ladonna

I "charmed" a fax number out of them simply by asking ... 202 647-9622 ... but I haven't had time to verify that fax number yet, so I don't guarantee it.

I must be incredibly charming

here is the url for the U.S. Department of State personnel directory with phone numbers. Scroll to pages 12-13 and there is the consular affairs section. I' haven't had time to call any of the numbers yet to ask specifically which is the best person to contact, but I'll probably start with David Donahue,Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/112065.pdf. Good luck!

Good work. You probably could have found that hours ago if you hadn't wasted your time and effort sending me rude and insulting private messages.

Hint: the "Unclassified Fax" number doesn't work. You have to call someone and charm a fax number out of them. Good luck to all.

Really, it took about 5 minutes to find that directory, it wasn't hard at all, which really makes me even more amazed you were unwilling to share it with the rest of us. Didn't you say it took you hours of research? Now you should let this subject die. You erred and you should just be a man and admit your mistake. Ciao.

here is the url for the U.S. Department of State personnel directory with phone numbers. Scroll to pages 12-13 and there is the consular affairs section. I' haven't had time to call any of the numbers yet to ask specifically which is the best person to contact, but I'll probably start with David Donahue,Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/112065.pdf. Good luck!

Responding to the person who said they found a fax number for the Department of State after great effort, but they were unwilling to share that fax number here in the forum for fear the number would become "flooded" ... I wonder why you mentioned it at all then? The spirit of this forum is to share information, help each other, and commiserate. Please don't tell us you are privvy to some special information you are not willing to share with the rest of us. What was your purpose in doing it? To gloat? To tease the rest of us? To be admired? Please, just keep such things off the forum if you are not willing to share. You just make a bad situation worse.

Hi ladonna,

Haven't found the fax number but did find the phone number to the offices. I'm hoping to get the fax number if I'm able to get through.

I understand the members concern regarding flooding the numbers but at the same time maybe it will draw attention to our concerns. The way I see it these people work for the taxpayers and more importantly for their fellow US Citizens, an overloaded fax machine is hardly a burden.

yes, and really, there are what ... maybe 10 of us here who will actually use that number? I'm trying to get it too, and will certainly share it if I'm able to get it. Thanks!

Responding to the person who said they found a fax number for the Department of State after great effort, but they were unwilling to share that fax number here in the forum for fear the number would become "flooded" ... I wonder why you mentioned it at all then? The spirit of this forum is to share information, help each other, and commiserate. Please don't tell us you are privvy to some special information you are not willing to share with the rest of us. What was your purpose in doing it? To gloat? To tease the rest of us? To be admired? Please, just keep such things off the forum if you are not willing to share. You just make a bad situation worse.

ladonna

we will get out soon

yes, eventually we will ... good luck to all of us and please keep the spirit of fellowship and sharing in a very bad situation.

Responding to the person who said they found a fax number for the Department of State after great effort, but they were unwilling to share that fax number here in the forum for fear the number would become "flooded" ... I wonder why you mentioned it at all then? The spirit of this forum is to share information, help each other, and commiserate. Please don't tell us you are privvy to some special information you are not willing to share with the rest of us. What was your purpose in doing it? To gloat? To tease the rest of us? To be admired? Please, just keep such things off the forum if you are not willing to share. You just make a bad situation worse.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. We do all seem to be from the same time frame. My NOA2 was on Aug. 26 and NVC receive date was Sept. 3 . It's the not knowing anything thats the hard part. We expect a certain amount of time to go from 1 to 2 but this wait comes out of nowhere and surprises you. I'll be checking 4-5 times a week like I'm sure you all do. I have sent 1 e-mail too with no response yet but didn't really think they would till they are done. Hope we all can get out of AP soon.

I do not know if its a time frame issue, I have a chat friend who has also filed a week earlier than I did. They already got the letter from the Embassy today, which means it passed through NVC very quickly. However my case seems different.

