A few questions about the K-1 process

[Jamstina 1]

My Fiancé and I are so happy we found this site. It's so helpful and thorough and we've only just begun the process (sent the I-129F on 1/20).

A few questions I have are:

1. Do you usually receive the NOA1 before or after you see the check to USCIS has went through?

2. Are there any trends between the applications that get approved within 30 days? If most people are following the same guidelines on the website, wouldn't more applications be approved in a more timely manner? Especially those who haven't even received RFEs after waiting for months, as opposed to someone who filed the same day and was approved 20 days later.

3. Have the website creators worked for USCIS? Or have they all gone through the same processes as we are?

4. About how much notice do you get before your interview date? If the process is still going when my Fiancé graduates this summer I'd like him to at least come visit. I just want to make sure he has enough notice to get back in time for the interview.

5. Why is there no black and white law/rule about how often is "too often" to be here visiting? How is it dependent on what the mood/personality is of the TSA officer you happen to get? I saw in another post someone said they had to be in their country for at least 3 months before coming back, but the government website says as long as the agent doesn't "think/feel" like you're trying to live here.

6. What possible types of issues could one have with their K-1 Visa in hand at Port of Entry? If you were approved and the packet is from USCIS, what could go wrong?

[raven52 233]

1. This varies, as the check may clear, probably first, then your hardcopy of NOA 1.

2. In my opinion, YOU will not be approved in 20-30 days, you will be lucky to have a visa, and waiting on an interview by Thanksgiving. You might make it by Xmas, unless something dramatic happens!

3. The experts here are hee from varying places, from working for USCIS to just has a vast knowledge of the procedures, just read every day and learn.

4. I would not count on a visa to the US, while a K-1 is in progress, the reasons are too numerous to list. You will know weeks, maybe 2 months in advance of interview.

5. A true statement, it varies country to country, what you can and cannot do.

6. One thing for sure is that the packet "has not" been opened in anyway. Also, all typical paperwork in order, passport, visa, etc. And answer the questions firmly, and look the agent in the eye.

One of our fellow memebers, always says on his post is """This not going to be short, annd it is not going to be easy""""

Read and learn every day, and hope to God your case is not sent to Vermont!

[daviddelen 34]

I have seen applicants get approved in under 4 months. People will win the lottery too, just not you. Link to processing times. and find out the averages for your particular service center and your embassy. Lots of factors influence how long it will take. Your case goes to the slow processing center tack on three extra months. That's just one example.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

My Fiancé and I are so happy we found this site. It's so helpful and thorough and we've only just begun the process (sent the I-129F on 1/20).

A few questions I have are:

1. Do you usually receive the NOA1 before or after you see the check to USCIS has went through?

Though they ask you to wait after you got NOA-1 hardcopy before checking USCIS website, but I did not. Right after my fiance got NOA-1 by email and text, I checked on USCIS website.

2. Are there any trends between the applications that get approved within 30 days? If most people are following the same guidelines on the website, wouldn't more applications be approved in a more timely manner? Especially those who haven't even received RFEs after waiting for months, as opposed to someone who filed the same day and was approved 20 days later.

I don't think there is any trend of the approval. But when you read the charts from different service centers - if the user filled out their timeline correctly-you can see California Service Center (CSC) has a high rate of faster approval on average, but they are very poor for sent the approved petition to NVC. Texas Service Center (TSC) is in middle for faster approval but well known on VJ for sent the approved petition to NVC right after the approval. I got my case number from NVC 2 weeks from approval date on USCIS website.

3. Have the website creators worked for USCIS? Or have they all gone through the same processes as we are?

I wish could have an answer for that.

4. About how much notice do you get before your interview date? If the process is still going when my Fiancé graduates this summer I'd like him to at least come visit. I just want to make sure he has enough notice to get back in time for the interview.

You can looked up to the country where the beneficiary comes from. I learned it from from US consulate portal on VJ and I can see the flow chart how long I have to wait before the interview date and how many notifications I will get.

5. Why is there no black and white law/rule about how often is "too often" to be here visiting? How is it dependent on what the mood/personality is of the TSA officer you happen to get? I saw in another post someone said they had to be in their country for at least 3 months before coming back, but the government website says as long as the agent doesn't "think/feel" like you're trying to live here.

Someone can give you a better answer for this.

6. What possible types of issues could one have with their K-1 Visa in hand at Port of Entry? If you were approved and the packet is from USCIS, what could go wrong?

I've been read on this website for almost 3 years and I did not see a big issue with K-1 visa holder trying to enter the US. The only problem I've seen that some officers who working at POE don't understand about K-1 visa rules and some Vjers here got upset because they had waited many hours to get through immigration line just because officers at POE don't know how to handle K-1 visa.

[baron555 934]

1. Do you usually receive the NOA1 before or after you see the check to USCIS has went through?

After

2. Are there any trends between the applications that get approved within 30 days? If most people are following the same guidelines on the website, wouldn't more applications be approved in a more timely manner? Especially those who haven't even received RFEs after waiting for months, as opposed to someone who filed the same day and was approved 20 days later.

None...the timelines here are averages.....therefore there are some cases that go quicker and some longer. Use the average for your planning, as much as you can plan since all is in the hands of USCIS and you can't affect them.

3. Have the website creators worked for USCIS? Or have they all gone through the same processes as we are?

What are you talking about?

4. About how much notice do you get before your interview date? If the process is still going when my Fiancé graduates this summer I'd like him to at least come visit. I just want to make sure he has enough notice to get back in time for the interview.

Tons....since you schedule the interview, you can make for whenever you want. It is possible to also reschedule an interview.

5. Why is there no black and white law/rule about how often is "too often" to be here visiting? How is it dependent on what the mood/personality is of the TSA officer you happen to get? I saw in another post someone said they had to be in their country for at least 3 months before coming back, but the government website says as long as the agent doesn't "think/feel" like you're trying to live here.

Because everything is on a case by case basis.

6. What possible types of issues could one have with their K-1 Visa in hand at Port of Entry? If you were approved and the packet is from USCIS, what could go wrong?

Carrying explosive materials or smuggling contraband or drugs would be a bad thing.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Read and learn every day, and hope to God your case is not sent to Vermont!

It won't be. The only two service centers processing I-129F petitions right now are the CSC and the TSC. Since July 2013, all petitions that would have been sent to the VSC are being sent to the TSC.

OP > Processing times vary greatly and go and down all the time. It can depend on the service center's backlog. It can depend on how your adjudicator works on their cases personally. It can depend on whether or not the background check came back 'clean' or not. It can depend on whether or not you sent all the required documentation. If not, then you would get an RFE, which will slow down your processing time even more. First come, first serve is not always the case with immigration, so if you do not expect that, then you will be less stressed.

You will be applying for the K-1 at London. You will schedule your own interview. You need to check the UK regional forum. Two knowledgeable members just recently posted an entire walk-through guide for going through London.

Entering the US is not a right, not even with a visa. The CBP looks at each entrant on a case by case basis. Each person and their reason for entering is different. There could never be a blanket, black and white rule for letting people enter.

If you open your sealed envelope that needs to be turned in at your POE, then things could go wrong. I do not hear about too many problems from K-1 visa entrants. One person had their carry-on bag with their envelope in it stolen at the airport. They had to go through quite a bit of stress and extra procedures, but thankfully were finally able to get it all worked out and back on track. Make sure to not let your carry-on and sealed envelope out of your sight. Typically everyone enters smoothly.

I believe Captain Ewok once upon a time went through the immigration process, but I never really asked or checked into it. It didn't seem relevant to me. The moderators here are chosen VJ members and they went through the immigration process too, same as the rest of us.