Demystifying the I800, GUZ, DS260, PDF, and Art 5 process
This doc attempts to demystify the I800, GUZ, DS260, PDF, and Art 5 process. Follow each step in order as you come to them.
I800 – Lockbox to NBC
I800 approvals average 2 weeks from when your application is received at the NBC lockbox in Texas. Count forward from that date about 12 days before you call the NBC to inquire. This step is only valuable because it lets you know when to expect your GUZ & PDF which is the next step. Be patient; let the officers do their jobs. This step is for information purposes only and will help you determine when to contact the NVC in the following step.
The contact phone number is on your lockbox receipt. (1 877 424 8374)
You CALL the NBC to find out about your I800 approval. When they answer just ask to “check the status of your application”. Have your SIM number ready. They will forward you to your assigned officer.
Your approval will come via snail mail.
NVC Step 1, get your GUZ number
After I800 approval, your paperwork is mailed to the NVC in New Hampshire, and logged into their computer, which generates your GUZ number. This number replaces your SIM number and shows that your case has been assigned to the Guangzhou. You can expect your GUZ about one week after I800 approval.
To figure out when to EMAIL the NVC, count forward 5 days from your I800 approval date. Email once per day until they send you your GUZ. Do not be discouraged if they tell you that you aren’t in the system yet, try again the following day.
EMAIL the NVC at NVCAdoptions@state.gov
Subject line of the email - SMITH Adoption DOB 1/1/81 SIM123456789
Body of the email –
To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to know if my visa petition has been forwarded to the appropriate Embassy. If so, please send a copy of the approval letter to my email address as soon as possible: Myemail@hotmail.com
Receipt Number: SIM 123456789
Beneficiary's Name: X, Y Z (your child's name)
Beneficiary's DOB: 1/1/2011 (your child's DOB)
Petitioner's Name: Joe Smith (your name/petitioner's name)
Petitioner's DOB: 1/1/81 (your DOB)
Thank you so much for your time and assistance in this matter! We are very excited to welcome these two AMAZING children into our family!
Joe and Sally Smith
The NVC will respond with a new email with your GUZ number. You may need to send the above email once daily until you receive your GUZ.
Fill out your DS260 online:
The email you receive with your GUZ has all the information you need to go online and fill out the DS260. Use the instructions from your agency and in Files of the DTC group to help you with this step.
Getting your PDF of your NVC Letter:
Once you receive your GUZ number send the below EMAIL to the same NVC email address (NVCAdoptions@state.gov ).
The goal is to get your PDF showing that your file has been forwarded (cabled) to the Embassy in GZ.
Subject line -Smith Adoption DOB 1/1/81 GUZ123456789
Body of the email
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to know if/when our visa petition has been forwarded to the Embassy. Could you please send me an email copy (PDF) of the approval letter as soon as possible?
GUZ Number: GUZ123456789
Beneficiary's Name: X, Y Z
Beneficiary's DOB: 1/1/2011
Petitioner's Name: Joe Smith
Petitioner's DOB: 1/1/81
Thank you so much for your time and assistance in this matter. We are so excited to welcome X, Y Z into our family!
Joe and Sally Smith
Article 5
Your agency will send the PDF to their in country staff. This allows them to drop off your documents at the US Consulate. Your Art 5 process can begin!
The Art 5 process always takes 10 business days, plus extra days for holidays. Art 5’s can only be dropped off and picked up on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
The US Consulate in Guangzhou follows the US holiday schedule and a modified Chinese holiday schedule. You can find holiday information on their website.
Once your Art 5 is picked up, your paperwork is sent to the CCCWA in Beijing and your Travel Approval (TA) wait begins!
I800 – Lockbox to NBC
I800 approvals average 2 weeks from when your application is received at the NBC lockbox in Texas. Count forward from that date about 12 days before you call the NBC to inquire. This step is only valuable because it lets you know when to expect your GUZ & PDF which is the next step. Be patient; let the officers do their jobs. This step is for information purposes only and will help you determine when to contact the NVC in the following step.
The contact phone number is on your lockbox receipt. (1 877 424 8374)
You CALL the NBC to find out about your I800 approval. When they answer just ask to “check the status of your application”. Have your SIM number ready. They will forward you to your assigned officer.
Your approval will come via snail mail.
NVC Step 1, get your GUZ number
After I800 approval, your paperwork is mailed to the NVC in New Hampshire, and logged into their computer, which generates your GUZ number. This number replaces your SIM number and shows that your case has been assigned to the Guangzhou. You can expect your GUZ about one week after I800 approval.
To figure out when to EMAIL the NVC, count forward 5 days from your I800 approval date. Email once per day until they send you your GUZ. Do not be discouraged if they tell you that you aren’t in the system yet, try again the following day.
EMAIL the NVC at NVCAdoptions@state.gov
Subject line of the email - SMITH Adoption DOB 1/1/81 SIM123456789
Body of the email –
To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to know if my visa petition has been forwarded to the appropriate Embassy. If so, please send a copy of the approval letter to my email address as soon as possible: Myemail@hotmail.com
Receipt Number: SIM 123456789
Beneficiary's Name: X, Y Z (your child's name)
Beneficiary's DOB: 1/1/2011 (your child's DOB)
Petitioner's Name: Joe Smith (your name/petitioner's name)
Petitioner's DOB: 1/1/81 (your DOB)
Thank you so much for your time and assistance in this matter! We are very excited to welcome these two AMAZING children into our family!
Joe and Sally Smith
The NVC will respond with a new email with your GUZ number. You may need to send the above email once daily until you receive your GUZ.
Fill out your DS260 online:
The email you receive with your GUZ has all the information you need to go online and fill out the DS260. Use the instructions from your agency and in Files of the DTC group to help you with this step.
Getting your PDF of your NVC Letter:
Once you receive your GUZ number send the below EMAIL to the same NVC email address (NVCAdoptions@state.gov ).
The goal is to get your PDF showing that your file has been forwarded (cabled) to the Embassy in GZ.
Subject line -Smith Adoption DOB 1/1/81 GUZ123456789
Body of the email
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to know if/when our visa petition has been forwarded to the Embassy. Could you please send me an email copy (PDF) of the approval letter as soon as possible?
GUZ Number: GUZ123456789
Beneficiary's Name: X, Y Z
Beneficiary's DOB: 1/1/2011
Petitioner's Name: Joe Smith
Petitioner's DOB: 1/1/81
Thank you so much for your time and assistance in this matter. We are so excited to welcome X, Y Z into our family!
Joe and Sally Smith
Article 5
Your agency will send the PDF to their in country staff. This allows them to drop off your documents at the US Consulate. Your Art 5 process can begin!
The Art 5 process always takes 10 business days, plus extra days for holidays. Art 5’s can only be dropped off and picked up on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
The US Consulate in Guangzhou follows the US holiday schedule and a modified Chinese holiday schedule. You can find holiday information on their website.
Once your Art 5 is picked up, your paperwork is sent to the CCCWA in Beijing and your Travel Approval (TA) wait begins!
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