This is the full story of how we met and our subsequent venture into the K1 Visa Application process.
Marty is a natural born US Resident, living in Albuquerque New Mexico
Paul is a natural born UK Citizen living in Bexhill, England
We Met: Back in October 97, Marty had placed an ad on ACIOL which is an Internet Dating site for professionals. A couple of days later, I was sitting at my PC and had been surfing the net and was just about to turn off my PC. I was at the Yahoo main page and I don't know why but I thought -I'll look up dating..wonder if there is anything of interest there!! - Not that I was actively looking, I was happy with my life as it was.. Anyhow this stream of stuff came back from the search and I looked at a couple of links. My impression was this was nothing more than a meat market and was just about to disconnect, when I saw the entry for ACIOL. The fact that it was a site for professionals who did not have time for the normal singles scene was applicable to me. I clicked the link and browsed through some of the entries, not specifying any country or place.. I went through about a dozen of which 6 of I sent an email of short introduction, not really expecting an answer as it was quite a glib remark. It was curiosity that had me doing this, not a search for a life partner. I had responses from all of these (surprised) and within a week I was down to one that I was following through, this was Marty. To this day I cannot tell you what was in her 'ad' that attracted me...it just did. Things progressed from this point..a most amazing coincidence and the odds of this happening were freaky.
Every day we were exchanging mail, probing and evaluating the replies. My nature is one of being 'up front' and soon I was asking questions that were more personal and even intimate. I found I was 'nodding' when reading the replies. It was clear we were on the same wavelength. So it went on...
We Spoke: Early December we both knew that something was happening we had spent every day pursuing each others values and ideas. What our experiences were and what we both were looking for out of life. We both wanted pretty much the same things, we had become sort of intimate. We had exchanged photo's a while back and now needed to talk to each other, was she/I for real. This was all sounding to good to be true and we needed to talk. We did and it really only confirmed what we already knew. The thing was now we had spoken, it was going to become apparent that our telephone bills were going to go up and I mean UP. UK Telecoms is not as cheap as in the US and now Email did not seem enough and had to be complimented by regular chats.
We Knew!!: Into January 98 and we both knew that what we felt was more than just a new experience. There was nothing for it, we both knew we had to meet and neither of us could really wait. Luckily I had some holiday I could take in February. After some real soul searching and deep thought I made the decision. There was enough gone on between us for me to make the decision to fly 5000 miles to meet this wonderful person. It would either work when we met or it wouldn't, but at least we would know.
I Flew To The USA: Apart from the obvious doubts you would have in this situation, I was sure it would work out just fine. I arranged the flight for February 14th (How apt this was). Luckily the flying times although across time zones would mean we would actually meet on Valentine's Day. I think this is romantic...soppy perhaps..but I felt a good feeling about it. We met at Albuquerque airport and instantly we knew. I spent the best week of my life ever, with Marty and we were able to see that everything that we had felt, said and found before, was there and getting stronger. I have never felt so intensely about anyone as I do for her. I love her very much indeed!
Decision Time: 4 days into the visit, we were sure that our future only now existed if we were together. This meant we wanted to make it permanent. We both agreed and decided it was time to tell those close to us and start to make plans on how we were going to achieve our goal. We are to be married!
Getting Things Done: I left and came back to England, something I found very difficult to cope with and still do. Every day is consumed with thoughts of being together then and now, it sometimes hurts.
So we needed to satisfy the US government that what we have is special and real. I had no clue at the time what this would mean in achieveing this. Some forms to fill in..fine no worries. Then the K1 process kicks in..ouch! So the INS (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) want everything, they are doing a job. The job is to make sure that your application is real and not a scam. They want to be sure you are not going to be a public charge, you do not have any significant criminal back ground, you are healthy and do not carry any undesirable illness, AIDS, TB and the like. (See Medical). Ok seems fair enough, lets start doing this then..lets get the application in the mail.
