No embassy letter received - booking interview issue?

[Amainzing 18]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm at the (hopefully!) final stages of my K-1 visa process, all that's left is for me to attend my medical and book/attend my interview. The issue is, I've not received any letter from the embassy confirming that I can begin scheduling my interview, which should have arrived by now. I have my LND#, and because of this I was able to check the CEAC website, which said that my case was "ready", but when attempting to book the interview on the website, the only options available are: 

• I need to register an Immigrant Visa appointment
• I have received a letter from the consular section with instructions to schedule an immigrant visa appointment.
• I have received a letter from the consular section with instructions to register or schedule a K visa appointment.
• I am a Returning Resident outside the U.S. for longer than one year

As technically none of these correct, I am unsure of whether to proceed regardless and select the option for K-1 appointment. I would prefer not to have to wait any longer for the letter to arrive (if it will arrive at all) as interview dates seem likely to be at least early August by this point, but I don't know whether to risk it and lie, to which I may be caught out in the future, as I believe the letter is on the list of documents to bring to the interview. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

[Pakxicans 18]

15 minutes ago, Amainzing said:

Hi everyone,

 

I'm at the (hopefully!) final stages of my K-1 visa process, all that's left is for me to attend my medical and book/attend my interview. The issue is, I've not received any letter from the embassy confirming that I can begin scheduling my interview, which should have arrived by now. I have my LND#, and because of this I was able to check the CEAC website, which said that my case was "ready", but when attempting to book the interview on the website, the only options available are: 

• I need to register an Immigrant Visa appointment
• I have received a letter from the consular section with instructions to schedule an immigrant visa appointment.
• I have received a letter from the consular section with instructions to register or schedule a K visa appointment.
• I am a Returning Resident outside the U.S. for longer than one year

As technically none of these correct, I am unsure of whether to proceed regardless and select the option for K-1 appointment. I would prefer not to have to wait any longer for the letter to arrive (if it will arrive at all) as interview dates seem likely to be at least early August by this point, but I don't know whether to risk it and lie, to which I may be caught out in the future, as I believe the letter is on the list of documents to bring to the interview. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

You can contact the embassy and ask them about it. Nowadays embassy don't send packet 3, they just send you an email telling how to schedule your interview and medical.

 

You have to fill the DS-160 and submit it and then you schedule the interview and medical. Have you submitted your DS-160.

Edited June 27, 2017 by Mehar

[Amainzing 18]

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I have submitted the DS-160 as well as the 'notification of readiness' form, but I have not received any emails other than confirmations that those were completed. No info provided in either about scheduling the interview. I suppose I should just give them a call and see what they say, though I've been told that the London embassy can be less than helpful at times 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

11 hours ago, Amainzing said:

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, I have submitted the DS-160 as well as the 'notification of readiness' form, but I have not received any emails other than confirmations that those were completed. No info provided in either about scheduling the interview. I suppose I should just give them a call and see what they say, though I've been told that the London embassy can be less than helpful at times 

 

London specific answer:

 

London sends a letter, not an email. It has a copy of your petition and says to get your instructions off their website here https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/applying-for-the-visa/ Follow the steps.

 

You don't need the actual letter for anything. The medical exam people say they want to see it, but you can print off your online status showing the LND case number and they are satisfied that you have reached the point of medical/interview time. Be aware that you need your police certificate for the medical people to see. And while not required, it is most wise to have all your AOS shots prior to the medical exam so they can be recorded on an official immigration document. Any shots obtained after your visa medical will require another trip to a doctor (designated Civil surgeon) in the US to get everything on one official form. 

 

So pick the choice 

• I have received a letter from the consular section with instructions to register or schedule a K visa appointment.

and carry on. If it's too soon, the system won't let you in to book the interview. Do read all the  instruction pages and other links on the London website https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/applying-for-the-visa/ to make sure you have everything properly done and gathered.

