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JenAndBabs

Passport stolen on way to embassy appt--what can we do?

By JenAndBabs in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

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JenAndBabs Explorer

JenAndBabs   1

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
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Posted

Does anyone have any experience with this, or know what we should do next?

After six months of admin processing, the embassy in Ghana called my fiance and told him to come in today. On the way to the embassy he was met by armed robbers who stole his bag including his passport and all of the other documents he had pertaining to our visa application (like evidence of our relationship, NOAs, etc, all with a lot of personal identifying information on them). He is at the police office reporting the incident.

What can he do about the appointment? There is no way to contact the embassy in ghana by phone, although I did send them an email already. I told him to go to the embassy after reporting the incident and try to explain what happened, but of course I don't think they will let him in without a passport. Also, could the thieves use his passport or the other information in those documents to impersonate him and try to show up there or otherwise mess with our visa application?

But praise God that, thanks to admin processing, the embassy has his birth certificate so the thieves didn't get that.

Jen and Babs

Psalm 20:5

1/01/2007 - First date

2/04/2010 - I-129F sent

2/08/2010 - NOA1

3/30/2010 - NOA2 Approved!!

4/07/2010 - NVC received

5/12/2010 - Packet picked up/interview date assigned

10/25/2010 - Finally back in Ghana to visit!

11/01/2010 - Interview--mostly positive, but consular officer requires cosponsor

11/24/2010 - 3rd appt.--Finally have all documents in. Result-Administrative Processing! Consulate says they will contact my fiance

05/18/2011 - Admin processing complete! Babs is asked to appear at the embassy on the 25th.

05/25/2011 - En route to the embassy, Babs is robbed on the roadside. His passport and other papers are all stolen. After filling out a police report, he arrives at the embassy a little late, and they allow him in to speak to the CO, even though he has no valid ID. Thank God! The CO gives him another appointment on June 15th, to bring a new passport and also an updated police certificate.

06/14/2011 - New passport (expedited) ready.

06/15/2011 - The CO finds a missing stamp on the new passport. Sends Babs back to the passport office and tells him to return in the afternoon. All is taken care of. VISA APPROVED!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!

06/24/2011 - Visa pick up date--told to return on the 30th.

06/30/2011 - Babs returns but doesn't get the visa. Back in AP!

10/05/2011 - Embassy brings Babs back with updated medical. Approved!! CO sets pick-up for only 2 days away, so as not to delay him any longer.

10/07/2011 - VISA IN HAND!!

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anm2010 Rookie

anm2010   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Burundi
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Posted

Oh, sorry to hear that, letting the embassy know of the incidence, and reporting to the police is the first, and most important fix... I think it is nice to have a copy of the police report of the incidence too. Does he have a copy of his documents maybe left at home? or you? especially the appointment letter, and/or the copay of the passport biographic page? He would try to use that to get the access to the embassy and by God's grace he would be able to explain what happened and see how it will be from there

Nov 04, 2007 I met my fiancee in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania

Feb 20, 2010 We got married in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania

Oct 29, 2010 I mailed I-130

Oct 31, 2010 I-130 arrived at USCIS

Nov 02, 2010 NOA1 written

Nov 08, 2010 Received NOA1 hard copy "priority date 10/31/2010"

Mar 14, 2011 Touch

Mar 23, 2011 USCIS approves the petition

Mar 24, 2011 Touch

Mar 28, 2011 Received NOA2 hard copy "APPROVED" Many thanks to God!!!!

Mar 31, 2011 NVC received file from USCIS

Apr 02, 2011 Received forst e-mail from NVC with AOS bill included

Apr 03, 2011 Paid AOS bill

Apr 05, 2011 AOS fee status "PAID"

Apr 06, 2011 Received AOS package via e-mail and IV bill generated

Apr 08, 2011 IV bill paid

Apr 12, 2011 IV bill status "PAID"

Apr 14, 2011 AVR "IV package is being generated"

Apr 18, 2011 mailed AOS

Apr 29, 2011 asked NVC if AOS ahs been received, answer "wait till 20 days from mailing date"

May 02, 2011 E-mail form NVC RFE "needs to send DS-230"oooh!!!! Thank God am working on it!thought was something big!

May 11, 2011 I mailed DS-230 and supporting civil docs via USPS

May 16, 2011 called NVC to ask if they have received D-230. answer, same ####### "wait 20 business days from mailing date" uughhhhh!!!

May 20, 2011 Case closed at NVC

May 21, 2011 Log on NVC payment system and get SIF.... OMG!!! so nervous!!!

