Family Based Immigration Visa Timeline??
Dec 5th 2002, 6:34 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Family Based Immigration Visa Timeline??
Just curious if anyone here can share their experience with family
based immigration visa timelines? Specifically, once the Priority
Date becomes current how long did it take to complete the process
(until visa issuance)?
My step-daughter's Priority Date will become current in December. We
previously received Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for her and her son. We
also received an Affidavit of Support bill. We mailed the $65.00 for
the Affidavit of Support last week. Since the IV bills included her
first son, who is already living in the U.S., I had to call the
National Visa Center to have him removed. I also had to add a newborn
child. When I spoke with the NVC on the phone, they said once I faxed
the birth certificate for the new child, it would probabaly take a
couple of weeks before they mailed out new IV bills reflecting the
changes.
Now, I am assuming once we receive the new IV bill, we will pay the
fees ($335 x 2). Once the fees are paid, they will send us (my wife
is designated as the Agent of Choice) the forms. Does anyone know how
long it will take before they send the forms? According to the NVC
web page, here are the steps from there:
Step # and Action
1. Mail all requested information (DS-230 Part I) using the enclosed
envelope.
2. The petitioner in your case has been sent instructions concerning
completion of the Affidavit of Support (form I-864) and supporting
documents needed for financial sponsorship. You may want to contact
your petitioner to ensure that these documents are completed and
returned to NVC as directed.
3. NVC will complete all necessary administrative processing of your
immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide
additional information if you have incomplete or are missing
documents. [QUESTION: Does anyone have any idea how long this takes?]
4. Once NVC has finished administrative processing, your immigrant
visa file will be sent to the United States Embassy or Consulate. You
will be notified by mail when this occurs. [QUESTION: Again, does
anyone have any experience with this? Are we looking at days, weeks
or months after the completed forms are returned to the NVC?]
5. Approximately one month before your scheduled interview
appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment
letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with
instructions for obtaining a medical examination. [QUESTION: After
completion of the scheduled interview appointment, is the visa issued
immediately? Or is there some additional processing involved?]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, since no one could answer this, I will provide some answers to
my own post based on mew infor I have received. This may help someone
in the future.
I called the NVC today, and here is what I have found out:
1. They have not processed my Affidavit of Support fee yet. Their
computer does not show it being received. I mailed it on November
15th. In accordance with the instructions (and the pre-addressed
envelope) it was mailed to Saint Louis and not the NVC in New
Hamshire. It is my understanding that the Saint Louis address is just
a bank that processes all payments, but I may be wrong. Anyway, they
told me today that it takes 10 - 15 business days for the Saint Louis
office to process the fee. Then they send notification to the New
Hamshire office that the fee has been received. I didn't ask how that
notification is sent. The New Hamshire office then requires another
10 - 15 business days before they will send out the Affidavit of
Support forms and instructions. So, not taking into account the mail
time (and not knowing if the notification from Saint Louis to New
Hamshire is via mail or other means), it takes 20 - 30 business days
to process the Affidavit of Support payment, and send you the forms to
complete.
2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
standard 10 - 15 business day line.
3. Once I receive the revised IV bills, I have to send payment ($335
per person) to the Saint Louis address again. I will assume that it
again will take 20 - 30 business days (10 - 15 per office) to process
this payment, and send me the DS-320 and any other necessary forms.
So, just looking at the above, we are talking a total of about 20 - 40
business days (1 - 2 months) just for them to process the fee
payments, and send the forms. I will keep updating the timeline as
things happen.
Oh, and I am now under the impression that all forms will be completed
by us here in the United States. This is because my wife was
designated as the Agent of Choice. By all forms I mean the DS-320 and
Affidavit of Support along with any related forms. Originally I
thought my step-daughter would have to complete the DS-320 and take it
to the consulate. Also, I thought we would complete the Affidavit of
Support and mail it to her, then she would take it to the Consulate.
Instead it appears that everything is mailed to the NVC, and they send
it to the consulate. If she didn't designate my wife as the Agent of
Choice (and she didn't have one, or an attorney), I assume then she
would have to complete these forms and carry them to the consulate.
Now the only thing I am unsure of is which was would be faster. Since
it takes 20 - 30 business days for them to just process payments, I
would guess that it would be quicker to process everything overseas at
the consulate. But I don't know if that is possible, or even if it is
if the consulate would still have to mail payments to the NVC and wait
for the NVC to process them.
based immigration visa timelines? Specifically, once the Priority
Date becomes current how long did it take to complete the process
(until visa issuance)?
My step-daughter's Priority Date will become current in December. We
previously received Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for her and her son. We
also received an Affidavit of Support bill. We mailed the $65.00 for
the Affidavit of Support last week. Since the IV bills included her
first son, who is already living in the U.S., I had to call the
National Visa Center to have him removed. I also had to add a newborn
child. When I spoke with the NVC on the phone, they said once I faxed
the birth certificate for the new child, it would probabaly take a
couple of weeks before they mailed out new IV bills reflecting the
changes.
Now, I am assuming once we receive the new IV bill, we will pay the
fees ($335 x 2). Once the fees are paid, they will send us (my wife
is designated as the Agent of Choice) the forms. Does anyone know how
long it will take before they send the forms? According to the NVC
web page, here are the steps from there:
Step # and Action
1. Mail all requested information (DS-230 Part I) using the enclosed
envelope.
2. The petitioner in your case has been sent instructions concerning
completion of the Affidavit of Support (form I-864) and supporting
documents needed for financial sponsorship. You may want to contact
your petitioner to ensure that these documents are completed and
returned to NVC as directed.
3. NVC will complete all necessary administrative processing of your
immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide
additional information if you have incomplete or are missing
documents. [QUESTION: Does anyone have any idea how long this takes?]
4. Once NVC has finished administrative processing, your immigrant
visa file will be sent to the United States Embassy or Consulate. You
will be notified by mail when this occurs. [QUESTION: Again, does
anyone have any experience with this? Are we looking at days, weeks
or months after the completed forms are returned to the NVC?]
5. Approximately one month before your scheduled interview
appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment
letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with
instructions for obtaining a medical examination. [QUESTION: After
completion of the scheduled interview appointment, is the visa issued
immediately? Or is there some additional processing involved?]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, since no one could answer this, I will provide some answers to
my own post based on mew infor I have received. This may help someone
in the future.
I called the NVC today, and here is what I have found out:
1. They have not processed my Affidavit of Support fee yet. Their
computer does not show it being received. I mailed it on November
15th. In accordance with the instructions (and the pre-addressed
envelope) it was mailed to Saint Louis and not the NVC in New
Hamshire. It is my understanding that the Saint Louis address is just
a bank that processes all payments, but I may be wrong. Anyway, they
told me today that it takes 10 - 15 business days for the Saint Louis
office to process the fee. Then they send notification to the New
Hamshire office that the fee has been received. I didn't ask how that
notification is sent. The New Hamshire office then requires another
10 - 15 business days before they will send out the Affidavit of
Support forms and instructions. So, not taking into account the mail
time (and not knowing if the notification from Saint Louis to New
Hamshire is via mail or other means), it takes 20 - 30 business days
to process the Affidavit of Support payment, and send you the forms to
complete.
