evergreen

In your experience (not in NVC/USCIS "estimates ) how long does it take an application/case to get to a consulate after the NVC assigns a case number? We haven't received anything in the mail from the NVC yet. I mean, how long did it take for your application to get from the NVC to the consolate? Portsmouth NH is only about 8 hours from the Montreal, Quebec consulate. Don't know if that makes a difference !

Come on guys, cheer me up, please! Tell me something good!

Waiting ...

It only has to travel from Portsmouth, NH to Montreal, Canada.

Where is my pic?

OOPS

If we go for the 129F/K3, it was $170 to file, $250 for the medical exam, $150 for miscellaneous records/fees, and $100 for the visa? Then later, an ajustment of status fee?

If we go for the I130, it was $190 to apply, $250 for the medical exam, $150 for miscelleous records/fees, and something like $380 for the visa?

So the totals, minus travel, telephone bills, courier service, missed work, attorney fees, etc - run about $700-$800 - not including AOS within two years and whatever other costs that entails.

If we go for the 129F/K3, it is $250 for the medical exam, $150 for miscellaneous records, and $100 for the visa?

If we go for the I130, it is $350 for the medical exam, $150 for miscelleous records, and something like $380 for the visa?

A very nice lady from the Consulate called us and stated that she would do everything she could to speed the process up there due to the medical conditions in my situation. I am so relieved and happy to be dealing with a real, live, compassionate person! She's just waiting for the stuff from the NVC and the NBC.

Also, my husband just had a complete physical including blood tests for HIV, HEP C, syphyllis, a chest x-ray, Tb/ppd test, and all vaccinations. This was last week. Do we still have to pay $250 for an exam from a "panel" physician?

This is getting expensive - birth certificates, police records, medical costs, the initial visa fees, travel costs, attorney costs, and the $100s of dollars we'll need when we go to get the visa!

***Being above poverty level and able to support your spouse once they are here is not the equivalent of having $1000's of dollars just laying around with nothing better to spend them on than immigration! NO wonder people immigrate illegally.

Okay. I know you guys are holding out on me. Somewhere there is the perfect town - full of liberals and former hippies - with farmer's markets and community gardens and libraries and a dog park. The housing costs are reasonable, the wages are decent (especially for nurses). Lots of international food. Tolerable weather. Lots of lakes, rivers ... maybe near the ocean? Traffic that won't make you drive off of a bridge. Maybe a big city close by ... but not too close?

We are trying to decide where to move once my husband is able to get to the US. The places I would like to consider are:

Seattle, Washington

Olympia, Washington

Portland, Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

Austin, Texas

or California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah

We would like to move somewhere a little progressive/liberal, somewhere with a good sense of community, a good place for dogs, interesting stuff to do, cool people to meet, decent income opportunities, etc.

Please let me know if you live in any of these places! What are incomes like? Nurse incomes? Housing costs? Rental costs? The coolest, best thing about your town? Reasons to move there and live? Reasons not to move there and live? Public transportation?

THANKS!

Wow. That's a long wait. Isn't it 30 days after the expected processing date now? If Vermont shows that they are working on cases from February 2006, and your case was from January 2006, I would definitely contact somebody/anybody and inquire as to the status of your case! I'm not sure who to tell you to contact - maybe someone else on the site has a better idea on that part. I feel for you!

How do you know that the NVC has assigned a case number? Do they send you an e-mail? A letter? Does it show up when you check your status online? We got NOA2s for both our I130 and I129F, but nothing else.

Thanks!

I know the I129F K3 visa was initially a faster way to get foreign spouses of US citizens into the US because the I130 process was lengthy.

However, it appears to me that once approved, both the I129F and the I130 require pretty much the same documentation and take about the same amount of time - time for the packet to go from the NVC or the NBC to the consulate, get the paperwork in the mail, get an interview, have a medical exam, etc.

What is the average length of time between an NOA2 for the I129F and visa in hand versus the average length of time between an NOA2 for the I130 and visa in hand?

From what it looks like here, it could still be several months before my husband is able to join me in the US, even with approvals for both types, and even with the applications having been expedited due to medical reasons.

Thanks!

Got an NOA1 for my I129F/K3 on July 14th.

Know it hasn't been too long ... eleven days or so ... but can't check the status yet using the MSC number on the NOA1.

How long does it take on average (not shortest or longest) for that to get into the USCIS system? Thanks!

They are also hiring: FILE/MAILROOM CLERKS!

Description:

You will process U.S. Department of State immigrant visa petitions. As a File/Mail Clerk you will help file and retrieve Visa application files. You may also assist in processing incoming and outgoing mail for the National Visa Center.

