Moonrising

my case was complete on June 23th, I received an Email from NVC saying the case is in queue awaiting an interview appointment overseas. My interview is supposed to be in the Jerusalem consulate. Does anybody know how long it takes for this consulate to schedule a CR-1 visa interview?

is it a busy consulate??

Please help!! this process been taking way too lonnnng

Hi JusticeWarrior67, Did you get your interview date yet?

Our case was completed on August 11th of last year and our interview date was nearly 2 months later on October 8th which did seem like a very long time. Mind you there were several Jewish and Muslim holidays in the interim, plus Labor Day, and I do think that delayed things. It was difficult waiting, but we made it. Things can change quickly, I remember calling NVC on September 10th to inquire about our case and they said the consulate was done scheduling October interviews. I called back the next day just for the heck of it and they said we had an interview date in early October! So don't despair, it will happen soon enough!

Hi Ammali,

It's been a while! How did everything work out for you? How was the interview and did your wife get the visa? Is she with you in the US yet?

We're doing well, my hubby got a job in early January but had to wait a while for his SSN. It only came in early February. It all seems random because I know another immigrant who got her SSN quickly but it took a long time to get the green card (for us it was opposite). More good things came in early February too - I had the baby - a girl!

Sending everyone spring greetings from Boston

Moonrising! I'm so glad to hear from you and even more happy to know that you guys have settled now. This is awesome!

I can't believe it was 72F in Boston on Christmas Eve lool - Man that is hot for Bostonians lol - I live in the south and it was dern hot as well.

I wonder why it takes that long to get SSN? I remember mine took 2 weeks back then, and you're right, you gotta have your SSN to be able to work, about the drivers license, each State has it own rules, in MS I did not have to take the driving test, I only took the written test and they switched my original Jordanian license. Ask the RMV about the possibility of switchin the Israeli license with MA one without taking the driving test, just the written test, which is easy.

On financial things, once he gets his SSN, try to build up his credit, take babe steps in doing so, small loan at a time and build up. This is what I did, and gladly after 10 years I built an excellent credit, I bought a house and everything.

I booked my flight ticket to fly over to Jordan and Jerusalem, I will try to be there at the interview, hoping they will let me in, I will probebly need your help finding a Palestinian owned taxi driver who would take me stright to the Consulate, if you could PM me some names and numbers, I'd appreciate it.

P.S. I got the interview letter in email today, listing the documents they want to bring to the interview.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Ammali, that's great news! Mabrouk! Inshallah the interview will go very smoothly and your wife can join you soon.

We've been in Boston almost 2 months already and are loving every second of it. House is all set up, my son is in school, husband found a job, and we are eagerly awaiting the birth of our second child next month.

Hopefully more useful info for the people on this thread - my husband got his green card in the mail last week, so about 6 weeks after arriving. In the meantime though the immigration visa in the passport and evidence of entry was fine and he could have started working with it (as I was told). What's taking longer is the social security number - they said it would take 5-7 weeks but we haven't gotten it yet. Not having a SSN is a bit of a handicap as there are many things you can't do without it (get a credit card, apply for a loan, in some states like MA get a drivers license). My husband got an international drivers license before we left Jerusalem so he's been driving on that along with his Israeli license (and was able to get on our car insurance with it). At the RMV they told us he can do that for up to a year, but as soon as he gets the SSN he will get a MA license (which requires that he take the driving test!). I'm glad he got the international drivers license before leaving, I wonder if the rules differ in other states.

In terms of financial things we've done everything else under my SSN so it hasn't been too bad. He starts his job on January 4th, I hope he will get the social security number before then, but in a pinch he does have a tax identification number that he's had for several years (as we had been filing joint taxes since getting married).

Happy New Year everyone! Hope to hear the good news from others on their journey to the US.

Hey Moonrising and everyone,

I'm back with GOOD NEWS!

I finally got a Case Complete on Dec. 15, 2015

And finally today Dec. 28, 2015 I got an interview date scheduled on Feb. 04, 2016

This is one of the best thread!!!! It has all the information that Jerusalem's applicants needs to know. Will keep it up for the good work!!!

