I'm new here...

[MaryM 0]

Hello everyone! This is on behalf of Mary and Carlos who just got engaged and are VERY excited!!

I (Mary) am an American citizen and my fiance Carlos is from the Dominican Republic. We are just getting started gathering information and everything about the K1 visa for his entry in the USA. I've been reading so many site that have a lot of helpful information, but I am still quite nervous about it all! I really want us to get approved as easily and quickly as possible.

So of course I start with the question I'm sure has been posted a million times... from sending in the original packet to receiving the K1 visa, generally how long does it take? I know it varies, but what is the average?

Secondly, is it a problem that we haven't known eachother for too long? We've been together for only a couple of months but are two educated and mature adults who are ready to get married. I am a flight attendant, so I am able to go to Santo Domingo quite often. We have plenty of pictures, emails, phone bills, etc., to show an ongoing and real relationship.

Lastly, I saw in one of the emails that they said they investigated someone's case for 8 months. What exactly do they investigate. Not that either Carlos or I have anything in our pasts that is negative, but, for example, I worked without a permit in Venezuela for a couple of months while staying with a friend there in college, and I just hope that something like that won't be a problem (I was never caught or anything)...

Any advice would be very much appreciated. I'm so axious and exited for him to come here so we can finally be together, and I'm so nervous that it's going to take years!!

Thanks

[Ladylethal 12]

Well, the best advice we can give is read the guides, the FAQs and you´ll know how things work for the visa process. After that you can ask for any doubts still pending in gathering your package. Some take longer, some take shorter time, but we all get there eventually.

Welcome to VJ and good luck on your journey!

[iceyspots 0]

Hi.. welcome to VJ..

Right now everyone is kind of in the dark as to how long the processing times are for each service center, but that's only because the new IMBRA (international marriage broker) law has been put in place and has delayed processing time.. so we won't know for sure until things pan out..

wish you good luck

[luvaLimey 0]

Processing times vary greatly between the service centers. You're lucky that you'd be filing in Vermont, which has had the quickest processing time I've seen. Probably the longest wait will be once the petition is approved, waiting for the interview date in SD. There is some information about the different consulates and what you can expect as far as average wait times in the guides/timelines.

AR is called Administrative Review, and it happens to some people and not to others. I haven't been able to figure out yet what will trigger it. Perhaps another poster will be able to help with that.

[desert_fox 32]

Processing times vary greatly between the service centers. You're lucky that you'd be filing in Vermont, which has had the quickest processing time I've seen. Probably the longest wait will be once the petition is approved, waiting for the interview date in SD. There is some information about the different consulates and what you can expect as far as average wait times in the guides/timelines.

AR is called Administrative Review, and it happens to some people and not to others. I haven't been able to figure out yet what will trigger it. Perhaps another poster will be able to help with that.

Your biggest problem will be dealing with the Consulate in the DR. Ive read here that they are backed up like one year for an appointment.

good luck

[*Robert* 2]

Welcome to VJ. Best thing is to just get started! The sooner you submit, the sooner it will get approved.

Good Luck!

[yassmine2878 1]

Well, I know its going to sound like a broken record, but yeah check out the guides. They can be a pretty long and intensive read, but its really really really worth it. There's alot of good stuff in there, so it's extremely helpful no matter what stage of the process you're in.

Timetables are sometimes hard to judge because there are so many variables. I would check out the immigration timelines above to see how other folks with similar situations faired. Also try the regional forums so you can chat with others going through the same consulate.

Im honestly not qualified on how long a couple should know each other before getting engaged. I personally think it is different for each couple. 2 months might raise a red flag with the consulate, though. Having a great deal of proof is always a plus when the interview comes up, so it sounds like you're good to go there

Usually these investigations you're hearing about are concerning AR (administrative review) and its mostly security and background checks. Some consulates do it lickety-split, others take an ice age.

Welcome to VJ, we're happy to have you

[Gomez 3]

Welcome

[ssalburo 0]

welcome to VJ!

[JenT 0]

Stock up on patience.... you're going to need it.

Welcome,

Jen

[billsgirl 0]

welcome to vj....and wishing you all the best of luck on your journey!!

[Jaylen Brit 1]

Check put the Regional Threads for more help and experiences from others who have fiances going thru DR; they are extremely helpful and supportive as they are/have been in your shoes - I understand from anecdotal evidence the DR applications take rather longer than other countries so will need a LOT of paience - DesertFox mentioned this also I think.

Edited July 8, 2006 by Jaylen Brit

[aj1 1]

Check put the Regional Threads for more help and experiences from others who have fiances going thru DR; they are extremely helpful and supportive as they are/have been in your shoes - I understand from anecdotal evidence the DR applications take rather longer than other countries so will need a LOT of paience - DesertFox mentioned this also I think.

Welcome to VJ!! Just wanted to add that this is truly a helpful sight everyone is very helpful and we are all here for you to help you. We are all going through this journey together. As far a your question about the long security checks , yes some cases are longer than other it depends on from where your fiancee resides and if he has any criminal records. They want to be very sure that all of his security checks will pass. I know my fiancee is in egpyt i have read that it take months to clear securty checks from where he is from. Because of alot of fraudulent marriages from his country. They will put the pressure on you to test to see if you can hold out on this journey. It will be hard at times believe me. But just know you are not going through is alone just pray alot, be patient, and mostly check postings here as much as you can it will help. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY!!!!!!!

aj1

[MaryM 0]

thanks so much for everyone's welcomes and replys.

Neither I nor my fiance have any criminal records, in fact i have a government security clearance because i'm a flight attendant and he's never been in any trouble. from what i see everything should go well until it comes time to wait for an interview appointment and that's when one waits forever. But we will be patient, and I'm lucky because with my job I can go down to see him for a week every month.

Anyway, thanks for all the great information, this site is fantastic.

Mary

[snz1802 0]

Welcome Mary and Good Luck to you on your process