Scandi.......... sup? lol      We got our interview date September 17 for Oct 28th. 

On 4/25/2020 at 8:58 PM, Becci391 said:

Wondering the same.

We are August filers as well. Had my Biometrics appointment in November.

We checked status online last week to discover that our case was forwarded for interview scheduling on May 5th. We have yet to receive an interview appointment. I suspect that will come any day now and if so, it looks as though the 18 month wait timeline we were given will be significantly less? 

Silke and I are August filers. Bio-metrics completed in October so now it is a wait game. I see they are processing March 2019 and where many Gov. employees may be furloughed, it could be awhile.  There could be an exception. With the current ban in place, should the Government workers handling these applications, the process could be sped up for those of us in the I-751 process. Anyone else think the same on this?

Admins.. you should take note of these new procedures to inform the members.. This post should be placed in a thread we're all can see as this process has been totally revamped and for the good of the people applying.

I forgot something important with our interview. Because we are the first couple to go through this new process at the NVC/Consulate, The only thing you will get back in the mail is your passport. Her medical exam results were sent directly to the Frankfurt consulate as well.

she received an email two days after our approval telling her to notify them via email which Port of entry she will be using so they will be prepared to process her Visa.

Below is my original post fixing my grammatical mistakes...

Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa

We were the first to go through the electronic filing process at this Consulate..

As in anything, there are kinks in the process as they fine tune it. There was some mild confusion with regards to how they verify the documents in the system with the originals that you MUST bring with you because they will need to verify them. They only wanted to see Silke's notarized birth certificate and divorce decree to compare to what was on the screen. They asked nothing of me the petitioner as far as documentation. But obviously bring everything.

Our appointment was for 07:40 but that really only is to get you in line I believe at the consulate early. As long as you're there on your day, I think you are ok. So don't stress if you are late getting there on the day of your interview. 

Once you are in, you go to the cashier's window to pay any fees needing to be paid. We had none as we were all paid up.

We then got a ticket with a number and waited to be called. We then got a very nice woman who did the document verification with the documents I noted above. She explained the process very clearly to us.

We needed no receipts of relationship items. We needed no photos though we brought our wedding album.
Is it good to bring such things? Sure... I mean why not? If there were any doubts in the interview, then you would have evidence to support your case.

So the first process with the verification took about 15 minutes and that was only because we are the first to go through this new process in Frankfurt.

We then took a seat to wait till we were called to another window for the interview with a consulate officer. The wait was about 30 minutes as he was the only officer and 3 people went before us.

He was very pleasant and very professional. He asked nothing of me only to ask "I assume you are the petitioner for Silke". I said yes and stated my name. He asked towards the end asked what I did for a living.
There were very few questions he asked Silke. No gotcha questions. No telephone numbers or social security,birthdays, etc questions asked. Is that to say they never will again with this process? No. 

I view it like this, these people have done this many years. They are a good judge when it comes to such things. 
Based upon the overwhelming data provided with regards to my assets and seeing two people who matched, they have a good gut feeling.

He did ask us how we came to meet... How the relationship progressed afterward. How often we met because of the long distance relationship.. He only asked and did not ask for proof and again, it does no mean they never will.

I want to give all of you some common sense advice. I've been on the planet awhile and understand a few things.. Remember this is a US Government building and an official situation you are in. A smart person treats this somewhat like a job interview. How you dress in my opinion, makes a huge difference. It says much about you in this moment. I hate wearing a suit and tie.... guess what I wore? Yep... a suit and tie. Silke wore a lovely Conservative dress WITH sleeves. Get the picture?

Not that it should matter but she (as she always does) wore her cross necklace. I saw women who's asses were falling out of "daisy duke" shorts, blue jeans and t shirts and just shook my head. I have to wonder sometimes how people can be so stuck on stupid.

So, have some respect or reverence in the situation. It tells the people behind the glass you have a clue about life..

So all told, we were in the building for about an hour. Most of that was waiting for the cashier window to open at 7:30 and then the window for documentation to open at 07:45, 15 minutes there, wait for the consulate officer for about 30 minutes and then our turn.

