New Process - no sealed packet received?

[bakphx1 789]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

I think it’s a great development, remember feeling very stressed in case we lost or damaged our packets!

I definitely agree. It seems kind of silly to have to hand carry a packet of paper when these agencies should all be integrated in the year 2018. The only thing that makes me concerned is there doesn’t seem to be comprehensive training at CBP.  You know there’s going to be that one officer who refuses to discuss it further and deny someone incorrectly.

[Pryme57 6]

6 hours ago, bakphx1 said:

I don’t think that’s correct.  It’s about making it entirely electronic.  Available at all POE.

I agree, I think it's a move to go all electronic regardless of POE.

[Pryme57 6]

3 hours ago, NikLR said:

There is a push with the Montreal consulate to make this electronic. Thus far Canadian beneficiaries have had to state which POE they will be using.  The packet is sent electronically.  If it's still available if you use a different POE I'm not sure.  

Yes, this was with the Montreal consulate, so they're definitely making that push.  What's interesting is (although anecdotal since I wasn't in the interview), the consulate handed my Mother the letter stating everything is electronic but also said my mother will receive her passport and a sealed packet!  The last statement is really what threw us off.  Anyway, the CBP agent looked something up on their computer, so not sure if the consulate sends something or if they just pull up an electronic file.  In this case, we didn't give anyone any prior notice about the POE.  I'm assuming at this point that the supporting documents would be accessible at any POE.

 

[Triple28 65]

Thank you for your update. Recently, USCIS change a lot of things in their procedure so we cannot predict anything based on the past experience. 

 

This new procedure is really helpful because it is hard to keep the sealed packet all the time during a long flight. If it is broken or missing then the applicant will be in trouble. However, some people will have so many things to explain to the CBP if they do not know about this, and it may raise concern or frustration.

[geowrian 22,337]

5 minutes ago, Triple28 said:

Thank you for your update. Recently, USCIS change a lot of things in their procedure so we cannot predict anything based on the past experience. 

For reference, this has nothing to do with USCIS. DOS sends the information. CBP has access to it. USCIS is not involved (other than issuing the physical green card, but this step should be unchanged).

[TBoneTX 45,299]

A reliable source tells me:

 

"Don't know the latest, but as you know, State has been moving to electronic submission of all documents.  The end goal of that is to not ever have a paper file; rather, they will send the electronic file to DHS.  Part of the hold-up with that is getting DHS offices to develop the electronic capability, too.  They haven't been as eager as State to move into the 21st century.  This could be the start of a pilot test, but I don't know that for sure."

[Paki girl 0]

My visa has been issued in the month of april and its totally electronic document submission and also visa with no packet. I will travel in meanwhile. Islamabad consulate

Also they asked to send travelling information before travelling.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

7 hours ago, Paki girl said:

 

Also they asked to send travelling information before travelling.

Do you mean, they want to know when and where you will enter the US? 

[Paki girl 0]

Yes when I am travelling (my ticket copy) so i have sent them.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

Does that mean the embassy sends out the electronic IV document package to a specific POE? 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, WeGuyGal said:

Does that mean the embassy sends out the electronic IV document package to a specific POE? 

Either that, or that in the early phase of the program they are making sure the POE knows to expect packetless immigrants.

[JoMau 0]

On 7/1/2018 at 7:00 PM, Pryme57 said:

UPDATE: Mother drove to the border today (she did not notify anyone at the consulate of plan to travel) with my sister.  She'll be flying next week, but wanted to try this out to identify if there were any issues with her paperwork so we could address before her flight from Toronto.

 

Once at the border, the CBP agent in the booth asked for the packet, and my sister stated they didn't get a separate packet, just the passport.  They were told to go inside and deal with them at the desk.

 

Once inside, the CBP agents asked for the sealed packet, where they explained that they didn't receive a packet.  Mother had all the supporting papers anyway, CBP went through it.  Mother also showed them the blue letter from the consulate that stated everything was now online.  The CBP agent went to a back office with the blue paper, discussed with another agent, who shook his head.  The other agent came out, looked something up on the computer, then stamped the passport and said welcome to America!

 

Original CBP agent from booth came into the office and asked if everything was settled, told him everything was good, gave her a high five!  

 

Total Processing time at CBP: 20 minutes

 

It appears that this really is a new process and that it hasn't been communicated to all CBP agents.  I would still keep a copy of your supporting documents, with you just in case, but overall this seems to be a more secure and efficient method for handling the final IV Packet.  Thanks for all the replies!

 

Hi! Thank you for your post and update! It's very difficult to find topic or information regarding US embassy not issuing a sealed envelope. Good thing I found this thread. I have been issued an US immigrant visa by US embassy in Abu Dhabi and no sealed envelope as well. I hope your mother and I have similar situation. I still have to confirm this to the embassy. It takes time for them to reply for your queries.

