foobaz123

My mother in law tried to fill it as a co-sponsor, but she just wasn't able to Colin had to do it.

I'd strongly suggest you look at the example form here, it saved us from a lot of stupid mistakes!

Oh man, I see NVC in there and I can only guess what the rest is.... insults? Curse??

"Hate waiting for NVC's information" More or less

Still no AOS or IV bill

讨厌等待NVC的信息

Since you guys were writing French.. I thought I'd add a bit more flavor

People, if IV package not invoiced, Does that mean Ds-3032 not yet accepted?

Not necessarily. I doubt one happens immediately after the other. I'm sure there must be some time lag of a few hours or a day or so.

*raises hand!*

Here you go:

How does it look?

I'd rather have a Russian Earl Grey tea if I may.

If the chocolate's not enough comfort, I can show you funny pictures of kitties. That works wonder on me.

Hmmm... Don't have any Russian Earl Grey on hand. I do need to get some more tea. Bloody cold outside today though. -5C and windy.

If NVC generates an email on a Friday, it takes awhile for emails to be sent out by their server sometimes, so you may receive something on the weekend. It happened to me. I found out about my interview date on a Friday, and only received the email on a Saturday at like 6am. And I believe there was another time too that I received something very early Saturday morning.

But that's where you're mistaken. There hasn't been a delay in your case. You JUST got your case number assigned this week. It is NORMAL for it to take a few days for bills to be invoiced. Sure, there might have been other people here that got their AOS the day after a case number is assigned, there's also the people where it's taken a week or two.

I understand your pain of being separated from your wife and wishing there was something you could do (I've been there), but being impatient like this is only going to HURT you. Can you do something for me? This entire weekend, both days, I don't want you to complain ONCE about your AOS not being invoiced. Do not let that thought in your head. Instead, I want you to close your eyes and imagine, waking up on Monday, signing into the payment portal and seeing the AOS bill invoiced. I want you to KNOW and BELIEVE that it's there. Do this ALL weekend. And I assure you, it'll be there Monday.

Ah, I should have said relative delay...

You're right, I know it should/could take a few days or so. Just being impatient now that we're finally at the NVC stage.

I won't complain about it again, since it definitely won't come till Monday. I'll see what I can do about thinking positive.

*hands a chocolate bar*

*munch* *munch* *munch*

Thanks

Want a caffè breve?

It isn't really in my nature to be too patient.

One of the many reasons I can't wait to successfully complete this process is that right now it is hard for me not to hate weekends. I'm separated from my wife. Our time difference makes it difficult to even spend the time together virtually, though we do what we can.

On top of that, the weekend is just 48 hours when my petition is going now where and nothing is being done. Wasted time.

*tick* *tick* *tick*

IIRC, VJ member Palladin quickly sent an OPTIN email before receiving an IIN and had some issues getting the AOS bill invoiced before he was able to continue.

I think all the time I "saved" by being so proactive and quickly opting in has now gone out the window in delays. The last time I talked to NVC the told me the same "We've just entered this case" thing. They also said that it had been examined or looked at or something yesterday. The unfortunate thing is, I can't get them to see that there seems to be a delay so they won't look at it. Kinda reminds me of USCIS in that regard...

Did Palladin have to do something to break it loose?

Do you recall how long it took to finally break loose?

I would put Nigeria at the top of this category, followed by Morocco, then Middle East in general as AP is common.

That's true.

Just received my case approval for my Wife's I130 Petition @ 10pm ET to be exact.

"On February 10, 2012, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN"

To be honest with you I just lost excitement to be happy/joyful because it was painful enough, for both my wife and I, knowing that another new long journey will begin with NVC. I'm really afraid that the law of newton will be applicable in this process and NVC will be as backlogged as CSC started to clear their side. Anyway, I contacted me Rep back in 1/20/2012 (almost 6 month mark) then my Senator on Monday 02/07/2012. Was it the reason? I'll let you call it:

"The California Service Center has acknowledged that your case is outside normal processing times. The agency has assured our office that every effort is being made to adjudicate your case as quickly as possible, and they have asked that our office allow thirty days for the agency to resolve this issue.

