Australians Waiting For Interview at US Consulate Sydney

[C & S - M 0]

Hi all,

 

Twice now we've received the below email:

 

"We previously notified you of the date and time of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S.Embassy/Consulate General in SYDNEY, ASTL.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to cancel this interview. We will schedule a new interview appointment as soon as possible and notify you of the date and time. There is no need for you to take action at this time.

 

If you have any questions, please contact us by following the instructions at https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry.

 

Regards,
National Visa Center,
U.S. Department of State
https://nvc.state.gov/ask"

 

First in August and again today in November. Our case hasn't moved from the NVC still, but we did request an expedite a little over a week ago, though no outcome has been given yet. Does anyone have any insight into whether it's just a system glitch or perhaps a sign that things are moving with our case?

 

[Sharni 27]

20 minutes ago, C & S - M said:

Hi all,

 

Twice now we've received the below email:

 

"We previously notified you of the date and time of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S.Embassy/Consulate General in SYDNEY, ASTL.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to cancel this interview. We will schedule a new interview appointment as soon as possible and notify you of the date and time. There is no need for you to take action at this time.

 

If you have any questions, please contact us by following the instructions at https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry.

 

Regards,
National Visa Center,
U.S. Department of State
https://nvc.state.gov/ask"

 

First in August and again today in November. Our case hasn't moved from the NVC still, but we did request an expedite a little over a week ago, though no outcome has been given yet. Does anyone have any insight into whether it's just a system glitch or perhaps a sign that things are moving with our case?

 

That doesn't really make sense that you would have received two of these emails, although that email is much like the one I received once NVC had received the request to expedite.  In the next few days, if you haven't received advice about the progress of your expedite request, then I would recommend you sending an email to them asking for advice.

[John0990 23]

Hi All, an update. Ok so as for the medical all went well, Dr Rappaport and the crew were great to deal with and made the whole process as easy as possible. The usual Urine test, blood test, check of vaccination records, questions in relation to medical history etc. Basic mobility test nothing major.

 

Now for today's Embassy visit, thsi was where I was hoping to sya YES it's done...... Not so. Over all the process was rather quick once admitted, documents are checked, you then go through security check and scan are then sent upstairs.

You take a ticket, and sit and wait. You number is called this didnt take long at all. At this window you hand over all of your documents that are checked one by one again, the copies are returned to you, the originals come back after your interview. This process was interesting, your number is called up and you stand at a window where you answer all the questions of how, where, when you met etc. Your history etc (be prepared to do this in front of others) as anyone else waiting is seated behind you (no secrets in this room.)

 

One note PLEASE make sure you have the Document Cover sheet they send you with you interview date email NOT the one from the website.

 

I had no way of printing mine and so missed an important fact. On the older on in the list is you AFP clearance certificate.

 

HOWEVER the new cover sheet specifies it must be a Full Disclosure AFP check and NOT a standard check. (this has now put everything on hold for me even after the whole hotel quarantine saga as I now need to get a new AFP check.

 

A new one can take anywhere form 48 hours to a couple of weeks.

 

My case is now gone to Administrative Processing awaiting my new AFP check, so any chances of making to the US to be with my wife for Christmas after nine months apart looks extremely slim to say the least.

 

Please check and recheck your documents.

 

Regards

John.

[Sharni 27]

3 hours ago, John0990 said:

Hi All, an update. Ok so as for the medical all went well, Dr Rappaport and the crew were great to deal with and made the whole process as easy as possible. The usual Urine test, blood test, check of vaccination records, questions in relation to medical history etc. Basic mobility test nothing major.

 

Now for today's Embassy visit, thsi was where I was hoping to sya YES it's done...... Not so. Over all the process was rather quick once admitted, documents are checked, you then go through security check and scan are then sent upstairs.

You take a ticket, and sit and wait. You number is called this didnt take long at all. At this window you hand over all of your documents that are checked one by one again, the copies are returned to you, the originals come back after your interview. This process was interesting, your number is called up and you stand at a window where you answer all the questions of how, where, when you met etc. Your history etc (be prepared to do this in front of others) as anyone else waiting is seated behind you (no secrets in this room.)

 

One note PLEASE make sure you have the Document Cover sheet they send you with you interview date email NOT the one from the website.

 

I had no way of printing mine and so missed an important fact. On the older on in the list is you AFP clearance certificate.

 

HOWEVER the new cover sheet specifies it must be a Full Disclosure AFP check and NOT a standard check. (this has now put everything on hold for me even after the whole hotel quarantine saga as I now need to get a new AFP check.

 

A new one can take anywhere form 48 hours to a couple of weeks.

 

My case is now gone to Administrative Processing awaiting my new AFP check, so any chances of making to the US to be with my wife for Christmas after nine months apart looks extremely slim to say the least.

 

Please check and recheck your documents.

 

Regards

John.

Hi John,  I'm really sorry to hear that a small thing like the wrong form can get you.    But don't despair.  My police check came pretty quickly and once they get that at the consulate it should be a pretty quick decision.  You will get there for sure, so stay positive.

