Help request- embassy in fiance's country won't process K1s

[Namquestion 0]

My fiance is a Namibian citizen. The US Embassy has informed me that they will not do K1 visa interviews there, and his interview location is scheduled for Johannesburg, South Africa. Traveling there will be a financial burden, and he cannot get the time off of work to go during the hours interviews are offered. Are exceptions ever made to conduct the visa interviews via Skype?

[Cathi 5,769]

no

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

No.

This is a big deal, he will need to make time.

[Kastrs 723]

None-he needs to appear in person in order to complete his bio metrics

[canadian_wife 1,823]

No, one cannot attend an interview via Skype. This is a big deal, arrangements must be made.

good luck

[Unidentified 2,930]

No he has to be there. You're in this together, can't you help him out financially to make sure he can travel there for the interview?

[Namquestion 0]

Thank you all for your prompt responses. Yes, obviously we help each other out financially. But going to the interview will mean potentially losing his job, as he took all of his leave to come see me earlier in the year. I was just checking to see if anyone had heard of a hardship exception. Obviously, I know the job won't matter once he gets approved and moves here, but he supports extended family on his income and will need to be working until he moves to the States. We were quite surprised to learn that he has to travel to another country just to do the interview, as all of our previous tourist visas were fine to do in country.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Thank you all for your prompt responses. Yes, obviously we help each other out financially. But going to the interview will mean potentially losing his job, as he took all of his leave to come see me earlier in the year. I was just checking to see if anyone had heard of a hardship exception. Obviously, I know the job won't matter once he gets approved and moves here, but he supports extended family on his income and will need to be working until he moves to the States. We were quite surprised to learn that he has to travel to another country just to do the interview, as all of our previous tourist visas were fine to do in country.

No unfortunately some countries doesn't process K1's. It's the same with Norway and Denmark, they have to go over to Sweden to do it.

I hope everything works out and that he'll be able to go without losing his job. Good luck!

[usmsbow 801]

None-he needs to appear in person in order to complete his bio metrics

FYI, biometrics are not done at the embassy for a K-1 visa, they're done here in the USA after filing for AOS.

[Unidentified 2,930]

FYI, biometrics are not done at the embassy for a K-1 visa, they're done here in the USA after filing for AOS.

Yes, you're technically right. They do a special biometrics thing during AOS. But in this case I think he is referring to the fingerprints they need when you come to the embassy for your interview.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

Thank you all for your prompt responses. Yes, obviously we help each other out financially. But going to the interview will mean potentially losing his job, as he took all of his leave to come see me earlier in the year. I was just checking to see if anyone had heard of a hardship exception. Obviously, I know the job won't matter once he gets approved and moves here, but he supports extended family on his income and will need to be working until he moves to the States. We were quite surprised to learn that he has to travel to another country just to do the interview, as all of our previous tourist visas were fine to do in country.

Do what I did. I paid for my wife's trip to the embassy. when she quit her job, I supported her family until she got her EAD Card and a job here in the USA.

Which brings me to the question:

Who will be taking care of his family that 90 days he is in the USA without a job? Then if you marry in 90 days then adjust, it could be another 3 months before he gets his EAD card to be able to work legally in the USA. So potentially for 6 months his family wont have an income. have you both factored that in to your expenses?

[Namquestion 0]

Yes, obviously we will support them from the US.

[Mike-eeh and Odie 193]

Yes, obviously we will support them from the US.

Okay then. If you know you will have to support his family for the next 6 months, then your situation is not that bad (what's an extra few weeks of supporting them, right?). Just simply support his travel fees and his family (if he loses his job) until he can work in the USA, (as I did).

[Villanelle 4,122]

Gee whiz lets not turn this into a huge deal where mods need to get involved people. We are all adults right? So act accordingly.

It is unfortunate that the OP did not realize the visa interview would be conducted at a different embassy. With all the paperwork its not that surprising that it slipped through the cracks.

Everyone needs to keep in mind that the path is different for each and person couple or family. Gigantic news flash here- not everyone is issued the visa in a timely fashion after the interview. (Gasp!) I know. Its shocking. But it happens. Its called AP. Not everyone has the same financial situation. Its called capitalism not communism lol. And also one last shocker- once the K1 is issued the immigrant has 6 thats S_I_X whole months to travel to the US. Not everyone is ready to just hop on that plane the day its placed in their hand.

So again its a rather unfortunate turn of events for the OP to have this unexpected twist come up. They werent planning for it.

----

Possible solutions : you can not get the local embassy to conduct the interview, thats just never going to happen- they dont do it, theres no waiver. In an alternate universe -maybe if the director of the USCIS personally called them and demanded they perform the interview because President Obama publicly stated it was a matter of national security and congress gave full support then perhaps they might- but probably not because it would set a bad precedent. And lets be honest if you had that much sway you wouldnt have any problems getting yourself to the other embassy lol.

So you can ask them to delay the interview if you need more time for savings. Personally I find this a "eh" solution. I mean it can raise all kinds of doubts in regards to the 134 stability if you bring up the delay was for financial reasons and theres a chance they can feel the financial excuse was a cover up and the relationship is rocky. So Im not too keen on that option.

Payday loans, high interest credit cards- things of that variety can also help you when you are in a pinch- but again you are talking bottom of the rung option. You can very easily step into a hole that is so so hard to get out of. You really have to look hard at your finances both current and expected in the future- be extremely realistic and then round the numbers out against you because whatever you think you spend you most likely spend more or will need more.

One final idea- well, you are going to be getting married. Its a joyous time. Im sure your friends and family are aware of this and supportive (I hope). So in times of need we turn to those that are close to us. Depending on your personal feelings about asking for or borrowing money/ Well you can flat out ask to borrow- or creatively and tactfully suggest- uhh you know X is coming soon and we are getting married blah blah we so look forward to having you there with us blah blah /they will of course ask about fiance giving you a chance to say- you know we are running tight on funds blah blah would prefer if you were able to chip something towards immigration process rather then traditional 'wedding present'? and umm can you do it now cause hes stuck having to travel really far to another COUNTRY to pick up his visa!

Awkward as a duck yup! but necessary? You tell me.

[raven52 233]

It will not work, he has to appear in person. If you want this done, he will have to make arrangements to travel.

An ""Officer"" will want to look him in the eye, during an interview.

Hope he can make it.,.,.and good luck, just bad luck, about the K-1 visa situation.