Calling and Contact Guide for Vietnam K1s

[Hamad and Chau 2]

Combined the posts of Dodi and Darnell and added some comments for this summary:

For the NVC:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3177.html

K1's are not tracked through the AVR, EVER. They are processed like an immigrant visa, but they are NOT immigrant visas, so they fall into a completely different class of their own. Therefore you need an operator. To get there:

1-603-334-0700

Press 2 for Non-Haiti-Related issue (Please note that this will probably change after some time)
Press 1 for English
Press 5 for an operator

When to call NVC->
NVC Human™ will know a bit on an I-129F -
--when it arrived to NVC
--when it left to US Embassy
-- the Embassy Casefile Number.



For DOS:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/about/how/how_1463.html

This is where you will be able to find out if your case was received at the Embassy/Consulate. They will not see your case in their system until the NVC has logged it in and applied a case number to it.

1-202-663-1225 (Effective Monday, September 9, 2013 use (202) 485-7600 )

Press 1 for the Main Menu
Press 4 for Foreigners Applying To Come To the US
Press 2 for Immigrant Visas (yeah, yeah - we know they're not really)
Press 3 for Family or Employer Based Visas
Press 2 for Fiance(e) visas
Press 0 for an Operator

When to call DOS->
then Dos Hotline Human™ knows
--when it arrived at US Embassy (maybe)
--when the casefile was opened
--when the Packet 3 was sent out (if your country still does this)
--when the appointment date is set
--when the packet 4 was sent out
--interview results

In my experience, DOS have more knowledgeable operators, however, if you get a bad one, just try again. You can tell a bad operator, when the dates they give you dont match what you have been tracking on the CEAC site. If you see a date change on CEAC status website, DOS will know why.


For Vietnam HCM Consulate:

You can find all the details of your case once it has been logged by the Embassy/Consulate. They will not accept phone calls or emails for visa inquiries.

Use the inquiry form located here to place an inquiry, response time is usually next day:
http://hochiminh.usconsulate.gov/contact/ivinquiries.html

Critical examples of when you need to use this inquiry
--long wait and no update from embassy
--did not receive packet 3
--did not receive packet 4
--check interview date

--get appointment letter

[Anonymous885 44]

I emailed HCM embassy yesterday and they told me they dont have my physical file. DOS told me it has been shipped to VN on 8/12. When it shipped, DOS is done with it and they dont have any info if Embassy has received the file or not.

[Hamad and Chau 2]

DOS number is useful when the case actually gets to the embassy, your case essentially has left NVC and heading to the consulate in Vietnam.

You will have to wait for the physical file to get there.

Did you get the case number from NVC? That is an important step. Its something like, HCM2013xxxyyy After you have that, pull it up on the CEAC website,

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?

It should say, In Transit. If they didnt give you a case number, you need to call NVC again. Once the case gets to the embassy and been logged, it will say Ready.

Edited August 22, 2013 by Hamad and Chau

[Anonymous885 44]

It had been changed to Ready on 8/15 until now. However, Embassy told me that they dont have my physical file. I got the case number from NVC through phone, email and letter too. I have been checked my visa status all day long and it always shows Ready. I dont understand how does it take 10 days from date of shipping that till does not arrive to Embassy. I know NVC used DHL express mail to ship.

One more questions: Do I prepare Original Justice Record Check # 2 for package 3 or 4?

[Hamad and Chau 2]

There is a separate thread on this site to track the DHL packages, maybe you can search for that. The physical files used to be sent quite fast before, not sure about now. Our transfer from Singapore to HCM took 2 months but that was sent via diplomatic pouch. The CEAC site can be wrong at times, so go with what the consulate is telling you.

Original Justice Record Check # 2 is needed at the interview, so you have time.

For HCM, you can order it at the Justice Department on Pasteur street. It takes 1-1.5 months to get it.

[Anonymous885 44]

Thanks

[JRF 117]

Moderator can we pin this for future reference?