New to the site - K1 Visa

[cookiemonsta 9]

Good afternoon all!

We are delighted that we can finally sign up to this site as we are officially engaged and we can't wait to get started on this journey.

We can see how amazing the forums are and the members community here at VJ, so feel free to introduce yourselves and give us the best tips to succeed.

We are filling out the paperwork and are planning to submit the application next week.

We have read through all the examples, and the checklist and we think we have everything covered.

Looking forward to becoming another success story at VJ.

Thanks guys,

Jen and Craig

[Ischnura 285]

Congratulations and welcome!!

Tips . . . umm. . . triple check everything, make two copies of everything (it'll feel like you're helping keep lumberjacks in business but that's normal) and most importantly, I think, stay positive. It's a bit of a wait start to finish but you got this!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Welcome.

Best tips from me:

1) Don't mail off anything without making a photocopy for your records. A printer/scanner/copier is a great investment for those embarking on the immigration path. You have years to go before it's really over.

2) Read every form direction carefully rather than depending on forum answers alone.

3) Don't believe the first reply you get. Check back and see what else is offered.

4)) It will be easier on a computer vs using your phone.

5) Don't expect your timeline to be exactly like anybody else's. You'll be disappointed if you get your hopes up and it doesn't happen as soon as you expected. It is never as fast as you want it to be, but it will happen.

6) A London interview is an easy chat. Don't let the K1 forum stress talk infect you.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

[KASH2011 382]

Welcome to VJ!

[TBoneTX 45,812]

Good luck during your process.

[cookiemonsta 9]

Thanks for all your guidance and support. its much appreciated.

One question we do have is, i see lots of different centres to file the paperwork, some seem to be quicker than others.

could you lend a hand and advice the best way to approach this? we have pretty much all the paperwork ready and copied.

thanks,

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks for all your guidance and support. its much appreciated.

One question we do have is, i see lots of different centres to file the paperwork, some seem to be quicker than others.

could you lend a hand and advice the best way to approach this? we have pretty much all the paperwork ready and copied.

thanks,

All K1 petitions go to a central intake place commonly referred to as Texas Lockbox or Dallas Lockbox. That isn't a USCIS service center that will actually review the merits of your case. Once the Lockbox creates your folder, deposits your check, and does a preliminary review to see if you included all the correct forms, they will forward your file to a service center. Your receipt (called NOA1) will say where yours is processing.

See the drop down on this page for the address where you mail the petition https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

[cookiemonsta 9]

i thought that maybe the case, so thanks for clarifying.

have a good afternoon and thanks again!

[yuna628 9,694]

Hi there and welcome

After your case is sent to the Lockbox it will be forwarded for you to the service center. As of early last year there is only one service center handling K1 cases - that is California Service Center. You should expect a few months there. Once complete at CSC, your case goes to the NVC and then it's off to London. CSC can be at times a little slow to send cases out, so don't be surprised if it's slower than you hoped for. Once in London though, things go by much faster. CSC used to be the fast center as compared to others. Not really any more, but it still finishes cases after a few months. I think they are on March 2016 presently (despite USCIS reports). You can imagine being the only center slows things down considerably.

Tips: read and recheck everything once.. twice.. five times over and maybe again for extra measure.

Despite accounts of scary embassies all over the world, London is actually pretty easy to get through. If you need a cosponsor they will allow that.

As it gets closer to the time get your vaccinations up to date with the required ones before having your medical completed. It'll save you time and money.

Super tips: Don't mysteriously lose documents less than 24hrs before your interview appointment, making your fiancé have a panic attack as you tear the house apart.

Don't leave your home without your passport for your interview. That's bad.

Don't expect to phone the USCIS and receive anything other than utter gibberish leading to serious raises in blood pressure.