MRV/Interview fee

[vantasticvoyge 0]

I am due to attend my interview at the embassy on the 27th of September. Upon receiving my letter informing me of this it instructed me to go to https://ais.usvisa-info.com and set up on account and make arrangements of the delivery of my visa/documents and pay the MRV/interview fee/visa fee. I was able to arrange pickup/delivery of my visa/documents. However there is no option allowing me to pay the interview fee's. I phoned the embassy call centre and they confirmed my account had no option allowing me to complete this payment and they would escalate it in order for this to be rectified. They advised me to keep checking the website/account and my email to inform me when this had been corrected. This was 11 days ago and the account on https://ais.usvisa-info.com still has not been corrected nor have I received any email updating me on the escalation and/or situation.

Has anyone else had this problem? Is this even where I pay it? Is there an alternative way to pay my K-1 visa interview fee?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes there have been many problems with the new system and they are discussed in the UK forum. Did you go to this document the letter says to read? This is the supplement about K1 interviews-- http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/450910-one-more-question-everyone/?p=6473558

The instructions for paying are detailed at the end of the document. Did you follow those exact steps and still had problems? or did you give it go on your own?

[Azsara 110]

I had a lot of problems with that website. The clue is to follow that link step by step, and create a brand new account, dont be tempted to log in with your old one

[TBoneTX 46,120]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Embassy/Consulate forum -- topic involves that phase. ***

[lizzieg 0]

am having the same problem. i made the payment through bank but stil i cannot schedule for appointment.in their website they dont have k1 visas option. i called and was told it wl get rectified within 3 working days and i should keep checking my emails. i really dont know what next and time is running out.

[soubriquet 0]

I'm almost an hour into the elevator music on the contact number on the website. 45 minutes more, and, if there really is anyone at the call-ansering desk, they'll pack up and go home.

I successfully registered for and paid the courier fee for returning my passport, but there's no option to pay the via fee, so I search for information about paying again, "You can pay on the website or by the phone. " I'm going round in circles, tried re-registering etc... submitted a help ticket yesterday, got an automated answer directing me to the website which, just as yesterday, has no 'pay here' option.

It's an incredibly unhelpful systyem that, no doubt, someone was paid a vast amount to design.

Oh, for heaven's sake!

Elevator music went quiet.... call disconnected. Redial. spiel and options all over again....

All the stuff I've heard so many times......

tick-tock-tick-tock...

Press 6 to re-hear all the old stuff.... How many times have I sat through this. Eventually... to speak to an agent press 1....

Oh! Now instead of elevator music I have a non english/non U.S speaker telling me all operators are busy, please hold....I think she might be swedish,

So. Eventually I spoke to a person called Maria. But she told me she didn't deal with immigrant visas... nor did anyone there.

She did put me through to the automated system.. Which asks for an application number.

Eventually I get the number they're asking for, which is the number you get when you sign up for the website....

Then you get a heap more confusing options. Then it says "There are no MRV fees outstanding on this account"

Well, an hour and a half on the phone mostly to nobody, and I've come full circle.

So I've sent an email, got an automated reply.

Maybe someone will eventually help me out.

I've been in the K1 process since december 2012, it's september 2013, and I'm still bashing my head against the wall. The medical exam questions ask if you've ever been suicidal. I said no, maybe I spoke too soon.

The visa process is outsourced to a company called CSC. They handle visa application services for the U.S, but also for the United Kingdon, and others.

Maybe it's a cunning ploy to stop the world's population from ever travelling anywhere.

Sorry about the typos. I'm a bad typist at the best of times, and this isn't the best of times. I'll spell-check before posting, in future.

I'm almost an hour into the elevator music on the contact number on the website. 45 minutes more, and, if there really is anyone at the call-ansering desk, they'll pack up and go home.

I successfully registered for and paid the courier fee for returning my passport, but there's no option to pay the via fee, so I search for information about paying again, "You can pay on the website or by the phone. " I'm going round in circles, tried re-registering etc... submitted a help ticket yesterday, got an automated answer directing me to the website which, just as yesterday, has no 'pay here' option.

