Laeia

Hi Guys

I have my interview on March 17 at the consulate in Sydney. If approved will they give you your visa on the spot? Or is the passport sent away? If so, how long does it take?

Thanks!

Hi Guys

My case has been completed by NVC, I received the letter today. It took pretty much the entire 60 days. No checklists.

Original scan date was 28 November 2014.

Problem is - I am already in the US (due to some emergency travel I had to make because my husband was undergoing surgery) on a visa waiver program. My flight back is not until April 10.

Does anyone know of, or heard of either 1. Postponing the interview date 2. Interviewing inside the US? My case is being handled by the US Consulate in Sydney.

It's a real drag having to fly back all the way to Australia!

Any help would be appreciated

Congrats! What is your last scan date? and was it for a checklist?

Thanks.

I don't want to get too excited too soon because under civil documents it still shows as "paid"

My scan date was 28 November - no checklist.

Ill have to confirm with the NVC that it does mean CC.

When AOS changes to N/A but civil documents is still showing as Paid, does that mean CC?

The embassy is the only one to make the decision about expedites. NVC only passes on your request and if approved by the embassy forwards the case to them thus skipping the 60 day wait. Since the embassy is requiring NVC to confirm civil docs it appears to NVC as a denial. I would go back to the embassy again and explain what NVC said because this is an obvious disconnect. NVC won't confirm and embassy wants confirmation. I would think you could email copies of the civil documents to the embassy directly as proof you have them. I don't see the point of the civil documents being something to hold up a decision about an expedite since the onerous now falls to the embassy to review civil docs anyway. Best of luck! I was denied my expedite by the embassy after being expedited for the I-130 at USCIS. The embassy did assure me that I would have an expedited interview. I am 9 months pregnant and my NVC scan date is Nov 17th, still waiting for review/response. Assuming no checklists and an expedited interview my husband might make the birth of our child. Such a bad system! Those of us that have spouses in countries not on the visa waiver program are challenged even further by this process. Add pregnancy making travel unavailable and it's an absolute nightmare situation. 7 months now since I last saw my husband. They should not separate families like this.

I am afraid that my visa will take long to process too and my husband needs me.

I have decided to travel on the visa waiver on a return flight to the states to be with him. I can't wait for the NVC process any more.

Yes, ask to speak to supervisor and some type of proof things are being done.

I just spoke to the NVC.

She said that they have received my packet but cannot confirm that the civil documents are there because my packet has not yet been reviewed. She then gave me the 60 day spiel.

I told her, the point of my expedite request is to obviously not have to wait for it to be reviewed and to get it through to the embassy. She ten told me my request was declined and I have to deal with it, I can send another request if I wanted to.

I guess I have to wait until someone picks up my file, confirms receipt of civil documents then submit another expedite request.

Which i dont see the point of if i have to wait anyway.

Im going to try and call the embassy directly and see what can be done. This is beyond ridiculous.

Dont give up! Push until they fix the matter. A total lack of communication between both nvc and embassy.

I requested it Dec 18 to both embassy and nvc on Dec 29 nvc reply to submit evidence and embassy reply to do it through nvc with I did Jan 4 email it and on the 5th they confirmed received. Today I called nvc and they said they forward to consulate now waiting.

Thanks!

I know, I cant believe it.

My case should be reviewed in the next 2 weeks anyway but I need this expedite to get to my sick husband!

I'm still on hold to speak to someone at the NVC.

Any suggestions of what else I should ask for?

I am going to confirm receipt of civil documents and if they can forward that info onto the embassy? Should I ask to speak to a supervisor?

I emailed Sydney consulate back and advised them to review my case, as the NVC has received my documents. I have completed all forms and paid all necessary fees - also asked if i can send the documents to them directly if necessary so i guess just waiting to hear back from them.

I also emailed that same expedite email regarding the civil documents. I am currently on hold with the NVC right now (after dialling a tleast 30 times to get through)

I got a response from NVC and the consulate within 2 business days. I think it depends on how long your consulate takes to respond.

I would suggest emailing both NVC expedite and your consulate directly. At least my consulate informed me of WHY it was declined.

It seems that the NVC do not like explaining things.

This has to be the most furstrating experience. So much red tape and hoops to jump through.

EXPEDITE REQUEST - PLEASE HELP!

I requested for an expedite of our case via the email address nvcexpedite@state.gov and today received an email stating it was denied (for no reasons given)

Luckily, I had emailed the same directly to the consulate in Sydney how replied stating they understood the stress I was in regarding my husband's health but could not approve the expedite request because the NVC had not confirmed receipt of my civil docs.

I sent in my civil docs along with the AOS packet which was received by the NVC on the 28 November!!! I am at breaking point as I do not understand

Any suggestions of what I can do to overturn this decision? do I call the NVC?

UGH!! i am so frustrated.

