Next step!

[Lsthorpe1 129]

Hi Guys!!!

 

So my wait is finally over! Hurrrrrrah!

 

yesterday our case status changed online to "approved"!!!! 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 (K1 visa!)

 

It doesn't feel real! 

 

A little info on my timeline:

 

Recieved - January 10th

NOA1 - January 13th

RFE - July 23rd

Approved - September 13th

 

Sooo my questions for you guys - What's next????

What am I to do now?

Is there anything I can do to make the process quicker/smoother from here forward? 

When can I expect to finally be Stateside? (Roughly?!)

 

I feel way out of the loop as most January filers were approved a while back! 

 

Sorry to bombard you with all of these questions! I just want smooth sailing with the rest of this process!! Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated!!

 

Levi  😊😊

From The UK 😊

Edited September 14, 2017 by Lsthorpe1

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

You have to wait for your visa to be issued ofc. The case will pass through AP before it is issued which is normally fast but can also be long depending on extra checks. Once it is issued and in hand just book your ticket for whenever you want to leave  Do not book before visa is in hand since there are many stories of ppl ending up in long AP's and losing the money for the ticket. Unfortunately no one can tell you how long until you have your visa in your hand but NORMALLY within a 1-3 weeks of issued.

When you get to the US there will be many things for you to do - getting married and filing for AOS (see VJ guides) should be your priority as the EAD/AP that you file for with AOS (if you want to be able to work and travel while waiting on green card) takes 3-4 months to receive after filing. Form numbers i485, i131, i765 (the latter two are free when filed with the first) - you'll also need to include i864 - affidavit with evidence showing your sponsor meets 125% of poverty line income (or get a co-sponsor). Your fiance can start looking at that form and start looking at what supporting documents they will need.

 

You'll need to get a social security number. Head to the social security office as soon as you can and apply for this. It is normally quick but can also take a reaaalllly long time, and if you apply too late you'll have to wait for your EAD before you can get it. The Social Security Office can only issue you the card if your immigration check is completed with at least 14 days left on your i-94 (after which you'll need the EAD). My verification with immigration took 10 weeks - so I was cutting it close, pls apply asap, don't wait.

Other good things to do are, to open bank account - suggestion to open a joint account for future proof of co mingling of finances for ROC. Evidence of relationship for ROC (removal of conditions) should be gathered from the very beginning, since when it comes time to file for that it needs to date back to when you were married. So lease agreements with both your names, insurance documents etc.. (just a heads up to collect stuff - even though it's not your most pressing thing to do right away).

 

Start building your credit - you apply for secured credit card and get added to your spouses credit account (also good co-mingling evidence). This is also important to do quickly, since a major factor in a good credit score is credit history - so every month counts. You'll need good credit for future purchases, car loans, mortgage etc. If you have AMEX in your home country you can request a global transfer to the US, and I believe you could retain credit history.

 

Get health insurance - if you can be added to your spouses insurance once married that's great.

During your 3-4 months waiting for EAD/AP you will have plenty of time to stress out about all these things 

Bon Voyage and happy marriage!

Edited September 15, 2017 by Suss&Camm

[Lsthorpe1 129]

37 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

You have to wait for your visa to be issued ofc. The case will pass through AP before it is issued which is normally fast but can also be long depending on extra checks. Once it is issued and in hand just book your ticket for whenever you want to leave  Do not book before visa is in hand since there are many stories of ppl ending up in long AP's and losing the money for the ticket. Unfortunately no one can tell you how long until you have your visa in your hand but NORMALLY within a 1-3 weeks of issued.

When you get to the US there will be many things for you to do - getting married and filing for AOS (see VJ guides) should be your priority as the EAD/AP that you file for with AOS (if you want to be able to work and travel while waiting on green card) takes 3-4 months to receive after filing. Form numbers i485, i131, i765 (the latter two are free when filed with the first) - you'll also need to include i864 - affidavit with evidence showing your sponsor meets 125% of poverty line income (or get a co-sponsor). Your fiance can start looking at that form and start looking at what supporting documents they will need.

