road417king

i have a stupid question. my hair was long when i took the visa photo, if i am going to cut my hair really short, will there be any problem at POE?

My passport photo shows that I have a full head of hair and now I'm bald (the missing parts were too obvious so I shave my head now) and I never have problems entering America from abroad. I would expect that you wouldn't have a problem either since it's your face they're going to be looking at, not your hair.

Hope this helps!

Mike

She has a CR-1 visa

Did you tell them she has a CR-1 Visa and is authorized to move to the US by the US Government with residency status?

Thanks!

Mike

How to use automated phone system when calling NVC to check if the caseis complete... I am confused when hearing the instruction and don't know how will I enter the case number...

Thanks

If you're in the US, dial 1-603-334-0700 (adjust as necessary if dialing from overseas). At each step wait for the recorded instructions to start telling you what to do before proceeding. That said, the current system prompts are as follows:

Press 2 because you're not from Haiti. Your call will be forwarded so you hear ringing, wait for the new system to pick up and start talking again.

Press 1 for English (or 2 for Spanish).

Press 1 for immigration visa information.

Press 2 to use your NVC case number.

Now the prompts will ask you to enter the three letters of your case number. Since the foreign born spouse is in the Philippines according to your profile information, your case number will probably be something like this:

MNL2010678901 (MNL is for Manila, 2010 is this year and the remaining six digits are just numbers I typed in, you will need to use your numbers for your case).

When the automated system asks you to enter the three letters of your case number, using the above example, you would press 6 for the letter M, 6 for the letter N and then 5 for the letter L (if you look at the telephone keypad, you will see that each number also has letters associated with them). So again, that would be 665 for Manila, Philippines (MNL).

Wait for the voice to repeat what you entered and press 1 if correct, or 2 if not correct and re-enter the letters.

Next it will ask you to enter the remaining digits followed by the pound sign, so you would then enter the numbers exactly as they are in your case number. So for the above fictional case number, you would press the following keys on your telephone keypad: 2010678901#. Again, use YOUR case number digits, not the ones I made up here.

Wait for the voice to repeat back the numbers you entered and then press 1 if correct, or 2 if not correct and re-enter the digits.

This *should* get you past the part that is confusing you.

Hope this helps!

Mike

two years delays . actually four years , i filed the first i-130 back in jan-2007 and was denied at the local office ten months later because they lost my file . they requested more evidence and they lost it after i mailed it to them so they denied the case this is my second i-130 , it has been two years and i need more than seven surgeries in my back and neck and i am permanent disable and i need my husband home . i am tired of this background ####### everytime i call . i know they have to but this is way to long and unfair . and i still don't understand why the file was sent to the national benefit center? the letter states to allow them fifteen days and its been 62 and nothing yet .iv'e lost my house and my car and been sued by several credit companies and even by my own bank . i send them letters from five different doctors and medical reports supporting my claim and they just send it from one place to another . they kept it 14 months at the local office in l.a and who knows how long the NBC will keep it there

I'm assuming that you're the US citizen and not your husband, and if so it could very well be that your medical problems are weighing *against* your husband being given a visa because if you don't have the ability to support him, you won't be allowed to bring him here (this is just a thought in the back of my head, I have no proof of this) since part of the immigration process is doing an affidavit of support. Of course, if you have a co-sponsor that makes more than enough money, that's not a problem.

All of that said, this sounds like the type of "compelling story" I was talking about that the media may be interested in as long as you have documentation, phone records and copies of anything they sent you as well as postal receipts to prove what you sent to them, all with dates on them, to back up your story.

As for the national benefits center, I looked it up online:

"The NBC was established to serve as the hub and conduit for USCIS local field offices by completing all pre-interview processing of Forms generally requiring an interview. This pre-processing includes conducting background security checks, performing initial evidence reviews, adjudication of associated I-765 and I-131 applications (filed with the I-485 or separately), denial of adjustment of status cases for applicants who are statutorily ineligible, and forwarding scheduled cases to the USCIS local office for adjudication."

Seems that they're simply doing their job. Regarding the "...background #######...", since I don't know what it is that you're talking about, I only guess that it's in reference to the background security checks that the above paragraph states the NBC performs.

Since that seems to be the sticking point, my questions to them would be:

If a background check is holding things up, when was the background check started?

Who is doing the background check?

What was the last status update on the background check?

How long does it normally take a background check to be completed?

Why is it taking so much longer in my beneficiary's case?

