biggish data

For the Italians here: international shipping

Ciao Arwen,
Just an update on some info on shipping from Italy. We just spoke with DHL, and the price (from Roma) for 25 kg is 193 euro. The Pacco celere internazionale is 250 Euro/30 kg and 130 Euro/15kg. Apparently poste italiane also has another international service called EMS which is somewhat cheaper at 185 Euro/30 kg. I do know pacco celere arrives in 4 days (if U.S. customs has not problems with it).
I think you mentioned that Mailboxes etc utilizes Fed-ex when it arrives in the States. I can believe that Fed-ex in particular is really expensive.

It still seems to me that paying for a 2nd and 3rd check-in bag on whatever airline you are flying may be more economical, especially if you pay for it online-not at the airport which more expensive.

As I said in the earlier post, economy (i.e "cheap seats")for Delta airlines for example, is currently charging $60 usd for the 2nd checked bag and $200 usd for the 3rd if you pay online. That's 2 bags x 23kg= 46kg for $260 usd or ~183 Euro (I assume they do a conversion to USD and don't charge you the $260 Euro-but maybe they do in Italy! hahaha!)

ciao!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-03 09:32:00

For the Italians here: international shipping

Ciao Max,
JUst checking if you ever found out any information about relatively inexpensive shipping? I've heard, but yet to follow-up, that DHL in Italy has relatively inexpensive rates (note use of "relatively inexpensive"). I need to follow-up on that soon...
Please let me know if you hear of anything and I will do the same.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-28 20:55:00

For the Italians here: international shipping

ciao,
We are still going through the NVC process, so we (my spouse) has not yet immigrated to the States yet (from Roma), but I have few suggestions. I am frequently going back and forth. I haven't yet checked into shipping via ship.

1) Poste Italiano. Yes, you are correct it is expensive. I've shipped 15kg (~33 lbs) of road bike (bici di corso) equipment from Roma to the States for 130 Euro this past June using Paccocelere. It arrived unopened by customs, in 4 days via UPS (who charged me $20 for a "broker fee"). No problems. Expensive, but an option. I think there is also a book rate, but I may be wrong??? I do know that Fed EX and UPS regular international package shipping is over the top, and way to expensive.

2) When you fly, maximize your luggage. On most airlines (economy seats) to and from Europe and the States the 1st bag is free, and the 2nd bag is usd $50-75. This is the online fee-not the counter fee which is more, although double check the airline as I noticed this has been fluctuating. Further a 3rd checked bag is now averaging $200 (usd) (actually 3-10 bags).
Each bag can weigh 23kg (50lbs). So for Delta airlines for example, flying regular coach with no "free extras" in theory if you had 3 checked bags it would cost $0 for the 1st, $60 for the second, $200 for the 3rd. Total = $260 for 69 kg total (each bag is 23kg).

As far as text books, would it be better to buy them used here in the States? (bookfinder.com for example). Also, what I do is carry-on my heaviest items, and then stuff wine and oil in the check in. Just a suggestion, as I know it would be obviously hard to carry on 120lbs of books at once, but maybe over several trips.

Note that on American Airlines that Business and First now allow 3 free checked bags. Not that most of us can afford Business class, but if you have frequent flier miles you may want to cash them in.

Also if your spouse is returning back with you, can they travel light coming to Italy, and then come back with several pieces of luggage? It may be cheaper overall...

good luck!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-07-23 22:35:00

National Visa Center (Dept of State)

For the Italians: AOS

For the CR-1 package we included an original (certified copy with the parents full names shown) and my spouse had a friend in translate it (actually my spouse did and then had the friend who also speaks english sign it). They just typed up a simple letter that covered the exact birth certificate. Also I believe you can request an international birth certificate in Italy. We requested 2-3 just because it's more difficult to get these once you're in the States. For the CR-1 package (not sure what you are filing-aren't you a K-1 visa?) we sent the original certified copy and also included a photo copy (both with a translation)...this was our experience, hope this helps.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-29 22:29:00

forwarded to the consulate?

ciao Max,
I suggest directly emailing the Naples consulate. I have emailed them on several occasions and they have always replied within 1-3 business days and have answered any questions with the most current information. Note that none of the websites for US embassy/consulate in Italy are to clear about the process. They are filled with information, but are lacking in the exact procedure. Rather, I've gained more from this website!

