London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread

[Myke + Kerry 0]

I notice you're at the CSC. Look at my sig and how long it took for USCIS to get our petition to the NVC. Perhaps you'll have better luck and it won't sit in the mailroom for a month. Do you have the police certificate and photos ready for the medical exam? Are you ready to submit the other DS forms except for the DS-2001? If you're able to get the exam done and send on the DS forms (again minus DS-2001) before you leave for the U.S., that would be the best option. Then, as soon as you return, mail in the DS-2001.

Thanks for the reply. We called NVC and got our LND today, so I think I am going to book my medical (if they can fit me in) before I leave for USA on 18th October.

I have my police certificate, photos, and DS230/156/K/157 ready, we just need to fill in Kerry's I-134, but that'll be done when I'm over there.

Can I send in DS230 etc BEFORE receiving my 'Packet 3' from London Embassy, or is it best to wait? I know that my stuff has been sent to the Embassy as that's what NVC advised.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thanks for the reply. We called NVC and got our LND today, so I think I am going to book my medical (if they can fit me in) before I leave for USA on 18th October.

I have my police certificate, photos, and DS230/156/K/157 ready, we just need to fill in Kerry's I-134, but that'll be done when I'm over there.

Can I send in DS230 etc BEFORE receiving my 'Packet 3' from London Embassy, or is it best to wait? I know that my stuff has been sent to the Embassy as that's what NVC advised.

Since you're not rushing to get an interview date ASAP, I suggest you wait a bit so London actually logs in your case or is close. They don't log it the day it arrives. Right now London has nothing on you so you don't want to risk your stuff getting misplaced before your file is logged. Mail in 2 weeks and include in your cover letter:

PLEASE NOTE: I will be out of the country and would like to request an interview after [date]. My medical is scheduled for [date] and I have all my required documents at this time.

Then tell them when your wedding date is or make up a fake one about a month after your return if you want them to get on with assigning you a date. Keep in mind that your visa will be good for 6 months past your medical date. So say you go to the medical October 1, you must enter the US by April 1 and not 6 months from the interview date. Thats a newish London thing. Just mentioning that to make sure it fits you plans.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Myke + Kerry 0]

Since you're not rushing to get an interview date ASAP, I suggest you wait a bit so London actually logs in your case or is close. They don't log it the day it arrives. Right now London has nothing on you so you don't want to risk your stuff getting misplaced before your file is logged. Mail in 2 weeks and include in your cover letter:

PLEASE NOTE: I will be out of the country and would like to request an interview after [date]. My medical is scheduled for [date] and I have all my required documents at this time.

Then tell them when your wedding date is or make up a fake one about a month after your return if you want them to get on with assigning you a date. Keep in mind that your visa will be good for 6 months past your medical date. So say you go to the medical October 1, you must enter the US by April 1 and not 6 months from the interview date. Thats a newish London thing. Just mentioning that to make sure it fits you plans.

Thanks Nich.

I'll hold back from sending London my DS forms until I receive the 'Packet 3'. Should I hold back from booking a medical too?

I think I'll send DS2001 with a cover letter asking for an interview date from November 26th in at the same time, as ideally I'd have an interview mid December, that way I can head back to the USA in January with Kerry who will be visiting me for the holidays. I come back from USA on November 26th. Is this a feasible goal?

Sorry, I know your guess is as good as mine, but you are obviously very knowledgeable.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thanks Nich.

I'll hold back from sending London my DS forms until I receive the 'Packet 3'. Should I hold back from booking a medical too?

I think I'll send DS2001 with a cover letter asking for an interview date from November 26th in at the same time, as ideally I'd have an interview mid December, that way I can head back to the USA in January with Kerry who will be visiting me for the holidays. I come back from USA on November 26th. Is this a feasible goal?

Sorry, I know your guess is as good as mine, but you are obviously very knowledgeable.

