Time to get Packet 3 from London

[kjrrem 0]

Hey! I apologize if this is a repeat. I've searched the forums and can't find anything about this.

My question relates to the amount of time it takes to get Packet 3 from London. Our petition was approved by USCIS on November 10, 2009. NVC sent the package to London on November 16, 2009. According to DOS, London received the electronic version on November 16, 2009 but has not yet received the physical file.

I've checked the DHL tracking (for what that's worth) and found only one package going to London on the 16th of November, and it was signed for on November 19, 2009. It's now over a month since the electronic file was sent and still nothing.

He has all of his forms ready to go, and with the upcoming holidays, we want to be sure we get things in so he can hopefully get in the next round of interviews. Is it normal to take over a month before having the physical file entered into the system? Can he post his completed forms to the embassy before the holidays even if the file hasn't been entered into the system?

He's going to be in the US with me for Christmas (Dec 24-Jan 9) so we don't want to wait until he returns if we don't have to.

Any advice would be appreciated. Our concern is with the amount of time that's slipping by the NOA2 will expire before he gets in the interview (valid until March 10, 2009).

Thanks! and Happy holidays!

[Adrian+Mike 2]

If its any help the time between NOA2 and receiving the ''packet'' 3 letter was around 2 weeks for us.

Also As long as they actually have you in their system you can go ahead and download the forms and book a medical for packet 3. Best thing to do is to ring the Embassy to ask if they have assigned you a case number (usually starts with LND, depends where you live) and if you are indeed in the system and they have received your package from the NVC.

As for the NOA2 expiring, I believe thats what the second letter of intent is for, but im sure someone else can give better advice on that.

[Justine+David 218]

At the London consulate, as long as you've been in contact with them (i.e. sending them packet 3 docs) before the end of the expiration period, you'll be automatically extended for 12 months from the NOA2 date.

I do remember it taking a long time for London to log our documents...but if it's been a month since they signed for the document, you can always call the embassy phone number, a.k.a. extortion line. Sorry about that...

[kjrrem 0]

Thanks!

I spoke to DOS again this morning. London has our electronic file in their system. They just haven't entered in the physical file. We have our LND case number. Does that mean we are in the system and could go ahead with sending in the forms?

I'll have him call the embassy though to see what the hold up is.

[*julez* 124]

Thanks!

I spoke to DOS again this morning. London has our electronic file in their system. They just haven't entered in the physical file. We have our LND case number. Does that mean we are in the system and could go ahead with sending in the forms?

I'll have him call the embassy though to see what the hold up is.

I wouldn't send the forms back until you've been told by DOS that the embassy has mailed packet 3. I wouldn't waste the money on call ing the embassy as it's exspensive & they will make you email the embassy for more info. The extortion line can't actually tell you anything. You get better info from DOS.

[kjrrem 0]

We're still waiting for our physical package to be processed so they will send out packet 3. This is really frustrating at this point. But packet 3 is all ready to be sent out whenever the embassy decides to open the package. Hopefully they'll be back in full force after the holidays!

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Has anyone else ever experienced it taking over 1 month to have their physical package from NVC logged into the system in London?

[Justine+David 218]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you are probably looking at a late-Feb or March interview unless you write them otherwise since us December folks who sent in our P3's are expecting to get the interview date letter in January for late Jan or February interviews because according to member statistics they only do schedule interviews once a month.

It can take up to two weeks for them to process your P3 docs once they get them, unfortunately...

[kjrrem 0]

Thanks Justine!

Yeah, we figured it'd be February/March on the interview at this point. Which is fine. He wasn't planning to move until March anyway. The only stress is that we were working with a late April (24th) wedding date because we thought that this part wouldn't take this long. We'll see if that has to be moved. At this point it's still ok.

Hope you guys have a very Merry Christmas!

[Justine+David 218]

If you've got a wedding date and everything, I'd suggest writing that on the IV checklist, you write down a week before as your wedding date and usually they're good about accomodating for your wedding. Good luck!

Oh: and as long as your have your LND number, you can schedule a medical at any time now and the new rules are that it has to be done about a week before the interview date.

Edited December 24, 2009 by Justine+David

[souljah4christ 0]

We got our NOA2 August 21 2009, & our package left the NVC 10 days later for London.

Then we waited for our Packet 3, which never came. When we finally called DoS two months later, they said London had prepared the P3 to send on September 16th, and that we should have received it long ago.

We then proceeded to book the Medical (November 20th) and send in the DS forms & IV Checklist (P3) on November 28th.

They finally logged our P3 on December 11th and we are still waiting for our interview date.

I would get your Police Clearance and have the forms ready for when they log in your petition. Once it is logged in then book your medical and send in your forms and checklist.

I just wanted you to see our dates and history, and to make sure you wait for a P3 that never comes.. like we did!

Merry Christmas!

[kjrrem 0]

Thanks again guys for helping.

In doing some searching on other timelines (for London) on here...I've found a couple of timelines that indicate their approved petitions left NVC AFTER the November 16 date that our's left NVC...and they've already received packet 3. DOS still reports to me that London hasn't opened our physical package so packet 3 hasn't been printed.

Wouldn't it be unusual to process packages that came in later than those that are already there? Should we call someone to see about expediting this process...or to at least find out where our physical file is so he can send in his packet 3 forms?

Any other insights would be appreciated.

[Jewel-8 21]

Thanks again guys for helping.

In doing some searching on other timelines (for London) on here...I've found a couple of timelines that indicate their approved petitions left NVC AFTER the November 16 date that our's left NVC...and they've already received packet 3. DOS still reports to me that London hasn't opened our physical package so packet 3 hasn't been printed.

Wouldn't it be unusual to process packages that came in later than those that are already there? Should we call someone to see about expediting this process...or to at least find out where our physical file is so he can send in his packet 3 forms?

Any other insights would be appreciated.

Call the extortion line. If they can't tell you anything ask if you can get the email code and email them about it.

[kjrrem 0]

Call the extortion line. If they can't tell you anything ask if you can get the email code and email them about it.

Thanks!

Called the embassy this morning. I was given a code and told to have him send them an email explaining his change of address (he moved at the beginning of Dec but we were told not to change the address until we were in the system there initially)...and to explain the date of the electronic submission of the package (from NVC) and that he has not received packet 3. I'm guessing from others' experience that we may or may not hear back from our email...but at least it will be brought to someone's attention (I hope).

[kjrrem 0]

Today officially marks 8 weeks since NVC sent our package to London and still we're not entered into the system in London.

I've called London twice now and we've sent them emails regarding this. It's getting a bit ridiculous now.

Has anyone out there had this happen before? We're still really hoping for a February interview date but at this point, we're both getting very frustrated.

[kjrrem 0]

Yay! Progress!

Received a reply from the embassy today that he can send in his packet 3 forms when he has them ready. That was a brilliant way to start my day!

Thanks again to everyone for their help and suggestions with this. Now let's hope the next step of logging our packet 3 goes more smoothly.