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IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Sign In Failed -NVC. Interview @ Chennai - Next Steps?

All


Tried signing in to NVC Payment page and received Sign-in-Failed. Hopefully it's a good sign. Trying to figure out the next steps in the context of an interview at Chennai consulate, INDIA.Thanks to the posts and wiki , I had a very good idea on what to expect up until now. I have read through several posts and still remains ambiguous on the exact next steps. Would appreciate help from folks who have gone through/ planning their interviews at Chennai Consulate, INDIA.


  • Do I receive a Packet 3 / Packet 4 from Chennai Consulate?
  • Are there any completed forms ( DS-230, I-864 already submitted to NVC) which the beneficiary needs to taking to the interview. Beneficiary will have the copies of all submissions done to date.
  • When do I have to make the courier payments at VFS? Do I need to submit anything else at VFS? As I understand medical results/proofs of relationship ( photos and like ) to be carried in person by the beneficiary for the interview.
  • When and where do I have to specify that I am collecting the passport/ visa in person as opposed to being couriered by VFS ?
  • Any prep which needs to be done before going in for medical at Appolo Hospital, Chennai?
  • Does Chennai consulate allow USC petitioner along with beneficiary for the interview?
  • Any other tips greatly appreciated .

Thanks in advance for all your help !


I can't answer your questions about VFS as I have no idea, but here's some answers for your other questions.

First off, call NVC and make sure your case is closed. SIF does not guarantee CC all the time.

I'm not sure the wait time at your consulate, but an interview date will be scheduled either in a few days or in a few weeks. Once it is scheduled, if you gave both email addresses to NVC at the beginning, then packet 4 (the interview letter) will be emailed to you from NVC. You don't get any correspondence from the consulate about your interview (unless expedited or doing DCF). Then within a few days of the interview date being scheduled, your case will be shipped to the consulate abroad.

For the interview, it's suggested to bring a copy of ALL packages submitted (I-130, I-864, DS-230) just in case. Because the interview takes place at a US Consulate, then of course the petitioner (USC) is allowed in! You might not be allowed to be in the same room as the interview, but you're certainly allowed in the building. Just make sure you bring your US passport with you to the interview.

For the medical, make sure the beneficiary has all necessary vaccines done, preferably ahead of time to save money as it's usually more expensive to get vaccines done by a panel physician.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-06-22 10:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresINTERVIEW SCHEDULED!!!

Thanks guys! so I called the London embassy today (£1.23 per minute!) and they basically had no clue about my case (brill!)

Bit confused as I thought they scheduled the interview but ive obviously got it wrong?

I asked him about emailing to ask for an earlier date and he told me to email londoniv@state.gov

He told me I dont need to write anything special in the subject line, but in the depths of my memory I have a feeling I read something about needing a special code when emailing?

Does anyone know what im on about?!


If your interview was just scheduled, then they probably don't know about it yet. NVC still has to send your case to them which they should get by next week or so.

As for emailing them, I'd include your case number in the subject line. And in the body, make sure you include the following information of both the petitioner and beneficiary: full name, birth date, and email address. And include the case number again.

Good luck!
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-11-30 18:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresINTERVIEW SCHEDULED!!!

Ahhhhh just called NVC and interview is scheduled!

JANUARY 30th at 9am (boo!)

I know this is cheeky but is there any way of requesting an earlier one? Soooo hoping its possible, if anyone knows how to go about it :whistle:

Just wanna check im doing everything okay. Ive got my medical scheduled for 9th Dec, thats not too early is it?

So happy! thanks for all your help guys! :dance: :dance:


You can try calling/emailing London asking if it's possible for an earlier date. I've seen people have success at getting an earlier date without an expedite.

And your medical is fine. I got mine done like a month before my interview. I wanted to have it as early as possible in case there were problems.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-11-29 20:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAPPROVED!!!

Bradley got approved! He went in around 8:00am with an appointment time of 10:00am! It is now 10:00am and I got his call a few minutes ago that he was accepted! He was a month or so off for his passport so all he has to do is renew it (which seems to be an quick and easy thing in Canada compared to the States.), send it in, and they'll be sending him his visa!

