Waiting on Packet 3 and no way to contact DoS?

[werewolfmojo 0]

Hi all, it's my understanding that a lot of people never receive their Packet 3's in the mail and that it's better to contact the DOS to find out if it's been sent off yet instead. However, the first number I called (202 663 1225) gave me a prerecorded message saying it was no longer a valid DOS number, and the two other numbers I tried (202 647 400 and 202 485 7600) sent me to the same (also prerecorded) message saying that if I had a visa question I should contact the NVC...does the NVC now answer these questions instead? Or am I supposed to call the Montreal embassy directly to find out? Is email better? I'm just not sure what the easiest way to find out when I can send my Packet 3 is. If anyone has done this recently and can help me out, it'd be much appreciated. Thank you! 

[KULtoATL 1,551]

Your local embassy would be the one responsible for the Packet 3 so you'll need to contact them instead. If you are able to reach a human on the phone, you can try to ask them or else, e-mail them. My local embassy was pretty useless over the phone but they responded just fine when inquired via e-mail.

 

I found this link online so take a look: https://ca.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/07/Packet3Instructions-K1.pdf

Edited July 14, 2017 by KULtoATL

[NikLR 13,228]

You download your P3 from the Montreal website when you're ready (the link has been provided already) and your CEAC says ready.  You do not have to have all the items before you send it in, merely have them all before interview. 

[Peot 161]

When did you get your NVC number? It took me about one full month for the NVC to send the info and for the consulate to send me the Packet 3. Check out my timeline link on the left to see how long it took from NVC to Packet 3 in hand.

 

I can confirm though that the Packet 3 does come in the mail and technically does include a pamphlet that is required reading as part of the checklist.... the pamphlet is simply about domestic violence (among other things) and what rights an immigrant has in the US. You CAN read that pamphlet online if it's really bothering you to read it. If you really never receive the packet and it's been quite some time and the CEAC site says "ready", then you should be good to email the info in.

 

I've seen quite a few people sending in Packet 3 before they're ready. If you're really sure something is wrong - Contact the Montreal consulate though email (Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov). They respond to questions within 10 days. The NVC has nothing to do with Packet 3 or Packet 4, but CAN confirm that they sent the visa application to the consulate.

 

You can look up whether the consulate received the packet by using the NVC number at the CEAC site:

ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

 

 

[werewolfmojo 0]

On 13/07/2017 at 8:42 PM, KULtoATL said:

Your local embassy would be the one responsible for the Packet 3 so you'll need to contact them instead. If you are able to reach a human on the phone, you can try to ask them or else, e-mail them. My local embassy was pretty useless over the phone but they responded just fine when inquired via e-mail.

 

I found this link online so take a look: https://ca.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/07/Packet3Instructions-K1.pdf

Thanks for the link. I emailed my embassy, so hopefully they'll respond soon!

 

19 hours ago, NikLR said:

You download your P3 from the Montreal website when you're ready (the link has been provided already) and your CEAC says ready.  You do not have to have all the items before you send it in, merely have them all before interview. 

Thanks! My CEAC does say ready, I just wasn't sure about sending in Packet 3 too early. 

 

6 hours ago, Peot said:

When did you get your NVC number? It took me about one full month for the NVC to send the info and for the consulate to send me the Packet 3. Check out my timeline link on the left to see how long it took from NVC to Packet 3 in hand.

 

I can confirm though that the Packet 3 does come in the mail and technically does include a pamphlet that is required reading as part of the checklist.... the pamphlet is simply about domestic violence (among other things) and what rights an immigrant has in the US. You CAN read that pamphlet online if it's really bothering you to read it. If you really never receive the packet and it's been quite some time and the CEAC site says "ready", then you should be good to email the info in.

 

I've seen quite a few people sending in Packet 3 before they're ready. If you're really sure something is wrong - Contact the Montreal consulate though email (Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov). They respond to questions within 10 days. The NVC has nothing to do with Packet 3 or Packet 4, but CAN confirm that they sent the visa application to the consulate.

 

You can look up whether the consulate received the packet by using the NVC number at the CEAC site:

ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

 

 

Thank you. I received my number on June 29th. Wow, I didn't realize there could be such a long gap between the NVC forwarding my application and Packet 3 arriving. I had assumed it had just gotten lost in the mail. Did it arrive as just regular lettermail, or was it registered/Xpresspost? 
I emailed my embassy, so hopefully they'll tell me I'm good to send everything in. I didn't realize you could email Packet 3 instead of mailing a physical copy, how do you go about that? Just send it as a PDF attachment? My CEAC says ready so if I can send it now, that would be great. 
 

 

[gob332 420]

On 7/16/2017 at 6:11 PM, werewolfmojo said:

Thanks for the link. I emailed my embassy, so hopefully they'll respond soon!

 

Thanks! My CEAC does say ready, I just wasn't sure about sending in Packet 3 too early. 

 

Thank you. I received my number on June 29th. Wow, I didn't realize there could be such a long gap between the NVC forwarding my application and Packet 3 arriving. I had assumed it had just gotten lost in the mail. Did it arrive as just regular lettermail, or was it registered/Xpresspost? 
I emailed my embassy, so hopefully they'll tell me I'm good to send everything in. I didn't realize you could email Packet 3 instead of mailing a physical copy, how do you go about that? Just send it as a PDF attachment? My CEAC says ready so if I can send it now, that would be great. 
 

 

Please come back and post what you find out. I am also waiting for Packet 3 to arrive and we have everything ready. CEAC site shows ready. I e-mailed the consulate on Wednesday, and have not yet heard anything back other than their standard reply e-mail.

