amoooooor

I've learned that it's better to send too much than not enough. At least then you will have a lower chance of getting asked to provide more documents. Sorry you are going through this, hopefully it will be fast!

@JBMG  THANK YOU SO MUCH for creating such a great forum for all of us. Seriously, it's been a godsend to have others to turn to during this time.

@JBMG  THANK YOU SO MUCH for creating such a great forum for all of us. Seriously, it's been a godsend to have others to turn to during this time.

@JBMG  THANK YOU SO MUCH for creating such a great forum for all of us. Seriously, it's been a godsend to have others to turn to during this time.

Below is my wife's review, its on my time line but I thought I'd post it here too.
 
 
I’m gonna try & write this as detailed as possible, but for you who don’t like to read a lot, at least read this one tip:
 
Have your documents in order, with the checklist as reference. First thing on the checklist is the document you have on the top of your little pile, basically.

I also kept documents & proof separated, & I divided the proof into different categories (pictures in one folder, correspondence etc in another).
This saved me a lot of time & stress.

 
OK so! I’m lucky & live walking distance from the embassy, wanted to be out in good time & therefore arrived kind of early: 07:35.
My interview was scheduled to be at 08:30, just like all the other immigrant visa applicants I talked to. So it’s first come, first served.
 
There’s two lines outside of the embassy. One of them (the longer one) leads into some sort of “glass tunnel” thingie. That one is for NON-immigrant visas. There’s another line more parallel with the entrance. It had a black sign that said “Please wait here” & of course one that stated that the line was for immigrant visas. The latter sign is facing the embassy, so I didn’t see it at first.
I was also the first one there, & a guard peeking out of the entrance made sure that the immigrant visa was what I was there for.
 
I had to wait until 08:10, I think, until they called me. For me it was worth the wait to be first in line.
They asked me to show my passport through the window, to open my folder case & show what was in there, & to turn off my cellphone. I also had to turn around & show my shoe soles before I was allowed to enter.
 
In the first room it’s pretty small. They have the typical airport x-ray machine, & scanned all my stuff in it.
2nd tip: Don’t bring a lot of stuff. They will store your electronics for you, but they don’t have a lot of room. It will also save you some time.
Once they put my stuff in the little storage box I was given a number tag so I could pick it all up after the interview.
The people in this first room all seemed like good ones & treated me very nicely. They told me to inform the guard in the waiting room that I was there for immigration, & that I was supposed to go to window 7.
 
After that I walked up to the other building. It’s only one possible way, really, & it’s very very close.
I told the guard my purpose, but he seemed a little bit confused & wanted me to take a number & wait with the rest of the people (that was there for non-immigration visas). Luckily, I only had to wait for 5-10 minutes or so, because it was indeed the wrong window.
The gentleman sitting there told me to simply walk up to window 7 & wait in front of it, which I did.
 
Quickly a very pleasant & friendly Swedish woman approached & asked me if I had read the IMBRA pamphlet, for my passport & then documents. I gave her the folder with all the required documents listed on the checklist, & she grabbed some of them & gave me back the rest.
As far as I remember she was interested in my original Swedish birth certificate & my police records (she kept these two), & the original marriage certificate (this one they gave me back after the interview). My husband had given me his updated tax documents (since he received these after we had sent away all our documents to NVC), & she was interested in that too (I mean, why not).

After this she asked me if I had brought some proof to show that our relationship was real. I gave her some pictures which I had marked with place, year & occasional comments on the back.
She then asked me if I had some proof of correspondence, print screens from Skype or similar. I.e. proof of communication. I handed her some print screens from messenger, a Skype print screen & a little silly note with a one loving message from each of us.
I did have more proof with me, but she seemed satisfied & asked me to sit down & wait until I was being called to window 5.
 
I waited for about 30-35 minutes, I think. Then I got to talk to an American woman. She was equally nice, & even complimented one of my proof pictures.
I’m gonna try & remember the questions she asked me. It does seem like they ask slightly different questions depending on who they have in front of them. So basically, you will not get asked something you don’t already know the answer to.
 
