Medical exam in Ethiopia

[willnmahi 2]

Hello,

We are doing a K1 visa and it was recently sent from the NVC to the embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We have paid the fee and there is an option of getting the interview on August 8th. We still have to get her medical paperwork so my question is if there must be a minimum number of days between the time of getting the medical paperwork and the day of the interview. I have read conflicting reports of people saying it must be at least 10 days before the interview and others saying that it can be finished anytime. Any help would be appreciated!

[Habesha Love 7]

While waiting for a response, could you please update your timeline as this will help others in making estimates regarding where they are on their journey. Hope someone has the answer to your question and responds ASAP. Thanks.

[KASH2011 382]

Welcome to VJ! Good luck to you!

[willnmahi 2]

Hello again. I updated my timeline to where we are at now. To answer my own question in the initial post, we would not have the medical paperwork done in time by the 8th. Besides, the 8th is no longer available to be chosen for an interview date. For now, she has made an appointment to get the medical done and our interview at the embassy will be on August 29th.

[Habesha Love 7]

Thanks a bunch, Will. I wish y'all the very best on the interview. I hope someone can respond to the question you asked about the time between the medical paperwork and the interview. Please let us know what you find out. Also, I'm not sure if they do allow petitioners to attend the interview as well. Should you be able to do that, please let us know as well as I may plan a trip to Addis around the time of my fiancée's interview. Thanks.

[willnmahi 2]

Thanks a bunch, Will. I wish y'all the very best on the interview. I hope someone can respond to the question you asked about the time between the medical paperwork and the interview. Please let us know what you find out. Also, I'm not sure if they do allow petitioners to attend the interview as well. Should you be able to do that, please let us know as well as I may plan a trip to Addis around the time of my fiancée's interview. Thanks.

She went to the hospital earlier today and they told her that even if she made an appointment right now, the results would not be ready by the 8th. It appears that the medical must be done a minimum of 10 days before the interview to ensure that the results are received on time. As far as the interview is concerned, she has checked a few places for information and unfortunately, they don't allow the petitioner to appear at the interview. I was originally going to go be with her there but the closest I could get would be outside the building while she is having the interview. My plan is to go there 2 weeks after her interview which would be the New Year and we will travel back together. Of course, that's assuming that everything goes smooth at the interview. For now, we are getting prepared for the interview.

[Habesha Love 7]

Thanks man for your speedy response. I kinda expected that they won't allow me in as I read that USC can also only get in with an appointment unless in cases of emergencies. Not sure other local embassies have same policies. Good to know that I would need atleast 10 days for the medical to be safely reported. I hope you can be of help when I get to your level. Wish y'all the very best and enjoy that Ethiopian new year?. I would be spending that Sunday with her family here.

[mlouiser 0]

Hi Will,

So I came across this post of yours while researching info regarding the next steps needed for my fiancé to complete now that our case has been forwarded to the Embassy in Addis, and I was curious if you've received your "packet 3" from the Embassy yet or any info from them at all?

Your post makes it sound like you're pretty much on the same time frame as we are, and so I'd be super grateful if we could compare notes!

We received word from the NVC on July 22nd that our paperwork was forwarded to the embassy in Addis, but have yet to hear anything from the Embassy... I emailed them the week after we heard from the NVC that our case had been forwarded to the embassy (addisfiance@state.gov) to see what the next steps were (i.e. if we needed to wait for packet 3 BEFORE paying the fee and scheduling an interview date), but didn't hear anything all week, so we just went ahead with the next steps listed on their website > filled out the DS-160 > registered his account online > payed the visa fee > and scheduled his interview date for August 29th (we also only had the option of August 8th or the 29th when accessing the portal to schedule an interview).

After not receiving a response to my email for a week, I sent another email updating them that we had completed these steps and scheduled his interview for August 29th > and requested that they send the packet 3 via email at their earliest convenience (aka NOW! haha). I saw that someone mentioned this was a way for them to expedite packet 3 in the Embassy info, here.

He completed his medical exam this past Monday (they only needed the printout from the online account saying he had payed the fee and scheduled his interview), and will receive those results on August 19th. He was also able to collect his police records this past Thursday as well. I am in the process of collecting the necessary paperwork for the I-134 and I'm nearly finished - and we have also made sure to collect the documents listed on the Embassy website for K1 visas > here and here.

Anyways, sorry for the overload of information but again, just hoping we can compare notes and get some comfort in knowing/hearing that someone else is going through the similar steps at a very similar time!

Thanks so much ??

[willnmahi 2]

Hi Will,

So I came across this post of yours while researching info regarding the next steps needed for my fiancé to complete now that our case has been forwarded to the Embassy in Addis, and I was curious if you've received your "packet 3" from the Embassy yet or any info from them at all?

