London Embassy questions (split thread)

[6yearslater 4]

Wheatley and Nich-Nick have collaborated on this new guide. Because the mods want pinned threads to be for information only, please don't post your individual questions in this thread. Read it carefully and if you don't understand something or have a unique issue then start a new thread with your question. Keep this thread clear of your progress, fears, joys, and frustrations. If anything changes in London, we will add information. The basic guide, once posted, can not be edited by either of us, so read to the end in case there are corrections

Pre-NOA2 Preparation

US Petitioner

1. Order your IRS Tax Transcript - Tax transcripts are an excellent source of evidence for your I-134 Affidavit of Support. They're certified by the IRS. You only need the most recent one.
2. Start getting the I-134 ready with the supporting documents [e.g. proof of income].London will accept any proof on an I-134 that clearly shows income. Some ways besides a tax return/transcript are employer letter, pay stubs, pension letter, or banks statements showing direct deposits. Pick two. You don’t need to prove income five different ways. If you have a new job or earn more income since your tax return, then an employer letter and recent pay stubs are a better choice than a weak tax return. This one has to be sent the old-fashioned way with a “wet” signature on it. Copies of the form aren't accepted, but your proof of income can be scans or photocopies.
3. London does not typically want to see relationship evidence. In the majority of cases they haven't asked for it. If it gives you peace of mind, get some photos printed but don't panic over it at all. Nor do they want to see your NOA2 or a photocopy of the I-129F packet– what do you think they have in front of them?

UK Beneficiary

1. Go get your photos done. You're going to need 2x UK size and 1x US size. The two UK size photos are for your Medical and for your Police Certificate. Your US size one is for the Embassy – no longer do you need 2 of them, only one as they scan them in digitally. US size photos can be done at most photo booths at a cost of around £7 for 4 photos.

2. Go to your NHS doctor and get the immunizations you will need for Adjustment of Status. You can get a K1 visa without having any shots, but you will need them before AOS. It’s extremely wise to take care of it before getting to the US so you can avoid civil surgeon hassles and $$$. Many NHS doctors will do them for free, but they are not obligated to do so for immigration purposes. Get the shots documented by your doctor to take to your visa medical exam. If your doctor should say you don’t need something on this list, remember you have to go by US rules and that differs from UK standards. Here are the shots needed for 19 through 59 years of age:
   • Td or Tdap - Tetanus/diptheria/pertussis or get DT, DTP or DtaP and it will be accepted for AOS also. The latest shot must be no longer than 10 years ago or you need a booster. If you have a record of receiving pertussis, then the Td is okay for the booster.
   • MMR - (if born in 1957 or later)-Mumps/measles/rubella. It's two doses in your life, but if you get the first dose, and 4 weeks haven't passed by your medical, they will waive the second dose for "insufficient time interval". If you only had one dose as a child, get a second one before the medical.
   • Varicella - Not routinely given in the UK . A history of having chickenpox excuses you from the shot. They take your word for it at the visa medical exam.
   • Influenza – Required during flu season only, October 1 through March 31. This was a new recommendation dated November 2010 for all ages over 6 months. Older lists will say flu shots for over age 50. It changed. The list on the London embassy website is out of date since 2009. Don’t follow it.

3. Get all your documents together. Here is a link to London’s list of required documents. Be sure to click any links that say “please follow this link for more information” or you may miss details particular to you. Below are some links on how to get these documents or replacements of them:

   Police Certificate

   Birth, Marriage and Divorce Certificates

   Military Records

4. Finally, make sure your passport is in order – You need to make sure you have at least 8 months until the expiry date on it, preferably more. If you've damaged it or gotten it wet, or the edges are wrinkled, it will need to be renewed. London is fussy about that.

On here you state to bring two forms of evidence for the i-134, however on the actual instruction forms for the i-134 it says to pick from options A, B or C.. in which case we selected option B which is a letter from his employers that has been notarised and states the amount he makes per annum, seeing as he only just started working there recently (May) and prior to this he was a student in university receiving his GIBILL as he is a veteran. Do we need to have two forms? As I am quite concerned now.

[6yearslater 4]

What happens after NOA2? The Basics

1. Your Service center will send your file to the National Visa Center (NVC). You are done with USCIS when they hand off your file to the Department of State (DOS). DOS is over the NVC, as well all embassies.

