gordon wrote:No - the reference number is assigned when the HSMP team receive the application, which occurs after payment of the application fee has cleared. The caseworker is assigned later on.
It is? So the man who emailed me with my ref # and signed his name wasn't my caseworker?
I was under the impression that a ref # assignment meant you had been assigned to a caseworker too.
Except logistically, it makes more sense that at that point, you're just loose in the pile. It does seem less than efficient for the caseworker to open each application to find the email address, email the applicant with the ref # and then put the whole application back in his/her queue.
Whereas a system where all the applications are put in line after payment and then an admin person opens each application, emails the applicant and then moves the application to the next line, for caseworker assignment, makes much more sense.
I know some people had nightmare situations where documents got lost, payments were mishandled, etc, but I'm still in awe of how organized both the HO and the NY consulate were in handling and processing my application.
There is a US immigration office in my office building here in DC and I can assure you, from the many confused immigrants I come across on a daily basis, that things are not as organized here!
Amy
But still didn't really read it.