Your post makes it sound like you're pretty much on the same time frame as we are, and so I'd be super grateful if we could compare notes!

We received word from the NVC on July 22nd that our paperwork was forwarded to the embassy in Addis, but have yet to hear anything from the Embassy... I emailed them the week after we heard from the NVC that our case had been forwarded to the embassy (addisfiance@state.gov) to see what the next steps were (i.e. if we needed to wait for packet 3 BEFORE paying the fee and scheduling an interview date), but didn't hear anything all week, so we just went ahead with the next steps listed on their website > filled out the DS-160 > registered his account online > payed the visa fee > and scheduled his interview date for August 29th (we also only had the option of August 8th or the 29th when accessing the portal to schedule an interview).

After not receiving a response to my email for a week, I sent another email updating them that we had completed these steps and scheduled his interview for August 29th > and requested that they send the packet 3 via email at their earliest convenience (aka NOW! haha). I saw that someone mentioned this was a way for them to expedite packet 3 in the Embassy info, here.

He completed his medical exam this past Monday (they only needed the printout from the online account saying he had payed the fee and scheduled his interview), and will receive those results on August 19th. He was also able to collect his police records this past Thursday as well. I am in the process of collecting the necessary paperwork for the I-134 and I'm nearly finished - and we have also made sure to collect the documents listed on the Embassy website for K1 visas > here and here.

Anyways, sorry for the overload of information but again, just hoping we can compare notes and get some comfort in knowing/hearing that someone else is going through the similar steps at a very similar time!

Thanks so much ??

Hey Maggie!

We are virtually on the same timeline although my fiancee isn't getting her physical done until next week. We never received a package 3 and I sent her to the embassy to inquire about it. They told her outside that they will not send her anything since everything is done online. We also went ahead and completed the DS-160, registered, and paid the $265.

I find it odd that they are not emailing or mailing a physical package 3. Especially since internet access still isn't good there. Even now, the network has been down for the past couple days. I haven't emailed them about packet 3 but I think I will send them an email now just to cover myself. In the mean time, we have been practicing potential interview questions. I was previously married before and I have 2 children from that marriage so I'm sure they will ask her about that at the interview. It seems that this embassy isn't too bad compared with other African countries but I'm still a bit worried about her interview.

Are you planning to travel there soon? I've found a round trip ticket from Houston for only $805 so I think I will purchase that on tomorrow. I really wanted to be there for her interview but my schedule won't allow me to attend. Plus it seems that they no longer let us go inside anyway. I plan to arrive there on the 6th if everything goes as planned.

[mlouiser 0]

Awesome thanks for that update Will!

So just to clarify - when your fiancé went to the Embassy to inquire about packet 3, they told her that they won't send one at all? Meaning that you should just follow the instructions on the website and not worry about receiving a packet 3? That also seems strange since many people have posted here in their timelines about receiving a packet 3... I also inquired with a friend who completed the process back in October/November and she said her fiancé received a packet 3 in the mail, about 1-2 months AFTER the NVC forwarded their case to the Embassy. This worries me that maybe the packet 3 is required before paying and scheduling the interview online? The documentation is so vague and varies ever so slightly depending on the source you're reading.

Definitely not trying to make you worry as well hah, just wanting to clarify what info your fiancé received when visiting the Embassy. Appreciate the discussion very much!

PS Still no word from my two email requests to the embassy (2 weeks and counting)...

[willnmahi 2]

Awesome thanks for that update Will!

So just to clarify - when your fiancé went to the Embassy to inquire about packet 3, they told her that they won't send one at all? Meaning that you should just follow the instructions on the website and not worry about receiving a packet 3? That also seems strange since many people have posted here in their timelines about receiving a packet 3... I also inquired with a friend who completed the process back in October/November and she said her fiancé received a packet 3 in the mail, about 1-2 months AFTER the NVC forwarded their case to the Embassy. This worries me that maybe the packet 3 is required before paying and scheduling the interview online? The documentation is so vague and varies ever so slightly depending on the source you're reading.

Definitely not trying to make you worry as well hah, just wanting to clarify what info your fiancé received when visiting the Embassy. Appreciate the discussion very much!

PS Still no word from my two email requests to the embassy (2 weeks and counting)...

Now you have me worried lol. As crazy as it sounds, that's what she was told at the entrance of the embassy. I had her go back and check and they said the same thing and gave her the sheet of paper that I linked here. It's basically just a repeat of the information that's on the website. Also, it's worth noting that this paper doesn't even mention getting the physical done so if we only went by this, we'd be screwed!

I also received a letter from the NVC today and it's basically just saying that they sent the application to the embassy in Addis. The part that worries me is where it says "The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will contact your fiance(e) when they are ready to process his or her petition." So now I wonder if they only send packet 3 when they are ready to process and if she doesn't receive it by the 29th, they will turn her away and make us reschedule.