2. The NVC is a short pit stop for a K1 case. They assign a new DOS case number and forward your file to London. Your new case number will begin with LND for London. The NVC will mail the petitioner a letter saying the file has been sent to London, as well as telling you the new case number. They aren’t fast about getting out the letters, so your case will likely be in London before you hear from them.

   Shortcut for those who can’t wait for their letter: NVC accepts phone calls. You can call and ask if your case has arrived, if it has gone to the embassy, and if they have assigned your LND case number.

   NVC: 603-334-0700 Press 1 for English

   Hours: Monday-Friday from 7:00 AM to midnight (EST).

   Best time to call is 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM or 10:00 PM to midnight.

   You can also find out your case number from DOS.

   DOS: 202-485-7600 Press 1, then 0. 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (EST)

3. Your case arrives in London. The embassy will send the beneficiary a letter of instruction. It’s not a “packet”, but just a letter that essentially says “We have your approved petition from the NVC and we're ready for you to begin submitting your forms and have your medical”. The letter has a link to the embassy website where you will find forms and instructions. The letter will have a very important date at the bottom called your priority date. The same date is found on your NOA2 showing the expiration date of the approved petition. This is your four month time limit – if you haven't had your interview by this date, London will require a notarized letter from the US petitioner stating they're still happy to get married. The letter is taken by the beneficiary to the interview.

   Shortcut for those who can’t wait for their letter: If you have obtained your LND number, you can enter it in the CEAC Visa Status Check site,. Choose “immigrant” in the drop down. Include the letters LND with your number. The important thing here is to forget the text at the bottom about scheduling interviews or anything like that – the Embassy does that for you once you've sent everything in. There are two main statuses at this point:

   In Transit – This one means your case is on its way from the NVC to London.

   Ready – This one means London has your casefile and is waiting to receive something needed to progress your case. You may begin submitting forms and booking the medical.

4. You now attend the medical and complete your forms (separate topics) before London will assign an interview date. London will not notify you each step of the way. The beneficiary will receive an interview letter from London. The interview will likely be 2-4 weeks from when they send the letter.

   Shortcut for those who can’t wait for their letter: DOS will know your interview date once it has been assigned. You may call them and ask the date. It is a good idea to check with them because London has sent out late letters or no letters in the past.

5. Once you know your interview date, you pay the visa fee online. (Details in a separate post)

What is the number to call for DOS?

[Pitaya 2,577]

~~Please do not ask, or post, questions in this "pinned" Guide. Start a new topic for your inquiry.~~

Pitaya

VJ Moderation

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

On here you state to bring two forms of evidence for the i-134, however on the actual instruction forms for the i-134 it says to pick from options A, B or C.. in which case we selected option B which is a letter from his employers that has been notarised and states the amount he makes per annum, seeing as he only just started working there recently (May) and prior to this he was a student in university receiving his GIBILL as he is a veteran. Do we need to have two forms? As I am quite concerned now.

If you read the VJ guides and K1 forums, they tend to advise 1) tax return, 2) letter from employer, 3) letter from bank stating average balance for a year, 4) pay stubs, AND 5) bank statements.

The London consulate does not require all those proofs. They have approved many on just an employer letter. The suggestion of two is simply to have a backup proof for those who worry and think they need five. London is very flexible as long as you have something that shows them you have employment, or a pension, or a trust fund, or are just rich without working. Pick any one thing that you can to show them some money. If you have your last pay stub and want to bring it "just in case" then do so.

Edited October 8, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[SunflowerSweet 1,321]

I have a question about the following section from instructions found off the London Embassy website here: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv_and_k_interview_checklist2014.pdf

It reads:

From November 12, 2014: Applicants are required to submit copies of their documents to NVC and bring the original document to the visa interview. The original Affidavit of Support, Form I-864 is still required by NVC and will be forwarded to the Immigrant Visa Unit with your file and available to the consular officer at the interview.

Your guide looks like it was created before November 12th 2014, so I was wondering if anyone has any information about the change that happened in November and what means for the process..

Also does anyone have any input on why the K-1 is not listed in the non-immigrant visa list here: http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/niv_visa_categories.html

But it referred to as an immigrant visa on the London embassy site and also mentions requiring a I-864 right away instead of the I-134?????

