Mini Rant on Lack of K-1 Processing

[LibbyG99 65]

Visa statistics are out for November. Our embassy, Addis Ababa, issued 1,600 B1/B2s in the month of November but ZERO K1s, CR1s, etc. It's just super frustrating because when I ask them about visa processing they say it is limited due to covid. So.... people applying for business visas can't carry covid but fiances can? They've also made a statement to resume student visas soon, but no news on K1s. It is so sad how money talks, but not the families of Americans....

 

Just had to get it off my chest to those who understand the struggle.

[Boiler 43,622]

London issued 55 B Visa'a and just one K1.

[Chancy 6,233]

13 minutes ago, LibbyG99 said:

Our embassy, Addis Ababa, issued 1,600 B1/B2s in the month of November but ZERO K1s, CR1s, etc. It's just super frustrating because when I ask them about visa processing they say it is limited due to covid. So.... people applying for business visas can't carry covid but fiances can?

 

According to the embassy website, the interview waiver program for B1/B2 renewals is available in Ethiopia.  Many of those B1/B2 visas issued in November are probably visa renewals that did not require interview.  This is the case for many embassies worldwide where this dropbox renewal option is available.  So it doesn't really eat into the interview scheduling for immigrant visas.  This site says Addis Ababa is still not taking appointments for routine B1/B2 interviews -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

 

[Chancy 6,233]

Manila also issued more than 1,000 B1/B2 visas in November and around the same number in October, despite not having any B1/B2 interview slots available via the appointment scheduling site for most of 2020.  This visa issuance statistic is not really surprising, considering that the Interview Waiver Program for visa renewals continues to be available in Manila.

 

[LibbyG99 65]

1 hour ago, Chancy said:

 

According to the embassy website, the interview waiver program for B1/B2 renewals is available in Ethiopia.  Many of those B1/B2 visas issued in November are probably visa renewals that did not require interview.  This is the case for many embassies worldwide where this dropbox renewal option is available.  So it doesn't really eat into the interview scheduling for immigrant visas.  This site says Addis Ababa is still not taking appointments for routine B1/B2 interviews -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

 

Ahhh that makes sense. That makes me feel better.

[yvonme 124]

7 hours ago, Chancy said:

 

According to the embassy website, the interview waiver program for B1/B2 renewals is available in Ethiopia.  Many of those B1/B2 visas issued in November are probably visa renewals that did not require interview.  This is the case for many embassies worldwide where this dropbox renewal option is available.  So it doesn't really eat into the interview scheduling for immigrant visas.  This site says Addis Ababa is still not taking appointments for routine B1/B2 interviews -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

 

Awesome wait times link - thanks! 

[yvonme 124]

There’s so many links out there, how can I find out for Australia? 

[Adventine 3,187]

8 minutes ago, yvonme said:

There’s so many links out there, how can I find out for Australia? 

Are you on your phone? As the info is fairly easy to find on desktop for Australia:

 

 

Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuance Statistics (state.gov) - for CR1/IR1 visas. Scroll to the bottom of the page and open the PDF to look at stats for Australia

Monthly Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance Statistics (state.gov) - for K1 visas. Same instructions as above

 

 

Visa Appointment Wait Times (state.gov)

[yvonme 124]

I have that one.

 

How can I find statistics for how many K1 visas are issued like the OP?

[Adventine 3,187]

1 minute ago, yvonme said:

I have that one.

 

How can I find statistics for how many K1 visas are issued like the OP?

 

Gave you the link right there

 

[yvonme 124]

I got it thank you  ! It’s by city not Country. I don’t know why this does not come up for me. 

[Ryan H 3,792]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[Chancy 6,233]

8 hours ago, yvonme said:

It’s by city not Country. I don’t know why this does not come up for me. 

 

Sydney is the only consulate that handles K1 and immigrant visa processing for all residents of Australia.  So the Sydney statistics for visa issuance would be for all of Australia.

 

[Ed&Midori1031 330]

19 hours ago, LibbyG99 said:

Visa statistics are out for November. Our embassy, Addis Ababa, issued 1,600 B1/B2s in the month of November but ZERO K1s, CR1s, etc. It's just super frustrating because when I ask them about visa processing they say it is limited due to covid. So.... people applying for business visas can't carry covid but fiances can? They've also made a statement to resume student visas soon, but no news on K1s. It is so sad how money talks, but not the families of Americans....

 

Just had to get it off my chest to those who understand the struggle.

Vent all you want, it's perfectly OK to do so here, and with whatever help we as a forum can provide, we will do so!  Hopefully your K-1 gets issued in the near future!

[LibbyG99 65]

On 12/28/2020 at 8:08 AM, Ed&Midori1031 said:

Vent all you want, it's perfectly OK to do so here, and with whatever help we as a forum can provide, we will do so!  Hopefully your K-1 gets issued in the near future!

Thanks friend! Everyone here is so supportive. I don't know what I'd do without visajourney.

 

Also- Brazil is my favorite country. Not sure why you and your loved one would want to leave lol

Edited December 29, 2020 by LibbyG99