Request for advice on our plan

[Jesse_Dylan 0]

Hey guys! Sorry for the ambiguous thread title. I will try to be concise in order to compensate, and thanks for looking!

First off, I got an e-mail from this website reminding me to update my timeline. This freaked me out a bit. We got the NOA1 on Feb 2. Should there be something to update? Should we have gotten the NOA2 by now??

I also noticed the page says, "Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between June 28, 2012 and July 1, 2012*." Does this mean it'll be totally completed by then? Or is that when they give us the med exam appointment and interview appointment?

Finally, here is what we're planning. My fiancee has plane tickets to come visit me in the US on June 28, from the UK. I made the tickets for 86 days or something like that. The idea is that she comes here, and we do the rest of the stuff from here when it's time (sending in her stuff once they ask for it). Then, when they give us the med exam and interview appointments, we go back to England together and get it taken care of. Therefore, she'll never need her original return ticket (the one made for 86 days after June 28) unless disaster strikes and she has to go home alone because we haven't got the NOA2 or appointments yet.

Is there some way to guarantee the med exam and interview are very close together? Is there stuff I can/should be doing right now? Can I make our plane tickets to England in such a fashion that the return date can be changed in case we don't have the visa by the return date? If not, or even if so, how long of a trip should I plan for?

I think that about covers everything. Help me make this work. Thanks you guys. I'm feeling very nervous and hope I haven't screwed anything up. If I accidentally waste money, I guess that's okay. I just want to be together. I've spent nearly my entirely salary the last year and a half with travel, costs and everything else, but it's all worth it.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Jesse_Dylan

[L+T 71]

Hey guys! Sorry for the ambiguous thread title. I will try to be concise in order to compensate, and thanks for looking!

First off, I got an e-mail from this website reminding me to update my timeline. This freaked me out a bit. We got the NOA1 on Feb 2. Should there be something to update? Should we have gotten the NOA2 by now??

I also noticed the page says, "Based on timeline data, your I129f may be adjudicated between June 28, 2012 and July 1, 2012*." Does this mean it'll be totally completed by then? Or is that when they give us the med exam appointment and interview appointment?

Finally, here is what we're planning. My fiancee has plane tickets to come visit me in the US on June 28, from the UK. I made the tickets for 86 days or something like that. The idea is that she comes here, and we do the rest of the stuff from here when it's time (sending in her stuff once they ask for it). Then, when they give us the med exam and interview appointments, we go back to England together and get it taken care of. Therefore, she'll never need her original return ticket (the one made for 86 days after June 28) unless disaster strikes and she has to go home alone because we haven't got the NOA2 or appointments yet.

Is there some way to guarantee the med exam and interview are very close together? Is there stuff I can/should be doing right now? Can I make our plane tickets to England in such a fashion that the return date can be changed in case we don't have the visa by the return date? If not, or even if so, how long of a trip should I plan for?

I think that about covers everything. Help me make this work. Thanks you guys. I'm feeling very nervous and hope I haven't screwed anything up. If I accidentally waste money, I guess that's okay. I just want to be together. I've spent nearly my entirely salary the last year and a half with travel, costs and everything else, but it's all worth it.

Prepare to wait 4-6 months for petition 129F approval...Mostly you need schedule medical after approval, but not the case for all consulates. Someone from England will be along soon to let you know... or re-post in regional forum.

Edited June 2, 2012 by L+T

[P+J 47]

Prepare to wait 4-6 months for petition 129F approval...

Yes. Do not expect adjudication before 6 months. Of course 4 months is possible. 5 months is average. But trends right now are pointing to a real slow down that will not be overcome very easily...

[Jesse_Dylan 0]

It's a good thing we have our tickets for her to come visit me in the meantime, then! August would be 6 months, September 7 months, October 8 months... As long as they give us our appointments before she has to go back (84 or whatever days after June 28), we should be able to stay together and not even have to be apart, ever again.

[Mark + Melissa 49]

It's a good thing we have our tickets for her to come visit me in the meantime, then! August would be 6 months, September 7 months, October 8 months... As long as they give us our appointments before she has to go back (84 or whatever days after June 28), we should be able to stay together and not even have to be apart, ever again.

Please think carefully about the visit. We are on round 2 of our 129F, my fiance is also from the UK. Our lawyer who is helping us this time around advised us NOT to have him visit because chances are he might not be permitted entry into the US based upon the 129f being in process. We are meeting up instead in Toronto for 3 weeks. I'll drive up, he'll fly in. We didn't want to take the chance that he would spend the money on the ticket only to be turned back at the borders.

