How to call DOS?

[nygatl15]

Can someone tell me the best way to call the DOS to get date the 2nd name check was completed. I've tried calling 202 663 1225, but I have no idea how to get the information, I never do get a live person. there is a message that the information is available on the Web Site... I could not find it there.... any suggestions? I also may try and ask when is the interview date if I ever talk to a live person

[Guest Gene]

Keep calling until you get a human I do not know any other way

[mlspyl]

nygat!15:

 

You are correct, call the DOS at 202.663.1255

Then press 1, then press 0, then press 0.

 

One of two things will happen:

1. An automated message will tell you "all phone lines are busy and to call back later" (or something close to these words), and the the phone line will disconnect.

 

2. An automated message will tell you "please wait until a visa specialist answers your call and your wait time will be xx minutes (usually 15 minutes)" (or something close to these words). If this occurs, hold on the phone line until a live person (visa specialist) answers. While you are on-hold you will not hear music on-hold but you will only hear silence (so stay on the phone !!!!). Every 4 -5 minutes while you are waiting an automated message will inform you to stay on the line (I cannot remember the exact words).

 

 

When the visa specialist answers, they will ask you the following information:

 

Beneficiary's Case Number: GUZyyyyxxxxxx

Beneficiary's Name (may not ask for this)

Beneficiary's Birthdate (may not ask for this)

 

After you supply the above information, then ask for a status update on your fiancee's/spouse's case. Specifically ask if and on what date the Consulate requested the "2nd name check". Ask if and on what date the "2nd name check" was completed. For example, my wife's 2nd name check was requested by Guangzhou on 06/04/05 and the currrent status is "pending", meaning the consulate has not received comformation from the appropriate government agency(ies) that the 2nd name check has been completed.

 

Please note, that all visa specialists do not have the same skill level. One specialist that I spoke to did not realize there was a 2nd name check at all. Remember we (on CFL) use the terminology "2nd name check". I am not sure what the government calls it. However, three of the four visa specialists that I spoke to, knew what I meant.

 

 

Mark

[david_dawei]

The key part of calling, to get a live person, is that you MUST listen to each entire message before you can press a number. I think if you press any numbers 'early' during the message, you don't get routed correctly.

 

So, listen to the first message completely, when prompted then press "1".

 

Listen to the second recorded message completely, when prompted, press "0".

 

Then you should hear that you can speak to a visa officer and will be 'on hold'.

 

--

 

Some are able to get the second name check status out of GUZ email, but I agree that DOS is better. Will be interesting to see if you get the second name check since GUZ is trying to say it was done in April...

[nygatl15]

The key part of calling, to get a live person, is that you MUST listen to each entire message before you can press a number.  I think if you press any numbers 'early' during the message, you don't get routed correctly.

 

So, listen to the first message completely, when prompted then press "1".

 

Listen to the second recorded message completely, when prompted, press "0".

 

Then you should hear that you can speak to a visa officer and will be 'on hold'.

 

--

 

Some are able to get the second name check status out of GUZ email, but I agree that DOS is better.  Will be interesting to see if you get the second name check since GUZ is trying to say it was done in April...

136150[/snapback]

You're right David... I'm trying to make sure I just didn't get an answer to make e go away... I know the name check takes about 100 days, not less than a month like I was told. I'm on hold now with them... I post what happens. thanks

[nygatl15]

nygat!15:

 

You are correct, call the DOS at 202.663.1255

Then press 1, then press 0, then press 0.

 

One of two things will happen:

1.  An automated message will tell you "all phone lines are busy and to call back later" (or something close to these words), and the the phone line will disconnect.

 

2.  An automated message will tell you "please wait until a visa specialist answers your call and your wait time will be xx minutes (usually 15 minutes)" (or something close to these words).  If this occurs, hold on the phone line until a live person (visa specialist) answers.  While you are on-hold you will not hear music on-hold but you will only hear silence (so stay on the phone !!!!).  Every 4 -5 minutes while you are waiting an automated message will inform you to stay on the line (I cannot remember the exact words).

