I opened an envelope that was for POE

[KJC 1]

When my visa arrived, it came in a plastic cover, which I opened, and without even so much as looking at the front of the envelope, I just assumed that I had to open it.

In it was all my paperwork and medical files that the embassy had.

I only just noticed my mistake when packing tonight as I am flying out tomorrow morning, and then I saw on the front of the envelope that it said "to be opened by immigration blah blah blah".

The envelope itself is semi held shut by the selotape that was already on there.. but it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out it has been opened before.

As far as I was aware, the only thing I had to give to POE people was the envelope given to me at the interview and was specifically told that I had to hand it over to POE.

I even came on here and made a post about getting the visa and pretty much told everyone that I had opened the envelope and what was in it... nobody picked up on my mistake and I remember being told that I wouldn't even have to hand this over to POE.

I would just as soon jump off something very tall than get kicked out of the country because of this.

[eric_and_teresa 10]

On similar cases, the K-1 holder has gone back to the Consulate to get the envelope re-sealed, but since you are flying tomorrow... I don't know if it's worth risk it, or re-scheduled your flight and go back to the Consulate first time in the morning.

Edited April 13, 2008 by eric_and_teresa

[KJC 1]

or re-scheduled your flight and go back to the Consulate first time in the morning.

Not an option.

[pushbrk 12,569]

or re-scheduled your flight and go back to the Consulate first time in the morning.

Not an option.

In my experience this is not the end of the world kind of mistake. In our case, the POE officer didn't keep the envelope. I knew there was a sealed envelope not to be opened but surely anything that got home with my wife, more than a thousand miles from the POE was important. I opened it and was shortly after informed by me wife that it was not to be opened.

I just took it to the nearest USCIS office where the took the envelope as it was, sent it over to the local CBP supervisor for proper handling and referred me to him to correct the I-94 and stamps the original CBP officer had screwed up to.

I'm sure they deal with this mistake often. If I were you, I'd be prepared for a scowl or two at the POE but nothing more.

[rebeccajo 14]

or re-scheduled your flight and go back to the Consulate first time in the morning.

Not an option.

In my experience this is not the end of the world kind of mistake. In our case, the POE officer didn't keep the envelope. I knew there was a sealed envelope not to be opened but surely anything that got home with my wife, more than a thousand miles from the POE was important. I opened it and was shortly after informed by me wife that it was not to be opened.

I just took it to the nearest USCIS office where the took the envelope as it was, sent it over to the local CBP supervisor for proper handling and referred me to him to correct the I-94 and stamps the original CBP officer had screwed up to.

I'm sure they deal with this mistake often. If I were you, I'd be prepared for a scowl or two at the POE but nothing more.

Mike, I don't know. I've never read of anyone trying it.

At this late stage, the OP has almost no other choice. But anecdotally people who commit this 'offense' take the packet back to the consulate to be sealed prior to departing their home country.

That's incredible that CBP didn't take your wifes envelope upon her entry. That's a big no-no on their part.

[KJC 1]

or re-scheduled your flight and go back to the Consulate first time in the morning.

Not an option.

In my experience this is not the end of the world kind of mistake. In our case, the POE officer didn't keep the envelope. I knew there was a sealed envelope not to be opened but surely anything that got home with my wife, more than a thousand miles from the POE was important. I opened it and was shortly after informed by me wife that it was not to be opened.

I just took it to the nearest USCIS office where the took the envelope as it was, sent it over to the local CBP supervisor for proper handling and referred me to him to correct the I-94 and stamps the original CBP officer had screwed up to.

I'm sure they deal with this mistake often. If I were you, I'd be prepared for a scowl or two at the POE but nothing more.

Mike, I don't know. I've never read of anyone trying it.

At this late stage, the OP has almost no other choice. But anecdotally people who commit this 'offense' take the packet back to the consulate to be sealed prior to departing their home country.

That's incredible that CBP didn't take your wifes envelope upon her entry. That's a big no-no on their part.

I read a POE review a while back that said she only just realized as she was standing in line at customs that her mother had opened the envelope, but apparently it was not a big deal with the officials.

Edited April 13, 2008 by KJC

[rebeccajo 14]

or re-scheduled your flight and go back to the Consulate first time in the morning.

Not an option.

