Friends passport got stolen w/ E2 visa in it

[Oban 1]

Good morning,

I am writing this post on behalf of a friend. The passports of him and his family got stolen with the US visas in it.

He is currently here in the US on a E2 visa to work for a German company. His wife, and his three kids are also here, all have visas which are based on his E2 visa.

He and his family drove to the German consulat yesterday to apply for new passports. So new passports is already taken care of, and they will receive them in about six weeks.

The main question, however, is how to handle the US side of it. Obviously they needs to re-obtain their visas. How does this work? What are the appropriate steps? I know that the USCIS office in Atlanta is the one responsible for us. The vivas were issued by the US consulat in Frankfurt, Germany.

I am greatful for any input I can pass on to him!

Regards,

Oban

[SisJ 13]

Has your friend filled a police report? If he hasn't he should ASAP. He may also want to cal the USCIS office to see what they suggest you do.

[Oban 1]

Yes he has filed a police report. That was necessary for the German consulat.

I rather rely on this online community than the information you receive from USCIS. Served me well in the past.

[Boiler 43,597]

There are two issues

Getting a duplicate I 94, easy enough.

Getting a duplicate visa, this will require a trip to the Consulate.

[Harsh_77 716]

calling in USCIS would be the best bet.

If your friend has photocopy of the passport and visa then that should come in handy too, as all the info required from stolen visa could be obtained. I am sure since he is here working his company has a copy of his visa. Also other option is check with HR / Legal dept of the company, they can be handy.

[Oban 1]

Hi all,

yes, he has copies of the passports and visas. However, are you serious, he would need to get with the consulate in Frankfurt, Germany? No way of getting new visas from USCIS while in the US? Or from the State Department? He really needs to go to the consulate?

I mean, lets face it, that is for him, his wife and three kids a big trip. Flight costs for 5 people, costs for the visas, etc... I would guess that is quickly $6000, if not more.

[Boiler 43,597]

Visa's by definition are for entering the US and are issued outside the US.

I 94 is proof of status, which is what he needs in the US.

I am not suggesting he makes a special trip.

[Inky 1,110]

Can he call or go to an embassy in the states for his country? and ask them what to do about it? im sure it would be a lot easier to speak to the embassy in the states than to travel all the way back there.

[Armenia 18]

You could tell your friend to e-mail/call the US Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany that issued them their visas. He should tell them what happened and ask how they could go about getting replacement visas. If I were in your friend's shoes, I would ask the consulate if it's possible to just mail (courier) them all of our new passports. I would expect that the consulate would also require a police report.

I hope the US Consulate - Frankfurt will allow them to get their replacement visas via mail instead of requiring the whole family to appear in person.

[Armenia 18]

Just found this info here http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_2009.html#6

There's a section on reporting lost/stolen visa.

Here's the section on applying for a replacement visa:

Applying for a Replacement U.S. Visa Lost or stolen U.S. visas cannot be replaced in the U.S. For replacement of a visa, you must apply in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. When applying for the replacement of a visa, you will need to provide a written account documenting the loss of your passport and visa. Include a copy of the police report.

If they really do have to apply in person, your friend and his family can go (fly or drive) to Canada instead of going all the way to Germany. Make it a pleasure trip.

[Oban 1]

Thank you for the information (and the link). Great help!

I am playing this scenario in my mind right now, and I need some guidance:

Assuming they go to a US Consulate (in Canada, Germany, wherever...) and re-apply in person for the lost visa, how do they get back into the US? Because the obviously left the US, have no valid visa anymore... I assume it will be very difficult to get back in at the boarder?!

What are your thoughts on this?

[Harsh_77 716]

I would say is check with USCIS, they would normally issue a letter, which shows your friend and his family are in good standing have not violated any visa terms.

So when they go to consulate and produce that letter, they would put the same exact visa what he had in his earlier passport.

Same expiry dates etc.

I think he can go to Canada it is not required to go to home country. - double check that one by calling in.

[Boiler 43,597]

Thank you for the information (and the link). Great help!

I am playing this scenario in my mind right now, and I need some guidance:

Assuming they go to a US Consulate (in Canada, Germany, wherever...) and re-apply in person for the lost visa, how do they get back into the US? Because the obviously left the US, have no valid visa anymore... I assume it will be very difficult to get back in at the boarder?!

What are your thoughts on this?

They will have new visa's in their passport, they will use those.

[Armenia 18]

Thank you for the information (and the link). Great help!

I am playing this scenario in my mind right now, and I need some guidance:

Assuming they go to a US Consulate (in Canada, Germany, wherever...) and re-apply in person for the lost visa, how do they get back into the US? Because the obviously left the US, have no valid visa anymore... I assume it will be very difficult to get back in at the boarder?!

What are your thoughts on this?

The US Consulate/Embassy (in Canada, wherever) will most probably be able to issue their visas within a few days after the interview/personal appearance in which case your friend and his family would have to stay in Canada/wherever while waiting for their visas. Prior to scheduling an appointment, call the US Consulate/Embassy to ask how soon the visa will be issued and if the visa/passport can be picked up. Explain that you will be applying for a replacement visa.

When I applied for a US B1/B2 visa in Vancouver in 2008, the visa was issued on the same day. I think the Vancouver consulate does not allow pick ups (not sure if I remember this correctly). I gave them an Xpresspost prepaid envelope (I was residing in Canada at that time) to mail me my visa/passport. My passport/visa arrived in the mail after ~a week.

It all depends on whichever consulate/embassy your friend chooses. Each consulate/embassy sometimes has their own different protocol. Your friend should check the consulate/embassy's specific website for procedures and call them for clarification.

BTW, if there's also an issue of a lost/stolen I-94, that would also have to be looked at. There's a link on the same US DOS website about what to do about lost/stolen I-94s.

[Maxximus1074 14]

Hi,

I just read your posting,stumbled on it looking at the German Portal here on VJ.

Can't really give other advice (besides the mentioned calling of USCIS) as far as the re-issue of visa goes.

But agree, and share my experience about getting I-94 replacement. Your friend needs to fill out form I-102, which can be found here:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-102.pdf

Need to fill out Part 1. "Information about you"

Part 2. Check box a. "lost or stolen I-94"

Part 3. Name again, plus class "E2" and port of entry

Signature

Unfortunately it's going to be an expensive experience no matter what as it is one application per person, cannot be used for the whole family in one form

I had to file for this one myself earlier this year after the loss of my old expired passport prior to my AOS filing and it took about 3 weeks to have it processed. So I recommend your friend to file it asap while waiting for the new passports from the German consulate, you don't need any passport numbers for the above mentioned form.

Viel Glueck, Good luck!!