2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
standard 10 - 15 business day line.
3. Once I receive the revised IV bills, I have to send payment ($335
per person) to the Saint Louis address again. I will assume that it
again will take 20 - 30 business days (10 - 15 per office) to process
this payment, and send me the DS-320 and any other necessary forms.
So, just looking at the above, we are talking a total of about 20 - 40
business days (1 - 2 months) just for them to process the fee
payments, and send the forms. I will keep updating the timeline as
things happen.
Oh, and I am now under the impression that all forms will be completed
by us here in the United States. This is because my wife was
designated as the Agent of Choice. By all forms I mean the DS-320 and
Affidavit of Support along with any related forms. Originally I
thought my step-daughter would have to complete the DS-320 and take it
to the consulate. Also, I thought we would complete the Affidavit of
Support and mail it to her, then she would take it to the Consulate.
Instead it appears that everything is mailed to the NVC, and they send
it to the consulate. If she didn't designate my wife as the Agent of
Choice (and she didn't have one, or an attorney), I assume then she
would have to complete these forms and carry them to the consulate.
Now the only thing I am unsure of is which was would be faster. Since
it takes 20 - 30 business days for them to just process payments, I
would guess that it would be quicker to process everything overseas at
the consulate. But I don't know if that is possible, or even if it is
if the consulate would still have to mail payments to the NVC and wait
for the NVC to process them.
Dec 6th 2002, 1:19 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Family Based Immigration Visa Timeline??
On Thu, 05 Dec 2002 19:34:40 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
>newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
>November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
>the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
>they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
>week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
>to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
>would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
>standard 10 - 15 business day line.
Just a correction, they said the IV bills were mailed the last week of
November and not December. After making that post, I did find a
letter in my mail box yesterday from the NVC. However, it wasn't the
IV bills. It was merely a letter saying they had received my fax. It
went on to say that this case was already being processed, and we
should receive further instructions in the future, It dd list my
step-daughters newsest born son, so I now have something in writing
saying that change was made. The letter kind of confuses me however.
They said on the phone that new IV bills were sent the last week of
November (the letter I got yesterday was dated 27 November). Instead
of IV bills, I got a letter. So I am wondering if the IV bills were
really mailed, or if revised bills are even needed. Seems to me if
they wanted to send that letter, they could have put it in the same
envelope as the IV bills and mailed them together. But, sometimes the
Government does strange things. I will wait a couple of more days,
and if no IV bills are received, I will call them back and ask them
about it again.
Also, my brain wasn't working too well yesterday. The NVC is located
in "New Hampshire" and not "New Hamshire"
It was a bad day, I
even lost my keys after unlocking the mailbox and taking the letter
out.
>2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
>newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
>November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
>the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
>they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
>week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
>to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
>would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
>standard 10 - 15 business day line.
Just a correction, they said the IV bills were mailed the last week of
November and not December. After making that post, I did find a
letter in my mail box yesterday from the NVC. However, it wasn't the
IV bills. It was merely a letter saying they had received my fax. It
went on to say that this case was already being processed, and we
should receive further instructions in the future, It dd list my
step-daughters newsest born son, so I now have something in writing
saying that change was made. The letter kind of confuses me however.
They said on the phone that new IV bills were sent the last week of
November (the letter I got yesterday was dated 27 November). Instead
of IV bills, I got a letter. So I am wondering if the IV bills were
really mailed, or if revised bills are even needed. Seems to me if
they wanted to send that letter, they could have put it in the same
envelope as the IV bills and mailed them together. But, sometimes the
Government does strange things. I will wait a couple of more days,
and if no IV bills are received, I will call them back and ask them
about it again.
Also, my brain wasn't working too well yesterday. The NVC is located
in "New Hampshire" and not "New Hamshire"
It was a bad day, Ieven lost my keys after unlocking the mailbox and taking the letter
out.
Dec 16th 2002, 12:38 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Family Based Immigration Visa Timeline??
On Thu, 05 Dec 2002 19:34:40 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>Just curious if anyone here can share their experience with family
>based immigration visa timelines? Specifically, once the Priority
>Date becomes current how long did it take to complete the process
>(until visa issuance)?
>My step-daughter's Priority Date will become current in December. We
>previously received Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for her and her son. We
>also received an Affidavit of Support bill. We mailed the $65.00 for
>the Affidavit of Support last week. Since the IV bills included her
>first son, who is already living in the U.S., I had to call the
>National Visa Center to have him removed. I also had to add a newborn
>child. When I spoke with the NVC on the phone, they said once I faxed
>the birth certificate for the new child, it would probabaly take a
>couple of weeks before they mailed out new IV bills reflecting the
>changes.
>Now, I am assuming once we receive the new IV bill, we will pay the
>fees ($335 x 2). Once the fees are paid, they will send us (my wife
>is designated as the Agent of Choice) the forms. Does anyone know how
>long it will take before they send the forms? According to the NVC
>web page, here are the steps from there:
>Step # and Action
>1. Mail all requested information (DS-230 Part I) using the enclosed
>envelope.
>2. The petitioner in your case has been sent instructions concerning
>completion of the Affidavit of Support (form I-864) and supporting
>documents needed for financial sponsorship. You may want to contact
>your petitioner to ensure that these documents are completed and
>returned to NVC as directed.
>3. NVC will complete all necessary administrative processing of your
>immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide
>additional information if you have incomplete or are missing
>documents. [QUESTION: Does anyone have any idea how long this takes?]
>4. Once NVC has finished administrative processing, your immigrant
>visa file will be sent to the United States Embassy or Consulate. You
>will be notified by mail when this occurs. [QUESTION: Again, does
>anyone have any experience with this? Are we looking at days, weeks
>or months after the completed forms are returned to the NVC?]
>5. Approximately one month before your scheduled interview
>appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment
>letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with
>instructions for obtaining a medical examination. [QUESTION: After
>completion of the scheduled interview appointment, is the visa issued
>immediately? Or is there some additional processing involved?]
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Well, since no one could answer this, I will provide some answers to
>my own post based on mew infor I have received. This may help someone
>in the future.
>I called the NVC today, and here is what I have found out:
>1. They have not processed my Affidavit of Support fee yet. Their
>computer does not show it being received. I mailed it on November
>15th. In accordance with the instructions (and the pre-addressed
>envelope) it was mailed to Saint Louis and not the NVC in New
>Hamshire. It is my understanding that the Saint Louis address is just
>a bank that processes all payments, but I may be wrong. Anyway, they
>told me today that it takes 10 - 15 business days for the Saint Louis
>office to process the fee. Then they send notification to the New
>Hamshire office that the fee has been received. I didn't ask how that
>notification is sent. The New Hamshire office then requires another
>10 - 15 business days before they will send out the Affidavit of
>Support forms and instructions. So, not taking into account the mail
>time (and not knowing if the notification from Saint Louis to New
>Hamshire is via mail or other means), it takes 20 - 30 business days
>to process the Affidavit of Support payment, and send you the forms to
>complete.
>2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
>newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
>November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
>the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
>they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
>week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
>to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
>would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
>standard 10 - 15 business day line.