 

 

When the visa specialist answers, they will ask you the following information:

 

Beneficiary's Case Number:  GUZyyyyxxxxxx

Beneficiary's Name (maybe ask for this)

Beneficiary's Birthdate (maybe ask for this)

 

After you supply the above information, then ask for a status update on your fiancee's/spouse's case.  Specifically ask if and on what date the Consulate requested the "2nd name check".  Ask if and on what date the "2nd name check" was completed.  For example, my wife's 2nd name check was requested by Guangzhou on 06/04/05 and the currrent status is "pending", meaning the consulate has not received comformation from the appropriate government agency(ies) that the 2nd name check has been completed.

 

Please note, that all visa specialists do not have the same skill level.  One specialist that I spoke to did not realize there was a 2nd name check at all.  Remember we (on CFL) use the terminology "2nd name check". I am not sure what the government calls it.  However, three of the four visa specialists that I spoke to, knew what I meant.

 

 

Mark

136131[/snapback]

Thanks, worked like a charm... got right there in 10 minutes... but I did not get any news. I was told there was no record of a 2nd name check performed or requested for that matter. ( I wonder if this is because she lived here for 4 years while in School)

 

They also told me there was no interview date scheduled yet. They told me also that Guz received the P3 back on April 13. I was sent to them on April 4 and received I beleive April 8... but I guess it took another 5 days to be entered into the computer.

 

I didn't like the answers I was given, I was actually a little annoyed, but I was careful not to relay thos feelings to the person on the other end.

 

I hope no name check is a good thing in this case.

[david_dawei]

Thanks, worked like a charm... got right there in 10 minutes... but I did not get any news. I was told there was no record of a 2nd name check performed or requested for that matter. ( I wonder if this is because she lived here for 4 years while in School)

 

They also told me there was no interview date scheduled yet. They told me also that Guz received the P3 back on April 13.  I was sent to them on April 4 and received I beleive April 8... but I guess it took another 5 days to be entered into the computer.

 

I didn't like the answers I was given, I was actually a little annoyed, but I was careful not to relay thos feelings to the person on the other end.

 

I hope no name check is a good thing in this case.

136158[/snapback]

Here's my take on your application...

 

seeing that GUZ stated the name check was done in April, I'd take that as the second name check. It simply went through very fast or was possibly started before the physical application was received and input to the computer.

 

As someone else has pointed out, the term "second name check" is not really an offically used term (like DCF is also not), and so many at DOS or GUZ may not know what your asking for. I have put this issue into the FAQ.

 

it's hard to say exactly when they will start a name check for each person... but if they would do them at the receipt of the electronic notice from NVC of an application coming, they are saving some time.

 

Five days to enter in computer is on the faster side.. I think your in good shape at this point.

[Steve and Qingqing]

David, thats not true.. You dont have to listen to each entire message before pressing 1 and the 0's... Ive bypassed the messages each time Ive called and have gotten an officer usually in less than 10mins....works for me... you may have to let the message play for just a second though.

[nygatl15]

David, thats not true.. You dont have to listen to each entire message before pressing 1 and the 0's... Ive bypassed the messages each time Ive called and have gotten an officer usually in less than 10mins....works for me... you may have to let the message play for just a second though.

136190[/snapback]

yes, I didn't listen to the message... I just entered the number when the talking started each time

[Yuanyang]

I write IVR (VRU) code for a living so entering a response without listening to the entire message is an option the coders allow in order to reduce the call time for experienced. There are other options when playing the voice prompt to not accept any keypad entry until the prompt has completed.

[Mengxin]

That's nice to know we don't have to listen to the whole message. I thought we needed to also. The people at DOS have always been helpful and polite everytime I've called. They told me GZ requested 2nd name check three days after GZ told me they hadn't recieved the app yet. few weeks later. GZ says 2nd name check complete. waiting for place in line for interview.

[goneflying2000]

1255 is no longer a working number. You need to use 1225