Question about Packet 4 (documents for interview) (Thailand)

[BenAndNida 0]

Packet 3 indicates a long checklist of documents that must be sent in to the U.S. Embassy (in duplicate).

We completed that a couple weeks ago.

Now, we have received our Packet 4, which indicates a long checklist of documents that must be brought to the interview.

However, most of these items are documents that we *already sent* to the U.S. Embassy (in duplicate).

e.g., DS-156, DS-157, etc.

Yes, I saved copies. But now I must apparently scan and e-mail them to my wife to print out and bring with her to the interview?

Is it correct that they actually want us to submit a *third copy* of each of these documents in order to be accepted to interview?

(If so, they sure didn't indicate that would be necessary when we submitted out Packet 3 documents. They indicated: You may wish to save a copy of these documents for your own personal records. But they didn't say: Oh, by the way, we are going to want a third copy of each of these documents for your interview. Exception: They did indicate that they wanted to see originals of some documents (e.g., birth certificate) at the interview. But that was all.)

Just seems pretty crazy and contradictory/unexpected to me. (And I bet many people are caught by surprise at this.)

Can anybody else confirm that my reading of this is correct?

Thanks.

[daboyz 36]

Packet 3 indicates a long checklist of documents that must be sent in to the U.S. Embassy (in duplicate).

We completed that a couple weeks ago.

Now, we have received our Packet 4, which indicates a long checklist of documents that must be brought to the interview.

However, most of these items are documents that we *already sent* to the U.S. Embassy (in duplicate).

e.g., DS-156, DS-157, etc.

Yes, I saved copies. But now I must apparently scan and e-mail them to my wife to print out and bring with her to the interview?

Is it correct that they actually want us to submit a *third copy* of each of these documents in order to be accepted to interview?

(If so, they sure didn't indicate that would be necessary when we submitted out Packet 3 documents. They indicated: You may wish to save a copy of these documents for your own personal records. But they didn't say: Oh, by the way, we are going to want a third copy of each of these documents for your interview. Exception: They did indicate that they wanted to see originals of some documents (e.g., birth certificate) at the interview. But that was all.)

Just seems pretty crazy and contradictory/unexpected to me. (And I bet many people are caught by surprise at this.)

Can anybody else confirm that my reading of this is correct?

Thanks.

Look here:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/root/pdfs/k_visa_packet3.pdf

Packet 3 instructions say only send in DS-230 part 1, copy of passport, and photos. The rest of it is just a checklist saying that you have the rest of the documents to bring to the interview. It says to bring the rest to the interview.

[BenAndNida 0]

Thanks for your excellent and quick reply...

But you know what is so messed up? Those Packet 3 instructions/checklist that you just cited on the U.S. Embassy website are *different* from the instructions that my wife received in mail. (I have a scan of the U.S. Embassy Packet 3 instructions/checklist document that my wife received right here on my PC. The instructions are completely different.)

So, basically, it appears that there are two versions of the Packet 3 instructions, one obsolete and one new-and-improved.

Well... This is just the final unwelcome joke on this 7-month-long journey for me.

Thanks, man.

And *Thank God* I saved copies of everything.

(Except for a couple of the idiotic government forms (e.g., DS-230) that are .pdf files that *can't be saved* and that were lost when my Adobe Acrobat decided to spontaneously auto-update and crash.)

[BenAndNida 0]

Here is what my Packet 3 (Rev. 09/08) instructions indicate (verbatim):

"Once you have all the documents in your possession, complete and sign the Checklist and return it with all the required documents listed on the Checklist to the embassy by mail. Please mail to us the original and photocopy of all the documents for yourself and each of your family members... [Etc.]"

So, if a person did exactly what they said (as I did), then I hope you saved *extra copies* because you're going to need them to be admitted to your interview!

[daboyz 36]

Here is what my Packet 3 (Rev. 09/08) instructions indicate (verbatim):

"Once you have all the documents in your possession, complete and sign the Checklist and return it with all the required documents listed on the Checklist to the embassy by mail. Please mail to us the original and photocopy of all the documents for yourself and each of your family members... [Etc.]"

So, if a person did exactly what they said (as I did), then I hope you saved *extra copies* because you're going to need them to be admitted to your interview!

I went IR-1, so I am hoping to god the originals make it there for the interview. My wife made copies. I'm nervous about NVC sending all my originals to BKK, and worrying about them making it there.. I guess I'll find out soon. I had her make copies of everything just in case.

[Thai family 0]

Packet 3 indicates a long checklist of documents that must be sent in to the U.S. Embassy (in duplicate).

We completed that a couple weeks ago.

Now, we have received our Packet 4, which indicates a long checklist of documents that must be brought to the interview.

However, most of these items are documents that we *already sent* to the U.S. Embassy (in duplicate).

e.g., DS-156, DS-157, etc.

Yes, I saved copies. But now I must apparently scan and e-mail them to my wife to print out and bring with her to the interview?

Is it correct that they actually want us to submit a *third copy* of each of these documents in order to be accepted to interview?

(If so, they sure didn't indicate that would be necessary when we submitted out Packet 3 documents. They indicated: You may wish to save a copy of these documents for your own personal records. But they didn't say: Oh, by the way, we are going to want a third copy of each of these documents for your interview. Exception: They did indicate that they wanted to see originals of some documents (e.g., birth certificate) at the interview. But that was all.)

Just seems pretty crazy and contradictory/unexpected to me. (And I bet many people are caught by surprise at this.)

Can anybody else confirm that my reading of this is correct?

Thanks.

You won't have to submit another DS 230, since that had to be sent back with packet three, so don't sweat that one. It's always good to have a copy in your backup file, though. In July they only required the DS 230, passport photos, the signed checklist and a copy of the passport to be sent in packet three and the rest was taken to the interview. Sorry you got mixed up messages from them. This process is confusing enough as it is. You'll be at the finish line soon.

Thai Mom