I'm so excited that I could cry. I can't believe how easy it was! When he calls back, I'll post his story!

Thank you all SO SO SO SO SO SO SO very much for ALL your help! We could not have done it without you guys. ESPECIALLY, Saylin. I have consistently been helped by her and she is so darn awesome!


Congrats!

Make sure he gets his passport renewed as fast as possible since the mail system for the consulate might take a few weeks.

And honestly, the interview is the easiest part of the whole process, although as I was standing in line waiting to be let in, I was the most nervous I had ever been! Posted Image

I'm glad I was of so much help! I love seeing people get to the end and passing their interview!
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-05 12:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-3032 and DS-261 Question

Hello Everyone,

I am Canadian and my wife is a US citizen. My wife sponsored me and is my petitioner, so I can gain residency in the US.

My wife was mailed form DS-3032. Being the applicant I filled it out and mailed it back, as I opted myself to be "choice of attorney". But, later I was mailed a package also with form DS-3032. My questions are:

1) I/we don't need to fill out the second DS-3032 correct? It is only for the choice of attorney for the applicant (myself)?
2) Being Canadian, should I have filled out (online) form DS-261 instead? If so, is it too late to fill it out because I already submitted DS-3032?

I e-mailed the NVC asking about the second DS-3032 form, not the DS-261 though. But, they simply responded saying they received the first one.

Thank you so much! =D


- Michael


If they received the first DS-3032 and accepted it, then you're fine. Keep an eye on the payment portal and the IV bill should be invoiced soon.

As a Canadian, yes, you should have done the DS-261. It probably would have been accepted faster as it's done online. But NVC is still taking DS-3032 from countries eligible for online forms. But as you already sent in the DS-3032, and they received it, do not fill out the DS-261. One choice of agent form is enough.

Just make sure you fill out the DS-260 as that's mandatory.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-08 23:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about assigning agent - DS 3032

I, the petitioner, plan on handling all the paperwork and processing for my wife, the beneficiary. Since I will be back and forth between the US and Colombia, I am wondering if on form 3032 I can list my close friend's address, but list myself as the agent. That way, any mail would go to his house and he could notify me by email that it got there. Does the NVC send any actual mail, or is it all email correspondence now? Should I just list myself as the agent and my address in Colombia to receive the mail?

I'm looking for the quickest possible avenue. If the correspondence is just email at this point, I will list my address in the US that I list on all documents. The problem arises that I would have trouble knowing when something arrives.


I would suggest the following:

List your US address on the DS-3032. If you have your case number, then call up an operator at NVC and give both you and your spouse's email address. After that, all correspondence will be done through email from NVC.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-15 00:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresHelp with DS 230

Ok So I am SUPER Confused about this one. I am really bad with understanding clauses since I tend to over analyze them

I was in the US on a student visa and took up unauthorized employment. Towards the end of 2003 i was reported and put out-of-status. I continued on with my education at my university but the following year around sept/oct I was apprehended by the USCIS and put into removal proceedings. nearly an year later, I was granted voluntary departure and left the country as instructed in 2005.

I've never returned to the US since and was rejected visit visas on 2 occasions since.

Fast forward 6 years - I have an Immigrant visa interview coming up with a certain question in the DS230 leaving my stressed.

Questions 40 h. "An alien who was previously ordered removed within the last 5 years or ordered removed a second time within the last 20 years; who was previously unlawfully present and ordered removed within the last 10 years or ordered removed a second time within the last 20 years; who was convicted of an aggravated felony and ordered removed; who was previously unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days but less than one year who voluntarily departed within the last 3 years; or who was unlawfully present for more than one year or an aggregate of one year within the last 10 years."

To date we have been told by the Immigration Judge, USCIS Interviewing Officer and NVC that I will not be looking at any ban/bar since I have been out of the country for more than 6 years now. I am however wondering if the answer tot the above question is a YES or a NO?

Opinions appreciated!


