T3G

Hi all, 

Thought I'd post this in case it is of use to any one else born in South Africa going through the i-130 application for a CR-1 or IR-1 visa. 

Submitted all paperwork back in June of last year, DQ March 2020 using only my short form (abridged) birth certificate and my British birth register.  I never had my long form one but had read on the USCIS website that the long form South African birth certificates (unabridged) would be required as they are considered "available", and in January had applied for the long form birth certificate.  Of course, COVID hit and all operations in SA shut down, along with the rest of the world.  Having not had any issues with being DQ'd with only my short form birth certificate and my British birth register, I assumed that not having the long form birth certificate wasn't an issue.  This was confirmed by the first chap I saw for my interview in September  - he took took all the originals of my docs and when I told him I didn't have the long form birth certificate he said it was fine, that they weren't giving me a visa based on my parents names anyway.  

Go to the second window once all my docs have been verified and the second chap tells me he doesn't think he can issue my visa without the long form birth certificate.  He can't verify this though, it's a bit of a grey area and it needs to be checked by his manager who is out.  Lets me know that my visa is refused for administrative processing and that I'll hear back in a week or so.  In a week I get a notification that it is in fact refused and can't be issued until I present the long form birth certificate.  South Africa authorities tell me there is a huge backlog due to COVID and it could be anywhere between 6 months and 3 years (!!) before I get my long form birth certificate.  

Waiting another 6 months to 3 years wasn't really on option for us and probably wouldn't be for anyone in a long distance relationship to be honest.  Husband is the USC so we reached out to his congressman's office who kindly managed our expectations by letting us know that in cases of administrative processing, they usually don't have much sway.  Luckily for us though, about 10 days later we received another response from the Congressman's office letting us know that the US Embassy had agreed to issue the visa without the long form birth certificate.  

We did manage shortly after this to get my long form birth certificate using an expedite agency in SA and alls well that ends well, but I thought it might be useful to make this post to remind people of their local Congressman/woman's office in these cases and also give the heads up to other South African's who may not already have their long form birth certificates to get them ASAP.  

Hi all, 

I arrived October 20th, POE LAX.  No SSN after 3 weeks, called local SSA (San Diego).  The chap checked all my details and told me there was no record on the system (ticked the box on the DS-260 like so many others).  Was told they'd schedule a call back in the next 2-3 weeks to book an in person appointment to come in and apply.  I had a call back within 2 days and an appointment within another 2 days.  7 days after that my SSN arrived.  Thought it might be helpful to have an update from a recent arrival - good luck to those still waiting!

Just now, Rab12 said:

I see but did u carry your these documents with u plus vaccination record 

I had them on me just in case but none were requested 

I arrived two weeks ago.  I handed over only my passport with visa in it, got a stamp and was waved on my way.  Safe journey and welcome to the US!

Just now, The4Sands said:

My husband just phoned from outside the embassy to say his visa was approved!!

 

I posted this in the DCF threads, but thought I would check here too.  They didn't give him a packet to hand over at POE.  Is that a problem?  I had the impression he needs that. Although I was aware that it is sometimes done electronically.

If you scanned and uploaded your docs during the application process you won't get the big white envelope as the immigration officer at your POE will be able to access them online.  The visa will have "IV DOCS IN CCD" written on it in the annotation.  Congrats on the approval! 

2 hours ago, chriskrichardson said:

Thank you. 

 

"GP at hand" is, technically, an NHS GP surgery listed on "patientaccess.com", and plugged into the NHS IT records.

 

Unfortunately, it is not possible to request a summary care record through either the "GP at hand" app or "patientaccess.com" website.

 

For those wondering, GP at Hand will respond to a request for a summary care record within 30 days. Thanks all!

It is possible through patient access.com.  Source: I did it for my visa medical which was three weeks ago. 
 

You don’t request it though, you just login to your account and go to “Medical record” and then “Export Record”. Select your allergies, problems, consultations etc and then select your export format (I did PDF) Print it off and you’re done. Visa Medicals accepted mine no questions asked. Again, with the caveat that I’ve not had any serious ongoing issues or mental health visits so mine was pretty short and to the point. 

