What to do after NOA2 (Sweden)

[Evelina L 0]

Hi!

 

My fiance in the states just recieved a letter saying that our i129f petition has been approved! We're super stoked and have of course read the steps on what to do next probably a million times. I THINK I understand it all, but with all the nerves and excitement I was wondering if someone who's been through the whole proccess, or are further than we are, could tell us step by step what we need to next? 

 

I understand that our case has now been sent to the NVC, and the process there will take around 2-4 weeks. After that if I understand correctly, I will recieve a letter from the U.S Embassy in Sweden with information about what to do next. Is there anything I can do to prepare for the medical exam and the interview? And what exactly do I need to bring to both of them?

 

It would also be nice to know a little bit more about the i134 form. Do we prepare that now? Do I need to bring it to the interview? Etc. 

 

 

I would really really appreciate if someone could help clear these things out, either in the comments under this post or in DMs, to calm our nerves just a little bit! It would be nice if it's someone from Sweden, but any answers are of course super welcome! 

 

Thank you so much in advance! 

 

[Edward and Jaycel 1,033]

It seems that sometimes lately it is taking 4-8 weeks for USCIS to send approved I-129Fs to the NVC. You will know it's been sent when the I-129F case status changes to "Case Was Sent To The Department of State". Once NVC processes it they will send it to the embassy that will do the interview. At that point, the petitioner will receive an email with a "K1-FTP" letter attached that will have your DoS case number and the date it was sent to your home country's embassy. A few weeks after the USCIS status changes to sent to DoS, you can start making inquiries using the NVC's online inquiry form to get your DoS case number. Once you get that, you can track its status on CEAC.
I will make a suggestion that when you do start making requests on the public inquiry form for NVC, include a scan of your NOA2 in the attachment section and on your first inquiry, after you request your case number say something like, “Please also update the petitioner and beneficiary email addresses as follows:” and give both your email addresses to them. Sometimes when they input the case information from the I-129F, the email addresses get messed up. Jaycel and I did this on our first inquiry and after that we got every email from NVC and the Embassy sent to us without any trouble.

Edited March 12 by Edward and Jaycel

[Nywoek 37]

My embassy is also in Stockholm.

We got our NOA2 January 31st and it was sent to state February 20th. We are sending public inquiries asking for our case number so we can check the NVC website for where we are in the progress.

Finding information about the Stockholm embassy is unfortunately really really difficult, I have been all over the internet looking and no one is at the same point or ahead of me and posting. I found someone from last year, but in december Stockholm took on doing visas for 4 extra countries so... we might be in for a wait. Or not. I have no idea. XD

[Nywoek 37]

Oh, and you can check if your case has been sent to state at the same place you checked on the i129f. That is the last update you will get from there, but it will say that the case has been sent to state.

 

Just for clarity this website:

https://egov.uscis.gov/
 

Mine says this now:

 

On February 20, 2025, we sent your case, Receipt Number (my case number), to the Department of State for visa processing. You can find general information on Consular Processing by visiting our website at www.uscis.gov . The website will provide information on what to do next, who to contact, and how to inform us of any changes in your situation or address.

[Edward and Jaycel 1,033]

Did you see this site from DoS @Nywoek?

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/STK-Stockholm.html

[Nywoek 37]

1 minute ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

Did you see this site from DoS @Nywoek?

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/STK-Stockholm.html

Yeah, no I have seen that website, I was talking about specific information about the timeline. Evelina here is kinda lucky because we are a little bit ahead of them with our application, so I can tell her how fast things progress or if we get stuck at NVC due to a backlog at the embassy, but none of that information is available online for me, and I have been to reddit, facebook and discord servers for K1s. XD Scandinavia is just... very tiny. I found cases from last year, but then they changed things in december and anyone I have found with applications around mine got their NOA2 after me or are not even there yet. I am quite envious of all the people in the group chat from places like Manila, because they have soooo many other people going through the same thing. 😅

[Ryan H 3,849]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[Scandi 4,238]

16 hours ago, Evelina L said:

Hi!

 

My fiance in the states just recieved a letter saying that our i129f petition has been approved! We're super stoked and have of course read the steps on what to do next probably a million times. I THINK I understand it all, but with all the nerves and excitement I was wondering if someone who's been through the whole proccess, or are further than we are, could tell us step by step what we need to next? 

 

I understand that our case has now been sent to the NVC, and the process there will take around 2-4 weeks. After that if I understand correctly, I will recieve a letter from the U.S Embassy in Sweden with information about what to do next. Is there anything I can do to prepare for the medical exam and the interview? And what exactly do I need to bring to both of them?

