Any South Africans able to give advice?

[Liza E P 0]

Hi to any South Africans who may be able to share their CR-1 visa experiences with me.

I am at the initial review stage of my visa application, which was initiated on May 21st 2012 and has been transferred to the California Service Centre.

I would very much like to visit my husband in September of this year, and then travel back for the interview at the Johannesburg consulate when they let me know it is time, but am not sure how much notice they give you for your interview and medical exam. Can anyone tell me how much notice they got for the interview? Did they set the final date, or could you?

How long did it take for others out there from the time of submitting their I-130 until their actual interview? I am not sure if going to America in September is cutting it a bit fine...it seems there is a 6 month processing time, but I would like to hear others' experiences.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Edited June 8, 2012 by Liza E P

[Cathi 5,849]

Filing the i 130 is just the first stage. After the i 130 is approved, which is currently talking about 5 months from NOA1, it is then forwarded to the NVC for processing of the visa itself. The NVC stage can take as little as a month and in most cases a little longer. Then from there it will be forwarded to the consulate and an appointment will be made. You are looking at about another 6 months give or take. Providing you don't get any RFEs and the case goes smoothly. Good luck .

[Operator 1,927]

Hi hopefully someone with some Johannesburg experience will come along and help more. From looking at the embassy information here it seems that there is from 1 to 3 weeks between the consulate receiving your package from NVC until the interview. Maybe DCF is a different story though.

Maybe ask one of the mods to move your post to the regional forum to get a more veteran answer.

Good luck!

[richardkorea2010 15]

My wife and I submitted our I-130 in April in Seoul. I am South African, and teaching in South Korea together with my wife. It was approved after 2 weeks, and my interview is next week. I could have had an interview date early May, if I wanted to, but I waited until June, to get my interview so that I would have enough time to get my documents in order,

If you spouse filed the I-130 from within the US, then you are looking at a 6-8 month waiting period, because you are not together,

I was able to schedule my interview date myself, but Johannesburg doesn't allow you to choose your own date. they determine your date.

Good luck!

[Liza E P 0]

Thanks for your replies so far everyone !