 

please share you thought about my situation.

 

Here's is my story.

My wife, a US citizen, and I were married for less than 2 years. She petitioned me under the visa category called CR1(condition resident, an immigrant visa). I got the interview date on the month of August. Unfortunately, the person who interviewed my was not satisfied with my documents on hand. She gave me a blue form 221(g) a temporary refusal. She asked me to provide conversations from whatssup, FB and skype and come back on specified days.

 

On that day prior my turn for interview, an applicant was also petitioned by a US citizen. I just overheard her conversation with the interviewer. She was congratulated by the the interviewer and gave her some instructions: that she won't receive a sealed packet, that they would put that on the annotation on the visa, that they're starting to digitalizing, etc. Interviewer also asked where she intend to depart, she said like Abu dhabi and interviewer replied that's okay, that there would be no problem, that they have coordinated with them.

 

Going back to my story, I was able to submit my evidences and no similar instruction was given to me like for the applicant before me. Few days after the status became "issue". I claimed my package from a local post office in Dubai. The staff in the post office open the package for me, but I was surprised that the package contains only my passport stamped with visa and pictures (evidence). I asked the staff if there is another package for me with sealed envelope and he said that is only it. I asked again if he is sure but I got same answer. There is no paper there saying that my details are online. I tried calling the embassy but failed for they are not attending phone queries so I sent an email which I am still waiting for their reply.

 

My problem now is that I am not sure if they have forgotten to send me a sealed packet/envelope or If I don't need a sealed envelope because everything is online but they have not at least included a piece of paper saying about this. I was stressed at that time. Good thing I remembered what I overheard on the day of my interview. Still, I don't know if that applies to me as well.

 

I planned to go back to Philippines and depart from there before going to US.

 

Please share your thoughts about this. Thank you!

Edited August 17, 2018 by Jonet

[Triple28 65]

19 hours ago, JoMau said:

On that day prior my turn for interview, an applicant was also petitioned by a US citizen. I just overheard her conversation with the interviewer. She was congratulated by the the interviewer and gave her some instructions: that she won't receive a sealed packet, that they would put that on the annotation on the visa, that they're starting to digitalizing, etc. Interviewer also asked where she intend to depart, she said like Abu dhabi and interviewer replied that's okay, that there would be no problem, that they have coordinated with them.

If they send you that packet (only passport and visa) and you heard that story, I think you are okay to go to the US.

Because the embassy does not forget something important like that easily.

It seems Abu Dhabi has already changed to new procedure for all of visa issued by them.
 

You have a legal visa to enter the US so you have nothing to worry about.

The new procedure has began since 1-2 months ago. So I think most of CBP updated the new procedure.

You just need a little calm to explain the situation to the CBP if they do not know about this. 

Ask them to check the system and they will see your electronic visa packet there.

You should bring along your documents (as interview) so they can check those docs if they need.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

18 minutes ago, Triple28 said:

If they send you that packet (only passport and visa) and you heard that story, I think you are okay to go to the US.

Because the embassy does not forget something important like that easily.

It seems Abu Dhabi has already changed to new procedure for all of visa issued by them.
 

You have a legal visa to enter the US so you have nothing to worry about.

The new procedure has began since 1-2 months ago. So I think most of CBP updated the new procedure.

You just need a little calm to explain the situation to the CBP if they do not know about this. 

Ask them to check the system and they will see your electronic visa packet there.

You should bring along your documents (as interview) so they can check those docs if they need.

Just by the way I think the point was that the CBP guys at Abu Dhabi are familiar with it - Abu Dhabi is one of the airports that does pre-clearance. 

Another poster (I think India but may be misremembering) said the embassy asked her to email them her travel plans once she had them, presumably so they could ensure CBP at her intended POE was familiar with the process. I guess it takes time to roll out new systems. 

 

If anyone arrives at an airport where CBP doesn’t seem to know the situation, just politely repeat what the embassy told you. 

[JoMau 0]

11 hours ago, Triple28 said:

If they send you that packet (only passport and visa) and you heard that story, I think you are okay to go to the US.

Because the embassy does not forget something important like that easily.

It seems Abu Dhabi has already changed to new procedure for all of visa issued by them.
 

You have a legal visa to enter the US so you have nothing to worry about.

The new procedure has began since 1-2 months ago. So I think most of CBP updated the new procedure.

You just need a little calm to explain the situation to the CBP if they do not know about this. 

Ask them to check the system and they will see your electronic visa packet there.

You should bring along your documents (as interview) so they can check those docs if they need.

Thank you for your advice. Actually, I have friends who had their interview days before and after mine. The difference is they are employment-based petition and they still got the sealed packets. I am search for immigrants who are family based. So, just to confirm my hunch that they started this electronic visa packet, at least, with the category: petition of alien relative.