URGENT: Electronic version of case received - How to schedule interview?

[conny 0]

So, do I get it correctly that if the Consulate (Kiev in our case) has received the case electronically they can schedule the interview? I mean why wouldn't they if everything else is ready and paper document delivery is pretty much guaranteed in next 2-3 bus days which would be before interview anyway?

Edited August 11, 2009 by conny

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So, do I get it correctly that if the Consulate (Kiev in our case) has received the case electronically they can schedule the interview? I mean why wouldn't they if everything else is ready and paper document delivery is pretty much guaranteed in next 2-3 bus days which would be before interview anyway?

No. They will not schedule an interview until the paper documents arrive and it is entered into their system. The NVC sends an electronic notification at the same time the mail your letter, Kiev has had that already for some time. Sometime after your documents arrive they enter it into the system and make your case available for appointment. Nothing is gauranteed...they know this.

Incidentally Conny, just a couple things as Kiev uses an old instruction form and these things are not always on there, they were not in our oldest son's case...

Your fiance is a male, over age 17...he will need to present form DS-157 at the interview In addition to his other forms.

Ukraine has compulsary military service for males age 18 to 25, sometime during that time they must serve two years in the military. They can get a student deferrment (as our son did). Your fiance needs to bring (translated) all military documents, in our case it was his registration for compulsary service and his student deferrment. Your fiance should have the same or will have discharge papers if he has already served his two years. If he does not have these things his visa will be held until he brings them.

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Gary is right. When Embassy gets your paper by mail and send to the call center ( it happens only one time a week, on Fridays ) then the call center put your case # into their systen and ONLY after that you can schedule an interview. Wait for next 2-3 weeks after NVC. Embassy never schedule an interview, only the call center does it.

As for us, our case was sent to Kiev early April, but I could schedule an interview late April because the call center didn't have our case in their system.

Nadya.

[conny 0]

Gary is right. When Embassy gets your paper by mail and send to the call center ( it happens only one time a week, on Fridays ) then the call center put your case # into their systen and ONLY after that you can schedule an interview. Wait for next 2-3 weeks after NVC. Embassy never schedule an interview, only the call center does it.

As for us, our case was sent to Kiev early April, but I could schedule an interview late April because the call center didn't have our case in their system.

Nadya.

Thanks, Nadya. Not sure why you're saying 2-3 weeks as the documents get delivered to Kiev consulate in 3 bus days and get entered into the system (according to Gary and others in a day or two). So, 5 days tops. That's what we're hoping to get. We simply don't have 2-3 weeks anymore, we got only 10 days left until his departure and he has to depart regardless what, otherwise college cancels the entire year of education and my fiance will simply have to continue it in Ukraine and we'll be apart for another year and possibly more. Such is life.

[conny 0]

So, do I get it correctly that if the Consulate (Kiev in our case) has received the case electronically they can schedule the interview? I mean why wouldn't they if everything else is ready and paper document delivery is pretty much guaranteed in next 2-3 bus days which would be before interview anyway?

No. They will not schedule an interview until the paper documents arrive and it is entered into their system. The NVC sends an electronic notification at the same time the mail your letter, Kiev has had that already for some time. Sometime after your documents arrive they enter it into the system and make your case available for appointment. Nothing is gauranteed...they know this.

Incidentally Conny, just a couple things as Kiev uses an old instruction form and these things are not always on there, they were not in our oldest son's case...

Your fiance is a male, over age 17...he will need to present form DS-157 at the interview In addition to his other forms.

Ukraine has compulsary military service for males age 18 to 25, sometime during that time they must serve two years in the military. They can get a student deferrment (as our son did). Your fiance needs to bring (translated) all military documents, in our case it was his registration for compulsary service and his student deferrment. Your fiance should have the same or will have discharge papers if he has already served his two years. If he does not have these things his visa will be held until he brings them.

Yes, he's got all military and other forms ready and for quite awhile. We're just sitting on our hands and buying $12 pin numbers and calling call center all day...

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Gary is right. When Embassy gets your paper by mail and send to the call center ( it happens only one time a week, on Fridays ) then the call center put your case # into their systen and ONLY after that you can schedule an interview. Wait for next 2-3 weeks after NVC. Embassy never schedule an interview, only the call center does it.

As for us, our case was sent to Kiev early April, but I could schedule an interview late April because the call center didn't have our case in their system.

Nadya.

