OPT Seeker...Obstacles.

[SilentTowers 0]

Hello folks,

I'm new to VisaJourney as I did not know where else to turn. My story is long, convoluted and depressing so I will not bore you with it. At this present point in time, I'm under an F-1 visa looking to apply for OPT, so that I can move in with my girlfriend and help pay for house expenses. We plan on getting married sometime during my OPT period - I told her I wanted to do things right (Ask her father for permission, purchase a ring, etc.)

As of right now, I need my passport renewed to apply for OPT, it expires mid-next month. I'm from Venezuela, and live in NY state. Calling the Venezuelan Consulate in New York is like finding bigfoot. Nearly impossible. I called -relentlessly- for two hours and no one picked up the phone. At one point, they did pick up, and they hung up on me!!! Short of actually -taking- a trip to NYC (which would be expensive, given I live in western new york) I don't see what else I can do. I don't want to fall out of status because some people can't be bothered to do their jobs.

It is worth mentioning I called every single extention number in the Consulate website for New York, and none of them got me through to a person. When I tried to leave a message, it always said "Sorry, this persons voicemail box is full."

Is there an agency I can contact who can make the appointment for us?

Thank you for your time.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Have you tried calling a consulate in another city other than New York? You don't have to call the embassy. the US has multiple consulates in Canada, any one of then can help a US citizen, perhaps that is the same with Ven.

Good luck

[SilentTowers 0]

Have you tried calling a consulate in another city other than New York? You don't have to call the embassy. the US has multiple consulates in Canada, any one of then can help a US citizen, perhaps that is the same with Ven.

Good luck

Thank you for the reply. My understanding is that Venezuelan consulates work by jurisdiction, I don't think they'd allow me to renew my passport with them if I do not live within their jurisdiction.

However calling them to see if they can get me in contact with New York is not out of the question. I shall try that.

[Harsh_77 718]

Honestly don’t know most Vjers could do anything on your situation. All we can say is first try to find out if Ven has consulates in other US cities and if they can help you.

You will have to get your passport renewed or you will be out of status.

http://venezuela-us.org/consulados-en-eeuu/#2 there you go whole lot of consulates in various cities.

I believe that’s all the information you need to renew your passport. - http://www.consuvenezhouston.org/expedicion1.htm

[morecokes 0]

Just travel to NYC and visit the V-Consulate. Traveling from Western NY to NYC is far?! You gotta be kidding me...