rosajo

I was fully covered according to the physician, no additional vaccinations required, so my question is what do I do now that I've already checked yes to the above question? Do I bring in another form with me to the interview?

Thanks!

Did you have to take any vaccinations?

Oh, so I googled and found this document with what I believe to be current info about Stockholm http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/CPN-MED-ENGL-0001-1202.pdf. There's a Göran Bulow?

Where did you get a passport photo? I went to Expert last, but not sure they won't close up shop before I get there.

My case was completed yesterday and today I received an appointment for the 14 of November! I didn't expect it to come so soon, I'm beyond excited and relieved!!

Alaska2012--where did you go for your medical? I did one with a Greek lady in Stockholm when I applied 14 years ago. Back then I received a list or some other information from the Embassy, but I don't think I have anything now. Would you mind sharing what the examination entailed?

Yes, Stockholm was very speedy when I applied 14 years ago. Took me 2 months! My husband and I were apart for 4 months total I think. Now it's been 8 already, and adding 2 dad-sick little boys to the mix (and an exhausted mama!), it's been the most difficult time ever.

Yes, I heard that it was taking forever. So happy for him he finally got his interview! The Embassy had backlog because of the long Scandinavian holiday. I guess it took a long time to get caught up.

Thanks! I haven't tried searching using the timeline thingy yet. It seems to take a little longer with Stockholm than other places:(.

Oh my, I hope it won't be closer to 10 mos. Does the NVC have information about particular Embassies' backlog situations? I know it's the NVC who schedules the interviews, and not the Embassy.

Yes, I plan on calling NVC to make sure everything's in order. We just responded to a checklist.

I'm expecting our case will be completed this week or next, and because I'm planning a trip I'm wondering how long it usually takes after that to receive an interview date, and how far in advance I'll be notified. I'm interviewing in Stockholm and I have heard of one very long wait, but hopefully it doesn't reflect the norm!

Was the birth certificate you sent a photocopy of the official document or the actual official document? A photocopy is not sufficient.

Sweden doesn't issue official birth or marriage certificates. Your birth and other things are registered with the tax authorities and then when you need a copy of this information for whatever purpose, you go there and get a print out. But in the reciprocity tables, it explains which document is needed, with the Swedish word spelled out, and after calling NVC, they seem to be aware of this. The issue seems to be that I was going by a state.gov document called Instructions for Visa Applicants, Stockholm Embassy which states specifically to get the print out in the English version. But this doesn't appear on the reciprocity tables. Go figure. I'm so annoyed right now.

So, I'm resending the documents in Swedish. That's all that shows on the reciprocity tables, and I guess I should go by that. Even the Embassy wrote me that the NVC is the final authority on which documents are needed.

Karla.n.Bjorn, I've looked at the Reciprocity Tables for Sweden and I'll have to sympathize with NVC. It says Personbevis and it doesn't say that the applicant should get the English version, nor what it's called in English. However, on another piece of document, it does say the English version should be requested and what it's called. Here's a link in case you want to include a copy with your IV package. Highly suggested if you don't want an RFE.

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/pk3_supplements/STK-PK3-ENGL-0001-1001.pdf

I think I'll just put another set of copies in there, and this time write in a cover letter that the documents fulfill the requirement for my country.

Let's just say that the new and 'improved' system is not as efficient as it used to be:).

We shouldn't have to be worried about our birth certificates not looking official. Swedes have emigrated to the US using these very same forms for years and years. Nothing new!

My husband and I both got an RFE from NVC. For me, the applicant, it first says that I had a gap of more than 6 months between residences from age 16. I noticed I had put 1995 instead of 1994 on the last address.

After that comes information about the petitioner's missing information with a checklist referred to at the bottom of the page. But then after that, which is confusing me, says 'BIRTH CERTIFICATE' and under that simply 'Please submit this applicant's original, or a certified copy of the original document listed above.' It doesn't say that what I had submitted was inadequate or missing, like it did for the DS-230 data. What does this mean? I know for certain that I provided the appropriate document for my country, so the question is whether they deemed it inappropriate or what. Maybe it's just standard procedure to ask for it when data on DS-230 needs correction? Though in the case of originals, it would be impossible to submit another one. There's also a paragraph about submitting a marriage certificate, but again, I've already submitted the correct one, which is part of the birth certificate (actually a population register extract containing all personal information).

