devblt

We are getting marry in June. I live in London, my fiance live in DC. We are assembling the package for submission. Anyone know how long does it take to apply to the USCIS and how long does it take to the US consular in London?

Thank you! What do you mean by Vermont is going to close? Do you mean the timeline is close or the USCIS in Vermont is going to close?

I think he meant to say it going to be close as in you may get the visa in time.. not as in the Vermont center is going to close down..

Again, to the other posters comment, I think it will be very tight in terms of getting the K1 visa in time especially if you haven't yet filed or are just about to file. It may take longer than 5 months to get the K1 visa especially if there are delays on your application.. just a suggestion.. I would not make definate plans for your wedding until you get a clearer picture on what that time line is going to be..

Good luck

For those of you doing CR/IR1 process and have already gone for the interview or will be in the next week or two.. I wanted to inquire about the whole VCF process.

On the Mumbai site, it says that all the required documents need to be submited to your local VCF office. Does this also include the results from the medical exam? The reason I ask is that my wife is in Rajkot Gujarat, the medicals can only be done in Mumbai, and VCF states that all documents need to be submited 10 days prior to the interview.

So would that mean my wife would need to go to mumbai and get her medical done so she can submit it 10 days prior to the interview? Or can she go to the VCF office in Ahamdabhad and submit all the documents except the medical and do that a couple of days before the interview and take the results with her for the interview?

Also, at the VCF, what are the total fees that need to be paid?

Thanks guys

Thanks everyone for all of the kind words!!!!

We are very excited and wishing the best for all of you out there also!!!!!

Brad & Vicky

Congrats.. I'm sure with all the excitement you've forgotten.. but please well at least your signature.. whenever you get a chance that is!

Congratulations again

Have you called the NVC and talked to someone in person? The automated messaging system will not have any records of K1 applications. NVC will assign a case number and send it directly to the appropriate embassy or consulate

Good luck..

Oh yes, I've spoken with several people by telephone and email but they all confirm they have received nothing from VSC and won't investigate until a full 90 days past nov 29th. They were sympathatic and even transferred me to someone more senior but they were absolutely useless in comparision to the frontline guys.

Sorry to hear that.. it really does suck to be in that position. I hope they end up finding your petition fairly quickly.

Thanks, Misa & Devbit! I was guessing that they wouldn't reply at all, let alone assign a case number, unless they'd actually received our file, but was also wondering why they didn't just say so. So I'm glad to hear that my guess was right, and that it must be there... and even gladder to hear that they might just speak to me if I call, even though I'm the non-USC. Hah... there's one out of the two of us who has the patience (or 'slightly uhealthy obsession with the exact status of our case at any given minute', whichever way you want to put it - I'm calling it patience, cos that sounds *much* better ) to spend forever trying to get through to a real live human being at the NVC, and that person is not my lovely USC fiance!

Thanks again - it's getting exciting now that we're nearly nearly nearly on our way to London!

I've always been lucky when calling the NVC and talking to a live person.. normally it's no more than 5 minutes. Best time to call them is mid-to-late in the week around 10-11am Eastern Standard Time or 3-4pm London time.

Good luck.

Argh, so frustrated!

My NOA2 was granted Nov 29th, and I'm STILL waiting for the NVC to receive the application. They won't even look into it until 90 days have gone by, so once again I'm sat frustrated by the total inability to proceed. Nobody will let me talk to VSC to check they mailed it, they claim they don't keep records of what was mailed. How can they be so useless!

Just needed to vent, so frustrated.

Have you called the NVC and talked to someone in person? The automated messaging system will not have any records of K1 applications. NVC will assign a case number and send it directly to the appropriate embassy or consulate

Good luck..

If you have been assigned an NVC case number that means they do have your file.. so you are good to go! Once they have assigned a case #, they'll do a quick review before sending it to London. Normally 1-2 weeks. You'll not get any updateds on the NVC automated phone system (applies only to K1-K3 visa's) so you'll have to call or e-mail the NVC to determine when the case was sent to London.

Good luck

It really shouldn't be a problem.. but if you are really concerned about it, why not get A3 paper and cut it down to the 8 1/2 x 11 size.. or the other option would be for your S/O in the USA printing the form and mailing them to you to fill out (that's what I did)

Good to see all the red ink on the chart... we just need to see the red ink shifting to the right slight

hi again.......thaanx for your responses.........Good luck to Tim&Poonam for the interview....hope you will post your interview experience in this thread........

