Case stuck at NVC?

[wedge86 0]

Hi, I am hoping to get insight on what may be happening with my wife's case.

 

I am an LPR who petitioned for my wife to emigrate on an F2A and received the "documentarily complete letter" from NVC on March 31, 2025. I recently asked NVC for an update via public inquiry and was again told the case is "documentarily complete" and that NVC was waiting for an interview appointment from the Seoul U.S. Embassy.

 

The NVC response also suggested checking current scheduling dates on the state department's website where it shows it is scheduling documentarily complete cases from Dec 2025: 

 

 

Since my wife's case was documentarily complete in March 2025, does this mean there aren't available visas and she has to wait for more to become available? If so, is there anywhere I can track how/when visas are allocated to get a rough idea of when she may get an interview date?

 

Also, in case it helps, her priority date is: 20-MAY-21.

 

Thanks all in advance.

[appleblossom 5,677]

40 minutes ago, wedge86 said:

Hi, I am hoping to get insight on what may be happening with my wife's case.

 

I am an LPR who petitioned for my wife to emigrate on an F2A and received the "documentarily complete letter" from NVC on March 31, 2025. I recently asked NVC for an update via public inquiry and was again told the case is "documentarily complete" and that NVC was waiting for an interview appointment from the Seoul U.S. Embassy.

 

The NVC response also suggested checking current scheduling dates on the state department's website where it shows it is scheduling documentarily complete cases from Dec 2025: 

 

 

Since my wife's case was documentarily complete in March 2025, does this mean there aren't available visas and she has to wait for more to become available? If so, is there anywhere I can track how/when visas are allocated to get a rough idea of when she may get an interview date?

 

Also, in case it helps, her priority date is: 20-MAY-21.

 

Thanks all in advance.

 

That's odd. Her PD is current and if she was DQ'ed nearly a year ago, she should have had an interview a long time ago.

 

Does she have another citizenship? Or she's just Korean?

 

What have NVC said when you've contacted them about it, other than to check the wait time?

[wedge86 0]

27 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

That's odd. Her PD is current and if she was DQ'ed nearly a year ago, she should have had an interview a long time ago.

 

Does she have another citizenship? Or she's just Korean?

 

What have NVC said when you've contacted them about it, other than to check the wait time?

Based on your response, it doesn't seem like the hold up is based on visa availability?

 

She only has Korean citizenship.

 

NVC's response seemed boilerplate so I'm not sure if they'll provide specific details on her case and explain the delay but maybe I should try asking. I've pasted NVC's response below for reference.

 

--

 

Greetings,

This case is documentarily complete, which means the NVC has all the documents we requested. Your immigrant visa case is waiting for an interview appointment, where a consular officer will adjudicate it. 

The U.S. Embassy or Consulate provides the National Visa Center (NVC) with a list of available appointment dates and times. We will schedule your case for an interview appointment when an appointment date is available. We schedule appointments on a first in, first out basis. After we schedule your appointment, we will forward your case to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in SEOUL.

We cannot predict how long it will take to schedule your appointment, but we will notify the applicant, the petitioner, and your attorney (if applicable) when an appointment is scheduled. Your case will stay at NVC until that time.

You can check current scheduling dates at: https://travel.state.gov/iv-scheduling-status-tool

For the most up-to-date information about the operating status of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, please visit their website at https://usembassy.gov.

Information about preparing for interview appointments is available at these websites: 

https://nvc.state.gov/prep 
https://nvc.state.gov/prep/espanol

Important: Do not make travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment.

If you want to request that we expedite this case, please provide us with more information. Please send your request with the supporting documentation (such as medical records, a letter from a medical doctor, or deployment orders) to NVCexpedite@state.gov.

Enter the case number in the subject line of the email. Within the email itself, please include all of the following:
· The reason for the request
· The petitioner's name and date of birth
· The beneficiary's name and date of birth
· The beneficiary's two local contact phone numbers. 

When we receive this information, the Department of State will review your request to expedite your case.
 

[appleblossom 5,677]

6 minutes ago, wedge86 said:

Based on your response, it doesn't seem like the hold up is based on visa availability?

 

No, her Priority Date is current. And it was current back in March 2025 as well, so there was a visa available to her as soon as she was DQ'ed. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-march-2025.html

 

What does your online status say?

[wedge86 0]

9 hours ago, appleblossom said:

 

No, her Priority Date is current. And it was current back in March 2025 as well, so there was a visa available to her as soon as she was DQ'ed. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-march-2025.html

 

What does your online status say?

Thank you for replying. 

 

The USCIS online status says “Case Was Approved” as of October 2024, which was before the NVC process began. 

 

The CEAC online status says “COMPLETED” but this was before receiving the March 2025 letter saying her case was DQ’ed. 

[appleblossom 5,677]

1 hour ago, wedge86 said:

Thank you for replying. 

 

The USCIS online status says “Case Was Approved” as of October 2024, which was before the NVC process began. 

 

The CEAC online status says “COMPLETED” but this was before receiving the March 2025 letter saying her case was DQ’ed. 

It’s the CEAC status that’s relevant now but that’s odd. It should say ‘At NVC’. Have you been checking junk emails? Just wondering if she was given an IL but missed it maybe. 
 

I think you definitely need to contact them again and maybe get your congressman/woman involved too. She should have had her visa a long time ago. 

[wedge86 0]

31 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

It’s the CEAC status that’s relevant now but that’s odd. It should say ‘At NVC’. Have you been checking junk emails? Just wondering if she was given an IL but missed it maybe. 
 

I think you definitely need to contact them again and maybe get your congressman/woman involved too. She should have had her visa a long time ago. 

That’s concerning, I’ll reach out again.

 

But does the fact that the NVC has said her case is DQ’ed mean the CEAC status is irrelevant?

 

What is an IL by the way?

 

Thanks again for your help. 

[TBoneTX 48,960]

13 minutes ago, wedge86 said:

What is an IL

Interview letter.  Others will confirm this.

[wedge86 0]

13 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Interview letter.  Others will confirm this.

I’m sorry, I don’t think I understand. Others will confirm that’s what IL means or that something is wrong with my wife’s case?

[TBoneTX 48,960]

I could be completely wrong.  Others will be along.

[appleblossom 5,677]

9 hours ago, wedge86 said:

That’s concerning, I’ll reach out again.

 

But does the fact that the NVC has said her case is DQ’ed mean the CEAC status is irrelevant?

 

What is an IL by the way?

 

Thanks again for your help. 

IL - interview letter (except it’s actually sent via email). Basically the next step after being DQ’ed, when the interview is scheduled and you get an email with the date/time for it. 
 

CEAC status is what your wife would have now all the way to entering on her visa, it’s for all visa status updates. And the normal steps are ‘At NVC’, then ‘In Transit’ (when it’s being sent to the consulate ready for interview) then ‘Ready’, then all of the visa steps i.e. Approved/Issued. 
 

I don’t know what the wait in Seoul was like last year, but if it was as short when she was DQ’ed then she should have had her interview last May-ish. 
 

So my concern is that she was sent the IL but missed it somehow, as it’s really overdue. When did you first contact NVC? 
 

I’d contact again, but give them a screenshot showing that Seoul only has a month wait for the IL, and you’ve now been waiting 9 months. I’d also submit an expedite request, using their lack of action as grounds for it. may not work but no harm in trying. 

 

And if you don’t get a satisfactory response, it’s time to involve your congressman/woman. 
 

Best of luck. 

Edited 2 hours ago by appleblossom