Approval packet arrived but...

[planejay 0]

My wife received her passport and the sealed envelope for her residency today from the embassy in Honduras. However, upon receipt noticed that one of the corners of the envelope was cut and completely missing. The cut is probably an inch and a half each direction from the corner.The corners of the papers inside are exposed and a summary of our case with her picture is outside of the envelope but stapled to the papers that are in the envelope. Is this normal? I was expecting the thing to be completely closed. thanks!!

[Dave&Roza 748]

My wife received her passport and the sealed envelope for her residency today from the embassy in Honduras. However, upon receipt noticed that one of the corners of the envelope was cut and completely missing. The cut is probably an inch and a half each direction from the corner.The corners of the papers inside are exposed and a summary of our case with her picture is outside of the envelope but stapled to the papers that are in the envelope. Is this normal? I was expecting the thing to be completely closed. thanks!!

Normal. I believe they do this to prevent someone from opening the envelope and then resealing it in a different envelope. This is like signing over the flap.

Congratulations on the approval.

Dave

[bendinlar 16]

Also for security at the airport(s). To be able to see there is just a pile of papers in there

Totally normal.

Best to leave it in the plastic it came in, so the top sheet does not get torn off.(yes you can open the plastic bag to get the passport) And don't forget to put in the carry on bags, need it at immigration, which is before you get your bags and hit customs.

[planejay 0]

thank you both very much!! I will breathe easier

[NikLR 13,227]

This doesn't sound at all normal to me. I would recommend taking it back and getting it sealed properly.

You should not be able to see inside the envelope that says do not open.

[Ryan H 3,813]

This doesn't sound at all normal to me. I would recommend taking it back and getting it sealed properly.

You should not be able to see inside the envelope that says do not open.

It is normal and common, the OP will not need to have it resealed.

Not all countries may do this and it may not be done 100% of the time where it is common.

[planejay 0]

Thank you for all the help!

Here is the exchange between the visa service desk and I regarding the envelope, I added the color:

Today my wife received her approval
packet from cargo express. Upon receipt she noticed that one of the corners
of the sealed envelope was cut completely off. The missing piece is about
an inch and a half in length from the corner in either direction. There is
a paper that seems to be a summary of our case on the outside of the
envelope but stapled to the exposed corners of the papers in the sealed
envelope. Is this normal? If needed, our case number is X. Thank you in advance!

Them:

Thank you for writing to the U.S. Visa Service Desk.

Please note that this is normal for an immigrant visa package. It is important to mention that under no circumstances this package has to be open. This information has to be presented to the Customs and Border Protection Officer at the time of the arrival to the United States.

For further information please visit our website www.ustraveldocs.com.

Sincerely,
U.S. Visa Service Desk.