question about when to schedule an interview after receiving Packet 3/4 for K1

[googolplex 7]

Hi,

I heard that my fiancee will need to schedule an interview at the Guangzhou consulate. I also heard that she will be able to schedule the interview after receiving Packet 3 and paying the visa fee. Packet 4 will then arrive soon after scheduling the interview. Is this true or will she schedule the interview after receiving Packet 4?

[DJ&L 83]

If it's still the same as last fall, they advise you schedule after you have received your "P4" (which is just an email).

However, I know many folks have scheduled their interview after the P3 and having paid their visa fee.

Just make sure to schedule with enough time to get your P4 response from the consulate since you'll be required to have that with you on the day of the interview.

[CowBoE 429]

Hi,

I heard that my fiancee will need to schedule an interview at the Guangzhou consulate. I also heard that she will be able to schedule the interview after receiving Packet 3 and paying the visa fee. Packet 4 will then arrive soon after scheduling the interview. Is this true or will she schedule the interview after receiving Packet 4?

In our case...

1. Packet 3 (express mail) received

2. Filled out DS-160

3. Used DS-160 confirmation printed page to pay $240 at the CITIC bank

4. Packet 3 response (express mail) sent back to embassy

5. Packet 4 (email) received

6. Scheduled interview

7. Made medical/exam appointment (interview confirmation print out is required)

[googolplex 7]

Thanks a lot for the information. It seems it can go both ways. Does Packet 3 come with the instructions to schedule an interview, or do the instructions become available after paying the visa fee at a CITIC bank?

[DJ&L 83]

You schedule the interview through ustraveldocs.com. That's the website used to coordinate payment of your visa fee. You just use that website to schedule your appointment.

[CowBoE 429]

Thanks a lot for the information. It seems it can go both ways. Does Packet 3 come with the instructions to schedule an interview, or do the instructions become available after paying the visa fee at a CITIC bank?

As mentioned by DJ&L, the interview appointment can be scheduled, cancelled, and reschedule via ustraveldocs.com site,

the very site your fiancee will login in to create the DS-160. If I recall correctly, you either didn't see the interview menu

on the left and/or couldn't schedule the interview until visa fee was paid. Due to unpredictable response time from embassy,

we chose to wait until packet 4 email was received before we made the interview appointment.

Also, there were plenty of interview slots open with 1 to 2 weeks out, and this is another reason

why we didn't feel the rush to lock in the interview date before receiving the packet 4 email.

[DJ&L 83]

Yeah, at the time for us it was a big game to get an interview appointment...so people would grab then prior to getting the P4. If they are more available, then no problem waiting until you get the P4.

[googolplex 7]

Thanks again for the detailed information. It greatly relieves my anxiety, as I really feel uncomfortable with all the black boxes along this visa journey.