Donis1410

WOW.....just read all the way through this forum for the first time and I have got to say that I am really really impressed.
I am officially, 100%, only using this site for my visa inquiries from now on. People seem so much more friendlier and willing to help on here than they do on "some other" immigration forums.
There are, however, a couple of things I need to ask to check for my understanding and to assist me with how things are developing in my application.
Firstly on 26/04/2012 it was posted on the USCIS Website, alongside our reference number, that our petition had been approved. I was wondering how long I can expect to wait (impatience I know!!!)to receive the the official confirmation in the mail and package 3 where I can then send off my DS forms?
The rest of my queries are:
- I only have to send off the DS-230(part I), 156, 156k & 157 forms (alongside "additional info" sections where there was not enough room on the original form, all signed and dated to match relevant forms) in the first instance once they are complete so that my file can begin to be processed and around the same time get my Medical Booked? Obviously making copies in case of "lost" paperwork etc and where copies are requested to be sent etc.
- Once I have had my medical AND have the relevant documentation required for my interview I send off the DS-2001 with a cover letter?
- In this "Cover Letter" I need to mention; Wedding Date, Medical Date, Email Address. Also on this cover letter could I mention (as due to my current employ I work shifts and due to having agreed to a career break and a trip to the USA coming up in MAY I do not have anymore Annual Leave) possible dates to avoid or dates that are preferable for the interview? What would be the best way of doing this given my situation with work?
- In addition for the "Cover Letter". Regarding the "Wedding Date" myself and Megan are getting married (all booked and paid for) on September 15th with guests and the like, with a ceremony. But are looking at, if I arrive in the USA early enough, possibly getting married at a court beforehand to "speed up" the AOS process etc. With HONESTY being very key with these interviews, I am looking at mentioning this, does anyone think this would be a problem?
- I will then receive, at some point, an interview letter with a date and time around one month before this appointment.
- Upon attendance at the Embassy for this interview I will need to take only the following (plus on photocopy - minus photo's and passport):
Affidavit of Support (From Megan)
2 x US Passport Photo's
Birth Certificate
Passport
Police Certificate
VISA Fee Receipt
- Based on this list is there anything that I have missed out or that I should make sure I have ready and take with me for "back up"?
Sorry for the big entry but any info would be appreciated.
Thank You

Hi! You got your visa already? That's awesome! Ours is supposed to come tomorrow. Have you read any of the POE reviews at the top of this forum? There's reviews for any city you'd be flying into: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php
I'm sure someone who actually went through this already can provide more input, but here's what I think happens... anyone feel free to correct me:
First, on the plane, you know how the flight attendants usually come around with the forms you have to fill out before you get to your luggage? Well, if you've always traveled under the visa waiver program, you'll have to fill out an extra one this time. So, you're going to fill out the small blue form that everyone has to fill out and then another white form. This white form is your I-94 and after the customs officer receives it, they'll put it back in your passport or give it back to you. You need this to apply for a social security number and for AOS.
Once you get off the plane and go to customs, tell them you're entering on a K1 visa and they'll need to see your passport with the visa printed in it, the sealed "do not open envelope" and the CD of the medical exam. Some of the POE reviews I've read, people are taken into secondary inspection or a different section for "new immigrants," but I think that's just to provide more space for people to sign everything. Based on what I've read, it's nothing to be worried about and it's more of the customs officer going through all the papers in the "do not open packet" and signing documents.

To apply for a change of interview date to an earlier one you have to send an email to londoniv@state.gov with a subject heading of your case number.
In the email you then state that you wish to have an earlier interview date and then give your reasons why etc and then you can also suggest certain days that work best for you.

