biggish data

QUOTE (sweetFM @ Mar 24 2009, 11:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Y's_habibitk @ Mar 24 2009, 04:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (sweetFM @ Mar 24 2009, 05:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello.
I've been following this thread before we received our NOA 2 and just reading the day/weeks/month the case get stuck at NVC, it makes me anxious with the question "what if our case get stuck too at nvc?".

Now my worry turn to reality because we have been at nvc for more than 2 weeks now and I don't know when it gets out there

Did you guys call and find out if you are in AP? Im sorry youre hung up there, hopefully you will be out soon

My fiance was told they make additional processing in our case. I just hope we get out soon of this nvc black hole.

Sorry to hear you are stuck in AP. I know that it it not a good feeling but come here often for support from others who are also stuck at NVC (or were stuck before). I found that if you plan to be stuck for 7 weeks and you get out sooner, it will be a welcome surprise

But if you worry and wonder every day, it will make the time go very slooooowwwwly

Good luck on a speedy release

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-24 11:26:00

QUOTE (nikki1980 @ Mar 23 2009, 06:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you very much for you all support!

I should have came here early... I have been panic and my lawyer didnt helpful much...

Yes, my fiance will call to NVC monday, he always press "2" for K-1 visa but I learned "5" also can talk to real person, so which is better to connect??

Ohmy! That Nvc letter is is kind of fake???

I cant believe! I was reading some Japanese blogs about k-1visa before i found VJ. They got visa quickly after NOA2 so i was sure im also similar but it didnt for me... its not fair,,, NVC should stop randam to checking,,, because we were checked background etc at uscis.

I really hope i will not wait too long. But i am okay to wait more because it must come my turn oneday,, like everybady says just be patience.

For K1 visa, always choose option 5 and speak to an operator. automated status updates are not available for K1. Good luck and yes try to be patient...your turn will come soon

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-23 15:55:00

QUOTE (GShilobod @ Mar 19 2009, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I called the NVC today expecting the same ole answer and they said our case was forwarded to the consulate yesterday!!!!! We were in AP just under 5 weeks. Yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

WOW! less than 5 weeks...good for you!! Congratulations!!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-19 16:25:00

QUOTE (cao @ Mar 17 2009, 03:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was released from NVC on Feb 26, 2009 and hope to have interview date in May also. Hope that we can meet and share a cheerful coffee in HCM

cao, let me know when you have an interview date. maybe we can meet in HCM. I will be there for her interview.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-17 18:43:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 16 2009, 12:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (luck-e and Kookie @ Mar 16 2009, 06:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 14 2009, 03:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I went to DHL site to track our package, and I think lucky-Kookie too. Of course the only way I have to know these are ours is by destination (Bangkok, Manila)

Ours says:
Tracking Number 9136860611
U.S DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Portsmouth, NH 03801
United States
Bangkok, Thailand
Ship date: 3/13/2009
Pieces: 1
Total weight: 3.6 lbs
Shipment reference: EXP 12 MAR 2009A
Service: Next DayMore info
Description: US DIPLOMATIC PAPERS

Lucky/Kookie:
Tracking Number 9136860703
U.S DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Portsmouth, NH 03801
United States
Manila, Philippines, The
Ship date: 3/13/2009
Pieces: 2
Total weight: 36.6 lbs
Shipment reference: EXP 12 MAR 2009A
Service: Next DayMore info
Description: US DIPLOMATIC PAPERS

Let the race begin

Who will arrive first?
Note that their Lucky's pouch is 36.6lbs, ours is 3.6lbs - I guess that means 10X as many Philippines packets go out as Thailand?

Hey, I saw your tracking number and it shows that it has been delivered today. same thing as mines. tell me when you are calling your USEM ha. thanks.

Yes, I saw that too, about it being delivered. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether those are really our cases.
If you scroll back, you'll see that Todd mentioned that I looked for the wrong shipping reference "EXP 12 MAR 2009A" - should look for 13 MAR instead, and it will go out in today (Monday Mar 16) DHL pickup. I'm not sure about that, since in past posts on VJ about DHL, I've seen the instructions to enter the PREVIOUS day reference to the day we were told it was released. That's what I did.
Anyway, either it's there at the embassy, or it will be very shortly.
I wasn't planning to call the embassy. I was just going to wait till my fiancee tells me that she gets Packet3 from them.
I've already sent her everything - I134, tax returns, etc. And she' s already done the medical, police, single status long ago (back in Jan when we got our NOA2).
So I hope we can turn around the Packet3 very quickly, and get our interview scheduled.

Good luck Lucky, and good luck everybody!
All the newcomers, welcome and don't lose faith. All the oldtimers, please keep posting about your progress.

