Dude, where's my passport ?

[Koubiak 0]

Hello everybody,

First of all, i want to thank each and everyone of you for keeping the forum active, it's by far the best source of information about the K-1 visa available on the internet. Even though this is my first message, i've been a passive member for quite some time.

Here's my question (i used the "search" function but didn't find anything about that. Don't throw rocks at me if i misread ) :

i got inteviewed on wednesday at Paris' embassy, and my case was approved. the officer told me that i'd receive my visa within days in the sealed envelope.

I got the package today (two days after - it's not that bad), and there's indeed a sealed envelope in it.

I assume my passport is in there as well, but i just wanted confirmation from you that it actually is, or if i have to declare it lost

(In the case the passport is in the envelope, how can I leave my country with my passport in a sealed envelope ? please share your experiences )

Again, I thank you all for all the useful infos you've provided !

-Olivier

[YuAndDan 153]

This happens all the time, there are 2 envelopes, one in side of the other, the outer one contains the passport, instruction sheet, and "THE BROWN SEALED ENVELOPE" you can open the outer one to retrieve your passport, sealed envelope, and instruction sheet. Don't open the sealed inner envelope.

[Koubiak 0]

Thank you very much, Dan.

Actually, the one envelope that's in the package is already marked as "unopenable", i wouldn't dare open it.

So i guess i'm gonna trust you and keep assuming my passport is in there (I don't see where else it could be anyway)

[YuAndDan 153]

Thank you very much, Dan.

Actually, the one envelope that's in the package is already marked as "unopenable", i wouldn't dare open it.

So i guess i'm gonna trust you and keep assuming my passport is in there (I don't see where else it could be anyway)

If you suspect your passport is in the immigration packet then visit the consulate, and have them sort it out for you. They will open it and re-seal it.

Our visa came in a large plastic envelope, with passport and immigration envelope in the clear one, open the clear envelope, and remove the two items.

[The Molinas 0]

ours came in a big brown envelope... and inside that big brown envelope there was the "mysterious brown enevlope" and my passport and a sheet with informations on what to do when you arrive in the US....

[The Molinas 0]

the envelope you are not allowed to open looks like that: ENVELOPE

[Turboguy 6]

I think you need to figure this out because they will not let you on the plane without the visa and passport. It could not be in an envelope, sealed, to be opened by the immigration people upon arrival.

[Koubiak 0]

Well, actually I only got 1 envelope which looks like the one on the picture.

At the end of the interview, the officier told me that the visa would be attached to my passport, and the label on the envelope says that the visa is enclosed...

So I guess both the visa and my passport are inside the envelope.

I live 500 km away from Paris so I'd rather not go back there again...

Let's hope someone from France can help

Thanks anyway

[Minya's wife 25]

Well, actually I only got 1 envelope which looks like the one on the picture.

At the end of the interview, the officier told me that the visa would be attached to my passport, and the label on the envelope says that the visa is enclosed...

So I guess both the visa and my passport are inside the envelope.

I live 500 km away from Paris so I'd rather not go back there again...

Let's hope someone from France can help

Thanks anyway

As much as you'd rather not go back to Paris, you may not have a choice. If the Embassy did indeed make a mistake and placed your passport inside the "mysterious brown" envelope, they are the only ones who can open it (besides the people here at the airport when you enter the country). You need your passport to travel and you cannot break the seal on the brown envelope.

But before you take the 500km trip back to Paris, perhaps you can call the Embassy, explain to them the situation and they can tell you if you need to return or not.

Standart procedure is that you should have received this package w/ 3 items in it:

Instruction Sheet

Passport (w/ visa stamped in it)

"Brown Envelope" w/ consular seal on the back (Not to be opened)

If your package does not contain these three things, something is wrong...and I'm afraid only the consulate can sort it out. This part of the procedure is not one that differs from country to country....so someone from France may not be able to offer you any better advice than what you've received.

Call the embassy, speak w/ someone about your situation.

-P

[LvivLovers 39]

Well, actually I only got 1 envelope which looks like the one on the picture.

At the end of the interview, the officier told me that the visa would be attached to my passport, and the label on the envelope says that the visa is enclosed...

So I guess both the visa and my passport are inside the envelope.

I live 500 km away from Paris so I'd rather not go back there again...

Let's hope someone from France can help

Thanks anyway

As much as you'd rather not go back to Paris, you may not have a choice. If the Embassy did indeed make a mistake and placed your passport inside the "mysterious brown" envelope, they are the only ones who can open it (besides the people here at the airport when you enter the country). You need your passport to travel and you cannot break the seal on the brown envelope.

But before you take the 500km trip back to Paris, perhaps you can call the Embassy, explain to them the situation and they can tell you if you need to return or not.

Standart procedure is that you should have received this package w/ 3 items in it:

Instruction Sheet

Passport (w/ visa stamped in it)

"Brown Envelope" w/ consular seal on the back (Not to be opened)

If your package does not contain these three things, something is wrong...and I'm afraid only the consulate can sort it out. This part of the procedure is not one that differs from country to country....so someone from France may not be able to offer you any better advice than what you've received.

Call the embassy, speak w/ someone about your situation.

-P

Maybe for some reason they are mailing the passport in another envelope. Either that or something could have happened to the outer package? I'd contact the embassy and maybe they can tell you.