Going off what you said above, to me it seems like you would answer that question with 'no' since you were ordered to remove more than 5 years ago.

If you want, you can always write 'see supplemental sheet' on that question, and on a separate sheet, write out the circumstances you had with leaving the US and mention that although it was more than 5 years ago, you still wanted to explain, just in case.

Edited by Saylin, 21 December 2011 - 12:18 PM.

SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-21 12:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDoes NVC also send I-130 form to U.S consulate?

Hi,

Does NVC also send I-130 form to U.S consulate in foreign country? I am asking to know so that my wife can prepare the interview.
Thanks.


Yes, they send all forms received from USCIS and NVC to the foreign consulate/embassy.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-22 20:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures1 month after POE and no VISA or SSN...

Thank you all sooo much! The only thing is that guy at the office said I needed an ALIEN number that is on my green card that is not on my temporary green card, so he wouldnt let me apply...


Okay, it's clear the guy you spoke with doesn't know anything about immigration. Your alien number is on the visa that was attached to your passport. It's called the registration number. On mine, it's below the NVC case number on the right hand side.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-20 13:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures1 month after POE and no VISA or SSN...

Hey,

Its 2 days left till its a month since my POE, and I haven't gotten anything in the mail, and it makes me so sad. I don't feel like I live here yet. I contacted the office about an SSN and they said that they can't do anything until I have a visa, and the USCIS said they can't do anything until a month has gone by. I filled in yes at receiving an ssn in the DS 230 part II form, so I thought it all would go automatically. Can someone help me? Who should I contact, and how long did it take for you to receive the visa and ssn?

Thanks. :)


Since it's been more than 3 weeks from POE, then get your butt to a local SSA office and apply. That's what I had to do. I waited 3 weeks like is suggested here on VJ, but got nothing, even though I had requested it on the Immigrant Visa form. Just bring your birth certificate and passport with the stamp in it. And bring your marriage certificate just in case. After I applied (which only took 15 minutes), I received my SSN in the mail 10 days later.

As for the green card, don't worry about it. Some people receive it within a few days, others a few weeks. I believe it depends on which POE you go through (how much traffic they have to deal with) and how busy USCIS is. Just remember, the stamp in your passport acts as a temporary green card for up to a year, so if you want/need to travel, then your passport is sufficient.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-19 16:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 or DS-260

Wanted to know if my wife would have to fill the DS-230 or the DS-260 (online) form for Immigrant Visa after i130 is approved. What do beneficiaries from India fill? I'm thinking and planning for the ds-230 to be filled. Please clarify.


DS-260 is only available to beneficiaries from eligible countries. India is NOT one of those countries. So your wife will be filling out the DS-230.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-28 23:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC request for DS3032 again?

My wife just received a NVC request for DS-3032 in physical mail. We are in EP and submitted a scan of her signed DS-3032 long time ago. We already have an interview date in 2 weeks where she will bring the original DS-3032. Do you know what is this about?



NVC probably sent that out while you were in NVC, but it probably took awhile to be received. Is there a date on the envelope showing when it was sent to prove this?

I would ignore this. Sending a DS-3032 to NVC might mess up your case as your case has already been completed and sent on to the consulate/embassy.

Edited by Saylin, 29 December 2011 - 12:35 PM.

SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-29 12:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 Package

Hi ,

What I am reading indicates that ORIGINAL copies of documents should be submitted to NVC with the DS-230. But I also heard that original documents should be brought to the embassy for the interview! Which is it, cause they can't be in two places at the same time!

Thanks


You have to send original/certified copies of both the birth and marriage certificate in the IV package. You also have to include PHOTOCOPIES of both those documents.

You won't need to bring those documents to the interview as NVC will have forwarded them to the embassy/consulate. Once the interview is over and successful, then the original/certified copies will be returned to you.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-15 00:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfinally got my new case number....but sign in fail when i log into payment website

thans saylin

ur wiki is so useful.

i have read ur wiki so many times..lol..

btw, do u know do i still need to inject vaccines if i have done them one and half year ago?


