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Ashli&Alonso

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Ashli&Alonso Contributor

Ashli&Alonso   6

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Costa Rica
 Timeline
Posted

Hello All,

My name is Ashli and my fiance, who is from Costa Rica, is Alonso. We are just beginning the K-1 process and we want this done as quickly as possible so any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ashli

pepper297 Explorer

pepper297   63

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Costa Rica
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome! Definitely read the k1 guide, flow chart and tips.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

Most of all, prepare for a wait. There are 2 different service centers that process K1 petitions: California and Texas. Based off of where you reside, your case will go to TSC if I am not mistaken. Once your petition is accepted there and you receive your NOA1, you are looking at at least 5 months to receive your NOA2, which signals that you are moving onto the next phase of the process as the approved petition heads to the National Visa Center (NVC). You will see a lot of people on Igor's List on here showing faster approval times, but they are at the California Service Center. I didn't know the difference at first and I based my expectations and planned a lot of my life around the time estimates I saw from the other center. Don't make that mistake! This process is already very trying and it's hard to be apart from the person that you love. Don't make it worse for yourself.

Good luck!

Stay patient!

I129F SENT: 12-24-2013

TEXAS SERVICE CENTER

NOA1: 01-02-2014

NOA2: 05-14-2014

NVC received and assigned case #: 5-29-2014

Left NVC: 06-04-2014

Interview Scheduled: 6-24-2014 SO EXCITED!!!!!!!! :dancing::star:

Kathryn41 Grand Master

Kathryn41   3,205

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Welcome to Visa Journey :) .

The best advice I can offer on getting the K-1 done as quickly as you can is first, to read the guides mentioned above; second to read over all of the forms with their instructions and the related information posted on the USCIS website; third, and pay attention to details.

It can all become quite overwhelming at times, so the more you know, the better prepared you will be and better able to cope with any surprises that show up along the way. Don't make any 'assumptions' that anyone in immigration will 'understand' or 'make allowances' if something is not prepared accurately and completely. As you go through the process, it is useful to make a list of what you will need to complete that stage of the process (you will get that by reading over the forms, the instructions, the guides on Visa Journey and through the forums here), then gather all of those documents so you have them ready. Plan ahead and don't wait until the last minute to get something you need - and then, as pepper mentioned, be prepared to wait.

The first stage of the process happens in the US. The US citizen applies for permission to sponsor a foreign fiancee to come to the US in order to get married here and be allowed to apply for permission to live here. You file form I-129f and all of the supporting information to request that permission. It will take several months to happen.

The second stage of the process happens after you have received permission to sponsor your fiancee, and it happens in your fiance's country. The file is sent to his country, he will be notified by the US Consulate there that they have received permission for him to apply for a K-1 visa. He will then need to submit several forms, collect a variety of different documents, have an immigration based medical exam, undergo a security check, and when he has everything ready, they will schedule him for an interview.

At the interview he will bring everything they have requested from him and from you (you will need to provide financial information proving you are able to support him in the US) with him, and an immigration officer will interview him and review the information at the Consulate. If all goes well, he will be approved for a K-1 visa and have 6 months in which to move to the US.

After he arrives you will have 90 days in which to get married, and after you are married he starts the next phase of the immigration journey - applying for permission to live and work in the US as your spouse (applying for a green card).

That is a very basic outline of what you two will be experiencing over the next months. Don't make any wedding plans until after your fiance has received his K-1 visa because there can always be unexpected delays anywhere in the process.

Good luck - and be sure to visit the K-1 Visa forum and read over the posts and information there as well.

Edited by Kathryn41

“...Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?”

.― Lucy Maude Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

5892822976_477b1a77f7_z.jpg

Another Member of the VJ Fluffy Kitty Posse!

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,543

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to the forum!

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Zedayn Experienced

Zedayn   485

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome!

K-1
NOA1: 04/08/2014; NOA2: 04/21/2014; Visa interview, approved: 07/15/2014; POE: 07/25/2014; Marriage: 09/05/2014

 

AOS

NOA1:  09/12/2014;  Biometrics:  10/06/2014;  EAD/AP Received:  11/26/2014;  Interview Waiver Letter:  01/02/2015;  

RFE:  07/09/2015;  Permanent Residency Granted:  07/27/2015;  Green card Received:  08/22/2015

 

ROC

NOA1:  05/24/2017;  Biometrics:  06/13/2017;  Approved without interview:  09/05/2018;  10 Yr Green card Received:  09/13/2018

 

Naturalization

08/09/2020 -- Filed N-400 online

08/09/2020 -- NOA1 date

08/11/2020 -- NOA1 received in the mail

12/30/2020 -- Received notice online that an interview was scheduled

02/11/2021 -- Interview

Lenny&Sanna Rising Star

Lenny&Sanna   114

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Finland
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome to the site Ashli