She's going for her physical on tomorrow so I will get her to ask around there and see if anyone has any useful information. I'm also going to send another email to the embassy and see if I can get a response. I would hate to waste time getting ready for the 29th only to be further delayed.

[mlouiser 0]

Wild - I definitely believe you though! And appreciate you posting the document as well ??

I received our letter from the NVC in the mail on July 29th, and it stated the same that you mentioned above...

I have just spent the last hour or more scanning through other Ethiopia K1 visa member posts, timelines, etc and it's seeming pretty clear that we need that packet 3. I messaged someone who has been rather vocal throughout the different forums but have yet to hear back, so hopefully he'll send me some info ASAP! I will certainly keep you posted and I hope you do the same.

Either way, I'm sending the most positive vibes for both of us that August 29th is going to go just swimmingly and the stars will be aligned and we'll have those visas in hand within the first week of September. I've got a good feeling, so let's just keeping fueling the positivity shall we?

[willnmahi 2]

Wild - I definitely believe you though! And appreciate you posting the document as well ??

I received our letter from the NVC in the mail on July 29th, and it stated the same that you mentioned above...

I have just spent the last hour or more scanning through other Ethiopia K1 visa member posts, timelines, etc and it's seeming pretty clear that we need that packet 3. I messaged someone who has been rather vocal throughout the different forums but have yet to hear back, so hopefully he'll send me some info ASAP! I will certainly keep you posted and I hope you do the same.

Either way, I'm sending the most positive vibes for both of us that August 29th is going to go just swimmingly and the stars will be aligned and we'll have those visas in hand within the first week of September. I've got a good feeling, so let's just keeping fueling the positivity shall we?

I'm thinking maybe it's a new process where packet 3 isn't required? Either way, I'm going to force myself to stay positive. It seems like packet 3 is only a email away so we still have almost 3 weeks to receive it. I hope we find out something soon and I'll report back if I hear anything on my end.

[mlouiser 0]

I'm thinking maybe it's a new process where packet 3 isn't required? Either way, I'm going to force myself to stay positive. It seems like packet 3 is only a email away so we still have almost 3 weeks to receive it. I hope we find out something soon and I'll report back if I hear anything on my end.

Morning Will (and anyone else reading!)

Firm believer that positive thinking brings positive results - woke up this morning to an email from the Embassy ??

It was a response to the initial email I sent on July 27th (just days after I had heard from the NVC that our petition had been forwarded on to the Embassy). The first page says:

 AMERICAN EMBASSY ENTOTO STREET P.O. BOX 1014ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIADate: 09 Aug 2016

Dear XXX: 

This office is ready to begin your approved I­129 petition filed your behalf. Before appearing at the consular section you are required to have the appropriate documents in connection with your immigration application.

Enclosed is instruction sheet pertinent to the processing of your K1/K2 or K3/K4 immigration case and forms to be completed. Please read the enclosed information and follow the instruction very carefully. When communicating with this office either by telephone or letter, please provide your name and case number exactly as shown in this letter.

The total fee for a "K1/K2" or “K3/K4” visa is USD 265.00. You may pay in local currency at the current rate of exchange.

Sincerely,

Chief, NIV/K Visa Branch

Visa AppointmentDate            Time********************            ***********************

I am attaching a copy of the checklist and instructions which were included following the brief little letter above ^^

It's basically the same info listed on their website, with a bit more detail.

So it took exactly two weeks for them to respond to my first email request, and who knows if they'll ever respond to the second now that they've given me the info we need (also not sure if sending two emails actually delayed their response time as they mentioned in the auto-responder...). BUT, that still gives you plenty of time to receive their response to your email request you sent before the 29th. Keeping my fingers crossed that it comes in the next couple of days so you don't need to stress (don't stress anyways, it's going to come)!

I'll continue to keep this thread updated if anything changes in the next 3 weeks before the interview date.

Oh yeah, I also came across this checklist that another MVJ member who was approved for a K1 visa in Ethiopia this February posted, for documents to bring to the interview. I'm going to try and gather as much/if not all of the info for my fiancé to bring with him to his interview - just so we have all the bases covered:

INTERVIEW DOCUMENTS

Section 1

· Embassy confirmation and instruction letter

· Visa Application and Interview Confirmation

Section 2

· DS-160 Form

· Visa payment

· Valid passport

· Birth certificate

· Police certificate

· Medical examination

· Rights and Protections for Foreign-Citizen Fiancé

Section 3 Evidence of support

· Form I-134

· Statement of Employment

· Paystub-1 & 15 January 2016

· Paystub-1 & 15 February 2016

Section 4 Evidence of relationship with the petitioner

· Fiancé Letter of Intent – Petitioner

· Fiancé Letter of Intent – Beneficiary

· Marriage Date with Quote

· Letter from Beneficiary’s Father

· Letter from Beneficiary’s Mother

· Letter from Beneficiary’s Cousin/Lawyer

· Letter from Father Tom Donovan (Catholic Priest)

