January CSC filers - Interview Progress

[Jennymc11 2]

Hi January club!

Just found out our interview date is July 20th! Woohoo!!!!!!!!

[chipsahoy 3]

Hi January club!

Just found out our interview date is July 20th! Woohoo!!!!!!!!

Congratulations and God bless!

[RobandTania 1]

I'd like to share a rather disconcerting phone call to the visa center in Washington, DC:

Last night, I talked to a customer service rep at the always helpful NVC. I asked if they could give me information regarding my I-129f in Kiev. He said no, after the application leaves their office to the embassy, they don't keep records of the application's progress. I must call the embassy's information line, or better yet, visa services in Washington, DC. He gave me the phone number, 202-663-1225. After going through the announcements, I reached a live person for help. So far, great!

Well, down hill from here. After I gave the overbearing sounding female service rep my embassy number, she immediately read off the personal information and asked if this was me. I'm thinking... "shouldn't I be the one giving you the information, and YOU verify it?" I just said "yes, it's me."

Then she gave some good information. The embassy mailed packet 3 to my fiancee Thursday the 7th. Here is another bad twist:

The service rep said: "When she receives packet 3, she must complete form DS-230 and return it to the embassy so they can schedule a medical at a medical center and a visa interview."

I told her my fiancee already had the medical at the medical center, and her interview is scheduled for July 3. These were done using the embassy issued number. I also pointed out for non-immigrant K visas, DS-156 and DS-156k are used. DS-230 is for immigrant visa applicants.

The service rep became a bit surly sounding: ".. sir..sir ...SIR I don't know who gave "Ski" the medical but SHE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY ACTION FROM THE KIEV EMBASSY UNTIL THE EMBASSY RECEIVES DS-230 FROM HER SENT IN PACKET 3, AND IT IS ACCEPTED BY THE EMBASSY! IT SAYS ON THE FILE IN FRONT OF NOT ELIGIBLE!! This is Visa Services at the Department of State in Washington DC, we know the correct procedures!"

I thought it was better to defer, maybe she could push a "delete account" button. I simply said "yes ma'am... I understand, thank you."

I should have gotten her name or service rep number. During the third week of July after "Ski" has gotten over her jet lag, I'd like to call the rep again. I'd have "Ski" say "HI!"

LOL!... George

[TimsDaisy 0]

I'm surprised you had such a bad call with someone at the State Dept line. They are usually so friendly! I've had one less-friendly woman, maybe you got her. Doh!

I wouldn't worry about what she said. They handle info for ALL the Embassies everywhere, and they only know what the computer says. They aren't experts on the nuances of each one - and it sounds like Kiev has some special procedures and ways of doing things.

Just to be curious - what info were you seeking from them if you already know the interview date, etc?

[RobandTania 1]

I'm surprised you had such a bad call with someone at the State Dept line. They are usually so friendly! I've had one less-friendly woman, maybe you got her. Doh!

I wouldn't worry about what she said. They handle info for ALL the Embassies everywhere, and they only know what the computer says. They aren't experts on the nuances of each one - and it sounds like Kiev has some special procedures and ways of doing things.

Just to be curious - what info were you seeking from them if you already know the interview date, etc?

I agree completely with your assessment, it's the conclusion I came to while on the phone with the misinformed know-it-all in DC.

I was calling to find ANY information about our fiancee visa application in Kiev, nothing specific. "Ski" said on May 25th she received notice from the Kiev embassy the package arrived from the NVC in NH. We have not heard anything else since.

She set up and attended her medical review based on the embassy tracking number I received from NVC. I set up Ski's interview on July 3rd by calling a third party scheduling service($12.50 a call) using the same tracking number issued by NVC.

Because we were taking the lead by downloading packets/forms and not waiting for packets and instructions from the embassy in Kiev, I wanted to know where our processing status is at the embassy.

The terse lady at the visa center in DC said packet 3 was mailed on the 7th. This is an adequate snippet of information. Of course Ski will open packet 3 and confirm we did it correctly.

George

[TimsDaisy 0]

I'm surprised you had such a bad call with someone at the State Dept line. They are usually so friendly! I've had one less-friendly woman, maybe you got her. Doh!

I wouldn't worry about what she said. They handle info for ALL the Embassies everywhere, and they only know what the computer says. They aren't experts on the nuances of each one - and it sounds like Kiev has some special procedures and ways of doing things.

Just to be curious - what info were you seeking from them if you already know the interview date, etc?