Our office is scheduled to follow-up with the agency at the end of this month, if you still have not received a decision on your case"

OR

is it the 6.5-7 month deal???

For my own sanity, I'll call it Rep®/Sen® to be politically correct.

I've been wondering the same thing. It took around 10 days for NVC to "receiving" our file from USCIS and then about another week to get a case number. Since that time, we were able to email in our DS-3032 and convert to the Electronic Processing system. After that however, we've come to a stop waiting for the AOS and IV Billing.

You can take it as somewhat good news that other people who entered NVC around the same time have been sailing along for the most part without serious delay. Additionally, this is the stage where you finally have some control over how fast the process goes.

Good luck.

I tried not to check all day... still not invoiced

A common misbelief that I have witnessed in almost all of my husband's family and friends, is that if you're married to the USC, then you're automatically granted a greencard. I explained multiple times that no, you're just granted the right to apply for a visa (I skip the USCIS stage, it's already complicated enough) with no guarantee you'll eventually get it. Usually they look at us like and they say "but visas are not for unmarried people who just want to come live here?"... Eeer no, people who just want to live here, well they can't, unless they find an employer who could sponsor them or win the visa lottery. :blink: "you mean that not everyone is allowed to come??". Hell no.

What really blows their minds is when I explain to them that not only can not everyone come, but that many have little to no chance of coming even for a visit. Nevermind moving here.

In some cultures the spouses don't get undressed in front of each other, so they don't see the other one's underwear. Does that make the marriage less legit?? :bonk:

I don't say "when I'm in the US", EVER. It brings bad luck, knock on wood! Seriously, I don't let anyone make plans for the "after". Hubby's family wants to have a big party but I don't want anything planned before it's over.

Damned right. Win the war. Lick your wounds and recover... THEN party.

And yes, obviously if you don't know whatever bit of esoterica the VO has decided you should know then clearly your marriage is based on nothing but a desire to get a visa.

That's sad.

Don't they have to support their decision with actual facts at all?

Facts are a funny thing. As I mentioned in my last post, a lot of it comes down to the VOs impression of the beneficiary. Something that by definition is an opinion based on little more than 'instinct' and 'experience'. There are some clear cut cases. Sue was telling me about one she read on 'the other site' that was a pretty obvious case of visa shopping. Short version, the couple was going for a K1 after only being together once in person in three years. It was the second guy she had tried for a K1 with.

Then there are the cases you read about where the couple looks like any other couple. Yet the VO asked the beneficiary a couple of questions and, white slip. Denied.

It's a different situation, but it does illustrate the abruptness with which a denial can come down. Sue tried to get a visitor visa a couple of years ago. I knew it might not work, but I had no idea how little chance there was at the time. The 'interview' was 30 seconds long. No evidence was examined and only enough questions were asked for them to fill out the denial form. It was clear that the decision was made before she even got there.

I'm just wondering, what is the legal frame for the visa interview? What law or regulations are COs expected to follow? Do they have legal limits? Or can they just use and abuse their power to crush lives?

Of course if you ask enough you'll find something the spouse doesn't know. I couldn't even say what Colin's favorite color or favorite food is. I don't think he has a favorite. I couldn't explain exactly what he does at work, cause it's just beyond my understanding (he's a scientist). It seems kind of ridiculous to think answers to such questions can prove anything...

As to the legal frame work I'm not 100% sure. I do know their decisions are beyond judicial review and that they have extreme latitude. They seem to be somewhat more constrained when it comes to family based visas and absolutely unconstrained when it comes to visitor visas. That's one of the reasons visitor visas from China are extremely rare, as compared to the number who apply or would like to apply.