OK here we go:
 
Who’s the filing petitioner in US?
What’s your relationship with him?
Right now, does he live in Sweden or in the US?
Where are you moving?
How do you know each other?
When was the first time you met?
When did you start dating?
Where/when did you get engaged/married?
How many times did you visit him, or vice versa?
Where does he work?
Does he live alone, or with roommates, family..?
When was the last time you saw each other?
Have any of you been married before?
Have you ever been living abroad before?

 
Everything was said with a smile, more or less. My interviewer was a very very kind person with good vibes. Talking to her, I didn’t feel nervous at all; neither did I feel nervous around any of the other people working at the embassy.
 
After the questions she gave me back some documents, my pictures & a paper that basically says that they can’t approve my visa until they get the results from my medical exam, which I already knew. The paper states that you been denied, but she told me something like “don’t worry about this at all, this is a paper we have to give to you, & it only shows that we’re waiting for your medical results.”
She told me that they had all the documents (except the medical), & that I would receive a package within 10 days (or two weeks, if the medical takes a little bit extra time to deliver because it’s summer). In the package, she said, my passport will be, & it will have my visa in it.
& that was that.
 
I just walked back to the first little entrance room, picked up my phone & felt HAPPY.
 
I really enjoyed my experience with the American embassy & its employees, & I can totally see why people keep rating it high.
So peeps, don’t be worried. Make sure your documents are in order, & that you have some good proof. The people you will be talking to will be nice, heck, even super nice! It’s not some hardcore trial, just a couple of question you already know the answer to! Piece of cake (& this comes from someone that’s usually super duper nervous).
 
You’ve got this!

Let me know if you have any questions not addressed in the review and I'll ask her. 
 

Congrats to @jen targ for getting your interview date!!!! Been a long time waiting!!  Jen targ has a USCIS priority date of 3/4/2010!! She has been waiting a very long time!!
  From and including: Thursday, 4 March 2010
To, but not including Saturday, 1 July 2017
Result: 2676 days
It is 2676 days from the start date to the end date, but not including the end date
Or 7 years, 3 months, 27 days excluding the end date
 
Finally!!  Wishing you luck in preparing for the interview.  

Welcome to the Case Complete to Interview Monthly thread.
 
 
You can view my spreadsheet Case Complete to Interview Spreadsheet
 
To update your interview date go here. Case Complete to Interview Form
 
For New people to the thread please go Case Complete to Interview Form and input your information in the form and it will be added to the form.
 
Everyone should be clicking on the Portal tab to visit the information for their country. If nothing is there or information needs updating. Update or add.
Its up to all of us to keep this information current, relevant and helpful to others.

Special Note: Different consulates or embassies have strict guidelines as to what type of bags/purses/cellphones etc can be carried in. And whether they provide any lockers (or not) for temp storage. As many travel from far away (by air/train/cars, one needs to specially know what they will not be able to take inside the consulate and where to store their personal belongings.
 
 
 
Here are some FAQ and other tidbits that may be useful to you. Be sure to visit your countries portal and click on the Consular Information and also Consular reviews.
 
FAQ

I just called and got Case Complete how long does it take to get the email as confirmation?
Well it has been taking 5 to 7 days to get case complete email from the date they Case Complete.

How long after Case Complete will I get an interview?
Okay this is the BIG mystery of NVC. How it usually goes is end of the month and first week of month they start scheduling for interviews for the that upcoming month. Since January they have been pretty consistent starting about the last 2 days of the month and finishing that following first week of next month

Do I have to call for my interview date?
NVC has improved greatly since March. The interview letter now comes day of schedule. So call if you want its up to you.

I know someone who got interview in the middle of the month. How is that possible?
Usually when you see someone pop up with an interview outside the bunch its usually the result of a cancellation or the embassy opening up a slot. Just because scheduling stops doesn't mean they filled up all slots. They may have more slots than appointments which is good. So someone gets case complete and immediately they get an interview. It happens.

Remember every embassy has its own slots and schedule. Some like El Salvador are very busy with a long waiting list. Some like Yemen, well it may be a few months to get in. Iceland you get interview immediately scheduled after case Complete.

