My K1 Visa Experience 2017

[SimbaLucky 0]

Hi there, my fiance is american and i am english. I referred to this forum so much in the process, thought i would add my experience to help others, now i'm through it all!!

I didn't use a lawyer. I figured i could do it myself after two degrees and a thesis. 
So i gathered the forms i needed (there are checklists around) and submitted in early March with the amount. 

In mid july i heard from the NVC and i got a letter for my embassy in london. I was then ok'd for interview. 

Then you realllly need the checklist. Don't forget anything. Here's what happened when i booked the medical adn the interview one week apart (duh, allow ten working days between each coz you falter yourself, like i did) 

Went to medical first week in august - cost #300gbp for the pleasure of taking my blood, wee and chest xray. Takes a while, you're there about an hour and a half. (warning, pee cups are ridiculously small and if you're a chick; you're gonna get it everywhere! Bring alco gel or wipes or something. It's horrific!) 
Tip: Book an afternoon appt, it's quieter in the city and moving about the tube. Bond st is the nearest. 

Tip: if you smoke or do any kind of recreational activities that are somewhat frowned upon, make sure youre clean but don't mention ever using or they'll order a test. luckily i never have but there were people sweating in the waiting room but if they didnt mention anything, nothing was tested for.
Tip: Pay attention to the names of the mansions, they're tiny and you'll miss the place if you've not got your eyes peeled. 
Staff were professional and kind. I liked them. Had to get further info from my doc but i went to my docs on the day after and he's faxed it already. So that's all cool. Ask normal qs that you've already answered on the questionnaire and also goes through your medical notes from the doc 
Tip: must get these in advance and tell your GP you only need a summary otherwise you'll be waiting longer as the docs at the Knightsbridge one are thorough - 25gpb for the notes and 20gbp for the letter to be faxed- these are my gp's prices.) 

The knightsbridge doctor wanted confirmation that i was of good health mentally adn i wasn't going to go shooting up a burger king etc. after an anxiety disorder in my notes (following a previous bf's death in a car crash.) So i called my gp and they faxed a letter to knightsbridge. Another #20GBP cheeky!
Tip: make sure you have the Acro from the coppers too in advance (another 45gbp) 
Booked embassy (another 205gbp) for a week later. 

 I had my K1 interview and arrived half hour early and was checked on the way in. You can only go in with an appointment. 
Waited in the waiting room for about 15 mins and my number came up to go to a window 1-10 - i had to submit my passport, and Acro, plus my picture. Fingerprints taken. Then i went back to waiting. 
Waited another half an hour and went to a window around the corner (11-17) and went through a few questions about my case, when i went to the states and that was it. I was out after then. 
Waiting on the passport to be returned - the medical hadn't arrived in time so i called Knightsbridge and they told me all was ok and was sent that day. So it's all being sorted now. 
Just had MMR jabs done today - not needed for the K1 but is needed for the adjustment of status when i get back. so i got it done in the uk.

Oh whoops i forgot the affidavit of support - the i-134 (contrary to belief the K1 requires the i-134 NOT the i864) the interviewing man told me to email it in. Only my fiance misspelled the email address and delayed us a few days the daft #######. I was like "Honey did you get a confirmation email when you sent it in?" And he was all 'Ummm no?" and I said "You'd better bloody check that email address adn that it went to the right place..."
Sure - i was right. Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.

After this point - check this link for your update: https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx
It was saying 'ready for interview' even after my interview and after a week or so of the fiance sending the I134 in to LNDIVSubmissions@state.gov ,

Suddenly, it changed to 'Processing' and then to 'Issued' within two days. 24 hours after that, DX emailed me to say they had the passport and i'm just waiting for that to be delivered to my home. 
I wish you all luck. And if you want to ask anything about this ordeal - please do. I used this forum a lot and i'm glad to contribute. 

