WalterW40

So I called NVC and they confirmed my case closed on 9/23/2015.

Then was told that the interview was just scheduled today for 11/16/2015 @ 9am. Woo hoo!!!!

The interview instructions should come in about a week via email.

Now to prepare for VAC, medical and have t's and dots crossed checked.

I just received an email from NVC with the below:

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.

Does this mean my case is soon to be closed and now wait for interview? Should I call NVC?

Higuey is a dusty smog - filled city with little in the way of restaurants or cultural centers yet the city is easy to like and the people hospitable and warm. I've grown to like the place a great deal. Whenever I am with my wife at our apartment, the stress of virtually everything else dissipates. We'll most likely end up moving back in about ten years or so. Do you have a place there (in RD)?

My wife rents a small apartment in the capital. Her family are situated in Samana and she travels back and forth because of the university. We talked about DR being a possibility in a distant future.

My wife's from Higuey, which is about forty minutes from Punta Cana. The Basilica is located not too far from our apartment. I think good news is coming soon for both of us.

That's awesome. My wife's aunt's birthday is today and she went to Higuey today to celebrate with family.

I received the same notice when I resubmitted the two documents that needed correction. I was told on the phone, however, that it could take as long as sixty days.

What city in DR is your wife from?

I figure it would take that long. I will anticipate a long wait but hope for a quick process. My wife is from Samana....and yours?

I received this from NVC today:

The National Visa Center (NVC) received your documents on 1-September-15. We are experiencing a high volume of incoming mail at this time. Please allow 30 days from the date we received your mail for the NVC to review your documents. We are diligently working to reduce our review time and appreciate your patience. The NVC will notify you after our review if there is additional information required or if we are able to schedule your case for an interview overseas.

Did the 60 day email changed to 30 day now? If so, hopefully that means they are catching up on viewing documents and cutting the reviews from 60 to 30 days.

I am unable to get through to the NVC. I have been trying since last week. An automated response comes up saying they are too busy with other callers and to try back later. Once, I did get through to a voicemail saying to leave a message!?

Just hang up and hit redial. You will eventually hear the ring tone and get connected. You will still have to wait but at least you are on que for the next available representative.

Walter, that's great news! Things are moving along quickly for you. I made a couple of mistakes when I submitted our marriage certificate and my wife's birth certificate by not getting the Act Extensa long form for each. I also failed to have the documents legalized at the Civil Registry Office in SD. As a result, I had to resubmit the two documents. It set us back about two months. My wife is pissed. Dominicana temper is nothing to mess with. My docs were received yesterday. Now the additional thirty days for review. I plan to call and see if these two items can't be reviewed for me by a supervisor while I'm on the phone. I keep kicking myself for not catching the finer points of what was required. Uggh.

Hahahaha...you are so right about dominicana temper. Hopefull you can get those items reviewed quickly and get CC soon.

I only submitted copies of all the originals. The BC and MC are both legalized and inextensa and translations provided.. Being that they are copies, I just hope they have the sence to look at the back of each document and see the legalization stickers.

I-130 approved on 7/22 and sent to NVC. I did not get an email - only the actual NOA2 in the mail.

What happens next?

Will I get a notification that NVC has received my case and assign a Case # and Invoice ID? How long does it take to get case # and Invoice? Do I need to contact them for this?

Thanks.

Walter, let me know if you have any questions. I'm pretty far ahead in this process, but the delays can be long (or longer) than indicated. Follow instructions carefully, and don't hesitate to holler if you have any questions. You should be getting your Case number from the NVC soon if you haven't already received it. Have patience, but don't hesitate to call the NVC if you are unclear on anything.

Thank you MRS1- much appreciated. I actually already sent the AOS and IV packet in. NVC received it today. Completed the D 260 and paid AOS and IV invoices. I feel things are moving pretty fast up until this point. Now the wait to see if I get no RFE and get the case closed.

that's it for evidence though? I hope you side load a little at the NVC or bring some to the interview.

Even I sent more than that from Canada.

FYI: you only need a birth certificate or passport copy to prove citizenship, not both, unless you were using the passport to show you've visited.

That's all for evidence when I submitted for I-130. Just wanted to establish the we have a bonafide relationship. I did not want to overload with too much. I will save the rest of evidence for the interview.

What invoice are you referring to? I believe they will contact you/your fiancé with a interview date after the embassy receives your petition.

I saw somewhere that in order to complete the DS-260 on-line you would need the NVC Case number and Invoice ID number.

That's it?

Apologies - I should have mentioned the rest.

I-130 Cover Sheet

Form I-130

USCIS Filing Fee of $420 (Check)

Form G-325A – U.S. Citizen

Form G-325A– Foreign Spouse

USCIS color photograph - U.S. Citizen

USCIS color photograph - Foreign National Spouse

Copy of Marriage Certificate

Translation of Marriage Certificate

Copy of valid US passport - U.S. Citizen

Copy of Birth Certificate – U.S. Citizen

Copy of Divorce Decree from Previous Marriage - U.S. Citizen

Translation of Divorce Decree from Previous Marriage – U.S. Citizen

Copy of Affidavit of Third Party

Copy of Affidavit of Third Party

6 photos of us together

Copy of adding spouse as beneficiary to 401k

I-130 approved on 7/22 and sent to NVC. I did not get an email - only the actual NOA2 in the mail.