I need to change our interview date what do I do?
Once you receive your interview date track your casefile. Call NVC ask when your casefile left than you can follow the DHL instructions to embassy. The contact your embassy (email is best) and ask to be rescheduled later, earlier just ask. 

What do I need to bring to interview?
When you receive your P4 Letter (Interview letter) it will have your personalized checklist of things to bring or not. It has been suggested because things have been lost between NVC and embassy to bring everything (Originals) to the interview so if they don't have at embassy you aren't delayed.It's up to you. It doesn't happen much but it does happen.
 
How to expedite at NVC?
Go to this link has good information how to go about it.
http://boureypeatnut...m/expedite.html
Just to remind everyone to revisit the NVC Process Wiki, NVC Process Wiki
*******************************
 
Thanks to Fabian&Ross for spelling this all out. Once you get the interview letter reference this.
 
 
You must bring the following items to the visa interview:
Any original documents the NVC requested that you did not submit (refer to the document list below) If the physician gives you your medical exam results, bring them to your interview in the envelope sealed by the medical office. Two passport photographs measuring 2 inches by 2 inches (5 cm by 5 cm) with a white background A valid unexpired passport Photocopies of all civil documents A new police certificate from your current country of residence, if you obtained the police certificate more than one year ago. Any additional documents listed in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate specific interview guidelines  
The following table lists the documents requested by the NVC and whether or not you submitted them to the
NVC. Please note that even though you may have provided the NVC with a copy of a document, you are
still required to bring the original document to the visa interview.
 
Refer to the Document Status Code Definitions (see key below) to determine the meaning of the document status codes. Thank you Dragi
 
Document Status Code Definitions:
2 - The NVC did not receive this document. Go to http://nvc.state.gov/documents for a list of required documents. You must present the original document at the time of your interview. A - Obtain the original or a certified copy of this document and present it at your interview C - You must bring this entire interview letter to your interview D - The NVC sent this form or document to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate F - The NVC did not request this form or document G - You withdrew your I-601A, Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver, with USCIS H - You must obtain two passport photographs of yourself and present them at your interview I - This form is incomplete. You must present a completed form at your interview. J - The NVC only received a photocopy of the document. You must present the original document at the time of your interview. O - The NVC sent this form or document to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate P - You must request this police certificate from the issuing authority. After you submit your request, the issuing authority will send the certificate directly to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your interview. Q - View this website: http://www.uscis.gov...ce-field-office R - You submitted the Immigrant Visa Application online S - The NVC only received a scanned document. You must present the original document at the time of your interview. T - You must present an English translation of this document at the time of your interview U - You indicated this document was unavailable. The consular officer will decide whether to waive the requirement for this document at your interview. V - View the website at http://havana.usint.gov/cfrp.html for English or http://spanish.havan...t.gov/cfrp.html for Spanish and follow the instructions. X - This document is unobtainable Y - The NVC sent this form or document to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate $ - Payment received + - The NVC returned this document to you per your request. Present this document at your interview.  
********************************************************
For those who want to request an earlier interview date here is a template written up by our own TeaCup.
Thank you TeaCup for the Template on how to notify the embassy
********************************************************
Petitioners Name
Petitioners Date of birth
Beneficiary's Name
Beneficiary's Date of birth

NVC Case #

To whom it may concern,

My name is *********
I am writing to you in order to request an earlier interview. I have originally been scheduled for an Immigrant interview at (name of embassy and give date)
I have completed the required medical exam and I have all the necessary documents necessary for the interview and I am ready.
If it is at all possible for an earlier interview date to be scheduled for me it would be much appreciated.
Thank you for your time