[Jesse_Dylan 0]

Please think carefully about the visit. We are on round 2 of our 129F, my fiance is also from the UK. Our lawyer who is helping us this time around advised us NOT to have him visit because chances are he might not be permitted entry into the US based upon the 129f being in process. We are meeting up instead in Toronto for 3 weeks. I'll drive up, he'll fly in. We didn't want to take the chance that he would spend the money on the ticket only to be turned back at the borders.

Yeah, I've thought of this too and had a thread about it. Sometimes I think lawyers get a little paranoid after seeing so many cases of people being turned away. We're feeling pretty confident that they'll let her through. But the money is spent now already, so it is what it is. We have to try. If she's sent back, then we'll have to spend more getting her back to England, and we'll have to wait a bit longer. I'm pretty confident they'll let her through though.

[orangedesk 27]

Please think carefully about the visit. We are on round 2 of our 129F, my fiance is also from the UK. Our lawyer who is helping us this time around advised us NOT to have him visit because chances are he might not be permitted entry into the US based upon the 129f being in process. We are meeting up instead in Toronto for 3 weeks. I'll drive up, he'll fly in. We didn't want to take the chance that he would spend the money on the ticket only to be turned back at the borders.

Hi, OK... so I really wish they would compile a thread about visiting while the K1 is in process because of all the conflicting advice. I don't know why your lawyer told you that, because the one I consulted told me the exact opposite. Also, I called customs passenger services at the airport and they said there is ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM with visiting while the K1 is in process. Now, this may be different for people from countries that don't fall under the visa waiver program but for customs, the biggest issue is whether the person traveling qualifies to visit under the VWP. Meaning, they have to have a return flight, visit for legitimate tourist purposes, etc. This is directly from customs themselves. Any lawyer that advises you otherwise is incorrect and doesn't understand customs procedures.

To the OP - only listen to people who are educated about this topic and have personal experience to give because I am doing the exact same thing you are. My guy is from england and had no problems visiting after we filed his I-129F. We filed in December and expected to get the NOA2 in May. He arrived here at the beginning of February for 89 days under the visa waiver program. We were worried, but had no problems at customs. My guy was up front at customs and said he was visiting his fiancee. When the customs agent asked why he was staying so long, he said, "To meet her family more and get to know them, to see the sights of the city she lives in, I have a return flight, would you like to see it?" She said yes, and after he showed the return flight, she said OK and let him in without any secondary screening.

Yes, we were worried, but if the traveler has a return flight and any ties to home, that's a good thing. The lawyer I called even said, "with a visa waiver country, it's a lot easier" The only issue would be if there are repeated trips for 89 days.

What we did... he was here for 89 days and we got the NOA2 on the day after he left. I really couldn't have guessed that part yet. Well, the timeline that you're seeing is only for the I-129F, so those estimations are when you'll get the NOA2. After the NOA2 it goes a lot faster, but for the UK at least, it'll probably be about 3 months from the NOA2 date to the interview date. Check out my timeline right now, it's been a little less than a month since I got my NOA2 and we have the medical exam booked. It'll probably be a month from then until we get our interview date...

So, I think it's OK that you visit under the VWP for less than 90 days, the beneficiary should still have a place to stay back home for 3 months while they await the medical exam/interview if you plan the visit out to wait while the NOA2 comes. I think it's a great idea what you're doing because it made the NOA2 wait go a lot faster

Best of luck to you!!!

[LeftCoastLady 441]

For the UK, your fiancée will need to have the medical exam before the embassy interview can be scheduled.

From what orangedesk posted in the UK forum, her fiancé's interview will likely be scheduled for sometime in August. So, you're likely looking at around three months from receipt of the NOA2 to when the interview occurs, assuming there are no delays in the embassy receiving your information, your fiancée is able to get all needed documentation taken care of, and the medical exam is scheduled as quickly as possible. For example, does she already have her police certificate(s) ready to go?

As always, if you haven't frequented the "London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread" in the UK regional forum, I highly recommend it as it will give you a realistic idea of what people are experiencing now.

Too funny, orangedesk, we must have been typing at the same time. I immediately thought of your post in the UK forum.

[Jesse_Dylan 0]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies!

She does not have her police certificates. I was thinking that would be something we could do while she's here in the US from June 28th onward, but yeah, maybe we should get that done now if we somehow can. I will research how that's done and see if she can do it before she comes here on the 28th. I'll check out that thread, too, as I didn't know about it.

