London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[xXJulzXx 0]

Hmm.. after reading these past few posts, it's been making me wonder if i'm going to be able to make my date of 2nd Nov that i'm hoping for. As you can see from my timeline in my signature, I sent packet 3 forms along with DS-2001 Form and Covering letter on the 7th and I have my medical this Thursday (13th). In my covering letter I stated that although we do not have a specific wedding date set yet, I am planning and hoping to leave on 2nd Nov and requested an interview for mid October if possible. Think that date is possible given how long people are currently waiting to be processed/receiving their interview date?

Edited September 11, 2012 by xXJulzXx

[LeedsUK 4]

Normally you should allow a month between your medical results & receiving your interview date but like Nick said, some people have been called within a few weeks, especially if you requested an early interview date so you never know. If everything's in order with your forms & results then if they have a free appointment, you might get it. There are quite a few of us that have requested Sept/Oct interviews though so hang in there.

[Elora & Rob 15]

Hmm.. after reading these past few posts, it's been making me wonder if i'm going to be able to make my date of 2nd Nov that i'm hoping for. As you can see from my timeline in my signature, I sent packet 3 forms along with DS-2001 Form and Covering letter on the 7th and I have my medical this Thursday (13th). In my covering letter I stated that although we do not have a specific wedding date set yet, I am planning and hoping to leave on 2nd Nov and requested an interview for mid October if possible. Think that date is possible given how long people are currently waiting to be processed/receiving their interview date?

Based on my timeline your cutting it fine.

why are you hoping for November 2nd???

Edited September 12, 2012 by Elora & Rob

[xXJulzXx 0]

Normally you should allow a month between your medical results & receiving your interview date but like Nick said, some people have been called within a few weeks, especially if you requested an early interview date so you never know. If everything's in order with your forms & results then if they have a free appointment, you might get it. There are quite a few of us that have requested Sept/Oct interviews though so hang in there.

I kinda already figured about that timeline but fingers crossed that things go well and I get what i'm hoping for.

why are you hoping for November 2nd???

Well no particular reason really but we just assumed things would be fine and i'd be able to get an interview next month so we figured that it'd be a good date for me to leave. Therefore we chose that and have been planning for that date for a couple weeks now. Not made any major plans though, just small lil things.

Edited September 12, 2012 by xXJulzXx

[HollyandSim 7]

There's been many similar threads started in the last week with the topic I got my NOA2--Now what?? If all the questions are in one thread, people may find the information they need more easily. I'll start off with some general information specific to London K1s.

Advance preparation for the London part of the K1 process

When your NOA2 is near, it’s a good time to start your preparation.

Petitioner:

1. Order your tax transcripts. Only the most recent tax return is required, but you can order three years at a time for free from the IRS. Tax transcripts are summaries of your whole tax return provided free by the IRS. They can't be faked because it's a copy/summary of your whole tax return picture, basically certified by the IRS because it's issued by them. That's why you don't have to include any 1040, Schedules, W2s or 1099s if you send a transcript. They are free from the IRS. Transcripts take the place of sending a complete tax return.
   If you call 1-800-908-9946 (the transcript line) , there is an automated system for ordering transcripts. You'll have to enter your Social Security number and the numbers of your street address. It will generate an automated request to mail your transcripts. You can also order online on the IRS website http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=232168,00.html
   
2. Start filling out the I-134 Affidavit of Support. It will have to be signed and mailed to the UK the slow way. Get familiar with the form. When the NOA2 is received is a good time to finalize it with the supporting documents and get it in the mail.
   
3. Don't obsess printing Skype logs, emails, photos, or Facebook status. London does not want to look at that. Really they don't. London does not want to see a copy of your I-129F petition or NOA2. They got that in the file from NVC.
   

