Thesmiths2016

Funny story ...
Back on March 22nd I emailed for an expedite, asking if the embassy can request my file and process it at their office, instead of waiting for NVC.  I had already been approved for an expedite at interview stage, meaning I don't wait for the "scheduling week" for them to pick a date.  
I didn't hear back.
On 14th April I got case complete at 10 weeks 4 days. 
 
Then today ... I received an email from NVC expedite that the embassy had agreed to expedite my case and that my file would be sent to them immediately, for them to review my documents instead.  Except the NVC already did that so they're too late for it to have any impact lol.  Bit of a kick in the teeth to have that happen AFTER my case complete lol. 
 
Oh well, at least I'm onto the next stage.  That's my funny story for today haha. 

I've contacted the embassy just to make sure they don't take the time to review my documents all over again!  I also called the medical centres for costs etc and next appt times, so that as soon as the embassy gives me my medical paperwork (they have to do it in that order here) I can book in for hopefully next week. 

Can't believe after all this time the end of this process is in sight! It's almost surreal :-) 

I asked NVC how long it takes for the embassy to receive my file .... they said its hard to say as each is different but many get it within a week. I also know for my embassy that they receive it within a week, from others who have been ahead of me in this process.  I guess NVC sends it within a few days, and its up to the embassy and their incoming mail how fast they "receipt it"

not sure if its the same there, but here in NZ when you get the US CRBA you get the US Passport and social security number at the same time.  We did that, then got bubs NZ passport at the same time ... both arrived within a week of each other, so our little one has dual citizenship and dual passports. The world is hers to explore just like it will be for your little one :-)

Off topic, but I just lived in Melbourne for 6 years (now back in NZ). Small world!

That's great, it means they're happy with your documents enough to not hold it up at NVC, but that the embassy will need the W2.  Try giving them a call if you're unsure about whether it was included, perhaps they're wanting this years one?  Either way, they should be able to tell you over the phone or wait til the embassy has your file and contact them perhaps?
PS: congrats on case complete!

That sux. We were potentially going to have to do the same as I was a new zealander living in Australia when we applied, but I moved since, back to New Zealand.  We, like you, don't have a "visa" to show for Australia because we can just live there.  I don't believe they list it as a requirement because its not common for people to be able to live elsewhere without visas, I would call your US embassy office where you will be interviewed and ask what you can provide as proof. Perhaps they can override the NVC's request?  Or perhaps they can tell you what you need to obtain that will meet their requirements. Remember NVC is just the collector of documents, not the approver of visas, so ultimately its the embassy that decides.

Finally I get to join you all here.  Case Complete 14th April, 10 weeks 4 days from my scan date 31st jan.
Now to wait for the embassy to do their thing and give me an interview date.  I have to drive 2hrs plus traffic to get my medical, drop off documents to the embassy ours requires originals one week prior to the interview), then the interview date. I see several road trips in my future but so glad its getting closer. 
My husband flies back to the USA in 3 weeks so hopefully I won't have to wait too long to follow with our baby girl

Oh I've had untold numbers of people ask me why I would want to go there now, including american friends telling me to wait til Trump is out of office. But when it comes down to it, I can't let him control whether I continue on with my life plans... to buy land, build our house, and build a life for our family.  Like you, I had a great high paying job before going on my current maternity leave, and the option to go back.  At lease twice what I can get in the USA. But the heart wants what the heart wants, we've prayed and know this what we're meant to do. 

Case complete!!! I woke up to the 3 N/A's and "AT NVC" on my status. I just got off the phone confirming its true!

Scan date:  31st January
Case Complete:  14th April
 
NVC will now send my file to the embassy, who will contact me with an interview date (embassy will contact me instead of NVC), as I have an expedite at the embassy stage.   My hubby leaves in 3 weeks for a friends wedding in 4 weeks.  I probably won't get to fly with him but at least I won't be stuck in an abyss of not knowing!

Oh my gosh, I got case complete at NVC!!  I woke up to 3 N/As on the CEAC site and also my application status changed to "at NVC".  I just got off the phone confirming its true! Made it through this far with no checklists so I'm pretty happy.
 