Thanks, Nadya. Not sure why you're saying 2-3 weeks as the documents get delivered to Kiev consulate in 3 bus days and get entered into the system (according to Gary and others in a day or two). So, 5 days tops. That's what we're hoping to get. We simply don't have 2-3 weeks anymore, we got only 10 days left until his departure and he has to depart regardless what, otherwise college cancels the entire year of education and my fiance will simply have to continue it in Ukraine and we'll be apart for another year and possibly more. Such is life.

Documents delivery during 5 working days, but you can schedule an interview only in 2-3 weeks. Embassy doesn't work so fast.

the call center has updated info ONLY on Fridays.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Gary is right. When Embassy gets your paper by mail and send to the call center ( it happens only one time a week, on Fridays ) then the call center put your case # into their systen and ONLY after that you can schedule an interview. Wait for next 2-3 weeks after NVC. Embassy never schedule an interview, only the call center does it.

As for us, our case was sent to Kiev early April, but I could schedule an interview late April because the call center didn't have our case in their system.

Nadya.

Thanks, Nadya. Not sure why you're saying 2-3 weeks as the documents get delivered to Kiev consulate in 3 bus days and get entered into the system (according to Gary and others in a day or two). So, 5 days tops. That's what we're hoping to get. We simply don't have 2-3 weeks anymore, we got only 10 days left until his departure and he has to depart regardless what, otherwise college cancels the entire year of education and my fiance will simply have to continue it in Ukraine and we'll be apart for another year and possibly more. Such is life.

Conny

Maybe you misunderstood something. I did not say they are entered in a day or two. Do not try to assume anything so precise from my timeline as the dates were backfilled and assumed based on what a letter said ("being forwarded within a week") I also did not try to track the package to Kiev. I was just calling the call center until they said they had it and made an appointment. I can only say this for sure...our NOA2 date was May 15 and the consulate had it in their system June 3. We had no delays at NVC that I am aware of. I know that last year they were updating only on Fridays, I do not know if that has changed, it is possible, but Nadya has more recent information about this than I do. If you call the call center they can tell you better than anyone. You can also call the consular section and ask if they could get you in the system faster, I do not know if they can, but it is worth a phone call. Figuring it will take 5 days is just way out of the realm of possibility, in my opinion, but miracles have happened I suppose. In order for him to LEAVE UKRAINE in 10 days (from today) he would have to have his interview this week. You won't get a package from Fedex over a weekend and it take, usually 2 business days for Fedex to get the visa package from the consulate. They are currently (as of 2 weeks agao) running a 3 day backlog on interview dates. If you could call tomorrow and schedule an interview, you would be looking at late next week to get the visa...minimum.

I still have a hard time to understand why his education here would be cancelled if he is a day or two or 10 late. Our son attends a VERY strict university in Moscow (American colleges are nothing like the strict rules in Moscow) and we met with the Dean about the possiblity that Sergey would be late in arriving to classes. He allowed us up to 3 weeks late and then we would be credited for the money paid for the first semester (we have paid for the full next year in advance) so there would be no monetary loss to us if he did not get his AP in time (we expect the AP this week)

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Gary is right. When Embassy gets your paper by mail and send to the call center ( it happens only one time a week, on Fridays ) then the call center put your case # into their systen and ONLY after that you can schedule an interview. Wait for next 2-3 weeks after NVC. Embassy never schedule an interview, only the call center does it.

As for us, our case was sent to Kiev early April, but I could schedule an interview late April because the call center didn't have our case in their system.

Nadya.

Thanks, Nadya. Not sure why you're saying 2-3 weeks as the documents get delivered to Kiev consulate in 3 bus days and get entered into the system (according to Gary and others in a day or two). So, 5 days tops. That's what we're hoping to get. We simply don't have 2-3 weeks anymore, we got only 10 days left until his departure and he has to depart regardless what, otherwise college cancels the entire year of education and my fiance will simply have to continue it in Ukraine and we'll be apart for another year and possibly more. Such is life.