We stayed at the Best Western. If you stay, check out the 1400 era building across the street from the main hotel entrance. I think the hotel owns it? Cheap food and cheap beer. We sat outside in the inner courtyard.

The consulate is a short 8 minute walk.. Come out of the main entranceway of the hotel, walk to the right down that Main Street keeping the center train tracks to your LEFT. Down just about 500 meters you see a blue rectangular sign indicating a walkway with all beige paver stones. Take that all the way to the end... go right, pass the delivery entrance on the right. The consulate entrance is just about 200 meters beyond that.

Hopefully.... you left you cellphone at the hotel or in your car. It is the first thing you are asked by the nice German gentleman at the security check. 

For visas, you will be in the line to the right. It is well identified. You will then be called to window #1 when it is your turn. You will present your passport. I the petitioner did as well. You then go through security and remove all contents from your pockets as well as a belt if wearing one. You will place it in a clear plastic bag and at the end of the check after you walk through a series of doors, put everything back on or in your person and leave the plastic bag in a bin. You then exit the security building and walk a short distance to the consulate building. You will see security personnel standing outside of the entrance. You go in and there will be a podium for check in. They will direct you from there which is likely as I said way upabove, to the cashier's window.

It was reiterated to us a couple times with the document verifier and the consulate officer that this new process is designed to shorten the process for petitioners and immigrants which is something the new President wanted. We were looking at Oct, Nov or Dec for our interview and were shocked when we got our date 1 day after completing the document upload process? 

Remember this... More is less.. I gave them 4 years of tax returns, 4 W2's, 4 payroll stubs, my social security statement as I already have enough credits, my pension info as well as 401k info. It assured the Govt Silke would NEVER be a burden to the US taxpayer. 

So now it is a matter of Silke giving notice to her employer which unfortunately will be a few month because of the length of time she's been there. German law but it works both ways.... she has compensatory time to sell back so maybe sooner.. 

The wait was worth it because I found a diamond in the rough. She is a beautiful human being.
I was not nervous at all through this last step as I knew I was prepared and I believe having the financial wherewithal can make a difference. Being on the margins more than likely opens you up to possibly more scrutiny.

Best of luck to all of you in your Visa Journey

Admins.. you should take note of these new procedures to inform the members.. This post should be placed in a thread we're all can see as this process has been totally revamped and for the good of the people applying.

I forgot something important with our interview. Because we are the first couple to go through this new process at the NVC/Consulate, The only thing you will get back in the mail is your passport. Her medical exam results were sent directly to the Frankfurt consulate as well.

she received an email two days after our approval telling her to notify them via email which Port of entry she will be using so they will be prepared to process her Visa.

Below is my original post fixing my grammatical mistakes...

Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa

We were the first to go through the electronic filing process at this Consulate..

As in anything, there are kinks in the process as they fine tune it. There was some mild confusion with regards to how they verify the documents in the system with the originals that you MUST bring with you because they will need to verify them. They only wanted to see Silke's notarized birth certificate and divorce decree to compare to what was on the screen. They asked nothing of me the petitioner as far as documentation. But obviously bring everything.

Our appointment was for 07:40 but that really only is to get you in line I believe at the consulate early. As long as you're there on your day, I think you are ok. So don't stress if you are late getting there on the day of your interview. 

Once you are in, you go to the cashier's window to pay any fees needing to be paid. We had none as we were all paid up.

We then got a ticket with a number and waited to be called. We then got a very nice woman who did the document verification with the documents I noted above. She explained the process very clearly to us.

We needed no receipts of relationship items. We needed no photos though we brought our wedding album.
Is it good to bring such things? Sure... I mean why not? If there were any doubts in the interview, then you would have evidence to support your case.

So the first process with the verification took about 15 minutes and that was only because we are the first to go through this new process in Frankfurt.

We then took a seat to wait till we were called to another window for the interview with a consulate officer. The wait was about 30 minutes as he was the only officer and 3 people went before us.

