K1 visa

[Yves&Nancy 1]

Greetings to all! Hi I am a Filipino citizen and currently working as a nurse here in Kuwait my fiancée and i plan to get married he's also a Filipino -american citizen so he applied for k1 visa, he addressed the application in the American embassy of Kuwait in order to process the papers here in Kuwait instead of going back to Philippines . He got the 1st notice last July 11 then after that we did not hear any updates anymore, do you have any idea what will be our next step? What requirements do we need to prepare? And how long we will wait for the next update? Hopefully you can help me? thanks in advance?

[Moh&Tam 2]

Greetings to all! Hi I am a Filipino citizen and currently working as a nurse here in Kuwait my fiancée and i plan to get married he's also a Filipino -american citizen so he applied for k1 visa, he addressed the application in the American embassy of Kuwait in order to process the papers here in Kuwait instead of going back to Philippines . He got the 1st notice last July 11 then after that we did not hear any updates anymore, do you have any idea what will be our next step? What requirements do we need to prepare? And how long we will wait for the next update? Hopefully you can help me thanks in advance

Hi,

I am sorry I can't give you specific timeline because a direct consular filing is different then what most of us are doing by applying in the states. I do beliee they can go faster than the usual route.

So a couple of suggestions.

1. Make sure you have your copies of Police certificates you will need for Kuwait and your home country.

2. Make sure your fiancee has all his finances in order and another thing they will be asking for his domicile in the US

this could mean his actual home address if he owns one or using a family address of where you might be staying once

you both are in the states.

3. Check the K1 guide to make sure you have all documents ready or available.

Sorry, I can't offer more.

[vosnmars 25]

My fiance is a resident of Kuwait and is going through that Embassy. I did get confused a little by your statement about filing in Kuwait or is your petition at the California Service Center? I couldnt' see your timeline. Either way, I agree with Moh&Tam to go through the K1 guides, to explore other section of this forum and look at the immigration timelines. There is so much information to look at to help explain everything.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of people on VJ going through the Embassy in Kuwait and some of the information specific to that Embassy is a little old, but I'm hoping still accurate.

Good luck on your journey!

[Yves&Nancy 1]

Thanks for the infO Moh&Tam I really appreciate it ?

[Yves&Nancy 1]

My fiance is a resident of Kuwait and is going through that Embassy. I did get confused a little by your statement about filing in Kuwait or is your petition at the California Service Center? I couldnt' see your timeline. Either way, I agree with Moh&Tam to go through the K1 guides, to explore other section of this forum and look at the immigration timelines. There is so much information to look at to help explain everything.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of people on VJ going through the Embassy in Kuwait and some of the information specific to that Embassy is a little old, but I'm hoping still accurate.

Good luck on your journey!

Thanks vosnmars my fiancée applied it at California service center but I will have my interview here in Kuwait instead in Philippines , what your fiancée did so far ? My fiancée already receive the noa1 last month and until now no updates we don't know what to do next, do you know what's the step by step procedure? What are the requirements that my fiancée and I should prepare? Thanks again?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Well this is a first for most of us on VJ in MENA to see two Philippine nationals interviewing in Kuwait to come to the States.

After the NOA 1 will come the NOA 2. This part is about the petitioner to see if they qualify to petition for a beneficiary from another country. So if there is no problem there you should get your NOA 2 based on the timelines of those who sent their petitions to the USCIS, which sorting center from which state, ect.

After that the petition goes on to the National Visa Center or NVC to be routed to the Embassy. In this case the Embassy being in Kuwait I assume. A previous member is correct in that we also don't see a lot of petitioners or beneficiaries going through or from Kuwait. Actually knowing the economics of Kuwait I'm not surprised to see petitioners and beneficiaries going through Kuwait but never really from Kuwait. I like their views on zero taxes though. Anyways that only works for some countries, not for ours because of world wide income.

Once at the Embassy level it will be about the beneficiary. They'll contact you guys for more information and things to complete to begin the interview process for the K1. I do hope you stay in touch and let us know how it goes because this is a very fascinating and rare case for us. As I said we rarely see MENA members go through Kuwait as it is, much less on the K1 route.