Has anyone found anything that would red-flag this background check and if yes, what was found?

Make them answer specific questions, and make sure you get the name and operator number of the person you spoke with and write everything down, including the time and date when the conversation took place.

Again, having records will help your case should you decide to use the media hammer.

Good luck!

Mike

Good luck!

Mike

contact your local newspapers, and local offices of ABC. NBC, CBS etc if you want them to do a report on you. if they think it's interesting, maybe they will give you a call.

Sad_Angel,

This is actually a good suggestion from Tokyo.Lovers, it may actually be your best recourse, the squeeky wheel in public and all that, especially when it's some news media who could get it national attention.

I caution you though, be careful wielding this hammer because that's what the news media is. A hammer. You really should be at your complete wits end with no other options at all, basically when you've completely given up all hope of anything being done through normal channels.

I say this because you already did contact your elected representative and it took them time but they came back with an answer of "...they said that my case is pending..." according to your original post in this thread and if the case is pending and actual things are being done (albeit slowly), this hammer could throw a wrench into the works causing more delays.

Another good idea would be to contact an immigration lawyer (as opposed to sueing someone because I honestly don't see what basis you could use that would be useful for a successful attempt at litigating this to conclusion). Immigration lawyers tend to make contacts in the system and may be able to get more information for you, especially to find out what may be causing delays. Yes, it will cost you money for their time, but generally a lawyer will give you the first consultation either free or at a reduced cost and then you will be able to make a decision on if that lawyer will be able to help you.

After that, if you truly have no other options, if all hope is lost, then use the hammer of the media, but just be sure it's the only way you're going to get any results, and much like the president, there's no guarantee that they will take up your cause. Your story must be extremely compelling for them to even want to consider it.

Again, good luck!

Mike

so i guess my only option is to file lawsuit right?

On what grounds?

<deleted stuff>

Is a CROBA a form of petition? I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have it like this. Or are they specifically looking other I-130's in the process? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Gary

Regarding your child, I would read this:

http://www.travel.state.gov/law/info/overseas/overseas_703.html

Specifically the last line in the last paragraph:

"Under law, the Consular Report of Birth and the Certificate of Citizenship are equally acceptable as proof of citizenship."

Which in my eyes means that your child is already free to come into the US without any additional petitions, just make sure you have the FS-240 form with you (that's the CROBA) when your child comes through immigration.

That said, it won't hurt to call the state department to verify. (http://www.travel.state.gov/about/contact/contact_4745.html)

Another thought: You may just be able to apply for a US Passport for your daughter at the consulate in the country where your daughter is currently living since she is a US Citizen according to the FS-240.

Hope this helps!

Mike

i already have and i waited three weeks for them to respond and at the end they said that my case is pending ! oh really? what a great help

Contrary to popular belief, your congressman or congresswoman can't rush the immigration process, all they can do is ask "hey, what's going on with case XXX1234567890?" which generally just reminds the NVC (or NBC in your case, whatever they do) that there are people waiting on them to get things done in what us mere mortals would consider a "reasonably timely manner".

Sometimes it helps, other times it doesn't.

As for invoking the power of the POTUS and actually getting him to work on your behalf for your immigration, remember that Obama's own aunt is still living here in the US illegally and he isn't doing anything to help her with a visa. He says he wants the process to run it's natural course.

Now how there can be a "natural course" for the president's aunt when it comes to immigration is beyond me. But I digress.

Basically, my advice is don't hold your breath that Obama's going to come to your rescue.

And good luck!

Mike

P.S. Yes, I sound cynical but I'm old and have a right to be cynical about US politicians in general...

Hello everyone! We're not yet approved at the NVC but it never hurts to know what follows next! I have a few questions:

I'm applying for an IR1 visa

I read I'll be needing my husband's AOS at the interview - is a copy good enough or do i need the real signature?

First, because your profile/timeline doesn't provide any information beyond an RFE in May of last year, I'm going to work on the assumption that you are still living in Bulgaria, and are applying for a CR1 or IR1 immigrant visa (based upon how long you've been married).

AOS can mean two different things: Adjustment of Status (changing status from non-immigrant to immigrant) or Affidavit of Support (a pledge from your sponsor(s) that they can afford to support you without the government's help once you are living here in the US).

From the question and my base assumption above, I'm going go conclude that it's the former (your husband's adjustment of status) and that your package has actually arrived at the NVC (this is a not so subtle hint to fill out your timeline) and is being processed.

