Passing along info from the Warsaw Embassy-

[Oscar]

I spoke to the Warsaw Embassy early this morning.  Tried to get through yesterday morning and got busy signals for 90 minutes before finally having to leave for work!  Today I got through in about 10 minutes!

Our FBI background check was started on Oct 29th.  It used to take about 5 business days but now it is taking about 10 business days from what the girl told me.  They will NOT schedule any interviews for women who they have not gotten back the name check on.  So I will call again on Friday to see if I got lucky (9 days), because Monday is Veterans Day (I don't know, but I will assume the consulate may be closed), so next opportunity would be Tuesday.

Good news is that when I last spoke to the Nebraska INS office, they said that it can take up to 2 months for the actual petition to get to Warsaw from the USA and again, they will not schedule interviews until they have it, at least that is what Warsaw told me.  I guess 2 months is the "worst case scenario" because today, they said my petition IS there now (I don't know when they got it, could have been a few days ago).  We were "approved" from Nebraska on October 18th
so I am figuring the Embassy got it in just about 2 weeks, maybe a day or two less because I called them on the 29th to open my provisional file and my petition had not made it there yet, but now it's there.

Just passing along what I find...

[sfcolorado]

... in response to Passing along info from the Warsaw Embas..., posted by Oscar on Nov 6, 2002

I appreciate all the information you have been passing along about your case, as I will be going through all of this soon myself (I hope).  You may recall that I posted a message a little while ago about my Fiance Visa status.  Current update on that is that I am STILL waiting for my petition to be assigned to an officer at the Nebraska center - 130 days now and counting.  My frustration with this just keeps building as the days go on, but I'm doing the best I can to make it through.

Please keep us all posted on how things are going with your situation.

[Oscar]

... in response to Re: Passing along info from the Warsaw E..., posted by sfcolorado on Nov 6, 2002

Have you been calling the INS automated number after hours to see if you have been approved yet??  If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have known I had been approved until after about 10 days because that is how long it took them to get my letter of approval to me!  But I called and found I had been approved..

[sfcolorado]

... in response to My approval was after 134 days so you sh..., posted by Oscar on Nov 6, 2002

Just talked to them today and what do you know... my case was approved 2 days ago!!

Now on to the fun stuff... what should I do next?  Can you e-mail me the phone number you used to call the Embassy in Warsaw, and give me some info on what I should ask them to do with my case?  Any help you can give me at this point would be much appreciated

[Oscar]

... in response to Re: My approval was after 134 days so yo..., posted by sfcolorado on Nov 6, 2002

Well, it depends on what you sent in with your petition..
Did you send in just the minimum or did you have her police report, birth and divorce certificates, your financial stuff, do you have her physical exam done??  It all depends on what you have done so far.  There is no reason to call until you have all your ducks in a row..

I will say that the first step with the Embassy is once you get your approval letter from the INS, you will want to fax them a copy of it along with a letter stating that you wish to open a "provisional file".  this will get you a "WRW" number that you will need for everything from then on..

Later

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Re: My approval was after 134 days s..., posted by Oscar on Nov 6, 2002

Oscar, you say that his decision should be predicated on what he has done so far. In fact, he has plenty of time to assemble all the necessary paperwork AFTER asking for the provisional file to be established.

So - the steps are:

1) Take the 'A' number assigned by tne INS - send an e-mail to: fiancewrw@state.gov and ask them to establish a "provisional file." They will also want to know:

- Full name and address in Ukraine
- Telephone number in Ukraine
- Date of Birth
- Place of birth

This can be done immediately.

2) Fax the official copies of these documents (when they arrive) to Warsaw:

- Form I-797 Notice of Approval form NSC INS (include the identifying LIN)
- Optional Form 169
- In my case, I *also* faxed a copy of a 2nd Form I-797 - Approval of my cabling request.

Fax number is: 48-22-627-4734

3) Download Packets 3 and 4 from the US Embassy in Warsaw's website. They are available in both Russian and English - so send the Russian version to your fiance so that she knows exactly what to do - and read the English version yourself - so that you can help her coordinate. Here is a link to the packets:

http://www.usinfo.pl/consular/packets/

4) Follow the instructions in Packet 3. There is a checklist for:

- Police Report
- Birth Certificate
- Support Documents
- Other checklist items (passport, etc.)

