RaptureSongbird

7 hours ago, Eric&Olya said:

Yay! Mine changed to "In Transit" too! It's unbelievable that they work weekends!

Yes, I didn't really expect that at all.  Maybe they're trying to work through a backlog?  And Yay for you too!

36 minutes ago, ChristaandJosh said:

Thank you for the info. Was curious. Didn't know how long it takes for nvc to embassy recieved 😁

Just like every other step in this process, it doesn't seem like there is a consistent timeline unfortunately.  Some people get to the embassy quickly, some take a little bit longer.  For instance, TriloBye made it to the embassy in 9 days from NVC received.  Tomorrow will be 9 days since NVC received my file but the case tracker says that my case is still At NVC.

2 hours ago, Jaimekr08 said:

Hi all,

 

do you need to bring a ring a hard copy of your NOA2 and NVC letter to your interview? I didn't see anything online mentioning it

From what I've seen, you don't need to take these items to the interview.

1 minute ago, ChristaandJosh said:

Oh thanks! Haha. I thought so. Because when you get interviewed they have all your details there in paper. So I assumed they got it by post. But had seen a comment that they recieved by email. So wasn't sure. Thank you 😁

It seems like some embassies have started to use an electronic system to receive the documents from the NVC.  I don't know how this works, if the COs just bring up the info on the computer for the interview or they print it out at the embassy, but it seems like they are going to start to transition more embassies to the electronic system instead of the paper and shipping system.

2 minutes ago, ChristaandJosh said:

What is DHL?

It's a shipping company like UPS or FedEx.

15 hours ago, ChristaandJosh said:

Recieved our case number tonight from the NVC. Although still says "at NVC". The lady said it hadn't been fully created yet, but will be sent to London soon once it has. 

 

Question: does anyone know if they mail this to London or is everything sent through email? 

 

Ps. It was my first call to the nvc. And I think they must have just recieved it. 16 days since we got approved. 

From my understanding they send the packets to the embassies via DHL.

15 hours ago, TexasHeartsIndia said:

After 34 days, I FINALLY got a different response to "Has my case been received"!!!!! As soon as she asked our names and his DOB, I knew that it was FINALLY in their hands. Our petition was received today and assigned a case number today!!!!! I am sssoooo relieved - I was beginning to worry that it was lost somewhere. Now on to Delhi!

 

Thanks, @RaptureSongbird and @TriloByte for your encouragement!!  

That is such great news!  I've been tracking my case all week at NVC and it still says "At NVC".  Hopefully it'll ship out soon.

1 minute ago, TriloByte said:

They asked for the LND number. I would def wait until the ready status for the DS160, but the DS160 needs to come before the medical according to the embassy site. I wasn't risking any delays by going out of order.

Thanks and I totally understand.  I've got our LND number so we'll give it a shot tomorrow.  We'll definitely have the DS160 completed before the medical appointment, as long as our case doesn't sit at the NVC for the next 23 days 

2 minutes ago, TexasHeartsIndia said:

I've spoken to 3 people: Angus, Belle, and some other guy but I can't remember his name. Belle isn't very nice and seems annoyed every time. She also asks me for my receipt date and tells me that it takes 6 weeks. Oh... ok. Whatever, Belle. Angus is the nicest guy. I like it when he answers, even if the answer is "we haven't received it."

I'm pretty sure that I've had Belle as well, she is pretty nasty.  Otherwise, it's been a different person every time I've called, even when I've called at the same time every day.  I've got my fingers crossed for you for this week still.

@TriloByte - Do they ask about the DS160 when you call to schedule the medical?  We are going to wait to fill out the DS160 until it says Ready like I've seen advised but I was going to have my fiance call tomorrow and schedule his medical for August 7th if they still have availability for that date.  The reason for this is because my fiance is leaving for Romania next Friday in order to get all of his documents to then come back and have his medical and interview.  We'll probably be completing his DS160 while he's there but he won't have the ability to call the UK while away.  So I thought we would go ahead and call and get the medical scheduled before he leaves so the dates he's off of work don't get filled up.  I know the instructions say to do the DS160 and then schedule the medical but is there any harm in reversing these steps?

