Questions re: the new Packet 3 process for the U.S. Consulate in Sydney!

[Salt&Pepper 4]

Hi,

We need some help / advice from those of you who have received an interview date from the U.S. Consulate in Sydney in the last few months.

Here is our situation:

- NVC sent our application to the U.S. Consulate on 18 April

- CEAC visa status check says our application is "READY" (it has said this since 29 April)

- We still haven't heard anything from the U.S. Consulate in Sydney (it is now 9 May)

Questions:

Is this normal to be waiting so long for Packet 3 / interview date?

Do we need to complete form DS-160 before they send us Packet 3 and assign us an interview date?

From everything I have read so far on VJ, I was under the impression that once the NVC sends your application to Sydney, the U.S. Consulate automatically gets in touch with you with the Packet 3 information and your interview date. However, when we hit week 3 after the application was sent from the NVC and still had not heard anything, I started doing more research online. I found these websites stating that you need to complete DS-160 before you will be assigned an interview: http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/au/au-niv-ds160info.asp and http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/forms/ds-160--online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/frequently-asked-questions.html. I know that the DS-160 is used for many different types of visas, so perhaps the K-1 is an exception and we're just being impatient...?

Also, I emailed the U.S. Consulate in Sydney with this question yesterday but have yet to hear back. In the meantime, what were your experiences? Did you complete the DS-160 before you got your interview? Or did you get Packet 3 (with interview date) and then complete the DS-160?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

THANK YOU!!

[darin&josh 18]

For us it was just over two weeks between the petition leaving NVC to receiving the email from the US Consulate. The email was sent to the US petitioner. (We went through the newer process where they schedule the date in advance and have you bring the documents to the interview rather than posting it in beforehand). Regardless of whether you go through the new or older process, they will still contact you and provide instructions. You don't have to do anything to trigger that i.e. you don't need to complete the DS-160 for them to send you packet 3. (although there is not reason why you can't do it now.)

I've seen people who've had contact from the Consulate sooner, and others that have waited longer. But I would have expected that you'd receive contact by now. I would have the US petitioner check their email again to be sure (junk folder as well). But since you've emailed the Consulate, they will will respond with advice on what to do next. They can take up to 4-5 days to respond. If you haven't already, I would apply now for your police certificate, schedule your medical, complete the I-134 and get together the other documents that you will need.

Edited May 10, 2014 by darin&josh

[Salt&Pepper 4]

I (U.S. petitioner) just checked my spam folder and there is was! It's been there 12 days! I feel like such an idiot! Everything else that has been sent to my email has come directly to my inbox, so I didn't even think that it could be in my spam. THANK YOU for the recommendation to check!!!

And FYI to anyone with gmail who is expecting their letter from the U.S. Consulate: CHECK YOUR SPAM!

[darin&josh 18]

I (U.S. petitioner) just checked my spam folder and there is was! It's been there 12 days! I feel like such an idiot! Everything else that has been sent to my email has come directly to my inbox, so I didn't even think that it could be in my spam. THANK YOU for the recommendation to check!!!

And FYI to anyone with gmail who is expecting their letter from the U.S. Consulate: CHECK YOUR SPAM!

Congratulations! At least you have it now and can get started on the next stage in the process

[patem 2]

glad that you found the email eventually, the interview date will be given within 30 days after you return the packet 3 with all necessary documents, originals and copies, note that can return packet 3 without medical report as long as medical exam is done at least a week before your interview date it's fine as the doctor send your medical reports directly to the US consulate in Sydney. bear in mind that the medical report is valid for 6 months and it has to be still valid when the K1 beneficenery enters the US. I actually had my medical done after the interview...

[crymwest 6]

What all was required in your packet doing it the new way? Ours just got posted from NVC today and I'm unfortunately still waiting on my HR letter from work so I'll be a few days behind on sending my packet to him. I'm just wanting to make sure I have everything on my end covered to send which is the I-134 (including bank letters, work letter, paycheck stub, and recent '13 taxes) and then ongoing proof of the relationship (print outs of phonecalls and fb messages). Is it still the list posted on the consulate website http://canberra.usembassy.gov/fiance_niv_appl.html

Edited May 20, 2014 by crymwest

[VicAus 7]

What all was required in your packet doing it the new way? Ours just got posted from NVC today and I'm unfortunately still waiting on my HR letter from work so I'll be a few days behind on sending my packet to him. I'm just wanting to make sure I have everything on my end covered to send which is the I-134 (including bank letters, work letter, paycheck stub, and recent '13 taxes) and then ongoing proof of the relationship (print outs of phonecalls and fb messages). Is it still the list posted on the consulate website http://canberra.usembassy.gov/fiance_niv_appl.html

According to the Packet 3 - DSL-1076 Checklist sent in the Australian Packet 3 email:

