dwilder

Jeez I wish I had a nickel for every time that question has been asked the past week.
 
We have seen that sometimes they will renew a form that expires and we have seen it continue to be used until such time as a new form is release. In any event, they will most likely use the start date of the new rendition of that form and they will tell you when they will discontinue a form. All updates to forms can be tracked here: https://www.uscis.gov/forms-updates  If you see a form that will soon expire and it may expire after it's intended use (Embassy interview) then it's best to wait till you are closer to your interview.
 
All previous editions are accepted anyway. The OMB (Office of Management and Budget) expiration date only matters internally for the USCIS. That expiration date has nothing to do with whether or not it will be acceptable for you to use. The edition date is what matters. The accepted edition dates for the forms are listed on the site where the forms can be found and downloaded. The I-134 states this. > https://www.uscis.gov/i-134

Called NVC this morning around 745am Eastern time, got through on the first ring. Was told they received our case on 11/13, but no case number yet and was told "try calling back tomorrow, fiance visas are usually assigned case numbers quickly" -- lol. NOA2 was Oct 16. 

When that post was written it was the beginning of Oct and cases at that time were on that course. Fast forward two months and now USCIS and NVC are pushing to get cases complete before the onslaught of the holidays. If you read the last sentence I say "your mileage may vary" meaning things can change and/or they may be different for you. And they are now different for most but there are few that it is taking longer.

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

Here we continue with faith, good news will come soon! 🎉 🎉 🎉

For my fiance's age group (19-49) he only needs 4. MMR, Tdap, the chicken pox vac, and the flu shot.... Because he could get them all for cheap he went to get them at a travel clinic vs.  trying to hunt down medical records. He also has never had chicken pox so he needed that - that was one of the ones that needed 2 doses and the other was the Tdap. 
 
Here is a list broken down by age. It's from the doc in Surrey, BC, Canada but I think it applies the same to everyone. https://www.drgulzarcheema.com/index-3.html

We called on Friday and they haven’t had received the case.
We called today (since yesterday was Veterans Day) and they had received the case so the info we were given is correct.
 
For now I’m happy that our case didn't get lost in the mail. The number will be assigned soon.
 

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

u see u see faith!!!!!!! XMAS is possible!! did u schedule ur interview?

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

Finally got my case number today. NOA2 Oct 3

[Company Letterhead]

Date: [Date of issuing employment verification letter]
To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to certify that Mr./Miss. [First Name] [Last Name] is an employee at [Company Name] and is working as a [Designation] since [Date]. [His/Her] current gross salary is USD [xx,000] ([salary in words]) per annum.

If you have any questions regarding Mr./Miss [First Name]'s employment, please contact our office at [Office HR Phone Number].

Sincerely,
 

[Signature of person issuing this letter] 
[Manager HR] or [Designation]
 

They're starting to ramp up the approvals for the shipping to the Embassies set for next week. There will be more happy people between now and then.

Yes I am my approval was oct 13 on noa2 letter I’ll call again this Friday good luck 

At least you know it's there! I just called in too with high hopes lol, still waiting on them to say they received it. Oct 3rd here.

@azbob Congratulations!!!! And thank you for the tips!

This is what really frustrates me about this process! No consistency and no fairness!
 
I'm really happy you have your case number but its terribly frustrating when some of us here are waiting a month for the same thing to happen! 

Just called and got straight through. They still haven't received our case yet. How about you @Steve&Chelsea? 
 
Trying to not get frustrated that they haven't received our case yet. I know "milage may vary" but people in mid-October are getting case numbers. If cases get sent to the NVC all the time and not just on a twice per month basis then how are others going further in the process if their case was technically "sent" to the NVC after mine...and mine "still hasn't arrived" yet. 

Interview was approved! They said the Visa will be ready to pick up in 1 week.
 
We noticed a few days ago that the instructions said that the US petitioner send the I-134 and IRS 1040 to the embassy so I sent PDFs to Panama-IV@state.gov on Sunday. When Karen arrived at the embassy they already had them printed out and didn't need the copies that I mailed.  I suggest doing both just in case. They really were thorough going through the evidence of continuing relationship. So don't skimp on this too much. 
 
Interview was about 10-15 min. 

We just finished gathering everything and Karen will be receiving my I-134 packet tomorrow. Interview is next week on the 31st.
 
1. After receiving your NOA2, call the NVC and get your case number. It will start with PNM2018xxxxxx
2. The embassy in Panama is very responsive and will usually reply within 1 business day. They will send you an email like this with two attachments (Guide to register IV Applicants.PDF) & (Photo Requirements English-Spanish.DOC) I will attach them in another message :
Good afternoon: These are the instructions on how to proceed for a fiancée visa.
 
NOTE: You need to create a profile in ATLAS.  In this web page follow the instructions and pay the $265.00 interview fee and send the payment confirmation via email.  When the visa is ready, we will send it via Fletes Chavale and it is free of charge.  Please follow the instructions on the attachment. If you have any question, please contact the Call Center at 833-9393.
 
