Couple of things...

[Milushka 22]

Vsem privet !

Our petition is yet at NVC, 10 days as they received. NOA2 approved 03/24. I have called 2 times so far, seems like I had the same agent both of times. I ve got our MOS number and a reply it should be sent soon, he also said tht thr no any additional notes on our case. My question if its not in AP how long more they gonna hold it? your experiences. Is thr any timeframe at all (10-15 days or smth)?

I was playing with DHL tracker, looks like they send everytime packages to Moscow 5-6lb - so heavy right,,, I know the consulate is going to be busy. :/

Another question from the statement above, I expect to get a June date. But we are fully ready already and do not need those more months of separation. Is there any chance to request an earlier date if we dont have 'kids to go to school/none of us is pregnant' reason. Anybody had an experience? We ve been waiting for 6,5 months to hear from VSC, days ago the whole process was taking ths amount of time. Do you think its pointless to ask people over there?

Btw, today for the first time they talked on a russian tv news about possible government shutdown...

[thelastpetitioner 218]

A) DHL officials and websites do say about how they send 5,6lbs packages,but in reality that would mean opening and separating some heavy over 5,6 lbs packages. they said the same thing here in iran when i asked whether or not they send packages to US embassy in ankara,but when the DHL guy came over i explained to him the purpose of it and he sent JUST my package ,alone which was 0.5 lbs.SO all and all,dont believe dhl websites,they are much more flexible in reality .

B) about request an earlier date,its possible,i have personally seen it,the odds are not that great,but there is a possibility that someone expedites or requests a later date and youll be able to get their date.

good luck

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Vsem privet !

Our petition is yet at NVC, 10 days as they received. NOA2 approved 03/24. I have called 2 times so far, seems like I had the same agent both of times. I ve got our MOS number and a reply it should be sent soon, he also said tht thr no any additional notes on our case. My question if its not in AP how long more they gonna hold it? your experiences. Is thr any timeframe at all (10-15 days or smth)?

I was playing with DHL tracker, looks like they send everytime packages to Moscow 5-6lb - so heavy right,,, I know the consulate is going to be busy. :/

Another question from the statement above, I expect to get a June date. But we are fully ready already and do not need those more months of separation. Is there any chance to request an earlier date if we dont have 'kids to go to school/none of us is pregnant' reason. Anybody had an experience? We ve been waiting for 6,5 months to hear from VSC, days ago the whole process was taking ths amount of time. Do you think its pointless to ask people over there?

Btw, today for the first time they talked on a russian tv news about possible government shutdown...

Getting an answer from NVC is about as difficult as getting one from USCIS. Keep in mind they have NO DESIRE to give you an answer. Imagine what would happen since they handle hundreds of thousands of visa petitions, in fact ALL of them.

Asking the consulate for an earlier date is probably one click above a "total waste of time" but it is free, so why not? Fact is that each consulate does a particular number of these visa interviews every day and that is all. The calendar fills up and that is it. They usually offer the first available appointment, there would be no "earlier" appointments unless someone cancels and that is fairly rare. When we made our K-1 appointment with Kiev, there was a 2 month lead time. I asked for anything earlier and they said "If someone cancels we will call you" 10 months later when I asked for a K-2 to follow appointment, they said "We have one available for today or you can come any other day this week" I actually wanted it for a a couple weeks later. The lead time varies but it isn't like they keep some available for people that ask nicely or even beg. They are filled up and that is pretty much it.

[baron555 934]

Vsem privet !

Our petition is yet at NVC, 10 days as they received. NOA2 approved 03/24. I have called 2 times so far, seems like I had the same agent both of times. I ve got our MOS number and a reply it should be sent soon, he also said tht thr no any additional notes on our case. My question if its not in AP how long more they gonna hold it? your experiences. Is thr any timeframe at all (10-15 days or smth)?

I was playing with DHL tracker, looks like they send everytime packages to Moscow 5-6lb - so heavy right,,, I know the consulate is going to be busy. :/

Another question from the statement above, I expect to get a June date. But we are fully ready already and do not need those more months of separation. Is there any chance to request an earlier date if we dont have 'kids to go to school/none of us is pregnant' reason. Anybody had an experience? We ve been waiting for 6,5 months to hear from VSC, days ago the whole process was taking ths amount of time. Do you think its pointless to ask people over there?

Btw, today for the first time they talked on a russian tv news about possible government shutdown...

Look at our timeline for an example. We were in AP at NVC for over three weeks.