 

It would also be nice to know a little bit more about the i134 form. Do we prepare that now? Do I need to bring it to the interview? Etc. 

 

 

I would really really appreciate if someone could help clear these things out, either in the comments under this post or in DMs, to calm our nerves just a little bit! It would be nice if it's someone from Sweden, but any answers are of course super welcome! 

 

Thank you so much in advance! 

 

It's been a few years since I went through the process (2016), so it may have changed a bit. It took close to 40 days for us to get our case number from NVC (we started calling NVC at around 30 days after our i-129f approval), I'm thinking these days you might not be able to call, but have to use their message function? My US fiance did get a letter from NVC with the case number etc, but that took months. Because we called we got the case number much faster and I could schedule a medical appointment quickly (the appointments are hard to get, there was only two clinics in entire Sweden to choose from - nowadays I think there's only one? So you might have to wait a long while to have the medical).

The date of the medical is also the date your visa expiry date is based on - your visa will only be valid for 6 months from the date of the medical, so don't do the medical too early in case you need more time to get things in order at home before you move. I had my medical 2 business day before my interview, it takes 2 weeks for the embassy to receive the medical report from the date of your medical appointment. 


Once you have your case number you can check your status here: https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/ (I remember my status going from "in transit" to "ready" once the embassy had received the petition from NVC). The K-1 visa is considered an immigrant visa, so when you check your status you choose "immigrant visa".

I, the beneficary, did not receive anything from the embassy. It was my then US fiance who got the email with the checklist of things to do and to bring to the interview (likely because they had his info from the petition, since it was his petition). He just forwarded the email to me. 

This is the checklist we received: 

 

SE ID:               STK(case number)

APPLICANT:        S

 

Dear Visa Applicant,

This office has received a petition entitling you to a “K-1” nonimmigrant visa classification as an alien proceeding to the United States to marry an American citizen. Please note that the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm is processing applicants legally residing in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

 

To prepare for your interview appointment with a consular officer, please read and carefully follow the instructions below. We encourage you to schedule your appointment as soon as possible as we need to process your application within the validity of the I-129F petition.  We also request that the applicant reviews a copy the submitted I-129F petition (attached in this e-mail)

 

IMPORTANT: The U.S. Embassy in Stockholm has implemented several changes in the visa procedures that affect fiancé(e) K1 visa applicants. The scheduling and collection of application fee will be done through http://www.ustraveldocs.com/se as of January 18, 2014 .

 

CHECKLIST

 

(  )           FEE: There is a $265 fee for each visa application. The fee will be paid through http://www.ustraveldocs.com/se

 

(  )           COMPLETED DS-160 ONLINE APPLICATION FORM.  All fiancé(e) visa applicants and their children must complete one DS-160 each in order to apply for a K1/K2 visa and seek an appointment. The form can be accessed at: https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/

 

You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. All questions on the forms must be answered.

 

Kindly also note that all applicants (including residents of Denmark and Norway) must select Stockholm, Sweden as the location where the visa will be sought.

(  )          PASSPORT: A passport must be valid for travel to the United States and must have at least six months validity beyond the issuance date of the visa.

 (  )          BIRTH CERTIFICATE:   Please provide the original birth certificate from country of birth (Sweden). Please request an extract of the population register from the Swedish Tax Agency (Personbevis). The certificate must state the date and place of birth and the names of both parents.  Please request the English version.

 (  )           POLICE CERTIFICATES: Each applicant aged 16 years or over, is required to submit a police certificate from the appropriate judicial or police authorities from the country of the applicant’s nationality or current residence where the applicant has resided for at least six months since attaining the age of sixteen, as well as from all other countries where the applicant has resided for at least one year, or more since attaining the age of sixteen. For countries not maintaining national police records, a certificate must be obtained from each locality. A police certificate must also be obtained from the police authorities of any place where the applicant has been arrested for any reason, regardless of the length of residence. For information on how to obtain a police certificate from a specific country, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country.html  Please note that there is a fee of 192SEK to obtain a police certificate from Sweden: www.polisen.se

(  )           COURT AND PRISON RECORDS: Persons convicted of a crime must obtain a certified copy of each court record and any prison record, regardless that they may have benefited from an amnesty pardon.

(  )           PHOTOGRAPHS:  Two (2) identical color photographs are required. The photographs must be full face photo, taken within the past six months. The photographs should measure 2 inches square (roughly 50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame.

