IR5 cases automatically transferred to Kazakhstan

[Runner19 39]

Hey everybody! I wanted to share an unexpected change that just happened to our cases. I have 2 IR5 cases for my parents (DQ December 20 and 21), we were waiting for the interview to be scheduled in Poland. Today we got these weird emails from NVC saying that our interview appointment was cancelled, but we never got any notification from them about interview date or anything. Soon after that I wasn't able to login to CEAC, as it started saying that our case number can't be found. Then finally a few hours later we get an email about our cases changing from Warsaw to Almaty! The interesting thing is that I didn't ask for this at all, my parents actually have Schengen visas. I wonder if Almaty is actually busier than Warsaw and the interview might take longer to schedule.

[Simplytex 387]

1 hour ago, Runner19 said:

Hey everybody! I wanted to share an unexpected change that just happened to our cases. I have 2 IR5 cases for my parents (DQ December 20 and 21), we were waiting for the interview to be scheduled in Poland. Today we got these weird emails from NVC saying that our interview appointment was cancelled, but we never got any notification from them about interview date or anything. Soon after that I wasn't able to login to CEAC, as it started saying that our case number can't be found. Then finally a few hours later we get an email about our cases changing from Warsaw to Almaty! The interesting thing is that I didn't ask for this at all, my parents actually have Schengen visas. I wonder if Almaty is actually busier than Warsaw and the interview might take longer to schedule.

Interesting, thanks for sharing. That's the first time I've heard of this happening. My wife got DQ Dec 20th as well, but haven't seen anything yet.

 

Btw, I wonder if, when you do get the interview scheduled, they say the medical can be done in Moscow, or if it has to be in Almaty (some other people going to KZ have said they won't accept transferred medical, unlike Warsaw.)

Edited January 19, 2023 by Simplytex

[Runner19 39]

If I understand correctly, they will have to get their medical done in Almaty. 

[millefleur 5,047]

2 hours ago, Runner19 said:

Then finally a few hours later we get an email about our cases changing from Warsaw to Almaty! The interesting thing is that I didn't ask for this at all, my parents actually have Schengen visas. I wonder if Almaty is actually busier than Warsaw and the interview might take longer to schedule.

That is really intriguing. Almaty certainly makes so much more sense for Russians so this would be a welcome development for many.

Edited January 20, 2023 by millefleur

[Simplytex 387]

Does anyone know what the situation is for vaccination requirements if doing the medical in Almaty? Perhaps @Moscowmojo? 

[Runner19 39]

I only found this document:

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/ATA - Almaty.pdf

It seems they are the same, just need to be translated

[Simplytex 387]

20 minutes ago, Runner19 said:

I only found this document:

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/ATA - Almaty.pdf

It seems they are the same, just need to be translated

Well the thing is, in Russia there are no 'approved' COVID vaccinations, so the COVID vaccination part of the medical is just entered as a waiver... I'm not sure the same case for Almaty, since Pfizer is available there. Just thinking ahead - if my wife does get transferred there, then we're in a pickle cause she's only had Sputnik and Pfizer technically needs 8 weeks between vaccination courses so I don't know how all that will work...

 

Alternatively... could go there for the interview, get one vaccination, then go again asap for the 2nd course and do the medical... I've heard its possible the embassy will put the visa into Administrative Processing hold until they receive medical, but then that also might mean having to return to the embassy yet again to give the passport, wait for visa to be issued, etc... ugh its a headache. Would be much easier if they just said "We'll accept Moscow medical exams" just like Poland does.

[Simplytex 387]

42 minutes ago, Runner19 said:

I only found this document:

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/ATA - Almaty.pdf

It seems they are the same, just need to be translated

Also, this is funny. I just checked the travel.state.gov page here and they don't show International SOS as an approved medical provider, even though the link that you posted does! 

 

Gotta love that the Consulate page also shows International SOS as a provider. Clear as mud...

[Runner19 39]

The whole consulate page looks ancient. The document that I found seems to be from 2013 and it's the first thing you see in the Russian version. I hope to get more instructions once the interview is scheduled. 

[Simplytex 387]

On 1/20/2023 at 12:54 PM, Simplytex said:

Well the thing is, in Russia there are no 'approved' COVID vaccinations, so the COVID vaccination part of the medical is just entered as a waiver... I'm not sure the same case for Almaty, since Pfizer is available there. Just thinking ahead - if my wife does get transferred there, then we're in a pickle cause she's only had Sputnik and Pfizer technically needs 8 weeks between vaccination courses so I don't know how all that will work...

