London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Send the first four forms as soon as they are ready. If you want to hold off on the DS-2001/cover letter, you may so you know the medical date to tell them.

What London probably "thinks"you are going to do in order:

--4 DS application forms

--Book medical date and gather documents

--say "I'm ready" with DS-2001/cover letter

--attend medical

What some people do

--Book medical date and gather documents

--4 DS application forms and say "I'm ready" with DS-2001/cover letter

----attend medical

Or

--Book medical date and gather documents

--attend medical

--4 DS application forms and say "I'm ready" with DS-2001/cover letter

Or

--4 DS application forms

--Book medical date and gather documents

--attend medical

--say "I'm ready" with DS-2001/cover letter

What I am trying to show is there is not a locked in order as long as all get done.

Ok, that's great. We'll book our medical in sometime this week then and look to send our stuff off including DS-2001 on Saturday. I just wasn't sure if there could be an issue if I put date of the medical exam on the cover letter but I hadn't actually attended it yet. We'll do it that way then.

[Anna Grant 169]

Ok, that's great. We'll book our medical in sometime this week then and look to send our stuff off including DS-2001 on Saturday. I just wasn't sure if there could be an issue if I put date of the medical exam on the cover letter but I hadn't actually attended it yet. We'll do it that way then.

My cover letter was dated 15 May and my medical was 30 May (and I put that in the letter). I had no problems.

[Jeannie & Al 18]

Update: I checked with my lawyer and he said the Embassies are used to getting calls from Reps, etc so it shouldn't annoy them. I mentioned to the woman from my Congressman's office that nothing is actually booked for 8/9 but we were ready to pull the trigger because we will all be up in Cape Cod then...she said "well your dad's ill and then he wouldn't have to travel if you can have it up there...so they don't need to know nothing is booked." I feel much better that at least she knows the deal. She sent off a letter to them - may not help but can't hurt to try. I told her all our forms, including the DS2001 and cover letter are ready and she said hold off for a bit because we don't want them to get lost so she is obviously familiar with the process. She is super nice.

Ok, that's great. We'll book our medical in sometime this week then and look to send our stuff off including DS-2001 on Saturday. I just wasn't sure if there could be an issue if I put date of the medical exam on the cover letter but I hadn't actually attended it yet. We'll do it that way then.

Hi Queen - that's how we are doing it. Just an fyi for timing - it's taking 10-12 days or so to get a medical appt right now. We called yesterday and got 8/2 and then people called today and got 8/7. Good luck with everything.

[Azsara 110]

Ok, that's great. We'll book our medical in sometime this week then and look to send our stuff off including DS-2001 on Saturday. I just wasn't sure if there could be an issue if I put date of the medical exam on the cover letter but I hadn't actually attended it yet. We'll do it that way then.

I think ill be doing "scenario 2" of those scenariois!

Just a quick query - Our CEAC updated tonight saying our file is Ready in London. As we'll have Packet 3 in the mail to us, can we send all of our forms off including form DS-2001 on Saturday even though we've not completed our medical yet? We intend to book a medical appointment in before Saturday and would include the date of the medical exam on the cover letter, but we're not sure if the medical has to be COMPLETE before sending off DS-2001.

i was also wondering this! Thank you to nich-nick for clarifying

[QueenOfBlades 224]

Update: I checked with my lawyer and he said the Embassies are used to getting calls from Reps, etc so it shouldn't annoy them. I mentioned to the woman from my Congressman's office that nothing is actually booked for 8/9 but we were ready to pull the trigger because we will all be up in Cape Cod then...she said "well your dad's ill and then he wouldn't have to travel if you can have it up there...so they don't need to know nothing is booked." I feel much better that at least she knows the deal. She sent off a letter to them - may not help but can't hurt to try. I told her all our forms, including the DS2001 and cover letter are ready and she said hold off for a bit because we don't want them to get lost so she is obviously familiar with the process. She is super nice.

Hi Queen - that's how we are doing it. Just an fyi for timing - it's taking 10-12 days or so to get a medical appt right now. We called yesterday and got 8/2 and then people called today and got 8/7. Good luck with everything.

Yeah, we're in no rush We just want to get it all sent off and sorted, we have a fair few months yet before we need anything. As long as I can send all the forms and DS 2001 one off before my actual medical, we should be all good to go and not have to mess around too much. I'm assuming it doesn't really matter how far away the medical is. We'll book for the first slot we can but it'll probably be a few weeks away at least from what peeps have said.

[Jeannie & Al 18]

Yeah, we're in no rush We just want to get it all sent off and sorted, we have a fair few months yet before we need anything. As long as I can send all the forms and DS 2001 one off before my actual medical, we should be all good to go and not have to mess around too much. I'm assuming it doesn't really matter how far away the medical is. We'll book for the first slot we can but it'll probably be a few weeks away at least from what peeps have said.

Sounds good - I wish we weren't in a rush - this stress is not good. Saw somewhere you booked your medical - my fiance is going to the same location you are...GL!

