Schedule Interview, or Wait for Packet 3? [split topic]

[NM2428 12]

Ok, i am confused as well. We got our case number and the petitioner just received a letter stating the case number and a link to fill out the DS160. So I went ahead and completed that online. Where is packet 3? I haven't received it yet? and can I go ahead and schedule the interview now, or wait for packet 3? I don't want to get ahead of myself, just need clarification as this can all be sooooo overwhelming.

[Rob & Monika 87]

For Montreal http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/Packet3-K1-MTL.pdf

For Vancouver http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/Vancouver/k-pkt3_1_.pdf

[cloudy 6]

Don't wait for Packet 3! Use the link in the post above and email them what they ask for in the instructions. In the email, request they send you packet 4 by email. You could waste weeks waiting for it, or just send it in now. (...if timeliness is important to you. i know some people have situations where they aren't in a rush and if that's the case, then you could just wait)

I emailed mine 2 days after the consulate received it (once CEAC said "ready") and got my packet 4 three weeks later. And most people have been getting packet 4 even quicker.

Don't schedule the interview till you receive Packet 4 though.

Edited October 2, 2014 by cloudy

[NM2428 12]

Don't wait for Packet 3! Use the link in the post above and email them what they ask for in the instructions. In the email, request they send you packet 4 by email. You could waste weeks waiting for it, or just send it in now. (...if timeliness is important to you. i know some people have situations where they aren't in a rush and if that's the case, then you could just wait)

I emailed mine 2 days after the consulate received it (once CEAC said "ready") and got my packet 4 three weeks later. And most people have been getting packet 4 even quicker.

Don't schedule the interview till you receive Packet 4 though.

Thank-you for your response. I tried the phone number to see if our file has arrived. The phone number no longer works. So I e-mailed and got some information and links as the response. I found the checker and it tells me it's not a valid number and to contact the consulate, so am I assume our file hasn't arrived yet? Do I just keep checking on the status checker and wait until it says "ready" as you mentioned above, then proceed to submit pkt 3 at that point?

Edited October 4, 2014 by NM2428

[NM2428 12]

I emailed mine 2 days after the consulate received it (once CEAC said "ready")

How did you know the consulate received it?

[abella 13]

It depends on the embassy, but I scheduled our interview and we have not received anything except the confirmation that the embassy received our case. We scheduled once we has our NVC case number.

[NM2428 12]

Ok, thank-you. I guess I will go ahead and submit pkt 3 now. Thanks again for your help

[NikLR 13,227]

How did you know the consulate received it?

Because the CEAC says ready which means the file is at the consulate. Otherwise it would say "in transit" or "at NVC"

[thatangela 134]

This whole process really highlights the inefficiencies of American government.

Not that ours is perfect or anything ...

[NM2428 12]

I checked the status and it reads "no status" Our case was shipped from the NVC to mtl conulate on Sept17. I'll keep checking. In the mean time, I went ahead and sent in pkt3 via e-mail I hope I didn't make a mistake in doing so...

[NM2428 12]

Scratch that! I just checked again and it's reading ready!! I read a post to check in the immigrant status check and it worked! Apparently they received it on the 24th, a small unnecessary delay, but it could be worse! Just happy they received it! Yay!

[NM2428 12]

WOW! I e-mailed pkt 3 yesterday and received pkt 4 via email already this afternoon!

[NikLR 13,227]

YAY now you can book your interview and medical and get your butt in gear. After you book your interview, you can keep checking back for a closer date if you want to.

[NM2428 12]

Thank-you. Medical and interview booked and it's in three weeks! Yay! Work booked off, flight and hotel booked. Now to try to focus and remain calm until then

[NM2428 12]

Medical - Check

*please note they asked for 5 photos, not 3. Then I still needed two passport type photos for the interview. So be sure to have 7 passport type pictures, there is a photo book in the consulate waiting room if you end up needing more. (I had read previous that they might, so I was prepared)

Interview - Check

APPOROVED! Thanks so much for all your help and support up to this point! Good luck and best wishes to all in their journeys