London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Anna Grant 169]

I hear you AG - our lawyer did say that he has had several clients visit with no problems but did have an issue once..I guess it's his responsibility to tell us that when we asked ...especially since my fiance seems to get grilled so much when he comes here. He said they do have manifests of who is coming and he may be on some sort of watch list since he has been pulled out of line more than once...but you could be right too..I just wanted to tell him that there is a slight chance of an issue..

I was seriously thinking of having my fiance try it next week since with the medical issue, he won't be making the family trip with my dad even if we are risking the money...problem is, he's an elementary school teacher and school is out and he didn't take a contract for next year since he'll be here. So I'm thinking it's probably best not to risk it, right?

It is at the discretion of the CBP officer on the day. I would hope that they would recognize that you are so close to end of the K1 visa route, that you wouldn't screw it up now by your fiance overstaying.

This is the daft thing about this. I was trying to sever my ties in the expectation of emigrating to the US (our NOA1 date was 24 July 2012). That means for the last two trips I have had no job and no home (I was renting a room in a friend's flat). I have never been take to secondary questioning but have had a few questions both at passport control and the CBP officers who check whether you're bringing anything into the US.

Only once have I had to show my return ticket and that was on my last trip. Other than that, I've never had to show any other documentation (although I had loads in my hand luggage, just in case).

I can't tell you whether to risk it or not. I risked it as I had the time to go and stay in our apartment and it felt ridiculous to be in the UK when I could be in the US with my fiance. I could also risk losing the money on the plane ticket. Don't get me wrong. I didn't want to lose the money on the plane ticket but I thought it was worth the risk.

However, I did all this before getting our NOA2 in April. As we didn't know when we would possibly be together permanently, it seemed worth the risk. Whether I would have done it after NOA2, I don't know.

[nobbie 105]

I went back in March and did not give it a thought until the CBP fella said are you visiting your fiancee, yes I replied whilst thinking, I did not mention that, so they knew even then, before NOA2. I might go between medical and interview yet, my fiancee has sent me a letter stating that she will not marry me until I enter on a K1 visa, she is a lawyer so has stated that as an officer of the court etc etc. If I have a interview appt and it's a while away I shall take the appt letter also to show I have that to go back for if nothing else.

[VisaParaUnSueno 9]

Hey fellow VJ's,

Is contacting the U.S. Embassy in London easy or is emailing even an option. I heard calling by phone is up the roof with the price? $ I think there is a charge for my Fiance in the U.K. too... 0_o I believe I did see an email, just not sure they would answer any inquiries by email.

Thank you all...

[Vanitas 310]

Hey fellow VJ's,

Is contacting the U.S. Embassy in London easy or is emailing even an option. I heard calling by phone is up the roof with the price? $ I think there is a charge for my Fiance in the U.K. too... 0_o I believe I did see an email, just not sure they would answer any inquiries by email.

Thank you all...

I believe that if you want to contact them via email you need to ring first and get a code to put in the subject header of your email.

[VisaParaUnSueno 9]

I believe that if you want to contact them via email you need to ring first and get a code to put in the subject header of your email.

I looked at that but I went ahead and sent an inquiry through their main website. Hope this helps. Thanks

[Azsara 110]

I just emailed them too to check NVC changed my address and i just my put LND number in

[Jeannie & Al 18]

It is at the discretion of the CBP officer on the day. I would hope that they would recognize that you are so close to end of the K1 visa route, that you wouldn't screw it up now by your fiance overstaying.

This is the daft thing about this. I was trying to sever my ties in the expectation of emigrating to the US (our NOA1 date was 24 July 2012). That means for the last two trips I have had no job and no home (I was renting a room in a friend's flat). I have never been take to secondary questioning but have had a few questions both at passport control and the CBP officers who check whether you're bringing anything into the US.

Only once have I had to show my return ticket and that was on my last trip. Other than that, I've never had to show any other documentation (although I had loads in my hand luggage, just in case).

I can't tell you whether to risk it or not. I risked it as I had the time to go and stay in our apartment and it felt ridiculous to be in the UK when I could be in the US with my fiance. I could also risk losing the money on the plane ticket. Don't get me wrong. I didn't want to lose the money on the plane ticket but I thought it was worth the risk.

However, I did all this before getting our NOA2 in April. As we didn't know when we would possibly be together permanently, it seemed worth the risk. Whether I would have done it after NOA2, I don't know.

Thanks for your response AG..I spoke to my fiance about it last night and he feels strongly that it's not worth risking..plus he's pointed out that the congressman's office is still trying to get an expedited interview date and it's possible he would have to return right away for an interview anyway...we're just going to wait it out..

[Anna Grant 169]

I looked at that but I went ahead and sent an inquiry through their main website. Hope this helps. Thanks

Some people get the e-mail which says their e-mail has been deleted but get a response anyway. Some people get the e-mail which says their e-mail has been deleted and never hear anything more.

The only way to be absolutely certain that your e-mail will be opened, not deleted and responded to is to get the code from the extortion line. The code is valid for a week (they change it each week - I would assume that they register on your file that it has been given to you).

Thanks for your response AG..I spoke to my fiance about it last night and he feels strongly that it's not worth risking..plus he's pointed out that the congressman's office is still trying to get an expedited interview date and it's possible he would have to return right away for an interview anyway...we're just going to wait it out..

I think that's probably wise. Your congressman's office seems to be getting some traction, so it may be best for your fiance to stay put.

