London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I had my medical on Tuesday and Im at the point now where Im just waiting for my interview date and I need to assemble my folder into some sort of order. This is everything I have. Am i missing anything? I dont want a huge last minute rush to get things in order

I suggest you put the things marked in blue in the front because you shouldn't need the others.

The original I129 petition my fiance filed.

G325A his and mine

Letters of intent off each of us

Proof of meeting in the last 2 years. photos,boarding passes,hotel receipt, tickets for things we've done.

Proof of ongoing relationship. Photos, cards, emails, tickets.

Both our birth certificates +photocopy (although i dont think i need his)Yours only

My divorce papers +photocopy.

Both our parental approval letters.

NOA1

NOA2

I134 for him with bank statements. Hes unemployed so has no money.

I134 for his Dad with his 1040, W2s, employment letter and pay stubs. (thats enough right?)

My police certificate.

DS3025 Vaccination sheet from my medical

Spare copies of the DS157, DS230, DS156, DS156K for just in case.

Is there anything I need?

Your passport

2 passport photos

Appointment letter

Receipt for paying the visa fee

They give you a list. Go over it http://london.usembassy.gov/application_documents.html

NO to all that evidence. Seriously.

NO to the petition stuff and NOAs.

Edited March 2, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Dan & Jenni 457]

jenni and i have been sharing the costs of this process and today she paid the visa interview fee and i have just got the MRV fee receipt in my email. at the top it says "you are required to print this receipt, have the credit cardholder sign the acknowledgement below and submit it...". at the bottom it says "applicant must read and sign below" and then "applicant signature...".

obviously in this case the "credit cardholder" and the "applicant" are 2 different people so who signs it?? im guessing i should sign it??

[Dan & Jenni 457]

some advice on paying the visa interview fee...

the person whose credit/debit card is being used to pay the fee has to either make the call or be in the same room as you when you do it as they have to talk to the card holder... so if the USC fiance/e is paying on their card then they have to make that call. whoever makes the call needs the case number (LND...) and the visa applicants details like address, date of birth, phone number, and their email address. the email address is very important as this is where the MRV fee receipt is sent. this receipt will be a PDF attachment and needs to be printed out, signed, and then taken to the interview. in big red letters on the bottom of the receipt are the words... "FAILURE TO PRESENT THIS MRV FEE RECEIPT AT THE EMBASSY WILL RESULT IN CANCELLATION OF THE APPOINTMENT".

09042-450100 this is the number you call from the UK and can be found on the letter from the embassy (packet 3 not 4). cost £1.23 p/min.

1-86638-23589 this is the number you call from the US and it has a flat fee of $16 which is deducted from your credit/debit card.

[xjoseyx 19]

How many years tax returns do i need? I have 1 and a letter stating how much he earn a year but my fiance is telling me i need 3 years tax returns?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

How many years tax returns do i need? I have 1 and a letter stating how much he earn a year but my fiance is telling me i need 3 years tax returns?

One tax return is sufficient. I can't recall anybody who was refused until 3 were provided. I had done 3 because that's the VJ K1 buzz. The document lady handed back two and didn't even put them in the file for the interviewer to review. London has approved with zero tax returns if other proof of income is provided.

Even with the I-864 for AOS, where the rules are stricter and more defined, only 1 is required to be submitted. It is optional to submit 2 more.

[xjoseyx 19]

One tax return is sufficient. I can't recall anybody who was refused until 3 were provided. I had done 3 because that's the VJ K1 buzz. The document lady handed back two and didn't even put them in the file for the interviewer to review. London has approved with zero tax returns if other proof of income is provided.

Even with the I-864 for AOS, where the rules are stricter and more defined, only 1 is required to be submitted. It is optional to submit 2 more.

Excellent. Cheers Nick.

[Katie Watie 3]

Ive asked this in the specific military thread but havent had a response as yet so thought id ask in the UK thread...

i wanted to double check what documents he needs to send to me as supporting evidence for affidavit for me to take to my interview. We've been advised to order his most recent tax return, which i think hes done.

Hes in the military so Is there anything else he can send? He doesn't earn a lot at the moment but has quite a lot of savings so would it be worth sending proof of this?

And can anyone tell me what the minimum is that someone has to earn in order to be able to support the person coming over on a visa?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Ive asked this in the specific military thread but havent had a response as yet so thought id ask in the UK thread...

i wanted to double check what documents he needs to send to me as supporting evidence for affidavit for me to take to my interview. We've been advised to order his most recent tax return, which i think hes done.

Hes in the military so Is there anything else he can send? He doesn't earn a lot at the moment but has quite a lot of savings so would it be worth sending proof of this?

And can anyone tell me what the minimum is that someone has to earn in order to be able to support the person coming over on a visa?