5) Packet 4 will expand this list to include:

- Form OF-230
- Form OF-156 (both are included in the packet)
- Medical examination requirements
- Photograph requirements, etc.

Note: I have NOT shown comprehensive lists for Packets 3 and 4. Refer to the packets themselves for comprehensive listed requirements.

6) Warsaw will open a provisional file based on receipt of the A number from you. They will then initiate a FBI name check and they will NOT schedule an interview until they are in receipt of BOTH the FBI name check and a formal indication from the INS that the approval package is on its way to them. If you paid for cabling, this will suffice. If not, the package must arrive via diplomatic pouch. Once they've received these 2 documents, they will schedule your interview. Your interview date will be posted at this website: http://www.usinfo.pl/consular/appoint/docs/fiance.htm

Make certain that all the required documents are completed in time to support the interview - and you should be fine.

The telephone number that I called in Warsaw (IIRC) was 48-22-625-1042 - but that may have changed. If so, the new numbers should be available in the recorded message you will receive when calling the number above.

I hope this helps.

- Dan

[Oscar]

... in response to Well, Not Exactly (Detailed Warsaw Steps..., posted by Dan on Nov 6, 2002

It certainly DOES depend on what he has already done so far..  If he included all the packet 3 info in his original petition (like I did), then HE can send in the completed packet 3 checklist for his fiance and they do not even have to send it to her.  Same for Packet 4 if he has already had his girl get her physical.  But becuase he hasn't said what he included, we don't know what he needs yet.

You say-
1) Take the 'A' number assigned by tne INS - send an e-mail to: fiancewrw@state.gov and ask them to establish a "provisional file."  6) "Warsaw will open a provisional file based on receipt of the A number from you."  

Well, the Embassy told me on the phone that they will NOT open a provisional file until they have the copy of the Approval Letter from the service center in their hands.  I had my "A" number and I was told BY THEM that this was NOT enough.  I had not gotten my letter so I called the Nebraska center, had them fax me a copy of my approval letter, I faxed it to the Embassy and they then opened my Provisional file.  The "A" number is NOT enough according to the person I spoke to at the Embassy..

The I-797 cabling is completely optional and I think a total waste of money.  More than a few guys have had things held up badly by cabling because of mistakes.  So IMO, I personally would not do it.

I already said that an interview date will not be given until the FBI name checks are finished (about 8-10 working days).  You say that "cabling the petition will suffice" but the Embassy told me that they will NOT schedule an interview date until they have the physical petition there on site.  They were very clear about this so either the Embassy itself gave me bad information or your information is a bit dated.

So again, it really all depends on what he included in his original petition.  When I spoke to the embassy, the girl told me that they had opened my fiance's provisional file after I had faxed them my approval letter and told me that they would be sending out Packet number 3 to my girl.  I said, no, we have already done that, I included the Packet 3 checklist in my fax.  She said "oh, that's excellent, then we will send her packet number 4 so she can get her physical exam".  I said no, they have already had done that too.  She said "oh, well that's wonderful, then all we need to do is get the FBI name check done and we will schedule your interview as soon as we get it back".

I felt that rather than just throw ALL the possible instructions at him at once (can be a little overwhelming for some), it made sense to see just what he has and has not done and then take it a couple of steps at a time.

And there is always conflicting instructions no matter who you speak with on this whole process from A to Z.  Rarely is one person completely right and another completely wrong.  I had more than a few guys give me info they were completely convinced was absolutely correct that turned out to be wrong.  for example, I had some guys tell me that sending everything in with my original petition slowed down the process and "gummed things up" and was a really bad thing to do, etc..  Well, nothing could be further from the truth LOL!  There are many other examples I could give..  
 

[Dan]

... in response to Well, I already said all this Dan-, posted by Oscar on Nov 7, 2002

I'll first say that I am not about to get into another pizzing match with you - but NO, you did not say all that. Not that it matters, really.

I *will* adress a couple of your specific points, lest some readers be convinced that your singular opinion/experience is the ONLY one.

