Question about dates on NOA2

[JoanBill 0]

Aloha kakou,

We finally received our paper NOA2 today - a little over a month after our approval date. There is one box of information that concerns me a little. It says -

Notice Type: Approval Notice

Valid from 05/03/2007 to 09/02/2007

Exactly what do those dates mean?

Mahalo,

Bill and Joan

[YuAndDan 153]

The "validity dates" of the petition approval, a 4 month period of time during which the fiance(e) must complete the requirements for the visa. (May not be on every approval notice, but that doesn't mean there is time to waste). Note: This validity period may be extended at the consulate if needed.

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-I129f.html#3.7

The K-1 approval is only for 4 months, the embassy routinely extends them beyound the 4 months, the consular officers have the authority to extend the validity.

Example US Consulate Guangzhou:

What if my petition expires?

Consular officers have the authority to extend the validity of petitions that have expired. Because many petitions often expire before an applicant can be interviewed, officers at the Consulate routinely extend the validity of K-1 petitions.

http://guangzhou.usconsulate.gov/kvfaq.html

Manila does do this also.

[JoanBill 0]

The "validity dates" of the petition approval, a 4 month period of time during which the fiance(e) must complete the requirements for the visa. (May not be on every approval notice, but that doesn't mean there is time to waste). Note: This validity period may be extended at the consulate if needed.

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1k2visa-I129f.html#3.7

The K-1 approval is only for 4 months, the embassy routinely extends them beyound the 4 months, the consular officers have the authority to extend the validity.

Example US Consulate Guangzhou:

What if my petition expires?

Consular officers have the authority to extend the validity of petitions that have expired. Because many petitions often expire before an applicant can be interviewed, officers at the Consulate routinely extend the validity of K-1 petitions.

http://guangzhou.usconsulate.gov/kvfaq.html

Manila does do this also.

Mahalo nui.. That is a relief.

[sukrd 0]

First want to say, it's nice to see another person from Hawaii. Best of luck to you both. I am glad that I checked this post out. I checked out the above link about the explanation of an NOA 2. When reading your post about dates, I was a little confused. Let me explain.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter. It says " the state department's NVC has received an approved I-129f ..etc. This letter is to let you know that within a week the petition will be forwarded to the issuing post where the interview will take place.."

They have the original INS Receipt # and they gave us a case number.

On the bottom " Your fiance will soon receive a packet with instructions..etc...

Sincerely, Bureau of Consular Affairs

For a couple of weeks I assumed that this was a NOA2. Now from reading this post, I guess I was wrong.

So the NOA 2 looks like the NOA 1? I understand that we will need this later, after she gets here. Correct?

Is it common for a person to receive the above described letter first? If not, is there a website I can contact to try and get a NOA2. I have a Ph# on the NOA1, but during the week I don't have the time to sit on hold. By the way it is CSC. I will look around for a web address, but if anyone knows it off-hand. let me know.

Thanks, (Mahalo)

[sukrd 0]

UPDATE:

I went to the USCIS website and typed in my Receipt # WAC******. It said we received on this date and is still PENDING..??

So if it is still pending, why would NVC send me a letter, assign a case # and say they are sending it to the Consulate?

Anyone been in the same position or read of a similar circumstace?

Logic says that if NVC states I am approved, I am approved. But why would USCIS say it is pending...? b] OPINIONS [/b]anyone???

On the bottom of the USCIS webpage I clicked on the "contact us" button. Said page not found. Sooo frustrating. I think someone at USCIS messed up...

Edited June 11, 2007 by kino

[JoanBill 0]

First want to say, it's nice to see another person from Hawaii. Best of luck to you both. I am glad that I checked this post out. I checked out the above link about the explanation of an NOA 2. When reading your post about dates, I was a little confused. Let me explain.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter. It says " the state department's NVC has received an approved I-129f ..etc. This letter is to let you know that within a week the petition will be forwarded to the issuing post where the interview will take place.."

They have the original INS Receipt # and they gave us a case number.

On the bottom " Your fiance will soon receive a packet with instructions..etc...

Sincerely, Bureau of Consular Affairs

For a couple of weeks I assumed that this was a NOA2. Now from reading this post, I guess I was wrong.

So the NOA 2 looks like the NOA 1? I understand that we will need this later, after she gets here. Correct?

Is it common for a person to receive the above described letter first? If not, is there a website I can contact to try and get a NOA2. I have a Ph# on the NOA1, but during the week I don't have the time to sit on hold. By the way it is CSC. I will look around for a web address, but if anyone knows it off-hand. let me know.

Thanks, (Mahalo)

Eh brah... Where you stay??

[~Nini~ 2]

kino,

I've heard cases where the USCIS site doesn't update correctly in time. Judging by the NVC letter, you're good to go.

