Schduelling an interview at London embassy

[mrsaberhagen 4]

Hi all,

 

Sorry am new here and I'm sure you get tired of the same questions being asked all the time but couldn't see a more appropiate place to ask.

 

I've been trying to schduele an appointment for my K1 interview since last March, obviously I know the pandemic slowed everything down but I don't know if this is affecting everyone or just me?

 

I recently only ever saw one appointment came up last week but this was too soon as I needed to redo my medical and all my police certificates and records as these had all expired since I got them all done in last year but never was able to get an appointment. We were approved in January to set an appointment but while I was getting all my documents and starting a new job I couldn't finish the process and I was trying to schedule my interview by the time lockdowns really hit so never had any luck. I did my medical in September once things opened up again but could never book my interview so just wasted all that money,

 

Is there a time when new interviews go up? I'm looking for any help cause I've had no luck and it's been a year and a half since we started this process and I've just been stuck for so long, any help is welcome.

 

Thanks.

[mrsaberhagen 4]

I feel so stupid, literally the second after I posted this I checked the website and there were new appointments available and I was able to book mine right away for June!! I felt like I had been checking all the time before this is so frustrating and stupid but I'm so happy.

[mrsaberhagen 4]

Sorry triple post, a lot is happening.

 

I logged into the CEAC website to check everything ok and was greeted by this message.

 

 

Looks like my case has expired cause it took too long making the interview , is there anyway to get it reinstated quickly in time for my interview?? Sorry this is really stressing me out.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

32 minutes ago, mrsaberhagen said:

I feel so stupid, literally the second after I posted this I checked the website and there were new appointments available and I was able to book mine right away for June!! I felt like I had been checking all the time before this is so frustrating and stupid but I'm so happy.

No need to feel stupid. What’s going on in immigration is usually unpredictable from week to week, as is everything else affected by Covid. The interview calendar has been largely unpopulated with new dates for a long time and people had to check daily u til they found one. Your June date is helpful information since it indicates that the embassy must have plans to be more fully staffed by June if you saw a lot of dates/times open. Can you elaborate on how many choices you saw?

[mrsaberhagen 4]

1 minute ago, Wuozopo said:

No need to feel stupid. What’s going on in immigration is usually unpredictable from week to week, as is everything else affected by Covid. The interview calendar has been largely unpopulated with new dates for a long time and people had to check daily u til they found one. Your June date is helpful information since it indicates that the embassy must have plans to be more fully staffed by June if you saw a lot of dates/times open. Can you elaborate on how many choices you saw?

On the first screen there was only one but once I paid the fee there were quite a few to choose from in June about 3 days a week with a few appointments each.

 

Sorry I'm freaking out about my case being expired now and thinking I can't attend my interview because we need to start the whole process from scratch which will take months to get to the stage we were at.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

49 minutes ago, mrsaberhagen said:

On the first screen there was only one but once I paid the fee there were quite a few to choose from in June about 3 days a week with a few appointments each.

 

Sorry I'm freaking out about my case being expired now and thinking I can't attend my interview because we need to start the whole process from scratch which will take months to get to the stage we were at.

In the past when things were normal, it would be the last week of the month that they would open a new month. So at the end of April, you would only be able to see May dates (if any) and June would open. Next month (May) toward the end of the month, they should open JuLy dates.

 

I saw somebody else report the same issue as you and it was suggested that it was an automated response but have not followed on with it. I think you should use the London contact form and ask if your date is really cancelled. Or if that was an automated response. Tell them you were delayed by Covid because K1 interviews were suspended.

You will have to bring a new letter of intent from your American fiancé to the interview. 
 

contact form https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/iv-contact_form/

Edited April 22, 2021 by Wuozopo

[mrsaberhagen 4]

9 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

In the past when things were normal, it would be the last week of the month that they would open a new month. So at the end of April, you would only be able to see May dates (if any) and June would open. Next month (May) toward the end of the month, they should open JuLy dates.

 

I saw somebody else report the same issue as you and it was suggested that it was an automated response but have not followed on with it. I think you should use the London contact form and ask if your date is really cancelled. Or if that was an automated response. Tell them you were delayed by Covid because K1 interviews were suspended.

You will have to bring a new letter of intent from your American fiancé to the interview. 
 

contact form https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/iv-contact_form/

Yeah I have no idea about the dates it seemed so random even the time when they came up it never lined up.

 

Thanks for the advice, I reached out on the contact form. I wanted to quicker response but after reading some more posts on here I'm feeling a bit more calm about the situation. This is a long expensive journey and was dismayed I'd just wasted more money on an interview that I wouldn't even be able to attend as my case had expired and would have to file anew with all the fees again! :S

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, mrsaberhagen said:

Yeah I have no idea about the dates it seemed so random even the time when they came up it never lined up.