If the family size is 2 (you + him) then $15,130 per year is the minimum. That's 100% of the poverty guidelines since he's active military. Here's the whole chart Form I-864P

He fills out the Form I-134 Affidavit of Support with his original signature.

Then I suggest he proves his income in two different ways. Choose from things like-

• 2011 tax return with his W-2 (summary of 2011 earnings sent by employer/military) Photocopy is fine
  
• Something like an employer letter (from military or commanding officer or whomever stating his annual military pay. Maybe he gets something like that in all his military paperwork. Maybe an officer can state his name, what branch of service, rank, and pay and sign off on it.)
  
• Pay slips (if he gets something monthly showing what he was paid each month) Photocopy is fine
  
• 3 bank statements if they show military deposits each month. Photocopy is fine
  

Don't worry about getting all those things. I think one thing since he's active military will be enough. Whatever is easiest for him to produce being that he's deployed. They won't be hard on you. Just remind them he's in Afghanistan(?) and can't supply a ton of stuff easily. If he has savings to show, his bank statement(s) showing the amount. If his income is over the amount needed, then he doesn't have to prove savings. London is not as hard as some places. A tax return isn't even a requirement, but many people use them as an easy proof.

Sorry I know nothing military specific. I always hear military people say to get help from the JAG officer. No clue what that is but they seem to be the answer to help. Maybe the JAG officer can write a letter about his pay.

Edited March 12, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Katie Watie 3]

Thankyouuuu

Did anyone take a letter with them to the interview with their fiance(e)s intention to marry? similar to the one that went off with the petition? I think ive read somewhere you should take it to the interview but i cant find it again!?

[Sherri+Dave 0]

Hello the divorce decree with the note worked! Thank you so much for your help! We've received our NOA2 this week, hardcopy, and are anxiously anticipating hearing more news (good news!).

For the affidavit of support, I have the past 2 years W-2's and the tax papers I've filed with the IRS. I also have a letter from my employer. Are those papers enough proof or should I contact the IRS for more?

Thank you for your time

Sherri

Oops..I just read further up the thread...lol! I have my answer, I think! Thanks!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thankyouuuu

Did anyone take a letter with them to the interview with their fiance(e)s intention to marry? similar to the one that went off with the petition? I think ive read somewhere you should take it to the interview but i cant find it again!?

VJ guides say that, and lots of people take them because of that. But generally London doesn't need one unless you have gone past the 4 month expiration of your NOA2 and never sent in a form, had a medical, or made contact with London. I guess with no response or visa application forms, that's what they need to extend the petition...the petitioner stating again he's still on board. London actually sends out a letter before they close a case as abandoned..."Hello? We haven't heard a peep outta you. Anybody out there going to apply for a visa? If so, we need your forms and a new letter of intent from the petitioner."

Take one if it makes you feel better, but you won't be denied without one is my opinion from what I've seen. If it was important, it would be in the London document list.

Hello the divorce decree with the note worked! Thank you so much for your help! We've received our NOA2 this week, hardcopy, and are anxiously anticipating hearing more news (good news!).

Congratulations!

For the affidavit of support.....<snip>... Oops..I just read further up the thread...lol! I have my answer, I think! Thanks!

[xjoseyx 19]

After some hooha with my doctors, Knightbridge finally sent my results over to the Embassy on Friday. Being impatient, I just called to see if Id been allocated an interview date. They said my medical results havent been entered as being recieved yet. Is that normal? I thought London had a live log of things theyve recieved. Im too impatient for my own good lol.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

After some hooha with my doctors, Knightbridge finally sent my results over to the Embassy on Friday. Being impatient, I just called to see if Id been allocated an interview date. They said my medical results havent been entered as being recieved yet. Is that normal? I thought London had a live log of things theyve recieved. Im too impatient for my own good lol.

I've seen that often. They don't seem to have an immediate log of anything. People get panicked, but usually everything is there. Maybe Knightsbridge has a way to confirm/track delivery.

[Dan & Jenni 457]

i thought i would post this here for you all to read...

My appointment was for 9.30 and after leaving my bag (£3) and my mobile (another £3) at Goulds pharmacy I joined the queue outside the embassy at 8.45. It is all quite simple really and all the staff including the security guards and armed police are friendly and helpful.

I went up to a group of ladies in bright yellow jackets and after checking my name off the list I was sent to join the queue. It moves quite quickly and 30 seconds later an older gentleman checked my passport, MRV fee receipt, and my appointment letter and told me to stand outside the security hut. You are called in to security four at a time and you place all your belongings including your belt if wearing one in to a tray which is x-rayed as you walk through the body scanner. Collect all your stuff, exit the security hut and follow the building round to the right, up some stairs and in to reception where a lady will book you in and attach a sticker to your appointment letter. I was number I912. You then go up some stairs and in to a large room full of seats and TV screens across the middle.

