Confused by Opt-in at NVC

[runnyeggsham]

Hello everyone,

 

I think I am going to be a semi-regular here off and on until I can finish my cousin's apps. I have recently taken over handing his paperwork. The older gentleman who is supposed to be a veteran at this is too old and forgetful. NVC keeps sending back materials.

 

Eventually, I would like to learn the whole process of how to apply. I am not sure how to begin since I am kind of confused and he does not know what happened exactly himself. That and he is a recent immigrant himself and my communication ability with him is limited meaning I speak Chinese at a very elementary level.

 

So, he is applying for a visa. It has been green-lit I assume. NVC was processing under a GUZ number. The lastest emails he gave me from October show that there were a lot of problems with missing info on the I-864, Affidavit of support, along with other missing support documents. The directions are to send the documents via snail mail and use the included cover sheet with snail mail OR electronically which requires a subject line with the case number. The NVC website tells you to OPT-IN before sending files to them through pdf format.

 

At this point, I have no idea if they chose Electronic Processing or not. The I-864 has a GZO number and a GUZ number in parentheses. The snail mail packet of documents sent are returned with a letter stating that this case is going through electronic processing now. All of the documents need to be scanned and submitted that way.

 

So, piecing it together I assumed these things:

1. A GUZ number is converted to a GZO number when electronic processing is chosen.

2. You have to OPT-IN before you can start sending PDF files, even if you have chosen Electronic Processing.

 

Is this about right? I have no idea and he doesnt know what happened and the old man who did it insists that they should still be mailing it in, even though his attempt the first time was sent back with directions to scan and email it.

 

I stupidly scanned them and submitted them via email recently. But, I am guessing since I didn't OPT-IN and more than likely, they did not opt-in, that I need to:

 

1. Opt-in

2. Send them pdfs again.

 

I hope someone who has done this process or going through can give me some hints on the steps needed. Thanks in advance.

[dnoblett]

Yes, sounds like now electronic hence the GZO number.

 

For what is done next visit this page at the NVC: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/submit/how-to-submit-documents-to-the-nvc.html

[runnyeggsham]

Thanks Dan. That page I have went to and read many times over. I followed most of that page...but I did not OPT-IN. I just don't know if anyone Opt-In for them or not. I did not do it, so I get the nagging feeling that I need to OPT-In, and resend those pdf files.

 

I have already sent an email inquiry to nvcinquiry email to see if them can tell me if this case number has opted in or not to start sending documents to NVCElectronic@state.gov

 

But from reading other people's dealings with NVC operators. I am not very confident of getting anything pass them. Apparently, the tier one operators dont know anything, and you should speak to a tier 2 operator, but only call them at night. Strange game that people have to play to get things done. I am not so sure that the operators address themselves as tier 1 or 2.

Edited January 29, 2014 by runnyeggsham (see edit history)

[azureblue83]

Hi. I have a related question but I don't want to flood the forum by creating a new post.

 

I have sent the NVC the opt-in email according to their guid line. And I received a "Out of Office AutoReply" from NVC.

 

Does this mean we are in? Or we should wait until NVC confirm we are in the online processing program?? Confused.

 

Following is the email form NVC:

 

Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: ENROLL GUZXXXXXXX
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2014 11:24:54 -0400
From: NVCElectronic@state.gov
To: XXXXX@XXX.XXX

Dear Sir/Madam:

Thank you for your recent inquiry to the National Visa Center (NVC). This e-mail is an auto response. Please do not respond.

We review and reply to e-mails in the order they are received.

REQUIRED SECURITY INFORMATION:

You are required to provide the following security information with each inquiry to receive a case specific response:
* NVC Case Number or USCIS Receipt Number (Place in the subject line of the e-mail).
* Petitioner's name and date of birth.
* Principal Applicant's name and date of birth.
* If you are an attorney, include your name and the name and address of your law office.
* If the visa petition is employment-based (I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), include the employer's company/organization name.

NOTE: If you did not provide the above security information with your e-mail, please resubmit the e-mail with the required information. If this information is not submitted with your inquiry it will be requested.

NVC CONTACT INFORMATION:

Website: www.immigrantvisas.state.gov

E-mail: NVCElectronic@state.gov

Telephone: (603) 334-0700 - Operator assistance is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Eastern Time)

ADDITIONAL ELECTRONIC PROCESSING INFORMATION:

Additional information regarding Electronic Processing can be obtained on our website. Please visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_5165.html and review the U.S. Embassy/Consulate Specific Requirements and Options to determine if the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General processing your petition is eligible for Electronic Processing.


Regards,


- The NVC Written Correspondence Unit


This email is Sensitive but Unclassified based on the definitions provided in 12 FAM 540.
Any information in this transmission pertaining to the issuance or refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States shall be considered confidential under Section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) [8 US C. Section 1202]. Access to and use of such information must be solely for the formulation, amendment, administration, or enforcement of the immigration, nationality, and other laws of the United States under INA 222(f) and as specified in FAM guidance. If you have received such information in error, do not review, retransmit, disclose, disseminate, use, or take any action in reliance upon this information, and contact the sender as soon as possible.