In my experience this is not the end of the world kind of mistake. In our case, the POE officer didn't keep the envelope. I knew there was a sealed envelope not to be opened but surely anything that got home with my wife, more than a thousand miles from the POE was important. I opened it and was shortly after informed by me wife that it was not to be opened.

I just took it to the nearest USCIS office where the took the envelope as it was, sent it over to the local CBP supervisor for proper handling and referred me to him to correct the I-94 and stamps the original CBP officer had screwed up to.

I'm sure they deal with this mistake often. If I were you, I'd be prepared for a scowl or two at the POE but nothing more.

Mike, I don't know. I've never read of anyone trying it.

At this late stage, the OP has almost no other choice. But anecdotally people who commit this 'offense' take the packet back to the consulate to be sealed prior to departing their home country.

That's incredible that CBP didn't take your wifes envelope upon her entry. That's a big no-no on their part.

I read a POE review a while back that said she only just realized as she was standing in line at customs that her mother had opened the envelope, but apparently it was not a big deal with the officials.

Well then, there ya go.

Just be prepared to explain what happened, and come back in a few days and let us know how it all went for you.

[KJC 1]

Reading through POE reviews... Everybody seems to always mention handing over ONE envelope... I have two envelopes: one that was given to me the day of the interview rolled up with an elastic band, and the other one that came alongside the K1 visa (which I mistakenly opened), which says on the front:

"To be opened only by the United States Immigration or Public Health Service Officer.

This is your visa. It must be surrendered to the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Entry into the United States

Do not pack it - it must be hand carried".

How come nobody else has to hand over 2 envelopes?

[rebeccajo 14]

There are typically two envelopes delivered to you.

One is a smaller one which you do open. It contains the passport.

The other larger one is the 'do not open' envelope.

[KJC 1]

There are typically two envelopes delivered to you.

One is a smaller one which you do open. It contains the passport.

The other larger one is the 'do not open' envelope.

But my question is whether or not everyone else is required to hand over 2 envelopes at POE. I have 2 to hand over but nobodies POE reviews describe 2 envelopes.

[rebeccajo 14]

There are typically two envelopes delivered to you.

One is a smaller one which you do open. It contains the passport.

The other larger one is the 'do not open' envelope.

But my question is whether or not everyone else is required to hand over 2 envelopes at POE. I have 2 to hand over but nobodies POE reviews describe 2 envelopes.

I'm not sure I understand your question.

I saw my husband's visa delivered. I was with him in the UK, albeit 2.5 years ago.

At that time, the smaller envelope was affixed to the outside of the larger one. It was a bit confusing if you didn't know what you were looking for.

Are any of your envelopes still unopened?

[KJC 1]

There are typically two envelopes delivered to you.

One is a smaller one which you do open. It contains the passport.

The other larger one is the 'do not open' envelope.

But my question is whether or not everyone else is required to hand over 2 envelopes at POE. I have 2 to hand over but nobodies POE reviews describe 2 envelopes.

I'm not sure I understand your question.

I saw my husband's visa delivered. I was with him in the UK, albeit 2.5 years ago.

At that time, the smaller envelope was affixed to the outside of the larger one. It was a bit confusing if you didn't know what you were looking for.

Are any of your envelopes still unopened?

I was given an envelope on the day of the interview and told that I would have to give this to the POE. The second envelope was delivered with the visa.

[rebeccajo 14]

There are typically two envelopes delivered to you.

One is a smaller one which you do open. It contains the passport.

The other larger one is the 'do not open' envelope.

But my question is whether or not everyone else is required to hand over 2 envelopes at POE. I have 2 to hand over but nobodies POE reviews describe 2 envelopes.

I'm not sure I understand your question.

I saw my husband's visa delivered. I was with him in the UK, albeit 2.5 years ago.

At that time, the smaller envelope was affixed to the outside of the larger one. It was a bit confusing if you didn't know what you were looking for.

Are any of your envelopes still unopened?

I was given an envelope on the day of the interview and told that I would have to give this to the POE. The second envelope was delivered with the visa.

Are any of your envelopes still unopened?

[KJC 1]

Just the one I was given on the day of the interview (which I was told not to open).

[rebeccajo 14]

Did you open the envelope given to you at the interview which they told you not to open?

I am trying to figure out what was in that envelope, as I have not heard of such an admonition or envelope before.