K1 Visa during Covid-19

[Noy 0]

Hello, 

I processed my I-129f fiancé K1 visa back in April 2020. I haven’t heard anthing as of yet.. I was told the next step is they forwarding the information to the US Embassy in Laos, but I haven’t heard anything yet. Is there a delay in the paperwork due to Coronavirus? And how long does it usually take to schdeule an interview

[HRQX 4,145]

45 minutes ago, Noy said:

I haven’t heard anthing as of yet.. I was told the next step is they forwarding the information to the US Embassy in Laos,

No. The next step is USCIS approving the petition before it can be sent to the Embassy. It can take 5 to 7 months for USCIS to approve the petition: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Also see:

https://la.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/

Important Note: As of April 1, 2020, the United States has discontinued issuance of all nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) for Lao citizens and nationals applying in Laos, except for A1, A2, C2, G1, G2, G3, G4, NATO1, NATO2, NATO3, NATO4, NATO5, and NATO6 visas, and others whose travel is covered by Section 11 of the UN Headquarters Agreement, subject to limited exceptions. This action was taken pursuant to section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  For more information, please open this link (PDF 149 KB).

https://la.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/

Important note: As of April 1, 2020, U.S. Embassy Vientiane discontinued issuing all immigrant visas for Lao citizens and nationals applying in Vientiane, with limited exceptions.  This action was taken pursuant to section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). For more information, please open this link. (PDF 111 KB)

[SteveInBostonI130 3,467]

1 hour ago, Noy said:

Hello, 

I processed my I-129f fiancé K1 visa back in April 2020. I haven’t heard anthing as of yet.. I was told the next step is they forwarding the information to the US Embassy in Laos, but I haven’t heard anything yet. Is there a delay in the paperwork due to Coronavirus? And how long does it usually take to schdeule an interview

You can help yourself by joining the K1 April 2020 filers topic. The people there are going through the same process you are and can provide updates about their cases.  And you can help by posting updates of your case so others can see when Laos is ready to process K1's.

 

 

[Noy 0]

Ok I finally got an update on my i129f application. An email stating.. Based on timeline data , your i129F may be adjudicated between November 16 and November 21 2020.
I am waiting for them to approve the i129F NOA2. What does that mean and how long do you think it will take for her interview process once they send the info to the embassy

[powerpuff 6,732]

10 minutes ago, Noy said:

Ok I finally got an update on my i129f application. An email stating.. Based on timeline data , your i129F may be adjudicated between November 16 and November 21 2020.
I am waiting for them to approve the i129F NOA2. What does that mean and how long do you think it will take for her interview process once they send the info to the embassy

Was that an email from VisaJourney or a third party app like Lawfully? If so, it is not 100% accurate. 

 

NOA2 means USCIS approved your i-129f and will forward it to NVC where it will stay indefinitely until the consulate in beneficiary's country resumes K-1 visas. Thousands are still waiting since March for NVC to forward their petitions to US consulates. 

Edited October 21, 2020 by powerpuff

[Noy 0]

Email is from Visajourney. I created a timeline on there

[powerpuff 6,732]

Just now, Noy said:

Email is from Visajourney. I created a timeline on there

It is just an estimate based on other people's inputs. Not everyone takes time to complete their information so it's not really accurate. If 7 months pass since receiving NOA1 you can submit an inquiry with the USCIS. 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,093]

4 hours ago, powerpuff said:

It is just an estimate based on other people's inputs. Not everyone takes time to complete their information so it's not really accurate. If 7 months pass since receiving NOA1 you can submit an inquiry with the USCIS. 

Eh, enough people do (at least for K-1s) that the average is reasonably accurate (certainly it was closer to reality than the official USCIS timelines for both our petition and for AOS), though less so when processing times are changing (particularly when they're going up, because there's going to be less data available).

 

The thing that isn't explained very well in VJ's emails is that processing times vary a lot from case to case.

[JeffAtl 16]

Our estimate of when the K-1 will be approved has been delayed 2 months since we started this process.  We started early April.  So even when it comes through, looks like the interview will take another several months? Seems thats what people are saying here.

[JeffAtl 16]

Anyone?

[kmk813 11]

6 minutes ago, JeffAtl said:

Anyone?

It will all depend on when the embassy starts processing interviews. I filed end of March I am still waiting. But Honduras embassy is still not open so who knows how many more months it will take to get a interview. It could be 1 month 6 months or even another year. We just have to wait and wait. 

[kmk813 11]

10 minutes ago, JeffAtl said:

Anyone?

And it looks like the Ukrainian is processing k1s so feel lucky on that part. If you go to the visa timelines. Enter your country then you can see about how long it is taking from the time of approval to the time of interview to get an estimate. mine timeline was orginally in july to be approved now it is backed up till beginning of November but with the embassy not processing k1s I have a long wait ahead still. 

[JeffAtl 16]

Thank you.  I've been getting estimates and each one is moved further out by 1-3 weeks.  Started as July/August approval, and now November 21.  This is beyond frustrating.