URGENT HELP PLEASE - SEALED IMMIGRANT PACKET

[AC83 0]

My mother received her passport with immigrant class IV visa. She did not receive a sealed immigrant packet like stated on website. 

I called the consulate they said they did send it with courier with passport. 

They require her to submit all her documents again and redo the medical exam. Her South African Police clearance certificate expired and that will take weeks to get a new one.

Does anyone have any experience with South Africans receiving NO sealed immigrant packets in the last couple of months?

 

Her flight departs tomorrow evening... I don’t know what to do? Can anyone help me please? 

[Crazy Cat 41,881]

Many consulates are no longer sending a sealed packet to the visa holder.  Did she get other papers with her passport?

[AC83 0]

She did not receive anything else with it that stood out I guess. How can I find out if her info was sent electronically? 

[bakphx1 789]

That’s crazy...because of their mistake she would have to do all that?

 

The only thing I would double check is that they’re actually sending the packet.  Embassies are now sending visa with no packet as all info is loaded.  Were there any papers with the passport.  They may state that, but in confusing government terms.  Some visas may be stamped with the blurb “CCG electronic “. Or something like that.  

[AC83 0]

I don't see a CCG stamped anywhere. The consulate is super hostile towards me and just says they can't help me. 

Her visa is a class IV and says IR5

[Crazy Cat 41,881]

3 minutes ago, AC83 said:

She did not receive anything else with it that stood out I guess. How can I find out if her info was sent electronically? 

Did she receive ANY other sheets of paper?  If so, please post a picture of them.

[KiwiinMaine 51]

My visa had some documents uploaded electronically, and the rest in the infamous packet. It stated under the photo on my visa what was uploaded and where. I believe if she’s had documents uploaded electronically, then it will probably say it there.

[AC83 0]

She received her passport a month ago, and don't recall any other paper work with it. I paid her immigrant fee already. She just doesn't have that sealed packet. What would happen if she enters the US without it?

[KiwiinMaine 51]

Just now, AC83 said:

She received her passport a month ago, and don't recall any other paper work with it. I paid her immigrant fee already. She just doesn't have that sealed packet. What would happen if she enters the US without it?

Have her look at the visa foil that is inside the passport, it will say on it under the photo if anything is uploaded to The system they use at POE. 

I don’t believe they will allow her to enter without the packet or electronically uploaded documents. A more experienced member should be able to clarify this for you.

[AC83 0]

Her visa is in her passport. It has no foil in it. 

[Crazy Cat 41,881]

11 minutes ago, AC83 said:

She received her passport a month ago, and don't recall any other paper work with it. I paid her immigrant fee already. She just doesn't have that sealed packet. What would happen if she enters the US without it?

If her packet was not electronically sent, I think she is likely to be either immediately sent back to home country or detained until this mess can be sorted.  Personally,  I wouldn't allow my mother to face either of those. I would cancel the flight and email the consulate for clarification and instructions. They don't just let people into the US without proper paperwork. Frankly, there is no excuse for finding this at such a late date....good luck..

[shumway1756 304]

My wife's visa says "IV DOCS IN CCD", meaning everything is electronic. You can check for that phrase, just to see if per chance that is your case. That would be listed right above the machine readable data at the bottom.

 

If that's not the case, then I don't recommend having her attempt to enter the states until this is sorted out. These documents are required for a reason, they're not going to process her without it. This is why it's always recommended to never buy flight tickets until you receive the visa and appropriate package.

[AC83 0]

12 minutes ago, missileman said:

If her packet was not electronically sent, I think she is likely to be either immediately sent back to home country or detained until this mess can be sorted.  Personally,  I wouldn't allow my mother to face either of those. I would cancel the flight and email the consulate for clarification and instructions. They don't just let people into the US without proper paperwork. Frankly, there is no excuse for finding this at such a late date....good luck..

I did everything for my Mother from the USA. I don't believe it was communicated to her to look out for a sealed immigrant packet. My mother is not familiar with how any of this works, but I don't foresee her throwing away paperwork that says do not open on it. Also her ticket was purchased after she received her passport with her visa inside it. I never received an email about steps to pay immigrant fee. Which I paid yesterday. 

[AC83 0]

14 minutes ago, shumway1756 said:

My wife's visa says "IV DOCS IN CCD", meaning everything is electronic. You can check for that phrase, just to see if per chance that is your case. That would be listed right above the machine readable data at the bottom.

 

If that's not the case, then I don't recommend having her attempt to enter the states until this is sorted out. These documents are required for a reason, they're not going to process her without it. This is why it's always recommended to never buy flight tickets until you receive the visa and appropriate package.

I don't see that printed anywhere on her visa. I guess my best bet is to call the airline and hope they will change her ticket.

[Crazy Cat 41,881]

1 minute ago, AC83 said:

I did everything for my Mother from the USA. I don't believe it was communicated to her to look out for a sealed immigrant packet. My mother is not familiar with how any of this works, but I don't foresee her throwing away paperwork that says do not open on it. Also her ticket was purchased after she received her passport with her visa inside it. I never received an email about steps to pay immigrant fee. Which I paid yesterday. 

The best solution, in my opinion, is to stop everything until you can verify whether the packet was sent electronically or not.