Scandinavians Part 2

[emma24 161]

Looks like they updated saying they are still closed for routine visa services. 😭

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

18 hours ago, emma24 said:

Looks like they updated saying they are still closed for routine visa services. 😭

I saw that also yesterday and it upset me its so confusing. Sweden has never been in lock down. If your looking at the State Department "diplomacy strong" guidelines which is what they've said they're using to determine phased openings. We've got all the necessary requirements to begin phased openings. I don't understand. Unless it has something to do with the Entry ban Sweden has but I would think the COs and the people at the Embassy have clearance to enter Sweden because they work in Sweden and their work is essential. 

[Simone Jakobsen 8]

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all good despite everything. I would like if I said I was just fine. This is the hardest thing I ever had to do.

 

We recently realized that our NOA2 is expiring on July 22nd and I’m not sure what to do about this? I’m sure someone’s already asked the same question but I just found myself getting lost in here looking for the answer. I hope someone can help us out.

 

Thank you! 

[Georgia16 2,858]

4 minutes ago, Simone Jakobsen said:

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all good despite everything. I would like if I said I was just fine. This is the hardest thing I ever had to do.

 

We recently realized that our NOA2 is expiring on July 22nd and I’m not sure what to do about this? I’m sure someone’s already asked the same question but I just found myself getting lost in here looking for the answer. I hope someone can help us out.

 

Thank you! 

They will extend it

[Simone Jakobsen 8]

2 hours ago, Georgia16 said:

They will extend it

But do I actively need to do anything for them to extend?

[Georgia16 2,858]

46 minutes ago, Simone Jakobsen said:

But do I actively need to do anything for them to extend?

No they should take care of it. Think how many this is happening to due to the delays. 

Edited July 18, 2020 by Georgia16

[emma24 161]

On 7/18/2020 at 12:43 PM, Simone Jakobsen said:

But do I actively need to do anything for them to extend?

I emailed the embassy and this was their response. 

 

Since the case is still at the National Visa Center, you do not need to do anything at this point.   Once travel restrictions are lifted and we resume full visa operations, case will be forwarded to us.  If I-129F has expired by then, you will be asked to send us proof of your long distance relationship, and validity of I-129F can be extended by the Consular officer if she/he is convinced that you are in relationship.

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

On 7/19/2020 at 7:38 PM, emma24 said:

I emailed the embassy and this was their response. 

 

Since the case is still at the National Visa Center, you do not need to do anything at this point.   Once travel restrictions are lifted and we resume full visa operations, case will be forwarded to us.  If I-129F has expired by then, you will be asked to send us proof of your long distance relationship, and validity of I-129F can be extended by the Consular officer if she/he is convinced that you are in relationship.

I wonder what travel restrictions they are referring to. Because there's travel restrictions within Sweden I heard of this you can't travel anywhere longer than 2 hours or the police will pull you over and fine you or do you think the Embassy means the travel restrictions coming from USA to Sweden with the entry ban into Sweden in place? Whats everyone think?

[emma24 161]

4 hours ago, OrihimeandIchigo said:

I wonder what travel restrictions they are referring to. Because there's travel restrictions within Sweden I heard of this you can't travel anywhere longer than 2 hours or the police will pull you over and fine you or do you think the Embassy means the travel restrictions coming from USA to Sweden with the entry ban into Sweden in place? Whats everyone think?

I took it as the US travel ban on the Schengen countries. No use in issuing a visa that won’t be allowed in...

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

5 hours ago, emma24 said:

I took it as the US travel ban on the Schengen countries. No use in issuing a visa that won’t be allowed in...

If you have a vaild visa and are a spouse of a US citizen or a child of a US citizen you are exempt from the travel ban and can travel straight from your banned country to USA.

 

Now for K1 that would be a different story they would have to find a non banned country to travel from and quarantine in but they could enter the US with their valid visa.

 

So I took it as the ban to enter the USA was a non issue but the entry ban from US Citizens into Sweden was the issue its why I've been wondering if Embassy employees are exempted from the Sweden entry ban. 