 

Thanks for the advice, I reached out on the contact form. I wanted to quicker response but after reading some more posts on here I'm feeling a bit more calm about the situation. This is a long expensive journey and was dismayed I'd just wasted more money on an interview that I wouldn't even be able to attend as my case had expired and would have to file anew with all the fees again! :S

 I think it’s almost something they are trying to work out. They have to follow procedures (by law) about the length of time a case and fees, etc are valid. Yet they couldn’t provide a K1 with an interview from last March. So do they have the authority to change the rules or who does? I believe all sides know it’s unfair to you but it may take some legal extension if allowed. What a mess. If they write back a generic “bring a new letter of intent” then reply asking them to confirm  your interview date is valid if they failed to address that the first time. 

[al-9000 2]

Hi mrsaberhagen - I am in the same situation as you, also since last March, so understand how completely frustrating this past year has been. I had the medical 3 days before lockdown began.

 

And after checking almost daily for the past year, I was very relieved to find available appointments - although there were only 3 remaining towards the end of June, I didn't hesitate to to grab one. 

 

I also have the the CEAC notification that the registration was cancelled - which does still worry me slightly as I've not had confirmation that this just an automated response - it would be great to get clarification on this.

 

Can I ask, were you advised to get a new Medical, or are you just doing it again to be 100% sure? I tried to get clairty on this from the embassy  but they just pointed me at the FAQ which isn't clear. The FAQ only mentions possible extending medicals for RE-issuing K-1 visas.

[mrsaberhagen 4]

21 minutes ago, al-9000 said:

Hi mrsaberhagen - I am in the same situation as you, also since last March, so understand how completely frustrating this past year has been. I had the medical 3 days before lockdown began.

 

And after checking almost daily for the past year, I was very relieved to find available appointments - although there were only 3 remaining towards the end of June, I didn't hesitate to to grab one. 

 

I also have the the CEAC notification that the registration was cancelled - which does still worry me slightly as I've not had confirmation that this just an automated response - it would be great to get clarification on this.

 

Can I ask, were you advised to get a new Medical, or are you just doing it again to be 100% sure? I tried to get clairty on this from the embassy  but they just pointed me at the FAQ which isn't clear. The FAQ only mentions possible extending medicals for RE-issuing K-1 visas.

I was planning on just redoing it again to be honest. I haven't rebooked it yet as am waiting to hear back from the embassy about being able to go through with the interview but will book after but will probably ask the clinic when I ring up but will just do it to be safe.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

A note for the future—

As a K1, if you have a visa medical within one year of filing your adjustment of status (after marriage) AND you have every shot required for AOS recorded on your London medical report, you will not have to see a civil surgeon in the US for another medical. Get those shots sorted and done before you ever walk in to that visa medical. They will tell you you don’t need them for your visa or you can just go to your GP and get after the medical. DO NOT fall for that nonsense. Yes you can get your visa, But shots must be recorded and signed off on your visa medical form or you will have the hassle and expense of a civil surgeon and form I-693 in the US. Get the shots and skip that additional medical hassle.

[al-9000 2]

Thanks for the advice - that's good to know. I turned down the vaccinations at the medical last year and I had all my vaccinations done in the summer at my GP. If the visa medical can sign off on that, and avoid a future AOS expense, it at least makes paying for a 2nd medical more palatable !

[Wuozopo 4,293]

49 minutes ago, al-9000 said:

Thanks for the advice - that's good to know. I turned down the vaccinations at the medical last year and I had all my vaccinations done in the summer at my GP. If the visa medical can sign off on that, and avoid a future AOS expense, it at least makes paying for a 2nd medical more palatable !

On your current situation. The TB screening expires at 6 months. I have known people who were past 6 months due to delays, to only be required a partial re-do and at a reduced cost. You can take your additional shots to be recorded, whether you are required a full medical or partial to cover the TB screen expiration. You might want to check on if any of your previous components are still valid...mental health, past illnessses documented, STDs...

[mrsaberhagen 4]

I got a reply from the embassy after using the contact form and this is all they had to say:

 

Quote

 

Thank you for your email. 

 

Please proceed with scheduling your appointment for an interview at the Embassy.  Detailed information regarding the application process can be found on our website at https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/applying-for-the-visa. 

 

I explained in my original contact form that I had already scheduled it and this link provides no help for the actual situation, like they've just sent out some generic response without even looking at my email. I wish they would pretend to at least care via email as they don't want to answer any questions on the phone either.

[al-9000 2]

I also got a response this morning - slightly more helpful than yours (getting a useful reply seems very hit and miss) :

Quote

 

Thank you for your email.

Based on the information you have provided, please attend the appointment as scheduled. Please note that you will be required to complete and submit a new DS-160 as more than a year has passed. You need not be concerned as the new DS-160 will supersede the previous one. 

Please also note that K-1 petitions are only valid for 4 months, hence the message you received on CEAC.  You need not be concerned, as the petition can be re-affirmed with a letter from the petitioner confirming you both still intend to marry and that you will do so within 90 days of their entry into the U.S. You must present the letter to the consular officer at the time of the interview. 

 

 

Not sure if you had completed your DS-160 previously?  I haven't yet tried to re-do mine, but if I can then I think everything should be fine.