I received my NOA2 on Sept 11th, called NVC on sept 20 and got the case no. they assigned it and found out it is in AP. Called sept 21 to find out when they actually received my petition because I forgot the first time I called to ask. The lady would not give me any information, she said my name as the petitioner did not match the name of the petitioner that they had. My case was flagged for review by a supervisor and I was told to call back in 15 business days.

then it appears THEY made a mistake, a clerical error in your file... now guess who will be penalized for that mistake? I would not wait 15 days. I would call them every day, and ask to talk to a supervisor, write a letter (not e-mail but registered mail) and contact your congressman. Well, that's just me, but I don't bear incompetence too easily, particularly when it impedes me from achieving the thing I want most in my life. Maybe you are not in a hurry anyway. Some aren't. As for me, I've waited a long time to be with my Love, and we're both tired of waiting. I don't mean to imply you don't want to be with your beloved, I'm just acknowledging there are different circumstances. Those here who are stuck in AP at NVC and feel some urgency should not tolerate the way they treat us. Why should they tell us blatant lies, then refuse to give us any reason why our petition is stalled there in that black hole, and tell us we should just wait patiently and blindly, when we (most of us) already waited a painfully long time to be with our Loves? It's inhuman to treat us this way. I'm calling my congressman today. Yesterday I sent a registered letter to NVC physical address, and they also told me call back in 15 days. I laughed. I'll call them twice every day. They are public servants, not our Lords and Masters.

I thought i read on a government web site something about they will assign a date to a file and will not forward till that date comes. I kinda took that as maybe they have a certain number (quota) for some country's and that anyone's paperwork over that quota has to wait till date assigned to be forwarded. Does anyone know if this is true or not? I do not have a time line yet but i have been in AP for 25 days now ( sept. 3 ) and just called and still in AP

Thats not the reason for the holdup in NVC AP.. that applies to consulate delays sometimes...

Files for your consulate and mine have left NVC in the past couple of days.. we just got pulled for a second look for one reason or another.

I agree ... many K-1's have moved on to Italy in the past 2 weeks, but ours is stuck in AP. It's either random, or they found out my great uncle Fred once jay-walked and they suspect I have criminal tendencies.

The fact is, we've been lied to, in writing even. I called them this morning and insisted on talking to a supervisor. I asked her politely, but firmly and repeatedly, "Why do you put something in writing that is not true? Why don't you change that letter if indeed it's a form letter?" Who else in this country can get away with putting false information in writing? They would be held accountable in a court of law. It's the basic premise of our legal system. Why put that in writing if it's not true? and not only to do it once, but to repeat the same indiscretion over and over and over? It makes no sense. The supervisor told me to put my complaint in a written letter. I said I would, but she shouldn't think doing so would be an exercise in letting off steam, because I was not just angry but incensed by the incompetence and insensitivity of this practice. They told me to call back in 15 business days. I replied I would write a letter and send it by registered mail, and call back in 2 days, and I would continue calling back every day until I got an acceptable answer. They should not be allowed to perpetuate such behavior with impunity. If I don't have some resolution to this matter, I'll contact my congressional representatives. None of you should accept this situation. They should stop sending us misleading and blatantly false letters, and they should either process our petitions efficiently or give us a reasonable explanation as to why they are being held.

Totally agree. I've sent an e-mail 4x now and have yet to get a reply. On one of the e-mails I expressed my concern regarding the misleading notification letter. Which is an outright lie for those of us in AP.

It took them 12 days to respond to my email. I only sent one. It gives pause for thought to the expression "Snail Mail".

By the way Im from Texas too.

What a great list that is! Wonderful job, thank you. Everyone stuck in NVC should check out Thantita's list... It won't help you get out of NVC, but at least you can see the company you're in... I notice we're the only K-1 filers from Italy stuck in NVC ...

Hey guys - I see that you guys are posting in your signature 'NVC letter received' - what is that?

Hi DND2009,

It's just the hard copy of the NVC letter saying they have forwarded to the consulate.

Tina

And don't believe it ... it's not worth anything. They send that letter to everyone, and then half of them get stuck in AP anyway, with no end in sight. Good luck.