Devblt ....man just hang in their.....time will fly away....and if your wife have broadband connection then take an account in the SKYPE in your name and Id if your wife dont have credit card.......it only costs 95 paisa per minute.....it wld be cheaper only if you have to talk more and have unlimited usage broadband connection.....hope it helps......we did that and atlast last month my wife came to be with me ...........and we will fly together.....

Hey folks....... it will be good if you post the city of residence in US....

i am going to live intially at Dallas, TX.......bye for now......

riz

My wife has an internet connection, but not broadband connection so using skpe is not an option. We do have webcam chats but not ideal when she is on dial-up

I'm in Charlotte NC and my wife is from Rajkot Gujarat.

Hi there

I wonder if anyone could advise me please.

In order to speed the process up a little I followed the advice given here previously regarding the choice of agent form and emailed my choice of agent to the NVC.

I sent the email back on the 19th Dec 2006 and never recieved a response, so presuming the email might have been lost over the course of the holidays I re-emailed my choice of agent on the 15th Jan 2007, as yet I have still not recieved a response.

I therefore thought it might be best to send the form by snail mail as well just incase there is a problem with email, however it says on the original form that it expires 31-12-2006.

I'm therefore left wondering what to do, do I wait yet longer for an email response ?, can I use the original form even though it says it has expired? do I order a new one?

Please can anyone help?

Thankyou

Sarah and Brian

Sarah, Brian,

Have you contacted the NVC to see if they have updated their records for the Choice of Agent? If not, go ahead and call them, and speak to one of the reps. If they say it has not been updated, ask about what to do with the fact that the form has expired. They'll let you know what the appropriate course of action to take at this point.

Also, just as a side question, on the e-mail you sent, did you ensure you had the NVC case # the petitioner and beneficary's name and DOB.. if that was not included, that could be a potential reason. One other thing I did was to send the e-mail to the NVC using my wife's (beneficary's) e-mail address and not my own.

As you can tell from my time line.. I sent the e-mail at the same time as you, so I don't think it's a case of NVC "loosing track of it".. but who knows

keep us posted on what happens.. good luck

Thanks for all the help, it's a big relief to have some idea of what to expect. I'll review all the info that you both suggested and respond if i have any further questions.

No problem.. if you have any other questions.. feel free to send me a PM

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum, and the general visa process. My wife and I we're married in India Dec. 15th and I sent in our i-130 and G325A forums. I did receive a receipt (from the Vermont Center), but I'm not sure the next step in the procedure is? If someone can help explain the general procedure and also the acronyms used on this forum (NOA1, NOA2, ect) it would greatly appreciated.

Also the official time table stated that as of Jan 17th 2007, the center was reviewing applications( i-130) from March 2006, does this mean I should expect a 10 month period for approval?

Singha,

The receipt you received is your NOA1 or Notice of Action 1. This NOA let's you know that they have your case, and will also provide a receipt # which may start with a WAC or something. NOA2 is sent to you by USCIS when they have approved your I-130 application after which time, they will send your approved I-130 to the NVC in New Hampshire.

The timeline on the USCIS website does not reflect the "current" timeline on approvals. They typically have a 6 month buffer, but in most instances, your I-130 will be approved within 3 month. You should sign up for e-mail notifications and tracking of your case on-line at the USCIS website. You'll need to create an account with your receipt #.

As a fellow Indian, it is safe to say that the entier process from the time you submit your I-130 to the time your wife has an interview and hopefully approved is going to be about 9-10 months. Obviously this can depend on individual circumstances for each case. Check out my timeline for a better feel of how long each step will take.

My case is currently at the NVC, and in the final stage of review/approval before being sent to the Mumbai Embassy. I'm hoping that by the end of Feb, the NVC will send it on to the Mumbai embassy, and for an interview to be scheduled for sometime in April - which would be about an 8 month process in total.

You may also want to read up on the process at the NVC. Go to the guides section and look for the NVC process flow. You should also go to the NVC forum, and pinned at the top is a thread about tips and timesavers at the NVC.. otherwise refered to as Jame's shortcuts.. those shortcuts difinately save you significant amout of time at the NVC.