Best wishes y'all - Simba xx

[lovinglifeusa 5]

Congrats, love to hear successful stories

[Mr Geminian 691]

5 hours ago, SimbaLucky said:

Hi there, my fiance is american and i am english. I referred to this forum so much in the process, thought i would add my experience to help others, now i'm through it all!!

I didn't use a lawyer. I figured i could do it myself after two degrees and a thesis. 
So i gathered the forms i needed (there are checklists around) and submitted in early March with the amount. 

In mid july i heard from the NVC and i got a letter for my embassy in london. I was then ok'd for interview. 

Then you realllly need the checklist. Don't forget anything. Here's what happened when i booked the medical adn the interview one week apart (duh, allow ten working days between each coz you falter yourself, like i did) 

Went to medical first week in august - cost #300gbp for the pleasure of taking my blood, wee and chest xray. Takes a while, you're there about an hour and a half. (warning, pee cups are ridiculously small and if you're a chick; you're gonna get it everywhere! Bring alco gel or wipes or something. It's horrific!) 
Tip: Book an afternoon appt, it's quieter in the city and moving about the tube. Bond st is the nearest. 

Tip: if you smoke or do any kind of recreational activities that are somewhat frowned upon, make sure youre clean but don't mention ever using or they'll order a test. luckily i never have but there were people sweating in the waiting room but if they didnt mention anything, nothing was tested for.
Tip: Pay attention to the names of the mansions, they're tiny and you'll miss the place if you've not got your eyes peeled. 
Staff were professional and kind. I liked them. Had to get further info from my doc but i went to my docs on the day after and he's faxed it already. So that's all cool. Ask normal qs that you've already answered on the questionnaire and also goes through your medical notes from the doc 
Tip: must get these in advance and tell your GP you only need a summary otherwise you'll be waiting longer as the docs at the Knightsbridge one are thorough - 25gpb for the notes and 20gbp for the letter to be faxed- these are my gp's prices.) 

The knightsbridge doctor wanted confirmation that i was of good health mentally adn i wasn't going to go shooting up a burger king etc. after an anxiety disorder in my notes (following a previous bf's death in a car crash.) So i called my gp and they faxed a letter to knightsbridge. Another #20GBP cheeky!
Tip: make sure you have the Acro from the coppers too in advance (another 45gbp) 
Booked embassy (another 205gbp) for a week later. 

 I had my K1 interview and arrived half hour early and was checked on the way in. You can only go in with an appointment. 
Waited in the waiting room for about 15 mins and my number came up to go to a window 1-10 - i had to submit my passport, and Acro, plus my picture. Fingerprints taken. Then i went back to waiting. 
Waited another half an hour and went to a window around the corner (11-17) and went through a few questions about my case, when i went to the states and that was it. I was out after then. 
Waiting on the passport to be returned - the medical hadn't arrived in time so i called Knightsbridge and they told me all was ok and was sent that day. So it's all being sorted now. 
Just had MMR jabs done today - not needed for the K1 but is needed for the adjustment of status when i get back. so i got it done in the uk.

Oh whoops i forgot the affidavit of support - the i-134 (contrary to belief the K1 requires the i-134 NOT the i864) the interviewing man told me to email it in. Only my fiance misspelled the email address and delayed us a few days the daft #######. I was like "Honey did you get a confirmation email when you sent it in?" And he was all 'Ummm no?" and I said "You'd better bloody check that email address adn that it went to the right place..."
Sure - i was right. Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.

After this point - check this link for your update: https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx
It was saying 'ready for interview' even after my interview and after a week or so of the fiance sending the I134 in to LNDIVSubmissions@state.gov ,

Suddenly, it changed to 'Processing' and then to 'Issued' within two days. 24 hours after that, DX emailed me to say they had the passport and i'm just waiting for that to be delivered to my home. 
I wish you all luck. And if you want to ask anything about this ordeal - please do. I used this forum a lot and i'm glad to contribute. 

Best wishes y'all - Simba xx

Congrats and wish you good luck for your future