What is "Post Decision Activity"

[stevensane 10]

I got this email yesterday:

"Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity

On October 18, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations."

So what exactly does this mean? At what point on the flowchart (here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow) is 'post decision activity? What should we expect next??

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I got this email yesterday:

"Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity

On October 18, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations."

So what exactly does this mean? At what point on the flowchart (here: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow) is 'post decision activity? What should we expect next??

It means your I-129F is approved. Congrats.

[apple21 953]

That's your NOA2. It means your petition has been approved. Congrats!

[Smileyme 0]

Congrats....your NOA2 has been approved.

[stevensane 10]

That's your NOA2. It means your petition has been approved. Congrats!

Oh wow! Why thank you! This seems unusually fast... we only got our NOA1 about a month ago. Does that seem right? My fiancée (US petitioner) hasn't got the stuff in the mail they spoke in the email yet as we only got the email on the 19th October, What more information will they be asking of us now?

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Oh wow! Why thank you! This seems unusually fast... we only got our NOA1 about a month ago. Does that seem right? My fiancée (US petitioner) hasn't got the stuff in the mail they spoke in the email yet as we only got the email on the 19th October, What more information will they be asking of us now?

Don't worry. Approval of I-129Fs are faster now. I've got approval 38 days from my NOA-1. For the next step, better to ask VJers that their beneficiaries come from UK to get better idea what you should do. Good luck!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You were approved. After approval there are a few things for them to do---send you a notice, update the status, pack up your file and send it to NVC. NVC will give you a new Dept of State case number. That part should only be a 3 day pit stop at NVC, but sometimes cases have gotten hung up there. Then it is off to London. London will notify the beneficiary when they are ready for things to be submitted to the embassy. Here's the summary of the London process so you can prepare while you wait http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv_and_k_interview_checklist.pdf

Edited October 21, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[stevensane 10]

You were approved. After approval there are a few things for them to do---send you a notice, update the status, pack up your file and send it to NVC. NVC will give you a new Dept of State case number. That part should only be a 3 day pit stop at NVC, but sometimes cases have gotten hung up there. Then it is off to London. London will notify the beneficiary when they are ready for things to be submitted to the embassy. Here's the summary of the London process so you can prepare while you wait http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv_and_k_interview_checklist.pdf

Thanks! About how long do you expect this whole thing to take? I was honestly expecting it to take months and not actually get the visa until April/May-ish... Does this not seem super-fast?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I don't keep up with NOA2 times anymore, but yes, it's fast any way you look at it. From now...mayby 3 months to a visa. There's so many exceptions to timelines, but I wouldn't plan on Christmas in the US. Here's my list of what to work on right now so you are prepared as soon as London says they are ready for your fiancé.

Advance preparation for the London part of the K1 process

When your NOA2 is near, its a good time to start your preparation.

Petitioner:

• Order your tax transcripts. Only the most recent tax return is required, but you can order three years at a time for free from the IRS. Tax transcripts are summaries of your whole tax return provided free by the IRS. They can't be faked because it's a copy/summary of your whole tax return picture, basically certified by the IRS because it's issued by them. That's why you don't have to include any 1040, Schedules, W2s or 1099s if you send a transcript. They are free from the IRS. Transcripts take the place of sending a complete tax return. While London does not require a tax return or transcript, it is a good proof to use.

  If you call 1-800-908-9946 (the transcript line) , there is an automated system for ordering transcripts. You'll have to enter your Social Security number and the numbers of your street address. It will generate an automated request to mail your transcripts. You can also order online on the IRS website http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=232168,00.html

• Start filling out the I-134 Affidavit of Support. It will have to be signed and mailed to the UK the slow way. Get familiar with the form. When the NOA2 is received is a good time to finalize it with the supporting documents and get it in the mail.
• Don't obsess printing Skype logs, emails, photos, or Facebook status. London does not want to look at that. Really they don't. London does not want to see a copy of your I-129F petition or NOA2. They got that in the file from NVC.

UK beneficiary:

• Get some passport photos taken. You will eventually need

  2 US sized for the Embassy

  1 UK sized for the police certificate

  1 either size for the visa medical exam.

  (and for AOS in the US, 6 more US sized photos)

  You can take your own and size it using this uploader tool from the Dept of State. Scroll halfway down the page. http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html Save the jpg file and print at home or at a photo place. Also available at Snappy Snaps, Photo-Me booths, Jessops, Gould's Pharmacy (by the embassy), near the Bond St Tube station (Oxford St) which is closest Tube to the medical exam.

