Packet 3 London - did I get the wrong instructions?

[LMB 0]

Hi

I am so happy to have received packet 3 today. However I am really confused.

I am applying for the K-1 fiancee visa (not the K3).

My letter gave me a link to a US embassy London web page which details the instructions and forms to fill out.

My concern is that it is a different page to the one I had seen during my (weeks of waiting!) and research. I was of the understanding that checklist & IV-15, along with DS 156 156k and 157 were needed.

This link informs me ONLY to return DS 2001 with checklist; and the DS 230 part 1.

It tells me to collect the police certificates, medical stuff etc to bring to the interview.

There is NO information anywhere on this page regarding the other forms DS 156 / 156k / 157.

I called the expensive helpline, and the lady simply said that the DS 2001 and DS 230 part 1 are all I should send in.

The other forms should be brought with me and the instructions should be on the web page. She told me the IV-15/checklist was the OLD form used.

I thanked her and hung up thinking I may have just missed the information about the 156 16k and 157. But I STILL can't see that anywhere on the link provided to me http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html

Has there been a mistake or has anyone else been asked to submit the DS 2001 and not the IV-15?

And what do I do about the other forms? Just fill them in anyway and bring to the interview (assuming I don't get some other instructions later).

Lastly my letter also instructed me to return everything by asap because the Program ends Sept 30th. I hadn't heard anyone else mention this kind of deadline before. Of course everything is going back well before Sept 30, but I'm wondering if it's normal, or what it would mean?!

Thanks for any help or advice anyone has!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My gut feeling says it's a mistake and you should follow the K1 directions http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/iv_15.html

For one thing the page sent you is for an immigrant visa where documents would have been processed at NVC...like CR1 or IR1. You are getting a NON-immigrant visa.

Back when there were paper packets sent out, the whole packet 3 was called the IV-15..about 10 pages of instructions with a checklist. Maybe when you said IV15, she was thinking of the old paper form. They've sent out wrong forms before. Somebody here got the Packet 4 instructions instead of Packet 3. It was called the IV19 back when they sent out paper packets instead web links. That was prior to Jan '09.

[LMB 0]

My gut feeling says it's a mistake and you should follow the K1 directions http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/iv_15.html

For one thing the page sent you is for an immigrant visa where documents would have been processed at NVC...like CR1 or IR1. You are getting a NON-immigrant visa.

Back when there were paper packets sent out, the whole packet 3 was called the IV-15..about 10 pages of instructions with a checklist. Maybe when you said IV15, she was thinking of the old paper form. They've sent out wrong forms before. Somebody here got the Packet 4 instructions instead of Packet 3. It was called the IV19 back when they sent out paper packets instead web links. That was prior to Jan '09.

Thank you.

Yes, I noticed it said immigrant visa instead of K non-immigrant visa, and that's another thing that worried me.

I think you are right. I'll try calling one more time tomorrow to see if I get a clearer explanation, but will send out the documents as per the K1 instructions web page anyway. I have no desire to have their mistake hold up my application!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you.

Yes, I noticed it said immigrant visa instead of K non-immigrant visa, and that's another thing that worried me.

I think you are right. I'll try calling one more time tomorrow to see if I get a clearer explanation, but will send out the documents as per the K1 instructions web page anyway. I have no desire to have their mistake hold up my application!

I wouldn't waste money calling. Most often the person who answers the phone just doesn't give out good information. K1s who get P3 letters are refered to that link I posted. The forms are in links in the right column. Read all the details on the documents you need to take to the interview. Make sure you have the long form birth certificate. It's all explained if you read everything on the page and any links.

I really think they just stuffed the wrong letter into your envelope.

[jenw99 0]

Hi

I am so happy to have received packet 3 today. However I am really confused.

I am applying for the K-1 fiancee visa (not the K3).

My letter gave me a link to a US embassy London web page which details the instructions and forms to fill out.

My concern is that it is a different page to the one I had seen during my (weeks of waiting!) and research. I was of the understanding that checklist & IV-15, along with DS 156 156k and 157 were needed.

This link informs me ONLY to return DS 2001 with checklist; and the DS 230 part 1.

It tells me to collect the police certificates, medical stuff etc to bring to the interview.

There is NO information anywhere on this page regarding the other forms DS 156 / 156k / 157.

I called the expensive helpline, and the lady simply said that the DS 2001 and DS 230 part 1 are all I should send in.

The other forms should be brought with me and the instructions should be on the web page. She told me the IV-15/checklist was the OLD form used.

I thanked her and hung up thinking I may have just missed the information about the 156 16k and 157. But I STILL can't see that anywhere on the link provided to me http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html

Has there been a mistake or has anyone else been asked to submit the DS 2001 and not the IV-15?

And what do I do about the other forms? Just fill them in anyway and bring to the interview (assuming I don't get some other instructions later).

Lastly my letter also instructed me to return everything by asap because the Program ends Sept 30th. I hadn't heard anyone else mention this kind of deadline before. Of course everything is going back well before Sept 30, but I'm wondering if it's normal, or what it would mean?!

Thanks for any help or advice anyone has!

My fiance received packet 3 from the London embassy on Aug 15, with the SAME link you are referencing. Maybe its a new process? If you get any more information about this I would be very interested.

