I'm about ready to go to work, and I need to know in the next 90 minutes -- do the photos for DS 156 etc get attached to the forms going back to the embassy in packet 3, or do they get carried to the interview and get attached there?
I think it's the latter, but I need to know so I can tell my guy.
THANKS!!!
Full Version: HELP! Do photos need to be sent back with Packet 3?
VisaJourney.com > Marriage Based Immigration (K1, K2, K3, etc) to the USA > The Foreign Embassy and Consulate General Discussion
i do not have that form in my case but I think that the photo you give it on the interview day 
Most bring with to the interview - but check the instructions/check-list sent with the packet 3. =)
Check the instructions in packet 3. Most consulates just want DS-2001, or OF-169, and DS-230 part 1 sent back to them.
QUOTE
Step
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html- Mail the DS-230 Part I Form for each applicant to the Immigrant Visa Unit, 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1A 2JB.
- Assemble all of the documents required in support of your application and mail the Form DS 2001 and checklist to the Immigrant Visa Unit.
- The Embassy will complete all necessary administrative processing of your immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide additional information if you have incomplete or are missing documents.
- Approximately one month before your scheduled interview appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with instructions for obtaining a medical examination.
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
QUOTE(YuAndDan @ May 23 2007, 08:56 AM) 
Check the instructions in packet 3. Most consulates just want DS-2001, or OF-169, and DS-230 part 1 sent back to them.
QUOTE
Step
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html- Mail the DS-230 Part I Form for each applicant to the Immigrant Visa Unit, 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1A 2JB.
- Assemble all of the documents required in support of your application and mail the Form DS 2001 and checklist to the Immigrant Visa Unit.
- The Embassy will complete all necessary administrative processing of your immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide additional information if you have incomplete or are missing documents.
- Approximately one month before your scheduled interview appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with instructions for obtaining a medical examination.
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
Hmm -- those instructions are for I-130. We're K-1.
No, no photos needed.
If you look in the consulate section, I've uploaded a complete set of packet 3 forms....
If you look in the consulate section, I've uploaded a complete set of packet 3 forms....
OK -- I think we're sorted out.
Thanks, everyone!
HEH!! I've been searching for that, since I saw it the other day, and thought "that's most helpful..."
Thanks, everyone!
QUOTE(AlienUKGirl @ May 23 2007, 09:55 AM)
No, no photos needed.
If you look in the consulate section, I've uploaded a complete set of packet 3 forms....
If you look in the consulate section, I've uploaded a complete set of packet 3 forms....
HEH!! I've been searching for that, since I saw it the other day, and thought "that's most helpful..."
QUOTE(psho @ May 23 2007, 09:37 AM)
QUOTE(YuAndDan @ May 23 2007, 08:56 AM)
Check the instructions in packet 3. Most consulates just want DS-2001, or OF-169, and DS-230 part 1 sent back to them.
QUOTE
Step
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html- Mail the DS-230 Part I Form for each applicant to the Immigrant Visa Unit, 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1A 2JB.
- Assemble all of the documents required in support of your application and mail the Form DS 2001 and checklist to the Immigrant Visa Unit.
- The Embassy will complete all necessary administrative processing of your immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide additional information if you have incomplete or are missing documents.
- Approximately one month before your scheduled interview appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with instructions for obtaining a medical examination.
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
Hmm -- those instructions are for I-130. We're K-1.
Um, NO, those were DS-230 instructions...read more closely.
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 01:00 PM)
QUOTE(psho @ May 23 2007, 09:37 AM)
QUOTE(YuAndDan @ May 23 2007, 08:56 AM)
Check the instructions in packet 3. Most consulates just want DS-2001, or OF-169, and DS-230 part 1 sent back to them.
QUOTE
Step
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html- Mail the DS-230 Part I Form for each applicant to the Immigrant Visa Unit, 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1A 2JB.
- Assemble all of the documents required in support of your application and mail the Form DS 2001 and checklist to the Immigrant Visa Unit.
- The Embassy will complete all necessary administrative processing of your immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide additional information if you have incomplete or are missing documents.
- Approximately one month before your scheduled interview appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with instructions for obtaining a medical examination.
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
Hmm -- those instructions are for I-130. We're K-1.
Um, NO, those were DS-230 instructions...read more closely.
Please note: the K-Visas are handled by immigrant section of the consulate or embassy, and both CR-1, and K-Visas are treated the same with regards to what is sent back to the consulate from Packet 3, and what is brought to the interview.
I think when this has been discussed before, the consensus has been that you can send them with the forms, or take them to the interview, and it will be fine either way. People here have done both. The Embassy's own instructions tell you to bring everything on the day of the interview, but I think the forms themselves contradict that (if I remember right...). I went with what the Embassy's specific instructions said, but other people have said they sent in the photos with the forms, and I've not seen anyone say that they had a problem either way! 
