ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresContacting the London embassy to see if it's arrived?
It takes 4 days to get there. They may not have opened the mail and logged it so you're kinda wasting money to find out nothing. Start your forms, get your photos taken, order police certificate, get your shots from GP, schedule the medical.....

London's P3 is this webpage http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

And this http://london.usemba....gov/iv_15.html

And start reading the UK forum
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-06-22 13:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC case number hard cop received

Rugby--get some passport photos taken in the US because you will need 2 US size for the embassy and one (US or UK) for the medical exam. All you need to take back from your fiance is her signed I-134 and two proofs of her income (tax return/W2 or tax transcript or employer letter or pay slips). Make photocopies while you're there so that part is done. You do not need photos together or proofs of your relationship for London. Everything you need in London is all about you except for her financial support.

Are you landing in London and going straight to the medical? Take passport, police certificate, passport photo and this medical questionnaire filled out. It's on page 9 of 9 http://photos.state....ical_letter.pdf


Forgot to say this:

While you can get a visa without any shots, if you get everything recorded by Knightsbridge before it goes to the embassy, you won't have to pay a civil surgeon to put those shots on a new form (I-693)in the US. Your COMPLETE form DS-3025 (shots) will be accepted by USCIS. If you go to your GP after your medical shot record is done at Knightsbridge then you have extra hassle and $$$ in the US before you can file for AOS. Tell Knightsbridge to hold your form until you get the shots and have your GP fax the details. If you haven't had chickenpox, then you can't get complete at Knightsbridge so doesn't matter and you'll have to pay a civil surgeon in the US. They do take your word for it. If you haven't had chickenpox you'll need a varicella shot in the US (not generally available in the UK).
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-22 18:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNVC case number hard cop received
Rugby--get some passport photos taken in the US because you will need 2 US size for the embassy and one (US or UK) for the medical exam. All you need to take back from your fiance is her signed I-134 and two proofs of her income (tax return/W2 or tax transcript or employer letter or pay slips). Make photocopies while you're there so that part is done. You do not need photos together or proofs of your relationship for London. Everything you need in London is all about you except for her financial support.

Are you landing in London and going straight to the medical? Take passport, police certificate, passport photo and this medical questionnaire filled out. It's on page 9 of 9 http://photos.state....ical_letter.pdf
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-22 18:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPackage 3...?
Here's London's instructions http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html Read carefully...the whole page.

Here's the document list for the interview (not mailed in!) http://london.usemba..._documents.html

That's it. You now have Packet 3.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-22 19:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPaperwork hell, and more to come! Please help....

Hey all I spent about EIGHT HOURS today getting just the paperwork done for my fiance. I am sure we have all been there and we ought to be able to help each other on this bulk of papers.


London has their own preferred way to collect things. So follow London's K1 instructions http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html over what the worldwide forms say. DS-156K says include documents with it, but London would rather you hold on to those and bring them to the interview.

Fiance plus each child applying need:
DS-230 part 1
DS-156 (in duplicate)
DS-157 (in duplicate)

Fiance needs:
DS-156K

Mail ONLY those things in with no supporting documents included


Once fiance has all the interview documents in her possession Listed here---> Long page. Read it all.. Then mail this--
DS-2001 (no DS-230 with it---that was already sent while she was getting her documents gathered)
Cover letter containing her email address, if applicable, date of your wedding and date of the medical examination.

Never mailed or taken to the interview
Proof we have met (airline stubs, etc) London doesn't look at relationship stuff. Already proven with I-129F. It's not in their list http://london.usemba..._documents.html
Medical forms (will take to the doc first) The medical clinic sends this to embassy for you

Edited by Nich-Nick, 23 July 2011 - 08:06 AM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-23 08:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresoriginal docs for interview?
You don't need either for the interview. The only thing from the US fiance is I-134 and 2 proofs of income.

Here's London's list of what to bring to the interview (if it applies to you)-- http://london.usemba..._documents.html

That's it, except for your appointment letter and receipt for paying the visa fee over the phone.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 25 July 2011 - 02:14 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-25 14:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 application process: I have a few questions please!

2: I've searched online and found some pretty contradictory information and hoped someone could clarify! I'm from England, however I'm not sure, for the purposes of the I-129F and G-325A, if I'm supposed to list 'United Kingdom' as my nationality or 'English'? Same with 'City & Country of Birth', City and Country of Residence' or any heading with the generality of 'Country'?

a) England or United Kingdom (or a combination of both)?

b) I'm from West Yorkshire, I'm assuming this would be acceptable for the section 'Province or State' on the G-325A?


I looked up our paperwork, which must have been ok since no RFE

G325a

Citizenship/Nationality: British
Birth: Bicester, UK
One of the parent's birth place: Northleigh, Oxfordshire, England.(I think we put what the birth certificate said)
Everything else on that form we put UK for the country (just the initials). Used Oxfordshire for the State/Province so Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.

I-129F

2.Oxford UK
3a. Bicester UK
3b.Country of Citizenship: United Kingdom (spelled out)
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-26 15:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 application process: I have a few questions please!

