Send DS230 "Immediately"

[SachaAndIain 10]

I'm a little confused by packet 3 instructions. It says you must immediately send back the DS230, then when you've got everything else, send them too. Since they don't schedule the interview until you send them everything else, why not ask for them all in one go? Is there some other process that happens when you send in the DS230 that would otherwise delay your interview? Can I choose to send them all together, as I've almost got them all ready to go the minute I get my packet 3?

[Lainie B 465]

I think I sent one copy when I received the Packet 3 and a second copy when I sent everything else. At the time I was either worried that the two wouldn't be matched up, or else I had heard that sometimes the DS230 goes missing.

I believe that sending the DS230 gets them started on your application in their system, so it might save some time sending it right away. I suggest sending a second copy with the rest of your documents.

[SachaAndIain 10]

And if the rest of my docs, except medical, are ready when I get packet 3?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

And if the rest of my docs, except medical, are ready when I get packet 3?

Then send it together.

You don't HAVE to send it separate, but it's so they check everything in their system and get you good to go.

Honestly if you're going to get the P3 stuff together a day or so after getting P3, you may as well just wait and send together.

[turtlegirl 6]

I had wondered about this also. We sent them in together, because we had everything (except medical) ready to go within a few days of getting the packet 3 together- we were just waiting on him to get a letter I had mailed him, which took a couple days longer than we expected but we held the packet for it anyway. He mailed it June 28th, and they received it within 2 days, but we are still waiting to hear anything back about packet 4. I was hoping that we hadn't caused a delay by sending it together, but I just figured that maybe things needed to go to different departments or areas or something. Ah, waiting makes your mind go nuts, huh?

[SherryandDaniel 4]

Did you try e-mailing the consulate for an update? Usually the turn around is pretty good for them (from what I've read)

I had wondered about this also. We sent them in together, because we had everything (except medical) ready to go within a few days of getting the packet 3 together- we were just waiting on him to get a letter I had mailed him, which took a couple days longer than we expected but we held the packet for it anyway. He mailed it June 28th, and they received it within 2 days, but we are still waiting to hear anything back about packet 4. I was hoping that we hadn't caused a delay by sending it together, but I just figured that maybe things needed to go to different departments or areas or something. Ah, waiting makes your mind go nuts, huh?

[turtlegirl 6]

Did you try e-mailing the consulate for an update? Usually the turn around is pretty good for them (from what I've read)

I was going to have my fiancé e-mail them for an update this week, since the turn around time is technically 30 days and we aren't there yet. He just got back from his medical this weekend, and he's not been feeling well since. But I think I'll pop him a text and ask if he can do that today. Then maybe we'll hear something before the weekend. Thanks!

[SherryandDaniel 4]

Hey Turtlegirl, did you ever hear anything from the Sydney consulate? We are waiting for the packet 3 e-mail now, and I'm just wondering if the consulate is running a little slow recently. I hope you already heard from them since you've been waiting so long.

I was going to have my fiancé e-mail them for an update this week, since the turn around time is technically 30 days and we aren't there yet. He just got back from his medical this weekend, and he's not been feeling well since. But I think I'll pop him a text and ask if he can do that today. Then maybe we'll hear something before the weekend. Thanks!

[turtlegirl 6]

No, I emailed them last week and I still have not heard anything. I emailed them Wednesday (Thursday morning Australia time) It's now Monday afternoon Australia time, and not a thing. I think they must be behind. I'm getting a bit frustrated. I'm not sure if I should just sit tight or if I should shoot them another e-mail. I don't want to be a pest, but I would just like to know what the status is. If they are backed up, fine, just tell me and I can sit tight a bit longer. (Like I haven't been waiting all this time already, right? :-p )

[SherryandDaniel 4]

Oh gosh! That is crazy that they haven't even responded. Maybe shoot them another e-mail tomorrow? You are putting your case number in the subject line and putting the petitioner/ben info in the email, right? That's the only thing I can think of besides them being really busy right now. There's also a time once a week when they take phone calls for 4 hours. I know I've read that somewhere, but I just can't recall what day they do that. I want to say it's Friday though. Hang in there! I know every day you have to wait is so frustrating! Just remember you're in the home stretch!

No, I emailed them last week and I still have not heard anything. I emailed them Wednesday (Thursday morning Australia time) It's now Monday afternoon Australia time, and not a thing. I think they must be behind. I'm getting a bit frustrated. I'm not sure if I should just sit tight or if I should shoot them another e-mail. I don't want to be a pest, but I would just like to know what the status is. If they are backed up, fine, just tell me and I can sit tight a bit longer. (Like I haven't been waiting all this time already, right? :-p )

[turtlegirl 6]

Oh gosh! That is crazy that they haven't even responded. Maybe shoot them another e-mail tomorrow? You are putting your case number in the subject line and putting the petitioner/ben info in the email, right? That's the only thing I can think of besides them being really busy right now. There's also a time once a week when they take phone calls for 4 hours. I know I've read that somewhere, but I just can't recall what day they do that. I want to say it's Friday though. Hang in there! I know every day you have to wait is so frustrating! Just remember you're in the home stretch!

