What now?

[HiSarahJayne 2]

Hello!

 

We’ve just received our NOA1 a couple of days ago. I’m trying to be super organised and have everything ready to go for the next stage, however I’m not sure when to start collecting as I realise some things, such as criminal record checks, are only valid a certain length of time. 

 

When would it be recommended I make the criminal record request? (Taking into account it could take well over a month to receive). Also, when is it best to start to collect financial evidence for the I-134? Is it ok to wait for NOA2 for everything or would you recommend starting sooner? If so, as there’s no other real signposting, when? :S

 

Also, slightly off topic, I suffer from psoriatic arthritis which is managed by a medication I receive in the UK. I’ll be going on my fiancé’s work insurance as soon as we marry which covers pre-existing conditions. I’m just wanting some peace of mind my condition won’t cause any issues as long as I get my medication. Also. how I would prove this to them (what docs id need). 

 

Thankyou in advance :) 

[Crazy Cat 41,919]

Welcome! Have you read through the immigration guides here on VJ?  Here is one: https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

[HiSarahJayne 2]

3 minutes ago, missileman said:

Welcome! Have you read through the immigration guides here on VJ?  Here is one: https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

I did but it just says wait until your NOA2, but also collect in advance as it takes weeks so I was confused? 

[Crazy Cat 41,919]

The K-1 flowsheet has some pretty good info, too.  https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

[William&Emily 36]

Assuming you're from the UK from your question, the criminal record check (ACRO) depending on the type of delivery you choose can sometimes take 2/3 weeks (which mine did). The ACRO site also suggests that most consulates like to have the certificate done no more than 6 months prior to the interview date. Because of that I did it once I had my NOA1 date
And the I-134 also needs to be quite up to date when you take it to the interview so I would wait till NOA2 for that but maybe prepare everything else you possibly can.
For example, I already requested and received my medical records/vaccination records because dependant on your doctor and length of history it can take a while (mine was free though!)

Hope that helps!

[dxec 31]

You have about 5-7 months of waiting for noa 2 then a couple weeks after that until it gets to consulate to be able to schedule interview and probably a few weeks until interview so wait and gather existing relationship proof until you get your noa2. 

[VNN 147]

2 hours ago, HiSarahJayne said:

Hello!

 

We’ve just received our NOA1 a couple of days ago. I’m trying to be super organised and have everything ready to go for the next stage, however I’m not sure when to start collecting as I realise some things, such as criminal record checks, are only valid a certain length of time. 

 

When would it be recommended I make the criminal record request? (Taking into account it could take well over a month to receive). Also, when is it best to start to collect financial evidence for the I-134? Is it ok to wait for NOA2 for everything or would you recommend starting sooner? If so, as there’s no other real signposting, when? :S

 

Also, slightly off topic, I suffer from psoriatic arthritis which is managed by a medication I receive in the UK. I’ll be going on my fiancé’s work insurance as soon as we marry which covers pre-existing conditions. I’m just wanting some peace of mind my condition won’t cause any issues as long as I get my medication. Also. how I would prove this to them (what docs id need). 

 

Thankyou in advance

1. We started to get the criminal record/police record after we got our NOA2.  It took 3+ weeks for us without "coffee" money, it could have been a lot faster if we had paid the coffee $, my wife from Vietnam.  

 

2. It should not be a big deal.

 

 

[panamerican 36]

2 hours ago, HiSarahJayne said:

Hello!

 

We’ve just received our NOA1 a couple of days ago. I’m trying to be super organised and have everything ready to go for the next stage, however I’m not sure when to start collecting as I realise some things, such as criminal record checks, are only valid a certain length of time. 

 

When would it be recommended I make the criminal record request? (Taking into account it could take well over a month to receive). Also, when is it best to start to collect financial evidence for the I-134? Is it ok to wait for NOA2 for everything or would you recommend starting sooner? If so, as there’s no other real signposting, when? :S

 

Also, slightly off topic, I suffer from psoriatic arthritis which is managed by a medication I receive in the UK. I’ll be going on my fiancé’s work insurance as soon as we marry which covers pre-existing conditions. I’m just wanting some peace of mind my condition won’t cause any issues as long as I get my medication. Also. how I would prove this to them (what docs id need). 

 

Thankyou in advance

I'm in between receiving NOA2 and NVC/Embassy phases and before receiving the NOA2, all I did was continue to collect evidence of us communicating and meeting (boarding passes, receipts, updated photocopy of passport showing entry stamps to Panama, chat logs, etc.).

 

I think if you end up gathering financial information for the I-134 and police records too soon, they can become "stale" and irrelevant by the time you get to the next phase. Some may say otherwise, but I would say only bother with collecting additional evidence for the embassy interview and address the police records and supplemental information for the I-134 once you receive NOA2. However, you can always do things like making sure the beneficiary has a passport with sufficient time left (I believe Panama wants at least 8 months left on the passport at the time of the interview) and birth certificate if you don't have it (because this cannot go "stale" like some other information).

 

Also, it's helpful to be sure you have an exact copy of the I-129F packet you already out. Hopefully, you made those copies already and can spend time putting it together. I don't know how much of it ends up being needed at the interview, but everyone (including USCIS) suggests preparing two copies (one for the petitioner, one for the beneficiary) to have available. I just completed this yesterday (almost two weeks after NOA2) and updated the packet with what has changed since sending it to USCIS.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited April 10, 2019 by panamerican

[C-ma'am 684]

**Post moved from K1 Process to Progress Reports, where similar posts are discussed.

 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

3 hours ago, dxec said:

You have about 5-7 months of waiting for noa 2 then a couple weeks after that until it gets to consulate to be able to schedule interview and probably a few weeks until interview so wait and gather existing relationship proof until you get your noa2. 

Despite what the Processing Times thing on the USCIS site says, average NOA1 to NOA2 processing times have gone down quite a bit since our cases were handled. It's very possible they'll have NOA2 in less than 5 months; the current VJ average is 130 days (which is over 2 months less than where it most recently peaked at -- and mostly stuck around from mid-2017 to mid-2018).