London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Question... Do NVC expedite K1 files or not? We have been told yes by one person at NVC and no by another so which is it?! They have had our file over 2 weeks and show no sign of moving it on.

NVC should get your K1 file in and out in 3-4 days so usually there is no reason to do a formal expedite with evidence why there is an urgent compelling reason. If you have one, just send your request and evidence in and see what happens. But if they pull your file out for special processing it could miss the boat to the UK (figuratively speaking) under normal processing. Tough decision.

[Anna Grant 169]

Just to let everyone know, I had my interview at the US Embassy this morning - my fiance came with me as he is still in the UK.

We were approved!!!! Woo hoo! A clerk spent 10 minutes checking our paperwork and then 15 minute 'interview' that was more like a chat about our relationship. I should have my visa by early next week and will probably fly back to the US late next week.

I can't begin to tell you how happy we are - woo hoo!!!!

I will post more in the London review thread when I get a chance.

Thanks to everyone's support - especially Nich-Nick. You have kept me sane!

Edited June 18, 2013 by Anna Grant

[lost_at_sea 995]

Just to let everyone know, I had my interview at the US Embassy this morning - my fiance came with me as he is still in the UK.

We were approved!!!! Woo hoo! A clerk spent 10 minutes checking our paperwork and then 15 minute 'interview' that was more like a chat about our relationship. I should have my visa by early next week and will probably fly back to the US late next week.

I can't begin to tell you how happy we are - woo hoo!!!!

I will post more in the London review thread when I get a chance.

Thanks to everyone's support - especially Nich-Nick. You have kept me sane!

Yay! Congratulations! You should go out and celebrate - it looks like it might actually be a nice sunny day in London, today.

[Laura. 90]

Just to let everyone know, I had my interview at the US Embassy this morning - my fiance came with me as he is still in the UK.

We were approved!!!! Woo hoo! A clerk spent 10 minutes checking our paperwork and then 15 minute 'interview' that was more like a chat about our relationship. I should have my visa by early next week and will probably fly back to the US late next week.

I can't begin to tell you how happy we are - woo hoo!!!!

I will post more in the London review thread when I get a chance.

Thanks to everyone's support - especially Nich-Nick. You have kept me sane!

Congrats!

[Anna Grant 169]

OK. Now something that came up with the clerk checking the paperwork this morning was my name. I was married at 19 - changed my name to my husband - divorced at 22 - changed my name back to my maiden name, which is what my name has been for the last 28 years.

He said 'Were you <married surname> for a while?' I said 'Yes, whilst i was married but I reverted back to my maiden name on my divorce.' He asked 'How did you do that? By deed pole?' I said 'No. I just reverted back.' 'OK', he said.

Now my US fiance says that it's different in the US. When you marry, you 'tcik' to say you're going to take your husband's name and then 'tick' to say whether you're going to continue with his name on divorce or revert.

Has anyone had this as an issue? It seems it wasn't a problem today but it did throw me a bit. Did I miss doing something when I divorced? I thought, in the UK, you could be called by any name you choose as long as it's not for fraudelent reasons?

[lost_at_sea 995]

OK. Now something that came up with the clerk checking the paperwork this morning was my name. I was married at 19 - changed my name to my husband - divorced at 22 - changed my name back to my maiden name, which is what my name has been for the last 28 years.

He said 'Were you <married surname> for a while?' I said 'Yes, whilst i was married but I reverted back to my maiden name on my divorce.' He asked 'How did you do that? By deed pole?' I said 'No. I just reverted back.' 'OK', he said.

Now my US fiance says that it's different in the US. When you marry, you 'tcik' to say you're going to take your husband's name and then 'tick' to say whether you're going to continue with his name on divorce or revert.

Has anyone had this as an issue? It seems it wasn't a problem today but it did throw me a bit. Did I miss doing something when I divorced? I thought, in the UK, you could be called by any name you choose as long as it's not for fraudelent reasons?

I guess it's just different there. It seems to be no big thing to just go by a different name in the UK.

From UK citizen's advice: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/relationships_e/relationships_birth_certificates_and_changing_your_name_e/change_of_name.htm

If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.

Edited June 18, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Protocol417 161]

I guess it's just different there. It seems to be no big thing to just go by a different name in the UK.