(  )          MARRIAGE TERMINATION/DIVORCE DECREE(S):  If you or your fiancé(e) were married previously, obtain one certified copy of the divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s) to prove the dissolution of each of such prior marriage. Please note that your I-129F petition only included a copy of petitioner’s divorce decree so we must request that you bring the original court certified divorce decree for your interview at the U.S. Embassy.

(   )          EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT: Evidence, which will show that you and your children, if any, are not to become public charges in the United States. If you have no assets, you may find a financial sponsor in the U.S. who completes form I-134, Affidavit of Support on your behalf. The sponsor should also provide a copy of the most recent U.S. Federal income tax return (1040) and proof of current U.S. income or assets. Form I-134 can be obtained from Citizenship and Immigration Services’ webpage www.uscis.gov

 (   )         MEDICAL EXAMINATION: Arrange for a medical examination with one of the Embassy approved panel physicians listed on: http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/STK%20-%20Stockholm.pdf

You are responsible for the cost of the examination.  A medical examination is also required for each child who will accompany you.  This medical examination will also be accepted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence.

(  )          EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP: You will be required to submit evidence that you have previously met your fiancé(e), and proof of a valid fiancé(e) relationship with your petitioner.  It is, therefore, useful to bring with you letters, written correspondence, phone records, photographs, or other evidence of your engagement and proof of on-going contact. Please note that you will not be allowed to bring your phone, tablet or computer to your interview. If you communicate through Skype/Viber/WhatsApp etc –  you may want to present screenshots of some of the communication.
 

We also kindly ask all our applicants to read following pamphlet: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Humanitarian/Battered%20Spouse,%20Children%20%26%20Parents/IMBRA%20Pamphlet%20Final%2001-07-2011%20for%20Web%20Posting.pdf

 

(   )          TRANSLATIONS:   All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
 

IMPORTANT: HOW TO GET YOUR VISA/DOCUMENTS MAILED:

 

(  )           REGISTRATION OF ADDRESS. For residents of Sweden: Fiancé (e) visa applicants residing in Sweden will have to register their Swedish address and choose their visa pick-up location when they book the appointment online. Please bring proof of your registration (your UID confirmation number) at the time of interview.

 

Please note that you must bring one certified interpreter if you do not speak English well enough to participate unassisted in the visa interview.

 

IMPORTANT: Once you have completed the DS-160 application form and have all documents in order, please register and create an account at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/se in order to schedule your appointment and pay your visa application fee

Note: All the collected documents are to be presented at the final interview. Do not send any collected documents to this office unless specifically requested to do so.

 

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31

115 89 Stockholm

E-mail: stkivinfo@state.gov

 

 

ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE IMMIGRANT VISA UNIT. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE U.S. EMBASSY, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO STAND IN THE LINE FOR IMMIGRANTS/U.S. CITIZENS AND NOT IN THE LINE FOR NON-IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS.

 

We hope this information is useful to you.  Should you require further assistance, please submit an inquiry via: stkivinfo@state.gov

 

For post specific instructions regarding arrival at the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, please see: http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/STK%20-%20Stockholm.pdf

 

Security and Access Warning

 

For security reasons, visa applicants and American Citizen Services customers are not allowed to bring luggage, bags, cell phones, other electronic devices, or any items that are not relevant to your business with us (with the exception of one small purse, or items to care for babies).  If you have prohibited items with you, you will not be allowed to enter the Embassy and may need to reschedule your appointment.

 

The following items are not permitted in the Embassy:

·         Cameras

·         Cell phones

·         Laptops

·         Any other electronics, such as MP3 players, iPods, etc.

·         Large shopping bags

·         Luggage, backpacks, briefcases

·         Tools of any size, such as a leatherman, or Swiss army knife

·         Weapons of any kind

 

All visitors to the Embassy are subject to airport-type screening.  When planning your visit here, bring only what is needed for your business with the Consular Section to speed security screening.  All items are subject to inspection and your wait time at the Embassy depends on the items you and other visitors bring.  We do not have storage facilities at the Embassy. We suggest you make use of storage facilities at the main bus/train station in Stockholm (Centralstationen) or at the airport.

 

Cellphones may be stored in lockers at the entrance, will be returned upon your departure from the Consular Section.

 

We appreciate your cooperation in making your visit to the Embassy as smooth as possible.

Edited March 13 by Scandi

[Nywoek 37]

I actually got my case number today! We sent a PI on monday, but they misunderstood us, but then we tried again yesterday and today they sent us our nvc case number. 

