sba.rsa

I am in the process of filling the DS-230 form, but who should sign it?

As my Hubby's Agent, I thought it was my responsibility to pay the IV invoice and submit the IV package.

But my Hubby in India can mail me the civil documents. And I can fill out the DS-230 form for Hubby, have him print it out and sign it, and then send it back to me.

But if hubby is mailing the civil documents, and the printed and signed DS-230 form, to me in the US, why can't he mail the completed IV package to the NVC in USA himself?

Something doesn't make sense about the Designation of Agent process and who mails in all the paperwork. I am really really really confused.

I mean, I would be more than happy to do the paperwork for hubby (I'm a bit more meticulous ), but I am very puzzled right now ......

It takes 1 to two weeks from the time you submit the Designation of Agent letter, to when you are able to make IV payment.

In my case I was not told to make IV payment, I had to keep checking the payment portal for when the IV payment function was enabled.

Getting the NVC case number can take 2 to 4 weeks.

Once you get NVC case number in the mail, you will also get (1) choice of agent form and (2) documentation on how to pay for AOS (Affidavit of Support) fee online

#1 Choice of Agent Form

Your wife probably got the choice of agent form. If not, scan in your copy, email it to her, have her print and fill out the form, designating YOU as the agent (you are in USA, it is better this way as mailing time is less), SIGN the form, and mail it to the address the National Visa Center gave. And don't panic if the form is out-dated, they will accept it (after all, they sent it to you)

#2 AOS fee

Go to the website they give you, log in with your NVC number and invoice number (which they will give you), provide your routing number and checking account number (if you are paying by checking account) to pay the $88 fee. They will provide you a cover sheet to print out and include on the very top of your AOS package. This coversheet has the NVC code and name of petitioner.

Once the AOS fee status say PAID, only then you should mail it in. It took me about a week for AOS to display PAID, even though my bank says it was immediate.

In the meantime gather photocopies of Federal taxes (include W-2 and 1099 forms), or request the IRS to give you Federal tax transcripts for the past three years (in this case, you don't need to include the W-2 and 1099, just send in the transripts).

Also, provide a letter from your employer stating your SS#, Name, Date of Hire, Salary. And also include the last six paystubs.

Even though I-864 (actually, I filed I-864 Ez) said that I only needed to provide last year Federal taxes and other info was optional, I provided everything (three years tax, proof of employment letter, last six paystubs).

It is better to provide more information and take your time doing things, than to send in your package, only for it to get delayed because NVC wants more info.

And you want to make your documentation easy to read, right after the Cover Sheet, you should write a cover letter stating the contents of your package. And I would buy tabs to label what is where, i.e. put a tab on the I-864, a tab on proof of employment, etc. I used something like this to hold my pages together,

Keep checking the online payment website for when they ask for IV fee, $230

Right now, I am in the process of having my hubby gather the appropriate documents from India

1. Notarized copy of birth certificate in English

2. Notarized copy of passport

3. Two identical passport photographs of him

4. Police letter (this he will get at the end, since they expire in 3 months, at least in India)

And I am also asking Hubby to check whether I filled out the DS-230 properly

Best of Luck, and God Bless You!

Thank you!

I believe notarized copies are not accepted by the NVC.

I am not sure if I should obtain a NADRA registered marriage certificate or just submit the Urdu Nikkah nama along with the translated version. If anyone else has any opinion or experience then please do share. What are the NADRA registered marriage certificate requirements? I can't seem to find them online.

I sent several notarized copies of Marriage Certificate, Hubby's passport, etc, and they accepted it. You can always send originals, and they will return it to you, but why take a chance of the originals getting lost?

If you can get documents notarized in USA it holds more weight (after all, we are submitting documents to the US government), otherwise get it notarized in Applicant's country.

The greater the effort and good-faith on your end to give more information than they are asking, the more they are favorable towards providing US Visa sooner.

God Bless You.

Ah courier ..., I just may do that for the IV package!

I only have an original Urdu Nikkah nama and an original Translated Marriage certificate. I am hesitant in sending both originals with the DS-230 package to the NVC, since I have read so many horror stories on here already about NVC sending RFEs or losing the marriage certificates.

I believe you should make colored photocopies and have them notarized by notary public, preferably in USA (because you are submitting these documents to US government)

Lastly, my husband does not have a NADRA registered birth certificate. He only has one that is titled as "The Govt of Sindh Pakistan". Is this birth certificate sufficient for the DS-230 package? I am not sure what a "long" birth certificate really means. Will sending this birth certificate result in an RFE? How long does NADRA take to issue a registered birth certificate?