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have a question about the following section from instructions found off the London Embassy website here: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv_and_k_interview_checklist2014.pdf

It reads:

From November 12, 2014: Applicants are required to submit copies of their documents to NVC and bring the original document to the visa interview. The original Affidavit of Support, Form I-864 is still required by NVC and will be forwarded to the Immigrant Visa Unit with your file and available to the consular officer at the interview.

Your guide looks like it was created before November 12th 2014, so I was wondering if anyone has any information about the change that happened in November and what means for the process..

Also does anyone have any input on why the K-1 is not listed in the non-immigrant visa list here: http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/niv_visa_categories.html

But it referred to as an immigrant visa on the London embassy site and also mentions requiring a I-864 right away instead of the I-134?????

I already answered your first question in your other thread here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/570519-steps-for-k-1-visa-application-london/

The change in November 2014 was for spouse visas. Does not apply to K1s because they have never and still do not send anything to NVC. Any changes to the K1 guide are written after post 8. It can't be edited so updates are posted when they happen.

Immigrant vs Non-Immigrant:

The K1 visa has immigrant intent and an immediate path to a greencard by adjustment of status. You will have more hoops to jump through than say someone just getting a non-immigrant tourist visa. So the Immigrant Visa Unit in London handles all your processing and interview. They tend to write their instructions for immigrant visas and K1 differences sometimes get lost. If you look at this embassy website list of documents http://london.usembassy.gov/iv/application_documents.html you will see the affidavit of support has three options and it does tell K1s to use I-134 after discussing the I-864 first.

[Emmylou151 44]

I have a question about the following section from instructions found off the London Embassy website here: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-visa/iv_and_k_interview_checklist2014.pdf

It reads:

From November 12, 2014: Applicants are required to submit copies of their documents to NVC and bring the original document to the visa interview. The original Affidavit of Support, Form I-864 is still required by NVC and will be forwarded to the Immigrant Visa Unit with your file and available to the consular officer at the interview.

Your guide looks like it was created before November 12th 2014, so I was wondering if anyone has any information about the change that happened in November and what means for the process..

Also does anyone have any input on why the K-1 is not listed in the non-immigrant visa list here: http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/niv_visa_categories.html

But it referred to as an immigrant visa on the London embassy site and also mentions requiring a I-864 right away instead of the I-134?????

I have a query on this too - are we supposed to physically SEND copies etc... or do we BRING originals AND copies?!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have a query on this too - are we supposed to physically SEND copies etc... or do we BRING originals AND copies?!

Your K1 instructions on the London website are here http://london.usembassy.gov/iv/fiance_instructions.html

See "Step 2" and "The Interview".

A lot of people still bring extra photocopies with them to the interview, but they get handed back or told "we don't need photocopies anymore." It's been that way for maybe a year now. I forgot exactly when they stopped wanting the photocopies.

[6yearslater 4]

I have a query on this too - are we supposed to physically SEND copies etc... or do we BRING originals AND copies?!

For the Fiance visa interview, we need to bring in two or more pieces of evidence of your fiance's income or your supporter... a suggested piece of evidence is the i-134 for the fiance visa. The i-864 is used for adjustment of status and I am assuming that needs to go through the NVC.

We bring in originals and copies of the i-134 to our interview.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

For the Fiance visa interview, we need to bring in two or more pieces of evidence of your fiance's income or your supporter... a suggested piece of evidence is the i-134 for the fiance visa. The i-864 is used for adjustment of status and I am assuming that needs to go through the NVC.

We bring in originals and copies of the i-134 to our interview.

Your understanding isn't entirely correct.

Affidavit of Support for a fiance visa is Form I-134. London does not require two or more proofs of fiance income with that affidavit form. They will approve on one proof, example-an employer letter. A second proof is for those that worry something will happen to their first proof. More than two is redundant.

Affidavit of Support for a spouse visa interview is I-864. Totally different set of rules for it. Spouse visa applicants do mail it to NVC.

Affidavit of Support for a K1s Adjustment of Status (after marriage in U.S.) is I-864. Different rules than the I-134 about proofs of income. Adjustment of Status processing is all done by USCIS. Nothing happens at the NVC (National .Visa Center) because you are not applying for a visa. The visa is over and adjustment of status is a brand new process where the K1 applies to be a permanent resident of the US.

The documents brought to a visa interview are originals. London no longer wants photocopies of those originals brought as well. They will return your originals before you leave the embassy.