Marty, started making progress with the forms and stuff from the local INS office. She was given the basic details. The I-129F, G-325A. One of the G-325's mailed to me to fill in and send back with copies of birth certificate, divorce certificateand photos. Seems simple. OK at this point I hit the Newsgroup alt.visa.us.marriage-based, and was I in for a shock. Things are not as simple as they seem and the whole process is fraught with inconsistencies and lack of clear and precise information. This NG has helped significantly in our K1 application, and has saved perhaps months of agony, because of not knowing how the system ticked and things to do and look for.
Like sending out with the I-129F copies of airplane boarding stubs, passport entry for my visit, photos that were taken of us together, emails, telephone bills all things that would offer evidence of the substance of our petition for a K1 visa and we want to get married. I am and will be eternally indebited to the people on this NG. It has been my driving force at times and certainly without it, the K1 process would have been a harder job that it has been.So armed with this source of information and the forms supplied by the INS we were ready for the first round.
UK Info: This section is about what I did here in the UK and for the most part is specific to this country. I joined alt.visa.us.marriage-based newsgroup, which I have to say has been a great source of information and have hopefully picked up some new friends on the way. Armed with the information gleaned from here I was able to plan my attack on the US Embassy in the UK. If I could get all the groundwork done here before the application arrived from the Texas INS it would hopefully save a lot of time.
First was the Police Check, I was informed this takes 40 days. I went to the local police station to get the form required a DP1. They did not have a clue so I phoned Sussex Police headquarters Data Protection dept and they knew what I needed and sent me the form. It arrived a day later and I duly filled it in and mailed it off with the £10 fee. I received it back 12 days later (not 40 days).
I had obtained the name and address of the physician who is employed by the US Embassy who deals with the medical aspects of the UK applicants medical process, with a view particularly to find out more about vaccinations. Now this guy is the Panel Physician he has the authority referred to in the vaccinations info. The list provided by the US INS is long and I knew that as we have an active immunisation program in the UK that half of these were most unlikley to be required. I want this in writing. I wrote to the doctor who confirmed the following: If you were born before 1956 you only need the Tetanus and Adult Diptheria vaccination (Td). If you were born after 1956 then you would need the addition of Tetanus and MMR - Measles, mumps and rubella. Thats it. In his letter he said that should I have any questions to phone him. I did, I wanted confirmation of what he had written. I was advised that in addition to the US Embassy fees that the doctors clinic required a fee of £85 to be paid in cash. (A point to remember). The 'Td' vaccination if carried out by him would cost £15 and could be done on the day. . He also informed me that the blood test results take 3 hours..so its looks like a long day. I have to say he was very helpful and it was comforting to know that at least someone in this process does not regard you as 'suspect'. If any UK resident would like details of this Physician then please email me paul@st-marys.demon.co.uk I subsequently found that my GP is able to do this vaccination on the NHS at no charge.
I applied for the necessary forms ahead of INS approval from the US Embassy, these took about 12 days to arrive. This pack is referred to as the UK/85. This pack contained the following:
| UK/85 | The instructions of what is required and the forms needed by the US Embassy. It also contains a checklist for all the supporting documents required. |
| OF 230 I (I = Part 1) | Biographic Data, similar to G-325A |
| OF 156 (Duplicate) | Non Immigration Visa Application, You fill these out but DO NOT SIGN it. |
| OF 156K Supplement to OF-156 | Basically questions about previous wife and any children |
| I-134 Note: There is a notice from the US Gov. State dept saying this has been superceded by I-864. The US Embassy in London as of Mar 98 is still asking for and accepting the I-134. Check this situation when applying. It may change at any time. |
Affidavit of Support. This is to filled in by your US based fiance. S/he needs to send this to you to present to the US Embassy along with all supporting documents. It is my understanding that the I-134 sent with the UK85 pack is if you as the alien have any additional assets you wish to offer demonstrating further financial support to your application. |
You will need to supply a number of documents. Birth Certificates can be obtained from the Registry Office in the town you were born, and marriage and divorce certificates. However if you do not have this information to hand or have no idea how to get hold of certified copies then you can contact:
Birth Certificates and Marriage Certificates
Preferably from the Registrar Of Births in the town in which you were born and the
Registrar of
Marriage or Church where you
were married.
