Receiving Package 3 from Bridgetown Embassy

[happiness268 14]

Does anyone have any insight on the process after the case is sent to the Embassy by the NVC?

Does the Embassy send you the Package 2 information via mail or email?

Can you call or email to get the information beforehand?

[trublubu2 62]

Yes, I would like to know as well, as there's not any real info on what happens at this stage of the process for the BGN embassy.

Happiness268, thanks for starting the topic.

[JDWright 30]

You're in Antigua so you're under the jurisdiction of Bridgetown. They will send packet 3 by mail to the address you had on file from the USCIS stage, if you email them they will send you a general packet 3 with all that you need to submit, if you don't hear from them I can forward you both general packets 3 and 4. Case specific details will be on the cover page and you'll get that from them.
Here is an excerpt from the general packet 3 information that you'll need.

"· FIRST: :- Complete Form DS-160: Your fiancé(e) and his or her children must each complete Form DS-160 to apply for a K1/K2 visa. Go to ceac.state.gov to complete the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.

·

SECOND Required Documentation

You, the foreign-citizen fiancé(e), (and eligible children applying for K-2 visas) will be required to bring the following forms and documents to the visa interview:

Take the action indicated in each paragraph below.

· Complete Form DS-160

· A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions)

· Divorce or death certificate(s) of any previous spouse(s) for both you and the U.S. citizen sponsor

· Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for 6 months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)

· Medical examination (See note below)

· Evidence of financial support (Form I-134, Affidavit of Support and supporting doucuments.

· Two (2) 2x2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements

· Evidence of relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e)

· Payment of fees (as explained below)

Note: The Consular Officer may ask for additional information, such as photographs and other proof that the relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is genuine. Documents in foreign languages, other than the language of the country in which the application takes place, should be translated. Applicants should take to the visa interview clear, legible photocopies of civil documents and translations, such as birth and divorce certificates. Original documents and translations will be returned.

During your interview, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer. "

Edited August 13, 2015 by JDWright

[happiness268 14]

Thank you for this information.

This is really helpful!

You're in Antigua so you're under the jurisdiction of Bridgetown. They will send packet 3 by mail to the address you had on file from the USCIS stage, if you email them they will send you a general packet 3 with all that you need to submit, if you don't hear from them I can forward you both general packets 3 and 4. Case specific details will be on the cover page and you'll get that from them.
Here is an excerpt from the general packet 3 information that you'll need.

"· FIRST: :- Complete Form DS-160: Your fiancé(e) and his or her children must each complete Form DS-160 to apply for a K1/K2 visa. Go to ceac.state.gov to complete the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.

·

SECOND Required Documentation

You, the foreign-citizen fiancé(e), (and eligible children applying for K-2 visas) will be required to bring the following forms and documents to the visa interview:

Take the action indicated in each paragraph below.

· Complete Form DS-160

· A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the U.S. (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions)

· Divorce or death certificate(s) of any previous spouse(s) for both you and the U.S. citizen sponsor

· Police certificates from your present country of residence and all countries where you have lived for 6 months or more since age 16 (Police certificates are also required for accompanying children age 16 or older)

· Medical examination (See note below)

· Evidence of financial support (Form I-134, Affidavit of Support and supporting doucuments.

· Two (2) 2x2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements

· Evidence of relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e)

· Payment of fees (as explained below)

Note: The Consular Officer may ask for additional information, such as photographs and other proof that the relationship with your U.S. citizen fiancé(e) is genuine. Documents in foreign languages, other than the language of the country in which the application takes place, should be translated. Applicants should take to the visa interview clear, legible photocopies of civil documents and translations, such as birth and divorce certificates. Original documents and translations will be returned.

During your interview, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer. "

[trublubu2 62]

"[...]if you email them they will send you a general packet 3 with all that you need to submit, if you don't hear from them I can forward you both general packets 3 and 4. Case specific details will be on the cover page and you'll get that from them."

Good afternoon JDWright and thank you for this update. I just received Packet 3 from them via email and have uploaded it for anyone else -- I want to ask if you'd please consider uploading Packet 4 here on the forum as well?