UK beneficiary:

1. Get some passport photos taken. You will eventually need
   2 US sized for the Embassy
   1 UK sized for the police certificate
   1 either size for the visa medical exam.
   (and for AOS in the US, 6 more US sized photos)
   You can take your own and size it using this uploader tool from the Dept of State. Scroll halfway down the page. http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html Save the jpg file and print at home or at a photo place. Also available at Snappy Snaps, Photo-Me booths, Jessops, Gould's Pharmacy (by the embassy), near the Bond St Tube station (Oxford St) which is closest Tube to the medical exam.
   
2. Go to your NHS doctor and get the immunizations you will need for Adjustment of Status. You can get a K1 visa without having any shots, but you will need them before AOS. It’s really wise to take care of it before getting to the US so you can aviold civil surgeon hassles and $$$. Many NHS doctors will do them for free, but they are not obligated to do so for immigration purposes. If you had these shots as a child, Tdap/Td must be no longer than 10 years ago or you have to do them again. Get the shots documented by your doctor to take to your visa medical exam. Here’s the shots needed for 19 through 59 years of age:
   Td or Tdap - Maybe not available in the UK, so get DT, DTP or DtaP and it will be accepted for AOS
   MMR (if born in 1957 or later) Get a second shot 4 wks later if you have time
   Varicella – Not routinely given in the UK ; a history of having chickenpox excuses you from the shot. They take your word for it at the visa medical exam.
   Influenza - During flu season only, October 1 through March 31. This was a new recommendation dated November 2010 for all ages over 6 months. Older lists will say flu shots for over age 50. It changed.
   
3. Order your police certificate. It takes some preparation because you need a passport photo signed off on by somebody officialish who’s known you two years. Here’s the application. Read the instructions. A police certificate is good for 12 months. Must take it to medical exam. http://www.acpo.police.uk/documents/Application_Form.pdf
   
4. Look at your passport and make sure it will have 8 months remaining after visa issuance. If not get it renewed now. If you've damaged it or gotten it wet, it will need to be renewed.
   
5. Study the list of original documents London wants you to bring to the embassy and get those in hand or ordered. http://london.usembassy.gov/application_documents.html
   Make photocopies of any document you want back. They will verify the original and file the photocopy.
   

Ready, Set, Go!! - Ask your questions or post your tips...........

I have a speeding and careless driving conviction from 21 years ago, does anyone know whether i need to include these convictions in the V18 criminal records form, and will it count against me in the K1 ?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have a speeding and careless driving conviction from 21 years ago, does anyone know whether i need to include these convictions in the V18 criminal records form, and will it count against me in the K1 ?

Yes, they want the court records of the charge, fine, punishment or whatever. Shouldn't make you inadmissible however.

[distressedbride 0]

Hello Everyone!

It seems like the Embassy is getting slow again.

I have been reading in a few of the threads that people have been emailing the embassy to request earlier interview dates and such. How are you emailing the embassy? I send an email to LondonConsular@state.gov and got a lovely, your email has been deleted and not read, don't email us, reply.

The extortion line is horribly unhelpful, and the DOS keeps replying that they can only follow the steps. My fiance and I have a wedding on Nov. 11th (yes i know we weren't supposed to do this, I really wish i knew that then).

I-129F NOA2 : 2012-08-01

NVC Received : 2012-08-08

NVC Left : 2012-08-10

Medical 2012-08-22

Packet 3 Received :2012-08-25

Packet 3 Sent : 2012-08-28

They have received the medical, but haven't logged the Packet 3. We have sent the form of readiness with the packet 3 responses. We have all necessary documents and have already paid for the interview.

[Knope2012 10]

Hello Everyone!

It seems like the Embassy is getting slow again.

I have been reading in a few of the threads that people have been emailing the embassy to request earlier interview dates and such. How are you emailing the embassy? I send an email to LondonConsular@state.gov and got a lovely, your email has been deleted and not read, don't email us, reply.

