Bunch of questions on Packet 3 for K1

[pocheros 101]

Oh, that helps a lot! Thank you I think I know a way to determine the information I need for #7, so I'm pretty much covered now! Thanks for the fast responses guys! I've just been awake for a few hours and already I know where I'm going with all this stuff! Hehe

One more question, haha... When you mail packet 3, how do you assemble it? Do you put it all loose into a big envelope? Do you use a paperclip? A duotang? I'm pretty sure staples are a no-no.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Oh, that helps a lot! Thank you I think I know a way to determine the information I need for #7, so I'm pretty much covered now! Thanks for the fast responses guys! I've just been awake for a few hours and already I know where I'm going with all this stuff! Hehe

One more question, haha... When you mail packet 3, how do you assemble it? Do you put it all loose into a big envelope? Do you use a paperclip? A duotang? I'm pretty sure staples are a no-no.

I simply put it in a clear plastic folder and made sure that my case number was on the folder itself as well as all of the pages that I sent in. Didn't staple or paperclip anything.

[ralyse 31]

Oh, that helps a lot! Thank you I think I know a way to determine the information I need for #7, so I'm pretty much covered now! Thanks for the fast responses guys! I've just been awake for a few hours and already I know where I'm going with all this stuff! Hehe

One more question, haha... When you mail packet 3, how do you assemble it? Do you put it all loose into a big envelope? Do you use a paperclip? A duotang? I'm pretty sure staples are a no-no.

I just put all my papers in a folder with a coverpage that had my case number and a list of what was inside.

[pocheros 101]

Alright, clear plastic folder and coverpage it is!

Yet another question... I noticed that in Ralyse's Pkt3 thread someone said they mailed their packet 3 with ExpressPost. Do they really care how you mail it? The DHL branch closest to me is a bit of a ways (as I take public transit). Could I like, use Canada Post and chose the fastest option for mailing it there? I don't care if it costs me $50. lol. Or is there an advantage to mailing it through DHL (besides it being free?)

Anyways, I registered for DHL on the website as Packet 3 instructed me to. That means that I'll be receiving my passport and visa at the branch I selected and I'll be getting my waybill number later, not now, right?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I didn't send my Packet 3 by DHL. I sent it by Xpresspost.

[ralyse 31]

I sent it via xpresspost too!

[pocheros 101]

Alright, I will be mailing it via xpresspost Thanks again!

I have yet another question. On form DS-230, question #35 (http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/visas/pdfs/visa_DS230.pdf) it asks to "list dates of all previous visits to or residence in the United States. [...] Give type of visa status, if known." Then there's a box for Type of Visa and "A" Number.

I have visited the US a couple times on vacation to see my fiance. Do they want this type of information for this question or is it just if you had a visa to enter the states? I'm so confused :S Should I just enter the dates I saw him and the location and leave the visa and "A" boxes blank?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

That's what I did. I put a separate sheet of paper with that form and included every visit I made to visit my fiance. I put N/A for the Visa and A boxes.

[pocheros 101]

Thanks That's what I did as well.

Well, at 2am I finished all the forms for packet 3! Woohoo! But I have yet one more question... for the confirmation page for DS-160 it has your digital photograph. It has to be in colour right? Mine isn't and I'm not mailing it until I buy colour printer ink tomorrow...

Thank you SO much everyone! You've made the process so much easier and painless for me, and I'm looking forward to my interview now! Yay!

[Shorah 2]

Sounds like you're all ready! Good luck on everything

[SF2007 48]

Thanks That's what I did as well.

Well, at 2am I finished all the forms for packet 3! Woohoo! But I have yet one more question... for the confirmation page for DS-160 it has your digital photograph. It has to be in colour right? Mine isn't and I'm not mailing it until I buy colour printer ink tomorrow...

Thank you SO much everyone! You've made the process so much easier and painless for me, and I'm looking forward to my interview now! Yay!

They will have your passport style photos for color and identification. I printed my DS-160 confirmation page in black & white. All they care for is that the bar code is clear enough.

Good luck!

[pocheros 101]

Thanks for the well wishes guys! I filled out all the forms yesterday and quadruple checked them. Then this morning I went to get passport photos done (to affix to the DS-156) and colour photocopy my passport. I got 5 photos for $20 at Zellers, but accidentally dog earned one and smudged it with my pen, so I guess I'll have to get some more. They want two more at the interview anyways, right? lol. I assembled it all together and mailed it at Staples visa Xpresspost I'm kind of unsure about the folder I mailed my stuff in (it was a big gangly clear plastic folder from the dollar store, with a zipper) because I didn't realize how big it was and I had to shove it into the envelope. It just barely fit. However, I made sure to paperclip the forms (they can throw away the paperclip if they don't like it...) and put two labels, one with my name, case number, and "Packet 3 for K1 visa" on it, and another with the address and "Immigrant Visa Unit" on the clear plastic folder. I included a cover letter as well, which has my name and case number on it, among other information.

That was probably too much detail! Lol. Anyways to everyone who posted in this thread, thank you thank you thank you! I would've been so lost without all your speedy help.

So, how long does it take for them to log packet 3 and send out packet 4 usually? Should I start calling the DoS on Monday? Hehe Ahhh so much to do! I bought myself an accordion folder from Wal Mart for my interview/packet 4 stuff but I'm starting to think it's a bit too small. There were big cardboard ones with handles and then small plastic ones. I got a plastic one because I thought the embassy might consider the one with the handle too suspicious or something haha.

So basically all I have left to gather is my police certificate, which I'll take care of tomorrow, and my birth certificate translation (besides evidence and the I-134 etc., which I have in a binder/can easily access/doesn't cost money or require a trip somewhere). I hope I can find a place that doesn't take long to translate my certificate! For those who didn't see my last thread, the consensus was that while Montreal generally doesn't require a translation for a French birth certificate, they *might* ask for one, and even if they don't it's a good idea to have one as you will probably need a translated one once you're in the States.

Edited May 11, 2011 by pocheros

[pocheros 101]

This forum must have a limit on how many times you can edit your posts because I can't edit my last post anymore... Anyways... I have a sneaking suspicion that I wasn't supposed to affix my photos to the two copies of the DS-156... which I did this morning, with glue stick. Is that what the consular officer is supposed to do?

I must seem like a spazz with all these questions, lol. If I wasn't supposed to it's too late because I already mailed it >_<

[Penny Lane 8,159]

This forum must have a limit on how many times you can edit your posts because I can't edit my last post anymore... Anyways... I have a sneaking suspicion that I wasn't supposed to affix my photos to the two copies of the DS-156... which I did this morning, with glue stick. Is that what the consular officer is supposed to do?

I must seem like a spazz with all these questions, lol. If I wasn't supposed to it's too late because I already mailed it >_<

I wouldn't worry about it No, you were not supposed to. But I honestly don't think it will be a big deal.

[SF2007 48]

So, how long does it take for them to log packet 3 and send out packet 4 usually?

They had an average of 10 days in April between confirmed delivery of Packet 3 and sending Packet 4.

It's unfortunately not instant and you need Packet 4 mailed to you before you can schedule an appointment and then book your medical.