South African K1 Visa applicants

[JS5220 67]

8 minutes ago, Mozam said:

We should get an email with the tracking number. I feel like I have been through the wringer trying to find out how to deal with our situation. I called DHL today and they said the would even call when they received it.

 

I gave up calling the Embassy trying to find out what we should do and called DHL. I was then transferred to a DHL that seemed like head office and spoke with a specific person. He was trying to locate where our process might be and I believe he called directly to the Embassy as he returned to the phone (I could hear the entire time; even rattled off our case number when I only gave him a passport number) and said that it was still at the Embassy and maybe it would be sent out tomorrow or Thursday. 

 

We have already pushed our flights back to next week, but this still doesn't help my fiancé possibly overstaying his SA visa which expires at the end of this week.  We have called and emailed multiple times and are getting no where fast. 

As frustrated as I am about not getting the actual visa, I can't even imagine what youre going through with the anxiety and frustration. I feel for you and I really hope they can just resolve this sooner rather than later. All they have to do is ship them out!!

[PushaKee 42]

20 hours ago, RenC said:

Hi All!

 

Thank you all for welcoming me

 

My fiance received our NOA2 in the mail on Saturday!! Its been only 4 and a half months since we received NOA1 end of September last year. So NOA2 came MUCH sooner than expected! We are so thankful.

 

How long is the wait more or less to get an interview at the US embassy in Joburg these days?

Congrats!!

[LuFlolady 881]

2 hours ago, Pdvdw said:

NEVERMIND. It just got "issued" !!!! Praise God!

Congrats!!! Safe Journey home

[IsabelleFredrick 6]

Would anyone who has had their medical (female) in Cape Town tell me what to expect in the medical exam? Is it intrusive - are you naked, and what do they do/check exactly? Is it intrusive, is there a second person in the room? Message me pls! Would like to know what to expect

[Pdvdw 7]

2 hours ago, IsabelleFredrick said:

Would anyone who has had their medical (female) in Cape Town tell me what to expect in the medical exam? Is it intrusive - are you naked, and what do they do/check exactly? Is it intrusive, is there a second person in the room? Message me pls! Would like to know what to expect

No naked inspections at all. Only do a blood test, urine test and x rays, then the doctor will asses you with clothing on the second day. It’s a very basic assessment and you need not worry about them touching you in any inappropriate way. 

[Pdvdw 7]

21 hours ago, JS5220 said:

As frustrated as I am about not getting the actual visa, I can't even imagine what youre going through with the anxiety and frustration. I feel for you and I really hope they can just resolve this sooner rather than later. All they have to do is ship them out!!

When you guys receive any tracking numbers please update here. I haven’t yet obviously. Called the embassy and they said it usually takes “a couple of days” but they can’t really say anything else. 

[MozambiqueSoninha 50]

Man, Mozam - you have me starting to worry that I need to plan my trip to Jozy so that we arrive on Day one of the medical.  On what day did your medical start?, What day did you arrive in SA?  Do you know is there any ability to apply for 60 day at POE to SA?  Americans get 90 days, correct?  And as a SADC country you would think there would be some flexibility 

[Mozam 147]

6 hours ago, MozambiqueSoninha said:

Man, Mozam - you have me starting to worry that I need to plan my trip to Jozy so that we arrive on Day one of the medical.  On what day did your medical start?, What day did you arrive in SA?  Do you know is there any ability to apply for 60 day at POE to SA?  Americans get 90 days, correct?  And as a SADC country you would think there would be some flexibility 

 

We arrived on a Wednesday (Jan 23) and our first medical appointment was on a Friday (Jan 25). Then our interview was on Feb 7th. I have no idea about applying for a longer stay. Americans do get 90 days so it isn't a problem for me.

 

I came back to Mozambique today because everything has to be out of our house by tomorrow. He is still in SA waiting. I will be at it again in the morning trying to move mountains. (Help me Jesus). We are looking into what we need to do with his SA visa stamp. I've heard multiple stories of people being banned from the country for "X" number of years for overstaying even by just 1 day. The U.S. Embassy doesn't seem to care and just keep giving a blanket answer that it takes 10 days to return the issued visa after AP. I literally don't care about getting the American visa in my hand right now (since we know we are approved) I just don't want him to overstay his visa because the embassy won't return his passport like we've asked. 

