When Will NVC Schedule Your Interview? Case Review Times & NVC Current Backlog

The immigration process for family petitions can be difficult and intimidating, particularly for those applying from outside the US. To manage the transfer from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to consular processing at US embassies and consulates, the National Visa Center is essential to this procedure.

We offer the most recent information about family petitions to the NVC in this blog post, including important details like deadlines, steps, and backlogs as of right now. The purpose of this handbook is to provide applicants and their families with the information they need to comprehend how the NVC operates and to expedite the process of reunifying families.

Latest Updates on Family Petitions at the Visa Center

While the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives a lot of attention, we offer a thorough report on the current state of family petitions at the National Visa Center in this update. It is vital for individuals navigating the family petition procedure from outside of the US to comprehend the role and operations of the NVC.

The guide will provide candidates and their families with a comprehensive overview of the deadlines, procedures, and backlog at the NVC as of May 2024.

Understanding the Role of the National Visa Center

For applicants from overseas, the National Visa Center is a crucial step in the immigration procedure. A family petition is forwarded to the NVC for additional processing upon approval by USCIS. Organizing visa interviews, making sure all required paperwork is completed, and overseeing the transfer of authorized petitions to the relevant US Embassy or consulate are among the main responsibilities of the NVC.

The NVC manages three crucial timelines: the times for creating cases, reviewing cases, and responding to requests for public input forms. Let’s examine each of these time intervals and how your application will be affected by them.

Current Case Creation Time

Cases submitted from USCIS on April 4, 2024, are being processed by the NVC as of May 13, 2024. This shows that, once the NVC receives the case from USCIS, it currently takes about one month and nine days to construct a new one. It’s important to get in touch with the NVC to request access to your case if you haven’t heard from them within this time range.

You cannot take the required actions without this access, and if you wait too long to take action, your case may be closed.

Case Review Times

If a visa is available based on the Visa Bulletins table, you will need to finish six steps after getting your welcome letter and case access. These actions are

• Pay the processing fees: $325 for the application for an immigrant visa and $120 for the Affidavit of Support. An additional $265 for the DS-260 form is required of each applicant.
• Send in the DS-260 form. This is the online application for alien registration and an immigrant visa, which each applicant must fill out and submit.
• Send in civil documents: These consist of police reports, marriage licenses, birth certificates, and other records attesting to the applicant’s eligibility.
• File the Affidavit of Support: Using form I-864, the partitioner must attest to their capacity to support the immigrant monetarily.
• Provide any more supporting documentation that the NVC requests, such as copies of your passport and any images.
• Turn in the DS-260 confirmation page: This needs to be printed out after filling out the DS-260 form and turned in with the other necessary paperwork.

Current Case Review Time

The NVC is now analyzing documents that were filed on May 6, 2024, as of May 13, 2024. This indicates that, if all paperwork is appropriately submitted, the NVC will assess and approve your case in about a week. The NVC will tell you if there are any problems with your documentation, such as missing translations or ineligible documents, and you will need to take immediate action to resolve these problems.

This is a crucial step because any mistakes or missing paperwork could cause the approval process to drag on longer, thus moving your case lower down the list.

Response Times for Public Inquiries

Public Consultation Form

As there is no longer a direct phone line for applicants to reach the NVC, applicants seeking updates on their cases must utilize the public consultation form. Through this form, which is available on the NVC website, applicants can submit specific inquiries or requests for details about the status of their cases.

Current Inquiry Response Time

Inquiries received on May 7, 2024, are still being answered by the NVC as of May 13, 2024, with a response time estimate of roughly six days. To address any issues or essential updates regarding their case, applicants must be able to get timely replies to their questions, which is ensured by this method.

Current Backlog at the NVC: April Backlog Data

404,759 cases met documentary qualification requirements in April 2024 and were prepared for interview scheduling. Out of them, 52,835 were set up for interviews, meaning that 351,878 cases were prepared for scheduling interviews. This is a reduction of 17,039 over the previous month. 49,761 interviews were scheduled by the NVC for May, which is 374 fewer than in April. There are now 337,000 open cases, which is 14,317 fewer than there were in April.

Factors Influencing Backlog Reduction

Progression of Table A

More visas become available if the table advances, which enables the NVC to process and finish more cases. This advancement lessens the overall backlog impact of Table B by allowing applicants whose priority dates become current to advance through the procedure. On the other hand, should Table B progress more quickly than Table A, there may be a surge in instances that clog the system even more.

Table B:

• Number of IV applicants whose cases are documentary complete in the NC and ready for the interview on April 30: 387,068
• Number of documentary completed IV applicants scheduled for May 2024: 49,761
• Number of eligible IV petitions still pending scheduling an interview after the application has been completed, May 2024 Appointment Scheduling: 337,307

  Dates for filing applications are shown in Table B. As these dates approach, more applicants are permitted to submit their papers, which adds to the NVC Dominican Republic’s workload.

Case Example

One such instance is of a Dominican Republic candidate whose six steps were accepted on April 11, 2024. Despite the decision, the Dominican Republic is presently reviewing cases approved between August and September 2023, with a sizable backlog for immediate relatives.

This implies that to schedule an interview, the applicant who was accepted in April 2024 will have to wait until the backlog is cleared. The US Embassy in Santa Domingo is processing a large number of applications, and this has resulted in significant delays for the Dominican Republic.

Tips for Applicants

It might be difficult to navigate the NVC family petition process, but it can be made much easier if you know what to do and are aware of the requirements. Here are some useful advice for applicants to make sure their cases move along without hiccups.

• Remain educated: See the Visa Bulletin frequently to find out when your priority date will be current.
• Keep an eye on communication: Make sure you receive any NVC notices or questions and reply to them as soon as possible.
• Finish the steps on time: As soon as you are informed, finish the six actions right away to prevent delays.
• Utilize the form for inquiries: If you require any updates or have any queries about your case, utilize the public consultation form.
• Ensure that your records are accurate: Maintain duplicates of every document sent in Communications with the NVC
• Interview prep: as soon as your appointment is set, make sure you have all the required paperwork ready and arranged.
• Recognize conditions unique to your country: Become acquainted with the particular guidelines and requirements of the embassy or consulate where your interview will be held.

Conclusion

Anyone involved in the family petition procedure must be aware of the most recent developments and comprehend the NVC’s deadlines. Even while backlogs and delays can be annoying, managing expectations and making sure your case moves through the system efficiently can be achieved by being proactive and knowledgeable.

Although the NVC’s backlog has decreased and its review and response times have sped up somewhat, persistence and hard work are still essential.