After K1 interview will come the visa in hand or Administrative Processing and Administrative Review or AP/AR which is very cold water splashed on the newly approved recipients of a visa. In Egypt it can take up to 5 months according to the embassy for the visa to be issued, but don't call until after 6 months. Otherwise it could also be years for an approval as I've seen in the past in some here on VJ MENA for K1 petitions. Insanely lengthy process! Don't know what Kuwait's AP/AR process is though for this year.

After the visa in hand comes the arrival in the States and then will come the Adjustment of Status Process or AOS. It's like a second interview for some while others skate on through. Depending on location and USCIS processing center and probably beneficiaries country.

After that can either come Removal of Conditions or ROC or Naturalization. That all depends on how long your wait is for each period of the process and where you land in your visa status along the way. Different time lines and wait periods can mean different things too.

Edited August 21, 2012 by Dr. A ♥ O

[vosnmars 25]

Thanks vosnmars my fiancée applied it at California service center but I will have my interview here in Kuwait instead in Philippines , what your fiancée did so far ? My fiancée already receive the noa1 last month and until now no updates we don't know what to do next, do you know what's the step by step procedure? What are the requirements that my fiancée and I should prepare? Thanks again

Our petition was at the Veromont Service Center, our NOA1 was in January so we waited about 6 and a half months for approval. I think the California Service Center is working a lot faster at this time, so your wait time may be different. As mentioned you can look at the immigration timelines to get a better idea of what month they are currently working on and hopefully you will fall into that. Thanks to Dr. A O (post below) because they have an easy to understand explanation of the whole process.

Right now, our petition was approved a few weeks ago, went through the National Visa Center quickly and it is in Kuwait waiting to be delivered to the Embassy (I guess the holiday is holding it up). While we were waiting for approval, we didn't do much other than get my tax transcripts from the IRS and one of his police certificates from outside of Kuwait. However, now that we have approval, I started with all the rest of the forms, financial documents, and gathering the rest of the evidence. He will get his police certificate from Kuwait soon and all the things he needs to get together. There is a lot of information, so the guides on here are very helpful to look at. Since we are a bit ahead of you, hopefully our journey will help you as well.

Well this is a first for most of us on VJ in MENA to see two Philippine nationals interviewing in Kuwait to come to the States.

...

Once at the Embassy level it will be about the beneficiary. They'll contact you guys for more information and things to complete to begin the interview process for the K1. I do hope you stay in touch and let us know how it goes because this is a very fascinating and rare case for us. As I said we rarely see MENA members go through Kuwait as it is, much less on the K1 route.

After K1 interview will come the visa in hand or Administrative Processing and Administrative Review or AP/AR which is very cold water splashed on the newly approved recipients of a visa. In Egypt it can take up to 5 months according to the embassy for the visa to be issued, but don't call until after 6 months. Otherwise it could also be years for an approval as I've seen in the past in some here on VJ MENA for K1 petitions. Insanely lengthy process! Don't know what Kuwait's AP/AR process is though for this year.

...

Well my fiance isn't from the Phillipines, but I'm sure if he was, it would help the OP much more haha My fiance is ethnically Armenian, he was born in Kuwait, but has Iranian citizenship I'm not sure how it will play out at the Embassy level. I have very little reference on here for Kuwait. I will do my best to fill out the Embassy Info, reviews and post as things that happen so it can help others. I am a little concerned about AP/AR because he does have Iranian citizenship. I hope it doesn't happen or is very short. I don't think he has any red flags from what I can tell. I guess if it does happen, I'll be posting on VJ for further assistance. I doubt the OP will have the same issues as we do, but I hope our experience will help them a little.

