SAWASDEE 2

[Yodrak 7]

There are 3 medical forms that make up the medical report that must be prepared by the panel physician - DS-3024, DS-3025, and DS-3026. Perhaps one of these is what was missing.

Yodrak

Congratulations on the approval. Can I ask you what the deal was with the doctor's clearance letter? C is getting her medical on friday here in Chiang Mai, what letter are you talking about?

Thanks and congratulations again...

The Dr did not include all the clarence letters needed in the package he sent with Su. The embassy did the interview with out it. So once the Dr sends over the missing parts she can pick up the visa. Not a real big problem.

[Yodrak 7]

Jacksonj,

The "new procedures of having it mailed in" is an old, existing procedure. What's new is that the alternative procedure of delivery in person has been eliminated (possibly because it was becoming too time consuming for consular staff?).

It's hard to say what documents might be needed other than those you already have without knowing what documents are included in the "etc" you mention.

Yodrak

Finally got my interview date of April 4. I'm one of the new procedures of having it mailed in to get the scheduled interview date. Since my fiance has already finished everything, medical, police etc. this will be a long wait for us. I have all my documents finished as well but I am going to do them over to get a closer date to the interview i.e., I-134 notorized, bank letter etc.

Also I don't believe we ever got the packet they were supposed to send my fiance in the mail from the embassy is that going to be a problem, is there any documents in there needed for the interview that I don't already have or can get?

[*Robert* 2]

Mike,

Where have you seen or heard that DS-230-I is to be sent un-signed?

Yodrak

Is leaving the DS-230 Part 1 unsigned something new? Does it make sense to you people?

Mike

YES, leaving the DS-230 Part I unsigned makes VERY good sense, since the Instrustions for Immigrant Visa Applicants clearly states "Application for Immigrant Visa: The beneficiary should complete part 1 of form DS-230. Please do no sign this form."

Robert

[dbirner 0]

I believe you have to sign it in person in front of the CO.

[Yodrak 7]

Robert,

Interesting issue.

I see the instruction you cite in the consulate in Bangkok's instructions for immigrant visas and note that - except in DCF cases, which are rare in Thailand - DS-230 is submitted to the NVC in the case of immigrant visas, not the consulate, and the NVC's instructions are to sign Part I but not sign Part II.

In the consulate's instructions for K-visa applicants, which are included in the visa application packet but are not provided on the consulate's web pages, it says to complete and return DS-230-I but makes no specific mention of whether or not it is to be signed. It does specifically say that the checklist certification is to be returned signed, and it also specifically says that the other application forms are to be brought to the interview un-signed. But there is no instruction about signing or not signing DS-230-I.

My wife sent her DS-230-I signed.

Yodrak

Mike,

Where have you seen or heard that DS-230-I is to be sent un-signed?

Yodrak

Is leaving the DS-230 Part 1 unsigned something new? Does it make sense to you people?

Mike

YES, leaving the DS-230 Part I unsigned makes VERY good sense, since the Instrustions for Immigrant Visa Applicants clearly states "Application for Immigrant Visa: The beneficiary should complete part 1 of form DS-230. Please do no sign this form."

Robert

Edited February 8, 2006 by Yodrak

[ufkenmill 0]

Robert,

Interesting issue.

I see the instruction you cite in the consulate in Bangkok's instructions for immigrant visas and note that - except in DCF cases, which are rare in Thailand - DS-230 is submitted to the NVC in the case of immigrant visas, not the consulate, and the NVC's instructions are to sign Part I but not sign Part II.

In the consulate's instructions for K-visa applicants, which are included in the visa application packet but are not provided on the consulate's web pages, it says to complete and return DS-230-I but makes no specific mention of whether or not it is to be signed. It does specifically say that the checklist certification is to be returned signed, and it also specifically says that the other application forms are to be brought to the interview un-signed. But there is no instruction about signing or not signing DS-230-I.

My wife sent her DS-230-I signed.

Yodrak

Mike,

Where have you seen or heard that DS-230-I is to be sent un-signed?

Yodrak

Is leaving the DS-230 Part 1 unsigned something new? Does it make sense to you people?

