THE ADVENTURES OF BONG VOYAGE
Bong Voyage, our perpetual immigrant visa applicant, just received his visa packet and passport with his immigrant visa. As he tried to retrieve his passport, he accidentally ripped the yellow envelope and tore his immigrant data summary. He immediately went to the Embassy with his visa documents to inquire about what he should do.
Bong Voyage: Good morning.
Consul Jimmy Murdochs: Hello, sir. How can I help you today?
Bong Voyage: I received my visa documents the other day. However, as I retrieved my passport, I accidentally ripped the yellow envelope open and tore the immigrant data summary as well. What should I do?
Jimmy Murdochs: I see. Have you read the notice we sent together with the packet stating not to open the yellow envelope and/or detach the immigrant data summary?
Bong Voyage: Yes, I read the notification, but it was too late. What happened was really unintentional.
Jimmy Murdochs: Okay, kindly give me your documents please. Sir, were you able to double check the visa information in your passport?
Bong Voyage: Yes, I have checked my visa. All the information is correct.
Bong Voyage is asked to sit down for a few minutes as his visa packet is re-sealed.
Jimmy Murdochs: Here you go, sir. I have re-sealed your visa packet together with the immigrant data summary. Just a reminder: the yellow envelope should only be opened by the officer at the port of entry. You should open the plastic envelope from the courier service and check to review your visa for any errors. The visa packet, together with the passport and the CD from St Luke’s, should be hand carried when you travel to the U.S. Please also be mindful of your visa expiration date when making travel arrangements.
Bong Voyage: Yes, sir. Thank you very much for all this information and your help.
Jimmy Murdochs: Not a problem, sir. Also don’t forget to contact the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) for your Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS). All immigrants should attend the seminar or register with the CFO prior to travel, as it is mandated by the Philippine government. Information about the CFO is also included in the visa packet you received.
Bong Voyage: I have the CFO information and I will be coordinating with them for my seminar. Thank you once again and have a nice day.
Jimmy Murdochs: You’re welcome and have a nice day too.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Its very helpful for me…thank’s i hope you add more information …
Good day,
Just want to know how long does it take to be approved for I 1-30? My husband submitted it last Oct. 5, but until now we didnt hear anything from USCIS.
Thank you so much and have a good day…..
The Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHS/USCIS) has sole authority over the filing and approval of visa petitions. Information regarding the requirements and procedures are available from the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis. You may also wish to contact the DHS/USCIS office at Embassy Manila by email at mphinquiry.cis@dhs.gov regarding this matter.
Its help me a lot this msg for the future. Thank you so much for the time you post this information. May God bless all USEM and more power.
my kids passport will expire on apr. 26, 2012. the interview is on march 14 do i need to reschedule the interview for me to renew the passport ? Italked to nvc before asking my concerns they said its ok as long as the passport is valid on the day of the interview.but definitely will still have to renew to fly out of the PHILs to US.pls advise should i renew beforeinterview or after?
Ana, you can renew your children’s passports after the interview and send them to the Embassy through our courier service. Your children’s cases will be put on hold until we receive the valid passports.
Hi,
I applied for B2 Visa last March 8 and again last March 13, 2012 due to an emergency because I want to visit my Mom who was confined at the hospital for almost 3 months and no one is taking care of her and we don’t have relatives there, but was denied twice.
Now a friend of her called me that she passed away last March 11 and no one is taking care of her body in the morgue.
Can I apply again for Non-immigrant Visa to get her body and give her a funeral and laid her to rest? Would a consul be considerate enough to approve it? What would be the best decision to make? I’m confused…
Hi Emer. We are sorry to hear that your mother has passed away in U.S. Please know that you may legally reapply and speak to a different officer at any time. However, be aware that all officers must make their decisions based on the same U.S. immigration law. Rest assured that all visa applications are given full consideration at the time of the interview.
hi. i just received my visa today. it was sealed in a plastic. i have read the notice saying that it should not be opened so i handled it with care. then as i was organizing the things and documents that i need to bring to CFO, i had the immigrant data summary photocopied. then when i got home, i noticed that there is a little rip on the lower side of the opened portion on the left corner. it’s just a little rip, not more than 1 inch. do i still have to reseal it?