Ron, I hope you are right about the dates. That would mean my case got to HCM last Monday instead of today and I am 1 week further into this than I thought. That would be a change in this process!!!!!

And you can really get an interview in 4-6 weeks in Thailand? I am praying that we get an interview date in May! Mail delays may play a part of the wait, I think...

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-16 17:21:00

QUOTE (2gathawestand @ Mar 16 2009, 04:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 13 2009, 10:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (2gathawestand @ Mar 13 2009, 09:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It will be two months on the 16th of March. I call them often and as of 3/11 we were still in (AP).

us all God. Im remaining claim for the most part, but as for my SO he is ready to throw in the towel and have me come to him. Faith will conguer this milestone, I pray that we all will overcome this solitude.

Peace and Blessing to All.

"Delay, is Not a Denial"

You have almost identical timeline to me. I too had my NOA2 on Jan 14, and I'm counting my "stuck at NVC" from Jan 22. That makes today Day50. I think I (and you) should be out either today or Monday at the latest. Hang in there!! You've almost made it. Don't lose faith now.

We are Out of Bondage

package sent on 3-12-09...

Now im singing, this is what I do best. Thank You God....

I would like to know how everyone tracks there package from NVC to the Embassey???

Thanks for the support this site has really help me.

Congratulations!!!!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-16 17:16:00

QUOTE (SteveColo @ Mar 14 2009, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Joe & Nadya @ Mar 14 2009, 06:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Steve! It's Nadya. We recieved the same letters from NVC, saying that they send a case within next week, but by phone we were said that we are in AP

Let's stay here and hope that soon we will get out

By the way, you wrote wrong year in your timeline

And when were you approved?

Hi Nadya!

I sent you and Joe a PM ... don't know if you got it or not ...

I've straightened out my timeline ... though I'm guessing on the exact date of the approvals. I'm judging off the dates that our files got to the NVC ... I actually never got NOA2 letters from California

And according to the USCIS site, our case is still pending

Thanks to everyone for their welcome and support. Seems like we have a lot of people here unfortunately. Reading your experiences has helped my spirit. If I figure correctly, we are about 4 weeks in ... which hopefully means we are at least 1/2 way through this. Our goal was to have an interview on April 20th ... and if we get out of AP within 3 weeks, we can still hit that date.

Good luck to all my new AP friends!

Call NVC tomorrow and they will tell you the date on which the case was received there. That way, you won't have to guess at when your sentence began. From that date, plan on at least 50 days and that will give you a real good idea when you will be out of AP.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-14 21:22:00

QUOTE (SteveColo @ Mar 13 2009, 10:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess I need to join the group

Last week I was told I was in Administrative Processing ... tonight I was told I was in Additional Processing. From what I've read here (70 pages take a while

) they are basically the same thing ... right?

I could not get an answer as to when the NVC received my file from California. My letter from the NVC saying we were approved (yeah, right

) is dated February 20th. So I would guess they had my file for close to a week by then ... right?

Anyway ... hello to everyone and best wishes to all

Sorry to hear you were chosen to join us, but welcome aboard. This is a great place to come while waiting because everyone here shares a common pain. Good luck on a speedy release!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-14 10:15:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 13 2009, 03:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Who will arrive first?
Note that their Lucky's pouch is 36.6lbs, ours is 3.6lbs - I guess that means 10X as many Philippines packets go out as Thailand?

Ron, congratulations to both of you!!!! I am happy for you guys!!

Good luck on the rest of your journey!

On the tracking: I believe that the way that it works is this: EXP 12 MAR 2009A means the package was prepared for shipment on 12 March. Yours will be EXP 13 MAR 2009A or 2009B. The pickup will typically be 1 or 2 days later. Cannot get a package named with a date before it was released. Yours will likely be picked up on Monday (or Tuesday) and then available to track the next day. Mine was 09 MAR 2009B (only 1 package to HCM that day) but it was not picked up until 11 March and I could not see it until 12 March.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-13 18:48:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 13 2009, 11:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (luck-e and Kookie @ Mar 13 2009, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i called again because im not contented with that answer earlier. and she put me on hold for like 5 mins. and when she went back, she told me that review and processing at the NVC is all completed and will be sent to manila in 2-4 weeks. is it really 2-4 weeks? but IM OUT OF AP ALREADY. !! i guess the count for 52 days is true. friday the 13th!!!!

Congrats!!!!!!

You are out. There were cases reported in the past similar to yours, where on the day of the NVC release they're a bit confused, and you need to call back to confirm, just as you did.
About 2-4 weeks, I think that's there standard reply. In reality they ship it out by DHL much more quickly. There's some info around earlier on our thread about how you can track your package via DHL website.