My questions!

1: I've now been unemployed since October 2010, during that time I've claimed nothing in the way of state benefit and can show approx. £28,000 in savings and zero in the way of debts.

Your lack of employment doesn't matter. Say Unemployed on the forms. They don't care


[

b]2:[/b] I've searched online and found some pretty contradictory information and hoped someone could clarify! I'm from England, however I'm not sure, for the purposes of the I-129F and G-325A, if I'm supposed to list 'United Kingdom' as my nationality or 'English'? Same with 'City & Country of Birth', City and Country of Residence' or any heading with the generality of 'Country'?

Nationality is British
You have no state or province. N/A or Yorkshire is Ok if it fits. We used Oxford but not necessary
Country in address- England or United Kingdom. Either is OK.


3: I have both the I-129F and G-325A forms downloaded in PDF format. The G-325A has an expiry date of 06/30/2011. Any ideas as to where I can get an updated form? The 'expired' G-325A I have is from the USCIS website.

Forms don't expire. Sometimes they are changed. That date means something else. It's a review date by the Office of Management & Budget (OMB date) required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. Probably being reviewed now. Doesn't mean the form will change.


4: Is there a known preference for having either form typed or hand written? The reason I ask, I can't fit all information in some of the boxes were I to type the information.

I think typed is always best. Try to abbreviate. Try a printing. Sometimes a few more characters come through. that don't show on the PDF. Attach an extra sheet for anything you can't get on the page. Label what form and question it is.



Hint: Theres Example forms that are filled out you might find helpful. See the menu bars at the top of the page.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-22 22:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureshow many years W-2???

hey guys how many years W-2 and wage slips do I need for the interview?


W2 goes with a tax return to be what they call a "complete tax return" or instead of that combo, a tax transcript ordered free from the IRS. For the embassy in London, one year.

Wage slips should be 3-6 months worth. Or a letter from the employer. Two good proofs of income (for London) is enough. They don't insist on a tax return if you have two other proofs.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-27 06:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical and disclosing information

Thankyou :) I'm really trying not to worry,its just so stressful :) The Drs letter will be ready for me to pick up tomorrow ready to fax and having 2 vaccines that I haven't had from the nurse. It worries me more because I hadn't said about the OCD at the actual medical to the Dr just the depression and they might think I deliberatly didn't mention it!! I really hope its ok..


I doubt they go back and review your checklist. They just need word from your doctor to clear you and send you on your way. If you think the letter sounds incriminating, ask them for another that clearly states you are fine now, explaining if the letter isn't favorable it will delay your US entry.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-25 16:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresMedical and disclosing information
Maybe you're over-thinking it. Is this really all they asked for?

....I just needed a letter from my doctor saying I was fine now and it would be alright.................

Get a letter from your doctor saying "Miss Smith does not suffer from depression and is not a threat to herself or others."
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-25 14:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresphotos and wedding date

excellent, thank you :) the ones i just had done will be fine,

Barbara J i am the beneficiary from the UK and i will fill in a timeline. im new to this and we have just got started but what was looking to be a very scary process has been made a lot easier by this site and the people on it :)


Here's my long-time experience with London:

When you get a few months down the road and the petition is approved and heading to the embassy, you (UK beneficiary) will be preparing your applications and documents for the embassy in London. So let's say today was the day you are ready to notify London that you've got everything needed for the interview. That's done by mailing in Form DS-2001. London's website says to include a cover letter with wedding date if you have set one. If you say April 2012, then they figure you aren't in a huge hurry because you've got 7 months. They might try to accommodate Sept and Oct weddings first with the interview slots. You would wait and wait for your interview letter while your VJ buddies who got to that stage at the same time were getting assigned interviews for Sept 1. You would be wondering what you did wrong on your forms, when London was really holding off on your interview because you didn't need your visa as quickly as those other people. Does that make sense? If you just can't bear to wait on an interview, then make up a date that's not 7 months out. Nobody is going to verify if you actually get married that day.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-27 18:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Visa - London
Heathrow is on the tube line. Try this route planner http://www.tubeplanner.com/

Gatwick has the Gatwick Express into Victoria station (train & tube station)

We stayed at Lincoln House. Click on discounts on the main page. Ring them up to negotiate prices. Then an additional discount for cash payment. They held our bags all day (after checkout) while we did the interview then sightseeing. It's an easy walk from Bond St tube station, the medical exam, and the embassy.

Here's my map showing it and the other places you will go to. You can slide it around or zoom in/out if you can't see everything. http://www.click2map.../Embassy_London

Here's London's instructions. You don't really get a Packet 3. Just a letter saying we have your file so go the the website and follow the instructions. http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html Cick all the links over on the left too. Lots of information if you read it.

Edit: forgot to say visit the UK forum to get London specific info http://www.visajourn...united-kingdom/

Edited by Nich-Nick, 28 July 2011 - 06:42 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-28 18:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS 156 form - photos?

Hi

Sorry for the silly question but I really don't want to mess this up...

