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Sammie Sam

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    NOA 2 approved now what?

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Everything NVC related is here

    NVC Filers - March 2012

    http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/354975-nvc-filers-march-2012/page__st__765

    Also DS-3032 template: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Email_DS-3032_form

    Just put the name as (FIRST MI LAST) instead of (LAST FIRST MI as stated in the ds-3032 template).

    UGH! I called today and still they don't have my NVC case number :( Why is that?

    NVC Filers - March 2012

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Upon suggestion of a VJ member (thanks foobaz123), I have decided to create a FAQ of the most common questions I see here on VJ concerning the NVC process. If you know of a common question that isn't mentioned here, please inform me through a reply in this thread or PM me. I'd be more than happy to include it here.

    FAQ

    How long does it take to get a case number assigned after NOA2?

    As of the last month or so, it's only been taking 1-2 weeks.

    When (and how often) should I start calling NVC about the case number?

    Wait a week from your NOA2 date, then start calling. And call every single day afterwards until you get it.

    What do I do after my case number is assigned?

    Get the IIN from an operator (ask for the 'Invoice Identification Number', not IIN). Give over the email addresses of the beneficiary and petitioner. Email the DS-3032 (from the beneficiary's email address) following the template linked above.

    When can I email the DS-3032?

    Right after you get your case number. There's a chance it could get rejected (because they got to your email before they're ready to take documents), but if that's the case, just re-send it. On the flip side, there's also a chance it could get accepted and you wouldn't have wasted any time.

    Note: if doing online forms (check link above for eligibility), then fill out the DS-261 found online at the above link. Do NOT send the DS-3032.

    I got an email from NVC that contains a bar-coded DS-3032 (along with other information). Do I re-send the DS-3032?

    NO. Do NOT email another DS-3032. NVC automatically generates these emails and do not care if you've already sent in a DS-3032 or not; they include a DS-3032 anyways. Only if NVC responds to your first DS-3032 with a rejection do you send another one.

    After the case number is assigned, how long does it take for the AOS bill to be invoiced?

    Usually just a few days.

    Help! I can't sign into the payment portal. Why?

    If you're getting an error message ("Please be advised that the case that you have attempted to access is not eligible for further processing by the National Visa Center at this time…" or "This case is in the process of termination. Fee payments and online forms can no longer be accepted…"), do NOT panic. This is actually good news! If you just got your case number, then this message means NVC is inputting your case in their system. If you get this message a few days after case number generation, then it's a good possibility that NVC is invoicing your AOS bill. And if this message appears a few days after DS-3032 acceptance, then there's a good chance the IV bill is being invoiced. And finally, if this message is appearing a few days or more after NVC received your packages, this is a good indication of case complete at NVC!

    What is needed in the AOS package?

    Generally, the following is needed:

    With no joint sponsors:

    - Bar-coded cover sheet from payment portal

    - Cover letter (optional)

    - Completed, signed, and dated I-864 form by petitioner

    - Tax information* of petitioner (either just the last year OR the last 3 years)

    - Employment letter of petitioner (optional, but good proof of CURRENT income)

    - Pay stub(s) of petitioner (optional, but good proof of CURRENT income)

    With joint sponsors:

    - All of the above of the petitioner

    - Completed, signed, and dated I-864 of joint sponsor

    - Tax information* of joint sponsor (either just the last year OR the last 3 years)

    - Proof of US citizenship/residency of joint sponsor (ex: copy of US passport, US birth certificate, US naturalization certificate, or front & back of green card)

    - Employment letter of joint sponsor (optional, but good proof of CURRENT income)

    - Pay stub(s) of joint sponsor (optional, but good proof of CURRENT income)

    If the joint sponsor is a family member, also include proof of that relationship (example: if a parent is a joint sponsor, include the petitioner's birth certificate with parents' name on it to show link)

    *You have two choices here of what to send in:

    - Tax transcripts ordered from IRS (preferred by NVC and of most consulates/embassies) RECOMMENDED

    OR

    - Tax returns (1040) and W2s and any other schedules (if applicable)

    When does the IV bill get invoiced?

    After you send the DS-3032, NVC will most likely respond in a few days with an acceptance email (or rejection). A few days after acceptance, the IV bill will be invoiced.

    What is needed in the IV package?

    Generally, the following is needed:

    - Bar-coded cover sheet from payment portal

    - Completed, signed, and dated DS-230 form by beneficiary (do NOT sign or date part 2; this is done at the interview) [note: if doing online forms (DS-260), the DS-230 is obviously not needed]

    - Two passport-style photographs (2" x 2") of beneficiary (on the back, write: beneficiary's full name, date of birth, and case number)

    - Copy of bio-data page of beneficiary's unexpired passport

    - Original or Certified Copy of beneficiary's birth certificate, PLUS A PHOTOCOPY

    - Original or Certified Copy of marriage certificate, PLUS A PHOTOCOPY

    - Original police certificate(s)

    Please read: http://travel.state..../info_3195.html for additional documents if applicable.

    Also read the country-specific documents linked in the first post. There may be additional documents needed not listed above.

    If my documents are not in English, do they need to be translated?

    NVC's website states:

    "All documents not written in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations and submitted to the NVC. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator stating that the:

    -Translation is accurate, and

    -Translator is competent to translate."

    Despite this, I have seen cases of people getting checklists for not having translations of non-English documents. I'd suggest you get everything translated anyways to be on the safe side.

    How long does it take for a bill to appear as PAID in the payment portal after paying it?

    Usually just a day or two.

