Ajk3visa

Thanks a lot. My visa was just issued today 😆😊😊😅. Congratulate me. I'm so happy right now.FINALLY. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH. now I'm 100% sure and relaxed 😊. 

Just have a look on this page  https://jp.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/visa-status-check/  and you could read that's the normal process... ours were also on AP for a while and after one week got issued.

There are a lot of different processes the fall under the term Administrative Processing, everything from extra background checks to the person prepping the visa for printing. EVERYONE will go through some sort of AP. AP can be a couple hours to day, weeks, months, years. For the vast majority of the people it is on the shorter end of the spectrum. If you come from a country that falls under high fraud, or where the US does not accept their police certificates for example, the AP can be on the longer end of the spectrum. 
 
If you weren't issued a 221(g) for extra documents there is nothing else for you to do at this point. So no you should not keep worrying. Its not good for your health. If they kept your original documents, you should be receiving them when you get your visa packet.

Hello, I didn't know which section to put this in. My fiancee is planning her flight for next month. Either she can go straight to the big airport with no stops anywhere else in the US, or she can stop in Dallas, go through immigration, and board a connecting flight to the local airport. Our question is since Dallas will be the POE for her, does she need to collect all her baggage after immigration, or will Dallas just transfer her baggage from one plane to another without her having to wait around for it, and she can get it at the final destination? Thanks.

Thanks for the condolences and advice. Sorry for your loss too.
I apologise. I should have come back and posted that I got the Green Card. I should also have posted what needs doing/what I did for others seeking this advice which I'll do now because the process is pretty easy.
Even if the household income drops below the required level (125% of Poverty Level) in my case (specified in the next paragraph) I was not required to satisfy any income requirements although I DID have to complete a form. If this link works, read this to check your own widow(er) status Special Categories - Widow(er) (if link doesn't work, use the search on USCIS website to search for the string "Widow(er)" including that "(er)". Then click on the link titled just "Widow(er)" and find your specific case. My case was:
Widow(er) With Pending or Approved Immigrant Petition
If you were married to a U.S. citizen who had filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative for you before he or she died, you do not need to file anything. The Form I-130 will be automatically converted to a Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant. If you have children (unmarried and under age 21), they may be included on the Form I-360 regardless of whether your deceased spouse had filed a petition for them.
To qualify, you must not have have been divorced or legally separated from the U.S. citizen at the time of death. Your eligibility to immigrate as a widow(er) ends if you have remarried.
If this case doesn't apply to you, CHECK THAT LINK and the instructions for Form I-485 before following any of this advice in case it is not applicable although reading the following may give some pointers to your case.
Here is the procedure:
Notify USCIS of your loss by providing a Certified Copy of the Death Certificate. (Funeral directors obtain these for you - get a few as they're cheap if ordered in one go. Funeral Directors are also required to formally notify Social Security and other agencies which saves you some bother). Additonally, if you have an outstanding RFE regarding the Affifavit of Support, request USCIS to cancel/withdraw this RFE as that evidence is no longer required because otherwise you won't get an interview. If you don't/can't notify USCIS by one of the following means and you attend the interview, you will be sent away on the basis that your Petitioner isn't present. It is VERY upsetting to be told your dead relative isn't present! Telephone notification would be nice, but without the Death Certificate in their system, they can't do much except note your telephone call and advise you. They may even give you bad advice (in my case, I telephoned requesting advice on self-petitioning and got told they had to escalate my case - when I reached the senior tier officer she told me NO-ONE could self-petition which is pretty idiotic!!! As far as I know, there are only three ways to notify USCIS :
Either:
Bring the Death Certicate to your final Interview and hand it to interviewing officer at the very start. (Not recommended unless it's the only way). There are 2 points about this: (a) If your interview is imminent, this is the only way you can notify USCIS as a letter or InfoPass appointment will not be in time. However, ask the funeral director how long the Death Certificates will take to obtain (this varies from county to county). If he can't guarantee that you will have a certificate to take to the interview, telephone USCIS, explain the problem and request that the interview appointment is re-scheduled. (b) Although less important, if you CAN notify by one of the other methods, I advise you do so. If you don't have an interview until weeks or months after you obtain the certificates but haven't notified USCIS earlier by another method, things can go wrong. Also, the interviewing officer will probably look sideways at you and at best consider you stupid and impolite. He may have to proceed with the interview, but he may now be wary about anything you have done. Although he will be polite, he may not go out of his way to make you feel comfortable; or Send a letter to the USCIS office handling your case notifying them (and requesting the RFE cancellation mentioned above if applicable) and enclose the Death Certificate (not recommended unless you can't afford the time and money to use method 3 below; or I recommend this method if it is at all possible! Make an InfoPass appointment and take the Certificate with you. The officers may be ignorant of the procedure because it is rare in your area and take some time to work out what to do but they will find out and advise you because that is their job. You can therefore make sure that it is done before you attend interview. They asked me to go and sit down while they searched for a form (they only had one in the whole office and it took some time to find someone who knew where it was) but they called me to the desk and dealt with me ahead of the person who was next in turn They take the certificate and put it in the computer filing system. In my case, I received the notice of interview just after my wife died and I had time to get an InfoPass appointment. Although it took a long time, it was worth it as you'll see..
Even if you have notified USCIS by method 2 above and had an acknowledgement or by method 3, take a Death Certificate to the interview!!!
However upsetting it is, don't be put off if the interviewing officer expresses surprise that your Petitioner isn't with you. In my grief I made many mistakes so I had put my certificates in an envelope in the car. The day before the interview, I took them in the house to include in my USCIS pack but forgot. While waiting to be called in, I checked again and had to pass through security twice more to get them from the car - they weren't there. However efficient you were before your loss, don't underestimate the effects of grief - check, check and check again!
My interviewing officer simply asked where my wife was. I explained. He asked me for a Death Certificate. I explained. He told me he couldn't continue the interview. I informed him that I had provided one at InfoPass. He told me that if I had done so, the paper copy would be at the top of the file. He called his supervisor who told him not to proceed. Naturally, I was VERY upset. I was lucky. My interviewing officer was incredibly sympathetic and didn't want to turn away someone who had served his country in the military. Also, I happened to have a photocopy of my InfoPass appointment card (the one you print out from the online InfoPass system). I showed it to him and despite it possibly making him late for his next applicant, he delved in the computer system and finally discovered the filed Death Certificate which my InfoPass officer had input. He apologised and said that they should have printed it out for the paper file. Take one with you to interview!
Disclaimer: I was an existing applicant who had satisfied all RFEs. I didn't have to produce any more evidence except the notification and proof of death.
I hope this helps Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if there is anything you don't understand - if I can't answer, someone else will probably be subscribed to the thread who can! This is an outstanding site with great contributors.
[Off topic, but for what it's worth a note about getting held up on the way to your interview: I allowed 2 extra hours in addition to travel time to be sure I was early. Between the last two exits on the interstate, I found it was a parking lot because of a wreck. the last 4 miles of interstate took me more than two and a half hours. If something like this happens to you, have a cellphone even if you have to borrow one! When I knew I would be late, I called USCIS on their national number (you'll have the interview notice with you so you have the number). Despite passing through a county where cellphoning while driving is banned, I called them and requested an interview later. They won't guarantee it, but at least they notify your local office so that you get on the waiting list. I was lucky and didn't have to wait until closing time to discover they couldn't fit me in. I was slotted in close to the time of my interview but being recently widowered may have been a factor.]