Does BGN send stuff via DHL? They said they sent it via international snail mail. I thought it was all supposed to be overnighted from the embassy...

Also, do you know whether they give us an appointment date or whether we go on this website to register and pay and schedule an interview? https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-bb/niv

The packet 3 stuff says that when we sign/date/send back pages 1-3 of the letter that then they'll send us an interview date but it says nothing about recieving packet 4 o4 paying the $265.

Please advise me because they are not answering our emails and there's a lot riding on getting this information.

Thanks in advance,

Lesa

K Visa Packet 3 - UPDATED OCT 2013.doc

[happiness268 14]

Thank you so much for the upload and information, Leesa.

i wish we could get this post pinned to the Caribbean Regional Forum.

[trublubu2 62]

@happiness268, you are welcome. it's the least i could do, because i'm so DARN FRUSTRATED with BGN and their lackadaisical attitudes towards this whole process.

i've tried to update the VJ Barbados embassy page but it won't let me--i'm SO FRUSTRATED with that AS WELL, because allllllll of that info is old.

i finally talked to someone at the main switchboard last friday and she confirmed that they NO LONGER ANSWER PHONE CALLS--*everything* is [supposedly] done by email.

Okay, so I wrote BGN a long email yesterday asking questions about the discrepancies in the Packet 3 they sent, explaining that ALL of the links referenced in the Packet 3 are either broken or obsolete--WITH SCREENSHOTS and they haven't answered. they were emailing me everyday, but i guess they're upset now because i need more guidance? i mean why cut off the phone numbers and go to email if you're just gonna ignore us? oh i know, that way nobody will bother them. :-/

the Packet 3 says to send the signed and dated acknowledgement of possessing the necessary documents/request for interview back YET THEY PROVIDE NO SHIPPING ADDRESS. so it's a good thing that DHL Dominica already knows exactly where to send it. i also asked them if i could just send them a .pdf of the signed & dated pages 1-3 of the Packet three or if i need to DHL it, and no response.

the instructions on page 10 of Packet 3 say, "The non-immigrant application fee is payable on the day of your appointment and is non-refundable. The application fee can be paid by a certified Bank draft or money order made payable to the U.S.EMBASSY, Bridgetown, Barbados," but when I called both the 703 and 246 embassy numbers they say we have to go to that AIS website for making the payment and schedule our own appointment but we have to wait for Packet 3 for instructions to pay--which is it?. furthermore, what is a bank draft? is that like a certified check and can it be created in the u.s.?

this is just ridiculous, not to mention the messiness that the medical seems like it will be since we can't sign up for appointments and just have to walk in.

Thank you so much for the upload and information, Leesa.

i wish we could get this post pinned to the Caribbean Regional Forum.

[happiness268 14]

I did note some of these issues with the information.

I think you just need the DS-160 number to schedule the appointment and pay the fees online or through ScotiaBank set up. (I did this for my tourist visa about a year ago)

I also noted that you need the appointment confirmation sheet to actually go to the medicial. So maybe this is how you get it. (I also didn't see a list of doctors.)

Then you bring all the required information to the appointment?

It would be great if we could fill in update information on the forum. I know there are not alot of K-1 visas at BGN but information is still useful.

Let me know if there is anything you need assistance with.

I am in Barbados right now and I know a little of the Embassy procedures from getting a tourist visa.

[trublubu2 62]

Thanks again happiness268--let me address things one at a time. i've uploaded a document about medicals that i managed to find on the BGN embassy site (but i can't remember where). it's dated 2/15 so hopefully that will be from February 2015

I also noted that you need the appointment confirmation sheet to actually go to the medicial. So maybe this is how you get it. (I also didn't see a list of doctors.)

Then you bring all the required information to the appointment?

MEDICAL EXAM REGS for BGN - Bridgetown.pdf

[happiness268 14]

Thank you!