The fact is, we've been lied to, in writing even. I called them this morning and insisted on talking to a supervisor. I asked her politely, but firmly and repeatedly, "Why do you put something in writing that is not true? Why don't you change that letter if indeed it's a form letter?" Who else in this country can get away with putting false information in writing? They would be held accountable in a court of law. It's the basic premise of our legal system. Why put that in writing if it's not true? and not only to do it once, but to repeat the same indiscretion over and over and over? It makes no sense. The supervisor told me to put my complaint in a written letter. I said I would, but she shouldn't think doing so would be an exercise in letting off steam, because I was not just angry but incensed by the incompetence and insensitivity of this practice. They told me to call back in 15 business days. I replied I would write a letter and send it by registered mail, and call back in 2 days, and I would continue calling back every day until I got an acceptable answer. They should not be allowed to perpetuate such behavior with impunity. If I don't have some resolution to this matter, I'll contact my congressional representatives. None of you should accept this situation. They should stop sending us misleading and blatantly false letters, and they should either process our petitions efficiently or give us a reasonable explanation as to why they are being held.

I encourage all those who have received the Form I-797 and/or a letter from NVC stating definitively that your petition has been approved and forwarded to the consulate, you should call NVC and complain frequently and vociferously about this situation. Not only is it misleading and disconcerting, it starts the expiration time for your visa processing, giving it a deadline which you may have to extend, adding even more to a burdensome and cumbersome process. This is inhuman treatment. What other entity might, with impunity, provide a person with false and misleading information? This is not a soviet state or a fascist regime. We are entitled to respect and accountability from those who represent us.

PLEASE READ THIS AND COMPLAIN TO NVC, DON'T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP, BECAUSE AS LONG AS WE ALLOW THEM TO PERPETUATE SUCH VILE PRACTICES, THEY WILL NOT CHANGE IT. SURELY IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN STRONGLY ENOUGH, THEY WILL STOP GIVING OUT SUCH MISLEADING INFORMATION.

And those of you who actually contact your congressional representatives, tell them about this situation. This should not be allowed to continue. At least half of us here are American citizens, and the other half are trying to become American citizens.

ok, I'm confused ... Weeks ago we received a Form I-797, saying our petition is approved and being forwarded to the consulate. But some time after we received that notice, the consulate still doesn't have our petition, so I called to NVC and they said our petition is in AP status at NVC.

Here is my question: Have all of you (or any of you) also received the Form I-797? It makes no sense.

Salut a tous,

I received letter from NVC today regarding my approved I29F. they have forwarded it to paris and I saw that it was delivered.

Ladonna, how are you? how is your case progressing?

Good lock to everyone.

Tres bien Licia!!!

What date is the letter from?? I hope I get mine on Monday, so that I can find out my case number.... and the embassy in CCS has not responded.... so we'll wait on that too ... not like I can do something else...

Licia! Ciao cara! Well, we're stuck in NVC now, and I've pretty much abandoned this thread for the time being and moved to the "stuck in NVC" thread. Now my Love is planning another trip here to the States to stay with me a few weeks, given we're in I-129f Purgatory.

I'm so happy for all those who are making progress, but then it also makes me sad each time I see someone else's case progressing and ours is stalled. Last year I endured 5 weeks without electricity after Hurricane Ike came here where I live. Then the media would say, "85% of houses have electricity restored" ... then "90% ..." then "95% have electricity restored... that only made me feel worse, knowing I was in the last 5% to have electricity restored, although of course I was happy for those who had it already! This is a similar feeling.

OOO Ladonna, this is so sad and i feel really bad and sorry for you. Give it this week before planning anything else. because what if your love comes and then NVC sends your package? then he'll have to return before his expected date of return, and that's gonna be a wait for you two. so please be strong and keep praying, i'm praying for you too. when you call NVC what do they tell you? have they given you a case number yet? if yes, then they've probably sent it to the embassy. you cann call they embassy and see if they've gotten it.

don't be sad, it'll be fine.