>3. Once I receive the revised IV bills, I have to send payment ($335
>per person) to the Saint Louis address again. I will assume that it
>again will take 20 - 30 business days (10 - 15 per office) to process
>this payment, and send me the DS-320 and any other necessary forms.
>So, just looking at the above, we are talking a total of about 20 - 40
>business days (1 - 2 months) just for them to process the fee
>payments, and send the forms. I will keep updating the timeline as
>things happen.
>Oh, and I am now under the impression that all forms will be completed
>by us here in the United States. This is because my wife was
>designated as the Agent of Choice. By all forms I mean the DS-320 and
>Affidavit of Support along with any related forms. Originally I
>thought my step-daughter would have to complete the DS-320 and take it
>to the consulate. Also, I thought we would complete the Affidavit of
>Support and mail it to her, then she would take it to the Consulate.
>Instead it appears that everything is mailed to the NVC, and they send
>it to the consulate. If she didn't designate my wife as the Agent of
>Choice (and she didn't have one, or an attorney), I assume then she
>would have to complete these forms and carry them to the consulate.
>Now the only thing I am unsure of is which was would be faster. Since
>it takes 20 - 30 business days for them to just process payments, I
>would guess that it would be quicker to process everything overseas at
>the consulate. But I don't know if that is possible, or even if it is
>if the consulate would still have to mail payments to the NVC and wait
>for the NVC to process them.
Continuing to update my timeline here. Received the new Immigrant
Visa (IV) Bills on Dec 6th. Mailed them back with the fee on the same
day.
Received the Affidavit of Support forms on Decmeber 13th. I had
mailed the Affidavit of Support fee on November 13th to the NVC St
Louis address. On Decmber 5th when I spoke with the NVC in New
Hampshire, they said the computer had not shown receipt of the fee,
and it takes 10 - 15 days after receipt of the fee to process it, then
send notification to the NH office where it would take an additional
10 - 15 business days. I figured those were actually average or
maximum days. The letter from the NH office that came with the
Affidavit of Support forms was dated December 9th. So sometime
between December 5th and 9th the NH office obviously received the
notification from the St Louis office, and pretty much turned it
around immediately. I returned the Affidavit of Support on December
14th.
Next step will be to await processing of the IV Bills, and for the NH
office to send the DS-230. If it goes like the Affidavit of Support
did, we should receive it sometime during the first week of January.
But there are two holidays in there, so maybe the second week.
>Just curious if anyone here can share their experience with family
>based immigration visa timelines? Specifically, once the Priority
>Date becomes current how long did it take to complete the process
>(until visa issuance)?
>My step-daughter's Priority Date will become current in December. We
>previously received Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for her and her son. We
>also received an Affidavit of Support bill. We mailed the $65.00 for
>the Affidavit of Support last week. Since the IV bills included her
>first son, who is already living in the U.S., I had to call the
>National Visa Center to have him removed. I also had to add a newborn
>child. When I spoke with the NVC on the phone, they said once I faxed
>the birth certificate for the new child, it would probabaly take a
>couple of weeks before they mailed out new IV bills reflecting the
>changes.
>Now, I am assuming once we receive the new IV bill, we will pay the
>fees ($335 x 2). Once the fees are paid, they will send us (my wife
>is designated as the Agent of Choice) the forms. Does anyone know how
>long it will take before they send the forms? According to the NVC
>web page, here are the steps from there:
>Step # and Action
>1. Mail all requested information (DS-230 Part I) using the enclosed
>envelope.
>2. The petitioner in your case has been sent instructions concerning
>completion of the Affidavit of Support (form I-864) and supporting
>documents needed for financial sponsorship. You may want to contact
>your petitioner to ensure that these documents are completed and
>returned to NVC as directed.
>3. NVC will complete all necessary administrative processing of your
>immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide
>additional information if you have incomplete or are missing
>documents. [QUESTION: Does anyone have any idea how long this takes?]
>4. Once NVC has finished administrative processing, your immigrant
>visa file will be sent to the United States Embassy or Consulate. You
>will be notified by mail when this occurs. [QUESTION: Again, does
>anyone have any experience with this? Are we looking at days, weeks
>or months after the completed forms are returned to the NVC?]
>5. Approximately one month before your scheduled interview
>appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment
>letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with
>instructions for obtaining a medical examination. [QUESTION: After
>completion of the scheduled interview appointment, is the visa issued
>immediately? Or is there some additional processing involved?]
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Well, since no one could answer this, I will provide some answers to
>my own post based on mew infor I have received. This may help someone
>in the future.
>I called the NVC today, and here is what I have found out:
>1. They have not processed my Affidavit of Support fee yet. Their
>computer does not show it being received. I mailed it on November
>15th. In accordance with the instructions (and the pre-addressed
>envelope) it was mailed to Saint Louis and not the NVC in New
>Hamshire. It is my understanding that the Saint Louis address is just
>a bank that processes all payments, but I may be wrong. Anyway, they
>told me today that it takes 10 - 15 business days for the Saint Louis
>office to process the fee. Then they send notification to the New
>Hamshire office that the fee has been received. I didn't ask how that
>notification is sent. The New Hamshire office then requires another
>10 - 15 business days before they will send out the Affidavit of
>Support forms and instructions. So, not taking into account the mail
>time (and not knowing if the notification from Saint Louis to New
>Hamshire is via mail or other means), it takes 20 - 30 business days
>to process the Affidavit of Support payment, and send you the forms to
>complete.
>2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
>newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
>November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
>the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
>they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
>week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
>to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
>would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
>standard 10 - 15 business day line.
>3. Once I receive the revised IV bills, I have to send payment ($335
>per person) to the Saint Louis address again. I will assume that it
>again will take 20 - 30 business days (10 - 15 per office) to process
>this payment, and send me the DS-320 and any other necessary forms.
>So, just looking at the above, we are talking a total of about 20 - 40
>business days (1 - 2 months) just for them to process the fee
>payments, and send the forms. I will keep updating the timeline as
>things happen.
>Oh, and I am now under the impression that all forms will be completed
>by us here in the United States. This is because my wife was
>designated as the Agent of Choice. By all forms I mean the DS-320 and
>Affidavit of Support along with any related forms. Originally I
>thought my step-daughter would have to complete the DS-320 and take it
>to the consulate. Also, I thought we would complete the Affidavit of
>Support and mail it to her, then she would take it to the Consulate.
>Instead it appears that everything is mailed to the NVC, and they send
>it to the consulate. If she didn't designate my wife as the Agent of
>Choice (and she didn't have one, or an attorney), I assume then she
>would have to complete these forms and carry them to the consulate.
>Now the only thing I am unsure of is which was would be faster. Since
>it takes 20 - 30 business days for them to just process payments, I
>would guess that it would be quicker to process everything overseas at
>the consulate. But I don't know if that is possible, or even if it is
>if the consulate would still have to mail payments to the NVC and wait
>for the NVC to process them.
Continuing to update my timeline here. Received the new Immigrant
Visa (IV) Bills on Dec 6th. Mailed them back with the fee on the same
day.