Good luck with your journey.. one piece of advise.. be paitent

Hi

Good luck to you all with your upcoming interview.. my wife's interview is still a couple of months out. We are in the final stages at NVC. We hope for an interview date sometime in April

Hi,

Once your I-130 is approved, your case will be sent to the NVC (National Visa Center) in New Hampshire. This is where the actual immigrant visa application takes place. At the NVC, there are two different tracks.. one for the immigrant (your wife) and one for the sponser (you). The choice of agent is the first step in the process for your wife. Essentially it is asking the immigrant who they should sent all the corrospondence to. The choice of agent can be either the immigrant or the sponsor. Typically most people will assign the sponsor to be the choice of agent. Since the sponsor is in the USA it will take less time to deliver the documents to a US address than to an address in India, and thus save a lot of time in the immigration process.

Most people send an e-mail to the NVC to assign the agent which saves even more time. The choice of agent will always be sent to the immigrant, so by e-mailing a note save's a lot of time. Once NVC accepts the choice of agent, they'll generate the fee associated with the application to the appointed choice of agent as well as the DS230 application.

Go to the guides section and review the NVC process for a better understanding of how that process works. You can also go to the NVC forum and pinned at the top are shortcuts refered to as James' shortcuts (e-mailing Choice of Agent is one) that you can use to reduce the time your application will spend at the NVC.

Below is my e-mail that I sent to the NVC for the choice of agent. NVC replied back about 4 days later stating that they have updated the choice of agent in their records, and that all corrospondences will be sent to me (the husband)

Good luck!

To : nvcinquiry@state.gov

Subject : Re: NCV Case Number BMB2006841014

Case Number = BMB##########

Beneficiary Name and DOB =

Petitioners Name and DOB =

Dear Sir or Madam at NVC,

My name is (your wife's name) my NVC assigned case number is BMB##########

Unfortunately I cannot locate my Choice of Agent form # DS-3032, and would like to appoint my husband as my agent of choice to receive all correspondence from NVC

My husband's (the petitioner) name and address is as follows:

(Name and addresss for the sponsor)

All correspondence from the National Visa Center concerning my immigration visa application should be sent to the address referenced above.

Please kindly reply with a correspondence acknowledging the recepit of this e-mail in lieu of the DS-3032 Choice of Agent form.

Thankyou kindly,

Your wife's name

ACTION:

Updated cartman12 service center

Member Name--------------NOA1---(CSC/VSC)-----NOA2 Approval-----NVC Complete-----------Date

boboroad --------------- 06/29/04 (CSC) ----- 03/09/06 -------- Approved ------------- 11/02/06 (visa granted)

Substance -------------- 02/10/06 (VSC) ----- 06/02/06 -------- 11/22/06 ------------- 01/23/07 (visa granted)

w1n78 ------------------ 06/13/06 (CSC) ----- 09/05/06 -------- 11/16/06 ------------- Pending

The_dip_sticks --------- 06/15/06 (___) ----- Pending

BradyVicky ------------- 06/22/06 (CSC) ----- 08/29/06 -------- 12/01/06 ------------- 01/30/07

Michael and Milahjean -- 07/13/06 (CSC) ----- 09/07/06 -------- 11/15/06 ------------- Pending

MarocAmer -------------- 07/17/06 (CSC) ----- Pending

Amarceau --------------- 07/17/06 (CSC) ----- 09/07/06 -------- 01/11/07 ------------- Pending

randynrose---------------07/20/06 (CSC) ----- 09/29/06 -------- Pending

dims1 ------------------ 07/25/06 (CSC) ----- 09/20/06 -------- 12/01/06 ------------- Pending

Our Mao ---------------- 07/27/06 (CSC) ----- 12/01/06 -------- Pending

adk0290----------------- 08/01/06 (VSC) ----- 12/01/06 -------- Pending

szsz ------------------- 08/07/06 (CSC) ----- 10/03/06 -------- Pending

Okapi ------------------ 08/15/06 (CSC) ----- 11/17/06 -------- Pending

Xuemei ----------------- 08/16/06 (___) ----- Pending

a1angied-----------------08/19/06 (___) ----- 10/11/06 -------- Pending

rizthomson ------------- 08/21/06 (CSC) ----- 10/03/06 -------- 12/22/06 ------------- 02/26/07

niagara_falls ---------- 08/22/06 (VSC) ----- Pending

shree_anil ------------- 08/24/06 (VSC) ----- 12/04/06 -------- Pending

manana ----------------- 08/25/06 (VSC) ----- 12/06/06 -------- Pending

BelwinMills ------------ 08/28/06 (CSC) ----- 10/12/06 -------- 01/17/07 ------------- Pending