If you have a vaccination record showing the date, dose, and name of the vaccine, then no, you don't need to take them again.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-30 12:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfinally got my new case number....but sign in fail when i log into payment website

thanx Saylin

do u know when i can apply the electronic processing?
apply now or till i get ds 3032?

i have completed ds 261 online now.

thanx


If you have your case number, then you can send an optin email.

Do NOT send the DS-3032 if you've completed the DS-261. The DS-261 IS the DS-3032, just online.

I would highly suggest reading the wiki linked in my signature for online forms and electronic processing.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-29 15:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresfinally got my new case number....but sign in fail when i log into payment website

after one month, i finally got my new case number tonight, thanx darnell and ryan H??
but when i use my new case number and invoice number to log in the payment website, it is shown sign in fail.
does anybody know why?


Usually when this happens, it means NVC is invoicing your AOS bill. Just keep trying to log in.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-12-29 12:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWHAT AFTER NVC CASE NUMBER

HI EVERYBODY
MY WIFE CALLED NVC TODAY AND ASK ABOUT OUR CASE NUMBER AND THEY GIVE IT TO HER AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY WILL BE SEND TO HER BY EMAIL ALL WHAT THEY NEED FROM US AND I WONDER WHAT AFTER THE NVC CASE NUMBER
WHAT IS THE NEXT STEPS
THANKS FOR EVERYBODY


Before I answer, please turn off caps lock.

Now, you or your wife need to call NVC back and make sure NVC has both your email addresses on file. And you need to ask for the IIN (invoice ID number).

Next, the beneficiary emails the DS-3032 following this template: http://www.visajourn...il_DS-3032_form

Log into the payment portal (once you get your IIN) and see if the AOS bill has been invoiced. If it has, pay it!

While you're waiting for the next steps, read these guides over and over again until you understand everything:

http://www.visajourn..._live_in_the_US
http://www.visajourn...p/EZGuideSpouse
http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-08-29 20:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPolice Certificate

I was just wondering how soon can one go about obtaining the police certificate? My initial reaction is to start looking into this now, so that once our case is forwarded to the NVC, we'll be ready. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks


It depends on what the expiration will be on your country's police certificate. For Canada, they're good for a year, so I got mine around the time of our predicted NOA2.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-08-30 09:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPolice Certificate

What are the requirements for sending the NVC the police certificate? Does my husband need to have his fingerprints taken or can it be a criminal record check stating that there is no criminal record?


He'd only need to get fingerprints done if he had previous arrests, charges, etc. If he has a clean record, then he just needs to get a police check done either at the RCMP, local police station, or agency. The police check has to check the CPIC or national database.

More info on police checks for Canadians: http://travel.state....l?cid=9013#docs (scroll down to Police Records).
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-08-29 20:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresChange jobs after NVC approval?

So, I moved back to the US in July to get a job, ANY job to be able to file the affidavit of support. I managed to find a job quickly, but am really unhappy with the job.

Our case completed at NVC on Aug 23, and we were scheduled the interview for Oct 27. I just wanted to know if I change jobs to one that is just as stable (full-time, permanent), AND a higher salary, do I have to re-submit my I-864 for processing and then get a new interview date?

I just got offered a better job, that I'd like to accept, but don't want to slow down the visa process if I don't have to.


You won't slow the process down. And you wouldn't be submitting the new I-864 to NVC. If you do accept and get the job, you would fill out a new I-864 with your new employment info, include a new employment letter and a few pay stubs, and send them to the beneficiary. These would be handed in at the interview so they can have the most up to date I-864 on file.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-08-31 16:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSubmitting AOS Electronically

My AOS batch was 41 total pages, so my co-worker scanned it in order for me and was able to shrink it down to 2837 KB. Not too shabby.


Mine was 35 pages if I remember. Once it was shrunk, it was 8 MB. That's pretty low for 41 pages. Did you check to insure the PDF was still readable?
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 13:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSubmitting AOS Electronically

My AOS package contains 35 pages and is only 1.54MB. I did NOT use Adobe file size optimization as doing so will make the document appearance very poor, not that I have a need to optimize file size anyway.

