rascalflatt

I remember going through this process and just wishing someone had put their own experiences of the whole thing in a succinct and objective format so I could get a better grasp of it all…this isn’t meant as an instruction list – merely as a descriptive of my own observations from both going through it and reading thread after thread asking the same questions.
Hope it’s helpful….
Firstly, this process is LONG. Expect your case to sit in a pile for months on end before it is touched by anyone. The period of time between NOA1 and NOA2 is the longest and most frustrating but be patient because once this is done with, things do start to happen more mechanically. From submittal of K1 petition to visa in hand my process took 11 months without an RFE.
Pay no attention to others’ horror stories or tales of woe. It’ll only get you unduly worried and can bog you down. Focus on your own process. Just because someone had a specific experience doesn’t mean you will experience that also. Each case really is completely different and you should know that, generally, things will happen as they should.
You can visit. I did, many times during the period from NOA1 to NOA2. I took a letter from my employer but never once needed it. Never once was questioned about anything. So don’t worry. Make sure your ESTA is valid and use this until you get your K1 visa.
Once you get your NOA2, call NVC every couple days to find out your LND case number. This will enable you to book your medical ASAP. Once you’ve done your medical, get your partner to call the DOS every couple days to find out your interview date.
Don’t worry about the medical, it’s a doddle. The hardest part is handing over all that money at the end of it!
Don’t worry about the interview, it’s a doddle. But DO ensure you have all the required documents with you on the day. If you don’t, you’ll delay your approval and visa issuance.
Unless you’re unable to read, type or write, you don’t need an immigration lawyer. For UK-US K1s, they’re unnecessary.
Get married as soon as you possibly can after arriving in the US. You need your marriage certificate to submit with the AOS packet so the sooner you have this, the sooner you can get the AOS moving.
Guys: get your SSN as soon as you can after arrival in the US. Girls: if you plan to change your name after getting married, get your SSN after you have your marriage certificate to avoid having to go back again to change your name. I have seen so many threads about this…just wait until you’re married.
When assembling your AOS packet, follow the VJ checklist and instructions to the letter. Include a table of contents (this will help you as much as it helps the adjudicator). Remember quality not quantity is the key when submitting evidence of your relationship.
Submit your AOS/AP/EAD packet together. You’ll only kick yourself if you leave one out and have to submit it later.
You need at least your EAD card to obtain a state driver’s license. Again, I’ve seen so many threads about this...in many states you’ll also need to take the theory and practical test but it’s a doddle compared with our UK test. You’ll pass.
Go ahead and try early walk-in for biometrics if you like. I did it, it worked for me and it works for most.
If you move out of state during the AOS process and have to have your file sent to another local office, update your address with USCIS both over the phone and by completing the AR-11 and mailing it in. They will transfer your file to your nearest local office and you will join the back of the queue there for an interview.
You only need to get the vaccinations part of the medical form completed by a civil surgeon as you’ve had the full medical already back in London. You have to use a surgeon indicated on the USCIS approved list.
Don’t worry about the interview (if you have one). It’s a doddle. As always, ensure you have all the evidence and documentation required with you on the day. Expect the interviewer to be polite but slightly frosty. They’re there in an official capacity.
The first Green Card you get will be a 2-year one. 90 days prior to expiry you’ll have to remove conditions in order to obtain your 10 year GC. I haven’t got there yet so watch this space…!
Hope the above is helpful….

Hi - yes go ahead it's valid for a year once you have it, and it takes a couple of weeks to come back to you.
I got mine just a few weeks after we submitted the original petition and the timeline was fine.

Hi,
I am not sure if but I dont think that embassy sends pk3 letter by email. I think you or your fiance can change your address by calling NVC number on 2026631225.

For a nation absolutely built on immigration, I am astonished at how painful this process is proving to be.
When we initially applied for the fiancé visa back in August 2012 it was a toss up between the UK or the US and we figured the US visa might be a better option because they have a more established and defined immigration service....and because we figured we'd be applying through California, which typically processed more quickly than Vermont....
....boy were we wrong!!!
Here we all are, doing it absolutely by the book (many don't!!) following all the procedures and paying the fees. And what do we get? 8 months of nothing.. Nothing, nothing, nothing!!
And now the latest is that the California Service Center is closed.....because the toilets don't flush. I am absolutely lost for words at this process.
Anyone else out there staggered, astonished and appalled at how awful this process is, I feel your pain!

For a nation absolutely built on immigration, I am astonished at how painful this process is proving to be.
When we initially applied for the fiancé visa back in August 2012 it was a toss up between the UK or the US and we figured the US visa might be a better option because they have a more established and defined immigration service....and because we figured we'd be applying through California, which typically processed more quickly than Vermont....
....boy were we wrong!!!
Here we all are, doing it absolutely by the book (many don't!!) following all the procedures and paying the fees. And what do we get? 8 months of nothing.. Nothing, nothing, nothing!!
And now the latest is that the California Service Center is closed.....because the toilets don't flush. I am absolutely lost for words at this process.
Anyone else out there staggered, astonished and appalled at how awful this process is, I feel your pain!

For a nation absolutely built on immigration, I am astonished at how painful this process is proving to be.
When we initially applied for the fiancé visa back in August 2012 it was a toss up between the UK or the US and we figured the US visa might be a better option because they have a more established and defined immigration service....and because we figured we'd be applying through California, which typically processed more quickly than Vermont....
....boy were we wrong!!!
Here we all are, doing it absolutely by the book (many don't!!) following all the procedures and paying the fees. And what do we get? 8 months of nothing.. Nothing, nothing, nothing!!
And now the latest is that the California Service Center is closed.....because the toilets don't flush. I am absolutely lost for words at this process.
Anyone else out there staggered, astonished and appalled at how awful this process is, I feel your pain!

For a nation absolutely built on immigration, I am astonished at how painful this process is proving to be.
When we initially applied for the fiancé visa back in August 2012 it was a toss up between the UK or the US and we figured the US visa might be a better option because they have a more established and defined immigration service....and because we figured we'd be applying through California, which typically processed more quickly than Vermont....
....boy were we wrong!!!
Here we all are, doing it absolutely by the book (many don't!!) following all the procedures and paying the fees. And what do we get? 8 months of nothing.. Nothing, nothing, nothing!!
And now the latest is that the California Service Center is closed.....because the toilets don't flush. I am absolutely lost for words at this process.
Anyone else out there staggered, astonished and appalled at how awful this process is, I feel your pain!