Am I supposed to attach photos to the DS156 forms before I send them with the other forms to the embassy or is that the 2 photos that I take to the interview (ie send the forms with no photos and they attach them later) ?

thank you


For London, take them to the interview. Don't mail in anything but the form. Don't mail passport photos or documents.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-30 16:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 questions

Hi

Does my fiance have to provide 2 original i-134 forms or will 1 plus a photocopy be acceptable. Do they need 2 copies of the evidence to go with it or just 1?

He has his own relatively new business, hasn't made anything worth declaring yet and didn't file a tax return last time (he said he didn't make enough/anything so didn't have to file)

Anyway, we're left with just bank statements for his savings, and I plan to take a copy of my statements too (we have enough in combined savings to qualify) - will just bank statements be enough? We want to get this done with as little hassle as possible. Also, am I expected to have some written statement of how I plan to transfer my money from UK to USA should we need it, or is telling them 'I'll transfer it' if they ask at the interview enough?

Thank you


They only need one form I-134, but do make a copy for your records before giving it away at the interview. Same for financial records---make copies so you have them for AOS.

If you can show enough cash to qualify, then London will likely be okay with that. You do know it's not necessarily just the $18k that would qualify if it was a yearly income? London has been fairly flexible and there is no set figure they will accept.

Your problems will come when it's time for AOS so start making a plan. Check with income tax filing requirements for self employed and paying self employment tax. It may not be as simple as "I didn't make much." Without 3 previous tax returns filed, he will have to write spcific statements why not. And the cash amount (instead of income) will be 3 times the poverty figure.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-31 09:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed some advice

Just to clarify here as well, the OP must be up to date with the shots at the time of filing AOS. If they've had one shot of a series and are due for another they will be queried on it. Better to be safe and see a CS to get the transcription (in my oh so humble opinion).


Just to clarify my reason for saying the date of the medical exam is the date the adjudicator goes by. From the manual--

Steps to determine the necessary vaccinations . [Chapter added 12-15-2009]

Step 1 . First determine which vaccinations were required for the applicant as of the date the medical exam was conducted.

Step 2 . Verify that the vaccinations required as of the date of the medical exam had been received by the applicant or that the vaccinations required as of that date were marked as “not medically appropriate.” Form I-693 is acceptable if the applicant has received each of the required vaccinations, or if the civil surgeon has noted that the vaccination was “not medically appropriate” at the time of the examination.

If you had an MMR dose the week of the medical exam, it would not be medically appropriate to have the whole series done in one day.


And this from a FAQ page about immunizations on uscis.gov website

Q. Certain vaccine series can only be completed with multiple visits to the civil surgeon. Am I required to complete the entire series before the civil surgeon can sign the Form I-693?
A. You are only required to receive a single dose of each vaccine when you visit the civil surgeon. You are encouraged to follow up with your private health care provider to complete the series. Once you have received the single dose appropriate at the time, the civil surgeon can sign and certify the Form I-693.


And from the instructions to Panel Physicians and Civil Surgeon- CDC website

Reviewing any incomplete vaccination series to determine if eligible for a blanket waiver.
A blanket waiver is a waiver that is applied uniformly to a group of conditions and does not require a separate waiver application or fee to be filed with USCIS. In many cases, it might not be medically appropriate to administer a dose of a particular vaccine. Four "Not Medically Appropriate" categories are acceptable when determining an applicant's eligibility for a blanket waiver.

The four "Not Medically Appropriate" categories are—

?Not age appropriate
?Contraindication
?Insufficient time interval between doses
?Not flu season

Edited by Nich-Nick, 31 July 2011 - 11:46 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-31 23:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed some advice

Wow! Thank you so much for all the information. Could you clarify one more thing for me? If my fiancee can come here to the US without the vaccinations, can my family doctor give him the required injections (and those not available in the UK) and then, could we have a civil surgeon sign off on them....OR....does the civil surgeon actually have to administer the injections?

Thanks!


The civil surgeon does not have to give the shots. He can go to your doctor, the Redi-Cinic at Walgreens drug store, or the public health department. Many find the health department cheaper. So for example if he gets MMR and Td free in the UK and those go on his Knightsbridge record. Then he got varicella at the health department. He goes to a civil surgeon with all those records (his GP, Knightsbridge, and the health dept) and the CS "transcribes" them onto one official form. The only problem I see with some shots in the UK now, knowing he's still going to have to get more in the US--

Some of those are a series of shots like Dose 2 suggested four weeks later. If he could get complete by Knightsbridge (if he had chickenpox), then just the first shot of a series is okay with AOS. As long as he was up to date the day his DS3025 was signed, then USCIS won't make him get Dose 2/3. They don't make you wait out the interval to get all the doses as long as you were started with one dose at the medical exam. That's all he could medically get by that date. But I'm thinking by the time he gets to the US, the civil surgeon may say....hmmmm, it's been 8 weeks since your MMR Dose 1, so you're due another dose. He may not sign off until another dose is given since medically it's appropriate (now that time has passed) to continue the series. That would just be up to the civil surgeon. So he could end up with another shot and paying for it in the US, even if he got a free one in the UK. If the CS signs, then you don't need to comlete all the doses ever (unless you just want to). I hope thiis makes sense about the time interval and what the CS might say.