He was very pleasant and very professional. He asked nothing of me only to ask "I assume you are the petitioner for Silke". I said yes and stated my name. He asked towards the end asked what I did for a living.
There were very few questions he asked Silke. No gotcha questions. No telephone numbers or social security,birthdays, etc questions asked. Is that to say they never will again with this process? No. 

I view it like this, these people have done this many years. They are a good judge when it comes to such things. 
Based upon the overwhelming data provided with regards to my assets and seeing two people who matched, they have a good gut feeling.

He did ask us how we came to meet... How the relationship progressed afterward. How often we met because of the long distance relationship.. He only asked and did not ask for proof and again, it does no mean they never will.

I want to give all of you some common sense advice. I've been on the planet awhile and understand a few things.. Remember this is a US Government building and an official situation you are in. A smart person treats this somewhat like a job interview. How you dress in my opinion, makes a huge difference. It says much about you in this moment. I hate wearing a suit and tie.... guess what I wore? Yep... a suit and tie. Silke wore a lovely Conservative dress WITH sleeves. Get the picture?

Not that it should matter but she (as she always does) wore her cross necklace. I saw women who's asses were falling out of "daisy duke" shorts, blue jeans and t shirts and just shook my head. I have to wonder sometimes how people can be so stuck on stupid.

So, have some respect or reverence in the situation. It tells the people behind the glass you have a clue about life..

So all told, we were in the building for about an hour. Most of that was waiting for the cashier window to open at 7:30 and then the window for documentation to open at 07:45, 15 minutes there, wait for the consulate officer for about 30 minutes and then our turn.

We stayed at the Best Western. If you stay, check out the 1400 era building across the street from the main hotel entrance. I think the hotel owns it? Cheap food and cheap beer. We sat outside in the inner courtyard.

The consulate is a short 8 minute walk.. Come out of the main entranceway of the hotel, walk to the right down that Main Street keeping the center train tracks to your LEFT. Down just about 500 meters you see a blue rectangular sign indicating a walkway with all beige paver stones. Take that all the way to the end... go right, pass the delivery entrance on the right. The consulate entrance is just about 200 meters beyond that.

Hopefully.... you left you cellphone at the hotel or in your car. It is the first thing you are asked by the nice German gentleman at the security check. 

For visas, you will be in the line to the right. It is well identified. You will then be called to window #1 when it is your turn. You will present your passport. I the petitioner did as well. You then go through security and remove all contents from your pockets as well as a belt if wearing one. You will place it in a clear plastic bag and at the end of the check after you walk through a series of doors, put everything back on or in your person and leave the plastic bag in a bin. You then exit the security building and walk a short distance to the consulate building. You will see security personnel standing outside of the entrance. You go in and there will be a podium for check in. They will direct you from there which is likely as I said way upabove, to the cashier's window.

It was reiterated to us a couple times with the document verifier and the consulate officer that this new process is designed to shorten the process for petitioners and immigrants which is something the new President wanted. We were looking at Oct, Nov or Dec for our interview and were shocked when we got our date 1 day after completing the document upload process? 

Remember this... More is less.. I gave them 4 years of tax returns, 4 W2's, 4 payroll stubs, my social security statement as I already have enough credits, my pension info as well as 401k info. It assured the Govt Silke would NEVER be a burden to the US taxpayer. 

So now it is a matter of Silke giving notice to her employer which unfortunately will be a few month because of the length of time she's been there. German law but it works both ways.... she has compensatory time to sell back so maybe sooner.. 

The wait was worth it because I found a diamond in the rough. She is a beautiful human being.
I was not nervous at all through this last step as I knew I was prepared and I believe having the financial wherewithal can make a difference. Being on the margins more than likely opens you up to possibly more scrutiny.

Best of luck to all of of you in this Visa Journey... 


 

2 minutes ago, Sharif Shakhshir said:

I am definitely not trying to discourage anyone and, like I said, we are all in the same boat and wishing to be with our loved ones. Only sharing the facts  from my interviews with immigration officers at Los Angeles Airport.  

 

While I wait my wife's approval, I am weighing the risks and evidence of succes that I keep on reading on Visa Journey. I think we will take that risk so that she can visit this summer. I wish everyone the best of luck.