    Do I have to wait for NVC to email me instructions before mailing packages?

    NO. If you wait on NVC for this, it can take WEEKS to get anything from them. As long as the respective bill appears as PAID in the payment portal, you can mail in your package.

    What address do I send the AOS and IV packages?

    You will find their addresses on their respective bar-coded cover sheets, which are printed off the payment portal.

    Can the packages be sent from abroad or does it have to be from within the US?

    Doesn't matter where the package is sent from; NVC just needs to receive it.

    Do the packages have to be sent separately or can they be sent together?

    Either one or the other works. Again, as long as NVC receives both needed packages, they don't really care. Each way has their pros and cons.

    After sending in the packages, how long does it take to get a case complete?

    Lately, it's been taking just a week or two.

    Do I get an email if my packages have been accepted?

    No, not that I have seen. You have to call NVC every day and ask for updates on your case to find out if a package has been reviewed and accepted.

    Do I get an email when my case is completed?

    Generally, no. Only those doing EP (electronic processing) get the case complete emails. There are some non-EP folk that get case complete emails, but it's rare. Again, to find out if your case is complete, call an operator at NVC and ask.

    After the case is completed, what happens?

    In most cases: the case is put in a queue to get an interview date scheduled. Once an interview date is scheduled, the case is shipped out to the consulate/embassy.

    Who should I be calling to find out my interview date?

    You should be calling both NVC and DOS. Both have access to your case information. Their numbers are linked above.

    How long does it take to get an interview date after a case complete?

    This varies by country and consulate/embassy. Some people find out within a day or two, others a few weeks, then the few unfortunate that wait a few months (ex: Ghana). To get the best estimate for YOUR country is to search, using the timeline feature, when others got case completes and when they got their interview dates scheduled.

    When do interview dates get scheduled?

    If you talk to operators at NVC, they'll always tell you they ONLY schedule during the second week of each month. This is a LIE. They schedule interviews ALL month long. Many people (like myself) have gotten scheduled during the last week of the month. I repeat, they schedule ALL month long.

    How long does it take for NVC to mail my case out after getting an interview date scheduled?

    Usually it's the next day, but it can take up to a week or more in rare cases.

    -------------------------------------------------------

    Please note: the above time frames are just estimates. Do NOT freak out if your case takes a little bit longer. The time frames are constantly changing. They also depend on NVC's work load for that day/week.

    -------------------------------------------------------

    Summary of NVC process:

    - get case number and IIN, give email addresses over

    - email the DS-3032

    - pay the AOS bill, once it's invoiced

    - once the bill appears as PAID, mail the AOS package

    - pay the IV bill, once it's invoiced

    - once the bill appears as PAID, mail the IV package

    - respond to any checklists, if applicable

    - get case complete

    - get interview date scheduled

    WOW, thank you for all the information.

    NOA 2 approved now what?

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    The DS-3032 has to be emailed out from the beneficiary's email id. I'd much rather have your husband email it out. It's no biggie, you'll find the sample here. Just copy, paste, and make the necessary changes. In fact, I'd say you can ask him to be ready with the DS-3032 mail in his drafts, so that he can mail it out as soon as you get a case number.

    Hey Divya, where can i find the sample of Ds-3032.. Also, sorry for keep asking questions.

    NOA 2 approved now what?

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    I've been helped by a lot of people out here, and I try and help with what little I know of the process. And you're most welcome. For all you know, over the next few days, you'd be passing on the same information to someone else who isn't aware of it. God bless VisaJourney and all the people out here!

    Thank you so much! I noticed you have received your NVC case number. Hopefully I will get mine today or early next week. Thanks!

    NOA 2 approved now what?

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Call 'em up everyday. They'll continue to tell you to call 'em in two weeks, but ignore that and keep calling. Once you have the case number and IIN, you get your spouse to mail out the DS-3032 and alongside, you pay the AOS fee. Once they've received the DS-3032 and the IV fee bill is generated, you pay that up and only on receipt of that do you send out the AOS as well as IV packages.

    Divya, your such a helper. Thank you so much! So, I was wondering can i mail out the DS-3032 from here or he has to mail it out from Germany?

    NOA 2 approved now what?

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    When my husband called up NVC y'day, was told that they'd received the case. Haven't got a number yet. Hopefully in the next day or two.

    I also called today and said they received my file yesterday (3-5-2012). They asked me to call back in 10-15 days? Do you think i should wait for call everyday? Also, after they have the NVC case number and IIN number do we pay the fee first or send them the packages.. Confused on the next parts.

    Filed I 130 on Aug 16

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    i know how you are feeling!

    today i got a reminder from VJ to update my timeline (i know it´s automated) and then I looked at Igor´s list just to find out that theer are already september filers getting approved, but we are still waiting and worrying!!! it feels like getting slapped in the face. We´ve been waiting for such a long time now and still...nothing :crying:

    did they loose our file, is it somewhere on the bottom of a big pile on the desk of the slowest officer USCIS employs,...??? ####### is going on with our petition???

    Lol- Wish you all the best! I know sometimes it feels like it is taking forever especially when everyone else is being approved. hehe. Well, I guess we can just wait and wait. ugh! It's horrible feeling.

    Filed I 130 on Aug 16

    in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Frustrated!

    I have noticed everyone here seems to be getting the second NOA and I haven't. I called the calling center and they have been giving the same answer and asked me to call back in a month. What is going on? Could it be that i made a mistake on my application? If i did why would they keep it for so long? Someone give me a advice on what i should do to make this process faster and less stressful.

    Thank you,

    L&T

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