CR-1 / IR-1 Interview updates

[R1CH1991 247]

I just hope that London clears their current workload and starts assigning interview appointments for regular NVC filers as soon as possible. It’s been one week since they’ve opened and I suppose that’s not really all that long in the grand scheme of US immigration. Hopefully we see some movement before the end of August. That’s my prediction

[PBabz 139]

39 minutes ago, R1CH1991 said:

I just hope that London clears their current workload and starts assigning interview appointments for regular NVC filers as soon as possible. It’s been one week since they’ve opened and I suppose that’s not really all that long in the grand scheme of US immigration. Hopefully we see some movement before the end of August. That’s my prediction

Your optimism is refreshing on a Monday morning.

It's a new day, a new week and a new month so let's continue to keep fingers crossed for some good news for at least a few people waiting 🙂🤞

[MattyUKtoUS 242]

5 hours ago, R1CH1991 said:

I just hope that London clears their current workload and starts assigning interview appointments for regular NVC filers as soon as possible. It’s been one week since they’ve opened and I suppose that’s not really all that long in the grand scheme of US immigration. Hopefully we see some movement before the end of August. That’s my prediction

Here is hoping we hear something soon. I am trying to remain optimistic but now I fear other scenarios the longer they don't start processing. US Embassy London have ignored every email and tweet so far regarding that specific question. 

[Rydia 7]

Hi, I thought I’d report on my DQ experience in case it sheds any light. My husband had his interview today in London and was approved.

 

We were DQ’ed in late May, and booked his medical in London for early July, as I heard from a woman on the Facebook embassy page who told me she’d done the same — before receiving an interview date. Risky, but we were optimistic, having sent off our I-130 paperwork last July 2019.

 

He had the medical without problem and after emailing the visa medical people to confirm the paperwork was sent to the embassy, we received a reply saying that they recommend people to book their interview online “if the system lets them.” 

 

Around this time we sent an expedite request to NVC, citing bereavement (my Mom passed away unexpectedly in November and our baby was born 6 weeks before; all of our family live in the US except one relative here). On 11 July I received an email stating our case was being considered, and on 16 July, the expedite request was kindly granted. 

 

Once the CEAC website said that our case had moved from NVC to London, I tried for a week to book an interview, but the booking website kept saying his case number wasn’t ready. Then on 23 July I was able to book, for today. For the record, I never received an email/letter that told me to book, or that gave me a date. I simply booked it myself off the advice given by the visa medical people, and this was confirmed both automatically and by the embassy via email.

 

His interview was less than 20 minutes. He said the embassy was empty, he was the only one waiting to be interviewed, there was absolutely no queue, and said the people he spoke to were efficient and helpful.

 

I’m both grateful for how smoothly this went (after how long we waited for the I-130 approval, about 9 months I think), and frustrated for all those waiting for interview dates to be given who have been waiting throughout lockdown. It's puzzling that the embassy isn't bustling in order to catch up on their backlog. I can't understand why interview dates aren't being sent out left and right, but I hope this picks up soon.

 

I would just as soon NOT have been as "lucky," if it meant not having the reason for our eagerness to be in the US  but with a baby who has seen hardly any family and myself struggling with the situation, it's welcome news that they're understanding in these types of scenarios.

 

[silversnake125 266]

14 minutes ago, Rydia said:

Hi, I thought I’d report on my DQ experience in case it sheds any light. My husband had his interview today in London and was approved.

 

We were DQ’ed in late May, and booked his medical in London for early July, as I heard from a woman on the Facebook embassy page who told me she’d done the same — before receiving an interview date. Risky, but we were optimistic, having sent off our I-130 paperwork last July 2019.

 

He had the medical without problem and after emailing the visa medical people to confirm the paperwork was sent to the embassy, we received a reply saying that they recommend people to book their interview online “if the system lets them.” 

 

Around this time we sent an expedite request to NVC, citing bereavement (my Mom passed away unexpectedly in November and our baby was born 6 weeks before; all of our family live in the US except one relative here). On 11 July I received an email stating our case was being considered, and on 16 July, the expedite request was kindly granted. 

 

Once the CEAC website said that our case had moved from NVC to London, I tried for a week to book an interview, but the booking website kept saying his case number wasn’t ready. Then on 23 July I was able to book, for today. For the record, I never received an email/letter that told me to book, or that gave me a date. I simply booked it myself off the advice given by the visa medical people, and this was confirmed both automatically and by the embassy via email.

 

His interview was less than 20 minutes. He said the embassy was empty, he was the only one waiting to be interviewed, there was absolutely no queue, and said the people he spoke to were efficient and helpful.

 

I’m both grateful for how smoothly this went (after how long we waited for the I-130 approval, about 9 months I think), and frustrated for all those waiting for interview dates to be given who have been waiting throughout lockdown. It's puzzling that the embassy isn't bustling in order to catch up on their backlog. I can't understand why interview dates aren't being sent out left and right, but I hope this picks up soon.

 

I would just as soon NOT have been as "lucky," if it meant not having the reason for our eagerness to be in the US  but with a baby who has seen hardly any family and myself struggling with the situation, it's welcome news that they're understanding in these types of scenarios.

 

Congrats on the interview and expedite! I’m so sorry for the circumstances that led to the need for an expedite, and I hope you’re doing ok 💙

I wonder if you’d be able to tell me how long it took from the date of the medical for the results to be sent to embassy? Also, was his case online? As in was the medical was submitted to embassy online? The medical team will usually email to tell you it’s online and not to bring any passport photos because they take their own on the day.