Aussie citizen requires-

passport

DS-160 fee payment proof

DS-160 printed application form

photograph

intent to amrry statement from both

birth certificate

divorce certificates

translations of certifcates

aus police certificate

other country police certificate if applicable

court documents if applicable

militry records

I-134 form + supporting documents

medical exam report

all of them are to be provided at the interview and are not to be sent in

They will give you a date in the packet 3 email. You dont need to reply or anything UNLESS you want to change interview date to a later time.

the email didnt say anything about brining in extra proof etc but ofcoure doesnt hurt to have it incase

[Salt&Pepper 4]

Sorry for the slow response. Ditto what VicAus said. No need to send anything to the Consulate pre-interview. The Packet 3 letter that I received asked for everything that VicAus listed, and it says to bring all that stuff to the interview.

[crymwest 6]

Sorry for the slow response. Ditto what VicAus said. No need to send anything to the Consulate pre-interview. The Packet 3 letter that I received asked for everything that VicAus listed, and it says to bring all that stuff to the interview.

What do you think about arranging it all in a 3ring binder for my fiance with indexes and the papers 3hole punched? I've seen other people talk about doing that but then I balked at well what if they get pissy about this being 3hole punched. I think it would be easy to present.

Sorry for the slow response. Ditto what VicAus said. No need to send anything to the Consulate pre-interview. The Packet 3 letter that I received asked for everything that VicAus listed, and it says to bring all that stuff to the interview.

What do you think about arranging it all in a 3ring binder for my fiance with indexes and the papers 3hole punched? I've seen other people talk about doing that but then I balked at well darn what if they get pissy about this being 3hole punched. I think it would be easy to present.

[lilsadie 50]

What do you think about arranging it all in a 3ring binder for my fiance with indexes and the papers 3hole punched? I've seen other people talk about doing that but then I balked at well ###### what if they get pissy about this being 3hole punched. I think it would be easy to present.

What do you think about arranging it all in a 3ring binder for my fiance with indexes and the papers 3hole punched? I've seen other people talk about doing that but then I balked at well darn what if they get pissy about this being 3hole punched. I think it would be easy to present.

Maybe put it in a binder but in Plastic pockets? Thats what were planning on doing.

We did that with our PR when applying for my partner when she moved to AUS and that was fine.

[VicAus 7]

What do you think about arranging it all in a 3ring binder for my fiance with indexes and the papers 3hole punched? I've seen other people talk about doing that but then I balked at well ###### what if they get pissy about this being 3hole punched. I think it would be easy to present.

What do you think about arranging it all in a 3ring binder for my fiance with indexes and the papers 3hole punched? I've seen other people talk about doing that but then I balked at well darn what if they get pissy about this being 3hole punched. I think it would be easy to present.

Maybe put it in a binder but in Plastic pockets? Thats what were planning on doing.

We did that with our PR when applying for my partner when she moved to AUS and that was fine.

i should also mention the packet instructions said all documents are to be presented out of folders, plastic pockets, binders and envelopes.

except they can be paper-clipped...

[crymwest 6]

Thank you for the feedback. Ours got there crazy fast unless they missed something at NVC updating. It said it was still at the NVC on Friday and was sent on Monday to Sydney. It's showing it's at the consulate now. I'm watching my email I guess for the next few days

[razspaz13 30]

gday crym

how do you see or know its at the consulate?

we have an urgent medical expedite due to mum having stage IV cancer in usa, we only got an email from nvc with case number and that it was sent (we are guessing it goes electronically)

cheers mate

[Salt&Pepper 4]

Razspaz >> If you have your case number from the NVC, you can check the status of your case on the U.S. Dept. of State website:

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

I think when it says "Ready," that means it has arrived at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney.

Crymwest >> As VicAus said, the instructions say to not have the documents in folders / envelopes, so I would advise against putting it in a 3-ring binder. Perhaps you use post-it notes for tabs? That's what I'm doing. (Our interview is this coming Tuesday.) It's a lot of paperwork, especially the evidence the for the I-134, and I want to make it as easy to read as possible.

[crymwest 6]

Razspaz >> If you have your case number from the NVC, you can check the status of your case on the U.S. Dept. of State website:

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

I think when it says "Ready," that means it has arrived at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney.

Crymwest >> As VicAus said, the instructions say to not have the documents in folders / envelopes, so I would advise against putting it in a 3-ring binder. Perhaps you use post-it notes for tabs? That's what I'm doing. (Our interview is this coming Tuesday.) It's a lot of paperwork, especially the evidence the for the I-134, and I want to make it as easy to read as possible.

That's a good idea as well. I have plenty of post it notes and those tabs from labeling books in grad school

Razspaz, ditto above^ ours says ready and then some stuff about the interview process. I just got in the mail the letter from NVC about having my fiance fill out the DS-160