MoBar65

I went to the Denver USCIS center yesterday with a young man for moral support to attend his N400 interview. While waiting outside, I noticed people happily exiting the building every 5-10 minutes holding their white envelopes and little flags. I thought that was odd, as I expected oath ceremony attendees would have left all at once.

Well, less than an hour of waiting and my young friend came out and told me he passed the interview, was administered the oath and was given his pre-printed certificate on the spot by the officer who interviewed him!!!

Would getting in line on foot and shouting Vroom Vroom work?

MoBar65, it looks that you waited two months from CC to interview.

I just joined the boat of waiting. My case was supposed to be expedited.

Glad you managed to take a short cut. Every break during this horrid journey is worth celebrating.

At this point, I strongly recommend you revisit your qualifications and stregthen them as much as you can. Just because you got a green light from USCIS doesn't mean the embassy CO will sign on it unchallanged. My case was almost torpedoed by an ill-trained CO had I not kept my cool and presented in detail almost half of my stack of several inches of supporting documents and my visa category regulations. See review in my timeline to get a glimpse of what happened.

Take the interview very seriously, be prepared to effectivly convince a layman of your technical achievements and their future potential, and don't leave anything for chance.

Best of luck...

OMG, OMG my husband also but in Cairo at Feb 7:30 am Cairo time, 9:30 pm Feb 18 Th for me Ca time. I'm dying over here wish I could have been with him but I didn't win the lotto I was expecting.

The blessed day is finally here my dear friend. My best wishes and prayers for a trivial and successfull interview. It will be past midnight here (MT) by the time you get the happy news, but I do wanna wake up to an exploding owl-delivered Howler in the morning.

It has now been 98 days since my husband's interview, and we are still in AP. No reason given and the last time we heard from the embassy was Christmas Eve. All that they said was that AP usually takes 2 to 4 months (which is much longer than what they told us at the interview and longer than the estimate given on the embassy website). I just wish this part of the process was even a little bit more transparent. It's absolutely killing me to just sit here and wait and not have any control over this.

I contacted both of my Senators and my rep in Congress. Hopefully somebody can get something done, but I have pretty low expectations. I just feel so defeated and helpless.

Though you kept low, you were always in my thoughts. It's actually encouraging to see them volunteer the 2-4 months bit. This means February should be it for you.

Hang in tight dear friend and make sure to report the good news here when the blessed day comes.

Always a pleasure to see you MoBar I hope and pray all is going well with your family and work.

Thank you dear... Best of luck to you come interview time and to all our friends who were side-tracked into AP.

Where did you find this one the website? I searched around but couldn't find. Thank you!

Here: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/nvc/nvc-contact-information.html

Is NVC open today? I've been calling, but keep getting a message that says that 'customer service representatives are not available, please call back later' Is this a new thing instead of the busy signal or what?

Just saw this on NVC's website:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to extremely hazardous weather conditions, the National Visa Center will close at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015 and will remain closed on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Does anyone know about ...if in AP....will they give visa issue before police clearance expires?? Or do they just keep us waiting, and make us pay to get another one, and medical will expire too...

I remember seeing rare cases where people on very extended AP were requested to submit a new PCC after 12 months, and then they were made o wait some more.

Hopefully, you'll see ISSUED a lot sooner than that.

Special prayers for ........ EOC, SharksBelow, AmeriDutch, BRosa, Maria&Abdo, Natasha&Noor, Maharosa! Thank you! If I forgot anyone or your out of the woods please let me know.

nicholemariev is also held in AP since October 28th.

I wish I could be but I can't. It's either for the interview which they wont let me in or the POE which I will be with my husband for sure God willing and all goes well. But I can't do both unless I win the lotto, if I was working in my field I could visit my husband every other week but as it is I can't work and I just fell along with my mother while I was trying to help her. She pulled me backward and BOOM but neither one of us are really hurt just me mostly. Thank God for that.

Really glad your mom is OK... Old bones don't react too kindly to rough play.

If it were me, I would travel to Cairo for Valentine's day and the interview. For romantic reasons, for emotional support and, most importantly, for pre-interview coaching. POE is a triviality in comparison. If on the other hand you feel your husband will have a tough emotional time leaving behind his close family come POE time, then maybe your original plan is best.