Received the Affidavit of Support forms on Decmeber 13th. I had
mailed the Affidavit of Support fee on November 13th to the NVC St
Louis address. On Decmber 5th when I spoke with the NVC in New
Hampshire, they said the computer had not shown receipt of the fee,
and it takes 10 - 15 days after receipt of the fee to process it, then
send notification to the NH office where it would take an additional
10 - 15 business days. I figured those were actually average or
maximum days. The letter from the NH office that came with the
Affidavit of Support forms was dated December 9th. So sometime
between December 5th and 9th the NH office obviously received the
notification from the St Louis office, and pretty much turned it
around immediately. I returned the Affidavit of Support on December
14th.
Next step will be to await processing of the IV Bills, and for the NH
office to send the DS-230. If it goes like the Affidavit of Support
did, we should receive it sometime during the first week of January.
But there are two holidays in there, so maybe the second week.
Jan 23rd 2003, 5:52 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Family Based Immigration Visa Timeline??
On Mon, 16 Dec 2002 13:38:15 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>On Thu, 05 Dec 2002 19:34:40 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>>Just curious if anyone here can share their experience with family
>>based immigration visa timelines? Specifically, once the Priority
>>Date becomes current how long did it take to complete the process
>>(until visa issuance)?
>>My step-daughter's Priority Date will become current in December. We
>>previously received Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for her and her son. We
>>also received an Affidavit of Support bill. We mailed the $65.00 for
>>the Affidavit of Support last week. Since the IV bills included her
>>first son, who is already living in the U.S., I had to call the
>>National Visa Center to have him removed. I also had to add a newborn
>>child. When I spoke with the NVC on the phone, they said once I faxed
>>the birth certificate for the new child, it would probabaly take a
>>couple of weeks before they mailed out new IV bills reflecting the
>>changes.
>>Now, I am assuming once we receive the new IV bill, we will pay the
>>fees ($335 x 2). Once the fees are paid, they will send us (my wife
>>is designated as the Agent of Choice) the forms. Does anyone know how
>>long it will take before they send the forms? According to the NVC
>>web page, here are the steps from there:
>>Step # and Action
>>1. Mail all requested information (DS-230 Part I) using the enclosed
>>envelope.
>>2. The petitioner in your case has been sent instructions concerning
>>completion of the Affidavit of Support (form I-864) and supporting
>>documents needed for financial sponsorship. You may want to contact
>>your petitioner to ensure that these documents are completed and
>>returned to NVC as directed.
>>3. NVC will complete all necessary administrative processing of your
>>immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide
>>additional information if you have incomplete or are missing
>>documents. [QUESTION: Does anyone have any idea how long this takes?]
>>4. Once NVC has finished administrative processing, your immigrant
>>visa file will be sent to the United States Embassy or Consulate. You
>>will be notified by mail when this occurs. [QUESTION: Again, does
>>anyone have any experience with this? Are we looking at days, weeks
>>or months after the completed forms are returned to the NVC?]
>>5. Approximately one month before your scheduled interview
>>appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment
>>letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with
>>instructions for obtaining a medical examination. [QUESTION: After
>>completion of the scheduled interview appointment, is the visa issued
>>immediately? Or is there some additional processing involved?]
>>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Well, since no one could answer this, I will provide some answers to
>>my own post based on mew infor I have received. This may help someone
>>in the future.
>>I called the NVC today, and here is what I have found out:
>>1. They have not processed my Affidavit of Support fee yet. Their
>>computer does not show it being received. I mailed it on November
>>15th. In accordance with the instructions (and the pre-addressed
>>envelope) it was mailed to Saint Louis and not the NVC in New
>>Hamshire. It is my understanding that the Saint Louis address is just
>>a bank that processes all payments, but I may be wrong. Anyway, they
>>told me today that it takes 10 - 15 business days for the Saint Louis
>>office to process the fee. Then they send notification to the New
>>Hamshire office that the fee has been received. I didn't ask how that
>>notification is sent. The New Hamshire office then requires another
>>10 - 15 business days before they will send out the Affidavit of
>>Support forms and instructions. So, not taking into account the mail
>>time (and not knowing if the notification from Saint Louis to New
>>Hamshire is via mail or other means), it takes 20 - 30 business days
>>to process the Affidavit of Support payment, and send you the forms to
>>complete.
>>2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
>>newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
>>November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
>>the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
>>they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
>>week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
>>to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
>>would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
>>standard 10 - 15 business day line.
>>3. Once I receive the revised IV bills, I have to send payment ($335
>>per person) to the Saint Louis address again. I will assume that it
>>again will take 20 - 30 business days (10 - 15 per office) to process
>>this payment, and send me the DS-320 and any other necessary forms.
>>So, just looking at the above, we are talking a total of about 20 - 40
>>business days (1 - 2 months) just for them to process the fee
>>payments, and send the forms. I will keep updating the timeline as
>>things happen.
>>Oh, and I am now under the impression that all forms will be completed
>>by us here in the United States. This is because my wife was
>>designated as the Agent of Choice. By all forms I mean the DS-320 and
>>Affidavit of Support along with any related forms. Originally I
>>thought my step-daughter would have to complete the DS-320 and take it
>>to the consulate. Also, I thought we would complete the Affidavit of
>>Support and mail it to her, then she would take it to the Consulate.
>>Instead it appears that everything is mailed to the NVC, and they send
>>it to the consulate. If she didn't designate my wife as the Agent of
>>Choice (and she didn't have one, or an attorney), I assume then she
>>would have to complete these forms and carry them to the consulate.
>>Now the only thing I am unsure of is which was would be faster. Since
>>it takes 20 - 30 business days for them to just process payments, I
>>would guess that it would be quicker to process everything overseas at
>>the consulate. But I don't know if that is possible, or even if it is
>>if the consulate would still have to mail payments to the NVC and wait
>>for the NVC to process them.
>Continuing to update my timeline here. Received the new Immigrant
>Visa (IV) Bills on Dec 6th. Mailed them back with the fee on the same
>day.
>Received the Affidavit of Support forms on Decmeber 13th. I had
>mailed the Affidavit of Support fee on November 13th to the NVC St
>Louis address. On Decmber 5th when I spoke with the NVC in New
>Hampshire, they said the computer had not shown receipt of the fee,
>and it takes 10 - 15 days after receipt of the fee to process it, then
>send notification to the NH office where it would take an additional
>10 - 15 business days. I figured those were actually average or
>maximum days. The letter from the NH office that came with the
>Affidavit of Support forms was dated December 9th. So sometime
>between December 5th and 9th the NH office obviously received the
>notification from the St Louis office, and pretty much turned it
>around immediately. I returned the Affidavit of Support on December
>14th.
>Next step will be to await processing of the IV Bills, and for the NH
>office to send the DS-230. If it goes like the Affidavit of Support
>did, we should receive it sometime during the first week of January.
>But there are two holidays in there, so maybe the second week.
Continuing to update the timeline here. Received the DS-230 from the
NVC on Jan 21. I had called them on Jan 14 to ask if they had
received the payment for the visa's. They told me the computer didn't
show receipt, but showed that they would be mailing the DS-230 in 2 -
4 weeks. The lady said since the computer indicated that, then they
must have received payment.
We had previously downloaded the DS-230, completed it, and mailed it
to my step-daughter for her to sign. Wanted to be ready. In fact, we
would have sent it back to the NVC before if we didn't need the bar
code sheet that they would be sending with the blank DS-230. So as
soon as we received the DS-230 (and more importantly bar code sheet)
on Jan 21, we mailed the completed DS-230 back the same day.