[k.loveh 0]

Hi

I am so happy to have received packet 3 today. However I am really confused.

I am applying for the K-1 fiancee visa (not the K3).

My letter gave me a link to a US embassy London web page which details the instructions and forms to fill out.

My concern is that it is a different page to the one I had seen during my (weeks of waiting!) and research. I was of the understanding that checklist & IV-15, along with DS 156 156k and 157 were needed.

This link informs me ONLY to return DS 2001 with checklist; and the DS 230 part 1.

It tells me to collect the police certificates, medical stuff etc to bring to the interview.

There is NO information anywhere on this page regarding the other forms DS 156 / 156k / 157.

I called the expensive helpline, and the lady simply said that the DS 2001 and DS 230 part 1 are all I should send in.

The other forms should be brought with me and the instructions should be on the web page. She told me the IV-15/checklist was the OLD form used.

I thanked her and hung up thinking I may have just missed the information about the 156 16k and 157. But I STILL can't see that anywhere on the link provided to me http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html

Has there been a mistake or has anyone else been asked to submit the DS 2001 and not the IV-15?

And what do I do about the other forms? Just fill them in anyway and bring to the interview (assuming I don't get some other instructions later).

Lastly my letter also instructed me to return everything by asap because the Program ends Sept 30th. I hadn't heard anyone else mention this kind of deadline before. Of course everything is going back well before Sept 30, but I'm wondering if it's normal, or what it would mean?!

Thanks for any help or advice anyone has!

I think since there is an 'intent to immigrate to the US, the K1's are treated as such, like immigrant visa's. The packet 3 you received, I do believe this is procedure because my fiance got one too for our K1 and just followed it's instructions.

Look here:

A Fiancé(e) Is Also an Immigrant

Because a fiancé(e) visa permits the holder to immigrate to the U.S. and marry an American citizen shortly after arrival in the United States, the fiancé(e) must meet some of the requirements of an immigrant visa.

Source: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...types_2994.html

[LMB 0]

My fiance received packet 3 from the London embassy on Aug 15, with the SAME link you are referencing. Maybe its a new process? If you get any more information about this I would be very interested.

I have no idea what the correct procedure is. I mailed off the packet of DS156/156k/157 forms the following day as a precaution anyway with a cover letter saying that I wasn't sure if there had been a mistake, and that I had called the helpline. This is a race for us as we have planned our wedding on Oct 3 so I didn't want to waste any time with potential mistakes. A week after (Aug 24) I recevied my interview letter scheduled for Sept 14. There was no mention of the forms/packet 3 being correct or incorrect. But so far it's all falling into place as long as there are no problems or delays are the interview! Cutting it close but I'm keeping a positive outlook. We made it this far which I didn't think we would get to!

[TracyTN 237]

Could they possibly be changing what they require? How odd.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Well, K1s should see some of those forms again, because one of the DS forms gets signed in front of the consular officer. If you don't see it again, then you know they didn't use it -- might be a good time to do some intel for us here on VJ and make a comment/ask a question about the "change" to the instruction packet and see what they say.

Will you then also be preparing a I134 and I864 (as that seems to be requested for the immigrant visa)?

[LMB 0]

Well, K1s should see some of those forms again, because one of the DS forms gets signed in front of the consular officer. If you don't see it again, then you know they didn't use it -- might be a good time to do some intel for us here on VJ and make a comment/ask a question about the "change" to the instruction packet and see what they say.

Will you then also be preparing a I134 and I864 (as that seems to be requested for the immigrant visa)?

I'll try to report/update anything I discover on 14th after the interview.

We prepared the I134 only at this point (with co-sponsor as my fiance is a grad student and no regular income till next year).

Still seems that the I864 is only needed at AOS stage (I read a clear note on the webpage links they sent me that states 864 is not needed for the K1).

[TracyTN 237]

That is correct. I 864 is only needed at consular phase for an IR1/CR1.

[Nik+Heather 121]

That is correct. I 864 is only needed at consular phase for an IR1/CR1.

yes, well, that's why I asked the question, since two people had been directed to a page which said the other. If it's actually a change and not a mistake...*shrugs*

[TracyTN 237]

Yeah - there's definitely something afoot here. LMB's experience makes me think this is now what they want done - but I guess we won't really know until the interview and whether or not there are any issues.

[LMB 0]

Yeah - there's definitely something afoot here. LMB's experience makes me think this is now what they want done - but I guess we won't really know until the interview and whether or not there are any issues.

So here's the update. I went to the embassy this morning. Visa approved!!!

While I was there I noticed the DS-15xx forms were in my file at the top of the pile. These were obviously being used for this final part of the process. I was asked for photos and these were clipped to the forms.

This means the DS156 156K and 157 are still needed!

I would suggest anyone receiving packet 3 to make sure they go to this link: http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/iv_15.html

Follow these instructions AND the instructions on whatever weblink the embassy letter itself gives you, and send off all the forms.

Personally, I put a cover letter with my DS 15xx forms explaining that I thought there may have been a mistake in my original instructions on the packet 3 letter, and that I thought it best to send these as well, just in case.

Seems to have worked anyway!

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks for the update - and congratulations!!!