ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomUnited Kingdom Interview Thread 2007
We put in "ASAP", which in retrospect seems to have been a tactical error, although not sending in the checklist with the forms in Packet 3 seems to have been the bigger blunder.

:hairpull:
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-25 14:08:00
United KingdomUnited Kingdom Interview Thread 2007
OK -- I called the DoS line again this morning -- they don't yet have the receipt of the checklist recorded in the system yet.

Soon, soon, soon....
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-25 12:47:00
United KingdomUnited Kingdom Interview Thread 2007
Some UKer announced that they had an 8/30 interview date, but of course I can't remember the thread or the forum! GAH!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-06-25 12:07:00
United KingdomUnited Kingdom Interview Thread 2007
Hmmm. I'm trying to guesstimate when we'll get our interview. Packet 3 gets returned to the embassy tomorrow -- I notice someone has an early July interview scheduled -- maybe mid-July? (assuming that Packet 4 gets turned around quickly.)
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-22 21:30:00
United KingdomAirport Strikes in the UK
I'm flying Virgin to LHR on Christmas Eve, and then Mr. Psho-to-be and I return to SFO on January 8. I'm expecting chaos.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-12-22 20:23:00
United KingdomEmbassy says checklist missing!
We faxed our checklist. That seemed to do the trick.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-06-09 16:53:00
United KingdomWedding Song
No songs for us (married at a county office, then quick lunch with the very small wedding party), but as we drove into our mini-honeymoon destination (Calistoga, CA) the song "Smoke Two Joints" came on the radio and we nearly crashed the car we were laughing so hard!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-05-30 16:13:00
United KingdomVisa Waiver Program still in operation
http://en.wikipedia....l_Authorization

QUOTE
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a requirement issued by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff which requires airline passengers from visa-waived countries (most of Western Europe, Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore) to register with the U.S. government in advance of travel to the United States.[1]

Passengers have been able to sign up since August 2008, but the travel authorization will not become mandatory until January 2009.[2] Once screened, passengers are exempt from screening as their records will be kept on file for two years.

Opponents claim the new rules will delay last minute business travel.

At the behest of the Spanish government, the name of the rule was change from ETA (electronic travel authorization) to ESTA because of concerns about the Basque separatist group who also goes by ETA.[citation needed]

The Australian equivalent is still called ETA[3]. It is also generally called a visa, or electronic visa.

The US version is not called a visa by the US, therefore still no visa is officially needed, but an appoved application to visit the US several days before is needed, which is very close to a visa requirement.

As opposed to the $131 processing fee for a visa, ESTA is currently free of charge, but this may change [4]

pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2008-09-07 21:00:00
United Kingdom2005 - 2007 UK Filers *Only*
Heh! It's been so long, and yet it seems like yesterday.

People are very impressed when I tell them we did all our greencard business w/o an attorney.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2009-03-21 01:24:00
United KingdomCheap Airline Tickets Heathrow to JFK in Late June
The problem is that your friend will be flying during the high travel season (as I will be doing), so cheap fares are pretty hard to come by.

There was that new Open Skies agreement signed, that will increase competition, but that's not going to happen in time for flights this summer, I'm afraid.

Have your friend keep trawling the airfare sites (kayak.com, zuji.com, which is the Asian affliate of Travelocity, and will still let you do flexible searches for international flights, unlike US-based travel sites, and of course the airlines' web sites directly).

Here's an article that may be helpful:

http://www.frommers......20on Airfares
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-05 17:44:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)WHY ME EVERYTHING GOES SLOW
that is great news!

fingers crossed!
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-27 23:58:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Tracking Instructions for DHL

Is anyone getting an error on dhl.com saying "This reference was found on a large number of shipments. Unable to track using this search criteria"?

I have narrowed down the date to one, put in origin postal code and destination postal code.

still nothing. :crying:



Yep -- I get that too.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-14 20:36:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Tracking Instructions for DHL

Well, I'm glad its not just me! :lol: It said there were 25 pages of results so I was surprised when the 'next' button returned me to the search instead of giving me more results.