From UK citizen's advice: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/relationships_e/relationships_birth_certificates_and_changing_your_name_e/change_of_name.htm

If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.

It probably should be noted that later on in the article it does say that this is not acceptable in all circumstances. I'm guessing for immigration purposes, a more formal method is necessary (especially because you do have to have a valid passport, and a passport is one of the things that it says a deed poll is required for).

Technically, in the US, you can "go by" any name you want. To be able to have that name on official things, like credit cards, ID's, etc., though, you do have to go through official channels. For a divorce in the US, part of the documentation needed for your divorce hearing has a question about whether or not you are reverting to your maiden name. When the judge signs off on the divorce documents, after your hearing, the certified copy serves as your proof that you legally changed your name. You give this to the Social Security office to get a new SS card, and then present it at the DMV to get your revised driver's license and/or state ID. At this point, you're pretty much official.

[Laura. 90]

I've just been reading a thread about someone whose I-134 was rejected because the petitioner had not been in the current job very long, even though they made enough money. Granted this was a different country. So I just wanted to pop here and check that London doesn't do this too.

My fiance has been in his current job since March 2013, I'm expecting to have our interview in August hopefully, so that will be about 5 months. That's going to be long enough, right?

[Charlene17 5]

This thread is so helpful so thank you all for the time you have put into your comments and feedback! I received my NOA2 on June 18 and am preparing for the next of this process. I spent the last 2 nights reading the entire forum to make sure some of my questions were not answered already and have only seen 1 post related to my question.

I am the USC who filed the I-129f and my fiance lives in Scotland. As of last thursday NVC had not received our case yet but I expect them to in the next 2 weeks so we can get this thing going My question is concerning the I-134 Affidavit of Support that I need to supply (along with the 2 forms of proof of income....tax returns, letter from employer, ect...) Let me give a little background information to explain my situation. I am currently employed as a teachers aide and have been for 2 years. I am desperately hoping to snag a teaching position before the summer is over and have had an interview this last week already...fingers crossed I also work as a nursery worker at church. However, given these 2 jobs and being very underpaid as a teachers aide, I do not currently make enough to show that I can financially support my fiance. I do however have a few family members that would more than likely not mind to be a co-sponsor for us.

With all that being said, my fiance has an immigration attorney and his attorney has ensured him that he will be able to sponsor himself financially given his savings/assets. The attorney has informed us that he will have to prove that he has 3 times the poverty limit (for our 4 person household; myself, fiance, and my 2 children) to ensure that he will not become a public charge once he moves to the U.S. I have not seen any information except 1 person who posted they were able to do this. If anyone has any information on self sponsoring please share.

So then my main questions are: Will I still have to fill out a I-134 for my fiance? If I don't will his paperwork be considered ready for the interview in order to mail in the Readiness for Interview Form when the time comes to do so? Any ideas on what forms he may be submitting to self sponsor? My fiance is planning on speaking with his attorney to answer some of these questions but I'm a little impatient :/ Many of you seem to be well knowledgeable of this process so I was hoping to get some of your thoughts on the matter.

My only other concern is that myself and both of my children are currently on TennCare Health Insurance (Tennessee's Medicaid). My teachers aide position is only 25 hours a week so I am not eligible for benefits through employment (nice way the school systems save them some money by hiring 2 part time aid with no benefits instead of 1 with). Prior to applying my children for this I had ran it by the immigration attorney and he said it would not cause any problems since myself and my children are both eligible for the TennCare. I've always felt a little iffy about this but at the end of the day its important that my children have health insurance. I know that my fiance would not be able to enroll in anything like this but will we have to drop the insurance one we are married? Anyone see any issues with us currently being insured through TennCare?

Sorry for the long post guys but and feedback will be greatly appreciated.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

This thread is so helpful so thank you all for the time you have put into your comments and feedback! I received my NOA2 on June 18 and am preparing for the next of this process. I spent the last 2 nights reading the entire forum to make sure some of my questions were not answered already and have only seen 1 post related to my question.

