Sam&Lu

I had my medical done in November 2013 at Dr Cobb after receiving the email quoted above. I was told the estimated cost would be R2500. I only needed two vaccines so I paid somewhat less than that, but from what I know that is the upper limit of cost.

The tax transcript is only required If your fiancé self employed as far as I understand. It just helps to establish proof of his ability to support you. I think you are ok

ugh I've been stressing out about this! But yeah, I think that makes a lot of sense. Thanks

Go to the interview and at worst you'll get a 221g form saying to send those in, if they need them. He can email them to you or the Embassy if needed.

Is the 221gn form a denial or no?

Thanks though, I need to calm down a bit

Hi everyone!

So, our interview is next Tuesday and I am busy organising the relevant documents to bring with me. I just noticed that my fiancee didn't send me any of his tax information whatsoever, and the original I-129F contains no tax information either. He's sent me his pay stubs, letters from his bank regarding his accounts and deposits, letters relating to stocks he owns and a letter from his employer, but no tax transcripts. I am freaking out since he's applied for them online today and was informed that it takes 10-30 days to acquire. Are these required? Is there a chance of us being denied because I don't have them?

Hello,

Thank you for the replies. I'm still confused. So I can send back the DS 230 and 1083 before I've received the paperwork I need from my US fiance? What is there to send back on the 1083? The 1083 they sent me is just a list of countries regarding the criminal check but nothing to fill in/return.

I emailed the consulate and they never got back to me and when I call I can't actually get through to a person. From looking around on VJ there are sometimes discrepenices in what the consulate info says vs the process others have gone through. (eg the Ds160)

Can I email back my DS230 even though my US fiance will only send me his paperwork this week(I'll receive it next week I imagine)?

Hi,

I also received the DS 230 and sent it back, emailed the consulate the next day and they told me I just needed to fill out the DS 160 online and to send back the notification of readiness. I would suggest emailing them again to ask for the updated packet three, although you can send back the DS 230 since it is neither here nor there.

I sent back the notification of readiness before I had my fiance's documents as he had already posted them. He posted them on the 24th and they arrived yesterday. But then again he used USPS, maybe some other method would be faster. I think you'd be fine to send back your readiness form.

I would email the Consulate and ask. They sent me 2 sets of packet three's! ha! So I had to confirm what they wanted.

Hi!

Did you ever find out whether the Ds-261 was needed? I can't seem to get through to the consulate today and I also received it as part of packet 3. This is really stressful!

Congratulations! I can't imagine how excited you must be!

We sent packet 3 day after you and just called consulate to check and was told booked out 6 weeks now. UGH!!

email them or call again. I spoke to a lady yesterday about some questions I had and at the end she asked if she should arrange a date a bit later or if I was fine with the 19th. They may still have a few dates.

That is in 19 days! Good luck to you guys! I'm sure the VISA will be approved

As for us, we'll have to be patient and just wait. He is waiting for his passport which may take 2-3 months, so there's nothing I can do but just be patient.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Where has he applied? I applied at Home Affairs in Pretoria and it was ready in a week. Pretoria is quite fast because the head office is here.

wow- that is super fast! We are very lucky that the consulates we're dealing with are efficient and from all the reviews very friendly. I've read horror stories about other consulates, so I count my lucky stars

When is your interview date?

Interview is on the 19th of November! Kind of stressed out, but excited.

I hope the rest of your journey is speedy!

Hey Sam&Lu- can you guys let us know how long it takes you to get an interview after you send back packet 3 (or rather the readiness form).

Once I sent back the notification of readiness, I received the email containing my appointment letter within the hour.

Here are the new requirements, per the Consulate.

The Consulate has received your approved petition. You may now download the initial set of instructions, known as “Packet 3”, from website

Forms required:

Form DS-160 — Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Form DS-261 - Choice of Address and Agent

Form DS-2001 — Applicant’s Statement of Readiness to be Interviewed

Form I-134 — Affidavit of Support

A medical examination report is required. Your medical is only valid for 6 months and must be valid when you enter the U.S. please consider this when scheduling your medical appointment.

You may need to obtain a police certificate for South Africa or another country.

Please note that you must be interviewed and have your visa issued within the four-month validity of your petition.

When you have obtained all of the documents and forms required for your case, complete and email Form DS-2001 to advise the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg at consularjohannesburg@state.gov that you are ready for your final visa interview.

K-1 visa processing times vary. There may be unexpected ineligibilities that become apparent only at the time of your interview which require additional time and processing. For this reason, you should not make any irrevocable arrangements, such as purchasing non-refundable tickets, selling your home, or quitting your job, until after your visa is actually approved and issued to you.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General, Johannesburg

I emailed them this morning and they sent this through. I guess the person who forwarded the email to me yesterday wasn't aware of the changes.

Hey- can you share with us what the new requirements for packet three are? I think I got a good idea from all the great info MayandJohn posted, but I'm an eager beaver...even though I know our case will sit for 2-3 months while we wait for his passport.

There are new requirements?? I just sent back the DS-230 Part 1 and notification of readiness even though the consulate *forgot* to tell me to send that back! Its a good thing VJ exists or we'd all be quite lost. There are some other forms in there (DS-156. DS-156K, Supplement to DS-156 and DSL-1083) as well as instructions, but I'm assuming I have to fill those out and take them to the interview since they have to be signed in front of the Consular officer. Again, the Consulate hasn't alerted me to this. I think that the DS-156 has to be done in duplicate, which they also have neglected to tell me. Thank Gandalf for VJ!

Just got the packet 3 email from them at 5AM today, my fiance is working on emailing back the forms to say we are ready!! wow, I hope we get an interview set soon too.

Johannesburg is really quick these days. I'm sure it will be soon!

The NVC kept our petition for 7 weeks after we were approved, but the US Consulate in Johannesburg has been absolutely wonderful. Checked CEAC this morning to find that our petition's status was 'ready'. I emailed the Consulate to find out how long it would take til we received Packet 3 and 2 hours later Packet 3 was in my inbox. I sent back the notification of readiness and was given an interview date within the hour.

Over the moon!

Congratulations!

That NOA 2 was quick! We sent ours in July, and fingers crossed it will go the same way.

Good luck!