Rescheduling of Immigration interview at Sydney Consulate AUS

[BFP XX 62]

Hi guys!

*UK citizen, Australian PR, applying for K1 from SYDNEY Australia*

The K1 Visa process has moved very quickly for us. We lodged our I-129F late January and received NOA2 mid February! While we are thrilled that the process is moving so quickly, we had already made plans prior to approval, for me to visit with my fiancee in the US, and I am currently in the US visiting him until the end of May *Btw, no issue with entering the US for my 3rd visit. I was questioned and was completely honest about our situation, and was granted entry*

I received the Packet 3 email, advising of an interview date at the SYDNEY consulate for early April - I emailed them back as instructed to reschedule the appointment for late May/June. I received an email back stating that they have no interview dates left for May, and that I have been placed on a cancellation list for May, and if no appointments become available, then I will be moved to the June waiting list.

The email correspondence is vague and despite numerous emails, the consulate don't seem to be able to give me clear direction, and their phone number is extremely difficult to navigate, and I haven't been able to speak to an actual person on the line yet. I am unsure as to whether I am on a waiting list for June for cancellations, or if they have not yet allocated appointments for June, and I'm next in line to be booked in? I did email them to clarify this, but no response as yet - This was 3 days ago, I am sending them another email follow up today. The NOA2 will expiry mid June, and I asked them if we should extend the validity of it, and they have told me how to do this - Fairly simple procedure of my fiancee signing a document and emailing it to them requesting the extension, however I'm not sure if we should apply for the extension now, or wait and see what the consulate say next regarding an appointment... They did not answer that part of my query.

I am wondering if anyone else has had to reschedule their interview date at the SYDNEY consulate, and how the process was for them? How long did you have to wait for another appointment? Did you struggle to communicate effectively with the consulate?

I would really appreciate anybody that has dealt with the SYDNEY consulate, to bring their story forward. As always, this is a nerve wracking and stressful process, and the more we all share, the more we all feel less alone in this!

Thanks in advance A&M

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K-1 Process to Australia/New Zealand Regional Forum~

~Inquiry is embassy-specific~

[BFP XX 62]

Bump

[darin&josh 18]

It does seem strange they didn't allocate you the next available appointment (whether it was May or June) but perhaps they are not wanting to schedule anything close to your NOA2 expiry date?

I imagine that if an appointment becomes available in May the notification email will include the same instructions that if you cannot make it then you should contact them within 5 days to reschedule. At that point my guess is they will either allocate you a June slot or put you on the wait-list for that month.

As for your NOA2 expiry date, I would probably get the document ready and signed by your US partner and send it to the Consulate around mid May if you have not had an appointment scheduled by then.

The Consulate has only just changed their process it seems which has cut out a few steps. For some people it means getting their visa faster, but unfortunately for individuals in your situation ####### means here are no longer options to spread out the process.

p.s. Did you include your expected return date to Australia in your emails?

Edited March 21, 2014 by darin&josh

[Rinni 3]

I'm cant say much on the interview scheduling side of things, but if all else fails, when it comes to sending in the extension letter from your Fiance/e, put [uRGENT] in the email Topic (along with your case number). They will generally respond to it quicker. I had my NOA2 expiring on the 29th and got my extension letter sent through on the 26th. The shifty thing is they don't confirm that they have extended it- instead they will only contact you if it is rejected.

"If your request for revalidation is approved your application will automatically be extended & you will not be notified, however, if it is denied, only then will we contact you within 5 business days to you to advise you further."

But definitely get it ready and signed. Just save for when you need to input the date.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Rinni

[Madrugada 0]

I'm cant say much on the interview scheduling side of things, but if all else fails, when it comes to sending in the extension letter from your Fiance/e, put [uRGENT] in the email Topic (along with your case number). They will generally respond to it quicker. I had my NOA2 expiring on the 29th and got my extension letter sent through on the 26th. The shifty thing is they don't confirm that they have extended it- instead they will only contact you if it is rejected.

But definitely get it ready and signed. Just save for when you need to input the date.

Was there some specific form you had to send them to request an extension? We got our petition approved October 1st and my fiancé is supposed to come visit me from Perth November 9 through February 7 which would be past the validity period. Barring altering the dates of her visit, what can we do so that her visit won't void the whole process?

Daniel