It's an incredibly unhelpful systyem that, no doubt, someone was paid a vast amount to design.

Oh, for heaven's sake!

Elevator music went quiet.... call disconnected. Redial. spiel and options all over again....

All the stuff I've heard so many times......

tick-tock-tick-tock...

Press 6 to re-hear all the old stuff.... How many times have I sat through this. Eventually... to speak to an agent press 1....

Oh! Now instead of elevator music I have a non english/non U.S speaker telling me all operators are busy, please hold....I think she might be swedish,

So. Eventually I spoke to a person called Maria. But she told me she didn't deal with immigrant visas... nor did anyone there.

She did put me through to the automated system.. Which asks for an application number.

Eventually I get the number they're asking for, which is the number you get when you sign up for the website....

Then you get a heap more confusing options. Then it says "There are no MRV fees outstanding on this account"

Well, an hour and a half on the phone mostly to nobody, and I've come full circle.

So I've sent an email, got an automated reply.

Maybe someone will eventually help me out.

I've been in the K1 process since december 2012, it's september 2013, and I'm still bashing my head against the wall. The medical exam questions ask if you've ever been suicidal. I said no, maybe I spoke too soon.

The visa process is outsourced to a company called CSC. They handle visa application services for the U.S, but also for the United Kingdon, and others.

Maybe it's a cunning ploy to stop the world's population from ever travelling anywhere.

[soubriquet 0]

I tried that. Didn't work.

Just confused the call centre operator because I ended up with three different account numbers all linked to the same passport number.

I had a lot of problems with that website. The clue is to follow that link step by step, and create a brand new account, dont be tempted to log in with your old one

[vantasticvoyge 0]

Sobriquet,

I have went through the exact same process as you, however, I may have a little bit of a development. I eventually got put through to an agent after the whole "There are no MRV fees outstanding on this account" situation. He said that there has been a recent change in policy/system and that applicants for K-1 visas are now unable to not only pay it over the phone on the automated telephone line OR on the new website and that we should attend our interview and we will be given details on how/where to pay on the day. I am unsure if that means in the embassy itself or just given instructions to do it outwith the embassy. I asked if everyone was being instructed to do this (he said yes) and if this was an indication that there was a problem with my application (he said no).

[soubriquet 0]

Thank you enormously for that. I went through the whole website/phonesite process again, got nowhere, listened to that nasty music, pressed numbers, heard recorded stuff that we all know or we wouldn't be at this stage.

Left a desperate message on the contact form, thatsays 'We attempt to respond within 3-5 working days'.

I'm travelling to London on thursday 12th, so that'll be day 4.

And I doubt anybody'll be responding on Friday morning before 9.

So I truly am hoping the 'Pay in the Embassy' option still works.

After the "there are no MRV fees outstanding", I couldn't get back to a 'speak to an operator' option, but previously, a few days earlier, I spoke to operator Maria several times, where she informed me that other than the automated pay service, which rejected me, she had no information that could assist me.

Thanks again, and good luck.

Sobriquet,

I have went through the exact same process as you, however, I may have a little bit of a development. I eventually got put through to an agent after the whole "There are no MRV fees outstanding on this account" situation. He said that there has been a recent change in policy/system and that applicants for K-1 visas are now unable to not only pay it over the phone on the automated telephone line OR on the new website and that we should attend our interview and we will be given details on how/where to pay on the day. I am unsure if that means in the embassy itself or just given instructions to do it outwith the embassy. I asked if everyone was being instructed to do this (he said yes) and if this was an indication that there was a problem with my application (he said no).

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

There has always been one window at the embassy to take payment. Still is. Until they get their system working or more intuitive so you can't go wrong, then those that were not able to get through it will be able to sort payment on interview day.

I notice they made one little change by explaining immigrant and non-immigrant choice ...further clarified by the descriptive words permanent and temporary. Many K1s were picking non-immigrant and getting into the wrong bit of software.

[soubriquet 0]

Skippity-doo-dah happy dance!!!!!!!

Yes, Yes, and Yes.