I agree completely with your assessment, it's the conclusion I came to while on the phone with the misinformed know-it-all in DC.

I was calling to find ANY information about our fiancee visa application in Kiev, nothing specific. "Ski" said on May 25th she received notice from the Kiev embassy the package arrived from the NVC in NH. We have not heard anything else since.

She set up and attended her medical review based on the embassy tracking number I received from NVC. I set up Ski's interview on July 3rd by calling a third party scheduling service($12.50 a call) using the same tracking number issued by NVC.

Because we were taking the lead by downloading packets/forms and not waiting for packets and instructions from the embassy in Kiev, I wanted to know where our processing status is at the embassy.

The terse lady at the visa center in DC said packet 3 was mailed on the 7th. This is an adequate snippet of information. Of course Ski will open packet 3 and confirm we did it correctly.

George

it sounds like you're in the system in kiev then, which is the important part. i'm sure you probably did everything in packet 3 just fine too - not like you haven't had ample time to study up around here!

[RobandTania 1]

It sounds like you're in the system in kiev then, which is the important part. i'm sure you probably did everything in packet 3 just fine too - not like you haven't had ample time to study up around here!

Yeah, I think all is going good. I just wanted to hear some type of status regarding the processing after leaving the NVC in NH. If "Ski" gets her visa in a couple days from the interview, about the normal wait, the total time from USPS receipt at NSC to visa issuance is about 5-1/2 months. Not bad!

Of course, if we received NOA2 at the expected 80 days and not 111, "Ski" would have been here a few days already!

George

Edited June 12, 2007 by SkyMas

[Len & How 0]

(...)

The service rep said: "When she receives packet 3, she must complete form DS-230 and return it to the embassy so they can schedule a medical at a medical center and a visa interview."

(...)

If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about what the lady told you. Every embassy/consulate is different. Prague, for example, doesn't require DS230 at all! Moreover, I didn't have to send them ANYthing back, just called to schedule the interview. And I didn't need my case number to complete my medical exam either, just my passport, two pictures and the medical forms (DS3025 etc).

Don't worry, be happy, you'll be together soon!

[Minya's wife 25]

I think this definitely is an embassy/consulate specific procedure. My fiancee just received his packet 3 from the consulate in Budapest and he had the same instructions...."fill out DS230 Part 1 and retunt to our office immediately, we cannot process yoru case without this." Just to let you know, that some consulates do require it....maybe Kiev does also. I guess detailed instructions on what the consulate will require will be in the Packet 3 itself. Hope you get it soon.

Small aside on the dates for mailing packet 3: I also called the Visa Info line in DC, and was told my fiancee was mailed packet 3 on June 1st, but he didn't receive it until June 11th. I had him look on the envelope for the date it was actually mailed, and that date was June 7th. So there is a bit of a lag on the date entered into the DOS 'database' and when it is actually mailed. That again depends on the consulate.

Good luck

-P

[jackieandkathy 0]

Jan buddies, I got my interview date

that's on 17 July !

I really have to start tidying up all the doc !

[RobandTania 1]

Jan buddies, I got my interview date

that's on 17 July !

I really have to start tidying up all the doc !

Congratulations!

[chipsahoy 3]

Mine is on August 07.. Perfect timing.. A week after my 6-months TB medication issue will finish..

[de7wcc 0]

Yahooooooo my fiance just received here packet 3 medical date july 17th interview date august 4th and if all goes well arrival date august 17 yahoooooooo finally the last stage

[reeses16 8]

Praise God! Teddy's visa was approved this morning!!!!!

Yes! Now I finally get to buy his plane ticket.

His interview went well but was a little strange. The lady was only interested in our e-mails. She asked him 5 questions. One of which was, "where (city) does your fiance go to school?" He answered correctly, "Nashville". And she said no, Washington DC. So he was like, "I don't know what to tell you but I know she goes to school in Nashville." Then she approved him. I guess it was a test....lol.

[iamjasonbunch 0]

Praise God! Teddy's visa was approved this morning!!!!!

Yes! Now I finally get to buy his plane ticket.

His interview went well but was a little strange. The lady was only interested in our e-mails. She asked him 5 questions. One of which was, "where (city) does your fiance go to school?" He answered correctly, "Nashville". And she said no, Washington DC. So he was like, "I don't know what to tell you but I know she goes to school in Nashville." Then she approved him. I guess it was a test....lol.

Congrats! My fiancee's interview is Thursday... I am VERY excited