London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Helen&Murray 1]

I managed to beat the average by being ahead of the game and having so much in place already when we got our NOA2. Even though I was in the US when the NOA2 came through, it was exactly 2 months between our NOA2 and my interview date - and that included 2 weeks in AP at NVC!

Beating the average came reading the guides, reading Nick-Nich's many helpful posts and then asking questions when I was unsure of things. And chasing! Phoning NVC. Phoning DOS. Phoning the extortion line and begging for the al important code. Booking my wedding and including the details in my covering letter (the date could have been changed with the chapel had the dates not fallen into place).

Tomorrow, I leave the UK for good, which will be 10 weeks since our NOA2

Congrats on getting through the k-1 stage happy living in the states. Ps thanks for the good pointer about getting a head of the game and beating the average

[Helen&Murray 1]

I managed to beat the average by being ahead of the game and having so much in place already when we got our NOA2. Even though I was in the US when the NOA2 came through, it was exactly 2 months between our NOA2 and my interview date - and that included 2 weeks in AP at NVC!

Beating the average came reading the guides, reading Nick-Nich's many helpful posts and then asking questions when I was unsure of things. And chasing! Phoning NVC. Phoning DOS. Phoning the extortion line and begging for the al important code. Booking my wedding and including the details in my covering letter (the date could have been changed with the chapel had the dates not fallen into place).

Tomorrow, I leave the UK for good, which will be 10 weeks since our NOA2

Congrats on getting through the k-1 stage happy living in the states. Ps thanks for the good pointer about getting a head of the game and beating the average

I managed to beat the average by being ahead of the game and having so much in place already when we got our NOA2. Even though I was in the US when the NOA2 came through, it was exactly 2 months between our NOA2 and my interview date - and that included 2 weeks in AP at NVC!

Beating the average came reading the guides, reading Nick-Nich's many helpful posts and then asking questions when I was unsure of things. And chasing! Phoning NVC. Phoning DOS. Phoning the extortion line and begging for the al important code. Booking my wedding and including the details in my covering letter (the date could have been changed with the chapel had the dates not fallen into place).

Tomorrow, I leave the UK for good, which will be 10 weeks since our NOA2

[ZC117 0]

My fiancee is double checking her paperwork for the I-134 co-sponsorship for her father, here is some questions put to me. I hope you can help.

part #11 Intend or do not intend to make speciic contributions... "No idea what to mark here. Pretty much my family will give us any and all finacial support as we need it. So which box do I check?"

"I will be sending tax returns, bank account info, and crop insurance stuff. Is there anything else needed?"

"part #7 at the bottom. He owns different property from home to mill. Is just the home here?"

Her parents tax return has both parents on it, they both own house/business does that make a difference as it is just her father who is sponsoring?

Advice needed, thanks

[Anna Grant 169]

awesome ! congrats and welcome to the US (a day early)!

Actually, I beat the average by 16 days as the 77 days that Nich-Nick quoted is NOA2 date to interview. When you consider that my 61 days included 2 weeks in AP at NVC, I think I did really well!

Now in the Executive Lounge at Heathrow waiting for my flight. I have a mixture of excitement and being scared running through my veins (plus far too much caffiene). I have been chasing, chasing, chasing to get to this point and now it's here, it's actually a bit scary to be leaving everything I've ever known at the age of 50 for my fiance and the good old US of A.

Nich-Nick - I wanted to send you some proper English crumpets that I've put in my luggage for you. Not those ones that say they're English crumpets in US supermarkets. But your PM box is full (not a surprsie - everyine asks you questions). If you're happy to do so, please PM me your postal address and I'll get them in the mail tomorrow. They have a best before date of next Wednesday. You deserve a lot more than crumpets for all the help you've given me but I noticed you discussed them in another thread.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Anna Grant

[Jeannie & Al 18]

Actually, I beat the average by 16 days as the 77 days that Nich-Nick quoted is NOA2 date to interview. When you consider that my 61 days included 2 weeks in AP at NVC, I think I did really well!

Now in the Executive Lounge at Heathrow waiting for my flight. I have a mixture of excitement and being scared running through my veins (plus far too much caffiene). I have been chasing, chasing, chasing to get to this point and now it's here, it's actually a bit scary to be leaving everything I've ever known at the age of 50 for my fiance and the good old US of A.

Congrats Anna - I can only imagine the nervous energy/excitement, etc that it's finally here. I'm the US citizen but if you ever have any questions while you're here about the US, feel free to write me. I'm sure once you get that hug on the other side, all that nervousness will fall away. good luck and safe flight.

