US Embassy in Manila IR1 visa category

[MGSJTS 1]

Anyone know if the US Embassy in Manila is getting any faster at scheduling interviews for IR1 visas?

[Nashmusah 29]

4 hours ago, MGSJTS said:

Anyone know if the US Embassy in Manila is getting any faster at scheduling interviews for IR1 visas?

Though visa processing time is typically one week, processing time for specific cases may vary due to individual circumstances and other special requirements. Nonimmigrant visa applicants are encouraged to apply at least three (3) months in advance of the intended date of travel.

[powerpuff 6,528]

*** Thread moved to the Philippines sub forum ***

[An D 27]

9 hours ago, Nashmusah said:

Though visa processing time is typically one week, processing time for specific cases may vary due to individual circumstances and other special requirements. Nonimmigrant visa applicants are encouraged to apply at least three (3) months in advance of the intended date of travel.

Totally irrelevant. 

 

In regards to USEM, it's a bit of a crapshoot at the moment. Getting any faster at scheduling...since when? If you mean since a year ago or less, the answer is no. Same as it's been for the past year - maybe slightly better since there has been SOME limited movement of long since DQ'd cases, occasionally. Still, looking like 9 months of waiting at least for CR/IR cases (from DQ).

 

There is however some limited evidence that IR are in a better position than CR, as a few months worth of IR cases were "mass expedited" in late March. At this point it seems that IRs are ahead of CRs now. I wonder if that is the new norm going forward - focus on processing large batches of IR and leave CR to mostly rot until converted to IR. I wonder if we will see another mass expedite for IR in the next couple of months. 

Edited June 10 by An D

[MGSJTS 1]

5 hours ago, An D said:

Totally irrelevant. 

 

In regards to USEM, it's a bit of a crapshoot at the moment. Getting any faster at scheduling...since when? If you mean since a year ago or less, the answer is no. Same as it's been for the past year - maybe slightly better since there has been SOME limited movement of long since DQ'd cases, occasionally. Still, looking like 9 months of waiting at least for CR/IR cases (from DQ).

 

There is however some limited evidence that IR are in a better position than CR, as a few months worth of IR cases were "mass expedited" in late March. At this point it seems that IRs are ahead of CRs now. I wonder if that is the new norm going forward - focus on processing large batches of IR and leave CR to mostly rot until converted to IR. I wonder if we will see another mass expedite for IR in the next couple of months. 

Thank you. This is helpful. I did mean since the past 12-18 months. What is USEM? 

[NeonParticles 126]

On 6/10/2024 at 7:58 PM, MGSJTS said:

Thank you. This is helpful. I did mean since the past 12-18 months. What is USEM? 

To give you a point of reference, we received DQ July 17, 2023 and the interview letter April. 15, 2024.  I'd keep my expectations in check.  Almost an entire year from DQ to entering the US.  That's not to say things can't improve (or get worse).  There's just no communication about this from official sources, so no actual way of knowing anything.

[MGSJTS 1]

1 hour ago, NeonParticles said:

To give you a point of reference, we received DQ July 17, 2023 and the interview letter April. 15, 2024.  I'd keep my expectations in check.  Almost an entire year from DQ to entering the US.  That's not to say things can't improve (or get worse).  There's just no communication about this from official sources, so no actual way of knowing anything.

Thank you!

[Jon and Krissy 452]

What does DQ stand for?

On 6/13/2024 at 1:36 PM, NeonParticles said:

To give you a point of reference, we received DQ July 17, 2023 and the interview letter April. 15, 2024.  I'd keep my expectations in check.  Almost an entire year from DQ to entering the US.  That's not to say things can't improve (or get worse).  There's just no communication about this from official sources, so no actual way of knowing anything.

USEM is U.S. Embassy. But what the heck is DQ???

[MGSJTS 1]

31 minutes ago, Jon and Krissy said:

What does DQ stand for?

USEM is U.S. Embassy. But what the heck is DQ???

Documentarily Qualified. The date that the NVC accepts and approves all your paperwork. After one is DQ'd, they then wait for their interview to be scheduled. 

[Jon and Krissy 452]

38 minutes ago, MGSJTS said:

Documentarily Qualified. The date that the NVC accepts and approves all your paperwork. After one is DQ'd, they then wait for their interview to be scheduled. 

Isn't this simply NOA2?

[powerpuff 6,528]

10 hours ago, Jon and Krissy said:

Isn't this simply NOA2?

No, it’s different. NOA2 is USCIS petition approval. DQ is NVC completion date that allows one to enter a queue for the interview.