P4 info from DoS - Fri. 5/21

[jkobman]

I just got off the phone with the Visa Info Ctr at DoS. If you look at our dates at the bottom, many of us are in the same boat.

 

When I called the DoS today, I got a Visa Specialist in a good mood - a "good cop." She said our paperwork is in the security check phase and that due to the new Homeland Security stuff, several agencies have to sign off/process the security request before it is cabled back to GZ. Also, she said that the closing of the call center did not directly affect K visas, but there is probably some slow down due to moving people from one office to another to help with the call center. She said that Sarah's P4 and appointment will be sent once they receive the security check back in GZ. She did not have any idea concerning what we want to know - the "WHEN'S" - WHEN will the P4/appt letter be sent, WHEN will she get her appointment and WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN WHEN .........

 

As I said, she was polite and helpful, but a lot of the response seemed canned, not anywhere as canned as some of the responses we have received from our good friends from a certain visa office in GZ.

 

I too am frustrated and miss Sarah, but I guess all we can do is keep asking, keep calling and do the US Army thing - HURRY UP AND WAIT! This seems to be he most frustrating part of the process.

 

ANyways, lets keep talking, lets keep encouraging each other - because that's about all we can do (and yes maybe I'll go and bang my head on the kitchen counter a couple of times) - let's stay sane, balanced and avoid in/out patient crazy treatments!!

 

Let's all hang in there - this too shall pass, our finacees/wives/children WILL get here - the "WHEN" is the unknown factor!

 

Smilin' and waiting' in Virginia,

Jeff

[orygreg2]

Thanks Jeff. It's good to see/hear actual references or quotes from "official" people, like DoS or GZ staff.

 

Here are 2 more examples like this which come from 001.com.cn:

 

1st is pretty much the basic "canned" response from GZ consulate:

"Dear Applicant

Thank you for your email, we recently finished pre-interview processing of your visa application. You are now ready to be scheduled for an interview. Once the interview date is scheduled, we will mail the appointment packet to your address. Given the high volume of visa applications, we cannot predict when the interview will be scheduled."

 

But I don't know when this applicant submitted the P3 to GZ.

 

 

2nd -- I almost don't want to share this one, also from GZ staff:

"When Ms.X's file review is complete, the IV Unit will schedule her formal interview appointment. Due to the high volume of fiancee and immigrant visa applicants being scheduled at this time for interview appointments, our best guestimation for Ms.X's interview will be mid-Auguest to mid-September. We are most hopeful that it will be scheduled sooner. When Ms. X's appointment is scheduled her appointment packet with instructions will be sent to the address of record via EMS courier mail approximately four week prior to her interview date."

 

I asked my meimei if she could find out when "Mx X's" P3 was submitted. She said about Mar 15. So, of course, it was discouraging to hear this.

 

I'm pretty sure this letter was sent in reply to someone from U.S. government (senator/rep office) asking for a status on an individual case. And it could be there is something unique about this case that makes them guess Mid-Aug to Mid-Sep.

 

I don't know. Again, just sharing it because it's information directly from the GZ consulate.... for what it's worth.

 

Greg

[Jim - Portland, USA]

Thanks for this info Jeff! And you are right, all we can do is wait. We can spin our wheels all we want trying to make things go faster (like peeling out on a patch of slick ice), but in reality, it looks like we are all in for a long wait for the P4s. Stuck in the snow!

 

For me, my only saving grace is, and I can't believe I'm insane enough to say this ... but I'm little little bit glad I had to wait nearly 6 months for the NOA2 from NSC ... it makes the GZ wait that much more bearable.

[Jim - Portland, USA]

Hey, I've got an idea ... for all you folks who are waiting for a P4 and who hired lawyers ...

 

Put your lawyers to work now! Make them work for their money! Let's see if any of these overpaid underworked take-your-money-and-run lawyers can actually make a difference or not. My guess is ... these lawyers aren't worth a dime and they can't do a darn thing.

 

Can anyone prove me wrong? Anyone out there getting help from a lawyer who returned P3 after mid-March and have already received P4???

[Bryan_Qunying]

Hey, I've got an idea ... for all you folks who are waiting for a P4 and who hired lawyers ...

 

Put your lawyers to work now!  Make them work for their money!  Let's see if any of these overpaid underworked take-your-money-and-run lawyers can actually make a difference or not.  My guess is ... these lawyers aren't worth a dime and they can't do a darn thing.

 

Can anyone prove me wrong?  Anyone out there getting help from a lawyer who returned P3 after mid-March and have already received P4???

