Moscow Embassy. No available interview times

[griffy 0]

So we are waiting for our email from the russian embassy to go ahead and schedule an appointment. We tried to speed the process up a little and time it right and go ahead and schedule an appointment online. We logged in and it shows no time available for the next 4 months. I called the call center and they stated they do not show any available time slots over the next 4 months either. They said it was strange and would address it with us when we get our email from the embassy. They stated it could take 60 days for us to get the email from the embassy to schedule our interview. Is anyone else experiencing this issue? I really cant imagine they suddenly have no open interview spots for 4 months. Obviously our approval will have expired by then. Any suggestions on this issue? This holiday season has been very frustrating. It seems to have caused more delays with our K-1 process.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Obviously our approval will have expired by then. Any suggestions on this issue?

This is one item you don't need to concern yourself with, the Embassy has the ability to re-validate the petition if an interview has not yet taken place.

Re-validation of petitions is common and routine.

[Dave&Roza 748]

So we are waiting for our email from the russian embassy to go ahead and schedule an appointment. We tried to speed the process up a little and time it right and go ahead and schedule an appointment online. We logged in and it shows no time available for the next 4 months. I called the call center and they stated they do not show any available time slots over the next 4 months either. They said it was strange and would address it with us when we get our email from the embassy. They stated it could take 60 days for us to get the email from the embassy to schedule our interview. Is anyone else experiencing this issue? I really cant imagine they suddenly have no open interview spots for 4 months. Obviously our approval will have expired by then. Any suggestions on this issue? This holiday season has been very frustrating. It seems to have caused more delays with our K-1 process.

It could be that the Embassy uses a computer system that cannot deal with next year untl 2013 actually arrives. They may have to run a process on New Year's or January 2nd to set up the schedule for 2013. Our payroll cannot give us our floating holiday or persona leave days until the new year and you have to take them before the last pay period in the same year all because of the way the software handles dates. I would check after the new year and see if thi is still the case. The Embassy can extend the validity of the petition as they see fit.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited December 26, 2012 by Dave&Roza

[griffy 0]

I realize they can renew my approval. As you all understand the thought of further delays is a huge stress. We already had one delay at the NVC and now it seems we are experiencing more delays. I have asked my attorney to send an email asking for escalation due to a few concerns with my fiance and her son. I will see what happens. I do know they will be closed for most of the week and next week due to the holidays. I wish my employer would let me celebrate american holidays and a few russian holidays as well. I realize we all have to have patience, but at some point I would love to see a little action on their side.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So we are waiting for our email from the russian embassy to go ahead and schedule an appointment. We tried to speed the process up a little and time it right and go ahead and schedule an appointment online. We logged in and it shows no time available for the next 4 months. I called the call center and they stated they do not show any available time slots over the next 4 months either. They said it was strange and would address it with us when we get our email from the embassy. They stated it could take 60 days for us to get the email from the embassy to schedule our interview. Is anyone else experiencing this issue? I really cant imagine they suddenly have no open interview spots for 4 months. Obviously our approval will have expired by then. Any suggestions on this issue? This holiday season has been very frustrating. It seems to have caused more delays with our K-1 process.

Consulates in Ukraine and Russia release interview times in "blocks" which depend on the demand at the time. Sometimes in 2 week blocks, sometimes in 2 month blocks. It could just be they have not opened the next blocks of times. You can check the Moscow consulate website for estimated interview times. If it really is a 4 month wait (it could be, it was 3 months for us in Kiev) then you can request an earlier interview date if one is available and have your fiancee go to get her medical in advance so she is ready (medical exams are good for one year, for either the interview or AOS) Get her police certificates, etc and be prepared to take an interview on short notice.

While we waited 3 months, 50% longer than we waited for the NOA2, our son (K-2 to follow) 10 months later could have had a "same day" interview, it can vary that much!

As far as your petition approval, as long as you make an interview appointment before it expires you are fine...also you can extend the approval in four month increments by simply requesting the consulate do so. Don't worry about that. Holidays DO cause delays, it is true.

Also keep in mind that your K-1 process does not BEGIN until the visa is issued. You will have a four year process of waiting and doing this after the visa is issued...get used to it.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I realize they can renew my approval. As you all understand the thought of further delays is a huge stress. We already had one delay at the NVC and now it seems we are experiencing more delays. I have asked my attorney to send an email asking for escalation due to a few concerns with my fiance and her son. I will see what happens. I do know they will be closed for most of the week and next week due to the holidays. I wish my employer would let me celebrate american holidays and a few russian holidays as well. I realize we all have to have patience, but at some point I would love to see a little action on their side.

You are going to need a LOT more patience. There is nothing much your attorney can do, or ever could.

[Noah Lot 391]

I realize they can renew my approval. As you all understand the thought of further delays is a huge stress. We already had one delay at the NVC and now it seems we are experiencing more delays. I have asked my attorney to send an email asking for escalation due to a few concerns with my fiance and her son. I will see what happens. I do know they will be closed for most of the week and next week due to the holidays. I wish my employer would let me celebrate american holidays and a few russian holidays as well. I realize we all have to have patience, but at some point I would love to see a little action on their side.

Everyone wants to be at the front of the line, but only one can be....imagine all the other requests for jumping the queue...

[griffy 0]

Thanks Gary, I am trying to be patient. As you know it can be very frustrating. Our attorney can only do one thing and that is make the request to expedite. I do know from other members they have been successful in getting an interview quicker by doing so. It is good to know their process in releasing interview times. The sad thing is I was able to see them about 3 weeks ago for december. But after our file was sent to the embassy the interview dates were all gone and nothing going forward. I am not too worried about the approval expiring. I understand that part of the process at this point. I look forward to the next 4 years of the process. At least she will be here with me at that point. anyway, hopefully they will release some dates soon and hopefully we will get the ok to schedule this week. I really hope we dont have to wait until after the holidays to even get that notification.

[griffy 0]

Well, I finally heard from the embassy today. They told me to go ahead and schedule our interview. Of course they also stated their are no times. lol. But that February interview times will be opening up soon. So go ahead and wait is what they meant. At least we finally heard from them. It seems they took there time letting us know they had our application since there were no times available. So I can plan on sometime in Feb. I assume that will be the case for the rest of you waiting on moscow.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Everyone wants to be at the front of the line, but only one can be....imagine all the other requests for jumping the queue...

Queue?! In Russia, what the hell is a queue?! It is typically a mob scene with the boldest getting to go first.

Dave

[Altair17 9]

griffy, I am currently dealing with the same exact problem.

Embassy confirmed they received petition, send me the general email. I paid 240$, filled DS160 online, registered for that crazy website, and when I get to the schedule window its empty for as far as one cares to scroll it.

Suspecting that they either disabled it for the holidays or that there is no "block" posted.