Thanks to Moonrising and everyone.

Hey everyone!!! So I have good news today the embassy called my husband and told him his administrative processing is over and he's approved!!!! They asked him to mail in his passport!!!!!!! I'm so happy that was way shorter that I expected about two weeks so there is hope for everyone else!!! Good luck to everyone!

Such great news - congratulations! It will not take long for him to get his visa. 1 week probably. My husband's was ready in essentially 2 business days and we received it 10 days later (only took that long because of a 2 day holiday and 2 day weekend in that period).

This is also really encouraging for those who might get "administrative processing" - it does not always mean a long process.

Just for you to be aware, you will now see "administrative processing" on the CEAC status website - this only means they are printing the visa in his passport. It will soon turn to "Issued," you can see when they last updated the status and that will give you an idea of when the courier picked it up. In our case it said "Issued" on the 14th, and then the same status but updated on the 16th - I knew then that Wassel had picked it up.

So it sounds like no big deal, thanks for the advice.

Hi VJ folks,

I picked up my husband's IR 1 immigration visa packet & passport from the courier today, on the front of the immigration packet (that big envelope that the immigration officer opens at the POE), there is a summary page stapled to it. They listed his occupation as "physician" but this is incorrect. Nowhere in the DS-260 did we ever say he is a doctor, we listed his current occupation under the heading "Medical/Health" as he is a Music Therapist, and we said the intended occupation in the US is "Other" and then specified Music Therapist / Psychotherapist. The reason we chose that as the intended occupation in the US is because then we could write his specific profession in a box under; that was not an option if we chose "Medical/Health."

I have no idea how they came up with his current occupation as physician - even the heading "Medical/Health" could be many professions apart from a doctor (nurse, physician's assistant, lab technician, psychologist, etc.).

Is this somehow going to be a problem? How do we fix it? Should we even bother to fix it? I hate the thought of any further delays!!

Thank you!

I live with my husband outside of the country (soon moving back to US now that he got his immigration visa!), we answered no and there was no issue whatsoever. At the interview the CO asked what are our plans to establish a life in the US, I answered that I was not planning to work but we were going to move into our house, register our son for school and that my husband would look for a job. That seemed to satisfy her.

Answer "No," the purpose is for legal immigration based on family relationship, not illegal labor (and I suspect this is what the question is really asking).

The fact is, the people at NVC who answer the phones don't know when scheduling has ended. I've been closely watching case complete to interview threads for a few months, and several times people have reported being told that scheduling is done, and meanwhile people are posting that they just got an interview date. One NVC operator was honest when she said to me, "I don't know what embassies have sent slots, or when, and I don't know if they're done yet."

I've just called the NVC .. The representative told me that they are done with scheduling for November and will start scheduling for December by The early beginning of the next month. I'm very disappointed!

Agree with Lowlie. This happened to me last month. I called on September 10th and they said scheduling was winding down for October and if I hadn't heard by then it was unlikely we were going to get our interview in October.

I wrote on the forum to tell everyone what the rep said, Dwheels76 said people could still get informed of October interviews. I called back the next day to ask for clarification on something the agent told me the day before, got the same one, and as she was explaining she said wait a second, your husband just got scheduled this morning for October 8th.

So don't lose all hope for November yet. My heart goes out to you guys in Egypt and other countries who are going on 4,5,6+ months waiting for interview dates. The wait between CC and interview date was for me by far the hardest part of this whole process and we didn't as long as many of you have. Keeping you all in my thoughts!

After calling NVC everyday, all sudden today they called me! Stated that they are missing the marriage termination document for my wife, I argued with the Rep. for 15 minutes, I have sent all of the supporting documents on June 5 and I'm 100% sure the divorce papers are in the package. I have called tremendous times and they all told me we got your supporting documents and there is nothing MISSING!!! plus, I did not get any check list for the missing document!