My country doesn't issue originals, but on our Embassy's website, it says what documents are needed, and that's what I got. It's not 'official looking' like American ones are, but it's official for Sweden. It has the stamp and signature of the person issuing it. I imagined that an NVC employee reviewing a case would refer to instructions for the applicant's nationality, but perhaps that's not the case.

Thanks for any insight.

So my husband started out working for well-known company as a temp employee through a staffing agency, 5 months ago. Just this month he was taken on as a temp-to-hire employee, still through the staffing agency. The probationary period is roughly 5 months. From what he hears at his workplace, no one gets the boot, and some temp workers stay temp for years even.

He's in good standing with this company, and in fact was the only temp taken on as temp-to-hire this round. *He* knows his job is in effect permanent (as in 'with likely prospects to continue'), but the question is whether a consular officer would be convinced of this when his position is not *formally* permanent yet. I don't know what their requirements are. I do know that a large portion of jobs available in the US do start out with this probationary period, so I'm hoping there are people here with a similar experience.

I don't want to hang around waiting for the interview if it's pretty certain he won't qualify. We've been apart for too long already and our kids just need both their parents, even if it means financial uncertainty in my home country.

Thanks!

Thanks!

Sorry if this is the most commonly asked question! I tried googling, but couldn't find an easy answer.

We sent off both AOS and IV packages to NVC last Tuesday and assuming there's no RFEs, when do I schedule a medical? Do I wait till I have an interview scheduled first? I have no trouble traveling back and forth between medical and interview since I live close to Stockholm, and no interference from work schedule, so is it possible to have the medical quite soon even if the interview is scheduled a month from now? Although I have no idea how quickly interviews are scheduled there now that they're serving additional countries.

Yup:)

Yes, it has been paid. Sorry to bother you for nothing! My husband doesn't communicate 'small' details like that unless asked specifically:).

Thanks to both of you. I will check yes then.

I've also seen people try and fail, but in each of those cases, the person didn't understand what a religious waiver is. They don't approve objections on moral grounds alone, so I think some people get confused because it's worded as such.

Right, I don't *have* to live in the US.

I think the reason that fellow had a difficult time is maybe cause he requested a waiver based on medical grounds, I assume it would involve thorough medical examinations etc for that. The only waiver classification I've heard of is religious. I've heard of other people who have requested this religious waiver and received it rather quickly, within a couple of weeks or so, so all I can do is hope that it works for me. If not, we'll have to find another country to live in.

Are you saying go ahead and check yes on the form under my circumstances? Even though I don't know at this time if I'll need additional vaccinations?

I'm planning to request a waiver for any vaccinations I might be deemed required to take to receive a visa, and I'm wondering how to fill out section 2 on the DS-230, question 40a 'who has failed to present documentation of having received vaccinations in accordance with US laws'. Since I won't know for certain till after the medical whether or not I have additional vaccinations I must take (I have record of previous vaccinations from birth up to ten years ago, including vaccines received for a prior green card), do I answer this as no or yes at this time? I understand this section is signed and dated at the time of the interview. Perhaps checking 'no' now and then it can be changed later if necessary?

Thanks.

Ok, I think I should have checked with my husband first whether he's paid both bills, before posting. I didn't occur to me we might not receive an actual invoice first.

right, the IV bill was invoiced shortly after, just not the AOS. They are invoiced in two separate emails, correct? In case the email somehow got lost, it would still show on the payment portal if it's been invoiced?

Thanks again.

i got the case number late July, i think 27th. sent in 3032 shortly after that, a few days. was accepted this Monday and came along with the IV bill invoice for 230 dollars. no lawyer. sorry i don't have exact dates, but hope that helps.

Looking at the NVC FAQ it seems the AOS bill is what generally comes first, but we've only got the IV one so far, this Monday, paid Wednesday. When can we expect the AOS bill, should I call?

Thanks!

Yeah, it doesn't actually say anything on the spreadsheet about the time lapsed between receipt and case number assigned, so yes, about one month from NOA2. So I think I have another week and a half to wait. I just sent for my police check, shouldn't take long.