Way to go!!!1

(I hope I'm next. Today is my day 50. I'll call later this afternoon. If I don't get out today it will be Monday, which is my day 53 ... giving me cdneh's crown. Gulp, I hope not. Here's to LUCKY FRIDAY 13 )

I am pulling for you today!!! Friday the 13th would be a great day to be released!!! And a great way to start the weekend! Good Luck

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-13 11:41:00

QUOTE (luck-e and Kookie @ Mar 13 2009, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

CONGRATULATIONS!!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-13 11:38:00

QUOTE (LUISH @ Mar 12 2009, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi to everyone, here reporting to "AP DUTY", well my Noa2 was approved on 02/27, and my petition arrived at NVC on 03/04, I thoght I was gonna fly thru it, since it's my second time around, but I was wrong; I'm not stuck on AP and this morning when I called they asked for my figrl's e'mail address (tht was a first) and then the response was the same as usual, and since I read from page one, I know I should be expecting to be @ NVC for the regular 50 days ( which I'm really not counting on), but hopefully be out of there soon, in the meantime, just wanted to join this great group of people and make it a pleasent wait.

Good Luck Everyone

LUSH

Welcome aboard! Good luck and best wishes for a speedy release!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-12 17:31:00

QUOTE (luck-e and Kookie @ Mar 11 2009, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

you guys, i heard another script and yes email is being included on their call flow, second is they said you might want to call by next week to see if this administrative process is completed. so i guess they have an idea that i am on my 50th day already. by any chance, do u guys suggest to call before they close if u call when they open? do you guys think it will change on the system by the end of the day? i always call like 2 hours from the time they opened.

I always called around 6-7 PM. That way, whatever work they did or shipments prepared that day would be in the system. When I was approved, she said, "ok, we just sent your case out today. Give it about a week to get the consulate. Once they receive it, they will send you packets in the mail with instructions for the interview."

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-11 09:57:00

QUOTE (GS4EVER @ Mar 10 2009, 11:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everyone,

We were told today we are in AP

Hope it doesn't last long! We already waited 230 days just to get approved and our approval excitement was short lived as you can see. Back to the waiting game

Congratulations on your NOA2!!

Sorry to hear you are in AP but you are in good company here! It sucks to wait, but the wait appears to be somewhat more defined than the USCIS process.

QUOTE (Badgerella @ Mar 11 2009, 02:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On an unrelated note, my month-old muscle strain turned into some sort of a calf muscle rupture yesterday, it seems. I'll be seeing a doctor later today and then dealing with at least 10 days of therapy (likely laser or ultrasound). Whee!

sorry to hear that...hope you are better soon!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-11 08:45:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 10 2009, 06:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Joe & Nadya @ Mar 11 2009, 04:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 10 2009, 02:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Joe & Nadya @ Mar 11 2009, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hmm...I am a beneficiary .and I have to get a police record for my interview in Kiev. as for me, it's strange if NVC checks a beneficiary's security clearance.. then why do I have to prepare my police record on an interview if they check my name in DC, in the USA???

How I know if NVC sends a case to AP they see a "red flag" on the petitioner's name.. that's why they have to check it out.. and my Embassy checks my background here, in Ukraine.

I can see how it makes sense to do both a local police clearance in country (e.g. Ukraine) as well as checks in the US (e.g. FBI, Interpol). The former will verify that you don't have any criminal record at home on domestic charges. The latter will vett that you aren't on any radar screen for international terror, drugs, etc. I'm ok with the system demanding that level of scrutiny since ultimately it does make us all safer. I'm even ok with different stages of the process (USCIS, NVC, etc.) apparently repeating checks and doing them at random - if it helps to weed out bad guys, that's fine by me. What I'm not ok with is the lack of openness and communication. Would it be so hard for them to TELL US what they're checking and how long it will take? What's with the big aura of mystery to this thing? That serves no useful purpose for national security or the integrity of the immigration process. All it does is frustrate and worry petitioners who are doing their best to play by the rules.

I have nothing against it too and I am ok with their processing.. I know they had started doing it after Sep 11 in NY. But how our lawyer said if USCIS approved us we don't have to be in AP.. Because we gathered all info about it what we had in the past.. We did it because we wanted to make our process shorter and faster ASAP, but the luck was on oppisite side

And they will never TELL US "how long?" " what?" "why?" "where?'

