What did "packet 3" look like before September 1

[catsanddogs 0]

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out if my husband and I ever received packet 3 or not.

Did anyone receive theirs before September 1 and if so, did it look like THIS: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3EruivFAao7M0VNZGtMWkFsVE0/edit

NOTE: that is not our letter, someone else scanned theirs and posted it online. We did however receive a letter that looked just liked this in April or May. At the time I'd assumed that wasn't packet 3 and that packet 3 would contain more than just a letter. Now I'm wondering if I was wrong about that....

Thanks!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Packet 3 has been a letter for about four years now. It tells you to get your instruction from the embassy website.

[TomandCatie 7]

Yes, that is a packet 3 letter.

[catsanddogs 0]

Thanks guys.

And now I'm even more confused...

My husband and I received what I am now realizing was packet 3 back in April/May. He had his medical in July and then we sent DS-2001 and DS-230 (parts 1 & 2) to the embassy, as per the letter. They were delivered by Royal Mail August 13th, but not logged into the system until September 17th.

And...this is the confusing part. According to someone I spoke with at the Department of State, packet 3 was both logged AND sent on September 17th. Even though we already received packet 3 almost 5 months before.

So are they sending us a second packet 3 with the new updated instructions to fill out DS-260 instead of DS-230 parts 1 & 2? So far, we have received nothing new in the mail. And also according to the DoS, our account says "all documents received". I tried to sign onto the CEAC D-260 online system just to see if I even COULD (using my husband's birth date and LND) and in fact COULD. I haven't filled out the DS-260 online because I don't want to further confuse matters. I've written to the embassy through their online contact form and sent them a letter registered mail asking how to proceed. And now I suppose the only thing I can do is wait....

Anyone have any idea what to make of this???

Edited September 23, 2013 by catsanddogs

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

If your forms arrived at the embassy in August, the DS-230 is the correct form. Maybe you and DOS aren't communicating well and misunderstanding each other. Maybe they are wrong. Who knows? Packet 3/ 4 is not official terminology. It can take several weeks for them to issue your interview after they have everything received and logged in. Too bad you didn't send forms in April/May and could have been finished by now.

At least you have confirmed everything is received. You should have an interview assignment letter in a few more weeks. Maybe even sooner.

[catsanddogs 0]

Okay good, thank you very much for the input!!

I know, I really keep wishing we'd just sent everything earlier!! At first the process was happening much faster than anticipated so we tried to slow things down (knowing we'd only have 6 months after his medical) but then things started happening more slowly on their end AND our timeline changed. Here's hoping the appointment letter comes very soon!!

[catsanddogs 0]

Nich-Nick you were totally right re the miscommunication! I called the DoS again just now and asked what day packet 3 was SENT to us, and the man on the phone said it was sent APRIL 17th, not September 17th. So whomever I spoke with last time must have misread whatever was on their screen. Which is to say PHEW. Glad that is cleared up and now all there is to do is wait...

[TomandCatie 7]

Once everything has been logged (packet 3 and medical), it's taking about 8-10 days to get assigned an interview at the moment

However, someone on here got their interview the day AFTER getting them logged, so you never know! Check your CEAC status daily

Edited September 24, 2013 by TomandCatie

[catsanddogs 0]

Ah, 8-10 is quite fast. Fingers crossed!!