Scheduling interview for K1 before packet 3 - MEXICO

[jeessgb 57]

Hi all!

So I know now for a fact that it's possible to schedule interview for K1 after completing DS-160, having NVC number but before receiving letter from consulate (or packet 3)

Have anyone else done this before? Did you have any trouble doing this? Because if you call to embassy help lines they tell you you have to wait for packet 3.

Also, how long did it take you to receive your letter after your case was received by consulate?

Thanks

[MariaR323 199]

Hi there,

Yes, it's totally possible to schedule the interview before the "packet 3", which is literally a one page document just telling you where to go (links) to complete the DS-160 and ASC account setup.

I, as well as many others, did indeed schedule the interview before that appointment letter (packet 3) was received. No trouble doing so at all. However, you do need the actual appointment letter to attend the medical, biometrics and interview appointments. Some have received it within 2 weeks while others have received it a month after - there's no telling when you will receive it.

Having said the above, many of us have literally just gone to the consulate information window to ask for a copy of that appointment letter so you don't wait for it.

My fiancée traveled from HMO to CDJ to get a copy of that appointment letter 3 days before our appointments because we didn't want to wait for it (besides the fact that there was what looked like a computer glitch that might have prevented us from EVER getting that letter). She got the letter and went back to HMO and we traveled confidently with our letter in hand later that week to CDJ for our appointments.

Soo... my suggestion... if you would like to wait a bit for it and have no rush, then wait maybe the 2 to 3 weeks or so. The petitioner in the U.S. will probably receive it first since they are mailed out actually from a Texas location.

If not, I'd say book the appointments and travel to CDJ one day before so you can go to the information window early in the morning and just ask for a copy of the letter

[jeessgb 57]

Oh wow. Thanks Maria, as helpful as always.

I wanna Schedule the interview ASAP but the thing about trusting mexican mail system and having to wait for the letter was making me anxious.

Now that I know this I will confidently schedule the appointment without the letter.

Thank you again and hope you and your lady are doing great!

=)

[MariaR323 199]

You're welcome!

We felt the same way One of my friends here on VJ that is also part of "Team Mexico" (hahaha) and is from San Diego got his letter a month after! While another friend here who lives in WA got their letter 2 weeks after. So yeah, it's pretty unpredictable to say the least

Thanks, yeah, we're wrapping up final details for our upcoming wedding in like 3 weeks... we have about 120 guests right now and this seating chart business is no joke!! I think it's the hardest part of the whole wedding planning we've done.

Good luck and any other questions feel free to ask away or send me a private msg

[jeessgb 57]

Oh yeah mexican weddings... we go all out girl!!

I think most of our guests are gonna be from my parents side.

Don't forget anyone because mexicans don't forgive this kinda thing. It's serious matter. lol

Best of luck!!

[MariaR323 199]

Most of our guests are from my side... my dad is Mexican and most of our family is over here now. I think we're only having like 10 max traveling in from Mexico for the wedding, the rest are here.

Yup, serious matter! Hahaha!!

[Damnskipy 80]

Hi there,

Yes, it's totally possible to schedule the interview before the "packet 3", which is literally a one page document just telling you where to go (links) to complete the DS-160 and ASC account setup.

I, as well as many others, did indeed schedule the interview before that appointment letter (packet 3) was received. No trouble doing so at all. However, you do need the actual appointment letter to attend the medical, biometrics and interview appointments. Some have received it within 2 weeks while others have received it a month after - there's no telling when you will receive it.

Having said the above, many of us have literally just gone to the consulate information window to ask for a copy of that appointment letter so you don't wait for it.

My fiancée traveled from HMO to CDJ to get a copy of that appointment letter 3 days before our appointments because we didn't want to wait for it (besides the fact that there was what looked like a computer glitch that might have prevented us from EVER getting that letter). She got the letter and went back to HMO and we traveled confidently with our letter in hand later that week to CDJ for our appointments.

Soo... my suggestion... if you would like to wait a bit for it and have no rush, then wait maybe the 2 to 3 weeks or so. The petitioner in the U.S. will probably receive it first since they are mailed out actually from a Texas location.