[trublubu2 62]

hi again @happiness268--we have a ds-160 number and both times when i reached someone at the main switchboard number (the 246) and the virginia number (the 703) i was warned not to do anything on that AIS site until i got packet 3 because if we went on there, registered, and paid and it was done incorrectly, then the money would be lost and not be refundable.

trust, i do NOT like last minute stuff and this ring-a-round-a-rosie/mother-may-i game they're playing with the information is driving me nuts! i just need to know what to do. i don't know why we're not receiving anything via DHL...how can they track that the package actually gets to Dominica and not get lost somewhere or delayed?

our goal was to get an interview sometime in the week of 31 August to 4 September--because i took leave and he has a POE entry date with a plane ticket of 17 september, but i guess that's not going to happen? i'm not so worried about the POE plane ticket because it's with SW air, so that can be easily changed...we just wanna get to BGN instead of draggin this out. plus, NVC new hampshire N-E-V-E-R sent me a letter notifying me that they sent the stuff to BGN--i only happened to look on the CEAC website and saw that it was in transit on 3 aug.

I did note some of these issues with the information.

I think you just need the DS-160 number to schedule the appointment and pay the fees online or through ScotiaBank set up. (I did this for my tourist visa about a year ago)

Let me know if there is anything you need assistance with.

I am in Barbados right now and I know a little of the Embassy procedures from getting a tourist visa.

yes, help would be greatly assisted if you know the answers or could ask someone at the embassy who is willing to help. i, the USC and my fiance, the beneficiary, want to know the following:

(1) how can we pay the $265, RIGHT NOW, like TODAY? where do we go and how do we do that--CORRECTLY so they accept that and don't make us pay again? or do we have to wait until the interview day?

(2) how can we get Packet 4 so we can get started on that immediately?

(3) where do we make an appointment so they won't reject it and tell us we did it wrong--via the AIS site, or do we have to wait, like they said in the letter for them to get the signed packet 3 document and then issue us an appointment date/letter?

(4) will they take a $265 Certified Check from a credit union in the U.S? if not, what is a bank draft and how do you get one? OR, if no to both of those, what is this ScotiaBank payment thingie and how do you pay through them?

thanks so much for your response,

Lesa

[JDWright 30]

Good afternoon JDWright and thank you for this update. I just received Packet 3 from them via email and have uploaded it for anyone else -- I want to ask if you'd please consider uploading Packet 4 here on the forum as well?

Does BGN send stuff via DHL? They said they sent it via international snail mail. I thought it was all supposed to be overnighted from the embassy...

Also, do you know whether they give us an appointment date or whether we go on this website to register and pay and schedule an interview? https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-bb/niv

The packet 3 stuff says that when we sign/date/send back pages 1-3 of the letter that then they'll send us an interview date but it says nothing about recieving packet 4 o4 paying the $265.

Please advise me because they are not answering our emails and there's a lot riding on getting this information.

Thanks in advance,

Lesa

They send all correspondence via snail mail.

They set the appointment date, and you pay the visa fee on the day of the interview. Once you sign that page and send it back to them they will send you packet 4 with an appointment date and relevant information. It is this appointment letter that you will present at the diagnostic clinic here in barbados. (just a heads up, but the workers of the diagnostic clinic all have attitude problems so wear your thick skin or you'll end up telling one off, I nearly did).

This attitude is not unique to the embassy here, they all seem to be very aloof about giving us information.

[JDWright 30]

I did note some of these issues with the information.

I think you just need the DS-160 number to schedule the appointment and pay the fees online or through ScotiaBank set up. (I did this for my tourist visa about a year ago)

I also noted that you need the appointment confirmation sheet to actually go to the medicial. So maybe this is how you get it. (I also didn't see a list of doctors.)

Then you bring all the required information to the appointment?

It would be great if we could fill in update information on the forum. I know there are not alot of K-1 visas at BGN but information is still useful.

Let me know if there is anything you need assistance with.

I am in Barbados right now and I know a little of the Embassy procedures from getting a tourist visa.

Unfortunately the tourist visa procedures are not applicable, I thought that myself but was wrong.

