Documents Delayed in Customs

[Jenerii 1]

My fiancee (she lives in Portugal) has the visa interview in Paris on the 22nd this month. I organized the documents (Support of Affidavit form, etc) and mailed them to Portugal last month via Fedex. It was supposed to arrive there after Christmas, but it's been stuck in Customs for two weeks. I called Fedex multiple times and all they said was that it's stuck in customs and there's nothing they can do. 

 

Now we're thinking about the worst scenarios possible. What if the documents don't arrive by the interview date? What can we do about it? 

 

Would they accept any other version of the documents? Or do everything have to be original? 

 

We are a little freaked out now and we're curious what would you guys do in our position. 

 

Thanks!

[Just Paul 4,595]

13 minutes ago, Jenerii said:

My fiancee (she lives in Portugal) has the visa interview in Paris on the 22nd this month. I organized the documents (Support of Affidavit form, etc) and mailed them to Portugal last month via Fedex. It was supposed to arrive there after Christmas, but it's been stuck in Customs for two weeks. I called Fedex multiple times and all they said was that it's stuck in customs and there's nothing they can do. 

 

Now we're thinking about the worst scenarios possible. What if the documents don't arrive by the interview date? What can we do about it? 

 

Would they accept any other version of the documents? Or do everything have to be original? 

 

We are a little freaked out now and we're curious what would you guys do in our position. 

 

Thanks!

Originals are not needed.  EMail a scanned copy of the packet.

[Jenerii 1]

6 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

Originals are not needed.  EMail a scanned copy of the packet.

 

So everything brought to the interview don't have to be original? 

[geowrian 22,337]

I've never seen a 221(g) due to a photocopy of anything with the I-134. Photocopies (scan -> email -> print) are the norm.

[geowrian 22,337]

To answer your direct questions:

1) The photocopy process should be fine as it has been for many, many others.

2) If they don't have the necessary documents at the interview, they will refuse the visa under INA 221(g) requesting the document(s) to be sent to them. Once received and reviewed, if there are no other issues, they would issue the visa.

3) Nothing you can do to address documents being stuck in customs.

[Jenerii 1]

4 minutes ago, geowrian said:

To answer your direct questions:

1) The photocopy process should be fine as it has been for many, many others.

2) If they don't have the necessary documents at the interview, they will refuse the visa under INA 221(g) requesting the document(s) to be sent to them. Once received and reviewed, if there are no other issues, they would issue the visa.

3) Nothing you can do to address documents being stuck in customs.

Thank you for answering my questions! I was under the impression that every document that's required for the interview has to be original. Feeling a lot of relief now. 

[Hank_ 9,174]

14 hours ago, Jenerii said:

 

So everything brought to the interview don't have to be original? 

Correct.

[Pitaya 2,577]

21 hours ago, Jenerii said:

 

So everything brought to the interview don't have to be original? 

Here are the official USCIS instructions as it relates to the Form I-129F:

Quote

Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during processing of an application, petition, or request. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original.

NOTE: If you submit original documents when not required or requested by USCIS, your original documents may be immediately destroyed upon receipt.

REF: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f , Instructions, page 2

 

What do the DOS Packet 3 instructions for the embassy/consulate state regarding original vs. copies of document submission?

 

 

 

[Jenerii 1]

It says to bring both originals and photocopies. But bringing the originals are nearly impossible right now.  You think they'll be understanding of my situation? I hope so.  

[SmallTownPA 72]

On 1/6/2020 at 3:26 PM, Jenerii said:

My fiancee (she lives in Portugal) has the visa interview in Paris on the 22nd this month. I organized the documents (Support of Affidavit form, etc) and mailed them to Portugal last month via Fedex. It was supposed to arrive there after Christmas, but it's been stuck in Customs for two weeks. I called Fedex multiple times and all they said was that it's stuck in customs and there's nothing they can do. 

 

Now we're thinking about the worst scenarios possible. What if the documents don't arrive by the interview date? What can we do about it? 

 

Would they accept any other version of the documents? Or do everything have to be original? 

 

We are a little freaked out now and we're curious what would you guys do in our position. 

 

Thanks!

I think most countries do this just to hassle the foreigners.  I set a letter (3 pieces of paper) to China and it sat in 'customs' for 6 weeks.  I e-mailed the consulate and they said to scan the letter and gave me a secret (lol no) email address to use.