[Yves&Nancy 1]

Thanks dr. A❤O your reply was very informative its good that I'm not alone on this journey and happy to know you all guys we'll update each other ? may I ask what are the requirements I need to prepare while waiting for noa2 aside from police clearance ? Thanks . Keep in touch thanks again

[Yves&Nancy 1]

Our petition was at the Veromont Service Center, our NOA1 was in January so we waited about 6 and a half months for approval. I think the California Service Center is working a lot faster at this time, so your wait time may be different. As mentioned you can look at the immigration timelines to get a better idea of what month they are currently working on and hopefully you will fall into that. Thanks to Dr. A O (post below) because they have an easy to understand explanation of the whole process.

Right now, our petition was approved a few weeks ago, went through the National Visa Center quickly and it is in Kuwait waiting to be delivered to the Embassy (I guess the holiday is holding it up). While we were waiting for approval, we didn't do much other than get my tax transcripts from the IRS and one of his police certificates from outside of Kuwait. However, now that we have approval, I started with all the rest of the forms, financial documents, and gathering the rest of the evidence. He will get his police certificate from Kuwait soon and all the things he needs to get together. There is a lot of information, so the guides on here are very helpful to look at. Since we are a bit ahead of you, hopefully our journey will help you as well.

Well my fiance isn't from the Phillipines, but I'm sure if he was, it would help the OP much more haha My fiance is ethnically Armenian, he was born in Kuwait, but has Iranian citizenship I'm not sure how it will play out at the Embassy level. I have very little reference on here for Kuwait. I will do my best to fill out the Embassy Info, reviews and post as things that happen so it can help others. I am a little concerned about AP/AR because he does have Iranian citizenship. I hope it doesn't happen or is very short. I don't think he has any red flags from what I can tell. I guess if it does happen, I'll be posting on VJ for further assistance. I doubt the OP will have the same issues as we do, but I hope our experience will help them a little.

Thanks again vosnmars it really helps me with the informations you provided and congrats your almost there . Since your ahead of us in this journey I hope you can help me more by sharing your fisncee's experience in American Kuwait embassy after your noa2 , one thing more do you have a copy of checklist or list of requirements for me and my fiancée to complete while waiting for noa2? Thanks again ❤❤❤

Edited August 22, 2012 by Nursenancy

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Our petition was at the Veromont Service Center, our NOA1 was in January so we waited about 6 and a half months for approval. I think the California Service Center is working a lot faster at this time, so your wait time may be different. As mentioned you can look at the immigration timelines to get a better idea of what month they are currently working on and hopefully you will fall into that. Thanks to Dr. A O (post below) because they have an easy to understand explanation of the whole process.

Right now, our petition was approved a few weeks ago, went through the National Visa Center quickly and it is in Kuwait waiting to be delivered to the Embassy (I guess the holiday is holding it up). While we were waiting for approval, we didn't do much other than get my tax transcripts from the IRS and one of his police certificates from outside of Kuwait. However, now that we have approval, I started with all the rest of the forms, financial documents, and gathering the rest of the evidence. He will get his police certificate from Kuwait soon and all the things he needs to get together. There is a lot of information, so the guides on here are very helpful to look at. Since we are a bit ahead of you, hopefully our journey will help you as well.

Well my fiance isn't from the Phillipines, but I'm sure if he was, it would help the OP much more haha My fiance is ethnically Armenian, he was born in Kuwait, but has Iranian citizenship I'm not sure how it will play out at the Embassy level. I have very little reference on here for Kuwait. I will do my best to fill out the Embassy Info, reviews and post as things that happen so it can help others. I am a little concerned about AP/AR because he does have Iranian citizenship. I hope it doesn't happen or is very short. I don't think he has any red flags from what I can tell. I guess if it does happen, I'll be posting on VJ for further assistance. I doubt the OP will have the same issues as we do, but I hope our experience will help them a little.

Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to Nursenancy and her petitioner being Philippians and going through the Kuwait embassy for the K1 process. I recall reading about your case earlier this year and the mention of the Iranian citizenship. I hope it doesn't hold you guys up too much either while going through Kuwait to get to here. Armenian, Kuwait, Iranian eh? That is confusing.

