Strange email with US Visa website

[JL818 18]

Hi everyone,

I submitted my K1 Visa petition on September 30th and received my NOA1 on October 5th. I have been checking the USCIS status page daily to see if it updates with NOA2, but thus far have not seen any updates beyond the NOA1. However, tonight I received a strange email telling me to setup an account at the following site:

https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/

The heading of the site only states "Apply for a US VISA in Philippines"

I have not yet received any other instructions regarding this site, however, based on a google search, it seems that this is the site that we use to schedule interviews at the US embassy in Manila.

Has anyone else experienced this and can I basically take this to indicate that my petition was approved by CSC and the NOA2 is on the way given that they are already setting up my account for the interview?

Thanks!

[Mizike 6]

Hi everyone,

I submitted my K1 Visa petition on September 30th and received my NOA1 on October 5th. I have been checking the USCIS status page daily to see if it updates with NOA2, but thus far have not seen any updates beyond the NOA1. However, tonight I received a strange email telling me to setup an account at the following site:

https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/

The heading of the site only states "Apply for a US VISA in Philippines"

I have not yet received any other instructions regarding this site, however, based on a google search, it seems that this is the site that we use to schedule interviews at the US embassy in Manila.

Has anyone else experienced this and can I basically take this to indicate that my petition was approved by CSC and the NOA2 is on the way given that they are already setting up my account for the interview?

Thanks!

definitely looks like a scam site.

[Penguin_ie 5,999]

Actually, googling it, it looks like it is the legit payment side of http://www.ustraveldocs.com/

[captmaximus 11]

Where is the email coming from?

[danlrob 6]

definitely looks like a scam site.

This is a legitimate site that can be used to schedule you interview at USEM once you have paid the fee and have your receipt number. Greenbaum has put together a great site with step by step guide for the Philippines K1 visa process. I strongly recommend you use his site and follow each of the steps listed.

http://dennyeyberg.wix.com/filipino-am-visa

[JL818 18]

Where is the email coming from?

The email is coming from no-reply@ustraveldocs.com, which I think is a legitimate government site as mentioned by others. However, no one has answered my other question regarding whether or not this is a positive indication that I am on the verge of receiving my NOA2? I figure they would probably not be setting this up if I were not approved?

Edited October 26, 2015 by JL818

[Tahoma 2,298]

I've never seen this before. However, you won't be able to schedule an interview until you have your MNL case number. You will be able to get your MNL case number after the USCIS approves your petition and the NVC receives it and processes it.

[jandjin 19]

sounds like a scam. I've never heard USCIS asked to pay by sending a link. In addition he has not received NOA2. something is fishy man. You can't pay without the case number either. Don't send any $ there. You should call NVC and/or USCIS and find out what's the status. Unless you hear from them directly don't trust any scam mail links whatsoever

[jandjin 19]

The email is coming from no-reply@ustraveldocs.com, which I think is a legitimate government site as mentioned by others. However, no one has answered my other question regarding whether or not this is a positive indication that I am on the verge of receiving my NOA2? I figure they would probably not be setting this up if I were not approved?

When you don't have NOA2 there is no MNL case #. It's definitely a scam. How are they supposed to ask you to pay when there is no MNL # assigned to your case?

[JL818 18]

I have not been asked to pay anything yet, nor have they sent any context around the email. This is what the body of the email says:

Dear New Portal User:
Your US Travel Documents Customer Portal username and password information is below.
To access the online system, enter your username and password into the log-in page. Be sure to enter the two CAPTCHA words exactly as they appear on the screen to validate your information.
Thank you,
US Travel Documents Customer Support
https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/

If you do a google search of the website you will see numerous comments confirming the validity of the site, so I am 100% it is not a scam at this point. I fully expect that this will soon be followed up with further instructions (though it is odd that I have not yet received any after 12 hours of receiving the account setup notification). If you go to the site and try to setup a visa appointment the following message pops up:

If you meet any of the following conditions, do not schedule an immigrant visa interview appointment:
- You have been interviewed and informed by a consular officer that you are ineligible to receive an immigrant or a K visa.
- You are the principal beneficiary and have failed to reschedule your visa interview appointment within a year from the original appointment date.
- You are the principal beneficiary and have failed to contact or communicate with the Embassy for more than a year from the time you were informed that your case is ready for final processing.
- You are a K2 derivative applicant and have failed to apply for a visa within a year from the time of the principal beneficiary’s visa issuance.
- Your case is not current for processing based on the current cut-off dates. This includes retrogressed cases.
- Your case is still with the National Visa Center (NVC).
- You have not received instructions from the Embassy or NVC that you may schedule an interview.
- Aged-out FTJ children applying for the first time under CSPA.
- FTJ cases (spouse or children) whose principal applicant adjusted status in the U.S.
- If you wish to apply for Returning Resident status.
- If you are an SB1 visa applicant without a case number.
If your case falls under any of the above conditions, you may send an email to the Embassy atIVManilaReplies@state.gov to confirm the status of your visa petition.

Again, seems legit to me.

However, no one has yet to answer my original question, which is whether this is an indication that my NOA2 is soon to be approved if not already approved, but just waiting to be formally communicated to me?

Edited October 27, 2015 by JL818

[JL818 18]

Further evidence that the site is legit:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/443855-is-this-a-legit-site-to-schedule-an-interview-for-cr1-not-k-visa/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/531886-scheduling-the-interview/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/381792-how-long-it-takes-to-schedule-an-interview/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/438166-totally-confused-as-how-to-schedule-my-fiancees-interview/

This is a small sample of the overall posts about this.

[BigDaddy28 228]

Further evidence that the site is legit:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/443855-is-this-a-legit-site-to-schedule-an-interview-for-cr1-not-k-visa/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/531886-scheduling-the-interview/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/381792-how-long-it-takes-to-schedule-an-interview/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/438166-totally-confused-as-how-to-schedule-my-fiancees-interview/

This is a small sample of the overall posts about this.

you should call USCIS and inquire if it's legit or not to be safe.

[franconia 0]

I have not seen this happen that is a very quick turn around to be booking an interview date. depending what office you sent your petition to, texas could be months before you get your Noa2 and californin 1-2 months. And Never received an email from this site. and then it can take another 4 weeks in the NVC. Although it is a legit site, for future use, you cannot even really register your profile on their without the proper #'s that you get from the next notice. I would be very leary at this point with that site.

also, the NVC does not always send a letter. if you have received your notice stating your petition has been approved it is then at that point on its way to the nvc. wait a few weeks and call to get status of case and get new Case # it is not the same as what is on the NOA1 or 2...

I hope this helps. I know this process causes great anxiety for all parties ...but being patient is all you can do.

[JL818 18]

I have not seen this happen that is a very quick turn around to be booking an interview date. depending what office you sent your petition to, texas could be months before you get your Noa2 and californin 1-2 months. And Never received an email from this site. and then it can take another 4 weeks in the NVC. Although it is a legit site, for future use, you cannot even really register your profile on their without the proper #'s that you get from the next notice. I would be very leary at this point with that site.

also, the NVC does not always send a letter. if you have received your notice stating your petition has been approved it is then at that point on its way to the nvc. wait a few weeks and call to get status of case and get new Case # it is not the same as what is on the NOA1 or 2...

I hope this helps. I know this process causes great anxiety for all parties ...but being patient is all you can do.

Hi Franconia,

Agreed. My application is at the CSC and I am not expecting a response until next week for the NOA2. I was also a bit surprised that they would send me that site already, though I'm sure the email I received was legit. Based on the response from everyone here, it seems that this is atypical and as such is probably an oversight on their end (someone at the service or visa center probably clicked a wrong button somewhere).

Will let you all know what happens.

[heo luoi 206]

Are you sure its actually 'coming' from the addresses you say? Albeit the url sounds legit getting before NOA2 doesn't really make sense. Seems like a phishing/spoofing scam.

Check the email headers. W/o a NOA2, theres no reason to even be on ustraveldocs yet.

http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-find-out-where-an-email-really-came-from-1190061668

Edited October 27, 2015 by heo luoi