What next?

[dleeholmes 0]

Hi,

My fiancé (beneficiary) lives in the Philippines. So far everything is going well and we have received the I-797 for our K-1 visa application. This letter says our application has been approved. However, apparently the next steps are the frustrating ones. My fiancé has been trying to make an online interview appt for two weeks now for the Manila embassy, and it keeps showing up as "no appointments available". I had thought that the embassy would contact us when an appt was scheduled, but apparently they don't do that anymore so we have been trying to schedule the appt. what happens if we keep getting this no appt available message? Do we have to start this whole process over again?? Very frustrating. They like taking your money but then don't provide the appointments. Is anybody else running into this issue? It seems like luck of the draw as far as getting apps. Shouldn't they do it based on priority/processing date of the application? With this system, conceivably people with later filing dates can get interview apps ahead of us simply because they happened to be on the computer at the right time.

[sweet cakes 326]

Hi,

My fiancé (beneficiary) lives in the Philippines. So far everything is going well and we have received the I-797 for our K-1 visa application. This letter says our application has been approved. However, apparently the next steps are the frustrating ones. My fiancé has been trying to make an online interview appt for two weeks now for the Manila embassy, and it keeps showing up as "no appointments available". I had thought that the embassy would contact us when an appt was scheduled, but apparently they don't do that anymore so we have been trying to schedule the appt. what happens if we keep getting this no appt available message? Do we have to start this whole process over again?? Very frustrating. They like taking your money but then don't provide the appointments. Is anybody else running into this issue? It seems like luck of the draw as far as getting apps. Shouldn't they do it based on priority/processing date of the application? With this system, conceivably people with later filing dates can get interview apps ahead of us simply because they happened to be on the computer at the right time.

Hi there! Welcome to VJ! Yes, sadly, the Philippine embassy is still keeping up with the Haiyan expedites, thus a very controlled number of opened interview slots. As long as your fiancee created an online profile at https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/, the embassy will know that your visa application is active and they will automatically extend it for you.

There are a couple of threads in the recent weeks in the PH forum that you can check:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/501184-interview-schedule-in-us-embassy-manila/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/496397-schedule-interview-appointment-in-manila/

It's still better to check out online for interview date availabilities rather than calling the embassy as there are random cancellations that do pop up every now and then.

[Leatherneck 693]

The Embassy does not schedule appointments for K-1 applicants. It's tough to get an appointment at the moment because of the expedited cases for those in the Typhoon Yolanda affected areas. Yes, getting an appointment requires someone monitoring the site constantly for any canceled appointments that open up or waiting around until more dates are released.

It is a first come first served system, so anyone with a much later approved petition can get an appointment before you. You will not need to start the process over again. Yes, everyone is dealing with the same issue.

[Darnell 8,480]

Find Hank_ 's Handy-Dandy, Neeto-Keen (Yet Spiffy ! )

Guide to SuperFast K-1 Visa Chasing for Manila IV

then

once you find it.

Read it about 10 times. It'll become yer new Bible.

[Ontarkie 15,031]

~~Duplicate threads merged~~

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi,

My fiancé (beneficiary) lives in the Philippines. So far everything is going well and we have received the I-797 for our K-1 visa application. This letter says our application has been approved. However, apparently the next steps are the frustrating ones. My fiancé has been trying to make an online interview appt for two weeks now for the Manila embassy, and it keeps showing up as "no appointments available". I had thought that the embassy would contact us when an appt was scheduled, but apparently they don't do that anymore so we have been trying to schedule the appt. what happens if we keep getting this no appt available message? Do we have to start this whole process over again?? Very frustrating. They like taking your money but then don't provide the appointments. Is anybody else running into this issue? It seems like luck of the draw as far as getting apps. Shouldn't they do it based on priority/processing date of the application? With this system, conceivably people with later filing dates can get interview apps ahead of us simply because they happened to be on the computer at the right time.

Everyone is having issues with getting an interview date. As others have stated typhoon Yolanda expedites are still over-loading the system at USEM... you need to be patient and persistent with trying to grab an interview date.

You approved petition will automatically be extended by the embassy for up to a year so don't stress

Need to get over to the Philippines forum where you will get better answers.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/129-philippines/

Edited June 17, 2014 by Hank_

[Penguin_ie 6,002]

**** Moving from K1 to Philippines forum as interview ppt question Philippines specific ******

[Greenbaum 12,262]

dleeholmes, on 16 Jun 2014 - 12:07 PM, said:dleeholmes, on 16 Jun 2014 - 12:07 PM, said:

Hi,

My fiancé (beneficiary) lives in the Philippines. So far everything is going well and we have received the I-797 for our K-1 visa application. This letter says our application has been approved. However, apparently the next steps are the frustrating ones. My fiancé has been trying to make an online interview appt for two weeks now for the Manila embassy, and it keeps showing up as "no appointments available". I had thought that the embassy would contact us when an appt was scheduled, but apparently they don't do that anymore so we have been trying to schedule the appt. what happens if we keep getting this no appt available message? Do we have to start this whole process over again?? Very frustrating. They like taking your money but then don't provide the appointments. Is anybody else running into this issue? It seems like luck of the draw as far as getting apps. Shouldn't they do it based on priority/processing date of the application? With this system, conceivably people with later filing dates can get interview apps ahead of us simply because they happened to be on the computer at the right time.

Many are feeling your pain. But, the system is the system and it works pretty well for the number of applicants. You have not been to an interview yet as many of us here have personally experienced it. There are thousands of people trying to get a number of different types of visas daily. You happen in on a very trying time because of the State Department allowing expedited applications for those who where affected by Yolanda. Ask anyone of us what you should do, and our response is sit and wait and have patience. Keep looking for interview dates that open up. No one is going to speed up the process.

Some people are complaining when they got to where you are in 30 to 60 days and just think it took the rest of us 180 to 270 days. So don't think you are being singled out. There are others here with your same complaint and guess what, they have their fiancé next to them here in USA and they had to wait only two weeks after interview approval, but they still complained that the process took too long.

I'm sorry but it is what it is and you will have to except it. That's the elephant in the room.

Edited June 18, 2014 by Greenbaum