NVC and Embassy questions!

[redskins47chaos 6]

Hi fellow VJers

Sooooo first off, our petition was approved last Wednesday and I was wondering when should we start calling the NVC? Will they give us our case number even if we don't call???

Also, I read before that it is advised to wait for the packet 3 before scheduling the medical, but I also read stories about people having to schedule it in a hurry because they found out that their interview was scheduled only a few days ahead. So my question is, should I schedule my medical as soon as we have a case number assigned by the NVC? If yes, does it matter if it ends up being like 3 weeks prior to the actual interview?

One more question, although it might be country specific, does it take one or two days to complete the medical? I've heard that sometimes, you need to pick up the results the next day.

That's about it for now, thank you for your help

[feli114 65]

I started calling a week after. You might need the case number to schedule your medical and you will need it to contact the embassy. Medical is good for one year. My fiance's medical took 2 days, but all the results took 3 days. His medical was completed about 2 weeks before the interview. Good luck to you.

[Cathi 5,748]

You cannot schedule you medical until you have received you appointment letter for the interview. You are required to bring a copy of that letter to the medical with you.

[C-ma'am 684]

You cannot schedule you medical until you have received you appointment letter for the interview. You are required to bring a copy of that letter to the medical with you.

This may be incorrect for France, as not all Embassies operate the same way. For example: in Argentina you don't need any letter to get your medical done, in other places you do.

That question can be best answered by someone in the Regional part of the forum for Europe or by Dido (if she's around)

[redskins47chaos 6]

I started calling a week after. You might need the case number to schedule your medical and you will need it to contact the embassy. Medical is good for one year. My fiance's medical took 2 days, but all the results took 3 days. His medical was completed about 2 weeks before the interview. Good luck to you.

Thanks everyone Hmm why would I need to contact the embassy?? Aren't they suppose to mail me the packet 3? Oh and what do you mean by it took three days? It doesn't take three days to draw your blood I guess I should ask somebody from France. Thanks again!

[KevinF 3]

You do need a copy of your appointment letter to take to the medical exam in Paris.

[didopage 337]

I'm arouuuund!

When dealing with the French Embassy, the case number is not really important. Normally, NVC sends a letter to the US citizen when they assigned the case number (starting for PRS for us) and forwarded the case to the Embassy. Some people have reported not receiving this letter though, so if you want (it's optional), I advise you to start calling NVC 10 days after your NOA2 approval, and then every other day... Ask if they received your case, and if yes, what is the case number (note it). You will only need it when completing one form that is in the packet 3 (first packet of instructions sent by the embassy). Otherwise, it will be useful later, if you want to have some update about your case (optional again) by calling the DOS (they will ask for this number).

Count a big month after NOA2 before receiving the packet 3. It's summer, delays are long. Keep you inform of what this packet contains before having it, gather all the documents needed, so as soon as you will receive it, you will be able to send back the DS-2001 Notification of Readiness where you affirm that you have all the documents needed for the interview. You won't lose additonnal time by getting ready before receiving the embassy infos. Look at this link, http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=France&cty=Paris it contains tons of infos that will help you to be prepare. I personally updated this link when I received my packet 3, then 4, and then by talking with french people who got their interview after me (visa fees changes since my interview). You can find the forms on the travel.state.gov website. Count another month from the time you send the DS-2001 to receive the packet 4...

Though you will find all the infos about the medical on that link (Paris Embassy VJ), you only receive the instructions about it on the packet 4. My advice is to at least wait for your packet 3 before booking your medical. You don't need your appointment letter (at least, at Dr Slattery's office). The medical office you will choose may ask you what is your interview date when you'll book your appointment, but I don't think there will be a problem if you want to do it before having your packet 4 (which contains your interview date). The medical last only one day, usually it takes a few hours (check-up with the doctor, blood test to see if you have the syphillys, and X-rays). I see you read that story about that french guy who received his packet 4 the day before his interview. Well, this is highly rare, and that guy was living in Paris. I would say someone cancelled the appointment at the last minute, and the embassy put him on that empty spot because he was living in the city. If you live far from Paris, I would say, don't worry about it, and wait for your packet 4 to book your medical. People who usually lives far from the capital book their medical the day before their interview. They only do one trip to Paris, so it's less expensive.

You do not need to contact the embassy now, and to be honest, that is a pain to contact them. Delays are long, a lot of person wants to contact them before it's been X weeks and they still don't have their packet/visa... but that's a waste of energy, they rarely answer. If you want update about your case when you know that your case is at the embassy, best is to call the DOS. You'll have quickly an answer, like if the embassy sent you your packet 3, if they assign you a interview date, or if you visa was sent.

Past NVC, the process is highly country-specific. If you have future questions, you can ask me or visit the french-american couples topic.

[redskins47chaos 6]

Thank you so much Dido, you're awesome I will definitely contact you for a few more questions if you don't mind So, I shouldn't expect to have my interview before a couple months, right? That's was I was thinking anyways. One more question, when do I pay for the Visa fee? Thank you so much

[didopage 337]

Yes, even more than 2 months. You'll pay the visa fee when you'll receive the packet 4. You'll have your interview date inside and a final checklist of what you need to bring. That's also when they tell you how much is the visa fee. Better not paying it before, because it looks like it changes regularly (probably because of the change rate between $ and euros) and they write it by hand on your letter.