Thanks dr. A❤O your reply was very informative its good that I'm not alone on this journey and happy to know you all guys we'll update each other ? may I ask what are the requirements I need to prepare while waiting for noa2 aside from police clearance ? Thanks . Keep in touch thanks again

Glad to help. As far as I know at this point there is nothing else to prepare for as you both wait for the NOA2. Unless they send an RFE but I've never heard of that in all these years for a NOA2. It's when the petition makes it past the NOA2 stage and transfers to the next stage that you'll be requested for more information. They'll let you know when they get to that point. Sorry you'll just have to sit back and relax during the long waiting process.

[Yves&Nancy 1]

Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to Nursenancy and her petitioner being Philippians and going through the Kuwait embassy for the K1 process. I recall reading about your case earlier this year and the mention of the Iranian citizenship. I hope it doesn't hold you guys up too much either while going through Kuwait to get to here. Armenian, Kuwait, Iranian eh? That is confusing.

Glad to help. As far as I know at this point there is nothing else to prepare for as you both wait for the NOA2. Unless they send an RFE but I've never heard of that in all these years for a NOA2. It's when the petition makes it past the NOA2 stage and transfers to the next stage that you'll be requested for more information. They'll let you know when they get to that point. Sorry you'll just have to sit back and relax during the long waiting process.

Thanks again, for now I will just process other documents I might needed thank you❤❤❤

[vosnmars 25]

Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to Nursenancy and her petitioner being Philippians and going through the Kuwait embassy for the K1 process. I recall reading about your case earlier this year and the mention of the Iranian citizenship. I hope it doesn't hold you guys up too much either while going through Kuwait to get to here. Armenian, Kuwait, Iranian eh? That is confusing.

Sorry for my misunderstanding.. I must have been having one of those days haha

Thanks again vosnmars it really helps me with the informations you provided and congrats your almost there . Since your ahead of us in this journey I hope you can help me more by sharing your fisncee's experience in American Kuwait embassy after your noa2 , one thing more do you have a copy of checklist or list of requirements for me and my fiancée to complete while waiting for noa2? Thanks again ❤❤❤

Nursenancy, sorry for the delay, but things have really been coming up quickly now that things are with the Embassy. They are very fast there so far. Our package arrived in Kuwait Monday last week, but because of the holiday it was not delivered until Wednesday. Once the weekend passed and right away Sunday, I as the petitioner, received an email from the Embassy with this list below. They asked me to acknowledge that I received their email. I did that and also you will see below they ask for an request be made for the letter to get your police certificate in Kuwait. I immediately started a new email to make that request. Now its Monday and I have received a response to that request (see below). I guess you could get a lot of the forms ready and to make sure you have plenty of birth certificates, etc. Is there anything you need from the Philippines? You could probably start to get that together?

I hope this helps, sorry for a lengthy post. I'll try to get this in the Embassy Info page of VJ.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FINACE(E) VISA APPLICANTS (K1)

NO INTERVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT

Please do not send any documents to the Immigrant Visa Unit before your interview date.

On the day of the interview, place the required forms and documents in the exact order as indicated below; separate set, also in the correct order, should be prepared if there is more than one beneficiary. Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation.

The Immigration Visa Unit does not discuss whether or not a visa will be issued and you should NOT give up your job, dispose of property, or make any final travel arrangements until a visa is actually issued to you. You will be informed at the conclusion of the interview when your visa will be ready.

1. The beneficiary/beneficiaries must appear at the Embassy for the interview.

2. 3 Recent front view color photographs, size 5 cm X 5 cm, with white background, regardless of age.

3. Passport (must have at least six months validity). For each beneficiary – original + photocopy of the biographic data page.