I see in your post 2 assumptions that are unfortunately quite common: (1) Expecting that hiring a lawyer will expedite your case (2) trusting anything a lawyer tells you, especially regarding how they'll help you speed up your case. You're quite right about one thing: "luck was on the opposite side". NVC AP really is just a matter of luck - random chance. Hiring a lawyer hasn't helped you, or hurt you in this regard.

I just made my nightly call to NVC. Still stuck. Day 47. This time she asked for something new --- my fiancee's email address.
The usual dialog goes like this:
Case Number Please? Me: "BNK........."
Name and DOB of Beneficiary? Me: "......"
Name and DOB of petitioner? Me "....."
Is your phone number still ...... ? Me: "Yes."

What was new tonight was "We have your email address on file, but not your fiancee's. Would you like to add that to the file?"
Me: "Um... sure, ok. Here it is......"

After which, the usual patter of "How can I help you today?"
Me: "I'd just like to get status on my case please".
Them "Well, I see you are still undergoing additional processing. Unfortunately there is no timeline for this processing. When it is completed your case will be forwarded to the embassy in Bangkok"
Me (under my breath): "!@#!%!" (out loud) "Thank you very much"

Just curious - have any of you had that variation before (asking for email address)?

You are too funny about your under the breath comment...I did exactly the same thing every day (until yesterday)!

I had the e-mail question once, as well...probably the same woman. I think mine was maybe at day 44 or 45...I don't know why they asked that. They won't even send an e-mail to me, much less to her. But I suspect that now that they have that on record, it is just another potential question at the interview.

Edited by toddandhien, 10 March 2009 - 06:31 PM.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-10 18:30:00

QUOTE (GShilobod @ Mar 10 2009, 01:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 10 2009, 10:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (GShilobod @ Mar 10 2009, 10:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 9 2009, 07:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 10 2009, 05:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (GShilobod @ Mar 9 2009, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Everything was going smoothly for us, on schedule, until the NVC.....I received the letter that stated your petition will be forwarded to the consulate within one week. After speaking to an NVC official I found out this is an automated generic letter that goes out once they receive the petition from USCIS. Anyways, I stated I'm retired military and work as a contractor with an active DOD security clearance. That prompted a transfer to a supervisor. I was assured the additional background check wasn't for me but my beneficiary. Hmmmm... Now I did submit a name correction on 3 Mar because I made a typo on the original 129F (no RFE) but it was only one letter left out of her middle name. In fact, I already have my 2nd approved NOA2 from the name correction, yet the NVC didn't have that. So maybe that is why we are waiting.....Who knows!!! I was asked to email a copy of her passport to the NVC to verify the name correction so I did. I do hope that this is the cause of the review however I do feel this will trigger more scrutinizing of my finace at the consulate during her interview.

GShilobod, on your timeline, you show 2/17/09 left NVC...is this the arrive NVC date since you are in AP? Just want it to be correct because we have a member that from time to time works on the statistics of AP cases...it currently would not show up on the list. Thanks

GShilobod-
As far as we can tell, being selected for the honor of AP @ NVC is entirely random. The fact that you're military shouldn't have any positive or negative bearing on it. It probably also doesn't have anything to do with your RFE since that was cleared up by USCIS prior to your getting the NOA2.
As to how long you'll be in AP, it seems to be averaging around 50 days, so you may as well get comfortable for a bit. I called tonight - I'm still stuck at 46 days, and she said they are having an "unusually long backlog" - that was the first time I heard that particular phrasing. That's the bad news. The good news is - this thread is a nice waiting lobby, where you can swap stories with other "victims" of the system. I'm the guy who periodically posts NVC stats Todd referred to. If you can keep your timeline accurate that would be most welcome.

Welcome aboard.

If there is truly a backlog, as I have read here from someone else's post, then one would think they would suspend the random checks until they are caught up. Why create more of a backlog by conituing to pull petitions for further scrutiny??? It wasn't so much my military background but moreso my security clearance. When I initially called the NVC I did not know the background check was solely on my benficiary so I mentioned my security clearance in case the background check was on me. Mentioning that got me to a supervisor for what it's worth. I asked a lot of questions and made some statements just trying to get more info out of them. All I got was that the background check was on my beneficiary...pretty much the standard BS they give everyone else. I asked if they showed the name correction and they didn't. That is when they asked me to email a copy of my SO's passport.

I don't know that there is actually a backlog. I was told several times when I called that "various Washington agencies were looking at it." And my congresswoman's office said that it is largely an FBI background check on the beneficiary. So, I am imagining that when one's case is selected at random, the beneficiary's name is sent to the FBI in DC. They put it through their paces as time allows and later report back to NVC if they have found anything of concern. That process seems to take about 7 weeks. And it looks (unscientifically) that it is about 10-15% of K1/K3 cases that roll through NVC.