Oscar wrote: "the Embassy told me on the phone that they will NOT open a provisional file until they have the copy of the Approval Letter from the service center in their hands. I had my "A" number and I was told BY THEM that this was NOT enough.  I had not gotten my letter so I called the Nebraska center, had them fax me a copy of my approval letter, I faxed it to the Embassy and they then opened my Provisional file."

Yes, you are correct. I should have advised to fax the I-797 Approval form before expecting them to open the provisional file. That would have been step 2 in my list.

"The I-797 cabling is completely optional and I think a total waste of money."

You and I disagree on this point. Simple as that. I trust you are capable of accepting an honest disagreement.

To emphasize my perspective, the following:

Oscar wrote: "You say that "cabling the petition will suffice" but the Embassy told me that they will NOT schedule an interview date until they have the physical petition there on site. They were very clear about this so either the Embassy itself gave me bad information or your information is a bit dated."

Here is an excerpt from the e-mail I received from the Embassy: "Please note that as of today we have not yet received the approved petition you filed for your fiancee and have scheduled Ms. xxxxxxxxx based on a cable confirming the approval of the petition. Therefore your fiancee should be prepared to present to the consular officer copies of documentation that was attached to the petition."

As you can plainly see, they DID open the provisional file - and in fact, scheduled an interview - based on the cabled petition while noting the absence of the physical petition.

You suggest the information may be "dated" - and I suggest that you may have spoken to a less-then-helpful representative.

In the course of my many communications with the INS and the Consular staff, I learned that it is not uncommon to be provided conflicting information.

So that you know, I continue to have contact with the Consular staff - for a variety of reasons - so I doubt my information is all that "dated". That said, things are changing REALLY fast as Poland becomes the Eastern border of the European Union and it *will* have impact to many procedures in the upcoming months.

Oscar Wrote: So again, it really all depends on what he included in his original petition. When I spoke to the embassy, the girl told me that they had opened my fiance's provisional file after I had faxed them my approval letter and told me that they would be sending out Packet number 3 to my girl. I said, no, we have already done that, I included the Packet 3 checklist in my fax. She said "oh, that's excellent, then we will send her packet number 4 so she can get her physical exam". I said no, they have already had done that too. She said "oh, well that's wonderful, then all we need to do is get the FBI name check done and we will schedule your interview as soon as we get it back"."

Oscar - that is really nice that you were so well-prepared. However, let's stick to the original point. It will take some time for the approved petition to arrive in Warsaw and for the FBI name check to be completed. During that period, there is enough time to accomplish all that is required - albeit some documents may need to be expedited. That was, and remains, my point.

He/they could have done NOTHING to prepare for the interview - and they still have enough time to complete gathering all the paperwork without deleterious impact to an expedited interview date.

Surely you will not disagree with this comment?!?

This really isn't about whether you, or I (or anyone else) provided all the necessary information *first* - is it Oscar? It ought to be about whether sfcolorado receives the necessary information to make progress in his case - right?

- Dan

[Oscar]

... in response to Good Grief Oscar . . ., posted by Dan on Nov 7, 2002

In my post I said that people get different answers and have different experiences.  It was not one, but two different women at the Embassy that told me until they have the PHYSICAL petition there, they will not schedule, so again, that is from the horses mouth, so to speak.  Can both be possible?  I will not say they cannot, because we know that there are rarely absolutes in this process.

No problem on cabling. Some guys do and some don't.  I was advised not to and have spoken to 3 men who wished they had not as there were problems that ended up delaying their interviews.  A couple of them visit this board and if they want to speak to this, they can.

You say-
"It will take some time for the approved petition to arrive in Warsaw and for the FBI name check to be completed. During that period, there is enough time to accomplish all that is required - albeit some documents may need to be expedited. That was, and remains, my point".
"and they still have enough time to complete gathering all the paperwork without deleterious impact to an expedited interview date."

My petition appears to have only taken 10-12 days to get there.  Sending the "packets" back and forth can take more than a little while.  When my girl got her Police report for example, she was told that it would take 4 weeks!  Unless of course she wanted to pay $100!  This is not uncommon.  So I can certainly not say that "they still have enough time to complete gathering all the paperwork without deleterious impact to an expedited interview date."  It depends on many factors and local authorities can definitely slow things up considerably.  Until those things are in, they are not going to schedule an interview.

You say-
"It ought to be about whether sfcolorado receives the necessary information to make progress in his case - right?"

