'Missed scheduled appointment', but did not revieve letter.

[Graham&Lori 0]

Hello, I recently wrote to the US Embassy as my CR1 visa was taking an obscene amount of time to process. They wrote back informing me that I had failed to attend my scheduled appointment on October 10 2012. However I have not received ANY correspondence from the embassy regarding an appointment.

As it has been so long my medical examination has also expired, which means I am expected to attend and pay for another. This strikes me as unfair, as I am certain that their letter did not reach me. Would they have sent this letter by a recorded service? and if not, will the embassy take my word on this (as there is obviously no evidence) and waiver my fee for a second medical?

Thanks for your time.

[NikLR 13,227]

I doubt they'd waiver the fee for a second medical. Did you not do the document intake into the NVC? Why didn't you or the petitioner call to find out when your interview was? Any letters likely would have been sent to the petitioner if you named them as your choice of agent, but you may have received an email about the interview. It's not guaranteed though which is why most people call.

Edited May 1, 2013 by NikiR

[tedyc 4]

The NVC (assuming you're not doing DCF) usually sends an email with a letter attached setting out your interview date and instructions for the day

[Graham&Lori 0]

Well, that's even more confusing. We check our emails on a daily basis plus around that time we were desperate to receive our visa in time for some travel arrangements so I just don't see how we could have missed it. We have received emails from the embassy before with no problems, so I don't know what to make of this. Sadly it was so long ago now that I assume it would be impossible to find out if I had received any emails prior to October 10 2012.

The NVC (assuming you're not doing DCF) usually sends an email with a letter attached setting out your interview date and instructions for the day

[speedwell 224]

Hello, I recently wrote to the US Embassy as my CR1 visa was taking an obscene amount of time to process. They wrote back informing me that I had failed to attend my scheduled appointment on October 10 2012. However I have not received ANY correspondence from the embassy regarding an appointment.

As it has been so long my medical examination has also expired, which means I am expected to attend and pay for another. This strikes me as unfair, as I am certain that their letter did not reach me. Would they have sent this letter by a recorded service? and if not, will the embassy take my word on this (as there is obviously no evidence) and waiver my fee for a second medical?

Thanks for your time.

The embassy can't waive the fee for the medical. Knightsbridge charge that, and they're not responsible for the embassy, just for the examination. From what I know about them, they won't waive it either.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Well, that's even more confusing. We check our emails on a daily basis plus around that time we were desperate to receive our visa in time for some travel arrangements so I just don't see how we could have missed it. We have received emails from the embassy before with no problems, so I don't know what to make of this. Sadly it was so long ago now that I assume it would be impossible to find out if I had received any emails prior to October 10 2012.

Your timeline isn't up to date, so we have to guess that you sent all your documents and payments to NVC and got completed there. The NVC would have sceduled your interview in that case, not the embassy.

Looking for old emails is wasted time. The facts are if you want a visa you need to have a current medical exam and get your appointment rescheduled. Even if NVC is at fault, you still need those two things. Knightsbridge clinic is a private clinic. If you need to see them again, they will charge you.

[Graham&Lori 0]

We called the enquiry line and it would have been a letter. So we're left with no doubt that the letter failed to arrive. We have been given an email address for the embassy, and I have another medical on Tuesday, so hopefully if they won't refund the fee for the medical we can at least have our case expedited, given the massive amount of time we have waited already.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I doubt very much that your case would be expedited based on this. It is not an emergency. It is not their fault that they mail didn't get to you. It is also not your fault unless you moved and failed to let them know. The letter would have come and included the information on what to bring to the interview. Unfortunately, as NikiR has pointed out, this is one of the reasons VJ suggests that you call in to follow the progress of your case. This way you would know your case was complete and to expect the interview coming up.

I am curious though about the medicals there. They don't need the interview date before booking it? In Canada we have to know our interview date before we can book the medical exam. I think that is a good idea because then this type of situation could be avoided.

Did you receive any other correspondance at all?

There's really nothing to be done though other than stay on top of your steps from here on out. Good luck with everything!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I am curious though about the medicals there. They don't need the interview date before booking it? In Canada we have to know our interview date before we can book the medical exam. I think that is a good idea because then this type of situation could

In the UK for a CR1, the intent is for the NVC to schedule the interview, then book the medical so it's done at least a week before the interview. That's why the date is 4-5 weeks after you get the letter...to have time for the medical. At the only clinic for a visa medical, all they ask is the LNDxxxxxxxxx case number. Many try to jump the gun and do it early. For a K1 visa and DCF, it is different. The results of the medical must be received by the embassy before they will schedule the interview. The interviews lately for those have been about 2 weeks from the date of notification because the medical is already in their hands.

Edited May 3, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Graham&Lori 0]

We have to book our medical, then send in a form of readiness, including the date of my medical and declaring I have everything in place for the interview. There are no official guidelines regarding how long it should take between the medical and the interview, so I was simply waiting for correspondence from the embassy, which obviously never came.

To 'stay on top' of my steps requires calling their rip-off phone line which charges £1.23/min and includes a mandatory 5 minute introduction. To me at least, it seems ridiculous that anyone should have to repeatedly call in just to make sure their case continues to progress. For such a vitally important letter I would have expected at least recorded delivery, to be sure it reaches its destination. But it would appear that the large majority of people on this forum seem to accept calling their hotline every week or so as part of the application process, which in the long run would probably cost more than me re-taking the medical.

I guess that my wife and I have very different expectations as we have already applied for and received her visa to live and work in the UK, which was a much more pleasant experience.

I am curious though about the medicals there. They don't need the interview date before booking it? In Canada we have to know our interview date before we can book the medical exam. I think that is a good idea because then this type of situation could be avoided.

Did you receive any other correspondance at all?

There's really nothing to be done though other than stay on top of your steps from here on out. Good luck with everything!

[NikLR 13,227]

Did you file directly with the embassy or to USCIS first?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Did you file directly with the embassy or to USCIS first?

From his last post, I can now tell this is a London DCF case, but he didn't indicate it in his status.

[NikLR 13,227]

Nothing we say can help then. I let the mods know this is a DCF case. Hopefully the other DC Filers can help more.

Edited May 5, 2013 by NikiR

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to DCF Discussion.

[mindthegap 2,590]

To 'stay on top' of my steps requires calling their rip-off phone line which charges £1.23/min and includes a mandatory 5 minute introduction.

Call the Dept. of State in the US instead....cheaper, quicker and they will tell you exactly the same info as the extortion line and if you have an interview date assigned.

From the Uk, dial 001-202-663-1225 , option 1, then option 0. Have your case number to hand.

My interview letter arrived the day after my interview (by regular mail, not recorded)- phoning DoS was the reason I actually knew about it!

Edited May 7, 2013 by mindthegap