dvrjwh

I have limited Internet but I just had to share this with you guys. My husband passed the interview and his visa is APPROVED!! What a big relief. You have no idea how happy we both are right now.

Carlo and I couldn't sleep the night before. We tried to relax but it was so hard--it was imposible. We left the hotel at around 5:45AM and arrived at the US Embassy Manila at 6:00 AM. There were already a lot of people waiting in line, but we were able to get inside the Embassy at 6:30AM. They started processing those applicants with 6:30AM appointment first. We finally they gave us a stub number after about an hour.

They were finger scanning every applicant and Carlo had his chance to do his at 9:00AM. About 30-45 minutes later, the pre-screener called our number. We both went to the window where a young Filipino pre-screener was preparing our documents for the final interview with the consul (I could clearly see all the documents we submitted to USCIS and NVC). He had Carlo sign the Part II of the DS-230. He was checking my I-864 to my sure I had my 2008 income tax return. My husband was asked who the petitioner was, and once the pre-screener found out I was there with him, he started asking me questions (where did I arrive in the Philippines, when was the first time I came to the US, how did I became a US Citizen, and how did I meet him). He asked my husband his age, how long we've known each other, what year we met, and if he ever travelled abroad). The pre-screener didn't ask for any other documents except for our pictures together. We showed him our mini album, and said it should be fine and just present it to the consul if he'd ask for it.

We waited for another 30 minutes or so for the final interview with the consul. We swore us in and started interviewing both for us. He wanted to know how we met, what I do for living, when did I became a US citizen, what I do for our living. He asked my husband when we got married, when did he proposed, if he travel abroad, if he had a US visa, if he had another wife and kid. And then he apologized for the long wait and congratulated us, the visa is approved!!

My husband and I were smiling so big and we hugged and kissed each other in front of the consul. We thanked the consul and left the room. That was it!! Amazing!!

I'd like to thank each one of my FFFF for the prayers, support, and encouragement throughout this journey. You guys were my support system. We really could not have done this without you.

God hasn't left us and continue to be with us during this journey. With him, nothing is impossible. God bless us all.

- Michelle & Carlo

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH

And thank you also for being a trailblazer for us FFFF's - we have gained so much information from eachother, but especially from you two as you are the first!

Sending our best wishes for a happy and healthy future together.

Debbie & John

When we initially applied we sent in a check for $355.

Then I received a bill for $70 to go along with the AOS. I paid that online.

Now my husband received a letter in the UK stating that if we hadn't received our IV bill to call them because it is due. Is that an additional fee then the two we already paid?

I'm trying to figure out all the fees that we will have to pay. I thought the last fee was a big one that was between $1,000-$1,200 USD and I thought there were only three fees so obviously I'm missing something here.

Hi,

The IV bill is $400 and needs to be paid before they release the IV Coversheet which must accompany your DS 230.

You can pay it online the same way you paid your AOS bill. A couple of days later it will show up as paid and then you can proceed.

Forgot to add that the next stage after you finish NVC will be to get a medical arranged. In London that's £180 plus the costs of any vaccinations required. Try and get those done beforehand on the NHS if possible (or if needed).

After that, there's just the courrier fee you pay at the embassy at the time of interview, which is £14.50. However, depending on where your UK partner is based, you'll have to factor in the cost of two trips to London for the medical and then the interview.

It all adds up!!!

Our timelines are almost exactly, it's crazy! Well my husband received the IV bill information in England. It says I should receive the bill soon so that I can pay it. I guess we'll just wait. When I try to check our online status it still only shows the I-130 being sent in. I'm so jealous of those who can look and see that their file has been "touched."

Does the IV bill mean we have been approved all the way through and my husband will have to do the interview by himself in London or do I need to fly over and be there? (if you know!)

You're right, it looks like we filed our I130 on exactly the same day, what a coincidence!!