3 hours ago, ChristaandJosh said:

Do you have to call the NVC to get case number or can I email them? Our NOA2 is dated 28th June. That's two weeks ago today. I don't know if it's too soon to enquire about it. 

Start calling now and don't feel guilty about calling every day.  I did at first but I got over that after the 3rd or 4th time.  I never spoke to the same person and almost everyone that I spoke with at the NVC was quick, efficient, polite, and willing to help.

2 hours ago, TexasHeartsIndia said:

Oh my goodness! Our NOA2 was 6/10 and the NVC still hasn't received it!! Every time I call, I think, today has to be the day. But nnnoooooo.....

I guess I have to wait until 6 weeks passes before I can complain, since that's the time frame they keep quoting. Then who do I call? USCIS?

There's a NVC email address for these issues, I don't remember what it is but it's something like NVCResearch@ something.  My plan was to get my congressman or Senator involved once it reached the 6 week mark because I read on other topics that if you use that email address it can be a few days to a few weeks to get an answer but if your congressman or Senator is responsive, you can have an answer of what's going on in 2-3 days.  I really hope you don't hit the 6 week mark and they receive it sometime this week.

3 hours ago, Missabc said:

The app just updated our case.... we've got an RFE. I want to cry. 

I'm very sorry to hear this and I'm sure you're frustrated.  After waiting all of this time to be given a RFE is just ridiculous. 

3 hours ago, mkm1993 said:

Every time I try to enter my case number it won't track it... do you have to fill out the ds160 first to track it? I got an email that said it was being sent already. 

Nope, we haven't filled out our DS160 yet and I can track it.  Go here:

https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

And choose Immigrant Visa and then enter your Case Number, along with the CAPTCHA, and it should pop up and tell you the status.

15 hours ago, TexasHeartsIndia said:

Wow, that's awesome! Much quicker than the "2-3 weeks" they keep telling people. Meanwhile, our petition still hasn't been received

I'm hoping they receive yours today.  Over the weekend I was going through the forums to look for information on what to do if it takes longer than 6 weeks for the NVC to receive your case.  While I was reading through topic after topic on this, I saw someone mention that they were advised to call on Wednesdays and Fridays because that is generally when applications are received at the NVC from USCIS.  I don't know if this still holds true (topic was from last year or the year before I think) but I'm hoping you get the news either today or by the end of the week!

1 hour ago, Missabc said:

Thank you everybody for your kind words, the moment of truth will likely be today when he goes in. I was under the impression that if he got a new job that it would reflect bad on him only being in a new job for only maybe a month or two once i get to interview stage, I managed to speak to someone yesterday who like @RaptureSongbird said, it wont affect us as long as his new job is over the poverty guideline. I can't tell you how much of a relief it was to hear them words!! My fiance really wants out of his current job for obvious reasons and so do i, i can't stand seeing them treating him like he's dirt on their shoes, I get infuriated by it and i don't even work there! So he's going to start looking around for something better now he knows he's able to do so  

Again thank you everybody for the support, i honestly don't know what i would do without this page! 

Happy to help and provide a little support to be the calm during the storm that is the K-1 process.  I've received so much support here during my moments of panic and doubt and I like to pass it along when I can 

I'm glad he's going to look for a new job because his current employers do sound awful. 

13 hours ago, Missabc said:

As if things couldn't get more stressful, my fiance just called me saying he has had to call in sick to work today as he's been sick all morning. His employers are AWFUL to say the least and have given him grief for having just this day off, bare in mind he hasn't had a sick day since he started working at this company (July 2016). He's only had a holiday to fly to the UK in February which they are now holding against him, oh and not to mention they are moaning about him having 4 days of in October for our wedding and haven't even approved it yet. He's really stressed out now because he thinks they are going to fire him for having a day off. I'm absolutely panicking now being so close to our approval, all my mind is thinking now is 'I'm never going to be with him' 

Does anybody have any advise for if the worst does happen... he gets fired? 

