Interview documents stuck in customs!!!

[kelli316 0]

Hey everyone.

I'm freaking out because my fiance has his interview at the embassy in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday (June 15) and the paperwork I sent him awhile ago is STUCK in customs in São Paulo. Brazil doesn't send mail on Saturdays or Sundays and he leaves on a flight early Monday morning headed for Rio, so really the last day for him to receive the paperwork is Friday. I sent it Express Mail International and it was supposed to take 3-5 days. When I sent it, we had 19 days until the interview... not much time, I realize, but they only gave us less than a months notice of our interview date. It took me awhile to get the paperwork together and organized since I wasn't sure exactly what they wanted until we got the interview letter. I had to do all of the paperwork myself since the forms are all in English and my fiance doesn't speak English.

Anyways...We've been calling calling calling customs, post offices, talking to supervisors, managers, bosses, etc.... nobody can seem to get through to anyone in Brazil to convey the URGENCY of the package. They don't seem to care. They just keep saying we just have to wait our turn for it to process through customs like everybody else.

Does anyone out there no of ANYTHING we can do?

I have recreated the whole package I sent him and I'm going to try to Fedex it tomorrow...they seem to think they can get it there by Friday. (although I have my doubts if it has to go through this same customs process)

I also scanned everything and I can send it to him electronically.... But then nothing will be original...and it seems highly important to have original documents/signatures.

All the originals are in the package I sent...so I only have copies.

PLEASE HELP! WHAT DO I DO??!?!!?!??!?

[Ladylethal 12]

I think you're doing what you can. Send the documents by Fedex (resend originals of what you can), tell your fiance to print out all the scans, and if the FEDEX doesn't arrive (or the documents you sent), have your fiance take the copies to the interview, and explain the documents were held in customs longer than expected, that way if there are any originals they need, they can probably ask for the documents before approving the petition.

Your only other option is to call the consulate, explain the situation and ask if you should cancel the interview and re-schedule it. I'd e-mail them asking about it.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I think you're doing what you can. Send the documents by Fedex (resend originals of what you can), tell your fiance to print out all the scans, and if the FEDEX doesn't arrive (or the documents you sent), have your fiance take the copies to the interview, and explain the documents were held in customs longer than expected, that way if there are any originals they need, they can probably ask for the documents before approving the petition.

Your only other option is to call the consulate, explain the situation and ask if you should cancel the interview and re-schedule it. I'd e-mail them asking about it.

Good advice. Be sure to fax or email copies as that may get you through the interview and only cause a minor delay to bring originals. You could even send TWO packages by Fedex and hope one of them goes through without being held in customs. Alla just sent me some things from Moscow and we got it in 2 days here, but it has taken up to two weeks if it gets snagged in customs. Unless EVERY package gets held for customs checks then another one has a good chance to get through.

[menina 50]

It has been awhile since I did the interview documents for my husband (fiance at the time) who does not speak English, but I believe some of the forms had to have a bar code on them that only came out when printed from the consulate website. it wouldn't be the same if you just scanned and emailed it or faxed it I don't think. So sending another copy FedEx is probably a good idea so that he has the original to be scanned at the interview. One thing you might try is fax him the completed forms then have him go on the consulate website and transfer the information on his computer then print the forms. It doesn't matter how many times you fill in the forms, you get a different bar code each time, and there is no record of you having used a previous bar code. I know because we found mistakes after printing the forms and had to start over. You just have to have an original, no copies or faxes or anything. The only problem you may run in to is that your signature is needed on the I-134. I would fax it or email it to him with an explanation and if possible correspondence from customs showing that you did your best to get the originals to him. The mail system in Brasil is having a lot of delays right now--we experienced similar delays due to a mail strike, but the packages eventually cleared customs. I'm crossing my fingers for you that the package will clear soon. It shouldn't be much longer. Stay strong--the stress leading up to the interview is the worst part. If I can help in anyway, just send me a message.

[DoneWaiting 15]

Also, scan and sent/email the overnight receipt + possible some documentation showing the package is somewhere in customs.

As suggested above, placing a call to the embassy is important, but I will suggest an email.. I think you should explain the situation to them but don't suggest re-scheduling the interview. They can suggest to come to the interview and bring copies of the documents. When they respond you will have written confirmation in the event they advise you to come to the interview.

Hope everything works out at the end

Edited June 9, 2010 by DoneWaiting

[kelli316 0]

Thanks for all the advice!!

I sent a new package of paperwork through fedex with all the copies and proof (receipts from usps) of having tried to mail the first package.

We got really lucky and BOTH packages ended up arriving on Friday-- the last possible day he was able to receive them before leaving for his interview on a flight to Rio!

I appreciate everyone's help through this whole process.

He has his interview tomorrow morning.

I'm praying everything goes well and he gets the visa without any problems.

Thanks again!

[sachinky 465]

That's good news--good luck!

[menina 50]

Hoping to hear you got good news at the interview!

[Ramonbrausa 0]

If first package was sent via regular mail, is normal to have such delay, the Post Office in Brazil is having troubles delivering lately, and that's the reason why is being held at customs, it's the Brazil Post Office the one in charge of releasing that..it happened the same to me recently, with the whole package copy...i used Priority with Delivery Conf. and by this number my fiancee called the P.O. and they told her they got it, and it was going out for delivery soon...i guess it took like more than 30 days to get there...i sent it earlier...but it wasn't like that before, it's just now...something is happening with their delivery schedule...email is the best way to contact the consulate, let them know what's going on, and about the current P.O. issues, i am sure they will know. good luck.

Edited June 16, 2010 by Ramonbrausa