Package 3 received?

[My&Truong 4]

Hey guys!!!

I haven't received package 3 since NOA2 September 11th.

Can you help me how to know if the consulate received your case and how long they will send package 3 to us??

[frontgear 194]

First, check your case status on the CEAC website. If you dont have your case number, call the NVC and get one. You will need the case # to check the status.

Next, If you already have your case # and have been checking the status on the CEAC website, if the status is showing READY, it means the consulate has received either the electronic version of your case or the physical case itself. If you have not been checking its status, you might want to start doing that. Pay close attention to the Last Updated Date. Every time your case is "touched", the date will be updated.

Lastly, if the status is READY and the last updated date has been 2 weeks or more, send an inqiry to the consulate staff using its online inquiry form. You will need your case # in addition to your passport number to fill out this online inquiry. There is a drop-down list where you can select "I havent received my Packet 3" or something like that, and the staff will respond by the next business day.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Edited October 12, 2014 by frontgear

[My&Truong 4]

Thanks @frontgear so much!!!

I just checked it. Our case has been ready since Oct 7th. Hopefully I'll get package 3 next week.

[frontgear 194]

You're most welcome. I am just paying it forward since VJ and many members of this Vietnam subforum have helped us tremendously during our own journey.

We have just gone through this whole process and I am still in Vietnam until the 18th so if you have any questions about the Packet 3 docs or docs required at the interview, or questions about the interview day, feel free to PM.

[My&Truong 4]

One more question please
Is it ok if I summitted DS-160 before receiving package 3?
I actually did that and got an errors about my region of birth. My consultant also told us it would be alright.

[frontgear 194]

I contacted the consulate staff prior to my fiancee receiving her Packet 3 and was told to wait. However, we never received her Packet 3 and I had to request an electronic copy of it be mailed to us for her to take to her medical exam and vaccinations.

Be careful about those Dich Vu people. They seem more eager to take your money than to help you do it right. I have heard horrible stories about how they had given out wrong advices that could have potentially screwed up their clients' cases.

[My&Truong 4]

Our consultant is a lawyer from a law office in California. He helped us fill all of forms. And there is no problem so far (except a thing that I carelessly signed and summitted DS-160 without correcting my place of birth). I also paid for a consultant in Vietnam. It costed 300$, but I just asked her sometimes when I was confused of documents like translating birth certificate, national ID card,...

Edited October 12, 2014 by My&Truong

[alexisle88 2]

@frontgear: Hi, i saw your posts have been tremendous help to others. Does it usually take about 2 weeks for our package to travel from NVC to the Embassy at HCMC? and another 2 weeks for them to send package 3 out.

Thanks.

[frontgear 194]

@frontgear: Hi, i saw your posts have been tremendous help to others. Does it usually take about 2 weeks for our package to travel from NVC to the Embassy at HCMC? and another 2 weeks for them to send package 3 out.

Thanks.

It used to take about 2 weeks for a case to be forwarded to the consulate in HCMC. I believe it now takes a little bit longer. The consulate receives the electronic version first and the physical copy a few days later.

Packet 3 varies from case to case. I waited for 2 weeks and decided to contact them about it. The consulate received my case 7/16 and I contacted them 8/1. We never received our Packet 3, btw.

[frontgear 194]

... I also paid for a consultant in Vietnam. It costed 300$, but I just asked her sometimes when I was confused of documents like translating birth certificate, national ID card,...

If you are referring to the docs that need to be turned in at the interview, you dont need to translate them to English. The consulate will accept docs in both languages.

Edited October 13, 2014 by frontgear

[natalie.le 10]

My&truong, check your ceac status. Ours said ready on 3rd oct. We got our package 3 on 11oct. Use the inquiry form on the embassy website to ask them.

Meanwhile, you can do the police record number 2. You dont need the invitation letter to do this and it'll take 3 weeks or more.

[My&Truong 4]

When I had checked our ceac status 4 days ago, it said ready on Oct 7th. And I checked it once again just now, it's still ready but on Oct 14th. What does it means?

[frontgear 194]

It probably means they have sent out your Packet 3.

[My&Truong 4]

I greatly appreciate your help and advice @frontgear!!!

I guess package 3 will be received this week. So excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited October 15, 2014 by My&Truong

[My&Truong 4]

Hi @frontgear!!!

Just let you know I got package 3 this morning. I'm so happy and want to share with you immediately.

Thank you so much dude