Interview checklist and other questions

[inhopeofglory 0]

I have my interview next week, and wanted to double-check I have everything...

I will be taking the following:

Passport

Interview letter

Birth Certificate (with one photocopy)

Evidence of Support:

- I-134

- Tax return (with one photocopy)

- Statement from employer (with one photocopy)

- Statement from bank (with one photocopy)

- Pay stubs (with one photocopy)

- Tax transcripts (with one photocopy)

Police certificate (with one photocopy)

2 Photographs

I have already sent in Forms DS-230 pt1, DS-156 (2 copies), DS-156K, DS-157 (2 copies).

Do I need to take the DS-230 pt2? Is there anything else I missed? How many interviewees have had to submit additional evidence of relationship at the interview?

Can you take an umbrella - especially a big one - into the Embassy? The Embassy video shows someone putting up an umbrella... Does a wristwatch pass the security screening, or do they want that removed too? What about wallets/change? How often do people find the Embassy's PDQ machines have gone wrong? I'm debating whether to take the $131 in cash. If you do use cash, does it have to be in dollars or will they take pounds?

Thanks for the help.

[inhopeofglory 0]

Anyone?

[Damian&Kelly 16]

You will not need DS-230 part 2. As for your list, looks good only thing I would add is your USC fiance's birth certificate (can just be a copy). I'd also take evidence of your relationship tho not many people are asked for it. My husband wasn't asked for any relationship evidence, they were more concerned about the support (I-134). My husband took photos of us together, updated letters of intent, and some chat logs from the time in between NOA1 and the interview.

You can pay for the visa ($131) in dollars or pounds. But you have to pay for the courier in pounds. Normally that costs 14GBP but don't quote me on that.

Best of luck!!

[beatlesrebel 0]

I'm sending things off to my fiance soon for his interview. What are tax transcripts? I have my tax returns and my W-2's, but those are the only things I ever get each tax year. Is a tax transcript the same as a W-2?

I too am curious about the umbrella thing. I'd hate for him to arrive for his interview drenched if it's raining.

[Allie and Nigel 2]

Tax returns are fine, transcripts are strange, dont go there...send your USC's W2's ...you dont have to bring your USC's birth certificate, they already know who THEY are...some relationship evidence is ok, but know your facts about them off the top of your head though. Your list is fine.

Edited November 29, 2009 by Allie and Nigel

[beatlesrebel 0]

Tax returns are fine, transcripts are strange, dont go there...send your USC's W2's ..

Oh good! Thank you!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Tax transcripts are excellent. They are free from the IRS, and are stand-alone documents that are basically "certified" since they come straight from the IRS. You don't have to worry about which pieces of your tax return to send or attaching the W2s. They are substitutes for a tax return and they are single spaced, two sided, condensed versions. You order up to three years at once, using this form IRS Form 4506T-EZ. You will find mailing instructions or fax numbers on the last page. Or you can call an automated line 1-800-829-1040 to order over the phone. Mine came in less than a week, but I suppose that varies with time of the year and whether it is tax season or not. (This info is for people who haven't gotten to the Affidavit of Support part yet. If somebody is ready to roll without transcripts, then go with your tax returns. Or order transcripts for the AOS process which is coming up.)

At the embassy, you can have an umbrella. You may take in your wallet, wristwatch, pocket change, cigarettes, lighter. They will give men a plastic bag while you're in line, so you can bag up those types of things to ride through the security x-ray machine. They told me I could just put my watch in my handbag, which would ride through the machine.

The USC's birth certificate is not needed. For UK citizens, please make sure your parent's names are on your birth certificate. I am often surprised how very active people on the forum did not read the instructions on the Embassy webpage and go to the interview with the wrong version of their birth certificate. So here's another head's up that there are apparently two versions of birth certificates in the UK called the short form and the long form...take the LONG form.

[beatlesrebel 0]

Thank you so much for the info, Nich-Nick! Will keep that website handy for future use. Appreciate the advice!

[martin77 0]

The USC's birth certificate is not needed. For UK citizens, please make sure your parent's names are on your birth certificate. I am often surprised how very active people on the forum did not read the instructions on the Embassy webpage and go to the interview with the wrong version of their birth certificate. So here's another head's up that there are apparently two versions of birth certificates in the UK called the short form and the long form...take the LONG form.

VERY TRUE!!!

I read threads on VJ every week and yet I nearly made this very mistake. I knew that I had read something like that but just didn't click until a couple weeks from my interview. Thank you to everyone who reinforces this point, make sure you have the right birth certificate, only takes a few days to sort out for £26 but save yourself £16 and get on it early!!!

[martin77 0]

Oh yeah, it also says to bring 3 photographs on the embassy packet 3 page, maybe this is not correct?

[Jay&Jo 4]

Oh yeah, it also says to bring 3 photographs on the embassy packet 3 page, maybe this is not correct?

i noticed that as well. recent interviewees have only needed 2. one suggestion is that the third is needed for the medical exam :-)