The Rep. said, I have 2 choices, One, a supervisor will search for the missing document and it will take 42 days, or mail the missing document and it will take 30 days to review. my case put on a supervisor review on Spet. 9th, and I'm almost done with 42 days to be reviewed, and today I got this call. Does that making any sense to any one? this is how their fraudulent way of delaying my case & others and lying with their excuse of missing a document to put my case again on another 42 30 1000 days to be reviewed! I was mad on the phone, it's ridciouscly unbelievable!!!

I went to the post office and mailed the document, but I'm not very optimistic, there seems to be no ending to this journey.

That's ridiculous! I don't know what to say except it's completely unfair. I would inform your Senator's office about this latest development and also post this in another one of the Visa Journey forums and see what other people say. There's one called scan dates/case complete/interview - sounds like it would be appropriate to share your story there, only because I really have no idea what to tell you, no idea of what your options are at this point.

I also thought if there's a missing paper you get a checklist. NVC sometimes does lose or misplace papers in people's files. They gave us a checklist for a paper they claimed was missing but which we also thought had been submitted, we still got CC without it and they said we could bring it to the interview. At the interview the CO never asked for it.

How many days has it been now since your scan date?

Sorry Ammali - tough luck!

Ahhhhhh. Our status is now issued!!

Excellent! Congratulations!

Thank you Moonrising this is kind of what I thought but didn't dare hope until someone else said it. Good luck to both of us and congratulations on you husband's approval.

P.S. I just checked our status again - visa has been issued! Took essentially 2 days since Consulate was closed on Friday and Monday for Columbus day holiday.

Hang in there Dyattaw!

Omg I had thought that my wife might be coming home this weekend after an approved interview last Thursday. We even were able to pay the Ellis fee. Now though as I was hoping to see the status change to issued last night it has instead changed to the dreaded AP. It's still that way tonight and all the stories about people waiting for months with that status are running thru my head. I just want it to be over and reunited at last. ?

If she was told at the interview that she was approved and didn't receive a 221g letter, then the AP probably indicates they are printing the visa in her passport. There's administrative processing and then there's ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING. As I understand it, all visas go through the former, the more problematic one (possibly, not always) is the latter and you would have gotten a 221g letter or told at the interview your case needs further administrative processing. That's the one that takes possibly months (but not always).

My husband's interview was on October 8th and he was approved and they kept his passport. I also saw his status as "administrative processing" yesterday - made my heart skip a beat for a second, but I believe it's a good sign.

I read elsewhere on VJ that all visas even approved will go through a period of administrative processing, it's just the status they put whenever they are doing something to it. In your case it's probably just printing your wife's visa in her passport and getting her immigration packet ready. You will be reunited soon enough!

Yep, lets hope a Senator can do something,

Also, I was wondering if I could attend the interview with my wife? Would that be helpful? Though, she does not speak fluent English, I'm thinking to fly over there once I get the interview date. Would you recommend that? Thank you.

They let me in to the interview with my husband though I was really surprised and not expecting that. Maybe because his interview was so early and there were so few people in the Consulate at the time. It might be worth emailing them beforehand to make sure you can attend the interview before you finalize travel plans.

I was definitely glad I could attend, but I'm not sure if it made much difference in the outcome. It felt like it helped, but maybe it's just psychological on our part.

I wouldn't worry about the language issue. Of the 3 steps we went through at the Consulate, 2 were exclusively in Arabic with native Arabic speakers, it was only the actual interview with Consular Officer that could be partially in English, but even she spoke Arabic (heavily accented, but understandable). I noticed for one of the other applicants she called over a translator too when she felt she could not fully explain in Arabic. I'm sure they have the same type of situation for Hebrew speakers, they don't seem to mind at all to do the interview in a local language. In any case if your wife does decide to do part of the interview in English, and at any point she doesn't understand something, I think it's much better for her to say "I don't understand" and ask for translation rather than answer incorrectly in English!

Moonrising! This is amazing!!! you guys did very well!!! and thanks for all of the heads up and the details.

Question: Did they return the original documents back to you guys? or they kept them?

BTW: I went to the Senator's office today, I gave them my case info and they will look in to it and call NVC - of course I have been calling NVC for the past 5 days, and they just keep lying to me.

