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@krd - thanks for being excited with me. It's good to know that I am not alone!

We got our IV bill just a couple of hours ago and I am triple checking the DS-230 package as I type. My husband will pay the bill when he gets home from work and I am hoping that I can print the barcode right away and somehow manage to get UPS to pick up the documents tomorrow so that maybe they will be there Monday. Maybe I can still squeeze in for the November interview dates. That would be incredibly awesome.

cjjj, that was sooo quick for the bill! Awesome!

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for November interview for you!

I'm still waiting for the acceptance e-mail. Still calm - it's creepy at this point

Yay!!! *Doing a happy dance* - I can't believe I can send the last documents soon.

YAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! Congrats!!!!

and now, you can stop worrying

For NVC documents, I think part of the problem can be that the NVC reviewer can't necessarily tell what language something is in, that's why we included a sentence in the cover letter that said that all documents were either in English or French as per NVC instructions. Seems to have worked just fine

:lol:

and this might be a reason!

On NVC's site, they do state that translations aren't needed if they're in the official language of the country where the interview is being held. BUT (and this is important), despite this, I have seen people get checklists (not sure if I've seen one from Canada, I can only recall other countries) where they did not include translations but were asked for them, even though their documents were in the official language of the country where the interview was going to be. I've also seen people without translations and had no problems. It always depends on the reviewing officer and how picky they are. So, you're going to be taking a risk not sending translations.

Honestly, if it were me, I'd get the translations done and send them. You may end up needing the translations anyways when your husband comes here as most Americans he's going to deal with won't be able to read Spanish and may request a translation if his documents are ever needed (like opening a bank account or something).

Right on point

After so many mixed responses from NVC, I don't think I trust anyone out there but VJ . So even if it says that I don't need something, I WILL get it

ok....so I have been reading so much here and there my head is spinning!!! question about NVC docs....my hubby´s certs (birth, police, military, etc) are all in spanish. we will be at the santiago, chile embassy.

I understand if the language of your embassy is the same as your docs, they don´t need to be translated....thoughts? (i read a couple threads that montreal can be picky about having English but that other embassies are cool with their native language).

of course I can´t find the government page at the moment pertaining to this....

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

A few people suggested getting the translations of any documents sent to NVC. I contacted the US embassy in Poland via e-mail, and got a response which stated the same message as on the above link. And, I have no idea how it is in Santiago. Like you say: some are picky, some are not.

mine got accepted today. so they sure working on 20th or 21st now. Good luck guys.

Great news! I'm staying positive

White-out just makes it messy and NVC (in their craziness) might issue a checklist for not understanding what you did. So, it's better to re-print. But, since it's on a page with a signature, you can't really do anything.

I always recommend beneficiaries to sign MULTIPLE blank copies of the DS-230, so in case something needs to be fixed, there will be other DS-230s already signed and ready to be used.

Signing multiple blank copies is a great idea. And I will remember this for our future immigration purposes - no more white-out. However, my page doesn't look that bad - I covered two lines and wrote 1 line on that spot. Plus, I explained it in the cover letter. Hopefully nobody will be bothered by it. Gosh, I want this to be over.

Saylin, thanks a bunch!!

If you already wrote it in... And do NOT use white out on government forms; always re-print the form with the corrections.

And yeah, if the mailing address wasn't changed, don't make it complicated and start including school addresses or something. Honestly, as long as there's no gaps, I don't think NVC really checks into the addresses much.

Using white-out: another "great" advice from NVC that I followed. A few days ago they told me that it is not a problem if I use it I would reprint the page, not a problem ------ but it was Part 1, page 2 of IV application. And we all know how valuable it is with the beneficiary's signature if we have just one original. I'm so furious at myself for not getting more when the time was right ...

Thank you for the replies.

Another member from VJ just called NVC and was told NOT to send any packets before paying. NOT NOT NOT. It all happened in 30minute-period. I wonder if they sit in cubes and listen to the information that they each give ..

I just called them and after being on hold for 10 minutes I had a nice 6 minute conversation with a very nice gentleman who said to absolutely NOT send the package without paying the bill and getting the cover sheet first. He also said usually the acceptance of the 3032 takes 5-10 business days but that lately they have experienced an increase in emails (probably because everyone is sending everything twice etc.) - so i guess everyone needs to just hang tight and wait a bit longer

This is crazy ........... Same day, same office, who trains these operators that they give such DIFFERNT information??!!

I am so mad ...... And I was so excited just 30 minutes ago!

Well, but it is good news about the e-mail at least.

No no no, gaps in employment are A-Okay! Not everyone has back-to-back-to-back jobs! The question where you CANNOT have gaps is the places you've lived (as you have to live somewhere back-to-back!). BREATHE. You're fine

Hmm, but I did write "unemployed" already in a few gaps Is that ok? Or should I use white out - again?

