Best way to request interview date?

[CanadatoUS 0]

Does the NVC or Montreal Consulate schedule the IR-1 interview date? I have my DS230 ready to mail, but have been holding on to it because I would like my interview to be in early May 2009 if possible (due to work reasons). Who would I contact to request for that (before they even schedule the interview)? The last thing I want is to be given an interview date before May, and then having to wait months to reschedule. Do they only schedule interviews a month in advance? Or can they possibly schedule me for a May interview in Feb?

Any tips? Thanks in advance!

Edited December 29, 2008 by CanadatoUS

[MrsCat 6]

I've never heard of anyone being able to schedule their interview, but I suppose anything is possible. They don't schedule your interview until all your paperwork is complete and in order. I'm not sure who does the scheduling if its NVC or Montreal. I am sure someone on here will know.

Your best bet, is probably to find out which one, and email or write a letter to NVC indicating the reasons you'd like to have your interview after a particular date.

Good luck.

[Galateia 1]

I asked my interview to be rescheduled from July to no earlier than Dec, and the doofuses assured me I'd get one in Dec, but messed up and gave me early than fall, and then promised to re-instate my spot on the list and give me Dec or Jan ... and bumped me back to the bottom, resulting in a very hectic medical expiry problem that almost cost me my visa.

See siggy for gory details.

You can submit a letter with your packet 3 asking for "no earlier than X date" but there are no guarantees.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Once you get the visa,you do NOT have to use it right away, you have up to 6 months to "activate" it!!

[truckerbob 0]

Does the NVC or Montreal Consulate schedule the IR-1 interview date? I have my DS230 ready to mail, but have been holding on to it because I would like my interview to be in early May 2009 if possible (due to work reasons). Who would I contact to request for that (before they even schedule the interview)? The last thing I want is to be given an interview date before May, and then having to wait months to reschedule. Do they only schedule interviews a month in advance? Or can they possibly schedule me for a May interview in Feb?

Any tips? Thanks in advance!

It took Montreal two months to set my interview date (then I only got 3 days notice of the interview) and another month to send my passport to me. My passport visa does not expire until June 09. So I have until then to move into the states.

[trailmix 77]

Does the NVC or Montreal Consulate schedule the IR-1 interview date? I have my DS230 ready to mail, but have been holding on to it because I would like my interview to be in early May 2009 if possible (due to work reasons). Who would I contact to request for that (before they even schedule the interview)? The last thing I want is to be given an interview date before May, and then having to wait months to reschedule. Do they only schedule interviews a month in advance? Or can they possibly schedule me for a May interview in Feb?

Any tips? Thanks in advance!

It took Montreal two months to set my interview date (then I only got 3 days notice of the interview) and another month to send my passport to me. My passport visa does not expire until June 09. So I have until then to move into the states.

I think Galateia gave you a pretty good idea of how it will go if you ask them to schedule for a particular time.

You do have 6 months to activate the visa (as long as your passport is still valid for another 6 months after the interview).

Personally I think your best bet is to either wait to activate your visa, or activate it and then stay in Canada for a few months before actually moving. It is 5 months to May. If you mailed your DS-230 (and you have already mailed your affidavit of support) and there are no RFEs - you can probably be approved in a week or two.

You probably wouldn't be scheduled for an interview before February, probably more like March.

NVC schedules the interviews btw, not the consulate.

Trucker Bob - Did you just get your visa back this month?

Also, it would be really helpful if you guys could fill out your timelines. It helps everyone applying as the dates are used for timelines for your particular visa. To do that just click on My Assistant at the top of the page, on the pop up box that opens you will see an option for Edit / Add my timeline.

Edited December 30, 2008 by trailmix

[truckerbob 0]

Trucker Bob - Did you just get your visa back this month?

I got my visa back this month. In fact I went to the mail on December 24th and there it was...a nice Christmas present I must say.

[CanadatoUS 0]

Thanks for all your inputs. I know that I have 6 months to activate the visa. I don't want to activate it until after our 2 year wedding anniversary (so it becomes IR-1 instead of CR-1), which would mean after Aug 2009. Also, because of work reasons, I can't take time off work without at least 1 month notice, and May is the best time for me to get time off. That's why I've been holding off on mailing the DS230 (I haven't mailed it yet). I also haven't filled out my timeline because I've been purposely delaying every process along the way (for reasons described above), and I thought my timeline would actually mislead people.

It's helpful to know that it's the NVC that schedules the interviews. I will send them an email once my file is complete to explain my request for interview dates.

Thank you all!

Edited December 31, 2008 by CanadatoUS