Divorce Certificates:
Apply to the Family Divison at the court that dealt with your divorce or,
Family Proceedings Dept
Divorce Branch
Room G27A/27B
Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 1LP
I-129F Application: This is really the official start of the K1 Visa process and for whats its worth, the most hazardous, as if you follow the instructions as written, it is likely that your application will be delayed when they write requesting more information. I found some confusion and doubt as to whether the I-864 as a new document replacing the I-134 was required. In the event we sent both. However, I understand that Texas INS are happy with the I-134 as of March 98 and the US Embassy in the UK were prepared to accept the I-134. I would check on this if you are a new K1 pilgrim. The wrong forms can cause a significant delay.So this is what we sent:
| I-129F This requires a $75 filing fee |
K1 Application Form |
| G-325A (2 copies) | Biographics Form for both of us |
| I-134 | Affidavit Of Support |
| I-824 This document requires an additional $30 as a filing fee. |
This is a document that requests further action to your I-129F application, through mitigating circumstances or special request. We used this form to request the case documents on approval by Texas INS are cabled to the UK Embassy and not left to sit in the diplomatic pouch procedure which can take 30 days to arrive. |
| I-864 | Affidavit Of Support (Just in case) |
| Various Note: Supplying this information will save the Service Centre from sending out a letter requesting more information and causing a further delay. |
Evidence of Relationship, copies of Emails,telephone bills, my travel tickets, passport stamp showing visit in Feb, wedding venue contract, photo's of us together,etc. Anything that shows we have met, the application is bona fide and that we have every intention to get married and make a life together in the USA. |
| Covering letter with payment for filing fees. | Explaining how we met, details of meetings and contact, confirming our intention to get married etc. Note: There is some dispute about whether personal cheques are accepted by SC's. Unless you have a specific reason send the fees in a money order or bank draft. Otherwise you could find additional delays while, your cheque is returned asking for a money order instead. Check with the service centre if in doubt. |
Your fiancee's local INS office can supply these forms and advise you which of the National Service Centres you need to send your application to.
Notice of Receipt: The notice of receipt is a document from the INS Service Centre acknowledging receipt of your application and that the process has started. The NOR gives you your case number. The case number from Texas INS is a 13 character number and starts with three alpha characters. They also provide a telephone number that has an automated service allowing you to punch in the case number and receive the latest information.
Note for UK residents: The case number leads with 3 letters (In my case SRC) if you decide to phone the automated telephone enquiry line, make sure you have made the conversion of any letters to numbers. My phone has not got letters on it and therefore it was not immediately apparent which number corresponded to which number. Basically starting with the number 1 assign three letters of the alphabet, working your way through to Z. i.e: number 1 is ABC, 2 is DEF...and so on. Now its a case of wait it out while the INS wheels churn over the paperwork. I have rung the automated line a few times and as of yet (April 4th) there is still nothing on there. This continued to be the case...no details were ever entered on the automated line, apparently they had been experiencing problems with it at this time.
Notice Of Approval: This was received on April 10th in USA by my fiancee. The Notice stated that approval had been given to the beneficiary named (me) and that the case would now proceed to the US Embassy in the UK. The notice quoted an number with an A at the beginning, I wonder if this is the Alien Registration Number. We also received a Notice of Approval for the I-824 stating that the documents had been electronically sent to the specified Embassy and that the National Visa Centre had been notified. I have not got a copy of the Notification so cannot explain what this is. However it seems that it is a formality as everything had gone through just fine. We decided that to ensure things ran smoothly that Marty would send me the original NOA and I would send this on to the US Embassy in the UK asking them to advise the soonest possible interview date. Marty sent it out on 13th April via priority mail and you can imagine my surprise when on Thursday 16th in the mail I received....