Conny

Maybe you misunderstood something. I did not say they are entered in a day or two. Do not try to assume anything so precise from my timeline as the dates were backfilled and assumed based on what a letter said ("being forwarded within a week") I also did not try to track the package to Kiev. I was just calling the call center until they said they had it and made an appointment. I can only say this for sure...our NOA2 date was May 15 and the consulate had it in their system June 3. We had no delays at NVC that I am aware of. I know that last year they were updating only on Fridays, I do not know if that has changed, it is possible, but Nadya has more recent information about this than I do. If you call the call center they can tell you better than anyone. You can also call the consular section and ask if they could get you in the system faster, I do not know if they can, but it is worth a phone call. Figuring it will take 5 days is just way out of the realm of possibility, in my opinion, but miracles have happened I suppose. In order for him to LEAVE UKRAINE in 10 days (from today) he would have to have his interview this week. You won't get a package from Fedex over a weekend and it take, usually 2 business days for Fedex to get the visa package from the consulate. They are currently (as of 2 weeks agao) running a 3 day backlog on interview dates. If you could call tomorrow and schedule an interview, you would be looking at late next week to get the visa...minimum.

I still have a hard time to understand why his education here would be cancelled if he is a day or two or 10 late. Our son attends a VERY strict university in Moscow (American colleges are nothing like the strict rules in Moscow) and we met with the Dean about the possiblity that Sergey would be late in arriving to classes. He allowed us up to 3 weeks late and then we would be credited for the money paid for the first semester (we have paid for the full next year in advance) so there would be no monetary loss to us if he did not get his AP in time (we expect the AP this week)

You also say "he departs no matter what" Does he have a tourist visa for the US or some other form of visa? If so he could come and schedule his interview for when he can return (a school break or something). The approved petition is good for 4 months. DO NOT get married until you have the K-1 or you will not be able to adjust status. Also if he comes on some other form of visa, he will have to show evidence he will return at the POE or risk being denied entry. A tourist visa does not allow attending school.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So, do I get it correctly that if the Consulate (Kiev in our case) has received the case electronically they can schedule the interview? I mean why wouldn't they if everything else is ready and paper document delivery is pretty much guaranteed in next 2-3 bus days which would be before interview anyway?

No. They will not schedule an interview until the paper documents arrive and it is entered into their system. The NVC sends an electronic notification at the same time the mail your letter, Kiev has had that already for some time. Sometime after your documents arrive they enter it into the system and make your case available for appointment. Nothing is gauranteed...they know this.

Incidentally Conny, just a couple things as Kiev uses an old instruction form and these things are not always on there, they were not in our oldest son's case...

Your fiance is a male, over age 17...he will need to present form DS-157 at the interview In addition to his other forms.

Ukraine has compulsary military service for males age 18 to 25, sometime during that time they must serve two years in the military. They can get a student deferrment (as our son did). Your fiance needs to bring (translated) all military documents, in our case it was his registration for compulsary service and his student deferrment. Your fiance should have the same or will have discharge papers if he has already served his two years. If he does not have these things his visa will be held until he brings them.

Yes, he's got all military and other forms ready and for quite awhile. We're just sitting on our hands and buying $12 pin numbers and calling call center all day...

OK great. The packet 3 from Ukraine is very vague about such things and it took me several calls to the cosulate to verify exactly what Sergey needed for military papers. Great. Packet 3 also does no metion the form DS157. A very simple form but it would be hell to have the visa held up because of it. One would think an 18 year old that has never been in the military would not need "military documents, if applicable" but because of the compulsary service it is necessary in Ukraine for any male over 18.

I told you how to avoid buying all those PINs. The call center is more expensive than phone sex and not nearly as fun!

[conny 0]

So, do I get it correctly that if the Consulate (Kiev in our case) has received the case electronically they can schedule the interview? I mean why wouldn't they if everything else is ready and paper document delivery is pretty much guaranteed in next 2-3 bus days which would be before interview anyway?

No. They will not schedule an interview until the paper documents arrive and it is entered into their system. The NVC sends an electronic notification at the same time the mail your letter, Kiev has had that already for some time. Sometime after your documents arrive they enter it into the system and make your case available for appointment. Nothing is gauranteed...they know this.

Incidentally Conny, just a couple things as Kiev uses an old instruction form and these things are not always on there, they were not in our oldest son's case...

Your fiance is a male, over age 17...he will need to present form DS-157 at the interview In addition to his other forms.

Ukraine has compulsary military service for males age 18 to 25, sometime during that time they must serve two years in the military. They can get a student deferrment (as our son did). Your fiance needs to bring (translated) all military documents, in our case it was his registration for compulsary service and his student deferrment. Your fiance should have the same or will have discharge papers if he has already served his two years. If he does not have these things his visa will be held until he brings them.

