Documentation for packet 3/interview (London)

[Ellesse 11]

Hi there everyone

I am trying to pull together the information required for packet 3 and the interview whilst waiting for the NOA2. I have a few questions:

On the London Embassy website, it states that the following forms are required:

Form DS-230 Part 1 only

Form DS-156

Form DS-157

Form DS-156K

When looking at the examples on VJ, both parts 1 and 2 of DS-230 are completed for a K1 application, so I’m confused.

So, my first question is: do I just complete part 1, or all of the form? I’m thinking it’s just part 1 but wanted to check this with people who’ve gone through this part of the process.

Also, DS-156K states that the following must be attached (I’ve not included the documents that don’t apply to me):

Birth Certificates

Police Certificates

Evidence of Engagement

Evidence of Financial Support

Am I right in assuming that this does not have to be attached to the form, but actually taken to the interview? There seems to be a discrepancy between what it says on form DS-156k, and what the embassy website says. Also, when you get to the interview, do they keep any of the originals/certified copies? Just wondering so I know how many certificates to request.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Ellesse

[JoannaV 174]

Go by the instructions given by the Embassy, not the form.

You get to keep the originals. In the unlikely case that they forget to hand back the originals, remind them :-)

You will complete part 2 of the DS-230 at the interview.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi there everyone

I am trying to pull together the information required for packet 3 and the interview whilst waiting for the NOA2. I have a few questions:

On the London Embassy website, it states that the following forms are required:

Form DS-230 Part 1 only

Form DS-156

Form DS-157

Form DS-156K

That's eactly correct. Read again to see which ones you submit 2 copies of.

When looking at the examples on VJ, both parts 1 and 2 of DS-230 are completed for a K1 application, so Im confused.

So, my first question is: do I just complete part 1, or all of the form? Im thinking its just part 1 but wanted to check this with people whove gone through this part of the process.

You are correct again. K1s DO NOT complete Part 2. CR1 visas ( for spouses) do complete Part 2

Also, DS-156K states that the following must be attached (Ive not included the documents that dont apply to me):

Birth Certificates

Police Certificates

Evidence of Engagement

Evidence of Financial Support

Am I right in assuming that this does not have to be attached to the form, but actually taken to the interview? There seems to be a discrepancy between what it says on form DS-156k, and what the embassy website says. Also, when you get to the interview, do they keep any of the originals/certified copies? Just wondering so I know how many certificates to request.

Always follow what your embassy tells you. London wants your documents taken to the interview and only the DS forms are mailed in. If you take a photocopy of the things you want back, they will file the photocopy and give back your originals. The whole London list of documents is in bold on THIS PAGE . Read for details so you bring the right birth certificate and anything else they may elaborate on (like the photocopies I mentioned.)

This is the list:

Birth Certificate (version with parent's names on it)

Adoption Certificate

Passport (with at least 8 months of validity left beyond visa date)

Marriage Certificate

Termination of Prior Marriages

Military Records

Affidavit of Support (I-134 and two good proofs of income)

Police Certificates

Court and Prison Records

Photographs (2 passport style, US size)

Translations

Scratch this from your list. London will not look at it.

Evidence of Engagement

Edited May 19, 2011 by Nich-Nick

[Ellesse 11]

Hi again

Thanks for your replies.

JoannaV - I had checked the Embassy website, but was looking for a bit of reassurance that I wasn't barking up the wrong tree! Thanks!

Nich-nick - The list I've written for myself states that I need to complete DS-156 and DS-157 twice, so I will double check that. It's good to know that I can keep the originals - I was getting a bit concerned that I would have to hand over my original birth certificate and not get it back. Also thanks for providing that complete list of documentation. I whittled the list down to what I require, so I think I've got everything based on what you've included in your reply. And..London doesn't require any evidence of engagement at all?

Thanks again - I appreciate it!

Ellesse

[Tanoushka 7]

Hi again

Thanks for your replies.

JoannaV - I had checked the Embassy website, but was looking for a bit of reassurance that I wasn't barking up the wrong tree! Thanks!

Nich-nick - The list I've written for myself states that I need to complete DS-156 and DS-157 twice, so I will double check that. It's good to know that I can keep the originals - I was getting a bit concerned that I would have to hand over my original birth certificate and not get it back. Also thanks for providing that complete list of documentation. I whittled the list down to what I require, so I think I've got everything based on what you've included in your reply. And..London doesn't require any evidence of engagement at all?

Thanks again - I appreciate it!

Ellesse

NO worries!

I've been through London. They will give you your birth certificate back.

Part 2 of DS-230 is not needed for London at all.

They don;t need evidence of engagement or don't ask for ongoing relationship evidence either.

I brought them because you never know

Good luck on your journey

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Nich-nick - And..London doesn't require any evidence of engagement at all?

NONE. Seriously. Never once in three years of following UKers have I ever known them to ask for evidence. And to emphasize that, here's an excerpt from the latest interview (5-18-2011) that I've read about...just yesterday.

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.

[TBoneTX 45,090]

NONE. Seriously. Never once in three years of following UKers have I ever known them to ask for evidence.

God almighty, sigh man... can we transfer some COs from London to Ecuador, si man?

[Ellesse 11]

Hi there

Thanks for that review, Nich-Nick - it's useful to read other people's experiences. I have to admit, from what I had read about interviews in London, it looked like the questions that were asked were quite limited, and that review tends to confirm that.

Thanks again

Ellesse