Here's the link to the NVC online payment page. If you log in there, you can pay the IV bill online. If you have given the NVC your email addresses, both petitioner and beneficiary, they will correspond with you by email only. You wont see touches at the NVC, but you can call them and get an automated update on the telephone or alternatively talk to an operator who will update you on your case. Tel: 001 603 334 0700. My experience of the NVC was that the operators are polite and will give you an honest answer to your questions.

https://ceac.state.gov/CTRAC/Invoice/signon.aspx

As far as the CR1 visa is concerned the beneficiary only is required at the interview, your US husband/wife can attend, but they will not be involved in the actual interview. My husband will be here in the UK when my interview takes place so I'm glad we can go together for the moral support, but from what I've read here on VJ he won't be asked any questions or to participate at all.

Hope this helps.

Unfortunately it is asking for a invoice identification number which I do not have because I didn't receive the invoice. I'm worried it got stuck in some spam folder somewhere or something. The letter that they sent to my husband only stated that they had sent me the iv bill. Drats!

Have a look in your correspondence from NVC regarding the DS 3032/AOS. It's listed there somewhere.

When we initially applied we sent in a check for $355.

Then I received a bill for $70 to go along with the AOS. I paid that online.

Now my husband received a letter in the UK stating that if we hadn't received our IV bill to call them because it is due. Is that an additional fee then the two we already paid?

I'm trying to figure out all the fees that we will have to pay. I thought the last fee was a big one that was between $1,000-$1,200 USD and I thought there were only three fees so obviously I'm missing something here.

Hi,

The IV bill is $400 and needs to be paid before they release the IV Coversheet which must accompany your DS 230.

You can pay it online the same way you paid your AOS bill. A couple of days later it will show up as paid and then you can proceed.

Forgot to add that the next stage after you finish NVC will be to get a medical arranged. In London that's £180 plus the costs of any vaccinations required. Try and get those done beforehand on the NHS if possible (or if needed).

After that, there's just the courrier fee you pay at the embassy at the time of interview, which is £14.50. However, depending on where your UK partner is based, you'll have to factor in the cost of two trips to London for the medical and then the interview.

It all adds up!!!

Our timelines are almost exactly, it's crazy! Well my husband received the IV bill information in England. It says I should receive the bill soon so that I can pay it. I guess we'll just wait. When I try to check our online status it still only shows the I-130 being sent in. I'm so jealous of those who can look and see that their file has been "touched."

Does the IV bill mean we have been approved all the way through and my husband will have to do the interview by himself in London or do I need to fly over and be there? (if you know!)

You're right, it looks like we filed our I130 on exactly the same day, what a coincidence!!

Here's the link to the NVC online payment page. If you log in there, you can pay the IV bill online. If you have given the NVC your email addresses, both petitioner and beneficiary, they will correspond with you by email only. You wont see touches at the NVC, but you can call them and get an automated update on the telephone or alternatively talk to an operator who will update you on your case. Tel: 001 603 334 0700. My experience of the NVC was that the operators are polite and will give you an honest answer to your questions.

https://ceac.state.gov/CTRAC/Invoice/signon.aspx

As far as the CR1 visa is concerned the beneficiary only is required at the interview, your US husband/wife can attend, but they will not be involved in the actual interview. My husband will be here in the UK when my interview takes place so I'm glad we can go together for the moral support, but from what I've read here on VJ he won't be asked any questions or to participate at all.

Hope this helps.

When we initially applied we sent in a check for $355.

Then I received a bill for $70 to go along with the AOS. I paid that online.

Now my husband received a letter in the UK stating that if we hadn't received our IV bill to call them because it is due. Is that an additional fee then the two we already paid?

I'm trying to figure out all the fees that we will have to pay. I thought the last fee was a big one that was between $1,000-$1,200 USD and I thought there were only three fees so obviously I'm missing something here.

Hi,

The IV bill is $400 and needs to be paid before they release the IV Coversheet which must accompany your DS 230.

You can pay it online the same way you paid your AOS bill. A couple of days later it will show up as paid and then you can proceed.

Forgot to add that the next stage after you finish NVC will be to get a medical arranged. In London that's £180 plus the costs of any vaccinations required. Try and get those done beforehand on the NHS if possible (or if needed).