Yes Dan and that is why I asked him what he initially sent in with his petition..
It's kind of like saying to a patient that they might need a simple appendectomy and the surgeon deciding while in there, also does a heart bypass, a gastric bypass and a kidney transplant that were not needed!  I think it only makes sense to know what has been done SO FAR and then proceeding from there.. Because if he HAS included many of these things already, his experience is going to be different than what you are instructing..
 

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Good Grief Dan . . ., posted by Oscar on Nov 7, 2002

Oscar wrote: "In my post I said that people get different answers and have different experiences. It was not one, but two different women at the Embassy that told me until they have the PHYSICAL petition there, they will not schedule, so again, that is from the horses mouth, so to speak. Can both be possible? I will not say they cannot, because we know that there are rarely absolutes in this process."

No - it is not "both." The process is different *if* you had chosen to cable the petition. You did not, hence, you were required to wait for the physical petition to arrive.

Oscar wrote: "No problem on cabling. Some guys do and some don't. I was advised not to and have spoken to 3 men who wished they had not as there were problems that ended up delaying their interviews."

Yes, I'd be interested in hearing all the gory details that may have contributed to the problems. In point of fact, ALL VSC petitions are cabled. TSC and NSC require filing and payment of an I-824. CSC is unknown to me at this time though I recall reading that they will NOT cable.

For many, the expediting of the I-824 is worth the small fee. For others, like yourself, apparently it is not.

Either way - there is no evidence to support your claim of widespread failures in the system to effectively expedite the petition - and enough petitions are handled this way successfully that I submit it resolves down to a financial decision.

Oscar wrote: "My petition appears to have only taken 10-12 days to get there. Sending the "packets" back and forth can take more than a little while. When my girl got her Police report for example, she was told that it would take 4 weeks! Unless of course she wanted to pay $100! This is not uncommon. So I can certainly not say that "they still have enough time to complete gathering all the paperwork without deleterious impact to an expedited interview date." It depends on many factors and local authorities can definitely slow things up considerably. Until those things are in, they are not going to schedule an interview."

Re: Packets. They can be sent via e-mail. Jack at Firstdream is able to provide a service if no other e-mail contact is available. Approximate time - 1 week (or less)

Re: Police Reports. Yes, *if* the lady already has her international passport, then the police reports are the likely longest lead-time item. Depending on where she lives and how close she is to the oblast capital that will process the reports - the 'normal' time can be as long as a month. If expedited it will require about a week.

Re: The time available. As you point out, it is 1 to 2 weeks to get the petition to Warsaw (if NOT cabled). Add another 1 to 2 weeks for the FBI name check - PLUS - another 4 weeks for the interview to be scheduled - 6 weeks if you accept the statement on the Embassy's website.

Total minimum time they have available (starting now) is 6 weeks. As I have said, repeatedly now, they have plenty of time.

Re: What is required for Warsaw to schedule an interview. You are absolutely incorrect in your assertion that they require ALL those documents be finalized before scheduling the interview. In point of fact all that is required is the following:

(a) Cable *or* physical petition. [Note: Copied from US Embassy in Warsaw's website - "· The actual approved petition from INS or telegraphic notice of approval from INS"]
(b) Optional Form-169
(c) Completed Form OF-230 Part I
(d) FBI name check completed

The items Petitioner/Beneficiary have control over are (b) and (c). Faxes of these documents sent to the Embassy will suffice to get them to schedule the interview.

So Oscar - I certainly *can* say that they have sufficient time to gather everything they need with NO deleterious impact to their interview date - provided they understand the FULL process and get cracking on the documents.

Oscar wrote: "It's kind of like saying to a patient that they might need a simple appendectomy and the surgeon deciding while in there, also does a heart bypass, a gastric bypass and a kidney transplant that were not needed!"

Clearly I do NOT agree that this process is anything like the surgery you describe. Show me one single item that I've stated that is unnecessary.

Did you honestly feel it was THAT complex Oscar? I didn't.

Oscar wrote: "his experience is going to be different than what you are instructing."

One final point Oscar. I do NOT consider my *advice* to be "instructing." My comments are provided for whatever they are worth to the recipient. I somehow suspect that is quite different than the context with which you offer your comments.