[Jeannie & Al 18]

Okay - another question:

Since we are trying to time everything so that we can by some miracle make our 8/9 date for POE, we are thinking of this timing:

File is in transit from NVC as of 7/22

Medical is 7/26

Mail packet 3 forms plus DS2001 and cover letter (with begging ) on 7/26 from London when he's there for the medical, instead of doing it from Wales - figure less chance to get lost

Hoping everything will arrive and be logged around the same time and they will have the Congressman's email asking for expedition.

Question - how do people mail Packet 3 - regular post or via courier?

[Anna Grant 169]

Okay - another question:

Since we are trying to time everything so that we can by some miracle make our 8/9 date for POE, we are thinking of this timing:

File is in transit from NVC as of 7/22

Medical is 7/26

Mail packet 3 forms plus DS2001 and cover letter (with begging ) on 7/26 from London when he's there for the medical, instead of doing it from Wales - figure less chance to get lost

Hoping everything will arrive and be logged around the same time and they will have the Congressman's email asking for expedition.

Question - how do people mail Packet 3 - regular post or via courier?

I mailed it from the US, so used Fedex. However, had I been in the UK, I would have posted it by either 9am or 1pm guaranteed with Royal Mail - http://www.royalmail.com/prices-2013#UK Guaranteed I don;t think the massive price difference between 9am and 1pm warrant sending by 9am.

BTW - are you aware that London Embassy is about 1/2 mile from the Knightsbridge doctors? They are either side of Oxford Street. I don't know if the London Embassy allow packets to be handed in rather than posted.

Edited July 24, 2013 by Anna Grant

[lost_at_sea 995]

I mailed it from the US, so used Fedex. However, had I been in the UK, I would have posted it by either 9am or 1pm guaranteed with Royal Mail - http://www.royalmail.com/prices-2013#UK Guaranteed I don;t think the massive price difference between 9am and 1pm warrant sending by 9am.

BTW - are you aware that London Embassy is about 1/2 mile from the Knightsbridge doctors? They are either side of Oxford Street. I don't know if the London Embassy allow packets to be handed in rather than posted.

I'm not sure how hand delivering the medical results would help. They don't take 4 days because they're too lazy to walk down the street, some of that time delay is processing the blood results (which aren't done same day). Not sure if that's what you were thinking, though...

I was talking to a colleague of mine - he did the IR-1 a few years back (they live in the UK now) and he said they had some emergency appointment and did medical and interview *in the same morning*. I said that sounded crazy, and I was pretty sure that was never an option these days.

[Jeannie & Al 18]

I mailed it from the US, so used Fedex. However, had I been in the UK, I would have posted it by either 9am or 1pm guaranteed with Royal Mail - http://www.royalmail.com/prices-2013#UK Guaranteed I don;t think the massive price difference between 9am and 1pm warrant sending by 9am.

BTW - are you aware that London Embassy is about 1/2 mile from the Knightsbridge doctors? They are either side of Oxford Street. I don't know if the London Embassy allow packets to be handed in rather than posted.

Thanks AG - I figured they were close and figured he may as well send them from there instead of Wales -just seems easier. I don't think I'd be comfortable dropping them off even if they let us - I would be afraid it would be out of the mail stream and could get lost that way - although that may not be the case...we will have him send it RM guaranteed to arrive Monday by 1pm...thanks.

I'm not sure how hand delivering the medical results would help. They don't take 4 days because they're too lazy to walk down the street, some of that time delay is processing the blood results (which aren't done same day). Not sure if that's what you were thinking, though...

I was talking to a colleague of mine - he did the IR-1 a few years back (they live in the UK now) and he said they had some emergency appointment and did medical and interview *in the same morning*. I said that sounded crazy, and I was pretty sure that was never an option these days.

LOS - I think AG meant that before or after his medical on Friday, he might be able to drop the Packet 3 forms to the Embassy instead of posting them, not the medical results.

how great would that be to have them the same day? they must have been some special people or maybe because it's for a different type of visa.

Edited July 24, 2013 by Jeannie & Al

[lost_at_sea 995]

LOS - I think AG meant that before or after his medical on Friday, he might be able to drop the Packet 3 forms to the Embassy instead of posting them, not the medical results.

how great would that be to have them the same day? they must have been some special people or maybe because it's for a different type of visa.

Oh! I see. I had wondered that, too! I live walking distance from the embassy and had considered taking mine in by hand. I ended up sending them next-day guaranteed instead. Not sure trying to convince someone on the door to take your documents is worth the effort - would be interesting to know if it works, though!

And yeah - I think it was just a fairly long time ago now - like 2001 or 2002? Stuff changes.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

BTW - are you aware that London Embassy is about 1/2 mile from the Knightsbridge doctors? They are either side of Oxford Street. I don't know if the London Embassy allow packets to be handed in rather than posted.

They do not take drop-offs of forms at the door. It's been tried.

"Where can I drop off these forms for the IV unit?"

Guard out front points to the red postal box down the street and says that is the only way--mail them.

They also don't accept bicycle couriers.

LOS - I think AG meant that before or after his medical on Friday, he might be able to drop the Packet 3 forms to the Embassy instead of posting them, not the medical results.

how great would that be to have them the same day? they must have been some special people or maybe because it's for a different type of visa.