Also, go to this web site: http://ceac.state.gov and complete form DS-160.  Please print the confirmation page, scan it and send it via email (Panama-IV@state.gov) along with a copy of the passport
 
After we receive these documents mention above, we can program an interview date – Your interview date will be schedule upon availability.   
The day of the interview, you need to bring your unexpired passport along with following documents:  
(2) pictures passport size 2x2 Birth certificate in original with all seals. Singleness certificate in original with all seals. Death or divorce certificate of any previous spouse from Petitioner or Beneficiary. ·         Proof of relationship (photos, cards, emails).
Panama Police Record “para uso internacional” in original, this can be obtain in DIJ and after go to the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores in el Dorado (Sun Tower Plaza) to be apostille. Police Record in original from any other country that you have live for more tan 6 months after your 18th birthday. The Petitioner needs to send us form I-134 (Affidavit of Support www.uscis.gov/I-864), along with the 2016 taxes (Form 1040 and W-2s) and/or irs transcripts (www.irs.gov).          Please confirm receipt of this message.
Panama IV Visas
 
3. I'm not sure if you can do these steps prior to receiving the above email but I don't see the harm in trying. When you do receive it remember to reply back to confirm that you got it.
Create your ATLAS IV profile using the instructions in the attached (Guide to register IV Applicants.PDF)
https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/SiteRegister?country=Panama&language=en_US
 
4. Fill out the electronic DS-160 at http://ceac.state.gov (You need your NVC Case number) and print every single confirmation page to PDF and Paper. You will need to email the PDF's to Panama-IV@state.gov  along with a payment receipt in step 5 and bring the prints to your interview. 
5. Pay the $265 K1 fee at your local Banco General. Download the deposit form from: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/pa/pa-niv-paymentinfo.asp#cash We used this form: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/pa/PanamaDepositSlip2bg.html?fee=62&quantity=1 Bring it to Banco General along with $265 and they will stamp it. Take a picture and send it to Panama-IV@state.gov along with the DS-160 confirmation page (the one with the bar codes)
6. Wait for the embassy to reply with your long awaited Interview Date and instructions for making a medical appointment. Reply back to confirm that you received it.
7. When you receive these, Make the medical appointment ASAP as there is only one doctor in the city that does these and ours was just one week prior to the interview date. Plan on spending the night in the city for the medical exam if you do not live there as it is separated in two parts. The first day examinations done by a nurse to bring your vaccinations up to date. Bear in mind that some of these vaccines have to be administered two weeks apart so start now with your local heath center to get caught up (Karen needed TDAP, Varicela, Influenza, and MMR) if you have these already bring your vaccination record so you don't need unnecessary vaccinations. They will also take an XRAY, blood and urine sample. They will give you an appointment for the Doctor to go over the results the next day.
8. Get your birth certificate, singleness certificate from your local Tribunal Electoral. The embassy said we only need the simple birth certificate, but we opted for the authenticated one just in case. These take about 8 days. 
9. Request your international police record from your local DIJ office, be sure you ask for the one for international use document. This document will be sent to DIJ in Ancon Panama City in about 3 days. Call ahead to find out if it is ready. Go to the DIJ in Panama City and pick it up. While in the city get it apostilled at the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores in el Dorado (Sun Tower Plaza). This is a multistep process, paying fees in one location, fill paperwork in another.  They will give you instructions. Karen's took 3 hours all in all. Other say it can be longer. I had her stay the night just to be safe and not have to rush.
10. Your US fiancé needs to send you the I-134 with IRS 1040, W2's for proof of income, the other copy of the I-129F packet, the I-797 NOA1 and NOA2 letters, proof of ongoing relationship (we sent screenshots of WhatsApp call logs and some of our conversations, hotel receipts, boarding passes, photos together) very similar to what you sent with the 129F just more recent.. Along with another letter promising to marry you in 90 days after your arrival to the US. Both of you should sign one of these just like in the I-129F. There are examples on this site. Just make sure the verbiage is correct for the proper fiancé(e). The Panama embassy did not ask for these specifically but we are bringing them just in case. And for the love of all that is holy send a special card with this package to make your Panamanian fiancée happy (or you will lose you head)
 
 
We found a good deal on Priceline for the Best Western Panama Zen hotel. It is only $2 taxi fare from the medical office. The hotel was about $65 per night and probably the most comfortable with friendly staff in the area that are willing to hang on to your bags outside of check-in and checkout times. They have a decent breakfast for $10 or sometimes it's included with Priceline, sometimes not. There is an amazing restaurant called Suvlas just down the road too, amazing greek gyros.  
 
EDIT: Don't forget to get the passport photos!
EDIT2: Links for the attached documents: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ikjv0qw12conk8a/AAAiIZSTSsCB8ZsTqB6xdTzca?dl=0