HR letters
Does the HR letter have to have the applicant's job title to be acceptable?
Yes, it is required.
What is needed to start a new case record?
First name
Father's name (last name)
Email address
Nationality
Date of birth
Are Visas acceptable?
No, we do not accept visas only passports.
Appeal documents go into the?
Other section
Can you cross-reference a family members case?
No, only cross-reference a case that is for the same individual.
How many times will we request an HR letter if we do not have it?
Once
Where are poison pen emails sent?
Forward to FPMNVC@state.gov, and send IS-FRWD to the inquirer.
If you see the dates 04/21/0210 - 8/7/0202 on the DS-157 in the employment dates is that acceptable?
No, we would request a new DS-157 with correct date formatting.
If intent to appeal is shown does the applicant still have 120 days to send in documents to start the appeal process?
No, as long as the intent is shown within the 120 day timeframe.
How should the DS-157s of surviving family members be labelled?
Applicant Name (Last, First) SW DS-157. (per 165-030 in the manual)
If an applicant sent in an HR letter but it was unacceptable, we request what’s missing/unacceptable, they write back saying they can’t get whatever is still needed.
We can combine those 2 and upload as a statement of unavailability.
What do you select if occupation is not reported?
Unknown or occupation not reported.
Are hand written passports acceptable for PON?
Yes, we can accept hand written passports.
a judge has helped in the appeal process?
Sua Sponte appeal
Can the employment dates box can be left blank if the rest of the line is entered as N/A?
Yes.
How many times can we use SA-NHRD?
Only once.
How many times do request a badge if not sent?
Per new guidelines, we no longer request a badge, but will accept it if sent in.
Scenario: When doing an appeal, the applicant sends a new LOR/HRL but they are invalid. Do we upload them and mark them as unacceptable or do we only upload valid appeal documents?
Upload all, but if they do not address what is on the denial letter, mark it as unacceptable.
Where do you upload the withdrawal notice?
The other section.
Is a HR letter with employment dates 02/20/2024-3/1/2025 acceptable?
No
If the last name is not capitalized on a Takera NIC how would it be entered? For example, Zahir Shah
First name: FNU. Last name: Zahir Shah
On question #21 of the DS-157 if the email address is only missing the “.com” from it can we consider it acceptable?
Yes.
Scenario: If an applicant sends in a HR letter and a LOR for an appeal, both are needed but only one is acceptable. Would we send SA-APPL or SA-ADNA?
SA-APPL. Under new guidelines as long as one of the required documents are acceptable we can set the status to "under appeal" and request what's missing.
Can the case number be located in the subject line with RE: before it?
Yes, per new guidelines the case number, DOB, and name anywhere in the email chain we accept that as PII.