knowledge -------------- 08/28/06 (VSC) ----- Pending

NYC__girl -------------- 08/29/06 (VSC) ----- Pending

Slithytoves ------------ 08/30/06 (___) ----- 10/26/06 -------- Pending

PMRS ------------------- 09/01/06 (___) ----- 11/08/06 -------- Pending

Florida-Photo ---------- 09/06/06 (CSC) ----- 11/02/06 -------- Pending

Bosnia ----------------- 09/07/06 (CSC) ----- 12/05/06 -------- Pending

Natty Bumppo ----------- 09/08/06 (CSC) ----- 12/06/06 -------- Pending

Heina ------------------ 09/11/06 (VSC) ----- Pending

Elle ------------------- 09/11/06 (VSC) ----- Pending

cartman12 -------------- 09/13/06 (CSC) ----- Pending

donquijote ------------- 09/13/06 (CSC) ----- 12/06/06 -------- Pending

dougyceci -------------- 09/13/06 (CSC) ----- 11/22/06 -------- Pending

Shakil ----------------- 09/13/06 (CSC) ----- Pending

Justo/Sheyla ----------- 09/18/06 (CSC) ----- 12/27/06 -------- Pending

Arpita & Deven --------- 09/19/06 (___) ----- 11/27/06 -------- Pending

Dennis & Ezgi ---------- 09/21/06 (VSC) ----- 01/18/07 -------- Pending

TongandWei ------------- 09/25/06 (VSC) ----- 12/18/06 -------- Pending

Tony & Olga ------------ 09/25/06 (CSC) ----- 11/16/06 -------- Pending

riblet ----------------- 09/25/06 (CSC) ----- 12/06/06 -------- Pending

luvbugs4ever ----------- 09/26/06 (VSC) ----- 12/14/06 -------- Pending

JaneandJeff ------------ 09/27/06 (VSC) ----- 12/01/06 -------- Pending

anneiy ----------------- 09/28/06 (CSC) ----- 11/28/06 -------- Pending

Mike and Adriana ------- 09/29/06 (CSC) ----- 11/28/06 -------- Pending

pendleton_boy ---------- 10/03/06 (CSC) ----- Pending

bsuboyus --------------- 10/05/06 (CSC) ----- 01/16/07 -------- Pending

jediknight ------------- 10/10/06 (VSC) ----- Pending

Ms514 ------------------ 10/04/06 (VSC) ----- 12/08/06 -------- Pending

erporsche -------------- 10/18/06 (CSC) ----- Pending

Exodus2006 ------------- 10/18/06 (CSC) ----- 01/16/07 -------- Pending

StarProg --------------- 10/18/06 (CSC) ----- 12/28/06 -------- Pending

Richisusie ------------- 11/12/06 (VSC) ----- Pending

misa ------------------- 11/20/06 (VSC) ------ 01/09/07 ------- Pending

agm -------------------- 12/07/06 (CSC) ----- Pending

Radu & Mari------------- 12/12/06 (CSC) ----- Pending

nyseness --------------- 01/06/07 (CSC) ----- Pending

Dennis & Ezgi,

Nice to see you finally got that approval

Hi, we're new to the forum and need some clarification about the timelines given here. Is this data only from people who are on this site or is this all the cases at the different service centers? Also, if you go to the USCIS timeline site say for Nebraska they just started working on cases from 7/06, those filed 6 months ago, but the timelines on here say the NOA-2's are averaging in the 100 day range from filing to NOA-2?? This process is very confusing and the USCIS sites really don't give anything but the bare minimum help. I have found more useful information on this site and more help in filing applications than the gov't provides. We are in the same situation as most people I have seen here in that we just would like some kind of a realistic idea of how this process works and a logical estimate of how long it will take. Thanks for any information! Bevray

The timelines on this site are based on members imput and not for the entier USICS case load. The timeline here gives you a good idea of how fast or slow on average the USCIS is working. The timelines on the USCIS website is defaulted 6 months back.. so it does not have much meaning. Approvals from USCIS are normally taking on average about 90 days.

Good luck with your journey

It was sent out couple of weeks ago, so is packet 3 only for k visas?

