Kanuk

I want to share some experience with everyone going through the grinder at NVC which might help some,
As background, I was granted an expedite (through NVC) by my consulate which required only that I pay my fees and submit the DS260. Things bogged down. I was told 60 days... blah, blah, blah. My case went to a supervisors review. They did finally find the missing form, and as a result I was calling back to thank my supervisor (and the rep) for her hard work and we chatted for 20 min or so (it was an enlightening conversation). It was eye-opening to connect with someone on the other side and it prompted me to share.
Here are my two cents worth of advice and observation:
NVC processing:
- To begin with, for crying out loud, read and reread Saylin's wiki on the process. She is the patron saint of the NVC process and continues to help us out of the goodness of her heart. She is up to date and often chimes in on this forum. She is a goddess.
- Once you understand the process and are complying, you will have to wait. Yes, sixty days... It stinks, I understand. But calling again and again hoping for some other information will do you little good. The reps and the supervisors will NOT tell you anything else, even when they are attempting to look into or fix your issue. They simply aren't allowed. For instance, the supervisor would still only give me the '60 days' spiel, even though she was able to get back to me an hour later with a case complete.
- If you are following the wiki, you will know when something doesn't seem right and it is time to call and verify. If a deadline has passed, call.... If they tell you documents are missing that you KNOW were included, call....
- NVC presently appears to be a little short of qualified supervisors, and the caseload on them is tremendous. But if something is amiss in your case. Ask for a supervisor's review if you can't speak directly to one. It will take a few days, and they don't always contact you. Follow up with a call to see if the review was completed.
- I cannot stress this enough: I know how strung out we all are during this and how rude some of the reps are, but stay calm and polite (and persistent). They are human too and are actually more sympathetic than it appears on our end. But, they are overwhelmed and hamstrung by a broken immigration system, consulate bullying and a plethora of rules and regulations. Nevertheless, don't let a rep bully you. Call back for a different rep if you are being handled rudely.
A word on 'expediting'
- If you feel your situation qualifies for an expedite (and not just because you are you and a wonderful human being, which you are of course ). I suggest you take your time composing your request. You should briefly, yet factually, lay out your case without embellishing it with too much emotional overtone. I cannot stress how important it is to then back the request up with paperwork (in PDF format). A good paper-trail is a bureaucrat's friend. You want the consulate to have every shred of evidence when it considers your request.
- If you are granted an expedite, you now enter a grey area (for NVC as well sometimes) and there is no wiki! Pay attention to what your response letter/email states you need to do next. Don't hesitate to call NVC to get direction (though each rep may have a different story). It was only once I read my expedite email word for word to the rep that she put my case up for a supervisor review. Remember: polite and persistent!!
- Please, if you get an expedite, don't brag here. So many deserving people have been waiting and suffering for ages at NVC. On the flip-side, please don't pester someone as to why they got an expedite, or begrudge them if they get one. It can be incredibly personal.
I know this is a long-winded post, but I hope my experience and advice can help some of you now being ground up by the slow gears of NVC. Eventually we will all be spit out. I hope everyone has a smooth exit.

I want to share some experience with everyone going through the grinder at NVC which might help some,
As background, I was granted an expedite (through NVC) by my consulate which required only that I pay my fees and submit the DS260. Things bogged down. I was told 60 days... blah, blah, blah. My case went to a supervisors review. They did finally find the missing form, and as a result I was calling back to thank my supervisor (and the rep) for her hard work and we chatted for 20 min or so (it was an enlightening conversation). It was eye-opening to connect with someone on the other side and it prompted me to share.
Here are my two cents worth of advice and observation:
NVC processing:
- To begin with, for crying out loud, read and reread Saylin's wiki on the process. She is the patron saint of the NVC process and continues to help us out of the goodness of her heart. She is up to date and often chimes in on this forum. She is a goddess.
- Once you understand the process and are complying, you will have to wait. Yes, sixty days... It stinks, I understand. But calling again and again hoping for some other information will do you little good. The reps and the supervisors will NOT tell you anything else, even when they are attempting to look into or fix your issue. They simply aren't allowed. For instance, the supervisor would still only give me the '60 days' spiel, even though she was able to get back to me an hour later with a case complete.
- If you are following the wiki, you will know when something doesn't seem right and it is time to call and verify. If a deadline has passed, call.... If they tell you documents are missing that you KNOW were included, call....
- NVC presently appears to be a little short of qualified supervisors, and the caseload on them is tremendous. But if something is amiss in your case. Ask for a supervisor's review if you can't speak directly to one. It will take a few days, and they don't always contact you. Follow up with a call to see if the review was completed.
- I cannot stress this enough: I know how strung out we all are during this and how rude some of the reps are, but stay calm and polite (and persistent). They are human too and are actually more sympathetic than it appears on our end. But, they are overwhelmed and hamstrung by a broken immigration system, consulate bullying and a plethora of rules and regulations. Nevertheless, don't let a rep bully you. Call back for a different rep if you are being handled rudely.
A word on 'expediting'
- If you feel your situation qualifies for an expedite (and not just because you are you and a wonderful human being, which you are of course ). I suggest you take your time composing your request. You should briefly, yet factually, lay out your case without embellishing it with too much emotional overtone. I cannot stress how important it is to then back the request up with paperwork (in PDF format). A good paper-trail is a bureaucrat's friend. You want the consulate to have every shred of evidence when it considers your request.
- If you are granted an expedite, you now enter a grey area (for NVC as well sometimes) and there is no wiki! Pay attention to what your response letter/email states you need to do next. Don't hesitate to call NVC to get direction (though each rep may have a different story). It was only once I read my expedite email word for word to the rep that she put my case up for a supervisor review. Remember: polite and persistent!!
- Please, if you get an expedite, don't brag here. So many deserving people have been waiting and suffering for ages at NVC. On the flip-side, please don't pester someone as to why they got an expedite, or begrudge them if they get one. It can be incredibly personal.
I know this is a long-winded post, but I hope my experience and advice can help some of you now being ground up by the slow gears of NVC. Eventually we will all be spit out. I hope everyone has a smooth exit.