Hi Diana. You do not need to have the packet resealed.
Good evening!
I just want to know the “most proper way” of taking out the passport from the visa packet. I received mine last Wednesday but I have not yet opened it until now. I feel so anxious on how I can get my passport and visa since it is inside the plastic packaging where the yellow envelope is (it’s on top of my Immigrant Data Summary). I am hesitant to open it because I fear that I might “violate” the warning that says “do not open… the visa packet or envelope.” Is it okay to open the plastic packaging to retrieve my passport and visa? Or can I just create a cut somewhere (perhaps on the side of the plastic packaging), small enough for me to pull out my passport?
Another concern I have is related to my immigrant data summary. I reviewed the information, and found that there was a typographical error in my father’s first name (the order of the two consecutive letters were switched – ..LI….. instead of ..IL…..), and the visa class indicated was F21 instead of F2A. Do I need to go to the US Embassy to correct these minor errors?
I would truly appreciate your suggestion regarding this matter.
Thank you very much!
God bless…
You may open the outer plastic envelope to retrieve your passport. You should not open the yellow packet that contains documentation in support of your visa application. The packet should be presented to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer at your port of entry.
There is no need for us to correct the data on the Immigrant Data Sheet (IDS) or on your visa. We wish to assure you that this will not pose any difficulty or problem for you when you enter the United States.
Thank you so much for answering my queries!
I truly appreciate it!
This blogsite is really, really helpful!
God bless you more!!!
Good Day, ,,I was given a 10 years B1/B2 visa on August 15, 2011 and travelled to LA 28 October 2011, US immigration in LA gave me 6 months. I returned to the Philippines 28 January 2012. Now I am planning to go back to LA next month. I would like to ask if there are other procedures that i need to do prior to my plan of going back to LA. Your reply on the matter will be highly appreciated. Thank yopu very much
Good Day Sir, I received my visa packet and passport with the immigrant visa on it. As I tried to retrieve my passport, I accidentally ripped the white plastic pouch containing the yellow envelope and Immigrant data summary, but the yellow envelope is still sealed. Please advise me on what should I do.
I will be leaving next week. I already have my ticket.
Good Bless
You may open the outer “plastic” envelope to retrieve your passport and the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) guide. But you should not open the yellow packet (which has a diagonal cut at the corner) containing documentation in support of your visa application, which you should present to the immigration officer at your port of entry.
my visa plastic has been accidentally thorn! cuz of exitement! cud some one help me! plzz. ty
You may open the outer “plastic” envelope to retrieve your passport and the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) guide. But you should not open the yellow packet (which has a diagonal cut at the corner) containing documentation in support of your visa application, which you should present to the immigration officer at your port of entry.
Sir/Madam:
I received my visa packet yesterday. I was very careful in opening it and i noticed that at the back of the yellow packet, there is a little rip on the top portion of the paper at the last page of the doument.Its not more than one inch closer to the staple. What should i do?
Also, on my US visa my middle name comendador.The letter R is partially printed. Is this okay?
Thank you!
We have determined that there is nothing to reseal or correct. We wish to assure you that this will not pose any difficulty or problem for you when you enter the United States.
Hi!
I just got married two days ago on a fiancee visa. Is it right that i left the visa packet to the immigration officer when i came? Almost all documents needed for the Green CArd application are in that packet? What do I really need to adjust my status? Thanks!