QUOTE(AlienUKGirl @ May 23 2007, 09:55 AM)
No, no photos needed.
If you look in the consulate section, I've uploaded a complete set of packet 3 forms....
If you look in the consulate section, I've uploaded a complete set of packet 3 forms....
And I heart you for doing so!
Wouldn't it be great if an Organizer could move it back to this forum where it belongs?!?!?!?! Hint hint!!!!!
(per that thread that got ugly yesterday, but to address it in face-value terms: this is the kind of question that, as a UK/US filer, I would love to have answered primarily by UKers who've been through the process. Most non-UKers on this thread are definitely educated and know their stuff, of course, but by way of an example, this is one of those situations . . . . . )
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 10:00 AM)
QUOTE(psho @ May 23 2007, 09:37 AM)
QUOTE(YuAndDan @ May 23 2007, 08:56 AM)
Check the instructions in packet 3. Most consulates just want DS-2001, or OF-169, and DS-230 part 1 sent back to them.
QUOTE
Step
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html- Mail the DS-230 Part I Form for each applicant to the Immigrant Visa Unit, 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1A 2JB.
- Assemble all of the documents required in support of your application and mail the Form DS 2001 and checklist to the Immigrant Visa Unit.
- The Embassy will complete all necessary administrative processing of your immigrant visa application. You may be requested to provide additional information if you have incomplete or are missing documents.
- Approximately one month before your scheduled interview appointment with a consular officer, you will receive an appointment letter containing the date and time of your visa interview along with instructions for obtaining a medical examination.
Do not send any documents to the Embassy. You will need to bring all your original documents, or certified copies, plus one photocopy to the immigrant visa interview.
Hmm -- those instructions are for I-130. We're K-1.
Um, NO, those were DS-230 instructions...read more closely.
From: http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/iv/ds2001.html
QUOTE
Applying for an immigrant visa
The first step in applying for an immigrant visa is for the U.S. citizen (petitioner) to file an immigrant visa petition, Form I-130, with the office of the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A separate petition must be filed for each person immigrating....
[then]
What Happens Next? [with the table of steps]
The first step in applying for an immigrant visa is for the U.S. citizen (petitioner) to file an immigrant visa petition, Form I-130, with the office of the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A separate petition must be filed for each person immigrating....
[then]
What Happens Next? [with the table of steps]
So you can see my confusion. The page specifically mention I-130, and further up on the page mentions Form I-864. Not K-1 related forms.
Here's the page I wanted:
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/...processing.html (note lack of table, and only mention of I-864 is to say you don't need it.)
I have to say that the visa pages of the London consulate are poorly put together -- typos abound, and the navigation isn't natural.
QUOTE(TimsDaisy @ May 23 2007, 10:35 AM)
QUOTE(AlienUKGirl @ May 23 2007, 09:55 AM)
No, no photos needed.
If you look in the consulate section, I've uploaded a complete set of packet 3 forms....
If you look in the consulate section, I've uploaded a complete set of packet 3 forms....
And I heart you for doing so!
Wouldn't it be great if an Organizer could move it back to this forum where it belongs?!?!?!?! Hint hint!!!!!
(per that thread that got ugly yesterday, but to address it in face-value terms: this is the kind of question that, as a UK/US filer, I would love to have answered primarily by UKers who've been through the process. Most non-UKers on this thread are definitely educated and know their stuff, of course, but by way of an example, this is one of those situations . . . . . )
Yeah, that's why I put it in the UK forum. I really wanted recent-UK-specific responses (not to slam other folks' experiences, but they may not be applicable to my situation -- applying for a k-1 visa through the London consulate).
After all the fooferall, it turns out my guy didn't have the postage!!! ARRRRGH. So it's getting mailed tomorrow anyway.
Thanks to everyone for their advice (even the snarky ones)!
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 11:48 AM)
Actually, it's not. At least, not about the OP's question. Nor about other questions. There are statements in there that contradict VJer experience and the forms and the checklist that gets mailed out (esp re the medical exam, for example).
QUOTE(TimsDaisy @ May 23 2007, 12:29 PM)
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 11:48 AM)
Actually, it's not. At least, not about the OP's question. Nor about other questions. There are statements in there that contradict VJer experience and the forms and the checklist that gets mailed out (esp re the medical exam, for example).
The DS-230-I should be completed and returned immediately to the Immigrant Visa Unit at 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W1A 2JB, in order for the Embassy to begin the administrative processing of the application. Failure to return the DS-230-I promptly will delay the processing of the application. At the same time, please complete and return the form DS-156 and DS-156K and DS-157 if applicable.
On the form, it says there is a space for a photo, so, while returning DS-156 (along with the DS-230, DS-156K/DS-157), I would include photos required. Seems clear to me.
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 12:56 PM)
QUOTE(TimsDaisy @ May 23 2007, 12:29 PM)
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 11:48 AM)
Actually, it's not. At least, not about the OP's question. Nor about other questions. There are statements in there that contradict VJer experience and the forms and the checklist that gets mailed out (esp re the medical exam, for example).
