At which step in the process can I make interview appt?

[MeAndMrD 0]

Hello, filing DCF in Guangzhou for my spouse, and asking lots of questions!

The consulate sent the instructions for DS-230 and we sent it back on 08/08. I think they received it because

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx was updated on 08/14 but no change from Administrative Processing.

So...this is Packet 3 (right?) and I'm waiting for Packet 4? When will I magically be granted the ability to a) Make the med appt and b) make the visa intv appt?

We have to travel very far for both of these, apparently Sichuan is too backwoods to have an acceptable medical facility even though Huaxi is the largest hospital in the world! Patience is a virtue, and I should wait for consulate instructions but...we're trying to plan everything based on the interview date since we have to travel pretty far to Guangzhou, and want to leave for US directly from there! And planning ahead will save a lot of money.

I'm already signed up on ustraveldocs (thanks to VJ advice!) but when I try to schedule appt it says "Case number not found." I know I'm probably jumping the gun and can't make the appt yet, but was wondering if anyone has experienced Guangzhou DCF lately and what this part of the process looks like.

Will they send the Packet 4 snail mail? Will they call Mr. D when he can schedule the appt or will it just pop up on ustraveldocs?

Thanks for your time, and sorry for the rambling!

[Darnell 8,478]

We had 2 DCF filers recently - please visit the portal, study left panel for timelines.

[MeAndMrD 0]

Thank you Darnell. Indeed I never clicked over into Portals...sounded scary.

I can't find any recent timelines that are doing DCF Guangzhou, the most recent were sent to NVC even though listed as DCF, unless they made some mistakes on their timeline. Anyways, that helps with estimating time but not with understanding the process.

Mostly I'm trying to find out when/how I can schedule the interview. Could you please advise on how people are making appointments? Through the ustraveldocs? And at what stage you get the ability to make medical and interview appts?

Thanks again!

[Darnell 8,478]

keep at it - DCF filers are in there. HINT - if service center for CR-1/IR-1 says ' Texas Service Center' - that's a DCF filer into Guangzou.

if you have a GUZ #, your consular casefile number, printed on something with the beneficiary's name, from Guangzhou IV, then that's all you need at the medical exam place.

CGI Stanley, ustraveldocs.com website, sucks for process. You might get some steam by calling the ustraveldocs china help desk, for process. Officially, you are going to be the FIRST DCF filer both:

1. at the new Consildated Consulate Compound (where there is chaos) and

2. using the ustraveldocs.com website.

Sorry that yer the white rat, on this one.

-----

for real process - usually you can get to a medical exam showing P4, the interview letter. Usually a P4 is issued 30 days prior to actual interview, and you don't need an appointment at the medical facility - just go in super early, come back in the afternoon or next day for the results.

This 'real process' always works.

Edited August 18, 2013 by Darnell

[MeAndMrD 0]

This page http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=China&cty=Guangzhou

was helpful, except for many fields with the following:

March 16, 2013 New visa procedures implemented. Details are TBD, refer to: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/non-immigrant-visa-section.html ****"

Are you saying that two members have done the new process since the move? Would you mind giving me their usernames?

Thanks AGAIN and again...

[Darnell 8,478]

you can find them here:

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?cfl=&op1=3&op2=d&op3=5&op4=1&op5=5,6,8,10,11,13,14,15,16,17,18,20,21,22,25,26,27,28,108,110,111,208,210,211&op6=All&op7=China&dfile=Yes&adv=

[Darnell 8,478]

This page http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=China&cty=Guangzhou

was helpful, except for many fields with the following:

March 16, 2013 New visa procedures implemented. Details are TBD, refer to: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/non-immigrant-visa-section.html ****"

Are you saying that two members have done the new process since the move? Would you mind giving me their usernames?

Thanks AGAIN and again...

Well, the editor of that page, the last editor, was bigdog. I swear, he needs a beat down. Who the F posts non-immigrant visa info there on that page? Well, that was him. With no followup. Or explanation. He has gotten many things wrong here about China stuff in the last two years, so this doesn't surprise me at all.

I know he means well, Bless His Heart.

[MeAndMrD 0]

Sorry missed your post while I was writing mine! I agree, I noticed that the non-immigrant link was not supposed to be there...hmmm.

We do have the instruction letter for Packet 3 - I'll call the medical place and try to make an appt later. FYI for Packet 3 they only requested DS-230, copy of passport page, and 2 2-in photos.

I also have an email in with CGI about how to pay, I got more results from them than from emailing IV unit.

I'm just afraid I'm waiting when I should be doing!!!

[MeAndMrD 0]

Ahh sorry I keep cross-posting! I just saw your edit. Didn't get the P4 only P3 so maybe not acceptable to make appt. So when they send the P4 (by mail?) I will be able to make the intv appt, maybe?

Sigh. White Rat it is...will try to do future filers a favor by diligent documentation...

[Darnell 8,478]

re:

At which step in the process can I make interview appt?

IMO, you can make interview appointment after paying the immigrant visa fee of $230 at a CITIC bank office.

There may be one more thing that 'enables' scheduling, but yer munching on some cheese, at the moment.

[Rich and Wen 101]

We're waiting for P4 as well, sent back info packet (and paid) through Citic bank on July 12. Still no word on P4. Time is getting short because of son's 21st birthday in November, so we made an appointment, hoping against hope that P4 will come in time for medical appointment in Beijing, and then travel to Guangzhou for Interview. Appointment was available on Saturday morning, Chicago time. I was shocked to see appointments available!

[MeAndMrD 0]

Yay, Guangzhou IV Unit finally answered my email, 5 days later. CGI answered, but of course, gave me incorrect information and wrong links to their d*mn website. They are more than useless, they misinform! Not to mention they told me they have no info, I should call Guangzhou IV (whose operator I feel like I know well now, who will only play you a recorded message) and even told me to call American citizen services. Sigh.

Anyways, Guangzhou IV says "Applicants will be instructed on payment during interview." So they will contact the applicant first about the interview without paying the fee, seems quite different from the K1 process. I hope the CGI website works for that part of the process.

[Darnell 8,478]

that's some pando poo.

DCF folk pay at CITIC bank, just like K-1 folk.

[shekoujay 0]

Same situation. Went to Citic on July 18 with P3 docs and still waiting for the P4 email. Still showing on CGI website as "Case number not found." I didn't know you could pay at CITIC at the same time. Is it as simple as giving them a case number and $240 ?

[Darnell 8,478]

YUP.