 

https://www.government.se/press-releases/2020/07/extension-of-temporary-entry-ban-to-sweden-until-31-august-2020-and-easing-of-restrictions-for-more-travellers/

 

Edited July 21, 2020 by OrihimeandIchigo

[emma24 161]

4 hours ago, OrihimeandIchigo said:

 

So I took it as the ban to enter the USA was a non issue but the entry ban from US Citizens into Sweden was the issue its why I've been wondering if Embassy employees are exempted from the Sweden entry ban. 

Would be awesome if we could get a clear cut explanation that isn't open to interpretation. Here is another email response I got when asking about the EOs. This is also what leads me to believe they aren't processing K1s because of the US ban. 

 

The recent presidential proclamation from April 22, 2020 (10014) and June 22, 2020 does not apply to K1 applicants. However, K-1 applicants residing in consular district are still subject to the presidential proclamation from March 11, 2020: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

 

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm is suspending all routine visa interview appointments, pursuant to this Presidential Proclamation. As we have previously explained, no K-1 petition will be sent from the National Visa Center unless we can go back to normal operation or if any exceptions apply (as an example, some K1 applicants might be a parent of a minor U.S. citizen which could warrant an emergency appointment). K-1 are not considered mission-critical and falls under routine visa services. At this time, we are unable to speculate as to when we will resume routine visa services. Please continue to monitor travel.state.gov for any updates.

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

On 6/28/2020 at 3:18 AM, LilyJ said:

Thank you! Yes our previous one was scheduled for April 1 and cancelled on May 17, we haven't contacted them back yet so I'm not exactly sure when they have for open slots, but I will definitely update when we get our new appointment day! Really the most of it is we just have to redo our sponsorship papers, since our old ones were of course prepared using the 2018 tax year, and now 2019 is required, so we've got to update for that. Yes Stockholm does all immigrant visa processing for Norway and Denmark as well  So my husband will be having to fly from DK to Stockholm for his interview. Thank you I will definitely make sure to check that out and we'll make sure he has a mask with him! I'll definitely make sure to update, thank you and good luck to you too!!

Sorry to bother you about this but its caused me so much worry and anxiety, was it required by the Embassy in their interview letter to have a new I-864 for 2019 tax year? If you previously to the NVC submitted the I-864 with the most recent tax year as 2018? Thanks so much in advance 😊

[jetties 40]

We were DQ'd in the middle of May 2022 and still awaiting an interview date in Stockholm. We haven't received anything from the NVC nor the embassy since the DQ'd.

Close to 6 am this morning we received an email, stating that our immigration appointment has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and will be rescheduled asap.

 

We've read about this pattern of receiving cancellation emails before receiving interview dates during these strange times, and we've never requested expedited processing or anything like that.

Will post an update if anything happens

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

1 hour ago, jetties said:

We were DQ'd in the middle of May 2022 and still awaiting an interview date in Stockholm. We haven't received anything from the NVC nor the embassy since the DQ'd.

Close to 6 am this morning we received an email, stating that our immigration appointment has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and will be rescheduled asap.

 

We've read about this pattern of receiving cancellation emails before receiving interview dates during these strange times, and we've never requested expedited processing or anything like that.

Will post an update if anything happens

Oh my goodness this is so exciting for you. It sounds like the Embassy has decided to expedite your case. Congratulations  huggles. Yes please keep us updated I'm so curious. We've been DQ since mid June and haven't heard anything yet. 

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

3 hours ago, jetties said:

We were DQ'd in the middle of May 2022 and still awaiting an interview date in Stockholm. We haven't received anything from the NVC nor the embassy since the DQ'd.

Close to 6 am this morning we received an email, stating that our immigration appointment has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and will be rescheduled asap.

 

We've read about this pattern of receiving cancellation emails before receiving interview dates during these strange times, and we've never requested expedited processing or anything like that.

Will post an update if anything happens

If I could ask what day were you DQ in May exactly? Im trying to figure out how fast or slow they are processing interviews. Thanks so much in advance 😊