BISOU

yes, i've called them several times and they tell you nothing ... this in spite they sent me a definitive letter on Sep 7 saying our petition was approved and would be forwarded to the consulate by September 14. Then I found out this letter means nothing, even though it had our case number, our alien number, everything...Everyone gets this letter, but it means nothing. Now in the NVC thread, they talk about horror stories of being stuck in NVC for up to 50 days, for no reason... it's like a lottery. Thank you for your sweet words, and I wish the best luck to all. ANyway, if he comes here and we get the notice from the consulate, we still don't have to answer them immediately. He might stay here 3 or 4 weeks, anyway, it's better than nothing. We miss each other terribly. We haven't been together since March 30, when he was forced to leave because of the 90 day limit on visa waiver. Then we decided we wanted to live together forever, so we started the petition process.

Salut a tous,

I received letter from NVC today regarding my approved I29F. they have forwarded it to paris and I saw that it was delivered.

Ladonna, how are you? how is your case progressing?

Good lock to everyone.

Tres bien Licia!!!

What date is the letter from?? I hope I get mine on Monday, so that I can find out my case number.... and the embassy in CCS has not responded.... so we'll wait on that too ... not like I can do something else...

Licia! Ciao cara! Well, we're stuck in NVC now, and I've pretty much abandoned this thread for the time being and moved to the "stuck in NVC" thread. Now my Love is planning another trip here to the States to stay with me a few weeks, given we're in I-129f Purgatory.

I'm so happy for all those who are making progress, but then it also makes me sad each time I see someone else's case progressing and ours is stalled. Last year I endured 5 weeks without electricity after Hurricane Ike came here where I live. Then the media would say, "85% of houses have electricity restored" ... then "90% ..." then "95% have electricity restored... that only made me feel worse, knowing I was in the last 5% to have electricity restored, although of course I was happy for those who had it already! This is a similar feeling.

Salut a tous,

I received letter from NVC today regarding my approved I29F. they have forwarded it to paris and I saw that it was delivered.

Ladonna, how are you? how is your case progressing?

Good lock to everyone.

Tres bien Licia!!!

What date is the letter from?? I hope I get mine on Monday, so that I can find out my case number.... and the embassy in CCS has not responded.... so we'll wait on that too ... not like I can do something else...

Licia! Ciao cara! Well, we're stuck in NVC now, and I've pretty much abandoned this thread for the time being and moved to the "stuck in NVC" thread. Now my Love is planning another trip here to the States to stay with me a few weeks, given we're in I-129f Purgatory.

After a long voyage of 5 ½ months……………………

It was a bright and sunny day; I was on a short trip along the coast and I could see the beach enjoyed the sights and sounds as it would be just a few days to get home (USEM). Suddenly I was swept out to sea by a powerful force (NVC) that ripped my sail (my momentum) and flipped my boat (my petition) with no way to navigate. I had to climb onto the hull and hold on. As the days go by I see many other boats passing me by, going in all directions to their destination; most are fast and a few are slow, but they cannot help me. My body is burned (anger) and I am dehydrated (sapped of strength), thirsting for water when there is water all around. Day turns to night and night into day with no end or direction of where I am. Sometimes I wake up and see land and call out for help but it is only an illusion, the force is keeping me at sea. How I pray every day it will send me to my destination; my love waits for me there. It is day 21 now and I know I am delirious, fearing I will lose my grip and slip into the abyss.

Very poetic, brava! I wonder if you met your fiance online... I have this theory that people who meet online often have better communication skills, and tend toward a certain sexy nerdiness or nerdy sexuality, and are strongly expressive

this is off-topic, but someone please tell me how to insert a photo so it shows on your messages. Thanks

You think they might have like office pool ? like end of week they tally how many hang ups, ask for supervisors, go to H***, I am going to sue, you will be hearing from my congressman and the one with the most everyone has to buy the beer for on friday night ??

Maybe they provide the food there for the call center workers - and maybe is like back in the old days - where they put the saltpeter in it so they are all mellow out are something ..