Is there no way we can get the med exam and interview date booked close together? If that's not possible, then our idea of going back to the UK together for that can't happen. Depending upon when it is, I could probably stay there a month at the very most. I need to be in the US working. My job is very flexible at the moment, but I'll be switching to another job mid-October. I was thinking she'd be here the 28th, and then sometime within the next three months we'd know when the med exam and interview were, that they'd be close together, and that we'd be able to go to England together for that, get the visa, and return to the US together. It sounds like maybe that will not be possible?

It's entirely possible we won't get the NOA2 until the end of her stay here anyway, which was always a possibility, but my idea was that it would come sometime during her 84 (or whatever I made the tickets for) stay, and that we'd get it all taken care of, get the exam/interview dates, and go back to England together for them, stay with her family a few weeks, get the visa, and return to the US together.

The way it's looking, our NOA2 might arrive in the next month, or shortly after she arrives here in the US actually.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Jesse_Dylan

[orangedesk 27]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies!

She does not have her police certificates. I was thinking that would be something we could do while she's here in the US from June 28th onward, but yeah, maybe we should get that done now if we somehow can. I will research how that's done and see if she can do it before she comes here on the 28th. I'll check out that thread, too, as I didn't know about it.

Is there no way we can get the med exam and interview date booked close together? If that's not possible, then our idea of going back to the UK together for that can't happen. Depending upon when it is, I could probably stay there a month at the very most. I need to be in the US working. My job is very flexible at the moment, but I'll be switching to another job mid-October. I was thinking she'd be here the 28th, and then sometime within the next three months we'd know when the med exam and interview were, that they'd be close together, and that we'd be able to go to England together for that, get the visa, and return to the US together. It sounds like maybe that will not be possible?

It's entirely possible we won't get the NOA2 until the end of her stay here anyway, which was always a possibility, but my idea was that it would come sometime during her 84 (or whatever I made the tickets for) stay, and that we'd get it all taken care of, get the exam/interview dates, and go back to England together for them, stay with her family a few weeks, get the visa, and return to the US together.

The way it's looking, our NOA2 might arrive in the next month, or shortly after she arrives here in the US actually.

Thanks, LeftCoastLady for thinking of my post!! This forum has definitely saved me SO many times. I couldn't imagine doing everything I've done without it and without the support of everyone here

Regarding the police certificate... with all the requirements for it, she'll most likely have to do this while she's still in the UK since they need to verify her address and have someone officialish sign a passport-sized photo of her verifying that she is who she says she is. The certificate is valid for one year, so you can do that now before she leaves. (my guy did this in January before he got here). You also need the police certificate for the medical exam. They photocopy it there and give you the original back for the interview. Here's the application form and more information: http://www.acro.police.uk/uploadedFiles/Police%20Certificate%20Application%20Form%20v17.2.doc.pdf

For the medical exam/interview timeline... when I called to pay the visa fee, they said it would take about a month from the medical exam date to the interview date. When you get to that stage, you have to send the embassy a cover letter where you can request an expedite, but it's not guaranteed. They definitely have to be booked separately. The good news is that after you get the NOA2 and you know that it's been sent to the NVC, she can get her London case number and book the medical exam right away. So unfortunately, I don't really think there's a way to guarantee that the date of the interview and the date of the medical exam will be close together... but you can try.

What my guy and I are doing... he went back at the beginning of May, I visited him for memorial day for a few days and then visiting again around the 4th of July for a few days. So, we won't see each other in the month of June which does suck, but if you have the financial means to make the flight and take a few days off work for a long weekend, that might be the better way to do it. If you could visit every three weeks or so, it won't be that bad.

Edited June 2, 2012 by orangedesk

[Jesse_Dylan 0]

Yikes. We'll get going on that police certificate thing. It will be pretty easy for her to get a signature, looking over the list. I'm sure she can get a teacher or someone to do it really quickly.

Now what I'm wondering... She's coming June 28. Our NOA2 should come around the same time, really. I suppose once we get the med exam date, she should fly back ASAP to get the exam. Then she'll have to wait a month for the interview, and then a few days, and she'll be able to come back to the US with the visa?

Or do they let us choose the med exam date? Her return flight is September 24 or something like that. If we get her exam date and it's before September 24, would it be better to fly her back? Or should we try to get an exam after September 24? If they want the med exam, say, August 2nd, maybe it would be better to fly her back for that. But then, would I know when to make her return flight (back to the US) for?

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to do much/any visiting. We've got her 84 day trip to the US booked, but it sounds like my budget will be taken up just flying her back and forth. It also sounds like we should only be apart for about a month really before she can return to the US?

Sorry if I'm not understanding all this correctly!! I'm just trying to figure out the most reasonable way to roll with all this.

