How long of a wait to receive Packet 4?

[vaksurik 106]

Hello friends! Just curious what the typical wait time is (Netherlands consulate) to receive Packet 4 once Packet 3 has been received by the consulate. I'm looking in people's timelines and the number of days is all over the place. I remember seeing one Packet 4 received the very same day Packet 3 was sent/received, which makes me worry and why I want to ask. 

[amc021 1]

Have you or your spouse already had the interview? I am curious to know how long it took them to schedule it after NVC approved your documents and forwarded to the Amsterdam consulate if so. By the nature of this question, I'm assuming they send the files in chunks to the consulate? Any input is welcome, sorry I can't answer your question, I'm very new to this site. Good luck!

[vaksurik 106]

12 hours ago, amc021 said:

Have you or your spouse already had the interview? I am curious to know how long it took them to schedule it after NVC approved your documents and forwarded to the Amsterdam consulate if so. By the nature of this question, I'm assuming they send the files in chunks to the consulate? Any input is welcome, sorry I can't answer your question, I'm very new to this site. Good luck!

Once you have everything on the checklist from packet 3, you will send that in and shortly they will send you packet 4 which includes instructions on how to make an appointment. That's what we're waiting for now. Receiving packet 4 seemed to be taking unusually long, and I was starting to get worried - turns out my worries were right, one of the forms we meant to send did not make it in the envelope and we caught it! We had to send the missing document with a short letter. 

 

I don't believe they send everything in chunks. Once the NVC sent everything to Amsterdam, it took only a couple of days to reach the consulate. A day or two after that, we received packet 3 from the consulate with a checklist of everything we needed to accomplish in order to make the interview appointment.  He was able to gather everything he needed in a few weeks , but if you get everything done now, you could potentially complete the checklist the day you receive it. We got held up with the police report - the VOG. They're apparently backed up, so definitely get that ASAP. 

 

I see you've applied for IR-1/CR-1. I'm going through the K1 process...keep in mind also that your process may differ slightly from mine. I honestly don't know.

Edited August 22, 2018 by vaksurik

[naomieliza 35]

@vaksurik what do you need to send back after you get packet 3? 

[vaksurik 106]

6 hours ago, naomieliza said:

@vaksurik what do you need to send back after you get packet 3? 

You need to send back:

1 - the DS160 confirmation page with barcode

2 -  the "checklist" from packet 3 - to verify you have the required documents for the interview (the actual page is slightly confusing)

3 -  the appointment request page - also a part of packet 3

4 - photocopy of your passport bio page

 

The checklist includes:

1- the appointment request page (you get this in packet 3)

2- the ds160 confirmation page with barcode

3- passport

4- birth certificate, original or certified copy

5- divorce/death certificate, if applicable

6- form I-134

7- police certificate (the VOG) from The Netherlands (get this NOW!)

8 - police certificate for all countries lived in for more than 6 months, if applicable (except US)

9- 2 copies of court or prison records, if applicable

10- military records, if applicable

11- 6 US-style passport photos (make sure the dimensions are correct)

12- proof of relationship evidence (whatever you used for the original petition, plus proof of ongoing relationship - evidence from the time you sent the petition until the interview)

 

The reason why the checklist page is confusing to me is that there are two columns next to each item which denote whether an original or copy is needed. It's unclearly worded. There is an easier way to say whether an original, a copy, or both is required....but god forbid simplicity and clarity be a part of this visa process! haha

 

Also, it says nothing about the medical because that information you will receive in Packet 4. However, you can go ahead with that now, as far as I know. (We did, and others have as well.)  https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/AMS - Amsterdam.pdf ---> Here's the info on that.

 

Hope that helps!

Edited August 22, 2018 by vaksurik

[naomieliza 35]

4 hours ago, vaksurik said:

You need to send back:

1 - the DS160 confirmation page with barcode

2 -  the "checklist" from packet 3 - to verify you have the required documents for the interview (the actual page is slightly confusing)

3 -  the appointment request page - also a part of packet 3

4 - photocopy of your passport bio page

 

The checklist includes:

1- the appointment request page (you get this in packet 3)

2- the ds160 confirmation page with barcode

3- passport

4- birth certificate, original or certified copy

5- divorce/death certificate, if applicable

6- form I-134

7- police certificate (the VOG) from The Netherlands (get this NOW!)