It might work if they asnwered your call. Try to call them or ask your lawyer to call them if you have a lawyer. I'm planning to email my lawyer again tomorrow for a follow up with the US embassy because my file is probably  with the US emabassy since its expedited since last week but no update yet from both NVC or the embassy. I emailed my lawyer yesteday but she never replied since yesterday which is weird to me cuz she always replies in the same day. I need to know whats going on because i am waiting for an instructions from the embassy to schedule my medical and interview. 

I wonder why there is a sudden uptick in I-129Fs being denied. I wonder if this is related to number of people filing I-129Fs for a spouse in an attempt to speed up I-130 approval (technically the I-129F is being denied, and those stats don't differentiate the basis of I-129F).
 
Lots of stats available...all depends on what kind of data somebody wants to know:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics.html

I had tried   5 hours ago and i have gotten  through.
You could  try again!
Good luck!

How about the visa approvals and denials by the US embassies?! Do you have a statistical list about it?! 

My case is in the Netherlands and I'm facing the same issue since last week. 

Ceac hasn’t been working for 3 days 

Welcome to the Case Complete to Interview Monthly thread.s
 
 
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 Mexico, Ghana 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  
********************************************************
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 $220 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

The people behind the counter are just that, people. They will fully understand why certain questions may invoke an emotional response and I'm assuming that, just like other people, they don't like it when they feel someone is trying to fake something or lie to them. Answer the question asked (no need to give a bunch of info they did not ask for) be honest and be yourself. It's going to be awkward enough as it is not in a private setting and they know that.
 
Worse thing you can ever do is trying to fake yourself through the interview, they are trained to look for that.

What you got was a expedite with conditions, it means that when you case is completed you’ll skip the waiting time for appointment at nvc instead your case will be immediately sent to embassy.

This is the part that worries me about your views..
 
You seem very contioned to want to answer the questions in a way that will make them approve your visa and this is the wrong way around! Give them truthful answers, and based on your truthful explanation, you will either be approved or denied. Also keep in mind that while you are doing the interview you are under oath (meaning that lying or misrepresenting your situation means perjury!!). I don't want to add to your stress but I just want to make sure that you understand that you need to tell them the truth. Even is this would mean that you have not decided where you are going to live for instance.
 
