London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Got a text today saying that my passport and visa will be delivered tomorrow!

I am slightly worried about the brown envelope that I have to hand in to customs at my POE. The only thing I have is a folded over, white A4 envelope with my name and LND number scribbled on it in sharpie. It's open, and not sealed, with a busted staple through the top.

I was under the impression that this should NOT be opened under any circumstance?

You don't have your sealed envelope yet. It comes with your passport, delivered by courier.

Is what you are talking about the cd with your chest x-ray they give you at the interview? That isn't important...can be opened, etc. Nobody will look at that at POE. It's basically offered to you because the embassy and Knightsbridge don't want it. You won't need it for POE or AOS.

[Myke + Kerry 0]

You don't have your sealed envelope yet. It comes with your passport, delivered by courier.

Is what you are talking about the cd with your chest x-ray they give you at the interview? That isn't important...can be opened, etc. Nobody will look at that at POE. It's basically offered to you because the embassy and Knightsbridge don't want it. You won't need it for POE or AOS.

Yes, it's the CD.

The brown package came earlier today - It's bloody massive!

Thanks Nich.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yes, it's the CD.

The brown package came earlier today - It's bloody massive!

Thanks Nich.

It's bloody massive because it contains all your files--- the I-129F, London documents, and the medical results report. My guess is you had an overloaded I-129F with lots of extra fluff stuff.

Edit to add: when you go to your citizenship interview every thing in that envelope plus your AOS application, removing conditions application, and your citizenship application will be stacked on the interviewer's desk. All will be reviewed for dates and consistency.

Edited December 18, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[HollyandSim 7]

I have a question and I am sorry if I missed the answer somewhere. How do I know if London has our case? I have called the NVC and they told me that our case left there on 12/14. How long does it take from that day until the benficiary received the letter?

No way to check it online?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have a question and I am sorry if I missed the answer somewhere. How do I know if London has our case? I have called the NVC and they told me that our case left there on 12/14. How long does it take from that day until the benficiary received the letter?

No way to check it online?

Once you get to NVC, you have left the USCIS and there is no more online checking until you are back with them for adjustment of status.

NVC starts the Dept of State part of your journey. They will know if London has your case. They can see what Is entered on embassy computers.

DOS 202-663-1225 press 1, then 0

Edited December 20, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[LeftCoastLady 441]

I have a question and I am sorry if I missed the answer somewhere. How do I know if London has our case? I have called the NVC and they told me that our case left there on 12/14. How long does it take from that day until the benficiary received the letter?

No way to check it online?

The DHL tracking method can help you figure out when the petition has left for the embassy. Tru Love Journey has a great thread going, here's what was shipped from the NVC on December 14: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/302190-dhl-tracking-from-nvc-to-us-embassy/page__view__findpost__p__5872360

The waybill number is how you can track it on the DHL site. Looks as if a package arrived in the UK from the NVC on Monday: http://www.dhl.com/content/g0/en/express/tracking.shtml?brand=DHL&AWB=8837405205%0D%0A

From there, it will likely be a couple of weeks before the P3 letter arrives, but the beneficiary can move forward with the other steps before the letter arrives (e.g. downloading/completing forms, scheduling the Knightsbridge exam, etc.)

Edited December 20, 2012 by LeftCoastLady

[HollyandSim 7]

:-). You guys are great!!

[Lewis F 2]

So i had my medical pretty much a month ago now, 26 days i think, Anyway, shouldn't i have heard from the embassy by now with an interview date ? obviously this is probably the worst time of year for this with it being the holidays, Does anybody know what days they are closed, and is it DOS i can call to check up on my case with this number 202-663-1225 press 1, then 0 ?

I'm getting impatient now, I was hoping to have an interview date and something to look forward to after x-mas, but now it's just more waiting !

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So i had my medical pretty much a month ago now, 26 days i think, Anyway, shouldn't i have heard from the embassy by now with an interview date ? obviously this is probably the worst time of year for this with it being the holidays, Does anybody know what days they are closed, and is it DOS i can call to check up on my case with this number 202-663-1225 press 1, then 0 ?

I'm getting impatient now, I was hoping to have an interview date and something to look forward to after x-mas, but now it's just more waiting !

Three weeks is pretty normal and considering it takes maybe 4 days for your medical results results to get to the embassy, it's just now time to be looking for it. But it's the holidays.......

From the embassy website:

The U.S. Embassy in London will be closed on the following days during the holiday season:

• December 24, 2012 (Christmas Eve)

• December 25, 2012 (Christmas Day)

• December 26, 2012 (Boxing Day)

• December 31, 2012 (New Year’s Eve)

• January 1, 2013 (New Year’s Day)

Our Operator Assisted Visa Information line remains open.

Yes to your DOS question.

[mrettercap 24]

Once you get to NVC, you have left the USCIS and there is no more online checking until you are back with them for adjustment of status.

NVC starts the Dept of State part of your journey. They will know if London has your case. They can see what Is entered on embassy computers.

DOS 202-663-1225 press 1, then 0

Is calling DOS preferable to the Operator Assisted (UK) embassy line, or are they functionally identical?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Is calling DOS preferable to the Operator Assisted (UK) embassy line, or are they functionally identical?

DOS

-does not charge per minute to talk to you.

-generally gives better information if you're just curious about status

EMBASSY line

-charges to answer the phone. 1.23 from UK. Flat $16 from US.

-is the only way to pay the visa fee

-is a call center in Scotland and has limited access to your actual case or file

-can give you an email code so a real problem can be addressed by an immigration official at the embassy. By real problem, I mean change of address, want to reschedule appointment, 3 months have passed and you haven't heard a thing...not "did you get my forms I mailed last week?"

[Lewis F 2]

Here goes my final question (hopefully) Does the tax transcript from my sponsor have to be the original document sent from the IRS or can it be a scanned and printed version of it ?

Thanks in advance

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Here goes my final question (hopefully) Does the tax transcript from my sponsor have to be the original document sent from the IRS or can it be a scanned and printed version of it ?

Thanks in advance

I think an original is the best practice and could be mailed with the signed I-134 and perhaps an employer letter, which should not be scans. If you are following the rules, you don't send the DS-2001/cover letter until everything you need is in hand. But if you are in a severe time crunch, I think they would likely accept a transcript scan. I've ordered transcripts many times for K1, AOS, removing conditions, and naturalization. Once I had the IRS to fax one. It looked pitiful and different from the mail out ones, which aren't anything special either. London doesn't even require tax info if you have other good proof. They aren't super picky and don't even discuss it if the income is good.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Enorman 0]

Quick question about the interview, I know certain electrical items aren't allowed in. Would an analogue watch be allowed?

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Quick question about the interview, I know certain electrical items aren't allowed in. Would an analogue watch be allowed?

My then-fiancé wore a digital watch to the interview and besides having to take it off to run through the scanner, he didn't have any issues. Plan on having to remove it for the scan, if nothing else. Good luck!!