skipperdee

Nov 13

Got packet 4 today and was able to book an interview right away, woo! So relieved to be done estimating timelines (for now!). Now to spend the next two months triple checking all the documents...🤪

Finally got a chance to call NVC and our case number has been assigned and it’s getting shipped out today, yay!
 
I think I remember something about being able to decipher when the NVC received our case by our particular case number, does anyone have that formula handy? Just curious... 

First 3 letters is the consulate abbreviation
Next 4 numbers is the year of issuance
Next 3 numbers is the numerical date from Jan.1 + 500 that when it was assigned a case number
Final 3 numbers is the numerical order it was filed into NVC for that day.

Haha so true! We live in Montreal and were definitely hoping to be out of here before the snow arrives!!

Hi @skipperdee - I can't recall if the DS-160 requires the NVC case number, but I recommend checking the great example form on this website.  It helped us very much when filling out the DS-160 and you'll be able to see there what is required.  The Embassy will send you their Packet 3 instructions which will give you the direction to fill out the DS-160 and gather other documents on their checklist to prepare for the interview.  The notice from the NVC and Packet 3 will come very very quickly compared to waiting for the NOA2.  The one thing I recommend applying for early is the Police Certificate through the RCMP.  My fiance's took about 2-3 weeks to receive his and I am very cautious about jumping ahead steps, so we did not complete the Packet 3 until we received the Police Certificate which was an unfortunate delay we didn't expect.  The only requirement about the police certificate timeline is that you received it within a year before your interview.  So getting that early is not skipping any steps in my opinion.  Additionally, it took some time to find an RCMP location that understood what we were looking for.  (Not sure why since he lives about 2 hours from the border but that is neither here nor there).  
 
Anyway!! congrats on the NOA2 for you and @Thrillhouse !!! Mine felt like a dream come true.  You've got some more time to wait, but that is a huge step! Also one more recommendation from what I have learned is if your waiting for an interview is anything like mine, check multiple times every day.  Morning and Afternoon.  We have been trying for a little over three weeks now and we tried first thing in the morning and later in the evening everyday for the first few weeks.  During that time it only opened up one Friday and I had checked that morning, saw nothing and then went back to work.  Later that evening I saw on this forum that dates opened up that day around 10am and then were no longer there around 9pm.  It was just one day in three weeks I heard there were any dates.  So it was very disheartening but now I check almost every hour because I do not want to miss one again.  I might be overdoing but I thought I would just let you know my experience so far and maybe it could help you.  
 
Good luck! 

I think posting here is the lucky trick because we just got approved!!!!!!
 
NOA1 4/09
NOA2 7/30

I think posting here is the lucky trick because we just got approved!!!!!!
 
NOA1 4/09
NOA2 7/30

I think posting here is the lucky trick because we just got approved!!!!!!
 
NOA1 4/09
NOA2 7/30

FedEx'd overnight our file last Thursday and credit card was charged this morning at 6 am (thanks for the notification, Apple Pay!) and electronic NOA1 followed later this afternoon. Off we go!!

This is what works but you have to have all your "ducks" in a row including the SS document RM10211.530 to use in the event that the SS agent is unfamiliar with the regulations that permit you to have a SSN before your AOS and EAD are adjudicated.
 
As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA (Social Security Administration) offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior to the expiration on your I-94). On the other hand, you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.
 
You should wait 1 week after arriving in the US till you are in the SAVE database that you can go the next business day. If you go too soon your record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet (what is SAVE), and it will require manual verification from the USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they cannot verify your arrival record via the SAVE database, then personally return on another day to have them search again -- thus eliminating the manual verification (you don't want to do the manual verification as it adds so much more time to the process).
 
To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:
 
The SS-5 form  download and complete the application (they have some at the office if you forget).
Your Passport (with the K-1 Visa attached)
Your valid I-94
Another form of valid ID (birth certificate will do nicely)
You should also print and bring the document RM 10211.530 , in the event that the agent is not knowledgeable that K-1/K-2 are eligible to receive a SSN.
https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211530
 
Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not you could be turned away incorrectly
 
Once you have successfully applied for your SSN, the SSN card will come in the mail in about 2 weeks.
 
K2 visa holders must first have a work permit (EAD) to get a social security number.
 
 
After marriage
Carry your marriage certificate to the social security office to get the social security card in the new name. If you applied for a social security number before marriage, you can go back to the social security office after marriage and get your name changed on your social security card.
 
The social security card will be marked “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH USCIS AUTHORIZATION”.  That means, you need to get your EAD first before you can actually work.  Hopefully, when you submitted your AOS you included the EAD. If not you will now need to submit the paperwork for an EAD prior to working.

FedEx'd overnight our file last Thursday and credit card was charged this morning at 6 am (thanks for the notification, Apple Pay!) and electronic NOA1 followed later this afternoon. Off we go!!

My best guess is that because I filled it out by hand, there was a misinterpretation of my handwriting, though I thought it was pretty tidy! I've printed a new form and filled it out digitally, and triple checked all the info! 

Spoke to someone at USCIS this evening who said that if I can speak to a Tier 2 agent tomorrow they may be able to give me more specifics about what went wrong. Will try that and plan to mail everything back in the morning if I don't receive any new information.
 
All in all, an annoying but not catastrophic delay...

My best guess is that because I filled it out by hand, there was a misinterpretation of my handwriting, though I thought it was pretty tidy! I've printed a new form and filled it out digitally, and triple checked all the info! 

Spoke to someone at USCIS this evening who said that if I can speak to a Tier 2 agent tomorrow they may be able to give me more specifics about what went wrong. Will try that and plan to mail everything back in the morning if I don't receive any new information.
 
All in all, an annoying but not catastrophic delay...