What a nightmare Ammali. So sorry you have to go through all of this! I'm sure flagging this to your Senator will help - I read on other VJ forums that it does make a difference.

Yes we got our originals back (marriage license & birth certificate). We only realized later in the day that they didn't give us back his original UK police certificate so I emailed them and asked them to include it with his passport when they send by Wassel. I think it was just an oversight on their part, and hopefully it won't be a problem to send back. It's not even that big of a deal if we don't get it back, I don't think we'll need it again for anything, just it was a hassle and quite expensive to get.

My wife interview is in November I was wondering how long until she get her passport back after can you please let us know how long does it take to get your passport back??

And can you please go more into details about the questions they asked and would they need pictures of the wedding and stuff like that?

Hi Jorag,

Yes sure I'll let you all know when we get the passport back. We will be counting the days!

I am putting more details on the questions we were asked below. They can definitely ask for proof that your relationship is "bona fide" so that includes wedding pictures, phone logs, chat logs, letters, proof of visits you made to each other, etc. This is particularly the case if you got married 2 years ago or less, also maybe based on the specific circumstances of your relationship (how you met, circumstances of your marriage, how often you communicate/see each other, etc.). I didn't bring wedding pictures (though I had submitted them for the I-130 petition) because we've been married for 11 years and have an 8 year old son (and I'm currently 6 months pregnant). I didn't think they would be so focused on the "bona fides" of our relationship, though they did ask a few questions to make sure (see the first questions below). I think they have to cover that in some way at least.

I would categorize the questions they asked as:

1) verifying the basics of our relationship (that we're legitimately married, have been living together)

2) verifying that we have plans to establish a life in the US together (only 1 question on this)

3) verifying that my husband had all of the needed police certificates to cover where he's lived as an adult (specific to his situation)

I'm not sure this will be the same for everyone, I think it depends on your specific circumstances, but I would think you could get some questions in each of those categories (bone fides of marriage, plans for US, specific issues with your case). Maybe MrsMansour0809 can tell us more the questions her husband were asked so we can compare.

For those interested, here are more details of our interview:

We went in to the section on the far right. After 20 minutes they called my husband to one window where they took his original papers that were listed in the interview letter (medical exam, passport, 2 photos, birth certificate and copy, marriage certificate and copy, original UK police certificate and copy). My husband said the lady didn't actually ask for the the copies, but he gave them and she took them (so have a copy of each just in case). She gave him the pamphlet about domestic violence and asked him to sit down and read it.

After 10 minutes he was called by the American Consular Officer, this is when I went with him to the window. She asked my name but I didn't have to show my passport. Then she said she was going to ask us some questions about our file that would hopefully prevent the need for further papers, but first she would need to put both of us under oath. We raised our right hands and answered "yes" that all of the information in our file was true and correct to the best of our knowledge.

She took his fingerprints and then asked the following questions:

-How did you meet? (I said through a mutual friend, here)

-To me: So you were here? What were you doing? (working)

-When was your wedding? (we both answered this together)

-Have we been living here ever since? (yes)

-Do we have children (yes)

-How many? (1 and 1 on the way - to which she said "yes, I read that in your file" - although it's pretty obvious now, this was mentioned in only 1 or 2 places in the huge stack of documents we had provided, so it was clear that she had read our file very well)

-What are your plans in the US, what are you planning to do for work? (I'm not planning to work for a while I'll be home with the new baby, we plan to live in our house, register our son for school, my husband will look for work).

-Is the house in both of your names? (no, just mine)

(I had been doing most of the talking up to this point apart from the question about our wedding date, she kind of looked at my husband and I felt like I should shut up so for the rest of the interview I tried to stay silent!)

