Am I missing something?

[Dodgexander 1]

We have been following the guide listed here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide for our K1 application. I am the beneficiary in the UK, my Fiancee is in the US.

Then I found this sub forum and saw the sticky guide here: 

The info available on this site is very useful and people are very kind providing such info, thank-you! We are a little confused though, does my Fiancee not have to follow the steps outlined in the first guide? Is it not necessary for her to send in proof of relationship, a signed letter from both of us declaring our intent to marry and evidence etc or is the guide in this sub forum written for information needed at your interview only?

 

We had already started to gather information based on the first guide, but it looks like that may differ on region of the US embassy?

 

The second question I have is do I need to declare in the medical my past history with depression even though it was 3-4 years ago now? I was subscribed anti depressants at the time and had some CBT therapy. When I was a child I also was on anti depressants and seeing a Psychologist but I'm not sure how relevant that is now as it is 15 years ago approx. Does this mean I have to ask my GP for a signed letter confirming I have recovered and are not a threat to myself and anyone else?

 

Thanks to anyone who can help, much appreciated.

[aless02 9]

You must declare any history of mental health, no matter how long ago. Yes, you are best off getting a letter in advance to explain your diagnosis, treatment and outlook ('not a threat to other/self now or likely to be in the future' wording) otherwise Knightsbridge will likely just write to your GP for the same info anyway.

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

1 hour ago, Dodgexander said:

We have been following the guide listed here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide for our K1 application. I am the beneficiary in the UK, my Fiancee is in the US.

Then I found this sub forum and saw the sticky guide here: 

The info available on this site is very useful and people are very kind providing such info, thank-you! We are a little confused though, does my Fiancee not have to follow the steps outlined in the first guide? Is it not necessary for her to send in proof of relationship, a signed letter from both of us declaring our intent to marry and evidence etc or is the guide in this sub forum written for information needed at your interview only?

 

We had already started to gather information based on the first guide, but it looks like that may differ on region of the US embassy?

 

The second question I have is do I need to declare in the medical my past history with depression even though it was 3-4 years ago now? I was subscribed anti depressants at the time and had some CBT therapy. When I was a child I also was on anti depressants and seeing a Psychologist but I'm not sure how relevant that is now as it is 15 years ago approx. Does this mean I have to ask my GP for a signed letter confirming I have recovered and are not a threat to myself and anyone else?

 

Thanks to anyone who can help, much appreciated.

 

The K-1 guide here on VJ is more of an outline than specific how to guide. Every country is different, so some have the "packet 3" and some don't. Some send information in, some just bring it to the interview. For UK, I believe you just need to take the proof of ongoing relationship material, I-134 and supporting documents with you to the interview.

 

As to the medical, if it asks about such things as former doctors or former prescriptions, then yes, I would disclose it. Always be open and honest even if it was a long time ago.

[HandmadeTurnip 151]

That thread is for the embassy portion of the process, i.e. after USCIS has approved your petition. You still need to include all of the supporting documents mentioned in the main K-1 guide. The USCIS part of the process is the same regardless of which country the beneficiary is from, the only difference is that sometimes people choose to "front-load" their petitions with relationship evidence depending on the difficulty of their embassy. This isn't necessary for London but you can still do it if you want to be extra cautious. Everything else mentioned in the guide is mandatory however so you still have to provide letters of intent to marry and proof that you've met in person within the last two years.

 

You'll need a letter from your GP detailing your history with depression, yes. I received treatment for some mild anxiety several years ago and was told by the doctor at the medical that I would need to send them a letter from my GP before they could send my results to the embassy.

 

 

[Dodgexander 1]

Thanks everyone, my Fiancee has been at her new job for almost a year and earns above 125% required even for the adjustment of status later. Is it best practice for her to obtain an employers letter since she hasn't been employed there for an entire year? Does she need to address this letter to anyone more than to whom it may concern?

 

About the medical also, I have two concerns related to drugs:

 

I have used Marijuana in the past, especially in my early 20s, not regularly but for example visiting Amsterdam.

A while ago I was admitted to hospital after taking a substance that was not illegal, it was a legal high hallucinogenic. How do I know if this is going to work against me? Will they be able to obtain any medical records that state this?

I am guessing such a thing would only be a problem if it was listed on my police report, but I need to know if the above files under the be honest category or the don't give out more info than required one. Thanks! 

[HandmadeTurnip 151]

10 minutes ago, Dodgexander said:

Thanks everyone, my Fiancee has been at her new job for almost a year and earns above 125% required even for the adjustment of status later. Is it best practice for her to obtain an employers letter since she hasn't been employed there for an entire year? Does she need to address this letter to anyone more than to whom it may concern?

 

About the medical also, I have two concerns related to drugs:

 

I have used Marijuana in the past, especially in my early 20s, not regularly but for example visiting Amsterdam.