If not, I'd say book the appointments and travel to CDJ one day before so you can go to the information window early in the morning and just ask for a copy of the letter

Hi - Thanks for this. Helpful, but I have a problem.. my fiance's biometrics appointment is in Guadalajara on July 29 and her interview is in Juarez on August 5. I kind of jumped the gun and scheduled the interview shortly after receiving the case number similar to what the OP asked was possible. I knew we needed the appointment letter for our interview in Juarez so we were going to pick it up before hand at the window. I wasn't thinking and didn't realize we also needed it for the biometrics. I don't think i'll get anything in the mail on time because embassy just got it last week, so I guess our only option is to run to Juarez real quick and get a copy for the biometrics in Guadalajara? Crazy.. thanks for any suggestions!

[jeessgb 57]

Wwthing, is there anyway you can cancel the appointment in GDL and schedule one in CDJ a day or two before the interview ?

[Damnskipy 80]

Wwthing, is there anyway you can cancel the appointment in GDL and schedule one in CDJ a day or two before the interview ?

I don't know. I think the interview and ASC are linked so if I mess with one it will cancel the interview in Juarez also. Plus the system seemed to make you schedule them a week apart. My other thought is if they would let a family member pick it up for us. Her brother lives in Juarez. But I doubt they will. I'm sure it has to be her or me.

[MariaR323 199]

I noticed the same thing about some sort of "linking"... depending on the day you choose the interview or biometrics it gives you the days of choice for the other and vice versa I believe.

To answer your question about the appointment letter, only the petitioner and/or beneficiary can pick up the apppointment letter.

The reason you probably have a week apart of difference is because the ASC you chose is outside of Juarez... we did ours in Juarez on a Friday and had the interview that upcoming Tues.

If you don't want an extra travel expense to Juarez, reschedule the ASC for Juarez... most likely you can keep the same interview date and if not you still should be ok because you can reschedule that as well. If not, keep your appointments but go get that letter because they won't even talk to you if you don't show it lol

[Damnskipy 80]

I noticed the same thing about some sort of "linking"... depending on the day you choose the interview or biometrics it gives you the days of choice for the other and vice versa I believe.

To answer your question about the appointment letter, only the petitioner and/or beneficiary can pick up the apppointment letter.

The reason you probably have a week apart of difference is because the ASC you chose is outside of Juarez... we did ours in Juarez on a Friday and had the interview that upcoming Tues.

If you don't want an extra travel expense to Juarez, reschedule the ASC for Juarez... most likely you can keep the same interview date and if not you still should be ok because you can reschedule that as well. If not, keep your appointments but go get that letter because they won't even talk to you if you don't show it lol

Cool. I think we just avoided the problem. My fiance arrives on the 3rd to Juarez and we were able to reschedule the ASC appointment for Juarez at 4:30 p,m. on the 3rd also and keep the interview on the 5th (medical already on the 4th). She arrives in the morning so she will have all morning and afternoon to stop by the embassy and get the letter first before the 4:30 p.m. appointment. I think we avoided a disaster or more expenses.. Phew! Thanks for the suggestion you are really helpful in all your posts!

[Damnskipy 80]

The only other thing now is the embassy is saying they haven't processed it fully yet even though it seems they have it and can see it. They advise us to keep the August 5 interview and keep calling every day to ensure they get it processed. Seems we will be okay with that too as we have 2 weeks still, but fingers crossed.

[ayceman 3]

The only other thing now is the embassy is saying they haven't processed it fully yet even though it seems they have it and can see it. They advise us to keep the August 5 interview and keep calling every day to ensure they get it processed. Seems we will be okay with that too as we have 2 weeks still, but fingers crossed.

My fiancee has hers on the 5th at 7:15 AM cool hopefully you can keep the date.

[MariaR323 199]

Cool. I think we just avoided the problem. My fiance arrives on the 3rd to Juarez and we were able to reschedule the ASC appointment for Juarez at 4:30 p,m. on the 3rd also and keep the interview on the 5th (medical already on the 4th). She arrives in the morning so she will have all morning and afternoon to stop by the embassy and get the letter first before the 4:30 p.m. appointment. I think we avoided a disaster or more expenses.. Phew! Thanks for the suggestion you are really helpful in all your posts!

Great!

What time does she arrive in Juarez? The information window at the consulate is open from 7:30am to 1pm so make sure she gets there on time to go get the letter

The only other thing now is the embassy is saying they haven't processed it fully yet even though it seems they have it and can see it. They advise us to keep the August 5 interview and keep calling every day to ensure they get it processed. Seems we will be okay with that too as we have 2 weeks still, but fingers crossed.

You should be fine

[mimi6157 1]

Did you guys wait until it was in transit or do you think its ok to schedule even if it hasnt left yet?