[dnoblett]

Out of office means whoever handles the opt-in requests may be out a couple days, you should get an email from them converting GUZ case number to a GZO number, after which they will request you to scan and email them the required documents like Birth cert, marriage cert, police cert, divorce cert, etc...

[azureblue83]

Ok. So that means I should wait for that email confirmation from NVC, before sending them the documents?

 

Thanks.

[dnoblett]

Ok. So that means I should wait for that email confirmation from NVC, before sending them the documents?

 

Thanks.

Correct.

[azureblue83]

 

Ok. So that means I should wait for that email confirmation from NVC, before sending them the documents?

 

Thanks.

Correct.

 

 

 

Hi. I have a related question but I don't want to flood the forum by creating a new post.

 

I have sent the NVC the opt-in email according to their guid line. And I received a "Out of Office AutoReply" from NVC.

 

Does this mean we are in? Or we should wait until NVC confirm we are in the online processing program?? Confused.

 

Following is the email form NVC:

 

> Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: ENROLL GUZXXXXXXX

> Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2014 11:24:54 -0400

> From: NVCElectronic@state.gov

> To: XXXXX@XXX.XXX

>

> Dear Sir/Madam:

>

> Thank you for your recent inquiry to the National Visa Center (NVC). This e-mail is an auto response. Please do not respond.

>

> We review and reply to e-mails in the order they are received.

>

> REQUIRED SECURITY INFORMATION:

>

> You are required to provide the following security information with each inquiry to receive a case specific response:

> * NVC Case Number or USCIS Receipt Number (Place in the subject line of the e-mail).

> * Petitioner's name and date of birth.

> * Principal Applicant's name and date of birth.

> * If you are an attorney, include your name and the name and address of your law office.

> * If the visa petition is employment-based (I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), include the employer's company/organization name.

>

> NOTE: If you did not provide the above security information with your e-mail, please resubmit the e-mail with the required information. If this information is not submitted with your inquiry it will be requested.

>

> NVC CONTACT INFORMATION:

>

> Website: www.immigrantvisas.state.gov

>

> E-mail: NVCElectronic@state.gov

>

> Telephone: (603) 334-0700 - Operator assistance is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Eastern Time)

>

> ADDITIONAL ELECTRONIC PROCESSING INFORMATION:

>

> Additional information regarding Electronic Processing can be obtained on our website. Please visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_5165.html and review the U.S. Embassy/Consulate Specific Requirements and Options to determine if the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General processing your petition is eligible for Electronic Processing.

>

>

> Regards,

>

>

> - The NVC Written Correspondence Unit

>

>

> This email is Sensitive but Unclassified based on the definitions provided in 12 FAM 540.

> Any information in this transmission pertaining to the issuance or refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States shall be considered confidential under Section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) [8 US C. Section 1202]. Access to and use of such information must be solely for the formulation, amendment, administration, or enforcement of the immigration, nationality, and other laws of the United States under INA 222(f) and as specified in FAM guidance. If you have received such information in error, do not review, retransmit, disclose, disseminate, use, or take any action in reliance upon this information, and contact the sender as soon as possible.

>

 

 

Hi, I sent the opt-in email April 7, 2014. It is now 14 days (2 weeks), and I still haven't got the confirmation from NVC.

 

*How long does it take, usually, for NVC to send confirmation email after getting the opt-in?

 

*Should we resend the Opt-in email?

 

 

Thanks.

[azureblue83]

bump for an opinion...

[Randy W]

bump for an opinion...

 

Your choice - they seem to be taking longer (at the moment) for some reason. Re-sending the email may or may not do any good - they are simply VERY uncommunicative until they decide to have something to say.

[Doug]

I don't have even a GUZ number yet for our two I-130's, so I have not used NVCElectronic@state.gov .

 

But, it has taken 25-26 days for a response to email I sent to NVCINQUIRY@STATE.GOV . It took over 2 weeks for papers to get from USCIS to the NVC, moot point for you, but it is so obvious how SLOW things are.

[tsap seui]

Sorry fellers, it shore looks like the gubmit workers at the NVC has done finally figured out a way to F up the opt-in and NVC process. Hang in there....this too shall pass.

 

tsap seui

[ameriken]

Great. We just did an opt-in for her parents about a week ago and I was wondering how long this might take.

 

Slow is right, Email works at the speed of light but gov't works at the speed of dark. We started this process for Jie's parents over 13 months ago and we're not even at P3 stage yet.

[azureblue83]

Just an update. It is confirmed, that it takes 30 days for they to opt you in the online processing.

 

I sent in the opt-in email April 7, 2014. Got a strange reply saying they are "out of office". And then on May 7, 2014, I received the email from NVC confirming the opt-in, and they changed the case # to "GZO".

 

I then immediately emailed in all the IV supporting documents and the I-864 package. And guess what? I got another "out of office" reply from NVC... They sure are messing up the system there in NVC... But whatever, will see what happens next.

 

Question: When I emailed the documents, I emailed in the wrong "Document Cover Sheet", i.e. I emailed in the cover sheet with the old "GUZ" number on it. I realize this after I hit the "Send" button. Is that a problem? Everything else, including the email subject title etc all used the correct "GZO" number... hope this won't delay anything... Anyone knows?

 

Thanks.

[Randy W]

Why not simply resend, with the corrected cover sheet?