Time to Embassy Interview in Manila after NVC forwarded my Case to Embassy

[Mdvivori 42]

My Filipina Wife was DQ’d on October 14, 2022.  On January 10, 2023 we were notified by the NVC that the US Embassy in Manila has Approved our request for Expedited Processing of our Immigrant Visa Application.  We never asked for it to be Expedited (Is this normal) however, how long should we expect to wait before we hear from the Embassy?  How much time from Notification to Interview Date.

[Chancy 6,243]

10 hours ago, Mdvivori said:

We never asked for it to be Expedited (Is this normal) however, how long should we expect to wait before we hear from the Embassy?

 

What is the case status on CEAC?  If your case is expedited (whether you requested it or not), the US embassy in Manila typically expects you to book the interview schedule yourself via the USTravelDocs portal once your CEAC status turns "Ready".

 

[Mdvivori 42]

I checked and the message states, “Your case is in transit to the Consular Section.  Your interview date was provided to you by the National Visa Center.”

 

I was notified on January 10, that, “The NVC sent your Immigrant Visa Application to the US Embassy Consulate General in Manila for their action. The Embassy Consulate General will schedule your interview.”

 

So, I have conflicting messages.  Either the Consulate will schedule the interview or the NVC provided me the Interview Date which they didn’t.  I will wait to hear from the Consulate and also check the Portal everyday.  Thanks Chancy

 

 

[top_secret 2,458]

14 hours ago, Mdvivori said:

Either the Consulate will schedule the interview or the NVC provided me the Interview Date which they didn’t.  I will wait to hear from the Consulate and also check the Portal everyday.

If you are logged into the USTravelDocs portal does it show you the option of available self-scheduled dates? 

 

[Mary Bernard 17]

Wait, are you telling me we can schedule our own interview appointment?

 

Visa Category F2A

 

 

 

[top_secret 2,458]

12 hours ago, Mary Bernard said:

Wait, are you telling me we can schedule our own interview appointment?

 

Visa Category F2A

 

  

The self scheduling is for cases that have been expedited by the Embassy.  Recently there have been a number of CR/IR cases at USEM that were notified they were expedited even though they had not ask for expedites.   Self scheduling is also used for cases that have missed interviews and need to reschedule.

F2A probably has its own wait list and as far as I know is still scheduled by NVC.  What is your CEAC status?  Is it "At NVC" or is it "Ready"?  If it is "At NVC" you are still waiting for NVC to schedule the interview.  If it is "Ready" and you haven't heard from NVC or the Embassy you might want to contact the Embassy and ask about scheduling.  If your case is already documentarily qualified there is certainly no harm in requesting an expedite.   USEM has been giving out expedites lately on CR/IR cases for some pretty flimsy reasons or no reason at all.  I don't know if the same applies to F2A though.

[Mary Bernard 17]

Priority Date May 2019

Documentarily Qualified Dec 2020

 

Requested Expedite Jan 23, 2023

Approved the next day 😇

 

Case status is IN TRANSIT as of Jan 25 2023

 

I also contacted NVC and they said I need to contact the consulate because it's been forwarded to the embassy.

 

Case is in transit

[Mdvivori 42]

Mary Bernard, how do we contact the Embassy?  Do you have phone or email address?  Will they get irritated at us for asking?  My case was forwarded to Manila 3 weeks ago and I’ve heard nothing even though it says Expedited.  We didn’t ask for it to be Expedited and don’t want to irritate them.  Thanks

[Chancy 6,243]

4 minutes ago, Mdvivori said:

My case was forwarded to Manila 3 weeks ago and I’ve heard nothing even though it says Expedited.

 

Does your CEAC case status now say "Ready"?  Have you checked the USTravelDocs portal to see if your case may now be self-scheduled?