[LeftCoastLady 441]

Yikes. We'll get going on that police certificate thing. It will be pretty easy for her to get a signature, looking over the list. I'm sure she can get a teacher or someone to do it really quickly.

Now what I'm wondering... She's coming June 28. Our NOA2 should come around the same time, really. I suppose once we get the med exam date, she should fly back ASAP to get the exam. Then she'll have to wait a month for the interview, and then a few days, and she'll be able to come back to the US with the visa?

Or do they let us choose the med exam date? Her return flight is September 24 or something like that. If we get her exam date and it's before September 24, would it be better to fly her back? Or should we try to get an exam after September 24? If they want the med exam, say, August 2nd, maybe it would be better to fly her back for that. But then, would I know when to make her return flight (back to the US) for?

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to do much/any visiting. We've got her 84 day trip to the US booked, but it sounds like my budget will be taken up just flying her back and forth. It also sounds like we should only be apart for about a month really before she can return to the US?

Sorry if I'm not understanding all this correctly!! I'm just trying to figure out the most reasonable way to roll with all this.

You won't really know when to book the flight to the US until the interview is scheduled, it happens, she's approved, and the visa is delivered back to her. Don't book anything until you know for sure she has her passport back and is ready to travel.

[Jesse_Dylan 0]

You won't really know when to book the flight to the US until the interview is scheduled, it happens, she's approved, and the visa is delivered back to her. Don't book anything until you know for sure she has her passport back and is ready to travel.

Well, we've already got her trip booked for June 28 through September 24 here in the US (I know, I keep saying this sorry! thinking in circles). So I guess when they give us the med exam date, then we just fly her back to England, even if it's July 3 and she's only been here a few days. The thing is, getting a one-way ticket is more expensive than a round-trip, and she'll need to come back to the US anyway.

But yeah, I see what you mean. You're right of course.

[rocks 494]

Well, we've already got her trip booked for June 28 through September 24 here in the US (I know, I keep saying this sorry! thinking in circles). So I guess when they give us the med exam date, then we just fly her back to England, even if it's July 3 and she's only been here a few days. The thing is, getting a one-way ticket is more expensive than a round-trip, and she'll need to come back to the US anyway.

But yeah, I see what you mean. You're right of course.

They will not schedule you the medical exam, you have to do that yourself. You will get instructions on what to do once London receives your approved petition.

Once your NOA2 is approved, you have many stages to go through before getting to the interview stage. Have you seen the flowchart for K-1?

You should also read this information about the Embassy in London.

Once she has waited for a few months and had the interview, provided she passes with no problems, she will have to wait for them to deliver the passport. There is no definitive time for this to happen, it could take a week. You can't plan when or how long to visit for, sorry. You shouldn't book any flights until she has the approved visa in her hand.

[orangedesk 27]

Yikes. We'll get going on that police certificate thing. It will be pretty easy for her to get a signature, looking over the list. I'm sure she can get a teacher or someone to do it really quickly.

Now what I'm wondering... She's coming June 28. Our NOA2 should come around the same time, really. I suppose once we get the med exam date, she should fly back ASAP to get the exam. Then she'll have to wait a month for the interview, and then a few days, and she'll be able to come back to the US with the visa?

Or do they let us choose the med exam date? Her return flight is September 24 or something like that. If we get her exam date and it's before September 24, would it be better to fly her back? Or should we try to get an exam after September 24? If they want the med exam, say, August 2nd, maybe it would be better to fly her back for that. But then, would I know when to make her return flight (back to the US) for?

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to do much/any visiting. We've got her 84 day trip to the US booked, but it sounds like my budget will be taken up just flying her back and forth. It also sounds like we should only be apart for about a month really before she can return to the US?

Sorry if I'm not understanding all this correctly!! I'm just trying to figure out the most reasonable way to roll with all this.

A few things: the medical exam date is up to you. When we called to book the date, we asked for the first available, thinking we'd need a month's notice. It was about four days away from when we called which was awesome, but we actually needed to wait a few weeks for my guy to get the time off and be able to get into central London, etc. So, don't worry about the specific date of the medical exam since you can really pick your own date/time.

Another thing to note is that it takes about a month after the NOA2 date to actually get the new London case number that you need to book the medical exam and pay the visa fee. For me it was about three weeks, but the general rule is a month, so even if you do get the NOA2 on the day she gets there, you won't even be able to book the medical exam for a few weeks.

Just book the medical exam for when she gets back and have someone back in the UK check her mail to see when she gets the packet 3 letter. You can work on filling out all those forms and compiling all those documents while you're together.

Don't worry, it'll all work out!

Edited June 2, 2012 by orangedesk