Thanks so much

Edited August 3, 2020 by hannahjsf

[FD21 5]

On 7/26/2020 at 11:24 PM, S&J2013 said:

Yes they ask that you wear a mask / face covering as soon as you arrive at security check in (the same as supermarkets etc...) most of the staff are wearing them, even the guy who interviewed us had one on and he was behind a glass screen.

hi again! did you receive your visa yet? and how long after interview did your status start to change in the portal so you could track your visa via courier? 

[S&J2013 117]

1 hour ago, FD21 said:

hi again! did you receive your visa yet? and how long after interview did your status start to change in the portal so you could track your visa via courier? 

Not yet - still waiting 😞

And our status hasn’t updated either so can’t track anything as it’s not been issued yet. They did say it could take around 2 weeks, so that will be this Thursday. 

[Rydia 7]

10 hours ago, hannahjsf said:

Congrats on the interview and expedite! I’m so sorry for the circumstances that led to the need for an expedite, and I hope you’re doing ok 💙

I wonder if you’d be able to tell me how long it took from the date of the medical for the results to be sent to embassy? Also, was his case online? As in was the medical was submitted to embassy online? The medical team will usually email to tell you it’s online and not to bring any passport photos because they take their own on the day.

Thanks so much

Thanks for your kind words ❤️ 

 

Regarding the time between the medical and results being sent, I don't know for sure. The paperwork they gave him with the receipt on the day said "within 5 working days." I did email to check on exact time frame but they didn't give me that, they just said it had been sent. They didn't say how it was sent either, but I would assume online. All I can say for sure is his medical and his interview date were exactly 4 weeks apart and there was no problem.

 

They did take photos of him on the day, but FYI in case you're not aware, those are the medical only. You have to bring proper ID photos to the visa interview as well. He brought two and they only took one.

 

Good luck!

 

 

[loveisvein 39]

Our case has been sitting at NVC since DQ on June 2nd. We are considering an expedite (for mental well-being) but are unsure if there's really any point in doing so at this time? I have plans to visit my wife in October and would really like for her to be able to come back with me,  however without an interview booked by next month this won't be possible. 

 

Additionally, for those of you that have had an interview, what documents did you take with you? On one listing is says to take all original copies but obviously she is not going to have my passport since I am in the states and she is in England.

[Bbking2 93]

3 minutes ago, loveisvein said:

Our case has been sitting at NVC since DQ on June 2nd. We are considering an expedite (for mental well-being) but are unsure if there's really any point in doing so at this time? I have plans to visit my wife in October and would really like for her to be able to come back with me,  however without an interview booked by next month this won't be possible. 

 

Additionally, for those of you that have had an interview, what documents did you take with you? On one listing is says to take all original copies but obviously she is not going to have my passport since I am in the states and she is in England.

I think we are all taking strain... Hang in there. She must just take the copies of docs the nvc asked her to upload. Don't need your passport or petitioner docs. The uscis stage sorted out that part for you. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 minutes ago, loveisvein said:

Additionally, for those of you that have had an interview, what documents did you take with you? On one listing is says to take all original copies but obviously she is not going to have my passport since I am in the states and she is in England.

Original copies of HER documents such as passport, birth certificate, marriage license, any previous divorce decree. Also if applicable name change deed poll, military record, etc.  To review the documents, see https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/required-documents/ Scroll down to find the list. 
 

Your (American)passport, birth certificate, etc are not needed. The interview is about the U.K. person.

[loveisvein 39]

4 minutes ago, Bobnrob said:

I think we are all taking strain... Hang in there. She must just take the copies of docs the nvc asked her to upload. Don't need your passport or petitioner docs. The uscis stage sorted out that part for you. 

Yes, absolutely. And thank you. 

Gotcha. We've printed off everything from the CEAC site just to be sure. There seems to be a lot of conflicting answers online but we'd rather have more than what we need rather than not enough!

[loveisvein 39]

4 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Original copies of HER documents such as passport, birth certificate, marriage license, any previous divorce decree. Also if applicable name change deed poll, military record, etc.  To review the documents, see https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/required-documents/ Scroll down to find the list. 
 

Your (American)passport, birth certificate, etc are not needed. The interview is about the U.K. person.

Okay, gotcha. Thank you! I think she is beginning to get nervous and wants to have it ALL. Haha.

[silversnake125 266]

24 minutes ago, loveisvein said:

Our case has been sitting at NVC since DQ on June 2nd. We are considering an expedite (for mental well-being) but are unsure if there's really any point in doing so at this time? I have plans to visit my wife in October and would really like for her to be able to come back with me,  however without an interview booked by next month this won't be possible. 

 

Additionally, for those of you that have had an interview, what documents did you take with you? On one listing is says to take all original copies but obviously she is not going to have my passport since I am in the states and she is in England.

Hey! As others have said, you need copies of what you submit to NVC and originals of the interviewee’s documents.

 

I’ve got my interview this Thursday and the only additional thing I plan on bringing is my husbands W-2 and tax transcript for 2019 (his return isn’t back yet) and that’s just to be extra careful, I doubt they’ll ask for it at all. I will let you know though as we’re both London embassy!

Edited August 4, 2020 by hannahjsf

[loveisvein 39]

4 minutes ago, hannahjsf said:

Hey! As others have said, you need copies of what you submit to NVC and originals of the interviewee’s documents.

 

I’ve got my interview this Thursday and the only additional thing I plan on bringing is my husbands W-2 and tax transcript for 2019 (his return isn’t back yet) and that’s just to be extra careful, I doubt they’ll ask for it at all. I will let you know though as we’re both London embassy!

Excellent! Thanks for the response! Good luck with your interview!