4. Form DS-230 Part 1-Biographic Data (for each beneficiary).

http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/index.htm

5. Form DS-156 (non-immigrant visa application form) two. You must complete this form electronically through http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/index.htm print two copies, sign them, and bring them to your interview. All male applicants ages of 16 through 45, in addition to all applicants (male & female) ages 16 and older with a passport from Cuba, Iran, Libya, north Korea, Sudan and Syria, must also submit a completed supplemental application (DS-157) http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/index.htm

6. Form DS-156K (non-immigrant Fiancé(e) visa application).

http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/index.htm

7. Birth certificate – original & photocopy (for each beneficiary).

8. Military record – original & photocopy (for each beneficiary) if any.

9. Supporting documents: (Form I-134) affidavit of support from the petitioner.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-134.pdf

10. Police clearance certificates: All immigrant visa applicants age 18 and over are required to present a police clearance certificate (original & photocopy) from the country of their current residence (KUWAIT), if residence in this country exceeds six months. All immigrant visa applicants age 16 and over are also required to present police clearance certificates from countries of their previous residence, if residence there exceeded one year.

To request for Kuwait police certificate through the Ministry of Interior, you need a letter from us, please contact us at KuwaitIV@state.gov and mention your case number.

For police clearance from other countries, please check the attachments of our e-mail & http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html

Provide photocopies of all the original documents, if you fail to do so, you will be charged $1 or KD0.300 cash per copy (do not make copies of the forms provided to you by the Immigrant Visa Unit.

11. Medical report for each beneficiary, regardless of age, from one of the following Panel Physicians:

Dr. Riyad Saud Al Nafisi Dr. Sulaiman F. Al-Ali

Medical Consultation Center Commercial Medical Centre

Maidan Hawalli, Opposite 4^th Ring Road Al-Jabriya – Block 3A, St. # 104

Abdullah Al Fadalah St. Bldg. # 9, 2^nd floor, clinic 6

Tel: 2565-1544 or 2565-1455 Tel: 2533-8266 / 2533- 8277

12. Fee $240.00 or KD72.000 cash & exact change per person (fee is non-refundable). The payment will be done at the Embassy

Processing will take approximately one to two weeks. An authorized employee of

the American Embassy will collect all medical reports. It is not necessary to call the Embassy to check on the arrival of your medical report. Your interview will be conducted even if the medical report has been not received.

For an appointment and any other information, you may reach the Immigrant Visa Unit through e-mail at: Kuwaitiv@state.gov

Do not make online appointment.

On the day of your interview, all applicants should submit a photo identification card in exchange for a Consular Affairs visitor badge.

************************************************************************************************************

Email Response for police certifcate letter:

The letter is ready in a sealed envelope under your name, at the reception – window 2 - of the US Embassy. There is no need to come inside the Embassy compound. You may come starting from next working day, Sunday through Thursday, from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. If you can, bring a copy of this e-mail with you and show it to the reception. The Consular Section is located in the American Embassy in Bayan, Block 6, on Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (302 Bayan). If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us through e-mail. Please note that we are closed on American and local holidays; these dates can be checked on our website at http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

[vosnmars 25]

This came out weird above.

Dr. Riyad Saud Al Nafisi

Medical Consultation Center

Maidan Hawalli, Opposite 4^th Ring Road

Abdullah Al Fadalah St.

Tel: 2565-1544 or 2565-1455

Dr. Sulaiman F. Al-Ali

Commercial Medical Centre

Al-Jabriya – Block 3A, St. # 104

Bldg. # 9, 2^nd floor, clinic 6

Tel: 2533-8266 / 2533- 8277

[Yves&Nancy 1]

Sorry for my misunderstanding.. I must have been having one of those days haha

Nursenancy, sorry for the delay, but things have really been coming up quickly now that things are with the Embassy. They are very fast there so far. Our package arrived in Kuwait Monday last week, but because of the holiday it was not delivered until Wednesday. Once the weekend passed and right away Sunday, I as the petitioner, received an email from the Embassy with this list below. They asked me to acknowledge that I received their email. I did that and also you will see below they ask for an request be made for the letter to get your police certificate in Kuwait. I immediately started a new email to make that request. Now its Monday and I have received a response to that request (see below). I guess you could get a lot of the forms ready and to make sure you have plenty of birth certificates, etc. Is there anything you need from the Philippines? You could probably start to get that together?

I hope this helps, sorry for a lengthy post. I'll try to get this in the Embassy Info page of VJ.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FINACE(E) VISA APPLICANTS (K1)

NO INTERVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED WITHOUT SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT

Please do not send any documents to the Immigrant Visa Unit before your interview date.

