What to prepare whilst waiting for NOA2

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Hi everyone,

My fiance and I like to be really organised and we are currently waiting on our NOA2 for the I-129F. We had our NOA1 on July 10th and we have an estimated date on our timeline for as early as November 20th. Lets hope it comes soooooon!

So anyway, we want to get prepared for my embassy interview and the next step. Can anyone give any advice about what would be a good idea to have, ready prepared so we don't waste extra time compiling documents before the interview?

And also, with regards to the medical, if you have had certain vaccinations throughout your life, did you find it easy/helpful to obtain proof of this, so you dont have to have them all over again at the medical appointment. And how did you get proof of these as well?

And, how much does the medical cost and what vaccinations are mandatory for the K1 visa? (I'll be 26 at the time of medical, but 27 after we get married)

Thank you!

[brlukath 1]

prepare everything you can, that way you can do it at a leisurely pace. The info you will need should be available at the website of the consulate.

[nickandkayte 0]

As you know I just got my NOA2, so I am preparing my shipping forms for my boxes, my pet passport stuff for my dog, getting my vaccinations up to date with the NHS, and putting all photos of my fiancee and myself in a divider folder. Along with my tax documents, passport, my old passport, ticket stubs, school reports and GCSE, A LEVEL, degree results forms. Just anything that proves I am a UK citizen and I have been to the USA, and I love my fiancee, so even photographs of the flowers he sent me and the card with them

If you go to your local GP and ask for a appointment with a NHS nurse regarding vaccinations they will do them then and there, and give you a "Vaccination record" to take to your medical. They should do all the childhood vaccines for free.

Edited September 5, 2009 by nickandkayte

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Some useful links for you to start reading. Everything you want to know should be covered if you dig deep enough and check all the links from Embassy website that take you to other information (including the fine print in the right hand column under "MORE".)

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/iv_15.html

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/...V018a_Oct08.pdf

http://www.visamedicals.info/

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/...processing.html

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/faqs/faq_visa_iv.html

And a map that you can zoom or move showing locations for medical and interview and the place to leave your phone and keys before entering the embassy. http://www.click2map.com/maps/nichnick/Embassy_London

A video of what your interview day will be like.

Don't spend time printing pictures of your relationship. London does not ask for or look at proofs of an ongoing relationship or an updated letter of intent. Just prepare everthing in the list on their website in the first link above. I know VJ and people in the K1 forums promote the scrapbook thing for the Embassy, but that is just not the case in London. Spend your time getting spot on financial evidence together like ordering your tax transcripts from the IRS right now.

Edited September 5, 2009 by Nich-Nick

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Some useful links for you to start reading. Everything you want to know should be covered if you dig deep enough and check all the links from Embassy website that take you to other information (including the fine print in the right hand column under "MORE".)

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/iv_15.html

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/...V018a_Oct08.pdf

http://www.visamedicals.info/

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/...processing.html

http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/faqs/faq_visa_iv.html

And a map that you can zoom or move showing locations for medical and interview and the place to leave your phone and keys before entering the embassy. http://www.click2map.com/maps/nichnick/Embassy_London

A video of what your interview day will be like.

Don't spend time printing pictures of your relationship. London does not ask for or look at proofs of an ongoing relationship or an updated letter of intent. Just prepare everthing in the list on their website in the first link above. I know VJ and people in the K1 forums promote the scrapbook thing for the Embassy, but that is just not the case in London. Spend your time getting spot on financial evidence together like ordering your tax transcripts from the IRS right now.

Thank you so much! That info is all a great help. Im going to have a look at all of those links now.

Do you know how long it takes to recieve the tax transcripts? My fiance still has to file for this year. I've been telling him we need to do it now, but I think he's leaving it to the last minute.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My transcripts came in a week. They are free and you can get 3 years worth by faxing in one form.

Not sure if you're understanding taxes or if your fiance is just a real procrastinator.

The tax year is Jan 1 - Dec 31. So the latest taxes he should have filed were for the year Jan-Dec 2008. He had until April 15, 2009 to file those 2008 taxes and if he hasn't then he's kinda in violation of the law. Not to worry, they are far to busy to track him down and actually charge him with anything. Perhaps he filed the form asking for an extension by the April 15 deadline. If he hasn't filed 2008 taxes then that would be the #1 priority. A tax transcript won't be available immediately after filing.

People will not start doing their 2009 taxes until about February 2010 and will file them by Apr. 15, 2010.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

My transcripts came in a week. They are free and you can get 3 years worth by faxing in one form.

Not sure if you're understanding taxes or if your fiance is just a real procrastinator.

