Interview in country of residence and not country of nationality = Delay?

[BlueWhaleWaiting 0]

Hi Everyone,

 

Just a background, I am an F1 applicant and 4 years ago I asked NVC to move my interview location to Abu Dhabi since I have been working and legally residing in the UAE for the last 10+ years. This request was granted. 

 

Recently, I received a letter that says.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings,
In most cases, immigrant visa applicants must apply in the country where they live, with few exceptions.
If an applicant lives in a country where visa services are limited or unavailable, NVC will assign the case
to the designated alternate location.

Applicants living in a country different from their nationality can choose to apply in their country of
residence. However, if they interview outside their country of nationality, their visa processing may be
delayed.

If you would prefer to be interviewed in your country of nationality rather than your country of
residence or designated processing post:

Contact the National Visa Center (NVC) through this Public Inquiry Form.
Request to transfer your case to your country of nationality.

If you have special circumstances that may require you to interview in a country other than your
country of nationality, country of residence, or a designated processing post:
Contact the National Visa Center (NVC) through this Public Inquiry Form.
Explain the special circumstances in detail.

Traveling to or residing temporarily in a third country in order to apply for a U.S. visa does not constitute
a special circumstance.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I understand that I am given the option to transfer the case back to my country of nationality, but so far, my intention is to stick with the Abu Dhabi as the location.

 

What gives me pause is the 2nd paragraph of the letter: 

 

Applicants living in a country different from their nationality can choose to apply in their country of
residence. However, if they interview outside their country of nationality, their visa processing may be
delayed.

 

Basically, my question is for those who faced the same situation and how was the experience? Or if you knew somebody who did.

 

One month delay is manageable, but beyond that, changing to my country of nationality sounds like a better option.

 

Thank you for those you will answer.

 

 

[appleblossom 5,121]

It doesn’t delay things by much usually. What’s your Priority Date and when were you DQ’ed? 
 

And what’s your home country? You may be better off interviewing there anyway as Abu Dhabi has such a big backlog. 

Edited 9 hours ago by appleblossom

[BlueWhaleWaiting 0]

PD is Feb2013 and DQ Sept2021

 

Home country is the Philippines - which has a bigger backlog IIRC 😅

[appleblossom 5,121]

42 minutes ago, BlueWhaleWaiting said:

PD is Feb2013 and DQ Sept2021

 

Home country is the Philippines - which has a bigger backlog IIRC 😅

 

Ah, ok, so you're not in the line for an interview yet as PD isn't current. 

 

Both consulates have similar backlogs for your category, but just keep an eye on it and when your PD is current see what the current wait at each consulate is, it may have changed by then. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/iv-wait-times.html

 

And if you could fill your timeline in (on your profile) when you get a mo, it would be much appreciated.

 

Good luck. 

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by appleblossom