I called the NVC to ask another question about the case. I also asked
what the expected timeline would be from here on. They said once they
received the completed and singed DS-230, it would take them 6 - 8
weeks to process everything. They will then forward everything to the
US Consulate who would take another 2 - 4 weeks to process the
paperwork and schedule the interview. We already know the interview
is supposed to be schedule about a month after that. So it looks like
the remainder of the process will take about 12 - 16 weeks until the
actual visa is issued. But, so far the NVC has been ahead of schedule
on every timelime they have given us. So it could be quicker.
>On Thu, 05 Dec 2002 19:34:40 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>>Just curious if anyone here can share their experience with family
>>based immigration visa timelines? Specifically, once the Priority
>>Date becomes current how long did it take to complete the process
>>(until visa issuance)?
>>My step-daughter's Priority Date will become current in December. We
>>previously received Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for her and her son. We
>>also received an Affidavit of Support bill. We mailed the $65.00 for
>>the Affidavit of Support last week. Since the IV bills included her
>>first son, who is already living in the U.S., I had to call the
>>National Visa Center to have him removed. I also had to add a newborn
>>child. When I spoke with the NVC on the phone, they said once I faxed
>>the birth certificate for the new child, it would probabaly take a
>>couple of weeks before they mailed out new IV bills reflecting the
>>changes.
>>Now, I am assuming once we receive the new IV bill, we will pay the
>>fees ($335 x 2). Once the fees are paid, they will send us (my wife
>>is designated as the Agent of Choice) the forms. Does anyone know how
>>long it will take before they send the forms? According to the NVC
>>web page, here are the steps from there:
>>Step # and Action
>>1. Mail all requested information (DS-230 Part I) using the enclosed
>>envelope.
>>2. The petitioner in your case has been sent instructions concerning
>>completion of the Affidavit of Support (form I-864) and supporting
>>documents needed for financial sponsorship. You may want to contact
>>your petitioner to ensure that these documents are completed and
>>returned to NVC as directed.
>>3. NVC will complete all necessary administrative processing of your
>>immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide
>>additional information if you have incomplete or are missing
>>documents. [QUESTION: Does anyone have any idea how long this takes?]
>>4. Once NVC has finished administrative processing, your immigrant
>>visa file will be sent to the United States Embassy or Consulate. You
>>will be notified by mail when this occurs. [QUESTION: Again, does
>>anyone have any experience with this? Are we looking at days, weeks
>>or months after the completed forms are returned to the NVC?]
>>5. Approximately one month before your scheduled interview
>>appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment
>>letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with
>>instructions for obtaining a medical examination. [QUESTION: After
>>completion of the scheduled interview appointment, is the visa issued
>>immediately? Or is there some additional processing involved?]
>>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>Well, since no one could answer this, I will provide some answers to
>>my own post based on mew infor I have received. This may help someone
>>in the future.
>>I called the NVC today, and here is what I have found out:
>>1. They have not processed my Affidavit of Support fee yet. Their
>>computer does not show it being received. I mailed it on November
>>15th. In accordance with the instructions (and the pre-addressed
>>envelope) it was mailed to Saint Louis and not the NVC in New
>>Hamshire. It is my understanding that the Saint Louis address is just
>>a bank that processes all payments, but I may be wrong. Anyway, they
>>told me today that it takes 10 - 15 business days for the Saint Louis
>>office to process the fee. Then they send notification to the New
>>Hamshire office that the fee has been received. I didn't ask how that
>>notification is sent. The New Hamshire office then requires another
>>10 - 15 business days before they will send out the Affidavit of
>>Support forms and instructions. So, not taking into account the mail
>>time (and not knowing if the notification from Saint Louis to New
>>Hamshire is via mail or other means), it takes 20 - 30 business days
>>to process the Affidavit of Support payment, and send you the forms to
>>complete.
>>2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
>>newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
>>November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
>>the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
>>they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
>>week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
>>to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
>>would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
>>standard 10 - 15 business day line.
>>3. Once I receive the revised IV bills, I have to send payment ($335
>>per person) to the Saint Louis address again. I will assume that it
>>again will take 20 - 30 business days (10 - 15 per office) to process
>>this payment, and send me the DS-320 and any other necessary forms.
>>So, just looking at the above, we are talking a total of about 20 - 40
>>business days (1 - 2 months) just for them to process the fee
>>payments, and send the forms. I will keep updating the timeline as
>>things happen.
>>Oh, and I am now under the impression that all forms will be completed
>>by us here in the United States. This is because my wife was
>>designated as the Agent of Choice. By all forms I mean the DS-320 and
>>Affidavit of Support along with any related forms. Originally I
>>thought my step-daughter would have to complete the DS-320 and take it
>>to the consulate. Also, I thought we would complete the Affidavit of
>>Support and mail it to her, then she would take it to the Consulate.
>>Instead it appears that everything is mailed to the NVC, and they send
>>it to the consulate. If she didn't designate my wife as the Agent of
>>Choice (and she didn't have one, or an attorney), I assume then she
>>would have to complete these forms and carry them to the consulate.
>>Now the only thing I am unsure of is which was would be faster. Since
>>it takes 20 - 30 business days for them to just process payments, I
>>would guess that it would be quicker to process everything overseas at
>>the consulate. But I don't know if that is possible, or even if it is
>>if the consulate would still have to mail payments to the NVC and wait
>>for the NVC to process them.
>Continuing to update my timeline here. Received the new Immigrant
>Visa (IV) Bills on Dec 6th. Mailed them back with the fee on the same
>day.
>Received the Affidavit of Support forms on Decmeber 13th. I had
>mailed the Affidavit of Support fee on November 13th to the NVC St
>Louis address. On Decmber 5th when I spoke with the NVC in New
>Hampshire, they said the computer had not shown receipt of the fee,
>and it takes 10 - 15 days after receipt of the fee to process it, then
>send notification to the NH office where it would take an additional
>10 - 15 business days. I figured those were actually average or
>maximum days. The letter from the NH office that came with the
>Affidavit of Support forms was dated December 9th. So sometime
>between December 5th and 9th the NH office obviously received the
>notification from the St Louis office, and pretty much turned it
>around immediately. I returned the Affidavit of Support on December
>14th.
>Next step will be to await processing of the IV Bills, and for the NH
>office to send the DS-230. If it goes like the Affidavit of Support
>did, we should receive it sometime during the first week of January.
>But there are two holidays in there, so maybe the second week.
Continuing to update the timeline here. Received the DS-230 from the
NVC on Jan 21. I had called them on Jan 14 to ask if they had
received the payment for the visa's. They told me the computer didn't
show receipt, but showed that they would be mailing the DS-230 in 2 -
4 weeks. The lady said since the computer indicated that, then they
must have received payment.
We had previously downloaded the DS-230, completed it, and mailed it
to my step-daughter for her to sign. Wanted to be ready. In fact, we
would have sent it back to the NVC before if we didn't need the bar
code sheet that they would be sending with the blank DS-230. So as
soon as we received the DS-230 (and more importantly bar code sheet)
on Jan 21, we mailed the completed DS-230 back the same day.