What I did is I retain the original PDF or directly convert from existing format to PDF where I can. I scanned 3 pages in color 300DPI mode: Cover letter; I-864EZ signature page; Employer letter. I scanned the 19 pages of IRS tax return transcripts in 300DPI monochrome black/white (that's the only color on the printed document). The rest of them: The I-864EZ filled out form, my W-2s and two months worth of pay stubs, are all original PDF files.

Not ready to submit the package yet as I am still waiting for the AOS fee invoice to be generated.

Hotmail can allow up to 10MB of email size. But because the attackments are send in MIME encoding, it really can only handle up to 7.5MB attachments.


Your way works too.

And remember, Hotmail isn't the only email client ;) I used my Gmail to send out the optin and AOS and IV packages.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 12:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSubmitting AOS Electronically

If you scan every page it's going to be a very big file. Your email may not be able to handle it in one piece.

I would only scan pages that contain signatures. Every other page can be converted to PDF directly from their original electronic form. That would create files much smaller.

The NVC asks to submit only scanned PDF files. I guess what it actually means is the PDF files should look identical to the paper documents you have in hand. I don't think you have to follow literally to scan all pages if you have PDF for those pages already and they are identical to the paper printout. Am I right or wrong?


If I remember correctly, after scanning in every page and converting to PDF and combining them all, the final file was only about 20MB. With Adobe Acrobat, there's a button where you reduce the size. After doing this, it made our AOS package to 8MB, which is reasonable for email servers.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 11:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSubmitting AOS Electronically

Thanks, Saylin, I was kind of hoping you'd respond. I just scanned everything and sent it off, following your advice to a tee.


Woot, grats! :D
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 10:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresSubmitting AOS Electronically

Hey,

Finally got invoiced for AOS, so I'm ready to submit it. I reviewed the NVC for Montreal Beneficiaries link, but I guess I want the forum's approval before I submit it.

I'm going to write an email to NVCelectronic with our case number in the subject line and our names and DOBs as the first lines in the body. Then I'm going to say, "Attention: This email contains the Affidavit of Support (I-864) and its supporting documents requested by NVC to complete Case # MTL2011730020."

Attached in PDF format will be the following:

I-864
1040 for 2010 with the W2 and 1099
Tax transcripts for 2010, 2009, and 2008
Employment verification letter

So...some questions...

I do not need to include the document cover sheet with barcode, correct? Should I write our case number on each page?

I would include pay stubs for six months, but that would be 12 additional pages since I get paid bi-weekly, so it seems like overkill.

Do you think I even need the employment letter? I know its optional, and I only want to include what they ask for, so I'm on the fence for it.

Thank you for any insight or additional tips.


Whether submitting packages by mail or by email, you STILL have to include the bar-coded cover sheet from the payment portal. This tells NVC that you paid the AOS bill and that it was approved.

And for EP, it's not that big of a deal writing the case number (I wouldn't think as they could re-access the file from the email), but I would still suggest doing it. I did to every page except the bar-coded cover sheet and my cover letter.

You don't have to include SIX months of pay stubs if you don't want to. Since pay stubs are optional in themselves, any number of months are optional. If you just want to send in 2 or 3, that's fine as well.

If you think the employment letter will help provide more proof of current income, then include it. It's up to you. For my AOS package, my husband had a couple months of pay stubs with an employment letter. The more proof, the better imo. It's up to you.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 10:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNeed advise

so my wife has finally made the IV fee and they ask me to fill out the DS230 form and i don't know if i would still need to fill out the DS260 form as well and this is getting me confused,pleaseeee advise A.S.A.P.

And what are the other documents i will need to attach to the DS230 forms before i send them out and do i need to send it to my wife(because she is my choice of agent)or would i have to send it straight to NVC ?

Advise pleeeeeease


As your timeline isn't filled out, I don't know what country you're located in. Only certain countries are eligible to fill out the DS-260. Eligible countries can be found here: http://travel.state..../info_5165.html (table at bottom).

