confused on the p3 process

[Louis(^_^)]

Im a little confused about the process after the NVC portion of this journey. Will my fiancee recieve the p3 and p4 in an email? Also If I can download the p3 forms, were can i get them from and can I just send the forms I downloaded in to the embassy?

[Kyle]

I am filing directly with the consulate, so I may not be qualified to answer your first question, but I do believe I can answer your second.

 

Yes, you can download the forms from the GUZ website and submit them in. My wife and I are filing for a IR-1 GC. We noticed in our P3, the revision date on the forms were older than the revision dates of the PDF forms found on the Guangzhou consulate website. The advice we were given is always send in the most recent forms available. So, in our case, we discarded some of the forms that were in our P3, downloaded the most current version from the GUZ website, and mailed them back in.

 

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/fo...and_packets.htm

 

We've been told that consulates are notorious for using outdated forms.

Edited October 10, 2009 by KJJ (see edit history)

[Louis(^_^)]

Thanks KJJ,

From what i understand, should I call the embassy to see if the p3 was mailed out first and then send the packet?

[Kyle]

Yes, I believe you can call and inquire about your P3 status, as long as you have your case number available (our looked similar to this: GUZ1234567890). We waited to to send back our documents until after receiving our P3. Looking at the CFL timelines this seems to be the norm.

 

http://www.candleforlove.com/FAQ/Timelines/Ne...L_Timeline2.htm

Edited October 10, 2009 by KJJ (see edit history)

[dnoblett]

The consulate will MAIL P3 to your fiancee, she will them mail back OF-169 and DS-230 part 1.

 

These forms can be downloaded and prepared before receiving P3, once P3 has been mailed by the consulate she can simply mail these 2 forms back to them.

 

P-4 will then be mailed to her.

 

You cannot call the consulate, you can email them, but the better way to find out when the consulate sent P3 is be calling DOS Visa services in the USA. 202-663-1225 http://travel.state.gov/about/info/info_308.html#visa

 

Forms:

 

DS-230: http://travel.state.gov/pdf/DS-0230.pdf ( Just part 1 needed )

OF-169: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/up...m169-May_09.pdf

 

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/fo...and_packets.htm

 

Mail P3 forms back to:

 

United States Consulate Guangzhou

IV Unit

1 Shamian South Street

Guangzhou, 510133 PRC

[Kyle]

This is what I was referring to in my earlier post. My wife was able to call the Shanghai number listed on the consulate website to inquire the status of her P3.

 

http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/contactiv.html

 

Some people have stated that the information provided by the US visa information center hotline in China is unreliable. That may be, but, it worked out well for us.

Edited October 10, 2009 by KJJ (see edit history)

[Louis(^_^)]

I found out from DOS that my petition was sent via DHL, and also was sent electronically( k1). I know I have to wait for the physical file to arrive at GUZ, but should they have already sent me the p3? The file was sent electronically on Oct 7th.

[Scott@Hong]

In the same boat as you Louis, mine was sent Electronically on Oct 8th. Called DOS this morning (10/27/09) and still no P3 mailed out yet to my fiance.

 

What I dont understand is when I look at the K1 timelines some of them have less then a week between NVC out and P3 received.

[3timescharm]

In the same boat as you Louis, mine was sent Electronically on Oct 8th. Called DOS this morning (10/27/09) and still no P3 mailed out yet to my fiance.

 

What I dont understand is when I look at the K1 timelines some of them have less then a week between NVC out and P3 received.

Ours was also sent Electronically and DHL. We received the P3 and mailed it back a month ago........according to DOS, GUZ has not received it........ or have they????? DOS can not seem to decide about that

 

Robert

[Louis(^_^)]

In the same boat as you Louis, mine was sent Electronically on Oct 8th. Called DOS this morning (10/27/09) and still no P3 mailed out yet to my fiance.

 

What I dont understand is when I look at the K1 timelines some of them have less then a week between NVC out and P3 received.

Exactly, thats why i've been getting confused and concerned.

[Louis(^_^)]

In the same boat as you Louis, mine was sent Electronically on Oct 8th. Called DOS this morning (10/27/09) and still no P3 mailed out yet to my fiance.

 

What I dont understand is when I look at the K1 timelines some of them have less then a week between NVC out and P3 received.

Ours was also sent Electronically and DHL. We received the P3 and mailed it back a month ago........according to DOS, GUZ has not received it........ or have they????? DOS can not seem to decide about that

 

Robert

DOS and GUZ, the super efficient dynamic duo.

[dnoblett]

GUZ has a habit of NOT "Receiving" things untill they are ready to "Receive" them, this does not mean they dont have the packages, it just means they have a back-log and are "Receiving" things in the order that they arrive at the consulate.

 

Things sit in their mail-room or a warehouse nearby until they are ready to "receive" them.

[Randy W]

In the same boat as you Louis, mine was sent Electronically on Oct 8th. Called DOS this morning (10/27/09) and still no P3 mailed out yet to my fiance.

 

What I dont understand is when I look at the K1 timelines some of them have less then a week between NVC out and P3 received.

Ours was also sent Electronically and DHL. We received the P3 and mailed it back a month ago........according to DOS, GUZ has not received it........ or have they????? DOS can not seem to decide about that

 

Robert

 

 

DOS DOESN'T decide that - they only report on what they see on the computer or are told over the phone. Like Dan says, GUZ will "receive" it when they decide to.

[Louis(^_^)]

Is GUZ always backed up?

[Kyle]

I just gave DoS a call concerning our case. The lady told us that we approved (GUZ received our P3) for an interview, but that it has not yet been set. She did mention that there was a significant back-log but she did not offer any guess as to when they would be caught up. I'm not worried about it.

 

Waiting is the hardest part, but look on the bright side; it seems, regardless of your visa type, that things, judging by the timelines, are moving more quickly than they have in years past.

Edited October 29, 2009 by KJJ (see edit history)