-You're living in Jerusalem now? (husband - yes)

-But you lived in the UK for some time? (husband - I did my masters there but traveled back and forth several times because my wife and son were living here, and I got a UK police certificate which is in my file)

-Did you ever live in Jordan? (no, I worked there but I didn't live there, I commuted, would go in the morning and come in the evening) {more proof that she had carefully read our documents}

-Did you ever live in the West Bank? (yes, when I was a kid)

-But not as an adult? (he is a Jerusalem ID holder, he got an Israeli police certificate but got a Palestinian non-conviction certificate last week because a lady from the Consulate called him and was asking him about living in the WB. She wasn't clear if he needed it, but we decided to get it just in case. The Consular Officer didn't push this issue and his answer satisfied her, so she didn't ask for any further papers).

At some point in the beginning, not sure if it was before the oath or after, she asked if my husband had read the pamphlet about domestic violence and did he understand it.

Then she said - "you qualify for a visa, you're approved, congratulations."

We again took a seat and 5 minutes later were called into the little glass room on the far right (window 19) - but the door was open the whole time. I also went up with him to this window. A young Palestinian woman told us that they were going to keep his passport and print the visa in it, she didn't give a definite date but it sounds like very soon. She said we'll also get a sealed immigrant packet - don't open it, take care of this packet, travel with it in your carry-on so that you can present it at the airport you first land in the US, the immigration officer will open it then. We will also get a paper for the green card fee, we should pay this online, preferably before we leave for the US. And again about the domestic violence thing how it won't affect his immigration status (!). We gave her the courier envelope, I tried to ask what status we'd see online during the processing, she didn't know what I meant by this, just said something like you'll get it soon. It wasn't so important, I just wondered about the administrative processing thing, I can look it up on VJ anyhow.

So that's it! It was good, yes stressful, but the Consular Officer was nice, obviously knew everything in our file, and asked just a few simple questions, wanted to check on a couple of things but overall it seems the decision was already made. We didn't need that huge file I had prepared (copies of everything we had submitted to NVC), just the original documents and things mentioned in the interview letter. But it was a relief knowing we had everything on hand in case they asked for a paper.

I would advise everyone to bring copies of everything you have submitted to NVC just in case. I overheard 2 other interviews while there (because there's no privacy and you can hear everything they are saying at the windows), those other 2 also seemed to take the same time as ours. One of them was MrsMansour's husband. I had this feeling that the decisions were already or nearly already made for all of us and the interview was just to confirm some details. But this is just the feeling I had, not sure if it's right.

Happy to answer any other questions you might have.

We had our interview this morning in Jerusalem, and have been approved!

Surprisingly I was allowed to go in my husband and took the oath and did interview with him. Questions were very straightforward, obvious the CO had read all of our papers and knew our case well. Glad to know that someone read the substantial file we had prepared with such thought and effort. They didn't even ask for a paper we got in a checklist back in August (though of course we had it), they only asked for the original civil docs, passport and photos mentioned in the interview letter. The thick file we had with copies of everything we ever sent to NVC remained unopened. The CO was very nice, at some point I felt like I was doing too much talking (she started glancing over to my husband) so I just stayed quiet and let him take over.

At the end she said "you qualify for a visa, you're approved, congratulations!"

His visa is now being printed in his passport, they didn't say how long it will take, but it sounds like we'll get it back within a week or 10 days.

A big thanks to everyone on VJ and a special shout out dhwheels for sharing advice & experiences - what a great community here!

dhwheels please update our status!

Hello Friends!

We had our interview today and were approved!!!!

Whole process took us 1 hour (our interview was at 8:30, we arrived at the window outside at 8:00, there was no line, we got in very easily. I was surprised but they let me in with him, it wasn't an issue at all). There were only 2 other people waiting for immigrant visa interviews inside and a couple for non-immigrant. After 8:30 things started to pick up with more people arriving and the American Citizens Services starting getting busy too. We were called up to windows 3 times - first time with a Palestinian lady to give the passport, photos and original docs listed in the interview letter. The second time was with the American Consular Officer for the actual interview (she spoke some Arabic though we did everything in English with her). The third time was with another Palestinian lady to know what to expect next (visa going for printing in the passport, we'll get it and sealed immigration packet which we should not open, they will do this at the border. There will be a $165 green card fee to pay, etc.). At all stages they mention about US law that if the immigrant is a victim of domestic violence this doesn't affect their immigration status. They gave a brochure about it in Arabic too, and the CO asked if my husband had read and understood it. Even the last visit at the window the lady mentioned it, they really make sure you understand this issue.