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
You may refer to this USCIS website regarding your Lawful Permanent Resident card application concerns http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
Hi! I have an ongoing EB2 petition filed last January 2012. It was approved and already forwarded to NVC. When my agent called the NVC for follow up, they told us that final processing of my case has been completed last May 18, 2012 and I am now waiting for my exit interview. I am just worried because of the latest visa bulletin where there is now a cut off date for EB2 Philippines which is 2009. Will my papers be affected by this retrogression? Will I still be queued for an interview? Thank you in advance.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager!
Beginning July 1, 2012, Philippine E2 visa numbers will only be available to applicants with priority dates before January 1, 2009.
The State Department’s National Visa Center (NVC) will hold the immigrant visa petition for safekeeping until the cutoff date in the E2 category has reached your priority date. NVC will forward the case to Embassy Manila once your priority date becomes current for processing and visa number becomes available for your use. We will begin processing the case as soon as the visa petition is received from NVC.
Written inquiries, changes of address or in the personal circumstances of applicants and petitioners should be sent and reported to NVC at 32 Rochester Avenue, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801-2909, telephone number (603) 334-0700. Public inquiries can also be sent by email at NVCInquiry@state.gov.
In the meantime, you or the petitioner may visit the State Department’s website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html for information on the movement of priority dates and visa availability.
Hi, there is a ripped in the seal, located in the first staple of the data summary but it is not more than 1 inch do you think we need to reseal it?
You may open the outer “plastic” envelope to retrieve your passport and the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) guide. But you should not open the yellow packet (which has a diagonal cut at the corner) that contains documentation in support of your visa application, which you should present to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer at your port of entry.
If you feel that your visa packet has been compromised, please return it to the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Unit immediately on any workday between 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. You may also send it through any branch of 2Go courier service, with your complete name, case number and current contact information clearly indicated.
VISAtisfied Voyager,
My fiance received her K1 visa today, but told me that it has a triangular cut on the inside sealed yellow envelope that you are not supposed to open. She says that she can see the papers inside it, so it is apparently no longer sealed. She has not opened the clear outer plastic envelope because she is afraid that they will blame her for trying to open the sealed package. She said that it is a cut (about 4 inches on one side and 2.5 on the other on) and not a tear, so it looks like the embassy sent it to her like that. Since it is supposed to be sealed, does she need to take it back to the embassy and have it re-sealed or what?
Mark, your fiancee may open the outer “plastic” envelope to retrieve her passport and the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) guide. She should not open the yellow packet (which is supposed to have the diagonal cut at the corner that you mentioned) containing documentation in support of her visa application, which she should present to the immigration officer at the port of entry.
hello.,i just came to us with k1 visa but come back to phillipine for an emergency .,can i come back again in us? what will i do?
Mia, it depends on whether you adjusted status while in the United States. If you got married and became a lawful permanent resident (LPR), you can travel back to the U.S. on your green card. If you did not, you will need another visa.
Hi, i have a concern with regards to the immigrant Data Summary attached to the yellow envelope. Due to fear that it will be detached, i put another staple on the right upper corner of it. (the original staple is on the left-we got our visas in Dublin, Ireland). Is this okay? And also with my husband’s visa packet, the first two attempts to put additional staples failed so there are tiny holes on the data summary and on the envelope. Will these cause problems with the immigration? Please advise, thank you very much.
The extra holes on the Immigrant Visa Data Summary are not significant at this point. However, we strongly advise against any further tampering with the visa packets which may render them invalid or subject to investigation.
Hi i received my visa,then i get my passport suddenly while fixing my documents the plastic wrapper of the brown envelope was thorn out. Just wanna ask should i go to us embassy and re seal it? Pls help me
Thank you for your interest in VISAtisfied Voyager.
You may open the plastic envelope to retrieve your passport. Just be sure not to detach the Immigrant Data Summary nor open the yellow envelope when you do so. As stated in the Warning notification you received, only the Immigration or Public Health Service Officer at the U.S. port of entry is authorized to open the yellow envelope.