You can email Naples consulate at: ivnaples@state.gov
Be very clear and obvious with your questions so they know exactly what you are asking. Better to be sure than vague and find out later the hard way.
good luck!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-07-30 06:34:00

National Visa Center (Dept of State)

How does NVC allocate interview dates?

We just had our case completed on 31 August, and yesterday I spoke with an NVC operator. The person I spoke with informed me that NVC sets appointments in the first 2 weeks of the month for all countries, and the actual date of the appointment depends on the country in question schedule. This was pertaining to CR-1 visa, but I assume there are similar protocol for other visa categories. So in our case for example, they said by end of second week in September we should be contacted by NVC with an appointment date, although the date could be in October, or November (depends on consulate).

Based on the NVC track record of "batch processing" in earlier stages of the IV petition (like receiving cases in bundles from USCIS), I am betting that they corral completed cases at the gate and then set interview dates in 2 week increments or "batches"...

For DCF and refugee status visas for example, the appointments may come quicker than the rest of masses.

...but really, due to lack of complete transparency, we can only guess about the NVC puzzle and piece it together as we all go.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-02 07:47:00

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

How long to issue visa after interview?

To the original post (Gabe86):

You should be able to pick up the visa, which will be in the passport, at the end of the day at a copy center (I seem to remember "Mail boxes etc.") at the end of the day after your interview, assuming it will be approved. I've always thought it odd that the consulate in Naples uses this copy center, but unless something has changed in the last few years, expect to pick it up that late afternoon. If you prefer, I believe the consulate will send you the passport/visa to your home address, but that may take a few days.

At the copy center where you will pick-up the visa, expect quite a few people all waiting for visas.

good luck

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2013-11-10 09:36:00

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

Petitioner - OK to pay visa fee for interview via usvisa-info.com?

Not exactly sure about K1 visas payment (we were CR1), but you may find this link to another thread useful...

http://www.visajourn...vc-for-k1-visa/

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2013-11-10 10:41:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Never received ASC Notice for Biometics

I second that. Call as soon as possible to reset your biometrics appointment. I am pretty sure service centers will not allow you to "walk-in" without a biometrics letter.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2013-11-11 11:47:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

My curiosity has peaked. Why do some people use the VJ timeline and other use the text table in the forum for their ROC timeline. Is there any advantage, one over the other?

I think you're asking why they prefer to update one over the other?

I updated both, and its my understanding that the VJ timeline is quantifying all months across years for each service center and generating estimates based off of the entire "population" for that service center across time (although I could be wrong, moderator??).

The text table is for a group filing during that particular month (e.g. October group) to view and keep track of what dates for each step along the way for that particular month group, which may not be reflected in the VJ timeline if people are not going through the trouble of updating it. Not sure why anyone would not update both if they are registered members of VJ and actively posting, it just helps everyone keep track. Typically I referred to the text table of this October group and other groups, and made my own estimates based off of those dates, versus the aggregate VJ timeline.

Perhaps someone else has another opinion on use of one over the other...?

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2014-02-15 15:29:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

You should definitely have included the vehicle registration, as that shows co-mingling of financial asset. A car is a 2 biggest purchase a average person makes after a house, so if your both are on it i would say include that for sure.

We didn't and we were approved, and no questions asked, and I don't think it was a matter of luck. We submitted other evidence of financial "co-mingling".

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2014-02-13 18:33:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

I think RFE stays initial review.. When I applied for the greencard first time it stayed initial review when I got my RFE

As far as car registrations, neither our cars are in our names. I don't think it would be a good idea to change the registration today.

We did not submit anything to do with vehicle registration or vehicle insurance as others in these forums have done. While these documents may help to support your case as part of a larger package of evidence, I'm not of the opinion that it is a key component of approvals.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2014-02-13 13:50:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Any idea on what I should write in the cover letter?

I am doing my 2013 taxes this week.

I just got my 2012 tax return transcript

I printed out all my bank statements for the past 3 years

and I am also resubmitting the affidavit my in laws wrote regarding my wife and I living in their house since we've been married.