I have never dealt with agency that was so non human in dealing with customers - I have never gotten angry with any of the operators there and have been pretty nice and have always said yes sir/mam no sir/mam etc.

I wonder if would get any response if just broke down crying over phone ??

I think they would win the lottery that week if they made you cry audibly. Probably record it and play it back at their awards ceremony!

Day 38...still AP Hell...I am beyond furious. I am now beginning to believe that something is wrong. called my Congresswoman's office yesterday and they informed me that she faxed a request on Friday 18th requesting a status on the case. They told me give it a week and it usually makes the case go to the top of the pile. From what I can tell, I think I am now the longest currently in AP here on VJ. Really, I feel like giving up.

Why would you believe "something is wrong"? Like everyone else in this thread, you are in AP. It just delays your case being sent on. I know how frustrating it is but you are most likely 2 weeks at the most from being released. Why on earth would you "give up"?!? (I don't even know what "giving up" would mean at this point.)

Hopefully you are already at the top of the pile, Maverick ... what a torture! 38 days ... I'm sorry for you. I fear the same fate. There is not much to do, just wait and wait. I really believe it's random at NVC, unless you made some glaring error. It seems a dice roll ... some move through quickly, others get stuck without rhyme or reason... hang in there and try to calm yourself.

And sometimes, in the midst of all this angst, I catch myself becoming a tad paranoid, and I begin to wonder if there is some clerk at NVC whose job it is to monitor this website for those who are critical of the system, and then they place those petitions in a special file in a very dark corner of some back room, where they will mold and rot.

You think they might have like office pool ? like end of week they tally how many hang ups, ask for supervisors, go to H***, I am going to sue, you will be hearing from my congressman and the one with the most everyone has to buy the beer for on friday night ??

Maybe they provide the food there for the call center workers - and maybe is like back in the old days - where they put the saltpeter in it so they are all mellow out are something ..

I have never dealt with agency that was so non human in dealing with customers - I have never gotten angry with any of the operators there and have been pretty nice and have always said yes sir/mam no sir/mam etc.

I wonder if would get any response if just broke down crying over phone ??

OMG CRAZY! every time I read your words, I laugh so hard. My fiance is listening to me with the microphone through MSN Messenger and he keeps asking me to explain what you said, but I can't explain it, I just laugh more and more.

There seem to be alot of Texans stuck in AP

Here is too another day and another chance to get out of AP - I swear this is what my life has become

After I get him here ( if this is ever a reality ) and probably after we are married and might even for the safety sake have green card and rest of process done - lol - I am going to form small grassroot movement to overhaul this mess

Well is not really mess - they do handle alot of applications and you know can not be easy trying to work w different presidents and different political movements

Maybe this whole sector of the government should be taken over by a private identity or something - who knows - but if anything - would like to see some sweeping changes in the NVC - they seem a bit more like the KGB then some United States Government Dept

You know if you look at the basic purpose of a k-1 - it is so simple in theory with such sweet intentions - Yes you can bring your sweetie here to spend some time w him/her and marry them - if does not work out is ok - they can go back - no harm done - things happen in a relationship - is ok - we understand this

But is like that have taken this and have like everything else in the government added to and decided on their own to add to and decide to make more then is.

I read in another thread on here - someone posted that this is like a "privilege " to be able to do this - it is not our "right" to be able to have our sweeties or spouses come here - when did this happen ? What is happening to the United States ? When did it not become the average citizens country ? Why is this is "privilege " - I am a free person - I can do as I wish with my life and this is my right - this is what the US is based on - we as citizens should be demanding answers from NVC - not saying oh Thank you for nothing - I mean ####### is wrong with this picture ??

