Do I have to wait to receive letter from Embassy before I can book interview appointment?

[Ollieh97 20]

Hi! My case was recently sent to the London Embassy and my DOS application status says that the embassy is ready for my interview when scheduled. Do I have to wait to receive instructions from the consular section before I can schedule my interview appointment?

 

thanks

[Greenbaum 12,259]

9 minutes ago, Ollieh97 said:

Hi! My case was recently sent to the London Embassy and my DOS application status says that the embassy is ready for my interview when scheduled. Do I have to wait to receive instructions from the consular section before I can schedule my interview appointment?

 

thanks

For the most current information use the embassy webpage. Here is what the US Embassy UK states:

 

UPDATE: As of March 17, 2020, the United States Embassy in London is cancelling routine nonimmigrant visa appointments and reducing immigrant visa appointments, and no visa appointments will take place at the Consulate in Belfast. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.

 

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/

 

Pay your interview fee and that will allow you access to the interview scheduling module. If interview appointments are available, you'll be able to grab one. If not, then you need to check back. Some embassies are booking for June - August. Your interview fee is good for one year.

Edited April 17, 2020 by Greenbaum

[payxibka 10,045]

7 minutes ago, Ollieh97 said:

Hi! My case was recently sent to the London Embassy and my DOS application status says that the embassy is ready for my interview when scheduled. Do I have to wait to receive instructions from the consular section before I can schedule my interview appointment?

 

thanks

Most likely not even allowing interviews to be scheduled until the consulate reopens 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

4 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Most likely not even allowing interviews to be scheduled until the consulate reopens 

 

Why on God's Green Earth would you say that! There are embassies that are opening thier schedule for June through Aug.

[payxibka 10,045]

3 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

Why on God's Green Earth would you say that! There are embassies that are opening thier schedule for June through Aug.

My response as it relates to London is actually accurate,  wish I could say the same for your response that prompted this reaction 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

My response as it relates to London is actually accurate,  wish I could say the same for your response that prompted this reaction 

 

"Most likely" is not a definitive answer.

[payxibka 10,045]

6 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

"Most likely" is not a definitive answer.

Posting that a k1 AOS applicant MUST submit an I693 with transcribed vaccinations with the i485 is a definitive answer that is  wrong.  My reply does not send someone down a wrong rabbit hole

Edited April 17, 2020 by payxibka

[Wuozopo 4,293]

5 hours ago, Ollieh97 said:

Hi! My case was recently sent to the London Embassy and my DOS application status says that the embassy is ready for my interview when scheduled. Do I have to wait to receive instructions from the consular section before I can schedule my interview appointment?

 

thanks

The letter mainly tells you to get your instructions from the website. You don’t need the paper letter for anything. The medical people ask for it but there are work arounds. 
 

The clinic for visa medicals is still closed, so waiting to get a medical appointment should come before trying to get an interview date. There are some who have had medicals who did not get to attend their interviews that are ready to interview now. You may still need to get your police certificate, medical summary, documents, I-134, and medical etc before trying for an interview. 
 

You do not have to pay your visa fee to be allowed in the system as was stated in a previous reply. You pick an appointment (if any), make courier arrangements, and pay the fee all in one go. If you don’t get in the system, London is just not ready for you yet. Try on another day. 
 

The best order for doing things:

1. Submit DS-160
2. Gather documents needed for medical exam and interview
3.  Make medical appointment
4.  Make interview appointment, arrange courier, pay visa fee. 

Edited April 17, 2020 by Wuozopo

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,454]

12 hours ago, payxibka said:

Most likely not even allowing interviews to be scheduled until the consulate reopens 

The Embassy in London is open.  The Consulate office in Belfast is closed.  As per their website, they have suspended non-immigrant visa services but are still servicing immigrant visa applications.  K1 is in a grey area - technically non-immigrant, but treated as immigrant intent. 

 

Ollieh,  I suggest you follow the UK embassy stage procedures for K1 and see if any appointments are available.

[SalishSea 17,835]

1 hour ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

The Embassy in London is open. 

For interviews?  Not according to their website.  Also:  K-1 interviews are never done in Belfast.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,454]

23 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

For interviews?  Not according to their website.  Also:  K-1 interviews are never done in Belfast.

After digging a bit, I discovered you are correct.  

 

There is conflicting information.  According to the embassy website,  uk.usembassy.gov/visas/, it seems they are conducting limited immigrant visa interviews:

 

Quote

UPDATE: As of March 17, 2020, the United States Embassy in London is cancelling routine nonimmigrant visa appointments and reducing immigrant visa appointments, and no visa appointments will take place at the Consulate in Belfast. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time.

 

But when I checked the link to schedule an interview, there is a newer update from March 19 which states:

 

 

Quote

 

19 March, 2020

As of March 17, 2020, the United States Embassy in London and the U.S. Consulate in Belfast are cancelling routine Immigrant and Nonimmigrant visa appointments. From March 19, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate are not accepting interview waiver applications through the courier-in option for any visa categories. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. The MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/niv/information/faqs#need_earlier_appt or call +44 20 3608 6998 to request an emergency appointment

 

 

[Liam&Lizz 36]

My Fiance booked his interview at the London Embassy about a week ago. for June 8th. We didn't have a letter from the Embassy we went ahead and booked. 

Edited April 18, 2020 by MrsMills
added letter info

[Ollieh97 20]

Thank you all very much for your help, I have scheduled an interview for June 9th!

[Kay__ 7]

54 minutes ago, Ollieh97 said:

Thank you all very much for your help, I have scheduled an interview for June 9th!

Did you get schedule through AIS website?