Beware of civil surgeons and call around and ask how much for just the immunization section. Many are not that well informed that K1 does not need a full exam. If they act clueless and insist you must have an exam, then hang up and call another. Find somebody who will do it for less than $50. Sometimes that becomes a huge hassle. Shame he can't get it done and dusted by the time of his UK exam. Are you sure your fiance didn't have chickenpox??? Everybody in the UK has had them.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-31 20:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNeed some advice

All I really want to know is exactly what vaccinations are absolutely required when coming from the UK to the USA?


ZERO vaccines are required to get a K1 visa. Knightsbridge doctors will suggest what you need, but it is not until you file for AOS that you need to meet the immunization requirements. However if your doctor will give them free on NHS, then it's good to have them done in the UK.

Here's what the AOS people will be looking for:

27 through 49 years: Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP or DTaP shown: okay to accept); MMR; Varicella


You only have to prove those shots, not go back and cover every childhood shot listed was given at some point in his life. Also, if your medical exam is during flu season (Oct 1-March 31) then a flu shot for all ages has been added and not just for over age 50.

Also note that D or d is diptheria, T is Tetanus, and P or p is Pertussis (whooping cough). It is not just a tetanus shot like you said in your first post. The regulations further say the DTP variations must be within the last 10 years, so a baby shot (if he could prove it) would still need updating. Also remember this is a USA list so your UK doctor is not the one to advise you on what you need. The UK has different standards and while your UK doctor may say you don't need something, it's the USA you have to please. I've read many posts that say some UK GPs won't give Pertussis again. My husband's GP gave him the DTP (baby version) with no problem because he asked and didn't charge him either. They do not have to do immigration shots for free on NHS, but many do.

Varicella is not routinely available in the UK, so he will get that once in the US before filing for AOS. Yes, adults can get varicella shots. (Knightsbridge does take your word for it if you say you had chickenpox.) He can get his other shots (MMR & Tdap) in the US too if he decides to wait. He will have to have a Civil Surgeon sign off on the immunization section of a medical form I-693. K1s can actually skip the civil surgeon form I-693 if they get every requirement recorded on their Knightsbridge immunization form DS-3025. But without chickenpox or the varicella shot, your fiance will definitely not have it complete in the UK and will have to do so in the US to include with the AOS application.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-31 08:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresphysical

Two part question... Can you do your physical before you even get your NOA2? The cost posted is it including xrays or are the xrays an additional fee? John was saying it says something like physical is 300 (xrays 140) or something like that (I may not have the amounts correct. What documents can he be preparing for his interview besides what I sent with the petition?


No, you have to have your LND number assigned by NVC before Knightsbridge will even schedule an appointment. They send your results straight to the embassy and you wouldn't want your results there before London receives your file or has a case number for you. Cost of medical with x-rays is 210 GBP. (I don't have a pound symbol.)

Now--Get passport photos taken. US size.
USC order tax transcripts.
Go to GP and get MMR. Get a booster 4 weeks later for good measure. And Tdap shot or proof on shot record it was within the last 10 years. Tdap, Td, DTP are all acceptable to USCIS for that one.
Order your police certificate from ACPO.

Here's the London K1 instructions (aka packet 3). There's no packet anymore. It's a webpage. http://london.usemba...gov/iv_15.html.
Start working on it but don't mail anything until London has your file. Read it all. Click the links. Lots to learn.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 22 July 2011 - 11:06 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-22 23:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of engagment

i haven't been on here a while but now i'm back - and with a question. So everything got approved on the American side and i'm working my way through the forms la la but I have a question regarding the evidence you need for "proof of engagement". How actually have people proved they are engaged rather then merely in a relationship? Or is it all the same photographs, copies of travelling, emails etc

all hints and advice would be much appreciated!


Absolutely NOTHING is needed in London to prove your engagement, love, or continuing relationship. They will not look at it if you bring it. You don't need a new letter saying you still want to marry. I've kept up with 3 years of interviews in London and there is no "just in case" time anybody has ever needed photos and all that stuff. Other consulates may expect it, but not London
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-03 03:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureslondon embassy being slow?

I thought it was a letter! Ive been waiting on a letter coming! Blarg!

ok my medical will probably be the week beginning the 15th. Ill post my forms tomorrow. This really confused me. I haven't heard anything from them. Thank god for visa journey!

I think I have knocked our plight back by about a month by not getting the police check early...


It is a letter from the embassy. It says something like we are ready for you to apply because we have your file now. Go to this link for your instructions.



You might want to read this page too http://london.usemba...rocessing.html. Note on the right it says

Applicants who have received a letter from the Immigrant Visa Unit at the Embassy advising them that an approved petition has been received in their name and of the case number accorded to their application, should follow this link for further information. [the link Kristen gave] Note: Only applicants who been notified by the Immigrant Visa Unit that a petition has been received in their name should complete the visa application forms. Forms received without the applicant's case number will be discarded. .


