Expedite approved. Need help with interview scheduling

[Ekoostikhookah765 2]

Our case was expedited at NVC and approved due to death and sickness in family in US. Which was good news in a bad situation. Was told to contact embassy to take next steps.

 

We were sent a link where we did application for interview only to find no appointment dates available. I can't help nut feel like we got sent down the wrong path here. We got expedited only to compete with available dates with everyone else?

 

If this isn't a error, really hoping it is as I need my wife right now, any tips on checking for new available dates? Some open in mornings when embassy opens or first of the month?

 

Thanks for any help. Thanks for previous help also. I haven't posted much but the good information here led to a successful error free process. 

[Ekoostikhookah765 2]

Also if I assume I will have to wait until June to get a date scheduled. Getting my wife here before my mother's operation first of July isn't realistic is it? From what I've gathered 6 weeks process after receiving date. Sorry... Just lost my father and now serious situation with mother this new path has devastated me. Thought I could have some support here soon

[jskibo 588]

There's a few FB groups that monitor the openings and alert all their members when any pop up. My wife was in one for her parents IR5 and she would get calls at 2-3am when interviews opened up. 

 

Other than that just keep checking. Good luck

[hunny&me 274]

You are competing dates with others that are Expedited as well.  Are you processing spousal visa IR1/CR1? Have she done medical at SLEC? There are stages to undergo prior to leaving Philippines.

SLEC medical - slec.ph >> if she is clear, she can interview.  Otherwise, 3 months delay for Sputum, 9 months~ delay for TB treatment

USEM Interview >> May and June Dates have been opened and currently no available.  You will have to try to your luck to grab those that was canceled by others.

CFO - when visa at hand, you will need CFO certificate/sticker to be able to exit Philippines.  cfo.gov.ph

 

hope this helps!

[Ekoostikhookah765 2]

1 hour ago, hunny&me said:

You are competing dates with others that are Expedited as well.  Are you processing spousal visa IR1/CR1? Have she done medical at SLEC? There are stages to undergo prior to leaving Philippines.

SLEC medical - slec.ph >> if she is clear, she can interview.  Otherwise, 3 months delay for Sputum, 9 months~ delay for TB treatment

USEM Interview >> May and June Dates have been opened and currently no available.  You will have to try to your luck to grab those that was canceled by others.

CFO - when visa at hand, you will need CFO certificate/sticker to be able to exit Philippines.  cfo.gov.ph

 

hope this helps!

Thanks for response. It was my understanding that you set up medical after you get interview date. Is this wrong? That is why I said 6 weeks. From research I did. Interview is 4 weeks approximately and you do medical 2 weeks prior. 

[Ekoostikhookah765 2]

Yes it is IR1 spouse visa. Sorry missed answering your question. 

[Hank_ 9,174]

58 minutes ago, Ekoostikhookah765 said:

Thanks for response. It was my understanding that you set up medical after you get interview date. Is this wrong? That is why I said 6 weeks. From research I did. Interview is 4 weeks approximately and you do medical 2 weeks prior. 

What is your status on CEAC?  Has the case file arrived at the embassy?     As noted by others, appt opening are limited.     As for the medical  with the way things are in the Phils now it may be a good idea to wait until you have the interview date.

 

You can call to schedule by calling 

 

Scheduling the Interview by calling:

Call (632) 854-882-23, (632) 779-289-88.  This service is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except on Philippine and U.S. holidays. Callers may speak with an English-, Tagalog-, Ilocano-, or Cebuano-speaking operator.

Applicants, agents or petitioners calling from the United States may also use this service by calling (703) 520-2235.

 

This is the visa application process:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-6-complete-online-visa-application.html

 

 

[hunny&me 274]

1 hour ago, Ekoostikhookah765 said:

Thanks for response. It was my understanding that you set up medical after you get interview date. Is this wrong? That is why I said 6 weeks. From research I did. Interview is 4 weeks approximately and you do medical 2 weeks prior. 