I called the NVC to ask another question about the case. I also asked
what the expected timeline would be from here on. They said once they
received the completed and singed DS-230, it would take them 6 - 8
weeks to process everything. They will then forward everything to the
US Consulate who would take another 2 - 4 weeks to process the
paperwork and schedule the interview. We already know the interview
is supposed to be schedule about a month after that. So it looks like
the remainder of the process will take about 12 - 16 weeks until the
actual visa is issued. But, so far the NVC has been ahead of schedule
on every timelime they have given us. So it could be quicker.
Mar 25th 2003, 1:20 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Family Based Immigration Visa Timeline??
On Thu, 23 Jan 2003 18:52:49 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>On Mon, 16 Dec 2002 13:38:15 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>>On Thu, 05 Dec 2002 19:34:40 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>>>Just curious if anyone here can share their experience with family
>>>based immigration visa timelines? Specifically, once the Priority
>>>Date becomes current how long did it take to complete the process
>>>(until visa issuance)?
>>>My step-daughter's Priority Date will become current in December. We
>>>previously received Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for her and her son. We
>>>also received an Affidavit of Support bill. We mailed the $65.00 for
>>>the Affidavit of Support last week. Since the IV bills included her
>>>first son, who is already living in the U.S., I had to call the
>>>National Visa Center to have him removed. I also had to add a newborn
>>>child. When I spoke with the NVC on the phone, they said once I faxed
>>>the birth certificate for the new child, it would probabaly take a
>>>couple of weeks before they mailed out new IV bills reflecting the
>>>changes.
>>>Now, I am assuming once we receive the new IV bill, we will pay the
>>>fees ($335 x 2). Once the fees are paid, they will send us (my wife
>>>is designated as the Agent of Choice) the forms. Does anyone know how
>>>long it will take before they send the forms? According to the NVC
>>>web page, here are the steps from there:
>>>Step # and Action
>>>1. Mail all requested information (DS-230 Part I) using the enclosed
>>>envelope.
>>>2. The petitioner in your case has been sent instructions concerning
>>>completion of the Affidavit of Support (form I-864) and supporting
>>>documents needed for financial sponsorship. You may want to contact
>>>your petitioner to ensure that these documents are completed and
>>>returned to NVC as directed.
>>>3. NVC will complete all necessary administrative processing of your
>>>immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide
>>>additional information if you have incomplete or are missing
>>>documents. [QUESTION: Does anyone have any idea how long this takes?]
>>>4. Once NVC has finished administrative processing, your immigrant
>>>visa file will be sent to the United States Embassy or Consulate. You
>>>will be notified by mail when this occurs. [QUESTION: Again, does
>>>anyone have any experience with this? Are we looking at days, weeks
>>>or months after the completed forms are returned to the NVC?]
>>>5. Approximately one month before your scheduled interview
>>>appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment
>>>letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with
>>>instructions for obtaining a medical examination. [QUESTION: After
>>>completion of the scheduled interview appointment, is the visa issued
>>>immediately? Or is there some additional processing involved?]
>>>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>Well, since no one could answer this, I will provide some answers to
>>>my own post based on mew infor I have received. This may help someone
>>>in the future.
>>>I called the NVC today, and here is what I have found out:
>>>1. They have not processed my Affidavit of Support fee yet. Their
>>>computer does not show it being received. I mailed it on November
>>>15th. In accordance with the instructions (and the pre-addressed
>>>envelope) it was mailed to Saint Louis and not the NVC in New
>>>Hamshire. It is my understanding that the Saint Louis address is just
>>>a bank that processes all payments, but I may be wrong. Anyway, they
>>>told me today that it takes 10 - 15 business days for the Saint Louis
>>>office to process the fee. Then they send notification to the New
>>>Hamshire office that the fee has been received. I didn't ask how that
>>>notification is sent. The New Hamshire office then requires another
>>>10 - 15 business days before they will send out the Affidavit of
>>>Support forms and instructions. So, not taking into account the mail
>>>time (and not knowing if the notification from Saint Louis to New
>>>Hamshire is via mail or other means), it takes 20 - 30 business days
>>>to process the Affidavit of Support payment, and send you the forms to
>>>complete.
>>>2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
>>>newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
>>>November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
>>>the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
>>>they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
>>>week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
>>>to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
>>>would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
>>>standard 10 - 15 business day line.
>>>3. Once I receive the revised IV bills, I have to send payment ($335
>>>per person) to the Saint Louis address again. I will assume that it
>>>again will take 20 - 30 business days (10 - 15 per office) to process
>>>this payment, and send me the DS-320 and any other necessary forms.
>>>So, just looking at the above, we are talking a total of about 20 - 40
>>>business days (1 - 2 months) just for them to process the fee
>>>payments, and send the forms. I will keep updating the timeline as
>>>things happen.
>>>Oh, and I am now under the impression that all forms will be completed
>>>by us here in the United States. This is because my wife was
>>>designated as the Agent of Choice. By all forms I mean the DS-320 and
>>>Affidavit of Support along with any related forms. Originally I
>>>thought my step-daughter would have to complete the DS-320 and take it
>>>to the consulate. Also, I thought we would complete the Affidavit of
>>>Support and mail it to her, then she would take it to the Consulate.
>>>Instead it appears that everything is mailed to the NVC, and they send
>>>it to the consulate. If she didn't designate my wife as the Agent of
>>>Choice (and she didn't have one, or an attorney), I assume then she
>>>would have to complete these forms and carry them to the consulate.
>>>Now the only thing I am unsure of is which was would be faster. Since
>>>it takes 20 - 30 business days for them to just process payments, I
>>>would guess that it would be quicker to process everything overseas at
>>>the consulate. But I don't know if that is possible, or even if it is
>>>if the consulate would still have to mail payments to the NVC and wait
>>>for the NVC to process them.
>>Continuing to update my timeline here. Received the new Immigrant
>>Visa (IV) Bills on Dec 6th. Mailed them back with the fee on the same
>>day.
>>Received the Affidavit of Support forms on Decmeber 13th. I had
>>mailed the Affidavit of Support fee on November 13th to the NVC St
>>Louis address. On Decmber 5th when I spoke with the NVC in New
>>Hampshire, they said the computer had not shown receipt of the fee,
>>and it takes 10 - 15 days after receipt of the fee to process it, then
>>send notification to the NH office where it would take an additional
>>10 - 15 business days. I figured those were actually average or
>>maximum days. The letter from the NH office that came with the
>>Affidavit of Support forms was dated December 9th. So sometime
>>between December 5th and 9th the NH office obviously received the
>>notification from the St Louis office, and pretty much turned it
>>around immediately. I returned the Affidavit of Support on December
>>14th.
>>Next step will be to await processing of the IV Bills, and for the NH
>>office to send the DS-230. If it goes like the Affidavit of Support
>>did, we should receive it sometime during the first week of January.
>>But there are two holidays in there, so maybe the second week.
>Continuing to update the timeline here. Received the DS-230 from the
>NVC on Jan 21. I had called them on Jan 14 to ask if they had
>received the payment for the visa's. They told me the computer didn't
>show receipt, but showed that they would be mailing the DS-230 in 2 -
>4 weeks. The lady said since the computer indicated that, then they
>must have received payment.