Primarily seeking Second Shift (4-12:30) candidates with some First Shift openings. The

Second Shift pays $15.06 per hour - ($12.18/hr plus $2.87/hr in lieu of medical benefits). When available, the First Shift pays $13.95 per hour - ($11.08/hr plus $2.87/hr in lieu of medical benefits). These positions are initially temporary. After five months you are eligible to become a permanent employee and qualify for medical benefits.

Requirements:

∙ Must be able to lift trays that can weigh up to 40 pounds and able to use a three step ladder.

∙ Must be either US Citizen or Permanent Resident with a High School Diploma or GED.

∙ Must pass an extensive DOS Security Review that includes employment history, police checks and credit checks.

∙ Must have basic computer skills.

Benefits:

You are eligible for ten paid holidays. You are also eligible for one week vacation after completing one year of employment and two weeks after two years.

Contact:

You may pick up an Application Packet at the New Hampshire Employment Security Office at:

243 Route 108, Somersworth (742-3600)

Contact:

Natalie Hickmon

Phone: (603) 668-2620

Fax: (603) 668-2620

Here's an add in the local paper from a staffing type agency hiring people to process visas at the NVC in Portsmouth, NH:

Visa Processing Specialist/Data Entry

Employer:

Availability Inc.

Location:

Portsmouth, NH 03801

Date:

06-14-2006

Job Type:

Full TimeYou will process U.S. Department of State immigrant visa petitions. Position requires a combination of data entry and analytical skills to create automated immigrant visa petitions while meeting quotas and strict quality standards.

Primarily seeking Second Shift (4-12:30) candidates with some First Shift openings. These positions are initially temporary. However, after five months of employment you are eligible to become a permanent employee and receive medical benefits. Over 95% of our VPS temps are offered and accept permanent positions!

Second Shift pays $17.04 per hour - ($14.17/hr plus $2.87/hr in lieu of medical benefits). When available, the First Shift pays $15.75 per hour - ($12.88/hr plus $2.87/hr in lieu of medical benefits).

Requirements:

∙ Must pass typing and data entry testing

∙ Must be either US Citizen or Permanent Resident with a High School Diploma or GED.

∙ Must pass an extensive DOS Security Review that includes employment history, police checks and credit checks before you may begin employment.

Benefits:

You are eligible for ten paid holidays. You are also eligible for one week vacation after completing one year of employment and two weeks after two years.

Contact:

You may pick up an Application Packet at the New Hampshire Employment Security Office at:

243 Route 108, Somersworth (742-3600)

Contact:

Natalie Hickmon

Phone: (603) 668-2620

Fax: (603) 668-2620

They make good money for only having a high school diploma or GED, but the less education the less quality work, from my experience. Anyway, if you want to make a difference, here's a weird chance to do it - you can process other people's applications in an efficient, timely, knowledgeable manner - and maybe even be nice!

If I understand correctly, our I130 and/or our I129F will be handled by the Montreal, Quebec consulate, and not in Ontario (Ottawa for us)?

So the NVC and NBC will be forwarding our stuff to Montreal and not Ottawa? And we'll have our inteview in Montreal? And follow Montreal rules as far as documents, medical exams, police records, etc?

Thanks!

So the best thing that has happened to me since I met my husband was last night when I received my email that our i-129F got approved in Missouri!!!!! I am so happy I can't believe it. I thought I should let others know that K-3 should start moving soon since my got approved.

Wow! Record time! You sent your I129F in June and were approved in July!!! I'm happy, happy, happy for you and jealous, jealous, jealous!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Anyone else having to pay a $9.95 fee to schedule an interview appointment via online system (with the consulate) or $2 an hour to call their consulate via a "1-900" number? That seems crazy to me. Guess it probably cuts down on telephone calls, though. This is what it says on the official websites for Ottawa, Ontario and for Montreal, Quebec (both in Canada).

U.S. Embassy information lines:

1-900-451-2778 from within Canada - you will be charged CA$1.89 per minute

1-900-443-3131 from within the U.S. - you will be charged US$1.89 per minute

1-888-840-0032

Call from Canada Call from U.S.

Visa Appointment Reservation System by credit card

Costs charged to credit card instead of phone bill

Live Operator / Calls from Canada & U.S.

CA $0.19 *IVR

CA $1.59 per minute

Web site

Online appointment bookings service

www.nvars.com CA

$9.50

each booking

You can't talk to anyone about anything without paying. Hope it doesn't take 30 minutes to reach someone like it does on the main USCIS "customer service" number! If so, I can't afford it!

