K1 Packet sent to wrong Embassy

[CJ4 0]

Originally my fiance was working in Taiwan but had ended up moving back to the Philippines to be with family until our K1 was ready. I had updated her address and also made a note in the USCIS address change document to update the embassy to Manila. I followed up after with a call to USCIS to confirm a second time that everything was updated. This was in July. Everything was approved and good to go prior to the USCIS completing their portion and then moving on to the NVC. USCIS approved the I-129f Dec 29. Feb 3, the NVC received and sent out the K1 packet to.... Taipei.

I didn't see this until it was too late. This was shipped out immediately upon case number being assigned.

 

From everything I've read, the procedure at this point is to contact Manila and have them request a transfer from Taipei. Problem is, no one is answering calls to the embassy visa hotline. Emails aren't being responded to... There has got to be someone still handling visa emergencies. This isn't an expedited visa but I'm wondering if it might qualify to be expedited now that there is a chance our visa will expire due to the NVC's mistake. Probably not reason enough to qualify, but a guy can hope.

 

I contacted the Taipei embassy, by phone and email, to try and get them to confirm that they would hold the visa which is due to expire April 27th. They refuse to confirm. Extremely unfriendly. According to them, even if Manila requests the transfer, they still won't transfer the papers.

 

To sum it up, I've emailed US Manila Embassy by phone and email. support@ustraveldocs.com, support-philippines@ustraveldocs.com and emailed  House of Rep.

I tried to also request my case be expedited. No response.

House of Rep basically is doing the same thing I am and emailing. It doesn't seem like they have any special channels to help out.

 

What would anyone else suggest that I try at this point? Any special email address or phone number I can try? Recommended email format or subject ATTN: *super important person* that I can add to make my email be seen and replied to?

The clock is running out and it is scary to think that it has been a year since we started this process and it might have been for nothing.

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm so thankful that such a community like this exists and having these forums has really helped me through what seems to be the hardest time of my life.

[SalishSea 16,978]

There is no "visa" to "expire."

 

The validated petition can and will be revalidated if it expires.

 

The reason you are not having any luck with Manila is that they are not doing routine K-1 interviews at the moment.  So, even if they were to request the petition from Taipei, it would end up in the year's worth of petitions awaiting interviews in Manila.

[CJ4 0]

Sure, I understand that. It makes sense for all of the documents that are being held by the NVC and Manila. They are aware that expiration dates are extended because everything is on hold. 

I'm more concerned with Taipei. They are currently processing visas. They don't have a reason to hold on to it after the expiration.

 

I'm just hoping Manila could at least tell Taipei the documents will go to Manila and to hold on to it. At least then I know that I'm still in line to head to Manila.

[Chancy 6,233]

On 4/6/2021 at 3:32 AM, CJ4 said:

To sum it up, I've emailed US Manila Embassy by phone and email. support@ustraveldocs.com, support-philippines@ustraveldocs.com and emailed  House of Rep.

I tried to also request my case be expedited. No response.

 

Maybe you did not get a response because you emailed the wrong address.  Send your request to "IVManilaReplies@state.gov".  Instructions for case transfer request to Manila here -- https://ph.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/case-transfer-request/

 

[CJ4 0]

Thank you so much for your recommendation. I missed that one in my list of emails that I tried. IVManilaReplies@state.gov was actually the first one that I emailed. I got an automated response stating reduced staff and to visit the online resources for help. It didn't indicate that there would be an attempt at a response. I maybe should have kept trying but that auto response was discouraging.

 

There has been an update. My fiance's email received a response from support-philippines@ustraveldocs.com. They have escalated the ticket and the NVC case number has been appended with 01 MNL to the end. For anyone else that might be going through this, the tickets are posted https://cgifederal.secure.force.com. I checked the NVC case number https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

The email response doesn't give much detail but a step in the right direction. Now when I look up the case it shows Philippines as the embassy to contact.

[Daymellow 7]

On 4/10/2021 at 12:23 PM, CJ4 said:

Thank you so much for your recommendation. I missed that one in my list of emails that I tried. IVManilaReplies@state.gov was actually the first one that I emailed. I got an automated response stating reduced staff and to visit the online resources for help. It didn't indicate that there would be an attempt at a response. I maybe should have kept trying but that auto response was discouraging.

 

There has been an update. My fiance's email received a response from support-philippines@ustraveldocs.com. They have escalated the ticket and the NVC case number has been appended with 01 MNL to the end. For anyone else that might be going through this, the tickets are posted https://cgifederal.secure.force.com. I checked the NVC case number https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

The email response doesn't give much detail but a step in the right direction. Now when I look up the case it shows Philippines as the embassy to contact.

How did you get them to change it? I am in a similar situation. My case was sent to Guangzhou, China and I need it transferred to Johannesburg, South Africa. I have emailed the respected embassies but no response. I need help and advise. The case status says it is already ready in China, but I am leaving China to go back to my home country which is SA.

[CJ4 0]

On 4/15/2021 at 6:15 AM, Daymellow said:

How did you get them to change it? I am in a similar situation. My case was sent to Guangzhou, China and I need it transferred to Johannesburg, South Africa. I have emailed the respected embassies but no response. I need help and advise. The case status says it is already ready in China, but I am leaving China to go back to my home country which is SA.

It seems the best way is to contact your House Representative in California?(Wherever you live) and ask that they contact the embassy in Johannesburg to request your file be transferred from Guangzhou.

My House Rep contacted the visa division's chief and that got the job done. It took a month or so but the file made it. 

As a reminder, while you wait you can check your NVC case status and see if the number updates with the Johannesburg tag here https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

That will give you an idea of when it was moved and processed. Might give you an advanced notice so you aren't stressing waiting for an email to confirm it arrived.

[Daymellow 7]

On 4/16/2021 at 8:31 PM, CJ4 said:

It seems the best way is to contact your House Representative in California?(Wherever you live) and ask that they contact the embassy in Johannesburg to request your file be transferred from Guangzhou.

My House Rep contacted the visa division's chief and that got the job done. It took a month or so but the file made it. 

As a reminder, while you wait you can check your NVC case status and see if the number updates with the Johannesburg tag here https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

That will give you an idea of when it was moved and processed. Might give you an advanced notice so you aren't stressing waiting for an email to confirm it arrived.

Thank you!