Saylin, what about places where one lived? Do you agree with one of the operations who gave me an advise that I don't have to list a place if the beneficiary did not change his address at the post office? How do they even check it? Do they contact a place in a certain country that keeps track of the address change? I don't get it .....

Every time I get a nice operator on the phone, I get really excited and happy. And then it turns out they give wrong info ...

I will call them again tomorrow

I am not sure I trust that advice at all because you need the barcode sheet. Otherwise their entire setup makes no sense at all. Why bother have an online payment portal that generates such a sheet and so on? I would hate risking a reject or RFE on the IV because the bill hasn't been paid yet. I have gotten so many different opinions from NVC. I called about the DS-3032 and some people will tell you that you CANNOT send an email using the template at all, others will say it's okay as long as you attach the scanned form as well, other still will say that only the form by snail mail is acceptable. So as much as I want to get the IV thing done asap, I don't want to risk making things worse.

That was actually the first time they told me something which was a bit shocking. Unlike you, I never got any mixed responses. But you're right, sending it in early may be rejected if someone else picked it up.

Gosh, NVC, c'mon!!

I will definitely do that. I checked online and it says that I can order UPS pickup and it will be delivered 2 days later in the morning. I hope they are reliable. Never tried it. I make copies of everything anyway and have already ordered doubles of all originals too, just in case. Everything really just hinges on the choice of agent form which in my eyes they should do away with for spouses that give them their email addresses as both receive everything anyway. I am not sure why we have to wait an additional 2 weeks in the process for something that has no impact on the actual process. oO

I just wrote a post about what I'm going to tell you in October NVC filers but I will mention it here to you as well. I called NVC and was told that I can send the IV packet anytime now even though I still haven;t gotten the acceptance e-mail, haven't paid the IV bill or anything related to this stage. I'm shocked but the guy I was talking to repeated that 3 times - no need to wait; it doesn't have to be in that order. I want to go to the post office the first thing tomorrow morning. I just want to get some opinions first. ut that changes a lot!!!!

Tuesday night. What to do? Hmmm, how about calling NVC and see what they are doing ))

So literally two minutes ago I got off the phone with NVC. A very, very nice gentleman answered my questions. He then asked if I had sent the DS3032. I confirmed that my husband had e-mailed it but it wasn't yet accepted. Next he asked if we started working on IV packet. I said that it is all ready to go! The nice voice then replied: "I'm very glad to hear that. You can send it anytime now" (my first thought was: nice man, please visit VJ - here almost everybody is ready! ) but then I started asking him how come I can send the packet if the e-mail wasn't accepted and the IV bill wasn't even invoiced! He said it is alright - it doesn't have to be in this order.

Now this is some news! I thought I had to wait for the bill, pay, print out the bar coded sheet etc (that is exactly what I told him).

It turns out that it is not necessary!

Does anyone feel like calling NVC now? ))

yes its the gaps in the places you have lived. Gaps in employment is okay. Stop bonkin yourself on head you are fine. Breathe you guys.

T and P - you will alright. Again, SORRY!!

I filled it out already with the gaps mentioned and I do not have another copy on hand with the beneficiary's signature. So, "unemployed/student" would work in this case?

Oh no, please don't tell me that. Where did you read it causes RFE? I've seen that gaps in places you LIVED causes RFE but not employment.

You're probably right, but I hope that isn't always the case. My wife had a few months in 2009 between jobs that we didn't put 'unemployed' - I really, really hope the DS-230 doesn't get kicked back to us. Tired of spending money on FedEx and getting set back in the process. They could, I suppose PUBLISH SOME INSTRUCTIONS to help clear up issues like this.

Anyone have experience with this? I can't seem to find a definite answer on the boards.

Good luck to all still looking for case complete.

I'm sorry. I didn't want anyone to freak out - this process is so nerve-racking that the last thing I want to do is give someone more to worry about. Maybe you're right - maybe it was about places where one lived not employment. Gosh, I just don't know at this point

If I read it correctly it was somewhere on VJ but I may be mistaken.

And you are so right!! How about detailed instructions on how to fill some of these questions.

Thanks for your kind words. No, my husband does not have the package. My idea was to send it with 48-hour UPS from Germany. Do you think that's a bad idea? I didn't want to send original documents (which aren't that easy to come by) by mail twice.

You're right - I wouldn't risk sending such important documents via mail twice. And 48hours across the globe is not so bad! ))

Postal Office/UPS in Germany is probably much better than in Poland (it is terrible and slow:).

Just make sure that everything is in the package and make copies of the entire one (just in case).