Nuff said.

- Dan

[toma]

... in response to Expediting the Process (at Warsaw) . . ., posted by Dan on Nov 7, 2002

Dan

Is it possible to get more info on the interview in Poland from you. I just found out our visa application was approved friday in Vermont. What next. I also heard the Embassy will be closed from Dec 20 to Jan 15 for holiday.
Will I be able to get her interview scheduled before the vacation?? We have all the docs we need except for her physical.

                  TomA

[Oscar]

... in response to Expediting the Process (at Warsaw) . . ., posted by Dan on Nov 7, 2002

I have been told otherwise on some of these issues by the people at the Embassy (on two occasions) and I have a petition IN the trenches right now, so I am passing along what I find.  If it is not exactly what you feel is the case, sorry about that.

As far as cabling- Both Rags and Greg H. from this board had problems doing so and both said they would NOT do so again.  Three other guys I spoke to who are not on the board have said the same as well.  Enough for me to not wish to go that route.  I am fully aware that Vermont does so with all their petitions.  Perhaps they somehow have the process doen a little better, I don't know..

And I do not believe necessarily in the "6 week" time frame you mention.. Depending on how one does their petition.

You say-
"You are absolutely incorrect in your assertion that they require ALL those documents be finalized before scheduling the interview. In point of fact all that is required is the following:
(a) Cable *or* physical petition. [Note: Copied from US Embassy in Warsaw's website - "· The actual approved petition from INS or telegraphic notice of approval from INS"]
(b) Optional Form-169
(c) Completed Form OF-230 Part I
(d) FBI name check completed"

Well that is what I have said Dan-  If the OF-169 and DS-230 are completed, then that means all of the paperwork I mentioned IS completed.  The woman brings these items with HER to the interview.

You also say-
"Show me one single item that I've stated that is unnecessary".

Well, if he already had included most/all of these things in his original petition, MUCH of what you have indicated would be unecessary..

And lastly-
"One final point Oscar. I do NOT consider my *advice* to be "instructing." My comments are provided for whatever they are worth to the recipient. I somehow suspect that is quite different than the context with which you offer your comments."

THAT was a completely unecessary comment Dan and for one who says he doesn't want to get into a "pissing contest" you have a strange way of showing it!  I offer what I am going through and the process to try to be of any help I can to those who are headed there, that's it.
Now that Markin Tex is gone, are you looking for more trouble perhaps??

You do not have ALL the answers Dan, as much as that may bother you.  I don't really care what you "advise" because I am actually living it right now and finding things somewhat different from what you say by those who hold the keys to the car..

I will not debate you on these things any longer Dan, because it is very difficult for you to not become "pissy" about the whole thing.  I won't go there with you again as all it does is tend to ruin the board.  So I suggest we just agree to disagree on some of these things.

I'm done..

[Dan]

... in response to Yes, I disagree with much of what you sa..., posted by Oscar on Nov 7, 2002

You didn't disagree with me on 05 Aug when I told you where to get the medical exam in Kyiv.

You *did* disagree with me on 06 Sep when I told you it would be 3 months till your girl arrived - at best (2 months and counting and you still don't have the interview date). My prediction is looking pretty good --smile--.

Your disagreement re: cabling - it flies in the face of logic, stated Embassy policy, and broad base of facts to the contrary - but that is OK.

You didn't disagree with me on 17 Sep and again on 29 Oct re:FBI name check when I told you what to expect insofar as timing.

Oscar wrote: "And I do not believe necessarily in the "6 week" time frame you mention.. Depending on how one does their petition."

You don't have to believe me. You can find it on the Warsaw Embassy website yourself at -- http://www.usinfo.pl/consular/iv/fiance.htm. Admittedly, the timeframes they publish are normally at the outer edge of the envelope - but it *is* stated right there. For purposes of estimating time available for sfcolorado, I used 4 weeks - as you may recall Oscar - but there is additional supporting FACT that it is probably closer to 6 weeks found here -- http://www.usinfo.pl/consular/appoint/docs/fiance.htm. Do you disagree with those facts also Oscar?

Oscar wrote: "Well that is what I have said Dan- If the OF-169 and DS-230 are completed, then that means all of the paperwork I mentioned IS completed. The woman brings these items with HER to the interview."