You're right, no exact plans can be made because its all speculation. But it sounds logical to me. Even if you don't get packet 3 letter, mail it all before you go . It will be fine. I was only saying don't mail it tomorrow since you don't really have a desperate need to shave a week or three off your timeline. Might as well let the pieces fall into place in their preferred order. Calling DOS will let you know that London has logged your case into the system before you get the actual letter.

When we did the K1 forms, we asked for an interview after a specific date and it was about 2 weeks later that they picked. My fiancé had a trip to the US booked and the timing was such that he likely would have had the visa before the trip. So we asked for the delayed interview. If we hadn't delayed, the whole thing (from mailing the I-129f to visa) would have been abour 3.5 months total. So fast looking back at it, but seemed like a lot of waiting at the time. I will say we were highly efficient (like you), always prepared for the next step which helped.

[LouisePaul 0]

Okay so I'm excited!

And of course I have another question!

I just got a letter form NVC DOS saying they recently got our petition and within a week they'll be sending it to london, my question is: is it just a general thing letting me know whats going on and my LND number?

I'm guessing its a general letter but I thought I'd ask (so should I start calling the embassy in 5-7 business days? or should I give it a few more days than that? (basically I don't know where this falls on the flowchart lol))

Louise

[X Factor 1,110]

WE HAVE AN INTERVIEW DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oct. 10th, at 10 am. 10-10-10...-12 i think they are messing with us.

our wedding is 11-11-12...

OK so forget all that stupid nonsense the extortion line said. I'm with Knope.

3 weeks to log packet 3, 1 week to schedule interview date, interview approx. 2 weeks from day they scheduled it.

best of luck to all those waiting!

ConGraTuLaTions

[LeftCoastLady 441]

You can call the NVC to get the LND# if you don't want to wait until the letter is received: (603) 334-0700

Also, don't call the embassy unless you like spending lots of money. If you just want to confirm they've received your case from the NVC, call the Dept. of State, (202) 663-1225, press 1, then 0 to get confirmation of it being logged in the system.

So far, the only time I've called the embassy number was to pay the visa application fee. The DOS number is the one you want to keep on hand since they will be able to let you know when the DS forms have been logged as well as the interview date. We learned the interview date a couple of days before the letter arrived.

Okay so I'm excited!

And of course I have another question!

I just got a letter form NVC DOS saying they recently got our petition and within a week they'll be sending it to london, my question is: is it just a general thing letting me know whats going on and my LND number?

I'm guessing its a general letter but I thought I'd ask (so should I start calling the embassy in 5-7 business days? or should I give it a few more days than that? (basically I don't know where this falls on the flowchart lol))

Louise

[LouisePaul 0]

You can call the NVC to get the LND# if you don't want to wait until the letter is received: (603) 334-0700

Also, don't call the embassy unless you like spending lots of money. If you just want to confirm they've received your case from the NVC, call the Dept. of State, (202) 663-1225, press 1, then 0 to get confirmation of it being logged in the system.

So far, the only time I've called the embassy number was to pay the visa application fee. The DOS number is the one you want to keep on hand since they will be able to let you know when the DS forms have been logged as well as the interview date. We learned the interview date a couple of days before the letter arrived.

I got the letter and my LND number today I was just wondering where we were at in the flow chart, and your right I'll be calling DOS I said embassy but meant DOS lol

[LeftCoastLady 441]

I got the letter and my LND number today I was just wondering where we were at in the flow chart, and your right I'll be calling DOS I said embassy but meant DOS lol

You're at steps #8-#11 on the VJ flowchart.

[Myke + Kerry 0]

Quick question - I understand that the sooner your wedding date, the sooner the Embassy try and fit you in for an interview.

As mentioned in an earlier post I would ideally like to be heading to USA in mid January, and am available for an interview from 27th November. In my cover letter I have put our wedding date as 26th February 2013 (a year to the date from our engagement). Do you think this date is soon enough for the embassy to act and get me in for December, or should I put it sooner?

Thanks everyone.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Quick question - I understand that the sooner your wedding date, the sooner the Embassy try and fit you in for an interview.