If my assumptions are correct, then it's best to ask the NVC that question, and if they can't answer, then when your case is completed at NVC and your case is forwarded to whereever your interview will take place, you can contact them and ask if original is required or if a copy will be sufficient.

I expect it's the latter (copies only), however well before the interview, the NVC will typically make sure that you have provided all sufficient documentation for the process to complete prior to your package being sent to the embassy for the interview.

Mike

Hey Mike...

Ally and MOh already got their interview on August

best of luck for your visa journey )

Glad to hear that, and thanks!

Mike

I know it sounds a little different than other stories, but believe me the decision that I made was also covering other circumstances relating to this issue at that harsh times.

K

Well, good luck then, I hope that it goes quickly for you!

Mike

Anyone have any experience submitting Japanese documents (as part of an I-130 petition) and how the immigration authorities react to them ?

<deleted stuff>

Anyone have any experience, in the US or elsewhere ??

thanks

Yes with the I-130 package we sent a copy of my wife's family register as the official record of her life (birth, previous marriage, divorce, children, etc.) along with a translated copy.

With regards to translations, the I-130 instructions say this:

"Translations. Any foreign language document must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and correct, and by the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English."

I had my wife's family register documents translated at $30 a page, but it's all nice and neat along with the translator's certification.

Actual birth certificates are *not* a requirement for Japanese immigrants, the family register is perfectly acceptable.

You'll want to keep the originals for your DS-230 package, and keep copies of the translations handy. For the DS-230 package they're not required (per the NVC website), but it will make things go easier so that the NVC doesn't need to have the documents translated.

Also, with everything you submit for this exercise, make sure you have two complete copies of everything. I keep one copy here at home in my safe and my wife has an identical copy with her in Japan. What the government gets, we both have full color copies of for our own records.

Hope this helps!

If they won't answer my congressman's office requesting our date, I KNOW they won't answer me if I ask for earlier!

Keep in mind that really all your congressman or congresswoman can do is ask for a status and ask what's taking so long with case X and then USCIS and NVC don't really have to answer them becasue it's a separate branch of government. Elected politicians really cannot influence the actions of USCIS or NVC, all they can do is pester people, which *can* actually have a negative effect on the process if they get too heavy handed.

Also, read the government websites about immigration, it states that it can take years for a visa application to be processed.

No two cases are alike, and I hate to say it but the region of the world where the significant other is immigrating from and their background *can* delay the process. It's a fact of life when dealing with government organizations.

I remember reading on one website where it took a lady five years to get an interview scheduled. I've seen posts on this very website where people have waited years.

I'm not saying to give up hope, by all means, keep the faith, but you need to be real about your expectations, and remember, you're not alone.

Mike

How long before your interview,did you schedule medical???Like ours is in aug..when we should call med office???

My wife's physical was yesterday, her interview is two months from today. My suggestion would be to check the embassy website in the country of your significant other.

Japan's website says this:

http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/visa/tvisa-ivmedfaq.html

How long is a medical exam report valid for?

Medical examinations conducted in connection with immigrant visa applications have a maximum validity of six months and must be valid when you enter the U.S. The consular officer shall limit the visas validity to a period of validity of the medical examination. If the alien cannot arrive in the United States within six months of the date of the medical examination, the alien must repeat the examination.

Manila's website says this:

What is the validity of the medical examination?

Medical examinations are generally valid for 6 months.

Since you haven't filled out your profile (that's a not so subtle hint to fill out your profile and timeline) with any information that would allow us to give a direct answer, you'll have to do the work on your own.

So check the US Embassy website, click for information on Immigration Visas and then look for a section on medical requirements. In there you'll find the information you seek.

Hope this helps!

Mike

I had to come back to India, since I was on H1-B and can't stay in USA, as my employer was not providing job and asking for tax money.

Wait, I'm confused, since you were originally here legally, couldn't have filed for some type of visa conversion since you have, what appears to be, either a US Citizen or a legal resident spouse and was cohabitating prior to your H1-B expiring?

I'm no lawyer, but I can't believe that would have violated the law since you were initially here legally.

Just wondering.

Thanks!

Mike

AUGUST INTERVIEWS - A total of 7 VJ members...

