Lesson Learned on Status Update

[floridadave 195]

Well, I just called DOS human and was told that consulate has not received either the hard copy or electronic copy of my approved I-129F case as of 7/26/10. I had called NVC on July 7 and I was told that my papers were sent to Guangzhou the day prior. So I gave them some time to receive and process the paperwork. My fiancee heard nothing and I received nothing in the mail either. So I called DOS toady. Now DOS has requested NVC to resend by email the electronic package. They tell me to call back next week. Still must wait on hard copy. So I blew 3 weeks blindly believing "action" was being taken on my case in Guangzhou.

Moral of the story is keep track of your case and call them every day if necessary. If I had listened to the elders on this board I could of saved 3 weeks wait time. Man this is stressful.

Edited July 26, 2010 by FloridaDave

[Darnell 8,478]

For penance, you must practice cooking jiaozi this weekend, about 200 , give away to homeless shelter.

[floridadave 195]

Mia culpa, mia culpa. I'm not even waiting for next week. I'm giving DOS another call in the morning. Crossing my fingers they haven't lost my file. For all your readers out there who haven't heard anything for awhile: DON'T ASSUME! Get on their case! Call, call, call.

Edited July 28, 2010 by FloridaDave

[Darnell 8,478]

I do hope you get SUPER Lucky - ie - the casefile sent over SOLELY VIA SAFEFILE.

If that's the case, then no DHL, no mucking about with China Customs, no longish wait before GUZ IV actually receives the casefile.

I've got my fingers crossed for ya !

[floridadave 195]

I do hope you get SUPER Lucky - ie - the casefile sent over SOLELY VIA SAFEFILE.

If that's the case, then no DHL, no mucking about with China Customs, no longish wait before GUZ IV actually receives the casefile.

I've got my fingers crossed for ya !

Thanks for the reminder. I will ask them if in fact this is how it was sent. Thanks. I'll hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

[floridadave 195]

Well, I called DOS again a few minutes ago. First the good news, I think. The guy said all packages sent to embassy go Solely Via Safefile because of the other security documents sent. On the downside, still no acknowledgment from GUZ that they have either the hard copy or electronic version of my casefile. Today's DOS rep said that the electronic version is sent only 1 time and was done so in my case on 7/7/10 and was advised to wait for GUZ to set up my file. Huh? The last DOS rep I talked to 2 days ago said she would request NVC to resend the email package. So I really don't know what the heck is going on. This is beginning to look like a 3 Stooges comedy, only this isn't funny--at all. So it's been 22 days since my file left NVC for GUZ. I getting a little worried. MOE LARRY CHEESE, MOE LARRY CHEESE.

[Darnell 8,478]

oh. some clarity. NVC knows 'how' it was sent, SAFEFILE SOLELY or 'DHL with SAFEFILE'. You might have to badger the Tele-Operator to dig, go to 2nd page of screen, or ask for supervisor. IMO, DOS won't know exactly HOW it was sent.

SAFEFILE ain't email.

[garfield529 47]

Sorry it is not clear from the GUZ side, but on the up side you are blowing through this process compared to the 6-9 months minimum that members were facing last year. Good luck!!!

[floridadave 195]

oh. some clarity. NVC knows 'how' it was sent, SAFEFILE SOLELY or 'DHL with SAFEFILE'. You might have to badger the Tele-Operator to dig, go to 2nd page of screen, or ask for supervisor. IMO, DOS won't know exactly HOW it was sent.

SAFEFILE ain't email.

Thanks for the replies. Still no progress. Probably will just have to wait this out. I called NVC today and they have no clue what SAFEFILE means. I was told that they (NVC) send packages DHL and electronically and she has no way to see from her side if consulate ever received anything. She said when consulate processes my papers they will notify my fincee and she is not aware of consulate policy as to whether I would receive any notice.

[Darnell 8,478]

ok - that was one person. how strange. did you hook up with a supervisor ?

[floridadave 195]

ok - that was one person. how strange. did you hook up with a supervisor ?

No I did not talk to a supervisor. I was so convinced that they were clueless I just said thanks and hung up. I did call a second time today only a few moments ago. This REP named Gary at least was able to confirm that my file was sent electronically a 2nd time on 7/27/10, and he assures me the consulate has it because he can "see it" on his screen. He asked for and I gave my finacee's email address.

