! But I am 100% sure you don't want that😀 congrats on your approval.

[Banana9ieue 26]

We have our NOA2 and are waiting for the next thing to happen. What do we get sent next? 

And if we get sent a piece of mail from the NVC with our case number on it (before it gets to the embassy), can we then go straight ahead and book the medical exam?

[Sarge2155 4,589]

7 minutes ago, Ella and James said:

We have our NOA2 and are waiting for the next thing to happen. What do we get sent next? 

And if we get sent a piece of mail from the NVC with our case number on it (before it gets to the embassy), can we then go straight ahead and book the medical exam?

Read the first post in this thread, update your email with NVC do that first. Wow 92 day approval!!!! Congrats...

 

 

Edited April 4, 2019 by Sarge2155

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 hour ago, Ella and James said:

We have our NOA2 and are waiting for the next thing to happen. What do we get sent next? 

And if we get sent a piece of mail from the NVC with our case number on it (before it gets to the embassy), can we then go straight ahead and book the medical exam?

Information to prepare for the interview
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/de/index.html?firstTime=No
Information from the embassy website
https://de.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/fiancee-visa/
P3 letter
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WeDdaex3ExDndFVHrQxdXWSMrrsuvIK5/view?usp=sharing and https://de.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/Instructions-for-IV-and-K-Visa-Applicants-1.pdf
Additional information
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wop8bIKTDfrixAjYxHktS9bkfEeRi1oh/view?usp=sharing

NOTE: The I-134 requires a "wet" signature. They will send you the P3 through the mail. There are some documents that need to be completed which you will return and then your interview is assigned.

[Mikayla Harrison 22]

Hey! Noa2 is 04/02/19

[Chicamungo 15]

Hey all! Finally decided to post a little bit. Getting some movement on our case, so my fiancee and I are super excited!

NOA1 - 11/15/18

NOA2 - 4/1/19

 

It was super exciting since she was with me when we got the update, cue lots of hugs and calling/texting friends. Got the hard copy in on 4/4/19. Fortunately I was nearly done gathering all of the i-134 info needed, so I'll send her back home full of originals of what she will need for the embassy stage.

 

Hopefully smooth sailing from here on out! Trying to be patient, but sometimes I'm not a virtuous person. Thanks for all the guides and steps written out, it's been a massive help!