Packet 3

[lilsadie 50]

HI guys,

I'm a little confused but the next step after NOA2.

Do we still receive packet 3 and send back the Sydney consulate before the interview is scheduled?

I read that they send it and then you just take it at your interview?

Does anyone know if this has changed? Thanks

[Salt&Pepper 4]

Hi lilsadie,

Yes, this has changed. You DO NOT need to send anything to the U.S. Consulate prior to your interview. You will receive an email** from the U.S. Consulate with the "Packet 3" information (in our case, the email came to me, the U.S. petitioner). It will 1) have the date and time of the interview you have been assigned, 2) tell you what you need to do if you need to change your interview date/time, and 3) have a list of instructions for what you need to do in preparation for your interview (police check and medical exam) and what you will need to bring to your interview. All of the documents listed in the current Packet 3 are to be brought to the interview (with the exception of the medical exam report, which the doctor sends directly to the U.S. Consulate, and maybe the police check, which depending on the state you live in may also be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate).

**You may have seen my post a week or two ago where I was freaking out because I hadn't received the Packet 3 email. It turns out it had been sitting in my Spam folder for 12 days. So I would advise that you start regularly checking your Spam folder, in addition to your Inbox, once you know that the NVC has sent your application to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney.

[lilsadie 50]

Hi lilsadie,

Yes, this has changed. You DO NOT need to send anything to the U.S. Consulate prior to your interview. You will receive an email** from the U.S. Consulate with the "Packet 3" information (in our case, the email came to me, the U.S. petitioner). It will 1) have the date and time of the interview you have been assigned, 2) tell you what you need to do if you need to change your interview date/time, and 3) have a list of instructions for what you need to do in preparation for your interview (police check and medical exam) and what you will need to bring to your interview. All of the documents listed in the current Packet 3 are to be brought to the interview (with the exception of the medical exam report, which the doctor sends directly to the U.S. Consulate, and maybe the police check, which depending on the state you live in may also be sent directly to the U.S. Consulate).

**You may have seen my post a week or two ago where I was freaking out because I hadn't received the Packet 3 email. It turns out it had been sitting in my Spam folder for 12 days. So I would advise that you start regularly checking your Spam folder, in addition to your Inbox, once you know that the NVC has sent your application to the U.S. Consulate in Sydney.

Thank you so much for your reply!

Thats good news, I feel like missing this step saves lots of time!!

Can I ask how long it took from your NOA2 to get the email? (Once you found it, lol)

I'm going through an attorney so I think that he will get the email. Its been 2 weeks since I got my NOA2. Im really hoping its soon (JUst because the not knowing SUCKS) But I'm hoping my interview isn't for a month at least due to me having to go away for a wedding soon.

We dont plan on leaving to the USA till September but it would be nice to know sooner so I can make my arrangements!

[razspaz13 30]

oh salt I did that once with inbox email, we just don't think to look there but then remember after having something missing just once I think!

I am wondering why when I check online it says that the nvc provided me with an interview date for Sydney and they didn't..... and my case was sent to the Sydney consulate and I believe received at this stage a week plus ago and I have received nothing from them at all.....

[sweetswinks 400]

oh salt I did that once with inbox email, we just don't think to look there but then remember after having something missing just once I think!

I am wondering why when I check online it says that the nvc provided me with an interview date for Sydney and they didn't..... and my case was sent to the Sydney consulate and I believe received at this stage a week plus ago and I have received nothing from them at all.....

If you're using Gmail check your spam!

[razspaz13 30]

thanks mate no gmail, have no emails from consulate at all, email I sent came back with a generic reply, may try and send fax or snail mail

[lilsadie 50]

Does anyone know how I get my case number so I can check the process online? We got our NOA2, 2 weeks ago. I have the wcs number but not case number... im going through an attorney and they take their sweet time responding to me!

[sweetswinks 400]

Does anyone know how I get my case number so I can check the process online? We got our NOA2, 2 weeks ago. I have the wcs number but not case number... im going through an attorney and they take their sweet time responding to me!

I thought you called the NVC on 603-334-0700 to get the case number which you can use now to get your medical and police check done?

Might have to ask user darin&josh, they seem to know everything and are super helpful!

[lilsadie 50]

I thought you called the NVC on 603-334-0700 to get the case number which you can use now to get your medical and police check done?