• Go to your NHS doctor and get the immunizations you will need for Adjustment of Status. You can get a K1 visa without having any shots, but you will need them before AOS. Its really wise to take care of it before getting to the US so you can aviold civil surgeon hassles and $$$. Many NHS doctors will do them for free, but they are not obligated to do so for immigration purposes. If you had these shots as a child, Tdap/Td must be no longer than 10 years ago or you have to do them again. Get the shots documented by your doctor to take to your visa medical exam. Heres the shots needed for 19 through 59 years of age:

  Td or Tdap - or get DT, DTP or DtaP and it will be accepted for AOS also

  MMR (if born in 1957 or later) Get a second shot 4 wks later if you have time before your medical. It's two doses in your life, but if you get the first and 4 weeks haven't passed by your medical, they will waive the second dose for "insufficient time interval".

  Varicella Not routinely given in the UK ; a history of having chickenpox excuses you from the shot. They take your word for it at the visa medical exam.

  Influenza - During flu season only, October 1 through March 31. This was a new recommendation dated November 2010 for all ages over 6 months. Older lists will say flu shots for over age 50. It changed.

• Order your police certificate. It takes some preparation because you need a passport photo signed off on by somebody officialish whos known you two years. Heres the website. Read the instructions. A police certificate is good for 12 months. Must take it to medical exam. http://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx
• Look at your passport and make sure it will have 8 months remaining after visa issuance. If not get it renewed now. If you've damaged it or gotten it wet, or the edges are wrinkled, it will need to be renewed. London is fussy about that.
• Study the list of original documents London wants you to bring to the embassy and get those in hand or ordered. http://london.usembassy.gov/application_documents.html

  Make photocopies of any document you want back. They will verify the original and file the photocopy.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from K-1 Process to K-1 Progress Forum~

[stevensane 10]

I don't keep up with NOA2 times anymore, but yes, it's fast any way you look at it. From now...mayby 3 months to a visa. There's so many exceptions to timelines, but I wouldn't plan on Christmas in the US. Here's my list of what to work on right now so you are prepared as soon as London says they are ready for your fiancé.

Advance preparation for the London part of the K1 process

When your NOA2 is near, its a good time to start your preparation.

Petitioner:

• Order your tax transcripts. Only the most recent tax return is required, but you can order three years at a time for free from the IRS. Tax transcripts are summaries of your whole tax return provided free by the IRS. They can't be faked because it's a copy/summary of your whole tax return picture, basically certified by the IRS because it's issued by them. That's why you don't have to include any 1040, Schedules, W2s or 1099s if you send a transcript. They are free from the IRS. Transcripts take the place of sending a complete tax return. While London does not require a tax return or transcript, it is a good proof to use.

  If you call 1-800-908-9946 (the transcript line) , there is an automated system for ordering transcripts. You'll have to enter your Social Security number and the numbers of your street address. It will generate an automated request to mail your transcripts. You can also order online on the IRS website http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=232168,00.html

• Start filling out the I-134 Affidavit of Support. It will have to be signed and mailed to the UK the slow way. Get familiar with the form. When the NOA2 is received is a good time to finalize it with the supporting documents and get it in the mail.
• Don't obsess printing Skype logs, emails, photos, or Facebook status. London does not want to look at that. Really they don't. London does not want to see a copy of your I-129F petition or NOA2. They got that in the file from NVC.

UK beneficiary:

• Get some passport photos taken. You will eventually need

  2 US sized for the Embassy

  1 UK sized for the police certificate

  1 either size for the visa medical exam.

  (and for AOS in the US, 6 more US sized photos)

  You can take your own and size it using this uploader tool from the Dept of State. Scroll halfway down the page. http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html Save the jpg file and print at home or at a photo place. Also available at Snappy Snaps, Photo-Me booths, Jessops, Gould's Pharmacy (by the embassy), near the Bond St Tube station (Oxford St) which is closest Tube to the medical exam.

• Go to your NHS doctor and get the immunizations you will need for Adjustment of Status. You can get a K1 visa without having any shots, but you will need them before AOS. Its really wise to take care of it before getting to the US so you can aviold civil surgeon hassles and $$$. Many NHS doctors will do them for free, but they are not obligated to do so for immigration purposes. If you had these shots as a child, Tdap/Td must be no longer than 10 years ago or you have to do them again. Get the shots documented by your doctor to take to your visa medical exam. Heres the shots needed for 19 through 59 years of age:

  Td or Tdap - or get DT, DTP or DtaP and it will be accepted for AOS also

  MMR (if born in 1957 or later) Get a second shot 4 wks later if you have time before your medical. It's two doses in your life, but if you get the first and 4 weeks haven't passed by your medical, they will waive the second dose for "insufficient time interval".