Mike

YES, leaving the DS-230 Part I unsigned makes VERY good sense, since the Instrustions for Immigrant Visa Applicants clearly states "Application for Immigrant Visa: The beneficiary should complete part 1 of form DS-230. Please do no sign this form."

Robert

I'm not sure exactly what the requirement is, I was under the impression for some reason (maybe I read somewhere but don't remember where) that it should be unsigned. We submitted ours unsigned and had no problems scheduling the interview.

The walk-in allowance has been stopped, we had a friend drop our checklist off in person but was only allowed to submit the documents after a thorough chewing out by the staff at window 5 (not sure who it was). Luckily my friend is an american lawyer (but not immigration attny) and they let her submit probably because of that. The new procedures are to mail in the checklist and other forms...

[malydon 0]

Finally got my interview date of April 4. I'm one of the new procedures of having it mailed in to get the scheduled interview date. Since my fiance has already finished everything, medical, police etc. this will be a long wait for us. I have all my documents finished as well but I am going to do them over to get a closer date to the interview i.e., I-134 notorized, bank letter etc.

Also I don't believe we ever got the packet they were supposed to send my fiance in the mail from the embassy is that going to be a problem, is there any documents in there needed for the interview that I don't already have or can get?

----------------------

Sept 26 NOA1

Dec 15 NOA2

Jan 7 BNK # arrives via mail

April 4 Interview

[/quote

Yodrak

The instructions that i read on the web site said do not sign the DS-230 Part 1. When you look at the form Part 1 doesn't look like the typical "must be witnessed" form. But Part 2 does.

Jacksonj51

How did you know when to send in your forms? I know that the case number has been assigned by NVC but how did you know that it was in the Bangkok Embassy "system"? I would hate send in my checklist and Ds-230 and have them throw it away on me because they do not have it yet.

Mike

[ufkenmill 0]

Jacksonj51

How did you know when to send in your forms? I know that the case number has been assigned by NVC but how did you know that it was in the Bangkok Embassy "system"? I would hate send in my checklist and Ds-230 and have them throw it away on me because they do not have it yet.

Mike

Technically you're supposed to wait until you get a letter from the embassy with packet 3 and that's how you would know. Call NVC again and find out the day they ship it and then you can track it in DHL (using a reference number such as I-730) and see when it arrives in bangkok. Once they get it it'll take 3-5 business days to be in their "system" and then you can mail in your checklist and other forms. But since there's no tracking number you kindof have to guess if the package they received is yours or not using the DHL system.

Search the old forum for how to track in DHL.

[Yodrak 7]

Then it seems the limited anecdotal evidence indicates it doesn't make any difference if DS-230-I is signed or unsigned.

Yodrak

....

My wife sent her DS-230-I signed.

Yodrak

Is leaving the DS-230 Part 1 unsigned something new? Does it make sense to you people?

I'm not sure exactly what the requirement is, I was under the impression for some reason (maybe I read somewhere but don't remember where) that it should be unsigned. We submitted ours unsigned and had no problems scheduling the interview.

...

[malydon 0]

Ken

I found the information on how to track with DHL. I even gave it a test drive with a random date. It seems to work well. Thanks for the information.

I noticed in your time line that the BKK Embassy confirmed with you that your case was in there system 8 days after it was shipped from the NVC. How were you able to confrim with them? Is this when they would answer the phone and will they still answer it?

I am thinking i will track the package on DHL and then wait 5 days after they receive it and then mail in our checklist, DS-230 Part1 and photos. I hope that will be the correct timeframe.

What is in packet 4? Can i get the forms now and begin filling them in?

Thanks

Mike

Jacksonj51

How did you know when to send in your forms? I know that the case number has been assigned by NVC but how did you know that it was in the Bangkok Embassy "system"? I would hate send in my checklist and Ds-230 and have them throw it away on me because they do not have it yet.

