Here's how NVC assigns interviews for MTL

[Krikit 1,163]

And to everyone who's done with this process and have your CR1/IR1, maybe you could not make fun of us or chastise us for being 'stressed'? I'm sure you were once there too while you were waiting to be reunited with your family? It's not very productive and it's off-putting. K? Thanks...

I don't see where anyone is making fun or chastising you.

[trailmix 77]

LOL, disregard the long version of the theory then. Take 'case completed' date and add 3 or 3.5 month and you arrive at a potential interview date...this is MAST in action

I know you want to use the MAST name, it is very good, but I don't think you can call waiting 3 months after completion at NVC a 'theory' - at least not a new one - you are going to have to come up with something better

[mikey78 6]

LOL, disregard the long version of the theory then. Take 'case completed' date and add 3 or 3.5 month and you arrive at a potential interview date...this is MAST in action

I know you want to use the MAST name, it is very good, but I don't think you can call waiting 3 months after completion at NVC a 'theory' - at least not a new one - you are going to have to come up with something better

Oh please Theory is given in the very first post. 3-3.5 month is an application of it for those who feel overwhelmed with the detail level

[trailmix 77]

LOL, disregard the long version of the theory then. Take 'case completed' date and add 3 or 3.5 month and you arrive at a potential interview date...this is MAST in action

I know you want to use the MAST name, it is very good, but I don't think you can call waiting 3 months after completion at NVC a 'theory' - at least not a new one - you are going to have to come up with something better

Oh please Theory is given in the very first post. 3-3.5 month is an application of it for those who feel overwhelmed with the detail level

I know, but I thought we poo pooed your priority date part of the theory....or are we waiting for MTL to confirm that?

[mikey78 6]

I know, but I thought we poo pooed your priority date part of the theory....or are we waiting for MTL to confirm that?

It's not really my priority date during one of these rare occasions when I called NVC I was given an opportunity to talk with a supervisor and she mentioned that they use different criteria when scheduling...priority date being one of them so...

it is also possible that "priority date" matters for certain categories: it applies to family based preferences (all the F1, F2, F3...) but not CR/IR

...that would be called a theoretical extension of MAST

[trailmix 77]

I know, but I thought we poo pooed your priority date part of the theory....or are we waiting for MTL to confirm that?

It's not really my priority date during one of these rare occasions when I called NVC I was given an opportunity to talk with a supervisor and she mentioned that they use different criteria when scheduling...priority date being one of them so...

it is also possible that "priority date" matters for certain categories: it applies to family based preferences (all the F1, F2, F3...) but not CR/IR

...that would be called a theoretical extension of MAST

[Rustbelt 0]

I know, but I thought we poo pooed your priority date part of the theory....or are we waiting for MTL to confirm that?

It's not really my priority date during one of these rare occasions when I called NVC I was given an opportunity to talk with a supervisor and she mentioned that they use different criteria when scheduling...priority date being one of them so...

it is also possible that "priority date" matters for certain categories: it applies to family based preferences (all the F1, F2, F3...) but not CR/IR

...that would be called a theoretical extension of MAST

OK, I have to ask. How the hell did you manage to talk to a supervisor!?! And for that matter, how the heck did you dig that information out of her!?!

This is off the thread a little, but I did actually contact my congressman, who could do nothing for us (as expected), but did pass on this little nugget of information: that NVC won't budge on interviews for anything, not even a job offer with start date that you're going to miss, health issues, nothing. Either one of you has to be dying or about to be deployed. Those are the only two exceptions . . .

He did also say that our interview should be October, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

So for those of you keeping track, that's June 4th done at NVC to October ?? (maybe). Four months. Sorry to all those who are a little way behind us, but I think the worst of this is not the delay so much as the not knowing when. Well okay. It's the delay too.

My new theory of how MTL schedules interviews is that they sort by last name of the petitioner (begins with T), then the last name of the beneficiary (begins with W) and then country of citizenship of the beneficiary (begins with U for UK). So I reckon our interview will be sometime in mid-2010.

[trailmix 77]

I know, but I thought we poo pooed your priority date part of the theory....or are we waiting for MTL to confirm that?

It's not really my priority date during one of these rare occasions when I called NVC I was given an opportunity to talk with a supervisor and she mentioned that they use different criteria when scheduling...priority date being one of them so...

it is also possible that "priority date" matters for certain categories: it applies to family based preferences (all the F1, F2, F3...) but not CR/IR

...that would be called a theoretical extension of MAST

OK, I have to ask. How the hell did you manage to talk to a supervisor!?! And for that matter, how the heck did you dig that information out of her!?!

This is off the thread a little, but I did actually contact my congressman, who could do nothing for us (as expected), but did pass on this little nugget of information: that NVC won't budge on interviews for anything, not even a job offer with start date that you're going to miss, health issues, nothing. Either one of you has to be dying or about to be deployed. Those are the only two exceptions . . .

He did also say that our interview should be October, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

So for those of you keeping track, that's June 4th done at NVC to October ?? (maybe). Four months. Sorry to all those who are a little way behind us, but I think the worst of this is not the delay so much as the not knowing when. Well okay. It's the delay too.

My new theory of how MTL schedules interviews is that they sort by last name of the petitioner (begins with T), then the last name of the beneficiary (begins with W) and then country of citizenship of the beneficiary (begins with U for UK). So I reckon our interview will be sometime in mid-2010.

I spoke to a supervisor and she called me back....twice.

Some operators don't want to put you through i'm sure, the one I got wasn't particularly happy about it if I remember correctly. You have to stand your ground. The supervisors are there - if you don't take no for an answer you will get put through.

[lgg 2]

Okay Steve... your theory made made me laugh out loud!

Well, I hope you get your interview soon -- I have stopped calling as well, what's the point?