Scan date:  31st january 2017
CC:  14th April 2017  (10 weeks 4 days)
 
I have an expedite for the consulate stage, so my file will be sent to the embassy and they will schedule my interview and contact me (Normally NVC contacts the embassy and they provide an interview date, which NVC then communicates to you, so I'm a little different in this case).  My husband leaves in 3 weeks, for a friends wedding on 13th May so I may not get to fly with him, but at least I won't be far behind.

Correct, our daughter did not require a medical or immunisations for her CRBA lodgement. She's now a fully fledged US citizen with passport, SS number and citizenship documents.  She's 8.5 months old.  We are getting the required immunisations recommended here in NZ, but thats our choice to protect her.  We are not getting the extras that I would require such as flu vaccine etc.

PS: @Inabars one of the vaccines they ask you to get is Tdap which you get in Aussie from 28weeks pregnant anyway. its the combo vaccine that includes whooping cough that your doctor will recommend to you anyway :-)   Get a letter from the doctor when you get yours done showing it was done, the date and batch number if they have it. Take this to your appt with you when you do your visa medical.

Hi, I know you had a bunch of responses already but just wanted to chime in here.  We lodged our i-130 in march 2016 when I was already pregnant.  We moved back from Australia to New Zealand to have our baby here (I'm a kiwi) and she was born in July.  I'm still at the NVC stage now (hopefully not far off) so I've been through part of this process while pregnant.  Feel free to message if you're stressed out... I know what that's like, but its really all quite straightforward.

Regarding your baby.  No you don't need to do a  greencard application. As mentioned you'll file a CRBA, and they'll get you to take the baby to an "interview" at the consulate along with said paperwork to get their citizenship, passport and social security number (here in NZ you apply for all 3 at once but check how it works there in Aus). By having a US citizen parent they are all good to go with this.  It's actually pretty easy to do.  Look up what evidence your husband would have to show for proof of domicile for this. For us we had to get mail with his US address on it, his college transcripts and high school transcripts for 5 years plus (to show he actually "lived" there rather than just being born there. Oh and it goes without saying ... get your little one an Aussie passport too... our NZ an Aussie passports are like gold :-) 

With regards to pregnancy affecting your application.  I actually included an ultrasound and doctors letter showing my due date in my initial evidence to USCIS.  I had no issues there at all.  We also included our Facebook announcement making it public to show it was authentically ours and we weren't hiding anything, but you may not be at that stage. Maybe use that at the NVC stage as part of your evidence.  I didn't find it negative on our application at all.
For the medical, they will ask you to have a chest X-ray, blood tests, and immunisations. They advise to tell the doctor right away if you're pregnant when making the appointment.  In some cases they may go through the whole process but ask you to do the chest X-ray after baby is born. With current processing times it's likely bubs will be born before your medical anyway (its taking around a year).  I would say don't stress about the interview and medical part until its closer, the likelihood of it happening while you're pregnant is slim.  

Last but not least. You're not in a high fraud country, and if you read up on what's expected and just work through things logically it doesn't have to be too difficult.  Yes the stress while pregnant is something you'll need to manage but you will be able to do so. It's just the waiting that gets stressful, so keep yourself busy and distracted and you should be ok.  As I mentioned, feel free to message me if you need to :-)   All the best, and most of all CONGRATULATIONS!

I called and spoke to a friendly lovely guy at NVC and he confirmed that while my file has not yet been reviewed it has been transferred into the department that does the reviews :-)  
 
He also said that "if it was to take the whole 11 weeks... and we are saying up to 11 weeks at the moment ... then you should expect to hear from us by email by the end of the 18th April.  But it could be done any day now"  He was definitely talking as if they're able to get things done in the 11 week timeframe so that's good news for all of us.

Be nice to the NVC people if you call... they don't get any easter holidays off so they're working hard for us.

Scan date 31st Jan.

