DCF case number not ready for appointment???

[Trixi 3]

Posted this already on the London CR/IR appointment thread but seems like that's not the correct place to post my query so edited and started a new post.

 

Has anyone who is DCF encountered this issue? Yesterday I finally received my LND case number, was so excited and called to book my medical for the earliest available appointment. But when I went online to schedule my interview I received an error message that my case number "is not ready for an appointment". I thought maybe it was because I didn't complete the DS-260, so completed that but still my case number is apparently not ready. I emailed the email address in the error message and it said to allow up to FIVE DAYS. I know five days doesnt seem long in the grand scheme of the immigration process but when you have been separated from your partner its just frustrating, especially applying under exceptional circumstances and they agree that there is some urgency to your application. Has anyone experienced this or know a work around, anyone else I can contact?

[juninho10 42]

You're not at the interview stage yet.

 

I first received my case number in March 2020 and I was then Documentarily Qualified in June 2021. They then emailed me with an interview date September 2021 (yesterday). 17 months from receiving my first case number and getting an interview.

[Just Paul 4,595]

10 minutes ago, juninho10 said:

You're not at the interview stage yet.

 

I first received my case number in March 2020 and I was then Documentarily Qualified in June 2021. They then emailed me with an interview date September 2021 (yesterday). 17 months from receiving my first case number and getting an interview.

None if this applies to a DCF Case,  DQ is for USCIS stateside processing that is passed on the NVC.  DCF does not go to NVC.   DCF sets their own interview date via the website.   DCF doesn't take 17 months unless it is slowed down by petitioner.

5 hours ago, lilac-trix said:

Has anyone experienced this or know a work around, anyone else I can contact?

Contact the consulate.  Chances are it isn't coded correctly.   They can also set the date for you.   It might take a few calls to find someone who understands it.

[juninho10 42]

12 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

None if this applies to a DCF Case,  DQ is for USCIS stateside processing that is passed on the NVC.  DCF does not go to NVC.   DCF sets their own interview date via the website.   DCF doesn't take 17 months unless it is slowed down by petitioner.

Contact the consulate.  Chances are it isn't coded correctly.   They can also set the date for you.   It might take a few calls to find someone who understands it.

I stand corrected then! Disregard the info in my post.

 

Sorry, I saw the OP had posted in the IR-1/CR-1 thread with the same question, and thought they were pushed to start their own thread as it was off topic.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

6 hours ago, lilac-trix said:

Posted this already on the London CR/IR appointment thread but seems like that's not the correct place to post my query so edited and started a new post.

 

Has anyone who is DCF encountered this issue? Yesterday I finally received my LND case number, was so excited and called to book my medical for the earliest available appointment. But when I went online to schedule my interview I received an error message that my case number "is not ready for an appointment". I thought maybe it was because I didn't complete the DS-260, so completed that but still my case number is apparently not ready. I emailed the email address in the error message and it said to allow up to FIVE DAYS. I know five days doesnt seem long in the grand scheme of the immigration process but when you have been separated from your partner its just frustrating, especially applying under exceptional circumstances and they agree that there is some urgency to your application. Has anyone experienced this or know a work around, anyone else I can contact?

I’ve seen 4-5 wrong answers posted to you. And yes, you were in the wrong thread. I noticed you were DCF and that thread is for those processing at NVC. So that’s the process they kept telling you. 

 

it always takes a day for your LND number to show up in the system. Nothing is wrong with your number. Try again tomorrow. No.need to call embassy because they don’t take phone calls at the Immigrant VIsa Unit. When you do get in, come back and update about what appointments you see available. For a while, available appointments on the calendar were scarce to none showing at all. People would have to try again and again before one would finally show up. I am interested to know if the appointment availability is better now. 
 

Remember your medical expires 6 months from the date you have it, so your visa will be issued to expire 6months from the medical. Make sure that fits your travel plans.

