Visa packet? How to get the passport?

[Nicole O. 0]

I have searched around the internet and even this forum just to make sure.

We received the packet that contains different documents and our passports. How can we get the passports?

I've seen different answers that you CUT a portion, or OPEN it properly. I don't know what the correct way is.

My mother and I CAN'T afford to make a mistake on this because my father will enroll me sometime next week and any delay is destructive.

Please tell me if we will get scissors and cut underneath the plastic or simply open it from atop?

Thanks and God bless.

[magdasal 19]

You can open the plastic and get the passport out, no problem. It's the brown envelope with the corner cut off that you must never open. There should be warning stickers and instructions telling about the brown envelope.

[Nicole O. 0]

Thank you... that's what I told my mom but she insists on cutting it.

Is that okay, too? Sigh..

[A.S 0]

Thank you... that's what I told my mom but she insists on cutting it.

Is that okay, too? Sigh..

Absolutely NOT! Tell your mother to keep her fingers off the envelope!!!

[Navyk 78]

Absolutely NOT! Tell your mother to keep her fingers off the envelope!!!

If opened, she will be denied entry at POE to US. And she will have to go back to the US Consulate and get another sealed packet - of course they would be mad.

[magdasal 19]

Thank you... that's what I told my mom but she insists on cutting it.

Is that okay, too? Sigh..

Yeah, she can cut the plastic part...but never cut the brown envelope...or touch it or look at it wrong...