  Varicella Not routinely given in the UK ; a history of having chickenpox excuses you from the shot. They take your word for it at the visa medical exam.

  Influenza - During flu season only, October 1 through March 31. This was a new recommendation dated November 2010 for all ages over 6 months. Older lists will say flu shots for over age 50. It changed.

• Order your police certificate. It takes some preparation because you need a passport photo signed off on by somebody officialish whos known you two years. Heres the website. Read the instructions. A police certificate is good for 12 months. Must take it to medical exam. http://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx
• Look at your passport and make sure it will have 8 months remaining after visa issuance. If not get it renewed now. If you've damaged it or gotten it wet, or the edges are wrinkled, it will need to be renewed. London is fussy about that.
• Study the list of original documents London wants you to bring to the embassy and get those in hand or ordered. http://london.usembassy.gov/application_documents.html

  Make photocopies of any document you want back. They will verify the original and file the photocopy.

Thank you so much for this! Very helpful! Also a lot to do. I should get busy! I suppose I will start posting in the famous London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread now!

Edited October 22, 2013 by stevensane

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you so much for this! Very helpful! Also a lot to do. I should get busy! I suppose I will start posting in the famous London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread now!

Well that thread is a bit tired and I had a new revised one in draft, but London has made so many changes over the last few months to their procedure. Just when you think it is stable, a different form pops up. I was hoping to post something that would be valid more than a month.

[Jessicacallum 14]

Lucky you jumping ahead of me I've been waiting since July not only August filers getting approved before but now September filers too woooo lucky I love waiting

[stevensane 10]

Well that thread is a bit tired and I had a new revised one in draft, but London has made so many changes over the last few months to their procedure. Just when you think it is stable, a different form pops up. I was hoping to post something that would be valid more than a month.

I hope you don't mind me picking your brain again, but is there an expiry date associated with the visa after you get it but before you enter the US on it (thus starting the 90 day count-down to get married in the US)? I do not intend to wait for a long period or anything, but in terms of giving my noticed period at work and sorting my affairs here and everything it would help to know. If you do not know do you know where I might seek that information?

Also, a while ago I was posting about how my fiancée (US petitioner) was interning and thus not earning 125% of the federal poverty income. She could be employed at any time, but if it is the case that this process goes much faster than we were expecting and I end up living 'out of status' in the US (as I would not be able to apply for AoS and get the right to work etc until she is earning that crucial 125%), what repercussions would there be? Would I be able to continue living there until she gets to that 125% mark and then apply for AoS? Again, if you do not know do you know where I might find out?

Again, I know I say this a lot but I very much appreciate your time and input!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I hope you don't mind me picking your brain again, but is there an expiry date associated with the visa after you get it but before you enter the US on it (thus starting the 90 day count-down to get married in the US)? I do not intend to wait for a long period or anything, but in terms of giving my noticed period at work and sorting my affairs here and everything it would help to know. If you do not know do you know where I might seek that information?

Also, a while ago I was posting about how my fiancée (US petitioner) was interning and thus not earning 125% of the federal poverty income. She could be employed at any time, but if it is the case that this process goes much faster than we were expecting and I end up living 'out of status' in the US (as I would not be able to apply for AoS and get the right to work etc until she is earning that crucial 125%), what repercussions would there be? Would I be able to continue living there until she gets to that 125% mark and then apply for AoS? Again, if you do not know do you know where I might find out?

Again, I know I say this a lot but I very much appreciate your time and input!

The visa used to expire 6 months after issue. But now London sets the K1 visa to expire six months from the day of the medical exam because the TB clearance (X-ray) is valid for six months. Control when your visa will expire by not rushing to the medical. So many jump out of order to get that medical appointment even before the case arrives in London and before London has notified the fiancé they are ready for the application. You might be better off doing it in the preferred order.

Your visa requires you to marry in 90 days. There is nothing in law that says you must adjust status immediately. You already know, the sooner the better because you will be in limbo and unable to get on with your US life until you do. For that reason, stalling the visa and continuing earning/saving money in the UK might be the sensible plan. But young people in love aren't always sensible. So that's for you to work out.

Yes, you will have no status in the US after 90 days, but that generally isn't a deportation problem. Nobody is going to start looking for you. There's millions in the US and too many to bother with a K1 visa holder. Maybe if you committed some heinous crime out of status you might draw attention to yourself, so don't do that . Many k1s have waited a long time to adjust. they don't get denied because they waited. If you wait a year, USCIS will often require an I-130 petition to be filed concurrently with the AOS. That's more $$$ for the petition fee. The worse thing about waiting to file is you are kind of a "nothing" stuck from getting to the other side so to speak. A K1 zombie?