I am a former DOD/aerospace employee myself with a non-current security clearance and my fiancee is from Vietnam. I don't think that either of those facts caused me to be selected. I am just lucky, I guess...

If you call the NVC, they will tell you exactly when they received your case.

Ok I just reread my posts that I typed in haste and didn't proofread. LOL. Before I knew the background check was on my SO I was thinking it may be me and if they knew I had an active security clearance that it may help things along. All that is irrelevant now. I'm stuck in AP.

Where did AP come from when the NVC calls it Administrative Review(AR)???

When you call NVC, you will hear it referred to as many things (administrative review, administrative processing, additional procesing). This forum has taken to calling it AP, because Administrative Processing is a common immigration term that can happen at a number of stages in the process.

Good luck. I hope your wait time is not as long as some of us have experienced!

Plus, if you are in the military, you should know that telling a bureaucrat that they can deviate from the process does not compute!! MUST follow the maze whether it makes sense or not!!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-10 12:51:00

QUOTE (GShilobod @ Mar 10 2009, 10:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 9 2009, 07:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 10 2009, 05:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (GShilobod @ Mar 9 2009, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you call the NVC, they will tell you exactly when they received your case.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-10 10:34:00

QUOTE (cdneh @ Mar 9 2009, 08:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 10 2009, 12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WE'RE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

52 Days!!! Now, finally, on to HCMC!

cdneh, you still hold the crown...

Thanks to all for the support!!!

(seriously, though, there is something to this duration. It cannot be random that people pop out in 51, 52 or 53 days......)

Congratulations!!! Glad to hear you're out!!!

Winner and still champion

Thanks! I hope that nobody beats your record!!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-09 21:25:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 9 2009, 08:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 10 2009, 07:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WE'RE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You've got to be feeling great right now. Hien must be thrilled. Good luck with the rest of the journey.

Thanks, Ron. Yes the feeling of liberation is truly a good one. Talking to Hien on Skype right now and she is all

Good luck to you, as well. You are only a few days away!!!!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-09 20:38:00

WE'RE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited by toddandhien, 09 March 2009 - 06:18 PM.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-09 18:16:00

QUOTE (GShilobod @ Mar 9 2009, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-09 16:16:00

QUOTE (Badgerella @ Mar 9 2009, 03:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (GShilobod @ Mar 9 2009, 07:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have to say that so far, this is the most detailed AP explanation I've seen so far. I hope you get out soon. Good luck!

I was also told by my congresswoman's office that the check being done in AP is on the beneficiary not on the petitioner. I just wish it could be done faster!!!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-09 16:13:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 7 2009, 10:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 7 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 5 2009, 06:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 6 2009, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, Ron. I am on day 48 today... I call them every night on my way home from work. My new routine which I would be happy to get away from.

I have been in contact with my Senators and Congresswoman. Two of them (staffers) called NVC this afternoon to ask about the status. I have not heard back from them yet. One of them told me that immigration is all she does for people and she has contacts personally at NVC and at the consulate in HCM...hoping that I do not have to use her for the consulate but good to know.

This woman also said that she recently had a tour of the NVC...which is why she said she ought to call there for me. Her description was, "...there were just thousands and thousands of files everywhere..." She told me that they cannot expedite cases at NVC but when they call the congressional support office at NVC, someone has to go find the file and look at it and many times that gets it moving again to finish it up. I will let you all know how that goes.

That's really good info! Thanks for sharing.

I just called NVC now -- still stuck. Maybe next week.
Hope you get out before the weekend!

Nope. Today was day 49. Hoping that Monday (Day 52) is the magic day. Senator's office still waiting for call back from NVC...

I've got my "Congratulations!!" msg all revved up and ready to go for you.... just give us the good word as soon as you're out

Thanks, Ron!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-07 13:39:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 5 2009, 06:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 6 2009, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's really good info! Thanks for sharing.

I just called NVC now -- still stuck. Maybe next week.
Hope you get out before the weekend!

Nope. Today was day 49. Hoping that Monday (Day 52) is the magic day. Senator's office still waiting for call back from NVC...

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-07 00:18:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 4 2009, 10:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 5 2009, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 4 2009, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Joe & Nadya @ Mar 5 2009, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 4 2009, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ron, thanks for doing some more data mining. We are at 47 days today, as your chart shows, and it is not a good feeling as 7 weeks draws near. The 80 and 90 day data is probably not valid but there are 12 that are more than cdneh's "record" of 53 days and less than 80. I do know that chi and cao got out last week from other posts that they have made, so that one is just a non-update.

