I did not want to intrude on Jason-sasha's topic though mine is closely related.

I received my notice from NVC dated nov7 informing me my petition would be forwarded to Moscow
for an interview date, as of now it is dec 10 and I still don't see her number posted at the website nor has she received any packet.

Does it normally take this long to "get the date"?
If it is past normal time... what should I do?
If anyone has contact phone numbers or addresses that might be helpful, I sent one email to the given address on the Moscow-site but have not heard anything in reply.

Thanks

I would first call the NVC and ask them if their records indocate if the file was sent to Moscow. NVC phone number: 603-334-0700. The second would be what you did, and e-mail Moscow embassy to confirm. (I believe the email is consulMo@state.gov) They will get back to you within a week or so. I hope everything works out really soon.
Good luck,

Mike.

I am in the same "boat" although our petition is not so badly overdue for an interview as yours! I noticed this morning 4 petitions approved by USCIS after our petition already had interviews schedules! I made a call to the phone service and found out nothing and sent an email to the embassy general contact address as well. Hopefully all of us impatient waiting types can all gain some insight into this murky process. The auto-response I have received so far said they "usually reply within three business days". I will post anything useful that I find out. Mike

Thanks for the responses,
I called the NVC and was told it was forwarded to Moscow, they gave me a number in Washingtonl. 202-663-1225
I called that number and waited on hold 50 minutes, the lady who took my call told me "it might take 6 weeks".... check back after that time.

It has taken twice as long as normal at every step so far, even sending the documents from the service center to NVC and now from NVC to Moscow.... not to mention the processing time to get my NOA2.


Trying to find the sunny-spot in all of this and so far the only thing has been no RFE.
The other one was, it looked like the visa would be final at the lowest period of the year for airfares $$$
If this keeps up, it might be heading into the spring pricing season.

OMG!! "Up to 6 weeks" sounds like a cop-out to get you off the phone! If I were you, I would either wait out an email response from the embassy.... or go right to a member of Congress and ask for their help!! 3-4 weeks is what I was told by the paid phone service in Moscow and you are coming up on 5. Personally, I am still torn between wasting more money calling them and waiting for the inevitable "Thank you for your inquiry and here is some information you already know" response.

Yeah, I may just have to call that pay-line in moscow, although I am sure it will be a waste of time.

Danny

I called that line myself several times, paid for it, got the already known information, but at least I did all I could do. They should e-mail you back really soon, so wait for the email first since those are the same people, only the email takes a week and is free.

Good luck,

Mike.

Hmmm....I don't understand why its taking so long for Danno to get an interview date. I pray that it doesn't take this long for Sasha. Does anyone know how often Moscow updates their online interview schedule? They seem to be booked through the beginning of February, and it would make sense that it would be updated every week or so.....but who ever said sensible logic was relevent? Anyway, thanks. And good luck Danno!! Keep us posted.

Nevermind!! I found the info I was seeking. Yes, they claim to update every week.

I just happen to look at a email sent to me from NVC explaining (bullshitting) why it has taken twice as long as usual to process the petition through their center.

The 9-11 excuse is typical but what I did notice was the part where "they" would assign the interview date.

It seems as if the Embassy does not do this?

What do you think?
----------------------------------------
Good Afternoon,

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

As part of the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, there are
additional security check requirements for visa applicants. While it is
not possible to predict when the clearances for this case will be
finished by all involved Washington agencies, please be assured that as
soon as the results are received the NVC will be able to schedule this
case for an interview at the assigned US Embassy or Consulate General.
As soon as an interview is scheduled notification will be sent to the
designated agent by mail.

Regards,
National Visa Center
OH2

I know you don't want to hear it.... but just be patient.

In the past, it took about two weeks to get from NVC to the embassy and then about 2-3 more weeks (on average) to get on the website. If they're having a delay now (which I'm sure they are becuase of the whole USCIS update/change/charge'em'more'money) then it may tack on a few extra weeks. Obviously it has, but it shouldn't be too much longer now. You're almost there..... I know it's frustrating, but it will only be a couple weeks.