On the day of the interview, place the required forms and documents in the exact order as indicated below; separate set, also in the correct order, should be prepared if there is more than one beneficiary. Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation.

The Immigration Visa Unit does not discuss whether or not a visa will be issued and you should NOT give up your job, dispose of property, or make any final travel arrangements until a visa is actually issued to you. You will be informed at the conclusion of the interview when your visa will be ready.

1. The beneficiary/beneficiaries must appear at the Embassy for the interview.

2. 3 Recent front view color photographs, size 5 cm X 5 cm, with white background, regardless of age.

3. Passport (must have at least six months validity). For each beneficiary – original + photocopy of the biographic data page.

4. Form DS-230 Part 1-Biographic Data (for each beneficiary).

http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/index.htm

5. Form DS-156 (non-immigrant visa application form) two. You must complete this form electronically through http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/index.htm print two copies, sign them, and bring them to your interview. All male applicants ages of 16 through 45, in addition to all applicants (male & female) ages 16 and older with a passport from Cuba, Iran, Libya, north Korea, Sudan and Syria, must also submit a completed supplemental application (DS-157) http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/index.htm

6. Form DS-156K (non-immigrant Fiancé(e) visa application).

http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/visa/index.htm

7. Birth certificate – original & photocopy (for each beneficiary).

8. Military record – original & photocopy (for each beneficiary) if any.

9. Supporting documents: (Form I-134) affidavit of support from the petitioner.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-134.pdf

10. Police clearance certificates: All immigrant visa applicants age 18 and over are required to present a police clearance certificate (original & photocopy) from the country of their current residence (KUWAIT), if residence in this country exceeds six months. All immigrant visa applicants age 16 and over are also required to present police clearance certificates from countries of their previous residence, if residence there exceeded one year.

To request for Kuwait police certificate through the Ministry of Interior, you need a letter from us, please contact us at KuwaitIV@state.gov and mention your case number.

For police clearance from other countries, please check the attachments of our e-mail & http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html

Provide photocopies of all the original documents, if you fail to do so, you will be charged $1 or KD0.300 cash per copy (do not make copies of the forms provided to you by the Immigrant Visa Unit.

11. Medical report for each beneficiary, regardless of age, from one of the following Panel Physicians:

Dr. Riyad Saud Al Nafisi Dr. Sulaiman F. Al-Ali

Medical Consultation Center Commercial Medical Centre

Maidan Hawalli, Opposite 4^th Ring Road Al-Jabriya – Block 3A, St. # 104

Abdullah Al Fadalah St. Bldg. # 9, 2^nd floor, clinic 6

Tel: 2565-1544 or 2565-1455 Tel: 2533-8266 / 2533- 8277

12. Fee $240.00 or KD72.000 cash & exact change per person (fee is non-refundable). The payment will be done at the Embassy

Processing will take approximately one to two weeks. An authorized employee of

the American Embassy will collect all medical reports. It is not necessary to call the Embassy to check on the arrival of your medical report. Your interview will be conducted even if the medical report has been not received.

For an appointment and any other information, you may reach the Immigrant Visa Unit through e-mail at: Kuwaitiv@state.gov

Do not make online appointment.

On the day of your interview, all applicants should submit a photo identification card in exchange for a Consular Affairs visitor badge.

************************************************************************************************************

Email Response for police certifcate letter:

The letter is ready in a sealed envelope under your name, at the reception – window 2 - of the US Embassy. There is no need to come inside the Embassy compound. You may come starting from next working day, Sunday through Thursday, from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. If you can, bring a copy of this e-mail with you and show it to the reception. The Consular Section is located in the American Embassy in Bayan, Block 6, on Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (302 Bayan). If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us through e-mail. Please note that we are closed on American and local holidays; these dates can be checked on our website at http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

hello dear, thanks again for this very detailed informations it will be a big help for me and my fiancée I'm lucky to meet you hear in vj your very helpful my dear thank you so much, I'll update you when l completed these requirements thank you so much god bless you