Today I discovered that my interview date was the 30th of October

[Sunscorch 1]

I did not recieve any correspondance from the London Embassy after I confirmed that my Medical had been submitted for my K-1 visa (with the doctors, not the embassy).

I was expecting a longer-than-usual wait, as the medical centre advised me that it may be up to six weeks before I heard back. Every other timeline I've looked at indicates that it should be around a week until getting the date confirmed, and a further month before the interview itself. So it was coming up to around three weeks since the centre had posted my forms, and I was getting a little antsy. Today was a day off from work, so after some fruitless google searches for a telephone number to call the actual embassy's visa dept, I went back to the CEAC website to check the progress. That informed me that the status was "Ready", but that was updated on the 30th of October. I figure I should have heard about my date by now, so after still more googling, I discover that I could call the Department of State in the US and find out exactly what's going on from them.

I'm currently running on a mobile-telephone-only set up, and very little money, so I get my fiancee to do it for me. When she sent me the text that told me I'd missed my interview, I felt like I'd been punched in the face. Now what?!

I've tried calling the switchboard at the embassy, but they referred me to the online contact form. I have submitted that with details about the situation, but I can't sit here and do nothing for five more days waiting for a reply. My application was submitted before the online DS-160 form was in use (my medical had some... significant delays due to my GP), so I can't access the site or phone service they've implemented that uses the DS-160 numbers to schedule an interview. My understanding is that that service doesn't cover the K-1 anyway, as it's not listed in the drop-down menu on the sign up page.

My fiancee wants me to complete a DS-160 now, even though all my forms are submitted, and use the number I get from completing that to access the online system. I am worried that doing this will complicate matters in the filing of my application and cause further delays.

I would really like some advice. Please.

[Sharkano 13]

You are the victim of London's mystery notice letters that no one gets in time for their interview. The only way to avoid this (before others share your same fate) is to call DOS every single time your file shows a DATE UPDATE (NOT a wording update -- it may always say "READY" -- but a change of the "updated" date) and ask what happened with your file the day before. That is how I found out my interview date.

As to what you can do now, who knows. Since they obviously had everything they need (and thus your assigned date), it's hard to see how a 160 form would help at this point. That update system is not as helpful as the CEAC site you can already go to without a 160. I think a very clear e-mail submittal direct to the Embassy (http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html) as to what happened and a polite request for a new date is your best shot, but that's just my guess. Best to you.

[Sunscorch 1]

You are the victim of London's mystery notice letters that no one gets in time for their interview. The only way to avoid this (before others share your same fate) is to call DOS every single time your file shows a DATE UPDATE (NOT a wording update -- it may always say "READY" -- but a change of the "updated" date) and ask what happened with your file the day before. That is how I found out my interview date.

As to what you can do now, who knows. Since they obviously had everything they need (and thus your assigned date), it's hard to see how a 160 form would help at this point. That update system is not as helpful as the CEAC site you can already go to without a 160. I think a very clear e-mail submittal direct to the Embassy (http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html) as to what happened and a polite request for a new date is your best shot, but that's just my guess. Best to you.

I have no idea how my fiancee and I both missed London's legacy of late letters. We must've read reams of information on the process, and I don't recall coming across the suggestion anywhere. I figured, with an average of a month before interview, I'd be pretty safe. My current employment is very flexible, so I don't need much notice. I'm just kicking myself for not checking with the DoS anyway - we knew we could, we just didn't think it was necessary... until today.

And thanks, yeah, I've already sent a message on the contact form. I tried not to be too ascerbic. The online system with the DS-160 apparently allows you to book your own interview date, but I'm just not sure if it''d work in this situation, and if it's worth risking the potential for administrative nightmares.

Edited November 6, 2013 by Sunscorch

[Avery Cates 1,141]

I have no idea how my fiancee and I both missed London's legacy of late letters. We must've read reams of information on the process, and I don't recall coming across the suggestion anywhere. I figured, with an average of a month before interview, I'd be pretty safe. My current employment is very flexible, so I don't need much notice. I'm just kicking myself for not checking with the DoS anyway - we knew we could, we just didn't think it was necessary... until today.

And thanks, yeah, I've already sent a message on the contact form. I tried not to be too ascerbic. The online system with the DS-160 apparently allows you to book your own interview date, but I'm just not sure if it''d work in this situation, and if it's worth risking the potential for administrative nightmares.

The DS-160 does not allow you to schedule your own interview, it is assigned to you by the embassy whenever they get around to it.

Definitely use the contact form to explain, you may get lucky and they can put you into a spot someone else cancelled soon.

As has been said, check the CEAC once a day, or every couple, depending on what you prefer, and look at the Status Updated Date. Whenever that changes, something has happened with your account, and you (or your fiancee) should call the DoS number immediately and find out what it is. I found out about our interview date a few days before she got the notice, and it gave her time to make arrangements to get there and double and triple check she had everything ready. She got the letter, I did not, which as I understand it both petitioner and beneficiary were supposed to be notified by mail. This is a particularly frustrating stage of the game, since it's hard to check every day and see nothing happening, but it's necessary to make sure you don't miss anything important.

[Sharkano 13]

Yes, once your medical and 160 and confirmation that you are ready are in with them then you MUST check CEAC daily, and if the date changes (ignore the words) call and ask what gives. They are issuing dates spastically, and if you wait for 4-6 weeks to check you may miss your date.

[soapface 16]

Well yes, you should call when your status is updated, but a lot of people recently (myself included) had an interview date set without the status updating. So really there is nothing else you can do but call DOS every few days.