After that, there's just the courrier fee you pay at the embassy at the time of interview, which is £14.50. However, depending on where your UK partner is based, you'll have to factor in the cost of two trips to London for the medical and then the interview.

It all adds up!!!

When we initially applied we sent in a check for $355.

Then I received a bill for $70 to go along with the AOS. I paid that online.

Now my husband received a letter in the UK stating that if we hadn't received our IV bill to call them because it is due. Is that an additional fee then the two we already paid?

I'm trying to figure out all the fees that we will have to pay. I thought the last fee was a big one that was between $1,000-$1,200 USD and I thought there were only three fees so obviously I'm missing something here.

Hi,

The IV bill is $400 and needs to be paid before they release the IV Coversheet which must accompany your DS 230.

You can pay it online the same way you paid your AOS bill. A couple of days later it will show up as paid and then you can proceed.

It will be a beneficiary interview and we were informed by USCIS. I guess London will get to know me a little earlier than anticipated, at least I hope so. I personally view it as a good thing except of course elongating the process.

Best wishes to all

Arthur and Roberta

Dear Arthur and Roberta,

I too am puzzled and can't find any information regarding this on the VJ website (as yet) and am curious like many others about what this is all means.

However, the good thing is - at least your petition is being actioned in some format and has not gone down a black hole! You have waited patiently long enough so I do wish you well for some well deserved progress.

Please update us, we are all rooting for you!

Best wishes.

Hi Carlish,

Just stopped by to wish you a safe journey. Good luck and keep us posted. I just know it's all going to turn out just fine

Best wishes

Just called NVC and found out our case was completed!!!!! Now fingers and everything crossed that I get an interview scheduled this or next week - I can't wait another month.

Almost !!

Hey BobbeD

Great news, congrats. Fingers crossed that you hear about an interview date soon. Call the operator by Friday and they might tell you by phone.

Take care

Hey everyone,

Just got off the phone with the operator and YAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! :dance: :dance:

Interview date is set at Ho Chi Minh City Consulate on July 29 at 10:00AM

Just wanna share some good news, call the NVC you guys! they should have your interview date already

Great news Kevin!!! Congratulations

Woohoo!!! Congrats to everyone with an interview!!

I just called, but it looks like Montreal hasn't done their scheduling yet. I got the usual answer - we schedule the second week of the month so call back next week. I wanted to say, "Liar, liar, pants on fire", but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

danat, Remo and dvrjwh!!

Quick question for you and all others who have sent their documents. How many of you have sent both AOS and Ds-230 together in one Packet?? I sent my documents seperatly in two different packets!! Just wondering!! Thanks!!

We sent ours in separately, hubby from the US for the I864 and I sent the DS 230 direct from the UK. We did go through the false RFE thing though, which at the time was a worry!!

Congratulations to danat, Remo and dvrjwh and best of luck at the interview!!!

Atleast one thing is proven wrong as some people were saying that NVC only schedules interviews in the second week of every month. It's first week right now!!

Thanks Rehan

I must have heard that "second week of the month" line from at least 4 operators!! It's obviously not true.

Interview set for 31st July at 08.00am - Yipeee!!!!!

Congratulations to all of those who have just received dates, to those still waiting, I'm sure you'll hear by the end of this week, NVC seem to be motoring now

Congratulations Remo, danat and dvrjwh! That is exciting news!

Thanks Holliday, you should be hearing something soon too I would have thought.

Hi FFFF's,

Just heard we've got our interview date - 31st July 2009 at 08.00am. Best news is that hubby will be back in the UK mid July and will be able to come with me.

Providing everything is fine, I can give in my notice at work the following Monday and be free to travel anytime in September. We had planned for me to fly out at the end of September, I'm thinking maybe we can bring that forward a couple of weeks now.

To all those waiting for dates, NVC seems to be motoring this week ..... you should all hear something very soon.

Best wishes to all.

OMG OMG the interview is on July 29th @ 8:30am in London

Couldn't wait any longer - just rung NVC from my mobile - we've got a date!!!!!

July 31st at 08.00am

The good news is that hubby is scheduled to be back in the UK then, so he can come with me.