At stage two, the actual interview with the American CO, I went up to the window with my husband, we both took the oath and answered questions. At some point I felt like I was doing too much talking (the CO kind of looked at my husband, I took that as a cue to let him take over) so I stayed quiet for the rest. The interview was quick - less than 10 minutes.

We've been married for 11 years, so I wasn't expecting the question "how did you meet" - it was ages ago! But it was totally within her right to ask, we answered simply and truthfully, and the rest of the questions were pretty straightforward. After the "how did you meet" question (which I answered) she clarified if I had been here when we met, I said yes, she said what were you doing (working). Then, "when was your wedding," "have you been living together ever since," "do you have children," "how many," "what are you planning to do in the US in terms of work." She also asked him some questions about where he's lived in the past and currently lives now. At the end she said "you qualify for a visa, you're approved, congratulations!"

We had a nice lady, she obviously had done her homework and read our file thoroughly. When we said we have 1 child and one on the way she said "yes, I read that in your file" - we had only mentioned it on one or two papers and I submitted a large file to NVC - so it was clear that she knew the specifics of our case well (granted, I am now visibly pregnant, but I believe her that she knew from our file). Her questions to my husband about where he had lived also showed she knew her stuff. It was good to know that someone had read everything that had taken us so much thought and effort to put together!

We were out of the Consulate at 9:00. By then there was a line outside up to the window. So even if having an early interview is challenging for the West Bankers in terms of getting there, it's not a bad thing because you can finish quickly.

I'm glad I went, I think it helped, though I know that not everyone has that luxury to attend with their spouses. Also maybe it's because we had an early appointment and there weren't many people in the Consulate at that time - not sure they would have let me in if it was later and busier.

We had gotten a checklist from NVC back in August asking for us to submit a paper during the interview. We brought it but no one ever asked to see it. We only showed the documents mentioned in the interview letter. We had a big file of everything we'd ever sent to NVC (AOS and IV papers and such) but we didn't need to open it once.

Hoping we get the passport back soon. They didn't tell us an exact date, but made it sound like a matter of a week or 10 days. We're hoping to leave in early November, but I won't book tickets until we get the passport back!

Thanks to everyone here for all the support and good luck!

I called NVC today, at first, the Rep. hesitated to let me speak to a supervisor, and finally she agreed, then came back saying she could get a hold of one, before I hang up, I asked her to try one more time, she did, and she spoke with the supervisor who told her to let me know that they will review my case and complete tomorrow, then they will schedule an interview after that. I don't know to believe it or not lool but fingers crossed!

I will call again tomorrow, just to check.

Good! At least there is some progress. I would definitely call them again today to check (maybe end of day though).

My hubby's interview is tomorrow (also MrsMansour0809's husband's). Wish us luck! I'll post after and let you know how it went.

Ok I'm glad you let us know, and that is fair if other blood works requested, I think what they have on their instructions are the intial price, and if there extra lab test, will be extra...

Still waiting for a CC - I don't know what to do, I've seen cases that dated way after me and they got CC'ed - it's frustrating, I will call them tomorrow morning, and if nothing, I'm visit my senator office, to ask if possible they can inquiry on my case.

I was wondering how people could enter Jerusalem, when it's currently closed, and how safe is it going to be the trip to West Jerusalem to the Consulate? which is safest method of trasportation and/or better check point to enter the west side of the City if there any?

Still no CC?! That's crazy Ammali, definitely call NVC and ask to speak to a supervisor. Didn't they say anyway it needs supervisor review? Then yes, definitely go through your Congressperson.

Jerusalem is not exactly closed, but the situation is not good right now. Palestinians are not allowed into the Old City (unless they live there), but that doesn't affect going to the Consulate. There are problems in several E. Jerusalem neighborhoods, but they can be avoided and at least yesterday people were still going about their daily routines. The checkpoints are messed up but as far as I know West Bank permit holders are not being denied entry. It might be challenging to go and apply for a permit right now, at least in Ramallah, because there have been some problems in the area of the DCO.