I'm also going to print Thanksgiving, Christmas and New years eve party pictures.

I am not sure what else I should submit.

This is the most vague RFE ever.

I would keep the cover letter clear and to the point. A good start may be something similiar to "...We are responding to the request for further evidence for the removal of conditions application submitted on [date] and have included the items request by USCIS which include: ". Then add a list in order of what they requested. If they did not request anything specifically, then list the items in order of importance anyway (and btw photos are not considered primary evidence, so I would place those at the bottom of the pile but still include them).

You may want to include the 2011 tax transcript as well.

By the way, we did not submit official tax transcripts from the IRS. We submitted copies of our H&R Block tax records for two years. These records which included state records, showed our names and address and that we filed jointly.

good luck

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2014-02-12 17:34:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Today we received the "[Today] we ordered production of your new card..." case status email! We'll take that as an approval! Whew! we were beginning to wonder when we would be approved as other folks in the October group are moving along in their approvals. For those of you still awaiting approval notices, good luck and hang in there. As all of you know by now it's often a waiting game...

updated list below...

California Service Center 26 applicants; (11 Transfers from VSC): 10 Approvals (38%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
GHEPARDO LENTO........09/28/13......10/03/13......10/25/13......02/12/14
FAERIEVAMP............09/30/13......10/03/13......10/28/13......01/24/14 (Trans from VSC 11/18/13)

CHRISTANJ.............10/01/13......10/02/13......10/28/13......--/--/--
MARED.................10/02/13......10/11/13......11/14/13......--/--/--
CALY..................10/03/13......10/07/13......11/12/13......--/--/-- (Trans from VSC 11/15/13)

HY2934................10/03/13......10/??/13......11/05/13......--/--/-- (Trans from VSC 11/18/13)
M IBRAHIM.............10/07/13......10/??/13......??/??/13......--/--/-- (Trans from VSC 11/15/13)
LANCE_ORACLE..........10/07/13......10/10/13......11/07/13......--/--/-- (Trans from VSC 11/18/13)

NEO1..................10/07/13......10/09/13......11/05/13......01/17/14
INSOMNIACDOZE.........10/07/13......10/09/13......11/05/13......01/28/14
HEIDIDL...............10/09/13......10/11/13......11/07/13......--/--/--
MARANDA...............10/09/13......10/11/13......11/07/13......01/16/14
SXM...................10/11/13......10/15/13......11/06/13......02/04/14

LEO_LEO...............10/11/13......10/16/13......11/13/13......--/--/-- (Trans from VSC 11/18/13)
KAIBOSH...............10/??/13......10/??/13......11/08/13......--/--/--
YAGISAMA..............10/16/13......10/21/13......11/18/13......--/--/-- (Trans from VSC 11/25/13)

XIAOMAIZ..............10/17/13......10/21/13......11/06/13......--/--/--
LOVE_LIGHT............10/17/13......10/22/13......11/25/13......--/--/-- (Trans from VSC 11/19/13)
ALINAH................10/18/13......10/23/13......11/14/13......--/--/--

GAR...................10/18/13......10/21/13......11/25/13......--/--/-- (Trans from VSC 11/18/13; RFE on 02/07/14)
JC84..................10/18/13......10/??/13......11/22/13......02/11/14 (Trans from VSC 11/25/13)
IDDUCHRISTY...........10/21/13......10/23/13......~~11/18/13~~......01/31/14 (Early Bio 11/05/13)
NEKO..................10/22/13......10/23/13......11/19/13......--/--/--
SHREEPALI.............10/22/13......10/23/13......11/15/13......02/07/14
NUSANTI...............10/22/13......10/24/13......~~11/29/13~~......02/06/14 (Rescheduled Bio 12/05/13; Trans from VSC 11/18/13)

MAGGIEB...............10/23/13......10/25/13......11/21/13......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (2 applicants): 1 Approvals (50%)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved
CHARLESR..............10/02/13......10/07/13......11/04/13......--/--/--
CAROLINE + ANGELO.....10/19/13......10/22/13......??/??/13......02/05/14

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA. Also please check that you have not deleted the name of the Service Center.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your petition
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment
Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.
* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.
* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2014-02-12 17:21:00

http://www.uscis.gov...ess-information

Thanks CaliforniaGuy for replying. Can someone also address the issue of "how" in regards to changing the address. Online or AR11? Does my USC spouse also need to fill something to change address (she wasn't the one who filled the affidavit of support during I-485, my MIL was).

