Documents approved but consulate closed

[FlaviaD 0]

My son and I got the emails starting that our documents were approved. But the email says that the Consulate Is closed (Naples). On the website they still look open. I was convinced that Consulates were under an executive order to process spousal visas , and spousal visas only. Am I wrong? What can I do now? I have waited almost three years now. My heart Is shattered

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

14 minutes ago, FlaviaD said:

My son and I got the emails starting that our documents were approved. But the email says that the Consulate Is closed (Naples). On the website they still look open. I was convinced that Consulates were under an executive order to process spousal visas , and spousal visas only. Am I wrong? What can I do now? I have waited almost three years now. My heart Is shattered

I am not sure where you got your information but there is no executive order to process spousal visas. Once you do have your visa however you would be exempt from the travel ban as the spouse/child of a US citizen. Additionally, Most embassies haven’t opened up For routine visa processing and the ones that are are processing expedited/emergent cases. You have to wait until your embassy opens fully and begins processing CR1s (if it hasn’t already). Tens of thousands of others across the world are in the same situation.

Edited August 20, 2020 by Luckycuds

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

1 hour ago, FlaviaD said:

My son and I got the emails starting that our documents were approved. But the email says that the Consulate Is closed (Naples). On the website they still look open. I was convinced that Consulates were under an executive order to process spousal visas , and spousal visas only. Am I wrong? What can I do now? I have waited almost three years now. My heart Is shattered

Who sent you the email.  Your timeline seems to indicate you aren't at the NVC stage yet.  Visa processing is still on a consulate-to-consulate basis for IR-1/CR-1 visas.  I would trust the email vs the website at this stage.  Your case will be held at NVC until the consulate has notified them that slots are available for interviews.  Then NVC will schedule your interview when you get to the front of the queue.  You are almost there........patience is the key....good luck.

Edited August 20, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

Congratulations 🎊 on your approval... Nothing you can do.. We all heartbroken and waiting. Pick a spot wait and pray with us. 

[FlaviaD 0]

2 hours ago, Luckycuds said:

I am not sure where you got your information but there is no executive order to process spousal visas. Once you do have your visa however you would be exempt from the travel ban as the spouse/child of a US citizen. Additionally, Most embassies haven’t opened up For routine visa processing and the ones that are are processing expedited/emergent cases. You have to wait until your embassy opens fully and begins processing CR1s (if it hasn’t already). Tens of thousands of others across the world are in the same situation.

There Is an executive order. It Is in the April executive orders. Now there is another one, to prioritize students. But there was such an order. 

[FlaviaD 0]

1 hour ago, Lucky Cat said:

Who sent you the email.  Your timeline seems to indicate you aren't at the NVC stage yet.  Visa processing is still on a consulate-to-consulate basis for IR-1/CR-1 visas.  I would trust the email vs the website at this stage.  Your case will be held at NVC until the consulate has notified them that slots are available for interviews.  Then NVC will schedule your interview when you get to the front of the queue.  You are almost there........patience is the key....good luck.

I am sorry, I did not update the timeline because I do not fully understand the acronyms. But me and my son are both "documentarily approved" and we just miss the interview. Nvc should schedule a date with the Consulate.

1 hour ago, Sparkle Sparkle said:

Congratulations 🎊 on your approval... Nothing you can do.. We all heartbroken and waiting. Pick a spot wait and pray with us. 

I will pray for sure. 💖

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

1 minute ago, FlaviaD said:

Now there is another one, to prioritize students.

Please provide a reference to said executive order.  Also, there was no executive order to prioritize spousal visas.  The order exempted spouses from the Covid travel ban.

[FlaviaD 0]

7 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Please provide a reference to said executive order.  Also, there was no executive order to prioritize spousal visas.  The order exempted spouses from the Covid travel ban.p

Probably we are referring to two different things. The President issued an executive order about suspending visas but our category was not included in the ones suspended. Spousal visas had to continue to be issued. This Is what my lawyer said. I do not recall the executive order I am referring to talking about travelling. Anyway, this Is what my lawyer told me. Consulates and embassies do not issue other kind of visas except the ones allowed. And spousal visas are allowed.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

1 hour ago, FlaviaD said:

There Is an executive order. It Is in the April executive orders. Now there is another one, to prioritize students. But there was such an order. 

I’m sorry but I still think you are misinformed. I am aware there have been a few executive orders/proclamations but nothing explicitly stating “processing spousal visas”. Yes some categories have been suspended and most family based visas have not been affected. But if an embassy is closed then they aren’t processing any. And if they are open and only processing emergent/expedited cases then that’s all they are processing. 
 

If your documents are at NVC they will send them to the embassy once they reopen for routine visa processing. NVC hasn’t been sending petitions to embassies except for expedited/emergent cases (again, if the embassy is actually processing them) At least you are near the end of the process.

Edited August 20, 2020 by Luckycuds

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

3 hours ago, FlaviaD said:

Probably we are referring to two different things. The President issued an executive order about suspending visas but our category was not included in the ones suspended. Spousal visas had to continue to be issued. This Is what my lawyer said. I do not recall the executive order I am referring to talking about travelling. Anyway, this Is what my lawyer told me. Consulates and embassies do not issue other kind of visas except the ones allowed. And spousal visas are allowed.

You are confused, EO excludes CR1/IR1 visa in the ban but it doesn't necessarily force consulate/embassy to process it. If you has an emergency then you can ask for emergency interview. You just got approved so there are many interviews backlogged from the pandemic so you have to wait until your turn comes.

 

Edited August 20, 2020 by NancyNguyen

[Dougefresh56 201]

3 hours ago, FlaviaD said:

Probably we are referring to two different things. The President issued an executive order about suspending visas but our category was not included in the ones suspended. Spousal visas had to continue to be issued. This Is what my lawyer said. I do not recall the executive order I am referring to talking about travelling. Anyway, this Is what my lawyer told me. Consulates and embassies do not issue other kind of visas except the ones allowed. And spousal visas are allowed.

I think you are miss reading this. The EO said that spousal visa were exempted from the IV suspension. It says nothing that they are ordered to process them.

[SalishSea 17,827]

Even if there was an EO to “process spousal visas,” (there is not), it would be meaningless in the context of inadequate consular staff/closed consulate.

[geowrian 22,337]

Agreed - there is no EO to process IR-1/CR-1 cases. The only relevant EOs here are those that have suspended certain visa classes.

But not being suspended does not equate to "must process". The embassies and consulates are processing non-suspended cases as quickly as they can with the limited staff and other restrictions in place. Some are not in Phase 2/3 of the DOS reopening plan yet.

DOS has indicated that IR-1/CR-1 cases are mission critical and therefore can be scheduled as local resources are available.

[TenderHearted 39]

8 hours ago, FlaviaD said:

My son and I got the emails starting that our documents were approved. But the email says that the Consulate Is closed (Naples). On the website they still look open. I was convinced that Consulates were under an executive order to process spousal visas , and spousal visas only. Am I wrong? What can I do now? I have waited almost three years now. My heart Is shattered

Why have you had to wait for 3 years, what's been the hold up? When did you file the petition for the CR-1? Three years is way long for a CR-1, unless you had extenuating  circumstances.

[dwheels76 5,468]

Is the petitioner a US Citizen? Also you stated above, "But me and my son are both "documentarily approved" and we just miss the interview. Nvc should schedule a date with the Consulate"

 

What interview did you miss? Have you checked to see if your embassy is open for regular interview scheduling?