Checking in to see how are the CCs coming along? It's been 5 days since I arrived to Chicago . The 13 hour flight wasn't as bad as I thought it will be but again I totally recommend upgrading to business class which made to more comfy and tolerable for me. Still feeling out of my element and strange I wonder how long it takes to feel at home.

Sending everyone lots of love ... Happy new year

Totally agree on the business class for this special trip, if you could afford it. I cashed it years of accumulated mileage and did exactly that for the whole family. Funny thing, United was one seat short for us while they held one for the pilot/co-pilot to crash on during the long flight. I asked if there are any 1st class seats, and there were. Tried to get it for free... no luck (I had a lowly award ticket afrer all). I then Suggested they bump the pilot up to first class and give me his seat. Took the pilot 3 milli-seconds to approve the idea.

Awwww baby girl, I would think it takes a while but just hug your husband when you feel that way. At least you are done with the nightmare everything from here on is Gold.

Big huge announcement, yes thought it would never happen we have an interview

February 19 Th 20 ugg 15

Slowly but surely you're moving along dear. Glad that Cairo backlog is a forgotten history now.

Make sure you kick your hubby out of bed by 4 a.m. to beat that crazy Cairo traffic (I'm assuming you'll be in Cairo with him).

I absolutely will keep you all in my prayers. Any news on Samreen? Let's hope your interview is scheduled by end of next week.

Hi msc13... I hope you had a very enjoyable christmas now that the family are finally united. My kids had a great white Christmas morning, opening gifts and later making angels in the 12" fresh powder.

In case you didn't know, Samreen got her visa issued on Dec 22. I bet she's too busy preparing for the mad dash to the Border.

It's issuedddddd!!!! Today at 4pm guys my status changed!! I just had a feeling it will change today. Hubby and me are v happy mashAllah. Now just waiting to collect passport )) soloenta I will keep in touch with u even if I don't log on to VJ much cuz a lot of stuff to do. But i do read the thread usually almost everyday. VJ I love u!!

Just Wonderful! I love the smell of freshly minted visas in the morning!

So is this the famous e-mail everyone talks about? Don't even know what to call it, Confirmation e-mail for CC?

23-DEC-14

Dear Sir/Madam,

All documentation necessary to complete the National Visa Center's processing of your case has been received. As soon as an interview date has been scheduled, the applicant, petitioner and attorney (if applicable) will be notified.

The applicant should NOT make any travel arrangements, sell property, or give up employment until the US Embassy or Consulate General has issued a visa.

The US Embassy or Consulate General may require additional documentation at the time of the interview.

Sincerely,

Director

National Visa Center

Yup! That's the one. Exactly one week after actual cc.

By the way, I wouldn't bother raising any issues with NVC at this point. Just call and ask for the interview date every now and then.

Hi everyone

POE yesterday at LAX. Took 15 minutes at 6.30 in the morning. Bit of an anti climax really. Didn't even say Welcome to America. No questions, nothing. Just went through normal immigration with children on their US passports, then they took me to a waiting area. We were the only ones there. 10 minutes later took fingerprint of index finger, signed a Form, guy took papers to his window and then called me and gave me back my Passport stamped. Waited 16 months for that. We fly up to New York tomorrow and then drive home on Saturday morning.

Thank you so very much to all my VJ friends. I will still be coming here to keep up with how you are all doing.

Oh Soloenta

I have just logged on first time in a few days and have seen the wonderful news.

I am thrilled beyond words.

You of all people deserve this.

Well done sweetie. Now for a quick interview.

Xxx

I should've checked VJ before I sent you the earlier message. I'll say it for them... Welcome to America, Again!

What a feeling when you step into the main terminal after immigration and TSA checkpoint.

Just working off a little Post Celebration steam around NVC

Congrats to YOU....my VJ Angel....

Love this special appearance, Changnoi, and for a truly deserving angle.

Wow!... Soloenta, I didn't know you look that hot!

I knew an hour ago but had to wait until I was sure case complete!

Thank you my dear friend, wow what a ride it's been so long I actually thought this day would never come. The call came first then the N/A and hour later the sight of the N/A was amazing! Thank you God for answered prayers.

Again, congrats on overcoming this nasty obstacle. Hopefuly, an uneventful interview will make up for all the heartache you went through.

Stay strong and make sure your hubby is well coached.

Visa in hand with the package I wonder what is in there ! after long 19 months alhamdullah

Sending all of you waiting best of luck and love ... May your journey be over sooner than you think .

