From N.Ireland (UK) and have a Dublin Embassy case number from NVC...

[arwilson80 0]

I guess this is more geared to the N.Ireland folks...

It appears that i am going to Dublin for my interview (NVC case # is DBL******) even though i'm technically from the UK and 'should' be going to London.

While this is better for me (in that i can drive there rather than flights, etc) i'm just wondering if it's likely to cause any problems?

[TracyTN 237]

That's really confusing. N. Ireland has always been routed through London for K1s. I'd be inclined to ask the NVC about that one.

[arwilson80 0]

That's really confusing. N. Ireland has always been routed through London for K1s. I'd be inclined to ask the NVC about that one.

I did but the guy didn't seem to know what i was talking about... He said "But we have Ireland for your address" to which i told him that it should be "N.Ireland and that we were part of the UK". At which point there was just silence...

I think that i may just have to call them back (or e-mail - maybe better) and state that i believe that it is wrong. Mind you a 2 hour drive to Dublin would be better than flights, accommodation, etc in London.

[arwilson80 0]

Just called them back and spoke with someone else...

Dublin is indeed correct (by her as well). Apparently they assigned me to Dublin as it would be easier for me to get to.

[doghandler 2]

Just called them back and spoke with someone else...

Dublin is indeed correct (by her as well). Apparently they assigned me to Dublin as it would be easier for me to get to.

Is this the first time this has happened? Could they be applying common sense for once? Have they just realised they do have facilities in other parts of the UK? When did they start caring about "what is easier for us"? What is going on?

I want to go to the Edinburgh consulate for interview instead of London as it is across the street from my house!

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

What exactly is your address? (city and county)

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

First time I heard of this, cool!

[arwilson80 0]

What exactly is your address? (city and county)

Almost at the top of the country in County Antrim...

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Almost at the top of the country in County Antrim...

Well, that's the North for sure. I was pretty sure you knew where you lived but I couldn't resist asking because this is indeed the first time I've ever heard of this. The usual ritual is for residents of the North to be begging NVC for the case to be sent to Dublin (or Belfast) to ease travel, and firmly being denied.

USCIS has country codes by which they classify aliens. And a lot of people in the US don't know their geography. When your data was first entered into their system, you may have been improperly classified. The codes consist of two capital alphabet letters and relate to the official name of the country. "UK" in the USCIS system is not the United Kingdom - it is the Ukraine. I do not exactly recall the alpha codes for "Great Britain and Northern Ireland" (which is your proper designation) or the code for the Republic. But at any rate, if some dolt who doesn't recognize that the plot of mud on the map known as Ireland consists of two countries, you may have coded wrong.

I only relate this story for two reasons. The first reason is because it's been known to happen before and cause green cards to be produced with the wrong nation listed. Secondly (and more importantly for you) the case could be shipped to the wrong consulate which causes delays.

If this is a new policy of NVC, it'd be lovely for all. But if I were you, I'd be checking further before it got shipped off to Dublin. Unless this is an official policy change, Dublin will end up packing the case off to London, which will slow your process down.

[arwilson80 0]

Well, that's the North for sure. I was pretty sure you knew where you lived but I couldn't resist asking because this is indeed the first time I've ever heard of this. The usual ritual is for residents of the North to be begging NVC for the case to be sent to Dublin (or Belfast) to ease travel, and firmly being denied.

USCIS has country codes by which they classify aliens. And a lot of people in the US don't know their geography. When your data was first entered into their system, you may have been improperly classified. The codes consist of two capital alphabet letters and relate to the official name of the country. "UK" in the USCIS system is not the United Kingdom - it is the Ukraine. I do not exactly recall the alpha codes for "Great Britain and Northern Ireland" (which is your proper designation) or the code for the Republic. But at any rate, if some dolt who doesn't recognize that the plot of mud on the map known as Ireland consists of two countries, you may have coded wrong.

I only relate this story for two reasons. The first reason is because it's been known to happen before and cause green cards to be produced with the wrong nation listed. Secondly (and more importantly for you) the case could be shipped to the wrong consulate which causes delays.

If this is a new policy of NVC, it'd be lovely for all. But if I were you, I'd be checking further before it got shipped off to Dublin. Unless this is an official policy change, Dublin will end up packing the case off to London, which will slow your process down.

That is exactly what i am afraid of... wedding is July 24 so i can't afford to have a delay.

I'd guess UK might be GB???

Edited March 12, 2010 by arwilson80

[TracyTN 237]

London case numbers start with LDN.

If the NVC have already shipped your case to Dublin, then there isn't much you can do now except wait until it gets there and contact Dublin at that time. I agree that they'll likely ship your case to London once they realize the error.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

London case numbers start with LDN.

If the NVC have already shipped your case to Dublin, then there isn't much you can do now except wait until it gets there and contact Dublin at that time. I agree that they'll likely ship your case to London once they realize the error.

Right but the coding I'm speaking of isn't the consular code. There is another 2 alpha (not 3 alpha) code which is used to designate country.

Now, I will admit to not knowing WHEN the code is FIRST used (ie during visa processing, after US entry, etc). But I know it is used as an identifier for production of documents and I know the coding is supposed to match the alien's passport.

[Old Dominion 26]

Either way, it is a United States Consulate. So it matters not to the applicant where the interview takes place. It's more convenient for you. An American will conduct the interview and make the decision. That's all that counts.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Either way, it is a United States Consulate. So it matters not to the applicant where the interview takes place. It's more convenient for you. An American will conduct the interview and make the decision. That's all that counts.

I presume you're aware of DOS practice of interviewing the beneficiary in the country of their residence? The OP doesn't live in Ireland. He lives in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

As I said earlier, it would be lovely if NVC/DOS has decided that residents of the North don't have to leave the island for processing. But since they don't seem to care (for example) about Canadians having to go thousands of miles for interviews, then I believe what we have here is an error.

*edited for clarity*

Edited March 12, 2010 by JohnnyQuest

[arwilson80 0]

I contacted them again this morning (they weren't too happy about it, but anyway...).

Dublin is INCORRECT as i/we thought.

NVC still have the case

E-mail is drafted, just need to attach a scan of the biographic page of my passport and send it off when i get in from work.

Lets hope the petition is still in NVC when the e-mail arrives.