Hope to see you on here soon with the "date issued!" thread.

I agree with Slim. You are not at a point where you should panic too much. I have done two K-1's. With the first one, I would estimate the time from the packet going to Moscow until the interview date appeared on the website was 5-6 weeks. With the second it was more like 3-4 weeks. Normally as Slim said, two weeks to reach the embassy and 2-4 weeks to get listed on the website.

Your date was assigned at NVC. Now it is just a matter of them getting around to letting you know when it is. I would guess Valentines day might have a specail signifigance for you this year.

The assigned interview dates were always a mystery to me before someone said something about the dates being set at NVC. With my first K-1 I noticed that guys whose file was sent a week before mine had later interview dates and vice versa. I was a believer in the "stack" theory. That they stacked up the files each day on top and started working from the top. sometimes they never reached the ones on the bottom. Once you figure out that the interview date is alligned more with the processing date at NVC it makes more sense.

FYI - New interviews until Feb. 12th show on the site the embassy this morning! A Wed. even! Luda tells me that on a Russian site one woman knows her interview is scheduled on Feb. 16th! How do others get this info? I called Moscow embassy phone service and NVC again this morning. Both places say they can not even tell me our petititon was received in Moscow. NVC person denied they have ANYTHING to do with interview dates. Jason, if you see this... How did you find out that yours was delivered to the embassy? I was told again to wait at least a month before trying the embassy paid phone service...

My case was covered by the new Appointment NVC processing. NVC scheduled our interview this past Monday, however the case number is not yet on the website (even with today's update). The case is still at NVC even though the interview has been scheduled, though it should be leaving shortly to arrive in time for the interview. I presume once it reaches the embassy, then, maybe, the case will appear on the interview schedule webpage.

I got the shipping date from NVC. the date they sent it to Moscow. I tracked the package through DHL. Its a really neat trick that a couple of guys came up with. Worked beautifully. Its in the NVC forum. Listed as something like "how to track your petition from NVC to Embassy".

she must be checking with post office,in my case my envelope was hanging out there for a month!!!and then i had to o it all urgent before intrview.they supposed to sent her notice to go and pick it up in the post office and sometimes they forget or simply loose it.so keep calling post office!!!

Thanks Jason! It took a lot of tries and a lot of patience but it finally worked. Lots of error came back at first. At least I feel reasonably comfortable that it was delivered! Keep warm on your trip to Moscow... November there was no cake-walk!

Can someobody point me to the website that shows the interview schedules?

http://www.usembassy.ru/consular/iv_dates.php

http://www.usembassy.ru/consular/iv_dates.php

Good Luck!

SUCCESS!! My advice to anyone is find the DHL delivery date to the embassy, send an email inquiry at least one week (2 is much better) after that date including petition #s, fiancee's full name and DOB and then WAIT for the response. WAITING was certainly the hard part. I am surprised how far into the future the interview is (Feb. 20th!) based on our approval date (Nov. 1st) but at least we have a date to plan from! AT LAST!!

Congrats on finding out the date, Mike. Feels good, huh? Good luck!!!




Absolutely imperative!!!

There have been plenty of times when my wife was waiting on something important and it was sitting at the post office for more than a few days, even weeks.

Also, if you ever send ANYTHING to your people in Russia, ensure you write their mobile or home telephone # in big magic marker on the outside somewhere, that way they'll call them to arrange for pick up and/or leave a message. It seems they're much happier to have someone come and pick up their own stuff than to actually have to deliver it. Also, since theft is pretty high with packages and mail, having the # on there will help ensure she's the one to get it, and not her neighbor across the hall.

ABSOLUTELY it feels good!! I would be much more explicit except I am on a work computer! Thanks for the congrats, good luck and tip on the mail. I will check to make sure Luda has received an Xmas card that one sister sent... even though it should have fit in the mailbox.

