Waiting time after DQ for the US embassy in Egypt

[EUROPEAN MODEL 4]

Can you tell me how long is gonna take  To schedule an interview I have been received this message since January 13

 

 

 

Dear Sir/Madam:

 

NVC received all the requested documentation for this immigrant visa case. The application is now in the queue awaiting an interview appointment overseas, where a consular officer will adjudicate the applicant's visa application.

 

The U.S. Embassy/Consulate tells us what dates they are holding interviews, and NVC fills these appointments as the cases become documentarily qualified. NVC schedules appointments one month in advance, but we cannot predict when an interview appointment will be available.

[NMHayek 56]

8 hours ago, SETETA said:

Lol-that is the question indeed! Glad you at least got an appointment. I will just need to wait until I hear from  them. I don't think I am in the system yet. Stay strong and be safe! 

Yes I think it takes about 2 weeks for them to receive it and process it. I forgot to mention that. But idk if anything has changed. Hopefully they won’t call u and make an appointment and then cancel it. 😑😑😑😑 I was so mad lol

[SETETA 204]

They called us and said they will call again with the nearest appt time as soon as they reopen. So at least we know they got it! Now we just wait for the COVID closures to end. Keep me updated if you hear anything.  

[NMHayek 56]

2 hours ago, SETETA said:

They called us and said they will call again with the nearest appt time as soon as they reopen. So at least we know they got it! Now we just wait for the COVID closures to end. Keep me updated if you hear anything.  

Oh that’s awesome! They haven’t abandoned us haha. Thanks for telling me Bc now I have a little hope that we haven’t been forgotten haha. I will keep updated too! Please do the same  

[NMHayek 56]

On 3/20/2020 at 11:56 AM, KAYA said:

Read my message again , my interview was on 16 March 2020 , you will found all details above   

Hi Kaya and @Mayam, In the interview did they have you fill out the DS-5540  Public Charge form? I just found out about this form yesterday and now am scrabbling. Did you have any health insurance arrangement or quote before the interview. If so which insurance did you have? I am so confused by this form and a little freaked out. Any help or insight would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[SETETA 204]

Any news on interviews? I have heard some scheduling or updates in Ghana, Senegal, UAE, Australia.

[Jody and Misho 99]

On 5/13/2020 at 9:16 AM, SETETA said:

Have you tried to reschedule via the website? This K1 applicant Jody and Misho  has for July. Is this where you scheduled your first appt?

 

Also, which e-mail are you using to contact the embassy? 

 

This interview was officially cancelled this morning via email.  

[SETETA 204]

2 minutes ago, Jody and Misho said:

This interview was officially cancelled this morning via email.  

Sorry to hear that. I heard some others from Ghana and Senegal were cancelled via email and then received new dates. Hopefully this will happen soon. 

[NMHayek 56]

1 hour ago, SETETA said:

Any news on interviews? I have heard some scheduling or updates in Ghana, Senegal, UAE, Australia.

Hi, no Embassy is still closed and they just repeat what they say every time I ask “we do not know when the embassy will reopen and services will resume”. I don’t if it’s because Egypt hasn’t hit its peak with COVID or because the airports are closed or any other reason. But as of now they are not even doing services for US citizens either. They say they will announce on Facebook when they reopen. 
 

It’s an awful situation for all of us and I wish the state department at least was more transparent. Apparently they allowed embassies to reopen on the embassies discretion but didn’t announce it publicly. So stressful and then yesterday I find out about this DS-5540 Public charge form that was implemented in February that I didn’t know about. Im hoping someone here who has done their interview since February can shed any light about it. 
 

what a mess

Edited June 10, 2020 by NMHayek

[SETETA 204]

3 minutes ago, NMHayek said:

Hi, no Embassy is still closed and they just repeat what they say every time I ask “we do not know when the embassy will reopen and services will resume”. I don’t if it’s because Egypt hasn’t hit its peak with COVID or because the airports are closed or any other reason. But as of now they are not even doing services for US citizens either. They say they will announce on Facebook when they reopen. 
 

It’s an awful situation for all of us and I wish the state department at least was more transparent. Apparently they allowed embassies to reopen on the embassies discretion but didn’t announce it publicly. So stressful and then yesterday I find out about this DS-5540 Public charge form that was implemented in February that I didn’t know about. Im hoping someone here who has done their interview since February can shed any light about it. 
 

what a mess

Yes, they are closed for visa services but according to an article on the Wuhan Embassy operations resuming soon, all the embassies are in either Phase 1 or 2 of the return to services. It is suspected by many visa resumption will be in Phase 3. It will be determined by local conditions. The Egyptian govt is poised to announce this week an update on removing a number of restrictions. It has been published in the news that the airports are preparing to open July 1. Let's hope this is the case. It seems the online appt dates have been cancelled and blocked for scheduling for the next few months. That makes total sense as the embassies will need to reschedule those pending from the closed months in addition to Expedites and prioritizing student visas for the Fall semester. I know it seems like a black hole that we are but try to keep your spirits up and at least you are with your spouse. Most can't even see their spouses right now. Re the DS 5540, there are some good videos on YouTube from immigration lawyers that could help. Don't worry it is supplemental to the Affidavit of Support. 