As stated before, answer truthfully and to the point. Don't add or derail from the questions that will not be of importance to the visa interview. If the Interviewing Officer wants to know something, they will ask.

You just need to say where you will live / give a US address  as that is where your green card will be mailed / and immigration does not care who it is
and i think (but am not sure ) that a waiver will work   this i have no idea or opinion about
i just know another who had to be in AP a year while they waited for clrearance
but you have applied for CR1 as widow not for asylum and this also i don't know about 
You married a USC and this is how immigration sees it 

Well, they wont consider your emotions to support your case. But it'll give you a second to get yourself together in case you're gonna cry on have a panic attack, and they will be more understanding about that. 
If it is genuine and your paperwork is in order, you should be fine.

I would agree somewhat
CO's read thru the packet and base questions on what they deem important
They have a good idea what to ask and look for according to rules they need to follow
For my MIL tourist visa interview,  she recd a paper dated the day before on the decision CO made
 
but immigrants have the ability to aid in the decision made by the CO thru the question period with honest and straigth forward answers 
and,  no to the CO.   the embassies take the visa interview quite serious and you do not need to smile
My husband was asked in a K1 interview "what does your family think of her?"   he smiled as i told him to smile and be polite
the CO said "you smile,  you lie" and denied that k1 application
 
More important the CO for the OP will want to know where the OP  intends to live (without her spouse)/more family here?
and what plans she is making for a future in US (like job or work)
and how long was the relationship 
 
Also 1 VJ member went into a long AP for immigration to get the Saudi police report (as Saudi only gives them to its citizens)
 
You have my best wishes for a complete and happy life
 

Hi,

Sorry to hear what happened in the past.
Regards to interview. Don't forget, officers are people (believe it or not! lol). So rather than doing it through a fake smile, be yourself. If it was me, i'd disclose to the officer that the husband topic is still sensitive to you, and you might have issues controlling your emotions, but otherwise you'll do Your best. They understand how hard it is, and will definitely be more open to You and cut you some slack if they are aware of your overwhelming emotions. I got the Overactive bladder (taboo that everyone is scared about to tell someone), and once i get stressed, lets say, i visit the gnomes a lot lol. For my naturalization i was so stressed out in the waiting area, i told the security guard whats up with me, and he said he'll keep an eye if my name gets called, and he did, interviewing officer then asked why the security guy knew my name, and i explained that i didn't want to miss my turn because of the health issues that are out of my control she just smiled at me and said she understand it, and not to worry.
Being honest is better than trying to show who you're not. That's what i learned along the way. Some people won't understand what you're going through, but people who are compassionate, will. Agents are usually trying to get your true image, your overall image, if you start hiding something, not being yourself, they'll notice and will raise more red flags, and it will seem that you're hiding something behind that "smile".
Be yourself and act naturally. If you feel uneasy, and wanna cry, do. They will understand. Ask for a second to get yourself together and continue. 
Stay strong!

Every situation is different and IOs are different too. I was never handed a paper saying "your visa is approved" but was handed a piece of paper telling me congratulations on immigrating to USA etc and explaining how to pay $220 online for my gc. This was before I was even asked by co to hand over our other docs which were not collected on window 7 (Kyiv embassy). The day my passport arrived, I had another one in the package so reason why I strongly believe that they decide on the visas even before they sit to start the interview, maybe our appearance at the counters there is just to clear their doubts, in all, just get all docs ready and be calm, there's nothing to be scared of especially if the relationship was genuine and I know your husband will be there with you to watch over you.

None of the other people (10-15) that were interviewed at AMS walked away with a form in their hands so it was not just me.
But you will hear their decision at the end of the interview anyway so you will know something.

I don't remember smiling during my interview because my IO was frowning throughout giving me the impression that I was being intimidated, I just kept a straight face, answered all questions asked while keeping the "eyeball to eyeball" contact and even when he was done I was standing there waiting for a reply from him on the status of the interview, he just kept typing and it felt like an eternity. He got up, left without saying anything and I still stood there. He noticed I was standing there, came back and said "you are free to go". Btw I was handed the form on how to pay the gc fees even before he took my supporting documents and began asking me questions like I said earlier, 90% of the decisions are taken even before the interview begins officially. Just be calm, dress normally and decently, there is no dress code, wear a clean dress, nothing seductive or provocative and you will be fine.

So sorry to read about your situation and death of your husband and conditions for you and your daughter.
Just be you. If you cry you cry. If you have panic attack ask for a minute to calm down and regroup. There's no standard "way to act". You are a window in a crisis situation why the heck would you be required to smile. Just be you whatever you it is feeling that day. You are overthinking this.