Please also read our blog post: The Visa Packet (IV)
Good Morning voyager:
I would just like to inquire regarding the immigrant data summary attached to the visa packet..there are a number of typographical errors which I would like to be corrected if need be.. My husband’s final address has been typed as columbiana instead of columbia, and my Alias/es being 1) Matuginas, instead of with a ‘U’ spelled as matugUinas, and my 2nd alias, my 2nd given name in like the nbi form being “ma”, instead of “may”..it lacks y to may..so there are 3 typo errors, that I’m wanting to try ask if would cause me a problem at the POE..I wish to receive your helpful response!’
To make the necessary correction, may we request you to return the visa packet as soon as possible to the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Check-in Counter (Window 38) on any workday between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thank you.
Hi
My sister has K1 visa and she forgot her yellow packet in her country of origin. Will she be able to clear the immigration without that packet? I am going to send it to her in 48 hrs by DHL. thanks.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied voyager. For specific information regarding the visa case, we request the applicant or the petitioner to send an email to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with their complete name, date and place of birth, and the 10-digit visa case number clearly indicated.
good pm!?i would like to ask about my address in my immigrant data summary in US is different to my husband’s new address now because they moved last week!my flight will be on october 1 so what can i do now!?thnx
You do not need to come back to the Embassy to have your Immigrant Data Sheet corrected. You may inform the Immigration Officer at your port-of-entry regarding the correction of address.
thank you!
gud pm voyager,
i am going for my interview on wednesday sept.19,2012 and my passport will expire in march 9,2013 . do i need to re schedule my interview and renew my passport first or i can renew it after my visa is release..?
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
Please be aware that each visa applicant must have a passport valid for at least six (6) months from the time of the visa issuance.
Hello:) i have some concern regarding the plastic that contain the yellow envelope and the immigrant data summary. It accidentally had a rip off horizontally on the plastic that contains this things but the yellow envelope and the data summary are on perfect condition. I’m just worried if i need to do something about it or i might have any troubles if i enter the US.
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
We have determined that there is nothing to reseal in your visa packet. We wish to assure you that this will not pose any difficulty or problem for you when you enter the United States.
Thank you for the reply:)
Good day! I have the same inquiries with the others here but I’m really freaking out and I need a reply from someone official.
We received my brother’s packet last week and when I got home to take out the plastic envelope that had the packet and passport in it, I noticed a tear (about 1-1 1/2 in.) on the right side (the one with the opening that shows a bunch of papers) that must have happened during the handling. The sealed part at the left side is still intact and everything. The message on the packet specifically states that if there was any tear on the packet, the visa holder might not be a be to enplane. Now because of this, we still haven’t retrieved the passport fearing we might only make things worse so everything is still sealed away in that plastic envelope.
Should we resend the entire thing to have the visa packet replaced with a tear-free one?.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
In order for us to determine if we need to reseal your brother’s visa packet, you may bring it to the Embassy’s Window 38 on any workday, from 8:00am onwards.
where do i go in us embassy manila to get my visa packet or envelope re-seal and how long it will take? thank you
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
If you have opened the yellow packet (which has a diagonal cut at the corner) that contains documentation in support of the visa application,you should return the visa packet to the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Unit (Window38) on any workday, between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. immediately to have it resealed.
GOOD MORNING!
I have made the same mistake also and I have sought assistance from US embassy Manila yesterday but the sad thing is they told me it’s a Riyadh issue thing since I got my Visa Packet from US Emb Riyadh. The agent @ Window 46 told me that they will coordinate with Washington main office and ask them for an advice on what to do and they’ll just call me for an update.They gave me back my papers , and went home burdened with lots of anxieties. I am not really sure if I am going to be receiving any help soon. Please advice. Thanks in advance.
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog. For specific questions related to your case, please send an e-mail to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with your complete name and case number clearly indicated. Or you may call the Immigrant Visa Unit’s inquiry line at 301-2000, extension 5184 or 5185 during regular business hours.