That is not what I said though Oscar. I said these 2 documents are part of what is necessary for the Embassy to schedule the interview. I did NOT say that all the paperwork needs to be completed at that time. You are, again, incorrect in that assertion.

In point of fact, many people complete the OF-169 and fax it to the Embassy to get the interview date scheduled - and then LATER finish all the paperwork. It is commonplace - and is also a direct factor in a case such as sfcolorado's.

Oscar wrote: "Now that Markin Tex is gone, are you looking for more trouble perhaps??"

No - not at all. You are so thin-skinned you think that anyone who disagrees with you is "looking for trouble."

To be clear, the debate started with sfcolorado asking you for the telephone number used to contact the Embassy in Warsaw. You never bothered to answer his question, hence, I did. That is hardly "looking for trouble" - now is it Oscar?!?

Oscar wrote: "You do not have ALL the answers Dan"

And Oscar, you cannot find a single instance of my EVER claiming I *did* have all the answers. Unlike your posts which imply the intent of "instruction." Guess we should all call you Professor Steve - eh?

Further, it was quite obvious in your earlier reply (message title: "Well, I already said all this Dan") that you felt personally offended at my reply (for sfcolorado's benefit) and decided to go on the attack. Your focus was not at all on whether or not sufficient information had been passed to sfcolorado (and others that read the board) - it was the fact that, "*I* [Oscar) *ALREADY* said all this".

Oscar wrote: "I will not debate you on these things any longer Dan, because it is very difficult for you to not become "pissy" "

Let me give you a model of what "pissy" is - and is not. If you had replied to my response and said something along the lines of - 'Well, I disagree with the need to cable a petition' - and/or made an assertion about the substantive message I wrote being inaccurate - that is one thing. But you didn't. You took offense that ANYONE had dared disagree with you. YOU were the one getting "pissy" Oscar. Ever heard of a condition called 'projecting'??

Too bad though Oscar. You were wrong in much of what you said.

Bottom line is - nothing has changed from the intent of my original response - which to to assure sfcolorado (and any other reader finding themselves in similar circumstances) that they have sufficient time to execute all the paperwork necessary to secure a normally-scheduled interview (with no delays - same as yours Oscar) if they will get busy with paperwork AFTER receiving the INS Approval notification.

Still disagree Oscar?!?

Oscar wrote: "I'm done"

Yes - yes, I believe you are.

- Dan

[Oscar]

... in response to Well, Let's See . . ., posted by Dan on Nov 7, 2002

I will let you in on a little secret..  I actually do not get upset if anyone disagrees with me (current conversations with LP as an example).  What I do get upset about is a person who is condescending and tosses out subtle, snide put-downs.  This is what you have done here Dan.  I can debate a subject appropriately all day long, until you start with the pissy, put-down attitude.  It's that simple.  LP and I disagree on a current issue and yet it can remain up and lighthearted and respectful etc.. Neither needing to take offence because there are no disguised cheap shots.  You can deny it all you want Dan, but we both know that is what happens often with you.. All you need to do is go back in this thread to see exactly where you began with the BS.. It's not hard to do.  

I could tick off and disagree with many of the same items you list above but I really just don't care to take the time to do so, because I know it won't make any difference..
I will simply say that you think I have been wrong in much of what I have said and I think you have been wrong in much of what you have said.. You see, I can live with that.

You said-
"and is also a direct factor in a case such as sfcolorado's".
Well how in the heck would you know that Dan?  You don't know what he sent in with his petition, you never gave him a chance to even say what he has or hasn't done!  I was just in the process of asking him what he HAD done when you threw pages of instructions at him and jumped all over me like a cheap suit..  
I think generally, it is not a good idea to cut a patient open immediately until you have at least asked them why they came to the office in the first place!  They may only have a simple cold.. ;-)

And in case you hadn't noticed, he hasn't even responded once since his initial question!  I can't say that I can hardly blame him..

Wish you could just let it go Dan, or at least go practice on someone else until Markintex returns..  

[Dan]

... in response to You really don't need to get your pantie..., posted by Oscar on Nov 7, 2002

Yes, you are right about one thing - all one need do is review this thread to see where it all began. Tell you what - let's let everyone draw their own conclusion rather than you and I.

- Dan