Directions on how to e-mail packet 3 can be found here:https://ca.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/07/Packet3Instructions-K1.pdf

[gob332 420]

As stated above, I e-mailed the consulate a week ago today. I heard back a few minutes ago and they asked us to e-mail in Packet 3. My Fiance nor myself have received anything via mail, but they did confirm via e-mail!

 

It took exactly one week to hear back from the consulate.

 

Also, I believe we received our case number on June 23rd if I am not mistaken. Just for reference.

[baconmunch 16]

That's great news @gob332, I'm in the same situation waiting to email in my Packet 3 as well. I sent an email inquiry on Sunday and hope to hear similar news for our K1 application. Hope the turnaround for your P4 email comes in soon!

[Peot 161]

On 7/16/2017 at 6:11 PM, werewolfmojo said:

Thank you. I received my number on June 29th. Wow, I didn't realize there could be such a long gap between the NVC forwarding my application and Packet 3 arriving. I had assumed it had just gotten lost in the mail. Did it arrive as just regular lettermail, or was it registered/Xpresspost? 
I emailed my embassy, so hopefully they'll tell me I'm good to send everything in. I didn't realize you could email Packet 3 instead of mailing a physical copy, how do you go about that? Just send it as a PDF attachment? My CEAC says ready so if I can send it now, that would be great. 
 

 

It was just an unassuming grey large-size envelope. There was nothing on it to indicate it was expressed in any way. Likely wasn't.

 

The ONLY WAY you can submit Packet 3 is via email. PDF attach the 3 documents they ask for. (Checklist, bio-page from passport, and DS-160 confirmation).

 

The subject line HAS TO BE:

[MTL NUMBER]  – DS-160 CEAC # [DS-160 CONFIRMATION NUMBER]

 

Note that you should ONLY email them the documents when they have given you the go ahead as @gob332 did. When I (and plenty of other people here) tried sending in the documents early, you get an email back telling you to wait until you receive Packet 3.

 

Turnaround for Packet 4 for me was 3 days.

Edited July 21, 2017 by Peot

[gob332 420]

10 hours ago, Peot said:

It was just an unassuming grey large-size envelope. There was nothing on it to indicate it was expressed in any way. Likely wasn't.

 

The ONLY WAY you can submit Packet 3 is via email. PDF attach the 3 documents they ask for. (Checklist, bio-page from passport, and DS-160 confirmation).

 

The subject line HAS TO BE:

[MTL NUMBER]  – DS-160 CEAC # [DS-160 CONFIRMATION NUMBER]

 

Note that you should ONLY email them the documents when they have given you the go ahead as @gob332 did. When I (and plenty of other people here) tried sending in the documents early, you get an email back telling you to wait until you receive Packet 3.

 

Turnaround for Packet 4 for me was 3 days.

 

And here is where I am hoping I didn't mess up; when I received an e-mail back from the consulate asking for the packet 3 materials it specifically directed me to send the materials by responding to that e-mail. The subject of the e-mail was our MTL Number, but not the DS-160 Confirmation Number. In my e-mail client, I was unable to edit the subject line when responding. So, if we don't receive Packet 4 by mid next week, we are going to resend Packet 4 per the directions in Packet 3. At any rate, I will keep this thread updated with what happens.

[Peot 161]

6 hours ago, gob332 said:

 

And here is where I am hoping I didn't mess up; when I received an e-mail back from the consulate asking for the packet 3 materials it specifically directed me to send the materials by responding to that e-mail. The subject of the e-mail was our MTL Number, but not the DS-160 Confirmation Number. In my e-mail client, I was unable to edit the subject line when responding. So, if we don't receive Packet 4 by mid next week, we are going to resend Packet 4 per the directions in Packet 3. At any rate, I will keep this thread updated with what happens.

This is literally what is written in Packet 3. (attached screen grab).

Make a new email and attach your files as appropriate. i would not wait until next week. Do it now!

 

Edited July 21, 2017 by Peot

[gob332 420]

On 7/21/2017 at 2:42 PM, Peot said:

This is literally what is written in Packet 3. (attached screen grab).

Make a new email and attach your files as appropriate. i would not wait until next week. Do it now!

 

I did go ahead and send this e-mail as well just to cover all bases. Coincidentally, I (the petitioner) received Packet 3 in the mail yesterday. I'll post when we receive packet 4 for the record. 

[Peot 161]

22 hours ago, gob332 said:

I did go ahead and send this e-mail as well just to cover all bases. Coincidentally, I (the petitioner) received Packet 3 in the mail yesterday. I'll post when we receive packet 4 for the record. 

Note that Packet 4 comes as an email... however there IS a Packet 4 you can download and read from the Montreal Consulate website. It has a few more instructions on what to bring with you to the interview. It's hard to say what they would and would not look for.

 

For example, on the email it does not mention bringing last years tax documents. On the Packet 4 website doc it does.

I'd suggest people go the safe route and follow both.

[gob332 420]

18 minutes ago, Peot said:

Note that Packet 4 comes as an email... however there IS a Packet 4 you can download and read from the Montreal Consulate website. It has a few more instructions on what to bring with you to the interview. It's hard to say what they would and would not look for.

 

For example, on the email it does not mention bringing last years tax documents. On the Packet 4 website doc it does.

I'd suggest people go the safe route and follow both.

Thanks for the heads up. We do have Packet 3 and 4 downloaded from the website ready and have been getting things ready based off of that. Good to know the e-mail is slightly different and to be prepared.

[Peot 161]

Just now, gob332 said:

Thanks for the heads up. We do have Packet 3 and 4 downloaded from the website ready and have been getting things ready based off of that. Good to know the e-mail is slightly different and to be prepared.

Only very slightly different. It contains a less information

 

That's why I've started to recommend people prepare to meet the checklist on both.