Correct, our daughter did not require a medical or immunisations for her CRBA lodgement. She's now a fully fledged US citizen with passport, SS number and citizenship documents.  She's 8.5 months old.  We are getting the required immunisations recommended here in NZ, but thats our choice to protect her.  We are not getting the extras that I would require such as flu vaccine etc.

PS: @Inabars one of the vaccines they ask you to get is Tdap which you get in Aussie from 28weeks pregnant anyway. its the combo vaccine that includes whooping cough that your doctor will recommend to you anyway :-)   Get a letter from the doctor when you get yours done showing it was done, the date and batch number if they have it. Take this to your appt with you when you do your visa medical.

congratulations!! 

So lovely to read your story. There are so many people who move to the USA and complain about everything, even though they made the choice to be there.  I personally am at the last part of NVC stage for my visa, and look forward to moving with a positive attitude like yours to absorb all the awesome things about our new adventure, not the negatives. 
I also plan to pack several jars of marmite ... the kiwi version ;-) 

Thank you. I hope so too.  I realise maybe God's timing is that I don't fly at the same date as my husband ... if that's the case I need prayer to be ok with that and to be ok doing the big move on my own with a baby.   Maybe there is a bigger picture here. I'll be praying and also for everyone else in their various situations, for peace while we all wait. 

Scan date January 31st.  I just spoke to NVC and they confirmed my scan date and advised they have not yet started reviewing my documents. They advised if I don't hear from them by April 19th to call back and they will submit a request. 
 
It took all my control to not cry on that phone call, even though the lady was very lovely on the phone. It will be a miracle if I get to travel with my husband, he has to be in the USA one month from today. I'm guessing it takes several days to review documents once they start, although I'm hoping someone speedy picks up my file. 
 
Im really losing enthusiasm and hope now, but still praying and trying to trust God's timing.  I've seen other scan dates the same as mine get case complete and even a feb 3rd file... here's hoping they just have lots from my date and are about to pick mine up off the pile. 

Thank you :-) 
i know I'm close, hopefully with no checklist, but my husband leaves in less than a month and I fear I'll be left behind with my baby and have to do the whole move myself when the time comes.  Not to mention the 2-3hr drives each way to get my medical, drop off paperwork to then embassy (they request it 1 week prior here in nz) have my interview etc.
 
trying to not be anxious and knowing I'm not in this alone keeps me somewhat sane. I feel for you all as I know how much it hurts waiting.  I guess it helps to just remember that every day we are one day closer. 

Congratulations!! If they did a feb case I have hope for us end of Jan people.  Did you call and ask them to look at it, or did you call just to check where it's at and they said "oh your case is complete"?

Mine was for financial hardship. I'm the beneficiary and my husband is the US citizen.  We also have an 8 month old baby.  My husbands job was made redundant and being on a temporary visa til June he was unable to obtain a new job. He is the sole earner for our family and all our savings are tied up in our AOS (assets instead of income for our i-864) so we can't spend them while we wait.
Our expedite is only granted for the embassy section, so still at NVC currently. Fingers crossed they finish it soon as he's not working anymore.

My envelope, cover letter and forms all said filing from abroad.  I didn't get an expedite. Its not a given.

You should contact them, i got a reply in 8 days, but it depends on your embassy. NVC is just the middleman, they read it and send it onto the consulate and the decide. Maybe its them who are slow, not the NVC. 

There are two types of expedites. If you care to share the wording of your expedite request I can tell you which it is.  
My expedite says "the consulate agrees to expedite your case once all fees and forms are received ..., however my expedite is only at the consulate level meaning that I just don't stay in a  queue for interviews, they will schedule one right away. BUT I still have to wait for NVC to do their processing timeframe. I'm 8.5 weeks now and they still  haven't given me case complete.  
My expedite was for financial hardship.  I believe only medical and asylum cases get expedite where the file is removed early from NVC, but that's just from what I've seen.

No there's no need for that. The birth certificates for the twins showing both your names are ample evidence of being parents to children together. Try not to worry so much. All people are saying is that kids together is one piece of evidence, not the whole package. 

All the best :-) 

PS: Hope the list of what I provided has helped