Grrr! That's just poor web design, sounds like. Surprising for such a big company.
pshoFemaleUnited Kingdom2007-05-05 19:34:00
Asia: East and PacificWE GOT PINK
Congrats: Welcome to the US Chi...
pseithMalePhilippines2009-12-03 13:26:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)RFE
False RFEs are common at this stage. We got one after our DS-230 had been received there saying that they needed the DS-230. It's actually a good sign, I think. It means they are processing your case. Call on Momday and see what's up. Hopefully, it will be good news.
pseithMalePhilippines2009-09-26 20:43:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Login Failed....
QUOTE (ronalyn @ Sep 29 2009, 08:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello Fiaz & Brenda! thanks for your reply. I just hope it is indeed case complete because when I called NVC awhile ago, the recording said: response to checklist was received on Sept 21, 2009. innocent.gif But then again, THANKS for your reply! God bless!

QUOTE (Fiaz & Brenda @ Sep 29 2009, 03:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ronalyn @ Sep 29 2009, 03:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hello guys! just want to share something. i've been checking online the status of my case with NVC every other day. and when i tried checking it today, this message appeared so I tried to check the details i entered and do it one more time but its the same message which appeared. how come i cant sign in to check my case status? or is this a system error? hope you can give me some info about this especially those who are now NVC as well. Thanks in advance!


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.



Well it means CASE COMPLETED . good.gif


If login fails, it means your case is complete at NVC. It might be in final administrative review, which only takes a day or so. Call and talk to an NVC operator as soon as you can. Congratulations! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif Do the happy dance, you are done with NVC and now just waiting for your interview date!
pseithMalePhilippines2009-09-29 21:32:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)NVC: AVR Response
We got the same AVR message when all our forms were sent. You probably have nothing to worry about. Hopefully within about a week you will try tolog onto the NVC payment site and login will fail...then you know you are done and approved!
pseithMalePhilippines2009-10-08 15:35:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)Calling the NVC daily, for the music
The NVC call center’s background music is so familiar now. I call and wait on the line daily, and have done so for the past 10 days. The musical selection is a single, repeating, 42-second loop of synthesized feel good, elevator music. It’s like the music they would pipe into the death chamber as you’re about to be processed into Soylent Green. (Dating myself there. My fiancée will never understand all my references…)

While waiting I was also able to carefully transcribe the calming voice messages. There is a 9-second delay between each of these sequentially repeating messages:

1). “We appreciate your patience while waiting and assure you that assistance is just a moment away. your call is very important to us, and we look forward to speaking with you!”

2). “We know your time is valuable. Thank you for holding. Assistance is just moment away.”

3). “Thank you for calling! Our staff is working hard to take your call now. When we return to the line please let us know how we may serve you.”

4). “All our operators are busy. We apologize for the delay. Please hold and we will answer your call as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.”

5). “Because of the personal attention given to every caller you may experience a brief delay. Please remain on the line. a representative will assist you momentarily.”
Ugly_AmericanMalePhilippines2011-03-09 13:34:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
I'll keep this post updated, but i did just have one thought. Perhaps they have a certain number of employees doing background checks at NVC and AP is just a way to keep these people busy and employed.
Ugly_AmericanMalePhilippines2011-03-04 14:53:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)STUCK @ NVC for AP
Just found out I'm in AP. NVC has only had the case for 5 days, but I'm very anxious reading all the "4 month wait" horror stories. I'll wait one week then I'm phoning congressmen, senator, and nvc daily.
Ugly_AmericanMalePhilippines2011-03-04 14:50:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanKenya anyone?
Thank you Neya!

I forgot about that quirk with holidays.

Good news, I was able to track someone down (only took six phone calls to actually talk with someone) and give them the address change, as I had provided the physical address instead of a mailing address on the petition (not too many folks get mail at home in Kenya).

While I had the person on the line, I asked about having my wife pick up the packet herself. No problem, just be at the embassy at 8:00 AM in the morning and the packet can be picked up.

Wahoo!!! :dance:

So we hope to have it picked up tomorrow.

I'm nearly done with all of the documentation that needs to be sent in support of the petition (I-134, pictures, bank letter, employee letter, tax returns, paystubs, etc.).

I'm hopeful we can complete everything by next week.

The person also told me once everything is complete, call back for an interview date; there is currently no backlog, so we could be done with this within a couple of weeks if all goes smoothly.

Wahoo again!!! :dance: :dance: :dance:

I'm very thankful to this site and everyone that contributes. One more VJ'er is nearly done!

Cheers

Billyboy
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-09-05 01:00:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanKenya anyone?
I learned this past week that our case was forwarded to the embassy in Nairobi. I haven't scanned enough of this forum to know if there are others in the process that are dealing with the Nairobi embassy.