>We had previously downloaded the DS-230, completed it, and mailed it
>to my step-daughter for her to sign. Wanted to be ready. In fact, we
>would have sent it back to the NVC before if we didn't need the bar
>code sheet that they would be sending with the blank DS-230. So as
>soon as we received the DS-230 (and more importantly bar code sheet)
>on Jan 21, we mailed the completed DS-230 back the same day.
>I called the NVC to ask another question about the case. I also asked
>what the expected timeline would be from here on. They said once they
>received the completed and singed DS-230, it would take them 6 - 8
>weeks to process everything. They will then forward everything to the
>US Consulate who would take another 2 - 4 weeks to process the
>paperwork and schedule the interview. We already know the interview
>is supposed to be schedule about a month after that. So it looks like
>the remainder of the process will take about 12 - 16 weeks until the
>actual visa is issued. But, so far the NVC has been ahead of schedule
>on every timelime they have given us. So it could be quicker.
Continuing to update our progress on this:
I called the NVC on March 13th to inquire about the status of our
case. I figured that would have given them 8 weeks since we had
mailed back the completed DS-230. They seem to have improved their
automated phone system, after putting in the case number, it told me
that processing of the case was completed and it was mailed to the
U.S. Consulate in Panama on March 12th.
Here is the latest on our case. I called the U.S. Embassy in Panama
on March 20th. I wanted to ask them some questions like, can my
step-daughter start getting her documents (police certificate, etc.)
together now, or does she have to wait until they contact her? I was
also curious if they were going to actually contact her because the
package we received from the NVC seemed to indicate that they would
contact us when her interview appointment was scheduled. That doesn't
seem like a very efficient way to do things, since they have all of
her paperwork in Panama now, why would they not work directly with
her rather then send correspondance back to us here in the U.S., and
have us relay the information back to her in Panama? I also wanted to
ask them if they could tell me how long the remainder of the process
would take. That was the real reason for contacting them, but I
wanted to ask some other valid questions so it didn't seem obvious
that we were just calling to ask how long it would take.
Well, when I called the embassy, I discovered they have an automated
phone system. All it does is give you general information about
visa's like what the current priority dates are, their hours of
business, etc. They also give you an e-mail address you can
write to if you have any questions. I'm sure I could have talked to
an "operator" if I pushed the right buttons, but I figured we would
try the e-mail route first since that is the process they seem to have
in place.
I e-mailed them our questions, and the next day I got an e-mail
response from them. They said they had received her case, and she
needed to go to the embassy to pick up some documents and instructions
on what she needed to do next. At that time they would also tell her
when he interview appointment was scheduled for.
She went to the embassy yesterday morning, and called us to tell us
what happened. Basically they told her what documents (police
certificate, medical exam, etc.) she needed to obtain, and where to
obtain them. She said the first lady she spoke with told her if she
could get everything right away, she could get her visa in 2 weeks.
She then spoke with another lady who told her that her interview is
scheduled for May 8th. So, she is confused about the 2 week versus
May 8th part. They gave her a packet of documents, but everything is
in English so she's not sure what it all is as she doesn't speak
English. At least one document is a form she needs to fill out. My
guess is that is the DS-230 Part II. In the meantime, she is going to
try to get everything done this week, then go back to the embassy
and speak with the first person who told her she can get the visa in 2
weeks. She figures if she gets everything done this week, maybe they
will allow her > to do her interview right away and get issued the
visa. We will see what happens.
I don't know how the process would have worked if I hadn't have
e-mailed the embassy to ask the questions. Maybe they would have
eventually sent us a letter saying she needed to report there to pick
up her package, or maybe they would have tried contacting her
in Panama. I do feel that by e-mailing them, we have sped things up a
bit anyway.
>On Mon, 16 Dec 2002 13:38:15 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>>On Thu, 05 Dec 2002 19:34:40 GMT, Jesse wrote:
>>>Just curious if anyone here can share their experience with family
>>>based immigration visa timelines? Specifically, once the Priority
>>>Date becomes current how long did it take to complete the process
>>>(until visa issuance)?
>>>My step-daughter's Priority Date will become current in December. We
>>>previously received Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for her and her son. We
>>>also received an Affidavit of Support bill. We mailed the $65.00 for
>>>the Affidavit of Support last week. Since the IV bills included her
>>>first son, who is already living in the U.S., I had to call the
>>>National Visa Center to have him removed. I also had to add a newborn
>>>child. When I spoke with the NVC on the phone, they said once I faxed
>>>the birth certificate for the new child, it would probabaly take a
>>>couple of weeks before they mailed out new IV bills reflecting the
>>>changes.
>>>Now, I am assuming once we receive the new IV bill, we will pay the
>>>fees ($335 x 2). Once the fees are paid, they will send us (my wife
>>>is designated as the Agent of Choice) the forms. Does anyone know how
>>>long it will take before they send the forms? According to the NVC
>>>web page, here are the steps from there:
>>>Step # and Action
>>>1. Mail all requested information (DS-230 Part I) using the enclosed
>>>envelope.
>>>2. The petitioner in your case has been sent instructions concerning
>>>completion of the Affidavit of Support (form I-864) and supporting
>>>documents needed for financial sponsorship. You may want to contact
>>>your petitioner to ensure that these documents are completed and
>>>returned to NVC as directed.
>>>3. NVC will complete all necessary administrative processing of your
>>>immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide
>>>additional information if you have incomplete or are missing
>>>documents. [QUESTION: Does anyone have any idea how long this takes?]
>>>4. Once NVC has finished administrative processing, your immigrant
>>>visa file will be sent to the United States Embassy or Consulate. You
>>>will be notified by mail when this occurs. [QUESTION: Again, does
>>>anyone have any experience with this? Are we looking at days, weeks
>>>or months after the completed forms are returned to the NVC?]
>>>5. Approximately one month before your scheduled interview
>>>appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment
>>>letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with
>>>instructions for obtaining a medical examination. [QUESTION: After
>>>completion of the scheduled interview appointment, is the visa issued
>>>immediately? Or is there some additional processing involved?]
>>>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>Well, since no one could answer this, I will provide some answers to
>>>my own post based on mew infor I have received. This may help someone
>>>in the future.
>>>I called the NVC today, and here is what I have found out:
>>>1. They have not processed my Affidavit of Support fee yet. Their
>>>computer does not show it being received. I mailed it on November
>>>15th. In accordance with the instructions (and the pre-addressed
>>>envelope) it was mailed to Saint Louis and not the NVC in New
>>>Hamshire. It is my understanding that the Saint Louis address is just
>>>a bank that processes all payments, but I may be wrong. Anyway, they
>>>told me today that it takes 10 - 15 business days for the Saint Louis
>>>office to process the fee. Then they send notification to the New
>>>Hamshire office that the fee has been received. I didn't ask how that
>>>notification is sent. The New Hamshire office then requires another
>>>10 - 15 business days before they will send out the Affidavit of
>>>Support forms and instructions. So, not taking into account the mail
>>>time (and not knowing if the notification from Saint Louis to New
>>>Hamshire is via mail or other means), it takes 20 - 30 business days
>>>to process the Affidavit of Support payment, and send you the forms to
>>>complete.
