Once visa is approved… (in Guayaquil, Ecuador) any experience with how it takes to receive it?

[angelaanne 0]

1. Hopefully I am in the right place to ask this question.. if not, please direct me to the correct forum. Or if there is already a discussion thread….

2. My husband was approved for his CR-1 visa on April 16th. At the interview he was told that 10 days from the date of the interview, his visa would be ready for pick-up in Ambato. I was also told something similar on the phone by someone at the consulate - 2 calendar weeks from the interview date (if approved) his visa would be available for pick-up.

However, I called the consulate today with a different question and also asked about the visa and "how we were doing." I was told it should be printed tomorrow (April 22nd) and will then take 10 business days to reach Ambato. Um, seriously? Why on earth would it NOW take 10 business to get to Ambato???

Does anyone have experience with this? I know that if my husband travels back to Guayaquil and gets the visa there, that would be faster - and I have sent an email to the consulate asking for that permission. And then I get an email back saying that it will take 3-5 business days to reply to me! (I was told we were supposed to ask for expedited pick-up at time of interview, but we didn't know about that at time of interview!)

I am about to give birth to our first son and not only do we want to be able to share this experience together, but I also live alone with family far away. So, I'm kinda in dire need of my hubby… BEFORE our son decides to come out!

Any advice, "here's what we did," or clarification on this would be helpful! I feel like every time I speak with someone at the consulate I get a different story, or slightly different information every time.

Thank you!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Mexico, Latin & South America regional forum; topic is specific to Ecuador.

[TBoneTX 45,222]

The consulado has a long history of doing this sort of thing. Call back (on the U.S. Citizen service line, if necessary) and DEMAND to speak to an AMERICAN in the Immigrant Visa Unit. If you get flak, like "We don't do this," ask "Are YOU a U.S. citizen? No? Then I demand that you connect me to an American in the IV Unit immediately." It took a long time on hold, but I got through (in 2008) and ended up speaking with the Section Chief himself.

Play the "American" card to the hilt, all the way through. Don't allow them to get away with their monkeyshines.

Have you seen these threads, for some historical interest?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/110313-us-consulate-in-guayaquil-ecuador/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/180306-guayaquil-consulate-administrative-process/

[Tigre&Tigresa 11]

We had a BIG problem with them, my husband (American citizen) called this number 703-439-2331. They made Guayaquil fix their mistake in less than 24 hours. Good luck! Edited to add: if they say they can't help you, ask for a supervisor.

Edited April 22, 2014 by Tigre&Tigresa