That is awesome about the timeline - i'm looking to cut it down as much as I can too - I have a few timeline questions I will post after this.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Nich-Nick - I wanted to send you some proper English crumpets that I've put in my luggage for you. Not those ones that say they're English crumpets in US supermarkets. But your PM box is full (not a surprsie - everyine asks you questions). If you're happy to do so, please PM me your postal address and I'll get them in the mail tomorrow. They have a best before date of next Wednesday. You deserve a lot more than crumpets for all the help you've given me but I noticed you discussed them in another thread.

Wow. Just WOW!

[Jeannie & Al 18]

Okay I have a list of all the items my fiance will need for the interview and medical and which duplicates he needs. He has several US and UK size photos. He has his vaccination list and is getting any he doesn't have on Tuesday. He also has his medical history to bring to the medical. He also has the police certificate. I'm mailing out a couple copies of my signed I-134 to him today and he has scanned copies of my last three years 1040s, 1099s and 3 paystubs. (should have seen the info about ordering the tax transcripts earlier).

My questions are on timing.

-I'm going to begin phoning the NVC daily starting tomorrow to check on our case number. Once we have that we know it's on its way to London and it's in their system so my fiance can mail the first packet of forms to them (DS 230 ,DS156, DS 157 and DS156-K). Is it correct that we don't mail those forms until we have the number?

2 - once he has the number, he can call and schedule his medical correct?

3 - once the medical is scheduled and he verifies he has all the docs he needs, he can send in the DS-2001 with a cover letter with our email address, date of the medical and date of our wedding and hope for the best we can make it. Do we need to send proof of our wedding date? like the park permit or something?

4 - I'm a little confused as to when he pays the fee. Is it when he gets the interview date because I know he needs to take that receipt with him.

Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

[Helen&Murray 1]

Okay I have a list of all the items my fiance will need for the interview and medical and which duplicates he needs. He has several US and UK size photos. He has his vaccination list and is getting any he doesn't have on Tuesday. He also has his medical history to bring to the medical. He also has the police certificate. I'm mailing out a couple copies of my signed I-134 to him today and he has scanned copies of my last three years 1040s, 1099s and 3 paystubs. (should have seen the info about ordering the tax transcripts earlier).

My questions are on timing.

-I'm going to begin phoning the NVC daily starting tomorrow to check on our case number. Once we have that we know it's on its way to London and it's in their system so my fiance can mail the first packet of forms to them (DS 230 ,DS156, DS 157 and DS156-K). Is it correct that we don't mail those forms until we have the number?

2 - once he has the number, he can call and schedule his medical correct?

3 - once the medical is scheduled and he verifies he has all the docs he needs, he can send in the DS-2001 with a cover letter with our email address, date of the medical and date of our wedding and hope for the best we can make it. Do we need to send proof of our wedding date? like the park permit or something?

4 - I'm a little confused as to when he pays the fee. Is it when he gets the interview date because I know he needs to take that receipt with him.

Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

I am glad you have asked some of these questions as they are some of the questions my fiancee and I both have. I am not sure about the first 3 but #4 when I have applied for my tourist and student visa I paid over the phone when I was on the phone with the embassy setting up an interview date so I'm sure it'll be the same for the K1 visa

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Okay I have a list of all the items my fiance will need for the interview and medical and which duplicates he needs. He has several US and UK size photos. He has his vaccination list and is getting any he doesn't have on Tuesday. He also has his medical history to bring to the medical. He also has the police certificate. I'm mailing out a couple copies of my signed I-134 to him today and he has scanned copies of my last three years 1040s, 1099s and 3 paystubs. (should have seen the info about ordering the tax transcripts earlier).

My questions are on timing.

-I'm going to begin phoning the NVC daily starting tomorrow to check on our case number. Once we have that we know it's on its way to London and it's in their system so my fiance can mail the first packet of forms to them (DS 230 ,DS156, DS 157 and DS156-K). Is it correct that we don't mail those forms until we have the number?

2 - once he has the number, he can call and schedule his medical correct?

3 - once the medical is scheduled and he verifies he has all the docs he needs, he can send in the DS-2001 with a cover letter with our email address, date of the medical and date of our wedding and hope for the best we can make it. Do we need to send proof of our wedding date? like the park permit or something?

4 - I'm a little confused as to when he pays the fee. Is it when he gets the interview date because I know he needs to take that receipt with him.

Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

1) Best to wait until London actually is ready and has your file logged in. It doesn't happen the day it arrives. Either wait for their letter or if you can't wait call DOS and ask if your case is logged in. Forms arriving before London is ready may get out of sync and get lost. Not saying don't do it, but know it is against the plan they have worked out for their efficiency.

2) Yes, but a medical arriving before the file or before forms received is again out of sync with their system so pick a date to kinda fit the order.