Ah yes, birth certificate. Here is guidance copied and pasted from State Department Website:

You (and any family members immigrating with you to the United States) must obtain an original birth certificate issued by the official custodian of birth records in your country of birth, showing your date of birth, place of birth, and parentage Important Notice: All Immigrant Visa applicants must submit a long form original birth certificate. Short form birth certificates will not be accepted.

The certificate must contain the:

Your date of birth

Your place of birth

Names of both parents

Indication by the appropriate authority that it is an extract from the official records

Unobtainable birth certificates

If your birth record is not obtainable for any reason, a certified statement must be obtained from the appropriate government authority explaining why your birth record is unavailable. You must also submit secondary evidence such as:

A baptismal certificate that contains the date and place of birth, as well as both parents names (providing the baptism took place shortly after birth)

An adoption decree for an adopted child

An affidavit from a close relative, preferably your mother, stating the date and place of birth, both parents names, and your mother’s maiden name.

Note: An affidavit executed before an official authorized to take oaths or affirmations must also be provided. More specific information is available from the NVC.

More information you submit to establish the birth is better, play it safe so the paperwork gets approved sooner.

All the best!

Congratulations and God Bless You!!!

I am ready to mail my AOS package and it want it to get there ASAP. It is ok with NVC if I mail it using Fedex, UPS, etc, or does it have to be US Postal Mail?

Same question for IV package when it is time to mail it in!

Awesome advice ladies!!!

Yes, I printed my coversheet and silly me I didn't realize the address was printed there, along with barcode and hubby's name

thanks can anyone else confirm this? does she need 3 different police clearance certificates

It is better to give more information than less. If you were you, I'd ask Wifey to get 3 different police clearance certificates.

Hello everyone,

Since my hubby's country is India, I understand I am not qualified to scan in the AOS and email it in.

But I am having hard time finding where to mail the AOS and IV.

And also, what format would the NVC want the AOS (and later the IV)

Do they want all pages stapled? Or paperclipped? Or to punch two holes on top of each page, and slide it into Pendaflex folder (which is how I submitted I-130).

Thanks!

Answers:

1. No, wait until the payment portal indicates "PAID" (it should so indicate soon).
   
2. You won't
   
3. While you will not be told that you have been designated as the agent, do keep checking the payment portal for the IV bill. Don't wait for them to give you a package, you can download all the necessary forms from the website.
   
4. The DS-260 and DS-261 are online forms and use of online forms is not available for India cases so disregard references to those forms entirely. The IV package will consist of the DS-230 and applicable civil documentation.
   

I hope it says "PAID" soon, it's been almost a week now!!!

I shall certainly check the portal for PAID status, and the IV bill

Husband got white slip temporary refusal..J

.... Any info is appreciated

I just pray that your Hubby can join you in USA soon and you enjoy lots of great times together.

Hello,

I am going through the Flowchart for IR-1/CR-1 Visa and I am a bit puzzled

1. I paid the AOS fee and it generated a Cover Sheet with Bar Code. My bank says the fee has been paid, but the system says "In Progress". Is it ok if I send in my i-864ez even while the system shows payment is "In Progress".

2. I sent in the Choice of Agent form (signed by my Hubby) the same day I paid the AOS fee. When will I be officially told that I am my Hubby's agent?

3. Once I am told I am my Hubby's Agent, will I be given an IV invoice to pay? And then they will give me an IV package to fill out?

4. What is this IV package? From the flowchart, I get the impression this is DS-260. But when I google "DS-260" I get the webpage DS-260, Online Immigrant Visa Application & Registration, and DS-261, Choice of Address and Agent, are fully integrated online electronic visa application forms ... - but Hubby signed and sent Choice of Address and Agent form ..... or is DS-260 done separately ..... I am really confused by this step ... I mean, the Choice of Agent form I sent (see question # 2) is the DS-3032 form, how is this different from DS-261 ... Help!!!!

Thank you for any feedback!

My computer nerd hubby said it’s when the servers need to chat with each other or need an info change of some sort, they can’t have users on that could change data or some such thing.

Ah ha!

To me he sometimes sounds like Charlie Brown’s teacher.

Awwwww

You should come read the Post #1 and Post #2 that talks abt these errors in th NVC filers thread. Your DS-3032 has probably been accepted and your IV Bill probably getting invoiced. have you called too see if DS-3032 has been accepted?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/422214-nvc-filers-april-2013/

I tried logging in again and now it works.