I'm sorry to hear that more stress has been added to your journey.  Hopefully his employer will get their collective heads out of their asses and learn how to treat employees.  In terms of his sick time here is what I found about Texas law:

"There is no Texas law requiring private sector employers to provide employees sick leave, paid or unpaid, although many employers do grant it as an important employee benefit. It is important to remember, however, that if sick leave is promised, an employer may have a legal obligation to grant it. Employers should regularly review policy statements made in handbooks or elsewhere to ensure that they accurately reflect current policies. If not, they should be changed, and employees must be notified of the changes."

So, if his employer does offer sick time and then tries to terminate him for using it, they will be in a heap of legal trouble.  I know that doesn't help to calm your nerves about what happens if they do fire him but I hope it shows that if they make the attempt, he would have some recourse against them depending on the company's sick time policy.

Now, worse case scenario, he is fired but is able to find another job.  As long as his new job is above the income guideline, you'll still be fine.  For London, all he will need is a letter from his employer stating his position and 2 pay stubs.  He might also want to give you an updated G325a to take to the interview with his new employer information.  I'm sure if you search the forums you'll be able to find other people who have changed jobs/been terminated during this process and were still successful in making it through.  I think you may even still be able to add a cosponsor if needed at the interview stage due to any changes in circumstances.  That could get you through a job transition phase as well while he finds a position that he likes and before you need to file for AOS.

I understand this is the last thing you need now added to the stress of waiting for your NOA2 but this is certainly not the end of your journey, just a potential hiccup in the road.  There are a few ways around it IF it happens but I have my fingers crossed that it won't be an issue.

Case number received from NVC today.  I tracked it and it's listed as "At NVC".  One step closer...

7 hours ago, TexasHeartsIndia said:

Thanks for mentioning me... I called this afternoon and seems like we're still waiting.   Like @Missabc we were hoping he would be here end of September or beginning of October. He needs to give a month's notice at work, so I'm beginning to think an October wedding is stretching it.

Ah, I'm sorry, I was hoping since we had been waiting together that we would get the good news together.  I still have hope that you will make it to NVC this week and that you can still make your timeline.  A month's notice is a very generous notice at work.

23 minutes ago, Nathan&Amy said:

Don't you need a letter from your bank as well? With your current balance and total deposits from the last year.

From what I've read of the London reviews, we don't need this.  As long as I have a letter from my employer and 2 pay stubs, that's sufficient for them for the interview for London.  All the reviews for London make it sound like it's really just a final check and collection of a bit more paperwork, and they really just want to receive the minimal amount of paperwork when you get to the interview.  I know it's different for others but this is what I've been able to gather.

1 hour ago, FindHerKeepHer said:

i realize u have photocopies of everything, did your package ask you for that? mine didnt. 

I'm not sure if the photocopy is really necessary, I was just going by what is listed on the London's embassy website here:

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/required-documents/

"You are required to obtain the original documents or certified copies, and one photocopy (with the exception of your passport and photographs) of the following documents for yourself and each family member applying for a visa. All documents are required even if they were previously submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services with your petition.  Please do not submit any documents to the NVC"

Which made me think of a question for my fellow UK filers.  Before I send my supporting package to my fiance I wanted to make sure I had everything.  Here's my list:

I-134 (1 Original, 1 Photocopy)
Letter from Employer (1 Original, 1 Photocopy)
2 Pay Stubs (2 Originals, 2 Photocopies)
Updated Letter of Intent to Marry (1 Original, 1 Photocopy)
I-797 (2 Photocopies)

I'm not going to photocopy my entire I129f package and send to him because it seems like from what I've read of the London interview reviews, it's not really necessary.  Since I submitted a lot of pages in the initial application, I don't want to waste the paper and pay the extra shipping charges.  But, I'll also send a copy of the biographical form I filled out (G325a) along with a photocopy of the completed I129f form.  Does that seem like everything or am I missing something?