I myself was at the embassy in April/May of this year; they weren't too helpful to me or my wife at that time.

However, the process here has gone quickly; it took less than 60 days for the K-3 petition to be approved and forwarded to the embassy.

I will be calling them Sunday night PDT (Monday morning EAT) in regards to an address change. Anyone know if you can specify pick-up? While I'm spending the dime on the call, I hope to get some scheduling information to see when the interview date might be.

Any information about timelines for the Nairobi embassy is greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Billyboy
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-09-02 11:38:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of invitation a good idea or not?
Thank you for the replies.

This fits in with my understanding of the process (i.e. keep it simple stupid).

This confirms my suspicion that applying for a travel visa would be confusing for USCIS and most likely flag our file in perhaps a bad way.

In talking with her today I relayed this information; the good news is I got my NOA1 for the I-129F today. It states 60-180 days for approval, yet if mine follows current timeline trends (and perhaps an end around because my I-129F was IMBRA compliant), it shouldn't be long before it is shipped out to the US Consular office in Nairobi.

That is my hope.

Again, thank you for the sanity/reality check regarding a travel visa.

Good luck to everybody!
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-07-07 13:09:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLetter of invitation a good idea or not?
My wife is currently in Nairobi, awaiting the next steps for us after the I-129F is processed and NOA1/NOA2 are received. We were married April 28, 2006 in Nairobi.

She's asked me for a letter of invitation, in order to get a travel visa to the US from Kenya.

Since we're at the I-129F stage of waiting, does anyone consider it wise to attempt getting a travel visa?

The last thing I want to do is jeopardize the path we're moving along; I said that I'd ask around and this forum seems like the best available option (without paying a lawyer).

Obviously I want to get her home ASAP, but I also want it done the right way without giving any excuses to the Feds to deny entry.

Thanks!

I-130
--------
06-03-2006 : Mailed I-130 (alien spouse)
06-05-2006 : I-130 Received by District Office (Laguna Niguel)
06-19-2006 : Check cleared
06-20-2006 : Received NOA1 in mail

129F / K3
--------
06-27-2006 : Mailed I-129F
06-29-2006 : Chicago Recd I129F
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-07-07 03:34:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresJust Married Need Guidance
Welcome to VJ, you'll find much useful information here along with a community of folks that are in the same boat as you.

I was married in Nairobi, Kenya this past April.

While in Kenya I went to the US Consulate/Embassy twice in an attempt to get information on how to get around whatever barriers there were to bringing her home ASAP.

Two trips to the embassy, two very frustrating experiences. The embassies just aren't setup to deal with situations like ours (i.e. marrying the person you love and expediting the the process).

However I was able to speak with a Consular employee at the embassy over the phone; after explaining the situation that we were married and the desire to bring her home, she stated that the K-3 process was the quickest alternative (no snickering out there folks! :) ).

A travel visa won't give you the amount of time you need to get everything done, plus your spouse would absolutely need to return home before expiration. Overstaying a travel visa would cause big problems.

My wife wanted to go the travel visa route anyway, yet in questions submitted here at VJ and side conversations of my own, staying on the I-130/I-129F path we're on was the best option.

It can be frustrating because we're going about this the right way, proper way, legal way when there are 15 million folks here in the US that did not go about this the right way, proper way, legal way.

Yet I'm not going to stoop to that level and will do everything asked of me as a US Citizen.

Mainly I want to bring my baby home and whatever needs to be done to make that happen is what I'll do.

After doing much reading on the immigration process before my trip to Kenya, while in Kenya and since I've been home, the I-130/I-129F process is the best alternative (I know that isn't saying much).

The above really only addresses your first question. I have no idea on what to provide for the second answer, so I'm hopeful somebody in the VJ community can provide you some guidance.

Don't lose hope.

Best of luck!

Billy
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-07-13 12:14:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresBenificiary Address on I-129F and I-130
When submitting both petitions, for my wife's address I input the physical address where she is living. However, it is not an address that can have mail delivered (nobody in Kenya receives mail at their house, it is all delivered to PO Boxes).

I've received NOA1's for both petitions and am like most on this board, waiting...waiting...waiting.

Will we have a chance to provide a mailing address in order to receive the packet from the Consulate? Have I made a huge error in the filing of these petitions that should be corrected?

If I've made an error, do I call and provide a PO Box #?

Thank you to the VJ community; I'm glad to have found it and be a part of it.