Feb 20th for a Nov 1st approval? so if I manage to get approved by the end of December, it could be the middle of April. wow nice that this takes 9 months now. This only encourages people to apply too early in their relationship(something I'm guilty of).

I certainly agree it is a definite downer to take so long! Our lawyer originally told us that Luda could come by Xmas, then New Year, then Feb.... you get the picture. But in your case all may not be lost... you should be coming up FAST on your approval (assuming everything is correct). The giant bulge in visa applications must be working its way through the system finally too! It has been my impression that your application date is still taken into consideration when prioritizing because we jumped ahead with our NOA1 and then fell back into the pack at NVC and beyond and had to slow down and wait our turn! Take heart !! By the way, we "jumped the gun" too on our engagement... to start this whole marathon of a process! Luckily it has worked out!

Looks like Moscow embassy is starting to build up a backlog, I hope this is not true, but from the times posted, people who got NVC approvals a few days to a week before us had interviews scheduled for end of Dec-Mid of Jan, we got mid of Feb, and now looks like people already getting end of Feb.

Guess now that Vermont started chunking out approvals at much faster rate than before they have many more people waiting for interviews...

Also if somebody needs to find out their interview date I would suggest either e-mailing the embassy or calling the State Department, i believe the # is 202-663-1225. I e-mailed the embassy twice, first time they replied the next day that they haven't received the confirmation yet, second time they replied within 3 days. The State Department gave accurate info as well, the hold time was approx 15 min. No reason to pay $ to call Moscow embassy unless your case is extraordinary.

I have written 2 emails so far, no answer, I did get through to the NVC earlier after being on hold for 50 minutes but it was at the end of the day.

Still don't see how you can figure your interview date.


Danno

If you're a guy..... it's always too early!!!

I wanted to post an update.

This morning I went to check for the "monday morning update" at the moscow website to see If Natalia's number was posted with an interview date, after seeing it wasn't I resolved I would go whine to my Senators office.... to at least get that ball rolling, since it has been almost 2 months and still no packet and no interview date listed.

When I checked my Email, Natalia wrote me to announce she had called to Moscow and found out they have her listed her under a different MOS number and the interview date is set for Jan 9.

Why they gave her a number different than the one which is posted on the NVC letter, I don't know.
When she asked about not receiving the packet yet, she was told she can do the documents in Moscow if she does not get it by then and just be sure to bring both passports and police check.

In the morning she is calling to set up appointment for medical.

Needless to say, after accepting that her Arrival her could not be sooner than March, I am thrilled!

Many people agreed that calling the Pay-number in Moscow was a waste of time (not to mention $$) but had Natalia not done it (after I advised her not to) it worked out great.

Any comments about this odd situation of MOS number change and not receiving the packet?

Hey, great news, congratulations!

It's really strange, because I thought numbers were assigned at NVC...right? Maybe somebody screwed up and put the wrong number on your letter??

That sounds like a typo or someone making an error somewhere in one of the offices. The numbers are usually consistent throughout the process.

Cool that you guys found out. And she's more impatient than you!

An interesting twist to the VJ saga. A little different than normal, but at least now the ball is rolling for you. Congrats!

Yeah I was really bummed out by all this to the point where I really was not going to do much for Christmas. Now at the same time I get this good news I also learn I
have a number of people driving to my house for the Christmas holiday.... does this mean I have to buy a tree after all?


One small scheduling problem did seem to present its self, with her interview date being the 9th and the new years Celebration being that week, she may have to go to Moscow a week before for a day or two to get her Physical.

Going early is quite possible. If she can squeeze in the day before the interview, the clinics have same day results. So, as long as she's there on the 8th, she should be OK. That is, if they're open!

One thing she could do is get the medical now and then go back later for the interview. Unsure of your travel to Moscow price/option/possiblity, but at least it's something to think about.

Or hey.... you can always push the interview back a few weeks. They're happy to do that for you. They did it for us with no problems.