There seems to be a lot of discussion on here about patient summary/medical history.  My GP uses https://www.patientaccess.com/ where we can request repeat prescriptions, appointments etc.  For my medical record, I just printed it off of my patient access account and this was accepted by visa medicals without question.  I didn't have any mental health visits on my record so this won't apply for those who do, but for those who don't, you can just pull that off and not have to worry about your doctor taking their time/charging to print it. 

52 minutes ago, MattyUKtoUS said:

I have my medical tomorrow in London. I am fairly sure last time I went I was OK with my backpack, anyone know if this is still the case?

 

I don't see anything in the email from them, unless I am going blind.

 

Many thanks, Matt

Had mine this morning Matt and had my backpack with me - no issues.  Also, I emailed them in advance to ask about photos and they confirmed that they will take photos (which they did) so no need for you to take.  

9 minutes ago, shallot343 said:

Amen! My partner switched surgeries to another one in the neighboring catchment (They are maybe half a mile apart, geographically) because he knew one of the GPs there and she recommended it, but his old one was so much less bureaucratic and would let you stop in for letters and things.  Somehow this is still more simple than navigating medical care in America!

 

Luckily all up to date on vaccines so its just the MH letter and medical summary. He has access to one he can print off online, but I asked him to also have it sent by the GP just be to super safe since this online Medical Summary was unfamiliar to some of the other VJers. 

 

When I booked my medical I asked about the online summary and online vaccinations list being acceptable and they told me they were.  That said I have asked my doc to pull off my vaccinations just to be on the safe side so I'll ask them about the summary on Friday when I pick up the vaccination print off.  

2 hours ago, MattyUKtoUS said:

Interesting - Well I tried to register and even though my case is showing in London, (is not ready for an appointment.) I guess I need to wait a few more days. 

Contact the email address listed and they'll give you access  

3 minutes ago, Samantha & Rad said:

Hey, i'm following these instructions...hope that's right. 

"Before your interview, you must register a delivery address for your passport’s return with the embassy’s online service"

You're right, but I think Davu is also right.  I already have access to the courier page because of an earlier conversation I had with the Embassy where they told me to book my appointment (I'd emailed them and NVC at the same time, Embassy replied first, NVC subsequently replied to say wait but I'd already registered and had access assigned manually through their help email).  But from other forums I've read, the service becomes available when the case is transferred across to the embassy, which should be fairly shortly now that we've had confirmation of interview dates

6 minutes ago, Davu said:

Grats to all of you.
Can anyone confirm for certain that they are NOT an expedite and have been scheduled? 
Just wanted to verify that this is actually something new and not just a slew of Expedite's getting approved

 

Also not expedite.  Regular filing, DQ March 31st 

5 minutes ago, Samantha & Rad said:

 I can't stop crying. I just phoned my husband. Such a feeling of shock and joy. I'm so pleased for everyone.

Me too.  Mine is on the West Coast of the the US though so isn't awake yet...he's got half an hour and then I'm waking him up!!

Just now, shallot343 said:

When was your DQ? It looks like they are up to the April DQs now. We are June 16th DQ so I guess now expecting an interview in November unless things get dicey again.... 

March 31st

3 minutes ago, The4Sands said:

No, I don’t think there are very many of us, not on VJ anyway. Guess there could be loads more not on VJ. 
 

I think you’re right, it doesn’t feel like they’ve been very transparent about it all. 
 

I would take a group hug though 😊

I found VJ through the British Expats forum and there some on there that are DCF in London and waiting, not sure if they're on VJ too though.  I will take the group hug too please.  I'd just like to see some movement - for anyone - so that that progress gives the rest of us hope!   

14 minutes ago, Kimi31 said:

That’s pure BS.there can’t be that many at the embassy. Someone posted stats and IV visas are in the minority. Doesn’t make sense. Unless they are taking the 3 weeks to clear the student visa backlog 

My guess is that they'll clear the DCF cases that were filed in London first (I believe they should've been cleared by tomorrow) and then move on to the NVC cases. 

11 hours ago, Bobnrob said:

So if there is a month notice period from the 27th, they will in theory only start march/April dq appointments end August... And so forth? Still trying to get some sort of timeline. 

