Number to call for the consulate

[ryandsun 0]

I keep seeing people mention stuff about calling the GZ consulate or some kind of hotline (maybe it's the state dept.) to ask about case status or to try and expedite things. Can anyone give me the number to call? We are waiting on packet 3 to arrive and I want to try and get some answers or just even complain or something. Also, I realized that on the 1-129F form I forgot to put my fiance's phone number... so I don't know if that has anything to do with the delay. Let me know what I can do to try and put a fire under these mofo's asses.

Thanks

[Pitaya 2,577]

The Guangzhou consulate's preferred method of communication is via email:

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/contactiv.html

As you mentioned, you can contact the DOS in Wash. DC by phone.

Edited January 24, 2014 by A&B

[Darnell 8,478]

there is no direct contact at GUZ IV, using a telephone.

However, there is a help desk for ustraveldocs / CGI Stanley -

you should study a lot over at http://ustraveldocs.com/cn

and this help desk can be contacted via email and telephone.

If the visa fee was paid, then a switch is turned on, and one can self-schedule on that website.

If you are absolutely unsure about casefile status, call the DOS Hotline and inquire.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Darnell

[ryandsun 0]

Thanks, so if I want to find out about current case status (whether or not the consulate has received our stuff from NVC or if they have mailed p3 to my fiance) should I call the CGI Stanley hotline or the DOS?

[Darnell 8,478]

DoS.

[ryandsun 0]

okay so i just checked my visa status on the DOS CEAC website and it says my status was updated on January 17th with this:

Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed or available within two business days. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, Immigrant Visas for "Diversity Visas" cannot be issued after September 30th of the year in which you were selected to apply for a Diversity Visa. For example, entrants into the Diversity Visa Program in Fall of 2011 were selected for Diversity Visa 2012 Program, and selectees MUST apply and receive their visa prior to September 30, 2012 otherwise they lose eligibility to receive a Diversity Immigrant Visa, regardless of additional administrative processing.In addition, please note that some immigrant visas may not be able to be issued if the annual numerical limit for that category has been reached.

What does this mean?!?!

[Darnell 8,478]

that's a good sign!

take it as a tick in the roadmap for

--GUZ IV has received the physical casefile, or has decided to rely on (solely) the SAFEFILE version of the casefile

--GUZ IV has OPENED the casefile

--GUZ IV has started the next phase of required background checks

(the above 3 things have happened, it's not either/or)

so, at the moment, I suggest you and yer lass set up an account at ustraveldocs.com/cn

and pay the visa fee (either online or face to face at CITIC bank)

then wait a bit, a week, and attempt to self-schedule.

it's great you checked in with ceac website,

however,

for exact casefile status, call the DoS Hotline.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Darnell

[ryandsun 0]

okay that's great news! but i'm confused.... my fiance still hasn't received packet 3 yet? Don't we need to receive that before we can schedule an interview? Also, my fiance already filled out the DS-160 form but I don't think we've created an account on ustraveldocs.com/cn

Should we go ahead and create an account?!?! Should my fiance do that or me?

[Darnell 8,478]

either of you can create the account.

if you don't want to create an account today,

at least

read all of the stuff there about chasing a K-1 visa.

[Daveykins 17]

Calling is the way to go. They never even bothered to reply to 3 of my 6 emails that I sent GUZ last year.

[unsmiley 111]

okay so i just checked my visa status on the DOS CEAC website and it says my status was updated on January 17th with this:

Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed or available within two business days. Under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, Immigrant Visas for "Diversity Visas" cannot be issued after September 30th of the year in which you were selected to apply for a Diversity Visa. For example, entrants into the Diversity Visa Program in Fall of 2011 were selected for Diversity Visa 2012 Program, and selectees MUST apply and receive their visa prior to September 30, 2012 otherwise they lose eligibility to receive a Diversity Immigrant Visa, regardless of additional administrative processing.In addition, please note that some immigrant visas may not be able to be issued if the annual numerical limit for that category has been reached.

What does this mean?!?!

You are lucky you got that information. Almost every time I attempt to check my status on the CEAC website, I get that stupid "an unexpected error has occurred" message.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Calling is the way to go. They never even bothered to reply to 3 of my 6 emails that I sent GUZ last year.

I had pretty good luck with email correspondence with the GUZ consulate, 3 out of 3 (though sometimes the answer wasn't necessarily to my liking....).

YMMV.