NVC to Embassy Timeframe

[Léna TALBOT 0]

Hi everyone!

 

My fiancé (American) and I (French) are in the process of obtaining a K1 visa. We received our case number from NVC on March 18th, 2026, and I was wondering how long it would take for the NVC to forward our case to the Paris embassy. I have already done some research online, but I would like to know if anyone from France has gone through this process recently and could eventually enlighten me. 

 

Also, does anyone know if there is any backlog right now, or if the process should be fairly smooth? I am hoping to have my VISA by the end of summer.

 

Thank you so much!

Edited 20 hours ago by Léna TALBOT

[Modest 3]

You can check the Immigration Timelines on this site with filters for "Country: France" and "Order by: Consulate Receive": https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?cfl=0&op1=d&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op6=All&op7=France&dfile=No&adv=1

You can also check the CAEC site to see if your status is still "In Transit".

 

Based on the results, NVC Left date to the France Embassy usually take 2-4 days. With some exception taking 2 weeks or longer.

 

Consulates in some countries requires you to send them an inquiry through email before they send out Packet 3.

Edited 16 hours ago by Modest

[Léna TALBOT 0]

5 minutes ago, Modest said:

You can check the Immigration Timelines on this site with filters for "Country: France" and "Order by: Consulate Receive": https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?cfl=0&op1=d&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op6=All&op7=France&dfile=No&adv=1

You can also check the CAEC site to see if your status is still "In Transit".

 

Based on the results, NVC Left date to the France Embassy usually take 2-4 days. With some exception taking 2 weeks or longer.

 

Consulates in some countries requires you to send them an inquiry through email before they send out Packet 3.

Thank you!

[Zl997 0]

I'm in the exact same boat as you. My NOA2 was on December 22, 2025, and then everything went silent. I emailed the NVC last week and found out my case was sent to the Paris Embassy on March 10, 2026. They also gave me my PAS number. But that’s it—I haven’t heard anything since. I’m not sure if I should wait for the embassy to contact me or if I should reach out to them myself. Let's keep in touch and update each other here!

[Zl997 0]

14 hours ago, Modest said:

You can check the Immigration Timelines on this site with filters for "Country: France" and "Order by: Consulate Receive": https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?cfl=0&op1=d&op2=&op3=1&op4=1&op6=All&op7=France&dfile=No&adv=1

You can also check the CAEC site to see if your status is still "In Transit".

 

Based on the results, NVC Left date to the France Embassy usually take 2-4 days. With some exception taking 2 weeks or longer.

 

Consulates in some countries requires you to send them an inquiry through email before they send out Packet 3.

I only have the PAS number. How do I use it to check my status on the CEAC website?

[Léna TALBOT 0]

4 minutes ago, Zl997 said:

I'm in the exact same boat as you. My NOA2 was on December 22, 2025, and then everything went silent. I emailed the NVC last week and found out my case was sent to the Paris Embassy on March 10, 2026. They also gave me my PAS number. But that’s it—I haven’t heard anything since. I’m not sure if I should wait for the embassy to contact me or if I should reach out to them myself. Let's keep in touch and update each other here!

 

4 minutes ago, Zl997 said:

I'm in the exact same boat as you. My NOA2 was on December 22, 2025, and then everything went silent. I emailed the NVC last week and found out my case was sent to the Paris Embassy on March 10, 2026. They also gave me my PAS number. But that’s it—I haven’t heard anything since. I’m not sure if I should wait for the embassy to contact me or if I should reach out to them myself. Let's keep in touch and update each other here!

Hi! So I just checked my case status and it was sent to the embassy today! From what I have read, once the embassy receives it, your petitioner should receive an email. Apparently it can take up to two weeks for the embassy to reach out to you from the time your status changes to “Ready”.

[Léna TALBOT 0]

1 minute ago, Zl997 said:

I only have the PAS number. How do I use it to check my status on the CEAC website?

In the “Visa Application Type” section you have to select “Immigrant Visa”. Then enter your PAS number, and put “NA” in the “Passport Number” and “First 5 Letter of Surname” sections.

[Zl997 0]

10 minutes ago, Léna TALBOT said:

In the “Visa Application Type” section you have to select “Immigrant Visa”. Then enter your PAS number, and put “NA” in the “Passport Number” and “First 5 Letter of Surname” sections.

I followed your instructions, but the result I got was: 'Your search did not return any data.'

[Zl997 0]

15 minutes ago, Léna TALBOT said:

 

Hi! So I just checked my case status and it was sent to the embassy today! From what I have read, once the embassy receives it, your petitioner should receive an email. Apparently it can take up to two weeks for the embassy to reach out to you from the time your status changes to “Ready”.

How did you check that? And do we just wait for the embassy to contact us now, or is there anything else we need to do?

[Léna TALBOT 0]

2 minutes ago, Zl997 said:

I followed your instructions, but the result I got was: 'Your search did not return any data.'

Oh that’s weird 😕 Did you make sure to select “Immigrant Visa”? Also, did you make sure to use the case number that was given by the NVC? Mine starts with “PAS”. Maybe try to contact the NVC if it stills doesn’t work. 

[JeanneAdil 7,504]

u need to fill out the ds 160 for the K1 visa to get the packet 3 and/or hear to set up interview 

the actual visa has not been applied for till ds 160 is completed and in the system

print out the confirmation page once the ds 160 is completed as u need that to enter the embassy 

[Léna TALBOT 0]

2 minutes ago, Zl997 said:

How did you check that? And do we just wait for the embassy to contact us now, or is there anything else we need to do?

I checked on the CEAC website. From what I have read on the embassy website, we are supposed to wait for them to reach out to us. You can already start gathering all the documents you’ll need for the interview though!

[Léna TALBOT 0]

2 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

u need to fill out the ds 160 for the K1 visa to get the packet 3 and/or hear to set up interview 

the actual visa has not been applied for till ds 160 is completed and in the system

print out the confirmation page once the ds 160 is completed as u need that to enter the embassy 

 

4 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

u need to fill out the ds 160 for the K1 visa to get the packet 3 and/or hear to set up interview 

the actual visa has not been applied for till ds 160 is completed and in the system

print out the confirmation page once the ds 160 is completed as u need that to enter the embassy 

Are you sure? On the embassy website it says to file DS-160 after the embassy reaches out 

[Zl997 0]

5 minutes ago, Léna TALBOT said:

Oh that’s weird 😕 Did you make sure to select “Immigrant Visa”? Also, did you make sure to use the case number that was given by the NVC? Mine starts with “PAS”. Maybe try to contact the NVC if it stills doesn’t work. 

[Léna TALBOT 0]

Just now, Zl997 said:

That’s strange, it should definitely work. You should probably contact the NVC to know more