London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[M and C 32]

My recent experience has been about 7 days i.e. time between requesting and the USC receiving it.

Thanks so much for the info.

[ZC117 0]

There is something that has been on my mind for a while but hadn't discussed it here. So here goes... In my previous trips to the states (Which there are many) I never said I had been arrested when filling the VISA Waiver and later ESTA. But I had and have admitted to being arrested in my current K1 process. The reason I didn't mention it was because I honestly didn't bloody remember, I was 16 and only remembered in December that I was due to an enhanced CRB. This makes me concerned that it would affect the process and possibly threaten my acceptance.

Please any advice/reassurance would be appreciated.

[ZC117 0]

After further research because I was under 18 I'm exempted from a crim of moral terpitude so I wouldn't tick the arrest column on the Visa Waiver/ESTA http://www.americanlaw.com/exclude3.html

All that stress for nothing! Hope this is informative if not then I'm wasting your time, apologies.

[Anna Grant 169]

After further research because I was under 18 I'm exempted from a crim of moral terpitude so I wouldn't tick the arrest column on the Visa Waiver/ESTA http://www.americanlaw.com/exclude3.html

All that stress for nothing! Hope this is informative if not then I'm wasting your time, apologies.

It is always useful to post any informtaion that you find out about this whole process. You never know when someone else might be in a similar situation, use advanced search and find your answer.

I'm afraid I have yet another question.

I know that Nich-Nick said in her first post in this thread that only the most recent tax transcript is required. I have the last 4 years but I have just realized that the first 3 years (2009-2011) are joint returns for my fiance and his then wife. Is it going to be best if I don't include those at all? I have my fiance's first sole tax transcript for 2012 and his last 6 pay stubs. Should that be sufficient?

I have a statement of his investments but it's 14 pages long. For photocopying for the interview, I take it that I only need to photocopy the front page which gives the total amount of his investements not the whole 14 pages?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I know that Nich-Nick said in her first post in this thread that only the most recent tax transcript is required. I have the last 4 years but I have just realized that the first 3 years (2009-2011) are joint returns for my fiance and his then wife. Is it going to be best if I don't include those at all? I have my fiance's first sole tax transcript for 2012 and his last 6 pay stubs. Should that be sufficient?

I have a statement of his investments but it's 14 pages long. For photocopying for the interview, I take it that I only need to photocopy the front page which gives the total amount of his investements not the whole 14 pages?

I'll give a couple of my experiences to help you decide. I went to the interview so observed this. My financial folder was stuffed with 3 tax returns, two letters of income, and enough financial statements to support a family size of 100. The document lady sifted through and pulled out one tax return and one letter showing a small regular source of income and handed all the rest back. The interviewer never saw the other, nor even mentioned the Affidavit of Support. I learned enough is enough, more is not better, London is not picky if you make enough, and you don't get a better visa with gold stars if you can show a lot of investments. Other people have said similar ---she only took my employer letter and gave the rest back.

So moving on to adjustment of status and the I-864 Affidavit of Support because you will have this question then. I didn't bother filling out the asset portion of the form because it's optional and I had learned a lesson at the embassy. There are blanks on the form to list the gross income from the last three tax returns. The most recent tax return or transcript photocopy must be submitted. The other two are optional. So I sent copies of all three. The oldest was joint with my former husband. It was waaaay more money than the others, but I did't explain it or adjust the figures. They asked for a number off my tax return. That joint one was my tax return. I didn't have a new version because of USCIS. I filled in the form with the gross income off that return, albeit joint, and sent the transcript for it. They didn't send an RFE. It's the current income that counts.

Now it's up to you to decide what you want to do.

Edited June 2, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Laura. 90]

I just wanna add in my own question while the subject is Affidavit of Support. I'll be taking a letter from my fiancé's employer and his last 6 payslips (equivalent to 3 months). Can the payslips be photocopies or do they need to be the originals?

Either way isn't an issue, I just thought I'd check.

[Anna Grant 169]

I'll give a couple of my experiences to help you decide. I went to the interview so observed this. My financial folder was stuffed with 3 tax returns, two letters of income, and enough financial statements to support a family size of 100. The document lady sifted through and pulled out one tax return and one letter showing a small regular source of income and handed all the rest back. The interviewer never saw the other, nor even mentioned the Affidavit of Support. I learned enough is enough, more is not better, London is not picky if you make enough, and you don't get a better visa with gold stars if you can show a lot of investments. Other people have said similar ---she only took my employer letter and gave the rest back.

Thanks again Nich-Nick. I think I will put the last year's tax transcripts at the front of the folder and offer them that, together with the pay stubs. I'll keep the other 3 years' tax transcripts at the back of the folder as back-up, just in case.

