K-1 visa in Almaty for a Kyrgyz citizen

[Lana & Jesse 1]

Thanks for the great web source! We felt we had to share our story and hopefully help others.

Jesse and I met in 2006. We went at school, where I was an exchange student. I went back home after a year, but we kept in touch and tried to visit each other as much. I went there twice and he came to Kyrgyzstan six times. We also traveled together to other countries. We couldn't decide who is moving where. We tried to get Jesse a job here, and almost got one (he's an engineer), but the project shut down due to the political instability. So, we made a decision that I will be the one moving after finishing work here at the end of 2011.

In February 2011 Jesse filled the petition. It took us:

4 days from I-129F Mail to 1st NOA

115 days from I-129F NOA1 to NOA2

46 days from I-129F NOA2 to Interview

1 day for my visa to be issued in Almaty

TOTAL: 166 days from I-129F to K-1 in my passport.

I didn't plan to arrive to the U.S. earlier than November, so we were in no rush; however, it seems like our process was quick and relatively easy. We both are rather organized individuals (me being organized and Jesse – well, just nerdy).

Jesse did most of work for collecting the initial documents, printing out and filling forms, etc. I only did things that had to be done in Bishkek. Mind you, we met several times during the documentation process, so there was no need for mailing any forms (and I don't think I needed any originals from Jesse anyways).

I will just share experience from my side (e.i. from a Bishkek girl, who had an interview in Almaty). The documents I collected and my interview experience.

We were at the lake Issyk-Kul when the e-mail from Almaty embassy arrived. They used Jesse's e-mail address for some reasons, not mine. There were the following attachments:

Separate file:

1. Appointment letter

In zip folder:

2. Poverty guideline 2009 - it gives you an idea how much your petitioner should make to be able to support you

3. Interview instructions for K 2010

4. DS156K in Russian

5. DS-230

6. i-134

7. Instruction fro DS-230, Part I in Russian

8. K-1-4 - this is the check list of documents you have to have with you for the interview

9. Medical examination for Immigrant Visa

10. Three options of clinics that you could choose from: 2 clinics are in Almaty (IMC and SOS) and one in Dushanbe (Prospekt).

I did the following preparation work from my side:

1. Filled the forms that the Kazakhs have sent me

2. Got the police certificate. For Kyrgyz citizens you need to go to local MVD (close to Frunze/Erkindik). I got it fast (Friday submitted the form, Monday got the clearance), paying double. If you do it normal way, you end up killing a week, sleeping on the bench next to MVD.

3. Went to a translating agency (I used GMC on Kievskaya next to Ala-Too square), gave them my Birth Certificate and Police certificate to translate and notarize. I've spent around USD20 for that.

4. Printed our pictures together.

5. Got my 5x5 American standard pictures taken. I'd recommend getting plenty of those. They are ten times more expensive in the States and you will need some pictures later I believe.

6. Asked for a print-out of my phone calls for a month to show our calls to each other (underlining numbers).

7. Printed whatever Jesse has sent me.

8. Booked the hotel in Almaty. I booked hotel "Turkestan" next to Green Market on Maktaeva. It's central (next to Zenkov cathedral and 28 Panfilov square). Our twin room (I went to Almaty with my mom) was USD45 per night. The hotel is rather clean with en-suite bathroom, AC, little fridge, and TV. It's very basic accommodation, so it's not really that I recommend it highly... but it'll work if you are looking for something central and budget. I personally couldn't find anything closer to the embassy and cheaper than that. (+77272664136)

What sucked the most for me personally - is the need to go to Almaty for God knows how many days for a check-up and interview. We do have an embassy here, in Bishkek, but apparently it doesn't deal with Immigrant visas. The same applies to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. We all have to go to the Kazakh Embassy in Almaty. I cannot complain as Almaty is only 4 hours away from Bishkek by car, so at least I don't have to fly there two times. One time for the medical check-up (that you have to schedule at least 5 days prior your interview) and the second time for your actual interview at the Embassy. The instructions do say - "Schedule an appointment for a medical exam with one of the panel physician clinics (see Medical Examination Instructions) as early as possible." and "To make an appointment (at least 4 days prior the immigrant visa interview) or an inquiry about the medical examination process, please contact the Clinic directly". However, based on my experience with SOS clinic, they say if you have morning appointment, you can get the results the same evening or the following morning (the clinic is open 24 hours). I didn't want to risk though and advise everyone not to take chances. The interviews for Immigrant visas can only be scheduled for Tuesdays, so if your don't get your results in time you have to reschedule for the next Tuesday (and there's no guarantee there will be appointments available).

Anyways, I did my check-up two weeks in advance and picked up my results a day before my interview. As to the check-up. As I said I did mine in SOS clinic Almaty. They were quite efficient, but rather expensive.

Here is what they've checked:

- They took a blood test (finger) for syphilis

- X-ray

- Measured my blood pressure, pulse, height, weight

- Checked my vision

- Asked bunch of questions: - you smoke? do drugs? any STDs? etc.

- Did a regular check-up (ears, nose, chest, etc.)

It took around 30 min max. I schedule an appointment 3-4 days in advance, but I got a feeling they were not busy at all. I came to the clinic an hour earlier and asked if I could have my check-up earlier. No problem.