Hi Jim,

 

I wanted to comment about what you said about lawyers. First off I did not go through a lawyer. I think it's a waist of money unless a complication comes up. Second, you and I have a very close / same time line. The only difference is I filled K3.

 

With everything going on at GZ a lawyer is not going to have any more luck pushing things through or getting additional information (unless he knows someone inside the Visa Center), than you or I will. That brings a funny story about a lawyer and a couple getting their Visa in GZ. I seem to remember the story as this.

 

"While standing in the long line at GZ and waiting our turn. A lawyer along with a couple in tow decided to advance to the front of the line of many people. Once the lawyer and couple reached the front of the line, the person at the window instructed them to return to the "End of the Line" to wait their turn."

 

I might not have the exact wording of this story, and I even think I might have seen it posted here on CFL. But this just goes to show you that when the time comes for you to stand in line and wait, then you are just as equal regardless of how many months or years you have waited, as the person standing next to you.

 

Just my .02Yuan worth.

 

Bryan

[hypoclear]

Hey Bryan and Jim;

 

Seems we are right around the same date as you. Our CR 1 left NVC April6th and think cleared GZ delay on May 10th. I do know it is in their hands as they are doing a security check on it now.

 

Sooooo we may all end up in Sunny, Beautiful GZ together some time in the future. Here's to us and others that it is a short wait.

 

jkobman; great info! and as i have always thought staff is lessened and impacted by the call center closing duh duh... duh!! now how hard was that one???

this new round of checks is new news to me and no doubt others.. geez!!! these poeple are going to be the most throuly vetted people in america when they get there!!! damn... they aught to run for office!!

 

while it doesn't answer the burning question, it was as you say a less than canned response and does cast some light on what is going on and is about all that they or we can do.

 

Now for a suggestion, perhaps a large volume of letters to senators requesting an increase in staff at the belaeguered embassies in china wouldn't be a bad idea and for some of us living in China a job op..

 

the ball just might be back in our court..

and an FYI Mike.. yup the big guy Michael Jordan has been touring here in China. He was in HK yesterday.

 

Mark and Bea

[Bryan_Qunying]

Hey Bryan and Jim;

 

Seems we are right around the same date as you. Our CR 1 left NVC April6th and think cleared GZ delay on May 10th. I do know it is in their hands as they are doing a security check on it now.

 

Sooooo we may all end up in Sunny, Beautiful GZ together some time in the future.  Here's to us and others that it is a short wait.

 

jkobman; great info! and as i have always thought staff is lessened and impacted by the call center closing duh duh... duh!! now how hard was that one???

this new round of checks is new news to me and no doubt others.. geez!!! these poeple are going to be the most throuly vetted people in america when they get there!!! damn... they aught to run for office!!

 

while it doesn't answer the burning question, it was as you say a less than canned response and does cast some light on what is going on and is about all that they or we can do.

 

Now for a suggestion, perhaps a large volume of letters to senators requesting an increase in staff at the belaeguered embassies in china wouldn't be a bad idea and for some of us living in China a job op..

 

the ball just might be back in our court..

and an FYI Mike.. yup the big guy Michael Jordan has been touring here in China. He was in HK yesterday.

 

Mark and Bea

Hi Mark,

 

It seems that not only you and Jeff but also Se_Lang is around the same time. Unfortunately due to a few things I must attend to in the states. I will not be able to go to the interview with my wife. but my thoughts are with all that go that same day.

 

As far as the letter writing to Senators goes, I have done that too but the biggest problem is finding one that cares enough to read them and respond. Forget Wisconsin government. I think they are all Drones. When it comes down to spending extra money to help people, I think it falls on deaf ears. Now that we are in an election year, every one involved only wants to save those $$'s and not spend them for something that is very badly needed.

 

Bryan

[jkobman]

There are several of us who are same/similar dates. Let's keep our ears/eyes open - one of us will be first, the next second and so on...

 

...but we will get there and we will get our visas.

 

(besides, I told my sister-in-law to be...if I have to, I will call from GZ to Washington DC and then go into the Consulate and "talk turkey" with whoever I have to. She had a good laugh!!)

 

Let's keep our heads up!

[se_lang]

- one of us will be first, the next second and so on...

 

I will volunteer to be first

[Martytb]

- one of us will be first, the next second and so on...

 

I will volunteer to be first

I knew you would.

 

Such a bold and daring kinda guy. Willing to take risks for the sake of his fellow man

[jkobman]

Well someone has to do the dirty work! SOmeone has to volunteer to go first!!!!!

YUP!