Department of State posted about K1 visa - what does this mean?

[BC97 13]

1 hour ago, A&D25612 said:

K1s are exceptions to the bans though right? (As long as you quarantine 14 days prior entering the US?)  

Yeah, that’s why everyone here is so annoyed (me included). But the travel ban gets cited as a reason for them not issuing the visas, despite the visa not being banned.

 

There is no exemption either though. There’s a specific exemption for spouses and children which is why IR1/CR1 visas are getting processed and not K1’s.

[A&D25612 32]

28 minutes ago, BC97 said:

Yeah, that’s why everyone here is so annoyed (me included). But the travel ban gets cited as a reason for them not issuing the visas, despite the visa not being banned.

 

There is no exemption either though. There’s a specific exemption for spouses and children which is why IR1/CR1 visas are getting processed and not K1’s.

Yeah I thought so. I don't understand why they're using the proclamation as an excuse to not issue/ reissue K1s. It isn't like we wont quarantine and can't give them an address to check- we planned on moving to the country which they're aware of. I don't understand what they're playing at tbh.  We're willing to follow procedure and provide address proof if they need to check on us (even take a covid test which I think should be done anyway, when we go for our second medical- which btw turns out to be OPTIONAL?!), yet same old email directing us back to their website. 

Edited September 9, 2020 by A&D25612

[stuckonyou 75]

3 hours ago, A&D25612 said:

K1s are exceptions to the bans though right? (As long as you quarantine 14 days prior entering the US?)  

 

Yes, technically we should be. 👀 I know that when the travel bans first came into place there were a lot of people that already had their visas issued but were stuck, and some of them ended up quarantining for 14 days in another country so that their visas wouldn't expire.

 

But the embassies aren't allowed to take action on a K1 case (unless exempt from the travel ban), though. So if you didn't get your visa before the ban it doesn't really matter if you'd be willing to quarantine somewhere for 14 days. ☹️ It's like technically it's okay, but it's not something that the embassy or the government encourages. Maybe it's even kind of frowned upon, not sure.

[stuckonyou 75]

2 hours ago, A&D25612 said:

(even take a covid test which I think should be done anyway, when we go for our second medical- which btw turns out to be OPTIONAL?!)

 

I can kind of understand that part, though. Because between us doing a medical, it being sent to the embassy and us getting our visas we could get infected. So any Covid test we take at the medical might be several weeks old by the time we get the visa. 😶 If anything it would make more sense to get tested a couple of days before leaving, and perhaps again after arriving in the US just to make sure.

[Jody and Misho 99]

1 hour ago, stuckonyou said:

 

Yes, technically we should be. 👀 I know that when the travel bans first came into place there were a lot of people that already had their visas issued but were stuck, and some of them ended up quarantining for 14 days in another country so that their visas wouldn't expire.

 

But the embassies aren't allowed to take action on a K1 case (unless exempt from the travel ban), though. So if you didn't get your visa before the ban it doesn't really matter if you'd be willing to quarantine somewhere for 14 days. ☹️ It's like technically it's okay, but it's not something that the embassy or the government encourages. Maybe it's even kind of frowned upon, not sure.

Please do explain the second paragraph in detail......

[HRQX 4,145]

4 hours ago, A&D25612 said:

K1s are exceptions to the bans though right? (As long as you quarantine 14 days prior entering the US?)  

There's probably an internal DOS guidance that (wrongfully?) implements the relevant proclamations by not issuing visas at those consular posts unless the visa applicants are exempt to those proclamations. Those proclamations say "entry" and CBP should be capable in enforcing those proclamations: "When the hatch opened 4 guys from CBP were ready to escort me. The head of the squad asked me how long I've been in Mexico for. I showed him the stamp in my passport and that's all he needed to know."

I assume the lawsuit mentioned in the following post will focus on the Proclamation "suspending entry" not visa issuance:

 

3 hours ago, A&D25612 said:

It isn't like we wont quarantine and can't give them an address to check- we planned on moving to the country which they're aware of. I don't understand what they're playing at tbh.  We're willing to follow procedure and provide address proof if they need to check on us (even take a covid test which I think should be done anyway, when we go for our second medical- which btw turns out to be OPTIONAL?!)

For those that are able to enter the US, there isn't a federal quarantine rule. What's listed on the CDC page is just a recommendation to incoming travelers. But local jurisdiction (state, county, or city) rules can vary and are being enforced if applicable.

3 minutes ago, Jody and Misho said:

Please do explain the second paragraph in detail......

It's specifically referring to consular posts in Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, mainland China, and Brazil. You're in Egypt, so you shouldn't be concerned about that. Just remember that after getting the K-1, don't transit through Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, mainland China, Iran, or Brazil.

