FAQs for CP -- overview of CP
Q: What is the overview of stages for processing of papers in CP?
A: once CIS approves the I-140, the process is as follows:
a). CIS sends approved I-140 to NVC (National Visa Center, New Hampshire).
NVC Tel number is 603 334 0700 (automated response system). Use your petition number from I-140 approval notice to check the status. You will get your *NVC Case Number* from this system.
Note that this *NVC case number* is not the same as *Visa number*. Visa number is the one that a petitioner gets once their category of visas is current for their country and type of petition e.g. EB1/EB2/EB3 etc.
b). NVC sends to you (or your lawyer), a fee bill.
c). you send the {fee bill + payment by Postal order}, back to NVC (this goes to a PO Box address in St Louis; so you have to use USPS only. no courier service).
d). NVC sends to you/your lawyer, the famous "Packet 3"
If not done already, you may add your spouse name at this time, before sending your DS-230 back. How?
- request NVC to send fee bill for your spouse. you need to send copies of your marriage certificate + spouse Date of Birth certificate
- send the Fee bill + money order to NVC
- receive Packet 3 from NVC for your spouse
(if you are not married at this stage, but plan to get married before getting your GC, and are wondering if you can use your priority date for your spouse? Yes, you may do this! you may add your spouse to the process until your CP interview or even until you enter US after your CP interview. This will be under *Follow to join* procedure.
Once you enter the US as a new immigrant and are unmarried, then it is Over. your spouse (if outside the US) will be stuck with the family based GC quota.
e). you fill out packet 3 (DS-230 form) part 1, and send it back to NVC.
From here on, it is about 2 months for the CP interview.
f). Request PCC(s). Police clearance certificates. Must be dated within 6 months of interview.
* You need PCC from every country you have lived after age 16.
* For Indian citizens, living in the US for atleast 6 months before interview and going to India for CP interview > need only 1 PCC from Indian emabssy in the USA.
* For Indian citizens, living in the US for less than 6 months before interview and going to India for CP interview > need {1 PCC from Indian emabssy in the USA + 1 PCC from local passport office of petitioner's address in india + 1 PCC from local police station of petitioner's address in india)
g). NVC reviews the packet 3 (in about 4-6 weeks) and forwards it to the US Consulate in your home country.
h). US Consulate sends to you/your lawyer, an email regarding date of visa interview.
i). receive Packet 4 from the consulate by mail {or someone can go and pick it up personally from the US consulate. They just need your case number for reference}.
j). get a Notarized letter from your employer that your job is still available and you will be employed permanently + your last 3 years' tax returns (not your employer's). This letter should be dated within 1 month of your interview.
k). Go to your home country for visa interview. The day you land there, send an email to the consulate to *initiate name check process*. May be you can go to the consulate personally and ask them to do it.
l). Take your medicals. (keep atleast 2 days buffer before interview).
m). go and take the interview.
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