Call and find out if they have sent out your letter. Maybe it got lost. Call DOS and ask what Kristen said---if your case has been logged in by Lonson. If yes, then mail forms.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-01 21:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Information

This is what I never understand - they tell you not to make any formal dates or plans to travel till you hear the yes or no regarding the visa, so then they want a wedding date. So your advised i take it in the cover sheet to suggest a month your hoping to get married in?


Yeah that's kinda the plan. I padded my date by a month. Obviously if you put a date two weeks from when you mailed your readiness form in, they wouldn't necessarily be able to accomodate you. But given October and February dates, they would tend to serve the October people first.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-02 22:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Information
Oops--thought of something else to give you. Its part of a post from a May interview. I think it's especially descriptive so I bookmarked it.

She then waited for another 15 minutes before her number was called once again, this time to head for the interview. Now, she had been preparing for this moment for months, diligently printing numerous photos marked with date/time/location; a year's log of Skype calls; numerous emails between her, myself, my kids, my parents, my sister, etc. to demonstrate the family bond; and so on.

The gentleman at Desk #2, therefore, caught her by surprise when he struck up a very casual conversation with her. "How did you meet? Oh, that's really great." "When did you first go to visit? What? Your first visit to America was to Minnesota in the winter? Are you kidding?" "You seem like a really nice, genuine person."

Eventually she asked if he wanted to see any of the photos or paperwork she'd painstakingly assembled. His reply? "Nope, don't need to see any of that. I'm just getting ready to approve your visa." He looked at NONE of her supplemental evidence but simply returned her original papers that she had turned over at Desk #1, took her fingerprints, had her swear an oath that she was telling the truth, and sent her on her way to the DX Secure (courier) counter, where she arranged to have her visa/passport returned to her.



Read the whole post here http://www.visajourn...35#entry4673835
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-02 14:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Information

Actually I think I put the that we would schedule it in october


Here's what it says goes with the DS2001 readiness form:

When you have obtained all of the required documents and are prepared for the visa interview, you are required to complete the Notification of Applicant(s) Readiness, Form 2001 and mail it to the Immigrant Visa Unit together with a covering letter containing your email address, if applicable, date of your wedding and date of the medical examination.



Anyway if you said October, they may figure you dont need an interview until a month before. If you had said next January was the date, I was going to say they will put you off for sooner wedding dates and that could be a reason they may not schedule right away. But with an October date...well that's soon. I think it will be scheduled shortly. Call DOS in the US and ask if it's scheduled. A few people never got the letters and found out the appt date from DOS.

Good luck. Hard to wait when you get sooooo close.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-02 13:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Information

I did send proof of engaement....engagement ring receipt,recent letters of intent and engagement cards?? I hope that was ok..


Are you talking about the DS-forms you sent to London...that packet?? If you read their instructions, they only want the forms with no documents, passport photos, proofs,etc. That's London's way of doing business. If you sent other stuff beside the forms, then don't panic.

Re conflicting information on the internet...Yes it is difficult at some consulates and they mistrust people because of many many many fraudulent visa scam cases. I'm just telling you that London is not a high fraud consulate. You don't have to prove your love or engagement to them. Heck we've sailed through (next stop citizenship) with no engagement ring or parties, no formal wedding or wedding rings, and I didn't even change my last name. Just saying those things are not required to be successful.


You didn't answer my earlier question and I had a reason for asking to offer more help.

Did you send DS-2001 readiness form. When?
Did you include the requested cover letter?
What date did you give them as your intended wedding date?
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-01 15:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Information
Just saw the other post that came while I was replying my first time. You do NOT need any of the I-129 packet, or NOA2, or extra signed originals from your fiance, or his birth certificate. Just take photocopies of any of your originals that you want back like your birth certificate, divorce decree, military records--anything that applies to you that you are required to bring.

Spare copies of your forms that you sent DS-156, DS-156K, DS-157, DS-230, part 1 would be the only "just in case" thing you would need in case they mislaid them. The I-129F petition to USCIS is done and dusted and this is now the Dept of State and the visa application stage.

PS to anybody else reading---This is London. Other consulates may be different.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 01 August 2011 - 10:00 AM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-01 09:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Information

Hey everyone.....I had my medical last Monday and everything was signed off ok on the Thursday and couried to the embassy in London. All of my paperwork was sent off 3wks ago. I have not heard from the embassy yet and just wondered on average how long it took for your interview to be scheduled?? Do I have to do anything like call the embassy or do I just sit tight and hope to hear off them soon....


It normlly takes more than a week. I'd wait another week, then call DOS to ask if anything had been scheduled. Did you give a wedding date in the cover letter you sent with your DS2001? What is the date? come to the UK forum for more London specific experiences.


I have also been reviewing interview questions and information. If anyone has any advice for my interview it would be much appreciated,the more prepared I am the better!!!! Should I take lots of photos with me or just some meaningful ones to us and would it look good if I took the ones of us all together with my parents and his??

