Hong Kong Embassy Rescheduling due to Coronavirus

[appreciatehelp 0]

I really need your help! My fiance is devastated. She recently visited her family in Shanghai on 1/28 for the Chinese New Year while she was scheduled for her interview for 2/10. US has implemented a 14 day ban due to the coronavirus and when she went for her interview today, they were rude and kicked her out of the Embassy and only asked for her phone number. How long does it take for them to call her to reschedule the interview and how is able to enter the U.S. consulate without a letter since it passed her date now? I really need input if this has happened to you before as I am devastated as well. Thank you in advance for the help!!!

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

 rude and kicked her out ??  really 

[appreciatehelp 0]

Yes. they told her that she needed to leave immediately and didn't even give her a chance to talk

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

1 hour ago, appreciatehelp said:

I really need your help! My fiance is devastated. She recently visited her family in Shanghai on 1/28 for the Chinese New Year while she was scheduled for her interview for 2/10. US has implemented a 14 day ban due to the coronavirus and when she went for her interview today, they were rude and kicked her out of the Embassy and only asked for her phone number. How long does it take for them to call her to reschedule the interview and how is able to enter the U.S. consulate without a letter since it passed her date now? I really need input if this has happened to you before as I am devastated as well. Thank you in advance for the help!!!

 

you say she visited family for Chinese New Year? Indicating that she may not live in mainland China? But more so HK

 

You do realise many countries have imposed a 14 day quarantine for anyone who’s been there recently be it self quarantine or imposed by government ?

 

Has she actually been in quarantine given she was only there on the 1/28? Or did she cut this quarantine short? Noting that us embassies are considered as “American soil” and that HK is/isn’t best of chums with China at the moment? 

 

Id say she’s cut the quarantine short, potentially placing others at risk, no wonder they told her to leave.. 

Edited February 10, 2020 by Duke & Marie

[appreciatehelp 0]

It is the US Embassy in Hong Kong. She is currently living in Hong Kong but traveled to Shanghai to visit her family. The current rule states that she may not enter US for 14 days but she arrived back in Hong Kong on 1/28 so 14 days would be 2/11, which is 1 day away and is tomorrow. I'm afraid it will be pushed back substantially since they are slow in rescheduling. Has someone experienced rescheduling and how far the date is?

The 14 day rule was issued in 2/02 as well so she did not know and it is just unfortunate timing

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

2 minutes ago, appreciatehelp said:

It is the US Embassy in Hong Kong. She is currently living in Hong Kong but traveled to Shanghai to visit her family. The current rule states that she may not enter US for 14 days but she arrived back in Hong Kong on 1/28 so 14 days would be 2/11, which is 1 day away and is tomorrow. I'm afraid it will be pushed back substantially since they are slow in rescheduling. Has someone experienced rescheduling and how far the date is?

The 14 day rule was issued in 2/02 as well so she did not know and it is just unfortunate timing

I’m pretty sure the 14 day rule applied to anyone who’d been to mainland China recently not just those who had been > 02/02.. 

 

the prudent thing for her to have done would have been contact the embassy prior to her appointment and double check, before potentially exposing others to this virus.. it is highly likely this is frowned upon and may be raised at her next interview.. unfortunate timing is not an excuse for ignorance or desire to have her interview 

[Prizm123 1,086]

the embassy is considered US soil. i am sure for all of the people still working there, they are taking extra precautions. anyone visiting from anywhere in mainland China is subject to the quarantine. I would think that there wont be any rescheduling until they have more information or are able to take proper precautions, and the speed it is spreading makes it likely that it will be a while before she is able to get her interview rescheduled.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion.

[appreciatehelp 0]

How does the process work from here? Her letter is now expired since the date will need to be rescheduled so how will she be able to enter the U.S. embassy? Also her police and health records will expire soon as well since the date will be pushed back as well. Is it possible that they reschedule in the next week or two as well? the i-129F expires in 02/29/20

[KLT 3]

I think the best bet is to reschedule. The following is the message from the HK consulate. It provides information how to reschedule your appointment. 

"Urgent information for visa applicants regarding novel coronavirus: Any individuals with pending consular appointments who (1) were physically present within the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, within the last 14 days, (2) are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or (3) believe they have may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, are strongly encouraged to postpone their appointments by at least 14 days.  There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. For questions about rescheduling a pending consular appointment, please send an email to support-hongkong@ustraveldocs.com for specific guidance.  Information concerning rescheduling a pending consular appointment is also available at https://hk.usconsulate.gov/visas/."

Hope that helps, 

 

[Scott001 128]

My wife got this email last night. It looks like all of the interviews in China (region?) are being canceled regardless. We're in the same boat as you with the police reports. If the reports expire we'll most likely give up on her US visa.  It might be a good idea to contact your representatives for help. Maybe her case can be transferred to another location. 

Honestly there's probably nothing they can do but it beats calling NVC everyday. 