Good Day! I have read several situation like mine but I still want to write to you to ask. I received my K1 visa packet today and out of excitement I did opened the plastic which contains the packet or yellow envelop and CFO instruction inside. I already have opened the plastic when I saw the warning” do not open” I did not touch the yellow envelop nor attempt to open it. It is still same as it was sent to me But I opened the plastic. Will It cause me trouble upon my entry in the USA? I am so freaked out and nervous same time, I already have my flight ticket and my fiancee and I were so excited getting married as well as his family. Please advise me what to do.
You may open the outer “plastic” envelope to retrieve your passport and the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) guide. But you should not open the yellow packet (which has a diagonal cut at the corner) containing documentation in support of your visa application, which you should present to the immigration officer at your port of entry.
I received my visa/passport packet last November 24, 2012 (saturday). I just made a small cut in the plastic to retrieve my passport, and sealed it again. So i didn’t take the CFO guidelines out. I assume if I follow the guidelines at CFO website I’ll be fine, btw I’ll take the guidance & counselling tom. Please let me know if I need to get any papers out of the plastic aside from my passport. Is it okay if its only the passport I took out of the packet?
Thank you!!
You may open the outer “plastic” envelope to retrieve your passport and the CFO Guideline. But you should not open the yellow packet (which has a diagonal cut at the corner) that contains documentation in support of your visa application, which you should present to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer at your port of entry.
Hi, i recevied my passport and immigration visa packet..but i found that there was a typo error in my dob…so i returned the packet and the passport to the embassy….they said that they would call me when its done…its now been 16 days and i havent heard from them yet …im starting to get a bit worried……are there any estimated time for these cases? Or should i personally go to the embassy to inquire?…
thank you!
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
You may call the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Unit at (632) 301-2000 ext. 5184/5185 regarding your concerns. You may also send an email toIVMAnilaReplies@state.gov with your name and case number clearly indicated.
Ty…voyager for the reply…they called themselves
hello. i got my my visa packet today and upon review I noticed that on my alias, my maiden name, the last two letters of my middle name are missing. my name was too long. Do I still have to have it corrected or is that OK? Thank you
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
We have determined that there are no corrections to be made in your visas. We wish to assure you that this will not pose any difficulty or problem for you when you enter the United States.
Hi admin, my parents have just received their visa packets this morning, and we found out that the house number of my sister (petitioner) is wrong, for my mother it states 2048 for my father its 2043 instead of 2044 the right one. Do we have to return back the visa packets in the embassy for corrections? We are scared if this may cause conflicts upon their entry to US.
Thanks in advance!
There is no need to return the visa packets to the Embassy. The applicants may update their records at the U.S. port of entry and have the petitioner’s address corrected.
when i was interviewed in the us embassy,i cant remember if the consul took the envelope with cd that the st lukes medical center gave me.then i recieved my visa packet and i attended the PDOS just this afternoon. in the seminar,we are told to bring what we must bring and he also said to bring the envelope with cd that we got from st lukes. so,i think my envelope with cd is really missing. i think i was robbed by some of my neighbors here in my village. please tell me what to do. thank you very much.
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager. For specific information regarding your visa case, we request you to send an email to IVManilaReplies@state.gov with your complete name, 10-digit visa case number and current contact information clearly indicated.
hi admin,
while fixing my documents, the Plastic wrapper containing the immigrant data summary was accidentally thorn out about “4 inches” only in the top portion but i did not open the yellow packet (which has a diagonal cut at the corner) as you said.
what shall i do?
shall i need to go to us embassy and re seal it? Pls help me
my flight schedule will be 3 weeks from now. please
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
You may open the outer plastic envelope to retrieve your passport but not the yellow packet that contains documentation in support of your visa application, which you should present to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer at your port of entry.