A while ago I was admitted to hospital after taking a substance that was not illegal, it was a legal high hallucinogenic. How do I know if this is going to work against me? Will they be able to obtain any medical records that state this?

I am guessing such a thing would only be a problem if it was listed on my police report, but I need to know if the above files under the be honest category or the don't give out more info than required one. Thanks! 

 

An employer's letter is fine for London, yes. She could also give you pay stubs dating back several months to back it up. Addressing it with "to whom it may concern" is fine as well.

 

If they directly ask you if you have ever taken drugs (which they most likely will), you should as always answer truthfully. The worst consequence of admitting past marijuana use is that you'll have to wait out a one year ban before being able to enter the US, the worst consequence of lying is to be banned from entering indefinitely. I don't see why there would be any problem with the other drug if it was completely legal, but I don't know for sure. They won't be able to obtain any of your medical records unless you provide them though.

[Dodgexander 1]

I've read conflicting advice on here in other threads regarding previous drugs use, is there really any reason to mention it? I don't want to be banned for another year when it's something that happened years ago

[HandmadeTurnip 151]

9 minutes ago, Dodgexander said:

I've read conflicting advice on here in other threads regarding previous drugs use, is there really any reason to mention it? I don't want to be banned for another year when it's something that happened years ago

 

The doctor who conducts your medical asks you a fixed set of questions from a questionnaire to get an idea of your medical history, one of those questions is "have you ever used drugs?". In other words, the only way to not mention it is to lie in response to a direct question, something no one on here is ever going to advise you to do.

Edited May 24, 2017 by HandmadeTurnip

[Dodgexander 1]

I am thinking I am going to tell the full truth regarding my previous depression and drug abuse but after reading some very helpful threads here I'm scared if I do I'll get a ban because I'm not sure how many details I can still obtain about it.

 

- When I was a teenager I started to have issues with depression and anxiety.

- I received treatment in the form of anti depressants and visiting a psychologist.

- When a teenager I tried to take my life once by overdose.

- I recovered at 16 and didn't return to treatment until mid twenties.

- In my twenties I smoked marijuana occasionally.

- I received CBT for a few sessions and took anti depressants for around a year.

- I recovered but had started to experiment with drugs, mainly marijuana and legal but once mdma. I never abused but I ended up in hospital once after using one.

 

Is a doctors note going to be enough? He has no idea about my drug use previously or visits to hospital as far as I know.

 

Since no medical professionals knew about my drug use I can't obtain proof like this person did: 

And since I recovered alone after therapy and taking anti depressants will any records of my CBT or anti depressants use most recently be of any help?

 

I'm not sure I can obtain info from my earliest treatment as it was private and over 15 years ago, will this matter?

[VisaDJ 16]

I'd never say to lie about anything, but at the end of the day, if things aren't on your medical record, or are from a long time ago (and therefore may not be written on your GP summary), then how will the Embassy know about them?

 

Anything else that you do know will be listed, just be honest - as far as I am aware, they wont ban you for mental health issues, as long as you are not a risk to yourself, nor anyone else (ensure your GP makes a statement about you to this effect on the letter - if it is backed up by the medical summary, of course).

 

Best of luck with everything  

[Wuozopo 4,293]

3 hours ago, VisaDJ said:

....but at the end of the day, if things aren't on your medical record, or are from a long time ago (and therefore may not be written on your GP summary), then how will the Embassy know about them?

 

They will only know if you volunteer the information  verbally to the doctor or on the questionnaire. They can not see your personal medical files unless you give them a copy. 

[Dodgexander 1]

So I have my doctors note, one problem though, it is in a sealed envelope and although I asked him to include information such as the wording "no harm to himself or others" I can't verify that without opening the seal.

 

Do they expect to have the letter sealed at Knightsbridge? Should I not worry and let Knightsbridge contact him if they need any more info?

 

I think it includes my private documents..medical history etc as that is what I asked him for.

Edited June 25, 2017 by Dodgexander

[aless02 9]

I don't believe there's any expectation of a sealed letter. My husband has two letters and neither came sealed nor will they be handed over that way!

[Dodgexander 1]

I just opened it and I wish I didn't!! It has everything needed but my doctors signature appears to be a photocopy, e.g. he hasn't signed physically in ink. Does anyone think this will be problem? Especially now it's not in a sealed envelope. Doh!

[Wuozopo 4,293]

58 minutes ago, Dodgexander said:

I just opened it and I wish I didn't!! It has everything needed but my doctors signature appears to be a photocopy, e.g. he hasn't signed physically in ink. Does anyone think this will be problem? Especially now it's not in a sealed envelope. Doh!

 

Does it have his name, office location, or any identifying info on it?

 

sealed does not matter.