I'm consistently amazed at London's incompetence. Maybe if they let people KNOW about their appointments people would attend and there wouldn't be a 6 week waiting list.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Well yes, you should call when your status is updated, but a lot of people recently (myself included) had an interview date set without the status updating. So really there is nothing else you can do but call DOS every few days.

I'm consistently amazed at London's incompetence. Maybe if they let people KNOW about their appointments people would attend and there wouldn't be a 6 week waiting list.

As a matter of habit, if there weren't any status updates in a week, I'd call DoS on Friday just to make a general inquiry if there had been any updates.

So, CEAC update -> Call

No CEAC update -> Call DoS on Friday to make sure there haven't been any updates.

Probably the best way not to miss anything important like an interview date, for anyone who's still waiting.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My fiancee wants me to complete a DS-160 now, even though all my forms are submitted, and use the number I get from completing that to access the online system. I am worried that doing this will complicate matters in the filing of my application and cause further delays.

I would really like some advice. Please.

Do NOT complete the DS-160. That will not reschedule your interview. You have met all the requirements to get an interview. No more forms are needed. You missed the appointment. Your only option is to ask for a new appointment via the contact form. Explain the letter was not received and how you learned you had missed the date. Ask for for a quick reschedule since they did not mail your appointment letter to you. Ask for an email confirmation of the new date.

Then you wait. Some people get a reply the same day if they have an important reason to email them. If someone is emailing to say "did you get my medical?" they will likely not be answered for awhile.

[CLMIKE 22]

This thread is very relevant to my interests, as I'm trying to be as prepared as possible when my time comes. I'm still waiting on NAO2, and should have to wait a while anyway, but just so I can be prepared, would someone help me fill in the blanks in case I have to deal with this further on down the road?

Once NAO2 occurs, the case is sent to NVC. I can contact them at 603 334-0700. I should contact them and get two confirmations from them. The confirmation they received my case from DOS, and the confirmation when they ship it to the London embassy. Is the CEAC update the same as where I check my status at Department of State? Or is that something else entirely? Right now all I do is check my status daily on Department of State.

Once London embassy receives the case (should I call them to confirm they receive it? If so what number?) they send the checklist to my fiance who can then go ahead if she hasn't already send the forms needed

Once they receive the forms, the medical can be set up (do we set up the medical or they set up the medical for us?). Once the medical has been completed, and we've sent in all the needed forms, then after waiting about a week I need to check CEAC or DOS status updates, and as soon as we see a date change, call Department of state (is it the same number we already use?) daily to figure out what happened, and we can find out from Department of state what the interview date is (in case London embassy fails to sent letter 4 of the appointment?)

What do you do if you show up for your interview and the Embassy hasn't sent you the appointment letter because they never sent it? Isn't the appointment letter required? Do you pester Department of State to get the hard copy or do what? If you haven't received the appointment letter notification, how do you prepay for your interview/appointment and what not to get the MRV reciept?

Any help to fill in the blanks would be great, and best wishes to those who are already having to deal with this. I hope through my research I can avoid it happening to me.

[Sunscorch 1]

Little update: I called the switchboard again, and was a little more persistent at maintaining that I needed to speak to a relevant person, rather than emailing via the web form. The receptionist put me on hold, and I believe I was connected with someone in the visa department (it was never actually clarified). Regardless, they took my home and mobile numbers after telling me that I was in the system as a no-show, and I am waiting to hear back with a new interview date. They said they'd have to speak to a superviser who was unavailable at the time.

Consequently, my CEAC has been "updated" to today's date although the status remains at "Ready". My fiancee is going to phone the DoS when she is on her lunch break and find out what that update means, and whether I have been assigned a date already.

[Nymh 0]

Fiancée here!

I called the DoS on my lunch break today, because the case said it was updated today. While they did not have an interview date yet, they did confirm that no notification was ever sent to us of the previous interview date. They assured me that this would not negatively impact our case. YAY. They said that the update from today was likely them getting started on the process of assigning us a new date.

I will be checking the status on the CEAC obsessively until it is updated again, and calling every time the date changes.

I am VERY surprised that the original interview date was only a week after the medical was sent to the embassy. Hopefully this means the next interview date will be soon as well...?

Edited November 8, 2013 by Nymh

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Fiancée here!

I called the DoS on my lunch break today, because the case said it was updated today. While they did not have an interview date yet, they did confirm that no notification was ever sent to us of the previous interview date. They assured me that this would not negatively impact our case. YAY. They said that the update from today was likely them getting started on the process of assigning us a new date.

I will be checking the status on the CEAC obsessively until it is updated again, and calling every time the date changes.

I am VERY surprised that the original interview date was only a week after the medical was sent to the embassy. Hopefully this means the next interview date will be soon as well...?

It's hard to say, I don't think anyone here can really say for sure whether it'll be quick, or take a while I'm afraid. It won't negatively impact your case, if you miss an interview you have up to a year to request a new date, however they caution it can take some months before another becomes available. Hopefully it won't take that long for you, since it was their mistake.

Best of luck, let us know!

[Sunscorch 1]

Interview has been rescheduled for the 21st of November.

Time to calm down.

Thanks for all the advice and tips, everyone

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Interview has been rescheduled for the 21st of November.

Time to calm down.

Thanks for all the advice and tips, everyone

Great!

Plenty of time to prepare, triple check you have everything, and make your travel arrangements.

[Nymh 0]

Interview has been rescheduled for the 21st of November.

Time to calm down.

Thanks for all the advice and tips, everyone

lolcalmdown

*jumps around flapping arms and squeeing*

Our wait is almost over!!!!

Thanks for the help, everyone!