 

You'll need to get a social security number. Head to the social security office as soon as you can and apply for this. It is normally quick but can also take a reaaalllly long time, and if you apply too late you'll have to wait for your EAD before you can get it. The Social Security Office can only issue you the card if your immigration check is completed with at least 14 days left on your i-94 (after which you'll need the EAD). My verification with immigration took 10 weeks - so I was cutting it close, pls apply asap, don't wait.

Other good things to do are, to open bank account - suggestion to open a joint account for future proof of co mingling of finances for ROC. Evidence of relationship for ROC (removal of conditions) should be gathered from the very beginning, since when it comes time to file for that it needs to date back to when you were married. So lease agreements with both your names, insurance documents etc.. (just a heads up to collect stuff - even though it's not your most pressing thing to do right away).

 

Start building your credit - you apply for secured credit card and get added to your spouses credit account (also good co-mingling evidence). This is also important to do quickly, since a major factor in a good credit score is credit history - so every month counts. You'll need good credit for future purchases, car loans, mortgage etc. If you have AMEX in your home country you can request a global transfer to the US, and I believe you could retain credit history.

 

Get health insurance - if you can be added to your spouses insurance once married that's great.

During your 3-4 months waiting for EAD/AP you will have plenty of time to stress out about all these things 

Bon Voyage and happy marriage!

Thank you so much!!!

I really appreciate it!!

 

however, when I say we have been "approved" I mean NOA2!! 

 

So we still have medical and embassy interview! Any help on all of that?? 😃 like is there anything I can do now??? I read somewhere that I shouldn't try and get my police certificate sorted.

 

again, thank you!!!

[RaptureSongbird 533]

13 minutes ago, Lsthorpe1 said:

Thank you so much!!!

I really appreciate it!!

 

however, when I say we have been "approved" I mean NOA2!! 

 

So we still have medical and embassy interview! Any help on all of that?? 😃 like is there anything I can do now??? I read somewhere that I shouldn't try and get my police certificate sorted.

 

again, thank you!!!

@Suss&Camm gave great advice for once you arrive here and what you need to do, so follow that! 

 

For the steps between NOA2 and Arrival:

 

You can begin calling NVC in about 2 weeks to receive your LND#.  They can be reached at either 603-334-0700 or 603-334-0888.  One number is for the immigrant line and one is for the non-immigrant line but either will be able to give you your case number, so you can try both.  Once you have your LND# you should follow the steps here:

 

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/applying-for-a-fiancee-visa-instructions/

 

You can actually call Knightsbridge to schedule your medical as soon as you have your LND#, even though that's Step 3 on that site, since they are usually booked about 2 weeks out from the day that you call.  If you haven't already, you should obtain your police certificate from ACRO as that will take a couple of weeks to arrive to you  (https://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx)  If you've lived in another country besides the UK for a certain amount of time, you also need to obtain police certificates from that country.  I would advise you to look over the required documents for the interview here and start pulling things together:  https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/required-documents/  The document that is sometimes surprising for UK filers is the long form birth certificate that includes both parent's names.  If you don't have this in your possession, you're going to need to order it.

 

After you complete the Steps in the first link, then you'll just have to wait for your medical and for your visa interview.  You should schedule the medical and interview at least 5 business days apart in order to ensure the medical results arrive to the embassy in time for the interview.

 

In terms of how long to expect until you will be here, that's going to depend on how long it takes for your case to reach NVC.  Some cases arrive there very quickly (less than 2 weeks) while other cases take a little bit longer (a month to a month and a half).  So, you are kind of stuck now until you have your LND#.  Once you have that, then you'll have a better estimate of arrival as it will be about 2 weeks from that day until you can have the medical, another week until you can have your interview, and another 2 weeks before visa in hand if approved.  So, your timeline right now to visa in hand is anywhere from 7 weeks to 11 weeks.  It really depends on USCIS getting the case to NVC and NVC processing it.

 

I would also advise that you do not submit the DS160 until CEAC (https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

changes to Ready.  Once you have your LND# you can track it there and that will get you statuses like At NVC, In Transit, Ready (once it reaches the London Embassy), Administrative Processing (after approval at interview), and then Issued (once it's been handed off to the courier service for delivery).

 

Hope this helps!

