NVC scheduling issues for Athens Embassy after transfer

[kirilllazebnik 5]

Hello, 

 

My wife was DQ'd at NVC on June 16, 2021, and our case was transferred to the Athens embassy on September 15, 2021. It seems another round of interview letters have gone out without us being notified. The NVC assured us we were not sent to the "back of the line" because of the embassy transfer.  This is strange because all evidence seems to indicate there isn't much of a wait for an interview in Athens, and certainly not 4-5 months. We contacted the embassy who says they can't do anything until they receive the case from the NVC, and the NVC says we just have to wait and they can't tell us anything. There are some personal reasons we would like to figure out what exactly is going on soon (we sent an expedite request but still haven't heard back), and something seems off because of the timelines. Any suggestions on what we can do? 

 

[Crazy Cat 42,683]

3 hours ago, kirilllazebnik said:

The NVC assured us we were not sent to the "back of the line" because of the embassy transfer. 

When you transfer to a different consulate, you move to the queue for the new consulate. What about the people already in that queue?  You move ahead of them?  Anyway, when your case reaches the front of the queue, NVC will schedule the interview.  Good luck.

[kirilllazebnik 5]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

When you transfer to a different consulate, you move to the queue for the new consulate. What about the people already in that queue?  You move ahead of them?  Anyway, when your case reaches the front of the queue, NVC will schedule the interview.  Good luck.

 

This isn't true - the NVC officer told me the exact opposite. As for people on this forum, it seems to be a mixed bag. Some people indeed seem to be moved to the back of the line, some people keep their place. 

 

As for "You move ahead of them?" - We wouldn't be moving "ahead" of anyone, we would be keeping our original DQ date for the purposes of scheduling the interview. Some people need to move in the middle of the visa process - what WOULD be unfair is them losing their place in line because of circumstances outside of their control. 

 

[Crazy Cat 42,683]

25 minutes ago, kirilllazebnik said:

 

This isn't true - the NVC officer told me the exact opposite. As for people on this forum, it seems to be a mixed bag. Some people indeed seem to be moved to the back of the line, some people keep their place. 

 

As for "You move ahead of them?" - We wouldn't be moving "ahead" of anyone, we would be keeping our original DQ date for the purposes of scheduling the interview. Some people need to move in the middle of the visa process - what WOULD be unfair is them losing their place in line because of circumstances outside of their control. 

 

 Each consulate has a separate queue at NVC,  That, most certainly, is true.  There is no other way to process cases since each consulate works at their own pace. 

 

1. Case is DQ'd by NVC.

2. Case then enters NVC queue for your consulate and waits at NVC.

3. Consulate informs NVC of available interview date for upcoming month.

4. NVC schedules interview when case reaches the front of the queue for that consulate.

5. NVC notifies person of interview date via email.

6. NVC then sends case to consulate.

After the interview is scheduled, it can take several days to several weeks for the consulate to receive the case.

[carmel34 3,664]

12 hours ago, kirilllazebnik said:

our case was transferred to the Athens embassy on September 15, 2021

That's only a month ago, and whether the case was transferred by NVC or another consulate/embassy on September 15, the transfer process takes time.  Even in cases when there is no transfer involved, and pre-COVID, it took 6 to 8 weeks from DQ'd at NVC to the Dept. of State (consulate/embassy) with an interview date.  COVID has really slowed the process down.  Hopefully you will hear about an interview date soon.  Good luck!