If you got an August Interview, please let us know

----- PLEASE USE THIS LIST TO DO ANY UPDATE ----

Week One

(08/03/2010 9:00 am Sydney, AUS ) bextavaz

(08/05/2010 6:30 am Phillines ) queng

(08/05/2010 ?:?? am russia ) haknas

Week Two

(08/10/2010 6:15 am D.R) Aneudy Martinez

Week Three

(08/19/2010 ?:?? am pakistan ) muskan4eva

Week Four

(08/24/2010 7:30 am Jordan) ally and moh

(08/26/2010 ?:?? am ??????) kucencemacence

August 30th, 2010. Will try to move that up though, so if it changes, will let you know.

AUGUST 26th here!!! WE HAVE INTERVIEW ON OUR FIRST MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY!!! WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT THAT???

Nice and congrats!!! I know how it feels to have some milestone happen on a special day, NVC closed our case on my birthday about two weeks ago...

Thanks!

Mike (and Seiko)

It has to be someone outside of my household, but we have to different household but the same nuber is on the home so it is 1433 but he lives upstairs and I live downstairs.

A suggestion?

I know that it won't matter to the post office, but where I grew up depending on the configuration of the house, it wasn't uncommon for one residence to have 1234A and the other to have 1234B.

Would that apply in your situation?

Just a thought.

Mike

EMBASSY JOURNEY

04-16-10 - Medical Exam ($400) - PASSED

05-10-10 - Embassy Receives Case from NVC

06-28-10 - INTERVIEW - Moved

06-21-10 - INTERVIEW - APPROVED!

Woohoo!! Congrats on that! Almost time for me to start pestering NVC to find out when Seiko's interview is...

Seriously congrats again!

I would suspect that calling NVC with this question would result in different answers from every operator asked,only leading to more confusion.

Which is why I'd ask to speak to a supervisor. But that's just me...

Can you tell me, the DS-230 form was supposed to be sent to NVC for case-completion, ryt? Then how will we take it to consulate?

You send the original to NVC for case completion, they will send it via DHL to the embassy. Prior to sending the package to NVC, you make two copies, one for the US citizen to hold onto for reference, one for the beneficiary to hang onto (and bring to the the interview, always bring your copies of all documentation to the interview).

How did you receive the interview appointment date? Was it sent to agent that you assigned- USC spouse?

If you signed up for email notification, the agent and the beneficiary should both recieve email notification. It is also likely that you will receive a physical copy by mail.

Hope this helps!

Mike

uscis said they have sent my case to nvc on june6,2010 now more then 2 months later nvc still have not receied my case.

USCIS said they sent the case to NVC on June 6th of this year (that was 13 days ago), where does the "two months later" time period come into play?

As for the case being sent to NVC on June 6th, you should be receiving an NOA2 letter any day now, however you can always call the NVC (603-334-0700) and ask them if they've received it.

Hope this helps!

Mike

i think that is for people who submitted the documents at the embassy?

Yep, that's correct. The $400 fee is only for people who didn't pay the IV fee on the National Visa Center site. There may, however be other fees that need to be paid (fingerprinting, document mailing, etc).

On reading about some embassies, there's a bus service from the "green zone" entry point to the embassy where you're not allowed to drive, so you have to pay for the "limo", etc. Different countries, different requirements, but inside, it should all be the same.

Thanks!

Mike

Reviews, this is for US Embassy in India, people generally post their interview experience, along with the types of questions asked.

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php?cnty=India&cty=&dfilter=5

Hope this helps!

Mike

2. They talk of vaccination record for the medical exam. But here in india, we dont have such a doc maintained. But we know, we have taken all vaccinations known. How do we go about this?

In Japan, my wife went to the doctor and they took a blood sample and did tests to determine which vaccinations she had already received and has the printout for that to take with her to the her immigration medical evaluation.

I would check with a doctor familiar with US Immigration at your local hospital to see if they can perform a similar test with the associated report.

Hope this helps!

Mike

Friends, am doing the ground work for NVC stage while i wait for NOA2.

I am confused here.. looks like a conflicting info. which one to follow?

In the consulate website, it says, ' DO NOT use the term "not applicable" or "N/A". Instead write "none" or "never". '

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/immigrantstous/common-mistakes-on-iv-applications.html

but in the instructions right on top of ds-230, it says .. 'Mark questions that are not applicable with "N/A" ' http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/81807.pdf

There's a phone number you can call a the National Visa Center where real people will be available to answer questions like this.

In my opinion, this is an excellent example of "conflicting instructions" that they need to be made aware of so that they can work with the state department to get US Embassies websites reflecting the same information that the NVC documents indicate.

The phone number for NVC: 603-334-0700

Good luck!

Mike