DOS Cable on Processing Diversity Visa Following-to-Join Applicants

R 222310Z MAY 95
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING POSTS

UNCLAS STATE 124873

Visas

E.O. 12356; N/A
TAGS: CVIS
SUBJECT: DV-1; Processing Following-to-Join Applicants

Ref: A) State 026951; B) Bucharest 4823 (Notal)

1. CA/VO and NVC have reviewed procedures contained in Ref A for processing following-to-join applicants and believe that these procedures have worked reasonably well. However, the number of adjustment of status cases continues to increase as we move further into FY95, and as a result, so does the number of following-to-join cases. CA/VO and NVC would like to make every effort to process these cases before DV numbers are exhausted and/or before the end of the fiscal year.

2. Under current procedures, INS notifies both NVC and posts of the adjustment of status of a principal applicant. NVC then sends packet 3 and 4 to the family members and sends the files to post, at which point post begins action on the case.

3. Under the following revised procedures, posts no longer need to wait for receipt of the files to begin processing. Rather NVC will notify posts by cable of the following-to-join applicants (and their addresses) who have not yet received packet 3. Upon receipt of either the NVC following-to-join cable or direct INS notification, posts should send the standard packet 3 and packet 4 to the family members and process these cases to conclusion without waiting for their files from NVC. NVC will continue to process those following-to-join beneficiaries who have already returned packet 3 to NVC. NVC will provide posts with the names of these beneficiaries, as a heads-up, but posts must wait for receipt of their files from NVC before processing them.

4. Posts are reminded to note the rank order number also provided in the NVC notification cable, to be certain that applicants are within the rank order cut off dates established for the month the case(s) will be processed. If any additional DV numbers are needed, they may be obtained through the normal visas frog procedures for those cases within the rank order cut off.

5. We regret the additional work these revised procedures impose on posts and appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that family member are processed as quickly as possible.

Christopher

27MM5G23