8 - police certificate for all countries lived in for more than 6 months, if applicable (except US)

9- 2 copies of court or prison records, if applicable

10- military records, if applicable

11- 6 US-style passport photos (make sure the dimensions are correct)

12- proof of relationship evidence (whatever you used for the original petition, plus proof of ongoing relationship - evidence from the time you sent the petition until the interview)

 

The reason why the checklist page is confusing to me is that there are two columns next to each item which denote whether an original or copy is needed. It's unclearly worded. There is an easier way to say whether an original, a copy, or both is required....but god forbid simplicity and clarity be a part of this visa process! haha

 

Also, it says nothing about the medical because that information you will receive in Packet 4. However, you can go ahead with that now, as far as I know. (We did, and others have as well.)  https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/AMS - Amsterdam.pdf ---> Here's the info on that.

 

Hope that helps!

Ahh thank you so much for this! I’ve been looking everywhere to find it. It’s all soooo confusing.

 

Can you get the VOG without having packet 3? Or do you need to wait to get it. 

Edited August 22, 2018 by naomieliza

[vaksurik 106]

11 minutes ago, naomieliza said:

Ahh thank you so much for this! I’ve been looking everywhere to find it. It’s all soooo confusing.

 

Can you get the VOG without having packet 3? Or do you need to wait to get it. 

I know! Before packet 3 I was pulling my hair out trying to find a nice organized list like this!!! 

 

You can absolutely apply for your VOG before packet 3. We are STILL waiting for this, so I suggest doing it ASAP.

[naomieliza 35]

19 minutes ago, vaksurik said:

I know! Before packet 3 I was pulling my hair out trying to find a nice organized list like this!!! 

 

You can absolutely apply for your VOG before packet 3. We are STILL waiting for this, so I suggest doing it ASAP.

I hope you’ll get it soon!!

I thought you needed to show something for what you needed the VOG, but it’s great if I can get it now 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

3 hours ago, vaksurik said:

I know! Before packet 3 I was pulling my hair out trying to find a nice organized list like this!!! 

 

You can absolutely apply for your VOG before packet 3. We are STILL waiting for this, so I suggest doing it ASAP.

Here is a copy of the P3 from your Embassy. https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/AMS%20-%20Amsterdam.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiTnKWrrcjcAhUJ_aQKHRTJBYcQFjABegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2whmGnsc2ri-a2tc9OgPYx

 

3 hours ago, naomieliza said:

I hope you’ll get it soon!!

I thought you needed to show something for what you needed the VOG, but it’s great if I can get it now 

Does any of this help http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Netherlands&cty=Amsterdam Oh BTW if you see something no correct you can take it upon yourself to correct so others who come behind you understand the process. Good luck.

Edited August 23, 2018 by Greenbaum

[vaksurik 106]

11 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

Here is a copy of the P3 from your Embassy. https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/AMS%20-%20Amsterdam.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiTnKWrrcjcAhUJ_aQKHRTJBYcQFjABegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2whmGnsc2ri-a2tc9OgPYx

 

Does any of this help http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Netherlands&cty=Amsterdam Oh BTW if you see something no correct you can take it upon yourself to correct so others who come behind you understand the process. Good luck.

That top link is actually for the medical instructions, not Packet 3. I think these medical instructions will come with Packet 4 (which we are waiting on) but you can do your medical before even Packet 3 arrives. 

 

I’ll have to set aside some time later to update the consulate info- it indeed isn’t correct! I didn’t realize I could change it. Thanks for letting me know!

 

@greenbaum is there a link to a basic guide on how to use visajourney? There are a lot of functions, labels, and forum locations I am completely in the dark about. I’d love to figure out how to use this site more efficiently! 