Yes, he's got all military and other forms ready and for quite awhile. We're just sitting on our hands and buying $12 pin numbers and calling call center all day...

OK great. The packet 3 from Ukraine is very vague about such things and it took me several calls to the cosulate to verify exactly what Sergey needed for military papers. Great. Packet 3 also does no metion the form DS157. A very simple form but it would be hell to have the visa held up because of it. One would think an 18 year old that has never been in the military would not need "military documents, if applicable" but because of the compulsary service it is necessary in Ukraine for any male over 18.

I told you how to avoid buying all those PINs. The call center is more expensive than phone sex and not nearly as fun!

Yes, you did Gary, but your method does not work anymore. Both Viktoria and the other guy demand PIN and say they would be punished if they give out me the precious information about when our case is in their system. They say same thing to my fiancee even though some other people usually talk to him in Ukrainian.

[conny 0]

Figuring it will take 5 days is just way out of the realm of possibility, in my opinion, but miracles have happened I suppose. In order for him to LEAVE UKRAINE in 10 days (from today) he would have to have his interview this week. You won't get a package from Fedex over a weekend and it take, usually 2 business days for Fedex to get the visa package from the consulate. They are currently (as of 2 weeks agao) running a 3 day backlog on interview dates. If you could call tomorrow and schedule an interview, you would be looking at late next week to get the visa...minimum.

Not sure how you count - I get this - say tomorrow they have it in the system (how long does it take anyways? maybe it wasn't you but someone else here said it's 1-2 days for Kiev from the moment package arrives). Currently they still have next Monday for scheduling an interview. Ok, then +2days for Fedex (actually we might be able to pick it up in their office a little earlier, would you advise arranging for that?) = it's next Wednesday-Thursday at the latest. I presume it might be "Tuesday interview" tomorrow or day after, we still can make it next Friday.

Does Fedex office work there on Saturdays by any chance?

BTW, whatever you say about DHL - I'm pretty sure our case is the 8/7 delivery which left DHL in NH on 8/10 and is currently scheduled to arrive to Kiev this Wednesday pm Kiev time according to the site.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Figuring it will take 5 days is just way out of the realm of possibility, in my opinion, but miracles have happened I suppose. In order for him to LEAVE UKRAINE in 10 days (from today) he would have to have his interview this week. You won't get a package from Fedex over a weekend and it take, usually 2 business days for Fedex to get the visa package from the consulate. They are currently (as of 2 weeks agao) running a 3 day backlog on interview dates. If you could call tomorrow and schedule an interview, you would be looking at late next week to get the visa...minimum.

Not sure how you count - I get this - say tomorrow they have it in the system (how long does it take anyways? maybe it wasn't you but someone else here said it's 1-2 days for Kiev from the moment package arrives). Currently they still have next Monday for scheduling an interview. Ok, then +2days for Fedex (actually we might be able to pick it up in their office a little earlier, would you advise arranging for that?) = it's next Wednesday-Thursday at the latest. I presume it might be "Tuesday interview" tomorrow or day after, we still can make it next Friday.

Does Fedex office work there on Saturdays by any chance?

BTW, whatever you say about DHL - I'm pretty sure our case is the 8/7 delivery which left DHL in NH on 8/10 and is currently scheduled to arrive to Kiev this Wednesday pm Kiev time according to the site.

I count pessimistically, you count optimistically. I am not likely to be dissapointed, you are very likely to be disappointed, stressed, frustrated not to mention it can be very expensive in this process. The flaw in your figuring is that IF the call center is still updating Fridays, (seems like yes) these updates are done AFTER the call center closes, which means they cannot possible have your case before Monday of next week and you would likely not get an interview before Thursday of next week. Though one time I called about Sergey's interview Viktoria told me she could get him in the next day if that worked for us.

Everything we see here indicates they are still updating on Fridays. If the package arrives today or tomorrow I sincerely doubt it would get entered in the system this week. I have no indication whatever that it takes 1-2 days to enter a case in the system. My experience is 2-3 weeks as is other people's here that have stated such but you choose to "count" on someone, somewhere, that said 1-2 days. IF the package is there this week, my guess is the first time it will be available in the system would be a week from Monday (morning) the 24th of August. The 24th is Ukraine independence day so they will be closed that day. You would not be able to schedule an interview until the 25th. He could have his visa in hand by August 31 - September 2, IF the interview is done the week of August 24-28. But there is only 3 available interview dates that week. And that is if the interview schedule holds, it has fluctuated this summer from 3-21 days (I think the 21 days thing was a mistake, they have never even been taking interviews out that far in advance since April) and that does not mean that YOU can get an interview in 3 days, it means an average. If the interviews for a particular day are already filled up you aren't going to get one that day even if it is 3 days from when you call. The consulate is closed on Fridays (or not doing interviews) the

The person who can tell you the most is Viktoria at the call center. Ask her when they are updating and she can probably give a good guess of how long it takes from when the files are received.

