London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Elora & Rob 15]

I think most people do like the VJ example when it is the fiance doing the form. In 4 years I have only heard of one person (Graham in 2008) who actually had an officer tell him it should be ticked intend. She even let him tick it at the interview. After that incident it was widely rumored that London requires "Intend" to be ticked. I don't think that's true because others have ticked neither box and were fine. Maybe it was a one-off situation. If your fiance wants to tick "intend" I've know people to write "provide for any and all financial needs of my future spouse."

If someone other than the fiance is being the sponsor, then I think "intend" is appropriate because they aren't going to be your spouse. They can list how they will help like "provide room board, and any financial assistance needed."

Just to be clear.

My Fiance is a student, earns just under the threshold.

Her mother is our co - sponser.

What should each of the put for questions 11??

[TamsynE 0]

Hi Guys,

I have a question. My petition is at the embassy and I'm awaiting the letter that says they now request the following paperwork.

Form DS-230 Part I and Part II

Form DS-156 (2 copies)

Form DS-157 (2 copies)

Form DS-156-K

I have these filled out and am awaiting my police certificate to book my medical exam.

Can you send these in first and then as soon as you go for the medical exam send in the DS2001?

I'm due to get married July 21st and ideally I would like to be in the States by the end of June.

Thanks in advance

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Can you send these in first and then as soon as you go for the medical exam send in the DS2001?

I'm due to get married July 21st and ideally I would like to be in the States by the end of June.

Thanks in advance

As soon as London has your case logged send these for sure:

Form DS-230 Part I (no to Part II. Never need it)

Form DS-156 (2 copies)

Form DS-157 (2 copies)

Form DS-156-K

DOS can tell you if your case is logged in by London. Call DOS (202) 663-1225, press 1, then 0 to speak to a person. Ask them if London has logged your case (give LND number). If they have, it is safe to mail in the forms. There's nothing special about having the actual letter. Dan posted his copy in this thread.

Options:

1. Some people send the DS2001 readiness form with the other 4 forms if they have everything in hand for the interview. That means your police certificate, I-134 and financial proofs too. DS2001 calls for a cover letter stating medical date, wedding date, and email address. I would at least have a medical date before sending.
   
2. Send the 4 application forms first. Gather your interview docs and make a medical appointment. When you're done with that, notify London with the DS-2001/cover letter.
   

My opinion is #2 is better, but it's a random hunch. It is what London seems to spell out in their instructions. And I further suspect that if your readiness DS-2001 goes in too early, then it gets buried in your file and nobody is going to remember it. They aren't going to assign your interview until the medical results arrive. If I was doing London today, I would plan my readiness info to reach them 3-4 days after the medical exam. That way, they review your letter/form, see your medical results are there and go on to assign the interview. If you have special requests in your cover letter, it's received and read freshly at a time you are actually eligible to interview because the medical is done.

Maybe when they file the medical, they dig through the folder to see if you already sent the DS-2001. Maybe they just throw in the medical thinking the readiness form is yet to come. I don't know. I've just seen a few people who did it option #2 way get assigned interviews faster. Could be my imagination. Somebody create a spreadsheet to compare data.

In my London time, we didn't have to have the medical first. So sending forms plus readiness (was an actual checklist) the day London's letter arrived was the quickest way to an interview. When they changed to requiring medical results first, I started changing my opinion.

Anybody else have different thoughts?? Anybody want to start a new thread so people can compare dates. Let's don't muck up this thread with those lists. I don't have a horse in this race, so not motivated to start a list thread.

Tip for TamsynE: If you want to be in the US by late June then give a wedding date of late June. Make up one. They don't hold you to it. It just helps them know the June girl needs a quick interview and the September girl has plenty of time and can be scheduled for August.

[TamsynE 0]

As soon as London has your case logged send these for sure:

Form DS-230 Part I (no to Part II. Never need it)

Form DS-156 (2 copies)

Form DS-157 (2 copies)

Form DS-156-K

DOS can tell you if your case is logged in by London. Call DOS (202) 663-1225, press 1, then 0 to speak to a person. Ask them if London has logged your case (give LND number). If they have, it is safe to mail in the forms. There's nothing special about having the actual letter. Dan posted his copy in this thread.

Options:

1. Some people send the DS2001 readiness form with the other 4 forms if they have everything in hand for the interview. That means your police certificate, I-134 and financial proofs too. DS2001 calls for a cover letter stating medical date, wedding date, and email address. I would at least have a medical date before sending.
   
2. Send the 4 application forms first. Gather your interview docs and make a medical appointment. When you're done with that, notify London with the DS-2001/cover letter.
   

My opinion is #2 is better, but it's a random hunch. It is what London seems to spell out in their instructions. And I further suspect that if your readiness DS-2001 goes in too early, then it gets buried in your file and nobody is going to remember it. They aren't going to assign your interview until the medical results arrive. If I was doing London today, I would plan my readiness info to reach them 3-4 days after the medical exam. That way, they review your letter/form, see your medical results are there and go on to assign the interview. If you have special requests in your cover letter, it's received and read freshly at a time you are actually eligible to interview because the medical is done.

Maybe when they file the medical, they dig through the folder to see if you already sent the DS-2001. Maybe they just throw in the medical thinking the readiness form is yet to come. I don't know. I've just seen a few people who did it option #2 way get assigned interviews faster. Could be my imagination. Somebody create a spreadsheet to compare data.

In my London time, we didn't have to have the medical first. So sending forms plus readiness (was an actual checklist) the day London's letter arrived was the quickest way to an interview. When they changed to requiring medical results first, I started changing my opinion.