Also I have heard that updating the address via AR-11 doesn't update the address on your pending I-751 application. If that's true, whats the best way to make sure all I751 related docs are mailed to the new updated address?

Appreciate your help!!

Hi Hy2934,

If you read the instructions for the AR-11 on the online change of address USCIS website, it states that your address for your pending application address will be updated. Not sure about any rumours of it not updating a pending application, I think that depends on the specific type of pending application. However it appears that for most cases (including the I-751) USCIS states that it will update pending cases via the online change of address for non U.S. citizens, then my best advise is to follow their instructions and update online if applicable. See the website and read steps 1 and 2 and the note below step 2 in the row labeled "If you have a pending [case]..."

Not sure about which sponsor you mentioned should file a change of address, you will have to read the PDF "Instructions for form I-865" which is the sponsor change of the address form. If that is not clear then for a sure answer you can always call USCIS.

http://www.uscis.gov/i-865

good luck!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2014-02-02 14:25:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

O.M.G guys, I received a couple text messages, saying to check case status due to an update. Here is the message I saw.

On January 17, 2014, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

I knew we would soon start seeing approvals, did not think I would be among the first.

Congratulations!...hopefully we'll soon see all of us receiving notices of card production.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2014-01-18 13:01:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Hi Geode,

The NOA 1 date on the spreadsheet is the receipt date indicated on the very first letter (I-797 written at the top of the letter) you received from USCIS after you filed the I-751. This letter has a "receipt date" in the upper right side of the letter. This is the date (and time) that USCIS acknowledges the receipt of your I-751 package.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2013-11-11 12:11:00

http://www.visajourn...-filers/page-30

Just wanted to update the October group that some of the August filers are just now beginning to see a few approvals. That's encouraging!

Also it seems people are receiving their approval letters from local offices rather than from CSC or VSC (unless that happens to be your local office). Unsure if this indicates that final approval is "stamped" at the local offices or if the cases are just routed from CSC. There is a good post by Ivriesling (post #449) over on the August filers' thread that discusses the current approvals.

It seems that based on the May, June and July threads that many people are approved 6-8 weeks after the biometric appointment (barring any long RFEs or unforeseen circumstances). Of course there are many of those whose wait is has been much longer than 8 weeks, and even a few who seem to fly through the process and have green card in hand within 5-6 weeks post biometric appointment. Just thought I'd update the group that things are moving, albeit slowly, but eventually we'll get there.

-cheers-

Edited by ghepardo lento, 09 November 2013 - 10:22 AM.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2013-11-09 10:20:00

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

Updated biometrics. We've been waiting for biometric notice, finally arrived yesterday (October 24th) with an appointment set for 8am on the 23rd, and it was mailed on the 9th. This mail delay set us back and to slight panic. Called USCIS "800" number on bottom of biometric appointment to explain and asked if USCIS in Helena, Montana (our service center) would accept walk-ins. The people on the phone had "no idea" and could only suggest driving there (several hours away for us) and try a walk-in. It was a gamble to drive several hours with no guarantees, but we did it today and it was a success.

The folks working at the USCIS center in Helena, Montana were really nice and understanding had no problem with processesing us as a walk-in and 2 days late due to mail arriving late. No problems and in and out in 20 minutes after waiting on another couple. By the way, nice folks at the USCIS office in Helena indicated they have occasionally processed walk-ins for biometrics for people who had appointments in other states, but were passing through Montana on vacation, and they have processed people as much as a week earlier than their appointments.