I have to be honest though? I miss it. I got really used to calling NVC every day and chitchatting with Molly or Steve or whomever, they'd fill me on our case update, we'd have a laugh, I'd thank him/her profusely and off I'd go...

Now? I got nothing.

Good luck Steve, get an October interview for us all, okay?

Best,

LGG

PS And yes, it's the waiting -- I'd be okay even if the interview as a ways off, but it'd be good to know so I had a working date for all the other stuff that adds to the stress - leaving friends, leaving jobs, giving notice and stuff... as I am sure you well know.

I know, but I thought we poo pooed your priority date part of the theory....or are we waiting for MTL to confirm that?

It's not really my priority date during one of these rare occasions when I called NVC I was given an opportunity to talk with a supervisor and she mentioned that they use different criteria when scheduling...priority date being one of them so...

it is also possible that "priority date" matters for certain categories: it applies to family based preferences (all the F1, F2, F3...) but not CR/IR

...that would be called a theoretical extension of MAST

OK, I have to ask. How the hell did you manage to talk to a supervisor!?! And for that matter, how the heck did you dig that information out of her!?!

This is off the thread a little, but I did actually contact my congressman, who could do nothing for us (as expected), but did pass on this little nugget of information: that NVC won't budge on interviews for anything, not even a job offer with start date that you're going to miss, health issues, nothing. Either one of you has to be dying or about to be deployed. Those are the only two exceptions . . .

He did also say that our interview should be October, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

So for those of you keeping track, that's June 4th done at NVC to October ?? (maybe). Four months. Sorry to all those who are a little way behind us, but I think the worst of this is not the delay so much as the not knowing when. Well okay. It's the delay too.

My new theory of how MTL schedules interviews is that they sort by last name of the petitioner (begins with T), then the last name of the beneficiary (begins with W) and then country of citizenship of the beneficiary (begins with U for UK). So I reckon our interview will be sometime in mid-2010.

Edited August 27, 2009 by lgg

[Lenie7 0]

I'm with you guys regarding the wait. If I had a fixed date, even if it were two or three months from now, I'd at least feel better about things. We were planning to go on vacation out of the country in October, but have now scrapped those plans because we might be scheduled then. I just hate feeling of being in limbo.

[trailmix 77]

I'm with you guys regarding the wait. If I had a fixed date, even if it were two or three months from now, I'd at least feel better about things. We were planning to go on vacation out of the country in October, but have now scrapped those plans because we might be scheduled then. I just hate feeling of being in limbo.

Totally understandable Dalene - the whole limbo thing is no fun, I always thought it would be nice if they scheduled a little further in advance, like you are saying, then you can at least go on holiday or whatever and not have to worry that you will be making plans in vegas on your interview date!

[mikey78 6]

OK, I have to ask. How the hell did you manage to talk to a supervisor!?! And for that matter, how the heck did you dig that information out of her!?!

This is off the thread a little, but I did actually contact my congressman, who could do nothing for us (as expected), but did pass on this little nugget of information: that NVC won't budge on interviews for anything, not even a job offer with start date that you're going to miss, health issues, nothing. Either one of you has to be dying or about to be deployed. Those are the only two exceptions . . .

He did also say that our interview should be October, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one.

So for those of you keeping track, that's June 4th done at NVC to October ?? (maybe). Four months. Sorry to all those who are a little way behind us, but I think the worst of this is not the delay so much as the not knowing when. Well okay. It's the delay too.

My new theory of how MTL schedules interviews is that they sort by last name of the petitioner (begins with T), then the last name of the beneficiary (begins with W) and then country of citizenship of the beneficiary (begins with U for UK). So I reckon our interview will be sometime in mid-2010.

Steve,

I just asked if I can talk to the supervisor since the operator had no answer to my question...and I guess it is true, unless someone (benefitiary or petitioner) is dying expedite is not an option...and I guess that if it is the petitioner's life was in danger that probably wouldn't expedite hoping the situation will be resolved by the end of the process

The supervisor I talked to was very nice and she spent at least 10 mins just talking to me about all different things, scheduling being one of them.

[lgg 2]

Trailmix, I know, this is what I think too. Fine, if the consulate doesn't have space for us all, at least let us know when we'll have the interview. A month isn't long to get everything ready and I know few people who want to wait for another six months after they get their visa, you know?

Totally agree.

I'm with you guys regarding the wait. If I had a fixed date, even if it were two or three months from now, I'd at least feel better about things. We were planning to go on vacation out of the country in October, but have now scrapped those plans because we might be scheduled then. I just hate feeling of being in limbo.

Totally understandable Dalene - the whole limbo thing is no fun, I always thought it would be nice if they scheduled a little further in advance, like you are saying, then you can at least go on holiday or whatever and not have to worry that you will be making plans in vegas on your interview date!

[mikey78 6]

It's really strange...almost end of August and we didn't really hear anything abour September/October interviews being scheduled...

There is one thing I see discussed about US consulates and workload processing right now...Diversity Lottery....even though Canadians cannot participate in Diversity Lottery, there are many people in Canada who have dual citizenship and/or are citizens of countries that can participate in the visa lottery and if they get a right to apply for IV then they are processed in MTL...maybe that influences heavier workload in MTL....

btw, some USEM make their appointment schedules official and published on their websites for the current month, wish MTL did that....

[trailmix 77]

MAST is no more

(I asked if the priority date had anything at all to do with when interviews are scheduled)

Montreal, IV to me

show details 3:18 PM (8 hours ago)

No it does not. Appointments are scheduled once the file is complete (receipt of the DS-230 and document checklist) then it goes in queue and a date is assigned based on when the file was complete. Then it also depends on the volume of cases to schedule and the applicant’s place in queue.

Regards,

Operator 5