Edited August 23, 2018 by vaksurik

[Greenbaum 12,259]

10 hours ago, vaksurik said:

That top link is actually for the medical instructions, not Packet 3. I think these medical instructions will come with Packet 4 (which we are waiting on) but you can do your medical before even Packet 3 arrives. 

 

I’ll have to set aside some time later to update the consulate info- it indeed isn’t correct! I didn’t realize I could change it. Thanks for letting me know!

 

@greenbaum is there a link to a basic guide on how to use visajourney? There are a lot of functions, labels, and forum locations I am completely in the dark about. I’d love to figure out how to use this site more efficiently! 

There isn't a guide that I know of. I learned most of the things through others and also just clicking on the tabs and sub-tabs to see where they would take me. Here is something fun to use. You see the profiles in the left column? You can select the timeline and see the person's timeline. You can select their flag and you will be taken to their country's portal which has a ton of information about the process. You can also from there, see others who are processing from that country. You can see others who are near you in processing. You can select those near you to "follow" so when they up date their timeline you will get notified. There is so much to learn here but nobody goes outside their little comfort zone but they just ask their question and hope someone will answer them. They don't even read a page or two behind them to see if the question has been asked. I can't tell you the number of times that I had someone ask a question and I had just answered it on the same page they were asking. Oy Vey. Good luck.

 

BTW can you send a scanned copy of the P3 to my VJ PM. I use it to help others and since I only have the medical which can only mean I don't have the P3 to use. Thanks.

[vaksurik 106]

On 8/23/2018 at 8:22 PM, Greenbaum said:

There isn't a guide that I know of. I learned most of the things through others and also just clicking on the tabs and sub-tabs to see where they would take me. Here is something fun to use. You see the profiles in the left column? You can select the timeline and see the person's timeline. You can select their flag and you will be taken to their country's portal which has a ton of information about the process. You can also from there, see others who are processing from that country. You can see others who are near you in processing. You can select those near you to "follow" so when they up date their timeline you will get notified. There is so much to learn here but nobody goes outside their little comfort zone but they just ask their question and hope someone will answer them. They don't even read a page or two behind them to see if the question has been asked. I can't tell you the number of times that I had someone ask a question and I had just answered it on the same page they were asking. Oy Vey. Good luck.

 

BTW can you send a scanned copy of the P3 to my VJ PM. I use it to help others and since I only have the medical which can only mean I don't have the P3 to use. Thanks.

I can definitely send over a copy of the P3! Which is the best way attach something to a PM? I don't see anything other than adding a image URL or adding an existing attachment? How do I make an existing attachment?

 

I understand how frustrating it is when people don't take the time to look up answers. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a FAQ page for each step of the K1 process, and one for each portal as well? Then the "monthly" forum groups could stick to more strange and unusual questions. Even a "Welcome to Visajourney, Here Are Some Rules" page that is easy to access would be helpful! If I knew anything about making websites I would totally down to make this happen. Alas, I'm a musician. 😂

 

Thanks for all the info! I definitely have a handle on most of that - but I am so embarrassed to say how long it took me to figure out how to "post to the portal." I couldn't find a button anywhere! I didn't realize until far too late that all you had to do was create a topic and it automatically goes to your portal!  A FAQ page on how to use this site would also be helpful! Haha! 

 

Either way, this community is awesome. I love seeing people help people, and whoever named this forum got it right. This is a JOURNEY. Thanks for all you do.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I concur with your assessment of VJ.

 

The best way to send it is scan it to a PDF and attach it as a file. Use the VJ PM feature to send.  Thanks.

[vaksurik 106]

15 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

I concur with your assessment of VJ.

 

The best way to send it is scan it to a PDF and attach it as a file. Use the VJ PM feature to send.  Thanks.

So glad you agree! 😄

[PaddyH 17]

Hi @Greenbaum and @vaksurik by any chance were you able to upload a copy of the P3 for The Netherlands? This would be very helpful if I could see what documents I need to get in order while I wait for my application to go to NVC.