3) Yes to sending DS-2001. You don't have to send proof of anything. They try to meet schedules if they can, so knowing a date or lack of one helps them slot people in. People in a major panic can say they are in a huge hurry and are available on very short notice if there is a cancellation spot. Just be prepared for an email saying come in 2 days if you tell them you are available on short notice. It could happen, so don't ask for it unless you can easily get to London.

4) Fee can be paid before or after you get the interview letter. You will get an instant email receipt to take to the interview. Paying early doesn't give you favors, so pay when you are ready to part with the funds.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Laura. 90]

I'm having a little panic about my DS application forms. I sent them off today, without receiving packet 3 yet.

The petition arrived on Friday, and the CEAC status changed from 'In Transit' to 'Ready' on Monday. I held back a few days in the hope Packet 3 would turn up, but it hasn't yet, and I got impatient.

Are my forms going to get lost? I'm having kittens here.

[lost_at_sea 995]

I'm having a little panic about my DS application forms. I sent them off today, without receiving packet 3 yet.

The petition arrived on Friday, and the CEAC status changed from 'In Transit' to 'Ready' on Monday. I held back a few days in the hope Packet 3 would turn up, but it hasn't yet, and I got impatient.

Are my forms going to get lost? I'm having kittens here.

No, that sounds right. Don't worry. 'Ready' is what it says pretty much all the way from sending Packet 3 through to interview day. Your packet 3 will probably show up, I bet it's in the mail somewhere.

I think it says the generic "ready" because the order of interview/forms/medical differs country to country, so in the mind of the CEAC site a person is READY at any point in that order because it's not localised.

Edited June 27, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I'm having a little panic about my DS application forms. I sent them off today, without receiving packet 3 yet.

The petition arrived on Friday, and the CEAC status changed from 'In Transit' to 'Ready' on Monday. I held back a few days in the hope Packet 3 would turn up, but it hasn't yet, and I got impatient.

Are my forms going to get lost? I'm having kittens here.

Sounds fine to me. I try to warn people to hold off because some think as soon as they get the LND number they can hit London with everything...like LND means GO. There are cases that get stuck at NVC for a month becore making it to London. Maybe that is spread around K1 forums because other consulates allow walk-ins or making your own appointments. It's all so different. And also consider your forms won't necessarily be opened tomorrow. The case has more days to be logged in, if not already, before the forms. The actual letter is not important to the timeline, but do read it for information. Having your case at the IV Unit before the other things is the best practice. I think yours is probably there.

Having kittens? Yay. We'll take one, like the one in your picture please.

[VisaParaUnSueno 9]

I'm having a little panic about my DS application forms. I sent them off today, without receiving packet 3 yet.

The petition arrived on Friday, and the CEAC status changed from 'In Transit' to 'Ready' on Monday. I held back a few days in the hope Packet 3 would turn up, but it hasn't yet, and I got impatient.

Are my forms going to get lost? I'm having kittens here.

Hello fellow VJ'S

When you say "my DS application forms that I sent..." Are you the beneficiary sending these forms to the U.S. Embassy in London? This is not something the Petitioner has to do...? I just want to make sure because I told my Fiance that the Embassy would contact him and he would have to fill out the forms and send them back to them. Correct?

Also when you speak of "the CEAC status changed from In Transit to Ready" If I am understanding correctly, the NVC will assign a case number to our file and that number will follow us all the way to the U.S. Embassy assigned to us. Once the Embassy has this information, I can start looking for updates on this link? or can I do it from the moment I get it from NVC? I'm sorry if I'm not making sense. https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

I would appreciate anyone's help.

Edited June 28, 2013 by VisaParaUnSueno

[VisaParaUnSueno 9]

Hey Fellow VJ's,

I just got approved last night. And I've been looking at the guides, threads, and all these websites. But still there are those... "I'm not so sure" things "up in the air per say..."

Steps To Take After NOA2 NVC/US EMBASSY

I'm not sure at this point if our case will be sent to the U.S. Embassy in the UK or the Embassy in Morocco. From Experience with either country; what do you guys think?

Anyone with a Fiancé from Morocco; living in the UK, going through the K-1 process?

He was born in Morocco but has been legally living in the United Kingdom for over 3 years now with a student visa. On the I-129F where they ask about Embassy Location: I stated London, United Kingdom.

I spoke to USCIS and NVC "they said normally they send the paperwork to the country where the beneficiary is currently living, located near his address" So we are hoping that is where his interview will take place. I want to get a head start and have myself and him fill out the necessary documents before I get anything from the NVC. I'm thinking it will help speed up the process and have everything prepared. Even though I've read that they will provide him with all the necessary paperwork. (But it wouldn't hurt to fill these out beforehand if you already know what they will most likely be). I wouldn't have him sign them until he is ready to send them and are requested. (I am keeping in mind that these requirements may vary from Embassy to Embassy) But after looking at UK's and Maroc's they pretty much are the same...) as far as forms... Please correct me if I'm wrong!