[Jody and Misho 99]

3 minutes ago, HRQX said:

There's probably an internal DOS guidance that (wrongfully?) implements the relevant proclamations by not issuing visas at those consular posts unless the visa applicants are exempt to those proclamations. Those proclamations say "entry" and CBP should be capable in enforcing those proclamations: "When the hatch opened 4 guys from CBP were ready to escort me. The head of the squad asked me how long I've been in Mexico for. I showed him the stamp in my passport and that's all he needed to know."

I assume the lawsuit mentioned in the following post will focus on the Proclamation "suspending entry" not visa issuance:

 

For those that are able to enter the US, there isn't a federal quarantine rule. What's listed on the CDC page is just a recommendation to incoming travelers. But local jurisdiction (state, county, or city) rules can vary and are being enforced if applicable.

It's specifically referring to consular posts in Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, mainland China, and Brazil. You're in Egypt, so you shouldn't be concerned about that. Just remember that after getting the K-1, don't transit through Schengen Area, UK, Ireland, mainland China, Iran, or Brazil.

People are always talking about "the Embassies", but then when they see that I'm in Egypt - say, "oh you're in Egypt, you don't need to worry about that."  The OP was talking about Embassies not under travel ban being able to act on K1 visas.  I wanted to hear why mine hasn't.  The OP seemed to be sure of what she was saying.  

 

I really wish somebody here would try to explain why countries not subject to travel ban are not processing K1 visas with the recent DOS announcement.

[Cheburashka34 228]

18 minutes ago, Jody and Misho said:

People are always talking about "the Embassies", but then when they see that I'm in Egypt - say, "oh you're in Egypt, you don't need to worry about that."  The OP was talking about Embassies not under travel ban being able to act on K1 visas.  I wanted to hear why mine hasn't.  The OP seemed to be sure of what she was saying.  

 

I really wish somebody here would try to explain why countries not subject to travel ban are not processing K1 visas with the recent DOS announcement.

Doesn't seem like Russia is doing anything either with everyone ahead of me. I don't get it because it seems like Moscow is doing much better with covid

[Margarita_sunny 4]

7 minutes ago, Cheburashka34 said:

Doesn't seem like Russia is doing anything either with everyone ahead of me. I don't get it because it seems like Moscow is doing much better with covid

Yes, Moscow is behaving super weirdly. They process only emergency cases.

[Jody and Misho 99]

 

27 minutes ago, Margarita_sunny said:

Yes, Moscow is behaving super weirdly. They process only emergency cases.

I haven't looked at Moscow visa statistics, but if they are anything like Egypt, processing plenty of tourist, student, athlete visas.  SMH

[Cheburashka34 228]

1 hour ago, Jody and Misho said:

 

I haven't looked at Moscow visa statistics, but if they are anything like Egypt, processing plenty of tourist, student, athlete visas.  SMH

They aren't processing even those! They are doing nothing it seems...

[HRQX 4,145]

2 hours ago, Jody and Misho said:

I really wish somebody here would try to explain why countries not subject to travel ban are not processing K1 visas with the recent DOS announcement.

It can vary: "...on what services that post is currently able to offer."

For example, Tokyo embassy page has indicated they have resumed routine K-1 visas. A few others have done so too.

57 minutes ago, Cheburashka34 said:

They aren't processing even those! They are doing nothing it seems...

In July: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/MonthlyNIVIssuances/JULY 2020 - NIV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf

Moscow issued 1 B-1 visa, 15 B-1/B-2 visas, 2 F-1 visas, 1 J-1 visa, and 2 P-1 visas. Yekaterinburg issued 20 B-1/B-2 visas.

[Cheburashka34 228]

51 minutes ago, HRQX said:

 

In July: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/MonthlyNIVIssuances/JULY 2020 - NIV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf

Moscow issued 1 B-1 visa, 15 B-1/B-2 visas, 2 F-1 visas, 1 J-1 visa, and 2 P-1 visas. Yekaterinburg issued 20 B-1/B-2 visas.

So yes as previously said it looks like they are still only doing emergency appointments 

[A&D25612 32]

5 hours ago, stuckonyou said:

 

I can kind of understand that part, though. Because between us doing a medical, it being sent to the embassy and us getting our visas we could get infected. So any Covid test we take at the medical might be several weeks old by the time we get the visa. 😶 If anything it would make more sense to get tested a couple of days before leaving, and perhaps again after arriving in the US just to make sure.

Oh tbh I actually thought it would be arranged the way you suggested, but guess they wont do that huh? lol. And then I assumed when we eventually do enter, they'd get us to take another test too. Which I'm ok with. 

[imsan 41]

Even in places they don't have travel bans, they are not doing regular K1. Australia is doing emergency K1 and some cancelled IR/CR. India just started 221g IR/CR. No K1 at all, not even emergency. This vague 'K1 will be given higher priority if local conditions allow' is just a ruse trying to defend against pending lawsuit.