The DS-230-I should be completed and returned immediately to the Immigrant Visa Unit at 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W1A 2JB, in order for the Embassy to begin the administrative processing of the application. Failure to return the DS-230-I promptly will delay the processing of the application. At the same time, please complete and return the form DS-156 and DS-156K and DS-157 if applicable.
On the form, it says there is a space for a photo, so, while returning DS-156 (along with the DS-230, DS-156K/DS-157), I would include photos required. Seems clear to me.
it's clear to you based on the presumptions that YOU make based on YOUR reading of those instructions. But since the language you quote does not so much as mention photos themselves, the language is not a clear answer of anything. and others have asked similar questions in the past, implying that it is common area of confusion for filers. Part of those forms don't even get completed (signed) until the interview anyway.
Want to move this thread back to the UK forum now?
QUOTE(TimsDaisy @ May 23 2007, 01:15 PM)
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 12:56 PM)
The DS-230-I should be completed and returned immediately to the Immigrant Visa Unit at 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W1A 2JB, in order for the Embassy to begin the administrative processing of the application. Failure to return the DS-230-I promptly will delay the processing of the application. At the same time, please complete and return the form DS-156 and DS-156K and DS-157 if applicable.
On the form, it says there is a space for a photo, so, while returning DS-156 (along with the DS-230, DS-156K/DS-157), I would include photos required. Seems clear to me.
it's clear to you based on the presumptions that YOU make based on YOUR reading of those instructions. But since the language you quote does not so much as mention photos themselves, the language is not a clear answer of anything. and others have asked similar questions in the past, implying that it is common area of confusion for filers. Part of those forms don't even get completed (signed) until the interview anyway.
Want to move this thread back to the UK forum now?
Not sure why you want oto fight every thing I write but hey, your call.
I read instructions on forms & I would like to think VJers do as well. So yes, I would include a 2" x 2" photo, as noted on page 1 of P3. (http://www.visajourney.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=13&pos=0)
Part of the embassy's instructions were omitted, forgive me.
What do I do first?
The biographic data form DS-23O-I should be completed for each person applying for a visa, regardless of age. The form may be photocopied if insufficient copies are received for each family member. The DS-230-I should be completed and returned immediately to the Immigrant Visa Unit at 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W1A 2JB, in order for the Embassy to begin the administrative processing of the application. Failure to return the DS-230-I promptly will delay the processing of the application. At the same time, please complete and return the form DS-156 and DS-156K and DS-157 if applicable. Note: Please do not sign the the DS-156 or DS-156K. The forms must be signed before a consular officer on the day of the visa interview.
What is the second step?
Assemble all of the relevant documents required in support of your application and forward the document checklist, IV-15, to the Immigrant Visa Unit. These documents must not be mailed to the Embassy. You will be required to furnish the original of all documents and one copy on the day of the formal visa interview and medical examination.
Yes there are spaces on the forms requiring photos, but I can see how you would be unclear. Each embassy offers a different set of directions, I can only speak for the Ankara Embassy. They clearly explain that photos must be submitted with the application, and even list the approved places to get the photo taken properly.
That being said, we are erring on the side of caution. We make two of everything- one set to send in and one set to bring to the interview.
It's not that much extra work- and brings enormous piece of mind!
Good Luck
That being said, we are erring on the side of caution. We make two of everything- one set to send in and one set to bring to the interview.
It's not that much extra work- and brings enormous piece of mind!
Good Luck
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 12:56 PM)
QUOTE(TimsDaisy @ May 23 2007, 12:29 PM)
QUOTE(devilette @ May 23 2007, 11:48 AM)
Actually, it's not. At least, not about the OP's question. Nor about other questions. There are statements in there that contradict VJer experience and the forms and the checklist that gets mailed out (esp re the medical exam, for example).
The DS-230-I should be completed and returned immediately to the Immigrant Visa Unit at 5 Upper Grosvenor Street, London, W1A 2JB, in order for the Embassy to begin the administrative processing of the application. Failure to return the DS-230-I promptly will delay the processing of the application. At the same time, please complete and return the form DS-156 and DS-156K and DS-157 if applicable.
On the form, it says there is a space for a photo, so, while returning DS-156 (along with the DS-230, DS-156K/DS-157), I would include photos required. Seems clear to me.
Going by the recent experience of JamalnTam (from the Consulate review section):
QUOTE
He asked for my birth cert, divorce cert, police cert, 2 passport photos and the I-134, which I handed to him.
and featherB:
QUOTE
She took my passport photos and stuck them onto the DS-156s, and asked for my birth certificate (and copy), police certificate (and copy), and the affidavit of support.
It appears that the passport-style photos are not required untl the interview (which was my original question) -- at least for London.
Thanks to everyone who weighed in on this!
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