It's useful to know that your older tax returns were joint ones - I can't be the only person who's marrying someone who has divorced in the last couple of years!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks again Nich-Nick. I think I will put the last year's tax transcripts at the front of the folder and offer them that, together with the pay stubs. I'll keep the other 3 years' tax transcripts at the back of the folder as back-up, just in case.

It's useful to know that your older tax returns were joint ones - I can't be the only person who's marrying someone who has divorced in the last couple of years!

Your plan sounds good. You are right about others must have joint returns. I was actually a widow. I read some discussion on another website where someone was saying on the I-864 line for the tax return information that one could adjust that line to only the sponsors income. I don't agree. The form says--

My total income (adjusted gross income on IRS Form 1040EZ) as reported on my Federal tax returns for the most recent 3 years was:

So I put exactly the number on my tax return since they said "as reported."

[Anna Grant 169]

Compiling my documentation for the interview and just printed off the checklist for documents. I know I have everything but, you know, I just like lists....

Under the UK Police Certificates it says:

'If the police certifiate states "No Trace" or "No Live Trace", please be prepared to discuss your arrests/cautions/convictions with the consular officer on the day of the interview.'

My certificate (as opposed to certifiate ) says 'No Trace' which the ACRO covering letter says means 'You do not have any convictions, cautions, final warnings or reprimands.'

Surely this is an error on the US Embassy website? I have no 'arrests/cautions/convictions' to discuss with them.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Right. That is an error in my opinion or very poor wording, and nothing to worry over. There's a few other odd things that confuse people. This version of the website is the first to say that. The part that says getting court records doesn't apply if your conviction was in the UK along with this that says prepare to discuss makes it seem like you get to tell your version without records. Yet people are asked at the interview for subject access reports detailing the conviction.

[cluvsr 3]

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, its a good time to start your preparation.

Petitioner:

• 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

• 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.
• 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:

• 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.

• 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. Its 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. Heres 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.

• Order your police certificate. It takes some preparation because you need a passport photo signed off on by somebody officialish whos known you two years. Heres 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
• 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.
• 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...........

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, its a good time to start your preparation.

Petitioner:

• 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

• 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.
• 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:

• 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.

• 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. Its 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. Heres 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.

• Order your police certificate. It takes some preparation because you need a passport photo signed off on by somebody officialish whos known you two years. Heres 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
• 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.
• 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...........

Thank you sooo much!☺

[ZC117 0]

I have all the information for Interview except the affidavit of support. Should I send the DS-2001 with cover letter stating my readiness to Interview anyway? If they give me a date and I don't yet receive the affidavits can I not just rearrange?

Thoughts and opinions welcome.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

I have all the information for Interview except the affidavit of support. Should I send the DS-2001 with cover letter stating my readiness to Interview anyway? If they give me a date and I don't yet receive the affidavits can I not just rearrange?

Thoughts and opinions welcome.

I'd err on the side of waiting until you have the I-134 and supporting documentation rather than trying to reschedule the interview date. YMMV

[Anna Grant 169]

I phoned Knightsbridge Doctors yesterday and they sent my medical results to the Embassy yesterday. I phoned up the extortion line and paid the MRV fee and managed to persuade them to give me the all important code so I could e-mail the Embassy direct (are wedding is booked for 12 July in the US). I have been crafting an e-mail to send them but I checked our status on CEAC and it was updated today. I phoned DOS to check what the update was, expecting that it was just that my medical results had been added to my file. The 'Packet 4' letter has been sent out today! I asked her if she was able to see what the date of the interview was and it's 18 June.

However.....

It is the most inconvenient date they could have chosen for me. My fiance is coming over on 10 June for 2 weeks and we are due to be in Devon on 18 June (17 to 19 June) - advance train tickets are booked and paid for. Car hired. Visit to Dartmouth Steam Railway paid for (fiance is railway nut). I may be able to change these things to another date at a cost. Before I do that, do you think there is any chance (using my valuable code) that they might reschedule my interview to 2 or 3 days earlier or 2 days later? I know that this interview is the most important one of my entire life but I thought I would ask. I don't want to e-mail the Embassy and they think 'Well, this interview is obviously not that important to her - let's give her a date in July!'

Thoughts please!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Well find out a cost to rebook your trip so you can evaluate.

I think they are pretty nice humans at the embassy with a heart and won't try to punish you. Ask if they have anything on June 11-14 because your fiancé will be over and would like to travel with you to London. I wouldn't leave it too open, so specific dates are good. You also have a very important date to get to the US so you don't won't to push it too far back, unless that is also flexible.

You are getting real good at calling, checking, and wrangling your way through this.