I haven't really been able to find out how long the wait is but from the timelines it looks like at least one month. Considering that half of December is filled with holidays, if the DS-3032 isn't accepted soon, it will be almost impossible to still get an interview this year. Assuming I would have to resend it next week (email and snail mail this time), it would be one week before they receive it at least, another week or more until the accept it, then a few days to invoice and get paid status, then mailing the IV documents - by time they would receive those it will be early November, so it's doubtful that the acceptance and interview scheduling would come early enough to still make it this year Since I emailed it right after I received the case number, I was really hoping that would speed things up, but now it almost seems like that was the wrong choice and I should have waited for the document and snail mailed it as those seem to actually get accepted faster.

Please keep me updated when you hear from them about the document. This is the only place that offers some comfort

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the e-mail to come as soon as possible. I love December but it is true - filled with holidays so offices are closed. I REALLY think, that you will be done by then. You know why? Because some people on VJ whose cases have been approved at USCIS just a few days ago are still hoping to be done in 2012. And you are way ahead! I realize that hope and reality are two different things but we have to stay positive, right?

Does your husband have the IV packet from you? (you are in Germany, and he is in the US, right?). If you send it from here, it can get to NVC the next day.

I will start freaking out if my husband doesn't get an e-mail by next Tuesday. That is enough time for them to read and accept the e-mail

Please, stay positive. I know it is hard.

I have a question about IV application, #32, about employment. I heard that leaving gaps in employment calls for RFE. So we figured everything out but:

My husband has gaps in employment, however, he was attending school at that time. In this case, what should we write there? Would "Unemployed/student" work in the "job title" space? What about "location" and "employer" spots - should they be filled out with "N/A"?

Also, in #30 I was concerned about the addresses because in my husband's case - there were many of them due to school in another city and seasonal work abroad. I called NVC to ask about it and I was told that even if the job or school time was longer than 6 months but the individual did not change their mailing address at the post office - it doesn't count. That makes everything much easier.

Any advice on #32, please?

Oh really? I didn't know they process stuff 'til midnight. I thought they only answer the phone that late. Since I got a confirmation email after I sent the email, I am hoping I will still hear from them and the email didn't get lost. The worst would be if it got lost or if I would get a rejection. Sorry for freaking out, but being apart from my husband is horrible and I feel like all I am doing these days is wait for another step to be over.

About NVC - hmmm, maybe you are right. However, I did hear they are open until late hours.

Believe me, I totally understand. I cannot wait for this to be over and to be with my Husband soon. In the worst case scenario, when they reject it - just e-mail it again. It will be a week or so added but I think we will be done this year. It is almost the last step, right?

Is there a long wait for the interview in Germany?

Another day has passed and no email

I am really starting to think it won't come anymore. I know I am panicking but I am sure you all know the feeling. I just don't know what to do. I need all of this to be over by the end of the year because I have a business to transfer.

I just read in the NVC September thread (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/386421-nvc-filers-september-2012/) - second post, FAQ, that sometimes it takes 1-2 weeks for the answer to DS-3032 email. As we all know, with USCIS or NVC - it is never for sure how they do certain things. I also thought they answer e-mails that reach the first. But, like you said, if someone got a response, and sent it on the same day as you - then that is just how it is. It's NVC way

Also, NVC works until midnight - there is still time today .

Thank you so much. It really helps to read about cases that with similar timelines. I sent the DS-3230 email as soon as I had the case number. I did not wait for the AOS bill and the DS-3230 Email from NVC as people on the forum said that wasn't necessary. I really hope it doesn't get rejected.

You are right - it does help to read similar timelines.

Keep us posted when you get your IV bill. I'll do the same.

Good luck! And do not worry . We are SO CLOSE!!

Unfortunately we could not send the AOS package yesterday because there were problems with printing the barcode sheet. My husband will send it on Monday. But it looks like the IV will be what will slow things down now. I am hoping to still get a November or latest December interview. Not sure what my chances are for that.

I sent our DS 3032 2 days after you, so I'm right there behind you:)

I wouldn't worry about IV bill. As soon as they review your DS3032 e-mail and accept it - they will invoice the bill (might take 1-2 days or something like that). I heard they get to these e-mails as they come so there may be a line of some sort. If you sent the e-mail after you had received the case# and all that jazz, you should be good. If your e-mail gets rejected, more knowledgeable members advise to resend it right away. It takes over a week or so for it to be reviewed.

And send the AOS packet overnight, I believe it is around $18. I sent mine yesterday at 3 pm, and the packet was at NVC today before noon.

Plus, I'm hoping for my husband to get a November interview. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a November date for yo as well!

It just worked!

Yay!!!!!!! Great!!!

I just tried mine and it is doing the same thing as yours!! - right side is just cut off.

I would call NVC and ask - maybe they are having some problems with the system. Waiting is unbearable ..

Unfortunately I cannot see the bar code at all. I don't know what to do. Copy-pasting doesn't help either.

I'm sorry; I have no idea why it has been like that. Maybe someone mentioned it already but what about switching browsers? If one doesn't work, try another. I couldn't log in on FireFox but it worked great on Opera.

Good luck!