 

Here’s the documents you need to bring to the interview. Review them for the details.
https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/required-documents/

 

If you want your greencard in a new married surname, you should get your passport name changed now because it’s easier to do while you’re still in the UK and changing your greencard name later is expensive.

Edited September 16, 2021 by Wuozopo

[Trixi 3]

39 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

I’ve seen 4-5 wrong answers posted to you. And yes, you were in the wrong thread. I noticed you were DCF and that thread is for those processing at NVC. So that’s the process they kept telling you. 

 

it always takes a day for your LND number to show up in the system. Nothing is wrong with your number. Try again tomorrow. No.need to call embassy because they don’t take phone calls at the Immigrant VIsa Unit. When you do get in, come back and update about what appointments you see available. For a while, available appointments on the calendar were scarce to none showing at all. People would have to try again and again before one would finally show up. I am interested to know if the appointment availability is better now. 
 

Remember your medical expires 6 months from the date you have it, so your visa will be issued to expire 6months from the medical. Make sure that fits your travel plans.

 

Here’s the documents you need to bring to the interview. Review them for the details.
https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/family-immigration/required-documents/

 

If you want your greencard in a new married surname, you should get your passport name changed now because it’s easier to do while you’re still in the UK and changing your greencard name later is expensive.

Yeah I ended up posting on an inappropriate thread out of panic, confusion and upset lol. Apologies for the confusion caused by my confusion! I contacted the embassy, and they activated the number immediately - feel kind of silly now not contacting them straight away when I encountered the issue (maybe out of embarrassment of the 100s of emails I've already sent lol).

 

There is very limited availability, there was two appointments for next Wednesday, September 22nd (one of which I booked) and then there doesn’t seem to be anything for the rest of the year. I didn’t look further than December in case I lost the date I wanted so I just proceed to book - sorry. I don't know if that is really the case, or they just don't put all the available appointments up.

 

Only issue I have now is that my medical is on the Tuesday and the interview is on the Wednesday! I don't know if it is worth me calling VisaMedicals to see if there have been any cancellations so that I can get an earlier appointment? But from what I read here I would hopefully get a conditional approval pending the embassy receiving the medical? Also is it worth getting premium delivery? How long does it usually take to get your passport etc. back after the interview?

[Wuozopo 4,293]

44 minutes ago, lilac-trix said:

There is very limited availability, there was two appointments for next Wednesday, September 22nd (one of which I booked) and then there doesn’t seem to be anything for the rest of the year. I didn’t look further than December in case I lost the date I wanted so I just proceed to book - sorry. I don't know if that is really the case, or they just don't put all the available appointments up.

They never have posted dates months out. Right now it would only be September and October with dates (if any available). At the end of .September, they will open November. With only 2 that you saw, it still sounds scarce, but at least you found one on your first go. 
 

44 minutes ago, lilac-trix said:

Only issue I have now is that my medical is on the Tuesday and the interview is on the Wednesday! I don't know if it is worth me calling VisaMedicals to see if there have been any cancellations so that I can get an earlier appointment? But from what I read here I would hopefully get a conditional approval pending the embassy receiving the medical? Also is it worth getting premium delivery? How long does it usually take to get your passport etc. back after the interview?

You are correct that they will still interview you and wait on your medical before they can give final approval and issue the visa.  Unless you could go to a medical tomorrow (Friday) I don’t think they would have your lab results back in time to get the report to the embassy anyway. If you had everything in at the interview (you won’t) you could have your visa by Friday. They have been processing very quickly. Yours will likely be toward the end of the next week following your Wednesday interview because your medical may not arrive until after the weekend. But weird things happen. Here’s an example of a long delay three weeks after medical arrived  https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/769526-time-between-arrival-of-medical-documents-and-visa-approval/

 

 

 

[Trixi 3]

43 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

They never have posted dates months out. Right now it would only be September and October with dates (if any available). At the end of .September, they will open November. With only 2 that you saw, it still sounds scarce, but at least you found one on your first go. 
 