· Letter from Ahmed Fouad (Petitioner friend)

· Letter from Artur Kolojeski (Petitioner friend)

· Plane Boarding Tickets

· Visa Stamps

· Phone Logs

· Engagement Ring Receipt

· Engagement Ring Photo

Section 5 Tax Returns

· 2015, 2014, 2013

PETITION DOCUMENTATION

Section 5

· I-129F

· G-325A Biographical Petitioner

· G-325A Biographical Beneficiary

· USCIS Notice of Action 1 (I-797C) Receipt

· USCIA Notice of Action 2 (I-797C) Approval

· NVC Letter

Section 6

· Petitioner Divorce Decree

Apologies again for the overload of info, I just know I've been searching for some more thorough answers so I hope this is helpful.

Cheers!

[Habesha Love 7]

Morning Will (and anyone else reading!)

Firm believer that positive thinking brings positive results - woke up this morning to an email from the Embassy ??

It was a response to the initial email I sent on July 27th (just days after I had heard from the NVC that our petition had been forwarded on to the Embassy). The first page says:

 AMERICAN EMBASSY
 ENTOTO STREET
 P.O. BOX 1014
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Date: 09 Aug 2016

Dear XXX:

This office is ready to begin your approved I­129 petition filed your behalf. Before appearing at the consular section you are required to have the appropriate documents in connection with your immigration application.

Enclosed is instruction sheet pertinent to the processing of your K1/K2 or K3/K4 immigration case and forms to be completed. Please read the enclosed information and follow the instruction very carefully. When communicating with this office either by telephone or letter, please provide your name and case number exactly as shown in this letter.

The total fee for a "K1/K2" or K3/K4 visa is USD 265.00. You may pay in local currency at the current rate of exchange.

Sincerely,

Chief, NIV/K Visa Branch

Visa Appointment
Date            Time
********************            ***********************

I am attaching a copy of the checklist and instructions which were included following the brief little letter above ^^

It's basically the same info listed on their website, with a bit more detail.

So it took exactly two weeks for them to respond to my first email request, and who knows if they'll ever respond to the second now that they've given me the info we need (also not sure if sending two emails actually delayed their response time as they mentioned in the auto-responder...). BUT, that still gives you plenty of time to receive their response to your email request you sent before the 29th. Keeping my fingers crossed that it comes in the next couple of days so you don't need to stress (don't stress anyways, it's going to come)!

I'll continue to keep this thread updated if anything changes in the next 3 weeks before the interview date.

Oh yeah, I also came across this checklist that another MVJ member who was approved for a K1 visa in Ethiopia this February posted, for documents to bring to the interview. I'm going to try and gather as much/if not all of the info for my fiancé to bring with him to his interview - just so we have all the bases covered:

INTERVIEW DOCUMENTS

Section 1

· Embassy confirmation and instruction letter

· Visa Application and Interview Confirmation

Section 2

· DS-160 Form

· Visa payment

· Valid passport

· Birth certificate

· Police certificate

· Medical examination

· Rights and Protections for Foreign-Citizen Fiancé

Section 3 Evidence of support

· Form I-134

· Statement of Employment

· Paystub-1 & 15 January 2016

· Paystub-1 & 15 February 2016

Section 4 Evidence of relationship with the petitioner

· Fiancé Letter of Intent Petitioner

· Fiancé Letter of Intent Beneficiary

· Marriage Date with Quote

· Letter from Beneficiarys Father

· Letter from Beneficiarys Mother

· Letter from Beneficiarys Cousin/Lawyer

· Letter from Father Tom Donovan (Catholic Priest)

· Letter from Ahmed Fouad (Petitioner friend)

· Letter from Artur Kolojeski (Petitioner friend)

· Plane Boarding Tickets

· Visa Stamps

· Phone Logs

· Engagement Ring Receipt

· Engagement Ring Photo

Section 5 Tax Returns

· 2015, 2014, 2013

PETITION DOCUMENTATION

Section 5

· I-129F

· G-325A Biographical Petitioner

· G-325A Biographical Beneficiary

· USCIS Notice of Action 1 (I-797C) Receipt

· USCIA Notice of Action 2 (I-797C) Approval

· NVC Letter

Section 6

· Petitioner Divorce Decree

Apologies again for the overload of info, I just know I've been searching for some more thorough answers so I hope this is helpful.

Cheers!

Hello Maggie,

So does it mean that without this "Embassy confirmation and instruction letter", one can not attend the interview after scheduling for it even when one has the "Visa Application and Interview Confirmation"? Just wondering if the email is in lieu of the so called "packet 3." Good luck to you and also to Will on Aug 29.