As mentioned in an earlier post I would ideally like to be heading to USA in mid January, and am available for an interview from 27th November. In my cover letter I have put our wedding date as 26th February 2013 (a year to the date from our engagement). Do you think this date is soon enough for the embassy to act and get me in for December, or should I put it sooner?

Thanks everyone.

I would personally say mid January wedding or even Dec 31... A New Years Eve wedding

It slows down a bit for the holidays because some of the Americans go to the US for Christmas in addition to everybody else wanting off. Since you'll have given plenty of notice on all things being in, and have asked for a delayed interview because of being away, there's no reason why they shouldn't give you an interview the week of Dec 3. If you say Feb 26, they might consider Jan 25 as plenty of time, especially since the holidays will tend to slow them down a little.

Off topic, but New Years made me think of this. Anybody with visas already or soon, should consider marrying before the end of 2012. It will be a tax savings in most cases for your fiancé. Filing married and having the extra spouse exemption and standard deduction is a good thing. If you are only married 1 day in 2012, you can file as married for the entire tax year. And yes, you can file jointly even without a greencard and be treated like a resident for tax purposes.

[Myke + Kerry 0]

I would personally say mid January wedding or even Dec 31... A New Years Eve wedding

It slows down a bit for the holidays because some of the Americans go to the US for Christmas in addition to everybody else wanting off. Since you'll have given plenty of notice on all things being in, and have asked for a delayed interview because of being away, there's no reason why they shouldn't give you an interview the week of Dec 3. If you say Feb 26, they might consider Jan 25 as plenty of time, especially since the holidays will tend to slow them down a little.

Off topic, but New Years made me think of this. Anybody with visas already or soon, should consider marrying before the end of 2012. It will be a tax savings in most cases for your fiancé. Filing married and having the extra spouse exemption and standard deduction is a good thing. If you are only married 1 day in 2012, you can file as married for the entire tax year. And yes, you can file jointly even without a greencard and be treated like a resident for tax purposes.

I've gone for 15th January. Thanks, as ever Nich.

[Darkmoonfaerie 19]

I would personally say mid January wedding or even Dec 31... A New Years Eve wedding

It slows down a bit for the holidays because some of the Americans go to the US for Christmas in addition to everybody else wanting off. Since you'll have given plenty of notice on all things being in, and have asked for a delayed interview because of being away, there's no reason why they shouldn't give you an interview the week of Dec 3. If you say Feb 26, they might consider Jan 25 as plenty of time, especially since the holidays will tend to slow them down a little.

Off topic, but New Years made me think of this. Anybody with visas already or soon, should consider marrying before the end of 2012. It will be a tax savings in most cases for your fiancé. Filing married and having the extra spouse exemption and standard deduction is a good thing. If you are only married 1 day in 2012, you can file as married for the entire tax year. And yes, you can file jointly even without a greencard and be treated like a resident for tax purposes.

Not liking the slowing down bit but thanks for the advice on the taxes! Not sure we'll make the deadline for 2012 but it's good to know

[SLMcT 5]

Hey...i'm hoping someone can give me a bit of advice here!!! There is a chance my fiance will have an opportunity to change jobs in October...my interview is November 1st! Obviously our affidavit is based on his current employment. There's no worries about finance. He's currently about 6x the threshold and would be getting an increase but he would obviously not have pay stubs from his current job if he changes! Should we avoid this happening...he could stay put and give a start date into November.

Any advice or thoughts would be welcome Thanks!

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Hey...i'm hoping someone can give me a bit of advice here!!! There is a chance my fiance will have an opportunity to change jobs in October...my interview is November 1st! Obviously our affidavit is based on his current employment. There's no worries about finance. He's currently about 6x the threshold and would be getting an increase but he would obviously not have pay stubs from his current job if he changes! Should we avoid this happening...he could stay put and give a start date into November.

Any advice or thoughts would be welcome Thanks!

I was in a similar situation. I just started a new job, but fortunately, will have two paychecks before my honey's interview arrives. However, I did send him a new I-134 with updated job information along with a copy of the offer letter from my new employer since it included my new salary, start date, etc. on it.