Packet 3 back in the post

[LaL 418]

If this were some new service offered by DOS, it'd be all over this board and everybody from London to HoChiMinh City to Manilla would be dialing it.

I am just going to guess here, but the reason why this number hasn't made "headlines" so to speak with VJ'ers is because under most situations the process just chuggs along at its own pace and while wait times do occur, the process does work. This number is freely used by us in the MENA section (and has for years) mostly POST interview to get updates about Administrative Review (just try to contact a middle east consulate - its pretty laughable). Sure you can use it in most legs of the journey, but for the most part, hasn't been overwhelmingly necessary.

[TimsDaisy 0]

i've called the line two more times since this crazy thread started.

called on friday (optimistically soon, i know), no change in status.

called this morning, still no change in status. the woman asked if he'd mailed back what the Embassy requested of him. i said yup, he had done so last week. she said, well, they don't have it in the system yet, and there's a few more steps for them to do too, but i'm sure it will pop up soon. i said a cheery, thanks! calling is just a way to feel like i am doing something, she said no problem, and that was that.

i'll may give another call this afternoon - after it is London Embassy closing time, but while the State Dept is still open.

i was talking with another VJer who said it would depress her if she called and heard no change in status. for me it's the opposite - like i said above - i just feel like i'm doing something. and that's why the number is there. all state department visa specialists continue to be cheery, cooperative, helpful, and patient on the phone. none seems bothered by the call.

to review for anyone new to the thread:

The State Department is on 001 202 663 1225 then press 1,0,0 to talk to someone

They can tell you whether the Embassy has put the file on the system, saves you calling the premium rate line in London to ask!!

Hold times can be long - but the longest they've been is about 10 minutes. And if you're calling from a cell phone or somewhere else where long distance is free, then through the magic of speakerphone, you don't even lose productivity.

[LaL 418]

many of us stopped our weekly or monthly calling after the information started to get really bad information from them. things like months after our interview they would say completely erroneous things like - "well he needs to be scheduled for an interview", or "i see here that there are no checks ordered". maybe they are better at handling the more typical visa procedures.

just wanted to add that often their information isn't so informative.

Edited June 4, 2007 by lal_brandow

[TimsDaisy 0]

many of us stopped our weekly or monthly calling after the information started to get really bad information from them. things like months after our interview they would say completely erroneous things like - "well he needs to be scheduled for an interview", or "i see here that there are no checks ordered". maybe they are better at handling the more typical visa procedures.

just wanted to add that often their information isn't so informative.

I can't speak to the Canadian experience. And I know to take all information as unconfirmed until more concrete evidence shows up - like packet 4, or the visa, or whatever. I don't predict I will need to be calling the visa line months after our interview - not that I rule out the worst case scenario.

The phone number is a resource, but as with everything in this process, it's a guarantee of nothing. Most should know that and be comfortable with that - or learn to get comfortable with it.

[Mags 112]

If this were some new service offered by DOS, it'd be all over this board and everybody from London to HoChiMinh City to Manilla would be dialing it.

I am just going to guess here, but the reason why this number hasn't made "headlines" so to speak with VJ'ers is because under most situations the process just chuggs along at its own pace and while wait times do occur, the process does work. This number is freely used by us in the MENA section (and has for years) mostly POST interview to get updates about Administrative Review (just try to contact a middle east consulate - its pretty laughable). Sure you can use it in most legs of the journey, but for the most part, hasn't been overwhelmingly necessary.

I was talking to my hubby about this the other day and he confirmed that he phoned this number when I was having my visa holdup in London. They told him that it had been dispatched days before (this is when I found out that SMS had cocked up big time). So it worked back in October/November time for me (or him should I say!).

I'm going to have to say though that I'd never have dreamed of using it as many times in the day or week as Daisy, but each to their own I guess!

Edited June 4, 2007 by mags

[TimsDaisy 0]

Yup. Makes me feel productive. Wouldn't make others feel that way, so whatever whatever, right?

And it's only until I hear that they've received packet 3/set an interview date. I wouldn't feel comfortable assuming it got there or simply waiting until he gets the hard copy. Why sit back if I can avert a problem early on? If it seems like what he's mailed has gone missing in the post, I'd rather start to figure that out sooner rather than later.

[Mags 112]

Yup. Makes me feel productive. Wouldn't make others feel that way, so whatever whatever, right?

And it's only until I hear that they've received packet 3/set an interview date. I wouldn't feel comfortable assuming it got there or simply waiting until he gets the hard copy. Why sit back if I can avert a problem early on? If it seems like what he's mailed has gone missing in the post, I'd rather start to figure that out sooner rather than later.

Everyone's different and it IS your case after all, it is totally up to you how you handle it.

[Converse34 1]

Pleasantly Persistant is the way to be!!

[rebeccajo 14]

Well, in case anyone was wondering, I haven't bothered calling. I've been too busy and in the meantime it appears from what others report that the number works, so I don't really see the point.

My apologies for doubting.

Personally though, I wouldn't use this number unless I felt there was a problem. And yeah, I know it's easy to point a finger at me and say 'well you are done - stop armchair quarterbacking'. So I'm gonna explain why I feel this way....

When we were processing, it was taking a good while between Packet 3 and Packet 4, and the interview dates were usually 6-8 weeks AFTER Packet 4 was received. I can remember having loads of stress about when we would get the date. BUT - I knew the consulate had received Packet 3 from Wes. We had sent it FedEx and had a confirmation number. We both knew that EVERYBODY was waiting and nothing that was going on with us was unusual. So we b*tched, moaned, complained, and bellyached - and waited.

So yeah, I can say with confidence how I feel about the number. And I think what lal_brandow has to say is very telling - the MENA girls know more about true difficulties that side of the journey than anyone else. So I trust her judgment implicitly when it comes to taking what information one might receive from making the call with a grain of salt.

Edited June 4, 2007 by rebeccajo