Welcome letter and next steps - please help

[Gapsie 5]

Hello everyone 

 

My mom was document qualified in September 2025. She currently has a pending IR5 visa application and consulate is Manila. My questions are below:

 

1. Am I reading the IV scheduling tool correctly in thinking that her interview could be scheduled soon? I attached a screenshot of the page. 
 

2. How accurate is the tool? Would love to hear from your experiences. 
 

3. She was document qualified September 29, 2025. Should we expect to hear soon? And would that be through email or mail or notified through the CEAC portal?

 

thank in advanced you for your responses 

 

 

[appleblossom 5,810]

Yep, I think it's usually pretty accurate. So she should get an interview scheduled fairly soon, it'll come via email.

 

Good luck. 

[heynow 1]

was about 3 weeks off for us from what it said on scheduling tool.
BTW anyone know if there is a way to check Manila rescheduling open slots on usvisascheduling .com or anywhere else without having to cancel your application and starting a new one?  (seems it makes sense to see if next date open is before or after your current one but how to do that?) 

[appleblossom 5,810]

3 hours ago, heynow said:

was about 3 weeks off for us from what it said on scheduling tool

 

It's only updated once a month, so that makes sense. 

 

I don't think you can see interview slots if you've already got one booked, so you'd have to cancel first. But best not to do that unless you absolutely have to. 

Edited January 28 by appleblossom

[heynow 1]

On 1/29/2026 at 12:35 AM, appleblossom said:

 

It's only updated once a month, so that makes sense. 

 

I don't think you can see interview slots if you've already got one booked, so you'd have to cancel first. But best not to do that unless you absolutely have to. 

thank you.   anyone book an appointment recently and if so how many days out was the earliest appointment available?

[Gapsie 5]

Hi everyone 👋 newbie to this process and really confused. Can u please help me understand the IV Scheduling tool? 
 

Mom’s IR5 was DQ’d September 29,2025

The IV scheduling tool shows interviews are being scheduled for those dq’d during this time. Are we to expect a welcome letter soon? And then they will tell us what her interview date will be and we schedule her biometrics, medical etc? Did I understand it right? 😵‍💫 

 

Also - any idea on timelines? Like how long it might take from now to receive welcome letter? And when, ballpark, could be her interview? I’m just trying to plan out things. Embassy is Manila. TYIA!

[Crazy Cat 46,230]

*****Similar/duplicate topics merged.  Please keep question under this thread***

[appleblossom 5,810]

24 minutes ago, Gapsie said:

Hi everyone 👋 newbie to this process and really confused. Can u please help me understand the IV Scheduling tool? 
 

Mom’s IR5 was DQ’d September 29,2025

The IV scheduling tool shows interviews are being scheduled for those dq’d during this time. Are we to expect a welcome letter soon? And then they will tell us what her interview date will be and we schedule her biometrics, medical etc? Did I understand it right? 😵‍💫 

 

Also - any idea on timelines? Like how long it might take from now to receive welcome letter? And when, ballpark, could be her interview? I’m just trying to plan out things. Embassy is Manila. TYIA!

 

If she was DQ'ed then you've already had the Welcome Letter - it was the email telling you to start the NVC process (pay fees, submit the DS-260 etc). 

 

Sounds like she's just waiting for the interview letter? As above, it should be fairly soon.

 

Just follow the steps on the usual website, sounds like you're at Step 10 now? https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview.html

 

 

Edited 21 hours ago by appleblossom