Thankyou,hope everyone is having a good day xx


You've been reading too much in the K1 forum. London does not require ANY evidence or photos of your continuing relationship. They will politely decline if you try to show them your photos with the parents. There's no question preparation needed unless you don't know how you met or what you fiance does for a living. It's all very simple. Look at the menu bar and find Reviews-Embassy and read about the London experiences. K1s are mixed in so find those. You can relax.

Here's the video to give you an idea of what you'll do. It's more for work or students so the sample questions you'll hear aren't what you'll be asked. But the rest of it is what will happen interview day.

http://www.youtube.c.../11/uzZOvF1EEXE
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-01 09:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134

While I understand that tax transcripts are required for AOS/I-1864, for I-134 purposes do you think that proof of savings/trust etc in excess of $[poverty limit x 5], plus say a letter from their Bank proving deposits of the interest is sufficient?


Yes I do
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-28 06:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134

On form I-134 if one is retired but has income from savings or trust accounts in excess of the 125% poverty guidelines, what box would this be written in the form? Also is a bank letter detailing deposits adequate to prove this?

Just trying to work out how to fill in the forms with Fiancee's MIL whom is (co)sponsoring. Feel like I am confusing myself!

Thanks


Since you'll be doing an I-864 for AOS and will need MIL for that, I'll explain I-864 Affidavit of Support. London could allow approval with less because the I-134 isn't as clearly spelled out. But then you'd have the same questions shortly to file AOS. If you follow the guidelines for I-864 you'll be fine for either.

If MIL has social security or a pension, that is income. If her income comes from interest or dividends from investments, it will show up on her tax return as income and will be proof if over the required amount. For investment income she would have 1099-INT or 1099-DIV forms instead of W2s that employed people get.

But if none of those show total income on a tax return as enough, then she uses assets (savings/money invested, etc). Since she's not your spouse her assets would have to be 5 times the required amount. So if your target amount was $20,000, then $100,000 in assets. Show it with financial statements.

If she had some income proven on a tax return and was just $5,000 short, then MIL needs 5x$5,000 in assets to make up the difference. The I-864 instructions goes into a little more detail on the asset part so look for guidance there on how to show proof, even for the I-134 hurdle you have to jump first.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 27 July 2011 - 07:22 PM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-07-27 19:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion regarding income
They will follow generally the same guidelines so I think you would be looking at family size of 3 (you, the child on your tax return, and the immigrant.)
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-05 12:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion regarding income

I just read over the London Embassy info and for interview they require I864 (not I134).


If you are K1, then London wants I-134.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-08-05 10:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre visits to the US during the process allowed?
I found the post where I told about talking to the CBP officer

Hi all,

I was thinking about this thread from this morning and other similar ones over the last few months since I became part of VJ. And since my fiance has a visit from the UK coming up soon, I decided to call the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who are the agents at the airport that approve your visit. I got a very nice and chatty man on the phone who spoke in an "off the record" manner many times.

I told him I have a fiance' in the UK and have filed a K1 petition, etc, etc. I told him that immigration attorneys (didn't want to get into the who VJ forum explanation) have advised that once you have filed for K1/K3 then you can not come to the US until you have that Visa in hand.

He said, that's silly. If wanted to come in illegally you wouldn't have bothered to file all that paperwork and pay those fees. There's no rule that says you can't come visit the US once you have applied for a non-immigrant visa.

I said my fiance' will come on the K1 in October, but he is coming to visit me in July. "Is there something on those computers at the airport immigration desk that will pop-up saying that he has filed for a non-immigrant visa." He said, "NO." The computer has databases of criminal activities, previous over-stays, terrorist links, FBI stuff, etc.

He said their only concern with people entering the US on VWP is that the intent of the person is to visit friends or be a tourist and go home when they say they are. Some of his "off the record" talk was about crummy looking people who look like they don't have enough money to buy a cup of coffee when they land and when questioned about "what do you do for a living?" can't tell them of any employment or full time student status. The officer has to get a sense that the person is a genuine tourist. He said if somebody enters the US, goes to another country for a week, then enters again, they may be questioned more strenuously. The Officer inspecting you will want evidence that you intend to go back home to your country of citizenship to live as opposed to returning again and again to the U.S. after visits to other countries.

And his final comments were about "creepy" immigration officers at the airport which get to make the ultimate decision and there have been some accused of being rude and unfair, but those are few and far between. There is, however, no guarantee ever that you will be admitted.

So VJers you will have to analyze your own status when you enter the US, but applying for a K visa is not something that keeps you out according to my guy at the Border Patrol. If you look pretty normal, have a job or student id, have some money or credit cards on you and comfortably answer their questions; then you are probably fine. If you have overstayed, have committed serious crimes, been a drug trafficker, act mentally ill, or leave a couple of days and come back over and over again; then you might get scrutinized. It is a subjective interview with the CBP officer.