The extortion line is horribly unhelpful, and the DOS keeps replying that they can only follow the steps. My fiance and I have a wedding on Nov. 11th (yes i know we weren't supposed to do this, I really wish i knew that then).

I-129F NOA2 : 2012-08-01

NVC Received : 2012-08-08

NVC Left : 2012-08-10

Medical 2012-08-22

Packet 3 Received :2012-08-25

Packet 3 Sent : 2012-08-28

They have received the medical, but haven't logged the Packet 3. We have sent the form of readiness with the packet 3 responses. We have all necessary documents and have already paid for the interview.

We called after it had been 4 weeks since sending packet 3 and they gave us a code to put in the e-mail subject line. It didn't do any good though, they just told us to wait. We're hoping for a November 21st wedding. You can call and ask for the code and see if it will help. Our medical and packet 3 only got logged last week, so it took 4 weeks for packet 3 to get logged and around 2 to log the medical. We are still waiting on an interview as well.

Edit: Also, a page or two back, Nich Nick lists an example of a letter you can send them to try and speed things up. We're trying that, and you can as well

Edited September 13, 2012 by Knope2012

[Elora & Rob 15]

Hello Everyone!

It seems like the Embassy is getting slow again.

I have been reading in a few of the threads that people have been emailing the embassy to request earlier interview dates and such. How are you emailing the embassy? I send an email to LondonConsular@state.gov and got a lovely, your email has been deleted and not read, don't email us, reply.

The extortion line is horribly unhelpful, and the DOS keeps replying that they can only follow the steps. My fiance and I have a wedding on Nov. 11th (yes i know we weren't supposed to do this, I really wish i knew that then).

I-129F NOA2 : 2012-08-01

NVC Received : 2012-08-08

NVC Left : 2012-08-10

Medical 2012-08-22

Packet 3 Received :2012-08-25

Packet 3 Sent : 2012-08-28

They have received the medical, but haven't logged the Packet 3. We have sent the form of readiness with the packet 3 responses. We have all necessary documents and have already paid for the interview.

I would still be confident that you will make that. stay posative. just say prayers...and if you don't do that cross your fingers.

are you having a big wedding? smaller ones can be moved without much trouble.

[Cori and Rob 55]

It seems like the Embassy is getting slow again.

I have been reading in a few of the threads that people have been emailing the embassy to request earlier interview dates and such. How are you emailing the embassy? I send an email to LondonConsular@state.gov and got a lovely, your email has been deleted and not read, don't email us, reply.

Yeah, our packet 3 forms haven't been processed yet in spite of the fact they were received on the 4th (no surprise there). I'm not stressing too much yet, as it has only been a little more than a week since London received them and they are clearly backlogged. Nonetheless, I hope I'm not still waiting for them to be processed at the end of September. My wedding reception isn't until April, so I'm not rushing against that deadline, but I haven't seen Rob since January, and I miss him a lot.

Edited September 13, 2012 by Cori and Rob

[Elora & Rob 15]

Yeah, our packet 3 forms haven't been processed yet in spite of the fact they were received on the 4th (no surprise there). I'm not stressing too much yet, as it has only been a little more than a week since London received them and they are clearly backlogged. Nonetheless, I hope I'm not still waiting for them to be processed at the end of September. My wedding reception isn't until April, so I'm not rushing against that deadline, but I haven't seen Rob since January, and I miss him a lot.

how comes you haven't visited eachother during the process?

Elora came to London once and I wen't to the US 3x inbetween filing and interview.

[distressedbride 0]

Knope i had been reading about your medical adventure. I am so sorry you had to work through all of that, that is ridiculous.

They have logged our medical because we scheduled it very early (we had the medical on the day before they sent out packet 3). It seemed to work pretty well. It's just those stupid packet 3 papers. And what it is even more upsetting is every time you call the DOS they will say, "the embassy hasn't received it yet." I always have to hold back that little part of me that wants to throw a hissy fit (of course they received it, they signed for it, they just haven't opened it).

moving the wedding isn't so much of an option, as my vendors won't honor the contract if it is moved into 2013. This is the second wedding date, as we had one in August (misinformation from the USICS officer...twice... it's how we got into this whole mess in the first place. oh well)

I will let you know if I find anything that works.