 

Alternatively... could go there for the interview, get one vaccination, then go again asap for the 2nd course and do the medical... I've heard its possible the embassy will put the visa into Administrative Processing hold until they receive medical, but then that also might mean having to return to the embassy yet again to give the passport, wait for visa to be issued, etc... ugh its a headache. Would be much easier if they just said "We'll accept Moscow medical exams" just like Poland does.

@Moscowmojo @CyberKnight13 @Runner19 I know yall might be headed to KZ for interviews, just wanted to share this email I got back, it might be helpful... I emailed the doctors office (IMC Almaty, at imcalmaty@gmail.com) in Almaty just curious about Covid19 vaccination requirements:

 

Hello, Simplytex!

Thank you for your email, to pass the medical examination in Almaty for citizens of the Russian Federation no need to provide CDC approved vaccines.
If she has Sputnik, it's enough. If needs additional vaccines she can get in our clinic on the medical examination.

 

 

[CyberSamurai013 69]

4 hours ago, Simplytex said:

@Moscowmojo @CyberKnight13 @Runner19 I know yall might be headed to KZ for interviews, just wanted to share this email I got back, it might be helpful... I emailed the doctors office (IMC Almaty, at imcalmaty@gmail.com) in Almaty just curious about Covid19 vaccination requirements:

 

Hello, Simplytex!

Thank you for your email, to pass the medical examination in Almaty for citizens of the Russian Federation no need to provide CDC approved vaccines.
If she has Sputnik, it's enough. If needs additional vaccines she can get in our clinic on the medical examination.

 

 

Thank you!

 

We called Moscow back in the fall and they told us that she can do her medical there but will be required to receive the Sputnik V vaccine (both doses) which we refuse to get. We called Almaty (both IMC and International SOS) again today and were told that IMC is the only one in Kazakhstan authorized to do the medical exams for immigrant visas for the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. International SOS did not get their contract renewed. IMC does not require you to have COVID-19 vaccines and they do not do them as they only have Sputnik V which is not approved by America.  

[Simplytex 387]

5 hours ago, CyberKnight13 said:

Thank you!

 

We called Moscow back in the fall and they told us that she can do her medical there but will be required to receive the Sputnik V vaccine (both doses) which we refuse to get. We called Almaty (both IMC and International SOS) again today and were told that IMC is the only one in Kazakhstan authorized to do the medical exams for immigrant visas for the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. International SOS did not get their contract renewed. IMC does not require you to have COVID-19 vaccines and they do not do them as they only have Sputnik V which is not approved by America.  

My wife had to get Sputnik V for work, so I guess she's good on that count. My original worry had been that maybe KZ doctors would require Pfizer since I think you can get it there, but seems like that isn't the case.

[Moscowmojo 19]

14 hours ago, CyberKnight13 said:

Thank you!

 

We called Moscow back in the fall and they told us that she can do her medical there but will be required to receive the Sputnik V vaccine (both doses) which we refuse to get. We called Almaty (both IMC and International SOS) again today and were told that IMC is the only one in Kazakhstan authorized to do the medical exams for immigrant visas for the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. International SOS did not get their contract renewed. IMC does not require you to have COVID-19 vaccines and they do not do them as they only have Sputnik V which is not approved by America.  

Thanks for the information!  My wife did her medical exam in Moscow as IMC said it would be valid for KZ, that was wrong info.  KZ requires the Medical exam in Almaty, so she is scheduled to do it on 2/17, Interview is 2/21.

[Moscowmojo 19]

On 1/19/2023 at 2:59 PM, Simplytex said:

Interesting, thanks for sharing. That's the first time I've heard of this happening. My wife got DQ Dec 20th as well, but haven't seen anything yet.

 

Btw, I wonder if, when you do get the interview scheduled, they say the medical can be done in Moscow, or if it has to be in Almaty (some other people going to KZ have said they won't accept transferred medical, unlike Warsaw.)

I received this email from the consulate in KZ.  

 

Greetings!
 
Please be informed medical exam must be done in the panel physician clinic of our consular district, which is IMC Almaty +7 727 3786464.
 
 
Best regards,
 
Consular section
U.S. Consulate General
97 Zholdasbekova str., Samal Towers
Almaty, Kazakhstan, 050059
 

[Runner19 39]

1 hour ago, Moscowmojo said:

I received this email from the consulate in KZ.  

 

Greetings!
 
Please be informed medical exam must be done in the panel physician clinic of our consular district, which is IMC Almaty +7 727 3786464.
 
 
Best regards,
 
Consular section
U.S. Consulate General
97 Zholdasbekova str., Samal Towers
Almaty, Kazakhstan, 050059
 

Thank you for clarifying that! We really weren't expecting KZ and their website is no help!