California Service Center (10 applicants)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

GHEPARDO LENTO........09/28/13......10/03/13......10/25/13......--/--/--

NEO1..................10/07/13......10/09/13......11/05/13......--/--/--

INSOMNIACDOZE.........10/07/13......10/09/13......11/05/13......--/--/--

HEIDIDL...............10/09/13......10/11/13......11/07/13......--/--/--

SXM...................10/11/13......10/15/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

ALINAH................10/17/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

IDDUCHRISTY...........10/21/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

NEKO..................10/22/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

SHREEPALI.............10/22/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

MAGGIEB...............10/23/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (4 applicants)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

CHARLESR..............10/02/13......10/07/13......11/04/13......--/--/--

CALY..................10/03/13......10/07/13......11/12/13......--/--/--

LOVE_LIGHT............10/17/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

NUSANTI...............10/22/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

IMPORTANT!

* Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor.
* Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply.
* Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that.
* Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted.
* Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA. Also please check that you have not deleted the name of the Service Center.

Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your petition
NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter
Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment
Approved = The Date your case was approved

* Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list.
* When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly.
* If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2013-10-25 17:08:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Greetings to all, it's been awhile since I was last on VJ. I've updated the list below. Note that while we filed in late-late September, our NOA was in October, hopefully that doesn't cause problems with the stats by joining the October group.

California Service Center (7 applicants)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

GHEPARDO LENTO........09/28/13......10/03/13............................

NEO1..................10/07/13......10/09/13......11/05/13......--/--/--

INSOMNIACDOZE.........10/07/13......10/09/13......11/05/13......--/--/--

SXM...................10/11/13......10/15/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

HEIDIDL...............10/11/13......10/18/13......11/07/13......--/--/--

ALINAH................10/17/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

IDDUCHRISTY...........10/21/13......10/--/13......--/--/13......--/--/--

Vermont Service Center (2 applicants)

VJName..............Date of I-751...NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved

CHARLESR..............10/02/13......10/07/13......11/04/13......--/--/--

CALY..................10/03/13......10/07/13......11/12/13......--/--/--

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2013-10-23 13:42:00

April 2011 (USCIS) Filers

Congrats A&M! A long time coming! Wow! they really had you jumping through the circus hoops. I read that you had indicated in your IV package cover letter that you included your military record. This tells me that the reviewers may not reading the cover letters as closely as they should, if it all.
I may be assuming to much that all reviewers are not reading cover letters, but it seems to me that either the reviewers are so accustomed to processing these IV packages over and over, everyday, that they probably toss aside the cover letter when they receive a IV package and just start looking for the "standard" items, jumping to certain questions on the DS-230 that are commonly missed or misinterpreted. When a case is missing one of those items and/or falls outside of the "norm" CR-1/IR-1 cookie-cutter processing, they just send an RFE and place the burden on you to justify.

I think that the folks working on NVC cases see so many cases a year, and then "quickly" look for certain items and have an internal checklist, if it's there then they stamp it in the corner and done. If something makes them search more than a few minutes, then RFE, without taking the time to check a cover letter that we carefully type out for them. After processing thousands of these things they probably become separated from the fact that people's lives and family cohesion are at stake. I'm sure their supervisors try to remind them at their weekly or monthly team meetings, that "applicant's are real people waiting", but the fact remains that it is human nature that they become somewhat desensitized in their cookie cutter methodology...
A big issue to me is the lack of transparency in this process. Of course the DOS will cite "national security" and immigration fraud issues, but really as we all know on this forum, we have little knowledge of the internal workings, and little recourse to challenge or inquire. Got to love those "NVC inquiry response" emails, makes me feel, well, almost helpless and at the whim of a private contracted SERCO employee who could care less about my family.

but maybe I'm reading to much into the NVC

congrat A&M! now the wait...now hopefully we don't have to wait to long for an appointment between all the Embassies holidays (they get both US and foreign govt holidays paid days off).

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-07 07:25:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Visa Approved in Naples - Thank you VJ!

congrats! Today we were assigned an interview appointment in Naples.
Be sure and leave a detailed review for the consulate!

congrats!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-13 21:01:00

40 day after NOA2.. no case number yet!!!!!!!!

40 day after NOA2.. no case number yet!!!!!!!!

