I opened an envelope that was for POE

[rebeccajo 14]

Just the one I was given on the day of the interview (which I was told not to open).

OK people from the UK - has anybody recently been given an envelope at their interview and told not to open it?

KJC -

The envelope delivered to you (that you opened) - does it appear to contain your medical file, your police report, birth cert - everything from the interview? Because THAT is the envelope I am familiar with that must be turned over to the CBP officers when you enter the US.

[KJC 1]

The envelope given to me at the interview is unopened. I might be wrong but I think it contains xrays from the medical.. maybe other stuff too.

When I received the packet containing the visa, I don't remember how many envelopes were inside it... but I do know I opened the one I should not have opened (because it says so on the front that it is for immigration officials).

Just the one I was given on the day of the interview (which I was told not to open).

KJC -

The envelope delivered to you (that you opened) - does it appear to contain your medical file, your police report, birth cert - everything from the interview? Because THAT is the envelope I am familiar with that must be turned over to the CBP officers when you enter the US.

Yes, it had all that stuff in it.

[rebeccajo 14]

I bet they just gave you back your xray.

It's typically in a huge envelope.

[KJC 1]

I bet they just gave you back your xray.

It's typically in a huge envelope.

But I was clearly told by the officials at both windows that I had to take it (they even pointed to THAT envelope) on my carry-on luggage and hand it to POE.

If I'd have known to expect two POE envelopes instead of just the one (as with the case of everyone on visajourney but me), I would maybe not have been so quick to stupidly open the other envelope that was sent to me with the visa.

[rebeccajo 14]

Everybody is given back their x-ray.

If you cannot make it to the consulate in the morning before your flight out, then all you can do at this point is as pushbrk recommends. I do not think his suggestion is a bad one. But you do need to be prepared to explain what happened.

Please let us know what happens. I do believe you will be ok.

[KJC 1]

Everybody is given back their x-ray.

= two POE envelopes.

But everybody just says a (singular) POE envelope from what I have read on visajourney.

Right, I'm done. Until tomorrow...

[pushbrk 12,149]

Everybody is given back their x-ray.

If you cannot make it to the consulate in the morning before your flight out, then all you can do at this point is as pushbrk recommends. I do not think his suggestion is a bad one. But you do need to be prepared to explain what happened.

Please let us know what happens. I do believe you will be ok.

For clarity, my suggestion was simply to present the envelope and explain you made a mistake. Don't try to blame it on somebody else, no matter how justified you think that might be. It was a misunderstanding and mistake. They'll understand.

[rebeccajo 14]

Everybody is given back their x-ray.

If you cannot make it to the consulate in the morning before your flight out, then all you can do at this point is as pushbrk recommends. I do not think his suggestion is a bad one. But you do need to be prepared to explain what happened.

Please let us know what happens. I do believe you will be ok.

For clarity, my suggestion was simply to present the envelope and explain you made a mistake. Don't try to blame it on somebody else, no matter how justified you think that might be. It was a misunderstanding and mistake. They'll understand.

I agree.

[rebeccajo 14]

Everybody is given back their x-ray.

= two POE envelopes.

But everybody just says a (singular) POE envelope from what I have read on visajourney.

Right, I'm done. Until tomorrow...

For the clarification of readers to this thread who have not yet had the consulate experience, the xray is often returned by the consulate to the beneficiary at interview. When this is done, they ARE told to carry the xray with them. However, the xray envelope is rarely collected (if ever) by CBP officials at port of entry.

This envelope is not to be confused with the envelope delivered by consulates containing the visa and beneficiaries important documents.

[Not Available 0]

For the clarification of readers to this thread who have not yet had the consulate experience, the xray is often returned by the consulate to the beneficiary at interview. When this is done, they ARE told to carry the xray with them. However, the xray envelope is rarely collected (if ever) by CBP officials at port of entry.

This envelope is not to be confused with the envelope delivered by consulates containing the visa and beneficiaries important documents.

Also, make sure to read ALL envelopes before opening, it will tell you whether to open it or not.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I was given my x-ray in a huge rolled envelope at the time of the interview in London, however the guy said I COULD open it if I wanted to (I haven't bothered) and to make sure it's in my hand luggage to present at immigration if it's required (though as many here have said, apparently that's rare to never)

the other envelope, the one marked 'not to be opened', came back with the passport - in my case the two came together in one of those plastic delivery sacks, but the passport wasn't in anything else, just floating about in there (for a second I actually thought it was missing, it was so small and slight next to the great big pack of papers)

I hope it works out for you, OP... though of course a new can of worms will be opened if you come back here and report it was all ok, as I'm sure some people will take that as a sign that they can open the envelope with impunity, and decide to do so

[Craig & Julia 0]

So, how did it went? I hope everything went well?!?!?!

[eric_and_teresa 10]

So, how did it went? I hope everything went well?!?!?!

I am also wondering how everything went. I hope the OP posts an update soon.

[KJC 1]

After all that stress, I was in and out of the immigration/customs area within 30 minutes... It was only a few minutes longer than it would have been if I was just going in as a visitor without a visa.

The guy took the opened envelope off me, and I was about to explain what happened when he just made a gesture as if to say "I don't care". I wasn't even really asked any questions and he just stamped everything and said "good luck".

Maybe I just got lucky in that I got a laid back official.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

After all that stress, I was in and out of the immigration/customs area within 30 minutes... It was only a few minutes longer than it would have been if I was just going in as a visitor without a visa.

The guy took the opened envelope off me, and I was about to explain what happened when he just made a gesture as if to say "I don't care". I wasn't even really asked any questions and he just stamped everything and said "good luck".

Maybe I just got lucky in that I got a laid back official.

That's great! I'm glad it all worked out well for you.