You can ask but WILL NOT get an earlier interview date, you will get the next date avaiable. Yes is it pointless to ask since you already know the answer. You knew up front that you'd wait many months and you are and will. Don't worry, all will be OK.

Yep and the shutdown is only caused by the elected officials that we all elected to represent us. If they are not representing you as you think they should, your future voting should reflect that.

[dogspot 90]

You can ask but WILL NOT get an earlier interview date, you will get the next date avaiable. Yes is it pointless to ask since you already know the answer.

This is NOT true. If you have a valid reason for an expedite the embassy MIGHT listen and MIGHT move your interview date. It is NOT pointless to ask and you have NOTHING to lose by asking.

[Turboguy 6]

I would tend to agree with those who say it is a waste to request an earlier date. Everyone wants an earlier date and unless there is a really great reason it isn't going to happen.

As slow as the process seems when you look back on it the time doesn't seem so bad. We spent 5 or 6 months in A/R but still I look back on it as having gone fast.

[baron555 934]

This is NOT true. If you have a valid reason for an expedite the embassy MIGHT listen and MIGHT move your interview date. It is NOT pointless to ask and you have NOTHING to lose by asking.

Based on my experience with the Moscow Embassy, my statements have a 99.999% probability of being correct.

So I stand corrected, here is a very slight teenie-weenie chance of an earlier date. I'll put money down on my choice.

[ONA 133]

Based on my experience with the Moscow Embassy, my statements have a 99.999% probability of being correct.

So I stand corrected, here is a very slight teenie-weenie chance of an earlier date. I'll put money down on my choice.

even if chance is 0.00000000000001% it's worth trying, i think. an e-mail doesn't cost anything, so there is nothing to lose.

[dogspot 90]

Based on my experience with the Moscow Embassy, my statements have a 99.999% probability of being correct.

So I stand corrected, here is a very slight teenie-weenie chance of an earlier date. I'll put money down on my choice.

Since I know of two couples who recently requested and were granted early interview dates at the Moscow Embassy, without life or death circumstances, I would say the probability is much greater than .001. It doesn't hurt to ask. To tell someone it is pointless to ask is misleading.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Based on my experience with the Moscow Embassy, my statements have a 99.999% probability of being correct.

So I stand corrected, here is a very slight teenie-weenie chance of an earlier date. I'll put money down on my choice.

You are correct Phil and that is why I said it is one click above useless to ask.

They have a certain number of interviews they do every day, the days are booked in advance. They rarely cancel and if they do it is usually last minute. Since you need a medical before the interview, how are they going to reschedule? Agreeing to move a date up means they are agreeing to expand their interviews for that day and they just do not do that because you waited 6 months for USCIS.

even if chance is 0.00000000000001% it's worth trying, i think. an e-mail doesn't cost anything, so there is nothing to lose.

true, and given that your chances are better than the cost of the email...why not?

[slim 1,525]

Why would you want to speed up this process? Enjoy being single while you still can!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Why would you want to speed up this process? Enjoy being single while you still can!

I will say that very quickly you forget about how much you went through to get them here as LIFE takes over and there is a lot to do. I always tell people NOT to forget what they went through to get their loved ones here, especially when it seems like an awful lot to handle.

[james&olya 1,121]

Based on my experience with the Moscow Embassy, my statements have a 99.999% probability of being correct.

So I stand corrected, here is a very slight teenie-weenie chance of an earlier date. I'll put money down on my choice.

I requested and was given an earlier interview date. I sent an email to the consulate laying out our reasons as clearly and succinctly as possible. The reason was to get her 13 y/o son here in time to get signed up for summer activities that we hope will get his English skills up to speed for 9th grade beginning in September. They did not require any special forms or proofs. Based on my series of one, I say there is a 100% chance of success!

[dogspot 90]

You are correct Phil and that is why I said it is one click above useless to ask.

No he is not and neither are you. The truth is, you never know until you ask. Those of you who never asked think it's useless to ask. But those of us who DID ask and our requests granted, we know that it is definitely worth while to ask.

Like James and Olya, we constructed a well written letter outlining our reasons for the request for date change and submitted it via email to the embassy. After two business days our request was granted and our date was moved from June to April. I know of one other couple who recently did the same with the same result. So make that 3 out of 3 cases I know of where the change was granted upon request.

[Milushka 22]

Thank you all for your feedback.

I see its quite contraversial, so I ll just go ahead and see whats the result will be. Whatever the outcome I ll post it later here