keane16

Hi

We have been issued my IR1 visa for immigration to the USA and plan to go in the next 10 days.

Big problem - my wife accidently opened the document pack!!!!!! Trying to speak to somebody at the USA embassy is virtually impossible. I'm hoping I can go back and they will reseal the envelope quite soon. I obviously don't want to reseal the pack as although the tape/seal is in tact it will look pretty dodgy and could result in us being turned away at border control.

Anyone any advise on this? Or know any direct numbers into the Embassy.

We are so distraught!!!!

Twinkle0927

Why did she open it? It says in HUGE letters that it's not be opened.

The immigrant visa unit does not take phone calls, only emails. Have you emailed?

Noorah101

Use the "contact us" page on the embassy website and wait for their direction.

They will probably want the package back so they can inspect it, then reseal it, then send it back out to you.

Be prepared not to make your 10- day window.

Rene

ian-mstm

Not only is it a big problem, it might be an insurmountable problem when you arrive in the US. The CBP officers will think, whether true or not, that you have deliberately tampered with the information contained in the envelope and will likely not admit you to the US. They could also bar you from re-entering on the reasonable assumption that you interfered with the process.

While sometimes the envelope has been damaged in transit (that doesn't happen often, but it does happen), I've never heard of anyone opening the sealed envelope which clearly says not to open.

My advice: do not travel with an open envelope! Get it fixed first... even if that means delaying your trip.

Ian

keane16

Thanks for your notes - we had already made the decision not to travel. I have sent the consulate an email this morning but haven't heard back yet (I know it can take upto 5 days). I need to be in the London area Tuesday AM for a meeting -- so my plan is to go to the Embassy Monday afternoon and see if I can talk to somebody in person. Let's see what happens!!

Rete

Good luck. You are not the first person on this forum to have done this (your wife that is) or to have had it damaged by water or lost or even stolen.

Thankfully you have the envelope and its contents so it can be rectified.

It is when it is lost or stolen that a really huge problem occurs. There are no documents left at the US Consulate to replicate the contents of the brown envelope. It is each and every document that you have submitted, along with all the notes written by the various officers or USCIS agents. This is the reason why I also tell people make a copy of each and every thing you submit. You never, ever know when you will need those copies.

keane16

Hi, just to let you all know this was sorted at the US embassy in London. A few difficult questions asked - but sorted there and then. Phew!!!

MidAtlantic

Glad you were able to resolve it.

To help anyone else who may find themselves in this situation, did you just turn up or make an appointment?