[Edward and Jaycel 1,033]

2 minutes ago, Nywoek said:

I actually got my case number today! We sent a PI on monday, but they misunderstood us, but then we tried again yesterday and today they sent us our nvc case number. 

 

One step closer!!  Now you can track it on CEAC

[Nywoek 37]

2 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

One step closer!!  Now you can track it on CEAC

Yes! It is very exciting! And useful for Evelina, since they can check how long it takes for us and compare. XD

 

Although I will probably be checking that website a bit too often, lol.

[aminfatwa 0]

On 3/13/2025 at 2:02 PM, Scandi said:

It's been a few years since I went through the process (2016), so it may have changed a bit. It took close to 40 days for us to get our case number from NVC (we started calling NVC at around 30 days after our i-129f approval), I'm thinking these days you might not be able to call, but have to use their message function? My US fiance did get a letter from NVC with the case number etc, but that took months. Because we called we got the case number much faster and I could schedule a medical appointment quickly (the appointments are hard to get, there was only two clinics in entire Sweden to choose from - nowadays I think there's only one? So you might have to wait a long while to have the medical).

The date of the medical is also the date your visa expiry date is based on - your visa will only be valid for 6 months from the date of the medical, so don't do the medical too early in case you need more time to get things in order at home before you move. I had my medical 2 business day before my interview, it takes 2 weeks for the embassy to receive the medical report from the date of your medical appointment. 


Once you have your case number you can check your status here: https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/ (I remember my status going from "in transit" to "ready" once the embassy had received the petition from NVC). The K-1 visa is considered an immigrant visa, so when you check your status you choose "immigrant visa".

I, the beneficary, did not receive anything from the embassy. It was my then US fiance who got the email with the checklist of things to do and to bring to the interview (likely because they had his info from the petition, since it was his petition). He just forwarded the email to me. 

This is the checklist we received: 

 

SE ID:               STK(case number)

APPLICANT:        S

 

Dear Visa Applicant,

This office has received a petition entitling you to a “K-1” nonimmigrant visa classification as an alien proceeding to the United States to marry an American citizen. Please note that the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm is processing applicants legally residing in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

 

To prepare for your interview appointment with a consular officer, please read and carefully follow the instructions below. We encourage you to schedule your appointment as soon as possible as we need to process your application within the validity of the I-129F petition.  We also request that the applicant reviews a copy the submitted I-129F petition (attached in this e-mail)

 

IMPORTANT: The U.S. Embassy in Stockholm has implemented several changes in the visa procedures that affect fiancé(e) K1 visa applicants. The scheduling and collection of application fee will be done through http://www.ustraveldocs.com/se as of January 18, 2014 .

 

CHECKLIST

 

(  )           FEE: There is a $265 fee for each visa application. The fee will be paid through http://www.ustraveldocs.com/se

 

(  )           COMPLETED DS-160 ONLINE APPLICATION FORM.  All fiancé(e) visa applicants and their children must complete one DS-160 each in order to apply for a K1/K2 visa and seek an appointment. The form can be accessed at: https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/

 

You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. All questions on the forms must be answered.

 

Kindly also note that all applicants (including residents of Denmark and Norway) must select Stockholm, Sweden as the location where the visa will be sought.

(  )          PASSPORT: A passport must be valid for travel to the United States and must have at least six months validity beyond the issuance date of the visa.

 (  )          BIRTH CERTIFICATE:   Please provide the original birth certificate in the local language from country of birth (Sweden). Please request an extract of the population register from the Swedish Tax Agency (Personbevis). The certificate must state the date and place of birth and the names of both parents.  Please request the English version.

 (  )           POLICE CERTIFICATES: Each applicant aged 16 years or over, is required to submit a police certificate from the appropriate judicial or police authorities from the country of the applicant’s nationality or current residence where the applicant has resided for at least six months since attaining the age of sixteen, as well as from all other countries where the applicant has resided for at least one year, or more since attaining the age of sixteen. For countries not maintaining national police records, a certificate must be obtained from each locality. A police certificate must also be obtained from the police authorities of any place where the applicant has been arrested for any reason, regardless of the length of residence. For information on how to obtain a police certificate from a specific country, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country.html  Please note that there is a fee of 192SEK to obtain a police certificate from Sweden: www.polisen.se

(  )           COURT AND PRISON RECORDS: Persons convicted of a crime must obtain a certified copy of each court record and any prison record, regardless that they may have benefited from an amnesty pardon.

(  )           PHOTOGRAPHS:  Two (2) identical color photographs are required. The photographs must be full face photo, taken within the past six months. The photographs should measure 2 inches square (roughly 50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame.