It still says payment is in progress.

How long before it will say "Paid" so I can send in AOS. When I made payment, I received cover letter with barcode. Since I am filing only for Hubby and it is my income that will be supporting him for a while the instructions say to file I-864 EZ

I didn't call to see if I am Hubby's Agent, will they send me a Notice?

04/15/2013 - Interview

Best Wishes for Interview!!!

Yes I had the same error everytime I logged in into my payment portal. So I guess itsa norm?

How long does it take to fix this type of error?

Hello,

On Mar 29, 2013 I paid the AOS fee and on Apr 3, 2013 it was "In Progress".

I called my Bank and it says that $88 fee was paid to AOS.

Now I am trying to log in as usual and I am getting "Database Error. You have encountered the database error. Please try again later"

Is this normal, is anyone getting this same problem?

Hello,

I received Case Number from National Visa Center yesterday,

They sent a packet, with instructions on how to pay $88 AOS fee online.

They sent something really confusing, which was an expired "Choice of Address and Agent" form.

The top-right of the form says "Expiration Date: 12/31/2006", and my Husband's name is pre-printed.

Why did US Department of State send an expired form to fill? When I tried googling an up-to-date form, I get

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/80023.pdf

But it says, "Place Case Barcode Strip Here Before Mailing to the National Visa Center" I have no idea where to get this Barcode ....

I am realy really confused because I don't want any delays because the form was outdated, even though it was sent to us.

And yesterday, I asked my Husband in India to fill out and sign the form so it can be sent (I'd like to be his Agent since I am already in USA)

HELP!!!!!!!

Hello,

I went to USCIS website, and entered in my Receipt Number and it says the I-130 for my Husband in India is approved.

Now, I am going through flowcharts to understand next steps

#1

From what I understand, it may take up to 2 weeks for National Visa Center to generate case number, but I should still call them at (603) 334-0700 and ask them for my NVC case number and someone will tell me over the phone?

#2

Once we have NVC case number, both my Husband (beneficiary) and myself (petitioner) will receive DS-3032 Choice of Agent form. But why are they sending it to two people, that I do not understand.

#3

I would like to be the agent for my Husband, does this mean he fills out ZERO forms, or are there forms he needs to fill out and submit himself.

#4

And what documents should I ask my Husband to gather RIGHT NOW, i.e. even before we have NVC case number? From what I understand, he should courier me the following:

Two passport-style photographs (2X2 inches) of Husband

Blank and signed form DS-230 Part I by the beneficiary

Photocopy of the Husband's passport biographic data page

Original/certified copy of Husband’s birth certificate

Original/certified copy of Husband’s and My’s marriage certificate

Original police certificate(s) of the Husband

Is there anything I am missing?

Edit: In the I-130 I included

Two passport-style photographs (2X2 inches) of Husband

Photocopy of the Husband's passport biographic data page

Original/certified copy of Husband’s and My’s marriage certificate

Will NVC ask for these three documents again?

You will receive it.

Go here and read the first two posts and all the links therein. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/417050-nvc-filers-march-2013/

Thank you!

I found out the I-130 for my Hubby got approved on Feb 25, 2013 because I entered the Receipt Number on USCIS website, but I didn't receive any letter and it has been 5 business days.

Am I supposed to receive a letter, or does my Hubby in India receive a letter?

Also, what to do next? Do I file another form, or does Hubby file paperwork?

Is there a timeline I can refer somewhere?

Thank you all!!!

Hello,

I recently got married and my husband is in India, currently waiting for US Visa.

I file US Federal taxes, how do I reflect this lifetime event on my tax forms?

I feel maybe I did not send in enough. I sent the notarized letters from his mom, my best friend, the i130, g325a, g 1145, my birth certificate, copy of passport and driver's license, marriage certificate and his divorce certificate and our passport size photos. I am putting together a photo album of pictures for his interview, and other documents...was this wrong? Should I have included them as well?

What ever was submitted was already submitted, but I think it would have been better if you included your beautiful photos.

Now, it is good you are putting together the photo album and anything else for his interview.

Best of luck!

everyone gets a priority date.

If'n yer a USCitizen, disregard it, it's meaningless for you.

When you get a chance today, please participate in the MSC poll over at http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/397750-national-benefits-center-poll/

Thanks !

I participated in the poll just now.....