Sue and I actually talked about the favorite food thing and that was the same answer. I don't really have an exact favorite. However, she cannot say she doesn't know. There has to be an answer. So what I advised her for things like that is simply this: They only know what's in the paper work. If they ask her what my favorite food is, she knows things I like. Pick one. Now it's my favorite. She gave an answer quickly and with confidence and there is no way they could know if it was right or wrong. The same thing goes with my job. I'm a systems engineer. Awesome, so what is that? The precise meaning is a bit different from company to company.

To play devil's advocate for a moment, the problem is this. They have a few minutes to determine whether you have a real relationship based on nothing more than the package you sent in and whatever questions come to mind at the time plus their general impression. Such a process is practically designed to fail.

In the end, if they decide 'no' on a visa the paper work goes back to USCIS (eventually) and you get a chance to rebut whatever allegations were made by the VO. Sometimes they seem to be pretty vague. Other times very specific. In any case, the delays quickly become extreme. This is why when it was recently announced they were going to make it easier for people in the US illegally to green cards I got pretty pissed. The article I read went on and on about how nice it'll be that people won't be separated for months or years on end while they try and 'get legal'. The entire time making it quiet clear that this is only for people who skipped the process, or over stayed a B2 visa, and that people who are doing things legally in the first place can just suffer.

Oh, I can take our cat to the interview?? I didn't know that!

Seriously, it's so awful. I'm gonna go through a supposedly easy consulate, and I'm already scared. Why do they have to make your life hell?? Can't they do their jobs remaining civil and respectful of other human beings??

I was reading an embassy review yesterday, I think it was in Dominican Republic, and the CO asked both the USC and the spouse separately if they had sex the night they 1st met in person, and if they had sex the night before the interview, and what kind of birth control method they were using. Are you f*cking kidding me???!! Mind your own genitals!! The way they sneak into your life and show no respect for your privacy is SO outraging...

The following is speculation based on various observations.. take it for what it is worth...

Consulates around the world seem to fall in to a few basic categories...

The ultra easy: Canada/UK/France

The somewhat easy: VWP countries in general

The somewhat difficult: Everyone not in category 1, 2 or 4

The pretty damned hard to practically impossible: China/India and other places like them.

When you're interviewing in that last category, you can pretty much expect anything to come out of the VOs mouth. Part of that is that since they are high fraud countries, there is no way to deny it, the VO is looking hard for a reason to deny the visa. This is the reason why front loading when applying in places like these is not optional. It is absolutely essential. It is common in these places for the VO to flat refuse to look at any evidence that didn't come with the petition in the first place. A lot of people end up screwed by this as the standards USCIS apply for 'evidence of a bonafied relationship' is no where near as high as in these places.

I'm sure you'll be fine. You're filing a DCF petition in a very easy country. Cake walk is the phrase that comes to mind.

For Sue and I, there are times I'm scared to death. We sent in 200+ pages of evidence, including a photo essay I did and all kinds of chat and email records. But that evidence is only worth something if the VO actually reads it all, assuming it even makes it to them and USCIS didn't drop it on the floor somewhere. Even with all that evidence, if the VO is having a bad day and decides to just grill her until she messes up then we're probably sunk. Not because she doesn't know me or because we don't have a real relationship, but simply because if you ask enough questions eventually you're going to hit on something she just doesn't know. We haven't been able to live together. I would bet a thousand dollars that given enough time they'll find something that flusters her, confuses her or she just doesn't know.

Then, BAM! Denial. We get to spend the next two to four years fighting DOS to prove the VO was wrong.

People here in the States rarely have any clue how difficult this process is and how prone to failure. They can't seem to understand why I'm so nervous and trying to make every thing perfect.

Sorry, seem to have gone off on a bit of a rant there...

*gives you patience*

Can you put patience in a box? Is it smaller than a cat? Does it wear a hat?

For non-drinkers, I suggest dark chocolate. A LOT of it.

