Calling the Embassy

[midicat 0]

Hey all,

I know its major expensive to call the embassy - but should I be able to do so from here in the US? My fiance and I want to schedule the interview, we're hoping for a late October or early Nov interview, but he's here right now and doesn't go home until the end of September. If you didn't read my previous post, we cancelled the interview we had scheduled back in June, and instead of reapplying for the visa we are going to try to just reschedule the interview. Anyone know how long they are running on scheduling right now?

Thanks in advance.

Edited August 12, 2007 by midicat

[*julez* 124]

Regarding the phone call, from the guides:

Visa Information Line: 09068-200-290 (24 hour) * 60p/min;

only available in the U.K., within U.K. may be unavailable from some business telephones and mobile networks.

As for getting the interview...its taking about 2 months at the moment. You can search the timelines for more accurate info.

If I were you I'd email the Emabssy with your LND # in the subject and tell them you're ready for the interview and let them know that late October would be good for you. It may take a few weeks for them to respond via email.

Good luck!

[midicat 0]

Hmm. I will try that then. Thanks

Nov or Dec wouldn't be bad either, I was just sort of hoping for him to be here for Christmas This is US year. haha. We go back and forth each year for Christmas, and I was there last year. Plus he goes home late Sept and i'm going over the 2nd week of October for his sister's wedding, so I was kind of hoping he could come back with me.

Kinda stinks you can't call from here, but I guess they wouldn't be able to charge you for the call if they did that. Bah. Scrooges.

Edited August 12, 2007 by midicat

[Rob and Geneva 0]

Don't know if this helps. It says the US number is for non-immigrant visa's but the UK number number they list is the one for Immigrant visas.

Consular Affairs: Visa Services

Operator Assisted Visa Information

Callers from within the United Kingdom should dial 09042-450100. Calls to this line are charged at £1.20/min from BT landlines; some mobile and network providers may charge more. In addition, callers from outside the U.K. and some mobile and network providers cannot access this number.

Callers from within the United States who wish to obtain information on, or schedule an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview, should dial 1-866-382-3589. Callers are charged a fixed rate of $16:00 for up to 7 minutes which is payable by credit card - Visa, MasterCard, American Express only. Please ensure that you have your credit card details available when making the call. You will not be charged for the call until payment has been taken. Please note that you will be required to provide the agent with a U.K. address when scheduling the appointment.

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/...assistance.html

[John & Annie 0]

Don't know if this helps. It says the US number is for non-immigrant visa's but the UK number number they list is the one for Immigrant visas.

Consular Affairs: Visa Services

Operator Assisted Visa Information

Callers from within the United Kingdom should dial 09042-450100. Calls to this line are charged at £1.20/min from BT landlines; some mobile and network providers may charge more. In addition, callers from outside the U.K. and some mobile and network providers cannot access this number.

Callers from within the United States who wish to obtain information on, or schedule an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview, should dial 1-866-382-3589. Callers are charged a fixed rate of $16:00 for up to 7 minutes which is payable by credit card - Visa, MasterCard, American Express only. Please ensure that you have your credit card details available when making the call. You will not be charged for the call until payment has been taken. Please note that you will be required to provide the agent with a U.K. address when scheduling the appointment.

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/...assistance.html

Things must of changed, I called the Embassy many times to try and get help and never had to call a premium number. I did not keep the number I used, but I think I went through the operator initially.

[essjay 0]

If it is anything to do with visas and immigration, things have changed and it is premium rate all the way.

Depending on the reason for calling, and what stage you are at, often it is better and cheaper to call DOS. They have access to the same information as the extortion line, but are more friendly and it is a fraction of the cost to call.

One reason to call the extortion line is if you need a reference number in order to e-mail the Embassy otherwise, it often feels like an expensive way of hitting your head against a brick wall!!

[midicat 0]

What's DOS?

Good to know there is a number I can call from here, but $16 flat rate... Ewww.

If I have my LND case number should I be able to just email them? My fiance said he tried that once and got an email back saying they deleted the emails immediately that he had sent them? That you have to phone them to get a number as a reference so they won't delete your email?!

[essjay 0]

DOS is Department of State - +1 202 663 1225

Press Option 1 then Option 0

If you have your LND number they will talk to you. The advantage is the significantly cheaper cost of calling!!

In order to e-mail the London Embassy, to avoid your e-mail being deleted, you would need to call the extortion line to get a special reference number that you put in the subject line. I don't think DOS can give that to you.

Good Luck