I think you will be fine. Odd that of all places, LA claiming to be a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants gives someone a difficult time coming through the process the legal way and open about it. The things that boggle the mind. Best of luck in your journey.

On 6/1/2017 at 7:22 PM, Sharif Shakhshir said:

Not recommended by US Customs and Border Patrol.. further, it can jeopardize the whole process.... 

 

We're all in the same boat and want to be with our loved ones but when the immigration officer says they don't recommend since they will question intent, it is not worth the risk.

This is false advice. My wife came on a tourist visa. She brought her NOA2 approval letter with her as well as the submitted I 130 and asked what was the purpose of her visit she said to visit her husband. Then asked when she was returning home..

please do not discourage people from visiting their spouses based upon a false premise.

We were approved on the 20th. See my lengthy post in this thread and Frankfurt review.

Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa

We were the first to go through the electronic filing process at this Consulate..

As in anything, there are kinks in the process as they fine tune it. There was some mild confusion with regards to how they verify the documents in the system with the originals that you MUST bring with you because they will need to verify them. They only wanted to see Silke's notarized birth certificate and divorce decree to compare to what was on the screen. They asked nothing of me the petitioner as far as documentation. But obviously bring everything.

Our appointment was for 07:40 but that really only is to get you in line I believe at the consulate. Once you are in, you go to the cashier's window to pay any fees needing to be paid. We had none as we were all paid up.

We then got a ticket with a number and waited to be called. We then got a very nice woman who did the document verification with he documents I noted above. She explained he process very clearly to us.

We needed no receipts of relationship items. We needed no photos though we brought our wedding album.
Is it good to bring such things? Sure... I mean why not? If there were any doubts in the interview, then you would have evidence to support your case.

So the first process with the verification took about 15 minutes and that was only because we are the first to go through this process in Frankfurt.

We then took a seat to wait till we were called to another window for the interview with a consulate officer. The wait was about 30 minutes as he was the only officer and 3 people went before us.

He was very pleasant and very professional. He asked not hint of me only to ask "I assume you are the petitioner for Silke". I said yes and stated my name. He later towards the end asked what I did for a living.
There were very few questions he asked Silke. No gotcha questions. No telephone numbers or social security,birthdays, etc questions asked. Is that to say they never will again with this process? No. 

I view it like this, these people have done this many years. They are a good judge when it comes to such things. 
Based upon the overwhelming data provided with regards to my assets and seeing two people who matched, they have a good gut feeling.

He did ask us how we came to meet... How the relationship progressed afterward. How often we met because of the long distance relationship.. He only asked and did not ask for proof and again, it does no mean they never will.

I want to give all of you some common sense advice. I've been on the planet awhile and understand a few things.. Remember this is a US Government building and an official situation you are in. A smart person treats this somewhat like a job interview. How you dress in my opinion, makes a huge difference. It says much about you in this moment. I hate wearing a suit and tie.... guess what I wore? Yep... a suit and tie. Silke wore a lovely Conservative dress WITH sleeves. Get the picture?

Not that it should matter but she (as she always does) wore her cross necklace. I saw woman who's asses were falling out of "daisy duke" shorts, blue jeans and t shirts and just shook my head. I have to wonder sometimes how people can be so stuck on stupid.

So, have some respect or reverence in the situation. It tells the people behind the glass you have a clue about life..

So all told, we were in the building for about an hour. Most of that was waiting for the cashier window to open at 7:30 and then the window for documentation to open at 07:45, 15 minutes there, wait for the consulate officer for about 20 minutes and then our turn.

We stayed at the Best Western. If you stay, heck out the 1400 building across the street from the main hotel entrance. I think the hotel owns it? Cheap food and cheap beer. We sat outside in the inner courtyard.

The consulate is a short 8 minute walk.. Come out of the main entranceway of the hotel, walk to the right down that Main Street keeping the center train tracks to your LEFT. Down just about 500 meters you see a blue rectangular sign indicating a walkway with all beige paver stones. Take that all the way to the end... go right, pass the delivery entrance for the consulate and just about 200 meters beyond that is the entrance.

