Asking for Havana interview time to be moved up IN PERSON at "consulate"

[baronson23 0]

Hi all,

I was approved by USCIS 10 days ago and have not yet received an interview appointment. I called the number and they said they are not scheduling any more interviews until further notice. Is this a fact?

If not, I was wondering with all the talk of 8+ month wait times, I will be in Havana next week, and plan to stop by the US Interests Section to inquire about timing, etc. I have two questions:

- Since we have not yet received a new file # for Havana, will my fiance even be identifiable yet?

- I was told by USCIS that me arriving in person can only help the process. Does anyone have experience getting a more favorable interview date by asking in person?

Thanks all!

-brian

[ann and aties 9]

Wow, I don't know, Brian but once we got our NOA2, we got the HAV case number pretty quickly - hopefully you will have that before your trip. Are you signed up for email notifications, because then maybe you can get it in your email while you are in Cuba. Please let us know how it goes at the public interest section and I hope you are successful.

[Beau & Digna 5]

Hi Brian,

I’m assuming you called the correct visa interview scheduling number (1-866-374-1769), and purchased a PIN# for the call. I’ve not heard of K-1 visa interviews not being scheduled, in fact another Cuba member on VJ (Adelante2010) just scheduled a K-1 interview yesterday. I know there are other types of visas that they aren’t scheduling interviews for however.

I did see that you listed the Armenia consulate though, and perhaps that has something to do with it. I have no idea how you even go through them, but I see a few people do list Armenia as their consulate. Is it the same US Interest Section as for the Switzerland Consulate?…Shared building?

You should get a snail mail letter from the National Visa Center any day now (maybe a week by my timeline) containing your new case # for Havana. They don’t send an alert to your email like USCIS does. If I recall correctly, this is definitely required to schedule the interview in Havana. I believe it’s the first question they ask. We called the NVC (603-334-0700) about 5 days after USCIS approved the I-129F, and obtained our new case # starting with HAV over the phone…It probably saved a week+ vs. waiting for snail mail. I called early, and got a live, helpful person first try.

Good luck with scheduling in person in Havana, and your other timing questions…I’m curious as well. I will be there in two weeks, and planned to do the same. Please share what you find. Specifically, I’m curious about how current medical, and police records need to be, and if we need to wait a few months to time it closer to our October interview.

[Claudia2010 1]

Branson are you doing k1 or cr1??because i have heard that about cr1 since nvc is the one that schedule does for cuba...call the nvc and get your hav#..once thats done just call the 1800 number and schedule your interview..I went myself to the US section in havana even pick up the package for my fiance so those things you can do..now I tried scheduling the appt and they said it has to be done from here calling the 1800 number..you can always try though..worst case you will get same answer..good luck and get the hav# and your fiance passport info you will need to it to set up his interview.

[payxibka 10,047]

moving to:

US Embassy and Consulate Discussion

This is the place to post your experiences or questions related to this last step before moving to the US. Topics relating to I-134's, packets sent from consulate and medical & police certificates should be posted here.

[RumbaBumba 4]

The antecedentes penales from the Departmento de justicia works just fine. You can get them in one day if you go to Havana. Just give your carnet and come back the next day. They need less than 6 months old upon POE.

Hi Brian,

I’m assuming you called the correct visa interview scheduling number (1-866-374-1769), and purchased a PIN# for the call. I’ve not heard of K-1 visa interviews not being scheduled, in fact another Cuba member on VJ (Adelante2010) just scheduled a K-1 interview yesterday. I know there are other types of visas that they aren’t scheduling interviews for however.

I did see that you listed the Armenia consulate though, and perhaps that has something to do with it. I have no idea how you even go through them, but I see a few people do list Armenia as their consulate. Is it the same US Interest Section as for the Switzerland Consulate?…Shared building?

You should get a snail mail letter from the National Visa Center any day now (maybe a week by my timeline) containing your new case # for Havana. They don’t send an alert to your email like USCIS does. If I recall correctly, this is definitely required to schedule the interview in Havana. I believe it’s the first question they ask. We called the NVC (603-334-0700) about 5 days after USCIS approved the I-129F, and obtained our new case # starting with HAV over the phone…It probably saved a week+ vs. waiting for snail mail. I called early, and got a live, helpful person first try.

Good luck with scheduling in person in Havana, and your other timing questions…I’m curious as well. I will be there in two weeks, and planned to do the same. Please share what you find. Specifically, I’m curious about how current medical, and police records need to be, and if we need to wait a few months to time it closer to our October interview.

[RumbaBumba 4]

Hey Claudia,

Did the NVC tell you to schedule the interview through the PIN? They said I don't qualify for the PIN number. I'm a bit bummed out because i'd like to get a date or something. Very stressful. I haven't heard of a package yet and I've been 1 1/2 month complete from NVC. QUe piensas?

Branson are you doing k1 or cr1??because i have heard that about cr1 since nvc is the one that schedule does for cuba...call the nvc and get your hav#..once thats done just call the 1800 number and schedule your interview..I went myself to the US section in havana even pick up the package for my fiance so those things you can do..now I tried scheduling the appt and they said it has to be done from here calling the 1800 number..you can always try though..worst case you will get same answer..good luck and get the hav# and your fiance passport info you will need to it to set up his interview.

[baronson23 0]

Update. I went to the Interests Section and presented our case for an interview expedite, after getting a Nov 16 date. My fiance has a very sick stepfather and her sister is getting married in August, so I presented proof of each and am now crossing my fingers. They say we should know in 10 days.

Seems that phone calls to those on the Cuban side of the equation are more theoretical than real. Each time I follow up myself I get results. When told they'll contact my fiance, nothing happens.... which is quite representative of Cuba, isn't it?

thanks all. more updates as i get them.

[HeartinCuba 0]

Received approval from NVC on Feb28(almost three months from petition received). Letter arrived on March25 stating that papers have been sent to US Interests Section, Havana. Will call Monday to schedule interview. My fiance called USIC a couple weeks ago and the person o the phone stated that given they received the papers soon the earliest date for an interview would be in September. I called a few days later and was told the earliest date would be in November. Does anyone know of ways to expedite the interview? Once the interview is scheduled what is the approximate wait time to receive the visa? Exit visa from Cuba?

Thanks

Edited March 26, 2011 by HeartinCuba

[ann and aties 9]

Hi HeartinCuba - We received our NOA2 in February and the earliest interview date I could get was October. Good luck in expediting and with your journey.

[RumbaBumba 4]

Im approved in feb 8th! And heard nothing! Lucky lucky!

Good luck in your appointment process! Nothing but the best

[Brother 0]

I am in the same position, the 1800 number is always busy, I have spent three days calling continiusly and it is always busy...

[ann and aties 9]

Hi Brother are you calling to schedule the appointment at 1-866-374-1769?