 

[Mary Bernard 17]

6 hours ago, Mdvivori said:

Mary Bernard, how do we contact the Embassy?  Do you have phone or email address?  Will they get irritated at us for asking?  My case was forwarded to Manila 3 weeks ago and I’ve heard nothing even though it says Expedited.  We didn’t ask for it to be Expedited and don’t want to irritate them.  Thanks

Yes Mdvivori, please check CEAC case status to see if its still in transit or READY

 

I'm not too sure what is their contact # 

But you can go their website and make a visa related inquiry 

 

https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-inquiry-form/

[Mdvivori 42]

23 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

Does your CEAC case status now say "Ready"?  Have you checked the USTravelDocs portal to see if your case may now be self-scheduled?

 

Currently it says “In Transit”. I am unable to schedule an appointment.

 

Additional Info:  my 2 stepchildren each have different DQ which are after my wife’s DQ Date and CEAC still shows them as having their files located at the NVC.  They are 6 & 9 yrs old.  Is it possible or probable that the Embassy will wait for the stepchildren’s files before scheduling my wife’s interview until they also have the children’s files?  From what I understand the Embassy notifies NVC when they have available Interview openings, if that’s true why would they only take my wife’s and leave the children’s files behind.  Could it be that they wouldn’t have known the children were linked?  The children were delayed because NVC asked for an income tax return that was accepted for my wife and one child but deemed “smudged” for the other when it was the same scan.  Crazy.  

[Mdvivori 42]

On 1/31/2023 at 12:09 AM, Chancy said:

 

Does your CEAC case status now say "Ready"?  Have you checked the USTravelDocs portal to see if your case may now be self-scheduled?

 

No, it still shows In Transit and I’m unable to schedule.  Please see my response to Mary which goes into much detail.  Thanks, Marc

[Mary Bernard 17]

1 hour ago, Mdvivori said:

Currently it says “In Transit”. I am unable to schedule an appointment.

 

Additional Info:  my 2 stepchildren each have different DQ which are after my wife’s DQ Date and CEAC still shows them as having their files located at the NVC.  They are 6 & 9 yrs old.  Is it possible or probable that the Embassy will wait for the stepchildren’s files before scheduling my wife’s interview until they also have the children’s files?  From what I understand the Embassy notifies NVC when they have available Interview openings, if that’s true why would they only take my wife’s and leave the children’s files behind.  Could it be that they wouldn’t have known the children were linked?  The children were delayed because NVC asked for an income tax return that was accepted for my wife and one child but deemed “smudged” for the other when it was the same scan.  Crazy.  

If you sent it all in together, I am assuming that the NVC knows its all link and connect especially your the petitioner.

 

It is pretty crazy how immigration tends to overlook the important documents.

 

Don't worry it will all work out

 

From what I'm reading from this forum, once it says READY  it should be okay to schedule your appointment.

 

But I wouldn't just yet since your step kids cases are still at NVC and your wife's is already at Manila.

 

If you haven't done so yet, try expedite the kids case and see if that works.

 

 

[Chancy 6,243]

3 hours ago, Mdvivori said:

my 2 stepchildren each have different DQ which are after my wife’s DQ Date and CEAC still shows them as having their files located at the NVC.

 

"Immediate Relative" cases such as CR1/IR1 and CR2/IR2 cases are treated as separate/standalone cases, so you must request NVC to link your family members' cases so they can be scheduled for interview together.  If you haven't already done so, send the request via NVC's public inquiry form -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html

 

[Mary Bernard 17]

6 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

"Immediate Relative" cases such as CR1/IR1 and CR2/IR2 cases are treated as separate/standalone cases, so you must request NVC to link your family members' cases so they can be scheduled for interview together.  If you haven't already done so, send the request via NVC's public inquiry form -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/ask-nvc.html

 

Thank you chancy

 

Any idea on how long our case will be in transit to ready?

 

Case expedite got approved and forwarded to Manila embassy as of Jan 25, 2023.

 

Everytime I contact NVC they always advise to contact the consulate for inquiries on the case

 

Case status is IN transit

 

Thank you