Well, technically, the most recent tax years are 2011, 2012, and 2013. As for 2014, it is just becoming the most recent tax year now as W2s are being sent out and people file their 2014 taxes. If you only mentioned 2013, then you may get a checklist asking about 2011 and 2012.

Guess you'll just have to wait and see what happens...

oh no

do you think it best to wait and see if they accept it or not, or resend a correct affidavit of support?

Again, bank statements are only required if she fills in the assets section.

Technically, the question IS applicable, so yeah, $0 should have been written. It'll be up to the officer though if they want to checklist or not. Did you at least attach a letter explaining the situation? If you didn't, then it's then very likely you'll get a checklist.

Yeah, I guess I overlooked it and im kicking myself for it now. I must have thought it was a continuation of the joint sponsore bit which doesnt apply to me.

We attached a cover letter stating why he didnt file taxes as he was working and living overseas and not earning a US income for 2014 and also included a notarized (statutory) declaration letter that he did not meet the minimum income standards required to file a tax return for 2013.

I didn't explain for 2012 though so I guess thats my biggest concern!

We included a letter of employment from his employer in the US stating his income and the date he started with them on the company letterhead. We also meet the poverty guideline requirement seeing as he is earning enough with his current employer BUT ALSO filled out the assets part and included bank statements and proof of assets to show we more than meet the poverty guidelines. In total we have about $37500 joint savings/assets which is accounted for in the docs I sent.

Man I hope I get a kind case officer!! I really need a case complete ASAP.

My 60 days is coming up in the next 2 weeks and I've requested expedite due to my husband's health.

And no problem!

Only if she fills in the assets section.

And write in $0 on the question about the three year's of tax information. She'll then need to include a letter stating as to why she didn't file taxes.

Hi Saylin,

I read tihs post and it reminded me to check what I put. My husband spent all of 2014 in Australia with me so he did not file a US tax return for 2014. He did not meet the minimum income to file a tax return for 2013 and we didnt have access to his tax docs from 2012. I've just checked and i put n/a in the AOS for both year and amount.

Do you think I'll get checklisted because of this error? I should have put the year and $0 right?

im worried now.

Im sorry i didnt get cc i meant to all the cc im sorry

Oh that sucks!

what happened? what made you think you got CC?

Congrats !!! I got CC as of today..

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Yay they are moving along!!!

Congrats!

What was your scan date? Is your timeline correct that you sent docs on 11/18?

If so thats fantastic news!

My scan date was the 12/1 as they tell me so my case complete shouldnt be far off.

When you get a case complete, can you please advise of your scan date?

Thanks! also Congrats to everyone who had thei cases completed. Gives me a bit of hope!

It depends on your consulate some are quick some are slow....

I would call again and see if you get through to a different operator. It really is luck of the draw. I would try and be compassionate as I have found that they are nicer to me when I am super friendly to them. I imagine there is a lot of stress for those working at NVC right now too.... they are obviously overworked and understaffed right now. It can't be fun to have to deal with desperate people who are far from their loved ones all day...especially when there is often little that they can do about it.

I hope that your husband's health improves and that you can get there soon via tourist visa or otherwise!

My status hasn't changed on the website so I guess no news.

I totally understand they are overworked and understaffed but there is no compassion or any level of customer service - this is their job!

My issue is that they tell you what then CAN'T do first without even looking at what the CAN do.

I think the frustration is getting to me.

I have sent an email for expedite given the current situation I am in. So fingers crossed!

The NVC reps are so rude and unwelcoming!

I just got off the phone with NVC achieving nothing and she kept saying "no we arent processing cases in less than 60 days" I asked her to check what my case status is and she kept repeating that documents were only scanned in Dec 1. I didnt get a yes or no from her and she was so rude.

This is getting ridiculous.

I need a case complete this week for no other reason than to get to my sick husband.

After case complete, how long is it taking for an interview to be scheduled?

Do u think to get a tourist visa to go see him? Such as bring papers about ur husband sickness with doctor signature to consulate when u make an interview for tourist visa. U can try. If lucky u get visa, if not u lose money for interview.

Goodluck

I'm from Australia so I can go on the visa waiver program. Although I have read that it is not guaranteed they will let you into the country.

Also, my scan date was 28 November 2014 so Im hoping to have case complete and interview in the next few weeks anyway. I just need it done a bit quicker to save me from going back and forth!

Hi

Im trying to get through to the NVC to request an expedite case but I cant seem to get through.

Anyone have any luck?

My husband has been in the hospital for 2 weeks now and may need to undergo surgery, its so hard being so far away at this time.

Hi Guys,

Was hoping for a bit of advice. My husband (the peitioner) is in the US right now and has been ill in hospital for the last week.

What is the process for expediting a case based on medical reasons? What is the criteria to even apply for an expedite? I am a nervous wreck being so far away from him when he is very sick.

My case was scanned in at the NVC on the 28th of November 2014 and I am also waiting the 60 days.

Is anyone else finding their case is completed before the 60 day mark?

Thanks again!