Is this the moment we've been waiting for?

[Shauna&Wael 211]

Due to the advice of another VJer on here (you know who you are ) , I called the embassy in Tunis last night to inquire about our case. The interview was July 16th and it was unclear about the status. CEAC hadn't changed since the interview.

As instructed, I asked the operator to connect me with whomever is in charge of IR-1 visas. The operator was surprisingly friendly (there's a reason I called on a Friday) and the extension picked up.

A man answered and asked me for the basics about the case, I could hear him typing. He brought up my case on the computer, perused it, and then told me it should be ready for pick-up next week.

I said "Does that mean it's approved?"

He said " YES it's approved "

I asked if it had the final background check in the U.S. yet , he said no. However, he said it would be sent out tomorrow for that purpose.

A couple minutes after the phone call, I checked CEAC and the status updated date changed to TODAY.

Can I trust what this man told me? Is it really true???????

Thank you for any responses.

[TBoneTX 43,058]

Was it an American to whom you spoke? If so, it was probably at least a vice-consul. If he was a foreigner fluent in English, it was probably a Foreign Service National (locals who have been hired to help the U.S. personnel).

Unless there's a hang-up on the background check, this sounds like fantastic news.

[angel_l 0]

Congratulations! If it's ready for pick-up, it's approved!

[Shauna&Wael 211]

Was it an American to whom you spoke? If so, it was probably at least a vice-consul. If he was a foreigner fluent in English, it was probably a Foreign Service National (locals who have been hired to help the U.S. personnel).

Unless there's a hang-up on the background check, this sounds like fantastic news.

it was a foreigner fluent in English, and he seemed very confident in the way he told me there shouldn't be any hangups unless something changed between the first background check right? is this one more advanced?

Congratulations! If it's ready for pick-up, it's approved!

he said sometime next week, presumably Wednesday thank you so very much... i just needed to know this person wasn't talking out of his *** lol. but i think the CEAC thing proves it right? that can't be a magical coincidence

[jen+taher 0]

Ohhh, I hope that is the case for you!! I've been lurking a bit the last few days and familiarized myself with your story @shauna&wael - my fiance just paid at the post office and i was looking for information as to which number on the new poste tunisienne form is the CGI # that I have to enter???

Ohhh, I hope that is the case for you!! I've been lurking a bit the last few days and familiarized myself with your story @shauna&wael - my fiance just paid at the post office and i was looking for information as to which number on the new poste tunisienne form is the CGI # that I have to enter???

[Shauna&Wael 211]

Ohhh, I hope that is the case for you!! I've been lurking a bit the last few days and familiarized myself with your story @shauna&wael - my fiance just paid at the post office and i was looking for information as to which number on the new poste tunisienne form is the CGI # that I have to enter???

Ohhh, I hope that is the case for you!! I've been lurking a bit the last few days and familiarized myself with your story @shauna&wael - my fiance just paid at the post office and i was looking for information as to which number on the new poste tunisienne form is the CGI # that I have to enter???

Hehe

I literally have no clue what you're talking about!! Lol can you give more details? CGI #? Post office? What? Lol

[jen+taher 0]

Hehe

I literally have no clue what you're talking about!! Lol can you give more details? CGI #? Post office? What? Lol

The visa application fee is paid through the post office in Tunisia - applicants pay cash, post wires the funds to the embassy.

The CGI # is one of many numbers on the receipt the post office gives you after you have paid. You're supposed to then use THAT number, log back in to the website to schedule your visa appointment.

Did your fiance do all of this? Or were you able to just call the number listed and get the appointment that way?

It's been nearly 5 months since I have been able to hold my fiance, and a little over 4 months since I first filed anything - I'm just SO ready for it all to be over. We had lived together in Tunisia for over two years before we started this process....

[Shauna&Wael 211]

The visa application fee is paid through the post office in Tunisia - applicants pay cash, post wires the funds to the embassy.

The CGI # is one of many numbers on the receipt the post office gives you after you have paid. You're supposed to then use THAT number, log back in to the website to schedule your visa appointment.

Did your fiance do all of this? Or were you able to just call the number listed and get the appointment that way?

It's been nearly 5 months since I have been able to hold my fiance, and a little over 4 months since I first filed anything - I'm just SO ready for it all to be over. We had lived together in Tunisia for over two years before we started this process....

You're doing a K-1 visa. I did the CR-1/IR-1 route. It's totally different in that aspect. The national visa center scheduled our interview. Is the interview what you're talking about when you say visa appointment? You will need to make your own topic about this because I didn't have to do any of it. Sorry

By the way, I completely know how you feel. I have only been with my husband a total of 3 MONTHS and we have been together since 2011. I would make Tunisia my home if it was up to me. But I didn't have the money to stay there an extended amount of time, nor do I speak Arabic well enough to get a job there. I don't even have my carte de sejour yet. I know how much it hurts to be so far away from the only person you want to be close to. My plane rides home have been some of the most depressing moments of my life. You literally feel yourself being pulled away, like a cord is between you. It hurts so much. Don't worry, it will get better

Edited August 28, 2015 by Shauna&Wael

[jen+taher 0]

GAAAHHHH!!!! It should be something of a humanitarian offence to keep us from our loved ones

Thanks for your empathy and for the tip. I'll start a thread and see where it goes. My situation can't be THAT unique???

[Shauna&Wael 211]

No worries.

And no, your situation is not unique. But the K-1 process is quite different from the CR-1/IR-1 process in many regards. They are two different categories of visas but with the same end result.