Again he avoided my query about SAFEFILE, so I'm kinda guessing I'm hitting my head against a wall with this. At this point I am happy that GUZ at least has the electronic file and I will email my finacee this info. My plan is to allow the consulate a few days to send my finacee her P3. If she hasn't received anything in a reasonable amount of time, then I will write the consulate directly. According to the Consulate website, they will not actually schedule an appointment until they receive the physical copy of the file which I understand can take up to 3 months. So I'm not sweating an appointment date--much to early for that.

I'm still doing a little burn because of all the delays like "pending administrative review" and "clearance delay" and "oops, they didn't get the email package" delay.

Thanks for all your advice, I appreciate it very much. Just as a side note, in my timeline I will use the 7/27/10 as the "Date Received By Consulate" date.

[Darnell 8,478]

are you prepped / is she prepped - for the P3 shortcut ?

[floridadave 195]

are you prepped / is she prepped - for the P3 shortcut ?

Oh oh. What P3 shortcut? So far what we have done for consulate is this:

Me:

Sent via express mail I-134 with cover letter and these things:

Copy of annuity amount letter from Office of Personnel Management (yes I make enough)

Copy of birth certificate

Updated Letter of Intent to Marry with consulate address on it

Copy of latest bank statement

I sent to her in PDF via email: All boarding passes and these things:

luggage receipts, hotel receipts

copy of credit card bill containing airline and hotel charges

copy of transcripts for tax returns for last 3 years

copy of passport bio pages and visa stamps/stickers

copy of receipt for currency exchanges made at Chinese bank

copy of OP-169

screen images of our video chats with us looking oh so happy and smiling.

Her:

Divorce certificate with translation

Something from the police, clearance I think.

Able to marry certificate

Resume with translation

copy of passport

Her airline receipts, boarding passes, luggage receipts

Her phone bills detailing our infrequent cell calls.

samples of our emails.

samples of our online chats

3 or 4 letters I mailed to her

Photos of us together

Practice copy of DS-230, first half

So what's with this P3 shortcut? Thanks for letting me know.

[floridadave 195]

are you prepped / is she prepped - for the P3 shortcut ?

O.K., I searched and found the GUZ P3 Shortcut article. Thanks. BUT, being the cynical person I am, I can read the OP-169 in such a way as to make everything self destruct. Not my fault, that is the way they write it. Here is the OP-169 quote:

"Complete and send the enclosed form DS-230 Part I, Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration as well as this document (Form 169) together with a copy of the bio page of your current passport. Obtain the following documents on this checklist that pertain to you. As you obtain each document, check the box before each item. Do NOT send the actual documents to the Consular office except for the Mailing Address Label, as we will have to destroy them. You will not be scheduled for an appointment until you submit these forms."

I see this as:

1. Do not send the DS-230 Part I or OP-169 or passport bio page because as these are actual documents and "we will have to destroy them."

2. Send everything and we will destroy everything except the mailing label.

3. NO appointment until you send forms, but if you send forms "we will have to destroy them." Except for the mailing label.

So what is she supposed to send once GUZ mails the P3 to her? I think DS-230 Part I, the checked OP-169, copy of Passport bio page, and mailing label. Is this my Final Answer? I don't know, I'm confused. You tell me.

Also, if she sends these things in prior to receiving the P3, she'll be lacking the mailing label which I think is in the mailed P3 that she hasn't received yet, yes? So she'll be incomplete and no interview will be scheduled. I know I am misreading something here. Help me out.

[Darnell 8,478]

So what is she supposed to send once GUZ mails the P3 to her? I think DS-230 Part I, the checked OP-169, copy of Passport bio page, and mailing label. Is this my Final Answer? I don't know, I'm confused. You tell me. Yup that's yer final answer.

The 'mailing label' is an EMS mailing label. EMS is China's 'fast mail' - similar to USPS PRIORITY and EXPRESS service.

Can get EMS label in most cities, at the POST OFFICE, in China. The cool thing (for you) about EMS, is that there are TRACKING #'s, and you can track it all over at http://www.ems.com.cn/qcgzOutQueryAction.do?reqCode=gotoSearchE

Man ! If you want to 'stress test' it further - hey ! Draw a Venn Diagram© . No, I'm not kidding, as I use those daily.

Edited July 29, 2010 by Darnell