As for what documents you need for the IV package, please read the following guides:

http://www.visajourn..._live_in_the_US
http://www.visajourn...p/EZGuideSpouse
http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut

And either you or your wife can send the package to NVC; it doesn't really matter. NVC just cares about all the forms and documents being there and properly filled out ;)
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 20:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresstudent loan question

Hello,
My wife and I just started the petition process for the cr-1 visa. I am filling out the form to receive a student loan for this academic year and as I was completing the form I was thinking will this affect our petition process. Does anyone know if this will hinder our petition in any way? Thank you.


Nope, it shouldn't.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 19:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAfter paying IV fee? what's next?

My mom paid my dad and my visa fee. we also have the cover sheet. what are going to do next?


If you paid the IV fee and it's appearing as PAID and you have the bar-coded cover sheet, then send the IV package :)
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 20:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresGot my GUZ# and IIN#, trying to pay AOS Fees

Ok, I can't seem to find this info, if there's a wiki for it, I may have missed this! I have received my GUZ and IIN numbers. I am petitioner for my wife and 11 year old step daughter. They have individual GUZ numbers and IIN. I got the numbers mixed up and paid AOS fee of $88.00 on my step daughter. Now I can't seem to pay for my wife's AOS fee, says "in progress." I appreciate any information on this.


If you're planning on doing EP, then read Darnell's wiki here: http://www.visajourn...onic_Processing

And for the AOS bill, the fee is only paid once for all cases. It's the IV bill where you have to pay for each case.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-02 16:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview done with a kinda approval?

Ahh that might be it - the documents were all in my maiden name and I just got the last piece of my ID switched to my married name (the passport).

Thanks - I truly hope that is what she has to check out (and it makes sense when now that you mention it).

~on cloud 9 in Montreal tonight~ :)


Ah, that might be it as the forms are in your maiden name yet your passport is in your married name.

When I got denied the first time at the airport, the immigration officer told me that I should apply all forms in my maiden name (as I hadn't switched my name yet to my married name). So, that's what I did. Once I get to citizenship in 3 years, I'll apply for a name change then and that'll be nice and simple (I hope).

Anyways, hope you get news soon of your visa being ready ;)
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-02 21:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview done with a kinda approval?

I'm a BC Girl through and through (or is it thru and thru?).

I live up in the northern most part of BC so I know to give extra time - the agent lady said 2 weeks so I figured 3 weeks for me to actually get it.

I'm not sure what could possibly be the extra thing -- perhaps something with my medical exam that I brought with me? They didn't even look at the disc with the xrays - simply handed it back to me unopened.

I'm anxious, understandably, to visit my husband and the rest of his family (I haven't seen them since January).

Thanks for the responses. :)


Hm, that's weird. Anything out of the ordinary for your case? Been married before? Have kids? Anything like that? It might just be a simple name check or something, who knows.

And yeah, they don't take the X-rays. The X-rays are to give to your new doctor in the US (if you get one) as a reference if you get sick or something.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-02 16:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresInterview done with a kinda approval?

I had my interview this morning in Montreal (finally! 2 years of this journey are 2 weeks from being done) and they said I was approved with a but. They have to check into one last thing - she wouldn't specify / didn't specify what that "one last thing" would be. Should I be worried? Should I go ahead and make my plans to travel to the US at the end of this month?

A HUGE thanks to everyone for their input on how to prepare for the interview in Montreal. One thing I would add is to look up the US Embassy address - it is NOT the 315 Place D'Youville that is on the letter (that is their mail drop point only). I thankfully was able to catch a cab and get to the embassy in time to be first in line this morning. :)

The agent was very pleased that I had the DS230 completed ahead of time and asked how I found out about it.

Such a relief to be told "approved" but a bit worrisome for it to be "pending".


Are you a Canadian citizen? I've heard of them having to do additional checks on those that aren't. That might be it.