Cheers

Billy

Edited by billyboy601, 13 July 2006 - 09:40 AM.

billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-07-13 09:38:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPLEASE HELP ASAP!! Question re: I-130
Online was very easy for us.

If you have Adobe Acrobat standard, the form can be filled out anywhere, emailed and printed for signature.

Sending stuff to Kenya from the USA is booku bucks, so any edge obtained via digital relay is usually a big advantage.

Good luck
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-07-20 22:20:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCalling all who sent NEW I-129F Form!!!!!!
Can someone clear up what "touched" means in the time-lines ?

You can sign up for online status and email notification at uscis.gov; once signed up you can review the status of your petitions. Any time the USCIS touches your petition, it gets logged and is reflected on their site (albeit sometimes later than receiving mail) and/or you receive an email.

This is all based on nuggets I've gathered from folks here; I actually haven't had anything touched with our petitions. I'm hoping just to see them approved and could careless if they get "touched" (fyi, some are touched many times in a week, and yet nothing seems to happen).

We have I-129F reciept notice from June and haven't heard anything since execpt a request for additional evidence. Our A# begins MSC - am i right to think this is processed by NBC and should I pay any attention to this:

For the K-3 all petitions are routed through the NBC; the MSC# is correct (I got one too).

Anyone else here with June reciept date and MSC ref number ?

I actually have a July receipt date with an MSC receipt number; this should be the case for all K-3 petitions.
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-09 14:10:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCalling all who sent NEW I-129F Form!!!!!!
I've been meaning to update my timeline (and will, promise).

My I-129F receipt date is 03-JUL-2006.

I was able to sign up for the online status no problem.

Both the I-130 and I-129F have not been touched and no RFE received; I'm hoping they never will and just get approved.

Perhaps by September an approval will be received? One can pray!

My wife is in Kenya, so we'll be dealing with the US Consulate in Nairobi. Having been there twice, I'm not optomistic about the speed in which they'll operate.

I figure once all of the paperwork is in and it is sitting at the Consulate (as I'm sure it will), I'm going to call in the hounds of my US Representative to blow through the stagnation and getter done.

I won't call in the big dogs until all of our obligations have been met (i.e. we've done all we're being asked to do in order to live the rest of our lives together), but they will be called in and I will show no mercy at that point.

Cheers
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-08 00:59:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat can be done while waiting for NOA2
We're about 45 days past the receipt date (NOA1) of the I-129F.

What can we do in order to get information ready for packet 3?

Can we...

* Get the medical exam and vaccinations done, through a quailifed doctor (listed on the US Consular web page)

* Get the police certificates (I don't think Kenya has rules on doing this ahead of time)

* Anything else??

I feel like there is more that can be done while waiting, that will hopefully speed things along once approval is received.

Thank you!
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-17 13:55:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresUrgent Help needed.
I have to do the same thing for my wife (change address that is).

I called USCIS and was informed that until it was approved, the address submitted couldn't be changed. Once it was approved, to call back and inform them of the new or proper mailing address.

To be on the safe side, give them a call and let them know it has been approved and by the way, your address has changed; please send all information to the new address.

Good luck!
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-17 13:51:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAPPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ae4ever,

Was your case touched (i.e. online and email)? Or did you just straight-away receive the approvals in the mail?

I filed with the new form, my receipt dates are very similar to yours and I'm hoping no touch, no news will translate into sudden approval.

Congratulations!

I'm hopeful and praying a lot that I'll open the mailbox to an approval notice.
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-18 00:52:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 approval received via email
No touches received; only the original receipt dates were provided during the several hundred times I accessed the online systems.

This is what I hoped for a week ago, screw the touches and give me an approval. That is exactly what happened.

Onward ho!
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-21 10:50:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 approval received via email
I received an email this morning stating that our I-129F petition has been approved (45 days)!

This is truly great news and we can move on to the next phase of getting ready for the interview.

We're pursuing the K-3 in full force, as my wife is in Kenya and our goal is to get her home ASAP; we don't mind waiting things out here for the green card.

I want to thank everyone here for the thoughts, suggestions and overall general support.

I realize there are many others still waiting (in many cases much longer than us); just know that all of our thoughts are with you. Keep the faith and don't waiver!

Good luck to all and many hopes that this speeding up of approvals works for everyone.

Cheers

Bill
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-21 10:18:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresReceived NOA2 in the mail
My name is showing up as both petitioner and beneficiary.

I need to call the NVC anyway to make an address change; I guess this should also be highlighted as an error?