Are you going back to Melbourne, or are you staying in Sydney?   Did the Consulate say the AFP Certificate could just be posted to them?  I have my fingers crossed for you that you will be in the US with your wife for Christmas. 

[ErinB 17]

8 hours ago, John0990 said:

Hi All, an update. Ok so as for the medical all went well, Dr Rappaport and the crew were great to deal with and made the whole process as easy as possible. The usual Urine test, blood test, check of vaccination records, questions in relation to medical history etc. Basic mobility test nothing major.

 

Now for today's Embassy visit, thsi was where I was hoping to sya YES it's done...... Not so. Over all the process was rather quick once admitted, documents are checked, you then go through security check and scan are then sent upstairs.

You take a ticket, and sit and wait. You number is called this didnt take long at all. At this window you hand over all of your documents that are checked one by one again, the copies are returned to you, the originals come back after your interview. This process was interesting, your number is called up and you stand at a window where you answer all the questions of how, where, when you met etc. Your history etc (be prepared to do this in front of others) as anyone else waiting is seated behind you (no secrets in this room.)

 

One note PLEASE make sure you have the Document Cover sheet they send you with you interview date email NOT the one from the website.

 

I had no way of printing mine and so missed an important fact. On the older on in the list is you AFP clearance certificate.

 

HOWEVER the new cover sheet specifies it must be a Full Disclosure AFP check and NOT a standard check. (this has now put everything on hold for me even after the whole hotel quarantine saga as I now need to get a new AFP check.

 

A new one can take anywhere form 48 hours to a couple of weeks.

 

My case is now gone to Administrative Processing awaiting my new AFP check, so any chances of making to the US to be with my wife for Christmas after nine months apart looks extremely slim to say the least.

 

Please check and recheck your documents.

 

Regards

John.

Hey John, 

So sorry to hear that. Not having an answer must be really frustrating, we all hope for that day. I wonder how they DQ'd that AFP certificate. I was under the impression that a standard disclosure wouldn't be accepted at that stage, but maybe I've got that wrong. Do you mean we need a fingerprint one? I have a full disclosure certificate, but it's name check only. 

[John0990 23]

21 minutes ago, ErinB said:

Hey John, 

So sorry to hear that. Not having an answer must be really frustrating, we all hope for that day. I wonder how they DQ'd that AFP certificate. I was under the impression that a standard disclosure wouldn't be accepted at that stage, but maybe I've got that wrong. Do you mean we need a fingerprint one? I have a full disclosure certificate, but it's name check only. 

Hi Erin, wasnt asked for a fingerprint one just a Full disclosure one mine was a Standard and had been DQ'd without issue. You really have to ask questions once there as they are not very forthcoming with info otherwise.

 

A further update this evening I have received an email letter advising me that I am officially denied a visa due to a minor court issue 40 years ago, that involved only minor fully suspended ruling, even though the paperwork for that too had been lodged, checked and DQ'd. I apparently can apply for a waiver to the decision by filing out a whole new lot of paperwork and paying the relevant $930 US fee to lodge it via mail only and with no guarantee it will change their decision.

 

So back to square one and certainly no Christmas together for us. We our both feeling quite gutted after a long three years of jumping through hoops.

Stay Safe people.

[ErinB 17]

2 minutes ago, John0990 said:

Hi Erin, wasnt asked for a fingerprint one just a Full disclosure one mine was a Standard and had been DQ'd without issue. You really have to ask questions once there as they are not very forthcoming with info otherwise.

 

A further update this evening I have received an email letter advising me that I am officially denied a visa due to a minor court issue 40 years ago, that involved only minor fully suspended ruling, even though the paperwork for that too had been lodged, checked and DQ'd. I apparently can apply for a waiver to the decision by filing out a whole new lot of paperwork and paying the relevant $930 US fee to lodge it via mail only and with no guarantee it will change their decision.

 

So back to square one and certainly no Christmas together for us. We our both feeling quite gutted after a long three years of jumping through hoops.

Stay Safe people.

Oh my gosh, that is awful, I'm so sorry. I can only imagine. 

Was it something you were worried about? I don't mean to pry, I only ask because I myself have had a court appearance, though it was just for expired licence and registration (silly mistake). I submitted my court documents, but it never came up on my police check (I have full disclosure). 

[John0990 23]

Just now, ErinB said:

Oh my gosh, that is awful, I'm so sorry. I can only imagine. 

Was it something you were worried about? I don't mean to pry, I only ask because I myself have had a court appearance, though it was just for expired licence and registration (silly mistake). I submitted my court documents, but it never came up on my police check (I have full disclosure). 

It was so long ago and so minor I never gave it thought as even being worth the time to upload the info, but everything was uploaded, checked and passed until Today. Just proves the past never really leaves. We will now have to look at our options I guess.

[Mayflower girl 6]

4 hours ago, ErinB said:

Oh my gosh, that is awful, I'm so sorry. I can only imagine. 

