My fiance' recently faxed the consulate in Naples the second of the two forms you have to fax in prior to getting an interview date and I sent them an e-mail asking how you'd now go about getting an interview/medical appointment and they told me "When we can give you a date, we'll let you know." Of course, I wasn't satisfied with that response because it's... you know... not actually a response lol. So I looked on the consulate's website and it says there that if you complete the electronic DS-156 you can call the consulate (for $1.50/minute) and give them the number generated by that form to get an interview date. So, this morning my fiance calls -- the first time he called, his cellphone's sim card ran out of money (he was put on hold for five minutes (as the money was steadily depleted) and eventually his phone turned off. So, he ran down and bought a card for 25euro and called again. This time he got a different person who told him he has to wait ... SIX MONTHS to get an interview date! OMG! So, he tells them "It says here on the forms you sent me that it'd take 1 month." That one month, btw, is very unclear whether they mean 1 month to have the interview or 1 month to be given the date to come in 6 years later for the interview. So, then they guy tells him he has to wait 7 weeks. 7 weeks? For what? And then he says "Well, maybe you can try contacting the Naples consulate directly and thanks for calling the Embassies of Rome, Naples, florence, etc". So, apparently, it wasn't the direct number it claims to be on the website. And now I don't know what to do -- do we wait silently for anywhere from 7 - 25 weeks or do we keep bugging them?





Oh, and the funny thing is -- in the petition, I requested that he do his interview in Tirana, Albania. THEY put down Naples. I don't know how many interviews Tirana does or how backed up they are, but THEY moved the interview to Naples, not us.

I assume that you received the info packet from the Naples Consulate with all the forms and instructions on how to apply for the visa. Part of the instructions is a checklist telling you what papers you will need at the interview. When you fill out the checklist and return it to them, you are telling them that you are ready for the interview. At that time, the Consulate will schedule the interview and schedule a med appt for you. Depending upon the time of the year, and how busy the Consulate is, appointments are typically 5-6 weeks after you submit the checklist.

This info is based upon what my wife experienced in Madrid, and I assume the Naples would be somewhat similar in their proceedure and timeframes.

There was somebody else on VJ who had problems with Naples and managed to get it sorted after she got help from her congressman. Don't remember who but if you look under the forum for Italy you will find her

Adele