Hopefully.... you left you cellphone at the hotel..... It is the first thing you are asked by the nice German gentleman at the security check. 

For visas, you will be in the line to the right. It is well identified. You will then be called to window #1 when it is your turn. You will present your passport. I the petitioner did as well. You then go through security and remove all contents from your pockets as well as a belt if wearing one. You will place it in a clear plastic bag and at the end of the check after you walk through a series of doors, put everything back on or in your person and lave the plastic bag in a bin. You then exit the security building and walk a short distance to the consulate building. You will see security personnel standing outside of the entrance. You go in and there will b a podium for check in Derry they will direct you from there which is likely as I said way upabove, is the cashier's window.

It was reiterated to us a couple times with the document verifier and the consulate officer that this new process is designed to shorten the process for petitioners and immigrants which is something the new President wanted. We were looking at Oct, Nov or Dec for our interview and were shocked when we got our date 1 day after completing the document upload process? 

Remember this... More is less.. I gave them 4 years of tax returns, 4 W2's, 4 payroll stubs, my social security statement as I already have enough credits, my pension info as well as 401k info. It assured the Govt Silke would NEVER be a burden to the US taxpayer. 

So now it is a matter of Silke giving notice to her employer which unfortunately will be a few month because of the length of time she's been there. German law but it works both ways.... she has compensatory time to sell back so maybe sooner..  

The wait was worth it because I found a diamond in the rough. She is a beautiful human being.
I was not nervous at all through this last step as I knew I was prepared and I believe having the financial wherewithal can make a difference. Being on the margins more than likely opens you up to possibly more scrutiny.

Best of luck to all of of you in this Visa Journey... 




 

On 5/31/2017 at 7:25 PM, Sharif Shakhshir said:

Congrats on fast process and best of luck in the interview :-)

Any tips on things that you think sped up the process?

Well.. if you happen to have one of the consulates that allows you to upload, just have everything ready to go..  If you are going to do IRS transcripts (recommended although I had to use my 2016 return..)  create your online account at the IRS. If you do not have a smart phone, they will not sent you your authentication code. Can't get it on a pay as you go phone.. You'd have to get it by mail which is what I had to do. That was my only hold up and would have probably had approval sooner.

I gave 4 years of tax returns, 4 years of W2's, 4 pay stubs, pension info, 401K info, and only 54 but am social security eligible so I more than enough credits.  So as you can see.. More is less.. Give them more than they need when it comes to assets to assure them your applicant will not be a burden to the American taxpayer should you pass away.
 

My opinion is the $20,000 required is far too low. That is poverty level. One should have to make at least twice that. Won't make many friends with that statement but I am a tax payer and pay quite a bit in taxes and am sick of the waste, fraud and abuse in our system.

 

Craziest thing..  We were able to use CEAC uploading due to Frankfurt being our consulate. Got a case number at NVC on the 11th of May.  Uploaded all documents by the 24th..  Got sent to Consulate the next day.. and the next day had an interview date of June 20th and it just so happens I had booked a trip to Germany in January from the 15th to the 4th of July..  So.. from Dec 6th to June 20th.. Interview. I am shocked..

Craziest thing..  We were able to use CEAC uploading due to Frankfurt being our consulate. Cot a case number at NVC on the 11th of May.  Uploaded all documents by the 24th..  Got sent to Consulate the next day.. and the next day had an interview date of June 20th and it just so happens I had booked a trip to Germany in January from the 15th to the 4th of July..  So.. from Dec 6th to June 20th.. Interview. I am shocked..

Though approved by mail yesterday, still no update in the system. You'd think where the approved date was the 14th, it would have been approved in the system before snail mail gets to you.

Received NOA2 (Approval) in the mail on the the 20th.. (Yesterday) go figure..   No email..  plug in our case in the "my case" field on the USCIS site and it still shows "Received" on Dec 6th..  Odd...

We used Rapid Visa company to ensure we would not get any RFE. Did not want to put anymore stall time in the process. It was money well spent it would seem at this point due to the drawn out NOA2 process.