Edited September 15, 2017 by RaptureSongbird

[GInAustin 164]

2 hours ago, Lsthorpe1 said:

Thank you so much!!!

I really appreciate it!!

 

however, when I say we have been "approved" I mean NOA2!! 

 

So we still have medical and embassy interview! Any help on all of that?? 😃 like is there anything I can do now??? I read somewhere that I shouldn't try and get my police certificate sorted.

 

again, thank you!!!

Congratulations!

[Lsthorpe1 129]

3 hours ago, RaptureSongbird said:

@Suss&Camm gave great advice for once you arrive here and what you need to do, so follow that! 

 

For the steps between NOA2 and Arrival:

 

You can begin calling NVC in about 2 weeks to receive your LND#.  They can be reached at either 603-334-0700 or 603-334-0888.  One number is for the immigrant line and one is for the non-immigrant line but either will be able to give you your case number, so you can try both.  Once you have your LND# you should follow the steps here:

 

https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/applying-for-a-fiancee-visa-instructions/

 

You can actually call Knightsbridge to schedule your medical as soon as you have your LND#, even though that's Step 3 on that site, since they are usually booked about 2 weeks out from the day that you call.  If you haven't already, you should obtain your police certificate from ACRO as that will take a couple of weeks to arrive to you  (https://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspx)  If you've lived in another country besides the UK for a certain amount of time, you also need to obtain police certificates from that country.  I would advise you to look over the required documents for the interview here and start pulling things together:  https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee-2/required-documents/  The document that is sometimes surprising for UK filers is the long form birth certificate that includes both parent's names.  If you don't have this in your possession, you're going to need to order it.

 

After you complete the Steps in the first link, then you'll just have to wait for your medical and for your visa interview.  You should schedule the medical and interview at least 5 business days apart in order to ensure the medical results arrive to the embassy in time for the interview.

 

In terms of how long to expect until you will be here, that's going to depend on how long it takes for your case to reach NVC.  Some cases arrive there very quickly (less than 2 weeks) while other cases take a little bit longer (a month to a month and a half).  So, you are kind of stuck now until you have your LND#.  Once you have that, then you'll have a better estimate of arrival as it will be about 2 weeks from that day until you can have the medical, another week until you can have your interview, and another 2 weeks before visa in hand if approved.  So, your timeline right now to visa in hand is anywhere from 7 weeks to 11 weeks.  It really depends on USCIS getting the case to NVC and NVC processing it.

 

I would also advise that you do not submit the DS160 until CEAC (https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

changes to Ready.  Once you have your LND# you can track it there and that will get you statuses like At NVC, In Transit, Ready (once it reaches the London Embassy), Administrative Processing (after approval at interview), and then Issued (once it's been handed off to the courier service for delivery).

 

Hope this helps!

Thank you so much!!!!

 

I reallllly appreciate it!

 

I have my fingers crossed that it won't take that long! We almost had to wait 7 months to be issued an RFE so I'm prepared to wait! Haha

 

One more question - So my case status has changed online to "approved" however we have not received a hard copy or anything? Should we expect to?

 

Exciting times ahead!

[RaptureSongbird 533]

1 hour ago, Lsthorpe1 said:

Thank you so much!!!!

 

I reallllly appreciate it!

 

I have my fingers crossed that it won't take that long! We almost had to wait 7 months to be issued an RFE so I'm prepared to wait! Haha

 

One more question - So my case status has changed online to "approved" however we have not received a hard copy or anything? Should we expect to?

 

Exciting times ahead!

Happy to pass along the help I've received here!

 

Your fiancé(e) in the states should be getting a letter from USCIS letting you know that you have been approved and your case has been forwarded to NVC.  Your fiancé(e) may also get a letter from NVC stating your LND# but those letters don't always show up which is one of the reasons people call.  Then, you should be getting packet 3 from the embassy, it might come or it might not, for a while it was a little hit or miss but lately it's been more consistent that people have been receiving them.

 

Also keep in mind that your fiancé(e) still needs to send you some documents as well that are listed on the required documents.  You need the completed I-134 with supporting documentation (letter from employer, W-2, paystub, bank statements - not all of them are required by at least 2 are suggested for London) along with an updated Letter of Intent to Marry.