“I” numbers are few and far between so listen to the announcements and watch the screens so you don’t miss it. After about 45 minutes I was called to window 1 where I was greeted by a quiet speaking Chinese lady... she was nice and polite but I really did have to listen carefully to what was being said. I was asked for my birth certificate and copy, my police certificate and copy, passport and 2 passport photos, and then the I-134 from my sponsor. The only evidence she took to go with the I-134 was Jenni’s letter of employment... no wage slips and no tax returns etc where asked for. I gave my fingerprints, took the DXsecure delivery form and went and sat back down.

2 ½ hours later I was called up to window 15 for my interview where I was met by a friendly American guy who took my fingerprints and had me raise my right hand (don’t worry he finds it amusing when you raise your left hand by mistake lol) and say I do for the oath part. He started flicking through my file and asking questions which where all related to the previous question so it made it seem quite informal and not at all like an interview.

How did we meet??

How did our relationship progress??

What was it about this girl that made me want to marry her after only spending a short amount of time together in person??

Did I know she was previously married??

What did I know about her ex??

How old where her 2 children??

What kind of things where they in to??

He then asked about why I had ticked yes for question 38 on form DS-156 “Have you ever been arrested or charged with an offence...”. I was done for driving without insurance about 15 years ago and I told him and he just said it is fine. I got the impression that he was impressed by my honesty as he said it was something that most people tend to “forget about” as there is no record of it on the police certificate or on a subject access request. Next he asked me about Jenni’s income as it falls slightly short of the requirement as she works hours to suit the children. I told him she would go full time when I got there but I had a co-sponsor anyway if it was needed. He took the co-sponsors I-134, looked at it and said “thats fine... we just like to have it on record”. He didn’t take any supporting evidence whatsoever. I then signed form DS-156K. He then looked at me and said... “all there is left to do now is congratulate you on your visa... you can stop being so nervous now”

He handed me back my original documents and a CD with my chest xray on it, explained about the “do not open” envelope and POE, and then I thanked him a million times before I went and paid for delivery of my visa.

Job done and all in all it was painless and a lot easier than I thought it would be.

What I took with me which was actually needed on the day...

MRV fee receipt.

Appointment letter.

Passport.

2x passport photos. Can be done at Goulds pharmacy or in the embassy for £5.

Birth certificate and copy.

Police certificate and copy.

Sponsors I-134 and financial info which was just the letter of employment.

Co-sponsors I-134.

What I took that wasn’t needed on the day...

Subject access and copy (only possibly needed if you tick yes to question 38 on DS-156)

Sponsors financial info... tax return, W2, pay slips.

Co-sponsors financial info... tax return, W2, pay slips, employment letter.

Updated letters of intent to marry.

Spare copies of all the DS forms submitted as part of “packet 3”.

NOTE: I did not take any evidence of ongoing relationship, nor was I asked for it.

Things I noticed others have a problem with...

No matter how many times people outside where told not to take anything electronic in to the embassy, people were still being asked to leave security and dispose of things... mainly headphones. Goulds pharmacy is 2 minutes away and is relatively cheap (£3 per bag and £3 for any number of electronic items) and it seems secure.

Pay the visa fee BEFORE you attend the interview as you need the MRV fee receipt. A guy was allowed in without it but the lady doing document intake was seriously pissed with him and I noticed that his actual interview was over within 2 minutes and he left the building without paying for delivery of his visa.

My advice to everyone else...

Read through the embassy reviews on VJ and get a feel for the questions you will be asked. They are things you really should know the answer to but I found it helpful to know basically what questions where coming next as it seems like each interviewer has their own list that they ask from.

If there are any issues that you know of then do your research and be prepared for them by obtaining extra documents.

Be prepared to spend 4-5 hours in the embassy so take a book or something... oh and a pen to fill in the DXsecure form. You also need a credit/debit card to pay for the delivery of your visa.

RELAX

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Excellent report of useful info Dan! I would congratulate you but don't want to bog down this info thread into a bunch of "Yay Dan" posts.

I was called to window 1 where I was greeted by a quiet speaking Chinese lady... she was nice and polite but I really did have to listen carefully to what was being said.

The exact same lady that was at Window 1 in July 2008! My fiance was quite frustrated with trying to hear her and just pushed a pile of papers under the glass and she picked out the ones she wanted.

Did I know she was previously married??

What did I know about her ex??

How old where her 2 children??

I think these questions are geared to make sure your fiance wasn't keeping any secrets from you. It's, I suppose, to protect the immigrant from getting more than they bargained for. Similarly they would say "do you know your fiance has been in prison?"

Job done and all in all it was painless and a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Everybody says that but nobody will believe it. All these nerves and worry before the interview.