You are correct that they will still interview you and wait on your medical before they can give final approval and issue the visa.  Unless you could go to a medical tomorrow (Friday) I don’t think they would have your lab results back in time to get the report to the embassy anyway. If you had everything in at the interview (you won’t) you could have your visa by Friday. They have been processing very quickly. Yours will likely be toward the end of the next week following your Wednesday interview because your medical may not arrive until after the weekend. But weird things happen. Here’s an example of a long delay three weeks after medical arrived  https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/769526-time-between-arrival-of-medical-documents-and-visa-approval/

 

Oh right I see, so glad I managed to get an appointment for this month!

 

I actually live pretty close to Visa Medicals and they said I can call them tomorrow to see if there are any cancellations, although she did say its unlikely. Only appointments available are for October now, so feel lucky I was able to get the appointment I have. Hopefully my luck continues and I'll get the visa by the end of next week or early the week after next. Thanks for your input!

[justkeepwaiting 20]

6 minutes ago, lilac-trix said:

Oh right I see, so glad I managed to get an appointment for this month!

 

I actually live pretty close to Visa Medicals and they said I can call them tomorrow to see if there are any cancellations, although she did say its unlikely. Only appointments available are for October now, so feel lucky I was able to get the appointment I have. Hopefully my luck continues and I'll get the visa by the end of next week or early the week after next. Thanks for your input!

Just to follow up on what Wuozopo was saying, there was a mix up with my medical (embassy thinking they didn't have it, medical centre saying they'd sent it) but once the medical was in the hands of the embassy I got my passport back within 2 days. So I wouldn't worry too much about not having much time between medical and interview.

[saksnoot 31]

11 hours ago, lilac-trix said:

Posted this already on the London CR/IR appointment thread but seems like that's not the correct place to post my query so edited and started a new post.

 

Has anyone who is DCF encountered this issue? Yesterday I finally received my LND case number, was so excited and called to book my medical for the earliest available appointment. But when I went online to schedule my interview I received an error message that my case number "is not ready for an appointment". I thought maybe it was because I didn't complete the DS-260, so completed that but still my case number is apparently not ready. I emailed the email address in the error message and it said to allow up to FIVE DAYS. I know five days doesnt seem long in the grand scheme of the immigration process but when you have been separated from your partner its just frustrating, especially applying under exceptional circumstances and they agree that there is some urgency to your application. Has anyone experienced this or know a work around, anyone else I can contact?

Had this exact issue in a DCF case a couple months ago with London. Reply to the email for the initial I-130 appointment at the embassy explaining the situation. They fixed it for us within the hour. 

[Trixi 3]

15 minutes ago, saksnoot said:

Had this exact issue in a DCF case a couple months ago with London. Reply to the email for the initial I-130 appointment at the embassy explaining the situation. They fixed it for us within the hour. 

That's literally what I ended up doing and the issue was resolved immediately. Just makes me wonder what they are actually doing during the 12 weeks they make us wait 😅 I think it turns into a sort of Parkinson's law situation in which the time it takes to do the task just expands into the time they have allocated for the task and they can probably really do the whole thing a whole lot faster, but anyways getting towards the end of the tunnel!

[saksnoot 31]

1 hour ago, lilac-trix said:

That's literally what I ended up doing and the issue was resolved immediately. Just makes me wonder what they are actually doing during the 12 weeks they make us wait 😅 I think it turns into a sort of Parkinson's law situation in which the time it takes to do the task just expands into the time they have allocated for the task and they can probably really do the whole thing a whole lot faster, but anyways getting towards the end of the tunnel!

I think they don’t do anything for a while. They’re just trying to slow things down on various cases in an attempt to spread out their caseload Given the current situation. If you look into your file creation date on ceac, odds are it was the day the I-130 was filed. That’s what happened to us