Maybe it's time to contact your congress woman / man. Go to their website and look under the "contact senator tweedle dee"...You will have to sign a privacy act release form and either deliver it to a local office in your state, or fax it.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-18 11:48:00

Hi EdisonD,
It looks like we are really close on our timelines. We also received our AOS bill and DS-3032 today and we submitted the DS-3032 by email. I did not use a PDF, and we used the visajourney DS-3032 email template found through Jame's shortcuts.
Be sure and make sure you double, no triple check all of the data you email them and that all the numbers are correct before emailing. Place your NVC case number and the beneficiary name in the subject line. We almost sent the DS-3032 email with a "zero" missing from the case number in the subject line of the email and that might have been a disastrous huge delay!

Here's the email template we used (to be emailed by your foreign spouse):
http://www.visajourn...il_DS-3032_form

suerte!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-12 17:08:00

Hang in there Tercero!
We didn't receive our case number and invoice number until 14 total days after NVC received the case. I contacted my local senator's office here in town and gave them the privacy release form at 8:30am. By the end of the day my case number was assigned. Not sure if it was affective or not, maybe just coincidence, maybe not. NVC sent me and the stock email the next day saying that they have received my inquiry (from the Senator) and they would let me know in 45 days or something like that...ha!

If the 14 day time line holds then maybe you'll have your number by 15th..maybe! I think others on here had their case numbers sooner than 14 total days after NVC received it.

buena suerte! (good luck!)

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-11 08:36:00

As of this morning, still no case number assigned...this is crazy! Today I have no choice but to contact a Senator's office in some kind of desperation....
NOA2=30 June
NVC Received= 25July

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-08 07:39:00

As of this Friday morning there is still no case number assigned...our NOA2 was 30 June, and "received" in-house on 25 July...seems that NVC has some kind of chaotic order of processing that only they seem to understand, and I'm beginning to wonder if they even understand....aye aye aye...
oh well, maybe later today? not holding my breath because I will go blue in the face.
What's funny is that all my friends from Italy, Latin America and India always point out how efficient we are in States, and how everything "flows and works"....yes, in general, but when it comes to immigration issues and even passing through a POE you are in another State, and a different timeline.

trying to stay positive!
cheers y saludos!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-05 08:40:00

Congrats Dave!
I've been following and we are also waiting for NVC to issue a case number. NVC received the case 25 June, but...waiting

CSC NOA2 = 30 June
NVC receives file = 25 July

Luckily working on university research and publications has distracted my wife and I from thinking about this 24/7, but it is so frustrating to bein limbo

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-03 09:05:00

a "passport security clearance certificate" must be required for some countries, but is not required for Italy. Two police certificates (past and pending) and a xerox of the data page of your passport is required for NVC.

We were received an NOA2 approval (for IR-1/CR-1) on 30 June, and just yesterday (29 July) did the NVC indicate they have received it in house, but now we are waiting for entry into the Matrix and receive our number. We'll update when we eventually receive it.

cheers

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-07-30 10:01:00

I just got off the phone with NVC (~10:30am CT). I was checking to see if our case has arrived (we were approved at CSC on 6/30). Today is the 15th business day and it still has not arrived. The person at answering service (that's really what they are, contracted)told me to call back tomorrow evening as it "should be" in the system by then. Further, she indicated that because of the 4th of July holiday, that "everything slowed down" and they are catching up. When I asked if cases are usually sent individually or in batches, she gave an ambiguous reply "sometimes that happens..."
I am now inclined to agree with most who feel that processing slowed this month due to people on holiday. Now whether or not all this info is to be believed is another story...we can only chase our tails and put pieces of the puzzle together.
I haven't yet checked, but I am curious if previous years in the VJ database show a similar slow down in this same time frame??

cheers!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-07-21 10:38:00

ciao to all,
Long time reader, first time posting...

