IR1/CR1 appointment deprioritized for diversity interview slots

[BBQKangaroo 4]

53 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

I know this affects you directly, with the travel costs and logistics.  That sucks, but ultimately it is just a delay for you - you are already rescheduled?

 

But the DV priority is driven by 2 things - the court order, and by law that restricts processing DV to the current fiscal year, which ends on Sept 30.  If the DV awardees do not get their visa's by Sept 30,  I believe they loose out and will need to see if they luck out again in the next year's "lottery".

 

Imagine someone who applied 5, 10, 15 or more years, was notified that they were selected for the DV, only to not get it and be told they need to see if next year they will luck out again....

Yes definitely, it's so hard to look at it from an outside perspective when it's your family  Thanks for the fresh outlook because it's easier to process like that!

3 hours ago, Quarknase said:

I understand the frustration, but at least you were immediately given a new interview, and it's immediately after the DV processing ends. All Embassies strongly advise against making any travel plans prior to having visa in hand so that's another point - immediate visa issuance is never guaranteed.

 

Diversity visa numbers expire on September 30th. To clarify: Each lottery winner will lose their spot on September 30th and will not have the chance to immigrate to the US. I'm sure you understand that this is a pretty significant impact on people. Your IV is just delayed by a little bit, but the right to immigrate is not taken away by waiting a couple more weeks.

I give kudos to that Embassy for taking this serious and trying to process all DV winners before the expiration date of their "spot". Many other Embassies are not that helpful.

 

Good luck with the interview in October

Thank you!

[BBQKangaroo 4]

3 hours ago, Quarknase said:

I understand the frustration, but at least you were immediately given a new interview, and it's immediately after the DV processing ends. All Embassies strongly advise against making any travel plans prior to having visa in hand so that's another point - immediate visa issuance is never guaranteed.

 

Diversity visa numbers expire on September 30th. To clarify: Each lottery winner will lose their spot on September 30th and will not have the chance to immigrate to the US. I'm sure you understand that this is a pretty significant impact on people. Your IV is just delayed by a little bit, but the right to immigrate is not taken away by waiting a couple more weeks.

I give kudos to that Embassy for taking this serious and trying to process all DV winners before the expiration date of their "spot". Many other Embassies are not that helpful.

 

Good luck with the interview in October

Thank you!

[Boring Life 20]

23 hours ago, BBQKangaroo said:

Hello all,

Just received an email in the middle of the night 5 days before my husband's scheduled interview.

 

"Dear visa appointment holder, 

 

We regret to inform you that we need to reschedule your visa interview that was previously scheduled on September 22, 2020.  A recent court order in litigation unrelated to your case has required us to prioritize Diversity Visa (DV) immigrant applications through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2020.   Certain embassies and consulates have had to reschedule visa applicants in other visa categories to prioritize DV applicants in adherence with the court order.

 

Your appointment has been rescheduled for October 6, 2020......."

 

Very frustrated as we have spent so much time planning and traveling for him to be there, especially with all of the COVID restrictions. This seems to have come at the worst time as we probably won't be refunded for travel costs. Has this happened to anyone else? My mind is blown that diversity visas are being prioritized over immediate relatives being reunited with family during a global pandemic.

Consider yourself lucky. Meanwhile I am waiting since March and my country consulate are still closed. Atleast You have appointment schedule. Here,  we have nothing.

[BBQKangaroo 4]

3 hours ago, Lucky Cat said:

Australia is not known for extended AP.....but you are correct that flights should not be booked until a visa has been issued and checked for accuracy.

Yeah we haven't booked flights back yet! I wasn't clear enough that it was his tickets there because he's no longer in the country that he's being interviewed in. Agreed, I'm not too worried about AP because our lawyer said we're over prepared and don't fit the criteria for cases that usually go into AP  

[JFH 12,191]

3 hours ago, Lucky Cat said:

Australia is not known for extended AP.....but you are correct that flights should not be booked until a visa has been issued and checked for accuracy.

Unless it’s the flight needed to get to the embassy for the appointment. Some people live so far away from the embassy, even in another country (as is the case for Danes who have to travel to Sweden for their immigrant visa interviews) that a flight is necessary to get to the embassy. Whilst it’s not the end of the world, giving 5 days notice could be a problem for someone who has to reschedule flights, hotel, time off work, etc. And hopefully the medical doesn’t expire by more than a month. 

[BBQKangaroo 4]

6 minutes ago, Boring Life said:

Consider yourself lucky. Meanwhile I am waiting since March and my country consulate are still closed. Atleast You have appointment schedule. Here,  we have nothing.

So sorry to hear that, hang in there. I'm sure things will slowly go back to normal fairly soon  

[BBQKangaroo 4]

2 minutes ago, JFH said:

Unless it’s the flight needed to get to the embassy for the appointment. Some people live so far away from the embassy, even in another country (as is the case for Danes who have to travel to Sweden for their immigrant visa interviews) that a flight is necessary to get to the embassy. Whilst it’s not the end of the world, giving 5 days notice could be a problem for someone who has to reschedule flights, hotel, time off work, etc. And hopefully the medical doesn’t expire by more than a month. 

Yep! He's Aussie but studies in Italy. Was not attending university in Italy due to the pandemic but his interview was scheduled for Naples. His flights to the consulate are the ones I was worried about + quarantine. Luckily Naples automatically schedules the medical visit for 1 day before the interview in a closeby medical center. 5 days was definitely not enough time for us but at this point we're just trying to make the best of it. I definitely haven't scheduled flights back to the U.S. because we're aware that a lot can happen until the visa is in hand!

[Boring Life 20]

12 minutes ago, BBQKangaroo said:

So sorry to hear that, hang in there. I'm sure things will slowly go back to normal fairly soon  

Thank you.....