Thesmiths2016

Sorry to hear of your news.  I know its hard to have anymore delays, but please try to look at the silver lining.  If they didn't find the heart murmur there may have been further and more devastating news down the track.  As hard as it is to see right now, maybe God needed him to find out about this now in case it was going to be serious.  I pray the specialist appt goes swiftly and you get good news back in a speedy timeframe.

Remember they are people too. If the storm is so bad they deem it a snow day it's not out of laziness, its out of safety and the ability to get to work.  I know its hard to not get mad at them but remember that most are at the mercy of their employer and they are working hard just like we would be if we were there in their shoes.  I find being nice to them when you call gets you answers much easier than being angry and making them defensive :-)  

Remember they are people too. If the storm is so bad they deem it a snow day it's not out of laziness, its out of safety and the ability to get to work.  I know its hard to not get mad at them but remember that most are at the mercy of their employer and they are working hard just like we would be if we were there in their shoes.  I find being nice to them when you call gets you answers much easier than being angry and making them defensive :-)  

Oh I forgot to mention also.  Someone already mentioned this earlier in the posts, but it seems expedites lately only speed up the interview stage (e.g: move you to the front of the interview line), but don't speed up NVC.  I'm hoping that's not the case, but it seems to be the scenario we and a couple of others are in.  The exception to this rule is expedites for medical emergencies such as being scheduled for surfer in the US etc. Those get pushed through. But sadly for the rest of us it only makes a small difference. If you're already at NVC for 7 weeks I don't think it will speed things up much.

Hey, every expedite is different.  Financial hardship "can" be a reason to expedite, but if you're able to get another job then they may not see it as hardship.  We just got an expedite approved because my husband just lost his job, hasn't been able to find another as his visa is almost up and can't be renewed (outside of the criteria for another), and we have a new baby to support. In addition to this we are soon going to have to find new accommodation which is proving difficult on a temporary basis due to major housing crisis here.  We had to provide a lot of info and proof of these matters.  You are quitting your job, not being made redundant, so you may not have enough weight to your argument.  (just being realistic for you).
When it comes to changing consulates however, we were able to do so and they issued a new case number. This was before NVC though. We moved countries shortly before my i-130 was approved. 
 
I would suggest contacting NVC though to see what's up with your case taking 7 weeks so far. Perhaps do so in an email to them (use the "askNVC" contact form or they won't respond with any info. Explain your situation and state that "for this reason I am hoping to receive an update on my case, so as to be able to plan accordingly".  I was really polite when emailing them on the AskNVC contact form and they've been good at replying. 

Firstly, depending on how fast they process you, her 2016 tax return shouldn't be required.  I believe the last date for filing is around april? (check that as I'm not 100%) and therefore NVC's "last 3 years" they refer to would be 2013, 2014, 2015.
With regards to filing from overseas with zero US income, she will need to file a 1040, and also a form 2555 EZ which is the exemption form for foreign income.  As long as she didnt earn more than just over $100K they don't tax her but it needs to be declared. The form can be a little confusing. Get her to download both the 1040 for 2016 and the form 2555EZ (or form 2555 ... the instructions tell you which one) and get in touch with me on messenger if you like.  I just went through all this for my hubby :-) 

PS: nice to not feel like I'm the only kiwi!  

I didn't send a birth certificate to USCIS, and I'm now in NVC stage, so no you don't need it for USCIS

My I-130 got approved! I just checked the app and it says approved 3rd August!! I just jumped up out of my seat!! My NOA1 date was 24th March so it took 133 days...now the waiting game for the hard copy and further instructions.
I'm a Nebraska filer, filing from abroad.

if in doubt use the NVC site, they're the ones processing it :-) VJ is here to assist, but isn't a decision maker in your application. It sounds to me like the NVC process is pretty well spelled out step by step along the way too, so they should be telling you what to submit and when.
Welcome to the waiting game :-) (March filer for my i-130 here)

I'm on a Nebraska forum as well as a seperateforum for my NOA1 month. I don't think you'll find one that merges everything you want.

Oh wow, and from Texas too! That truly is a miracle :-)

Wow... I just read your profile summary. The only answer here would be that it would probably make it from USCIS to NVC, as I believe they mostly just check all the documents are there. But then it's up to NVC to take you through the next stage, and send it to your embassy for an interview if approved. That step there .... that's a big MAYBE in your case and I really doubt anyone on this forum can really advise you on it.
Its really as you have said ... apply, do your best to provide everything they ask for, and pray for a good outcome. It's just going to be a waiting game I'm afraid.

1. Photocopies are all you need until the interview stage where they want originals. I sent certified copies of my passport but only cos I already had them like that.
2. Affidavits are for if you don't feel you have enough evidence otherwise. Many of us on here didn't use them. In saying that I am still awaiting NOA2 but I got a lot of advice about that from others on the forum :-)
All the best with your application!

From what I've read, originals of everything they ask for should go to the interview. Usually the "copies" are only up until the end of the NVC stage, and it's at the interview they want originals. Not of everything though.... I think you receive a list of what to bring? Others will no doubt confirm that.

I'm not an october filer but I have seen a lot of people from october who have been approved (not quite all) and some from November/December from your centre.
If you haven't already, check out the visajourney timelines. You can filter it by your service centre and look at others in your same situation to guage how it's going. Obviously it will only give you those on the forum but it may help you see where things are at. You're at California (CSC) so you have gone to the centre which is historically the quickest.
http://www.visajourney.com/timeline .then click on IR1/CR1 Spouse Visa Timelines

PS: we have a march filers forum too, you should join it so we can all keep an eye on each others timelines And fill out/link your timeline if you haven't already.

I'm actually in Aussie right now but will be in Hamilton come end of June until the visa is approved. Or floating between Hamilton and Auckland

Hi friends.
I'm trying to be prepped with official documents as I don't live in my country of birth OR country of marriage right now, so they take longer to get (and cost more).
I'm getting a head start for when NVC ask for/lose/re-ask for documents, and also my interview :-)
I was wondering for those who have been through it, how many copies of the following did you end up supplying throughout the process? And were they originals or were certified copies accepted?
* Marriage certificate
* Beneficiaries Birth Certificate
* Passport (bio page only or all stamped pages ever stamped? - I know this would have to be just certified copies not the original obviously)
* Police certificate (and did you need them from all countries in or just if it was more than a certain amount of time?)
PS: we provided marriage certificate photocopy and passport bio page photocopy in the i-130 package already
Thanks in advance!

Hey Mike, I'm a fellow kiwi who just filed last month. :-) I've added you as a friend to keep in touch, and once you get your NOA1 (receipt that they've got your file and which service centre) make sure to add and link a timeline ... I'll follow your timeline too, plus it contributes to the data for estimates. We are in a similar situation, hubby has been in australia with me for 6 years and has had long enough away from home/is over Australia. We're heading back to NZ in June though and awaiting my greencard from there.