Don't get too curious . It would just be everything you sent after being mangled beyond recognition by NVC and the CO.

My dearest friend MoBar I'm afraid to hope but deep down inside there is a spark! Hahaha yes it would make it a great Christmas for sure I think I'll be able to smile again.

I had a thought, when I was told I had CC so long ago I felt numb, not grateful, not a shred of happiness in my soul. I think God did this to make me understand I should be grateful for every little bit he brings my way. I'm ashamed I wasn't happy and grateful for the gift that was given me. So God made it go poof! I'm not a fanatic but as they say in my country of birth, not even the leaf of a tree moves without the will of God. And on that note. Woooooo Hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't hoard all the blame my friend. NVC has a lot to answer for in connection to your case.

Did you run into any issues with the names not being an identical match between your passport and forms? The instructions state to list all the names in your passport. Maybe I am mistaken, but I think using all of his names may also help differentiate him between anyone else that may have the same first and last name as him still living in Egypt.

Never had an issue with forms acceptance during the past 25 years, though I had more than my fair share of APs. You're right... Listing all names as in passport is probably a smarter thing to do... it removes the doubt and possibly reduces the chance of common name related APs.

They're officially on the third week! 3 CCs already ranging from 10/20 to 10/21!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope that those waiting from second week get CC soon!

Soloenta my dear... Dare we hope for good news before the weekend? Come on... don't spoil our Christmas!

Thank you! Question for you since your husband is Egyptian, when completing forms for him, how was his name provided? My husband has 5 names, his first/given name, then his fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers names, and finally his family/surname. Does your husband have multiple names like my husband? If so, where did he apply the names for his father, grandfather and great grandfather? Was it with the given names or the surnames?

Thank you so much! It might not be an expedite approval, but it certainly feels good to start to move forward again!

I have five names including given (first) and family (last) names. In my passport, the three middle names are only initialied. In all my immigration forms I only used my first name, first middle initial and last name. Some forms required full middle name. In this case I only included the first middle name.

Different countries (and US Posts) might have different rules.

I had my interview today. They lost our joint sponsor's documents. I m soooo pissed off I can't explain it. They kept my passport and said we will issue u the visa in a week or two max after we get the AOS form and transcript from the sponsor. Nvc lost it and we have to pay the price. It's just ridiculous really. They hardly asked me anything at the interview though. Just two qs that was it arranged marriage or love. And have u traveled outside Pakistan before. The lady was v polite though. So I don't have anything bad to say about Islamabad embassy. But Nvc sucks big time!

You dodged the AP bullet and that alone is worth celebrating. Just make sure hubby sends you a scan of the new AOS so you could verify accuracy and completeness before he sends in the original.

40 days since my husband's interview. Still in AP. I've emailed the embassy twice asking for an update since they originally told us they would be in contact within 1 to 4 weeks, but they have not responded to either email. This is seriously killing me.

You kept that quiet! I understand too well the frustration AP could cause, but we are here for you, dear.

If your husband was asked to submit info post interview, I highly recommend you/he send them again... via email and in person if possible. They're not beyond misplacing documents or just playing dumb. Make sure to include case number, your husband's date of birth and a copy of the 221(g) or whatever document they handed to him if it contained specific requests.

I hope you, Soloenta and EOC will receive good news in time for a memorable Christmass... not that I'm forgetting Samreen or the rest of our VJ friends.

Hi all

What a week. One days notice for interview and then two days later Visa is in my hand. It is over. Thank you Sydney.

Words cannot express my thanks to all my Visa Journey friends. You have all been amazing. Whilst I may be finished with it all my thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you. Let's not get complacent just because I am done. A few weeks ago I was in your position.

Thank you Saylin for your constant support and advice and for donating so much of your time.

I will check back here to see how you are all going but for the next few days I need to concentrate on the million and one things I need to do to get myself, two children and two dogs ready to leave Australia in 13 days. Couldn't risk anything happening to the boys, Elvis and Casper so we are using a professional animal transportation firm. The kids and I - well we can just rough it!!

Love to you all.

Debra xxx

So you're continuing the mad dash, I see. Those two weeks will be physically daunting, so please delegate most of the heavy lifting to that strapping boy of yours, or better yet, hired labour. Take care and pace yourselves.