Timing of interview

[mandyu1 5]

Ok I put this in the right forum and no one answered me so I'll try it here. How long after you sent back packet 3 was your interview? For a few reasons we would like the interview to not be before sept 20. When he sends packet 3 back I was thinking of putting a little note in there requesting this, but didn't know if they would listen or if it would cause any type of red flag or raise any questions. Or should we hold off on returning the packet until sometime in September?

thanks

[Mithra 1,185]

I'm assuming he hasn't gotten packet 3 yet, correct? It took about 1.5 months for packet 3 to get to my husband after the case was received in Cairo. Your fiance may not even get his packet 3 by Sept. 20. Or he may get it just around that time or slightly before. My husband's interview was scheduled about 3-4 weeks after he returned the packet 3. Your fiance's interview may not even be scheduled until October. I've looked at some recent timelines out of Egypt and time frame from consulate receipt to packet 3 to interview seems to be about the same as when we did this.

I don't know exact dates but our NOA2 came in mid August, the embassy received it late August. The packet 3 came in Sept. He returned it to the embassy in Oct. (about 2 weeks later). The interview was scheduled in November. The interview was about 2 weeks after being scheduled.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

After we sent packet 3 we got the interview letter within a week and the interview was within 12 days from the letter. I think it depends on the case.

[mandyu1 5]

No he has not received packet 3 yet, but according to DHL it was delivered to the embassy on 8/5 and I confirmed with DOS on 8/11 that they had it processed in their system. I have looked at some recent K1 filers also and have seen that packet 3 was sent out within a week of receiving the file, and an interview was done within 2 weeks of getting it back. Maybe they just got lucky, but that is why I was asking. Thanks for the info

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Oh, it seems I was confused. To get packet 3 it took about a month and a half for us. We got packet 3 twice. Once in 2007 when we originally filed and then once in 2009 when the delay of the Egyptian military was over and we were together again and wanted to request an update on the packet 3.

[Mithra 1,185]

Most of the recent timelines I looked at (mostly K1) it seemed that it took an average of two months from packet 3 to interview. Some more, some slightly less. So the point is, I don't think Mandy has anything to worry about regarding having the interview scheduled before Sept. 20.

[mandyu1 5]

I guess what I was asking was how long after he returns packet 3 is the interview. I understand that from when packet 3 was sent to interview may be a couple of months, but some of that delay may be from people gathering their information. I received an email from the embassy a while ago listing everything that he had to return, a link to complete all documents etc... I have already sent him everything he needs from me and the forms are completed. All he needs to do is have his documents translated. If he does this before he receives anything from the embassy can he just send it in, or does he have to wait to get packet 3 from them?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

That's what I originally thought you were getting at. After we turned in packet 3 the interview letter and interview was scheduled really fast for us. I haven't heard of anyone sending in packet 3 before the Embassy requests it but I have heard of people filling out packet 3 information from what they get from others online before the Embassy requests it. In our case both time we got the packet 3 request via email. Waiting for the request from them can cause some delay. A way to tell where they are at is to email the Embassy and they will tell you. It took about 6 emails from us before they sent us the email request for packet 3. Some people get the physical request for packet 3 and some get the email. You might email them asking them if you can send in Packet 3 now. Then you might get the email request.

[Mithra 1,185]

If you have everything gathered then you may want to email the embassy to see if you can return it now. I know some folks never received packet 3 so they emailed the embassy and went from there. Your original post indicated that you were worried that the interview would be scheduled too soon. Why would you want to send the packet 3 info in early if you're worried about an interview scheduled too soon?

[mandyu1 5]

Because we were thinking of sending it and writing a little note and asking that the interview be after a specific date, but I didn't know if that would look strange, or if I should wait until about 2 weeks before we want the interview and send the packet back. Someone told me before that they give you about 1 months notice for the interview and I wanted to know if this was the case, because if it is we would send the documents next week in stead of in 2-3 weeks. Thats why Im wondering how long after they recieve the documents the interview will be. I will email the embassy and ask them, but according to the email I got from them before it said when he has gathered the required documents to send them in so an interview can be scheduled.

[Mithra 1,185]

They give about a two week notice, on average. I think the note would look strange; however an email may not be strange. There have been members who have requested a delay for their interview for one reason or another. Personally, I would wait to see if the interview was scheduled prior to Sept. 20. If not, no harm done. If so, email a request to delay.

[mandyu1 5]

ok thanks. I think we will wait a week or 2 and see if we get packet 3, if not I will email/call and ask if we can send the documents back, and go from there. thanks

[J&N* 68]

I sent them packet 3 about 10 days after they sent it to me ( I worked on it pretty hard, but you guys can take your time, a friend of mine sent it a month later) and 3-4 days later, they sent me packet 4, saying my interview is in a week. It moved super quick for me, but normally it's slow. It might be slower now that we are in the summer and they're pretty booked with people who want to visit the US. September is only 2 weeks away, so don't worry, just working on packet 3 takes a while.

Good luck!

P.S: In packet 3, they state that if you can't be at the interview on the date they specified, you should tell them that ( call or e-mail ) and they will reschedule it for you)

Edited August 14, 2010 by Junita

[mandyu1 5]

I sent them packet 3 about 10 days after they sent it to me ( I worked on it pretty hard, but you guys can take your time, a friend of mine sent it a month later) and 3-4 days later, they sent me packet 4, saying my interview is in a week. It moved super quick for me, but normally it's slow. It might be slower now that we are in the summer and they're pretty booked with people who want to visit the US. September is only 2 weeks away, so don't worry, just working on packet 3 takes a while.

Good luck!

P.S: In packet 3, they state that if you can't be at the interview on the date they specified, you should tell them that ( call or e-mail ) and they will reschedule it for you)

Thank for the info. Your timeline is one that I had looked at and had seen how fast it went for you. I already sent all the documents needed to my fiance; tax returns, W-2, employment letter, pay stubs, I-134, copy of NOA2, proof of ongoing relationship, letter of intent to marry, and we completed the DS-156, DS-156K and the DS-157 (he helped me complete and I printed them off and sent to him with the other documents). He is planning on going for the police report tomorrow or one day next week, and then he just needs to have his documents translated, so for packet 3 I think we have just about everything ready. Also, an email I received from the embassy said the fee was $131, but I have heard it has incresed; how much did you have to pay?

[J&N* 68]

Sounds great! Looks like you got everything ready, send him an originals (for ex. your original divorce decree if you've been divorced before)

About the fees, I paid about $140 at CIB bank, and on my interview date, right before my interview, I paid $219 (He can pay with dollars or pounds) and I paid LE 75 at the DHL branch they have.

Let me know if you have more questions!

Good luck.