My father’s wife just received her visa package while opening the plastic envelope she also opened the yellow envelope entirely. What we can do about it. Do we have to send it back to the us embassy in Caracas where we applied for? Can we send it by courier and explain what happen or is better to go in person? How long more less that process will take. Thank you so much in advance for your reply. We are very worry.pls help us.
Regards,
Madelyn
Maddelyn, we noted that the visa was issued at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Please send your inquiry to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas at ConsularCaracas@state.gov.
Hi, I want to know how do I get all the documents that were in my visa packet, after receiving the green card? Please I need information.
Thanks
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
Unless applicants request that we return original documents to them and provide us copies of those documents, the original documents submitted in support of a visa application are included in the visa packets given to applicants who are found eligible for visas.
Visa packets are retained by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as part of its permanent files after the applicants have handed them in at the port of entry. The USCIS office at your port of entry should be able to tell you about the disposition of the documents that were included in your immigration files.
hi,
just like the others that posted their problem, when i tried to open the outer plastic to photocopy the immigrant data summary, i accidentally made a small incision as well to the plastic cover of the yellow envelope, just abt 4-5 inches, nut the yellow envelope and the immigrant data sheet are perfectly intact.
please enlighten me. thanks
Thank you for posting a comment on VISAtisfied Voyager, U.S. Embassy Manila’s visa blog.
We have determined that there is nothing to reseal or correct. We wish to assure you that this will not pose any difficulty or problem for you when you enter the United States
Sir/Madam:
Hi! I received my visa packet yesterday, I didn’t open the plastic since i have fear to get a rip or torn of my envelope. I just decided not to get or retrieve my passport and wait the CFO office will retrieve for me. So,Today I attend the CFO seminar and they cut the plastic at the left side to retrieve my passport then when I got home and Iam fixing my things I see a torn or rip exactly at the diagonal cut at the corner of my yellow envelope, Its more than 3 to 4 inch. I don’t know how it happens to have a torn or rip. What should i do? Hope you can help me.. Thank you
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
You should return your visa packet to the Embassy’s Immigrant Visa Unit (Window38) on any workday, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. immediately to have it resealed.
Hi, do you have an email address. Would like to send a photo of the visa packet which has a small tear on the side. I am notsure if i need to bring it back to the embassy or not. Thanks!
Hi Cha. Please email IVManilaReplies@state.gov regarding your concern.
Thank you.
Hi again! I sent an email to that addres that u gave me and was advised that i send back the packet thru any 2go branch. So i did, last may 17th. How many days should it take before i get i back? I am worried because we’re booked to fly on june 1st. Thanks!
Thank you for your interest in the VISAtisfied Voyager.
For privacy reasons, the Embassy does not address specific case concerns publicly on this blog. For specific information regarding your visa case, please send an email to IVManilaReplies@state.gov, with your complete name, date and place of birth, and the 10-digit visa case number, clearly indicated.
Hello,
My mom just received her immigrant visa but she accidentally tore the plastic envelope containing the yellow packet. The yellow packet is sealed and intact. She is so worried that only a reply from the US Embassy would calm her nerves Am I right to assume that all is ok?
Also, In the Summary Data . . . under ALIAS . . . it read ” VINCOY DE DELA PENA, GUADALUPE TA”. Her question was that her family name IS “DELA PENA “and not ” DE DELA PENA”. Do we need to return this to the US embassy?
The applicant should not open the yellow packet (which has a diagonal cut at the corner) that contains documentation in support of the visa application, which must be presented to the immigration officer at the U.S. port of entry. She may only open the outer “plastic” envelope to retrieve her passport and the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) guide.
There is no need to have the Immigrant Data Summary corrected as long as the information in the immigrant visa itself, which pertains to the applicant, is correct.
If the applicant feels the visa packet has been compromised, she may return it via any branch of 2Go courier service (Attn: Immigrant Visa Section), with her complete name, 10-digit visa case number, email address, and landline/mobile phone numbers clearly indicated.