Rescheduling appointment on the day of interview

[snowcat 58]

As mentioned in another thread I started (http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/616542-how-to-change-appointment-interview-date/), I realized a bit too late that I had wrongly scheduled my interview too early (realized on Saturday that my scheduled appointment is already on the coming Monday) - and there's no way for me to reschedule online (no button for rescheduling/canceling at all in my ustraveldocs page), and I'm assuming it's because it's too late. See my other thread if you'd like to know more details.

Anyway, starting this thread now to see if anyone has ever experienced rescheduling right on the day of their interview and how it went? I am planning on saying that my passport is still at the Japan Embassy (sent it in for a Japan trip next month) when I expected to get it back by this weekend (which is true). I hope that is a good enough reason for them to help me reschedule without issue...

Also wanted to know if you think I should just show up to my appointment to explain the situation (so I won't be a "no show") or if a call in the morning of my interview would suffice?

Need some advice badly as I am getting really nervous and stressed over this issue. Thanks!

Edited November 12, 2016 by snowcat

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Not sure on specifics, but we did go through the same thing with having to reschedule the interview originally as my partner had made it for 2 days after the medical and we agreed that would be pushing our luck so to say with medical results.

But I am not sure why there is no option online for you to reschedule, it could be because you have passed the deadline to change the interview. They want 72 hours in advance of the interview date if you are going to change/cancel it. This could be why.

I definately would recommend emailing/calling them atleast to explain the situation. Perhaps going in person and explaining would really show you did not mean for this to happen and ofcourse won't be seen as a no-show.

I wish had more specific/better advice but i do hope you can get this straightened out and hopefully nothing "bad" comes from it. Worst case honestly would probably be having to pay again for another interview(if you already paid for this one that is)

Best of luck!

[snowcat 58]

Not sure on specifics, but we did go through the same thing with having to reschedule the interview originally as my partner had made it for 2 days after the medical and we agreed that would be pushing our luck so to say with medical results.

But I am not sure why there is no option online for you to reschedule, it could be because you have passed the deadline to change the interview. They want 72 hours in advance of the interview date if you are going to change/cancel it. This could be why.

I definately would recommend emailing/calling them atleast to explain the situation. Perhaps going in person and explaining would really show you did not mean for this to happen and ofcourse won't be seen as a no-show.

I wish had more specific/better advice but i do hope you can get this straightened out and hopefully nothing "bad" comes from it. Worst case honestly would probably be having to pay again for another interview(if you already paid for this one that is)

Best of luck!

Thanks for your response! I had no idea I needed to do it in 72 hours. I thought it had to be 24 business hours before the interview... eitherway, yes, it is too late to change it online now. Have no choice but to call the embassy on Monday.

I am set on appearing at my appointment time and date and just explaining my situation to the people outside USEM. I think a no-show will make things worse. I will also be calling the Embassy by 8AM, which will probably be while I'm on the way to/while in line at USEM haha.

Wish me luck! I think I will be okay with paying the fee again, if ever. It's a LOT of money, but I guess things could be worse... I just wouldn't want to start the entire K1 process again from scratch! Now that would definitely make me go crazy.

Edited November 12, 2016 by snowcat

[javadown2 308]

Call them?

[snowcat 58]

Call them?

I plan on doing so, but the earliest I can is on Monday (the day of my interview), as the Embassy is closed on weekends. I'm just in a rather unfortunate situation, really.

[snowcat 58]

Just an update: I called the US Embassy this morning (exactly at 8AM, with my interview appointment at 9AM) while I was on my way to the US Embassy. They asked why I didn't reschedule 48 hours before my appointment, and I told them that I tried to on Saturday morning but that the system wouldn't let me anymore, and I couldn't call either because it's a weekend. She understood my situation and told me to just call 24 hours after my appointment date and time, as the system should reset by then. If I am not able to do it online due to the receipt number being rejected (which I have heard has happened to others), she told me to just call again. I asked if I should still go to the USEM (since I was already on my way) so that I won't be labeled as a "no show" and she said that there would be no need, as they will only just turn me away due to me not having a passport. So I just went home.

I will be calling tomorrow at 9AM and see how things turn out. It at least seems like I won't be needing to pay again or suffer other consequences! Just hoping things work out smoothly when I call to reschedule tomorrow.

[Sagot 1,548]

That is good news!

Hope you get your interview rescheduled without hiccups

[snowcat 58]

Update: Tried to reschedule online and as expected, my receipt number was still invalid. Called the embassy again today and was told that my account is indeed still locked, but that they would make a case regarding this and that I should receive an email when I can schedule again. I asked when I can expect the email, and was told that there is no certainty as to when, but that it should come sometime this week. I said I will just call again next week to follow up if I haven't received the email yet.

I did ask if there is a chance of me having to pay again or anything and he assured me that I wouldn't have to and that I should just wait for the email.

Will just keep updating this thread until I finally get to reschedule, to help future applicants who run into the same problem as me.

[Sagot 1,548]

Time to relax a little bit.

Call back in a week if you have not heard from the embassy before. Don't stress ~

[snowcat 58]

Update: Haven't received an email from the Embassy as promised just yet, but I tried to schedule an interview online anyway by logging into my ustraveldocs account. GREAT NEWS! My receipt number is now being accepted by the system. I can get to the scheduling page (with the dates to choose from), but when I click "Schedule Appointment," it doesn't go through. Not sure if it's just my Internet or if something is up with their website, but I will try again tomorrow. If it still doesn't work, I will be calling the Embassy for assistance.

So it seems it has taken 4 days from notifying the US Embassy (day of my supposed interview) to get my receipt number to work.

Will update again when I finally have actually scheduled my appointment.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

[Sagot 1,548]

Update: Haven't received an email from the Embassy as promised just yet, but I tried to schedule an interview online anyway by logging into my ustraveldocs account. GREAT NEWS! My receipt number is now being accepted by the system. I can get to the scheduling page (with the dates to choose from), but when I click "Schedule Appointment," it doesn't go through. Not sure if it's just my Internet or if something is up with their website, but I will try again tomorrow. If it still doesn't work, I will be calling the Embassy for assistance.

So it seems it has taken 4 days from notifying the US Embassy (day of my supposed interview) to get my receipt number to work.

Will update again when I finally have actually scheduled my appointment.

If you have a slow internet connection it could be just that, may take patience while you wait for the computers at that end to get the data and schedule then send confirmation back. If you are still having issues you can call to schedule

Contacting the Embassy (Manila)

Manila Visa Information and Appointment Service center hotlines at (632) 976-8500, (632) 976-8501 or (632) 976-8502.

The center is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Manila time), except on Philippine and U.S. holidays.

[snowcat 58]

FINAL UPDATE: I successfully rescheduled the same night I tried the first time! It was really just a problem with my Internet connection. Plus the ustraveldocs website is sometimes really slow.

Problem officially solved and concluded! Hope this thread helps others who made a similar mistake as mine!

Edited November 19, 2016 by snowcat

[Sagot 1,548]

Glad you got your new interview date scheduled.