Sponsorship/Co-sponsorship I-134

My other concern is that I recently left my previous job because I traveled again to visit him for 2 months and of course they won't give me this time but hey! With all this waiting it's all about taking risk and doing what you got to do and WE HAD TO SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN AFTER OVER YEAR OF NOT SEEING EACH OTHER... (I will send proof of my second trip to London)

I came back to the states in April 2013. I've been looking for a job since and my father also recently passed away, so that also affected me in every way possible. L

I haven't really had money coming in since I left to London so I'm not sure if it is necessary or good in this case to provide bank statements which I believe it's optional is it any out of the three categories A. B. C. under instructions?

http://www.uscis.gov.../i-134instr.pdf

I wonder roughly how much time it takes from when you get the NOA2 till the day of interview/final approval. I'm thinking 2, 3 months? This will help me get more income to show before he has to present the I-134 in the interview. And again keeping in my things can be different between UK and Morocco's US Embassy...

I have bank statements with dates before I left to London in Feb 2013 (I can provide that) but not after I came back for obvious reasons. I haven't been depositing anything since my checks from previous employer stopped coming in.

I have my previous employer’s stubs. (I can provide) most recent stubs within the last 6 months to a year?

I have my tax returns for all previous years since I started doing my taxes but I'm thinking they need the last three years? (I did read that it’s better to request transcripts which I shall do from IRS!)

I spoke to my new employer and they are willing to provide me with a letter; stating annual salary, stability, hours, permanent position etc. Should it be addressed to anyone in particular? Since I start on July 8th, 2013 God willing... I won't receive a stub till July 26th, 2013 being paid two weeks. I'm hoping by that time we hear from NVC or Embassy & this will give me enough time to get at least one stub in along with my new letter.

I know unfortunately, I will not reach the required amount for sponsoring him alone. I asked my brother and his wife to cosponsor. From my understanding I have to fill out one I-134 and they jointly have to fill out one also since they are married even though I'm not sure if they file taxes together or how that works. In that case, would that be 3 separate; I-134?

Let’s say they will help me cosponsor for the K-1 I-134 when the time comes to adjust his status and I do the I-184 by that time I hope I am able to show a higher income because of my new job but at this point I don't know if it will be a full year of working there so that tax return will not show the full annual salary. Can my brother and his wife cosponsor for the I-184 again or by then I should be okay to do it on my own?

Vaccinations/Police Reports

My fiancé was telling me that getting health records-vaccinations and medical history can be very difficult or almost non-existent for Moroccan Nationals. I'm guessing this can be true depending on the area he is from. I’m sure the embassies are aware of current countries that have these problems and what they (the beneficiary) should do then. I read they will provide him with information to get a medical exam in London. I wonder if they can give him all the vaccinations necessary before the interview even though (just in case he can’t get that from Morocco).

If we're faced with this issue, I'm not sure how hard it will be getting this from Morocco. Or other substitute information is allowed and permitted in these types of cases? I think the police report will be a whole lot easier to be honest. I understand that he has to get this from both the UK and Morocco since he has been living in the UK for more than 6 months but was living longer than 6 months since the age of 16 in Morocco; also in regards to Vaccinations.

Edited June 28, 2013 by VisaParaUnSueno

[lost_at_sea 995]

Hello fellow VJ'S

When you say "my DS application forms that I sent..." Are you the beneficiary sending these forms to the U.S. Embassy in London? This is not something the Petitioner has to do...? I just want to make sure because I told my Fiance that the Embassy would contact him and he would have to fill out the forms and send them back to them. Correct?

Also when you speak of "the CEAC status changed from In Transit to Ready" If I am understanding correctly, the NVC will assign a case number to our file and that number will follow us all the way to the U.S. Embassy assigned to us. Once the Embassy has this information, I can start looking for updates on this link? or can I do it from the moment I get it from NVC? I'm sorry if I'm not making sense. https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

I would appreciate anyone's help.

The beneficiary receives packets 3 and 4 and completes & mails all the forms for packet 3 as it is the beneficiary who is applying for the visa. The petitioner's work is done, except for providing the affidavit of support.

Yes. That is how CEAC works. You'll get a general overview of your visa process from it. The information is not very detailed, however. You won't use it for much, other than seeing if forms were likely received. You'll chase the embassy

Edited June 28, 2013 by lost_at_sea