3 minutes ago, TriloByte said:

Yes, I saw hat too, but when we scheduled our medical they gave us this list of required docments:

 

2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

 

You are required to bring the following for each person having a medical examination:

Original Passport or UK Driving Licence (photo card not paper licence)                We do NOT accept copies of ID

4 X Identical Passport style photos - UK or US size (we accept UK or US sized photographs)

ACRO Police certificate (or a copy) dated within the last 12 months for anyone 16 years of age & over (if your police certificate is more than one page long please advise Knightsbridge Doctors ahead of your medical as you may need additional time with the Doctor. If you fail to tell us ahead of time you may be asked to come back to go over this for an additional fee).

Vaccination records - Please provide a vaccination record for the panel to look over on the day to advise if any further vaccines are needed. Please bring Red Books, if available. https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/11/vaccine_chart.pdf Please visit the above link to see which vaccines are required for each age group.

Completed medical questionnaire which can be found at; https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2017/05/USA-MEDICAL-QUESTIONNAIRE_IV.pdf

A Letter/Email from the embassy/NVC to confirm your case number and visa category

Summary of medical history from GP (NOT full medical records) and reports covering any medical conditions, disabilities, and prior serious illnesses you have been treated for or anything ongoing. This is a new requirement and may not yet be added to the checklist online or the US EMBASSY LONDON website. We will keep your medical on hold if you do not have it with you on the day of the appointment. Ask your GP for a Patient Summary/Care Summary.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses please bring them along to the appointment

If you have any significant/ongoing/previous medical conditions please ensure that you bring a report from your GP/Specialist/Consultant regarding this; including, medication, prognosis, management etc. * If your medical notes are very extensive (more than 10 pages) please inform Knightsbridge Doctors before you come for your medical. This required extra time with the doctor to go through your notes. If you do not inform us of this, you will be charged for an appointment slot for the doctor to read these notes.

Please follow this link; https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/medical-examination/ where you can find all forms required at your medical from the US Embassy website.

Thanks for posting this!!!  Now I can better direct my fiance of what he needs to get from his doctor, a summary and a description of the surgery he had.  We would have probably missed the summary part and been further delayed.  Now I know exactly what he needs to get and I'll push him hard to make sure he's able to find his vaccination records somewhere and get all the right documents

And I'll be heading to USPS probably on Wednesday to send over all of the supporting documents from me, just waiting to get a copy of my latest pay stub today or tomorrow.

1 minute ago, TriloByte said:

The issue we ran into is that the medical people seem to now require a vaccination record, and hers was lost, so in order to have a record, she felt that she needed to have the vaccinations done before the medical. We are still unclear if this was the correct approach, as the information on the Embassy site is a bit unorganized and outdated. We do know that it was the cheapest route.

Ah, damn, I guess we better set aside a bit more money then for the medical just in case.  How silly of me to think that there would be any organization in this process and to listen to what was written on the embassy website:

Please note: If you are applying for a K visa, you are not required to meet the vaccination requirements at the time of your visa interview.  You will, however, be required to meet the requirement at the time you apply for an adjustment of status with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the United States.

I know it's hard to keep content updated when procedures change but really the disorganization in all of this is astounding.  I'm very much a by the book/processes and procedures type of person and this whole process has skyrocketed my anxiety for all the disorganization.

10 minutes ago, TriloByte said:

True, but it costs a fortune if they do it at the medical. In the UK it's free if you do it before you get there

That's true.   My fiance is on the hunt for his vaccination records and will hopefully get them when he goes back to Romania in a couple of weeks to get all the paperwork he needs (police certificate, medical letter, birth certificate, hopefully the vaccination records, etc.).  If he doesn't find them, then I think we're just going to skip them for the K-1 process and get them done here.  As soon as we're married I can immediately get him set up on my health insurance, get him registered for a doctor here, and get the vaccinations done at almost no cost here.  Since he's currently not registered for a GP in the UK, I don't want to add any more delays with getting that set up there.  I need him to get his Visa in hand asap before plane tickets start climbing higher in price