We were also notified by the CSC for an I-130 approval on 30 June, but like most everyone else, NVC has yet to receive our approval-or at least to process the approval into their system. Truth be told, we were not expecting an I-130 approval until August (based off of the 5 month CSC timeline), so we still feel that we're still within our expectations (of the slow government grist mill that is...that said, we are reading to move on with this thing. We'll update when we hear something....
cheers!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-07-14 08:44:00

Completed Case Opened Again due to Email

ouch! Maybe it's worth a post or move unto the "stupid RFE" thread, not that you are stupid, but that mistakes are inherent with or without a god(s)...
good luck and speedy recovery!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-25 20:36:00

best time to email the choice of agent form

We emailed our DS-3032 as a regular email (see the Ling Che's and James's shortcuts for template). We did not send it as a PDF. What you want to do is make sure the beneficiary's name is in the subject line. We emailed straight away without waiting for it to be generated as some people have luck with it and some, like us, have it "rejected." All we did was immediately email it again upon NVC generating the DS-3032, and it everything was fine.
So in summary, yes you can go ahead and email it without waiting, but it may not be accepted. Just be prepared to follow-up with another email if it's rejected, and subsequently generated...
good luck!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-28 10:38:00

Frankfurt Consulate Questions

I assume maybe you've read some of the guides "Ling Che" and "James's shortcuts" for CR-1 visas? Even though they are general in format, it pretty much applies to all countries including Germany. I would suggest following those closely, then fine tune it with the Germany portal on VJ.

All forms sent to the NVC need to be original or certified copies. Don't get confused on "certified copies" because all this indicates is that it should be an original certified document (but maybe not be the exact original issued at the birth or marriage). What NVC wants to see is these "certified" originals. When it comes time for you to submit the NVC documents (IV package) after you receive your NOA2 from USCIS, you want all certified originals and an extra copy of those to send along. While others may not send the extra xerox copy of the entire package, I did based on the State Department website and everything flowed smoothly.

As far as the "long form" I am guessing that they want the birth certificate that has more info on it rather than summarized, for example both of the names of the parent's. Your wife should be able to request this "long form" of a birth certificate in Germany which may take a few weeks depending on how quickly they process requests in Germany. You will want the original of this, in fact maybe she should request 2 if it's only a few euros.

The guides...
http://www.visajourn...he_NVC_ShortCut

http://www.visajourn...mes's_Shortcuts

Edited by ghepardo lento, 01 September 2011 - 09:34 PM.

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-01 21:33:00

No NVC case no

We had to wait 39 days before we received our case number...it should be any day for you

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-01 21:42:00

stapled documents acceptable?

I used small black binder clips for the over-all package, but I stapled together forms requiring translations, and any supplemental pages that we added to the I-130. On VJ you will hear people go back and forth about to use staples, or not. I do know that the NVC on their immigrant visa package page (a later stage for you, but you will get there eventually) requests that relevant forms be stapled, which we did and there wasn't complaints or problems. Just carefully review the PDF I-130 instructions, line for line, and the USCIS I-130 download page which has special notes. Those instructions will tell you any recent updated changes.

Cover letters are helpful. Keep it simple, and on the cover letter list numerically the order of the documents. I think there are some wiki pages with cover letter outlines. An important note about cover letters is that while they may help a review locate documents, they are probably more helpful to you so you know what's in the document.

Just be sure to sign all appropriate forms...sounds obvious, but people forget to

good luck!

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-09 09:02:00

check from US bank

Unfortunately at this time you cannot pay this fee electronically (that I'm aware of). I paid by check. When you get to the NVC stage you can pay those electronically.
You may have to send your I-130 back to your folks in the States and have them write the check and include it in the package, and then send to it to Chicago. Since you are filing from Nepal (via the States) really double check you have the package in order and signed, as it may take longer for you to deal with an RFE if you are in Nepal...
good luck

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-09-24 21:22:00

LingChe Shortcuts - Still Useful

864 AOS instructions: I think now we can just send transcript 1 year + 2 more if helpful. This means we don't have to send any 1099, w-2, etc. Just the transcripts, which are free and can be ordered online or at local IRS office.

Also AOS: I think they pretty much ignore the beneficiary's assets from what I have heard. Sponsor's assets are valued at 1/5 unless they are spouse, then 1/3.

Thanks again, -M.
[/quote]

I would agree that an fine tuning update would be beneficial. Now there is form I-864EZ available which is for folks who are using their income as sole means of support, therefore more "easy" and straightforward. For example for the pending AOS, we will submit the 864EZ and 2 years of free IRS transcripts and 6 months of recent paystubs. Should be sufficient (hopefully)...

ghepardo lento

Male

Italy

2011-08-13 19:26:00