And even if you were approved 100%, right now is a bad time to make plans since the consulate in Montreal has been going through a small backlog with returning passports. Some people still get it back within a week, but I've seen a lot of cases where it takes a couple of weeks.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-02 16:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCan the beneficiary mail the IV package directly to the NVC?

Hello, I'm facing some problems mailing a couple of my original civil documents which I was recently obtain for the IV packet to my husband in New York due to international mail disruption after Hurricane Irene. We paid the IV bill yesterday and have received the barcode cover page.

Can I (the overseas beneficiary) mail the entire IV package to the NVC directly?

I'm pretty sure I can, but just wanted some confirmation on this. Thanks. :)


Yup, you can mail it. It usually is the petitioner as they're closer to NVC, but I don't think NVC cares where the package comes from, as long as everything is inside :)
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-02 21:11:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Case # received !!

So today we got the emails from NVC requesting me to submit DS-261!! Which I just did.... so now we wait to be able to pay fees... god damn it's exciting being able to DO stuff for once.. feels like progress hahaahah


Haha, glad your case is progressing nicely :)
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-02 22:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Case # received !!

Who knows why anything happens whenever it does at NVC!! It's a world unto itself!


Hear, hear!
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 15:47:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Case # received !!

I got our optin acceptance the same day, too.


Wow Posted Image Why wasn't NVC faster with mine Posted Image
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 15:33:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Case # received !!

And I already got the NVC Acceptance email this morning! This roller coaster of emotions is something else.... well worth it in the end - but god damn what a trip


Wow Posted Image Took SIXTEEN days to get mine Posted Image Consider yourself VERY lucky. It's rare to see an optin acceptance SO fast!
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-09-01 15:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Case # received !!

ok.... SENT!



Yay!

what does this mean? I tried to log into the payment portal and got this:

Sign In Failed

Please be advised that the case that you have attempted to access is not eligible for further processing by the National Visa Center at this time. Please click on the Contact the NVC hyperlink if you believe that you have received this message in error.


Don't worry, that's normal at the beginning. It means NVC is inputting your case. Keep trying to log in and you'll eventually find the AOS bill ready to be paid Posted Image
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-08-31 23:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Case # received !!

thank you SO much..... yeah i am pretty excited....

what about this at the end of the email body?

Please find attached the documents for the request for evidence.

Scanned copies of documents submitted are exact copies of unaltered documents and I understand that I will be required to submit original documents to an Immigration or Consular officer at a later date.

Am I attaching documents??? or just sending the email?

and sorry you are saying it's 4 months total from getting NVC case #??


Where did you find that?

It mentions RFE, so that would only be included when responding to an RFE.

For the optin, go to my wiki, and I posted what I wrote. Then obviously change the info so it reflects your case and bingo. No attachments, just the email.

And again, it depends on how fast you get through NVC. From getting the case number, it's on average 2 months to get a CC. But this will always depend on how fast you are. And I haven't checked the following averages in a few months, but I believe it's still about 2 months for Canadians from CC to interview date. So, yes, if you take 2 months at NVC and then 2 months till the interview date, it'd be about 4 months total. Then add another week or so to get the passport back from the interview. In total, for Canadians, this process, from start to finish, is more like 9 months. That's how long it took for me, just shy of 9 months.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-08-31 21:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresNVC Case # received !!

So finally got NVC Case # today - *whew*

I am now to send in Opt In email - but do I include the DS-3032 as well? or do I send that later?

Also feeling kinda discouraged - thought this WHOLE thing to the point of receiving my PR Visa would be around 7-8 mths? but looks like CDN's are taking up to 4 mths to get interview from point of getting NVC case #? Am I imagining this?


Grats on finally getting the case number!

No DS-3032 for you! As a Canadian, you get to fill out the DS-261 online :D So just send the optin email asap.

Read the link Ryan suggested, I wrote it ;)

And getting an interview will ALWAYS depend on how fast you get through NVC. On average, it usually takes people 2 months to get through. If you have everything prepared ahead of time, then it could be less. Then, for Canadians, from CC to interview date, it's about 2 months.
SaylinFemaleCanada2011-08-31 21:50:00