Any recent CR1/IR1 appointments in Bangkok?

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

44 minutes ago, Hmoobphajej said:

Received my IL (Interview Letter) today. Interview scheduled for 03/20/23. It definitely looks like their pace is slowing down versus the previous trend or maybe there's just way more interviews/applicant at the moment. Super excited and relieved to know we have a Interview but also disappointed since we were hoping to spend Valentines and our Wedding Anniversary together in February.

I'm glad that you got your IL. I completely understand your frustration. My wife's birthday is in early February and we were hoping to spend that together along with Valentine's day. Last year, her visa in SA expired a few days before her birthday as well so this is 2 years in a row. On the bright side, after this there really shouldn't be any more missed holidays/birthdays. Fingers crossed for you!

[Hmoobphajej 13]

6 minutes ago, Dewald & Brittney said:

I'm glad that you got your IL. I completely understand your frustration. My wife's birthday is in early February and we were hoping to spend that together along with Valentine's day. Last year, her visa in SA expired a few days before her birthday as well so this is 2 years in a row. On the bright side, after this there really shouldn't be any more missed holidays/birthdays. Fingers crossed for you!

Yep definitely. I'm just happy we're seeing the light at the end of this tunnel, and overall my experience was much easier and faster than many others so I feel blessed.

[TBoneTX 45,259]

10 hours ago, Hmoobphajej said:

I'm just happy we're seeing the light at the end of this tunnel, and overall my experience was much easier and faster than many others so I feel blessed.

This is what to concentrate on.  Everyone can admire your positive attitude.  

[Matt & N 3]

We still have not gotten an interview appointment (DQ'd October 4th)... I wrote to my senator, my congressperson and have not received an answer or a call yet. I just wrote to the NVC again, though I am not expecting any meaningful answer. The NVC's phone line is closed, I couldn't reach anyone relevant at the embassy (though the case is still at NVC so it's not like they can do anything about it).
I just have no clue why this is taking so long. Is anyone aware of any recourse? Can a lawyer possibly get things moving? Does this qualify as a reason to expedite the case?

 

This is so frustrating.

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

On 1/27/2023 at 2:54 AM, Matt & N said:

We still have not gotten an interview appointment (DQ'd October 4th)... I wrote to my senator, my congressperson and have not received an answer or a call yet. I just wrote to the NVC again, though I am not expecting any meaningful answer. The NVC's phone line is closed, I couldn't reach anyone relevant at the embassy (though the case is still at NVC so it's not like they can do anything about it).
I just have no clue why this is taking so long. Is anyone aware of any recourse? Can a lawyer possibly get things moving? Does this qualify as a reason to expedite the case?

 

This is so frustrating.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Generally congress is the way to go, but as you said you have already tried that. We had pretty good luck with our representative in NY. Maybe try calling their office to follow up? I don't know much about using a lawyer, but as far as I've heard/read, they generally don't provide much use unless your case has exceptionalities such as criminal records etc. but that is just what I have heard so take it with a grain of salt. 

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

On 1/26/2023 at 1:54 PM, Matt & N said:

We still have not gotten an interview appointment (DQ'd October 4th)... I wrote to my senator, my congressperson and have not received an answer or a call yet. I just wrote to the NVC again, though I am not expecting any meaningful answer. The NVC's phone line is closed, I couldn't reach anyone relevant at the embassy (though the case is still at NVC so it's not like they can do anything about it).
I just have no clue why this is taking so long. Is anyone aware of any recourse? Can a lawyer possibly get things moving? Does this qualify as a reason to expedite the case?

 

This is so frustrating.

In pre-Covid times, the standard was within 90 days.  Now, it just depends on several factors, including the length of the queue for your consulate at NVC.  This is the process:

1. Case is DQ'd by NVC.

2. Case then enters NVC queue for your consulate and waits at NVC.

3. Consulate informs NVC of available interview date for upcoming month.

4. NVC schedules interview when case reaches the front of the queue for that consulate.

5. NVC notifies person of interview date via email.

6. NVC then sends case to consulate.

After the interview is scheduled, it can take several days to several weeks for the consulate to receive the case.

 

[Matt & N 3]

On 1/26/2023 at 11:54 AM, Matt & N said:

We still have not gotten an interview appointment (DQ'd October 4th)... I wrote to my senator, my congressperson and have not received an answer or a call yet. I just wrote to the NVC again, though I am not expecting any meaningful answer. The NVC's phone line is closed, I couldn't reach anyone relevant at the embassy (though the case is still at NVC so it's not like they can do anything about it).
I just have no clue why this is taking so long. Is anyone aware of any recourse? Can a lawyer possibly get things moving? Does this qualify as a reason to expedite the case?

 

This is so frustrating.

I ended up send an expedite request on February 3rd, on the basis that the NVC made an error and/or causing an unreasonable delay and explaining that seemingly everybody else is getting interviews with 3-4 weeks while have been waiting since October. On February 6th I got a response saying they will send my request to the embassy. On February 13th I got an automated email saying our interview appointment was cancelled, but we never had such an appointment (apparently this is common during the expedite process). Then I heard nothing until I asked what was happening on February 21 (received an answer on February 23rd that was the same as on February 6th). Then on March 1st I sent an email saying it had been 30 days without a decision, which they answered by saying they sent my request to the embassy on February 23rd (the same day I got an answer to my previous inquiry, which I find highly suspicious).

Finally, today I received an email saying my expedite request was approved! Now we just have to wait for the embassy to receive the package and contact us to tell us how to schedule the interview appointment. I am so glad to be done with the NVC, it was the worst part of the process so far.

 

As far as my congress representative, they were unhelpful as I only got an answer from a staffer repeating a public statement from the NVC concerning the pandemic and wait time etc.

 

[Matt & N 3]

My wife's interview was today, and she was approved! It was very short and much like what others have described.

 

Very happy to have this over with!

[TBoneTX 45,259]

2 hours ago, Matt & N said:

she was approved!

Hoorah!  

2 hours ago, Matt & N said:

Very happy to have this over with!

Understatement of the decade!

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

7 hours ago, Matt & N said:

My wife's interview was today, and she was approved! It was very short and much like what others have described.

 

Very happy to have this over with!

Congratulations! 

[Hmoobphajej 13]

Update on my status. Wife's interview was set for March 20th, 2023. Interview was also very quick and easy. From everything my wife told me she passed. CO told my wife that the visa shouldn't take more than a weeks time and to pick it up at our designated location. So happy to get this part over with. I'm sure I still have a bit more dealings with the US Government since my wife is only getting a 2 year visa. But for me it's 100% better to be together and the overall timeline between filing and visa for me was only about 1 year. 😁

[Dewald & Brittney 46]

42 minutes ago, Hmoobphajej said:

Update on my status. Wife's interview was set for March 20th, 2023. Interview was also very quick and easy. From everything my wife told me she passed. CO told my wife that the visa shouldn't take more than a weeks time and to pick it up at our designated location. So happy to get this part over with. I'm sure I still have a bit more dealings with the US Government since my wife is only getting a 2 year visa. But for me it's 100% better to be together and the overall timeline between filing and visa for me was only about 1 year. 😁

Congratulations! I'm glad everything went well. It took me less than a week to get my passport back via Thai post. Good luck with the relocation!

[TBoneTX 45,259]

5 hours ago, Hmoobphajej said:

my wife told me she passed

You must be relieved and thrilled.  Congratulations!

[M.Smith 0]

Just got our appointment letter for July