Anybody else have different thoughts?? Anybody want to start a new thread so people can compare dates. Let's don't muck up this thread with those lists. I don't have a horse in this race, so not motivated to start a list thread.

Tip for TamsynE: If you want to be in the US by late June then give a wedding date of late June. Make up one. They don't hold you to it. It just helps them know the June girl needs a quick interview and the September girl has plenty of time and can be scheduled for August.

Thanks so much for the help! I shall send those forms ASAP

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

If I was doing London today, I would plan my readiness info to reach them 3-4 days after the medical exam.

Just to be more clear---

...to reach them 3-4 days after the medical exam date because that's how long it takes the medical results to arrive. Thus the medical results and the DS-2001 reach the embassy around the same time.

[erikashea 0]

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 only sent last 2 years of w2's and a letter from my boss, do i actually need the tax transcripts or will this be sufficient? Also do you know how long it typically takes to get the visa in hand after the interview?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I only sent last 2 years of w2's and a letter from my boss, do i actually need the tax transcripts or will this be sufficient? Also do you know how long it typically takes to get the visa in hand after the interview?

I don't know how they feel about just a W2 without the tax return. Normally it would be Form 1040, any schedules, and W2 to make up a 'complete tax return'. Or alternatively a tax transcript. I think a letter from the boss should be fine. A W2 alone does show 2011 wages to back up the letter if needed.

People get their visas back usually in 3-5 days but some take longer if there's a weekend or you live somewhere remote. And some not born in the UK get additional processing after the interview which could take weeks to months. Most can count on a speedy delivery but I wouldn't book tickets before the visa is in hand. Stuff happens. And this is probably getting to be busy season where all the student and tourist visas are being sought so they have lots to issue.

[Jessa & Liam 11]

Also do you know how long it typically takes to get the visa in hand after the interview?

People get their visas back usually in 3-5 days but some take longer if there's a weekend or you live somewhere remote. And some not born in the UK get additional processing after the interview which could take weeks to months. Most can count on a speedy delivery but I wouldn't book tickets before the visa is in hand. Stuff happens. And this is probably getting to be busy season where all the student and tourist visas are being sought so they have lots to issue.

Nich-Nick's time scale is about right. I was interviewed on Monday 16th and I just got a message before leaving work to say that the visa will be delivered on Monday 23rd

[MissAAA 9]

A Bit confused here.

What is the DS 2001 form ?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

A Bit confused here.

What is the DS 2001 form ?

It is a Readiness for Interview form you fill out saying you have all your interview documents in hand and are ready to interview. You send that to London to say "I've done my part and am prepared for attending an interview". They don't want to schedule you until you have verified that you have your police certificate, Affidavit of Support, long form Birth Certificate, divorce decree, arrest records, military records, etc.

While you can send in your application forms as soon as London notifies you with their letter of instructions (actually a web link), they recognize it may take you a while to gather personal documents. So when you have everything, you can say "I'm ready" by mailing in the DS-2001. If you weren't on VJ, you might not know to get those documents in hand until you found out from London.

It's in Step Two of their instructions http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

PS edit: Back in 2008 when we went through London, there was a checklist you mailed back where you ticked off the documents you had in hand. It was called the IV15 I think. They replaced the checklist with the DS-2001 a couple of yeas ago.

Edited April 21, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[MissAAA 9]

Thanks Nich-Nick :star:

[Elora & Rob 15]

For question 11 on the I-134 to be clear.

My Fiance is a student, earns just under the threshold.

Her mother is our co - sponser.

What should each of them put for questions 11??

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

For question 11 on the I-134 to be clear.

My Fiance is a student, earns just under the threshold.

Her mother is our co - sponser.

What should each of them put for questions 11??

Robert I answered here in post 16 http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/page__view__findpost__p__5174924

It's an opinion. Nobody else seems to have an opinion to post.You've got to decide what you think is best.

How far under $15,130 does your fiance make?

[Elora & Rob 15]

Robert I answered here in post 16 http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/page__view__findpost__p__5174924

It's an opinion. Nobody else seems to have an opinion to post.You've got to decide what you think is best.

How far under $15,130 does your fiance make?

I thought the threshold was $18,500?

She starts a new full time job beginning of May. Will be making over $30,000. (only found out 30 mins ago) I presume we will be ok without a sponsor now or does she need to of had the job for a certain period of time. Her last tax transcript and W2 will say her salary. Prior to that she was just under $15,000.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I thought the threshold was $18,500?

I believe if you search around DOS, you'll find that for the I-134 for a fiance it's 100%. So say she made $14,500. That's $630 short. A savings account of 3x$630 would make up the difference. It's all up to convincing the officer, but that may explain why I've read interviews of London where they approved the low earning fiances I-134 and handed back the other sponsor saying we don't need this. I recall a guy protested "but she doesn't earn enough" and they said "it's fine". Maybe she earned 100% and he was expecting her to need $125% so got another sponsor.

She starts a new full time job beginning of May. Will be making over $30,000. (only found out 30 mins ago) I presume we will be ok without a sponsor now or does she need to of had the job for a certain period of time. Her last tax transcript and W2 will say her salary. Prior to that she was just under $15,000.

Now this is a whole new ballgame. Your NOA2 is not predicted until July. She starts a $30K job in May. Jackpot! Why are you bothering with a mother-sponsor?? She will fill out the I-134 in July -- "I am employed as a [new job title] at [new employer] and earn $30,000/yr. She can provide an employer letter and May-July payslips to prove that. Bingo! Done. You are still so intense and trying to get the cart before the horse? Stop and think about what is logical. You may not need her I-134 before September (interview), so she can scan and email additional pay slips to you until your interview.

day if you want to overload.