Fingers crossed for those still waiting, NVC seem to be working a full steam this week.

Hi everyone,

Just checked in with VJ this morning and there are quite a few people who have already received their July interview dates. None yet from the UK as far as I can see though.

I only have a couple of days annual leave left and have already earmarked one for the medical in two weeks time. I need to book quite a way in advance, so I can get time off to get to London, so am hoping to put a days leave request in this week if we get a date in July.

Lets hope we hear something soon - the waiting is killing me

Fingers crossed and best wishes to everyone.

i've PM'd the moderators, hopefully one of them will see it and move us back. it'd be such a great resource if our fellow CR-1 filers could find us in the UK section. i know i was lost reading through all those k-1 posts for months before this. in the mean time let's keep it going so the thread doesn't die while we're over here.

i've just paid the IV fee bill so they should be ready for our papers this week. i won't be getting an interview next week but good luck to everyone here who will be!

I agree, please move us back. I used to get very confused reading the UK thread as it seems the vast majority were K1's and their process is not the same. For UK CR1 filers coming up behind us it would be useful for them to see the information posted here.

Based on a discussion I had with two NVC CSR's last night, here is my compilation of some notes on getting your interview date if your are going for a CR-1 / IR-1 visa and both the I-864 and DS-230 have both been approved by the NVC. Thought others might be interested or can tell me if some of the notes are wrong.

1. For the consulate at which the interview is due to occur, the name of the beneficiary is put on the list of those requiring an interview.

2. Having an earlier priority date can get you higher up on the list, but that is not the only factor in placement.

3. The interview is never scheduled for the month in which you get final NVC approval (except in China).

4. Rather what happens is as of the start of the second week of the month in which approval occurs, NVC contacts the consulate/embassy doing the interviews to find out how many slots they will have for CR-1/IR-1 visa interviews for the following month. So if for example your approval occurs in the first week of June, conceivably your interview could be scheduled for the month of July. In contrast if approval occurs in the third week of June, your name will not appear on the interview list until July, meaning the earliest possible interview month for you would be August.

5. The earliest possible interview month will not necesarily be the month for which you are scheduled. There may be for example be too many requests for a month relative to the slots that are available, meaning you will have to wait for a later month. It also means your notice of the interview date will likewise be delayed.

6. Anyway, once the NVC works it out with the consulate and has a specifc interview date and time, they should be e-mailing this information both to the benefiary and the petitioner. If for some reason you do not receive the info and you think you should have received such an e-mail; they said to wait until after the 15th of the month before calling the NVC.

7. I am pretty sure the interview is never scheduled on a U.S. Federal holiday or a holiday of the country with the consulate. Other than that, apparently it can be any weekday in the designated interview month, regardless of your priority date.

8. The notice of the NVC date is sent by e-mail to both the petitioner and the benefiiary shortly after it is assigned. Along with the notice you will received detailed instructions on what to bring to the interview and what else you must do beforehand, such as a medical exam. The time frame on when those items should be done I understand is also indicated.

9. If the benefiary cannot make the date and time that the NVC scheduled, the beneficiary has the option upon receiving the e-mail of requesting a different date and time. The NVC said for this purpose you should contact the consulate directly, not the NVC.

10. Often it would appear that the medical exam is done in the same city as the consulate doing the interview, but not always. See the following web site for an advance copy of the detailed medical instructions. Note towards the bottom of the web page is a drop-down where you enter the enter the first three letters from your NVC number to pull up the interviewing consulate (e.g., CDJ). Then you click on the Panel Physician link to pull up the relevant instructions.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3739.html

11. If you pass the medical exam and the interview, I believe they courier you the visa. So you do not get it the same day as the interview.

Thanks so much for the above information. It clarifies the situation. I'm hoping for a July interview as case was complete in May 2009. Hopefully we should hear something by next week.

Should I be concerned about this...

I decided to check and see if NVC receive my DS230 package and on the usps site i see...

Class: Express Mail®

Status: Notice Left

We attempted to deliver your item at 11:19 AM on May 30, 2009 in PORTSMOUTH, NH 03801 and a notice was left. You may pick up the item at the Post Office indicated on the notice, go to www.usps.com/redelivery, or call 800-ASK-USPS to arrange for redelivery. If this item is unclaimed after five days then it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.

