New procedure for interview dates

[EricC 0]

If it says they are on the phone press 0. It will ring again. Keep doing that until you get an answer. Sometimes it took 4 min the other time it took 1 min.

[Dr Mirage 0]

If it says they are on the phone press 0. It will ring again. Keep doing that until you get an answer. Sometimes it took 4 min the other time it took 1 min.

Eric,

I just spoke with Grace at extention 5184/5185. They told me the same thing as what they told you.

They've received the Case# and its already on their system, but we have to call the call center on March 14th to schedule for the interview date.

I also asked when is the estimate interview month and Grace mentioned that it will be in May.

She was nice and helpful, but cannot schedule an earlier interview date.

I guess we'll all be calling DOS tomorrow.

[Dr Mirage 0]

If it says they are on the phone press 0. It will ring again. Keep doing that until you get an answer. Sometimes it took 4 min the other time it took 1 min.

Eric,

I just spoke with Grace at extention 5184/5185. They told me the same thing as what they told you.

They've received the Case# and its already on their system, but we have to call the call center on March 14th to schedule for the interview date.

I also asked when is the estimate interview month and Grace mentioned that it will be in May.

She was nice and helpful, but cannot schedule an earlier interview date.

I guess we'll all be calling DOS tomorrow.

UPDATE: Just called DOS and they said that the beneficiary will receive packet #3 on the mail from USEM, however, I can download it from the USEM website and return the packet and I can call on March 14th.

On their system, they have a record that I called USEM yesterday (today Manila time). I was surprised on their accurate information from both ends.

[jom 4]

Information we obtained from DOS based on our K1 experience.

1. Date when USEM received our petition from NVC. We called after 2 weeks from date NVC sent our petition.

2.Medical and Interview schedule. We called 3 weeks or a month from the date USEM received our petition from NVC.

Hope this help you guys. Goodluck

Myla

Edited March 7, 2008 by jom

[ellar76 0]

To save money, my USC husband , then my fiance, called the Department of State here in the US. We got our medical and interview schedule from them like a month before the schedule. Didn't spend a cent. 202-663-1225, press1, press 0, press 0.

All info we needed from the US Embassy, we obtained from the DOS. I didnt even bother to check online of the shcedules after we learned the same from the DOS. After 3 weeks, more or less from receipt of our petition in the USEM, thats the time we called the DOS and got our schedules

.

Hope this helps.

my fiance also called the DOS and a person from the DOS told him that manila office will be the one who will schedule the interview ....

[edp333 9]

my fiance also called the DOS and a person from the DOS told him that manila office will be the one who will schedule the interview ....

Yes, the USEM schedules the non-immigrant K visas and the NVC/DOS schedules the CR1/IR1 immigrant visas

[chuck_n_rose 0]

Hi all- I had put in a request of early interview appointment because of my job and possible deployment anytime after April 21st. I faxed it in, but it seemed so sketchy that I wasn't even sure if anyone would look at it. If you read the rules, it says that no one will call or let you know if it is or not approved. After reading other posts, now I realize and guessing that it was approved. I am so thankful because my biggest fear was for Rose to be on a plane headed to San Francisco and I get the call the phone that I gotta go for an all hands on deck. Now I will be afforded the opportunity to go there for the interview process. I still dont like the new interview procedure. I also don't understand why they are telling people that interviews will probably be in May, when if you look at the VJ interiew timelines, you dont see anyone scheduled for after April 13.

[jom 4]

To save money, my USC husband , then my fiance, called the Department of State here in the US. We got our medical and interview schedule from them like a month before the schedule. Didn't spend a cent. 202-663-1225, press1, press 0, press 0.

All info we needed from the US Embassy, we obtained from the DOS. I didnt even bother to check online of the shcedules after we learned the same from the DOS. After 3 weeks, more or less from receipt of our petition in the USEM, thats the time we called the DOS and got our schedules

.

Hope this helps.

my fiance also called the DOS and a person from the DOS told him that manila office will be the one who will schedule the interview ....