It was not uncommon for people to make one trip to London for the medical and interview prior to a couple of years ago. The medical results received before an interview idate is given is a fairly new change for K1s...maybe since 2010. No special people or visa. Anybody could do it. But if you wanted to hear "approved" at the interview, your results had to be there. Otherwise you waited and wondered when they would get back around to your file and send your visa.

Edited July 24, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Jeannie & Al 18]

They do not take drop-offs of forms at the door. It's been tried.

"Where can I drop off these forms for the IV unit?"

Guard out front points to the red postal box down the street and says that is the only way--mail them.

They also don't accept bicycle couriers.

It was not uncommon for people to make one trip to London for the medical and interview prior to a couple of years ago. The medical results received before an interview idate is given is a fairly new change for K1s...maybe since 2010. No special people or visa. Anybody could do it. But if you wanted to hear "approved" at the interview, your results had to be there. Otherwise you waited and wondered when they would get back around to your file and send your visa.

This all makes sense Nich-Nick. thanks. Interesting how much the process changed in those few years...that must have caused some confusion around that time.

I'm not going to keep saying - "one more question" because I keep posting one more. so another question:

For the forms where he is required to send in duplicates, it's okay to have them be photocopied with a wet signature on each one, correct? or just sign it and then copy the whole thing? and then the ones he keeps for himself and takes to the interview, those can be all copied, including the signature, correct?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

This all makes sense Nich-Nick. thanks. Interesting how much the process changed in those few years...that must have caused some confusion around that time.

I'm not going to keep saying - "one more question" because I keep posting one more. so another question:

For the forms where he is required to send in duplicates, it's okay to have them be photocopied with a wet signature on each one, correct? or just sign it and then copy the whole thing? and then the ones he keeps for himself and takes to the interview, those can be all copied, including the signature, correct?

I don't have an answer really and I don't think it's critical. Set the printer to print multiples and sign two is how my fiancé did it and sounds most logical to me. Or you could print one, then photocopy it, then sign two. Not much difference unless you don't have a photocopier and have to go out and pay per page.

The spare one to take to the embassy is the off chance they didn't get all your papers in the same file and say they don't see your DS-xxx. You could provide your spare and sign on the spot. That is pretty rare.

Wet/dry signatures on the ones sent in duplicate-- I've never hear anyone complain about a particular way. If they didn't like a photocopied sig, they could hand it over to be signed again in ink. My choice would be sign each. Doesn't matter about your spare or one for files.

Speaking of which, I have every immigration document ever sent except those three DS-forms. They couldn't be saved on the computer and if he made spares, we don't know where they are. (it was only 3 DS- forms for him because in 2008, the -157 was males between a certain age. He was older. And the "readiness" form was London generated and you actually put a check mark on a paper list of what documents you had in hand for the interview, as well as giving them a wedding date, etc.)

Some of the changes get warnings in advance and they transition with both ways. Like paying in advance. We paid on the day just like some still do. After the change, they still let the people who didn't read the webpage pay at the embassy. I kinda suspect they would still take a K1s money on the day, as they are still set up to receive payments.

The first VJ woman who went to her interview and they handed her a DS-157 saying she failed to do that was like...what????! We wondered if the document clerk was new since it was not announced or put on the webpage. But then the next one needed it too, so it became clear that was a change in policy.

[Jeannie & Al 18]

I don't have an answer really and I don't think it's critical. Set the printer to print multiples and sign two is how my fiancé did it and sounds most logical to me. Or you could print one, then photocopy it, then sign two. Not much difference unless you don't have a photocopier and have to go out and pay per page.

The spare one to take to the embassy is the off chance they didn't get all your papers in the same file and say they don't see your DS-xxx. You could provide your spare and sign on the spot. That is pretty rare.

Wet/dry signatures on the ones sent in duplicate-- I've never hear anyone complain about a particular way. If they didn't like a photocopied sig, they could hand it over to be signed again in ink. My choice would be sign each. Doesn't matter about your spare or one for files.

Speaking of which, I have every immigration document ever sent except those three DS-forms. They couldn't be saved on the computer and if he made spares, we don't know where they are. (it was only 3 DS- forms for him because in 2008, the -157 was males between a certain age. He was older. And the "readiness" form was London generated and you actually put a check mark on a paper list of what documents you had in hand for the interview, as well as giving them a wedding date, etc.)

Some of the changes get warnings in advance and they transition with both ways. Like paying in advance. We paid on the day just like some still do. After the change, they still let the people who didn't read the webpage pay at the embassy. I kinda suspect they would still take a K1s money on the day, as they are still set up to receive payments.

The first VJ woman who went to her interview and they handed her a DS-157 saying she failed to do that was like...what????! We wondered if the document clerk was new since it was not announced or put on the webpage. But then the next one needed it too, so it became clear that was a change in policy.

Thanks! Sounds like we don't need to sweat how the copies are done so that's good.

2008 = wow...a lot has changed..I just saw in your timeline that it was about this time 5 years ago to go for your interview!