[JS5220 67]

1 hour ago, Mozam said:

 

The U.S. Embassy doesn't seem to care and just keep giving a blanket answer that it takes 10 days to return the issued visa after AP.

The Embassy told you its gonna take 10 business days AFTER Admin processing?? That would mean March 1st....The interview was on 2/7, so 3 weeks after the interview just to put the piece of paper into a passport and dump it off with DHL?

 

Damn, I really wish they would just just be more transparent in what theyre doing with this whole process. You try to get more info and no one knows whats going on, just generic responses that provide no help.

 

Really hoping you can figure something out @Mozam

[Confusedtinybird 41]

4 hours ago, Mozam said:

 

We arrived on a Wednesday (Jan 23) and our first medical appointment was on a Friday (Jan 25). Then our interview was on Feb 7th. I have no idea about applying for a longer stay. Americans do get 90 days so it isn't a problem for me.

 

I came back to Mozambique today because everything has to be out of our house by tomorrow. He is still in SA waiting. I will be at it again in the morning trying to move mountains. (Help me Jesus). We are looking into what we need to do with his SA visa stamp. I've heard multiple stories of people being banned from the country for "X" number of years for overstaying even by just 1 day. The U.S. Embassy doesn't seem to care and just keep giving a blanket answer that it takes 10 days to return the issued visa after AP. I literally don't care about getting the American visa in my hand right now (since we know we are approved) I just don't want him to overstay his visa because the embassy won't return his passport like we've asked. 

With regard to the ban from South Africa don't worry about it to much. You can get the ban removed. Make sure you have all your paperwork with you!! The ban was really big several years, but S.A. has eased up on it.

 

 

[Pdvdw 7]

10 hours ago, JS5220 said:

The Embassy told you its gonna take 10 business days AFTER Admin processing?? That would mean March 1st....The interview was on 2/7, so 3 weeks after the interview just to put the piece of paper into a passport and dump it off with DHL?

 

Damn, I really wish they would just just be more transparent in what theyre doing with this whole process. You try to get more info and no one knows whats going on, just generic responses that provide no help.

 

Really hoping you can figure something out @Mozam

I have a flight for 28 Feb booked. We didn’t expect it to take over 3 weeks to send the visa. My word looks like I’m paying to cancel this flight 🙈

 

They said I’ll have my visa in 7 - 10 working days. But seems likes this is going to be 14+. 

[madameMaison 204]

Ceac website says my visa is "issued"... ✨😃... 

 

I'm sorry but that felt quick for me being that my interview was last week🤷🏽‍♀️... 

[vistawateraz 27]

I've been reading a lot about delays in receiving visas, did everyone choose expedited shipping or are you picking them up at the consulate?  Our interview is on 3/14, and am really hoping we have the visa in hand the following week. 

[Mozam 147]

11 hours ago, Confusedtinybird said:

With regard to the ban from South Africa don't worry about it to much. You can get the ban removed. Make sure you have all your paperwork with you!! The ban was really big several years, but S.A. has eased up on it.

 

 

 

I've heard that, but I've heard you have to hire a lawyer. What paperwork should I have? They literally gave us nothing when we left the interview. 

 

4 hours ago, Pdvdw said:

I have a flight for 28 Feb booked. We didn’t expect it to take over 3 weeks to send the visa. My word looks like I’m paying to cancel this flight 🙈

 

They said I’ll have my visa in 7 - 10 working days. But seems likes this is going to be 14+. 

 

We've rescheduled our flight once. We might have to do it again. Thankfully the fee isn't too outrageous to change it. Hoping the best for all of us. 

[Mozam 147]

1 hour ago, madameMaison said:

Ceac website says my visa is "issued"... ✨😃... 

 

I'm sorry but that felt quick for me being that my interview was last week🤷🏽‍♀️... 

I am happy for you, really. However, this makes no sense. The embassy needs to iron out its kinks. It took me almost a week to move to issued as did others. Hmm... anyways congrats on your approval and being issued!

 

8 minutes ago, vistawateraz said:

I've been reading a lot about delays in receiving visas, did everyone choose expedited shipping or are you picking them up at the consulate?  Our interview is on 3/14, and am really hoping we have the visa in hand the following week. 

You don't get to choose your shipping from what I understand. You can only pay more if you want it delivered directly instead of picking it up at a select DHL office. From my understanding you can't pick it up directly at the consulate or I would have already been down there knocking on doors. Someone feel free to correct me if I am wrong.