[Knope2012 10]

Knope i had been reading about your medical adventure. I am so sorry you had to work through all of that, that is ridiculous.

They have logged our medical because we scheduled it very early (we had the medical on the day before they sent out packet 3). It seemed to work pretty well. It's just those stupid packet 3 papers. And what it is even more upsetting is every time you call the DOS they will say, "the embassy hasn't received it yet." I always have to hold back that little part of me that wants to throw a hissy fit (of course they received it, they signed for it, they just haven't opened it).

moving the wedding isn't so much of an option, as my vendors won't honor the contract if it is moved into 2013. This is the second wedding date, as we had one in August (misinformation from the USICS officer...twice... it's how we got into this whole mess in the first place. oh well)

I will let you know if I find anything that works.

I know how you feel. At my wedding venue, I have to give them 90 days notice so I can't move the wedding again (it was originally in August as well). They kept telling us they hadn't received our packet 3, and then finally on the 4th it was marked as received. I've been calling DOS every day since last Tuesday in the hopes that they'll finally say the interview has been scheduled. My fiance's on his way now to send a letter to the embassy to see if it works. We both should be able to make our weddings, it's just the not knowing that's awful. Even if our interview date is mid-late October, we can make it, but I hate not knowing the date.

I'll let you know if anything works as well. I've read a few places that sometimes if the American half of the couple will call and request a supervisor, it can work, but I hate to spend $16 on a gamble. Thank you for the wishes about the medical; it's been an adventure for us every step of the way. I will say that at least half of it was us being slightly unprepared Now we have all our documents in order if we can just get to the next step!

Edited September 13, 2012 by Knope2012

[Elora & Rob 15]

I know how you feel. At my wedding venue, I have to give them 90 days notice so I can't move the wedding again (it was originally in August as well). They kept telling us they hadn't received our packet 3, and then finally on the 4th it was marked as received. I've been calling DOS every day since last Tuesday in the hopes that they'll finally say the interview has been scheduled. My fiance's on his way now to send a letter to the embassy to see if it works. We both should be able to make our weddings, it's just the not knowing that's awful. Even if our interview date is mid-late October, we can make it, but I hate not knowing the date.

I'll let you know if anything works as well. I've read a few places that sometimes if the American half of the couple will call and request a supervisor, it can work, but I hate to spend $16 on a gamble. Thank you for the wishes about the medical; it's been an adventure for us every step of the way. I will say that at least half of it was us being slightly unprepared Now we have all our documents in order if we can just get to the next step!

you hate to spend $16 on a gamble but probs spent 30x that on a wedding....which was always a gamble?

just call them!

while i sympathise with you guys can you really expect the US goverment to bend to your agenda? everybody knows "DONT MAKE WEDDING PLANS UNTIL YOU GET THE VISA"

Edited September 13, 2012 by Elora & Rob

[Cori and Rob 55]

how comes you haven't visited eachother during the process?

Well, it was for a number of reasons. We initially filed with a lawyer who told us he'd be here by May (hahahaha!), so at the time, we thought we could forgo a visit since it wasn't that long to wait. Of course, when we discovered VJ in May, we learned the wait would be considerably longer. But then I received a big promotion at work, and I wasn't going to be able to take time off for the first three months in my new position, and Rob and I both decided we'd rather save money so we'd have enough saved up in case it takes a long time for him to find a job. It hasn't been ideal or easy, but I do think it was the smarter decision for us. Prior to us filing, we'd only go a few months at a time without seeing each other. The nice thing is I have a bunch of vacation saved up, so I'll be able to take a bunch of time off when he gets here