I think you should also be talking to this school. I find it really hard to beleive they would kick him out AND keep his money for being a week late given the circumstances. I just don't believe it. I would talk to whoever you have to at that school, start at the top. Conny, I really hope it goes your way but you need to be covering your bases in case it doesn't.

Trying to say if Fedex is open on Saturday in Ukraine is like drinking Hemlock. If everyone is sober and shows up to work, YES the office is open BUT they do not get deliveries on Saturday and do not make deliveries on Saturday so the visa would have had to arrive on Friday to be available for Saturday pick up. The consulate has daily (M-F) Fedex pickup, so if they hand the package over to Fedex Friday afternoon, yes, you could get it Saturday, IF everyone at Fedex does what they say. You will get a tracking number and can check the package online. Do not count on them sending a text message like they say they will.

Edited August 12, 2009 by Gary and Alla

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So, do I get it correctly that if the Consulate (Kiev in our case) has received the case electronically they can schedule the interview? I mean why wouldn't they if everything else is ready and paper document delivery is pretty much guaranteed in next 2-3 bus days which would be before interview anyway?

No. They will not schedule an interview until the paper documents arrive and it is entered into their system. The NVC sends an electronic notification at the same time the mail your letter, Kiev has had that already for some time. Sometime after your documents arrive they enter it into the system and make your case available for appointment. Nothing is gauranteed...they know this.

Incidentally Conny, just a couple things as Kiev uses an old instruction form and these things are not always on there, they were not in our oldest son's case...

Your fiance is a male, over age 17...he will need to present form DS-157 at the interview In addition to his other forms.

Ukraine has compulsary military service for males age 18 to 25, sometime during that time they must serve two years in the military. They can get a student deferrment (as our son did). Your fiance needs to bring (translated) all military documents, in our case it was his registration for compulsary service and his student deferrment. Your fiance should have the same or will have discharge papers if he has already served his two years. If he does not have these things his visa will be held until he brings them.

Yes, he's got all military and other forms ready and for quite awhile. We're just sitting on our hands and buying $12 pin numbers and calling call center all day...

OK great. The packet 3 from Ukraine is very vague about such things and it took me several calls to the cosulate to verify exactly what Sergey needed for military papers. Great. Packet 3 also does no metion the form DS157. A very simple form but it would be hell to have the visa held up because of it. One would think an 18 year old that has never been in the military would not need "military documents, if applicable" but because of the compulsary service it is necessary in Ukraine for any male over 18.

I told you how to avoid buying all those PINs. The call center is more expensive than phone sex and not nearly as fun!

Yes, you did Gary, but your method does not work anymore. Both Viktoria and the other guy demand PIN and say they would be punished if they give out me the precious information about when our case is in their system. They say same thing to my fiancee even though some other people usually talk to him in Ukrainian.

Bummer. I must have told too many people about that.

[payxibka 10,045]

conny,

several of us have gone through the actual process and know how it really works... not how you think it should work...

The case will take some time to get into the system.... even if it arrives on Friday it may take the better part of a week ... they do not have people waiting for your file and input it the moment it arrives... it simply does not work that way...

Edited August 12, 2009 by payxibka

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Conny, you doesn't understand how the system works in the Embassy. We passed it, and trust we wanted to have an interview also as soon as possible when we heard about electronic version of our case in Embassy system.

Embassy doesn't care if you have emergency case or not, you miss study or whatever.. You are not one who has emergency case. You HAVE TO wait when Embassy reviews your case and send to the call center. Embassy and the call center are situated apartly. Even when I got Packet 3,4 vie email from Embassy ( though I had already all ready documents for interview ) I called next day to the call center and our case was not in the system yet. They don't work so fast as you wish.

About Fedex, you can pick up your passport yourself at the main Fedex office. We passed an interview on Monday and morning Wednesday we had my passport with visa in a hand.