I-129F Petition
Service Center: Texas Service Center
I-129F Sent: 3/17/14
I-129F NOA1: 3/24/14
Alien Registration Number Changed: 3/25/14
I-129F NOA2: 8/25/14
Sent to NVC: 8/28/14
NVC Received: 9/8/14
Case # Assigned: 9/9/14
Left NVC: 9/11/14
Consulate Received: 9/16/14
Packet 3 Received (Instructions/Checklist): 9/19/14
Packet 3 Completed: 9/23/14
Medical Scheduled: 10/15/14
Packet 4 Received (Appointment Date): 10/2/14
Interview Date (Helsinki Consulate): 10/27/14
Interview Result: APPROVED!
Visa Received: 10/31/14
POE/Baltimore (BWI): 12/9/14
Married: 1/12/15
 
Adjustment of Status I-485
Service Center: National Benefits Center
I-485 Sent: 1/24/15
Delivered to Chicago Lockbox: 1/27/15
Check Cashed by USCIS: 2/2/15
NOA 1: 1/30/15
Biometrics Appointment: 3/13/15
Biometrics Completed (USCIS Baltimore) 3/13/15
Letter from DHS Advising of Potentially no Interview Required for our Case: 6/15/15
Case Transferred to Kansas City Missouri Field Office: 1/26/16
RFE Received Wanting a New Vaccination Supplement: 2/4/16
Appointment Scheduled with Civil Surgeon: 2/15/16
Appointment Cancelled due to Weather Conditions: 2/15/16
Appointment Re-Scheduled with Civil Surgeon: 2/16/16
Civil Surgeon Completed I-693 Vaccination Supplement Needed: 2/16/16
RFE Response Sent to Kansas City Field Office via USPS: 2/16/16
Delivered to USCIS Field Office by USPS: 2/19/16
Signed Return Receipt Receipt in Mail from USCIS: 2/22/16
I-485 Notification Application APPROVED - No Interview: 2/23/16
NOA 2 Approval Notice Received Through Mail: 2/27/16
Green Card Sent Through Mail Notification: 2/26/16
Received Card in Mail: 3/2/16
 
Employment Authorization I-765
Service Center: National Benefits Center
I-765 Sent: 1/24/15
Delivered to Chicago Lockbox: 1/27/15
NOA 1: 1/30/15
Biometrics Appointment: 3/13/15
Biometrics Completed (USCIS Baltimore) 3/13/15
EAD Approved: 3/30/15
Received Card in Mail: 4/8/15
---------------------------------------------
Sent Renewal I-765 to Chicago Lockbox: 1/30/16
Delivered to Chicago Lockbox: 2/3/16
NOA 1: 2/8/16
Biometrics Appointment: 3/2/16
No need to get them done due to getting Green Card
 
Removal of Conditions on Residence I-751
Service Center: Vermont Service Center
I-751 Sent: 1/16/18
Delivered to Center: 1/19/18
 NOA 1: 1/24/18
Case Approved: 4/2/19
GC Received in Mail: 4/15/19
 
David-Francinie Rookie

David-Francinie   2

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Costa Rica
 Timeline
Posted

Welcome! Definitely read the k1 guide, flow chart and tips.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/guides

Most of all, prepare for a wait. There are 2 different service centers that process K1 petitions: California and Texas. Based off of where you reside, your case will go to TSC if I am not mistaken. Once your petition is accepted there and you receive your NOA1, you are looking at at least 5 months to receive your NOA2, which signals that you are moving onto the next phase of the process as the approved petition heads to the National Visa Center (NVC). You will see a lot of people on Igor's List on here showing faster approval times, but they are at the California Service Center. I didn't know the difference at first and I based my expectations and planned a lot of my life around the time estimates I saw from the other center. Don't make that mistake! This process is already very trying and it's hard to be apart from the person that you love. Don't make it worse for yourself.

Good luck!

Stay patient!

Where do you find what service center your file goes to depending on your location? Im filing from chicago, IL

06/30/2014: I-129F sent to Lewisville, TX via FedEx Express


07/01/2014: I-129F Delivered and signed received


07/03/2014: NOA-1 (CSC)


07/09/2014: Alien Registration Number changed


09/27/2014: RFE notice received


10/16/2014: RFE sent to CSC office


10/20/2014: Received receipt of RFE from CSC


10/23/2014: NOA-2


pepper297 Explorer

pepper297   63

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Costa Rica
 Timeline
Posted

That is what I have learned from here. I have seen a link people have posted before that explains the division of the states but I can't find it for the life of me. If you already have your NOA1 (i-797) after sending in the petition you can tell by your receipt number.

I129F SENT: 12-24-2013

TEXAS SERVICE CENTER

NOA1: 01-02-2014

NOA2: 05-14-2014

NVC received and assigned case #: 5-29-2014

Left NVC: 06-04-2014

Interview Scheduled: 6-24-2014 SO EXCITED!!!!!!!! :dancing::star:

2ndMessiah Rising Star

2ndMessiah   184

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

Give us advice. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Oh I know.

Know how and when to apologize and forgive.

Always wear sunscreen.

Cook meat thoroughly

Put on clean underwear before going out.

Read the VJ guides.....

.

Edited by 2ndMessiah

Thank you, goodnight and may your gods go with you",

Dave Allen.

 

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