EB2-NIW Waiting for Interview Letter in London 2023

[iaiyam1 6]

2 hours ago, LMax said:

The IV Scheduling tool is showing for London embassy they are only scheduling cases with DQ up until May 2023, massive retrogression backwards.

 

I understand the tool is relatively new but does anybody have any insight into how quickly they think it might move forward? 
 

I’m originally from NZ so is it worth transferring my case back there to go through the embassy there??

Ha! just saw it on the IV scheduling tool and its a disaster! Checked that tool last week for London and it was showing Feb 2025 (previously prior month was showing March 2025), why the massive retrogression of up to 2 years back. Other places had just 1 - 3 months retrogressed. I know a lot of folks here who were DQed in December 2023/Jan 2024 that have gotten their ILs already on this forum in London so this massive retrogression doesn't add up at all. 

If its how the retrogression will be I think its time some people who can move start moving cases if you can to other faster embassies. This is a sign of embassies like Abu Dhabi & Lagos where you stay for over 2 years if not 3 years after been DQed. This is not encouraging after all the wait. 

[appleblossom 4,836]

19 minutes ago, iaiyam1 said:

Ha! just saw it on the IV scheduling tool and its a disaster! Checked that tool last week for London and it was showing Feb 2025 (previously prior month was showing March 2025), why the massive retrogression of up to 2 years back. Other places had just 1 - 3 months retrogressed. I know a lot of folks here who were DQed in December 2023/Jan 2024 that have gotten their ILs already on this forum in London so this massive retrogression doesn't add up at all. 

 

 

It simply means that London is focusing on other categories that do have visas available, plus those that always take priority in the summer months anyway (i.e. DV, student visas). Once the new Fiscal Year arrives and the quota resets, it'll be back to being one of the quickest I'm sure. 

[Abip 2]

I just hope its a mistake and it should be March 2025. But I hear you @appleblossom and Understand your rationale BUT i do think if you have an approved petition then surely you already have a visa allocated to you in numbers. I believe the only time the reset should affect is if you yet to get approved for your i140 but please correct me I may be wrong thats what I was told. That being said in my case I am a follow to Join, principal has already been approved and has GC in the US so I am riding on her PD date so a visa should already be allocated to me as well ( thats what the lawyer said)

 

I got feedback from the congressman last Friday and it still said that they were scheduling for feb 2025 and I should hear from them soon I guess. Oh well lets see what happens in sept

[appleblossom 4,836]

1 minute ago, Abip said:

I just hope its a mistake and it should be March 2025. But I hear you @appleblossom and Understand your rationale BUT i do think if you have an approved petition then surely you already have a visa allocated to you in numbers.

 

No, an approved petition means nothing, that's not even a visa application.

 

They will have already scheduled some for interviews, but a lot of those will have to wait until after October to get their visas - their applications will be placed on hold after the interview pending the quota reset. 

[Abip 2]

Checking in here if anyone got ILs yet. I was wondering does anyone know why they moved back to May 2023? Also since a follow to join takes on the PD of the principal will they also be affected by the quota reset in October?

My friend who was dq in june 2025 IR category got hers on Monday but i know EB applicants get the last of tbe nuggets

[appleblossom 4,836]

31 minutes ago, Abip said:

Also since a follow to join takes on the PD of the principal will they also be affected by the quota reset in October?

Yes. If visas aren’t available then that’s the same regardless of who applies. 

[Abip 2]

12 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Yes. If visas aren’t available then that’s the same regardless of who applies. 

Thank you for your response.  my PD is 2021 and that should be current going by the visa bulletin will he still have to wait?

[appleblossom 4,836]

2 minutes ago, Abip said:

Thank you for your response.  my PD is 2021 and that should be current going by the visa bulletin will he still have to wait?

Depends on when the quota is met. 

[Atlas737 6]

Hello again yesterday i had my appointment, it was smooth except the questions asked about why my daughter was born in US with tourist visa, did we tell the officer when entering the US etc, but at the end officer said visas will be approved and expect the passports within 1-2 weeks. Today they changed our visa status from administrative process to issued. Wish everyone have their visas soon, thanks

[Abip 2]

congratulations pheeeew. my daughter was also born in the US but we paid in full that being said my husband will be the one sitting in that hot seat as we are here and have our GC. they really digging and digging. congratulations to you and yours. 

[iaiyam1 6]

25 minutes ago, Atlas737 said:

Hello again yesterday i had my appointment, it was smooth except the questions asked about why my daughter was born in US with tourist visa, did we tell the officer when entering the US etc, but at the end officer said visas will be approved and expect the passports within 1-2 weeks. Today they changed our visa status from administrative process to issued. Wish everyone have their visas soon, thanks

hey @Atlas737 congrats for finishing the process. Wow, that's an unusual question; how did you respond? anyway that was fast, from yesterday interview to AP to issued today. Congrats once again. 

[appleblossom 4,836]

35 minutes ago, Atlas737 said:

Hello again yesterday i had my appointment, it was smooth except the questions asked about why my daughter was born in US with tourist visa, did we tell the officer when entering the US etc, but at the end officer said visas will be approved and expect the passports within 1-2 weeks. Today they changed our visa status from administrative process to issued. Wish everyone have their visas soon, thanks

 

Congrats!

 

4 minutes ago, iaiyam1 said:

anyway that was fast, from yesterday interview to AP to issued today. 

 

That's pretty standard for any 'normal' application via London, mine was the same. Interview on Monday afternoon and I had my passport back with visa on the Thursday afternoon. AP is usually just a final box checking exercise, it's only unusual circumstances/people with links to high risk countries that will take longer for AP.

Edited August 21 by appleblossom

[cherryblossom70 1]

On 7/11/2025 at 10:47 AM, AE5794 said:

Hello guys,

I received an email yesterday from the Embassy asking to fill out the DS-5535 Form and answer some questions in the email (which were basically the same questions in the Form). So, yes, the combination of AI and my birth country triggers the security check. It will take whatever it will take, but I thought of giving an update from those who may encounter a similar situation.

Hello @AE5794 did you receive any response back since you submitted DS-5535 form? Any news/update? Did anyone else had similar experience and by when did you receive any update ( I hope positive). 

[iaiyam1 6]

Hello everyone, I have fantastic news on the IV tool for London from yesterday's release. It has gone back to 2025 and even added a month from February 2025, bringing it back up to March 2025.

Phew!! That was a scare.

 

USCIS has stated that visas are no longer available for fiscal year 2025. Given FY 2026 begins in October, I'm hoping they'll start handing out ILs, hope i'm right.

[LMax 6]

That’s great to see @iaiyam1!! 

Very relieved to see it was a short retrogression. Hopefully you get your IL notification soon, likely in October I’m guessing. 
 

Definitely keep us posted, I’m hoping they reverse the FAD retrogression and I’m current again come October