i thought i would post this here for you all to read...
My appointment was for 9.30 and after leaving my bag (£3) and my mobile (another £3) at Goulds pharmacy I joined the queue outside the embassy at 8.45. It is all quite simple really and all the staff including the security guards and armed police are friendly and helpful.
I went up to a group of ladies in bright yellow jackets and after checking my name off the list I was sent to join the queue. It moves quite quickly and 30 seconds later an older gentleman checked my passport, MRV fee receipt, and my appointment letter and told me to stand outside the security hut. You are called in to security four at a time and you place all your belongings including your belt if wearing one in to a tray which is x-rayed as you walk through the body scanner. Collect all your stuff, exit the security hut and follow the building round to the right, up some stairs and in to reception where a lady will book you in and attach a sticker to your appointment letter. I was number I912. You then go up some stairs and in to a large room full of seats and TV screens across the middle.
“I” numbers are few and far between so listen to the announcements and watch the screens so you don’t miss it. After about 45 minutes I was called to window 1 where I was greeted by a quiet speaking Chinese lady... she was nice and polite but I really did have to listen carefully to what was being said. I was asked for my birth certificate and copy, my police certificate and copy, passport and 2 passport photos, and then the I-134 from my sponsor. The only evidence she took to go with the I-134 was Jenni’s letter of employment... no wage slips and no tax returns etc where asked for. I gave my fingerprints, took the DXsecure delivery form and went and sat back down.
2 ½ hours later I was called up to window 15 for my interview where I was met by a friendly American guy who took my fingerprints and had me raise my right hand (don’t worry he finds it amusing when you raise your left hand by mistake lol) and say I do for the oath part. He started flicking through my file and asking questions which where all related to the previous question so it made it seem quite informal and not at all like an interview.
How did we meet??
How did our relationship progress??
What was it about this girl that made me want to marry her after only spending a short amount of time together in person??
Did I know she was previously married??
What did I know about her ex??
How old where her 2 children??
What kind of things where they in to??
He then asked about why I had ticked yes for question 38 on form DS-156 “Have you ever been arrested or charged with an offence...”. I was done for driving without insurance about 15 years ago and I told him and he just said it is fine. I got the impression that he was impressed by my honesty as he said it was something that most people tend to “forget about” as there is no record of it on the police certificate or on a subject access request. Next he asked me about Jenni’s income as it falls slightly short of the requirement as she works hours to suit the children. I told him she would go full time when I got there but I had a co-sponsor anyway if it was needed. He took the co-sponsors I-134, looked at it and said “thats fine... we just like to have it on record”. He didn’t take any supporting evidence whatsoever. I then signed form DS-156K. He then looked at me and said... “all there is left to do now is congratulate you on your visa... you can stop being so nervous now”
He handed me back my original documents and a CD with my chest xray on it, explained about the “do not open” envelope and POE, and then I thanked him a million times before I went and paid for delivery of my visa.
Job done and all in all it was painless and a lot easier than I thought it would be.
What I took with me which was actually needed on the day...
MRV fee receipt.
Appointment letter.
Passport.
2x passport photos. Can be done at Goulds pharmacy or in the embassy for £5.
Birth certificate and copy.
Police certificate and copy.
Sponsors I-134 and financial info which was just the letter of employment.
Co-sponsors I-134.
What I took that wasn’t needed on the day...
Subject access and copy (only possibly needed if you tick yes to question 38 on DS-156)
Sponsors financial info... tax return, W2, pay slips.
Co-sponsors financial info... tax return, W2, pay slips, employment letter.
Updated letters of intent to marry.
Spare copies of all the DS forms submitted as part of “packet 3”.
NOTE: I did not take any evidence of ongoing relationship, nor was I asked for it.
Things I noticed others have a problem with...
No matter how many times people outside where told not to take anything electronic in to the embassy, people were still being asked to leave security and dispose of things... mainly headphones. Goulds pharmacy is 2 minutes away and is relatively cheap (£3 per bag and £3 for any number of electronic items) and it seems secure.
Pay the visa fee BEFORE you attend the interview as you need the MRV fee receipt. A guy was allowed in without it but the lady doing document intake was seriously pissed with him and I noticed that his actual interview was over within 2 minutes and he left the building without paying for delivery of his visa.
My advice to everyone else...
Read through the embassy reviews on VJ and get a feel for the questions you will be asked. They are things you really should know the answer to but I found it helpful to know basically what questions where coming next as it seems like each interviewer has their own list that they ask from.
If there are any issues that you know of then do your research and be prepared for them by obtaining extra documents.
Be prepared to spend 4-5 hours in the embassy so take a book or something... oh and a pen to fill in the DXsecure form. You also need a credit/debit card to pay for the delivery of your visa.
RELAX