[Just Paul 4,595]

12 minutes ago, NMHayek said:

It’s an awful situation for all of us and I wish the state department at least was more transparent. Apparently they allowed embassies to reopen on the embassies discretion but didn’t announce it publicly.

There was an announcement that DOS in may that outlined how embassies would be re opened.  It is in phases and really depends on the host country.   Unfortunately most non western countries are still in an uptick and don't have solid plans or keep changing plans every other day.

 

You don't need to keep contacting the consulate.  They are very short staffed and VISA are not an essential function.  VISA processing will be one of the last services restored.  Watch their website and check the scheduling calendars.

[NMHayek 56]

4 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

There was an announcement that DOS in may that outlined how embassies would be re opened.  It is in phases and really depends on the host country.   Unfortunately most non western countries are still in an uptick and don't have solid plans or keep changing plans every other day.

 

You don't need to keep contacting the consulate.  They are very short staffed and VISA are not an essential function.  VISA processing will be one of the last services restored.  Watch their website and check the scheduling calendars.

Ok thank you, I was looking for an announcement on the DOS website but the latest info they had about embassies on their COVID section was from the (I beeline) March announcing Embassies were being closed. Do you recall where this info is located because I’d like to read it for myself. Makes me feel better lol.

 

Yes I’m enrolled on the STEP program and watch their Facebook religiously. I gave up now in asking - because like you said they will announce it And they are short staffed 

[SETETA 204]

Some of those who had visa interviews cancelled in Egypt were contacted by the Embassy via phone and told to wait until after mid-June for an update on the visa interviews. One person reported being told that it was likely to be rescheduled in July. However, even the Embassy staff might not know specifics at this time as the situation is fluid. Most countries in the Arab region have begun a gradual reopening including Turkey, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Tunisia with more decisions expected to be taken in countries like Egypt and Morocco soon. Egypt has already begun to prep its hotels and the Ministry of Tourism is pushing for discounted airport and site fees. So, it appears that things are getting better--slowly but surely. This is the last part of a long process and I know it is hard to wait, especially when many are facing income related challenges due to the COVID shutdowns. Here is a helpful video on the DS 5540 @NMHayek, please don't stress more than you have to. https://youtu.be/9eVrYSJBE2M

 

 

Also, here is the link to the Diplomacy Strong Phased Reopening Plan from DOS: https://www.axios.com/pompeo-coronavirus-state-department-reopening-ec5dc86d-6393-4614-b05f-68d3b5f6ec10.html 

Edited June 10, 2020 by SETETA

[NMHayek 56]

14 minutes ago, SETETA said:

Yes, they are closed for visa services but according to an article on the Wuhan Embassy operations resuming soon, all the embassies are in either Phase 1 or 2 of the return to services. It is suspected by many visa resumption will be in Phase 3. It will be determined by local conditions. The Egyptian govt is poised to announce this week an update on removing a number of restrictions. It has been published in the news that the airports are preparing to open July 1. Let's hope this is the case. It seems the online appt dates have been cancelled and blocked for scheduling for the next few months. That makes total sense as the embassies will need to reschedule those pending from the closed months in addition to Expedites and prioritizing student visas for the Fall semester. I know it seems like a black hole that we are but try to keep your spirits up and at least you are with your spouse. Most can't even see their spouses right now. Re the DS 5540, there are some good videos on YouTube from immigration lawyers that could help. Don't worry it is supplemental to the Affidavit of Support. 

Ok great. I will check out the YouTube videos . Thanks! 

[NMHayek 56]

Just now, SETETA said:

Some of those who had visa interviews cancelled in Egypt were contacted by the Embassy via phone and told to wait until after mid-June for an update on the visa interviews. One person reported being told that it was likely to be rescheduled in July. However, even the Embassy staff might not know specifics at this time as the situation is fluid. Most countries in the Arab region have begun a gradual reopening including Turkey, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Tunisia with more decisions expected to be taken in countries like Egypt and Morocco soon. Egypt has already begun to prep its hotels and the Ministry of Tourism is pushing for discounted airport and site fees. So, it appears that things are getting better--slowly but surely. This is the last part of a long process and I know it is hard to wait, especially when many are facing income related challenges due to the COVID shutdowns. Here is a helpful video on the DS 5540 @NMHayek, please don't stress more than you have to. https://youtu.be/9eVrYSJBE2M

Yes this is what happened to me, my May 17 appointment was canceled over the phone. It was so confusing because we actually were not sure if it was a real phone call from the embassy or not. We tried to confirm with the embassy but they didn’t reply. Only until I started asking around and finding other people had the same thing happen that I accepted it was a real phone call. 
 

thank you for the link I will check it out!