K-1 visa issuance for applicants not living near embassy

[Ethan G 3]

For applicants from countries where a different country holds the interview, or for people who live far away from the embassy where the interview is held....how did you get the visa in hand? Did you remain at a hotel near the embassy after the interview and pick it up after a few days whenever it was ready? Many countries don't always have good mailing systems so using a courier is a little sketchy and ill-defined, and probably much longer than picking directly from the embassy. Any experience with this?

 

(My fiance is from Uganda and applying in Nairobi, but the Afirican and Nairobi sub threads don't have much activity so I don't think I'll get an answer there.)

[appleblossom 5,706]

6 minutes ago, Ethan G said:

For applicants from countries where a different country holds the interview, or for people who live far away from the embassy where the interview is held....how did you get the visa in hand? Did you remain at a hotel near the embassy after the interview and pick it up after a few days whenever it was ready? Many countries don't always have good mailing systems so using a courier is a little sketchy and ill-defined, and probably much longer than picking directly from the embassy. Any experience with this?

 

(My fiance is from Uganda and applying in Nairobi, but the Afirican and Nairobi sub threads don't have much activity so I don't think I'll get an answer there.)

 

Is there a choice? A lot of consulates don't give you the option of picking up in person anyway. If they do, and he can hang around, I'd pick it up personally - but could easily take 2 weeks or longer so depends on if he can wait in Nairobi for that long. 

 

As an aside, are K-1's still being processed for Ugandans? Not sure if they come under the visa ban or not as technically they're NIV's?

 

[Ethan G 3]

Ok I guess I'll have her try to contact the embassy and see what they allow or suggest. I had hoped to go with her to the Nairobi embassy (for safety) and fly her back to the US, but scheduling tickets is difficult with the uncertainty of if/when the visa will be available.

 

According to testimony from other people in similarly paused countries, K-1s are still being processed. I guess my fiance can double check that too when she tries to contact them.

[JeanneAdil 7,439]

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Where Do I Collect My US Visa Documents in Kenya?

• • Collection Point: BLS Kenya, Gallant Mall, 4th Floor, Parklands Road, Opposite Total Gas Station, Nairobi. Take me to the address.

  • Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm

  • Tracking Number: Applicants will receive a unique tracking number (example: 11th/Aug/2025-40978794) once their US visa documents are ready for collection.

[TBoneTX 49,010]

Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the Embassy/Consulate forum -- topic involves that phase.