Thanks! Yeah, I put the case number in the subject line and I put all the info into the email as well. I copied it directly from the e-mail they sent us for packet 3 so I wouldn't mess it up even! I wondered if it was because I had sent the e-mail and not my fiancé, but I put both of our names in the email and the Packet 3 was sent to me so they have my email address as well as his. I think if I don't hear anything by tomorrow I may send them another inquiry, although my fiancé thinks we should just wait it out. I'm not good at that I'm afraid, haha. I do take consolation in the fact that we are almost done though, at least with this part. Once we are together, it will be a million times easier. I just want to be able to finalize some other things that are hinging on the interview date- like his travel plans to Sydney, etc.

Do you have everything ready to go for your packet 3 already? You are getting there too!!! So exciting! When are you planning to get married? (Edit- I couldn't see your signature in typing mode I see your date now- We are planning to get married not too long before you- October 10th )

Edited July 22, 2013 by turtlegirl

[usbridetobe 3]

Oh gosh! That is crazy that they haven't even responded. Maybe shoot them another e-mail tomorrow? You are putting your case number in the subject line and putting the petitioner/ben info in the email, right? That's the only thing I can think of besides them being really busy right now. There's also a time once a week when they take phone calls for 4 hours. I know I've read that somewhere, but I just can't recall what day they do that. I want to say it's Friday though. Hang in there! I know every day you have to wait is so frustrating! Just remember you're in the home stretch!

I have heard in the past that the Sydney consulate are very helpful and will try and expedite ones case if they can. I think they respond to emails but it takes a few goes.

If you could find the day that they take calls and let us know it would be really really helpful to the OP and to me as well.

[SherryandDaniel 4]

I working on Packet 3 today! I'm stressing so much over it. Hoping to mail everything off tomorrow morning to my fiancé. We haven't gotten an e-mail from Sydney yet though, so we're just waiting too.

Thanks! Yeah, I put the case number in the subject line and I put all the info into the email as well. I copied it directly from the e-mail they sent us for packet 3 so I wouldn't mess it up even! I wondered if it was because I had sent the e-mail and not my fiancé, but I put both of our names in the email and the Packet 3 was sent to me so they have my email address as well as his. I think if I don't hear anything by tomorrow I may send them another inquiry, although my fiancé thinks we should just wait it out. I'm not good at that I'm afraid, haha. I do take consolation in the fact that we are almost done though, at least with this part. Once we are together, it will be a million times easier. I just want to be able to finalize some other things that are hinging on the interview date- like his travel plans to Sydney, etc.

Do you have everything ready to go for your packet 3 already? You are getting there too!!! So exciting! When are you planning to get married? (Edit- I couldn't see your signature in typing mode I see your date now- We are planning to get married not too long before you- October 10th )

Hey! I'm working on my packet 3 right now, but after I'm done with that, I'll have another look. You can also look around on this forum, as I know I definitely read it on here.

I have heard in the past that the Sydney consulate are very helpful and will try and expedite ones case if they can. I think they respond to emails but it takes a few goes.

If you could find the day that they take calls and let us know it would be really really helpful to the OP and to me as well.

[turtlegirl 6]

According the Embassy link, calls are taken Fridays from 8-12. http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Australia&cty=Sydney

I received an e-mail response back just now about my inquiry, however it was the generic "Thank you for your inquiry, you should hear back within 30 days of receipt and will be assigned the first available interview date, etc" form letter that they send everyone. I doubt they even looked up our case. It's been about 3 weeks, so hopefully we will hear something in the next week. His mum is starting to drive him batty because she wants to start to make arrangements for things so it's not just my sanity at stake here, so fingers crossed it happens soon!

[usbridetobe 3]

According the Embassy link, calls are taken Fridays from 8-12. http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=Australia&cty=Sydney

I received an e-mail response back just now about my inquiry, however it was the generic "Thank you for your inquiry, you should hear back within 30 days of receipt and will be assigned the first available interview date, etc" form letter that they send everyone. I doubt they even looked up our case. It's been about 3 weeks, so hopefully we will hear something in the next week. His mum is starting to drive him batty because she wants to start to make arrangements for things so it's not just my sanity at stake here, so fingers crossed it happens soon!

Thanks so much for the link with tel number. I dont know whether they will discuss specific cases / appointments but its definitely a good option.

I really hope you hear something in the next few days. I think once they assign you an interview they are then more willing to look at you case and perhaps bring forward the interview date and respond more accurately by email etc.

Its such a stressful time for all of us.