Problems contacting Frankfurt embassy

[NadineK91 6]

Yes, that's right! When I booked the medical appointment the lady was specifically pointing it out to me as well. It just causes confusion for everyone cause the embassy asks for an American size picture

That is confusing....I was about to go take more US sized ones this weekend for the medical. Still have the other ones so I can save me some time and money there.

Do we only need one digital and one printed US passport picture for the Packet 3? (digital for DS-160)

Someone said we needed 3 on the first page of this threat.

[D.Ba 85]

Same with me - at the medical: Sind das die einzigen Fotos, die Sie haben? Da müssen wir ja alles abschneiden!

Well. Be specific then!

[KittyKahlohr 10]

That is confusing....I was about to go take more US sized ones this weekend for the medical. Still have the other ones so I can save me some time and money there.

Do we only need one digital and one printed US passport picture for the Packet 3? (digital for DS-160)

Someone said we needed 3 on the first page of this threat.

For packet 3 you need one printed US size passport picture, at least this is what I submitted according to the checklist I found and they approved my request for scheduling an interview. The person who posted that you needed 3 pictures seemed to have followed an outdated checklist and so there was some confusion.

This is the checklist that I used and which I was directed to by the NVC: http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/FRN%20-%20Frankfurt.pdf

Edited July 23, 2015 by KittyKahlohr

[p1nkmamba 18]

Does someone know how to post the updated version on the country portal on here?

[KittyKahlohr 10]

Somehow the link does not work when I click on it on here...you can find it on this website http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare.htmljust pick Frankfurt in the list!

p1nkmamba: Unfortunately, I have no idea how to edit that section on here.

[solus 19]

According to the online tracking they should have received my documents on July 3 and I have not heard back from them since. I didn't know how long I should expect this process to take so last week Thursday I sent an online enquiry to the embassy's immigrant visa section, which is the only form of contact they seem to offer for this kind of matter, asking about the status of my application. I did not get any reply so far and sent another message yesterday, which has also not been replied to yet. So by now I am getting a little nervous as after all this waiting the only thing I want to do is scheduling an interview date to at least have an actual date to look forward to! Does anyone have any advice what I could do, is this a normal thing for this embassy?

Thank you so much for your input!

Email response times have been odd. I would recommend emailing both frankfurtvisainquiries@state.gov and FrankfurtIV@state.gov with duplicate messages even though they tell you not to. Sometimes one responds quickly while the other takes a week and vice versa, but by emailing both I have an answer withing 48 hours from one of them while I wait on the other response to compare notes...

[solus 19]

Good luck and keep us posted! I am waiting for pack 3 at the moment and was also thinking about emailing them because most people seem to get it within a week or so. I'll give it a few days now.

It took us 2 weeks with me emailing every few days to get our packet 3, and it was sent via DP who were on strike. We didnt get an email until I had emailed them several times and then they scanned it and sent the packet 3 via email. They had received our packet before we ever got the hard copy notice to the house, though the postmark was from a month before... The odd part is that most other Germans are stating they received theirs via email first. Who decides to start sending the packet 3 via post during a strike?!? Just keep emailing them and they will look into it...

[solus 19]

How long did it take the Frankfurt embassy to get back to you on average?

I have e-mailed them about my missing pack 3 - but so far not even gotten a reply.

Take a look to my response to KittyHahlor on page 6. it should help

I know the feeling! I just sent another message saying that I really need a reply and that it is important that someone looks into the issue as otherwise I cannot schedule an appointment. I have my final Master's exam later today and these embassy problems are making it hard to focus

How did your exam go? I wrote my thesis while working in the i129f packet and Im working on my 2nd MA now (need practical and theoretical in my field and no one has a joint program yet ) so I hear you!! For some reason stuff with the visa always needs to be done during papers or exam time... But at least when you get through both you can breathe and take a few days off to refresh!

[KittyKahlohr 10]

My exam went well and I passed, thank you I'm really relieved that the only thing I need to do in that regard now is waiting for receiving my degree in the mail.

I will finally have my interview on Tuesday so thank you for your input regarding the technical issues! I also read your review, which was really helpful, such as all the others of course. Makes you more calm! As I am planning to leave Germany about a week after receiving my passport I will prepare for a wait time of at least 2 weeks just to be sure as I will have to move out of my apartment etc. In case I get it back sooner I can always speed that up

[NadineK91 6]

I just received my Packet 3!!!!!!!!!

Sooo excited )

[KittyKahlohr 10]

I just received my Packet 3!!!!!!!!!

Sooo excited )

Congrats! Hopefully that means that they are coping with the backlog and the others that were waiting are going to receiving it really soon as well!

[NadineK91 6]

Hey everyone....just opened Packet 3 from Frankfurt and it didnt contain the checklist (just a link to it on the first page) ... but it did contain a copy of the i-129f form!!!! Why??? Did anyone else have that in their packet 3 and what is it for?

[Rike&Brandon 0]

Hi NadineK91 - that is completely normal. For the checklist you need to go to the link in their coverletter. I'm not sure if the copy of the approved I-129F is ever needed, just file it somewhere. And make sure to send the payment deposit slip as well, although its not mentioned in the checklist. You do need to fill out the residence history form which came with your package 3.

[Rike&Brandon 0]

As for my own case: the embassy is finally working on it and emailed me this morning. And my CEAC status changed to Administrative Processing now, yeah!!! I take that as a good sign. This morning I had almost hoped that they would be able to issue and mail the visa today. That was probably too optimistic, but I suppose if all goes well I will receive my visa next week.

[KittyKahlohr 10]

As for my own case: the embassy is finally working on it and emailed me this morning. And my CEAC status changed to Administrative Processing now, yeah!!! I take that as a good sign. This morning I had almost hoped that they would be able to issue and mail the visa today. That was probably too optimistic, but I suppose if all goes well I will receive my visa next week.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Are you planning on flying over as soon as you get your passport or did you plan on staying longer anyways?