I think all Canadian interviewees should form a cheering line in the week preceding their own interview.... We can all high five each other and share cliff notes....

Hmmm. airline peanuts hardly seem an appropriate celebratory foodstuff, so you'll have to hit a fabulous Montreal restaurant afterwards!
Best of luck!

It is funny. Everyone kept asking me if I was 'so happy' finally getting out of NVC. Not so much. Just relieved. I am just as impatient and fed up waiting this short time for my interview to be scheduled. And I have less right to impatience and frustration than you.
Hang on. Just a little longer. I am hoping they use their powers of observation and make room for you, pre-holidays.
Positive energy heading your way.....

Firstly, submit the letter deleting the account, then get back on the phone and ask for a supervisor review.
Then, request an expedite again. But make sure to include pdf 'proof' of the need for the expedite... ie, get a letter/evidence that your PhD work would be compromised, heck get anything your dept can document. I included at least four different documents with my expedite that backed up my request.
I will pm you.
Keep your chin up my dear!

My sweet sweet Soloenta, I am so devastated for you and the ridiculous lengths NVC has gone to to make your case linger. If nothing else, you would think they would calculate how much cheaper in man-hours it would be to finish your case now, rather than let it go on any longer and have to field any more calls from you!!
I hate complaining when I see you (and others) still getting jerked around by the NVC 'system' (I use the term loosely.... very loosely).
Today, Tessa flagged my file for a supervisor to look at (since I have fulfilled the conditions of my expedite and nothing is happening). I am so hoping to be reunited with my kids (and hairy-half) by Thanksgiving. But I am sure the odds are not good.
But, how I will celebrate when your case goes through!!!
'Til then, I am grateful for all the magnificent individuals like you on this thread

Expedites don't seem to be worth the paper their are printed on. I am expedited and they are telling me 60 days to review my ds260!!

Here is the direct wording on my confirmation email:
22-OCT-14
Dear Sir/Madam,
The National Visa Center (NVC) received your documents on 03-OCT-14.
We are currently receiving an increased number of approved petitions from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. As a result, we are experiencing increased review times for documents received.
We expect it will be at least 60 days from the date we received your mail before we complete the review of your documents. We will notify you when we review your documents.
We are working to reduce these processing times and we appreciate your patience.
Hope that helps....

Next they should unlock the IV fee and you will have to complete the DS260 when it is available.
After that I am unsure. I think the next instructions will come from the embassy...

edited for absent minded gibberish

One of the operators told me to send it all in as well.... I simply find it hard to trust what any one individual at NVC says... That being said, I couldn't wait anymore and just emailed both the AOS and IV packets... PHEW....
Now we'll see what transpires....

I adjusted status from within the hive last time too.... They could certainly streamline the process for the once-processed (so we don't become possessed)....

Keep checking, my AOS payment was unlocked today....

Yes, we received this dated Friday:
The National Visa Center (NVC) received your immigrant visa petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. We will work with you to complete your immigrant visa case and schedule your visa interview. Note: Keep this letter in a safe place, you will need this information during the application process. Your case identification numbers are below. You will need these numbers to pay fees and complete online forms. NVC Case Number: xxxxxxx Invoice ID Number: xxxxxxx Next steps: Go to our website http://nvc.state.gov and complete the six steps below to begin NVC processing. Step 1: Choose an agent Step 2: Pay fees Step 3: Submit visa application form Step 4: Collect financial documents Step 5: Collect supporting documents Step 6: Submit documents to the NVC After you complete the steps above, we will review the forms and documents you submit to us. If something is missing or incorrect, we will tell you how to fix it. Otherwise, we will schedule your case for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in MONTREAL, CANADA. Keep an eye out...

Hang on Soloenta!! Don't let them grind you down.... Almost there!

I am sure you can use the same address and send something positive and deserved... It is good to balance your karma!!

Hahaha, I've lived in Yellowknife for 4+ yrs... Now that's some cold....Brrrrrrr......!!
If it makes any of you first-timers feel better. I have already had the green card, have two US citizen kids and hubby of 16 yrs, and I am trapped alone on this side of the border going through it all again too.
Let us keep each other's chins up, drink much wine and enjoy Austin's hard drive full of images relevant to the NVC process!
(I have no warm place in my heart for Nebraska these days... fyi).