Medical slots are also filled in SLEC.  Dates that were released for May that we encountered are May 16,17,23,24,25 - but most likely less cancellations on these dates as they probably already know their medical results.  
As for June - 1,6,7,8,13,14,21,22,27,28 - some applicants are undergoing medical so, if they got sent for sputum, they will cancel their interview dates and it will open up.
Since your plan is for her to migrate within 6 months - better get the medical done and find out the results.  For example, she is booked for medical on May 18... you can watch CGI now if any of the May or June opens up and book it.  Message me.  if your wife has FB, i can add her to my group chat.. .we are about done.. most have booking already... just a few waiting for July (estimating to open up early June).

[Ekoostikhookah765 2]

1 hour ago, Hank_ said:

What is your status on CEAC?  Has the case file arrived at the embassy?     As noted by others, appt opening are limited.     As for the medical  with the way things are in the Phils now it may be a good idea to wait until you have the interview date.

 

You can call to schedule by calling 

 

Scheduling the Interview by calling:

Call (632) 854-882-23, (632) 779-289-88.  This service is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., except on Philippine and U.S. holidays. Callers may speak with an English-, Tagalog-, Ilocano-, or Cebuano-speaking operator.

Applicants, agents or petitioners calling from the United States may also use this service by calling (703) 520-2235.

 

This is the visa application process:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-5-collect-financial-evidence-and-other-supporting-documents/step-6-complete-online-visa-application.html

 

 

Thanks Hank. That is the number we called and they sent us a link to email to schedule interview. Our case status depends on who you ask. I have waited a total of 7 hours on the phone with nvc in the last week. My experience is the website, checker is always delayed. My case was showing at nvc all of last week. Nvc said it just hadn't updated and it had already went through transit and is ready. Since then my case on website updated to manila now. If you use the case status checker it now shows in transit. Using my conversations with nvc as a guide my status will show ready in about 3 days. 

 

As for the medical. Does a medical check expire? If there is a backlog there too... Maybe it is better to get that out of the way as long as it doesn't expire. I felt like I researched everything up to this point perfectly but this part isn't how I rembered it. Appreciate the help everyone 

[Chancy 6,241]

2 minutes ago, Ekoostikhookah765 said:

Does a medical check expire?

 

The visa medical is only valid for 6 months maximum.  If the applicant is tagged for sputum testing, the validity is only 3 months.  I've seen reports where SLEC allowed the applicant to proceed with the medical exam even without an interview date, as long as they sign a waiver indicating they understand the need to re-take the medical if the first expires before a visa is issued.

 

[Ekoostikhookah765 2]

Hunny thanks. I messaged wife name. This part of the process has me lost tbh. What I thought I knew is incorrect apparently. Where are you getting these release of dates for SLEC and USEM from? Do they release new month of dates on certain days?

[Corgent 93]

I'll give you a recap of what my wife and I did after just completing this process. I acknowledge I took some risks while attempting to speed-run it as quickly as possible. This is with an expedite with conditions.

 

On Mar 29, 2022 while still in the NVC process awaiting DQ we scheduled her appointment at SLEC for April 21st. I felt confident we would be DQ'd by that date based on published NVC processing times. This ensured we would not have to wait long to complete her medical after DQ. If we failed to DQ, then it is simple to reschedule a new medical exam (all you have to do is schedule a new exam and their website automatically cancels the old one). Note I would not have done this without an expedite. The expedite is what allowed us to be confident we would be able to schedule an interview soon after DQ.

 

On the same day we DQ'd on April 11th, we emailed the NVCExpedite email address to request that our case be forwarded to the Manila embassy. They replied the next day and our case status updated to 'In Transit' on the 14th (Visa Status Check). Due to the extended holiday weekend, we had to wait until the 17th for our case status to update to 'Ready' (but it would have been received by the embassy much faster if it were not for the holidays). When your case status goes 'Ready' then you are eligible to book an interview appointment through CGI. While I was at work, my wife started watching CGI like a hawk, and was able to grab an appointment slot the same day our case was received by the embassy (the same day it went 'Ready'). I highly recommend joining @hunny&me's group chat as it was very helpful (on this occasion my wife was the one who announced the open slots to the group chat for others to book their slots).