The clinic is walk in only, you need an appointment letter from the embassy, that comes in packet 4, NOT the DS160 receipt.

Fees for this visa are only payable on the day of the interview, if this is different for persons living outside of barbados I'm not sure. But when I asked that is what I was told. I tried to update the BGN page, but I couldn't a lot of that information is out of date.

I've attached the general packet 4 information that you will get via email if requested and by mail when you receive your packet 4. It is very very generalised and a lot of it is NOT k1 specific, so read it carefully and feel free to ask me if anything needs clarification. The medical information is listed in this packet with more detail.

BGN - Bridgetown.pdf

[JDWright 30]

hi again @happiness268--we have a ds-160 number and both times when i reached someone at the main switchboard number (the 246) and the virginia number (the 703) i was warned not to do anything on that AIS site until i got packet 3 because if we went on there, registered, and paid and it was done incorrectly, then the money would be lost and not be refundable.

trust, i do NOT like last minute stuff and this ring-a-round-a-rosie/mother-may-i game they're playing with the information is driving me nuts! i just need to know what to do. i don't know why we're not receiving anything via DHL...how can they track that the package actually gets to Dominica and not get lost somewhere or delayed?

our goal was to get an interview sometime in the week of 31 August to 4 September--because i took leave and he has a POE entry date with a plane ticket of 17 september, but i guess that's not going to happen? i'm not so worried about the POE plane ticket because it's with SW air, so that can be easily changed...we just wanna get to BGN instead of draggin this out. plus, NVC new hampshire N-E-V-E-R sent me a letter notifying me that they sent the stuff to BGN--i only happened to look on the CEAC website and saw that it was in transit on 3 aug.

yes, help would be greatly assisted if you know the answers or could ask someone at the embassy who is willing to help. i, the USC and my fiance, the beneficiary, want to know the following:

(1) how can we pay the $265, RIGHT NOW, like TODAY? where do we go and how do we do that--CORRECTLY so they accept that and don't make us pay again? or do we have to wait until the interview day?

As stated above, fees are only payable the day of the interview. Cash or VISA/Mastercard

(2) how can we get Packet 4 so we can get started on that immediately?

I've attached a general packet 4 that you will get from them in the above post, BUT it is very generalised much of it is not applicable to K1 visas but to CR1 and such so ask if you're lost about anything.

(3) where do we make an appointment so they won't reject it and tell us we did it wrong--via the AIS site, or do we have to wait, like they said in the letter for them to get the signed packet 3 document and then issue us an appointment date/letter?

BGN gives you the appointment date.

(4) will they take a $265 Certified Check from a credit union in the U.S? if not, what is a bank draft and how do you get one? OR, if no to both of those, what is this ScotiaBank payment thingie and how do you pay through them?

I'm not sure, they state in packet 4 cash or credit card.

thanks so much for your response,

Lesa

As general comment, cardinal rule of this process never make any travel arrangements until the visa is in your hand.

Funny story is my fiance got a letter from the NVC a few days ago informing him about what is happening with the case. My visa was issued on tuesday.

Hope what I've said helps though.

Edited August 13, 2015 by JDWright

[trublubu2 62]

@JDWright, thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU so much for this information!!!

you've just solved the mystery of what happens at the embassy and how they do it all--i was wondering why the whole BGN K-1 process is such a well kept secret, lol

okay, i feel much better knowing what to expect--i really don't like being kept from pertinent info that i need.

and, as for the embassaic (i like making up words, lol) "attitude", gotcha! thanks for the heads-up--i'll make sure that the proverbial chill pills are taken all around that day.

They send all correspondence via snail mail.

They set the appointment date, and you pay the visa fee on the day of the interview. Once you sign that page and send it back to them they will send you packet 4 with an appointment date and relevant information. It is this appointment letter that you will present at the diagnostic clinic here in barbados. (just a heads up, but the workers of the diagnostic clinic all have attitude problems so wear your thick skin or you'll end up telling one off, I nearly did).

This attitude is not unique to the embassy here, they all seem to be very aloof about giving us information.