Sincerely.
****************

Address & Phone Number
 
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************
CEAC.state.gov Check My Visa Application Status: Status Wiki Thank you, SoerenHelmer,
 
https://docs.google....Min35W08WU/edit
 
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************
How to pay the Green Card Production fee of $165 on the Elis system.
NO NEED FOR ACCESS CODE, that is for other procedures like getting a copy of a green card, etc.
1. Create the ELIS account here: https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/
2. Go here to pay fee: https://www.uscis.go...g-online-filing
3. Click to pay the USCIS immigrant fee icon.
4.Click "continue" at the bottom.
5.Enter the Alien Number and the NVC or DOS case. Use the same email you used on the ELIS account.
This is critical to enable your created ELIS account to receive your payment information.
6. You will get an email confirming your payment.
7. When you log again on the ELIS account, you will see your case number. (It is added automatically).
8. Login into your ELIS account to track or check the status of your Green Card.
Note: Green Card process starts when immigrant enters USA and is processed at POE.
********************************Tips about your getting your SSN**********************************************If you don't have your SSN card within 21 days of your POE, go IN PERSON to your local SSA office and see if your application was forwarded by the Immigration officer. It only works about 50% of the time when you tick the box on the DS-260. As soon as you have your SSN you may work. Your passport visa and the immigration stamp is the equivalent of your green card. Thank you Sukie in NY  

I believe that when you look at your case through CEAC it shows you real time. I remember that I called NVC once for an update regarding my CC (in the morning) and they told me that my case is still pending review. I checked CEAC and noticed that my case said "AT NVC" around 4pm and I called NVC and they confirmed a CC later in the day. 

Hi All...
We just checked the visa status and it's "AT NVC" and the AOS is also disappeared.
We just called NVC and confirmed that our case is completed.
Our case got completed in exactly 7 weeks.
SD- May 30, 2017
CC- July 18, 2017 

Hello, 
My case was completed today! 
Scan date:  May 10th
CC: July 18th
When should we call NVC to see if there's a date set for the interview?

Congrats on your CC!!
 
Please update the NVC Case Status Spread Sheet - 2017 with your latest status.
 
Here are instructions on how to edit/save the questionnaire. 
 
Meanwhile, you can head over to the following forum, joining others who are waiting for an interview date and preparing for their interviews. Please read the first post, very informative info in there. See you there. 
 
 Case Complete to Interview August 2017
  Thank you, JBMG

Finally the wait is over CC 7/17

That was FAST!!!! Congrats!!
 
You can head over to the following forum, joining others who are waiting for an interview date and preparing for their interviews. Please read the first post, very informative info in there. See you there.  
 
 
 Case Complete to Interview August 2017
 

Congrats! Hope you hear from embassy soon! Good luck

I CALLED!!!! Our case was completed yesterday!!!! 
I guess we just have to wait to hear from the embassy now... hoping that doesn't take too long!
 
Just an FYI, our NVC scan date is May 25, 2017

Oh and calling between 7am-8am is the perfect time to call. Normally I have waited 15-25 minutes on hold before getting an agent, this time there was no agent, I was transferred immediately after going through the automated system. 

I CALLED!!!! Our case was completed yesterday!!!! 
I guess we just have to wait to hear from the embassy now... hoping that doesn't take too long!
 
Just an FYI, our NVC scan date is May 25, 2017

Hi, call now, they just opened 13 mins ago.  
 
Calling the NVC from outside of the US (or within)
 
Best 5 Android Apps to Make Free Calls to US
Best 4 iPhone Apps to Make Free Calls to US
 
 
Phone Number
NVC - 603-334-0700 [HOURS: 7am - 12am (7h-24h) EST, M-F]
Best time to call: 7-8am or 11pm-12am / 7h-8h or 23h-24h 
Current local time in Portsmouth NH (NVC)
Time Zone Converter
 
Menu
Press 1, for English
Press 2, for Spanish
 
After pressing 1 for English, the options are:
 
1, to verify priority date
2, to establish an agent, request fee bill or invoice number
3, to verify that they received your mail
4, to confirm date and time of interview
5, to update your mailing address, phone number, email address
6, if your case is at a US embassy or consulate overseas
7, for all other questions
 
Once you have a CC, please let us know on the forum. Thank you!

Congratulations @amoooooor wowww😀😀 happy to see may 25 case complete!! Gives me hope as mine is may 24th😍😍😍

Wow, really?!?! 
Thank you so much, I will call them when they open in the morning!! 