The tax year is Jan 1 - Dec 31. So the latest taxes he should have filed were for the year Jan-Dec 2008. He had until April 15, 2009 to file those 2008 taxes and if he hasn't then he's kinda in violation of the law. Not to worry, they are far to busy to track him down and actually charge him with anything. Perhaps he filed the form asking for an extension by the April 15 deadline. If he hasn't filed 2008 taxes then that would be the #1 priority. A tax transcript won't be available immediately after filing.

People will not start doing their 2009 taxes until about February 2010 and will file them by Apr. 15, 2010.

Hi again, thanks for the advice. As I'm a UK citizen and employed, filing taxes it not really something I know anything about. It has never concerned me.

However, I am starting to understand this slowly... I was under the impression that he needed to file for his earnings from April 2008 to April 2009? I didnt know its actually for January 08 to December 08? No, he hasn't applied for any sort of extension. So we'll get that done immediately. Do you know How long it takes after filing his outstanding tax return before we can get the transcript?

But all going well, our visa interview should be Feb/March sometime next year... So, would that mean his Jan - Dec 08 tax return would be the one we need to present at the interview? Yes?

I just have one problem though, his earnings back then were minimal. He now has (and has had for 6 months plus) a good job whereby he more than meets the poverty guidline requirements. Why, in that case would they care what he earnt nearly 2 years before the interview? Its his current situation they are concerned with isn't it?

And yes, he is a major procrastinator. He's not trying to get out of it, just loves to put things off to try and sweep them under the carpet. I have been reminding him to get the employee letter for weeks now as I know he will leave that to the day before the interview. Uhh men...

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi again, thanks for the advice. As I'm a UK citizen and employed, filing taxes it not really something I know anything about. It has never concerned me.

However, I am starting to understand this slowly... I was under the impression that he needed to file for his earnings from April 2008 to April 2009? I didnt know its actually for January 08 to December 08? No, he hasn't applied for any sort of extension. So we'll get that done immediately. Do you know How long it takes after filing his outstanding tax return before we can get the transcript?

It's a calendar year and during the month of January following the end of the calendar year, the employers are preparing the W2 statments of the wages paid and taxes withheld. Those are supposed to be sent to their employees by Jan. 31. Banks and investment places send out 1099 statements saying how much interest and investment money their customers earned (taxed as income.) That's why I said people start doing taxes in February. They can't do them 'til they get their stuff like w2s and 1099s.

You don't have to send a transcript. He can send a photocopy of the actual tax forms he filed and a photocopy of the W2 statement.

But all going well, our visa interview should be Feb/March sometime next year... So, would that mean his Jan - Dec 08 tax return would be the one we need to present at the interview? Yes?

Correct, if April 15 2010 (tax deadline for year 2009) has not passed when he signs the Affidavit of Support, then the "latest" return is 2008. But if he has done his taxes and the 2009 return looks better than the 2008, then it would be a good thing to get it done and use it. Holy Cow! File early?? In February? Try that one on him.

I just have one problem though, his earnings back then were minimal. He now has (and has had for 6 months plus) a good job whereby he more than meets the poverty guidline requirements. Why, in that case would they care what he earnt nearly 2 years before the interview? Its his current situation they are concerned with isn't it?

It's just a rule to see the latest tax return. It shows he's been employed and some stability. He can provide evidence of his newer, better income and write that in on the form as his current yearly income.(current pay stubs, letter from employer) His current income doesn't have to match his latest tax return. He may have a better job, gotten a raise, etc. That's normal to not match the old tax return.

And yes, he is a major procrastinator. He's not trying to get out of it, just loves to put things off to try and sweep them under the carpet. I have been reminding him to get the employee letter for weeks now as I know he will leave that to the day before the interview. Uhh men...

Well, he may not even owe taxes. He could be getting a refund so he's just leaving money on the table with the IRS. And if he owes, then he's racking up penalties calculated by the number of days late, so he's throwing away money daily.

It's too early for an employer letter. It should be dated closer to the time of the interview. He needs to file 2008 taxes NOW. That's important for K1 and for your green card later. Wait until the NOA2 is received, then start getting those employer letters and copies of pay stubs pronto. Nag him about the taxes now and the other stuff later. Choose your battles wisely.

[RUSSandRACHEL 3]

Thank you so much. My fiance and I have talked it through and, yaaaay, he's started his return for 2008 and will have it sent off for Friday! I'm not that stressed about the transcript now, we'll just submit copies of the return and W2's instead. His 2008 return shows he only earnt $8,000 for 08 - Do you think that will be ok? He now earns $30,000.

I keep telling him it will be a relief to finally get this sorted.

Thank you so much for your help!