Charlene--

Here's what London says about the I-134, particularly self sponsoring http://london.usembassy.gov/faffidavit.html

For a K1, there is no published amount such as 3x or 5x poverty level. It is a good rule of thumb. You just have to convince the interviewing officer that you won't become a public charge until you get a greencard and job. . I remember one who said they self-sponsored with $40k. I feel like its much less than people expect, but nobody comes back and reports. Some of the older members say they knew people who did it for $6-10k.

For a K1, your fiancé can be approved on salary of 100% of the poverty level, if that helps. There's no form to fill out when you self sponsor. The link I gave shows how to prove the UK person's funds. And because you do have a job, and maybe a better one soon, it wouldn't hurt to show your income also.

The Readiness form is basically saying he has everything. If you aren't doing an I-134, then he's ready when he has his documents and financial papers in order.

Your receipt of insurance benefits doesn't matter. I don't recall that being on any form you submit. What TennCare will do after you marry is a question you probably need to ask of TennCare.

Also a similar question to yours from yesterday http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/437608-form-i-134-affidavit-of-support/

Edited June 24, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Laura. 90]

I've got another quick question, I'll be sending my DS forms later this week (not 2001 or cover letter yet). Do I literally just pop the forms in an envelope and mail them off? Should I include a note of my LND number anywhere?

Also I noticed the printed DS 230 still has the horrible bright yellow fields, is there any rule about whether it should be printed colour or not?

Thanks!

[Charlene17 5]

Thank you so much Nich-Nick! Really appreciate your input on this!

Charlene--

Here's what London says about the I-134, particularly self sponsoring http://london.usembassy.gov/faffidavit.html

For a K1, there is no published amount such as 3x or 5x poverty level. It is a good rule of thumb. You just have to convince the interviewing officer that you won't become a public charge until you get a greencard and job. . I remember one who said they self-sponsored with $40k. I feel like its much less than people expect, but nobody comes back and reports. Some of the older members say they knew people who did it for $6-10k.

For a K1, your fiancé can be approved on salary of 100% of the poverty level, if that helps. There's no form to fill out when you self sponsor. The link I gave shows how to prove the UK person's funds. And because you do have a job, and maybe a better one soon, it wouldn't hurt to show your income also.

The Readiness form is basically saying he has everything. If you aren't doing an I-134, then he's ready when he has his documents and financial papers in order.

Your receipt of insurance benefits doesn't matter. I don't recall that being on any form you submit. What TennCare will do after you marry is a question you probably need to ask of TennCare.

Also a similar question to yours from yesterday http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/437608-form-i-134-affidavit-of-support/

[PearlyLemons 13]

Hi guys

Sorry for my really frequent posting! Only just finished uni so I need to catch up on all my forms/immigration stuff.

Does anyone know the address to send my forms for packet 3? I have found two addresses on VJ.

1. Immigrant Visa Branch
United States Embassy
5 Upper Grosvenor Street
London
W1A 2JB

2. Immigrant Visa Unit
US Embassy
24 Grosvenor Square
London W1K 6AH

Any ideas?

Also, I definitely don't need to send DS-230 part II right? Can I just throw it away?

Thanks

Edited June 24, 2013 by Jeff&Emmy

[Laura. 90]

Hi guys

Sorry for my really frequent posting! Only just finished uni so I need to catch up on all my forms/immigration stuff.

Does anyone know the address to send my forms for packet 3? I have found two addresses on VJ.

1. Immigrant Visa Branch

United States Embassy

5 Upper Grosvenor Street

London

W1A 2JB

2. Immigrant Visa Unit

US Embassy

24 Grosvenor Square

London W1K 6AH

Any ideas?

Also, I definitely don't need to send DS-230 part II right? Can I just throw it away?

Thanks

Number 2, visa unit.

And yes you can throw away Part II.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Laura Clare

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hi guys

Sorry for my really frequent posting! Only just finished uni so I need to catch up on all my forms/immigration stuff.

Does anyone know the address to send my forms for packet 3? I have found two addresses on VJ.

1. Immigrant Visa Branch

United States Embassy

5 Upper Grosvenor Street

London

W1A 2JB

2. Immigrant Visa Unit

US Embassy

24 Grosvenor Square

London W1K 6AH

Any ideas?

Also, I definitely don't need to send DS-230 part II right? Can I just throw it away?

Thanks

Number 2. That's the address on the website with your instructions on. http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html