 

 

 

差出人: GuangzhouIVReply <GuangzhouIVReply@state.gov> 日時: 2020年2月10日 15:10:22 JST 宛先: 件名: GUZXXXXXXXXXX  Cancel Visa Appointment      Dear applicant,     Due to the evolving situation with the novel corona virus and the Chinese government’s response, U.S. Consulate Guangzhou is cancelling immigrant visa appointments the week of February 24.  We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.   鉴于新型冠状病毒疫情的发展, 为配合中国政府开展相关工作，美国驻广州总领事馆将在2月24日这一周取消移民签证面试。我们将会尽快恢复常规签证服务，但目前无法提供具体的日期。     Sincerely,   Immigrant Visa Unit U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou   This email is UNCLASSIFIED based upon the provisions of E.O. 13526 To respond to this email, use only the web form at https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/visas/immigrant-visas/contact-us/immigrant-visa-unit-question/. E-mails sent via “reply” will not be received.

[SalishSea 17,844]

17 hours ago, appreciatehelp said:

I really need your help! My fiance is devastated. She recently visited her family in Shanghai on 1/28 for the Chinese New Year while she was scheduled for her interview for 2/10. US has implemented a 14 day ban due to the coronavirus and when she went for her interview today, they were rude and kicked her out of the Embassy and only asked for her phone number. How long does it take for them to call her to reschedule the interview and how is able to enter the U.S. consulate without a letter since it passed her date now? I really need input if this has happened to you before as I am devastated as well. Thank you in advance for the help!!!

With so much media coverage about the novel coronavirus, it is very surprising that she did not check the embassy's website ahead of time.

 

All you can do is watch the website and follow the posted instructions.  And hope that the HK consulate remains open.

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

1 hour ago, Jorgedig said:

With so much media coverage about the novel coronavirus, it is very surprising that she did not check the embassy's website ahead of time.

 

All you can do is watch the website and follow the posted instructions.  And hope that the HK consulate remains open.

I just checked the site and there really is no clear notice saying “hey don’t come here, we’re not honoring your interview appointments” At least not one that’s clear on the first page. On the “visas” tab it just has suggest news bulletins, the ones that appear for me are about suspension of entry and an announcement about new aid that is being sent from the USA, the “world’s most generous donor”. On the news tab, there are a few notices but nothing mentioning all visa interview candidates will be turned away. There is one mention of interviews being cancelled, but only on January 29th specifically. I can’t find the notice that was posted in the thread, but even that one just tells interview applicants they are “strongly encouraged” to reschedule interview. I would absolutely still attempt to make my interview after checking the website. 

[SalishSea 17,844]

4 hours ago, MorganandMichael said:

I just checked the site and there really is no clear notice saying “hey don’t come here, we’re not honoring your interview appointments” At least not one that’s clear on the first page. On the “visas” tab it just has suggest news bulletins, the ones that appear for me are about suspension of entry and an announcement about new aid that is being sent from the USA, the “world’s most generous donor”. On the news tab, there are a few notices but nothing mentioning all visa interview candidates will be turned away. There is one mention of interviews being cancelled, but only on January 29th specifically. I can’t find the notice that was posted in the thread, but even that one just tells interview applicants they are “strongly encouraged” to reschedule interview. I would absolutely still attempt to make my interview after checking the website. 

Then you must have missed it.  https://www.ustraveldocs.com/hk/index.html?firstTime=No

 

Urgent information for viUrgent information for visa applicants regarding novel coronavirus:sa applicants regarding novel coronavirus: Any individuals with pending consular appointments who (1) were physically present within the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, within the last 14 days, (2) are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or (3) believe they have may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, are strongly encouraged to postpone their appointments by at least 14 days.  There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. For questions about rescheduling a pending consular appointment, please send an email to support-hongkong@ustraveldocs.com for specific guidance.  Information concerning rescheduling a pending consular appointment is also available at https://hk.usconsulate.gov/visas/.

Entry of travelers who were present in China, excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, within 14 days prior to their arrival at a port of entry in the United States is suspended, per Presidential Proclamation. If you reside in China, have recently traveled to China, or intend to travel to China prior to your planned trip to the United States, we recommend you postpone your interview appointment until 14 days subsequent to your departure from China.

Edited February 11, 2020 by Jorgedig

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

21 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Then you must have missed it.  https://www.ustraveldocs.com/hk/index.html?firstTime=No

 

Urgent information for viUrgent information for visa applicants regarding novel coronavirus:sa applicants regarding novel coronavirus: Any individuals with pending consular appointments who (1) were physically present within the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, within the last 14 days, (2) are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or (3) believe they have may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, are strongly encouraged to postpone their appointments by at least 14 days.  There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. For questions about rescheduling a pending consular appointment, please send an email to support-hongkong@ustraveldocs.com for specific guidance.  Information concerning rescheduling a pending consular appointment is also available at https://hk.usconsulate.gov/visas/.

Entry of travelers who were present in China, excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, within 14 days prior to their arrival at a port of entry in the United States is suspended, per Presidential Proclamation. If you reside in China, have recently traveled to China, or intend to travel to China prior to your planned trip to the United States, we recommend you postpone your interview appointment until 14 days subsequent to your departure from China.

Didn’t realize that was the official embassy site.

Edited February 11, 2020 by MorganandMichael