Is it me ?? Even poor Stephen is afraid of posting an elected official fax number for fear of repercussions until he has his sweetie here - I found myself even writing apology letter to US embassy in Romania as before we started this journey He has applied for visitor visa and was denied and I sent a "#######" email to them - so sent a apology one just in case this is why we are in AP ..lol

I for one am so tired of kissing government's behinds - I need like mouthwash w lysol or something

lol crazy! I read your words with interest and amusement! I feel so much the same sentiments... frustration with this process and annoyance with stupidity and inefficiency and lack of empathy I feel when I contact the agencies. I know they have to discover whether we are terrorists or criminals or lepers or indigents, but is it really so hard to discover these things? And here is the basic issue: Let's say my petition (or yours) is the only one they have to process ... then it wouldn't take very long, just a few days. But they are behind because there are so many to process. Then they obviously need to improve efficiency or hire more workers, because if they are 4 months behind due to volume, then they will surely only become more and more behind as time goes on. If I can only pick 20 apples each day, but I need to pick 40 apples to keep current, then what? each day that goes by, I'm 20 apples more away from my objective. Of course I'll never catch up, but only become angry and inefficient and tired.

There seem to be alot of Texans stuck in AP

Here is too another day and another chance to get out of AP - I swear this is what my life has become

After I get him here ( if this is ever a reality ) and probably after we are married and might even for the safety sake have green card and rest of process done - lol - I am going to form small grassroot movement to overhaul this mess

Well is not really mess - they do handle alot of applications and you know can not be easy trying to work w different presidents and different political movements

Maybe this whole sector of the government should be taken over by a private identity or something - who knows - but if anything - would like to see some sweeping changes in the NVC - they seem a bit more like the KGB then some United States Government Dept

You know if you look at the basic purpose of a k-1 - it is so simple in theory with such sweet intentions - Yes you can bring your sweetie here to spend some time w him/her and marry them - if does not work out is ok - they can go back - no harm done - things happen in a relationship - is ok - we understand this

But is like that have taken this and have like everything else in the government added to and decided on their own to add to and decide to make more then is.

I read in another thread on here - someone posted that this is like a "privilege " to be able to do this - it is not our "right" to be able to have our sweeties or spouses come here - when did this happen ? What is happening to the United States ? When did it not become the average citizens country ? Why is this is "privilege " - I am a free person - I can do as I wish with my life and this is my right - this is what the US is based on - we as citizens should be demanding answers from NVC - not saying oh Thank you for nothing - I mean ####### is wrong with this picture ??

Is it me ?? Even poor Stephen is afraid of posting an elected official fax number for fear of repercussions until he has his sweetie here - I found myself even writing apology letter to US embassy in Romania as before we started this journey He has applied for visitor visa and was denied and I sent a "#######" email to them - so sent a apology one just in case this is why we are in AP ..lol

I for one am so tired of kissing government's behinds - I need like mouthwash w lysol or something

I was beginning to think the same thing ... lots of Texas people in this thread! hmmm ... maybe they don't like Texas at NVC. Wonder would it help if I call and tell them I'm a transplanted Yankee (might make it worse!) lol

Hello All May VSC filers:

Just wanted to let everyone know that our visa was received yesterday and he is on a plane tonight! Thank you all so much for the information and support and I will continue to follow along with your progresses!!!

Congrats! Good luck at POE and boy you must be besides yourself with excitement!

Oh! Congratulations! How wonderful for you two! I know you must be feeling like you're walking on a cloud now! I'm very happy for you, best wishes and don't forget the rest of us miserable souls who are here in limbo still waiting and wondering! Very very very best wishes!

Hey everyone,

So the good news is that Montreal has finally logged our packet into the system. I'm not sure how long after that they will send out packet 3, but at least I know it's not lost...whew! Hopefully packet 3 can be sent out today or tomorrow and I can get it next week.

Good luck to everyone!

Tina

That's so wonderful! I know you'll make fast progress now (I hope, anyway) Congratulations on this latest step, and Godspeed to you!

Just checked on DHL's website and saw something was sent to Mumbai today so called NVC but they said they still don't have any record of my case.

They said that until it comes to NVC it will come up as no record again, anyone else experience this?

yes, I had something similar, then found out I was stuck at NVC in AP status. I sincerely hope you have better luck, and go with those who pass quickly through the NVC phase. Godspeed!