Letter for Interview: Yes this was dated the 14th April given, that the Approval was received in the US by Marty on the 10th, it confirms that the documents were electronically sent from Texas SC to the Embassy in London, otherwise how did it get across here in 4 days, of which 2 of these were a weekend. If you ask me it was the I-824 that kicked this in. Well worth $30 in my opinion. Anyhow I frantically opened the envelope that was marked United States Of America Official Business - Visa Branch. I scanned the first page and there right at the bottom was the Interview date - 7th May. Ok so going back to the envelope and its contents. 4 pages and a bank paying in slip. Page 1 is the letter giving you a case number (A number I have not seen before). This is the number for all further communication and the date of the interview. The next two pages (UK3) are instructions reminding you of the documents required, visa application fees, medical examination and a map showing where the Embassy is and the Doctors. Pretty standard stuff, but heavy on the reminding you of the need for the documents. Page 4 (UK45) is a very simple medical history form using the checkbox style, typically asking if you have had TB, Syphillis and other stuuf that I guess 99.9% of people will answer no. The only question I put a check against yes, was the one asking if I had ever been admitted into hospital. Finally the bank paying in slip. This is all filled in and ready to just take into the bank and pay your £30 visa fees. This you must do prior to the interview as you have to take the receipted stub with you to prove you have paid. I was so happy I hopped off down the bank the same day and paid in the fee. So now I'm ready for the interview...
7.30am Arrived at Dr Phelans practice I was the first one there.
7.45am There were 6 people
8.00pm There were around 18 people.
The doors dully opened and we were all ushered down stairs to the waiting room.
You are sent with your appointment letter a medical questionaire. I had this ready, with
my passport and what vaccination docs I had. So when the nurse on the desk said please
hand these in, mine were ready and gave them in, subsequently I was first to be seen. It
is at this point you
pay your £85 quid in cash. I saw one guy sent off to the bank because he had not got
cash, be warned.
8.10am Went in for blood test, I must have had the butcher Steve had, it
wouldnt stop bleeding, but it was not painful.
8.20 am I was taken with one other to go for the X-Ray. You go to some little
cubicles and you have to strip off from neck to waist. This was standard procedure and
done in two mins. I was then told to stay undressed and take my first left into the
doctors office. I went in and
he said hello. These are the checks he carried out
Blood Pressure
Looked in my eyes with a torch
Looked down my throat and asked to say ahhhhh.
Stethescoped me front and back with breathing in and out (standard stuff)
Asked me if I was on drugs.
Asked if I had all my vaccinations, I told him I had written to him and he
remembered saying I only needed one..had I got it. Yes...Ok then thats it.. he
told me to go and get dressed and wait in the waiting room while he waited for
the X-Ray
I went back to cubicle, got dressed and then to the waiting room
8.50am The nurse called me, gave me my X-ray and said I need to hand this in
when I arrive in the US. She said the medical had all gone OK and I could now
go off to the Embassy. Wished me luck and said dont worry you'll get the Visa.
I decided to walk (Its short)- turn right down to Marble Arch and then left
into Oxford Street, down to North Audley Street which is on the right. The US
Embassy is the great big building a the bottom as you reach the square. Dont
make the mistake I did and go in the door there, walk round the front of the
Embassy and down the right hand side and use that entrance. There are standard
security procedure on entry, looking through your bag and metal detector.
9.10am Walked in to a large room with booths, went straight to booth rang bell
and handed over my letter of Interview appointment. A woman came to the booth
and in a matter of fact voice systematically asked me to show the documents as
recorded on the UK 85 checklist in the order they appear, fortunately this was
the order I had them in. The photos were stapeled to the OF 156K and I then
signed them She took the copies of my papers and gave me back the originals
there and then. She asked for the AOSupport and I explained I had both the
I-134 and I-864, which was replied to as, I dont want the I-864 just the 134,
keep the 864 for when you file for adjustment of status. I was then told to sit
down and wait for interview. I was the only one there.