Might have to ask user darin&josh, they seem to know everything and are super helpful!

That makes sense!!! lol

I've heard no one gets through when they call... Ill try this afternoon from a pay phone!

I'm so excited to know when my interview will be! I dont even care if its in 3 months, I just want to know my timeline so I can start getting ready to leave!!

[darin&josh 18]

That makes sense!!! lol

I've heard no one gets through when they call... Ill try this afternoon from a pay phone!

I'm so excited to know when my interview will be! I dont even care if its in 3 months, I just want to know my timeline so I can start getting ready to leave!!

Normally I'd say just wait for the letter from the NVC since calling will not make the process go any faster, but if your attorney is not prompt in passing along updates on your case then it may be worth the petitioner contacting NVC to get the case number. That way you can make arrangements for the medical and police certificate (if the case number is needed in your state) without loosing time between the 'packet 3' email and your Consulate interview date. It looks like it has only been 2 weeks since your NOA2, so your petition may not have reached NVC yet, or if it has, a case number may not have been created, so try again a few days if either is the case.

Have you got your I-134 documents together yet, or confident you will in the next few weeks?

[darin&josh 18]

oh salt I did that once with inbox email, we just don't think to look there but then remember after having something missing just once I think!

I am wondering why when I check online it says that the nvc provided me with an interview date for Sydney and they didn't..... and my case was sent to the Sydney consulate and I believe received at this stage a week plus ago and I have received nothing from them at all.....

That is just the standard message that is displayed on the ceac.state.gov site. The Consulate will set the date and advise in their email (which hopefully you will receive very soon).

thanks mate no gmail, have no emails from consulate at all, email I sent came back with a generic reply, may try and send fax or snail mail

Was the email sent back an automated reply? The Consulate usually takes 3-4 days to respond to emails, so if the email you received was automated, they should respond with a specific answer by Thursday or Friday.

[lilsadie 50]

Normally I'd say just wait for the letter from the NVC since calling will not make the process go any faster, but if your attorney is not prompt in passing along updates on your case then it may be worth the petitioner contacting NVC to get the case number. That way you can make arrangements for the medical and police certificate (if the case number is needed in your state) without loosing time between the 'packet 3' email and your Consulate interview date. It looks like it has only been 2 weeks since your NOA2, so your petition may not have reached NVC yet, or if it has, a case number may not have been created, so try again a few days if either is the case.

Have you got your I-134 documents together yet, or confident you will in the next few weeks?

I just wrote a reply but it didnt work so sorry if this posts twice! What are the 1-134 docs? Att said he will advise next step when needed... nothing yet. I have police check interview tomorrow and Medical can be booked with in 1 day so thats sorted. We are in melbourne. We are using my partners mom as a co sponsor ad my fiance has been living in Aus with me for the last 5 years. Im bummed out that I used an att as I feel like I have no control over what happening and no real knowledge of the process unless I get info here!

[darin&josh 18]

I just wrote a reply but it didnt work so sorry if this posts twice! What are the 1-134 docs? Att said he will advise next step when needed... nothing yet. I have police check interview tomorrow and Medical can be booked with in 1 day so thats sorted. We are in melbourne. We are using my partners mom as a co sponsor ad my fiance has been living in Aus with me for the last 5 years. Im bummed out that I used an att as I feel like I have no control over what happening and no real knowledge of the process unless I get info here!

That's great that you are on top of organising the police certificate and medical.

Both the sponsor (US citizen petitioner) and co-sponsor (US citizen's mom) will each complete the I-134 form and attach evidence of their income and/or assets. Your partner's mom should be able to provide her 2013 W-2 and approximately 3 recent pay stubs as proof of her income, and evidence of assets (such as bank statements that show her savings, shares etc). The forms will need to be originals, while the supporting evidence can be copies. Hopefully it won't take long to get the evidence together and posted to you. Is your attorney assisting with this?

Also, do you know if your US partner has been filing US tax returns while they have been in Australia? While it won't be needed for the I-134 or the Consulate, it would be good to try and have it up to date when you file for your Adjustment of Status (AOS) (after you have married in the US), as the most recent tax transcript needs to be attached to the I-864 form (which you submit as part of your AOS paperwork).

Edited May 26, 2014 by darin&josh