(  )          MARRIAGE TERMINATION/DIVORCE DECREE(S):  If you or your fiancé(e) were married previously, obtain one certified copy of the divorce decree(s) or death certificate(s) to prove the dissolution of each of such prior marriage. Please note that your I-129F petition only included a copy of petitioner’s divorce decree so we must request that you bring the original court certified divorce decree for your interview at the U.S. Embassy.

(   )          EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT: Evidence, which will show that you and your children, if any, are not to become public charges in the United States. If you have no assets, you may find a financial sponsor in the U.S. who completes form I-134, Affidavit of Support on your behalf. The sponsor should also provide a copy of the most recent U.S. Federal income tax return (1040) and proof of current U.S. income or assets. Form I-134 can be obtained from Citizenship and Immigration Services’ webpage www.uscis.gov

 (   )         MEDICAL EXAMINATION: Arrange for a medical examination with one of the Embassy approved panel physicians listed on: http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Medical/STK%20-%20Stockholm.pdf

You are responsible for the cost of the examination.  A medical examination is also required for each child who will accompany you.  This medical examination will also be accepted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence.

(  )          EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP: You will be required to submit evidence that you have previously met your fiancé(e), and proof of a valid fiancé(e) relationship with your petitioner.  It is, therefore, useful to bring with you letters, written correspondence, phone records, photographs, or other evidence of your engagement and proof of on-going contact. Please note that you will not be allowed to bring your phone, tablet or computer to your interview. If you communicate through Skype/Viber/WhatsApp etc –  you may want to present screenshots of some of the communication.
 

We also kindly ask all our applicants to read following pamphlet: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Humanitarian/Battered%20Spouse,%20Children%20%26%20Parents/IMBRA%20Pamphlet%20Final%2001-07-2011%20for%20Web%20Posting.pdf

 

(   )          TRANSLATIONS:   All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
 

IMPORTANT: HOW TO GET YOUR VISA/DOCUMENTS MAILED:

 

(  )           REGISTRATION OF ADDRESS. For residents of Sweden: Fiancé (e) visa applicants residing in Sweden will have to register their Swedish address and choose their visa pick-up location when they book the appointment online. Please bring proof of your registration (your UID confirmation number) at the time of interview.

 

Please note that you must bring one certified interpreter if you do not speak English well enough to participate unassisted in the visa interview.

 

IMPORTANT: Once you have completed the DS-160 application form and have all documents in order, please register and create an account at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/se in order to schedule your appointment and pay your visa application fee

Note: All the collected documents are to be presented at the final interview. Do not send any collected documents to this office unless specifically requested to do so.

 

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31

115 89 Stockholm

E-mail: stkivinfo@state.gov

 

 

ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR AN APPOINTMENT YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE IMMIGRANT VISA UNIT. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE U.S. EMBASSY, PLEASE MAKE SURE TO STAND IN THE LINE FOR IMMIGRANTS/U.S. CITIZENS AND NOT IN THE LINE FOR NON-IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS.

 

We hope this information is useful to you.  Should you require further assistance, please submit an inquiry via: stkivinfo@state.gov

 

For post specific instructions regarding arrival at the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, please see: http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Supplemental/STK%20-%20Stockholm.pdf

 

Security and Access Warning

 

For security reasons, visa applicants and American Citizen Services customers are not allowed to bring luggage, bags, cell phones, other electronic devices, or any items that are not relevant to your business with us (with the exception of one small purse, or items to care for babies).  If you have prohibited items with you, you will not be allowed to enter the Embassy and may need to reschedule your appointment.

 

The following items are not permitted in the Embassy:

·         Cameras

·         Cell phones

·         Laptops

·         Any other electronics, such as MP3 players, iPods, etc.

·         Large shopping bags

·         Luggage, backpacks, briefcases

·         Tools of any size, such as a leatherman, or Swiss army knife

·         Weapons of any kind

 

All visitors to the Embassy are subject to airport-type screening.  When planning your visit here, bring only what is needed for your business with the Consular Section to speed security screening.  All items are subject to inspection and your wait time at the Embassy depends on the items you and other visitors bring.  We do not have storage facilities at the Embassy. We suggest you make use of storage facilities at the main bus/train station in Stockholm (Centralstationen) or at the airport.

 

Cellphones may be stored in lockers at the entrance, will be returned upon your departure from the Consular Section.

 

We appreciate your cooperation in making your visit to the Embassy as smooth as possible.

It sounds like you had a well-organized process despite the waiting times. Calling NVC early definitely seems to have helped speed things up.