Transfer IR1 interview from Dushanbe to Almaty?

[bren123 6]

Hi, we were DQ'd in March, and given an interview date in May at the Dushanbe embassy. We just figured out that the Dushanbe embassy does not accept medical tests from Moscow, only from Dushanbe. This means my wife is required to take the COVID vaccine, which is a hard no for us. The Almaty embassy accepts medical tests from Moscow which does NOT require COVID vaccination, so we would like to transfer out interview there. 

Has anyone else had success transferring an interview to Almaty? 

[mam521 2,113]

It's not a matter of the Consulate or Embassy, but a requirement by USCIS in accordance with the CDC.  

 

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/vaccine-requirements-according-to-applicant-age-p.pdf

 

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/panel-physicians/vaccinations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fimmigrantrefugeehealth%2Fpanel-physicians%2Fcovid-19-technical-instructions.html#covid-19-vaccination

[SalishSea 17,987]

54 minutes ago, bren123 said:

Hi, we were DQ'd in March, and given an interview date in May at the Dushanbe embassy. We just figured out that the Dushanbe embassy does not accept medical tests from Moscow, only from Dushanbe. This means my wife is required to take the COVID vaccine, which is a hard no for us. The Almaty embassy accepts medical tests from Moscow which does NOT require COVID vaccination, so we would like to transfer out interview there. 

Has anyone else had success transferring an interview to Almaty? 

I think you’re misunderstanding the requirements.   Individual consulates do not set their own medical requirements.

[bren123 6]

40 minutes ago, mam521 said:

It's not a matter of the Consulate or Embassy, but a requirement by USCIS in accordance with the CDC.  

 

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/vaccine-requirements-according-to-applicant-age-p.pdf

 

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/panel-physicians/vaccinations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fimmigrantrefugeehealth%2Fpanel-physicians%2Fcovid-19-technical-instructions.html#covid-19-vaccination

I've read all of this, but it does not change the fact that Almaty accepts medical tests taken in Moscow, and Russians who take the test in Moscow are WAIVED from the COVID vaccine requirement. If you search the forum, you will find that many have confirmed this. I even called them today and they confirmed. The only embassies that accept Moscow medical tests are Warsaw and Almaty.

Edited April 22 by bren123

[JayFromTexas 69]

1 hour ago, bren123 said:

I've read all of this, but it does not change the fact that Almaty accepts medical tests taken in Moscow, and Russians who take the test in Moscow are WAIVED from the COVID vaccine requirement. If you search the forum, you will find that many have confirmed this. I even called them today and they confirmed. The only embassies that accept Moscow medical tests are Warsaw and Almaty.

I concur

[JayFromTexas 69]

2 hours ago, bren123 said:

Hi, we were DQ'd in March, and given an interview date in May at the Dushanbe embassy. We just figured out that the Dushanbe embassy does not accept medical tests from Moscow, only from Dushanbe. This means my wife is required to take the COVID vaccine, which is a hard no for us. The Almaty embassy accepts medical tests from Moscow which does NOT require COVID vaccination, so we would like to transfer out interview there. 

Has anyone else had success transferring an interview to Almaty? 

People here were successful in getting a transfer to Almaty several months ago, but I haven't heard of any successful transfers in the past 3-4 months. It is my understanding that they are primarily accepting IR-5 transfers, but not IR/CR1/K1 transfers. It certainly won't hurt to try. Let us know how you make out.

[powerpuff 6,744]

10 hours ago, JayFromTexas said:

People here were successful in getting a transfer to Almaty several months ago, but I haven't heard of any successful transfers in the past 3-4 months. It is my understanding that they are primarily accepting IR-5 transfers, but not IR/CR1/K1 transfers. It certainly won't hurt to try. Let us know how you make out.

Agreed. Also want to highlight that those successful transfer cases were from the Warsaw consulate with the justification being that Poland is not issuing Schengen visas to Russian citizens and it is a hassle to obtain it from other Schengen countries. I’m not sure the justification OP provided will be accepted but it’s always free to ask.