I have a feeling that NVC has a rule that says after 7 weeks, they have to wrap it up and move it on...let's hope it is really true!

here you can see time how long your case is being in AP. Just chose your country and you will see how long NVC will delay your case in AP.

http://travel.state....sitors_wait.php

Joe&Nadya - I don't think that's right. The link you provide will give estimated wait times for visas in the specific consulate selected. That has nothing to do with the wait times at NVC in New Hampshire. On the contrary, previous analysis indicates that the NVC waiting time is not correlated to which consulate you are working through.

Todd - I think you're right, I do believe that NVC cases are being released consistently at the 7 week mark, give or take a few days. Most of the 'over' records are undoubtedly just folks who didn't update their VJ timelines (!@#$%@!#$ why won't ppl do that?? )
Yesterday when I did this, I also pulled fresh data for cases that had both NVC In AND Out records - I wanted to post that too, but it was getting pretty late. I'll try to do it tonight when I get home from work.

I agree! The first thing I will do (after calling Hien!) is to update my timeline to show I am out of AP!! It is a momentous occasion, I think!!

Ok, as promised, here's the list of those who have been released from NVC in descending sort. I'm only looking here at cases that entered NVC after Dec 1. Hence, cdneh is not on the list since they entered NVC in November.

Also, I think we can ignore the first entry -- ash & rob at 70 days. Even though the database says they are K3, their profile page says they are IR1, so I don't think they are actually a K visa.

Well, that makes Yazied & Lisa our current 'winners'

What's nice to see is that cases do get released anywhere at all in the 40-50 day range. So take heart Todd, we're coming up literally any day now.
I did call NVC tonight - still stuck. But I think I'm going to start calling daily from this point.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-05 17:50:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 4 2009, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Joe & Nadya @ Mar 5 2009, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 4 2009, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

here you can see time how long your case is being in AP. Just chose your country and you will see how long NVC will delay your case in AP.

http://travel.state....sitors_wait.php

I agree! The first thing I will do (after calling Hien!) is to update my timeline to show I am out of AP!! It is a momentous occasion, I think!!

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-04 17:50:00

QUOTE (Joe & Nadya @ Mar 4 2009, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 4 2009, 01:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Joe & Nadya @ Mar 5 2009, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 4 2009, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

here you can see time how long your case is being in AP. Just chose your country and you will see how long NVC will delay your case in AP.

http://travel.state....sitors_wait.php

Joe&Nadya - I don't think that's right. The link you provide will give estimated wait times for visas in the specific consulate selected. That has nothing to do with the wait times at NVC in New Hampshire. On the contrary, previous analysis indicates that the NVC waiting time is not correlated to which consulate you are working through.

Todd - I think you're right, I do believe that NVC cases are being released consistently at the 7 week mark, give or take a few days. Most of the 'over' records are undoubtedly just folks who didn't update their VJ timelines (!@#$%@!#$ why won't ppl do that??

)

Yesterday when I did this, I also pulled fresh data for cases that had both NVC In AND Out records - I wanted to post that too, but it was getting pretty late. I'll try to do it tonight when I get home from work.

7 weeks + - few days = 60 days or 2 months

Sorry, I think the 60 days just refers to the AP that "may" be done at the consulate after they have interviewed the applicant.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-04 17:47:00

QUOTE (Joe & Nadya @ Mar 4 2009, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Mar 4 2009, 12:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 4 2009, 02:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well here's something depressing. I played around with the stats some more. This time, I looked for all cases that were received at NVC since Dec 1, and HAVE NOT yet left NVC. I weeded out those cases which already got a Packet 3, have Interview scheduled, or even have Visa granted since those just mean the applicant didn't bother to fill out the Left NVC column.

Still ----- that leaves a shocking number of cases that entered NVC and apparently have not yet left... some for 70,80 even 90 days. OK, so probably some of these are still just records that the member hasn't bothered to update since they recorded arrival at NVC. But it makes you wonder... could there be many cases routinely exceeding the ~50 day estimate of max time at NVC?

See attached table. Who ARE all these people? Shu&Cary 90 days? Evelyn&Alec 86 days? Yikes.