9.15am Called for Interview. The interview is held at the booths I mentioned,
there is not a great deal of privacy, as I was the only one there it didnt
bother me. The guy (American) asked me to raise my right and and swear that the
information in the documents I had provided was true and correct and the
answers to the questions he was to ask, which were.
How did you meet?
(was then asked to fill Martys full name on a document handed to me which was a
declaration that I was free to marry, and sign it.) He then continued.
Where do you work?
What Do you do?
Have I met my fiancee in the USA?
Has she visited me in the UK?
Does your fiance work?
Where does she work?
When do you intend to get married?
That was it, I did not need to show any supporting evidence, however I noticed
that all the stuff Marty had sent (photos, telephone bills etc) were all on the
desk in front of him. I noticed him glance at me and then of a photo of Marty
and I.
He then said I should leave the Embassy and return at midday, and provided the
blood test results were Ok they could process the application. He did not say
it was approved!! Which left me a bit cold.
9.20am By this time still no one else had arrived and I left the embassy for a
long walk (2 1/2 hours nearly). However I was really pleased that I had been
first in at the doctors and down at the embassy. it got it all over and done
with very quickly.
11.30am I had returned to Grosvenor Sq and sat in the Gardens as the weather
was not that bad.
11.45am I returned to the embassy. There was sign saying that the entrance was
closed. IGNORE this..it is to general enquiries but not to people who are
returning for Visa applications.
12.25 The place was full and people were being called. It was random and there
is no advantage to getting back to the embassy early or first at this point. I
started talking to a guy called Tony who was a K1'er and apparently the nurse
told him at the doctors there were only to K1'ers that day, so it was fortunate
we sat next to each other. We got on like a house on fire and he will be in
Oklahoma which is not far from New Mexico so we swopped details and will very
likely see each other again. Interestingly he filed through Texas back in
October 97 and clearly was being interviewed today. This shows the benefit of the
alt.visa.us.marriage-based newsgroup.
I have to say that when everyone was at the Doctors they all pretty much kept
themselves to themselves, but by the time everyone was back at the embassy at
midday, some of us were actually talking and breaking the icey atmosphere.
While I was there I saw 3 people turned down. An old couple I dont know the
reason and another guy who I had been speaking to who told me he was missing a
form, luckily he could get this in the UK and had been given three days to
furnish it to the Embassy.
12.45pm My name was called, I was given a stamped and sealed enevlope with a
wad of papers, which i was told must be presented with my passport at POE. If
it was undone it would inavalidate the Visa. A slip of paper explaining what
the K1 Visa is...you know you gotta get married. And my passport...and there a
couple of pages from the back was the printed Visa gummed onto the page. The
lady said good luck and at this point, if I could have reached over the counter
I'd have kissed her. I refrained and just said a meaningful Thank you very
much. I then said OH by the way can you give me some advice on the EAD at the
POE, to which she garbled something about me not being able to apply for EAD
until after I was married and AOS had been applied for. I left it at that...she
was not sure and it was obvious. I was happy bunny.
The guy (Tony) I had been talking to wished me luck and I was about to leave
when they called his name. So I waited for him...and we walked back to the Tube
together. Now listen to this..when we both got outside of the Embassy at the
same time with no prompting we both let a loud YEsssss! of joy. It was
marvellous moment, one I wish I could have shared with Marty.
And thats it...I can now say its no big deal...and it isnt. However, I know
how I felt and it was real. I was not convinced until I had my passport in my
mits with the Visa in it. So dont worry about it..try and enjoy it..and stay
relaxed.
Good Luck to you all
So June 1st I fly out to the USA to start a new life with the woman I love so much that all this stress, strain and relief invloved in the K1 process was all worth it. Its not over as we have the EAD, Adjustement of Status, Permanent Residency things to deal with, but at least we will nolonger be seperated.