I walked to the Embassy on thursday to check my timing, 6 minutes from the Marble Arch Thistle Hotel. I pressed the buzzer and asked the nice lady security guard in the right-hand (visa applicants) entry lodge what time she'd recommend getting there for a 9:00 appointment. "8:30's plenty of time", she says.

Next morning I make sure my pockets are empty, no cellphones, car-keys, penknives, kindle readers, cameras etc.

Antyhing vital, money, hotel room keycard, bag it in a ziptop bag.

No belt.

I get there for 8:15, and there are two queues, 60 or so people.

I ask, and am told the left hand queue is the one to start in.

You trudge slowly forward. A lady comes and checks your appointment letter, gives you a plastic bag to put the contents of your pockets in.

(I win star points for already having done that)

Some people who've been queuing a half hour or so are told to go deposit their phones etc at the pharmacy up the road. And then rejoin the END of the queue.

Finally, up to the desk in the tent, appointmen letter checked off against master list.

"Go join the right hand queue".

Shuffle forward again, groups of four are being let into the security screening in the gatehouse, after a smily guy checks papers and passport again.

Then around the side of the embassy past the unsmiling armed coppers, and inside. Present those same papers, appt letter and passport at the desk, get issued a strip of barcode stickers and a number.

Mine is I920. I for Immigrant?

I tell the woman I have not paid for the visa and she frowns, but her supervisor says "It's okay, he can pay inside"

Go up the stairs on the left, and into a very big, long room with rows of chairs. Take a seat. Watch the screen. At the far end there's a mutiscreen display. The main feature's a set of documentary adverts for various universities, and national parks, oh, and there's one on the special olympics.

After two hours, I get called. I'm asked to present each requested document in turn, I'm fingerprinted, sent to the cahier, two booths away, and pay by visa debit in about twenty seconds beforereturning to the man, who asks if I've made travel plans. "No", I say," because I can't travel until I have your decision" "Don't worry, he says," handing me back my x-rays from the medical.

Now go take a seat again and wait for your number.

I do. I'm fretting about missing it, desperate for a pee.

The loos are nearby, so I risk a trip, all is well. Eventually I need to wander, so I go up to the front, buy a tea and a mars bar. I bite off a big lump of gooey chocolate bar "I920 to position 16",

So I turn up at the window juggling papers, coat, and hot tea, while manfully trying to chew and swallow.

This bloke's sterner.

Raise your right hand, do you solemly swear that all in these application forms, and the answers you give verbally are the truth?

"I Do", I say.

He pushes out the papers I sent weeks ago, those that say "Do not sign this... yet"

Sign there, fill in your fiancee's full name there.

How did you meet? When did you decide it was serious,

Nothing difficult to answer.

Then he shows me a grey plastic envelope. "You'll get your passport back in this in six to ten working days, there will be a sealed envelope in there too, present this to immigration officers at your port of entry. congratulations, yout K1 visa is approved"

There's a bit more to it than that, but not much,

I sat through all the documentaries twice. Elapsed time was three hours and twenty minutes from joining the queue to exiting the embassy.

You can't really read, because you have to be alert for the few seconds when your number pings up. And it's not linear, in sequence. A number after yours might be called first.

Or yours might be called after one far-removed. I think the nearest I number before mine was I914.

It's not as bad as I expected. The people there are just doing their jobs, they're not your friend, not emotionally involved, no jokes.

But I came out with a big smile and a K1Visa!!!!

Good Luck with yours.

[vantasticvoyge 0]

I just paid my MRV fee online and printed out the instructions it provides directly after this. In the instructions there is a section entitled 'general required documents - for all visa types'.

Within this it states that I must take a 'non-immigrant visa application form DS-160 confirmation page' to the interview.

To the best of my knowledge during the whole K-1 visa process, I have never been instructed to fill out a DS-160. Also, after checking since reading this I still cannot see any k-1 instructions telling me to do this. Should I do this prior to my interview? has anyone else?

P.s. is a k-1 visa technically a non-immigrant visa since you are doing all your adjustment of status stuff once you are in the country and married?

Thank you for any help.

Robert

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Do not do DS-160. I just answered your duplicate post with a little more info.