Is it even possible to get a case transferred now?

[HKtoUSA 28]

My fiancé's K1 visa case arrived at USEM Manila on March 3, but we relocated to Hong Kong in mid-March due to Covid-19. We have been trying in vain to get our case transferred to the Hong Kong consulate but the staff in Manila says they cannot process any transfer until they reopen for visa processing, and no one knows when that will be.

 

Does anyone know if it's possible to contact the NVC and have them transfer the case from one location to another? Or does the request have to be handled by the original embassy that the case was assigned to?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Greenbaum 12,258]

1 minute ago, Michael & Tom said:

My fiancé's K1 visa case arrived at USEM Manila on March 3, but we relocated to Hong Kong in mid-March due to Covid-19. We have been trying in vain to get our case transferred to the Hong Kong consulate but the staff in Manila says they cannot process any transfer until they reopen for visa processing, and no one knows when that will be.

 

Does anyone know if it's possible to contact the NVC and have them transfer the case from one location to another? Or does the request have to be handled by the original embassy that the case was assigned to?

 

Thanks in advance!

Must be handled by USEM. You're better off traveling back to the Philippines to complete the process. 

 

Also, there is a sub-forum for the Philippines here on VJ that you should be a part of. It's a good place to read what others are experiencing which will only prepare you for your interview.

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

Edited June 28, 2020 by Greenbaum

[Crazy Cat 39,220]

1 minute ago, Michael & Tom said:

but the staff in Manila says they cannot process any transfer until they reopen for visa processing, and no one knows when that will be.

That seems like a pretty clear answer............but unless the applicant is a legal resident of HK, you won't get it transferred anyway.......You cannot "consulate hop".....

[payxibka 10,044]

40 minutes ago, Michael & Tom said:

My fiancé's K1 visa case arrived at USEM Manila on March 3, but we relocated to Hong Kong in mid-March due to Covid-19. We have been trying in vain to get our case transferred to the Hong Kong consulate but the staff in Manila says they cannot process any transfer until they reopen for visa processing, and no one knows when that will be.

 

Does anyone know if it's possible to contact the NVC and have them transfer the case from one location to another? Or does the request have to be handled by the original embassy that the case was assigned to?

 

Thanks in advance!

What is your immigration status in HK?

[HKtoUSA 28]

1 hour ago, Greenbaum said:

Must be handled by USEM. You're better off traveling back to the Philippines to complete the process. 

 

Also, there is a sub-forum for the Philippines here on VJ that you should be a part of. It's a good place to read what others are experiencing which will only prepare you for your interview.

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

Duly noted. Agree with you in principle about returning to the Philippines but just not comfortable with the health situation there at the moment. If and when USEM resumes visa processing in the future, we will evaluate the situation and travel back if it's safe enough.

1 hour ago, Lucky Cat said:

That seems like a pretty clear answer............but unless the applicant is a legal resident of HK, you won't get it transferred anyway.......You cannot "consulate hop".....

Correct. My fiancé is a legal permanent resident of Hong Kong so no issue there!

[HKtoUSA 28]

40 minutes ago, payxibka said:

What is your immigration status in HK?

I'm a legal resident on a work visa and my fiancé is a permanent resident.

[Tinkertoy 8]

Sorry go off topic a little bit, but I’m wondering is HK’s U.S consulate are working on interview now? Because I looked up their website it said the routine visa service is suspended. My visa type is CR1 and still at NVC stage but wondering about the interview time. Thanks!!

[payxibka 10,044]

1 hour ago, Tinkertoy said:

Sorry go off topic a little bit, but I’m wondering is HK’s U.S consulate are working on interview now? Because I looked up their website it said the routine visa service is suspended. My visa type is CR1 and still at NVC stage but wondering about the interview time. Thanks!!

Pretty much the whole world is still suspended 

[jan22 2,898]

11 hours ago, Michael & Tom said:

My fiancé's K1 visa case arrived at USEM Manila on March 3, but we relocated to Hong Kong in mid-March due to Covid-19. We have been trying in vain to get our case transferred to the Hong Kong consulate but the staff in Manila says they cannot process any transfer until they reopen for visa processing, and no one knows when that will be.

 

Does anyone know if it's possible to contact the NVC and have them transfer the case from one location to another? Or does the request have to be handled by the original embassy that the case was assigned to?

 

Thanks in advance!

Actually, it is the receiving Embassy/Consulate that you should contact (i.e., in your case, the US Consulate General Hong Kong).  You should ask them to have the case transferred to Hong Kong and explain why -- but they likely won't respond until they are open for routing vIsa processing.  If they agree, they will then ask Manila to transfer your case; if they don't agree to accept the case, then it stays in Manila. 

 

So, unfortunately, to get through the process, both Manila and Hong Kong will need to be open and processing K-1 visas before a transfer can be approved.  If at all possible, might be much easier/faster to go back to Manila for the interview, as others have suggested.

Edited June 29, 2020 by jan22

[HKtoUSA 28]

1 hour ago, jan22 said:

Actually, it is the receiving Embassy/Consulate that you should contact (i.e., in your case, the US Consulate General Hong Kong).  You should ask them to have the case transferred to Hong Kong and explain why -- but they likely won't respond until they are open for routing vIsa processing.  If they agree, they will then ask Manila to transfer your case; if they don't agree to accept the case, then it stays in Manila. 

 

So, unfortunately, to get through the process, both Manila and Hong Kong will need to be open and processing K-1 visas before a transfer can be approved.  If at all possible, might be much easier/faster to go back to Manila for the interview, as others have suggested.

Thanks for your insight!

[SalishSea 16,770]

16 hours ago, Michael & Tom said:

Does anyone know if it's possible to contact the NVC and have them transfer the case from one location to another?

Not if the petition is already at an embassy.