True, its the USEM that schedules the medical and interview but DOS also has the information once USEM has set the dates. We just chose an alternative which gave us the option not to pay to get the information. Keep calling

[EricC 0]

Well I called DOS and they said she has no interview date yet. So it looks I will be calling their call center on March 14th. Lame

[jom 4]

Well I called DOS and they said she has no interview date yet. So it looks I will be calling their call center on March 14th. Lame

Your timeline shows the USEM received the petition from NVC on February 25, thats not even 2 weeks. Call again on the 14th . At first I thought, it was received January 25. Give it sometime

[Dr Mirage 0]

We all have to just wait for the 14th of March.

Now, I am not sure if this is Manila Time or US time.

Also, I am not sure why they told me that my fiance will be receiving the packet #3.

[sunandmoon 450]

If it says they are on the phone press 0. It will ring again. Keep doing that until you get an answer. Sometimes it took 4 min the other time it took 1 min.

Eric,

I just spoke with Grace at extention 5184/5185. They told me the same thing as what they told you.

They've received the Case# and its already on their system, but we have to call the call center on March 14th to schedule for the interview date.

I also asked when is the estimate interview month and Grace mentioned that it will be in May.

She was nice and helpful, but cannot schedule an earlier interview date.

I guess we'll all be calling DOS tomorrow.

UPDATE: Just called DOS and they said that the beneficiary will receive packet #3 on the mail from USEM, however, I can download it from the USEM website and return the packet and I can call on March 14th.

On their system, they have a record that I called USEM yesterday (today Manila time). I was surprised on their accurate information from both ends.

unless something is changing, nothing is returned to the Embassy before the interview.

We all have to just wait for the 14th of March.

Now, I am not sure if this is Manila Time or US time.

Also, I am not sure why they told me that my fiance will be receiving the packet #3.

this is common misinfo giving when calling DOS, since many Embassys send out a packet 3. I was told same thing by DOS in OCT 2006. Manila has only sent packet 4, unless something is changing

[Dr Mirage 0]

Does anyone have an idea what the packet #3 is that DOS is talking about that we have to send back.

My fiance has not received anything in the mail and the USEM is already closed for the weekend so I am not able to confirm anything.

So here is what I know so far:

I called DOS early this morning (friday morning) and they said the beneficiary will received a packet #3 in the mail and have to be returned back to USEM. Then on March 14th, we can schedule the medical and interview date.

I called USEM last night (thursday night) and they said to wait until March 14th to schedule the medical and interview date. No mention of the Packet #3 of what DOS is saying.

I didn't want to inquire agressively about what the new protocols are with USEM and DOS, however DOS did know in their system that I have called USEM on thursday night and their system says I have to call the call center on March 14th for the medical and interview dates.

Hope this helps everyone.

[edp333 9]

Does anyone have an idea what the packet #3 is that DOS is talking about that we have to send back.

My fiance has not received anything in the mail and the USEM is already closed for the weekend so I am not able to confirm anything.

So here is what I know so far:

I called DOS early this morning (friday morning) and they said the beneficiary will received a packet #3 in the mail and have to be returned back to USEM. Then on March 14th, we can schedule the medical and interview date.

I called USEM last night (thursday night) and they said to wait until March 14th to schedule the medical and interview date. No mention of the Packet #3 of what DOS is saying.

I didn't want to inquire agressively about what the new protocols are with USEM and DOS, however DOS did know in their system that I have called USEM on thursday night and their system says I have to call the call center on March 14th for the medical and interview dates.

Hope this helps everyone.

The packet 3 is used at many embassys, but not at USEM so far. USEM should send the beneficiary a packet IV. If the packet does not arrive in time you can call and request a pickup at St. Lukes Extension Clinic (SLEC). Everything but the interview letter can be downloaded from the USEM website. The two DS-156 forms will need to be downloaded to get the bar scan.

[EricC 0]

There is no Packet 3. The closest thing they are talking about is a letter they send out saying they got the package, and here is a quick list of stuff to start preparing. And you call March 14th Philippine time.