>>>2. They have removed my step-daughter's first son, and added her
>>>newest born son to the case. I faxed them this information on
>>>November 19th. When I asked about new Immigrant Visa (IV) bills for
>>>the changes, they asked if I had received them yet. When I said no,
>>>they said I should receive them shortly as they were mailed the last
>>>week of December. So my guess is it takes them 4 or 5 business days
>>>to process these types of changes, and mail the forms. However, I
>>>would also guess if you asked them about it, they would quote their
>>>standard 10 - 15 business day line.
>>>3. Once I receive the revised IV bills, I have to send payment ($335
>>>per person) to the Saint Louis address again. I will assume that it
>>>again will take 20 - 30 business days (10 - 15 per office) to process
>>>this payment, and send me the DS-320 and any other necessary forms.
>>>So, just looking at the above, we are talking a total of about 20 - 40
>>>business days (1 - 2 months) just for them to process the fee
>>>payments, and send the forms. I will keep updating the timeline as
>>>things happen.
>>>Oh, and I am now under the impression that all forms will be completed
>>>by us here in the United States. This is because my wife was
>>>designated as the Agent of Choice. By all forms I mean the DS-320 and
>>>Affidavit of Support along with any related forms. Originally I
>>>thought my step-daughter would have to complete the DS-320 and take it
>>>to the consulate. Also, I thought we would complete the Affidavit of
>>>Support and mail it to her, then she would take it to the Consulate.
>>>Instead it appears that everything is mailed to the NVC, and they send
>>>it to the consulate. If she didn't designate my wife as the Agent of
>>>Choice (and she didn't have one, or an attorney), I assume then she
>>>would have to complete these forms and carry them to the consulate.
>>>Now the only thing I am unsure of is which was would be faster. Since
>>>it takes 20 - 30 business days for them to just process payments, I
>>>would guess that it would be quicker to process everything overseas at
>>>the consulate. But I don't know if that is possible, or even if it is
>>>if the consulate would still have to mail payments to the NVC and wait
>>>for the NVC to process them.
>>Continuing to update my timeline here. Received the new Immigrant
>>Visa (IV) Bills on Dec 6th. Mailed them back with the fee on the same
>>day.
>>Received the Affidavit of Support forms on Decmeber 13th. I had
>>mailed the Affidavit of Support fee on November 13th to the NVC St
>>Louis address. On Decmber 5th when I spoke with the NVC in New
>>Hampshire, they said the computer had not shown receipt of the fee,
>>and it takes 10 - 15 days after receipt of the fee to process it, then
>>send notification to the NH office where it would take an additional
>>10 - 15 business days. I figured those were actually average or
>>maximum days. The letter from the NH office that came with the
>>Affidavit of Support forms was dated December 9th. So sometime
>>between December 5th and 9th the NH office obviously received the
>>notification from the St Louis office, and pretty much turned it
>>around immediately. I returned the Affidavit of Support on December
>>14th.
>>Next step will be to await processing of the IV Bills, and for the NH
>>office to send the DS-230. If it goes like the Affidavit of Support
>>did, we should receive it sometime during the first week of January.
>>But there are two holidays in there, so maybe the second week.
>Continuing to update the timeline here. Received the DS-230 from the
>NVC on Jan 21. I had called them on Jan 14 to ask if they had
>received the payment for the visa's. They told me the computer didn't
>show receipt, but showed that they would be mailing the DS-230 in 2 -
>4 weeks. The lady said since the computer indicated that, then they
>must have received payment.
>We had previously downloaded the DS-230, completed it, and mailed it
>to my step-daughter for her to sign. Wanted to be ready. In fact, we
>would have sent it back to the NVC before if we didn't need the bar
>code sheet that they would be sending with the blank DS-230. So as
>soon as we received the DS-230 (and more importantly bar code sheet)
>on Jan 21, we mailed the completed DS-230 back the same day.
>I called the NVC to ask another question about the case. I also asked
>what the expected timeline would be from here on. They said once they
>received the completed and singed DS-230, it would take them 6 - 8
>weeks to process everything. They will then forward everything to the
>US Consulate who would take another 2 - 4 weeks to process the
>paperwork and schedule the interview. We already know the interview
>is supposed to be schedule about a month after that. So it looks like
>the remainder of the process will take about 12 - 16 weeks until the
>actual visa is issued. But, so far the NVC has been ahead of schedule
>on every timelime they have given us. So it could be quicker.
Continuing to update our progress on this:
I called the NVC on March 13th to inquire about the status of our
case. I figured that would have given them 8 weeks since we had
mailed back the completed DS-230. They seem to have improved their
automated phone system, after putting in the case number, it told me
that processing of the case was completed and it was mailed to the
U.S. Consulate in Panama on March 12th.
Here is the latest on our case. I called the U.S. Embassy in Panama
on March 20th. I wanted to ask them some questions like, can my
step-daughter start getting her documents (police certificate, etc.)
together now, or does she have to wait until they contact her? I was
also curious if they were going to actually contact her because the
package we received from the NVC seemed to indicate that they would
contact us when her interview appointment was scheduled. That doesn't
seem like a very efficient way to do things, since they have all of
her paperwork in Panama now, why would they not work directly with
her rather then send correspondance back to us here in the U.S., and
have us relay the information back to her in Panama? I also wanted to
ask them if they could tell me how long the remainder of the process
would take. That was the real reason for contacting them, but I
wanted to ask some other valid questions so it didn't seem obvious
that we were just calling to ask how long it would take.
Well, when I called the embassy, I discovered they have an automated
phone system. All it does is give you general information about
visa's like what the current priority dates are, their hours of
business, etc. They also give you an e-mail address you can
write to if you have any questions. I'm sure I could have talked to
an "operator" if I pushed the right buttons, but I figured we would
try the e-mail route first since that is the process they seem to have
in place.
I e-mailed them our questions, and the next day I got an e-mail
response from them. They said they had received her case, and she
needed to go to the embassy to pick up some documents and instructions
on what she needed to do next. At that time they would also tell her
when he interview appointment was scheduled for.
She went to the embassy yesterday morning, and called us to tell us
what happened. Basically they told her what documents (police
certificate, medical exam, etc.) she needed to obtain, and where to
obtain them. She said the first lady she spoke with told her if she
could get everything right away, she could get her visa in 2 weeks.
She then spoke with another lady who told her that her interview is
scheduled for May 8th. So, she is confused about the 2 week versus
May 8th part. They gave her a packet of documents, but everything is
in English so she's not sure what it all is as she doesn't speak
English. At least one document is a form she needs to fill out. My
guess is that is the DS-230 Part II. In the meantime, she is going to
try to get everything done this week, then go back to the embassy
and speak with the first person who told her she can get the visa in 2
weeks. She figures if she gets everything done this week, maybe they
will allow her > to do her interview right away and get issued the
visa. We will see what happens.
I don't know how the process would have worked if I hadn't have
e-mailed the embassy to ask the questions. Maybe they would have
eventually sent us a letter saying she needed to report there to pick
up her package, or maybe they would have tried contacting her
in Panama. I do feel that by e-mailing them, we have sped things up a
bit anyway.