The DS230 part 1 you sent to NVC was in effect the packet 3. If your case was went to NVC in early Jan, then you should be in line for an appointment in March (appointment letter will be sent to you - packet 4). Check out the link schedule on 16/17 feb for your appointment date (look for your nvc case #). If it's not on the schedule than e-mail the mumbai consulate

http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/interview_appt_schedule.html

I checked with the NVC and received their letter that they have sent the file to Mumbai, the case is CR1 and i already send the DS 230 part 1 to NVC, so does it have to be done again with the packet 3? Can I still send the packet 3 or do they just send me packet 4? Thank you for your help in advance.

No I don't believe you need to send in another DS230 part 1 again. When Mumbai schedule the interview, they'll send you packet 4 - the appointment letter. I would e-mail the Mumbai consulate to ask when your interview will be scheduled.

When did the NVC tell you that they sent the file to Mumbai?

You can also check the Mumbai consulate website as they post the schedule of interviews for the next month of the 15th of every month.

http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/interview_appt_schedule.html

I really got a kick out of the guy who questioned Simon immigration status.. and whether he had a work visa or not

I may as well pull up a comfy chair, sit down and join the rest of you bescause it's going to be a long wait

thanks again

zedd

While you are pulling up a comfy chair.. so that other members can better assist with your questions.

Thankyou and good luck

I voted No Way.. or atleast they shouldn't be... not that there is anything wrong with reading them.. but they have better things to do than be reading our posts.. like approving our cases!

Even if they were reading our posts, I wouldn't edit it any different, at least that way they truly understand some of the frustrations all this red-tape causes us.

When was your file sent to Mumbai? I would call or e-mail the mumabi office to get clarification on what the next steps are. I would imagine when the mumbai office schedules your interview, they'll send you the appointment letter with instructions on what to do.

Hello devblt,

Was your question for me or for sadob..???

If you were asking generally, than my file went to Mumbai on Oct. 06, 2005. At that time I was Green Card Holder, now that I became USC, I sent them my certi. and proof of approval file letter. I just want to know if anyone have done this things before how long does it take for Mumbai consuler to upgrade a file.

And for how long should I wait before calling the embassay.?

All responses are greatfully appreciated..!!!

It was for Sabod...

In your case, when did you become a citizen and when did you send your citizen certificate to Mumbai? Have you also sent your citizen certificate to NVC? If you have not sent it to NVC, I would contact them by phone, and ask for advise on what needs to be done given your change in circumstances. I would also contact the Mumbai office to see if they have received your certificate, and enquire on next steps.

Unfortunately, I'm not in your situation so I cant give you any specific information. Again try calling both the NVC and the Mumbai office to make sure they know you are a citizen now, and that the case should be made current, and hopefully they'll upgrade your petition and schedule your appointment for March/April

good luck.

Building my file up and I still don't know how to contact USCIS from here in the UK if I need to:

The 1-800 number is only for the USA

thought I saw an overseas number somewhere last year...

We are filing direct with Nebraska as the London Embassy won't touch it for US Citizens who are resident in the UK for less than 2 years...

Does anyone know the number or is it necessary to go through London even though they are not handling the case ?

I reckon the USCIS don't accept emails - nor do they answer letters

thanks alan

Don't know if there is an "international #" to call.. but regardless, the USCIS reps suck big time.. the USCIS helpline is better known as the "Mis-information line" on VJ. Once you get the NOA1 with the USCIS case #, you should sign up at the USCIS website for automated case status updates. The information you find there is pretty much what the USCIS reps will tell you anyway.

yes sounds good - think i will practice with some with bar codes using last years ref numbers then do it for real in 3 months or so - 3 month to NOA2 on an IR1 would be very nice ...yes I will definitely do it - I thought at first sight that the short cuts were meant for people with a US based spouse/helper but I can see it will help me a lot too as the time from generation to actual dispatch plus mailing to the UK may be say 20 days -ish ......

Looks like the longest bit is the wait to interview in London which is taking ages - I got an interview in about 10 days when I did KI as i got my medical etc early - (I was a worrier/optimizer back then) but they have stopped that now...

Although I want to enter on November 5th to get an unconditional green card, I want to cut the time to visa down so i can ship my stuff and sell my house etc and I don't want to do that until I get my mits on the visa

ok thanks for the info - the time from generation to actual receipt of the 230 is an interesting statistic

alan

Alan,

The stat on the generation to delivery doesn't really mean much in my opionion, since the documents could be generated.. but take a while for the folks at NVC to physically mail it out to you.. if they are backloged it could be several days before they put it in the mail, and they send it regular mail.. so that could also add significant delays also