That's the working theory but we don't know what their backlog is, how many cancelled interviews that were originally set for during lockdown have to be rescheduled still, expedite interviews etc etc.  At this point in time your best timeline is "play it by ear".  I think we're all holding thumbs for Monday and hoping to see movement.  

3 minutes ago, MattyUKtoUS said:

I meant to say months lol - 3 months. But yeah, That's a long time :(.. Please let us all know as soon as you hear anything!

 

 

Matt

I absolutely will.  I'm glued to the forum waiting to see if anyone else sees movement before us - any movement is progress!

40 minutes ago, MattyUKtoUS said:

Woooo this is reassuring news!!! I do hope that means CR1's stuck at the NVC will get some dates soon. Tomorrow will be the 3rd week since I got DQ.

 

 

All the best! Matt

We were DQ'd on March 31st.  Feels like an age since then...so pleased to see this update.  Hopefully things will start to move now. 

1 hour ago, LondonerCat said:

I think it does..

 

I’m sure I’ve read that DQ cases cannot be sent to the consulate until there is interview spaces available, hence them being stuck at NVC. So yes, we may be waiting a bit more at the consulate but there will be a light at the end of the tunnel! 
 

All fingers crossed! 

I got a reply from NVC today saying "The application is now in the queue awaiting an interview appointment overseas, where a consular officer will adjudicate the applicant's visa application.
 
The U.S. Embassy/Consulate tells us what dates they are holding interviews, and NVC fills these appointments as the cases become documentarily qualified. NVC schedules appointments one month in advance, but we cannot predict when an interview appointment will be available."

So LondonerCat it seems you're right in that they don't get sent over until the interview spaces become available.  Now we just have to hold thumbs that they start making interview slots available soon...

On 7/10/2020 at 8:31 AM, Eladnolnod said:

Interesting! I sent an enquiry to the embassy a couple days ago and just received the stock answer of copy paste of their FAQ page without answering my question. 
 

Hopefully yours is going to be forwarded from NVC - this would be positive news for non expedited cases! 
 

please keep us updated!!

An update: nothing back from the embassy since my email on Friday.  However I did go through the ais website to try and book my interview.  Once I'd filled out the forms and relevant information I got a message saying my case was not ready for interview yet.  There was an email address to contact if you'd been told otherwise so I dropped an email there.  Received a reply today saying it had been sent to the relevant team and they'd update me.  In light of the tweets from the State Dept about the phased reopening I'm holding thumbs that maybe the Embassy have our file but things haven't been updated yet.  Will update when I hear more.  At least we know from the tweets that things are starting to move so that gives hope!

13 minutes ago, LondonerCat said:

Wow, that’s fantastic! Fingers crossed this is the start of the Embassy’s being able to process routine CR1/IR1 cases. Best of luck for your interview. 
 

Could you kindly let me know where to find the CEAC case tracker app please? Typed into App Store and nothing matched! Thank you!

I used this: https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx - just type ceac case tracker into google and its the first result. 

11 minutes ago, Eladnolnod said:

Hi & first of all congratulations! 
 

just to clarify, your case was DQ’d back in March and your case has been sent to the embassy to schedule an interview without any expedite request from your side?

Yep we were DQ'd back in March and today they said based on the info provided I should book my interview.  That said, following jarrod679's suggestion I used the ceac case checker to see what it said and it says my case is at NVC.  So it may all be a storm in a tea cup.  I've emailed the Embassy to get confirmation that they've received my case so will update when I hear back.  Hoping for a response today but it's almost 4.30 on a Friday so may not get lucky...

10 minutes ago, jarrod679 said:

Yeah. Use the CEAC case tracker. It said it had been received and was "ready". 

 

I contacted the embassy last night stating this, thinking they would not reply for a week. But then at lunch they contact me. 

 

I know there are a couple more DQ expedite people here, just waiting. I guess you have to take the bull by the horns, rather than wait on them 

 

 

Balls.  Just checked and the ceac case tracker says "at NVC" still so I've just emailed the Embassy to get them to double check.  Back to not being too excited again until they confirm whether it has been received or not...sigh.