This is right on the front page of the "Processing Times" page.  Why is Potomac not listed as one of the centers?  Overflow or not. There are a good number transferred there of late.


Current Processing Times

This is right on the front page of the "Processing Times" page.  Why is Potomac not listed as one of the centers?  Overflow or not. There are a good number transferred there of late.


Current Processing Times

Why do the current  processing times on the Visa Journey page greatly differ from the official Government USCIS pages? Why does the Visa Journey page not list Potomoc. Even if it is an overflow location, why not list it? You can always update it when the Govt no longer sends 130's there. Visa Journey lists the NSC in current processing times but when you go to the drop down menu in the USCIS site it does not have the NSC selection there it's kind of funny really.

4 minutes ago, Doug and Silke said:

So you do this when you are logged in right? and then you have to individually put in the case number in the "add case" field?

and then you cannot filter to just i-130's?  Dear lord that is just too much work.You enter 500 cases individually and have to see every other type of case. lol.  Fo-get-aboWWWdit.

On 3/12/2017 at 0:34 PM, PAK123 said:

Still haven't seen any approvals for December (Potomac)?

So you do this when you are logged in right? and then you have to individually put in the case number in the "add case" field?

On 3/4/2017 at 6:59 PM, misshepburn said:

Case Was Sent To The Department of State

On October 27, 2016, we sent your case, Receipt Number SRCXXXXXXX, to the Department of State for visa processing. Please visit our website for general information on Consular Processing. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

this is exactly what comes up when you log into USCIS website. If you are referring to the tracker -- it will say "case was sent to Department of State" 

 

 Its center specific --- since your case number starts with the letters of your service center. The tracker just pulls whatever number of cases that you ask for consecutively after your start point (your case). 

Thanks for answering. I stopped checking. It's too agonizing and frustrating and only makes the waiting game worse.

When you plug in your case number on the USCIS site, if and when approved, what is the exact message on an I-130 approval that is sent to NVC?
I am seeing many "My Card Has Been Sent To Me" but I think that is for employment visas?

I've lived in this state for all of my 54 years. I know individuals whom have succumbed to heroin addictions. The power structure has ignored it for 20 years. This state has had a Democratic Governor for more years now than I care to remember.

USA is different than Europe. Being American is far different than being European.. for now.. That is changing because a vast majority coming here now do NOT have assimilation into the American culture as their first priority. I believe that is by design by the the global elitist new world order miscreants who wanted their agent Hillary elected.

On 2/21/2017 at 5:43 AM, piste said:

The statement is interesting, I have no problem. I see the USA as mixed up as Europe, so many people from different States( swap countries) with their own values, language and (in)tolerances.

 

http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/omh/refugee/facts.htm

 

It all depends on what you read:  

• https://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/tag/new-hampshire/
• http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-islamberg-insight-idUSKBN0OH1D920150601

It has taken 6 months for a family member to get in, so a refugee? 

 

I was more horrified about the drug problem, painkiller-heroin overdose rates - no-one is putting their effort into cleaning up the streets of the pushers, dealers, importers, money fixers and launderers.

• http://rare.us/rare-news/across-the-u-s-a/heroin-crisis-steals-spotlight-from-politics-as-usual-in-new-hampshire/
• http://www.concordmonitor.com/2016-drug-deaths-set-to-pass-2015-numbers-3383178

There has been no news on this at all in the first 30 days, we all wait and see.

15 hours ago, Louie1988 said:

I know, but my I-130 is from Nov 15th, and I already got my NOA2 (01/26/2017).

Wow that is so odd.. I have seen a few others like that as well. No rhyme or reason it seams.. Which office was your processing center if I may ask?

On 1/27/2017 at 4:05 PM, Louie1988 said:

Potomac already started November.. 

But what does that mean actually because now  you look at it and it says "December" at the top BUT processing July filings??

On 1/31/2017 at 6:12 PM, jengeof said:

Hi December i-130 filer here too.. noa1 december 15 - potomac service center.. 46days no noa 2 yet

Potomac as well.. Dec 12th..  Looks to be a long wait..