Sending forms to London consulate before receiving Packet 3?

[Sean and Laura 1]

Hey VJers --

A quick question. Our K1 petition just passed cleared the NVC on Wednesday and was shipped then (Aug 1) to the London embassy. According to the VJ timeline it can take 3-5 business days for the embassy to receive the packet, and up to another week for them to send "Packet 3".

However I just discovered the London consulate page on VJ: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=United%20Kingdom&cty=London

(How did I not look at this sooner??) The page explains this about "Packet 3":

Used to be called 'Packet three', cause they send you forms etc through the mail. Now it is just a letter containing a link of where to download all the forms and the IV-15 check-list.

Immigrant visas: http://london.usembassy.gov/ds2001.html

K visas: http://london.usembassy.gov/iv_15.html

(The required forms to send back are in the upper right column of the page)

So here's my question -- is there any reason to wait to receive the letter from the embassy before sending in the forms for "Packet 3", or can we jump the gun and send them in as soon as we have them ready and have confirmed that the embassy has received our petition? We already have our case number from NVC...

Curious if anyone's had any personal experience doing this, especially in London.

Cheers!

S.

Edited August 4, 2012 by Sean and Laura

[orangedesk 27]

Hey VJers --

A quick question. Our K1 petition just passed cleared the NVC on Wednesday and was shipped then (Aug 1) to the London embassy. According to the VJ timeline it can take 3-5 business days for the embassy to receive the packet, and up to another week for them to send "Packet 3".

However I just discovered the London consulate page on VJ: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=United%20Kingdom&cty=London

(How did I not look at this sooner??) The page explains this about "Packet 3":

So here's my question -- is there any reason to wait to receive the letter from the embassy before sending in the forms for "Packet 3", or can we jump the gun and send them in as soon as we have them ready and have confirmed that the embassy has received our petition? We already have our case number from NVC...

Curious if anyone's had any personal experience doing this, especially in London.

Cheers!

S.

Hi! Check out the UK country forum, and namely, the "London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread" here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

This will clarify a lot of the questions you may have. I know photomile on this board did exactly what you're suggesting and sent in the packet three forms before receiving the packet 3 letter and I think everything went OK for him and he was able to get an interview date quickly. Take a look at his timeline, he was able to get things done a lot faster than me lol.

You can also book your medical exam too with the LND number and if you have your police certificate.

[Ryan&Rain 1]

It will be ok

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

So here's my question -- is there any reason to wait to receive the letter from the embassy before sending in the forms for "Packet 3", or can we jump the gun and send them in as soon as we have them ready and have confirmed that the embassy has received our petition? We already have our case number from NVC...

Curious if anyone's had any personal experience doing this, especially in London.

Cheers!

S.

Yes, people have done this for years. A call to DOS can confirm London indeed has your case. I think it's jumping the gun when people want to send the forms when their petition is not yet approved, or it hasn't made it to the NVC , or out of the NVC. There is a list if things that can be prepared prior to petition approval in the first post of London 2012- K1s from NOA2 to interview thread Let's organize the info/questions into one place. Then once the file makes it to London, you already have your ducks in a row.

The police certificate form is changing on Monday (Aug 6) so be aware of that . I don't think it's posted yet but they are accepting the old form for a few weeks. http://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx

[Sean and Laura 1]

The police certificate form is changing on Monday (Aug 6) so be aware of that . I don't think it's posted yet but they are accepting the old form for a few weeks. http://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx

Wow, that's good to know about the police certificate. Laura sent in her police certificate form last week, so I guess we just beat that deadline.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Once we get everything completed and sorted, and are sure the embassy has received our petition, I think we'll go ahead and send in the forms.