K1 visa in admin processing with no defined next step

[londoner2025 2]

Hi my fiancee had her K1 visa interview 70 days ago (June 2025) and was refused the visa during the interview (was handed an 221g letter). The consulate officer suspected we are married since we had a few engagement ceremonies... we didn't do a full marriage ceremony, only an engagement ceremony but it seemed like the officer was fixated on us having been married.

 

Our case status was immediately updated to Refused on the NVC Case status website, but as I understand it this is the same as Administrative Processing (our physical letter also claims the status will be considered Refused until processing is complete).

 

We are struggling coping together on what to do next - it feels heartbreaking to have waiting almost a year to get the K1 interview and then have it stuck in admin processing. We are not sure whether we should just get a registered marriage at this point and apply for CR1 or continue waiting for a final decision on our K1. 

 

Our 221g letter specifies no next steps on our end - it mentions the consulate will contact us once the admin processing is complete. The consulate officer also didn't say we have to submit anything -it seems the officer just handed back my fiancee's passport along with the 221g letter and said we have to read the letter. We've reached out to the embassy a couple times to get an update but we just get told to wait until admin processing is complete. Everyday seems like the worst day ever for both my fiancee and I.

 

Anyone have any recommendations on what we should do in this case? I've tried reaching out to a representative/senator but they have been mostly useless (mostly not getting responses). Also does anyone know what are the potential final status decisions after Refused for our case (i.e. what would the status change to in the case of an approval or rejection).

Edited 23 hours ago by londoner2025

[Crazy Cat 45,187]

Marriage will not solve the Administrative Process delay for a CR-1.  Marriage would force you to start from scratch again.

1 hour ago, londoner2025 said:

Our 221g letter specifies no next steps on our end -

What is your fiance's country of origin?

[londoner2025 2]

8 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Marriage will not solve the Administrative Process delay for a CR-1.  Marriage would force you to start from scratch again.

What is your fiance's country of origin?

My fiancee is from India. To clarify, we have applied for K1 visa (fiancee visa)... not CR1

Edited 22 hours ago by londoner2025

[Boiler 47,842]

How did they know about the engagement ceremonies?

 

I suppose a WoM but then a K1 can expire.

[Crazy Cat 45,187]

9 minutes ago, londoner2025 said:

My fiancee is from India. To clarify, we have applied for K1 visa (fiancee visa)... not CR1

I know. My point is that, you might face another round of extended AP with a CR-1.  However, after re-reading your first post, I think it is clear that the issue is the ceremony.  That is something we always advise members to avoid.  

I completely understand your frustration because there is a real possibility that the K-1 will be denied......due to being too married for a K-1.  

I think you will get a decision soon.  I would probably wait another couple of months before making a final decision to marry.  Or, as @Boiler said, you could sue them for a decision (which could go either way). Good luck.

Edited 22 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[londoner2025 2]

6 minutes ago, Boiler said:

How did they know about the engagement ceremonies?

 

I suppose a WoM but then a K1 can expire.

 

Can you elaborate on this? If we file a WoM, the consulate is required to make a decision within 30 days right? Can you clarify what you mean by "K1 expiring"? The officer asked about what ceremonies we had.

Edited 22 hours ago by londoner2025

[Crazy Cat 45,187]

1 minute ago, londoner2025 said:

 

Can you elaborate on this? If we file a WoM, the US is required to make a decision within 30 days right? Can you clarify what you mean by "K1 expiring"? The officer asked about what ceremonies we had.

An approved I-129F expires after 4 months.  The consulate has the discretion to extend them for 4 month increments up to a year.  Sometimes, they just let them expire. There is no appeal. 

[londoner2025 2]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I know. My point is that, you might face another round of extended AP with a CR-1.  However, after re-reading your first post, I think it is clear that the issue is the ceremony.  That is something we always advise members to avoid.  

I completely understand your frustration because there is a real possibility that the K-1 will be denied......due to being too married for a K-1.  

I think you will get a decision soon.  I would probably wait another couple of months before making a final decision to marry.  Or, as @Boiler said, you could sue them for a decision (which could go either way). Good luck.

 

 

Thanks - just trying to understand a bit more... can you elaborate on why you predict the decision will come soon? have you seen a case similar to this? How long do people get stuck in admin processing for a situation similar to ours?
 

Also should we file the WoM 30 days prior to getting married just so we can see the end of the K1 visa before officially starting from scratch?

[Boiler 47,842]

K1 has many issues including being required to be renewed which Consulates usually do automatically 

 

No 30 days for WoM

[londoner2025 2]

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

An approved I-129F expires after 4 months.  The consulate has the discretion to extend them for 4 month increments up to a year.  Sometimes, they just let them expire. There is no appeal. 

 

 

Oh - so if our case is stuck in admin processing 1 year after the i-129f approval, is there no chance of seeing it approved? Would our only option be to start from scratch?

[Crazy Cat 45,187]

Just now, londoner2025 said:

 

 

Thanks - just trying to understand a bit more... can you elaborate on why you predict the decision will come soon? have you seen a case similar to this? How long do people get stuck in admin processing for a situation similar to ours?
 

I think the issue causing the extended Administrative Processing is the ceremony.  Seems, to me, it shouldn't take much longer to make a decision. 

[Crazy Cat 45,187]

2 minutes ago, londoner2025 said:

 

 

Oh - so if our case is stuck in admin processing 1 year after the i-129f approval, is there no chance of seeing it approved? Would our only option be to start from scratch?

I doubt it will be in AP for a year.

[Boiler 47,842]

You just marry and pull the I  129f if that is the way you want to go

[Crazy Cat 45,187]

This would be a tough decision for me.  The Consulate's decision could go either way......50/50, imho.

[londoner2025 2]

Thanks both - at what point should I be filing a WoM (if at all) vs just pulling the K1 and getting married.