WIll this get redelivered, would someone from NVC actually go pick it up?

I had exactly the same thing happen to my package sent from the UK. They tried to deliver on a saturday first time around and I got the same message on the tracking section of USPS. However, they redelivered first thing on the Monday morning. If not, check out the USPS website where you can reschedule delivery yourself.

So I finally received all the paperwork from my husband that I have been waiting on forever, I received it on Saturday and that same day I ended up in hospital. Still in hospital, will be there for 2-3 more days at least. I have a really bad tooth infection, my face is so swollen, ya'll should see how retarded I look right now Doctor will come today to let me know if I need surgery or if they'll continue waiting for the antibiotics to do their job...

I have been postponing all dental work that I so desperately need, because I needed to take care of so many other things and costs first. And now that I got a new job my insurance will kick in on 1.June and look... only a couple of days before that I end up being hospitalized without medical and dental insurance. Lovely, just lovely...

So I am stuck here worrying about costs AND I cannot do anything about the paperwork that's just sitting at home right now waiting to be sent to NVC, file tax...

I am about to lose it, so I came here to vent... Hope the rest of you are all doing alright

How are you? I hope you wouldn't have to do surgery.

you're so sweet to ask, still postponing the surgery. I was wrong my insurance starts in july not june, so we are gonna go ahead and give a chance to antibiotics to do their magic.

Getting discharged today, so at least I can take care of the visa stuff now )

Dear Vareska,

Sorry to hear that you've been unwell. Wishing you a speedy and inexpensive recovery.

oh how exciting! so many new faces!

dvrjwh- i think what they mean is the last page of this packet:

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/...V018a_Oct08.pdf

it's just some quick questions. note though that if you answer yes to any of them you should get a letter from your GP detailing as much as possible, otherwise the doctor at knightsbridge will hold your file until they can sign off on it. oh don't forget to bring your passport and a passport sized photo for them.

as for the second week with interview assignments, i've heard the same 2nd week rule but there have also been quite a few people over in the NVC forum who've gotten dates at the end of the month too so it couldn't hurt to give them a call just to see. ever hopeful, that's me. looks like even if all goes well at NVC i'm probably going to just miss that second week... darn!

Thanks for the information. I've printed it all off. I'll definitely call them this week to see whether we have a date.

You can call the phone number that is on the London Embassy website under the link for medicals. They have one phone number for both the places and they will tell you which one you have to go to.

I believe the issueing of interview dates is diffrent for K1.

Hi TayRivers,

Thank you so much for the good advice. I've just booked my medical for mid-June. However, the mentioned to take along a form that the Embassy will send me, which of course I might not receive beforehand. Does anyone know what this form is and whether it can be downloaded?

Thanks again!

I just spoke to NVC to find out about Interview scheduling, the officer told me they only schedule interviews in London durring the second week of each month for date in the following month. So it looks like I wont hear anything now until June 12th. She did say we should get the interview in July.

It is so hard to plan anything when you dont know the date of the interview. I wanted to start looking for flights for my parents but without a date its going to hard to get a price.

Only good thing is that NVC said my parents can schedule their medicals as they are valid for 12 months, so Mum has got them booked for the middle of June.

Hi there,

I didn't know you could do this - which medical facility did you book with, as I believe there are two in London?

It looks like we'll be a July interview too, fingers crossed. We must have just missed the May interview booking period.

Thanks for your help.

I was just curious to see how many other people had filed for a CR-1 visa, everyone from the UK seems to be filing for the K-1's

I'm sure my wife and I aren't the only one's and it would be great to hear from other people in the same boat as us.!

We first filed in november '08 and NVC recieved all our paperwork on the 19th of May so we're just waiting for NVC to finish with our stuff and forward them to London.

Hi there,

I'm a UK CR1 too!!!

We got our case complete on 14th May, so we're awaiting that magic email to let us know when my interview is.

So nice to see there are other CR1's too.