post-NOA2 intvw request options and strategy

[ecuanovios 0]

I'm not sure if the answer to this question is specific to each consulate or standard across the board:

Is there a time limit by which a K-1 applicant must schedule their interview once the consulate notifies them that their application was received?

My situation is that I'm only able to travel to Ecuador during a small 2 week window in the beginning of May. I am currently 122 days into waiting for my NOA2, and it's probably reasonable to assume that even in the best case scenario, I won't get my NOA2, then get the application sent to Ecuador quickly enough to have my fiancee set up her consular interview during my 2 week window (I already bought my ticket months ago, and general consensus is that Ecuadorian K-1 Visa petitioners DEFINITELY need to be present during their fiancee's interview).

After my visit in May, the earliest I can return to Ecuador is the first week of August. Does anyone know for certain whether the embassies allow you to request an interview date 3.5 months into the future? Or do they have some stupid policy requiring you to immediately take advantage of your application's receipt and to complete all of the steps within a certain time limit?

I emailed the Guayaquil consulate but never got a response. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

David

[TBoneTX 45,542]

I'm not sure if the answer to this question is specific to each consulate or standard across the board:

Is there a time limit by which a K-1 applicant must schedule their interview once the consulate notifies them that their application was received?

My situation is that I'm only able to travel to Ecuador during a small 2 week window in the beginning of May. I am currently 122 days into waiting for my NOA2, and it's probably reasonable to assume that even in the best case scenario, I won't get my NOA2, then get the application sent to Ecuador quickly enough to have my fiancee set up her consular interview during my 2 week window (I already bought my ticket months ago, and general consensus is that Ecuadorian K-1 Visa petitioners DEFINITELY need to be present during their fiancee's interview).

After my visit in May, the earliest I can return to Ecuador is the first week of August. Does anyone know for certain whether the embassies allow you to request an interview date 3.5 months into the future? Or do they have some stupid policy requiring you to immediately take advantage of your application's receipt and to complete all of the steps within a certain time limit?

I emailed the Guayaquil consulate but never got a response. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

David

Hi, David -- the consulate has all the work that it can handle, so even May might be a stretch in regard to scheduling an interview, even if you have your NOA2 by then. The challenge, at least when my contemporaries and I had the misfortune of dealing with them, was finding an interview slot within a reasonable time frame. If you had the NOA2 and were scheduling now, August would be quite realistic. Of course, you'd have to deal with those $12-per-PIN harpies on the "schedule-your-appointment" phone line who probably get commissions for how many times they can waste your allotted 8 minutes and force you to spend another $12 to call back.

One of the few merits of that hellhole was that they usually answered e-mails within 72 hours. (By the way, save everything that they send to you, in case of duplicity later.) Try again, to IVGuayaquil@state.gov, and see if they respond. If not, a phone call to the Immigrant Visa Unit would be your option -- and keep insisting on "speaking with an American." Perhaps your e-mailed question isn't being answered because they have no record of you yet.

It would be a boon of sorts if you don't have an interview for May: you can use that trip to build more "evidence of bona fide relationship." Take 57 quadrillion photos of yourselves together in various situations and different clothing, make sure that you collect receipts with both of your names on them, etc. Preliminary (and comparatively thin) evidence suggests that the consulate is not as evil as it was, but please take no chances until different patterns become clear. You sound thoughtful, sensible, and highly intelligent, so surely you'll prepare appropriately. And we're here for you, si man.