Calling DOS

[mercator]

I called DOS (third time, but the first time I actually got a real person), and some really interesting things came out of it.

 

My file was sent electronically to 2 weeks ago. I knew this...

so... I asked when the hard copy was mailed and asked if they knew when DHL picked it up for delivery.

 

She said "oh no no... it doesnt go that way. Just wait a month or so and you can call us back." I asked if there was any way to notify me when GUZ gets the hardcopy. "No just call us back if you want to in a month."

 

Uhh... I thought they all went DHL...

 

I know this is kind of the big gap for our application, at least so far. No one really knows anything, and the file is on hold between the time NVC clears and GUZ receives and enters into their computer.

 

 

I guess my question is... Was this lady an idiot, and I should try again next week with the hopes of getting someone who isn't so anxious to blow me off, or is this what I can expect?

 

I guess I can look at DHL shipments, but how far beyond the electronic file transfer should I look? A week? Two?

 

I want to feel like I can track *something* LOL

[LiandLarry]

Merc, I am in the same place as you.......NVC sent and waiting for GUZ to input hardcopy into their computer so P3 can be sent.

 

I always get a real person when calling DOS (202) 663-1225 (1-0-0).

DOS does not track the DHL package so they won't know the hard copy is at GUZ until the consulate enters it into their system. You did not get an idiot on the phone.....that "IS" the way DOS tracks it. I would call back next week and see if the P3 was sent although it is still too early for that probably.

 

The case for Li and I was sent from NVC on December 9th and I know it has been signed for but the package hasn't been opened yet so no update from the consulate to DOS yet. Sometimes it takes a month or two.

 

Hope this helps, you are on track. If "this" is a big gap for your application then you should thank your lucky stars. This month or two wait is almost nothing.........take a look at my timeline and please don't worry at this point.

 

Larry

Edited January 18, 2006 by LiandLarry (see edit history)

[Guest pushbrk]

I called DOS (third time, but the first time I actually got a real person), and some really interesting things came out of it.

 

My file was sent electronically to 2 weeks ago.  I knew this...

so... I asked when the hard copy was mailed and asked if they knew when DHL picked it up for delivery.

 

She said "oh no no... it doesnt go that way.  Just wait a month or so and you can call us back."  I asked if there was any way to notify me when GUZ gets the hardcopy.  "No just call us back if you want to in a month."

 

Uhh... I thought they all went DHL...

 

I know this is kind of the big gap for our application, at least so far.  No one really knows anything, and the file is on hold between the time NVC clears and GUZ receives and enters into their computer.

 

 

I guess my question is...  Was this lady an idiot, and I should try again next week with the hopes of getting someone who isn't so anxious to blow me off, or is this what I can expect?

 

I guess I can look at DHL shipments, but how far beyond the electronic file transfer should I look?  A week?  Two?

 

I want to feel like I can track *something*  LOL

184016[/snapback]

I would think that if they send the file electronically there must be a reason. I'm thinking any name checking can be started without the hard copy but they are going to wait for the hard copy to do anything the USC can actually track.

[jim_julian]

If you assume that name check here means checking one or more electronic databases you could look at our timeline and convince yourself that they didn't do anything until they received the hard copy of the file. They had maybe 5 working days after they recieved the hard copy, name check complete, mail P3 a couple days later.

[LiandLarry]

This has nothing to do with namecheck. NVC sent the electronic file because they were done. The electronic file won't be opened (unless by mistake) until they have your hard copy in hand and are ready to enter their receiving it into the computer.

[mercator]

The electronic file was sent the first week in January, so I am tracking from 1/2 through today on DHL. Some of them have been signed for by STAMP, while the majority are sitting in GUZ. Seems some sail through (6 days from shipment to GUZ STAMP - the 1/5/05 package was received by STAMP on 1/11), while one sent earlier in the week is still in on hand mode.

 

I know your timeline is an unpleasant one. I wish for you to have things move alot faster! Even JimJulian's is pretty long, @ 44 days to get STAMPed. I'll keep my eyes on the DHL shipments as a guesstimate and call DOS every 7-10 days to see what's up. I am K-3, so I assume my timelines are a little different, but I pray for us all to have quick turnarounds so we can all be with our loved ones.

 

I feel very fortunate that my timeline is what it is. NOA1 to NOA2 was 25 days, and NOA2 to my letter saying its sending to GUZ was 16 days. I guess because both of our names are uncommon? Otherwise I guess it is just random chance.

 

I hope you get your P3 soon. It'd be great to see a flurry of Spring interviews and reunions. I am going over in late March, assuming I am not at P4 and scheduled by then (I can hope!). It would be great to see you and Jim sitting with me and waiting for my wife and your fiancee`s to get their visas approved. We could post a flurry of APPROVED messages and see if we can break Trigg's wahoooer from so much action!

 

A guy can hope, eh? hehe. Good luck, man. I mean that.

 

Merc

Edited January 18, 2006 by mercator (see edit history)

[mercator]

I only got a person on the third try because I waited so long the first time I blew my phone break (onesuite tells me I was on hold 22 minutes). The second time I waited out past 5pm EST and they disconnected me since noone would be answering (another 20+ minute wait).

 

This third time I called early in the morning and got someone after only about 15 minutes on hold. I only spoke to her for a couple of minutes, but that's ok because that means she speaks to alot of people over the course of the day, even if she didn't really tell me anything. hehe