This process is so nerve wrecking...

Indeed it is.

Dark chocolate is Full of Win.

For non-drinkers, I suggest dark chocolate. A LOT of it.

This process is so nerve wrecking...

Indeed it is.

Dark chocolate is Full of Win.

Lol... NVC just brought the funny.... One of my Senator's immigration staff person just called to follow up on my earlier request for assistance (back at USCIS). NVC told them that they're waiting on forms and fee payment from me...

*checks payment portal*

"Gee NVC.. funny you say that...."

I don't drink much either Definitely find a replacement though!

And good job on being proactive about the interview. I know I practiced reviewing and answering questions before my interview. But I pretty much knew everything about myself (duh ) and my husband as well. I'm sure in China though you'll get a lot more questions. Compared to my two questions in Canada

All depends on what kind of mood the VO is in and whether or not they believe/read our 200+ page package...

Sometimes they only ask a handful of exceedingly basic questions. Clearly what is required as a formality. Other times, 20 minute grilling session followed by denial.

I'm fairly certain that outside obvious cases, the path you end up taking is controlled more by the phase of the moon and quantum state of cats than anything else.

I don't know how long they take to schedule interviews in China but I think you're still in time for an April interview without any problem!

For some reason your IIN didn't come together with the case number, and without the IIN, no fees can be invoiced. So I'd count 2 days instead of 4, which makes the delay a lot more "normal", buy a pack of beer (I'd go for a bottle of Hautes Côtes de Nuits in fact but anyway), and try to relax. I have a feeling it's gonna come today.

Ah, hope you're right.

As to the beer, I don't drink much. That said, I might just pick up a pack of something suitably dark on the way home.

Going to spend the weekend practicing the interview with the wife. You just never know how things will be with GUZ.

I should clarify something.... the only reason i keep getting anxious about the AOS fee is that it seems most people tend to get their invoice within a day or two. For us it's been four. Not long I know and I'm trying to be patient. Just after all the waiting with USCIS I suppose my patience is thin and I'm still hoping against hope that we'll make it in time for an April interview. Sorry to be a pain.

I think I'll do that again. I hate hitting speed bumps.

I was impatient like you, too, when I got my case number; but after 2, 3 days I got the invoice. Plus, I think it depends on their workload. The a bunch of July-filers just got approved to the NVC stage, so this wave of July-filers will probably cause a few bottleneck at the NVC. So, my impression when they saw these new files coming in is "oh #######, we gotta hurry these guys up [i.e, my files], so we can deal with the new cases coming in."

lol... so you're telling me I escaped the slowness of USCIS just to land in new slowness at NVC... hahaha

Hopefully not. I'll just have to keep waiting and hope it shows up soon.

my AOS Fee is still not even invoiced

with NVC, there is hope, you see the light at the end of the tunnel

Very true.

I like the NVC. I feel so much more productive.

Hope to join you soon. That said, far better than USCIS!

Come on AOS fee bill!

Yeah, the first three letters are the embassy/consulate code. Now that you've got the correct letters, you'll be fine.

And yes, that's the message that everyone gets. Again, don't worry, everyone sees this message. This is normal. Once the AOS is invoiced, then you'll be able to sign in.

Extensions would probably work, but this would of course depend on the country and the CO.

Depending when you file, it doesn't take real long to receive the refund. Looking at my old blog posts, it was less than a month from filing the return (by mail) and receiving the refund. And that was applying for an ITIN too. And then the transcripts took just a week to receive. If you can file by the end of the month, then you should have it in time by the interview.

The trick is that we have to mail stuff from here to China.. and get some paperwork there.. and then mail it all back to here. That said, we might go ahead and try it and hope the paperwork moves around in time. Failing that, we could simply use the 1040+W7+W2, no?

Still no invoice for me

I really wonder if switching to EP before paying the AOS bill has caused a slow down of some kind...