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Just letting people know about the process as it goes along-

Our petition was approved on 10/18 through Nebraska.  It can take a while before the Consulate (Warsaw) gets the approval from the States and until they get it, they cannot open a Provisional File.  I did not get my approval letter in the mail until just last Saturday, the 26th so it took a week just to get to me!

I was told that I would never be able to call the Embassy in Warsaw, by a few different posters here, and this is incorrect.  I DID call the Embassy last Thursday (you have to know WHEN to call them to get through!) to see if they had gotten my approval yet and they had not received it from Nebraska either.  
So get this-  I called the Nebraska office that afternoon and told them I had not yet received my approval letter and that I needed to have a copy of it to fax to the Warsaw Embassy that afternoon as I needed to call them the next morning.  I happened to get a real nice guy who said he "didn't want to stand in the way of love" and he faxed me a copy of my approval letter I had not yet gotten!  
So on Friday morning, I faxed:
1-My approval letter.
2-Completed and signed Packet 3 checklist.
3-Signed DS-230 Part 1 Biographical sketch.
4-Letter telling them that we had everything already, the police report, I-134 and all financial documents, marriage and birth certificates and my girl and her son had already had their physicals done.  I asked them to open a Provisional file AND that we would like an interview date as soon as possible because we have all our papers in order.

I received an email this morning informing me that the provisional file had been opened and that they have made a notation that my girl and her son are ready for their formal interview as all papers are indeed in order.  But they will not schedule the interview until they have gotten the FBI name check back which should be anywhere from 5-10 days.

Will continue as things unfold..

PS,
Don't let ANYONE tell you that you cannot call the Embassy!  You just have to know how...

... in response to Provisional File opened, awaiting Name c..., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

Thanks for sharing your expiriences and good luck getting your interview quickly. You have done all that you can do to get her here ASAP. Now it's time to get that house painted, buy her a new sewing machine, and clean out the closets :)

... in response to Re: Provisional File opened, posted by Rags on Oct 29, 2002

.

... in response to Provisional File opened, awaiting Name c..., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

Oscar,

Follow this link -- http://www.usinfo.pl/consular/appoint/docs/fiance.htm -- and you will find the fiance interview schedule for the current month at Warsaw.

The format of the Case Number can offer some insights into the amount of time required for the Embassy to schedule the interview.

For example, as best I can recall the WRW number refers to the day the WRW number was assigned in Warsaw, along with a random number (last 3 digits).

Let me give you an example - the final entry in the link above shows Case # WRW2002260007 is scheduled for 22-Oct-02

The case number was opened on September 17 - and the interview date is October 22. From a quick review of the current interview schedule, this is about the shortest interval from initial date to interview date.

What this means is - if they opened a WRW number for you yesterday (28 October), you are looking at a possible interview date 4 to 5 weeks from that date - or approximately the first week of December. Did they tell you they had assigned a WRW number? You'll want to get that ASAP.

Looks like you'll have a nice Christmas!!

BTW - the warning is to not get your hopes up TOO much. The FBI namecheck can be problematic - and as I mentioned to you in another post, this very event turned out to be the 'long pole' (aside from the initial I-129 approval from Nebraska) in my case. There was no problem in our case, it simply took longer than the Embassy expected.

- Dan

... in response to Next Step - and a Warning . . ., posted by Dan on Oct 29, 2002

Thanx Dan,

Yes, we were assigned the WRW number today (from their email, could have been yesterday)!  I am VERY glad!  I agree it is likely that when they give me a date for the interview, it may be 4-5 weeks out BUT WHEN I got that number, they already acknowledged that we had everything completed already so that may help.  I also plan to call them once they clear the name check which could be 4-5 days, so Friday or Monday.  I think I may get lucky and have her here before Thanksgiving, best case scenario of course! ;-)

I am also told that they always have the "ability to work people in" as necessary, that they are not all that busy with interviews as people might think.  I HOPE that's true!
But I do know that guys are getting interviews and are NOT listed necessarily on the web site.  That was the case for Greg Hicks..  He had his interview set and it was NOT on the web site.  When his girl went for her interview, they definitely had her listed as interviewing that day.. So the web site is not the very bottom line basically..

