General K-1 Visa Questions (London Embassy)

[borntwotimes 3]

Good afternoon y'all, I have a few general questions regarding the K-1 Visa for the UK. We've recently been approved for the petition, thanks be to God, and I'm curious to know a few things as the visa interview gets nearer.

1. Once we have the case # and schedule the medical exam, can we send in all DS forms including the DS-2001? Assuming we have all required supporting docs in hand.

2. Is it okay to mail all DS forms even though "packet 3" hasn't been physically received?

3. How soon must the MRV fee be paid? Will the embassy not schedule the interview until they show it's been paid?

Thank you in advance!

[lost_at_sea 995]

Many of your questions, and a bunch more you probably didn't even know you had, are likely in this long thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

It covers everything from NOA2 through to interview (plus timings of sending stuff) for K1s at London.

1. Yes.

2. Yes.

3. MRV fee needs to be paid in advance of interview. Not sure about interview scheduling with new payment system, but think you'll get the date whether you pay or not (payment instructions are in the interview invitation letter, as far as I know, so makes sense in my mind). Nich-Nick will correct me if this is wrong (it'll be discussed in the thread above, anyway).

Edited August 13, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Pitaya 2,577]

~~Moved from K-1 Process to UK Regional Forum~~

~Inquiry is London-specific~

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Good afternoon y'all, I have a few general questions regarding the K-1 Visa for the UK. We've recently been approved for the petition, thanks be to God, and I'm curious to know a few things as the visa interview gets nearer.

1. Once we have the case # and schedule the medical exam, can we send in all DS forms including the DS-2001? Assuming we have all required supporting docs in hand.

2. Is it okay to mail all DS forms even though "packet 3" hasn't been physically received?

3. How soon must the MRV fee be paid? Will the embassy not schedule the interview until they show it's been paid?

Thank you in advance!

This is my opinion based on K1 London experience

1. Yes

2. If you know London has your case and has logged it in. They may not do that immediately. It could be there and just in the mail room. Or your electronic file is there but not the physical one. . Best to know London is ready to receive your applications and has a file set up for you. They have a procedure. You can follow it or make up your own and hope nothing is misplaced. It doesn't guarantee you faster service. I noticed one of the ones on here who sent early like that doesn't have an interview yet and others from that timeframe do. Just saying if you don't have a critical deadline like a $100,000 wedding already scheduled, then what does 3-4 days early gain you? Your choice.

3. Wait for an interview appointment before paying. Paying early does NOT help you get an interview. The instructions that accompany your appointment time are on their web page http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/IV019_fiance_appt_letter.pdf

[borntwotimes 3]

Great advice! Thank you both very much. I'm just trying to get a mental picture of what's to come so as to be prepared.

Have a great day!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Great advice! Thank you both very much. I'm just trying to get a mental picture of what's to come so as to be prepared.

Have a great day!

Hey--you changed your picture. It was the Capitol. Right?

If you haven't seen this list, it gives suggestions of what to prepare http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/350185-london-2012-k1s-from-noa2-to-interview-thread/

And post #6 in the same thread points you to your packet 3 instructions so you can prepare your forms. Post #18 has a version of the letter you get. They have updated it a little to add a paragraph about your rights.

You can call the Dept of State and ask if your file has been logged by London and when your letter went out. If so, mail away.

[borntwotimes 3]

Yeah lol, I had the Capitol building on my profile but changed it last night. I've actually seen that post before but didn't know it continued further up to #18 and so on. Currently we've been calling the State Department to find out if they've received our approved petition. We need the case number to schedule the medical. I also just got word that my fiance received my I-134 documents in the post too. So basically, we have all "DS" forms ready, I-134 form and supporting material, ACPO certificate, birth certificate, etc. We're just playing the waiting game now basically. I do have one question, in regard to the London Embassy. Are you able to call them directly without being nickel and dimed? Or are you still charged loads? I have seen that some people mail them a letter in the post for inquiries but haven't heard so much about calling.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Yeah lol, I had the Capitol building on my profile but changed it last night. I've actually seen that post before but didn't know it continued further up to #18 and so on. Currently we've been calling the State Department to find out if they've received our approved petition. We need the case number to schedule the medical. I also just got word that my fiance received my I-134 documents in the post too. So basically, we have all "DS" forms ready, I-134 form and supporting material, ACPO certificate, birth certificate, etc. We're just playing the waiting game now basically. I do have one question, in regard to the London Embassy. Are you able to call them directly without being nickel and dimed? Or are you still charged loads? I have seen that some people mail them a letter in the post for inquiries but haven't heard so much about calling.

All the contact stuff and payments and courier procedures changed two weeks ago. It used to cost £1.23/min to talk to them or call to pay. It's kind of a transitional mess right now so contact isn't guaranteed. I wouldn't even suggest it because they are not giving good K1 info right now and never did really. They are mixing in non-immigrant info and procedures. For a K1 in London, call yourself IMMIGRANT visa In all matters...phone, paying, etc.

If you want your LND case number, the NVC can give you that and also tell you when/if they received the file from USCIS and if it has left there for London. Ideally yes, it should be in London but sometimes USCIS or NVC delay passing it on.

DOS 202-663-1225 press 1, then 0

NVC 603-334-0700 Press 1 for English.

Hours: Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to midnight (EST). Best time to call is 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM to midnight (EST)

The 2 week old contact form for the embassy http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

The only new phone contact numbers posted are on this page http://london.usembassy.gov/visa_contact_information.html BUT you will notice it says it is for scheduling non-immigrant visa appointments (like student, tourist, business, clergy) and I think that is why those calling that number this week are being told incorrect information for K1 which is processed as Immigrant. K1s can not schedule their own interviews. That's why I say don't even call the embassy.