Transition from Snail Mail to Online -- Navigating the New/Old System

[IceCreamLub 2]

***I thought I should repost this as its own thread as just a few weeks ago i was looking for something like this but had to piece everything together from multiple sources.***

THIS IS FOR: K1 applicants, those who've been notified that the NVC has sent your case to the Embassy...

Background: As many of you have noticed in your respective countries, many Consulates/Embassies are transitioning from an antiquated system of mail (post) to email & www in regards to:

• NOTIFICATIONS THAT THEY'VE RECEIVED YOUR PACKET FROM THE NVC
• SENDING INTERVIEW INSTRUCTIONS
• SCHEDULING YOUR INTERVIEW (selecting a date yourself)
• DHL SIGNUP
• INTERVIEW PAYMENT PROCESSING
• FILLING OUT FORMS (specifically DS-160 for K1 applicants)

In my case, this was unnerving as it went contrary to much of the information provided by the Embassy/NVC/USCIS as well as guides on VJ.

Good news: although the DOS hasn't done a great job informing applicants about the transition, this is a big step forward especially for those who want the process to go as fast as possible as well as those who live in countries without reliable postal services or urban infrastructure. In my case (Jamaica), both the old and new systems are in place simultaneously (that is, they are sending email and snail-mail instructions).

Here is my experience with some instructions/reminders if you find yourself in a similar spot. Remember that the details will be slightly different for you depending on where you live and the specifics of your case...

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QUOTE from http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/596374-schedule-iv-appointment-or-wait-for-embassy-to-mail-us-appnt-date/

As KAT&JON explained-- there is a transition to digital but obviously it's happening at a different pace and with different protocols everywhere.

In JAMAICA (and likely many embassies)-- once you receive notice from the NVC that they have sent your packet to the Embassy, the Embassy itself will likely have received it but may not have processed it... This is okay though-- they will eventually email you confirmation of arrival/appointment instructions AND mail the same thing to the address you provided on the I-129f. Or if you want to expedite this process...

just shoot the embassy a short email asking for the instructions and provide your case number, relevant info. They will email you the same instructions you will (EVENTUALLY) get in the mail-- ........

A couple weeks after this happened, we did get a version of the instructions via snail-mail...

ONCE YOU HAVE THESE EMBASSY INSTRUCTIONS-- follow the instructions and go to the "GREEN WEBSITE" as I've been calling it -- https://ais.usvisa-info.com -- UNDERSTAND THAT A BIT CONTRARY TO HOW THE EMBASSY PUTS IT, THIS SITE HANDLES "REGISTRATION, APPOINTMENT FEE PAYMENT, DHL, ONLINE DS-160 FORM, AND INTERVIEW SCHEDULING ALL TOGETHER!!

Have the applicant complete the DS-160 and pay the appointment fee with a credit card (It can be the petitioners card), as well as signup with DHL... you will get your DS-160 confirmation which must be printed out (make some copies). BOOKMARK THE WEBSITE (and save or screenshot everything) because you will need to come back to schedule your interview and print out your APPOINTMENT LETTER. You CAN INDEED SCHEDULE THE INTERVIEW ONCE YOU COMPLETE THE DS-160 OR WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE EVERYTHING REQUIRED FOR THE INTERVIEW and MEDICAL EXAM (in Jamaica at least you must present the appointment letter at the medical exam showing you have a specific appointment date).

We waited to schedule the interview until after we paid for the Police Certificate and No-Impediment to Marriage and knew when we could pick them up. We also called the Hospital and asked how quickly we could get in and do the medical exam. In our case (JAMAICA), we gave ourselves three weeks which worked great.. The Hospital ended up scheduling our exam just 7-days from the interview date which was a little unnerving because they say to do it at least ten days before. However this was the date the hospital gave us after telling them when the IV was.

Now the work really started for us-- with me having better access to printing I gathered the majority of the documents noted on the Checklist (and VisaJourney checklist)... for us it was I-134s (one from me and one from a cosponsor just in case), originals and copies of all the NOAs, evidence of ongoing relationship (a few colour photographs printed at Walgreens, copies of Western Union receipts, screenshots from Skype and WhatsApp, and copies of emails between us sent since filing the the I-129f). Everything was placed into different manilla envelopes and labeled on the front so it would be easy for my fiancé to know where everything was during the IV. One was empty and to contain the Police Cert./No-impediment/Medical stuff. These were ready to pickup the day after the package was received in Jamaica (sent Fedex 2-day). Want to say also that I included copies of EVERYTHING in another envelope (along with non-required documents that maybe they'd ask for) just in case something was misplaced or needed for some reason.

Medical exam was completed on the 7th and fiance was not given any documentation just a payment receipt-- in the case of St. Andrews Memorial Hospital, they mailed the results of her exam directly to the Embassy.

Our appointment was this morning (June 14, 2016) and our K1 was approved!! I only have early reports from her, but apparently it was very easy and straight forward. No trick questions or other garbage. I know they asked about my work and if she had met my parents which she has. They asked where she would be living and from what i understand that was all! Case officer wished her the best and SAID HER VISA/PASSPORT WOULD ARRIVE VIA MAIL IN TWO WEEKS! I will be reposting this in another thread along with more details from the interview.

Want to thank everyone at VJ for their help and I hope this post will serve some people who are in the same spot... Special thanks to Dame & Ash for answering our questions and to Kat&Jon for putting my mind at ease about the whole digital transition they are doing with Visas. Many thanks to all andI wish you the best.

Ben and Ven

[Spirit96 3]

Thank you for information. I agree Ashley has been a great help for me also. My fiance interview is Friday. I know God has claim it for us. Best of blessings to you and yours.