IR-1 Visa Interview US Embassy in Ghana

[unique5589 10]

Hello,

 

I am the petitioner and my husband, who is in Ghana, West Africa is the beneficiary. My husband's spousal visa applicant packet has been documentarily qualified by the National Visa Center since July 2020, however, the US Embassy has been closed and not conducting interviews. As of today, September 2, 2020 Ghana opened its borders on September 1, 2020, but the US Embassy is only scheduling interviews for certain visa types. I read this on US Embassy in Ghana's website. My question is:

 

How do I contact the US Embassy to ask them about scheduling an interview for an IR-1 visa that is still at the National Visa Center? I've tried called the US Embassy in Ghana's phone number listed on the website, however, I get an automated message with no option of talking to a real person. Also, I've contacted the US Embassy via the email address listed on their website and I've left comments on their Facebook page. 

 

Additionally, I've contacted the National Visa Center to inquire about an updated status of my husband's application packet. The representative on the phone told me that my application is fine and that the NVC and only waiting for the US Embassy in Ghana to reopen so that the Embassy can schedule my husband's interview.

 

As an American-born citizen AND service member, it is EXTREMELY frustrating that the US Embassy has left so many of us in the dark. 

 

If you have any information that you believe will help my husband and I, please do not hesitate to share.

 

Thank you in advance.

[Crazy Cat 42,582]

I don't think you can do anything to speed up the process.  Once the consulate has resumed spousal visa interview, they will notify NVC of available date.  Then NVC will schedule cases beginning with those at the front of their queue.  Cases remain at NVC until they (NVC) have scheduled interviews.  That's the normal process.  NVC schedules the interview.

Edited September 2, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[unique5589 10]

6 hours ago, Lucky Cat said:

I don't think you can do anything to speed up the process.  Once the consulate has resumed spousal visa interview, they will notify NVC of available date.  Then NVC will schedule cases beginning with those at the front of their queue.  Cases remain at NVC until they (NVC) have scheduled interviews.  That's the normal process.  NVC schedules the interview.

Thank you for your help. Actually, you helped me to understand the process a bit better, as I wasn't aware that the NVC conducts interviews based on visa types. I was under the impression that once the US Embassy in Ghana re-opens, they'd automatically resume spousal visa interviews. At any rate, patience is my only companion in this regard.

[pushbrk 13,181]

1 hour ago, unique5589 said:

Thank you for your help. Actually, you helped me to understand the process a bit better, as I wasn't aware that the NVC conducts interviews based on visa types. I was under the impression that once the US Embassy in Ghana re-opens, they'd automatically resume spousal visa interviews. At any rate, patience is my only companion in this regard.

NVC does NOT conduct interviews.  They will schedule your spouse's visa interview in Accra.  Be prepared for a long queue of folks in front of you.  Same would be true at for all Consular immigrant visa interviews worldwide.  With regard to the long wait, welcome to 2020.  Expect an interview date well into next year.

[unique5589 10]

8 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

NVC does NOT conduct interviews.  They will schedule your spouse's visa interview in Accra.  Be prepared for a long queue of folks in front of you.  Same would be true at for all Consular immigrant visa interviews worldwide.  With regard to the long wait, welcome to 2020.  Expect an interview date well into next year.

Thanks for your clarification and reply. Do you think that with the President's recent Proclamation limiting certain visas, there will still be a long queue? It was my understanding that since President Trump is limiting the issuing of certain visas, this will advance other permitted visas in the queue.

[pushbrk 13,181]

8 hours ago, unique5589 said:

Thanks for your clarification and reply. Do you think that with the President's recent Proclamation limiting certain visas, there will still be a long queue? It was my understanding that since President Trump is limiting the issuing of certain visas, 

Sounds reasonable but you are dealing with the Immigrant visa unit.  I expect minimal change in actual volumn.