Confused about email from NVC - AU to USA K1 Visa

[0410audrey 2]

I'm sorry if I'm being dense, but I don't really understand this email we just got from the NVC. It seems so vague and concerning.

We had submitted our petition early March 2021. It finally was approved by the USCIS in January.
This is the first we have heard from the NVC.

I know that the Sydney location is apparently trying to move locations or something so it's closed down right now, but they said they would be offering interviews at other AU locations temporarily to make up for it. I'm not at the interview stage yet but I assumed our petition would be sent to Melbourne, Canberra, etc since Sydney isn't doing anything right now but this email makes it sound like they're not going to send it anywhere except Sydney, and they'll just wait indefinitely until Sydney is operational again. I don't understand what is going on lol or how long we will have to wait, or if there is anything I can do about this - can anyone help me understand what they're telling me?

and what does "you may need to provide evidence that you still qualify" mean?! I am a little panicked!

I looked at the website they linked as well as other websites, searched for a half hour for forums or anything discussing this and I couldn't find anything, so maybe I'm just being dumb, but I'm confused and scared lol we have already been waiting over a year and I'm scared it will be another year or two before we actually get the visa!

 

Here is the email:

Quote

 

Dear Sir or Madam:

This notice is to inform you that NVC is currently holding your approved Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiance(e)), and it has been at least 60 days since we received it from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Your case number is [omitted].

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in Sydney suspended routine visa services. Where local conditions and restrictions allow, some embassies and consulates have resumed processing a limited visa workload, including K-1 nonimmigrant visa applications. For embassies and consulates that were unable to resume processing their visa workload, NVC is holding your approved Form I-129F. We cannot predict when routine visa services will resume, and we cannot guarantee or predict when your case will be sent to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in Sydney. When NVC does forward your case, you will receive another notification.

Approved Forms I-129F have a 120-day expiration date from the date of approval by USCIS. Once your designated embassy or consulate resumes normal operations, a consular officer will revalidate your petition for another 120 days. You do not need to take any action for this revalidation to happen, though you may need to provide evidence that you still qualify for the K-1 nonimmigrant visa. For the most up-to-date information about the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General's operating status, visit their website at https://usembassy.gov.

Thank you for your patience.

Sincerely,

National Visa Center Director

 

 

Edited March 28, 2022 by maddie410

[Chancy 6,233]

7 hours ago, maddie410 said:

what does "you may need to provide evidence that you still qualify" mean?! I am a little panicked!

 

No need to worry.  That's just the generic email to notify you that your case has not been lost or forgotten, but they don't have an interview slot for you yet.  When you do get to your K1 visa interview, bring more recently dated letters of intent to marry within 90 days, in case the consul officer asks.

 

Also, check out the ANZ regional forum for updates from others waiting on K1 interview in Australia -- https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/146-australia-and-new-zealand/