The NOA2 should look very similar to the NOA1, but as I understand there were delays getting the receipts out due to the backlog of H1-Bs at the service centers. Hopefully you'll receive your NOA2 soon; you won't need it at the interview, but you'll need it for adjusting status after marriage.

Congratulations and good luck on your Packet 3!

[sukrd 0]

Thanks for the response...Not really sure what H1-B's are but it sound like you know what you are talking about. About packet 3. We sent it in this past week. Did not receive it in the mail, but she had everything filled out already. I've read that some people have done this successfully. I e-mailed the consulate yesterday about this. I got an automated response saying it may take up to 5 days for a real response. So we'll see later this week. I'm hoping to get an interview date by the middle or end of next month.

What's up Bill. I stay living Makiki. Originally from Kaneohe. You from Kihei? Must be excited about your upcoming trip.

[sukrd 0]

Nini & Bee, if you read this, do you think that I should just be patient and wait for CSC to catch up and send me our NOA 2. Or do you think calling would produce a faster result?

[~Nini~ 2]

About packet 3. We sent it in this past week. Did not receive it in the mail, but she had everything filled out already. I've read that some people have done this successfully. I e-mailed the consulate yesterday about this. I got an automated response saying it may take up to 5 days for a real response. So we'll see later this week. I'm hoping to get an interview date by the middle or end of next month.

Meaning that your fiancee filled out the forms and faxed them to the consulate? Not quite sure about the Brazilian Packet 3s, but I know with mine I also had a checklist to fill out and fax to the consulate on top of the forms. Maybe someone else can help me out on that answer.

Have you done any research on the Packet 3s yourself, kino? On your end you'll need to fill out an I-134 and gather the supporting documentation, and a copy of your birth certificate. She'll have to start getting the appropriate vaccinations for her medical, her police certificates. And of course, there's always the proof of relationship.

Hopefully you'll receive a response from the consulate soon, though it's my understanding that you won't get an interview date until after the checklist has been faxed in. Still, fingers crossed!

[~Nini~ 2]

Nini & Bee, if you read this, do you think that I should just be patient and wait for CSC to catch up and send me our NOA 2. Or do you think calling would produce a faster result?

I'd say give them another week or two before you give them a call. Chances are that CSC is just starting to catch up from the backlog I mentioned earlier. From what I've seen on these forums, people are just now seeing their hard copy NOA2 after a month or so after receiving approval off the USCIS site. Keep in mind that you don't need a copy of the NOA2 for the interview, you just need it for adjusting status, so you're good without it for now.

[sukrd 0]

I should have been more clear. For Rio, have to send DS-230 part 1, DS-2001, copy of passport, 1 picture. Sent it through snail mail. Then what I have read, they will send packet 4. Throughout this whole process, I have been the one filling ALL the forms out. Basically I have done all the reaearch about the whole thing. She told me she prefers it this way. When I needed certain information or things, I asked her, she told me and we went from there. Honestly, these papers are very important and I need to know everthing is done correctly. So I have been filling all the papers here and sending them via snail mail. Now its her turn to take a more active role, medical and interview and RIO is like 800 miles away and she's never been there before. I'm paying for her mother to go with her. Never been to Rio, but I hear it's not too safe. Talked to her today and she is trying to get a medical appt. for this coming week. Already got the needed police certificats and all the vaccinations. I have all the forms filled out here, DS-156 Ds-157 etc... Copy of BC and passport, paystubs,employer letter. Just waiting for the tax transcript and got to get the I-134 notorized. Have all the evidence I THINK I need. phone records, e-mail records, a couple of letters, envelopes with post marks. She has a lot of photos some letters etc. I think this process is more stressful than difficult. When I started it was a little intimidating looking at the big picture. But , I think if you do the research, come up with a plan and do one thing at a time it is not that difficult. Without this site it definetly would have been MORE difficult and stressful. That's a fact...

[sukrd 0]

Thanks for the update about people receiving the hard copy a month or so later. That gives me a sense of relief.

[sukrd 0]

Nini & bee. A quick response to an above post. Not really sure how to quote someone. Anyway, you make mention of of faxing a checklist. The Rio consolate makes no mention of this. We sent them exactly what is stated on the instructons located on their website. I can't recall other Brazil posters make mention of a checklist. Could be wrong though. I have read that not all consulates operate in the exact same way. I'm hoping this is the case.

[~Nini~ 2]

Nini & bee. A quick response to an above post. Not really sure how to quote someone. Anyway, you make mention of of faxing a checklist. The Rio consolate makes no mention of this. We sent them exactly what is stated on the instructons located on their website. I can't recall other Brazil posters make mention of a checklist. Could be wrong though. I have read that not all consulates operate in the exact same way. I'm hoping this is the case.

Some consulates still request the forms to be sent through snail mail. I'm assuming that Brazil does as well. I know for the Vancouver embassy they asked for the forms and checklist to be faxed to them directly.

Which website did you look at, if you don't mind me asking? I'm just wondering what instructions you followed.