What happens next?

Will I get a notification that NVC has received my case and assign a Case # and Invoice ID? How long does it take to get case # and Invoice? Do I need to contact them for this?

Thanks.

If you think you don't have enough evidence, then the affidavits would be advisable.

I sent:

2 affidavits of family member and friend confirming our relationship

2 wedding pictures and 4 regular pictures of us together.

print out of having my spouse as beneficiary if I pass away.

My I-130 was just recently approved.

WOW!!! congratulations! I was looking at your timeline, my husband is from DR , and my NO1 date is a little behind yours. I wish you good luck with the rest of this long journey. I hope I will be approved soon, going to see my husband on Aug ,30.

Thanks oksmel. You should be receiving you NOA2 soon. It's very emotional getting the notice especially after just visiting her. I was sad boarding that plane back to home without her....we just had an amazing time together. When I got home and saw the letter I called her immediately to share the good news. Hang in there and good luck.

So I just got back today from visiting my lovely wife in DR.......and to my surprise I have my approval notice (NOA2) today!!...wooo hoooo!!!

The approval date was July 22nd. The longest wait is finally over and now we can continue the rest of the process. Hang in there to all who March petitioners....you will get your approvals soon.

I only sent one if each... You should be fine

Hello Walter,

We are in the same phase but still now we havent heard anything from chicago lockbox yet? have you received text already?

Hi BarryPrincess,

Yes - I received an email and text that my application has been accepted and sent to Nebraska for processing. I should receive the official letter in the mail soon. The check has already cleared.....so now the waiting game begins.

So I got a rejection because usps delivered a damaged package and the money orders are no where to be found!!!!! Well here goes my luck

Sorry to hear - but get right back at it.

Resend using Fed Ex or UPS. I believe it would be another address if you decide to use private mail. Check the I-130 instructions to confirm.

Congratulations Walter, it is your NOA1. YAY one of us down.. me I am still waiting..... ??????

Thanks - I know it's the first step and then the anguish of waiting at least 5 months begins. But exciting nonetheless.

I will occupy my time learning as much as I can about the next steps and preparing.

The cold is gone- Spring is here....time to hit the gym and keep myself busy while playing the waiting game.

Basically once you have your receipt number, that's your NOA1. Congratulations. All the best!

Awesome!!!

Thanks mbalih

Ok...so I received this in my email inbox this evening:

"Your case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS Nebraska Service Center for processing. Within 7-10 days by standard mail you will receive your official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) with your Receipt Number XXXXXXXXXXXXX. With the official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) you may visit www.uscis.gov where you can check the status of your case using My Case Status. We suggest you wait until you have received your Form I-797 before checking My Case Status."

When I receive the official Receipt Notice within7-10 business days - would that be considered as my NOA1?

Or can I consider the email as my NOA1 and update my timeline with today's date as receiving my NOA1?

I want to be as accurate as possible with dating my timeline.

Does anyone have NOA1 yet?

I'll be posting as soon as I get that NOA1

Yayyy Walter welcome, and your Package sounds perfect. I am praying for Texas so I will be praying for you to go to Texas as well.....

My update still have not heard from USCIS, I am praying that I do by tomorrow, I hate waitng but all good things come with patience.

Thanks so much. Is Texas processing going fast these days?

I have low patience too....Just trying to keep myself busy at all times with work. I actually am taking a hobby in cooking to keep my mind busy when I get home....and have lovely meals

Hello VJ Family!!

I submitted the I-130 petition for my wife yesterday (3/05/2015) to the Chicago Lockbox. My wife currently resides in the Dominican Republic. I know it's a long road ahead but this is the first step and it felt so emotional and exciting. I'm sure there will be many questions I will have. I will keep updating my timeline as time progresses.

This is the package I sent to USCIS:

• I-130 Cover Letter
• G-1145 e-Notification
• Form I-130
• USCIS Filing Fee of $420
• Form G-325A - US Citizen (Me)
• Form G-325A - Foreign Spouse
• USCIS color photograph - US Citizen
• USCIS color photograph - Foreing Spouse
• Copy of Long Form Marriage Certificate
• Translation of Marriage Certificate
• Copy of valid US Passport - US Citizen
• Copy of Long Form Birth Certificate - US Citizen
• Copy of Divorce Decree from previous marriage - US Citizen
• Copy of 401k Beneficiary updated to Foreing Spouse
• 2 Copies Affidavit of Third Party
• 10 Photos of us together - 2 of Wedding and 8 of normal activities

Hopefully this will be enough and I don't receive an RFE.