On this list, we (Thantita&Ron) are at 41 days. That means about another 10 days till we're released if the track record of recent posters here is right, but I'm getting worried that maybe it could be still much longer

here you can see time how long your case is being in AP. Just chose your country and you will see how long NVC will delay your case in AP.

http://travel.state....sitors_wait.php

I think the wait times listed in the link referred to in the bold above are just how long you have to wait for an interview for a locally requested non-immigrant (visitor) visa and for the consulate or embassy to process your visa after you have been approved. I could not find any reference to NVC.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-04 17:42:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Mar 4 2009, 02:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-04 12:45:00

QUOTE (luck-e and Kookie @ Mar 2 2009, 04:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (caochi @ Mar 3 2009, 05:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

cdneh, Have a great flight to return home.
uscandual and luck-e and Kookie, stay strong, your time will come.

thanks congrats guys!. I received an email today. from a family friend that works in the immigration and she got an email from embassy saying that my case is still at the NVC and it will be there next week. I hope its right. at least i got them look for my case other than calling NVC everyday. Hey you guys, NVC is closed today? today is monday in the US right?

NVC is closed today. It is likely because of the weather we have had here today in New England. NVC is in Portsmouth, NH. Got a foot of snow.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-02 19:57:00

QUOTE (cdneh @ Feb 17 2009, 10:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (puru @ Feb 18 2009, 04:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We were approved on December 18, 2008. Got NVC first letter on Jan 5, 2008. After 10 days called NVC. Told you are in AP. Called again, still on AP.
Tired of calling again and again. Could some one tell whether NVC would send another letter whenever we are out of AP or that the docs have been sent to to the consulate or do we need to call them to get this info.

We called them every night the last while. As it was, I had my interview scheduled before he ever got a notice out of NVC, so we are glad we didn't wait on them.

And I have heard from others that they were never notified. I just keep calling. One of these times, they will say it has been sent on to the consulate.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-02-17 23:01:00

Would be nice if NVC could just say we are selecting 15% of all K1/K3 cases at random for additional screening. Expect this process to take 6-8 weeks. Just setting expectations for people would help to reduce the anxiety a little...

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-02-16 08:31:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Feb 15 2009, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (toddandhien @ Feb 16 2009, 08:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (uscandual @ Feb 15 2009, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Q: Is NVC picking on either CSC or VSC cases predominantly?
A: The 36 cases are composed of 23 CSC, (64%) and 13 VCS (36%). Again, if we discard the early 2007 cases the breakdown is 61% CSC, 39% VSC. Somewhat more CSC, but both USCIS centers are well represented in the "stuck in AP at NVC" status. I don't think they're picking on one center more than the other.

This is real good work. Well done.

Regarding the bolded Q/A above, 61/39 would appear significant. However, if you could look at the data and assess the overall CSC/VSC ratio and compare that to the 61/39, you could get a real assessment of whether they are picking on one of the service centers. I suspect just by looking at the postings here, there are more folks going through CSC than VSC, so probably OK.

You're quite right! Good eye.

I implicitly assumed that there are more CSC than VSC in the general population, and hence I glossed over the 61/39 ratio.
So, here is the actual breakdown of service centers in all of the 2705 records I'm analyzing for 2007/2008:

1479 California
990 Vermont
112 Nebraska
124 Texas
2705 TOTAL

As an aside .... can anyone explain what the Nebraska and Texas centers are doing here? I thought all K1 files are handled at either California or Vermont?

However if we ignore those, than the relative proportions of CSC and VSC to the general population of records is as follows:
CSC: 1479/(1479+990) = 60%
VSC: 990/(1479+990) = 40%

OK. CSC/VSC is about a 60/40 split in the general population, so NVC AP stats of 61/39 don't reflect any bias.

To all who have offered thanks.... aw shucks tweren't nothin'... seriously it was either do this, or work on my tax return

Wow, that worked out even closer than I had hoped. That tells me that the AP selections are truly random, which would work out to statistically mimic the population over time. Thanks for doing that. Next valentine's day you will have something else to occupy your time...

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-02-15 22:44:00

QUOTE (uscandual @ Feb 15 2009, 05:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, here is some more analysis.

I did several more things.
First, I went back to all the data for the past two years - 2007 and 2008.
I also played around with the threshold, looking at NVC times of > 10 days, 15 days, 20 days, 40 days.
In all cases, the trend of a spike up in Nov, Dec 2008 is apparent. However it is most dramatic when looking at > 40 days, so that's what I'm presenting here.

It turns out there are 36 K-1 applications over the past 2 years 2007 and 2008 which took > 40 days at NVC
These 36 are the "stuck in NVC AP" cases.

22 of these 36 (61%) occurred in the 2 months of Nov/Dec 2008.
Also, there is duplication and I believe suspect data in the earliest records from 2007. Four of those records are reported from China and I believe are duplicates. Tossing those means 22/33 = 67% are in the last 2 months. In any event it's clear SOMETHING is going on at NVC recently.

Q: What is the average wait time in NVC for those who get stuck?
A: The average wait time for all 36 is 62 days. However the suspect records from early 2007 had wait times > 100 days. If we don't count those, then the average wait time is 49 days. (Uncanny! That's exactly what our in-thread estimate has been!)

