os306

Indeed. It's complete radio silence on our end, and payment has not yet been taken from my credit card. Fingers crossed there's some progress soon. We are pretty much good to go supporting documents-wise; now it's just a matter of letting due process take its course (albeit at snail's pace).

stuwoolf

With a bit of luck, when USCIS/USE reopen early next month, things will start to happen and they will pedal to the metal with payments, document processing etc

Good luck🙂

stuwoolf

Beginning June 4, 2020, certain USCIS field offices, application support centers and asylum offices will resume non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. USCIS has enacted precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in reopened facilities:

• Visitors may not enter a USCIS facility if they:
  • Have any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing;
  • Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days; or
  • Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a health care provider or public health official within the last 14 days.
• Visitors may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies).
• Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points.
• Members of the public must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. If they do not have one, USCIS may provide one or the visitor will be asked to reschedule their appointment.
• There will be markings and physical barriers in the facility; visitors should pay close attention to these signs to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines.
• Individuals may also have to answer health screening questions before entering a facility.
• Individuals are encouraged to bring their own black or blue ink pens.

Appointment notices will include further instructions for visiting USCIS facilities. For more information, see the web alert.

Source: https://www.uscis.gov


USCIS Preparing to Resume Public Services on June 4U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is preparing some domestic offices to reopen and resume non-emergency public services on or after June 4. On March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines to protect our workforce and the public. For the latest information on the status of individual offices, check our office closures page.

While certain offices are temporarily closed, USCIS continues to provide limited emergency in-person services. Please call the USCIS Contact Center for assistance with emergency services.

As services begin to reopen, offices will reduce the number of appointments and interviews to ensure social distancing, allow time for cleaning and reduce waiting room occupancy. Appointment notices will contain information on safety precautions that visitors to USCIS facilities must follow.

If you are feeling sick, please do not go to your appointment. Follow the instructions on your appointment notice to reschedule your appointment for when you are healthy. There is no penalty for rescheduling your appointment if you are sick.
​​​​​​​Source: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-preparing-resume-public-services-june-4

Interviews and Appointments

USCIS will send notices to applicants and petitioners with previously scheduled appointments and interviews. Those attending appointments should follow the safety guidelines outlined below.

Those who had other appointments must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center once field offices are open to the public. Please check our office closure page to see if your respective office has been reopened before calling the Contact Center.

Visitors are limited to the applicant, one representative, one family member and one individual providing disability accommodations. The applicant should arrange to have their interpreter available by phone.

Application Support Centers

USCIS will automatically reschedule any necessary ASC appointments that were cancelled due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail with specific safety requirements. Individuals who appear at a date or time other than what is listed on the ASC appointment notice may encounter significant processing delays, except for military members.

Guidelines for Entering USCIS Facilities

• Visitors may not enter a USCIS facility if they:
  • Have any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever or difficulty breathing;
  • Have been in close contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID-19 in the last 14 days; or
  • Have been individually directed to self-quarantine or self-isolate by a health care provider or public health official within the last 14 days.
• Visitors may not enter the facility more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment (30 minutes for naturalization ceremonies).
• Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points.
• Members of the public must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. Visitors may be directed to briefly remove their face covering to confirm identity or take their photograph. There will be markings and physical barriers in the facility; visitors should pay close attention to these signs to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines.
• Individuals are encouraged to bring their own black or blue ink pens.

More information on visiting USCIS facilities can be found at uscis.gov/visitorpolicy.

Please also visit uscis.gov/coronavirus for updates.

Source: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-preparing-resume-public-services-june-4

S Folinsky

I think stuwoolf should be commended for posting this despite the fact it has nothing to with his case in particular or London processing in general. That said, perhaps the moderators would consider moving the post to a new thread titled something along the lines of “USCUS Offices To Reopen.”

stuwoolf

It is noted that London is conspicuous by its absence from the lists of offices mentioned in the included links. However, in general terms, it must surely be an indication of things begining to move.

Wagons Roll!? Here's hoping.

os306

The London US Embassy website was actually updated about 40 minutes ago, but sadly we are still none the wiser about when operations are likely to resume: https://uk.usembassy.gov/information...d-19-outbreak/

Is the U.S. Embassy in London closed/Has my visa interview appointment be cancelled?

In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State has temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Embassies and consulates have canceled all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments as of March 20, 2020, but will continue to provide emergency and mission-critical visa services as resources and local conditions allow. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. Please see these notices which contain detailed information about the current status of visa services worldwide and visa restrictions related to the COVID-19 global pandemic: COVID-19 Visa Services and Restrictions at Travel.State.Gov

A nonimmigrant visa fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment. Please note that visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you wish to apply for a visa through another Embassy or Consulate, you will be required to pay a new MRV fee and complete a new Form DS-160.

You do not need to be concerned if your Visa Appointment Service account shows ‘Attend Appointment’ – you may disregard this while all routine visa interview appointments are cancelled. When new appointment dates are available for booking, they will display through your appointment calendar within your account.

stuwoolf

Early June I feel should see things starting to move.

Hopefully.....

os306

Hopefully. I suppose the other thing to be aware of is the slight delay between I-130 petition approval and receiving a LND number from the Immigrant Visa Unit (which will allow you to book your Medical and visa appointment. We are hoping that there won't be a huge backlog of interviews, but also need to be prepared for the possibility of limited slots being available until later on in the year.

stuwoolf

Yes. I too think there may be quite a backlog for interviews etc. However, perhaps this will not be so bad as, as I understand it, not everyone is eligible for visa services as only certain groups can travel eg Spouse of USC etc. With some luck this will reduce the demand and, in turn, reduce the line of those requiring interviews? Maybe I am being naive😂

Its a real PITA but it is what it is. Hey ho.......🙂

S Folinsky

As I mentioned earlier - “path to madness.” This is unprecedented. What will happen will happen.

os306

Despite the frustration, I can't really complain. We are pretty lucky in that we were able to file directly with the London USCIS Field Office in the nick of time (especially since this route no longer exists for new filers). The prospect of going through the Dallas lockbox followed by lengthy and drawn-out NVC processing does not sound ideal, especially in the current climate.

lizzyq

Agreed, when we were going through our various processes both outside of and more particularly inside the the US and I was asked by friends how things were going, I would simply reply that "the wheels of government bureaucracy turn at their own speed and all we can do is wait for them to turn".

Mattw7

Hi all,
Just filling out my request for a tax transcript. Just checking whether it is the full record of account for the last 3 tax years that is required? The other options are return transcript or account transcript.

os306

What you require are the “tax return transcripts”

Mattw7

Hi os306, thanks. I’ll apply for the return transcript. Did yours arrive successfully to a UK address?