Time will tell!! Fingers crossed!  ;-)

... in response to Re: Next Step - and a Warning . . ., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

I'm hoping - with you - that it's T-giving.

Good luck Oscar,

- Dan

... in response to Provisional File opened, awaiting Name c..., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

Who, from this board, told you it isn't possible to call the Embassy directly? I don't recall seeing that advice given to you, or I would have corrected it (if I'd noticed it).

I know in many posts last April/May of last year, I mentioned how I called the Embassy on a regular basis - and how it was awkward because of the time zone differences and their window of time they accept calls.

Anyway - just wondering who would have told you it is impossible to call the Embassy - and why they would have said that?

- Dan

... in response to Oscar, I am Drawing a Blank . . ., posted by Dan on Oct 29, 2002

By the way, it was "TomTx" and "Charles" who said basically to forget about calling..  The posts are below.  There was also another guy not on the board who told me the same thing... no big deal.

... in response to Re: Oscar, I am Drawing a Blank . . ., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

I admit I gave Oscar the information that you can't call Warsaw. This information was obtained from the Warsaw website, which Oscar clearly agrees that the information explains not to call for K1 information. I have no direct experience with Warsaw "Yet"! I do appreciate the information that Oscar has posted, it will help all of us as we go through this process. I would never intentionally give incorrect information, not my style. Thank you Oscar for the valuable information.

TomTx

... in response to Re: Re: Oscar, I am Drawing a Blank . . ..., posted by TomTx on Oct 30, 2002

I know you weren't trying to mislead, believe me, after a while on this board you come to know the difference! LOL!

Later

... in response to Oscar, I am Drawing a Blank . . ., posted by Dan on Oct 29, 2002

A couple of different posters told me it was next to impossible to ever reach the Embassy by phone, that you should use only fax or email.. But I didn't listen anyway so it's no biggie..  I don't think it has anything to do with trying to mislead, but just not knowing the facts.  As you already know about much of this stuff (and I am certainly learning), there is the way many posters SAY things are and then there is the truth! LOL!  But I know the difference between someone trying to mislead me and just having bad or insufficient info..  I called the Embassy during the "window" you know of and got through in about 20 minutes.

I probably didn't remember your posts from that far back about calling the Embassy because being where I was then in the process, it was like a lifetime away! Now it is on my front doorstep! ;-)

Things are going well, they received everything (the packet 3 checklist and that we had the physical exams already done) opened the provisional file, and are only waiting now for the name check to set my girls interview date..  ;-)

... in response to Provisional File opened, awaiting Name c..., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

Just curious, reference the check list and the DS-230 that you faxed. Is this correct way I am reading it? You faxed these documents to Warsaw. When you went on your trip, you had her sign all and fill out the DS-230, and sign the check list. I thought, (correct me if I am wrong, please) packet 3 was sent by Warsaw to your lady and she filled in and signed, and faxed back when completed.
I think this would be Heads-Up information for other guys. I had my lady sign all the I-129 stuff, but not the packet 3 information.

Thanks
Tom

... in response to Re: Provisional File opened, awaiting Na..., posted by TomTx on Oct 29, 2002

Yes, I faxed these completed to Warsaw last Friday BECAUSE we already had all the things on the checklist submitted with my original K-1 petition, so now we do not need to wait for the Consulate to send her the checklist by mail and wait for her to send it back!  Then they would normally send out packet 4, which contains the info on how to get the physical exam done, but she has already had it done too so they don't need to send her that either!  So they know everything is done, that is why they only have to wait for the name checks to come back before scheduling the interview.
You can download the packet 3 checklist and the DS-230 Part 1 from the internet.  You can fill these out 3 different ways-

1- Take them with you when you are there and have her sign them.
2- Forge her signature.
3- Sign them with YOUR name saying that these things are all completed and that you are signing FOR her on her behalf.. (I know this can be done because I have spoken to a guy who did just that a very short time ago and it was fine, they told him at the Consulate he could do this).

