Fiancee Accidentally Opens Sealed Envelope - K-1 Visa - POE Envelope - UK Embassy

[J&B2011 0]

On Friday, October 14, 2011 my fiancee received her K-1 Visa Package from the DX Courier service from the London Embassy.

In her excitement she saw a white envelope sealed with cellophane tape and a stamp with her name written below the stamp. She equated this envelope to a similar envelope that she was given at the end of her interview at the US Embassy in London. She proceeded to open the envelope and then quickly realized the wrong of her ways as she flipped the envelope over to see the warning that the envelope was to be only opened by a US Immigration Officer at the Point of Entry (POE).

She immediately called the US Embassy in London and was directed to e-mail the Embassy at londonIV@state.gov. She sent an e-mail on Friday morning at 11:30 AM. We are now waiting to see if the London Embassy will provide a response tomorrow on Monday, October 18, 2011.

We had a flight booked for Saturday but of course that didn't happen. I am curious as to London Embassy specifics for a case like this. I know that there are a number of other posts for other embassies but just trying to get some degree of expectation management.

Appreciate any feedback you may be able to provide. I will provide periodic updates as we resolve this situation for other couples who make this unfortunate mistake.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

We had a flight booked for Saturday but of course that didn't happen. I am curious as to London Embassy specifics for a case like this. I know that there are a number of other posts for other embassies but just trying to get some degree of expectation management.

Appreciate any feedback you may be able to provide. I will provide periodic updates as we resolve this situation for other couples who make this unfortunate mistake.

It has to go back to the embassy to be checked and re-sealed.

[J&B2011 0]

Today I called the pay for VISA information line and was instructed to make coordination with the DX Courier to come and pick up the opened envelope. The only thing that you send back to the embassy is JUST the envelope. They will pick it up tomorrow, Tuesday, October 18 and they said that after it has been checked by security it will make it to the Immigration Visa Unit at the embassy on Thursday.

My fiancee also decided to add a letter describing what happened when she got the original parcel in case they have any questions.

Will update as we find out more. Looks like this mistake will cost about two weeks of our time.

[little_g 35]

I'm a little confused. You do get a plastic delivery bag kind of beige in color delivered to you and inside is another envelope that is brown that says do not open. Your passport is floating inside the plastic delivery bag. I assume she opened the delivery bag, took her passport out and then accidentally opened the envelope? Either way I am sorry for this delay for you both just remember it was excitement that lead to this little hiccup, as frustrating as the situation is it is good to see that it seems you are being very understanding Keep us posted!!!

[Robert&Karen 264]

They should really use a bag that has to be cut, not torn. I understand the feeling about diving into everything. Sorry it will delay you!

[Moomin 292]

I was expecting a big brown envelope and be handling it with gloves, put it in a safe and drag the safe with me to POE.. Well you get the idea. I was flabbergasted upon receiving a white envelope with a white envelope inside of it . White?? No "warning warning warning!!".

I guess by knowing the process in details by reading about it, it's easier to pay less attention to the fact that the proces can change. I did't open the was-supposed-to-be-brown envelope though.

Am sorry your fiance opened the envelope, it's not the first time I read about it. Keeping my fingers crossed that they'll just re-seal it and everything's in order after that. Good luck

[JLDNNYC 2]

I'm a little confused. You do get a plastic delivery bag kind of beige in color delivered to you and inside is another envelope that is brown that says do not open. Your passport is floating inside the plastic delivery bag. I assume she opened the delivery bag, took her passport out and then accidentally opened the envelope? Either way I am sorry for this delay for you both just remember it was excitement that lead to this little hiccup, as frustrating as the situation is it is good to see that it seems you are being very understanding Keep us posted!!!

I was looking for something like this as I received my passport inside a plastic bag and my assumption is that inside the bag there is another envelope. Now in order to leave the UK I have to use my passport at London airport. Am I allowed to open the plastic bag?

[Asia 2,491]

I was looking for something like this as I received my passport inside a plastic bag and my assumption is that inside the bag there is another envelope. Now in order to leave the UK I have to use my passport at London airport. Am I allowed to open the plastic bag?

Yes, you are. You need your passport to present at the airport.

Just don't open the envelope which is inside that bag.

[sandgoose 8]

Can I please get a final update on this? What was the result? My fiance JUST did this...

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Can I please get a final update on this? What was the result? My fiance JUST did this...

You have to go back to the embassy to get it checked and resealed...

[sandgoose 8]

Right, that's what I told her to do. Thankfully Wednesday morning's are walk-in times at the embassy in Seoul, so she should be able to get it taken care of rather promptly I hope.

[sandgoose 8]

Just to post the resolution - she went to the embassy in Seoul the morning after this happened. The first guy at the window was so confused about it so he didn't let her in. I called the embassy and explained the situation and that she was OUTSIDE, so an employee said she would call her. While this was happening the security guard at the front changed, and she asked him and he understood better and let her in. She got it done quickly once she was inside. No worries anymore.

[His karma 20]

Glad to hear it was easily remedied. *makes a mental not nott o open anything that says do not open*

[sandgoose 8]

Yeah yeah yeah, I know. Trust me, I was absolutely livid at my fiance, but it's one of those situations where getting mad 8,000 miles away won't help anything. It rarely does. Anyway, my hope is that later if this happens to another VJ member they can pull this thread and find a positive outcome was obtained. There are a few threads on here about what people should / should not do, but nothing that I found with an actual positive or negative outcome included.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Non contributory comment removed~

~Old thread closed to new comments~