There are two main checkpoints into Jerusalem that West Bankers use - Qalandia and Bethlehem. There's not really a 'better' one out of the two, your relatives will be crossing the one that's closest to them and in the past few days there have been clashes at both. Both are very busy always, with thousands of people crossing them daily, usually the early mornings there's lots of traffic and tons of people; clashes (if they will happen) aren't common in the morning, more likely midday until evening. However, this morning I think there are problems at Qalandia, so it's quite possible the AM commute will be affected.

The situation is quite fluid these days so it's hard to predict what will happen today, nevermind a few weeks from now. My advice is don't start worrying about it until you have to.

On the day of the interview get a private taxi to meet your relative on the Jerusalem side of the checkpoint and go straight to the Consulate. It's the safest and fastest way. There are plenty of Palestinian owned taxi companies in East Jerusalem, message me if you need some names/numbers.

I went today to pick up the medical packet for my husband. I asked Dr. Fahed Khalaf why he charged us 750 NIS when the Consulate website says it should only cost 630 NIS. He said he requested an additional blood test to check for immunity against chicken pox, and that this costs another 120 NIS. So fair enough, just wanted to let you all know.

Ammali, any update on your case?

Almost 30 days ago I mailed the completed packet to the NVC, and was told to wait 30 days for a response of either a request for more information, or an interview date for my wife. I was meticulous in putting the packet together and knew everything was in order.

The problem is now the police records. In Israel, the police department will only send the records directly to the embassy or consulate. When I called to NVC to verify everything before sending, she informed me of this practice before I could even mention it. The woman on the phone told me the NVC is aware of it, but just to be careful I should write an explanation of it in a letter to be included in the packet. I followed this advice, yet yesterday we received an email that we were hoping would be the interview date, yet ended up being a request for more information. The request for the Israeli police documents in the NVC's own instructions states that the police records can only be sent to the embassy or consulate.

This is beyond frustrating as most of you can probably imagine. This is a BLATANT error on their part, and is now costing my wife and I in more ways than one. We have been separated now for many months already, and this is unacceptable. They are of course closed on the weekends so I can't call to see what they say.

Has anyone else had something like this happen? Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

My husband is a Palestinian Jerusalem (Israeli-issued) ID holder. We were actually able to get a print-out of the police certificate and send it along to the NVC when we submitted our paperwork back in July. He did it at the Davidka police station on Yaffa Street in Jerusalem. However, we also went in August and requested it to be sent directly to the US Consulate in Jerusalem, because we know that they only accept it directly from the police themselves (when we did that we went to the Neve Ya'kov police station). In our interview letter, it says they only got a photocopy of the Israeli police certificate and that we should bring the original along with us to the interview. I've already confirmed the Consulate received his criminal register certificate directly from the Israeli police, but we also have the original of the paper we sent to NVC just in case. His interview this Thursday, last Thursday someone from the Consulate called him about some other things his DS-260 that we need to edit, they didn't mention anything about the Israeli police certificate. So I'm sure we're ok on that.

As others have said, I think you should call NVC and explain the situation to the rep, or ask to speak to a supervisor. NVC usually knows about the Consulates who need the police certificate sent directly to them. It must have been a new employee or an oversight on their part. It should be something that could be resolved quickly, though I'm sorry it has delayed you.

Good luck.

Thanks again.

I will get him do that. We are going to call the embassy again tomorrow just in case.

I didn't know that the embassy would ask us to bring additional financial documents. I kinda thought it's nvc's job. I hope everything goes well next week!

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for answering!

Sorry I didn't provide enough info.

He used to work in Japan before he left in last June. He now lives and works in the states.

So the W-2 form we sent doesn't include the US income. That is why we sent NVC his invoices and contract.

Our case was complete on September 8th and our case is now at the embassy and the email was from embassy.

Our interview is just a week away and I'm not sure all the joint sponsor documents would be here by then. I'm so freaked out.