Thanks!
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-24 00:42:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresLEFT THE NVC!!! now what and how long :)
Congratulations, this is good news.

I received my NOA2 on 18-AUG-2006; I called the NVC on 24-AUG-2006 because an address change needed to be made.

Got through to somebody in less than five minutes (impressive) and after confirming I had received the NOA2 informed me to call back in several weeks once the case was in the system.

Well, I rolled the dice and called today, 31-AUG-2006; again I got through quickly, this time in two minutes. To my surprise after confirming some personal information, the service representative gave me our case number and then informed me that the case had already been sent to the embassy in Nairobi, Kenya!

Whoa.....!!!!!!!

The NVC received our approved K-3 petition on 25-AUG-2006 and shipped the case out 29-AUG-2006.

They informed me that an electronic version was sent to the embassy (Nairobi's embassy is brand new, so this is a great sign, i.e. they have all new network and computers) along with a paper version via DHL courier.

I was informed to call next week to make the address change (for my spouse) and to ask them what their scheduling looked like (I was hoping to get an idea of how much time we're looking at).

We're expecting to get packet 3 delivered soon, so we're both scurrying about (me in California and she in Kenya) getting the last pieces of information together so that when it does arrive, we can fill out the forms and put together the packet for the interview.

And then home sweet home!

Something else from the call today was they told me I'd get something in the mail from the NVC, which I haven't seen mentioned here (I may have missed it). I didn't get a lot of details, yet it must be another NOA; anyone with details, please post (I will look again at the FAQ).

I'm a bit blown away; all of the other folks I've seen on this board toiling through each day (many more than us) and we're blessed to have gotten the K-3 approved, with the embassy soon to receive it, in less than 60 days. I'm very grateful and thankful.

This board has been integral in helping us get through this process/stage in life.

Thank you VJ community for being a sounding board, reference point, support group, outlet to vent, outlet to cry, platform to celebrate!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

To answer your question, wait a few days (your case went out the same as mine, both to Africa, ironic....); give the embassy your case went to a call and see what the scheduling is like. They might (should?) have your case in the system by next week and should know where it falls in line.

Keep the faith folks!

Never give up!
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-08-31 22:37:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWill visa be granted at the end of the interview
I've read on here with other cases, that once the interview is completed and the visa approved, it is issued on the spot, yes?

We just want to rev things up leading to the interview in preparation of a quick departure.

Thanks!
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-09-03 18:35:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresIs three weeks out of the question to get this done
We're working with the Nairobi embassy and I just got off the phone with them.

After providing the proper PO box to the consular official, I asked if the packet could be picked up in person by my wife.

The only stipulation is that she be there at 8:00 AM in the morning. So she is going for it tomorrow.

I'm nearly complete with the I-134 and all other supporting documentation.

I asked what the scheduling was like and the person said there was no back log and that once the checklist and documentation were completed/ready, she could call back for an interview date. In speaking with others going through Nairobi, they usually schedule within the week of calling for an appointment.

I don't want to get our hopes up and there always could be something unforeseen, yet with this information is it unreasonable to see this K-3 process wrapping up for us within a few weeks?

I'd love to get her home before October so that we can start our lives (it will be five months since we were married, and almost that long since we were last together).

Thank you VJ community for all of your support. One more almost done!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance:
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-09-05 01:11:00
K-3 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresK3 Visa
I believe you can call the IRS and have them mail you a record of the last three filings.

Not sure how detailed those records are, yet I've heard they're acceptable.

Others may be able to provide more details.

I'm going through the same process, though was lucky to be divorced six years ago (i.e. I have the last three).

Best of luck!
billyboy601Not TellingKenya2006-09-05 02:13:00
Mexico, Latin & South AmericaASC Mexico City without letter?

Do I have to schedule our CDJ interview first before I could schedule out ASC appointment in Mexico City?

Thanks

 

 

Hey sorry to respond so late... you want to make sure that you do the ASC before the CDJ interview.  On the appointment website, they ask you to do the consular appointment first and then allow you to set up the ASC interview.  

 

Also, as an update: My fiance just went to the interview in Juarez and he said that both the clinic and the consulate asked for the letter of invitation.  So while we didn't have a problem with the ASC in Mexico City, he had to go to the consulate and ask for a copy in order to complete the rest of the process....which I'm happy to report was a success!  


JulieandAngelFemaleMexico2013-07-26 09:33:00