Due to have visa appointment in London on Monday (now Tier 4!)

[elyl 2]

I am due to have my visa appointment in London on Monday.  Due to fly down tomorrow.  It has now entered Tier 4, with movement in and out of the area forbidden.

 

My online visa appointment still says "Attend Appointment", although I am guessing this will change on Monday when someone is in the office to change it?

 

 

My main concern is, I am unable to reschedule my appointment online (probably too close to the appointment date), and it will be 1 year since I started the process on Dec 23rd, so am concerned that my case will be marked as "Inactive" after Wednesday, before I have had a chance to attend any rescheduled interview.

 

It's no help that I need to make a decision on cancelling flights and hotels now, and the embassy doesn't open until Monday to get some advice.  Can anyone offer any wisdom?

[JFH 12,190]

It’s essential travel. It’s no different from going to work or school. You’re not in prison. You can go to the embassy.

 

And the “inactive” status after one year applies to the NVC. If they don’t hear a peep out of you in the whole year after they receive your file (if you don’t pay the fees or submit documents it even contact them) then your case is inactive. Yours has been active for the whole year. 

Edited December 19, 2020 by JFH

[elyl 2]

1 minute ago, JFH said:

It’s essential travel. It’s no different from going to work or school. You’re not in prison. You can go to the embassy.

Will the embassy still be doing appointments, though?  I don't trust the online system not to be updated on Monday morning, when someone comes into work, meaning lots of wasted money on flights and hotel.

[Crazy Cat 41,984]

Based on everything you posted, I would take the risk.....and go to the interview.

[elyl 2]

Cheers, guys.  The hotel emailed me telling me I can only stay there for essential travel, and I needed to sign a declaration stating this.  I explained my circumstances, and they said that would be considered essential.  My flight has not, as yet, been cancelled.  I intend to travel, I just hope they don't cancel my appointment on Monday morning.

 

It's so frustrating that the government did this on a Saturday, when the Embassy is closed, and I am in the dark until it would be too late.

[JFH 12,190]

14 minutes ago, elyl said:

Cheers, guys.  The hotel emailed me telling me I can only stay there for essential travel, and I needed to sign a declaration stating this.  I explained my circumstances, and they said that would be considered essential.  My flight has not, as yet, been cancelled.  I intend to travel, I just hope they don't cancel my appointment on Monday morning.

 

It's so frustrating that the government did this on a Saturday, when the Embassy is closed, and I am in the dark until it would be too late.

It is frustrating when such announcements are made over a weekend when business and public services are closed. Why this wasn’t announced yesterday morning to give people a day to call to check on the status of appointments is a complete mystery. 
 

This is most definitely essential business and it cannot be done from home as you have to be fingerprinted and interviewed in person. 

[HRQX 4,145]

4 hours ago, elyl said:

I explained my circumstances, and they said that would be considered essential.

It's "essential." Also see 22 CFR § 42.62(a): "Personal appearance of applicant before consular officer. Every alien applying for an immigrant visa, including an alien whose application is executed by another person pursuant to § 42.63(a)(2), shall be required to appear personally before a consular officer for the execution of the application or, if in Taiwan, before a designated officer of the American Institute in Taiwan, except that the personal appearance of any child under the age of 14 may be waived at the officer's discretion."

[Wuozopo 4,293]

6 hours ago, elyl said:

It's no help that I need to make a decision on cancelling flights and hotels now, and the embassy doesn't open until Monday to get some advice.  Can anyone offer any wisdom?

My plain old wisdom says everybody is as confused as you...the hotels, airlines, the embassy, and all their employees. This year is one where all have to be flexible and change plans unexpectedly. Something new is always popping up to throw a spanner in the works. Nobody is going to pop in Monday morning and change the website, cancel your appointment, or answer your phone calls. They might work something out for Interviews later in the week or after Boxing Day, but doubtful for Monday.  Show up and beg your way in if you have to. Somebody will be working. If you can’t get the flight, then arrangements can be worked out to get your interview later. Nothing is lost, just uncertain from week to week. Flexibility and positive thoughts! Keep calm and carry on. And act important to any underlings along the way. “I have been requested by the the consular of the US Embassy to appear in London Monday.” They won’t know what that means, but it gives you street cred. 

Edited December 19, 2020 by Wuozopo

[Jamie B 55]

Passport and visa services are permitted to stay open in Tier 4 - see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home - under the section titled 'Businesses and venues which can remain open' then the 'Public Services' section - and accessing critical public services is referenced as an 'essential activity' and a reasonable excuse to leave home. Travelling into a Tier 4 area is a little vague unfortunately stating 'reasons such as...' and then just quoting 4 examples. I think you have a very strong argument for travelling into London overall. The Embassy continuing interviews on Monday is the big unknown. If it was me I would still attend, just because the interview could well still happen and if you missed it then I don't know how far down the waiting list you could fall. I'm DQ'd on 08/10 so anxiously hoping and praying that the interviews can continue in Tier 4 so we can get an appointment in January for an interview in February.  Fingers crossed your interview is still on and it goes well for you tomorrow. Good luck...

[Hilde 381]

On 12/19/2020 at 2:25 PM, elyl said:

I am due to have my visa appointment in London on Monday.  Due to fly down tomorrow.  It has now entered Tier 4, with movement in and out of the area forbidden.

 

My online visa appointment still says "Attend Appointment", although I am guessing this will change on Monday when someone is in the office to change it?

 

Good luck! Keep us posted! Cheering you on from Brazil!

[Jamie B 55]

@elyl just wondering if you managed to get your interview completed ok on Monday? 🙏

[elyl 2]

On 12/22/2020 at 1:00 PM, Jamie B said:

@elyl just wondering if you managed to get your interview completed ok on Monday? 🙏

 

Sorry, I should have replied to this a month ago.  I went to the interview, there seemed to be absolutely no change to the procedures, despite 90% of London being shut.  I was in and out in around 15 minutes with my approval, and my passport arrived back in Scotland the next day, just hours after I did!

 

Now my only concern is getting into the US within the next 6 months.  Hoping the infection rates drop and the number of flights increase by June.

[Hilde 381]

37 minutes ago, elyl said:

 

Sorry, I should have replied to this a month ago.  I went to the interview, there seemed to be absolutely no change to the procedures, despite 90% of London being shut.  I was in and out in around 15 minutes with my approval, and my passport arrived back in Scotland the next day, just hours after I did!

 

Now my only concern is getting into the US within the next 6 months.  Hoping the infection rates drop and the number of flights increase by June.

You can always go to Mexico (or another country without a ban) for 14 days and then enter the US

[Chancy 6,242]

17 minutes ago, Hilde said:

You can always go to Mexico (or another country without a ban) for 14 days and then enter the US

 

No need -- spouses of USC are exempted from the ban.

 

[Jamie B 55]

1 hour ago, elyl said:

 

Sorry, I should have replied to this a month ago.  I went to the interview, there seemed to be absolutely no change to the procedures, despite 90% of London being shut.  I was in and out in around 15 minutes with my approval, and my passport arrived back in Scotland the next day, just hours after I did!

 

Now my only concern is getting into the US within the next 6 months.  Hoping the infection rates drop and the number of flights increase by June.

Don't worry and glad you got approved okay. Not sure if you have some different circumstances that prevents you flying out, but spouses are exempt from the US travel ban. Maybe you're travelling with family? You do need to bring your marriage certificate to the airport though & you get briefly interviewed by Homeland Security. I've done it a few times already since last March.