Mike

Technically you're supposed to wait until you get a letter from the embassy with packet 3 and that's how you would know. Call NVC again and find out the day they ship it and then you can track it in DHL (using a reference number such as I-730) and see when it arrives in bangkok. Once they get it it'll take 3-5 business days to be in their "system" and then you can mail in your checklist and other forms. But since there's no tracking number you kindof have to guess if the package they received is yours or not using the DHL system.

Search the old forum for how to track in DHL.

[ufkenmill 0]

Ken

I found the information on how to track with DHL. I even gave it a test drive with a random date. It seems to work well. Thanks for the information.

I noticed in your time line that the BKK Embassy confirmed with you that your case was in there system 8 days after it was shipped from the NVC. How were you able to confrim with them? Is this when they would answer the phone and will they still answer it?

I am thinking i will track the package on DHL and then wait 5 days after they receive it and then mail in our checklist, DS-230 Part1 and photos. I hope that will be the correct timeframe.

What is in packet 4? Can i get the forms now and begin filling them in?

Thanks

Mike

I did the same thing after confirming with the NVC that they shipped it via DHL and the date of shipping. It takes about 2 days to get to the embassy and then yeah, maybe 5 days to get to the IV unit and for them to get it into their system. The embassy is a huge complex with several buildings so be patient about them getting it into their system.

They do not take phone calls anymore and I've never spoken with anyone other than through email. If you email them (the IV Unit) be extremely polite and do not pressure them or you may find your case is suddenly "lost" in the system for a while.

They just changed the rules on allowing the fiance or others to drop off packet 3 and we found this out the hard way when we had a good American friend who lives in bkk (we live in chiang mai) try to drop it off for us. They accepted it but only after a sound verbal lambasting. Luckily my friend is a lawyer (although not immigration) and is used to being lambasted,lol...

Just mail it to them within the time frame you stated and you should be fine.

The packet "4" is a term I've only seen here on this site but it's just the letter confirming the interview date and instructions regarding how/where to pay and about making sure you have everything or you will be turned away.

Be patient with them, they're processing visas for Cambodia there also and it's a madhouse most of the time. They are pretty efficient for the 7000+visas they process per year. Although Manilla has it the worst with 50,000+visas processed per year.

[Yodrak 7]

Mike,

A Ken wrote, the visa interview notice packet contains only the interview notice and a few instructional sheets. No forms to be filled out.

If I recall correctly, the information sheets deal with how to pay the visa application fee and order of documents to be submitted the morning of the interview.

Yodrak

Ken

...

What is in packet 4? Can i get the forms now and begin filling them in?

Thanks

Mike

[Yodrak 7]

The Packet System for immigration processing is long gone, but the terms 'Packet 3' and 'Packet 4' remain in use because they still bear some resemblance to the extinct Packet System - although for the immigrant visas, with mailings now coming from the NVC as well as the consulates, the terms are really getting stretched and you'll sometimes see references to a 'Packet 3.5'. Even the consulates continue to use the 'packet' terms - old habits die hard.

Better - more descriptive - terminology these days might be something like Visa Application Packet and Interview Notification Packet, although what's in the two packets can vary from consulate to consulate. In addition to consulate-specific forms and materials that might be included in either packet, some consulates put certain of the common application forms in Packet 3 and other consulates put them in Packet 4. There is no universal answer to the common question, "What, exactly, is in Packet 3 and Pakcet 4?" - the answer, as for so many immigration questions, is "it depends".

Yodrak

...

The packet "4" is a term I've only seen here on this site but it's just the letter confirming the interview date and instructions regarding how/where to pay and about making sure you have everything or you will be turned away.

...

[mr4422 0]

I think I just about have everything ready for AOS ... and got my tax refund today so I now have money to pay for it too!

and I just hit 1000 posts, finally tagged with my first heart. Aww ...

[malydon 0]

I think I just about have everything ready for AOS ... and got my tax refund today so I now have money to pay for it too!

and I just hit 1000 posts, finally tagged with my first heart. Aww ...

I know that one of the forms that we need to submit to BKK is an on-line form that has a bar code when it is printed out...but i can not find it on the BNK US Embassy web site. I know i have seen it before but i just can not find it now that we are ready to fill it out. Please help with directions or a link.

Thanks

Mike