May 29, 2011 Received Email IV packet... Interview July 6th, 2011, nervous to death!!!

Jul 06, 2011 Interview**** APPROVED!!!!! YEEHAWWWW!!!! and Thanks to God!!!!!

Jul 13, 2011 VISA picked up at the embassy

Jul 18, 2011 Entry to the US, POE JFK NYC

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GhLove Enthusiast

GhLove   4

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
 Timeline
Posted

Oh, sorry to hear that, letting the embassy know of the incidence, and reporting to the police is the first, and most important fix... I think it is nice to have a copy of the police report of the incidence too. Does he have a copy of his documents maybe left at home? or you? especially the appointment letter, and/or the copay of the passport biographic page? He would try to use that to get the access to the embassy and by God's grace he would be able to explain what happened and see how it will be from there

WOW!!! I am soooo sorry that this has happen to you guys! :crying: I'm sure its very frustrating! But it sounds like you have done everything right as far as reporting. Was he on one of the buses from the North? If so, the company should also have reported and be able to provide some type of statement. As far as the embassy goes, I'm thinking he will need to work on getting another passport ASAP! I know someone who got a new passport within a week! However, just like anything else in Ghana, its all about who you know and usually how much you are willing to pay (sadly). I'll ask around and see what I can find out...

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midge and isi Proficient

midge and isi   8

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Ghana
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Posted

You can get a new one in two days if you want to pay for it. He will need to get his Birth Certificate before he can get a new passport if that was stolen too.

I can/can't believe this happened. The two of you have been so patient for this day and now this. Thinking of you both. Hopefully the embassy has dealt with this before (I would be surprised if they havent). Good thing is his finger prints are HIS ALONE so those are on record and the embassy can use that as proof of who he is. The Visa was not in there yet so they can't try to travel on it. Lets look at the positive? It could be worse...

Praying and thinking of you. Keep us informed on what happens.

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JenAndBabs Explorer

JenAndBabs   1

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Ghana
 Timeline
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Posted

Thank you all for your comments and advice!

You are right that it could have been much worse. He wasn't badly injured and they got his bag, but they failed to take his phone or his money. The embassy let him in with just the police report, and the officer was very sympathetic and told him to get his new passport and a new police certificate and come back on June 15 for the visa!! The CO didn't say anything about the medical, but he gave him a yellow form that also has the medical on it. and they didn't give him back his birth certificate, so Babs has to work on that in order to get the passport.

Ironically, he just missed being robbed earlier in the week in the buses from the north. His bus was right behind those that were robbed, and they were warned in time to avoid it. Then he meets armed robbers right on the road on his way to the embassy anyway.

He's a little shaken up, but I think we're going to be okay. Such a mix of emotions between 1 a.m. and now! But good to remember that God owns the day and the night.

Jen and Babs

Psalm 20:5

1/01/2007 - First date

2/04/2010 - I-129F sent

2/08/2010 - NOA1

3/30/2010 - NOA2 Approved!!

4/07/2010 - NVC received

5/12/2010 - Packet picked up/interview date assigned

10/25/2010 - Finally back in Ghana to visit!

11/01/2010 - Interview--mostly positive, but consular officer requires cosponsor

11/24/2010 - 3rd appt.--Finally have all documents in. Result-Administrative Processing! Consulate says they will contact my fiance

05/18/2011 - Admin processing complete! Babs is asked to appear at the embassy on the 25th.

05/25/2011 - En route to the embassy, Babs is robbed on the roadside. His passport and other papers are all stolen. After filling out a police report, he arrives at the embassy a little late, and they allow him in to speak to the CO, even though he has no valid ID. Thank God! The CO gives him another appointment on June 15th, to bring a new passport and also an updated police certificate.

06/14/2011 - New passport (expedited) ready.

06/15/2011 - The CO finds a missing stamp on the new passport. Sends Babs back to the passport office and tells him to return in the afternoon. All is taken care of. VISA APPROVED!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!

06/24/2011 - Visa pick up date--told to return on the 30th.

06/30/2011 - Babs returns but doesn't get the visa. Back in AP!

10/05/2011 - Embassy brings Babs back with updated medical. Approved!! CO sets pick-up for only 2 days away, so as not to delay him any longer.

10/07/2011 - VISA IN HAND!!

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,324

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

What a bummer. At least he wasn't badly hurt, and the situation is correctable. Soon, he can come to the U.S. to what's hoped is a far safer environment.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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