Hi! 
Since we checked this morning our case now says "AT NVC", however, there is no summary information available and no AOS information posted. 
Can someone fill me in on why I can't see any summary info?
I'm hopeful that this is good news for us! 
THANKS!

Congratulations! Another May 25 😄😄
This is great news

Hi! 
Since we checked this morning our case now says "AT NVC", however, there is no summary information available and no AOS information posted. 
Can someone fill me in on why I can't see any summary info?
I'm hopeful that this is good news for us! 
THANKS!

This means CASE COMPLETE!! CONGRATS! Call the NVC to confirm

Avoid getting a checklist. Here are the most common reasons why people get a checklist. 
 
FIRST off, the NVC does not receive your documents from the USCIS. The only documents they review are the ones you send them. And the VERSION of documents you sent to the USCIS, may not acceptable at the NVC. VERY important, check the US embassy website in your country to see if you can get a detailed list of the versions of the documents you must need. Normally their list will tell you the version you need. Make sure you include everything that is required (applicable to you) from your NVC welcome letter. 
 
Here is a list of the most common reasons why the NVC delays cases asking for new documentation to be sent to them.. Delaying the processing for another  8-11 weeks! 
 
THE NVC loses your documents: 
Make sure you write your CASE number on EVERY copy, including your AOS/i-864 form.. TIP:  Buy a stamp and stamp each copy..  Or print out the applicant's case number/name on a label sheet, then cut and stick on each copy.
 
Use the correct version of each document: Verify the version you need with the US embassy you're having an interview at. If copies are not in the embassy accepted language, have them translated. But send the copies of the original with it. 
 
AOS/i-864: Write None and N/A on any empty field.. You can't do this via the computer.. Have to handwrite this. Include EVERY page, and sign it. Even if there is nothing on the page, you include it and write None and N/A on every empty field. 
 
Police and Court Records
If you lived in any country more than 6 months, you have to request and police report from that country.. If you have any court records, you have to request those too. 
 
The following are commonly lost, missing, or the correct version wasn't sent in originally. 
Police records/Police clearance
Court records
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate 
Landing Papers 
Proof of residency. For example, you're from Portugal but living in Canada. You need to send the NVC your canadian proof of residency and landing papers. 
Tax Transcripts, W2 Forms, 1099 forms. If you don't have a w2, and tax transcripts explain why you don't have them in a letter.
Divorce records
 
Here is a list of real checklists from Feb/March/April cases.. Don't let this happen to you. 
=======
Asked for proof of canadian residence (PR card) which was already submitted with I-130 and mailed document to NVC on June 12th. Also assessment for W2 form which I can take in Interview.
Court record
Incorrect BC and police report
Affidavit of Support form and supporting financial documents
Photocopy of original birth certificate
Missing Birth Certificate
Wrong birth certificate
missing i-i-864a (household member)
They say we are missing Birth Cert and Police Cert but we sent them.
Missing police record
NVC could not accept our police certificate-apparently they lost 2 pages of it
Birth certificate
1st checklist 12/07/17 . correct info in AOS : in the application in sponsor's household size i filled the box #3 instead of #1.
2nd checklist 02/11/17 only sent corrected pages. Didn't know that i had to send all 12 pages again . my latest scan date was 02/15/17
I-864, some places left blank.
They said it was an incorrect birth certificate.
Checklist for a death certificate
Court Records
obsolete AOS form
Incorrect birth certificate. Needs to be one with parents names
Incorrect Marriage Certificate
Financial documents (standard as we are using assets). Also said we had incorrect birth certificate. When I called to clarify, turned out it was incorrect police certificate.
Missing ppc
Marriage Certificate and Police Certificate
Computer generated birth certificate
Police report , w2 from my sponsor
PCC and W2 form
requested missing Nigeria police clearance
=====
 
Don't hesitate to add to the list.  Complete this Checklist Survey . 
 
To see all the results, click on the following:
 
Checklist Responses
 
Thank you for your time in filling out the survey, with your help, this will hopefully help others who are about to submit their file to the NVC. And possibly help the NVC improve their instructions to reduce the amount of cases receiving a checklist. 
 
Thank you, 
 
JBMG