I understand, when you submitted your AOS documents he hadn't yet gotten a W-2 from his new US job. But now he must have at least a couple of W-2s. If I was in your position I would get him to overnight them to you along with any other proof or clarification that this is a US-based job, and maybe even proof that he resides in the US (lease in his name, recent electric bill in his name, etc.). Hopefully you could get that before your interview. It's clear that the Embassy wants some additional proof, so I think you have to provide it. If he has assets that meet the requirements, let him submit proof of that too (why not, it could only help I think). If you don't have the additional paperwork by the time of the interview, you could try to explain to the CO what you had already submitted, but you may also have to accept that they could ask for the papers anyhow (and then this may delay your approval).

Get him to send a package ASAP!

I need help. A week before my interview, I received a letter about additional documents I need to bring to the interview.

And it said;

1. Even if the sponsors current income overseas exceeds the 125 percent minimum income level, this income cannot be considered sufficient if the petitioner must leave that income source (job) in order to return to the U.S. The income source or employment must continue in the U.S. while the beneficiary is immigrating to the U.S. Please submit the total value of your assets equal at least three times of the current poverty guidelines (I-864P) for your household size.

If you cannot submit your assets, please provide completed I-864 with supporting documents from the joint sponsor. A joint sponsor must attach photocopies of the most recent of Federal income tax return or IRS transcript of the filing, proof of U.S. citizenship; U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport with completed form I-864. If a joint sponsor is using only his/her own income, he/she must also submit his/her W2 form. If a joint sponsor would like to use his/her household members income or assets, please provide household members form I-864A.

My husband has a job in the states and we provided NVC the invoices and the contract. And his income is above poverty line. Do I still need those documents? I've called the embassy but the agent couldn't answer my question because all she could answer was non immigrant visa related, even though I called the immigrant visa related line.

It sounds like they think your husband has a job outside of the US that he will have to leave when moving back to the US when you get your green card. Were you very clear on all of your forms that his residence/domicile is the US? I would call NVC about this and ask what's going on, tell them you submitted all of this before. But no matter what they say, have everything they asked for in that letter at your interview, if you are sure all of your papers are in order and your husband has US-based income and his domicile is in the US then it should be ok. Make sure you have originals and copies of your husband's W-2 forms, you mentioned you gave NVC "the invoices and contract." W-2s are definite proof of US income, if you didn't submit them before you should now.

I did not see your letter or any interview letter as I am still waiting for my interview. But based on what you said, if they ask to bring the Financial Evidence to the interview then we need to bring the following originals whatever available (based on your situation)

1. I-864 signed by the sponsors originals. Even if you submit the original it's always better to carry another one to the interview.

2. The W-2's (Originals)

3. Employment letter showing the salary (original)

4. Tax returns or tax transcripts or both. (Original or copy depending on what you submitted to NVC)

5. Paystubs Originals

It's always better to carry more to save the time. Basically we want to prove that there is sufficient finance available. If we could able to show the original W2's, Employment letter showing the salary, Tax Returns or tax transcripts then the officer will have confidence and they can approve immediately. If we carry the copies then they can always say that provide the originals to approve which could delay the process.

If we just show I-864 original they might ask the income proof like original W2s, Salary Certificates, Pay checks etc. We have already submitted these to NVC but we submitted only copies. We should be able to show all the origials at the interview for which we submitted copies to NVC. We only submit original for I-864 only but not any original for W2, pay checks, employment letter etc.

Quick question - I live abroad with my husband (the intending immigrant) and don't have US-based income so we got my father as the joint sponsor. He is the one with the W-2s, not me. It's not feasible for him to send me his original W-2s or other original documents (like his birth certificate - he sent me a scanned copy). I called NVC and they said it's ok to bring copies of these things but I thought I would ask you guys because we all know they don't always give reliable information.

Can anyone share their experience with this? Perhaps dhwheels, do you know if copies are ok? He will send me an original updated I-864 (new form) but it's hard to get important original documents that aren't easily replaced from a sponsor who isn't the spouse and who's not in the same country. Are they going to give us a problem?