My take on this is if you look like a tourist who has enough money to be a tourist for a short trip, you will probably not be questioned at all. If you're barefoot, in dirty wrinkled clothing, and they ask how much money you have on you and it's $2 and you have no job or credit card, then they are going to wonder how you can afford visiting this country as a tourist for 90 days. So they will have to ask more questions of you. How you answer those questions will decide if they believe you will return home.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-09 10:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAre visits to the US during the process allowed?
I have this e-mail from Andrea at CBP

In order to enter the U.S. while a K-1 Visa is being processed, you will have to convince the admitting U.S. CBP Officer that you are simply visiting the U.S. rather than attempting to enter for immigration purposes before your visa is granted. In order to do this, you will need to provide documents to verify that you have very strong ties to your home country. All of the following documents should be used to accomplish this:

Deed, Mortgage Statement, or Rental Lease Agreement in your name
Utility Statements in your name
Bank Statements in your name
Employment Records in your name
Letter from employer stating that you are expected back to work on a certain date

It is also advised that you have a roundtrip ticket and pack very lightly for a short trip to the U.S. The purpose of this is to prove that you have strong ties to your home country and are not willing to sever those ties by staying in the U.S. past your departure date as mandated on your I-94W Departure Record, or by circumventing immigration regulations.

Additionally, you should be aware that even with all of appropriate documents to verify strong ties to your home country, the U.S. CBP Officer has the final say on whether or not you will be allowed entry.


I also had a long conversation with the CBP information officer at the 1-800 number. If I can find the post, I'll add it because I don't want to type it all again. Also you should know that the guys at the airport do NOT know you have a petition in progress. I asked that of the officer when I flew into Houston. "What do you see about me on that computer? Do you know I have a fiance and am in the K1 visa process?" The answer was "No" they have overstays, denied entries, suspected terrorists, criminals types and things like that. You don't have to volunteer your whole story and stick a packet of evidence in their face, but simply say you are on vacation visiting friends. If they ask you something more specific, then answer truthfully. You don't have to gush your life history to the question "What is the purpose of your visit?"

The biggest reason you would even get any questioning at all, as I see it, is the 90 day stay. That doesn't look like a typical holiday. It doesn't look like you have strong ties, which you don't since you live with Mum and Dad, don't have a job to report to, or classes to attend. If you went for 3 weeks, you probably wouldn't be asked a thing because that is more like a tourist, which is the usual purpose of a VWP visit.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-09 07:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFront and Back of birth certificate?
You don't have to copy the back if everything they are looking for is on the front. They aren't interested in blank pages. They are looking for birth in the US, name, date, and some kind of certification from the issuing state or county courthouse. If that info is all on the front, then you're good to go. Perhaps it says that to remind people to turn their BC over and see if there is info on the back that needs to be included....like maybe the certification.

I didn't copy the back of mine.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 11 January 2011 - 08:40 AM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-11 08:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSerious question relating to moving to U.S
Some reasons you could be turned away:

Your luggage is packed full of illegal drugs when you enter on your K1 and they discover them. :o

You don't get married to your fiance within 90 days. :ranting:<---your fiance

Your relationship is totally fake and they find out. :oops:

They ask for something you left out of your greencard application (RFE) and you ignore their request. :bonk:
Without what they need to approve, they have to deny you.


If you think you're going to be okay with the above, then it should all be fine.

Edited by Nich-Nick, 19 January 2011 - 08:47 AM.

Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-19 08:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAddress Change

ok first, im a guy ;) but no problem lol.

So basically just wait for royal mail to redirect the NOA2 (should take an extra day, thats how long the rest of my mail has taken when redirected) Then as long as i fil lout the P3 forms with my new address i should be fine?

Thanks

Josh....male...:P


Josh in the UK--

NOA2 goes to your lady's house in the US. You would eventually get something in the UK from the Embassy in London but that will be several weeks after she gets the NOA2. We call it getting Packet 3 but in the case of London, it isn't a packet at all--it's the website link I gave you. Royal Mail may or may not redirect it, but if you carefully read my post it explains what to do without ever receiving the letter. Yes, I think it will be fine as long as you fill out the new forms with the new address. But there's ways to check on it as you go via calling DOS (US Dept of State). Don't expect it will get forwarded. Call DOS after NOA2 to find out your LND case number so you can make a medical appointment. Then call DOS weekly until they tell you that London has issued your "packet 3". Only then should you send in your forms. Bookmark that website that has all you need to know about your part in London. After your forms have been sent to London (about 3 weeks) start calling DOS again to find out if your interview has been scheduled just in case they don't get the address right or forward. Your US fiance can do the calling too as long as she gives the USCIS case number and both your names and birthdates for security verification. Calling DOS is free. Calling the Embassy is 1.20 a minute from the UK or $16.00 from the US.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-11 11:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAddress Change
She is in England and is just beginning. Your US fiance will get the notice of the petition approval. At this point the OP hasn't really applied for a visa (which won't be with USCIS, but with Dept of State & US Embassy). My opinion is that the UK person changing address with USCIS will just muddy the water because they'll never get it straight.