 

My wife proceeded to pass her medical on April 21st and her interview on May 5th. Our visa status has since updated from 'Ready' to 'Issued' and we are waiting for delivery within the next few days.

[hunny&me 274]

3 hours ago, Ekoostikhookah765 said:

Hunny thanks. I messaged wife name. This part of the process has me lost tbh. What I thought I knew is incorrect apparently. Where are you getting these release of dates for SLEC and USEM from? Do they release new month of dates on certain days?

Got your message and replied it.  Pre-covid it is the USEM that assign ID slot.. but due to huge backlog, they have opened up CGI to those who are scheduling interviews.  SLEC, you can see schedule of availability in their website Online Registration.  slec.ph >> USA Vis Applicants >> Online Registration.  Here is the availability in May and June, green as available.


Medical Day 1 - physical and xray.  If all is clear, you are given your receipt  (white Paper) with a date to return at the back of the receipt.  Usually, the next working day (Medical Day 2).  If not clear, you are given the receipt (white paper, no writing on the back), a  Yellow paper for Sputum collection days (3 consecutive days) - this means patient is suspected for TB (unclear xray).  This is 3 months delay.  3 sputum collection days, 8 weeks of culture.  On third day of sputum collection, you are given a Green paper with date of return to SLEC for your sputum results/immunization (your medical day 2).
          * If patient is diagnosed with positive TB as result of sputum smear test (within 2 weeks of collection) or culture test (6-8 weeks); SLEC will call you back to discuss treatment.
                                 
Medical Day 2 - clear on medical day 1 or finished sputum test result return date, double check clearance, given immunization.  Congratulations you can proceed to interview.

As for the USEM, my groupchat members help each other.  We check CGI at random times and announce to group if NO AVAIL or OPEN simply by logging in to CGI and looking at main page if there is a date showing on white page below the menus.  This is to avoid locking the account (checking, pressing Continue too many times).. which will lock you out for 72 hours and even a call to US Embassy to unlock cannot help you.
Your CGI will look like this if there is availability.  Note that it will appear only when you fill the form and your Visa Type bar is complete.

"Continue" when you see a date so you can book your desired date.  



As you will see, a lot opened up in June (also in May), so most group members got their interview days.  The May schedule lasted few hours and all were taken.  The June, it lasted a week.  Mid week, there were 200 open.  It is random for USEM in releasing dates.  Sometimes Monday/Tues morning, we saw a release on Thursday too.  I think the June opened up around 3pm, May 2, Monday.  Sometimes, they add more dates or time slots.  So, there is really no defined schedule.  The multiple set of checkers does help a lot.
 

Edited May 11, 2022 by hunny&me

[top_secret 2,451]

17 hours ago, jskibo said:

There's a few FB groups that monitor the openings and alert all their members when any pop up. My wife was in one for her parents IR5 and she would get calls at 2-3am when interviews opened up. 

 

Other than that just keep checking. Good luck

I recently saw a FB group chat mentioned here that is dedicated to this specific purpose  https://www.facebook.com/groups/450503421972198/permalink/1669748333381028/

[AnnamaeRobert 11]

First off, I am very sorry to hear about your father. I also lost my mother 2 years ago to cancer and it was tough not having my now wife with me during those times. 

 

We recently sent an expedite request to the NVC while waiting to be DQed and we received two emails about 18 hours apart.

 

One email states that our expedite request is under review, and the second email states that:

 

"The U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines is willing to expedite this case when we have all fees, forms, and documents and your case is documentarily complete. If NVC determines you have paid the necessary fees, submitted the required immigrant visa application, Affidavit of Support, and supporting documents to NVC, you will receive an email that your case is documentarily complete. If you have not already done so, please pay your fees and submit Form DS-260 at https://ceac.state.gov.

 

Please note that only the U.S. Embassy has the ability to approve or deny expedite requests."

 

Does this email mean that our expedite request has been granted? We just have to wait to be DQed?