Q: Is NVC picking on either CSC or VSC cases predominantly?
A: The 36 cases are composed of 23 CSC, (64%) and 13 VCS (36%). Again, if we discard the early 2007 cases the breakdown is 61% CSC, 39% VSC. Somewhat more CSC, but both USCIS centers are well represented in the "stuck in AP at NVC" status. I don't think they're picking on one center more than the other.

Q. What beneficiary countries are getting stuck? Are certain countries likelier to get pulled into NVC AP?
A. It doesn't seem that way. There are 1st and 3rd world countries represented, as follows (parenthesis indicates number of cases):
Albania (1) Australian (1) Brazil (1) Canada (1) China (4 - these include the probable duplicates)
Colombia (1) Croatia (1) Egypt (1) India (1) Mexico (1) New Zealand (1) Nigeria (1) Philippines (9)
Romania (1) Russia (2) Rwanda (1) South Korea (1) Sweden (1) Ukraine (3) United Kingdom (2) Vietnam (1)
Philippines has a high number but I think it has the majority of K-1 cases to begin with (at least on VJ)

Q. After finally getting released from NVC hell, how long will it take till my petition gets to the Consulate?
A. The answer seems to be: quickly: If we discount the early 2007 records, the average is 7 days from "NVC Left" until "Consulate Received". The early 2007 records had counts > 100 days, which is partly why I suspect that data.

Q. Can I see the names of those who got stuck? And see where I am on the "all time list"?
A. Yup. See the first attachment. You'll see some common names there like badgerella (51 days) and me&him (that's cdneh) at 52 days. They're not the "winners" however: take pity on poor Andy&Kaitlyn (98 days) or Misty&Eric (83 days). However all those date back to 2007 or early 2008. Everyone who's gotten stuck in Nov/Dec 2008 has been released in 52 days or less (Yes, cdneh does hold that record).

Q.What about K3?
A.. Sorry, I haven't analyzed K3's any further. I think the data will be similar, but (a) there's less of it to do a thorough survey (b ) I'm a K-1 so that's where my interest lies, sorry. If you want to see K3 data, let me know and I can take a crack at it.

Q. I don't like text and numbers. Don't you have any pictures to show me?
A. Yup. I've attached a chart showing 2007-2008 data. It clearly shows the dramatic spike up in Nov/Dec for the number of files held up in AP at NVC. Especially if you toss out the Jan-07 bar, it's pretty obvious SOMETHING NEW is going on at NVC.

Q. What does this all mean anyway?
A. 42

Q. Why did you do this?
A. I was pretty bored I guess. Actually, I am planning to write a letter to NVC with this data and demand some explanation for what is going on there. And if I don't get satisfaction from them, I think I'll submit this to my 2 US Senators and my Congressman. Somebody in authority needs to be aware of this.

Q. Will it do any good?
A. Of course not.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-02-15 20:44:00

Question About Time And Expediting

QUOTE (Tom and Wariya @ Mar 20 2009, 09:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah, we cancelled the fiancee visa and got married and refiled under I-130.

was your K-1 visa application rejected or you just canceled before the interview?

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-20 08:16:00

134 k3 tax return question

They claim in the instruction package that they are looking for the tax transcripts for the most recent tax year. However, I have heard that they would like to see the last 3 years. You could go in with one but be prepared for a possible blue slip if you are close to the threshold. Ho Chi Minh consulate is very stringent.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-24 15:55:00

k3 i-130, i-129f evidence Vietnam

How have you been communicating with her for the past 4 years? Do you have any of those records? Good luck getting the VN government to help you with 3-4 year old records of your entries and exits.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-24 15:58:00

I-134 Qualification, Case Numbers, DS-3032 and More!!!

The police certificate needed is called a Ly Lich Tu Phap. This is the only document that will be accepted for this purpose. She will need to apply for this at the Justice office in the province where she is listed in a Ho Khau. She can only be in one Ho Khau at any time, as you know. Therefore, the Ly Lich Tu Phap must come from the province governing the town or village where the household in which she is currently listed is located.

This process takes up to 3 weeks in many provinces. Some Cong An are not helpful so she may need to be persistent. Good luck.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-03-26 12:00:00

ds230

QUOTE (msgm @ Apr 4 2009, 07:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hi to all,

i have a question regarding the question what occupation do you intend to work in usa? can i put n/a? since i dont know yet? any idea? thank you.

If you are unsure what you will do, you can put unknown. That's what I did.

toddandhien

Male

Vietnam

2009-04-04 18:54:00