The BIG question Tom is whether or not to send everything in your oriiginal petition or just sending the minimum.
I was encouraged by some guys who know their stuff here, to send in EVERYTHING all with the original submission.  Her Police report, divorce decree, birth certificates (all of these translated and certified), getting her medical exam done early, I-134 and all my financial stuff, etc..  There were some guys who came on here and blasted me, saying that sending "everything" only delays and screws everything up!  DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!  When I spoke to the woman at the Consulate, she was surprised I had everything finished, including my girls physical exam, and said that I had knocked a lot of time off the process by doing it this way.  Now how much time it will have cut off, I don't know yet, but I will let people here know.  All I do know is that I was approved by Nebraska on 10/18 and Warsaw has told me today that after my name check comes back (should be within 5-10 days) they will schedule the interview!  So no packet stuff going back and forth for a few weeks etc..

... in response to Provisional File opened, awaiting Name c..., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

So, what is the correct way to call the consulate in Warsaw? What time of day does one have to call?  Is there anything else that one would need to know?

... in response to Re: Provisional File opened, awaiting Na..., posted by Alfred on Oct 29, 2002

The Warsaw website says specifically DO NOT CALL them, use email and fax etc..  I was told here by at least 2 posters that I could not call them and would never get through.  I spoke to a couple of guys who just went through all this and was informed that I most definitely could call.  The most important thing is to call between 2pm and 4pm Warsaw time as this is "supposedly" the only time they take calls on fiance visas, and be persistent.  It took me about 20 minutes of trying before I got through, which I figured would take a lot longer.  
You better have a good reason to call though, like opening a provisional file or if something was lost, or requesting an interview date if all your information is in order.  You do NOT call for information that can be gotten from their or other web sites..  For instance, do not call and ask them "how do I do a K-1?"!

As far as "anything else that one would need to know?".  I guess that depends on where you are in the process..  There is a great deal to know from beginning to end (which I have not quite reached yet).  What I have learned is that there are many who profess to know exactly how things must be done, and there is also the truth! LOL!  There are many shortcuts, both in finding a woman and getting her here, it just depends on who you ask.. ;-)

... in response to Re: Re: Provisional File opened, awaitin..., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

There is absolutely no need to call the Warsaw embassy.
Everything is done by FAX &/or email.

... in response to Dittos to Oscar's reply.., posted by tfcrew on Oct 29, 2002

I DO think there are reasons to call the Embassy.  To move an interview date UP would be one..  
Email is fine, but you will get a response usually after about 3 or even 4 days (this is how long it took them to reply to my first inquiry).  Speaking to a live person can expedite things if necessary IMO..

... in response to I would have to disagree on that-, posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

Took what date we were given...but that was 2 1/2 years ago and our Warsaw interview is history. Are you going to Warsaw?
Was wondering why try for an earlier interview?

... in response to I guess I was the flexible one.., posted by tfcrew on Oct 29, 2002

No, I am not going to Warsaw.  I asked her if she wanted me to go to the interview with her and she said she thought it was a waste of my money to go just for a couple of days for that.. she said she could do it herself and would rather we use the money later on a trip for the two of us together where we could just relax..  What a woman eh? LOL!

Why do I want an earlier interview date?  Well, because we have been waiting since June 13th since filing the K-1 and because it would be nice to get her here in time for Thanksgiving if possible..

... in response to Re: I guess I was the flexible one.., posted by Oscar on Oct 29, 2002

Thanksgiving week is a special time for us here. Svetlana's birthday falls that preceding Monday etc.
Keep us posted....

... in response to T-Day? Hope it happens.., posted by tfcrew on Oct 30, 2002

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