After the NOA2 (approval of petition) London will get the package and mail you a letter to the address on the petition. There is nothing magic in the P3 letter but a link to their website. You don't need the letter. This is your UK P3 http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

You can call DOS(202)663-1225, press 1, then 0. They can give you your new LND case number and confirm if packet 3 has been sent. So even if you don't get the physical P3 letter, once you know it has been sent, you can proceed with mailing in your forms to apply for the visa. Those forms (DS-XXX) should be correct with your current address. There will be a place that lists all addresses. They should have it straight when your forms come in and will mail your appointment to the address on your DS forms.

A few weeks after your forms have been sent in, DOS can also tell you if/when an interview has been scheduled. If for some reason you don't get the paper appointment letter, then you can call the embsassy and they can send another after you've told them your new address or email you one. It's your ticket to get in the door.

This is just my opinion and exactly what I would do.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-11 09:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPassports Taken After Interview
If everything is good on the day of the interview and the visa is approved, they keep the passport. A visa is printed the next day, put in the passport, and it's released to the courier service to return it to the applicant (along with a brown envelope to be given to US immigration.)

If you fail to bring the proper documents to the interview, they won't keep the passport. They will instruct you to send back what you need to and they will contact you when they are ready to continue your case. After they contact you, then call the courier to pick up your passport and deliver it to the embassy.

And strictly from VJ experience, London seems to do additional, and probably optional, background checks on any applicant NOT born in the UK. They say they will contact you when they are ready to continue your case. After they contact you, then you call the courier to pick up your passport and deliver it to the embassy.

The Additional Processing takes 4-8 weeks, but I remember a case that was only a week. I've never run across 15 months. There must be some serious issues going on or they have misplaced the case.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-22 08:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresjust got my NOA2 email. Just want to check i have the next step right

I know im way ahead of myself in asking this, but do we HAVE to have a wessing date scheduled at time of interview for London? We were just planning a small ceremony to do the deed then have a bigger wedding the year after to save to much planning initially.

Secondly, once we have noa2, do i not have to wait until i recieve packet 3 then before i can call and schedule a medical? wow! this is confusinf me a lot! :s


Wedding date: No, you don't have to put one. It seems like they sometimes prioritize if wedding dates are given. Like if you and jpidgley were both mailing in your documents today...you had a February 21st wedding and jpidgley had an August 1st wedding. They would try to slot you in to get you to the church on time, where jpidgley would not need any special attention since there is 7 months before he/she has to be there. If you put nothing, then you get what ever is available. It's not 100% that way, but in the past I've known of people who put a far off wedding date and waited 4 months to interview, and another person with a wedding two months out get an interview 4 weeks later, even though they had been on very similar timelines up until then. That's the only reason I can think of that London would have need to know your wedding date. People change appointments and they have openings come up. I made up a wedding date about a month earlier than when I actually thought we might be getting married.

Medical appointment: After the NOA2, NVC will get the case from USCIS and assign a London case number (LNDxxxxxxx) before forwarding on to the embassy. NVC will send a letter to the USC informing you of that number and that they will send the case to London. This is the "handoff" point from USCIS to DOS (Dept of State.)People who don't want to wait on the mail, call NVC and ask the for the new case number.

To make the appointment at the Knightsbridge clinic, they will ask your LND number. So, no you can't make the appointment the day you get the NOA2 email, but you don't have to wait on P3 either. Once you know the LND number, then you can call for the medical. You will also have to have the police certificate on the day of the appointment so that could be done right now.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-24 16:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresjust got my NOA2 email. Just want to check i have the next step right

Just going to double check i have this right:

1. NOA2 goes to my finace's house in the US.
2. I Call DOS after NOA2 to find out my LND case number so I can make a medical appointment.
3. Make and attend a medical appointment.
4. Then I call DOS weekly until they tell me that London has issued my "packet 3".
5. Only then should I send in forms: DS-230 Part 1, DS 2001, Form DS-156, Form DS-157, Form DS-156-K.
6. After my forms have been sent to London I should start calling DOS again to find out if my interview has been scheduled just in case they don't get the address right.

thanks,

Josh.



Adding a little edit for the next steps,

1. NOA2 goes to my finace's house in the US.
**order police certificate (if you haven't already)
**US fiance does I-134 with at least 2 proofs of income and snail mails to UK
**Go to NHS and try to get free immunizations (MMR and DTP/Td/Tdap)
2. I Call DOS after NOA2 to find out my LND case number so I can make a medical appointment.
3. Make and attend a medical appointment. **bring immunization records and police report
4. Then I call DOS weekly until they tell me that London has issued my "packet 3".
5. Only then should I send in forms: DS-230 Part 1, DS 2001, Form DS-156, Form DS-157, Form DS-156-K.
**and a cover letter as they instruct giving email, medical date, and wedding date
6. After my forms have been sent to London I should start calling DOS again to find out if my interview has been scheduled just in case they don't get the address right.


I-134 Affidavit of Support is taken to the interview along with your long form birth certificate, police report, etc

I-1864 Affidavit of Support is longer, stricter, and is mailed with the application for the green card (AOS) once you are in the US and married.
Nich-NickNot TellingUnited Kingdom2011-01-22 09:34:00