Edited June 28, 2017 by Wuozopo

[Amainzing 18]

Thanks so much for the help. After calling both the visa appointment people and embassy and receiving very unhelpful responses, I've decided that I will just follow your advice and book it anyway - since my letter should have arrived 3 weeks ago it's possible it will never get here. And since, like you say, I don't actually require the letter for either the interview/medical (I have printed the screenshot of the CEAC website, as well as copied the letter from the NVC my fiance received containing my LND#), fingers crossed it will not be an issue!!

 

I've already assembled all of the info/papers needed for both the medical and the interview, so all that's left is to pay the fee and schedule it (and attend, haha)! 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

15 minutes ago, Amainzing said:

Thanks so much for the help. After calling both the visa appointment people and embassy and receiving very unhelpful responses, I've decided that I will just follow your advice and book it anyway - since my letter should have arrived 3 weeks ago it's possible it will never get here. And since, like you say, I don't actually require the letter for either the interview/medical (I have printed the screenshot of the CEAC website, as well as copied the letter from the NVC my fiance received containing my LND#), fingers crossed it will not be an issue!!

 

I've already assembled all of the info/papers needed for both the medical and the interview, so all that's left is to pay the fee and schedule it (and attend, haha)! 

 

The people you need are in the Immigrant Visa Unit and you can not get to them by phone, only by using the contact form on the website. You likely spoke to the Nonimmigrant people who can't help with a K1. Even if you contact the Immigrant Visa Unit online, they will just tell you to carry on. They never send out a replacement letter.  

 

Note: Knightsbridge will accept that NVC letter as proof of your properly assigned LND case number. They just want to verify you didn't' make up some fake number in order to jump the queue for a medical. 

[Amainzing 18]

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

 

The people you need are in the Immigrant Visa Unit and you can not get to them by phone, only by using the contact form on the website. You likely spoke to the Nonimmigrant people who can't help with a K1. Even if you contact the Immigrant Visa Unit online, they will just tell you to carry on. They never send out a replacement letter.  

 

Note: Knightsbridge will accept that NVC letter as proof of your properly assigned LND case number. They just want to verify you didn't' make up some fake number in order to jump the queue for a medical. 

Ah well, in that case I'm doubly glad I decided to book it anyway. And that's a relief. Now I just have to deal with the nerves of my medical on the 4th of July and my interview on the 11th of July! Surprised that they had dates that close tbh, but thankful. Thanks again for your help, I think I'd be completely lost without VJ!

[Wingsly 36]

I didn't receive a separate letter or email, either - I booked the interview anyway, and it was fine, they didn't ask for this letter that hadn't arrived. Did you receive the first letter from the embassy, confirming they'd received your case, and with a copy of the I-129f inside? This is all I received from them.

I took a photocopy of this NOA2 as proof to the medical, and that was accepted. At the embassy, they just wanted to see the DS-160 barcode and payment receipt email (after booking and paying for your visa appointment) before letting me in. No letter or email necessary.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, Wingsly said:

Did you receive the first letter from the embassy, confirming they'd received your case, and with a copy of the I-129f inside? This is all I received from them.

 

That's one not received. 

[Amainzing 18]

3 hours ago, Wingsly said:

I didn't receive a separate letter or email, either - I booked the interview anyway, and it was fine, they didn't ask for this letter that hadn't arrived. Did you receive the first letter from the embassy, confirming they'd received your case, and with a copy of the I-129f inside? This is all I received from them.

I took a photocopy of this NOA2 as proof to the medical, and that was accepted. At the embassy, they just wanted to see the DS-160 barcode and payment receipt email (after booking and paying for your visa appointment) before letting me in. No letter or email necessary.

No, as Wuozopo said, I have not received anything from the embassy. But it's reassuring to hear that the letter is not required for the medical/interview, as long as I have something else with my LND# and the other required info.

 

[Amainzing 18]

For anyone else going through the same thing, I had my interview today and the letter was not needed, despite it being requested at the embassy - the receipt for the MRV fee was enough - here is a link to my full interview experience for more info: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/view-dos-cis-reviews.php?entry=22126