It cost me around USD 300.

SOS clinic was easier to find (despite their confusing directions). Just walk to Dustyk/Satpaeva intersection and then face the nearest mountains on Satpaeva, walk all the way to the next big intersection, the clinic will be behind big building with bright blue roof top on the left side of the intersection (do not cross Luganskogo) of Luganskogo/Satpaeva. The Kyrgyz embassy is just across the road in yellow building (the red flag visible from the distance).

My interview in Almaty was scheduled for Tuesday. Me and my mom arrived in Almaty on Monday, picked up my medical results and walked to the U.S. Embassy building. It was also easy to find. The address is Joldosbekova, 97. But if you try googling the address, the map will show you like four building with number 97. But it's the tallest building there with "BTA" bank logo on top. It's bluish glass building between Furmanova and Dustyk. If you walk from the clinic to the embassy, you walk for another ten minutes along Dostyk and turn to your right on Joldosbekova. On Dostyk you pass big grey-glass building of Mary Key, that's 10 m before Joldosbekova. On Joldosbekova/Dostyk you turn after the parking lot and pass EuroAsia shopping center. The building across the road (Joldosbekova) will have extra security and sign saying something like - "sorry for extra precautions". The building is called "Samal Towers", but it doesn't remind towers really. You need to locate three information boards next to the main entrance, this is A2 entrance that you need (not the main one). They have standard security procedures. Nothing too dramatic. But you won't be able to take your bag or cell phone or even a pen. So take the document folder and money for the visa (my K-1 was USD350 - NOTE: your notes must be brand new, they don't accept stamped, old, damaged, etc. banknotes. Prepare the exact sum in dollars or KZT (based on the National Bank rate for the day of your interview).

My Tuesday was extra crazy because the applicants for non-immigrant visas from Monday had to return on Tuesday due to the technical problems of the embassy (yeah, that happens even with American embassies apparently). If not those 20+ applicants from Monday, I'd be the only one applying for the immigrant visa that Tuesday. I made it clear for the security that I was scheduled for today, so I went in the first group and was accepted the first too. First I was called to the Window #4, where council assistant (Kazakh girl) accepted my documents. She asked for the following:

1. My passport

2. Birth Certificate with translated and notarized copy

3. Police certificate (that I got in a day at Bishkek MVD) with translated and notarized copy

4. Application forms according to the check list

5. Financial documents from Jesse

6. Three 5x5 pictures, one in the envelope signed on the back (I put my name and case number)

It was NOT requested, but I'd strongly advise you to have:

7. COVER LETTER - tell your story and make it easier for the council to make a decision).

After submitting the documents I went to the 1st window (kassa) to pay the bill (it was given by the Kazakh assistant).

In twenty minutes I was called by the council to the room #5, where he was sitting behind the window. He didn't ask much. "How did you meet? Tell me about your fiancé. Was he/you married before? When did you last meet? When is the wedding?" He also asked me to swear that I'll marry Jesse within 90 days and that the information I gave is accurate. He did NOT ask for the proof of relationships; and said "No" even after I asked if he wanted to have a look at our pictures or our visas and plane tickets, etc.

Personally my main fear was NOT whether I get the approval or not, my main question was - WHEN? So, that's what I asked the Officer. He said: "Inshalla tomorrow". I was thinking to myself: "God, this Central Asian influence is killing me! People here say "Inshalla" when they don't want to take responsibility or hurt your feelings saying "no", so they say - "Let's pray God" or "In God's hands"!" But obviously I didn't say anything to him. He told me to call the next day (Wednesday at 3 pm) and handed me my Birth Certificate back. I left.

On Wednesday my mom and me went to Kok-Tebe, which is quite close to the embassy(20 min on foot). As 3 pm approached I was felling nervous. I tried calling from 3 pm to 3.20 pm - just voice message, saying something like that: "You've reach the embassy during non-working hours, bla-bla-bla, don't leave your message, because no one cares". We decided to just go there and see if we can talk to someone. Luckily, the security men where nice and helpful, they've called the embassy via internal phone and talked to them. I waited till 4pm then got on the 17th floor and got my visa from the same Kazakh assistant girl at the Window #4. I've received: my passport with visa in, yellow envelope that I'm not supposed to open (I wonder how many people has opened it before, because I was told like thousands time - "NOT to open it"), and two pages. One - saying that I might want to get some document from the local OVIR (still have to research what for) and a letter from the council, explaining what kind of visa is K-1 for OVIR too.

All in all we had a positive experience with the officials. Everything went relatively smooth and fast for us. And we wish you the same (and better)!

That's it so far. If you have further questions you can contact us here or via e-mail.

Good luck to all who loves and wants to be together despite the borders!

Lana & Jesse

[OlgaV 0]

HI Lana and Jesse!

Thank you that you posted your story. It was very useful for me!My fiance and I are going to apply for K1 visa this year. And the process seems to be very difficult and tedious. I am trying to find as more information as possible.

I would like to know if its posssible to get your private email( gmail or Skype)?!, so if i had any questions i could text you?

Best regards,

OlgaV