[Kiwinyc 62]

Just to add, I've visited the U.S. twice in Feb and April for 10-14 days after our i-129F petition was filed last November. Both times there was no indication by the person at the Border (Newark and Dallas, respectively) knew that I was an i-129F beneficiary, they only asked the standard 'How long are you staying / Who are you visiting' questions and I answered truthfully that I was visiting friends in New York the first time (my Fiance flew into meet me too) and the second time was just before Easter and I had my children with me and they just assumed we were visiting for a vacation.

I have not travelled to the U.S. however, since receiving our NOA2 at the end of June, and we're waiting out the torturous process through to the Visa Unit in London and hoping for packet 3 soon. Our case status on the CEAC site changed to 'Ready' on Friday 26, and the status was updated again to todays date this morning. Anybody want to hazard a guess as to what this means?!?

IIR correctly, calling the US Embassy in London costs £1.25 a minute from within the UK otherwise theres a flat fee of $20 if you want to call from the U.S. or anywhere else outside of the U.K.

Incidentally - since last Friday 26/7 London has switched to this site to pay the MRV application fee(s) prior to the interview:

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb/iv

Has anybody used it? It also appears that you can schedule and reschedule your own interviews... Does anyone know if this applies to K-1 visa applicants too?! (I'm guessing not!)

On the plus side in terms of extortion it also now appears they return your passports to one of 30 hubs of the courier service for free (instead of it costing you £14.50). However, now If you want door-to-door delivery, its £30.

[Anna Grant 169]

I have not travelled to the U.S. however, since receiving our NOA2 at the end of June, and we're waiting out the torturous process through to the Visa Unit in London and hoping for packet 3 soon. Our case status on the CEAC site changed to 'Ready' on Friday 26, and the status was updated again to todays date this morning. Anybody want to hazard a guess as to what this means?!?

My hazardous guess would be that your 'packet 3' letter has been sent. Have you had your medical yet?

IIR correctly, calling the US Embassy in London costs £1.25 a minute from within the UK otherwise theres a flat fee of $20 if you want to call from the U.S. or anywhere else outside of the U.K.

You can just phone DOS in the US and get most of the information that the Embassy line has - sometimes better information! Phone them now and ask why your file has been updated today.

You can also phone the London Embassy using the US number from within the UK and pay the $20 flat fee. Useful if you think you may have a long call.

[Kiwinyc 62]

My hazardous guess would be that your 'packet 3' letter has been sent. Have you had your medical yet?

You can just phone DOS in the US and get most of the information that the Embassy line has - sometimes better information! Phone them now and ask why your file has been updated today.

You can also phone the London Embassy using the US number from within the UK and pay the $20 flat fee. Useful if you think you may have a long call.

Ooh thanks Anna, thats what I'm hoping too. Our medicals are booked for August 7th. My fiance keeps offering to call the DOS (he's says they're very friendly and helpful!) for info but it didn't occur to me that they might actually be useful, since USCIS absolutely wasn't when our petition was mired in the transfer between VSC and TSC.

Thanks for the tip about using the US number too - good idea.

Last question for anybody that knows - Is the letter advising of the interview date sent via normal mail or is it also sent as an email?

[Anna Grant 169]

Ooh thanks Anna, thats what I'm hoping too. Our medicals are booked for August 7th. My fiance keeps offering to call the DOS (he's says they're very friendly and helpful!) for info but it didn't occur to me that they might actually be useful, since USCIS absolutely wasn't when our petition was mired in the transfer between VSC and TSC.

Thanks for the tip about using the US number too - good idea.

Last question for anybody that knows - Is the letter advising of the interview date sent via normal mail or is it also sent as an email?

You, the beneficiary, can phone DOS. I used Skype to do that as it's relatively inexpensive. You also don't get left 'on hold' as long as with NVC.

The interview date letter will be sent by normal mail. Again, your CEAC info should show an update date when that happens. I must admit, whenever I saw a CEAC update, I phoned DOS that day to see what the update was about. That way, I found out my interview date two days earlier than receiving the letter.

[Kiwinyc 62]

You, the beneficiary, can phone DOS. I used Skype to do that as it's relatively inexpensive. You also don't get left 'on hold' as long as with NVC.

The interview date letter will be sent by normal mail. Again, your CEAC info should show an update date when that happens. I must admit, whenever I saw a CEAC update, I phoned DOS that day to see what the update was about. That way, I found out my interview date two days earlier than receiving the letter.

Thank you again Anna, thats so helpful to know!

[CnP 4]

Sorry to bother you all but I was wondering if someone can help me please.

When I go on the CEAC website its now saying

Ready

Immigrant Visa Case Number: LND###################ND Case Creation Date: 18-Jul-2013 Status Updated Date: 30-Jul-2013

Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section. If you have already scheduled an appointment for an interview, please prepare your documents as directed in your appointment letter and appear at the consulate on the appointed date and time. Otherwise, please wait until you have been notified of your interview appointment. Additional information about how Immigrant Visa interview appointments are scheduled can be found at:http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3731.html

On the 26th July the status updated date was 26th July 2013 and today it change... any idea why?

[PearlyLemons 13]

Sorry to bother you all but I was wondering if someone can help me please.

When I go on the CEAC website its now saying

Ready

Immigrant Visa Case Number: LND###################ND Case Creation Date: 18-Jul-2013 Status Updated Date: 30-Jul-2013

Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section. If you have already scheduled an appointment for an interview, please prepare your documents as directed in your appointment letter and appear at the consulate on the appointed date and time. Otherwise, please wait until you have been notified of your interview appointment. Additional information about how Immigrant Visa interview appointments are scheduled can be found at:http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3731.html

On the 26th July the status updated date was 26th July 2013 and today it change... any idea why?

Have you sent any forms in or had your medical recently? Most likely it is DOS logging recent documents/medical results.

Edited July 30, 2013 by Jeff&Emmy