Congratulations!

I am wondering. At this point (after initial I130 approval) the backgound/security checks (which can cause a delay) are pretty much over with? Now it's a matter of formality/processing, getting the app through the NVC and the to the consulate and bringing all of your documentation with you? How do you find out what the wait is for an interview? I went to the US consulate site for us and I couldn't find it. Also, anyone else having to pay $9.95 to schedule an interveiw appointment via online system or $2 an hour to call their consulate via a "1-900" number? That seems crazy to me. Guess it probably cuts down on telephone calls, though.

Augh!

I got an NOA1 for my 129F, and I've been trying for a while to check the status online, but when I put the thirteen character number (which starts with MSC) in the space, I get this "The application receipt number must be thirteen characters long." It is 13 characters long, the MSC and then 10 numerical digits. What gives?

Double augh!!

When I try to add this case to my portfolio, I get: "Attempting to add a case that does not exist. Check the app receipt number."

The NOA1 is from July 14th. Too soon to be in the computer system maybe?

all the same "support forms" that are required for the CR1 visa application are required for the K3 visa application.

that includes medical examination results, vaccination records, police certificate, affidavit of support, proof of marriage and relationship etc etc etc...

the beneficiary will recieve a package from the consulate with a checklist of what is needed for the interview.

There just seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there (in the guides, in immigration books, on boards) - some say only immunization/vaccination records are needed for the I129F/K3 (while a chest x-ray is required for the I130), some say police records needed for the I130 but not the I129F/K3. I'm so confused. Is there an official list somewhere I can look at so that we can start getting this stuff together now, rather than waiting for the package to arrive?

My Wife took less evidence than what you have and she got approved , think positive. Good luck.

What about vaccination records and/or a criminal history/police record?

Hi all who have been transfered to CSC. Please keep connected at this thread so we can keep each other updated on whats happeneing with our transfered cases and whether we are being touched? Thanks

I believe that there is already a thread on this but what the hell. I got my email on the 18th of JULY saying that our I-130 was transferred over to California. Now, I don't know how long it takes to get to California, but our case has been touched on the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st. Don't know what all of this means, but I am taking it all as a positive sign. Good luck to you on your journey.

LJ

Our application was transferred to California and it was approved about a week after it got to California. That was an I130 application. I don't know where our I129F application will end up.

I'm a little confused.

I understood that your 129F/K3 applications first goes to Chicago, then to the National Benefits Center in Missouri, and then to the US Consulate in the country the beneficiary resides.

I thought that you needed the support forms, an immunization record, and of course all of the documents that you filed for your original I130 and I129 applications. I didn't think you needed the fingerprint police record and medical exam for the I129F/K3 application/interview that you need for the I130 application/interview.

I looked at the "Guide" on this site, but it seems to end when you send documents to your foreign spouse after receiving the NOA2.

Can anyone give me a brief step by step run down over what happens in the I129F/K3 process after you receive your NOA2?

Thanks!

*BUMP*

I emailed our counsulate to get this change for my foreign fiancee as well, and they said they couldn't change it, that I would have to notify someonehere. any thoughts from people who have actually changed the foreign fiancee's address?

Yes. Has anyone out there changed the address of their foreign spouse while the visa application was pending or in processing?

If the customer service number won't do it and the consulate won't do it, who does? I read a transcript on a website of government hearings on the Chicago office, and Senators and Congressmen (and women) were saying that one of the most common complaints they had was that the USCIS just couldn't seem to update an address, and that it practically took an act of Congress to get an applicant's or beneficiary's address corrected and or updated.

Please share whatever information you have on how to get this done. The USCIS may not be sending anything to our foreign spouses yet, but eventually things will be mailed to them and I want to get the correct address out in advance of that!

Thanks!

Greener

How did you get your senator to expedite your I-130? I've been married for two years and I'd like to try anything I can think of........ Any help will be appreciated, thanks!!!

If your I130 and or I129F is expedited at the USCIS level, then what happens when it moves on to the NVC, the NBC, or the consulate? Do you then lose your "expedited" status, and the process slows to normal (which I call slow motion)? Do you have the senator send the same letter he originally sent to the USCIS to the NVC, NBC, or consulate? Does the "expedite" status remain with the application, or do you start the "expedite" process all over?

Anyone who's had their application expedited, can you tell me the answer to this? My applicxation was expedited but is now moving out of the USCIS and into the hands of the NVC, NBC, and then the consulate.

Thanks!!!!