Immigrant visa interview appointments in Almaty

[CyberSamurai013 69]

A few appointments have opened up for immigrant visa interviews in Almaty on the (link removed) website. There are a few on March 2nd and March 9th.

Edited February 18, 2023 by Unlockable

[Unlockable 7,315]

*** External link to an unknown website removed.

 

VJ Moderation

[Simplytex 387]

On 2/18/2023 at 3:23 AM, CyberKnight13 said:

A few appointments have opened up for immigrant visa interviews in Almaty on the (link removed) website. There are a few on March 2nd and March 9th.

I'm still a little surprised that you are being told to schedule your interview for an IR visa... I don't know if there is much precedent for that in other locations, but first I had heard of it.

[Runner19 39]

Almaty told us that NVC will contact us, so it really is weird.

[Simplytex 387]

Just did some more searching, it seems like in some cases people do end up scheduling their own, whether due to needing to reschedule, expediting, or otherwise. 

 

But I'm in the same place as you Runner19, they directly told me that NVC will be the ones to contact me, no further action on my part.

[CyberSamurai013 69]

We had our entire process expedited from the beginning (USCIS, NVC, Embassy) through Senatorial and Congressional intervention. Our initial appointment in Warsaw was scheduled for us and we were sent a letter. Once the system realized that Russians cannot get visas for Poland anymore and we were forced to change countries, we again had Congressional assistance as Kazakhstan initially refused to take on Russian cases. I think the primary reason we are scheduling it ourselves is due to the transfer from Warsaw to Almaty that was requested by our Congresswoman before they started routinely doing it. Our entire case is unusual and nothing like we have experienced before.

[millefleur 5,047]

I'm really glad to hear your case got moving. How strange that some people can schedule themselves while others cannot. Best of luck getting the visa!

[CyberSamurai013 69]

4 hours ago, millefleur said:

I'm really glad to hear your case got moving. How strange that some people can schedule themselves while others cannot. Best of luck getting the visa!

Thank you! It is an odd situation and I think it will sort itself soon as they determine which path they want to follow with the influx of cases from Russia to Kazakhstan.

[TBoneTX 45,596]

This is all surely a unique way to get to visit other countries unexpectedly, even if only through various airports.

Pulling for everyone's rapid and ultimate success.

[Simplytex 387]

42 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

This is all surely a unique way to get to visit other countries unexpectedly, even if only through various airports.

Pulling for everyone's rapid and ultimate success.

Not gonna lie, Kazakhstan wasn't on my list of 2023 places to visit, but might as well make the most of it. Just a shame because actually the Aral Sea and the Baikonur cosmodrome are on my bucket list, but I don't think my wife is exactly going to be as enthusiastic as I am about that type of excursion 🤪

[powerpuff 6,744]

2 hours ago, Simplytex said:

Not gonna lie, Kazakhstan wasn't on my list of 2023 places to visit, but might as well make the most of it.

It should be. Almaty is wonderful, I miss it dearly. Enjoy the stay! Try all the food you can.

[Simplytex 387]

43 minutes ago, powerpuff said:

It should be. Almaty is wonderful, I miss it dearly. Enjoy the stay! Try all the food you can.

Oh, don't take that the wrong way! I would definitely love to spend time there, but my hope had been for a little less travel (already got work and family shuffling me to and fro.)

[TBoneTX 45,596]

Kazakhstan is the 9th-largest country in the world and the largest landlocked country.  It sounds fascinating.

6 hours ago, Simplytex said:

the Aral Sea

Disappeared years ago, didn't it?

[Simplytex 387]

51 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Kazakhstan is the 9th-largest country in the world and the largest landlocked country.  It sounds fascinating.

Disappeared years ago, didn't it?

Yeah, I think it will be the furthest from any ocean coastline I'll ever have been. The South Aral Sea was really struggling, but the North Aral has been 'under new management' and actually showing signs of recovery faster than original predictions, which is great!

[CyberSamurai013 69]

Just FYI for anyone travelling via Red Wings airlines from Russia to Almaty.

 

We flew this route from Omsk to Yekaterinburg then on to Almaty this weekend. 

 

On the flight from Omsk to Yekaterinburg, they offered some snacks to purchase such as a club sandwich, chips, etc. There were no meals and no free drinks. There was a single flight attendant taking an order and payment (cash or card) then running to the back of the plane to get the food. She only serviced the first half of the plane by the time we began our descent to the airport so we never were offered anything despite having 2 small children with us.

 

On the flight from Yekaterinburg to Almaty, there was no food at all except for a small candy and we were offered free drinks. The choices were tea, coffee, water, and barberry lemonade (carbonated).

 

You may want to bring a snack and drink with you because there is no guarantee you will be offered any even if you are willing to pay the ridiculous prices like we were.