what happens after approval notice?

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Hi there! I got my approval notice from Vermont Service Center last

March 2004. I don't know why the process seems to be slowing down after this. What are the next steps I should be expecting up to the embassy interview? Where does choice of agent letter and DS230 form comes in? I would greatly appreciate it if someone could enumerate the steps that would follow after this and the usual timetable for each step.

P.S. My agency is the one who pays for the visa fees.

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You need to follow up with your agency...................Vermont actually has very quick processign times, and you should have had everything completed already. Were you petitioned by your agency? Perhaps they are looking for an assignment for you..................with Vermont, you could have been in the US already...................

Do you actually have your Visa Screen Certificate already? Or was your agency waiting for approval from Vermont before sending for it? That could be your hold-up as well, as you will need it in hand when you go for your interview. Agencies only go one step at a time when they are paying for fees, you would have saved yourself much grief, if you went the direct hire route, or with an agency that just reimburses you for the fees that you paid out of pocket.

Which agency are you signed with? That may answer many of your questions right there. And where do you currently live?

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My petitioner is the hospital, the agency just acts as middle man in processing the case. I already have my visascreen. I just feel like the agency is bit tardy in paying for the visa fees, which they will shoulder according to the agreement. After BCIS gives the approval notice, they forward it to NVC, right? Does NVC still send the beneficiary of the petition a choice of agent letter? When does NVC send for the DS230 form? By the way, I am from the Philippines. Thanks a lot Suzanne!

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Has Vermont sent the forms that you need to take to the Embassy to you?

Or did they send them to your agency? Do you have all of your documents together that you need to have? Have you contacted the US Embassy in Manila? Best bet would beto contact them, and they can tell you how they do things from their office...Have you had your medical exam yet?

Personally, I think that your agency is holding things up...................

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The DS230 will be sent from NVC. It may or may not request more information from you. Not sure why it is taking so long for you to receive it.

Do you know how much time that it is taking once you submit to Manila? Each office has their own schedule..............

Good luck...........please keep me posted as to how long that it tkaes for you to get everything done, I like to keep up on how long each process is taking from different regions.

Thanks............. :)

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The DS230 will be sent from NVC. It may or may not request more information from you. Not sure why it is taking so long for you to receive it.

Do you know how much time that it is taking once you submit to Manila? Each office has their own schedule..............

Good luck...........please keep me posted as to how long that it tkaes for you to get everything done, I like to keep up on how long each process is taking from different regions.

Thanks............. :)

I've been doing some research on my own to find out what happens, and based on the experience of a friend who left earlier in 2003, these are the steps:

2 months after she had the approval notice, she received a choice of agent letter from NVC, which she promptly sent back to NVC.

2 months after that, she received Packet 3, now known as Instruction package for immigrant visa applicant (IPFIVA) which contained the DS230 form. This was sent to her by the agency whom she named in her choice of agent letter previously. These documents were sent back to NVC together with visa payments. ( I think there are changes in these steps now since you have to send out the payments to NVC first, before they will send you the DS230 forms)

4 months after, she received Packet 4, otherwise known as Appointment package for immigrant visa applicant (APFIVA). These contained instructions for her medical examination and what other documents she needed to bring during her embassy interview. ( By this time you must have Visascreen and employment contract on hand)

3 weeks after, she received the official appointment letter from the embassy confirming the appointment date. ( I heard from sources that the actual time for this now is longer than 3 weeks, maybe 1-3 months)

well my friend is the lucky one. I will keep you posted Suzanne, on what is happening with my case.

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Each US Embassy or Consulate can also set there own schedule, so that has to play in to the numbers also. Was your friend petitioned out of Vermont?

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