Was it something you were worried about? I don't mean to pry, I only ask because I myself have had a court appearance, though it was just for expired licence and registration (silly mistake). I submitted my court documents, but it never came up on my police check (I have full disclosure). 

Hi John,

 

I'm so sorry to hear that you have yet another obstacle thrown in front of you. I am also surprised that you were DQ'd with a standard disclosure police check as that is what caught us in January from being DQ'd at the NVC stage. We had to apply for a full disclosure check which didn't take long but then had to wait again for approval which brought us up to early April, just in time for covid to hit and the borders to close. Given that you now have to wait for a waiver it's good you were able to make it to Sydney for an appointment so that you were able to apply for the waiver now. Best of luck to you as your journey continues and thank you for sharing your experiences with us. 

[John0990 23]

3 hours ago, Mayflower girl said:

Hi John,

 

I'm so sorry to hear that you have yet another obstacle thrown in front of you. I am also surprised that you were DQ'd with a standard disclosure police check as that is what caught us in January from being DQ'd at the NVC stage. We had to apply for a full disclosure check which didn't take long but then had to wait again for approval which brought us up to early April, just in time for covid to hit and the borders to close. Given that you now have to wait for a waiver it's good you were able to make it to Sydney for an appointment so that you were able to apply for the waiver now. Best of luck to you as your journey continues and thank you for sharing your experiences with us. 

Hi Mayflower, knowing what I know now getting DQ'd on what they had was obviously wrong on their side. But cant change things now. Yes at least I have applied for a new AFP cert, had my medical (that may be void) depending on the tie it takes to apply for a waiver and get a response.

I leave Sydney today after this saga, to be honest not in a hurry to return here. My wife and I now have some decisions to make.

 

Hope everything goes well for those still in the process.

Cheers.

[BLST 11]

Some good news this morning, my NVC expedite request was approved today!! Thank you to all those that encouraged us all to put in an expedite request! 🙏  It gave me hope after my expedite request at USCIS was denied back in May.
 

I sent my request to:  sydneyiv@state.gov & nvcexpedite@state.gov

 

Timeline:

Sent: 28th October

NVC acknowledged: 5th November 

NVC approved email: 11th November 

 

Anyone else now waiting for the next step or have already gone through this process recently and have a timeline of what happens next?

 

I’m based in Melbourne. So glad NSW border will soon be open to us! 

[ErinB 17]

1 hour ago, BLST said:

Some good news this morning, my NVC expedite request was approved today!! Thank you to all those that encouraged us all to put in an expedite request! 🙏  It gave me hope after my expedite request at USCIS was denied back in May.
 

I sent my request to:  sydneyiv@state.gov & nvcexpedite@state.gov

 

Timeline:

Sent: 28th October

NVC acknowledged: 5th November 

NVC approved email: 11th November 

 

Anyone else now waiting for the next step or have already gone through this process recently and have a timeline of what happens next?

 

I’m based in Melbourne. So glad NSW border will soon be open to us! 

Congrats! 
 

next step is for the consulate to contact you. For us that took about 3-4 days. They’ll send you an email with three options for scheduling your interview. 
 

I’m also in Melbourne! How great is the border opening news?! Have you booked in your medical yet? 

[Broadford 19]

@BLST

 

Thank you for posting your update, cause now you’ve given me something to really consider about in trying to get expedited, hope these next steps on your journey go smoothly.

 

@ErinB it’s great news for us Victorian’s with the border reopening, it personally gave me spring in my step 😂

[teeshainaus 6]

15 hours ago, John0990 said:

It was so long ago and so minor I never gave it thought as even being worth the time to upload the info, but everything was uploaded, checked and passed until Today. Just proves the past never really leaves. We will now have to look at our options I guess.

 

11 hours ago, Mayflower girl said:

Hi John,

 

I'm so sorry to hear that you have yet another obstacle thrown in front of you. I am also surprised that you were DQ'd with a standard disclosure police check as that is what caught us in January from being DQ'd at the NVC stage. We had to apply for a full disclosure check which didn't take long 

 

John, I am so sorry to hear about your visa denial. Ughhhh. I hope the visa waiver works out for you. Thank you for posting in detail about your application, as you have helped us on a number of matters - and especially we just looked back at our documents (which are already DQd and with Sydney, just waiting for an appointment) and we were also DQd with a standard disclosure AFP check. We will order a new one now so we aren't also caught out.

 

Mayflower and/or John, may I ask - how do we request a "full disclosure" AFP check? We've been on the website and are confused. We got a standard disclosure back when we chose "Purpose of Check - 35 - Overseas Employment/Visa, for Supply to a Country Other Than Australia". This seemed to be the most accurate description of our situation. Do we need to choose 33 instead? "33 - Immigration/Citizenship - for Supply to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection"? Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[HRQX 4,145]

14 minutes ago, teeshainaus said:

Do we need to choose 33 instead? "33 - Immigration/Citizenship - for Supply to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection"?

Yes, select 33; option 33 will show all offences: